Sam lost his temper instantly. "Get out of the way!"

"What?" Al said.

"What?" the cop said.

"Shut up!" Sam roared, "and shut that noise off!"

It was like a dam burst inside him. What he, Sam, could filter out, was gone. His heart was steady, if fast, and his eyes were clearing up. But this wasn't the cocaine anymore. This was something else. Something genetic. This was what whoever he was was using the cocaine to cover. This was terrible, terrifying.

This man was insane.

He opened his eyes.

White. Lit up. Hospital? No. No smell. Laboratory. How fitting. Dissect the brain of the psychopath. He always wondered how long it would take them to get to this point.

"Detective Denby?"

He sat up to look. She was lovely, careful, dark haired and dark eyed. He didn't care.

She wasn't Diane.

She spoke again. "My name is Dr. Alessi. You're in a leapchamber at Project Quantum Leap in New Mexico. I can answer any questions you have."

"Doctor of what?"

Dr. Alessi blinked a little, obviously not prepared for that question. "Medicine."

Kiss it goodbye, Harry. He sighed heavily and flopped back down.

Dr. Alessi stood in silence for a moment, shifting uncomfortably. Finally, she spoke. "Don't you want to know where you are... or why you're here?"

"How much does it matter?" Harry grumbled, turning over on his side to face away from the doctor and letting his eyes drift shut. "It's not like I've ever had answers to those questions before. What's supposed to make now different?"