Title - Pow, Right In the Kisser.
Author - Spookysister7
Email address - spookysister7@hotmail.com
URL - http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/spookysister7/index.html
Rating - PG
Category - Post episode
Spoilers - POW eps.
Keywords - angst
Summary - How Sam felt when he saw the photo.
Feedback - Please, oh please, oh please!!! I'm young, I'm stupid, I need help! Thanx!

Disclaimer - Quantum Leap, Sam, and Al are not mine. No infringement intended.

Quantum Leap

Sam looked down at the picture, the Pulitzer she had died for, he had killed her for. The glossy black and white photo accentuated the desperate and pleading expression on the young POW's face. At first, the man was unremarkable, a small goatee, a pale face, and the usual camouflaged gear. Then Sam's Swiss cheese memory clicked into place. That was Al. Oh, God, no. That was Al, his best friend and only companion, staring back at him though the two dimensional freeze in time, pleading with him to help him, save him. He was the reason for the mission, the POW he could have saved. He was the other suffering soul in this temporal soap opera, giving his freedom and safety for the brother of a friend, someone he had never even met. Sam's heart stopping staring match with the photo was broken by a strangely raspy voice, seeming to rise from the captured, tortured face of the photographed man. 

"What the heck, I get repatriated in five years." Al said with a sad, pained smile, looking infinitely old in comparison to the fresh, frightened face of the young POW. His ever present cigar shook slightly with repressed emotion, and his eyes never quite reached his friend's. Sam looked at his friend in an odd mix of self-loathing and awed appreciation.

"You could have been free." Sam whispered, acknowledging the great sacrifice his friend had made for him. A serious look flitted across Al's face, and for a split second, Sam wondered if his own selfish desire to save his brother had cost his friend unbearable pain. Al finally met his eyes.

"I was free. Up here, I was always free." Al said, gesturing to his forehead. Al seemed larger to Sam at that moment, deserving as much respect and unadulterated love as Sam could produce and more. In all the trials, all the problems he had faced, Sam had never met a braver man than the one who stood before him now. If he had been there in the flesh, Sam would have given him the biggest bear hug he could muster. As it was, Sam could only let his gratitude shine in his chocolate eyes. Al nodded and took one solemn step back, disappearing. And as Tom wrapped his brawny arm across his shoulders, Sam praised the Creator for the three gifts he had been given. His family, his brother, and his friend.