Più facile andare.

A Sports Night fanfic by

DJ Carter

"Sometimes, it's just easier to leave," Dan quietly said to the empty newsroom at Sports Night.

He slowly turned into his and Casey McCall's office, then sat down. Pressing a button on the laptop computer, he powered it up and began to type.

Dear Casey, Dana, Natalie, Jeremy, and Isaac,
As Sports Night comes to a close, I must apologize for what I'm about to do. Please realize that I don't hate any of you. You are all closer than family to me, and for that I am eternally grateful.

But as this show sees it's final days, I don't want anyone to remember me as the angry wreck I've been the last few weeks. I want everyone to remember me as the fun-loving Dan Rydell. The one who wanted to grow a goatee and spent a week naming people who had one. I want to be remembered as the person who gave Jeremy advice on women. I want to be remembered for being in the zone, and falling out of it soon after.

I want to be remembered for blackjack, and wine and spackle.

I want to be remembered for my New York Renaissance.

Casey, I'm sorry for leaving you to do the show by yourself during the last few days. I promised myself that I would never do that to you, and yet here I am doing it. Maybe someday I'll be able to figure myself for putting you through the hell that is being my friend.

Dana, I'm sorry for the times I hurt you. I'm sorry for calling you a secretary, and anything else I ever said about you. The show was excellent, and no matter what anyone says, you are the best producer and friend anyone could ever have.

Jeremy... I don't know exactly how to describe you. I guess it would suffice to say that you made my life very interesting. Thank you for that. I'm sorry things didn't work out between you and Natalie.

Isaac... thank you for being the father my dad could never be. Your words of wisdom, and listening ear are so important to me. I'm sorry for messing up the show.

Natalie, I'm sorry for being a jackass to you. Certain things I've said and done to you and around you are unacceptable. Please forgive me for them. I'm so sorry.

By the time you get this Casey, I'll probably be out of town for good. Please don't hate me for leaving. I already hate myself.

I'm sorry.

---Daniel Wesley Rydell

Dan sighed inwardly, then pressed print.

He didn't care exactly how it looked, it was a letter from his heart. A heart that was trashed anyway.

He folded the letter and slid it onto the desk, then grabbed his jacket.

As he looked around, he felt a pang in his heart.

Tonight was the last night he'd walk out of here.

Good Evening from New York City. I'm Dan Rydell...

The last time he'd here those words from that anchor desk coming out of his mouth.

You're watching Sports Night on CSC, so stick around!

He stepped timidly past the control room, which though he knew it was empty, he half expected Dana or Natalie to run out and ask him why he wasn't at the desk. That wouldn't happen though. Everyone had long ago left for their homes. They would be back the next morning, hoping for a sale that would mean Sports Night lived.

You've been watching Sports Night on CSC. Have a good evening.

He couldn't bear to be here anymore. As that realization occurred to him, he stepped into the elevator and turned.

"Bye," He murmured softly.

Author's Notes: Hey. This is supposed to be what would have happened if Dan had left before Quo Vadimus bought CSC. C&C always welcomed, flames are... given proper time. :-) The title is Easier to Leave in Italian, for those who may have been wondering.