April, 2000
Stallions Gate, NM

Al pulled his robe back off and made his way into the bedroom in the
dark. He eased carefully under the covers and felt his heart skip
several beats when he heard Beth sigh softly in her sleep as the
mattress shifted. He was sure Sam was right, that he'd eventually only
recall this history, but, for the moment, there was scarcely any bit of
it that he did recall. What still stood out in his mind was living in
New York with Beth; the history where she hadn't waited was just a faint
echo, now.

It was like Sam had fixed one thing, and then had to repair all the
resulting ripples before things could truly be right again.

He reached out to hold his wife, feeling her soft skin against his
hands, trying to hold onto all the memories one last time before he let
them go. He just wished Sam was home - then it would all be perfect.

*When are you going to fix that wrong, pal?*

"Everything okay?" Beth asked quietly and he kissed her neck tenderly.

"Everything's fine. Sam leaped out." She sighed again, a sound so
peaceful and contented that it drew an involuntary smile from within
him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?"

"What do you remember?"

"About what?" she asked, still too close to sleep to do more than
whisper.

He hesitated for an instant, then stroked her arm gently. Sam'd been
afraid of destroying everything by not leaving well enough alone; he
feared the same thing. Besides, he'd probably forget it all in the
morning.

Probably.

"Nothing. Forget it." He settled her more firmly in his embrace, closed
his eyes, breathing in the faint, lingering scent of her perfume, and
let go.

+Hope you guys enjoyed it... wish I had another lined up, but give me a
month or so.  Got a couple in the works for ya...promise. Drop me a
line and lemme know what you thought! In the meantime, Happy New Year!
--
-amkt
~~~~~~
A "no" uttered from the deepest of convictions is better than a "yes"
uttered half-heartedly or, worse yet, only to please.