From: Lenora McCoy Subject: "Quantum Leap: A New Leaper" (5/5) Date: Mon, 05 May 1997 22:39:58 -0700 Organization: Sprint Internet Passport Message-Id: <336EC42E.3C6@technologist.com> "Quantum Leap: A New Leaper" by Lenora McCoy (Part 5 of 5) Al nodded and popped out. Agnes had barely finished marking the film when he popped back in again. "Agnes! Quick! It's about to happen!" He popped out again. Agnes rushed out of the observatory, barely taking the time to lock the door, and raced to the party. She spotted Sam right away -- he was so tall he stood out well, and she ran to him. "Sam! I came as quick as I could," Agnes panted, winded from her hurried dash, "Al said it's about to happen!" Just then Miss Janel hurried up to Agnes and Sam. "Jennie! Josephina is out on the ledge and she says she won't listen to anyone except for you." Agnes looked at Sam and Sam looked at Agnes. The look that passed between them said that although Agnes was the one who had to do the actual work of talking the person out of suicide, Sam had more knowledge and experience. They had to figure out some excuse for Sam to be by Agnes to talk her through it. "Miss Janel, maybe I should stick with A -- Jennie, as I've read quite a bit about suicides." Miss Janel wearily nodded her consent, and Sam & Agnes raced over to the ledge. Sam stayed at the windows while Agnes slowly, carefully stepped out on the ledge, with Sam's strong arms helping to balance her. "Josephina? It's A-- Jennie. I'm told you wanted to talk to me?" "Jennie? Is it really you?" "Yes, it is." Sam whispered to Agnes, "Try and coax her off the ledge. Ask to come inside to talk." Agnes nodded. "Josephina, why don't we go inside to talk. It's getting chilly out here." "No! I'd rather talk out here!" "Well, what do you want to talk about?" "You. I loved you Jennie, but you never returned my love. I thought we were friends, but then you only came to the party to get your stupid award." "I wanted to come to the party, Josephina, but Professor Wilcox is out of town and I had to monitor the telescope in the Observatory for him. That's how I'm earning my summer room and board. That's why." "But what about my love? I love you Jennie. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together." "Wheew! She's a lesbian!" Al had to inject his comments at full volume and give Agnes a heart attack. "I understand, Josephina. But I can't love you in return. I just can't. You have to find someone who will love you in return." "Agnes -- you're changing history. Josephina becomes a leading gay & lesbian rights activist, is one of the first lesbians to get married, and one of the first lesbian couples to have a baby!" Al excitedly punched buttons on his handlink. "Okay Jennie. But how do I get off this ledge?" Sam and Agnes helped her get off the ledge, as Al kept informing the of what was to come. "Jennie gets that professorial position here like I said, and she married a wealthy doctor and in 1999 -- they're living in the Rocky Mountains where he has a tiny private practice and she has her own 200-inch telescope! And Anna goes on to become a marriage counselor. You guys did it!" Agnes held hands with Sam. "We're probably going to leap any minute now, so I just want to give you some advice. I think you're going to make a great leaper. Keep an eye on Al so he doesn't get too distracted by the women you meet in your leaps. Always look beyond the obvious. Never take people at face value. And develop good reflexes and a good poker face. Maybe we'll meet again someday." Sam let go of her hands and both Agnes and Al saw him leap away. Agnes smiled at the confused Anna and walked back to the observatory, finished entering the information about the comet in the log and sat back to look at Al. "I guess this is it. I'm probably going to leap any minute now." "Yup." He fiddled with his handlink. "Will you still keep track of me, and be my Observer?" Al glanced up sharply, surprised. "Of course, honey. I'll be there for you as long as God, Time, Fate, Whatever, let's me. I won't desert you." Agnes smiled and suddenly was caught up in the blue light of leaping. A breath later, she found herself standing at a window as a familiar- looking man with striking dark hair handed her a pile of paper strips and other things. "Have a good run, Joe!" "Thanks Broz!" She walked away from the window wondering how she knew the man's name. Suddenly she remembered. "Papa!!!" --------------------------------THE END------------------------------ -- Lenora McCoy, confessed Obsessed Leaper, Al-coholic, and Dean-drooler AdmiralCalavicci@hotmail.com AdmiralAl@star-trek.com http://www.geocities.com/Area51/4401/ CalavicciQL@juno.com Author of "Quantum Kirk" and other stories (list and/or requests by e-mail)