VIRTUAL SEASONS EPISODES

Theorizing that one could time-travel within his own lifetime, Dr. Sam Beckett led an elite group of scientists into the desert to develop a top-secret project known as Quantum Leap.  Pressured to prove his theories or lose funding, Dr. Beckett prematurely stepped into the Project Accelerator…and vanished.

He awoke to find himself in the past, suffering from partial amnesia and facing a mirror image that was not his own.  Fortunately, contact with his own time was maintained through brainwave transmissions with Al, the Project Observer, who appeared in the form of a hologram that only Dr. Beckett can see and hear.

As evil ones do their best to stop Dr. Beckett’s journey, his children, Dr. Samantha Josephine Fulton and Stephen Beckett, continuously strive to retrieve their time-lost father and bring him home permanently.  Despite returning home several times over the last decade, Dr. Beckett has remained lost in the time stream…his final fate no longer certain.

Trapped in the past and driven by an unknown force, Dr. Beckett struggles to accept his destiny as he continues to find himself leaping from life to life, putting things right that once went wrong with the hopes that his next leap…will be the final leap home.

PROLOGUE

"Duke!"

Sam heard the frighteningly familiar voice call to him as temporal energy had dissipated. Furrowing his brow, Sam took a step around the corner and stopped abruptly in his tracks. The dark-haired man that had called him wore a broad smile as he held out his arms.

"Duke. Glad to see you, brother," the man said pulling Sam into a tight embrace.

After a couple moments, Sam pulled back and got a real close look at the man who had greeted him. He was tall with a chiseled jaw and dark eyes that demanded respect. The eyes held genius behind them but, at the same time, there was also a hint of madness that caused Sam great concern. He remembered seeing those eyes at least once before. If the twinge in his ribs was a reminder, it wasn’t a pleasant meeting. He found his left hand moving towards his side, brushing over a scar that was the only physical reminder of that meeting.

It was at that moment that the memory clarified itself through the holes of his Swiss-cheesed brain. "Lothoman?" he breathed, his hand firmly covering the “L” shaped scar. When Nathaniel Lothoman only smiled, Sam whispered, "Oh boy."

PART ONE

Project Alexander

Somewhere in the British Isles

August 17, 1977

1:07 pm

        Nathaniel Lothoman chuckled at the look on Duke's face. "Oh, boy?" he questioned. "You look like you've seen a ghost. It's only been a few weeks." He patted his back and gently pushed him further into the room.

        Sam looked around and noticed that the room Lothoman was guiding him further into was very large. There didn't seem to be anything in the room at all except a large illuminated circle on the floor in front of what looked like a wall of electronic components and a small closet-like structure on the far end.

        "Look how far we've gotten. We're going to change the world, Duke. You and me. With my brains and your knack at getting things..." He turned to him. "Speaking of which, were you able to get it?"

        "G-get it?" Sam questioned as he was still reeling from the shock of coming face to face with the man whom would go on to become one of the greatest threats known to man. "Get what?"

        "Duke," Lothoman started, looking at Sam firmly. "Phillip Braden's information is useless without those schematics. He may be Zoë’s father but I wouldn't trust him with my life. The schematics he sold me for Alex Garner's Time Displacement Unit are so antiquated and incomplete they could be schematics for the world's greatest cappuccino machine. Please, big brother, tell me you got them."

        Sam glanced down and saw the tube his hand held. Glancing back up at Nathaniel and seeing the intent look in his eye, Sam tipped his head as he held out the tube for Nathaniel to take. "Ah, hopefully this should help you." He blinked a couple times and then squeezed his eyes shut. The internal struggle between Sam and Duke commenced but only for a moment. Usually, when psychosynergizing was present during a Leap, Sam felt as if his ego would drift alongside the person he replaced. However, Duke Lothoman’s ego wasn’t just drifting.

        "Are you feeling alright, Duke?" Nathaniel asked as he placed a hand on Sam's shoulder.

        Sam slowly opened his eyes and gazed at Nathaniel. Then, nodding slowly, Sam held up the thin, paper tube that he'd been holding and handed it to Nathaniel. "Of course, little brother. Do you really think that I would arrive unprepared? Gaining the schematics was the easy part."

        Nathaniel grinned slightly. "What was the hard part?" he questioned.

        "Getting around your woman," Sam told him bluntly and then smiled widely. "I don't think Zoë likes me too much. She seems like a nosy little whelp."

        "I don't think Zoë likes anyone too much, Duke," came the reply. "But she's great in bed." He looked at the tube now in his hand and clutched it a little tighter. "I'm not going to ask how you got these plans, brother. I know you've got connections you'd rather not talk about." He turned his head towards the wall of electronics. "So, what do you think?"

        "Pretty damn amazing, Nate. I always knew if anyone could do it, you could. Beckett's own praises will be his downfall. I couldn't believe the way that idiot would prattle on about his theories. And as far as Braden goes," Sam added as he met Nathaniel's gaze, "well, Nate, you better take care of him soon. I wouldn't put it past him to double-cross. Then again, I wouldn’t want you to get your hands dirty; perhaps I can take care of the matter for you."

        Nate looked at his older brother with a frown. "Oh, that's brilliant. I'll just go and have my girlfriend's father killed. See if she'll sleep with me after that. I'll keep an eye on him; don't you worry about that." He took several steps towards the wall and touched it almost reverently. "Imagine. Power, money... the world in the palm of our hands." He turned and smiled at Sam. "The Lothoman boys are going to be unstoppable!"

Sam grinned. "You got that right." Closing the space between the two, Sam said in a serious tone, "I'm just worried that Braden will betray you, Nate. I will not stand by and watch all your hard work go down the toilet because of some old man. Tell you what, I'll keep an eye out on him and if I see or hear anything suspicious I will inform you, okay?"

        "Looking out for your little brother?" Nate questioned.

        The answer didn't come, however, as a feminine form came up from behind Sam and a hand touched his shoulders.

        "I wouldn't worry too much about my father, Duke," Zoë Malvison told the Leaper. "If he even thinks of double-crossing us, I'll take care of him myself."

        "I see," Sam said as he turned to face Zoë. "I'm sure that you're more than capable, my dear. However my brother is my priority. This is his dream," Sam said with a wave of his hand towards the electronics on the wall, "and it would be a fatal mistake for anyone to endanger that."

        "Oh, believe me," Zoë assured him. "No one will. Isn't that right, my love?" she questioned with a kiss on Lothoman's lips.

        "Sam..." a gruff voice called from behind. "Sam, we've got to talk." There was a long pause. "Hello? Sam, can you hear me?"

        Sam narrowed his eyes as he tossed a glance over his shoulder, earning strange looks from both Nathaniel and Zoë. He'd heard the voice call out...Sam.

        "Is everything alright?" Zoë asked slightly irritated.

        "Oh," Sam said with a shake of his head, "yeah, I'm fine. Just a damn headache. I think a couple hours of rest will get rid of it. So," Sam said as he started past the two, "if you'll excuse me for now..."

        Nathaniel and Zoë watched with a slight frown as Sam left the room. Neither of them saw the short, aging man following him out, talking.

        "Hello? Is anyone in there?" Al demanded with concern, waving his hands in front of Sam's face. "Sam, come on. This is no time for games! Do you know who those two maniacs back there are?"

        "Yes, I do," Sam said with unusual force as he spun around and faced the hologram. "That's my brother in there with that bitch, Zoë," he harshly whispered. "If you're here to sabotage Nate's plans, then you're in for a rude awakening, old man."

        "Whoa! Hold on there a minute!" Al exclaimed, noting Sam's words. "What do you mean he's your brother? Sam... you're really scaring me here!"

        "And quit calling me 'Sam'!” the physicist yelled back. “My name is Duke, got it?" Sam gave Al a glare that shook him to his very core, causing Al to take a step back eyeing him skeptically. "Now," Sam continued, "I don't know where the hell you came from nor do I even care so why not get the hell out of here before you experience the true meaning of the word 'pain'."

        Al wasn't sure if this were a nightmare or if this was reality for a long moment. His best friend was acting odd, even wicked, and he didn't like it at all. A single word flitted through his mind - psychosynergizing - making Al shiver. The last time Sam pyschosynergized this badly, he'd leaped into Oswald.

        "Sam, you are not Nathaniel Lothoman's brother! You are Dr. Samuel Beckett. You're a quantum physicist," Al emphasized. "Sam, come on, buddy. Come back to me." Al could see the slight change in the way Sam/Duke looked at him. He could tell that Sam's ego was struggling to regain control. "C'mon, buddy. I know you're in there. Fight him!" Al looked on intently as the internal struggle ensued. After several long moments, Sam/Duke blinked and looked at the hologram in a befuddled state.

        "Al?"

        "Oh, thank God!" Al exclaimed and then sighed. "Sam, you really scared me!" He looked around quickly. "Sam, we've got to talk. Let's go someplace private so Gomez and Morticia Addams back there doesn't see you talking to yourself."

        Sam nodded slowly and led Al over to a secluded corner of the corridor that was still under construction. Looking around to make sure that they were in fact alone, Sam ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh of frustration. "What's happening to me, Al? For a while there I must've blacked out. I can't remember anything after Leaping in."

        "Well, you weren't exactly acting like yourself either. We've got some serious psychosynergizing going on here, Sam, and it's scaring the hell out of me. For a while there, you were acting like the Leapee."

        Sam shook his head. "All I know at this point is that I've Leaped into Nathaniel Lothoman's brother, Duke. Other than that, I have no clue." Sam paused as a thought occurred to him. "What's the date, Al?"

        "Uh..." Al hesitated, looking at the handlink. "August 17, 1977. From the looks of this place, you Leaped into the other project just as Lothoman was building it. Actually, Duke is just a nickname that he goes by. His actual name is Alexander Daniel Lothoman, Junior."

        Sam nodded. "And just what is Ziggy saying that I'm here to do?"

        "Are you kidding?" the Observer told him with a frown. "Ziggy is going nuts just with the fact that you've leaped into this place. She's practically shut down completely."

        "What is Duke saying in the Waiting Room? Were you able to get anything out of him?"

        "Yeah," Al said sarcastically. "His name. That's it." He exhaled. "Sam, this guy is so tight-lipped that if you put a piece of coal in his mouth, you'll get a diamond the next time he opens it."

        Sam frowned for a moment at his analogy before shaking his head slightly. "I'm worried, Al. This Duke seems like he's a pretty sharp guy. What if he catches on to what's happening back at the Project?"

        "From what I've seen here, they already know how to travel in time, Sam," Al told him bluntly. "Don't worry about things on this end. Duke Lothoman isn't going anywhere. And I'm limiting access to him. No one is going in or out of the Waiting Room. Period."

        "What else does Ziggy have? I hate to say this, Al, I really do, but something is telling me that I'm not here to destroy Lothoman's project." Even as the words had left his mouth, Sam lowered his head. He couldn't bring himself to look Al in the eye.

        After years of being his Observer, Al didn't have to question how Sam knew what he was thinking. The two of them could practically read each other's minds.

        "Why the hell not?" he demanded plainly, clearly astonished by Sam's words. "Sam, these bastards are going to royally screw with history. They kill people, Sam! They ruin marriages, they destroy lives... They hurt Christa!"

        Sam cocked his head at the mention of Al's youngest daughter. "Christa? I... I remember Christa. Wasn't she, ah, kidnapped a while ago?"

        "I would hope you remember your goddaughter! Zoë leaped back into 1996, kidnapped her and tortured her," Al told him bluntly. "Do you want that to happen to her?"

        "No," Sam stammered, "no, of course not, Al. It hurts me to even consider the notion but, like I said, I think I'm here for something else.  If I try anything to stop Lothoman then he could very well find out that I'm not Duke and all hell would break loose."

        Al frowned at his words. "You are forgetting one big thing, Sam," he pointed out. "Time travel is still pretty much theory in 1977. I doubt that Lothoman would even think that you could possibly be a time traveler from the future. Besides, why else would you be here? Hmm?"

        Sam thought this over for a moment. When he was met with the unwavering gaze of the hologram, Sam shifted his shoulders, appearing completely uncomfortable to be in the presence of his best friend. "I don't know, Al. Trust me, I'd love to rid the world of this horrible place and spare all the people who fell victim to their cruelty. I just think that maybe I'm here to do something else; what that something else is, that's where I'm going to need you and Ziggy." Sam sighed as he took a step back, glancing around the barren, half constructed hallway. "Perhaps you might have some luck with Duke in the Waiting Room, because right now, he's our only hope at figuring out what's going on."

        "He's a Lothoman, Sam. He's loyal to his brother. He isn't going to betray him in any way," the Observer told him bluntly. "Everything we have on this end tells us that you have to stop these bastards. Whether you want to believe us or not is up to you. I just hope you don't wind up getting yourself killed."

        "I promise I'll be careful. Right now I just have to focus on not letting Duke take over. For all I know, Al, history can very well repeat itself, although this time around it'll be me who helps in the creation of Lothoman's Project." Sam's eyes began to water as he looked away from Al. "I can't let that happen, but the merging between Duke and I is pretty strong. What if I can't control it?"

        "You can control it, Sam. I know you can." Al raised the handlink and pressed a few buttons. "I'm going to see if you're right about getting something out of that nozzle in the Waiting Room. You just hang on, okay? And... go with your instincts, Sam. I know you'll know what to do."

        "Al," Sam called out to the hologram just as he had stepped into the illuminated door. When Al only stared at him, Sam licked his lips and spoke hesitantly. "I… I can't recall ever feeling this lost before. I... well, I don't want to screw this up. I promise I'll do what I can to try and stop these people." Sam knew that deep down that Al was right. Although his gut instinct cried out to him that he was wrong in his assumption, he also knew just as well that what Al had told him was true. He owed it to his friend and his family, after all.

        "I know you will, Sam," Al said with confidence. "I promise I won't be long." He then pressed the sequence that would close the door behind him, leaving Sam temporarily alone in the past.

Project Quantum Leap

August 22, 2007

Despite Al's attempts to get any relevant information from Duke Lothoman, it was, in his opinion, a wasted effort. If anything, the brother of the man who had sworn Sam's death was more tight-lipped than Al had first described him. Getting information from Duke was going to be harder than a stone in the wintertime.

        He rubbed his face hard as he walked down the ramp that led from the Waiting Room, encountering Verbena Beeks as he went.

        "Any luck?" she asked somberly. Seeing the Admiral shake his head, her shoulders dropped slightly. "I really wish you'd allow me in there to talk to him."

        "He's dangerous, Verbena," Al told her firmly, feeling as if he'd said the words for the tenth time. "I'm not letting anyone in there. Besides, he isn't exactly the talkative type. I'm afraid we're on our own on this leap." Walking towards the Control Room door, he turned towards her. "Join me for coffee?"

        "Sure," Verbena agreed. "We can discuss Sam's situation."

Ensign Edward Sharpe IV grimaced at the taste of the cafeteria coffee as he stood up, pushing out his chair from the table. Even though he was assigned to Project Quantum Leap a year ago, the one thing that he could never get used to was the lousy coffee that they served. Regardless, he was a man that needed his java in the morning and, being that it was only a quarter after five in the morning, he definitely needed the boost. Walking over to the counter that held several pots of freshly brewed coffee, Ed picked one up and poured himself another cup. Just as he had set the pot down he heard the soft ping of the elevator from the other side of the cafeteria hall. Not bothering to look over to see who had arrived, he went back over to the table, taking a couple of sips along the way. When he sat back down at the table, he saw Dr. Verbena Beeks and the Admiral talking amongst themselves as they stood near the elevator. Ed quickly adverted his gaze but it was too late; the Admiral had seen him. He said something to Doctor Beeks and started walking towards him.

        “Aw, great,” Ed grumbled as he took a sip of his coffee. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the man; hell, he admired him to a great extent, but whenever he was in his presence, well, the man simply made the young Naval officer quite nervous. The one thing that Ed Sharpe knew about Admiral Calavicci was that he expected only the best from those under his command. Ed could only hope that he lived up to the man’s expectations. Not only was this man his superior officer, but his father-in-law as well.

        “‘Morning, Ensign,” Al said as he approached Ed.

        Ed quickly set his mug down and stood at attention, saluting the Admiral. “Good morning, sir,” Ed said as he looked straight ahead.

        “As you were, Ensign,” Al said with a slight grin. Ed tipped his head and started to sit back down. Al took a seat next to him. Ed didn’t make eye contact with him at first, instead focusing his attention to his white coffee mug. Al looked at the nervous young man as he sipped his coffee. “So, how’s it going?”

        Ed swallowed and nodded. “Going well, sir. Just, uh, getting ready to report for duty here in about forty minutes. I, uh, just need a little ‘pick me up’ is all.”

        Al thought of what else to say. Clearly, he could tell that Ed was quite nervous just sitting next to him, however that was something that Al had grown quite used to at this point. Ever since he first met Ed back when he was dating Christa in high school, the kid had always been flustered around him, always calling him ‘sir’. It was at this point that Al’s thoughts went to his youngest daughter. She had gone on a trip for the week to visit one of her friends from high school. Vanessa Andrews was her name, and it just so happened that this Vanessa had been engaged to Ed’s best friend, Joe Wright, who had been killed during the Iraqi war a few years back. Al knew all too well that Edward Sharpe hadn’t completely recovered from the loss. From what Al knew, both he and Joe had grown up together and practically considered themselves brothers.

        “So, when is Christa coming back to town?”

        “Ah, tonight, sir,” Ed replied almost immediately. “She should be arriving at the airport at seven-thirty. I’m thinking of taking her out to dinner after I pick her up, although,” Ed said with a shrug, “I haven’t quite figured out where to take her. I want it to be special, you know?” Ed thought of saying more but he decided to let the sentence hang.

        “Try the Blue Moon restaurant,” Al suggested. “That’s a nice place and it doesn’t cost too much.”

        “Yeah,” Ed said nervously as he once again adverted his gaze. He remembered the Blue Moon as the restaurant where he and Christa had told her parents that they were going to get married.

        “Listen, Edward,” Al said, “no need to get all nervous around me, okay?  Just think of me as...your father-in-law.”

        “Kind of hard to do that when you’re in uniform, sir,” Ed said automatically and, nearly as quickly had he said that he mentally kicked himself for saying such a thing to the Admiral. When he glanced over and saw the expressionless face of the Admiral, Ed quickly shook his head. “Forgive me, sir. That was out of line.”

        Al held up a hand. “It’s okay, son. I’m just telling you that you should, ah,” Al paused as he tried to think of an easy way to say it without offending the young man, “lighten up a little.” When Ed’s eyes widened, Al quickly rephrased what he’d just said. “All I’m saying is that you should relax, Ed.”

        “Y...yes, sir,” Ed stammered as he took a sip of the coffee. He wasn’t able to hide the face that he’d made as soon as he tasted the bitter brew. “Gah,” he groused as he set the cup down.

        Al saw this and chuckled. “You know, Ed, I’ve been here for thirteen years and I still haven’t gotten used to that crap that they try to pass off as coffee, but it’ll definitely do the trick. That stuff really packs a punch.”  Al was still chuckling when he happened to notice the look on Ed’s face. “Ed, are you alright?”

        “Wha...” Ed met Al’s gaze, but with a slight look of confusion. “Oh, uh, I’m alright.”

        “You looked a little disoriented there for a moment. Maybe you should go see Doctor Lofton about that.”

        Ed quickly shook his head. “I’m fine, sir. I’m probably just not getting enough sleep or something.” Al nodded but he wasn’t quite buying Ed’s story. Ed could see this, too, but didn’t say anything further. Then, out of nowhere, Ed rapidly blinked his eyes a couple times and brought a hand to his face. Just as Al was about to comment Ed squeezed his eyes shut and his head dropped, nearly hitting it against the tabletop. Al instinctively reached out and grabbed Ed by his shoulders, pulling him back. Ed’s head flopped back, his eyes closed.

        “Beeks!” Al shouted and not a moment later Verbena came running over to the table, looking on at Al and Ed with a furrow in her brow.

        “Al, what is it? Is everything okay?” Verbena knelt down and started to examine the dazed Ensign as Al continued to help sit him in an upright position.

        “I don’t know what happened, ‘Bena. One moment we’re sitting here, shooting the breeze, and then all of a sudden Ed faints on me.”

        “I wonder what caused his fainting spell,” Verbena mused as she proceeded to check Ed’s pulse.

        “Perhaps he’s choked down too much of this crap,” Al said as he tossed a glance over at Ed’s coffee cup. “I’ve always told you that stuff was lethal.”

        “Alright,” Verbena nodded. “I’ll take him over to Aurora and have her look at him.”

        Al nodded and then started to gently pat Ed’s face. “Come on, Ensign. Wake up.” After a few moments of this Ed’s eyes fluttered open and he slowly brought his head up, looking around in a dazed fashion. “Ed, are you feeling alright?”

        “Uh,” Ed stammered as his gaze fixed onto the Admiral, “yeah, I’m fine. I must have passed out. I’m fine, though. No need for alarm.”

        “Still,” Al said as he and Verbena helped Ed to his feet, “Doctor Beeks here wants to take you over to Aurora , let her check you out. I can’t have you standing guard if you’re going to be fainting like that.”

        “I understand, sir,” Ed said after taking a couple of deep breaths. “Lead the way, Doc,” he then said to Verbena. Verbena then started to help Ed towards the elevator, but Ed gently shrugged her off. “Ah, no need for that. I think I can manage on my own feet.”

        “Ensign Sharpe, I need for you to take it easy.” Ed nodded as he reluctantly let Verbena help him over to the elevator. “Has this ever happened to you before?”

        “Uh,” Ed said as he narrowed his eyes, “y...yeah. It’s happened a couple times before, but that’s usually because I’m not getting enough, ah, sleep.”

        Al watched Verbena and Ed as they made their way towards the elevator. Al’s gaze didn’t waver until they had stepped inside and the doors had slid shut.

PART TWO

Project Alexander

Somewhere in the British Isles

August 17, 1977

1:31 pm

        As Sam watched the Imaging Chamber door close, he couldn't help but feel even more lost. That feeling quickly shifted to startled amazement as he was spun around and warm, eager lips pressed into his.

        "I've been looking for you, baby," the woman told him huskily. She looked around and grinned. "Right in our favorite spot... how very like you."

        Sam blushed madly as he leaned back against her hold. "I, uh, think you got the wrong impression. You see, I was just-"

        "Oh don't worry about Nathaniel," the woman told him as she attempted to kiss Sam's neck. "He's too busy with Ms. Malvison. It's just you and me, Duke." And before Sam could further fight her advances she quickly leaned forward and kissed Sam passionately on the mouth.  At first Sam had every intention of preventing the amorous encounter from escalating, but yet again, Duke Lothoman's mindset had regained control of the situation. Sam tightly embraced her and returned the kiss.

        The woman hummed with appreciation before slowly pulling away from him. "Gawd, I love you, Duke. Why can't we just leave this place? Do you have any idea what your brother is planning to do to his employees?"

        "Of course I do," Sam replied, as if the mere question was absurd. "Nate's a visionary and for what he has planned you couldn't possibly fathom. I don't really give a shit what he does concerning his employees, but it is my responsibility to look out for him, to make sure that nobody jeopardizes his plans. Ever since he was born I've looked out for him, Tanya. I always knew that Nate would go on to bigger and greater things. I can't let anybody hold him back."

        "But... implants? Duke... that's... barbaric! It's inhumane!" Tanya Primrose took a breath. "Duke..." She sighed softly. "Nathaniel can go to bigger and greater things. I agree on that. But he doesn't have to treat people as... as cattle to do it!" She paused, looking into his eyes. "Baby, I love you. Let's just leave this place.”

        Sam gently pushed away from her, but the flare of anger in his eyes was warning enough to Tanya. "Listen, babe, Nate has to do what he can in order to ensure full cooperation from his staff. He can't afford any potential double agents. We're carefully screening everybody that walks through the door. I don't question Nate nor his approach to things." Running a hand over his slicked back hair, Sam said, "Besides I can't leave this place nor do I even want to. I promised him not only my full cooperation, but ensured his safety. You're asking me to abandon my brother and that's not even an option. I may love you very much, Tanya, but Nate is blood...and blood is thicker."

        "Love should be thicker, Duke," she said somberly, all thoughts of showing affection gone. "I know he's your brother. But he's wrong." She turned her back on him. "Congratulations on your thorough screening, Duke. It just lost you a head nurse... and your girlfriend.  I knew Nate was starting an amazing top secret project using some young geeks theories along with his own. I didn't know he was going to make his employees his slaves!" she hissed at him, yanking her arm away.

        Sam felt the conflicting emotions of pure love, love for Tanya Primrose, and the unshakable bond that Duke shared with Nathaniel. Taking a half step back, Sam took a couple of deep breaths. Exhaling slowly he tried again to reason with her. "Tanya, I know that while you don't agree with Nate's methods, but you must understand just exactly how close he is to accomplishing his goal. This is his life's work; he has to do what is necessary to ensure success. You must understand that."

        Tanya sighed, her own emotions conflicted. She loved Duke Lothoman dearly. He was a good man, deep down inside. She knew she could get him to see that... if she could just get him away from his younger brother. Admittedly, Nate Lothoman was a genius. But the younger man was seriously mentally imbalanced.

        "Duke... all I know is that Nate's work is going to be his undoing if he doesn't show some respect for his employees. People are going to hate him if he forces them to do what he wants."

        "Nate knows what he is doing," Sam replied. "He wouldn't do anything that would put himself or his Project at risk. All he's doing is taking some precaution to ensure that. Besides, baby," Sam said as he slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her closely, "people know better than to cross a Lothoman." His grin could have been likened to that of a great white shark, zeroing in on his prey. "There's nothing to worry about, Tanya. Nate's got it all worked out."

        "I'm sure he does," she murmured under her breath. "I'm sure he does," she repeated to herself. She suddenly felt trapped. She had to do something before this got out of hand. And she was going to do it. No matter the cost, this insanity had to stop.

        She pulled away from Sam and started to walk away. "You do what you have to do, Duke. I just wish..." She sighed, rethinking her words. She bit her lips and shook her head. "I just want us to be happy and that's not going to happen."

        Sam placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. He said softly to her as he gazed into her entrancing blue eyes, "We can achieve happiness... together. I love you, Tanya, but I also have a duty to my brother." Sam paused as he licked his lips. "Please don't make this any harder than it has to be. You know how close Nate and I are."

        "I..." Tears started to show in her eyes. "I... I can't, Duke. It's wrong. I know you're close, but this..." She took a breath, hating to say what she was about to say. But the truth was always hard to give to someone you love, especially when you knew they didn't want to hear it. "Nate's psychotic. He literally wants to rule the world with an iron fist and that's just wrong. I can't let him do it."

        Sam's eyes went wide as soon as he had heard the words. "Don't you even dare think about such things about Nate. He is not psychotic. He's a visionary." When Sam saw that Tanya wouldn't stand down on her argument he quickly raised a hand and was about to slap her across the face when Sam's ego suddenly regained control of the situation. Sam slowly lowered his hand in pure horror as he realized what he had almost done. "I-I'm so sorry," he began as Tanya was still recoiled in fear. "Oh gawd, I'm so sorry."

        The tears that had threatened to escape before made good on their attempt as Tanya raised her head hesitantly, looking at Sam with anguished eyes.

        "I can't believe I've ever loved you," she said viciously before turning and hurrying away.

        "What the hell do you think you're doing, Sam?" Al exclaimed, having come into the Imaging Chamber to witness Sam's near brutality on the woman.

        Unable to even look his friend in the eye, Sam held his gaze in the direction that Tanya had left. "I-I don't know, Al. It's Duke Lothoman, he's taken control of me. The psychosynergizing is quite strong."

        "Well, you better fight him, Sam. Because, if you don't get in control of him, you're going to do a hell of a lot worse than hit that poor woman!"

        "How am I supposed to do that?" Sam asked a bit forcibly as he turned and faced Al. "His ego is stronger than mine; it's not like I can just turn it off like a light switch. Al, I need to know why I'm here, okay? The sooner I find out the better." Rubbing the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb he said, "I don't know how much longer I have control so whatever you do have, tell me."

        Al sighed slightly, an apologetic look in his eyes. "I know you're trying, Sam. I'm sorry." He raised the handlink. "As for why you're here, Ziggy is now insisting that you are definitely not here to prevent Lothoman from creating his project after all. Apparently, Quantum Leap and this project, Project Alexander, are intertwined because of all the interaction that has happened between the two projects. If we're going to stop these guys, it's going to have to be either battle by battle or in their present time, whenever that is.

        "As for what you are here to do, Ziggy has something."

        Al had held Sam's complete attention. Taking a step closer to the hologram, Sam asked, "Am I here for Duke? I mean, maybe I'm here to get him away from his brother."

        Al shook his head. "No, Sam. Duke isn't going anywhere. You're here for that beautiful woman you... I mean, Duke... was about to strike before you got in the way."

        "What happens to her? Duke...doesn't do anything to her, does he?" Sam knew in his heart what the answer to his plight would most likely be, but he also hoped that he was dead wrong in his assumption.

        Al shook his head. "We don't know for sure but four days from now, her body is found about ten miles from here. Her throat was slit and there were signs that she'd been sexually assaulted. Whoever killed her was very careful in covering his tracks."

        Sam closed his eyes in a feeble attempt to drive away the intense anguish that had fallen on him like a wet blanket. "Can't let that happen, Al, but I don't know how long I'll remain in control. Al, I need you back in the Waiting Room; talk to Duke and ask him if he knows of anybody that would want to harm Tanya."

        Al didn't budge, just looking at Sam for a long moment. "I've already tried talking to him, Sam. Twice. He isn't going to cooperate." He took a breath. "I'm afraid you're on your own figuring out that particular mystery."

        "Figures." Sam tipped his head towards the opposite end of the corridor. "I probably should be getting back; I don't need Nathaniel thinking that I'm up to something. Keep me posted on any developments, okay?"

        Al nodded, not verbally answering the question. "I'm going with you." Seeing Sam's confused look, he stood a little straighter. "Hey, someone's got to keep Duke at bay, right? Wouldn't it be better if I were around just to make sure that you stay here and he stays buried? Besides, there's little I can do back at the Project other than twiddle my thumbs until Ziggy comes up with something more."

        Sam nodded as he started down the corridor.

Project Quantum Leap

Project Infirmary

        Dr. Roy Bremmer, having been on board with Project Quantum Leap for about a year, shook his head at the young Naval officer who sat on the examination table. "Your fainting spells are nothing more than a mere byproduct of stress." Adjusting the stethoscope that he wore around his neck, he chuckled. "All I can prescribe for you, Ensign, is bed rest." At this point the elder doctor chuckled.

        Edward Sharpe IV didn't appear to be amused in the slightest bit by the doctor's apparent attempts at humor. Looking around for a moment, he noticed that the room was empty, save for the two of them. Turning back to Bremmer, he folded his arms.

        "We're alone so stop the act. You know what I'm here for. So, where is it?"

        Bremmer's smile didn't waiver. "Listen, junior. What I think you need are some manners. Didn't Mommy and Daddy teach you to speak to your elders with respect? Talking to me like that isn't going to get you shit." Bremmer eyed the young officer for a moment and then spoke to him as if he were speaking to a child. "Would you like to try and ask me again, sailor?"

        Eddie stood abruptly and grabbed Bremmer's neck, pushing him against the nearest wall.

        "Listen, old man!" he told him, a vicious glare in his eye. "I didn't get where I am now by playing nice-nice, especially not to a peon like you! Now, unless you really want me to give you a reason to cooperate..."

        With equal force, Bremmer shoved Ensign Sharpe back several steps. Standing nose to nose with Sharpe, Bremmer poked him in the chest a couple times. "Now you listen to me, you arrogant son of a bitch! You don't know who the hell you're dealing with. Don't let my age fool you, I'm still quite capable of many things. Let me tell you something else, punk," Bremmer said as he stepped back, his gaze never leaving Sharpe's face, "if you bark out one more order to me then I will go directly to the Admiral himself and tell him the truth behind the man his daughter married. Do I make myself clear?"

        Eddie lowered his eyelids slightly. "What do I care about the Admiral and his beloved fragile flower?" he replied nonchalantly. "As far as I'm concerned, this blissful marriage can be ended now instead of later. Putting on this fake visaed, pretending to be this nice guy, is leaving a bad taste in my mouth." Seeing Bremmer fold his arms and look at him, he shivered involuntarily.

        "Fine," he said bluntly, knowing that the consequences of not getting what he needed were worse than having to deal with Admiral Calavicci's fury. "Please." He drew the word out, making it sound as if it were a complicated sentence all by itself.

        Bremmer grinned ear to ear. "There. Now was that so hard to say?" He only laughed as Eddie scowled at him. Bremmer led Eddie across the infirmary and over to a shelf, where Bremmer plucked a vial with some greenish fluid. He handed it to Eddie. "It's highly concentrated. There's just enough to do the job; you give her anything more and you'll have quite a mess on your hands."

        Eddie looked at the vial with interest, rolling it in his hand. "What's the dosage? I'm assuming that I don't give this all to her at once. After all, I wouldn't want there to be a fatal mistake."

        "Don't worry about the recommended dosage. There will always be just enough for what you need, that I will make sure of. All you need to concern yourself with is making sure she gets the shot." Glancing at his watch Bremmer said, "I don't have much time left. Just see to it that she gets the shot. If you have any trouble you know where to find me. In fact I think she's due for a check up with Doctor Lofton so you better get your ass in gear."

        Again, Eddie looked at the vial. There wasn't a lot in the small vial, enough for one dose. But he was going to have to trust Bremmer that this one dose would be enough for the first shot.

        "I suppose it would be wise," he said, slipping the dose into his trousers. "I would imagine that Christa would require insulin every day. Just make sure that you're on top of the demand for this special concoction of yours. I wouldn't even wait to thing of the consequences if you were late." He started towards the door.

        "One thing you will learn real quickly, junior," Bremmer called after Eddie, "is that I'm never late." The elder doctor was still smiling when Eddie closed the door behind him.

Project Alexander

Somewhere in the British Isles

August 17, 1977

2:04 pm

Tanya felt as if she were between a rock and a hard place. She loved Duke, something she wished wasn't true but couldn't deny. The man was too loyal to his brother, so much so that he was blind to the truth that she could see quite plainly. She had to do what she thought was right. And if she lost the man she loved in the process... well, it was something she would just have to live with.

        Going up to her assigned quarters, she started packing her belongings. She already knew what she was going to do. The first thing was to leave this insane project once and for all. Then she'd go to the authorities, to the World Health Organization... to the United Nations itself if she had to, to stop Nathaniel Lothoman from turning his island paradise into a living hell for his so-called employees.

        Pulling out her suitcase, she was halfway into packing when she heard the knock on the door.

        The door slowly opened to Nathaniel Lothoman, smiling. He looked over her shoulder and noticed the open suitcases on the bed. Raising an eyebrow he said plainly, "Leaving us so soon?” When she offered no reply, Nathaniel said, “Why, Tanya, this is only the beginning. I could really use someone of your...qualifications, to help me during this time of transition."

        Tanya didn't look at him. She feared him, feared what he would say, would do. And the softer his voice was, the more dangerous he became.

        "Something's come up and I'm afraid that I must resign," she said as she continued to pack. She wasn't about to tell him that that something was her discovering the reason for the electrical implants he'd had created.

        "I'm very sorry to hear that," Nathaniel said as he stood behind her, watching her pack. "You know, I really could use someone such as yourself around here. Your background is rather impressive. I'd hate to lose you, Tanya." When she didn't immediately respond to him, Nathaniel moved around her, sill smiling like a predatory shark. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Tanya, before you do anything rash let's discuss this. Perhaps we can reach some sort of agreement."

        She reacted without realizing her actions until it was too late. Pushing off his hand, she slammed her suitcase closed. "I don't think so, Dr. Lothoman," she told him, anger in her voice. "I didn't sign on to this project to become a butcher. I'm a nurse and a damned good one. I'm not a monster who turns human beings into mindless automatons!"

        Nathaniel was taken aback by her abrupt attitude. It honestly did surprise him but he wasn't about to let anyone, especially some loud mouthed bitch, address him in such a manner.  He had underestimated her. "Now, Tanya," Nathaniel said coolly as he started to approach her, his lips pressed into a thin smile. "I do believe you're not thinking clearly here. I am no monster, as anyone else in this complex can attest to. I'm just a man, a man with a vision. I want your help, Tanya. Help make my vision become a reality." He held out his hand to her when she backpedaled into a nearby wall. "I promise I won't bite."

        She glared at him, pressing herself against the wall. "I don't want to be part of your vision, Dr. Lothoman. Find someone else if you are that intent on having your own band of slaves to do your bidding. I won't be part of it."

        Nathaniel's smile broke into laughter. "Slaves? What on earth are you talking about?" When his laughter had dried up, Nathaniel wiped at his watery eyes. "That was good, Tanya. I needed the laugh.” Sighing, he shook his head. “Seriously, though, what makes you think that I want mindless slaves? I'm not running some prison here, you know." Nathaniel took a step back as he waved his hand about the room. "Do you realize what I'm doing, what I'm really doing? If all goes to plan, my dear, then I will forever change the way we look at science...the way we look at life." His eyes twinkled as he spoke. "And I want you to be a part of it all. If you stay here then I can show you things that you never dreamed possible."

        "Or is that the other way around, Nathaniel?" she countered. "I know about the implants you are planning to put in every one. It's cruel and inhumane and I won't help you with it." She pushed herself off of the wall, acting braver than she felt. "Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I've given you my verbal resignation."

        Without any preamble, Nathaniel's arm shot forward, cutting off Tanya's path. "If I were you," he said with an edge in his tone, “I wouldn't go running around here spouting off this crap you're trying to pass. I will not tolerate this anymore.” Nathaniel paused as he took a deep, calming breath. "It seems as if there's no convincing you to stay. Go if you must, but be keep this in mind. With every decision comes a consequence." As he spoke he looked her directly in the eye.

        Tanya grabbed her suitcase and looked into Nathaniel Lothoman's eyes. "Are you threatening me, Doctor Lothoman? Am I to disappear like so many of those who disagree with you?" She raised her chin. "If I were you, I'd reconsider your grand scheme. If you continue with it, you may find your dreams will become your own nightmare." She pushed past him to the door.

        Nathaniel watched her go with a blank expression. Shaking his head he calmly walked out the door and down the corridor, his footsteps echoing along the way. When he reached the control room he saw one of his technicians and waved for him to come over.

        "What is it, Doctor Lothoman?" the young African American tech eagerly asked. His attire had suggested that he had a certain flair for things.

        "I need you to find Duke and have him come to my office at once." Nathaniel didn't wait for a response as he started towards his office. Tanya's defiance angered him so, flowing white hot through his veins. How dare she speak to him that way? After all that he'd done for her, she should be grateful to be a part of his vision. However, it was just like he said to her, with every choice comes a consequence.

PART THREE

After Tanya had left Sam, he and Al had spent the next twenty minutes discussing options while Sam found the cafeteria and ate a small meal. When he and Al were back in the main room, the young African-American gentleman, holding a walking stick, promptly met Sam. He leaned against a nearby wall.

        "Nathaniel has been looking for you, Duke. He said to meet him in his office. Says that it's very important."

        Sam glanced at Al as he nodded. "Sure thing, Thames ." The name had automatically come to him. Sam turned and started towards the direction of Nathaniel's office when he stopped in mid stride, realizing just what exactly the name he had called the man.

        "That rotten son of a bitch is here too?" Al asked as he followed Sam to Nathaniel's office. "I can't believe it."

        "I got a sinking feeling about this, Al," Sam said quietly as they walked.

        Al glared at the image of Thames, remembering all too well the last encounter with the man, the one that had rightfully claimed Thames ' life. They'd saved Alia in that leap, just before she saved their lives with her sacrifice. To see Thames again brought back bad memories all around.

        "You're telling me," he commented, following as well. Al had a feeling that the real mission for this leap was about to reveal itself.

        Nathaniel was sitting at his desk when Sam softly knocked on the door. The psychopath looked up and waved him inside.

        "Duke, just the man I need to speak with. Please close the door behind you." Sam did as asked and then took the seat on the other side of Nathaniel's desk. "You're probably wondering why I asked you here. Duke," Nathaniel said as he leaned forward, his hands steeped together, "I'm faced with a problem that threatens to jeopardizes the very existence of Alexander."

        "Alexander?" Sam questioned for a moment, looking briefly at Al. "H...How?"

        Al slapped the side of the handlink. "Ziggy's got nothing still." He told Sam before looking at Nathaniel Lothoman with suspicion.

        "Yes, Duke," Nathaniel said. "I never thought possible either but it's true. I require the use of your… um… skills to take care of this."

        "To take care of what... Nate?" Sam asked, his brow furrowed.

        The handlink squealed for Al's attention. Looking at it, Al closed his eyes. "Sam, Tanya is still raped and killed, but now her body isn't found for a whole year."

        "Tanya," Nate responded with very little emotion. "She has taken it upon herself to leave the complex and notify the authorities of my plans. Duke, you more than anybody else here knows that that cannot happen. I need you to...dispose of the problem immediately."

        "Dispose of the problem?" Sam swallowed slightly while Al grimaced slightly. "You mean..."

        "I mean do what you do best, brother. You're the man for this job. I cannot trust any other." Nathaniel sat back in his leather recliner, his gaze cold and unwavering. "She must be stopped before she gets to the authorities. Could you imagine what were to happen if she succeeds?"

        Sam hesitated, wondering if just getting Nathaniel Lothoman to change his mind about having Tanya killed might change history so that Project Alexander never took a footing.

        "I don't see how one woman's rantings can make much of a difference in your plans," he stated.

        Al winced. "Sam, I'm not sure it's such a good idea to play with this guy."

        Nathaniel sat forward as he pounded a fist on his desk. "One woman? Damn it, Duke! This woman has a lot of pull with some organizations. Organizations that can bring down Alexander! I want this woman taken care of and I want it done now! Do you hear me?"

        Sam resisted the urge to move away from the fury in Lothoman's eyes. "I just think..." Even as he tried to resist, he suddenly felt himself being taken over by the much stronger Duke. "So, take care of Tanya." He nodded. "Very well."

        Nathaniel's fury quickly changed to that of pure delight. "Wonderful. Now make haste, Duke. I don't want to take any chances." Shaking his head he added, "I should've figured bringing that bitch on board was a bad mistake."

        Sam stood up, starting for the door. "You didn’t make the mistake, Nate. I'll take care of it. You won't ever have to hear from Tanya Primrose again."

        Nathaniel only nodded. "Just take care of it, Duke, and don't come back till you do."

        With a brief nod, Sam walked out the door and immediately felt control being given back to him.

        "Sam, what the hell were you doing in there?" Al demanded, looking at his friend with deepening concern.

        "It wasn't me, it was Duke. It's happening again, Al." Sam kept his tone down to hardly above a whisper. "If this keeps up then I'm not going to accomplish anything in this Leap. Does Ziggy have anything else on Tanya? I mean, it's apparent now who killed her."

        "Only that there is absolutely no doubt that you're here to save her life," Al told him emphatically. "So, what are you going to do?"

        "What can I do? Duke's ego is stronger than mine, Al. I can't control it." Sam looked over at Al, a realization suddenly striking him. "And because of Duke's ego, I know that he's in love with Tanya Primrose. Perhaps I can use that to my advantage."

        Al frowned. "Sam, he's a murderous psycho who blindly follows his younger brother..."

        Sam grinned. "A psycho who's in love with the woman he's supposed to kill. Don't you see, Al? There's this conflict within Duke, I can feel it. If only I can work off of that." When his gaze met Al's he said, "It's all I got."

        Al's eyes widened as he realized what Sam was saying. "So, you think we can save Tanya if Duke goes with his heart instead of his head."

        "Exactly. I know that there's enough love between Duke and Tanya and it can only be that love that can save her...save them both. Al, maybe I'm here for both Duke and Tanya. I know this is going to sound absolutely nuts, but I don't think that Duke is as evil as Nathaniel." When Al only stared at him, Sam said as he tapped his head with his index finger. "He's in here with me, Al. I don't feel that he's completely evil. Just like...just like Alia."

        The idea of someone from the same bloodline as Nathaniel Lothoman, the same man/machine who ordered the deaths of so many, being good seemed almost unimaginable. "Sam... he's a Lothoman..."

        "Al, you can't love somebody if you don't have a heart, right? Duke may be a Lothoman but he doesn't share all of Nathaniel's traits. Duke loves Tanya. At the risk of sounding corny, Al, but love is the key here. Duke is not a complete monster."

        "He's a monster enough," Al murmured to himself. "So, how are we going to get Duke to let Tanya go if he killed her in the original history?"

        "Let's take a different approach," Sam said to the hologram. "Sometimes, during a Leap some mental marbles get swapped right?" When Al nodded, Sam continued. "Only in this case it wasn't just some. If I got some of Duke's mind set then it stands to reason that he has some of mine. I'm certainly no killer. Here's where you come in. Go back to the Waiting Room and get Duke to open up...prompt him, Al. If there's a part of me in him then you can unlock that part. Doing so can not only save Tanya, but Duke as well."

        Al hesitated as he started to punch in the code in the handlink to open the Imaging Chamber door. "Now there's something I'm not sure I like." Getting a confused look from Sam, he continued. "You having a bit of Alexander Lothoman, Junior in you." Opening the door, he stepped into its illuminated form. "Good luck, Sam. Be careful."

Project Quantum Leap

Waiting Room

Duke Lothoman sat on the reflective examination table looking about the empty room with an amused look. In the past few hours only the Admiral had made an appearance, asking him some very unwanted questions...questions about Nate and his Project. Duke knew better than to run his mouth. He still had no idea how he had arrived here, nor did he really care all that much, but he wanted to go back home. Nate most likely needed him there...and it was always a in bad taste to upset Nathaniel. So when the heavy metallic door opened, it came as no surprise to Duke who his guest would be.

        "Mr. Lothoman," Al greeted blandly, his hands in his trousers' pockets. The last time he had been in the Waiting Room, Duke Lothoman had been less than cooperative, stating his name and his social security number as if he were a prisoner of war. He didn't answer Al's questions except to occasionally ask a question back. That had been frustrating and Al really wasn't looking forward to another similar session.

        "To what do I owe this visit?" Duke smiled smugly at the Admiral. "I must say," he added, "that you really know how to treat your guests. Keeping them locked up here...kind of like a prison if you ask me."

        Al bit back the urge to mention how Duke's own brother would create something a hell of a lot worse than a prison. Just the memory of his brief moments there were enough for a lifetime that he didn't want to relive. Instead, he forced himself to focus on the reason for his coming into the Waiting Room.

        "Tanya Primrose," he said bluntly, looking into the younger man's eyes. "I know you're in love with her."

        Duke didn't immediately react to the mention of his lover's name. He simply sat there, staring at the Admiral. After several long moments he slowly stood up and faced Al. "What about her?"

        Al straightened slightly. "She's going to die. She's going to be murdered. And only you can save her life."

        "Who would want to kill Tanya? She wouldn't harm a fly." Duke took a step back as he kept his eye on Al. "Want to know what I think? I think that you're full of crap. Yeah. I think that you're trying to use Tanya as a ploy to get information out of me about Nathaniel. Sorry, Admiral, but you lose. It won't work."

        Al took a step towards him, his voice growing more urgent. "You're going to kill, Tanya, Duke." Seeing the disbelief in the man's eyes, he pressed. "Yes, you. Because your dear beloved younger brother told you to. I already know about Alexander. Hell, I know more about it than you do. All I want to do is save Tanya's life."

        Duke narrowed his eyes. "How the hell do you know about Alexander?" When the Admiral didn't respond to his inquiry, Duke sighed. "Personally I have nothing against Tanya. I think she's great, I really do. She’s quite the handful in bed.” Smiling, he then turned around, gazing at the blue walls of the Waiting Room. With a sigh he then said, “However, if Nate feels that she's a threat in any way then I will handle it. I made a promise to my brother and I will uphold that promise...no matter what the cost may be."

        "I don't think you mean that," Al countered. "I think you are madly in love with Miss Primrose and that you'd rather die than hurt her. You just don't know what else to do because..." A realization hit Al as if it had been a sledgehammer. "You're afraid of Nathaniel. You know what he's capable of and you're terrified that he'll turn on you.

        Duke quickly turned around and faced the Admiral. "Afraid of Nathaniel? My little brother?" Duke nearly laughed at Al's statement. "That's rich. Oh man, are you deluded, Admiral." When he was met with Al's stare, Duke wavered in his stance a bit. "Look I don't want anything to happen to Tanya but if Nate...thinks that something should be done..."

        "And what if you decide he's wrong?" Al countered. "What then, Duke? Are you just going to blindly follow his orders like a little puppet? He's using you. And he's going to make you kill the only good thing that has ever come into your life. He doesn’t give a damn about you or anybody else. He only wants power. Absolute power, and he will stop at nothing to get it."

        As he heard the words spoken by the Admiral, Duke felt himself slipping away. Not physically, but his sense of control, his mind. He felt the presence of the stranger whom he had believed had brought him here. He was fighting to escape. "Al...I can't..." Duke squeezed his eyes shut as his hands balled into fists.

        "Can't what?" Al pressed, his voice steady. "Can't protect the woman you love from someone you know is mentally imbalanced?" He paused, looking briefly at the handlink to see some rather interesting information concerning Duke Lothoman's family. "Duke... what happened to your father?"

        Duke cracked open an eye and, after another moment, his body relaxed. Moving back to the examination table Duke practically let himself collapse. "He was a terrible person," he said as he looked up at Al. "He would do terrible things. He'd beat the hell outta Nate for no real reason. He always expected a lot out of him, Admiral. We all knew how smart Nathaniel was. I knew that he was destined for great and bigger things, but our father...well, our father was never pleased with Nate. The beatings went on for years until Nate couldn't take it anymore." When Duke looked up at Al, there had been a noticeable change in the man's persona. It was as if he were a complete different person. "When Nate was twelve, he came to me one night and asked me if I would help him. He wanted our father to pay for what he'd done. I agreed to it and the night came when he came home drunk. He started beating on Nate but not for long. I had been standing in the next room, that pistol in my hand.” Duke paused as he leaned his head back slightly. “I can still remember how my finger curled around the trigger. The way it felt in my hand, how it could all end with but a single pull of that trigger. How simple it all seemed.” The Visitor and the Admiral locked gazes. “When I'd stepped out of the shadows, Nate pleaded for me to pull the trigger." Licking his lips, Duke continued. "He never saw it coming. I shot that drunken son of a bitch four times in the back. What really scared the shit out of me was the look in my kid brother's eyes. He seemed to...enjoy watching the man die. It was the look of pure pleasure."

        Al sighed at the story, so tragic and yet so revealing of a life that would lead to where Duke and Nathaniel Lothoman now found themselves. Going to the table, he lifted himself on it to sit.

        "You protected your younger brother the only way you knew how. But even then, Nathaniel manipulated you into doing what he wanted."

        "To be truthfully honest here, I don't know exactly what happened after that. I promised Nate that from that day forward I'd protect him from all the other assholes out there. I wanted him to reach his potential no matter what. I don't question Nate in his decisions, I just go along with things. I lend my trust and faith into my brother, Admiral. I try not to look back."

        "Maybe you should," Al commented, getting a frown from Duke. "Sometimes genius needs to be tempered with common sense."

        “You don't know him like I do," Duke said. "Do you know what he's truly capable of? Nathaniel Lothoman is definitely one not to be dicked with."

        "Have you ever tried, Duke? Have you ever even once coached him in the difference between right and wrong?" Not getting an answer, Al shook his head. "I didn't think so." He stood up and took several steps towards the door. "I feel sorry for you, kid. Letting your life being ruled by a megalomaniac who doesn't understand what love really is. Problem is, you do know what love is like." He turned to look at Duke. "Let me tell you something, Alexander. Life gives you one shot at true love. Don't let anyone get in the way of that, not even those you care for. Because if they really cared about you they'd at the very least understand."

        "Tanya," Duke swallowed and tried again. Running a hand through his thin hair he said, "Tanya needs to get the hell away from Nate. Tell your friend to get her as far away from the island as possible."

        "You should go with her," Al told him firmly. "She loves you; you love her. You should both go."

        "No, Admiral," Duke said plainly. "My place is with Nathaniel. Tanya needs to get away from both of us. She deserves that much. Please see make sure that you and your friend see to that."

        Al looked at the man in front of him, studying him for a long moment. There was a haunted expression in his eyes, like that of a man who knew that his fate was already determined for him, a fate he almost wished he didn't have. At the same time, there was the same cruelty that Al had seen in his eyes before. If he could only get Daniel to go with Tanya...

        "You would break her heart, abandon her when she needs you..."
        "As long as I live and breathe, I'll always be connected to Nathaniel. I can't risk Tanya being a part of that connection. I do love her with all my heart, Al. If I didn't have that much then I'd be some kind of monster. I'm doing this because I love her, and I think you do understand that."

        Al took a breath and nodded. "Okay," he said softly. Turning, he started towards the door. However, what Duke said as he was about to step through the door caused a chill to go down his spine.

        Duke watched Al as he walked over to the door, and just before the door opened Duke said to Al with a thin-lipped smile as he felt his own mind regain control of the situation, "Just keep in mind one thing, Al. There are no choices that come without consequences. You have no idea what you're messing with here, so I highly advise you to watch your back. If you do anything to jeopardize what Nathaniel is setting out to accomplish, you and those who you hold near and dear will forever remember the name Lothoman."

        “We already do," Al murmured to himself as he exited the Waiting Room.

Somewhere in the British Isles

August 17, 1977

4:47 pm

        Sam hoped that Al would soon return with more data pertaining to Tanya's murder. It was known that her body was found in a hotel not far from the island. Sam figured that Tanya was probably en route to the hotel at that very moment. Unfortunately he had no idea how to get to the hotel.

        He strode down the partially constructed corridor, towards the elevator that would take him to the upper levels. He prayed that Al would arrive soon.

        Finding his way out of the complex at last - Sam was amazed at how vast it really was - he followed what must have been Duke's own memories down to the small dock and took the next ferry to the mainland. That trip alone took a couple of hours, the island being one of the more remote islands from the British mainland.

        Once on the mainland, he again followed what memories were surfacing. His identification was checked and confirmed, thanks to a driver's license, and he was allowed to enter the small English town just off of the Irish Sea . From there, he went to make the final preparations needed to insure Tanya would be safe from the hand of Nathaniel Lothoman.

A short trip to the local bank and a phone call was all that Sam needed to put his plan into action. All that was left was finding Tanya and convincing her of the validity of his plan.

However, when the Duke's memories seemed to fade from him, Sam found himself wandering around aimlessly.

        "Al... where are you?" he muttered under his breath.

        God, Fate, Time, or Whoever had to have been listening in because, at that moment, the sound of the Imaging Chamber door caught Sam's attention.

        "Sorry it took so long, Sam," Al said as he walked in. "Took a little while to get Duke to admit he's actually more in love with Tanya than he is with his brother."

        Sam furrowed his brow. "Is that even possible? I mean, Duke really seems devoted to Nathaniel's cause."

        Al looked at him pointedly. "He is. But he is also in love with Tanya so... he wants you to make sure that she gets as far away from both him and Nathaniel as possible."

        "I'd have to agree with Duke on that one," Sam responded with a nod. "At least he isn't a complete monster, unlike his brother. Al, I need to find where this hotel that Tanya was at when she was murdered. I think that the best course of action would be for her to change her identity, leave no traces behind that Nathaniel or Duke could pick up."

        "She'll have to change it several times, Sam, and move from country to country," Al pointed out. He raised the handlink. "The hotel where her body was found is three blocks to the north and then five miles to the east; it’s called the Lamplighter Inn. I think you're going to need a cab."

        Sam grumbled something inaudible to the hologram as he swept his gaze across the street, looking for a taxicab. After a couple minutes he saw one rounding a street corner and driving towards his direction. Sam waved his hand and whistled. The cab driver caught sight of him and pulled off to the side of the road.

        "I'll meet you in the cab," Al said as he pressed a button on the handlink. His image vanished.

        Sam jogged across the street and over to the cab.

        "Where to?" the driver asked.

        "Um," Sam hesitated as he glanced over at Al, who had appeared to be sitting in the back seat of the cab.

        Al quickly read the address off of the handlink, which Sam repeated, and the cab started away.

        Sam leaned back in the seat as the driver steered the car back onto the street. Sam gazed out the window, hardly paying any heed to the scenery rushing past him. "The way this Leap has been working out lately," Sam said in a tone that was hardly above a whisper, "I sure as hell hope that Duke doesn't try to stop me."

        "He won't," Al said with confidence.”

        “I don't know, Al. I have my doubts; Nathaniel is quite a strong influence on Duke." Sam quietly ducked his head when he noticed the cab driver staring at him suspiciously in the rear view mirror. "I'm just worried."

        "Sam, Duke told me for you to do this. He wants you to do this. He isn't going to stop you." Al hesitated. "He might change his mind after you've Leaped out of him, but by then Tanya will be long gone because we're going to make sure that she leaves England under an alias even you won't know. Right?"

        Sam nodded. "I know. I just want her to be safe, and I know that Duke wants it as well. I am just concerned that Nathaniel will change things, you know? Maybe he'll catch on to what Duke and I are up to."

        Al looked at him pointedly. "Alex Junior knows the risks. Let him handle that end of it. You're job is to make sure that Tanya lives. Nathaniel won't know about this, if ever, until after you're long gone. And even then, it'll be big brother there who will be taking the blame. And as psychotic as Nathaniel is, I doubt that he's going to do anything horrible to Duke."

        "Okay," Sam whispered as he slightly covered his mouth with his hand. "The hotel's coming up. I just don't know how I'm going to convince her when she probably won't listen to a word I say."

        “You can do it, Sam,” Al assured. “Trust me.”

        The taxi pulled up to the curb, allowing the bellman to open the cab door and allow Sam to step out. Having paid the fare and a small tip, Sam instructed the driver to wait for him.

        With a suitcase in hand, Sam pushed open the heavy double wood doors of the Lamplighter Inn. There were few people in its elegant lobby. From the ceiling hung a small chandelier that caught the room’s light, in turn making it sparkle and glimmer. Classical music played, filling the lobby with its soft, soothing tune. Just being in the Inn gave Sam a sense of calm. If his visit hadn’t been of utmost importance he would have taken more time to enjoy the solitude it seemed to offer.

Sam walked over to the reception desk and lightly tapped the service bell twice. A minute later an older, balding man approached the desk. His attire carried with it an air of properness. At first he only smiled but when he adjusted his glasses he greeted Sam warmly as he spoke with a thick British accent.

        “Mr. Lothoman,” he said as his smile never wavered, “it’s good to see you again. How may I be of assistance this afternoon?”

        “Perhaps you could tell me if Tanya Primrose had arrived,” Sam told the man as he set the briefcase down. “I’m, uh, supposed to be meeting her here and I forgot to ask for the room number.”

        “That’s a good one, Sam,” Al commented as he puffed on his cigar. “Hopefully Mr. Belvedere here buys it.”

        The older man chuckled. “Ms. Primrose? Why, she’s in the same room as usual.”

        Sam narrowed his eyes. “Same room?”

        The man slowly nodded as he looked at Sam with a curious eye. “Of course. Room 313?”

        “Oh, right,” Sam said as he feigned forgetfulness, “313. You know, it’s just been one of those days.”

        “Of course, Mr. Lothoman. Do you want me to try calling her room?”

        “No, that won’t be necessary,” Sam told him. “I want to... surprise her.” His eyes twinkled as he smirked.

        That comment made the man’s chuckle turn into laughter. “Oh, I definitely know what you mean, Mr. Lothoman. Here is the spare key.” And just like that Sam was handed the spare room key.

        For a moment Sam simply stood here, staring at the key in his hand. He couldn’t believe his luck. A quick glance showed neither did the hologram.

        “Is everything alright, Mr. Lothoman?”

        Sam snapped his head up. ”Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine. Um, thank you for your help,” he said as he picked up the briefcase and turned around. He started to look around, trying to figure out which direction to take.

        “Elevators are over here, Sam.” Al pointed towards the elevators that were directly ahead of Sam.

        Sam followed Al’s directions and went toward the elevator. He pressed the call button. When the elevator door opened with a soft chime, Sam stepped in and pressed the appropriate button. A moment later the door closed and the elevator started with a slight lurch and then smoothly ascended to the third floor. Neither Leaper or hologram spoke until the elevator car stopped and the doors opening with the soft chime that announced their arrival on the third floor.

        “Be smooth, Sam,” Al told him as Sam walked down the hall, checking the room numbers. “From the look of things earlier, Tanya didn’t seem to be in any mood to listen to either you or Nathaniel.”

        “I know what to do, Al.” Sam stopped and quickly glanced around to make sure that nobody else was in the immediate area. “Before you arrived, I made a couple calls. Don’t worry I got things under control.” Sam gestured towards the briefcase he held.

        “I don’t doubt you, Sam, but just make sure that you cover your tracks. We can’t risk having Nathaniel finding out what you’re up to. We’ve already experienced a lifetime’s worth of pain because of that son of a bitch. I can’t bare anymore,” he added somberly.

        “Nathaniel trusts Duke too much,” Sam explained. “Assuming that all goes to plan, when I go back to the island all I have to do is tell Nathaniel that all is taken care of. He won’t even think twice.”

        That seemed to satisfy Al’s concerns as Sam stopped. About halfway down the hall and on the left side, was Room 313. When Sam stepped up to the door, he noticed a DO NOT DISTURB sign hanging on the doorknob. He took a deep breath and, exhaling slowly, he knocked softly three times.

        “Yes?” Tanya asked as she opened the door, clearly upset that she was being disturbed. She frowned quickly when she caught sight of Sam. She was about to shut the door when Sam stepped forward and blocked the door with his foot.

        “Please, Tanya,” Sam said gently, “please let me in. It’ll only be a couple minutes.”

        She paused as she looked into Sam’s eyes. Sam and Al both could tell that she desperately wanted to listen to him. However, after a moment, she shook her head. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea, Duke. I think that you should leave.”

        Sam tried again. “Tanya, I know that you don’t trust Nate and that you barely trust me, but what I have to tell you is very important. Please. I promise after this you will never see me again.”

        Tanya looked at him for another moment before she stepped away from the door. “Make it quick, Duke. I don’t have a whole lot of time.”

        Sam stepped inside as he closed the door behind him. “Listen, Tanya. I’m here to help you.”

        Tanya continued to look out the small window as she spoke. “I doubt you can help me. You’re so damn blind to anything else, but what that monster of a brother of yours tells you. I just want you to see him for what he really is.”

        “And I do,” Sam said as he placed the briefcase on the bed. “I’m looking out for your well-being. Your safety is at risk, Tanya, and I don’t want to see you hurt. I’m here to help you get away, to a fresh start.”

        Tanya clearly didn’t believe Sam. “I have to get the hell away from this place, Duke,” she told him emphatically. “Your brother is insane!”

        “And he won’t stop until you are dead. Tanya, I need you to listen to me now. I need you to trust me here.”

        “Why should I?”

        Sam took another step towards her. “Because I love you. I love you very much and I don’t want to see you hurt. I’m here to help you escape. If you will just listen to what I have to say.”

        Slowly, Tanya turned around and closed the space between the two. Placing a hand on his chest she said, “I love you too, Duke. I want to trust you again, but I just don’t know if I can.”

        Taking her hand in his, Sam told her, “You can. I’m here for you.” For a moment, there was a bit of tension between the two. Just as it looked like the two would share in a kiss, Sam gently stepped back and went over to the bed and sat down next to the briefcase. “Earlier today I made a few calls, called in some favors.” Tanya went over to the bed and sat next to Sam. “I have here in this briefcase one hundred thousand dollars. That should be enough to aid you in whatever you choose to do.”

        Tanya appeared to be absolutely astonished. “H-how did you come up with that much money?”

        Sam shrugged. “I closed out a couple of bank accounts. That way it’d be more difficult for them to find you.”

        Tanya raised an eyebrow at Sam. “You mean Nathaniel and Zoë?”

        Sam nodded. “I got in touch with somebody who owes me. He has his own airplane and he’s agreed to take you to wherever you need to go.” He paused and looked into her eyes. “Once you get to wherever you’re going, I think you should change your name.”

        “A name change,” Tanya repeated.

        Sam moved closer to her. “Yes, and once you get there, don’t tell anybody, okay? N-not even me,” Sam said as a sudden ache emanated from within his heart. “I don’t want you taking any chances, Tanya. So, please, take the money and go somewhere far away.”

        “What about you? Come with me. Duke, I know you have it in you. Let’s start over together.”

        Sam lowered his head a bit. “Tanya...I’d love to but I can’t. My place is here with my brother. You still have a chance to get away from it all. I… I made a promise to my brother and I’m going to see it through. My love for you is what brought me here, and it’s my love for you that wants to see you safe.”

        Tanya’s eyes watered as she fought to keep from crying.

        Al, who had stood in the room the entire time, looked at Sam as the handlink in his hand beeped a couple times. “I think you’re getting through to her, Sam. Ziggy says the odds on Tanya surviving have gone up to ninety-five percent.”

        “I can’t go anywhere, Tanya,” Sam told her, “I’m too visible for Nathaniel. When he notices that I’m not around, he will come looking for me and the last thing I need is for you to be seen with me. I will not have your life put in further jeopardy.” Tipping her head up so that he could look into her eyes, he told her softly, “Deep down you know what you have to do.”

        “I… I know,” Tanya said as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

        Sam held her gently as he kissed the top of her head. “If we’re meant to be together, Tanya, then one day our paths will cross again. For now you have to get out of here....get out and go as far away as possible.”

        Tanya slowly nodded as she stood up. Sam reached over and handed her the briefcase. She took a moment to look at it and then at Sam. “I’ll never quite understand you, Alexander Lothoman, but I do know that I will still love you.”

        “I will always love you,” Sam said as he stood up. He fished around in his suit coat pocket and then produced a folded piece of paper. He handed it to Tanya. “This is where you’re going to meet my contact. He already knows what to do, so all you have to do is tell him where you want to go.”

        Tanya took the paper and unfolded it. “Are you sure about this?” she asked as she read the information.

        Sam nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure. I have a cab waiting for you downstairs.” He pulled Tanya gently to her feet. “Where ever you go, be safe,” he encouraged the confused and heartbroken young woman. “There won’t be a moment that passes when I won’t be thinking of you.”

        “I love you, Duke,” Tanya said as she leaned forward. Their lips touched and they shared a brief, passionate kiss. Sam was the first to pull away.

        “You, ah, better get going.”

        Tanya nodded. Grabbing her bags, which she hadn’t unpacked yet, and the suitcase Sam had brought her, she made her way over to the door. Just before she opened it, she looked back at Sam. “One day, Duke, I know we will meet again and when that day comes I truly hope that you find your freedom as well.” Before Sam could respond, she quietly opened the door and went out the door, closing it behind her. Sam didn’t look over when he heard the electronic beeps of the handlink.

        “You did it, Sam. Ziggy says that Tanya isn’t murdered...well, at least we think she isn’t.” When Sam abruptly looked at Al, the hologram went on to clarify his statement. “Ziggy says that no records of a Tanya Primrose exist after September of nineteen seventy-seven. She simply disappears.”

        Sam smiled. “She’s out there, Al. Somewhere, she’s out there and she’s free.”

        Even as Sam smiled as he thought about Tanya, Al glanced at the handlink. “Uh, Sam? Ziggy’s saying that you better get your butt in gear and get back to the island. We don’t need to arouse Nathaniel’s suspicions.”

        “Right,” Sam agreed, going towards the door. Looking back briefly at the room, he murmured, “I wonder what kind of life she made for herself.”

        With that thought clear in their minds, both Observer and Leaper left the hotel room and the beautiful Lamplighter Inn.

PART FOUR

        An hour later Sam was back at the complex. During the trip back, Sam didn’t even try to fight the emotional agony that he found himself in. A part of him was Duke, and he felt wholeheartedly that Duke Lothoman deserved to experience the agony as well. Tanya Primrose was safe; she was safe and would soon be far away from Nathaniel’s ‘island paradise’. Sam was a bit surprised, though, that he hadn’t Leaped once history had been changed. According to Al and Ziggy, Tanya had succeeded in escaping, but yet he still remained in the life of Alexander Lothoman, Junior. Sam had been beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, that he was being given a chance to prevent the rise of Nathaniel Lothoman. That alone did send a surge of hope and excitement through his veins, but he forced himself to stay focused.

        When Sam had arrived at the complex, the guards briefly checked Sam’s ID as he approached the gate. After a quick trek through the main structure, he took the elevator down to the lower levels. A few of the technicians regarded Sam with looks of nervousness as he stepped off the elevator. They took a couple of steps back and greeted him with hesitant smiles. One person in particular didn’t seem phased by Sam’s presence. In fact, he strode right up to him, a toothy grin affixed to his face.

        “Dukey, boy,” Thames said. “How’s tricks?”

        Sam felt a little bit of Duke’s dislike for Thames seep through. So there were two things that both Sam and Duke had agreed upon. “Is there a reason you’re bothering me?”

        Thames only laughed. “My, my. A bit touchy today, aren’t we? I just wanted to make sure that the lovely Miss Primrose was properly taken care of.”

        Sam narrowed his eyes “What are you talking about?”

        “That nurse,” Thames replied as he tilted his head. “You don’t really think you’re the only one who Doctor Lothoman confides in, do you?”

        Feeling Duke’s ego once again manifest itself, Sam looked on at the younger man with slight disdain. “What I do know is that my brother isn’t some babbling idiot. Why the hell would he tell you anything about Miss Primrose?”

         “You really don’t get it, do you?” Thames said. “If you think that you’re going to be the one that carries out Doctor Lothoman’s plans then you’re sadly mistaken. From what I gather, he’s taken quite a liking to the stunning Miss Malvison. I wouldn’t doubt if she already knows more than you do, Duke,” he added as he met Sam’s gaze.

        “I don’t have time for this,” Sam said with a wave of his hand. “You don’t know Nathaniel like I do. I know what his aspirations are, what he desires. You’re forgetting, Thames , that it was I who looked after Nathaniel in his younger years; I helped him through the darker period of his life.”

        “But it’s Miss Malvison whom he truly confides in,” Thames added. “You’re forgetting that it’s the women who truly have control, and she’s got good ol’ Nathaniel.”

        “That bitch Zoë is the least of my concerns,” Sam said.

        Thames held his gaze on Sam for a moment, his eyes then widened as a thought had occurred to him. “You’re still hung up over that nurse. She was trouble from the beginning. You know, Duke, she actually tried telling me what a monster Doctor Lothoman is. Could you believe that little bitch?” Thames grinned and then clapped Sam on the shoulder. “So how did you do it?”

        “Do what?” Sam could barely conceal the aggravation that he was feeling at the moment.

        “How’d you take care of her? Did you have a little fun with her first, or did you just shoot the bitch where she stood? Personally, I’d like to have made her suffer for a while; teach her that it’s never a good idea to cross Doctor Lothoman.”

        Thames was laughing when Sam, in a single fluid motion, took a half step forward and grabbed Thames by the lapels of his coat. With his grip tight enough to turn his knuckles white, he pulled Thames close enough so that they were nose to nose with each other. “You listen to me, you little pissant. I don’t want to hear another word about Tanya Primrose, okay? She’s taken care of; she’s out of the way. I’ve already had enough crap to deal with for one day, I certainly don’t need you asking me these annoying questions.”

        “Is there a problem here?” Both Sam and Thames looked over and saw Nathaniel standing near by with Zoë at his side. While Nathaniel seemed slightly concerned at what was transpiring, Zoë seemed absolutely amused.

        Sam shifted his gaze back to Thames as he released his grip, he straightened Thames ’ coat as he spoke. “No problem at all, Nate. Thames and I were just having a friendly little chat now. Isn’t that right, Thames ?”

        Thames scowled at Sam, but reluctantly nodded when he fell under Nathaniel’s unwavering gaze. “Yeah, that’s right. Ol’ Duke here was just messin’ around.”

        Nathaniel held his gaze on the two men before accepting Thames ’s response. He then waved for Sam to follow him. “Come with me to my office.” Nathaniel leaned over and kissed Zoë on the cheek. “Be back in a bit,” he told her. Zoë chuckled as Sam walked past her. Nathaniel led the way, Sam having followed close behind. The further away he got from Thames , the more he felt his own ego regain control. Just before they reached Nathaniel’s office, Sam looked around to see if Al had arrived.

        “Where are you, Al?” Sam whispered.

        When Nathaniel and Sam had left, Zoë walked over to Thames . “You and Duke seem to be hitting it off, well.” She couldn’t help but to chuckle.

        Thames sneered as he shook his head, “That son of a bitch thinks he knows everything just because he’s the big brother. Well I got news for him.”

        “Now, now, Thames . Everything is going according to plan. Alex Junior won’t be much of a problem. He’s too devoted to Nathaniel, he’ll do anything Nathaniel says. Just continue to do what is expected of you. Besides, Duke isn’t a threat. He does what’s asked of him and he never fails.”

        Thames stood there as he listened to Zoë. He tapped his walking stick on the floor a couple times, speaking to Zoë as he looked down at the floor. “If you say so. I just think that Duke is one arrogant ass. He has no idea what Doctor Lothoman talks about with us.”

        Zoë smiled. “You have no idea what Nathaniel has told me, Thames . Duke is wrong; he had no clue as to what Nathaniel truly desires. The power is just part of the grand scheme.”

        Thames looked on at her rather curiously but then just as easily dismissed further pondering as he smirked at Zoë.

        Nathaniel had closed the office door behind him as Sam took a seat in the leather chair that faced the desk. Nathaniel took his rightful seat. He leaned back in the chair, simply thinking as Sam looked on at him, awaiting whatever it was that Nathaniel wanted to say to him. Off to Sam’s left was a small oval shaped mirror that hung on the wall. Out of the corner of his eye, Sam could see Duke’s reflection. He glanced over at the mirror, staring at the cold, emotionless face that stared back at him.

        “Duke?” Sam looked over at Nathaniel as he sat forward, hands rested on the desk. “Were you able to do it?”

        Sam tipped his head. “Everything is taken care of, Nate. Tanya Primrose will no longer be a problem.”

        Nathaniel smiled broadly as he clapped his hands together. “Excellent. I knew I could count on you.”

        The Imaging Chamber door opened behind Nathaniel. When Al stepped through, he glanced down at Nathaniel and grimaced. He held up his cigar and tapped its holographic ashes on top of Nathaniel’s head. When the door had closed, Al walked through the desk and over to Sam. “Sorry I’m late, Sam. I was checking with Ziggy to make sure that everything turns out fine.”

        “Project Alexander is coming along rather well,” Nathaniel had said to Sam. “With Miss Primrose out of the way we shouldn’t encounter any further problems.”

        Sam glanced over at Al. “That’s a relief.” It sickened Sam to say such a thing as it had sickened Al to have to stand there and listen to it. Both men wanted so passionately to bring down Lothoman and his demented Project, but unfortunately the timing was all wrong. Sam had Leaped into Lothoman’s Project to save an innocent life that had been taken by the Lothoman brothers and he succeeded. But, if that’s what he was sent there to do and he’d accomplished his task, then why the hell was he still there? Why hadn’t he Leaped?

        “Together you and I are going to make the name Lothoman mean something, brother. Our father was nothing more than a pathetic drunkard. He is no longer with us, and again I have you to thank for that. You have gone above and beyond what you had promised to me all those years ago, Duke. It will be an honor to have you by my side and watch as Alexander unfolds.”

        Sam forced himself to say something that he never dreamed of saying. “It would be an honor,” Sam said, “to help you achieve your true goal. You can always count on me.”

        “I think I’m going to be sick,” Al said with a frown. He didn’t fault Sam for saying it, after all it was part of the rules. He could only imagine how Sam felt having to actually say it.

        Nathaniel then stood up and went over to Sam, bringing him into a one armed hug. “We won’t fail, Duke. Together we will accomplish everything we set out to. The world is ours, dear brother.”

        Al looked at the handlink as it beeped a couple of times. “Hey, Sam. That’s why you hadn’t Leaped yet; you had to make sure that Nathaniel wouldn’t come after Tanya. You did it.”

        As Nathaniel pulled back from the hug, his arm was still draped over Sam’s shoulder as he felt the tingle begin to crawl up his body.

        Al looked on at him. “One of these days we will find them, and when we do we stop them once and for all.”

        Sam looked over at Al; the look in his eye told Al that he agreed with him. Nathaniel was still smiling as the dark blue light enveloped Sam.

        ‘Someday’ was the last thing Sam Beckett heard the hologram say as he Leaped.

August 23, 2007

Stallion Springs , New Mexico

Residence of Edward and Christa Sharpe

          Christa Sharpe, nee Calavicci, sat on the bed in her and Eddie’s simple home, gently rubbing her belly. She wasn’t showing much but, at three months pregnant, it was becoming obvious that there was no hiding Christa was soon going to be a mother. That little nugget of truth thrilled Christa… and terrified her. She had told her father as much earlier that month… that and the fact that she was having monster cravings that she still couldn’t shake. She supposed part of the problem was her being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. She was finding that she had to watch her sugar intake like a hawk watching its prey.

        She could hardly believe that her being pregnant was even happening, even though she couldn’t wait to see the small, fragile life that was growing inside of her. It seemed to her as if Eddie and she had only just met when it had actually been nine years. She had been barely sixteen then. But it was as if they had meant to be together. Eddie didn’t see the two harsh scars on her face, one on each cheek, inflicted upon her only two years before just before her fourteenth birthday. The face of the redheaded bitch who had cut her before pushing her and Leslie Brackenhein into that horrible dark room would be with her for the rest of her life, Christa knew. But she also knew that she was a survivor. She had survived that nightmare to find happiness with the man she loved with all her heart, a man she trusted every ounce of her being to.

        She smiled as she remembered their growing relationship, which started on that dance floor in high school: their first dance together, their first kiss together, the first time she ever felt that a person of the male gender, other than her over-protective father, actually cared about her. She didn’t know what to think of Eddie then, even if she had a crush the size of Yellowstone Park for him. All that she did know was that if Eddie and his best friend Joe Wright hadn’t been there to protect her from Brad, Alan, and all those other jerks, she probably would have spent the rest of her life with what ifs. She chuckled slightly. She still didn’t understand why her dad had taken up to residing in Albuquerque , three hours from Project Quantum Leap. She was glad that changed when she graduated from high school. She supposed that it was because it had been their home since before she was even born. Nothing like ties to family homes.

        Christa slowly stood up and started for the dried fruit that she kept by her side of the bed in case she felt her sugar level going low and took out a dried apricot. She nibbled on it slowly and leaned back. She knew that Eddie would be home soon. Hopefully, he would have remembered to get her insulin shots. If not, it was a good hours drive to the nearest off-project pharmacy.

          Eddie sat there in the truck for a few minutes after he had shut off the engine. It was rather late into the evening; the stars twinkled in the black sky, the moon was high. It was rather warm, however. Even in the late hours the heat from the desert was unrelenting; sweat had trickled along his neck and down his back. He regarded the small, tan and white painted single story house with such dislike. He then shifted in his seat as he reached into his trousers pocket. With a smirk he stared at the object in his hand. He gently shook the thin glass vile, the greenish fluid gently swished around inside. Laughing he opened the door and stepped out of the truck. With a nudge of his elbow the truck’s door closed. He calmly walked on the small concrete walkway that led straight to the front door. He stood there for a moment, his hand hovered above the doorknob. With a smirk he opened the door and stepped inside.

        “Honey,” Eddie said as he closed the door behind him, “I’m home.” He looked around the small living room as he made a face. “Damn,” he muttered just as his wife walked in the room, a wide, beautiful smile on her face.

        “Eddie,” Christa said as she went over to him. She slipped her arms around his waist and gently kissed his lips. “I missed you today.”

        The corner of his mouth curled slightly as he pulled her closer, his lips pressed a bit roughly against hers. She didn’t know how to react as he kissed her. When he pulled back he grinned at her. “I missed you, too, babe. Today was hell,” he added as he slipped off his coat and tossed on the recliner. “How was your day? Are you feeling any better?”

        Christa, who had been in a state of momentary shock of her husband’s behavior, shook her head. “I got sick twice today, sweetheart. The twins came by to see how I was doing; Vicky took my temperature and said that I was spiking a fever.”

        Eddie reached out and hugged her tightly as he rubbed the small of her back. “Don’t worry, honey,” he said softly to her. “I’m here now.”

        “Did you get it?” Christa asked as she looked up at him.

        Eddie’s grin broke out into a full smile. “I sure did,” he said as he leaned back, holding the vial. “Could you be a doll and go get me the syringe?”

        Christa narrowed her eyes but slowly nodded. “Sure.” She started towards the bedroom. She stopped and glanced over at her shoulder; Eddie stood there, still smiling at her. She sighed and then went into the bedroom to retrieve the small first aid kit where they kept the syringes. Eddie was standing in the same spot when she came back out.

        “Sweetie,” Eddie asked as he approached her, “are you alright?”

        He must have seen the concern on her face, for Christa simply nodded, forcing herself to ignore the uneasiness that she had been feeling since Eddie had come home. “Y-yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.” She handed him the syringe.

        “Sit down,” he told her as he stuck the needle into the vile. Christa did as she was asked as Eddie withdrew the fluid into the syringe.

        Flicking at the syringe a couple times, Eddie went over to Christa and knelt in front of her. He gently took her arm and patted at it until the vein had risen. He then stuck her arm with the needle, glancing up at her as she winced in pain. When the entire amount had been injected into her, he set the syringe down on the coffee table, gently patted her hand, and smiled. “All done,” he told her. “You should feel better real soon now.”

        Christa said sigh, “I sure as hell hope so. I can’t go on feeling like I did earlier.”

        “Don’t worry,” Eddie told her as he continued to hold her hand, “everything is going to be alright.”

EPILOGUE

Dr. Samuel Beckett, once again, felt the all-too-familiar sense of disorientation as the blue essence of his leap faded away, revealing a brilliantly crystal-blue sky. He was back to the basics again. He now had to figure out who he was, where he was, when he was, and (most importantly), why he was there. Almost immediately, after less than a minute in his new environment, Sam felt his clothing stick to his body as the hot summer sun beat down on the back of his neck.

Well, that takes care of half of two things, Sam thought as he surveyed his new surroundings. I’m in the south in the middle of summer.

He was among a rather large group of teenagers who were standing absolutely still in perfect formation across a vast field. Sam racked his large, but Swiss-cheesed, brain as to why they could be doing this and only one thought came to mind.

“My, God…I’m in a cult!” Sam whispered aloud.

A voice next to him laughed, “Yeah, we’ve been referred to as that way before.”

Sam glanced to his left and saw a young brunette girl who looked about seventeen.

She then grew a serious, bossy tone, “You remember where you’re heading today?”

Sam faltered. He hated answering questions before Al came, especially ones as cryptic as this.

“I…uh…”

Before he could answer, a whistle suddenly cut through the thick air.

“Just keep going to your right until they stop us for the drum solo!” the girl cried.

Baffled and perplexed, Sam slowly turned in the proper direction. He began to notice things about his surroundings in greater detail. He was looking directly across the field at a heavyset boy carrying a large, silver sousaphone. A few people down from Sam were carrying brass trumpets. As realization dawned upon him, Sam looked down into his own hands to find he was cradling a clarinet.

I’m in a marching band! Sam was confused. One more mystery of his new life was solved, but she wasn’t sure this was the best place for him.

The whistle blew long for a second time and was followed by four short blasts. Apparently, that was some code for these people because everyone began to move, leaving Sam behind.

“Go!” cried the girl from behind.

Sam startled and attempted to retrieve his place in the setup. He now began feeling the other all-too-familiar sensation of panic creeping in as he silently pleaded for help.

I played piano in my living room, for crying out loud! I don’t know what to do out here!

He continued down his projected path, noting that he and the large sousaphone-carrying boy were moving dangerously close to each other.

The girl behind him was saying aloud, “Left…left…left…” every other beat.

Never breaking his gaze from the oncoming boy, Sam harshly whispered, “What are you doing?”

        “You’re on the wrong foot!” she replied, exasperated.

        “What?!” Sam was bewildered.

        “We’re in our last week of band camp and you still haven’t figured this out yet? You’re marching on the wrong foot! You step on your left foot when I say ‘left’! What the hell is wrong with you?”

        Frustrated, Sam rounded upon the girl, yet continuing to walk backwards. “Look, I’ll figure it out, okay! Just back off a little!”

        The girl’s gaze quickly shifted behind Sam. “Adam, look out!”

        The sousaphone player had marched up to within eighteen inches behind Sam and then turned sharply to move on to the next set. Before Sam could react, the oversized tuba bell cracked the back of his skull. Bright white lights burst into Sam’s vision as his head exploded and throbbed in pain. His vision dimmed and he felt himself fall face-first to the ground.

        As band members and directors rushed toward him, Sam weakly groaned, “Oh boy,” before succumbing to the darkness.