The new kid tries his hand at writing

[on:]

OK, so I don't have a life.  Anyway, I've had so much fun reading topics and post that I decided to try my hand at writing.  The gist of my story is Leela's past and why she has such trouble committing to Fry.  Be gentle; I'm a nurse, not a writer.

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This is my first attempt at writing anything, yet I watch the dysfunction
between Fry and Leela with amazement, because I see it with people that I know.  This is a story that shows what happens when couples don't communicate with each other and let demons from the past interfere with their lives.  We will find why Leela is so hard to get close to, and the journey that both she and Fry (along with the Planet Express crew) to lay old demons to rest.
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DEMONS FROM THE PAST, PART 1

One year earlier....


Fry had finished his failed concert with his holophoner; the Robot Devil had taken his talented hands away from Fry; Fry lost his musical ability and the crowd left the theatre in a rage.  Sitting alone on the stage with his head down, feeling like a total loser, several thoughts went through his head.  Being booed by the crowd really didn't matter, he knew that Leela had left with the crowd in disgust, because Fry once again was a failure. 

He puts his holophonor on the floor and gets up to leave.

Leela: Please don't stop playing Fry. I wanna hear how it ends.

Fry turns around. Leela is the only person left in the room. He smiles then sits down, picks up the holophonor and starts to play. The smoke whirls around above him and forms a crude cartoon-like image of him and Leela who turn to each other and take hold of one another's hand. They kiss, turn around and walk away towards the horizon, never taking their eyes off each other.
Leela was awestruck; she knew that Fry cared for her deeply, but Leela could tell that Fry did love her because the holophoner image was from his heart.  Leela, for a moment let her gaurd down and let Fry take her out.

Robot Arms, Bender and Fry's apartment.  November 1
Past midnight, Bender comes home from a hard night of gambling and hanging out with a couple of hookerbots, he sees light coming from under Fry's door.  Choosing to ignore the 'BENDER, KEEP OUT!' sign on Fry's door, Bender opens the door and walks in.  Fry is busy at a student desk reading a book and writing at the same time. 
Over the past 12 months, Fry had changed:  He started going to work on time, he had stopped hanging out with Bender as much.  Not only that, Fry had joined a gym and was working out 3 days a week and eating better.  Fry now was actually buff and in good physical shape.  The thing that really startled Bender was that 6 months earlier Fry had started attending the New New York City Community College of Space Maritine Law night school.
'Hey meatbag!' Bender asked as Fry jerked his head up in surprise, 'What the hell are you doing?  I had 2 fine hookerbots lined up tonight and you didn't show up.  I had to entertain both of them by myself! (evil smile from Bender).  So how much do I owe you?'
'Bender, learn to knock before coming in my room, will ya?' Fry yelled.  Calming down, Fry simply stated,  'Bender, I have a big Space Torts Law exam tomorrow night, and there's a delivery that Amy and I have to make early this morning, so I'm studying while I have a chance.'
'Yeah meatbag, I've been meaning to ask what's gotten into you.  Last year I thought that you and ol' one-eye were going to interface and merge your programming, but the two of you are even farther apart than ever.  You're making deliveries with Amy and I'm the one that has to fly with the one-eyed-wicked-witch of Planet Express.'  Bender sounded like he actually cared as he asked.
'I don't know, Bender' Fry sighed.  'Leela and I had a couple of good months together after the concert, then out of the blue she tells me that she needs her space and we need to spend some time away from each other.  I can't think of what I did to make her get so upset that she just dumped me like that, so the only thing that I can think of is that she's ashamed of the fact that I'm such a loser.  It's no secret that she wants a successfull man in her life, so I figured that the only way that she'll ever love me is if I become successful, so I'm getting in better shape and I'm getting my degree in Space Law so that when I take over Planet Express from Professor Farnsworth, I can make it as successfull as MomCorp.'
Getting angry, Bender shouts, 'Fry dammit, you're not the one with the problem.  Leela has more hangups than Microsoft Windows 2000!  She's one cold bitch, Fry!  If she gave a crap about you, then why did she flush your letter to her telling her about your deepest feelings down the toilet?  Did she ever thank you for almost getting yourself killed trying to stop the bee that SHE bought aboard the ship from attacking her?  Did she ever thank you for keeping her from killing her parents?  All the crap that you've done for her over the past 4 years and has she EVER gone a day without yelling at you?'
Wincing at hearing this, and knowing that it's all true, all Fry could say is 'I love her, Bender.  I don't know what it will take for her to know that I will never hurt her like Sean, Adallai or Alkazar, but I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall and I'm running out of hope.  I work out and I study as hard as I do so that I don't have to think about her. I asked Hermes to arrange the schedule so that Amy and I work together; that way I don't have to see Leela but a couple of days a week.'
'You bastard!  You're the reason that I'm having to work with that mopey poster child for Prozac!  It's hell, Fry.  She's always yelling and nagging and bitching and moaning about nothing and everything.  She deserves to be lonely, if you ask me.  Meatbag, forget about her, she ain't worth your time and trouble!', Bender exclaimed as he stalks off, lighting up a Zuban cigar.
Sighing and looking down at his book, Fry silently ackowledges Bender's observations.  Even though Bender was a robot, he was the best and closest friend that Fry has ever had; Bender had made Fry stop for the first time in six months and really think about the past 4 years that he had known Leela.  Everything that Bender said was right:  Leela did yell at Fry often and viciously.  Leela did flush a letter he mailed her laying naked his soul and his feelings for her.  There was a part of Leela that was so angry and bitter that everytime he would start to get close to her, she would viciously push him away.  The last thought that went through Fry's mind before falling asleep at his desk was, 'I don't deserve to be treated this badly.'

7 AM, Planet Express Building, November 1

Fry walked in the building knowing that Hermes would be the only person there; the professor would still be asleep, Leela wouldn't come in until 7:30, Amy at 8:00 and Bender may or may not show up.  Fry remembered that today was Leela's day off, so he may not have to see her after all.  Fry came in early because Hermes was helping Fry with his courses; Fry never was a natural student, so he had to work hard for every point that he got in school.   Fry was lucky that Hermes and Amy took time to tutor him; this help was the reason that Fry had the highest grades in his class.
Hermes was more than glad to help Fry because the Professor wouldn't be around much longer, and Fry probably would take over Planet Express so it is in Hermes best interest to help Fry get his degree.  'Hey mon, you be here early agin, what can I do to help you?'
'I'm ready for my exam tonight, I just came in to get an early start.' Fry replied
'You're here early so dat you can get your stuff done before Leela comes in!' Hermes observed.  'Really, you two need to get your differences resolved.  It's difficult to keep scheduling the two of you apart; besides when she doesn't have you to yell at, she yells at everybody else.'
Fry winced at hearing this.  Even with his co-workers he was considered Leela's personal punching bag and whipping boy. 
Fry heard the door open behind him, he saw Leela walk in while he was loading the Planet Express ship's cargo hold.  Over the past several months, the conversations between Fry and Leela were short and polite, yet forced.  Fry could feel that Leela was uncomfortable being around him, so he tried to give her as much space as possible.  This morning he didn't feel the pangs of unrequited love, but a simmering anger about what Bender said  about Leela treating him like crap for the past 4 years.  The anger wasn't at Leela, but at himself for swallowing his pride and allowing her to treat him that way for so long.  He looked at her and envisoned her flushing his letter down the toilet; he had a combination of hurt and loathing at the same time; how could somebody be so cold and callous to do such a thing to another human?

Leela walked up behind Fry drinking a cup of coffee, observing him load the ship for a few minutes.  She fully expected him to start a conversation with her and was surprised when he didn't.  She also noticed that he had lost weight and toned up; Fry was not too bad to look at.  Leela also knew that Fry was attending night school (Hermes kept her informed about the adventures of Fry) and actually making good grades.  This was a different Fry from just 12 months ago and Leela was proud that Fry was taking the initiative to improve himself.  She wanted to say something, anything to him, but she knew that she had hurt him beyond belief 10 months earlier.  If she had the power, she would have never let that night happen, but hey!  Fry was making something out of himself and it was because of that night, so maybe it was for the best!  Justifying her actions to herself, she walked onto the ship and started the pre-flight checklist.  Even though it was Fry and Amy's day to make deliveries, Leela didn't have anything else to do, so she often came in on her day off to be around the people she knew best.  Besides, there may be the chance that Fry would approach her and they could repair the damage from 10 months ago......

[Reply #1 on:]

Official Venus Stamp of Approval.

[Reply #2 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
Official Venus Stamp of Approval.

(Best Elvis impersonation) Thank you, Thank you very much.

[Reply #3 on:]

Not a bad start, Ralph. So far, it doesn't seem to have "Just Another Shippy Futurama Fic" stamped all over it, which is a good thing. I think that the idea of examining Leela's past is a good one, and I can't wait to see how you tie it in with her commitment problems and Fry.

You did pretty well with the characterization, although I'm not totally sure that I'm on-board with all the extra work Fry seems to be doing to improve himself lately. I mean, I'm sure that, if he was motivated enough, he would be able to do what you're describing him doing. But, Fry has never struck me as a very motivated guy.

Aside from that, you wrote the other characters rather well. My only other nit-picky complaint regarding characterization has to do with Bender. Now, I know that he's really...well...a jerk, but he was being pretty malicious when it came to Leela. Still, I can see why he would be, seeing as how Fry is his best friend. I'll withold any further characterization comments until I see more of the story.

Also (and this is just a bit of advice) you might want to double-space between paragraphs. That Fry-Bender exchange would have been a lot easier on the eyes had you spaced between Fry's lines and Bender's lines. Just a suggestion.

Anyway, this looks like it will be a great fanfic. Keep up the good work. I can't wait for the next section.

[Reply #4 on:]

Under normal circumstances all the extra work Fry has been doing would seem to be a bit much, however in this case i think it works cause he actually dated Leela for 2 months, he got what he wanted most in the world only to have it taken away. Normally he can only imagine what being with Leela would be like but in this case he actually has experienced it. So i think it stands to reason that he would do anything in his power to get back what he has lost. Especially if he loves Leela as much as i think he does.

[Reply #5 on:]

 

Originally posted by Gorky:
Not a bad start, Ralph. So far, it doesn't seem to have "Just Another Shippy Futurama Fic" stamped all over it, which is a good thing. I think that the idea of examining Leela's past is a good one, and I can't wait to see how you tie it in with her commitment problems and Fry.

You did pretty well with the characterization, although I'm not totally sure that I'm on-board with all the extra work Fry seems to be doing to improve himself lately. I mean, I'm sure that, if he was motivated enough, he would be able to do what you're describing him doing. But, Fry has never struck me as a very motivated guy.

Aside from that, you wrote the other characters rather well. My only other nit-picky complaint regarding characterization has to do with Bender. Now, I know that he's really...well...a jerk, but he was being pretty malicious when it came to Leela. Still, I can see why he would be, seeing as how Fry is his best friend. I'll withold any further characterization comments until I see more of the story.

Also (and this is just a bit of advice) you might want to double-space between paragraphs. That Fry-Bender exchange would have been a lot easier on the eyes had you spaced between Fry's lines and Bender's lines. Just a suggestion.

Anyway, this looks like it will be a great fanfic. Keep up the good work. I can't wait for the next section.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

You think that Bender was mean, just wait.

Fry's new motivation comes from several angles; from wanting to win Leela's heart to trying to ease the pain of the breakup.

The doublespace thing was done in my original, but when I C&P, the format was boned.  I'll manually make the next edition more readable.

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DEMONS FROM THE PAST, PART 2

Planet Express Ship en route, November 1

10 AM, the Planet Express Ship is loaded - Amy is at the controls and Fry is in the engineer's position.  Hermes gives the co-ordinates for the deliveries.  It will be a easy day, just another load of nuts and bolts for the Robot Planet.  Amy doesn't even have to land the ship because the cargo can be jetisoned off the ship from low orbit and parachutes will let the cargo land safely on the planet.

Fry has many questions about relationships and about women, well to be exact, one woman - Leela.  Amy and Fry were once an item, but Fry broke up with Amy to persue Leela.  Amy being more mature than being given credit for didn't let the breakup upset her (too much).  Amy is a very special woman - she knows that sometimes things aren't meant to be, so just accept things and go on with life.  Even though she has a serious relationship with Kif, she also likes Fry a lot, sometimes wishing that they could be more than friends...

'Amy,' Fry starts slowly, 'I need advice from a woman's point of view.'

Amy's ears perk up.  Fry has been reclusive the past few months, studying when he has a chance, so she is eager to hear his questions.

'Ai Ya, you're asking me for advice?  That's like asking Zoidberg for medical advice or Bender for cooking instructions!'

'Amy, really, I want to know what you think.'

'What's the question, Fry?'

'Do you think that I'm a sap?'

'What?  What's a 'sap' Fry?'

'A 'sap' is a fool, a dunce, a person that gets taken for a fool time and time again.'

'This is about Leela, isn't it Fry?'

'Yes.'  Fry looking at the floor and not making eye contact with Amy.  'Nobody knows the story, but 10 months ago Leela and I were getting along great, we were even talking about getting married in a year or so.  On our last date, I could tell that Leela had something on her mind, so I told her that if we were going to be a couple, we had to communicate with each other better.'

'That's so mature, Fry.'

'I thought so,' Fry continues 'so Leela told me that as much as she tried, she didn't and couldn't ever love me.  She told me that she wanted me, that she needed me, but that she could never love me.  I asked her why, but she wouldn't even look me in the eye, she just said that she couldn't, then she said that she needed her space and that we shouldn't date anymore.  That's my life, a Meat Loaf song:  "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad"'

At this point Fry is crying, Amy wraps her arms around Fry and gives him a long hard hug. 

Choosing her words carefully, Amy consoles Fry:  'Phillip, there is nothing wrong with you.  Leela has always been.....different, and I don't mean because she's a mutant.  She has always had a hard, bitter side about herself, but she seems to have really taken a lot of her frustrations in life out on you.  There have been several times that Bender and I wanted to jump Leela's ass for being so mean to you, but out of respect for you, we didn't.  She will NEVER find anybody else in her life as good as you.  Look at you.  You're in the top of your Space Law School class, you always have time to help me, Zoidberg, Hermes, the Professor, even Leela when we need help.  You are a very special person, never forget that.'

Fry cries on Amy's shoulder for several minutes, then regains his composure.  Fry then tells her about Bender's comments the night before; about Leela flushing his letter into the sewers, about the seeming lack of gratitude that Leela has shown him for for risking his life for her, for preventing her from killing her parents - all the things that he has done over the past 4 years for her.

Amy's reaction is of complete rage  'She flushed your letter down the toilet?  Ai Ya, that one-eyed arrogant bitch!'  Calming down, Amy continues, 'Fry, cut your losses - she's not worth it.  I'll take you out to The Hip Joint after your exam tonight - it's time that you start dating around and find somebody that will appreciate and respect you.  If Leela won't respect you, you should at least respect yourself.'

Looking at Amy, his eyes still moist, Fry askes 'So you think that I should give up on her?  You don't think that I'll ever be able to win her over?'

'No Phillip.  Leela has issues, and she's the one that has to resolve those issues.  She will never be able to have a successfull relationship or be happy until she does.  Fry, Leela hates herself, and you will never be able to love her enough to make her love herself.  She's destroying herself, and I don't want her destroying you.  Do you understand me?  There's enough love for you left over in me that I want to see you happy.  You deserve somebody that will appreciate you for being you.'

Looking at the floor, Fry mumbles, 'I guess you're right.  I just needed to hear it from somebody other than Bender.'  Looking up at Amy, Fry smiles.  'Thanks Amy.  I realize that I was a fool to break up with you.  Thanks for being my friend.'

'Spluh!  Anytime.  Now let's get those nuts and bolts delivered - you have an exam to finish studying for, and then you and I are heading to The Hip Joint.'

PLANET EXPRESS BUILDING

Leela is in her office, looking at the Captain's Log of the Planet Express ship.  Amy and Fry have been gone for 2 hours and should be back in another 4 hours, Hermes is busy with balancing the books, Zoidberg is dumpster diving in the back and the Professor is in his workshop building God-knows-what.  Leela sighs and closes the computer screen.  It's her day off and she's at work; she was hoping that Fry and Amy would invite her to assist with the delivery, but she detected an obvious cold shoulder from Fry, so she didn't ask if she could join the crew.  Leela's whole life is now in the Planet Express building; she has few friends and since her parents are mutants, it's difficult to visit them often.  Leela's heart is heavy and she's alone, and lonely.  Her thoughts are interupted by the stench of one of Bender's cheap cigars.  Looking up, she sees Bender in the doorway of her office.

'Hi Bender, what can I do for you?'

Bender is silent for a moment, exhales a large plume of cigar smoke, simply states, 'Bite my shiny metal ass!.'

Stunned, Leela stares at Bender for a moment 'What's that about?'

'The only reason that I put up with your crap is because of Fry - he's the only human that I don't want killed.  You, however....'

Even more stunned, Leela has never had Bender talk to her this way before, askes 'Bender.....'

'Save it, chumpette.  Let me tell you something.  I'm tired of your constant yelling and bitching.  You act like somebody appointed you to be the Robot-God, that you're perfect and nobody can do anything to your satifaction.  In the 4 years I known you, not a day has gone by that you're not ripping a new one in somebody - usually me and Fry - especially Fry.  It's like you're a huge misery-spreading machine.  Well, I'm sick of it.  Usually, I don't give a crap unless it involves me, but Fry is my friend.  I'm telling you now:  Lay off of him.  If you say another cross word to him or yell at him again, I'm going to have the Robot Mafia put a contract on you.'  Having said this, Bender grabs a bottle of Old Fortran from his chest cabinet and chugs it down as he walks out of her office.

Leela sits in her chair completely shocked.  Bender actually threatened her life and he was stone cold robot serious.  She gets up slowly, closes the door, sinks down in her chair and starts crying uncontrollably.  She is so lonely and she knows why.  She has been hurt so many times in the past that she has developed a 'hurt them before they hurt me' attitude - but now she has alienated the only friends that she has ever had, people who actually gave a crap about her. 

'Well, that's it:' she thinks 'When Amy and Fry get back from the mission, I'll talk to Fry and try to straighten this mess out.'  Thinking even more, 'Really Leela, you chased him away so many times why in the hell would he even want to listen to what you have to say?  Oh, it's Fry, he'll forgive me; he always does.'

So Leela's ready to swallow her pride and approach Fry and ask for his forgiveness when he gets back........

 

[Reply #6 on:]

I said I wasn't totally sure, Venus...

 

Seriously, though, I see your point. I mean, I know that Fry loves Leela, and I know that he would do almost anything in his power to get her back, especially after dating her. I guess the thing that really bugs me is not so much the fact that Fry is trying to improve himself, but the fact that he's doing it in all the right ways. I mean, Fry's not the smartest guy, right? And yet he knows exactly how to get Leela back. Going into work on time, spending less time with Bender (responsibility); joining a gym and eating better (Leela's fallen for some pretty in-shape guys, right?); and law school (which will eventually put him in a position of power).

It seems as if he's fallen into that All-Knowing Fry mode (which he seems to be in a lot in the fic world). He's astute, he's smart, and these newly-equipped powers enable him to be a bitter man. Fry just doesn't strike me as a very bitter person when it comes to Leela. I mean, I can sympathize with a guy who lost the love of his life after only a few months, but I don't think that Fry out-and-out hating Leela for her actions is all that fair. Leela had a less-than happy childhood, and I honestly think that what happened to someone early in life will come into play in relationships taking place later in life. So, maybe Leela had a legitimate reason as to why she wanted some time away from Fry. Part of my problem is that Fry is giving her her space (because he loves her) and yet he's still persuing someone who obviously needs time to think things over. Okay, maybe 12 months to do so is a bit too much, but I think that, seeing as how Ralph said that this fic is going to examine Leela's past, there may be a bigger reason as to why Leela broke Fry's heart. I'm not saying she should have, I'm just saying that she needs some room to breathe.

And maybe I'm just being cynical...

EDIT: See, brain! You get all long-winded, and then Ralph posts another part of his new story! Why must you ruin my life so?

Seriously, though, I'll try to read this later--another nit-picky review to come. I bet you can hardly wait     

[Reply #7 on:]

Ok, I didn't buy the "Fry going smart, healthy, and all-around better" until I read more of your story Ralph. This is quiet interesting. I mean at first I can't picture Leela and Fry breaking up but then I can. I mean majority of Futurama fans have seen Farnsworth Parabox and would think that it'd end like that. But I really want to see what happens! This is great stuff. There's one thing that I'm not getting,

 

Leela's heart is heavy and she's alone, and lonely.

That made me kind of laugh. Cause it looks like your saying something like,

 

Leela was cold and freezing

Reusing the same word.

Anyway I question what made Leela a total bitch? What made her dump Fry and all this? Cause I understand the story but why is she like this? So many questions. Please continue. You have my approval of a kick-ass story. 

[Reply #8 on:]

Leela's heart is heavy and she's alone, and lonely.
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You can be alone but not lonely.  I didn't really make that clear, but Leela has effectively chased all her friends away, so she's not only by herself, but so isolated that she has nobody to turn to.  Loneliness has always been one of Leela's pathos.  I hope to make this clearer as the story progresses.

[Reply #9 on:]

I see. That makes sense. I thank you.

[Reply #10 on:]

DEMONS FROM THE PAST, PART 3


Planet Express Building 4:30 PM

The delivery went perfectly, Fry and Amy got back on time and Fry had a few hours to get a nap before going to class to take his exam.  Exiting the Planet Express ship, Fry and Amy saw Leela waiting in the hanger bay next to Fry's locker.

As Fry approachs his locker, Leela steps in front of him.

'Fry, I need to talk to you.'

'Leela, I don't have time now, I have an exam tonight and I need to catch a couple of hours sleep before I go to class.'

Leela was taken aback by the coldness in his voice - so unlike Fry.  She knew that she really hurt him badly this time.  Oh well, sometimes you have to swallow your pride, and this is a perfect time to do so.

'Fry, I really want.... I really need to talk to you....'

Losing all composure, Fry starts yelling at Leela 'What do you want to talk to me about?  How I'm a kid from the 'stupid ages'.  How I'm not the man you want since I killed the worms?  How I'm a fat sack of crap?  That you can never love me?  Leela - LEAVE ME ALONE!  I'm trying to get over you, and I don't need you being kind and sweet after you haven't talked to me in 6 months.  6 MONTHS, Leela.  You torn my heart out for the last time.  GODDAMMIT LEELA, I DESERVE BETTER!  Tell me one thing:  Why did you flush my letter down the toilet?  Do you know how I felt when I found it in the sewer?  You have never given me a reason or an appology for doing that.  Why?'

Leela stared ahead, her eye extra large - completely shocked by Fry's reaction.  Everything Fry said was true, and she had no defense.  Some of her actions towards Fry were totally indefensible, and she knew it.  Leela just turned away and ran to her office, slamming the door shut behind her, collapsing on the floor crying uncontrollably.

Outside, Fry got his stuff out of his locker,  Amy by his side  'Um, Fry, are you going to be OK?'

'Yeah, I'll be OK. ' Taking a deep breath Fry stated 'I'll take a spoonfull of space honey before I take my exam.  Don't worry.  I'll see you at The Hip Joint tonight'

'Flugh!  I better!  Good luck Fry'

'Thanks Amy.'

Fry left the building.  Amy walked to Leela's office; she could hear Leela crying behind the closed door.  The door wasn't locked, so Amy opened the door and walked in. 

Leela was sitting on the floor, tears running down her face, her nose running, her single eye puffy and red.  Amy stared at the one-eyed, wide-hipped Amazon for several moments before simply stating,  'You deserved every damned thing he said.'

Leela was silent for several minutes except for her crying.  She finally looked up and saw Amy.  'You're right, I deserved every word, and I deserve more.  Oh God, what have I done?  I finally chased him away!'

Looking at Leela with contempt, Amy replied,  'Flugh!  You've been doing that for 3 years.  Congratulations.  You finally did it!  Now you can go and find Sean and let him crap all over you again.  Honestly Leela, you complain about men treating you badly, yet that's the type of guy that you chase.  You get what you deserve and I have no sympathy for you.  You had Fry eating out of your hand, there was nothing that he wouldn't do for you, yet you treat him like crap every chance you get.  You need professional help, Leela.'

Saying that, Amy walks out of Leela's office.  Actually, Amy wanted to say a lot more, but she knows the strength that Leela has, plus her martial arts expertise makes Leela a very dangerous and deadly person.  Amy knows Leela's temperment is cruising for a fight on a good day - today is not a good day for Leela.

LEELA'S OFFICE,  2 HOURS LATER

As Zoidberg scuttles by Leela's office he hears soft sobbing coming from within; peeking inside the door, he sees Leela sitting on the floor, almost drained of life.  Zoidberg notices that something is wrong with her, but he just can't put a claw on it.

'Vat is wrong, Leela?'

'Dr. Zoidberg?  You're talking to me?  At least I haven't alienated you yet.'

'Talk to me, Ah'm a doctor, Ah can help you.  Let's get off the floor and go to the couch.'

Defeated, Leela does as Zoidberg suggest - she sits on the couch in the lobby and starts babbling about the events of the day - the death threat from Bender, the tongue lashing from Fry, the rebuke from Amy. 

'Everybody that I ever cared about is angry at me, and it's all my fault.  I don't what to do.  I don't believe that I'll ever be able to friends with Bender or Amy again.  And Fry... Fry...'  Leela starts crying again.  Zoidberg looks at her with compassion, pulls a syringe with 5 mg of St. Joseph's Valium out of his bag and gives Leela an injection in her arm.  Leela looks at Zoidberg with surprise before her eye closes and she goes to sleep.....

PLANET EXPRESS LOBBY, 10 PM

Leela awakens slowly, not sure where she's at.  The events of the day come back to her as ghostly images.  Bender, Amy, Fry, Zoidberg.  She notices that a quilt is spread over her, she looks around and realizes that she is laying on the couch located in the Planet Express Lobby.  Her vision blurry from crying, she sees Zoidberg sitting on the floor next to her.

'Ah, back to the land of the living, are ve?  Good.  Now let's talk, vhy not?

Leela continues to lay on her back, staring at the ceiling.  Her mind numb, her body heavy and empty, so empty.  The emptiest and saddest that she has ever been, even sadder than when she found out that Sean was cheating on her, so many years ago.

'Dr. Zoidberg, can you find me a suicide booth?  I'm serious, I don't want to go on like this.'

'Vat?  And lose the only patient that Ah've had survive?  No Leela, you will live, you just need to talk.  Tell me vhy not?'

Sighing deeply, Leela remembers parts of conversations during the day.  'Amy says I need professional help.  I always have to be in control.  I keep my weight within 5 pounds at all times, I work out in the gym every day, I pre-flight the Planet Express ship every day even though Amy can do it as well as I can.  I'm a control freak - I can't trust anybody to do anything.  I have no life outside of Planet Express.'  Looking at Zoidberg with desperation in her eye, Leela sobs 'I don't know what to do!'

'Leela, I have help on the way.  I'm friends with Dr. Phil McGraw's head - he'll be in my office tomorrow to help you.  Hermes says that the company insurance covers it.  Bender and I will take care of the deliveries.  Relax, you'll get the help that you need.'

Looking at Zoidberg with hope, Leela smiles for the first time in 10 months......

[Reply #11 on:]

Dr Phil? You're bringing in Dr Phil?

YES!!! I LOVE DR. PHIL!!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!!! Oh bring in Robin too!

[Reply #12 on:]

I should have my mom read this. Dr. Phil is her man.

[Reply #13 on:]

 

Originally posted by Spacedal11:
I should have my mom read this. Dr. Phil is her man.

Prepare to enjoy!
---------------------
DEMONS FROM THE PAST, PART 4

The Hip Joint, 11:30PM

Fry and Amy are sitting at a table, drinks in front of them.  Fry is tired; it's been a long day and he didn't get the nap that he wanted; he was so wound up from the argument with Leela that even a spoonfull of space honey didn't calm him down.  The bright side, at least he thinks that he aced his Space Torts exam.

'Amy, thanks for being there for me earlier today and thanks for taking me out tonight.  I guess that I need somebody to talk to.'

'No problembo, Fry-ster.  I have to say that I rather enjoyed watching you tear into Leela - I could have probably sold tickets to the staff for that encounter.'

'I've been planning to say that for a long time, it's just that I don't really feel better.  I thought that if I put her in her place just once a weight would be lifted.  It hasn't, I actually feel worse than ever.' Fry said with a depressed look on his face.

'It's OK Fry, Leela needed to hear everything that you said, and you needed to say it.  Leela needs to learn to respect other people's feelings.  Especially YOUR feelings.  It's high time that you stand up for yourself to her.'

Thinking hard, Amy didn't know if she should tell Fry about Leela's breakdown in her office.  Dammit, Fry still loved Leela, but Amy didn't want to give Fry any false hope of a chance of him and Leela being together.  Fry had always been the one to give until he had nothing left to give, and Leela just seemed to take everything and still be be critical to Fry as he gave.

'Fry, when you left Planet Express today, I went to Leela's office; she was sitting on the floor crying her eye out.  You really struck a nerve with her.  I told her that she deserved everything that you told her, and she agreed.  Fry, I'm not saying that there's hope for her, but if she can admit to me that she's been a jerk to you, then maybe there's hope that she will get off her high horse and realize how mean she's been to everybody around her.  Then again, maybe not, she is quite arrogant about her importance to the world.'

'Well, Leela will have to come to me.  I've swallowed my pride and made up with her too many times.'  Thinking hard and long, Fry finally coldly stated, 'Amy, today is November 1st.  Leela has until November 30th to get her crap together.  If she hasn't gotten her act together by the end of this month, I'm going to ask the Professor to replace her as Captain and pilot.  She's too much a distraction to the rest of the group with her problems.  I don't want to do this, but this is beyond me now.  Everybody is having problems with her now and our job is too dangerous for animosity to be always present.'

Amy's eyes widened in surprise.  'Fry, Leela is one of the most competent pilots in the galaxy.  Professor Freaksworth isn't going fire her just because you and she are having personal problems.'

'Amy, Bender told me last week that Leela's messed up 2 orders in the last month; Hermes had to do a lot of ass-kissing to smooth things over.  PE lost a contract and the Professor is not pleased about that.  He wanted to fire Leela then, but because Leela and I have a history and he plans for me to take over Planet Express when the Robot Sunset Squad comes for him in 7 years, he has overlooked the incidents.'

Amy was shocked to hear this.  Even though there was always an undercurrent of cattiness between Amy and Leela, Amy actually liked and respected the cyclops.  Amy grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth, Leela was a poor orphan with nothing.  Leela grew up with a deformity, she had no friends or family but still managed to put herself through college and secure a prized goverment job.  Leela abilities as a pilot were superior to the majority of the DOOP's helmsmen.  Leela's devotion to physical fitness and martial arts expertise had saved the crew several times.  Despite Leela's emotional hangups, Leela was a good person at heart and a great person to have on your side when hell was breaking loose.

Shaking her head in disapproval 'Fry, Leela doesn't deserve to be fired.  She needs help.  For all of our talk, have any of us ever just sat down with her and let her know how critical of others she is?  Maybe she doesn't realize how hurtfull she can be.  Besides, if she loses her job, I'm afraid she go to the nearest suicide booth.  I can't live that on my conscious, and you can't either.'

Looking down and finishing his drink Fry simply stated 'You're right.  I can't do that to her.  Dammit, why do relationships have to be so complicated?  Why can't we be like robots?  Bender doesn't seem to have these problems.'

'What's next, Fry?'

Sighing deeply Fry responds 'I don't know.  I'm tired, it's been a long day.  I think that I'll go home and crash.'  Looking up and meeting Amy's gaze, Fry smiles.  'Thanks again for being there for me.'

'Anytime Fry.  Now I'm going to be there for Leela; I'm going to sit down with her and have a long talk with her.  She needs to know how she's screwing her life up and that there are people who want to help her.  Besides, I'm not going to be the only woman working for Planet Express.'

Amy gives Fry a ride to his apartment; Fry is asleep before his head hits the pillow.....

November 2, 10 AM.  Dr. Zoidberg's office

Leela walked into Dr. Zoidberg's office, she was shaking with fearful anticipation.  She had heard of Dr. Phil McGraw - usually he only saw important people like heads of corporations, politicians and celebrities.  It really amazed her that Dr. Zoidberg was friends with Dr. Phil and had enough clout to have THE Dr. Phil see her on such short notice.  On a table next to the wall, Dr. Phil's head was there, he started to speak before Leela came through the door.

'Turanga Leela?  A beautiful name.  Did you know that in two Sanskrit words, turanga and lîla, together meaning something like "love song and hymn of joy, time, movement, rhythm, life and death"?  Please, come in and have a seat, make yourself comfortable.'

Leela's apprehension suddenly vanished.  She felt like this man really could help her.  She closed the door behind her and sat in the leather covered recliner.

'We're just going to talk today Leela.  There is no reason to be afraid; I'm bound by my professional oath that everything said between us stays between us.  I am not here to judge you, just to help you get through a rough time in life.  Everybody goes through tough times, it's up to each of us to accept help.  Will you accept my help?'

Nodding her head Leela replies 'Yes, Dr. Phil.  I need help, I can't keep going on like this.  I'm so lonely; there are very special people who care about me, but I keep chasing them away.  I don't know why.  I'd probably be dead now if Dr. Zoidberg hadn't found me and stayed with me all night.'  Her voice dropping to a barely audiable whisper 'We treat him so badly, yet he does so much for us.'

'That's his gift, he's unobtrusive, but he's there when he is needed.  All of us have our special gifts.  Even you, Turanga Leela.'

Leela's head snaps forward.  'I have a gift?  What?  That I have a cantaloupe-sized eye in the middle of my head?  That my parents gave me up to an orphanarium and I grew up alone? That I sleep with every jerk that I meet but chase off the guy that really loves me?  My gift?  To Robot Hell with 'my gift'!'

Dr. Phil just listens, no expression on his face.  It's been years since he has seen so much self-loathing in a person; Leela was going to be more than a favor for a friend, but a project that may last for several months.  Well, that's fine, because Dr. Phil likes tough cases.  Besides, there was something special about the 6 foot tall cyclops, even though she didn't think so about herself.

'So let's start with your early life.  What was it like growing up in the orphanarium?'

Laying her head back and closing her eye, Leela takes a deep breath before answering.

'It was Hell.  I was picked on every day by all the kids.  When we played games, I was always the last one picked for teams.  When the other kids sat around and talked, I wasn't invited to join. They would chant 'One eye, one eye' and laugh at me.  Every day.  EVERY-DAMNED-DAY! When the adults came to pick out a child for adoption, we were herded like cattle into a room for them to inspect us.  Of course the adults would stare at me and ask questions, but I never had anybody take me out; nobody was interested in a 'defective child'.  Well, back then it was thought that I was an alien, but I'm really a mutant.'

'Do you feel like you're defective?'

The question from Dr. Phil hit Leela hard.  She had never been asked something like that by anybody, she never consciously thought about it.

'Yes.  No.  I don't know.  Am I?'  Leela asked legitimately confused.

'Am I defective because my head is in a jar?  I don't think so.  I'm still the same person I was in the 21st century.  I am still productive and usefull.  So are you defective because you're a cyclops?  No.  Dr. Zoidberg holds you in the highest esteem.  It seems that you're an exceptional pilot, Captain of your own ship.  You have the highest degree obtainable in martial arts, you've won some regional body shaping contests, you graduated top in your class with a degree in Exo-Sociology and held a middle level job with the Fate Assignment Bureau at the age of 25.  Not the stuff that 'defective' people achieve.'

Swallowing hard, tears building up in her eye, Leela painfully askes 'If I'm so special, then why do I feel so worthless?'

'I don't know.  That's what we're going to find out.' was the simple response from Dr. Phil.

'

[Reply #14 on:]

Are you sure you aren't Dr. Phil yourself?  . This is quiet interesting. I like it.

[Reply #15 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
 she is quite arrogant about her importance to the world.'

I'm assuming this is just Amy's personal theory but i really don't think this is one of Leela's problems at all. If anything i don't think she thinks much of herself at all. After all she's been pretty much trained since early childhood to believe she's worthless and undeserving of love. Which is why i think she goes after guys like Chaz and Adlai. If she can get the kind of guy who could have any woman he wanted in the world it could serve as validation for her. maybe in her mind if a guy who could have anyone he wanted in the whole world wants her then maybe that means she isn't so bad. Someone like Fry couldn't validate her in that way which may be one (of the probably many) reasons she's so reluctant towards him.

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
 I'm assuming this is just Amy's personal theory but i really don't think this is one of Leela's problems at all. If anything i don't think she thinks much of herself at all. After all she's been pretty much trained since early childhood to believe she's worthless and undeserving of love. Which is why i think she goes after guys like Chaz and Adlai.

Yes, that was Amy's personal opinion filtering through.

You're right about Leela having a low self esteem and poor sense of self-worth which is why she overcomsensates by being such a control freak.  She puts up such a strong front that others feel that she's arrogant and controlling when in reality she is barely holding herself together.

I know about Leela personally, because I married a Leela type person.  It makes life interesting.

[Reply #17 on:]

I bet. A Leela type personality must have one depressing internal monologue going.

[Reply #18 on:]

 

Originally posted by Spacedal11:
Are you sure you aren't Dr. Phil yourself?   . This is quiet interesting. I like it.

Thank you.  I have to think that it's not bad for a first attempt.

Gawd, I need a life.....

[Reply #19 on:]

Hello RalphSnart,
Welcome to P.E.E.L.
Enjoy yourself and watch your hat and coat. 

I've not read through the whole thread yet, as I've also not read your whole story yet, but I will.
From the little bit I've seen your story shows promise.
I will eviscerate review your story as soon as I've had a chance. Don't worry, I may bite, but I've had all my shots.   
Later...

[Reply #20 on:]

DEMONS FROM THE PAST, PART 5

Fry's Apartment, November 2, 8 AM

The telephone ringing wakes Fry; he's tired, grumpy and hung over from the late night at The Hip Joint.  It's his day off and he wants nothing more than to sleep late.  If there was one thing about his former life of being a slacker, he was always well-rested.  There were times that he really missed his old life.  Now was one of those times.

'Hello, this better be good.' Fry answers the phone with a half awake slurring of his words.

'Fry, dis is Hermes.  Listen, Zoidberg has put Leela on medical leave.  We need somebody to help Bender make de delivery.  Zoidberg volunteered, but I'll not have dat filthy crab on de ship.  Besides, he's not covered by insurance since he's not a true crew member.  Can you come in by 10 dis morning?'

Groaning, Fry turns over in his bed while speaking on the phone.  'Hermes, is this delivery that important?  I'd love to get a good 18 hours sleep.'

'Yeah mon, dis is a really important delivery, it's one of our paying customers.  We can't risk losing another customer.'

Fry's brain cells slowly waking up vaguely remembers an earlier part of Hermes conversation.

'Leela's on medical leave?  What happened?' Fry askes with a trace of concern in his voice.

'I don't know.  Zoidberg won't tell - filthy crab!  All I know is dat he asked me for the benefits coverage for Leela and he called his medical school several times last night.  He has placed her under de care of a Dr. Phil McGraw and she's out until futher notice.'

'God, I can't believe that I'm doing this.' Fry thinks to himself while he tells Hermes, 'Sure, I'll be there - let Bender know that I'll be there in a hour or so.'

'Thanks mon.  I'll remember dis.' Hermes responds.  'Oh, by de way, I'll keep asking de crab what's wrong with Leela, if you want me to.'

'Thanks Hermes.  Let me know what you find out.'  Fry's first instinct was to call Leela's place and ask her, but with the events of the past year, and his outburst on Leela yesterday, Fry decided to keep some distance between him and her.  This really was tearing Fry up inside - he still loves Leela with all his heart, but she won't let him into hers.  All he can do is cover for her and hope that she'll be alright.

PLANET EXPRESS BUILDING, 9:45 AM

Fry enters the building and goes to Hermes office.  Hermes smells Fry as he enters the door.  'Sweet holly tree of Galalee!  How much did you drink last night?'

'Not enough.' was Fry's simple reply.  'Any idea of what's going on with Leela?'

'Not a thing.  I know dat you and her had an argument in de hangar bay yesterday.  I haven't seen or heard from her since.  Zoidberg says dat he's taking care of her business until she's back.  I can't believe dat she will let that filthy crab take care of her business.  She must be bad sick.'

Looking at the ground, Fry mumbles 'Let me know if you find out anything.  I'll call Amy and see if she can call Leela later today.'

'OK mon.  Fry, I'm glad dat you stood up to her yesterday, she's had it comin' for a long time.  She needs to learn dat she can't always bully people around.'

'Hermes, she's not a horrible person.  Everybody seems to think that Leela is a witch, but she's the most competent employee in this building.  All of us owe her our lives at some point  She expects a lot out of people.  Especially herself.  Maybe too much.' Fry responded with a slightly defensive edge to his voice.

'Boy still has it bad for her.' Hermes thought to himself as Fry walked a hung-over shuffle to the hangar bay.

PLANET EXPRESS SHIP, 10 AM

'Hey meatbag!  It's been a while since we've done a delivery together.  What do you say that we dump the cargo in the sewer and say that we made the delivery?  Then we can go to a saucy puppet show.'

Fry looked at Bender through bloodshot eyes.  'Same Bender - he'll never change.  I wish that I could say the same about myself.  Getting older and maturing sucks ' Fry thought as he entered the ship.

'So what's up with the skintube?  Can't say that I miss her.  Without her onboard, I can fine-tune my cheating program and we can stop by Planet Vegas and roll the bones on the way back.' 

'Bender's way too happy', Fry thought.  'Bender, we'll make the delivery and then we'll come back home.  I need to find out what's wrong with Leela, OK?'

'Sure, whatever.'  Bender was already calibrating his cheating software.

THAT AFTERNOON, DR. ZOIDBERGS OFFICE

'Leela, let's talk about your feelings.  This is about you and you alone; not what others expect from you or what they think about you.'

'Oh.  I'm not really comfortable doing this...' Leela stated very gaurdedly.

'Why?' was the simple question from Dr. Phil.

'Because...you may not like me after I start talking.'

'It's too late Leela.  I already like you.  Nothing you can say will change that.'

Leela looked at the head in the jar.  No wonder this guy was so much in demand - he knew how to get under your skin and make you comfortable.

'How old are you, Leela?'

Thinking about lying about her age, which she did every day, she decided to tell Dr. Phil the truth.

'I'm 34.  Everybody who knows me thinks that I'm 29.'

'Why do you lie about your age?'

'It's a woman thing,' Leela says with a short laugh.  A short silence.  'It's because I don't want the others knowing how old I am.  I'm a 34 year old single woman with no prospects of having a normal life.  If they think that I'm younger, I won't look quite as pathetic to them.'

'What is a 'normal life' to you?'

Brief pause.  'I don't know.  Having 2 eyes instead of this deformity in the middle of my head.  Being able to go out and not have people stare at me.  Going out to a bar and not having men running away in horror when they get a good look at me.  Having a nice place to live with a decent man in my life, somebody responsible and in tune with my feelings; having....normal children.'

Dr. Phil picked up on the pause.  'Normal children, Leela?  You mean not like you?'

'That's right, not like me.  It was easier for me when I was an alien.  Now that I know that I'm a mutant, any children that I have will probably be deformed also.  I can't do that to anybody.'

'Life has been cruel to you, hasn't it?' Dr. Phil quietly asked.

'The orphanarium was just the beginning.  I went to my Senior Prom stag, my dress was made of carpet remnants.  Everybody else there had dates, they had nice clothes.  I didn't have anything.  They all stared at me like I was a freak.  I was a freak.  I still am.'
Leela was starting to break down while talking.

'You're a freak that has people that care for and about her.  A lot of 'normal' people can't say that.' was the soft response from Dr. Phil.

'I know that I should be thankful for what I have...what I had, but there's a hole in my soul that nothing can fill.'  Leela said between sobs.

'Where did the hole come from?' was the gentle question.

Leela thought hard before answering.  'Sean.  He was my first love.  He and I lived together for almost 2 years.  He was a musician; he was poor and barely making a living doing the club circuit.  I had just started with the Fate Assignment Bureau, so I made a decent living.  He made me feel so special beause he would play songs on his sax for me; when I'd show up at a club, he'd dedicate a song to me.  I never had anybody do things like that for me.  I felt like a Princess around him.;

'What happened?  Why did it end?'

'The whole time Sean was living with me, he was spending my money and using my credit cards.  I was supporting him.  I didn't care, I loved him.  I found out that he was cheating on me, that he'd been cheating on me from the first day that we met.'

'How did you find out?'

'I heard him talking to one of his band members - the drummer named Getty.  I came home from work early one day because I had a headache and laid down in bed.  Sean and Getty came home - they didn't know that I was laying in the bedroom with the door open.  I heard their conversation.  Every word.'  Leela was crying uncontrollably at this point.

The question was direct yet gentle, 'What did they say?'

'Getty and Sean were talking about all the women that they were scoring.  Getty then said that he was jealous of the sweet deal that Sean had.  A clueless girlfriend to support him while he chased skirts.  Sean then said that it's not as sweet a deal as most people thought  - that he actually had to sleep with that freak. That one.....eyed....freak.  He told Getty that he earned every cent he got from me by having to look at me, that he had to turn the lights off when we....when we...'  Leela lost all control at this point, her breathing nothing but jagged sobs.

'Breakthrough.' thought Dr. Phil.

[Reply #21 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
Sean then said that it's not as sweet a deal as most people thought - that he actually had to sleep with that freak. That one.....eyed....freak. He told Getty that he earned every cent he got from me by having to look at me, that he had to turn the lights off when we....when we...' Leela lost all control at this point, her breathing nothing but jagged sobs.

Ouch. Just ouch.

[Reply #22 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
 Ouch. Just ouch.

Enough to make a woman a tad neurotic?

[Reply #23 on:]

Especially considering that's the kind of feedback she got from everyone she came in contact with for the first 25ish years of her life i'd say so. Once she left the orphanarium she probably thought things would get better, to have them stay essentially the same would be quite crushing.

[Reply #24 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
Especially considering that's the kind of feedback she got from everyone she came in contact with for the first 25ish years of her life i'd say so. Once she left the orphanarium she probably thought things would get better, to have them stay essentially the same would be quite crushing.

We saw it quite often in the series.  Love's Labor's Lost In Space was a perfect example.  The bar has closed, Leela's the only one that didn't leave with a date, she's sitting alone at a table when the janitor comes up to her, makes small talk, when she looks up he sees her one eye and runs away.  That scene has stuck with me,because that's how the writers want us to know that's how Leela sees herself. 

Now for the final part.  Hope everybody enjoys it....
--------------
DEMONS FROM THE PAST, PART 6

17 Days later

Leela worked with Dr. Phil for 2 weeks; she didn't realize how a lifetime of burying feelings and emotions could poison a person.  She had to admit that she was mentally ill and that she needed to take medication for depression.  For the first time in her life, she didn't feel a sense of self-hatred.  Instead, she actually was able to wake up and walk down the street, enjoying the sounds of children playing, ejoying the smell of freshly boiled Molton Boron.   Her senses open for the first time since she could remember, she even enjoyed cleaning Nibbler's dark matter deposits.  Smells, sounds, sights - all had a new dimension to her.  She actually felt alive.  The hurt was still there, but she knew what it was, and she was now its master.  The hurt and the sense of worthlessness made her think that Fry was going to use her like Sean did; that was why she dumped him so brutally that night 10 months earlier.  Now her vision was clear, and she knew that although the world was full of people like Sean and Zapp Brannigan, Fry was innocent and not the type to use her.  She found herself being very envious of the parallel-universe Leela - at least she had the good sense to marry Fry when she had the chance.

Dr. Phil had released her, she could return to work tomorrow.  She had a huge decision to make:  Would she go back to Planet Express? Zoidberg was the only staff member that Leela stayed in contact with during her sessions with Dr. Phil.  There were at least a dozen messages on her phone from Amy and Hermes.  There was even one from Fry.  His was short but sweet. 

'Leela, this is Phillip.  You don't have to call me back, but please be OK.'

Leela played this simple message back several times.  Without the anger and bitterness of Sean to cloud her vision and judgement, she could see just how important Fry was to her.  He was the reason that she left a job that she hated, the Fate Assignment Officer position was great when she was starting out, but she grew to despise her job.  Fry came along and made her realize how much she wanted to quit.  Fry had kept her from murdering her parents; because of him, she now had a decent relationship with her mother.  Most importantly, Fry saved her from the bee sting, if not for him giving her a mental anchor for 14 days, she would still be on life support, in a coma without a chance of ever waking.

How could she have been so cruel to Fry?  She still didn't have an answer for flushing his letter.  She had gone into the sewers when she was starting to recover from her mental illness, her mother gave the letter back to Leela.  Leela put it in a frame and placed it next to Fry's picture on her bedside table.  She read it several times a day, with tears welling up each time she read it.  She didn't deserve the love that Fry had for her. 

Now's the time to get life moving forward again.

Picking up the phone, she called Fry's number, half hoping that he wouldn't answer.

Fry answered on the first ring.  'Leela, is that you?'

'Yes Phillip, it's me.  I have a lot of things to answer for, and I hope that you and I can talk in person today.  Please?'

Fry was stunned.  The call from Leela was unexpected, but not only did she call him by his first name, she said 'Please'.  Leela had never used that word in his presence.

'Uh, yeah, where and when?'

'My place in an hour.  It's just you and me Phillip.  Plan on being here for a while, I'll cook supper for us.'

One Hour Later

'Thanks for coming Phillip.  I have a lot to say, so please sit down and let me talk.  When I'm finished, if you want to leave and never see me again, I'll understand.'

'Um, OK.  I'm just glad you're not sick anymore.' Fry managed to choke out.

'Fry, I am sick.  I'm mentally ill but I'm in remission now.  Do you remember the night that I won my award at the orphanarium?  That night afterwards when you found me in the hangar bay crying and I told you that I kept my sadness bottled up until it manifests itself as mental illness?  It was not a joke, that's what happened.   I'll have to take medication for the rest of my life to keep it controlled.  First of all, Thank you for everything that you've done; for being my friend, for standing by my side when nobody else would.  I don't deserve a friend like you, but now that I'm better, I hope to be able to earn that friendship.'

'Phillip, I was on the verge of killing myself 3 weeks ago, Dr. Zoidberg kept me from going through with it.  He got me the help that I needed, help that I've needed for years.  I felt that I had lost everything - you, Amy, Bender.  I had no reason to live because I was so lonely.  I have been so cruel to you - you didn't deserve it, I hated myself so much that being dead was an attractive alternative.'

'Leela, are you OK now?'  Fry asked quietly.

'I don't know.  That depends on a lot of things.  If you want to forgive me and start over, then yes, I'll be OK.  If not, then I'll resign from Planet Express and move in with my parents.'

Fry noticed that Leela's body language was less stiff than usual, she was actually relaxed, something that he had never seen from her before.

'Before you answer that, let me show you something.  Leela reached behind the chair she was sitting in and pulled out the frame that held Fry's letter.  'I went down the sewer and got this from mom.  It's my most prized possession.  I'm so sorry that I flushed it, I have no explanation for why I did that terrible thing.  Please forgive me.'

Fry, blinking back tears while speaking,  'Leela, I love you, of course I forgive you, don't quit Planet Express....I, I need you.  Somebody has to keep me straight.  It's tough being a mature adult by myself.'

Leela smiled.  'And I need you to teach me how to enjoy life.  Oh, and you need to know one more thing:  I'm not 29, I'm 34 years old.  Can you handle being around an old woman?' Leela asked with a twinkle in her eye.

'Wow, 34.  I don't know.....'

'Oh, shut up, Fry.  Come over here and give me a hug!'

The End or The Beginning?
 

[Reply #25 on:]

Tear. This is how I see this fic, "feelings! Nothing more then feelings!". Anyway, very good. It was getting annoying with Leela starting every sentence with "Phillip," but that's ok. Sweey story. I am impressed and I hope you do another fan fic.

[Reply #26 on:]

I agree about the 'Philip' thing. She should really just call him Fry. Other than that i really liked it although i was hoping to hear more of Leela's past. And i can't believe you left out Robin! You can't have Dr. Phil without his wife!

[Reply #27 on:]

Hello Ralph Snart,

Warning: 12.5% Spoiler by dry weight. 100% Opinion! 

As threatened, my review of part 1 (finally)

First I must say I like it, but I have a few issues with your story.

Our first look at Fry after his holophoner concert is him- excuse me? Studying? Studying? The only time I recall we ever saw Fry even near a book was when he was at the library fighting the "Big Brain" in 'The day the Earth Stood Stupid'. Moreover, he's become responsible enough to start getting to work on time, he's not goofing around with Bender so much, and working out?

This seems like a little too much change for even a highly-motivated Fry, although you’ve given him about the greatest degree of motivation possible. It would be less unbelievable if you showed us a little bit of what Fry lost; I mean he won Leela’s heart then lost it again. If that don’t motivate you, bruddah, you ain’t human!

One thing bothers me about how you’ve written the descriptive/narrative sections; you write it in the present tense. The convention is to write in the past tense, and your use of the present tense is distracting, and calls attention to itself- at least for me.

'Hey meatbag!' Bender asked as Fry jerked his head up in surprise, 'What the hell are you doing? I had 2 fine hookerbots lined up tonight and you didn't show up. I had to entertain both of them by myself! (evil smile from Bender). So how much do I owe you?'

Good gag. I laughed out loud, which is a rarity in my history of reading fan fic’s.

You make it sound like a certainty that Fry will take over Planet Express from Farnsworth. This seems unlikely to me. Still, you’re saying Fry has improved by leaps and bounds, so it may be much less uncertain.

Fry is studying ‘Space Torts’? Well, Space Law would be a great help to anyone running Planet express, but I would have expected Fry to start with something simpler like a basic ‘Spacemanship’ course, which, I guess, is the space-going equivalent of seamanship. If he’s going to run the company, he ought know first how to run the ship.

Oh, and it’s ‘Maritime,’ not ‘Maritine.’

Bender, though seems typically self-centered.

Your Fry begins to resemble the Fry from the show when he says;

’I can't think of what I did to make her get so upset that she just dumped me like that, so the only thing that I can think of is that she's ashamed of the fact that I'm such a loser.’

Questioning and blaming himself for Leela’s actions, but the resemblance doesn’t seem to go any further than this.

When Bender recounts everything Fry has done for Leela, it seems like a lecture. Anyone reading will likely know all this already, but I’m not suggesting you omit it. I suggest you break it up into smaller bits with Fry trying to get a word in edgewise. That would tend to make it a bit more interesting to the reader.

It is completely believable that Fry has a hard time as a student, and needs tutoring from Hermes and Amy.

It’s also believable that Hermes is so willing to help him because he expects Fry to inherit the company. Yeah, yeah, I know I said this was far from certain, but it works- at least within the confines of your story.

When Fry sees Leela in the workplace, I swear I felt the temperature drop forty degrees! God job there.

So, Fry is actually (finally!) doing something to improve himself, and possibly gain or regain Leela’s respect. So now the onus is on Leela to get her house in order.

You are doing something in this story that is all but ignored in ship-fics about Fry & Leela. Most ship-fics focus on how they come together in the first place. I don't know about anybody else, but I've always felt that while Fry & Leela are destined to be together, their 'ship after 'finding' one another will be anything except placid sailing on a smooth sea. Fry will still be the good-hearted fool, Leela will still be uptight. But each will be less so for being with each other. You are showing us the 'not-so-happily-ever-after'. Bravo!

While I find the changes in Fry a little hard to accept, over-all, ya'done good! I second Venus' stamp of approval.
Did I bite too hard?

I have a fair bit more to say, but it would only soak up bandwidth. If you're interested in hearing it, drop me an e-mail.

Part two coming right up.

You may flame when ready, Gridley! 

[Reply #28 on:]

Sorry about my poor writing style, but I'm a nurse , not a writer, dammit! (Credit to 'Bones' McCoy).

I tried to stay honest with canon, almost everything had some basis from a previous episode.  I started off where the series ended; the holophoner concert; Leela's mental illness was hinted at in 'Leela's Homeword' and even gave a genesis for Turanga Leela's name (Turanga Lila - a great symphophy - I suggest all Futurama geeks check it out).

---------
Fry: I work out and I study as hard as I do so that I don't have to think about her. I asked Hermes to arrange the schedule so that Amy and I work together; that way I don't have to see Leela but a couple of days a week.'
-----------

I think that this gives one (of many) reason why Fry would immerse himself in his workout routine and studies.


I must say that I used a lot of my own life's experiences and incorporated them in the story.  At one time, I was once Fry - one of the ultimate slackers, it took the love of a woman to break out of my lifestyle. 

Also, my first wife had been abused as a child, and she was almost Leela-like in real life; it took a complete nervous breakdown for her to face her demons and admit that she needed help.  She lived a almost-normal life for the next 11 years with the help of love, understanding, medication and therapy.

Leela has several pathos; low self-esteem, self-fullfulling negative attitude towards relationships, control issues, prone to verbal abuse and physical violence.  This is not a happy camper.  The writers did a great job of giving Leela several layers.  This is one reason that she is such a popular character.

[Reply #29 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
---------

Leela has several pathos; low self-esteem, self-fullfulling negative attitude towards relationships, control issues, prone to verbal abuse and physical violence.  This is not a happy camper.

Very nicely done RS.... I came to similar conclusions about Leela some time ago - nice to see I am not the only one!

 Overall it was a great read; Fry using work and excercise to get his mind off her works well. It was nice to see him hit back finally.. I thought the bit with Bender reminding Fry about how Leela treated him worked well - I don't think it needed to be broken up into parts. I also liked your take on my favorite Martian - she came across as more mature than she usually did on the show...

 Leela's breakdown was well done as well, I could feel how overwhealmed she was by it all. The use of Dr. Phil's head was a bit of a put off but that's just me 

 All in all a very nice first foray. Hope to see more! (maybe without Dr. Phil though  )

[Reply #30 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ol'coot:
 
 Leela's breakdown was well done as well, I could feel how overwhealmed she was by it all. The use of Dr. Phil's head was a bit of a put off but that's just me   

 All in all a very nice first foray. Hope to see more! (maybe without Dr. Phil though    )

Thanks for the kind words.  The Dr. Phil's head was a plot device, besides, Futurama uses current pop-culture devices, so how much more pop-culture can you get than Dr. Phil's head?

As for Amy and Fry being more mature, and Leela being more bitter, I aged the characters 5 years (5 seasons of the series), so Amy is now 26, Fry is 29 and Leela is 34.  Yes, I know that Leela and Fry are suppose to be the same age, but to consider Leela's rank in her job and to graduate college, plus to accumulate that amount of bitterness, I added 5 years to her age.  If she stared at the FAB when she was 25 and met Sean then, the add 2 years for the relationship, then add 2 years after the relationship broke down, this will be the time that she met Fry, and she would be 29.

Yes, I may be taking a lot of liberties with her age, but Leela's air of bitterness and maturity struck me as her being older than the series made her.

(Spoiler alert)

Now, a couple of people made the comment that I had Leela use 'Phillip' as Fry's name too much (in the last part), well, that was to show that Leela was trying to close the distance between her and Fry.  Using his first name instead of his last name would make what she had to say more personal.  I was trying to convey that Leela was trying to be the one to appologize and take full blame for the breakup; something very dificult for our proud Amazon to do.  Remember, Leela may be mentally ill, but she still has her pride.  To swallow her pride and make the first move is very difficult for her, and shows that she really likes Fry.  Whether or not enough to marry him is something I decided not to go into.  She wanted to start over; that doesn't mean that they will become a couple, but it does mean that a lot of ill will and bitter feelings are being resolved.

That's my take!

[Reply #31 on:]

If she went to college right out of highschool and went for a 4 year degree she would have been 22. So she could have gotten her Fate Assignment job at 22-23 which still allows the 2 year window for a Sean relationship before she meets Fry at 25. (actually if you consider the 2001 calendar as unofficial canon she would have actually been 24 when she met Fry. Her birthday being Jan 19 2975.) So you really wouldn't have needed to age her. Her highened maturity could just be attributed to having to essentually raise herself while at the Orphanarium. 

[Reply #32 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
If she went to college right out of highschool and went for a 4 year degree she would have been 22. So she could have gotten her Fate Assignment job at 22-23 which still allows the 2 year window for a Sean relationship before she meets Fry at 25. (actually if you consider the 2001 calendar as unofficial canon she would have actually been 24 when she met Fry. Her birthday being Jan 19 2975.) So you really wouldn't have needed to age her. Her highened maturity could just be attributed to having to essentually raise herself while at the Orphanarium. 

Yeah, that's it, punch holes in my theory with your logic!

Do you happen to hang out with a certain logic-spewing Vulcan?

(I really appreciate the feedback, but I gotta whine a little bit!)

For my next story, I'll have Bender call Spock a 'Filthy Bastard'!

[Reply #33 on:]

Mwahahaha! My work here is done!  *flies away* *Crashes into window and falls to the ground* *Jumps up and regains composure*

Mwahahaha! My work here is...oh never mind, i'll just leave out the front door.

[Reply #34 on:]

 

Originally posted by Venus:
Mwahahaha! My work here is done!  *flies away* *Crashes into window and falls to the ground* *Jumps up and regains composure*

Mwahahaha! My work here is...oh never mind, i'll just leave out the front door.

Really, you should have your echolocation implants tuned properly...

[Reply #35 on:]

Hello Ralph Snart (and anyone else reading),

<SC Reads the rest of the thread>

<Examines SC's list of comments>

*Blink*

Boy, everybody already made a lot of the point's I was going to, so I'll not repeat them.

Here's the one's that I have left!

• I think you mean the planet to which Amy and Fry making the delivery to is 'Chapek 9'.
• Fry and Amy seem little closer than I recall them being the show, but you at least allude to reasons why.
• I should think Amy's smart enough to know what a 'sap' is. Unless language has changed it's meaning or connotation, but you give no indication of this.
• Generally, any Futurama character's soliloquizing seems out of the style of the show. As when Amy is answering Fry's question in the ship. I would've tried to break it up a bit - but it's your story, not mine.  ;)
• I think Amy calling Leela a bitch is a mite much, although Amy taking Fry to the Hip-Joint is a nice touch.

<SC checks list>

Covered.

• Leela at work on her day off because she doesn't have anything better to do? That's just plain dismal!
• Leela has an office?
• Bender seems to actually care about Fry as he's scolding Leela. I would've thought he'd be more selfishly motivated. Like wanting to get away from Leela's ill behaviors, and moods.
  
  
• I would've thought it would take more than (for lack of a better term) a 'tongue-lashing' from somebody to reduce Leela to tears.

<SC checks list>

Nope.

Nope.

Covered.

Uh'uh.

Um&#8230; Hmf.

That's all I got.

Geeze, you guys are good... or at least faster than I am. 

Later...

[Reply #36 on:]

   

Originally posted by SpaceCase:

• Fry and Amy seem little closer than I recall them being the show, but you at least allude to reasons why.
• Generally, any Futurama character's soliloquizing seems out of the style of the show. As when Amy is answering Fry's question in the ship. I would've tried to break it up a bit - but it's your story, not mine.     ;)
• I think Amy calling Leela a bitch is a mite much, although Amy taking Fry to the Hip-Joint is a nice touch.
• Leela at work on her day off because she doesn't have anything better to do? That's just plain dismal!
• Leela has an office?
• Bender seems to actually care about Fry as he's scolding Leela. I would've thought he'd be more selfishly motivated. Like wanting to get away from Leela's ill behaviors, and moods.
  
  
• I would've thought it would take more than (for lack of a better term) a 'tongue-lashing' from somebody to reduce Leela to tears.

• All I say to that is that it's pretty well explained, so you got that.
• I think the reason that fan fics do that is so you understand why the character feels that way and how they see things.
• I second with that.
• Yeah, I mean it's hard to fill time for the characters. But being in a place where everyone is just mad at her isn't where I'd want to be.
• Yeah, when did Leela get an office? Does everyone have an office?
• I find nothing wrong with Bender sticking up for Fry. Because Bender does care about him. But he might have cared to much about someone else rather then himself.
• If you mean by Fry yelling at her, then I'd disagree. Because seeing Fry, whose always been there for her, who never backtalked to Leela or anything that would hurt her, yell at her would hurt her very badly. If you mean by Amy or Bender, then I guess she could freak out but not breakdown into a waterfall.

Ok Ralph, the story was great overall. But like all fic writers, there is always room for improvment.

[Reply #37 on:]

Great! 

That was a really good Fanfic!

I’m not the best to write reviews and I think that Venus, Spacecase and Spacedal have covered almost evreything from your fic!

I really like the way you described Leela's breakdown.

I'm not really a fan of Dr. Phil but I really liked his part in the story.

I still think that Dr. Z was a bit too good at handling the situation with Leela and Hermes. (Maybe you have a soft spot for him since you’re a nurse.  )

Keep it up!

Bye for now.

[Reply #38 on:]

>I really like the way you described Leela's breakdown.

Thanks.  In my experience, the little things add up for months/years, and something that seems trivial can lead to an emotional collapse.

>I'm not really a fan of Dr. Phil but I really liked his part in the story.

He was a plot device.  I wanted the story to focus on Leela and her stressed-outed emotionally fried brain.

>I still think that Dr. Z was a bit too good at handling the situation with Leela and Hermes.

Hooray for Zoidberg!  Sometimes, when the chips are down, help comes from the most unexpected source.  Remeber, Zoidy told Leela she was the only patient that has survived!

[Reply #39 on:]

 

Originally posted by SpaceCase:
I would've thought it would take more than (for lack of a better term) a 'tongue-lashing' from somebody to reduce Leela to tears.

I don't know, it's happened before,

Jacky Anderson: *Mean spirited rant*

Leela: *tears*


I'm a huge Dr. phil fan. Thrilled to death to see him in ficworld!