All the Characters in this fan-fiction (Fry, Leela, Hermes, Bender, and all
the rest) are all Copyright to FOX and The Curiosity Company. I am making
no money off of this and am doing it for my own and other people's
enjoyment. If you wish to use this fiction, I ask that you use the whole
thing, not just part of it.
Chapter 2
Day 27
Fry leaned against the outer porthole, staring at the stars outside. He'd always been glad that he was still able to appreciate the view, something it seemed that most people in this time took for granted.
Fry: (Thinking to himself) Man, I guess I'm pretty lucky. Here I am living in the future, doing things like working in space and all kinds of crazy stuff that people could only imagine back in the 20th century. I've met a beautiful woman, who cares about me as more than just a "friend" now, and I've got a robot for a best friend, and now, I'm getting ready to travel around the universe, um, some more.
Fry leaned back and relaxed, and started to think about how he'd gotten to where he was now. Now that the next part of his journey was getting ready to start, his thoughts drifted back to some 5 hours ago and his graduation ceremony from the GBB.
(Flashback)
Fry and his classmates are all standing at attention in a large room, several times larger than the Planet Express building. Everyone is getting a little tired and starting to feel bored, when a voice sounds out over the public address system.
P.A.: Attention! All hands come to attention for Vice Chairman of the G.B.B., Mr. Robert Southerlyn! All personnel, Attention!
Fry and everyone else immediately raised their hands in the salute that they'd been taught during the course of their training.
Vice Chairman Southerlyn returned the salute, and then motioned to everyone to take his or her seats. After everyone had sat down, he began to speak, in a deep, but soft and pleasant voice.
Southerlyn: Good morning everyone. I'm very pleased to see all of your faces here. I must say that I'm also glad that this graduating class had a 96% success rate and that so many of you were able to complete your training. I've been with this part of the DOOP for 17 years now, and it always makes me happy to see new members arriving here. I know that some of you are only here to put in your year, some because of the court orders, and some of you are here because you feel that a year is all you have to offer.
However, there are some of you who may feel that you could do this for a while longer, maybe even make a career of it. For those of you who do, I wish to make it known that I hope that you do stay on for a while, and enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime.
In conclusion, and this is for everyone here, even if you decide to leave at the end of your first tour, let me say, that you will always be a member of the GBB, and we will always be there for you. You're now part of an extended family, one that is over 300 million members strong, and growing. Always remember that we never, ever, leave anybody behind. Thank you, and good luck.
P.A.: All personnel, attention. Vice Chairman Southerlyn has left the building!
Fry stood for a moment, his face working. It was hard to keep from laughing; it'd been years since he'd heard anything like that, and it was almost too much. But he remembered what Leela would've said to him if she'd been there, and fought it back
Fry: (Imagining Leela beside him) Fry! You've got to take your job more seriously, and do the best that you can do. And stop slouching! And suck in that gut a little!
Fry shook his head a little and smiled to himself. He wondered how Leela would do in a job like this. Who was he kidding, with her drive, she'd be an officer in less than a month and probably president in a few years.
(Flashback ends)
Fry leaned forward in his chair, and looked down; he only had a small bag of personal possessions, since everything else that he would need would be waiting for him on the ship. He turned around and saw everyone else looking out the windows and portholes and turned himself to see what the fuss was about.
There, still a long ways off, but visible because of its huge size, floated his new home for the next three months. The ship was massive, and yet, it still looked like it was moving swiftly, even though it was moored at its docking ports. Its outer hull was a silvery color, reflecting all of the light around it. It was roughly shaped like a diamond, lying on its side, and stretched out to a great length. It was smooth on its upper half, except for a length of wires or cable that curved back and forth along the hull. Near the back of the ship, there was a projection that looked like a quarter moon cut in half, pointing forward. As they flew closer, he could see that was a section on the bottom side that looked like a series of stairs that went up and then back down. He looked closer and saw that what had looked like little dust motes floating around it were actually ships that were flying in and out. It was the entrance to the cargo bays.
Fry: Good God! That thing's huge; I never knew there were ships this big. It looks like it could have the Nimbus for lunch, and the PE ship for a snack.
About that time Lt. Chandler came up through the passageway, and stopped when she saw the ship.
Lt. Chandler: Well, that's going to be our home for a while, folks, what do you think of it?
Jester: (Speaking up) Well ma'am, I have to say that it's. big, anyway.
Chandler: Well, it has to be, for all of the cargo that we're carrying. You see, this is a ship that supplies a lot of the outer DOOP colonies, and exploration ships. We have to have enough materials to not only keep our 11,000+ crew members going, but also enough to supply planetary colonies for months at a time.
Lisa: (Speaking up) Excuse me ma'am. What's the name of our ship?
Chandler: Her full name is the Heavy Spatial Delivery Ship (HSDS): Shenandoah.
Fry: (Startled for a moment) Excuse me ma'am, what did you say the ship's name was?
Lt. Chandler: (Going through an electronic notebook) Shenandoah. Her name is from the language of the ancient Native Americans on Earth. I think it means.uh
Lt. Chandler and Fry: (Together, Fry speaking softly) Daughter of the Stars.
Chandler stopped thumbing through her electronic notebook and looked over at Fry, then back down at her notebook.
Chandler: That's right, Fry. How'd you know that?
Fry: (Smiling softly) My Granddad used to tell me stories about the first airships they had in the old American Navy. There were several of them, and the Shenandoah was the first one. It flew for a couple of years, until it was destroyed. I just always thought that it was a really pretty name for a ship.
Chandler and the others looked at him for a moment, then turned away to look out the windows again.
CC: Well, I guess she is a beautiful ship, and I hope that we'll be able to take a tour of it, ma'am.
Chandler: (Laughing softly) Oh, you'll get to see all of the ship that you can, and probably more than you'll want to. Remember, you're still rookies, so you'll probably have to do a lot of the dirty work for a while.
Everyone smiled or laughed a little nervously at this, until Lt. Chandler looked back at them and winked.
Chandler: I'm only joshing you; you'll all be too busy with deliveries to do much else. There're plenty of automated systems, robots, and personnel that are designated to take care of that work. Just remember to keep a clear head, and you'll do okay.
Lt. Chandler paused for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, and then spoke again.
Chandler: Now, the four of you will be sharing the same room, and I just want you to know, that while the company doesn't exactly approve of relationships forming, they do understand that it can happen on these long voyages. That's why they do ask that all personnel take the appropriate precautions, and that you be smart, and not foolish. This is not the best place in the universe to raise a child. Now, there'll be more instructions and lectures on stuff like this after we get underway, but for now, we want you to relax, so you can use the Internet, watch any videos or TV, play some sports, or anything else you do to relax. So, everyone, sit back and enjoy the free time you have, because it'll be a precious commodity in the months to come.
Fry: (Thinking) Man, for somebody like me, who's pretty much a nobody, I sure do have a lot of strange coincidences happen to me. Pa-paw Graham, I wish you'd been here to see.
With that thought, Fry leaned back in his seat and let his mind drift back in time.
(Flashback)
A young version of Fry, only six years old, is sitting on a small chair in what appears to be an old house. There is evidence that there were once two people living there, and that the house used to be a much cheerier place. But now, it looks less inviting, and the small child sitting on his chair seems to bring some much-needed life to a room that is usually full of darker thought these days.
Fry looked up at the old man that sat in a worn, but still comfortable rocking chair, holding the lit cigar in his left hand, and listening with rapt attention to his Grandfather's voice, weaker with age, but still deep and vibrant.
Grandfather Graham: (Softly) Yep, your great-uncle would have been 85 years old today. I still remember when he joined the Navy, and how he hoped so much that he'd be on a famous ship. You probably could have knocked him over with a feather when he was selected to be a member of the Shenandoah's crew. The first American airship, and she was a wondrous thing to see.
Fry: (Curiously) What's She-nan-do-ah mean Pa-paw?
Grandfather Graham: It's an old Indian name, Phil. It means, the Daughter of the Stars, and I always thought it was a beautiful name.
Young Fry: What'd it look like Pa-paw?
Grandfather Fry: Well, it was sort of shaped like this here cigar, but it was a silvery color, and had these short stubby wings on the rear, and near the front, on the bottom side, was the control cabin, or bridge. That was where the captain gave the order to fly the ship. Your great-uncle loved to be on board; it almost seemed like it was his own baby, the way he went on about it. When we lived here in New York, there was a landing field over in New Jersey, and the airship passenger flights would come flying over New York, as they were landing, usually to give a sightseeing tour. They looked like great silver clouds as they floated overhead. He was always so excited about flying, and I remember asking him, why did he love it so much? You know, it wasn't like he was a fighter pilot or something like that. I still remember what he told me, like it was yesterday.
Young Fry: (Looking at him expectedly) What Pa-paw? What'd he say?
Grandfather Fry: (A faraway look in his eyes) He said that the way he felt when he was on board was wonderful. Sometime, when he had to go up on the top of the ship and stand watch, it was so quiet and calm. He said that the engine noise sort of faded into a hum that was so peaceful, that it was almost like he was riding on a dream.
Grandfather Fry stopped for a moment, and Fry noticed that his eyes were moist. Then the old man straightened up and the moment passed.
Grandfather Fry: (Wistfully) Then, there was the day that they left for that public relations tour around the middle of the country. The ship got caught in a bad storm and crashed. Your great-uncle was one of the survivors, but he was never the same after that. He always carried around with him what he had seen near the end, when the ships control cabin was ripped away from the hull. After that he never wanted to go on an airship again.
Anyway, he finished up his tour of duty, and then the Depression hit. But, your great-uncle was pretty creative, and managed to stay afloat during the lean years, and was doing pretty good with his own delivery business in the 1940's and 50's.
Young Fry: What happened to Unca Graham?
Grandfather Graham: (Softly) He was doing all right for himself, and even though he'd never married, he loved coming by and playing with Chandra and David. It was in March of 1965, he had come into work early that morning, and he simply had a heart attack. No one knew, or saw it coming, it just seemed like, it was his time. He'd passed away by the time the ambulance had got there. I wish that you'd had a chance to meet him, Phil, you seem like two of a kind. I bet you'll go on to great things one day, and I hope I'll be around to see it.
Fry's grandfather reached down and rumpled his hair.
Just then, the screen door at the front of the house opens and bangs shut, and a woman's voice is heard.
Voice: Philip, Dad, are you two around? I really need some help getting these groceries in!
Young Fry: (Excitedly) Mom's here. Mom's here Pa-paw.
Fry got up and started to run to the kitchen door, when Chandra Graham Fry walked into the living room. She leaned over and gave Fry a kiss on the cheek, and then turned around and gave her father one as well
Chandra: Hi Philip! Were you a good boy for your grandfather today?
Young Fry: (Happy) Yeah mom, he told me stories about the old days, when he was young.
Chandra: (Smiling) Thanks for helping out dad, Yancy's so busy these days and Jr. is a lot to handle as well.
Grandfather Graham: It's all right honey, I know that you're busy, but I like Phil being around, he keeps the house from being too lonely and cold. It's nice to have someone that'll listen to me go on about the old days.
Chandra: (Softly) I'm sorry dad, I want us to spend more time with you, are you sure you want to live in this house alone? I mean, it's been 3 years since Mom passed on, and you.
Grandfather Fry: (Sharply) I won't go to some old folk's home, and that's that. I can take care of myself, and as long as you let little Philip come around, why, I don't feel that lonely anyway.
Chandra: (Smiling softly) Okay dad, don't worry about that. We won't talk about it anymore. I'm glad you and Philip get along so well, and we'll be by next week. Come on Phil, we've got to go help your daddy with the new shelter.
Young Fry: Okay mom! Bye Pa-paw, I'll see you later on.
Fry the reached out and hugged the old man, not noticing that more moisture was building in his wrinkled eyes. Grandfather Graham hugged him back, and when Fry looked up at him, the moisture was already gone, and what remained was a warm smile.
Grandfather Graham: All right Phil, you be a good boy, and I'll see you next week, and maybe, we'll go to the movie theater, I hear they've got King Kong playing next weekend, and just maybe, it'll be a double feature.
Young Fry: Yeah! I can't wait. I'll see you then Pa-paw. C'mon mom, let's go help daddy.
Fry ran down and got into the car, fastening the seat belt like he'd been taught, and looked up to see his mom giving her dad another hug. She then walked down the driveway and started the car. As they drove off, Fry waved to his grandfather, who returned the wave, and then slowly walked back into the empty, quiet house.
(Flashback ends)
Fry sighed softly, and found that he was blinking back some tears in his own eyes. It'd only been another year before his grandfather passed away, and it was only when he was older that he'd found out that the old man had had cancer, but nobody had really known how to explain it to him when he was younger.
Fry: (Thinking sadly) I wish you'd have been around for a little while longer granddad, I sure could have used whatever advice you could have given me. You always understood me, even when mom and dad were busy, or tired, or fighting. You always made me feel like I was welcome at your house. Maybe I wouldn't have been such a loser for so many years. Well, I'm getting ready to go on a great adventure, I hope, so I'll try to do him, and you, proud.
With that thought going around his head, Fry settled down and dozed, waiting for the ship to dock. Then he'd see where the Daughter of the Stars would take him, and then he'd pray that she'd get him back in one piece. He had too much to live for now, and he wasn't going to give it up without a fight.
Leela stood looking nervously in the mirror. It wasn't every night that she got to eat out, especially when she was going to go and have supper at her parents' house.
Leela: (Thinking) God, I can't believe it, all these years, I thought I was an orphaned alien and my family was from another galaxy, and it turns out they were really here all the time, literally underneath my feet. I know they've said they're proud of me, but, with all of the mistakes I've made in life, how do I know if that's how they really feel?
Leela paused, looked in the mirror again, then squared her shoulders.
Leela: Well, it's time to find out some more answers, and try to start sharing my life with my family. I've got 29 years of catching up to do, and I might as well begin now.
With that, she turned and whistled.
Leela: Here, Nibbler! Here boy, come see what I've got for you.
Nibbler scampered into the living room, with an expectant face. These days, he seemed a little lethargic, almost depressed. Of course, Leela still didn't know that Nibbler was in actuality, Lord Nibbler, of the Nibblonians, and the reason for his depression was that he'd not had a chance to stop Fry before he'd left Earth. Nibbler had mentally kicked himself when that'd happened; if he'd just given the Other the right mental nudge, then the Fry Brain would still be here on Earth, where it could be looked after safely. Now, it was out in space, on a planet where there were no Nibblonian agents.
Nibbler: (Thinking) We must all hope that the eternal energy of the cosmos keeps Fry safe, and that fate will once again play a role in his and the universe's own desti. oohhh, is that a ham?
Leela saw Nibbler jumping up and down, and smiled. He was a wonderful companion, and since she didn't have any children (well, not yet anyway), he was the best substitute that she could have, for the time being. She sighed to herself: children, her as a mother and Fry, being a father? The mental image made her smile one moment, and feel sad the next. The last video letter she'd got from Fry had been all too short, though he had mentioned that he'd received his license to be a delivery pilot. The thought made her shake her head some more.
Leela: (Thinking) Fry, a pilot? Well, I guess stranger things have happened, and he has piloted the ship a few times, but can he really be mature enough to do something like that?
Leela stopped for a moment, stunned, as she replayed what she'd just thought.
Leela: (Thinking) I can't believe I thought that. At least Fry was mature enough to admit his love for me, while I was the one that couldn't accept what was under my nose all the time. I hope he's gonna get in touch with me soon, I want to see him one more time before he has to leave for his first trip.
Just then, she felt something against her leg and looked down to see Nibbler rubbing against her.
Leela: Oh, Nibbler, I'm sorry sweety, here you go, now, there's a full tub of water in the kitchen for you to drink. You be a good boy now, and no more terrorizing the neighbors, okay? Mommy will be back later on tonight, and then we'll go for a walk down to the park together. So don't you do anything until I get back, you little scamp. I love you.
With that said, she gave him the ham, and turned away from the chomping, gulping sounds. When she was sure he was done, she turned back to him and picked him up off the floor, giving him a hug and a short kiss on top of his head. She went out the door, locking it behind her, and turning, walked down the hall to the main doors.
Leela: (Smiling to herself) Sometimes I have to wonder, where does he put it all?
With that thought in mind, she strolled outside. She started to walk downtown to the Planet Express building with feelings of both dread and joy. This was it, time to make that next step, and start the long journey towards becoming a full-fledged member of her family.
As she reached the Planet Express building, she saw Amy come out the door, apparently on her way home.
Amy: (Cheerfully) Hi Leela, are you going to do anything this weekend? If you aren't busy, I thought we could go out to some clubs together, and just have a girl's night out.
Leela: Well, maybe, but I'm going to meet my parents for dinner tonight, and then I'm going to try and contact Fry. He's supposed to finish his first training program now, and he'll be going on his first new delivery assignment sometime soon after that.
Amy: Aigu! I forgot about that. Okay Leela, well, you give me a call sometime this weekend, and let me know what's up.
Leela: Okay Amy. I might just do that.
Amy: (Awkwardly) Aw, Leela, it'll be okay. I think it's so sweet that you and Fry have finally gotten together, well, sorta, and I know you two will work out, you just gotta have faith, ya know?
Leela: I know, Amy, and I know I don't say it as much as I should, but thanks. You're really a good friend, and I'm glad you're here to help me. It does get lonely sometimes now, and I find myself wishing, if only.
Amy: (Putting her hand up) Stop right there, Leela. I've gotta say, there was a reason it happened this way, and I think that it'll work out all right, you just have to have faith that things like this happen for a reason. You and Fry are the best couple I've ever seen, even when you two were just friends, and if there's anybody who can get through this, it's you two. So cheer up, and look on the bright side a little more often, okay?
Leela: (Smiling a little) Thanks, Amy. I'll try to keep that in mind. See you later. I've got some things to take care of.
With that, Leela waved goodbye, and continued towards the Planet Express building. She pushed open the door and walked in, pausing just long enough to see that the doors to Hermes' office and Farnsworth's lab were shut. She walked over to the broom closet and stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind her. She stopped and smiled for a moment, as she remembered the time skips, and how Fry had built his crude, but sweet, make- out lounge in here. Leela brought herself back to the present day, and groping in the dim light, reached up and. there it was. The secret button she'd installed was still there. She pushed it and saw the back of the closet open up, and the stairs that had been built by her parents and some of the friends she'd made among the mutants, were still there. Stepping onto them, she pushed the button on the other side, and watched to make sure that the door was secure, before grabbing the light that she had placed there a few months ago.
Leela: (Thinking) When Fry and I are finally able to spend more of our lives together, I'm probably going to have to tell him about this. It's not right for me to have secrets from him, but I just hope that he'll be able to keep his mouth shut about it.
She started down the stairs, the light beam shining in front of her, taking care not to make a misstep. At the bottom, she pulled out a sheet of paper with a crude map on it, and set off in the direction of her parents' home. It was only a short time later when she saw a few lights and shapes ahead of her, which quickly became the forms of houses and apartments. Walking down the quiet streets, she looked around, and saw what had started to become a familiar shape to her over the last year, her parents' home. Leela went up to the door and knocked hard, listening for and then hearing the scrape and rustle of a lock being turned, and the door opening a crack.
Munda: (Squinting for a moment) Morris, our little girl's come by! Come in dear, we hope you didn't have any trouble getting here. Come on in, suppers almost ready; Morris was just setting the table.
Leela: (Giving her mother and father a warm hug) Hi mom, dad. Thanks for inviting me down tonight. I'm glad to just get out of the apartment for a while.
Morris: Sit down on the sofa, and tell me about everything that's happened to you in the last few months, Leela. Have you been staying busy being a star-ship captain? Are you having as much fun as it seems when we catch the news down here?
When Morris said this, Munda caught his eye, and for just a moment, something passed between them, but Leela didn't notice. She sat down, and told her father about everything she'd done in the last few weeks, and how the deliveries had become fairly routine. As she spoke, she became less enthusiastic, eventually speaking in a monotone. Munda called out to them.
Munda: The foods ready everyone, come and sit down.
Morris (Getting up, and offering Leela his hand) Come on honey, your mom isn't known as one of the best cooks around for nothing, just don't ask what the ingredients are, and you'll enjoy it a lot more.
Leela looked a little stricken by this, until she glanced at her dad again and saw him doing the same kind of wink that she'd learned over the years. She laughed, her dark mood broken for the moment. The three of them sat down at the table, and enjoyed each other's presence as a family.
When they had finished supper Leela helped her father with the dishes, while Munda made some coffee. They all went into the living room, with Morris and Munda settled on a couch, while Leela sat on a chair, all three silent for a few minutes.
Munda: (Putting her cup down on an end table) Leela, is everything all right? You seem like things aren't as well off as you'd like to make us think that they are.
Leela: (Looking down at her cup for a moment) Mom, I'm sorry, I just wish that. well, there's someone missing that I wish was here with us tonight.
Morris: You mean your friend Fry, don't you? How's he doing in his new job?
Leela: (Smiling for a moment) Oh, the last letter I got from him said that he's doing just fine; he's gotten a pilot's license, and he's really doing well, and.
Munda: (Placing a tentacle on Leela's shoulder) What, sweetheart? We know that we've not been able to be there for you like we wanted, but we're here now. Tell us, we want to help.
Leela: (Her eye becoming a little teary) I know that it's really selfish of me, but what happens if Fry comes back, and he doesn't really want me anymore? I've always felt that I was the one that was there to help him out when he got in trouble, which, well, was a lot of the time. That was part of the reason I lost him in the first place; because my pride kept me from just acknowledging my feelings. That, and some of the anger that I felt at you two for abandoning me. It wasn't until Fry woke up and walked into my life, that I started to feel a little more than just those negative feelings. I actually started to have. fun. But now he's gone. We still write to one another, but I'm guess I'm afraid that he's going to grow apart from me. I know he's good at making friends, and maybe, I don't know, he'll start to forget about me
Morris: (Softly) Leela, Fry is trying to make you proud of him, isn't he? Do you feel proud?
Leela: (Voice breaking) Yes! He's gone and done more than I ever gave him credit for, and he's actually trying to become more than just a delivery boy. He's becoming mature, and grown-up, which I thought was what I wanted. Now, though, I find myself missing the screw-ups that he used to do so much. When he comes back, maybe he'll be more responsible, and I'm not so sure if what I wanted, is what I really needed
Munda: You're a wonderful person, and a great friend. But sometimes, I wish you'd be a little more positive about yourself and about people in general. Yes, you had a rough time as a child, but we knew that it would make you strong. Damn it, you have someone that loves you, and was able to put up with all of your anger and negativism. Don't you look at me like that young lady, you are negative sometimes, but that'll never stop us from loving you, and it'll never stop Fry, if he's really serious about it. And do you know what? When I see you two together, it makes me think of Morris and me, back when we were younger. You know, I didn't really fall head over heels for him at first.
Morris: That's right honey; I tried to convince your mother I was serious about her for a couple of years. She even went to the school prom with someone else.
Munda gets up and walks out for a moment. They can hear her rummaging through something in another room, and then she walks back in and sits down next to Morris.
Munda: Here, take a look at this.
Leela takes it in her hand. It's a prom picture of Munda, with a man she'd never seen before. He looks very normal from the waist up, in fact, he has a very handsome face, with blond hair and thin rimmed glasses. However, from the waist down, instead of legs, he stands on a cluster of six smooth tentacles. Munda looks very similar to Leela, except that her hair is shorter and curly, and her bangs are cut straight across. They're smiling and appear to be having a good time.
Leela: Gee mom, I don't remember seeing this guy, does he still live around here?
Munda: (Shaking her head) No, his name was Leonard, and he died several years before you were born, sweetie.
Leela: What happened to him?
Morris: There was an incident down here, where these strange robots tried to take over the underground. They would have, too, if not for another strange man. He helped us stop them, and taught us to always be on our guard against other enemies.
Leela: What do you mean, 'strange man'? Who was he? Was he a mutant too?
Munda: No, Leela. He was an alien from another planet, though he looked like a normal human. He was fairly tall, with blond, curly hair, and his clothes were so, strange.
Morris: (Laughing softly) He wore clothes that were a patchwork of different fabrics and colors. His long coat was. hah, made of about twenty different patches itself.
Munda: Yet, he seemed very confident, and I have to admit, um, I felt more than a little attracted to him. He didn't feel the same, of course, but I always had the feeling that it wasn't because I was a mutant, but just that he was so alien, he couldn't really feel that way about anyone.
Morris: Well, that traveling companion of his was certainly very nice looking, and yet, he was completely professional around her, though he acted concerned when she was in danger. However, he seemed to be that way about anyone who was in danger.
Leela: Well, what happened to him?
Munda: Oh, he left as quickly as he arrived, after we beat those robots. He said he might well come around again someday, though we might not recognize him, and he might not recognize us, whatever that meant. I don't think we've ever seen him again
Leela: That sounds interesting, but what happened to Leonard?
Munda: Well, during the "incident", I found out that the brave and romantic front that Leonard always put up was just that, a front. He left me behind when we were in trouble, and Morris came back for me. I think he saved my life.
Morris: (Blushing slightly) I didn't really do anything honey, I just helped out.
Munda: (Leaning over and giving Morris a kiss on the cheek) It meant everything to me, love. After that, I started to recognize qualities in Morris that I hadn't noticed before, and it was only another year or so before he asked me to marry him. We've been together ever since.
Leela: Aw, that's so romantic. I wish that Fry and I had moments like that.
Morris: But haven't you? What about that time with those candy hearts? And the bees. And didn't he write an opera for you? I wish I'd been able to do something like that for your mom.
Leela: (Looking down at her hands) I know, and I wish I'd recognized it sooner; I just didn't let myself. But when he gets back, if he gets back.
Munda: Leela! Don't ever let yourself think like that! Don't ever give up your hope. I'll always remember what the alien told us before he left. He said 'If you ever feel down or discouraged, just remember: while there's life, there's hope.' You have to remember that as well, Leela, and don't ever let those negative thoughts take over. It's easy to do, and I say that from personal experience.
Leela: What do you mean, mom?
Munda: (Looking over sharply for a moment) That's a story that I'm not ready to tell yet. Maybe someday, but not now.
Leela: (Thinking for a moment) I understand, mom, and thanks for filling me in on your and dad's past a little more. I'm going to check and see if there are any messages for me, and if not, I'm going to leave one for Fry. I think I need to let him know how much I miss him.
Leela got up to leave, and Morris and Munda got up with her. She hugged them warmly, and looked at them for a minute.
Leela: Thanks mom, dad, for letting me become a part of your lives again. I'm so glad to have someone here for me.
Munda: That's all right, dear, and you come visit us anytime. When Fry gets back, you be sure to bring him with you. I know we can't replace his family, but we'd be glad to have him come by and visit us.
Leela: Thanks mom, I'll do that. Bye dad, I'll talk to you later.
Morris: Okay, Leela, and we'll always be around to help out if it's possible.
Leela said her good-byes one more time, and then headed out into the darkness. The door closed, and she faintly heard raised voices inside.
Munda: (Irritated) What do you mean, you thought his companion was pretty? What was I, chopped liver?
Morris: Honey, how couldn't I notice her? She wore those, well, fairly skimpy clothes. Frankly, I don't know why she didn't freeze down here. Anyway, we weren't even dating then, so why are you mad?
Munda: I'm not mad. Don't try to tell me how I feel.
Morris: Oy. Time for an aspirin, so I'd better check the water-flow. Bye,
Leela! We'll see you later.
Leela gasped and stepped back. How had her dad known she was still out there? As she walked away, she smiled to herself. What would it be like that when she got married? If she got married to Fry would they be able to get along with each other? Or would the differences between them be insurmountable? So many questions. Sighing lightly, she headed back towards the stairs, taking a little more time so that she could think to herself.
Leela: I really want to hear Fry's -- Philip's -- voice now, just to hear him say something. I wouldn't even mind if he spewed crumbs on me.
With that thought, she picked up her pace and hurried back to the stairs. Back inside Planet Express, she hurried over to the video monitor and checked her email.
Monitor: You've got mail!
Leela: (Smiling) Yes! Come on, please be from Fry.
The monitor beeped once and displayed the image of Zapp Branigan.
Zapp: This message is for the luscious lady Leela. I wanted to see if you and I could make some sweet, sweet music together, and then go back to my lovenasium for some sexifying loving. How about it, babe? You miss the candy, don't you? That sweet, sweet.
Leela: (Disgustedly) Ugh. I can't believe I fell for his stupid trick the first time.
She jabbed the "Delete" button. As an afterthought, she pushed "Flame" also, and smiled to herself.
Leela: Let's see, are there any others? Come on Fry.
She scrolled down and saw a message header that read simply, . She opened it and smiled happily when Fry's face appeared.
Fry: (Smiling shyly) Hi, Leela, I just wanted to get you this message before I left. We're getting ready to leave the system in a few days, and I wanted us to have a chance to sorta see one another before I left. If you have some free time on the twentieth, then I'll be on the net at the Planet Express web page at one o'clock your time. I miss you a lot, and I just wanted you to know I love you. If you can be free, I'll see you then. Bye for now.
Leela froze the image, and gently touched Fry's cheek on the screen.
Leela: (Softly) I'll see you then, Fry. I'll see you then.
Leela sat back and started to compose a letter. She would tell him a little more about her own feelings, and let him know that she hadn't forgotten about him either.
Well, here's the second Chapter. I know that not a lot happened here, but I just wanted to take my time with the story. I hope nobody minds, but I wanted to get a little back-story for Fry and Leela, and while it might not be the most interesting thing in the world, I'm a history buff, and thought it would be nice to introduce a little history to Fry's family.
There actually was an airship named the USS Shenandoah (ZR-1). Her first flight was on September 4, 1923, and her final one was on September 3, 1925. The ship was on a PR tour in the mid-western United States, and got caught in a thunderstorm. The control cabin was ripped from the hull and the captain and crew inside of it fell several thousand feet to their deaths. The rest of the ship broke up soon after, and slammed into the ground. All together, 14 men lost their lives. If you want to find out more about this vessel, go to the following sites: ive just let me know via email at wbc31@hotmail.com, and be sure to mention Futurama fan fiction in the subject line, else I'll delete it along with the several dozen spams that I seem to get every day now.
Chapter 2
Day 27
Fry leaned against the outer porthole, staring at the stars outside. He'd always been glad that he was still able to appreciate the view, something it seemed that most people in this time took for granted.
Fry: (Thinking to himself) Man, I guess I'm pretty lucky. Here I am living in the future, doing things like working in space and all kinds of crazy stuff that people could only imagine back in the 20th century. I've met a beautiful woman, who cares about me as more than just a "friend" now, and I've got a robot for a best friend, and now, I'm getting ready to travel around the universe, um, some more.
Fry leaned back and relaxed, and started to think about how he'd gotten to where he was now. Now that the next part of his journey was getting ready to start, his thoughts drifted back to some 5 hours ago and his graduation ceremony from the GBB.
(Flashback)
Fry and his classmates are all standing at attention in a large room, several times larger than the Planet Express building. Everyone is getting a little tired and starting to feel bored, when a voice sounds out over the public address system.
P.A.: Attention! All hands come to attention for Vice Chairman of the G.B.B., Mr. Robert Southerlyn! All personnel, Attention!
Fry and everyone else immediately raised their hands in the salute that they'd been taught during the course of their training.
Vice Chairman Southerlyn returned the salute, and then motioned to everyone to take his or her seats. After everyone had sat down, he began to speak, in a deep, but soft and pleasant voice.
Southerlyn: Good morning everyone. I'm very pleased to see all of your faces here. I must say that I'm also glad that this graduating class had a 96% success rate and that so many of you were able to complete your training. I've been with this part of the DOOP for 17 years now, and it always makes me happy to see new members arriving here. I know that some of you are only here to put in your year, some because of the court orders, and some of you are here because you feel that a year is all you have to offer.
However, there are some of you who may feel that you could do this for a while longer, maybe even make a career of it. For those of you who do, I wish to make it known that I hope that you do stay on for a while, and enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime.
In conclusion, and this is for everyone here, even if you decide to leave at the end of your first tour, let me say, that you will always be a member of the GBB, and we will always be there for you. You're now part of an extended family, one that is over 300 million members strong, and growing. Always remember that we never, ever, leave anybody behind. Thank you, and good luck.
P.A.: All personnel, attention. Vice Chairman Southerlyn has left the building!
Fry stood for a moment, his face working. It was hard to keep from laughing; it'd been years since he'd heard anything like that, and it was almost too much. But he remembered what Leela would've said to him if she'd been there, and fought it back
Fry: (Imagining Leela beside him) Fry! You've got to take your job more seriously, and do the best that you can do. And stop slouching! And suck in that gut a little!
Fry shook his head a little and smiled to himself. He wondered how Leela would do in a job like this. Who was he kidding, with her drive, she'd be an officer in less than a month and probably president in a few years.
(Flashback ends)
Fry leaned forward in his chair, and looked down; he only had a small bag of personal possessions, since everything else that he would need would be waiting for him on the ship. He turned around and saw everyone else looking out the windows and portholes and turned himself to see what the fuss was about.
There, still a long ways off, but visible because of its huge size, floated his new home for the next three months. The ship was massive, and yet, it still looked like it was moving swiftly, even though it was moored at its docking ports. Its outer hull was a silvery color, reflecting all of the light around it. It was roughly shaped like a diamond, lying on its side, and stretched out to a great length. It was smooth on its upper half, except for a length of wires or cable that curved back and forth along the hull. Near the back of the ship, there was a projection that looked like a quarter moon cut in half, pointing forward. As they flew closer, he could see that was a section on the bottom side that looked like a series of stairs that went up and then back down. He looked closer and saw that what had looked like little dust motes floating around it were actually ships that were flying in and out. It was the entrance to the cargo bays.
Fry: Good God! That thing's huge; I never knew there were ships this big. It looks like it could have the Nimbus for lunch, and the PE ship for a snack.
About that time Lt. Chandler came up through the passageway, and stopped when she saw the ship.
Lt. Chandler: Well, that's going to be our home for a while, folks, what do you think of it?
Jester: (Speaking up) Well ma'am, I have to say that it's. big, anyway.
Chandler: Well, it has to be, for all of the cargo that we're carrying. You see, this is a ship that supplies a lot of the outer DOOP colonies, and exploration ships. We have to have enough materials to not only keep our 11,000+ crew members going, but also enough to supply planetary colonies for months at a time.
Lisa: (Speaking up) Excuse me ma'am. What's the name of our ship?
Chandler: Her full name is the Heavy Spatial Delivery Ship (HSDS): Shenandoah.
Fry: (Startled for a moment) Excuse me ma'am, what did you say the ship's name was?
Lt. Chandler: (Going through an electronic notebook) Shenandoah. Her name is from the language of the ancient Native Americans on Earth. I think it means.uh
Lt. Chandler and Fry: (Together, Fry speaking softly) Daughter of the Stars.
Chandler stopped thumbing through her electronic notebook and looked over at Fry, then back down at her notebook.
Chandler: That's right, Fry. How'd you know that?
Fry: (Smiling softly) My Granddad used to tell me stories about the first airships they had in the old American Navy. There were several of them, and the Shenandoah was the first one. It flew for a couple of years, until it was destroyed. I just always thought that it was a really pretty name for a ship.
Chandler and the others looked at him for a moment, then turned away to look out the windows again.
CC: Well, I guess she is a beautiful ship, and I hope that we'll be able to take a tour of it, ma'am.
Chandler: (Laughing softly) Oh, you'll get to see all of the ship that you can, and probably more than you'll want to. Remember, you're still rookies, so you'll probably have to do a lot of the dirty work for a while.
Everyone smiled or laughed a little nervously at this, until Lt. Chandler looked back at them and winked.
Chandler: I'm only joshing you; you'll all be too busy with deliveries to do much else. There're plenty of automated systems, robots, and personnel that are designated to take care of that work. Just remember to keep a clear head, and you'll do okay.
Lt. Chandler paused for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, and then spoke again.
Chandler: Now, the four of you will be sharing the same room, and I just want you to know, that while the company doesn't exactly approve of relationships forming, they do understand that it can happen on these long voyages. That's why they do ask that all personnel take the appropriate precautions, and that you be smart, and not foolish. This is not the best place in the universe to raise a child. Now, there'll be more instructions and lectures on stuff like this after we get underway, but for now, we want you to relax, so you can use the Internet, watch any videos or TV, play some sports, or anything else you do to relax. So, everyone, sit back and enjoy the free time you have, because it'll be a precious commodity in the months to come.
Fry: (Thinking) Man, for somebody like me, who's pretty much a nobody, I sure do have a lot of strange coincidences happen to me. Pa-paw Graham, I wish you'd been here to see.
With that thought, Fry leaned back in his seat and let his mind drift back in time.
(Flashback)
A young version of Fry, only six years old, is sitting on a small chair in what appears to be an old house. There is evidence that there were once two people living there, and that the house used to be a much cheerier place. But now, it looks less inviting, and the small child sitting on his chair seems to bring some much-needed life to a room that is usually full of darker thought these days.
Fry looked up at the old man that sat in a worn, but still comfortable rocking chair, holding the lit cigar in his left hand, and listening with rapt attention to his Grandfather's voice, weaker with age, but still deep and vibrant.
Grandfather Graham: (Softly) Yep, your great-uncle would have been 85 years old today. I still remember when he joined the Navy, and how he hoped so much that he'd be on a famous ship. You probably could have knocked him over with a feather when he was selected to be a member of the Shenandoah's crew. The first American airship, and she was a wondrous thing to see.
Fry: (Curiously) What's She-nan-do-ah mean Pa-paw?
Grandfather Graham: It's an old Indian name, Phil. It means, the Daughter of the Stars, and I always thought it was a beautiful name.
Young Fry: What'd it look like Pa-paw?
Grandfather Fry: Well, it was sort of shaped like this here cigar, but it was a silvery color, and had these short stubby wings on the rear, and near the front, on the bottom side, was the control cabin, or bridge. That was where the captain gave the order to fly the ship. Your great-uncle loved to be on board; it almost seemed like it was his own baby, the way he went on about it. When we lived here in New York, there was a landing field over in New Jersey, and the airship passenger flights would come flying over New York, as they were landing, usually to give a sightseeing tour. They looked like great silver clouds as they floated overhead. He was always so excited about flying, and I remember asking him, why did he love it so much? You know, it wasn't like he was a fighter pilot or something like that. I still remember what he told me, like it was yesterday.
Young Fry: (Looking at him expectedly) What Pa-paw? What'd he say?
Grandfather Fry: (A faraway look in his eyes) He said that the way he felt when he was on board was wonderful. Sometime, when he had to go up on the top of the ship and stand watch, it was so quiet and calm. He said that the engine noise sort of faded into a hum that was so peaceful, that it was almost like he was riding on a dream.
Grandfather Fry stopped for a moment, and Fry noticed that his eyes were moist. Then the old man straightened up and the moment passed.
Grandfather Fry: (Wistfully) Then, there was the day that they left for that public relations tour around the middle of the country. The ship got caught in a bad storm and crashed. Your great-uncle was one of the survivors, but he was never the same after that. He always carried around with him what he had seen near the end, when the ships control cabin was ripped away from the hull. After that he never wanted to go on an airship again.
Anyway, he finished up his tour of duty, and then the Depression hit. But, your great-uncle was pretty creative, and managed to stay afloat during the lean years, and was doing pretty good with his own delivery business in the 1940's and 50's.
Young Fry: What happened to Unca Graham?
Grandfather Graham: (Softly) He was doing all right for himself, and even though he'd never married, he loved coming by and playing with Chandra and David. It was in March of 1965, he had come into work early that morning, and he simply had a heart attack. No one knew, or saw it coming, it just seemed like, it was his time. He'd passed away by the time the ambulance had got there. I wish that you'd had a chance to meet him, Phil, you seem like two of a kind. I bet you'll go on to great things one day, and I hope I'll be around to see it.
Fry's grandfather reached down and rumpled his hair.
Just then, the screen door at the front of the house opens and bangs shut, and a woman's voice is heard.
Voice: Philip, Dad, are you two around? I really need some help getting these groceries in!
Young Fry: (Excitedly) Mom's here. Mom's here Pa-paw.
Fry got up and started to run to the kitchen door, when Chandra Graham Fry walked into the living room. She leaned over and gave Fry a kiss on the cheek, and then turned around and gave her father one as well
Chandra: Hi Philip! Were you a good boy for your grandfather today?
Young Fry: (Happy) Yeah mom, he told me stories about the old days, when he was young.
Chandra: (Smiling) Thanks for helping out dad, Yancy's so busy these days and Jr. is a lot to handle as well.
Grandfather Graham: It's all right honey, I know that you're busy, but I like Phil being around, he keeps the house from being too lonely and cold. It's nice to have someone that'll listen to me go on about the old days.
Chandra: (Softly) I'm sorry dad, I want us to spend more time with you, are you sure you want to live in this house alone? I mean, it's been 3 years since Mom passed on, and you.
Grandfather Fry: (Sharply) I won't go to some old folk's home, and that's that. I can take care of myself, and as long as you let little Philip come around, why, I don't feel that lonely anyway.
Chandra: (Smiling softly) Okay dad, don't worry about that. We won't talk about it anymore. I'm glad you and Philip get along so well, and we'll be by next week. Come on Phil, we've got to go help your daddy with the new shelter.
Young Fry: Okay mom! Bye Pa-paw, I'll see you later on.
Fry the reached out and hugged the old man, not noticing that more moisture was building in his wrinkled eyes. Grandfather Graham hugged him back, and when Fry looked up at him, the moisture was already gone, and what remained was a warm smile.
Grandfather Graham: All right Phil, you be a good boy, and I'll see you next week, and maybe, we'll go to the movie theater, I hear they've got King Kong playing next weekend, and just maybe, it'll be a double feature.
Young Fry: Yeah! I can't wait. I'll see you then Pa-paw. C'mon mom, let's go help daddy.
Fry ran down and got into the car, fastening the seat belt like he'd been taught, and looked up to see his mom giving her dad another hug. She then walked down the driveway and started the car. As they drove off, Fry waved to his grandfather, who returned the wave, and then slowly walked back into the empty, quiet house.
(Flashback ends)
Fry sighed softly, and found that he was blinking back some tears in his own eyes. It'd only been another year before his grandfather passed away, and it was only when he was older that he'd found out that the old man had had cancer, but nobody had really known how to explain it to him when he was younger.
Fry: (Thinking sadly) I wish you'd have been around for a little while longer granddad, I sure could have used whatever advice you could have given me. You always understood me, even when mom and dad were busy, or tired, or fighting. You always made me feel like I was welcome at your house. Maybe I wouldn't have been such a loser for so many years. Well, I'm getting ready to go on a great adventure, I hope, so I'll try to do him, and you, proud.
With that thought going around his head, Fry settled down and dozed, waiting for the ship to dock. Then he'd see where the Daughter of the Stars would take him, and then he'd pray that she'd get him back in one piece. He had too much to live for now, and he wasn't going to give it up without a fight.
Leela stood looking nervously in the mirror. It wasn't every night that she got to eat out, especially when she was going to go and have supper at her parents' house.
Leela: (Thinking) God, I can't believe it, all these years, I thought I was an orphaned alien and my family was from another galaxy, and it turns out they were really here all the time, literally underneath my feet. I know they've said they're proud of me, but, with all of the mistakes I've made in life, how do I know if that's how they really feel?
Leela paused, looked in the mirror again, then squared her shoulders.
Leela: Well, it's time to find out some more answers, and try to start sharing my life with my family. I've got 29 years of catching up to do, and I might as well begin now.
With that, she turned and whistled.
Leela: Here, Nibbler! Here boy, come see what I've got for you.
Nibbler scampered into the living room, with an expectant face. These days, he seemed a little lethargic, almost depressed. Of course, Leela still didn't know that Nibbler was in actuality, Lord Nibbler, of the Nibblonians, and the reason for his depression was that he'd not had a chance to stop Fry before he'd left Earth. Nibbler had mentally kicked himself when that'd happened; if he'd just given the Other the right mental nudge, then the Fry Brain would still be here on Earth, where it could be looked after safely. Now, it was out in space, on a planet where there were no Nibblonian agents.
Nibbler: (Thinking) We must all hope that the eternal energy of the cosmos keeps Fry safe, and that fate will once again play a role in his and the universe's own desti. oohhh, is that a ham?
Leela saw Nibbler jumping up and down, and smiled. He was a wonderful companion, and since she didn't have any children (well, not yet anyway), he was the best substitute that she could have, for the time being. She sighed to herself: children, her as a mother and Fry, being a father? The mental image made her smile one moment, and feel sad the next. The last video letter she'd got from Fry had been all too short, though he had mentioned that he'd received his license to be a delivery pilot. The thought made her shake her head some more.
Leela: (Thinking) Fry, a pilot? Well, I guess stranger things have happened, and he has piloted the ship a few times, but can he really be mature enough to do something like that?
Leela stopped for a moment, stunned, as she replayed what she'd just thought.
Leela: (Thinking) I can't believe I thought that. At least Fry was mature enough to admit his love for me, while I was the one that couldn't accept what was under my nose all the time. I hope he's gonna get in touch with me soon, I want to see him one more time before he has to leave for his first trip.
Just then, she felt something against her leg and looked down to see Nibbler rubbing against her.
Leela: Oh, Nibbler, I'm sorry sweety, here you go, now, there's a full tub of water in the kitchen for you to drink. You be a good boy now, and no more terrorizing the neighbors, okay? Mommy will be back later on tonight, and then we'll go for a walk down to the park together. So don't you do anything until I get back, you little scamp. I love you.
With that said, she gave him the ham, and turned away from the chomping, gulping sounds. When she was sure he was done, she turned back to him and picked him up off the floor, giving him a hug and a short kiss on top of his head. She went out the door, locking it behind her, and turning, walked down the hall to the main doors.
Leela: (Smiling to herself) Sometimes I have to wonder, where does he put it all?
With that thought in mind, she strolled outside. She started to walk downtown to the Planet Express building with feelings of both dread and joy. This was it, time to make that next step, and start the long journey towards becoming a full-fledged member of her family.
As she reached the Planet Express building, she saw Amy come out the door, apparently on her way home.
Amy: (Cheerfully) Hi Leela, are you going to do anything this weekend? If you aren't busy, I thought we could go out to some clubs together, and just have a girl's night out.
Leela: Well, maybe, but I'm going to meet my parents for dinner tonight, and then I'm going to try and contact Fry. He's supposed to finish his first training program now, and he'll be going on his first new delivery assignment sometime soon after that.
Amy: Aigu! I forgot about that. Okay Leela, well, you give me a call sometime this weekend, and let me know what's up.
Leela: Okay Amy. I might just do that.
Amy: (Awkwardly) Aw, Leela, it'll be okay. I think it's so sweet that you and Fry have finally gotten together, well, sorta, and I know you two will work out, you just gotta have faith, ya know?
Leela: I know, Amy, and I know I don't say it as much as I should, but thanks. You're really a good friend, and I'm glad you're here to help me. It does get lonely sometimes now, and I find myself wishing, if only.
Amy: (Putting her hand up) Stop right there, Leela. I've gotta say, there was a reason it happened this way, and I think that it'll work out all right, you just have to have faith that things like this happen for a reason. You and Fry are the best couple I've ever seen, even when you two were just friends, and if there's anybody who can get through this, it's you two. So cheer up, and look on the bright side a little more often, okay?
Leela: (Smiling a little) Thanks, Amy. I'll try to keep that in mind. See you later. I've got some things to take care of.
With that, Leela waved goodbye, and continued towards the Planet Express building. She pushed open the door and walked in, pausing just long enough to see that the doors to Hermes' office and Farnsworth's lab were shut. She walked over to the broom closet and stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind her. She stopped and smiled for a moment, as she remembered the time skips, and how Fry had built his crude, but sweet, make- out lounge in here. Leela brought herself back to the present day, and groping in the dim light, reached up and. there it was. The secret button she'd installed was still there. She pushed it and saw the back of the closet open up, and the stairs that had been built by her parents and some of the friends she'd made among the mutants, were still there. Stepping onto them, she pushed the button on the other side, and watched to make sure that the door was secure, before grabbing the light that she had placed there a few months ago.
Leela: (Thinking) When Fry and I are finally able to spend more of our lives together, I'm probably going to have to tell him about this. It's not right for me to have secrets from him, but I just hope that he'll be able to keep his mouth shut about it.
She started down the stairs, the light beam shining in front of her, taking care not to make a misstep. At the bottom, she pulled out a sheet of paper with a crude map on it, and set off in the direction of her parents' home. It was only a short time later when she saw a few lights and shapes ahead of her, which quickly became the forms of houses and apartments. Walking down the quiet streets, she looked around, and saw what had started to become a familiar shape to her over the last year, her parents' home. Leela went up to the door and knocked hard, listening for and then hearing the scrape and rustle of a lock being turned, and the door opening a crack.
Munda: (Squinting for a moment) Morris, our little girl's come by! Come in dear, we hope you didn't have any trouble getting here. Come on in, suppers almost ready; Morris was just setting the table.
Leela: (Giving her mother and father a warm hug) Hi mom, dad. Thanks for inviting me down tonight. I'm glad to just get out of the apartment for a while.
Morris: Sit down on the sofa, and tell me about everything that's happened to you in the last few months, Leela. Have you been staying busy being a star-ship captain? Are you having as much fun as it seems when we catch the news down here?
When Morris said this, Munda caught his eye, and for just a moment, something passed between them, but Leela didn't notice. She sat down, and told her father about everything she'd done in the last few weeks, and how the deliveries had become fairly routine. As she spoke, she became less enthusiastic, eventually speaking in a monotone. Munda called out to them.
Munda: The foods ready everyone, come and sit down.
Morris (Getting up, and offering Leela his hand) Come on honey, your mom isn't known as one of the best cooks around for nothing, just don't ask what the ingredients are, and you'll enjoy it a lot more.
Leela looked a little stricken by this, until she glanced at her dad again and saw him doing the same kind of wink that she'd learned over the years. She laughed, her dark mood broken for the moment. The three of them sat down at the table, and enjoyed each other's presence as a family.
When they had finished supper Leela helped her father with the dishes, while Munda made some coffee. They all went into the living room, with Morris and Munda settled on a couch, while Leela sat on a chair, all three silent for a few minutes.
Munda: (Putting her cup down on an end table) Leela, is everything all right? You seem like things aren't as well off as you'd like to make us think that they are.
Leela: (Looking down at her cup for a moment) Mom, I'm sorry, I just wish that. well, there's someone missing that I wish was here with us tonight.
Morris: You mean your friend Fry, don't you? How's he doing in his new job?
Leela: (Smiling for a moment) Oh, the last letter I got from him said that he's doing just fine; he's gotten a pilot's license, and he's really doing well, and.
Munda: (Placing a tentacle on Leela's shoulder) What, sweetheart? We know that we've not been able to be there for you like we wanted, but we're here now. Tell us, we want to help.
Leela: (Her eye becoming a little teary) I know that it's really selfish of me, but what happens if Fry comes back, and he doesn't really want me anymore? I've always felt that I was the one that was there to help him out when he got in trouble, which, well, was a lot of the time. That was part of the reason I lost him in the first place; because my pride kept me from just acknowledging my feelings. That, and some of the anger that I felt at you two for abandoning me. It wasn't until Fry woke up and walked into my life, that I started to feel a little more than just those negative feelings. I actually started to have. fun. But now he's gone. We still write to one another, but I'm guess I'm afraid that he's going to grow apart from me. I know he's good at making friends, and maybe, I don't know, he'll start to forget about me
Morris: (Softly) Leela, Fry is trying to make you proud of him, isn't he? Do you feel proud?
Leela: (Voice breaking) Yes! He's gone and done more than I ever gave him credit for, and he's actually trying to become more than just a delivery boy. He's becoming mature, and grown-up, which I thought was what I wanted. Now, though, I find myself missing the screw-ups that he used to do so much. When he comes back, maybe he'll be more responsible, and I'm not so sure if what I wanted, is what I really needed
Munda: You're a wonderful person, and a great friend. But sometimes, I wish you'd be a little more positive about yourself and about people in general. Yes, you had a rough time as a child, but we knew that it would make you strong. Damn it, you have someone that loves you, and was able to put up with all of your anger and negativism. Don't you look at me like that young lady, you are negative sometimes, but that'll never stop us from loving you, and it'll never stop Fry, if he's really serious about it. And do you know what? When I see you two together, it makes me think of Morris and me, back when we were younger. You know, I didn't really fall head over heels for him at first.
Morris: That's right honey; I tried to convince your mother I was serious about her for a couple of years. She even went to the school prom with someone else.
Munda gets up and walks out for a moment. They can hear her rummaging through something in another room, and then she walks back in and sits down next to Morris.
Munda: Here, take a look at this.
Leela takes it in her hand. It's a prom picture of Munda, with a man she'd never seen before. He looks very normal from the waist up, in fact, he has a very handsome face, with blond hair and thin rimmed glasses. However, from the waist down, instead of legs, he stands on a cluster of six smooth tentacles. Munda looks very similar to Leela, except that her hair is shorter and curly, and her bangs are cut straight across. They're smiling and appear to be having a good time.
Leela: Gee mom, I don't remember seeing this guy, does he still live around here?
Munda: (Shaking her head) No, his name was Leonard, and he died several years before you were born, sweetie.
Leela: What happened to him?
Morris: There was an incident down here, where these strange robots tried to take over the underground. They would have, too, if not for another strange man. He helped us stop them, and taught us to always be on our guard against other enemies.
Leela: What do you mean, 'strange man'? Who was he? Was he a mutant too?
Munda: No, Leela. He was an alien from another planet, though he looked like a normal human. He was fairly tall, with blond, curly hair, and his clothes were so, strange.
Morris: (Laughing softly) He wore clothes that were a patchwork of different fabrics and colors. His long coat was. hah, made of about twenty different patches itself.
Munda: Yet, he seemed very confident, and I have to admit, um, I felt more than a little attracted to him. He didn't feel the same, of course, but I always had the feeling that it wasn't because I was a mutant, but just that he was so alien, he couldn't really feel that way about anyone.
Morris: Well, that traveling companion of his was certainly very nice looking, and yet, he was completely professional around her, though he acted concerned when she was in danger. However, he seemed to be that way about anyone who was in danger.
Leela: Well, what happened to him?
Munda: Oh, he left as quickly as he arrived, after we beat those robots. He said he might well come around again someday, though we might not recognize him, and he might not recognize us, whatever that meant. I don't think we've ever seen him again
Leela: That sounds interesting, but what happened to Leonard?
Munda: Well, during the "incident", I found out that the brave and romantic front that Leonard always put up was just that, a front. He left me behind when we were in trouble, and Morris came back for me. I think he saved my life.
Morris: (Blushing slightly) I didn't really do anything honey, I just helped out.
Munda: (Leaning over and giving Morris a kiss on the cheek) It meant everything to me, love. After that, I started to recognize qualities in Morris that I hadn't noticed before, and it was only another year or so before he asked me to marry him. We've been together ever since.
Leela: Aw, that's so romantic. I wish that Fry and I had moments like that.
Morris: But haven't you? What about that time with those candy hearts? And the bees. And didn't he write an opera for you? I wish I'd been able to do something like that for your mom.
Leela: (Looking down at her hands) I know, and I wish I'd recognized it sooner; I just didn't let myself. But when he gets back, if he gets back.
Munda: Leela! Don't ever let yourself think like that! Don't ever give up your hope. I'll always remember what the alien told us before he left. He said 'If you ever feel down or discouraged, just remember: while there's life, there's hope.' You have to remember that as well, Leela, and don't ever let those negative thoughts take over. It's easy to do, and I say that from personal experience.
Leela: What do you mean, mom?
Munda: (Looking over sharply for a moment) That's a story that I'm not ready to tell yet. Maybe someday, but not now.
Leela: (Thinking for a moment) I understand, mom, and thanks for filling me in on your and dad's past a little more. I'm going to check and see if there are any messages for me, and if not, I'm going to leave one for Fry. I think I need to let him know how much I miss him.
Leela got up to leave, and Morris and Munda got up with her. She hugged them warmly, and looked at them for a minute.
Leela: Thanks mom, dad, for letting me become a part of your lives again. I'm so glad to have someone here for me.
Munda: That's all right, dear, and you come visit us anytime. When Fry gets back, you be sure to bring him with you. I know we can't replace his family, but we'd be glad to have him come by and visit us.
Leela: Thanks mom, I'll do that. Bye dad, I'll talk to you later.
Morris: Okay, Leela, and we'll always be around to help out if it's possible.
Leela said her good-byes one more time, and then headed out into the darkness. The door closed, and she faintly heard raised voices inside.
Munda: (Irritated) What do you mean, you thought his companion was pretty? What was I, chopped liver?
Morris: Honey, how couldn't I notice her? She wore those, well, fairly skimpy clothes. Frankly, I don't know why she didn't freeze down here. Anyway, we weren't even dating then, so why are you mad?
Munda: I'm not mad. Don't try to tell me how I feel.
Morris: Oy. Time for an aspirin, so I'd better check the water-flow. Bye,
Leela! We'll see you later.
Leela gasped and stepped back. How had her dad known she was still out there? As she walked away, she smiled to herself. What would it be like that when she got married? If she got married to Fry would they be able to get along with each other? Or would the differences between them be insurmountable? So many questions. Sighing lightly, she headed back towards the stairs, taking a little more time so that she could think to herself.
Leela: I really want to hear Fry's -- Philip's -- voice now, just to hear him say something. I wouldn't even mind if he spewed crumbs on me.
With that thought, she picked up her pace and hurried back to the stairs. Back inside Planet Express, she hurried over to the video monitor and checked her email.
Monitor: You've got mail!
Leela: (Smiling) Yes! Come on, please be from Fry.
The monitor beeped once and displayed the image of Zapp Branigan.
Zapp: This message is for the luscious lady Leela. I wanted to see if you and I could make some sweet, sweet music together, and then go back to my lovenasium for some sexifying loving. How about it, babe? You miss the candy, don't you? That sweet, sweet.
Leela: (Disgustedly) Ugh. I can't believe I fell for his stupid trick the first time.
She jabbed the "Delete" button. As an afterthought, she pushed "Flame" also, and smiled to herself.
Leela: Let's see, are there any others? Come on Fry.
She scrolled down and saw a message header that read simply, . She opened it and smiled happily when Fry's face appeared.
Fry: (Smiling shyly) Hi, Leela, I just wanted to get you this message before I left. We're getting ready to leave the system in a few days, and I wanted us to have a chance to sorta see one another before I left. If you have some free time on the twentieth, then I'll be on the net at the Planet Express web page at one o'clock your time. I miss you a lot, and I just wanted you to know I love you. If you can be free, I'll see you then. Bye for now.
Leela froze the image, and gently touched Fry's cheek on the screen.
Leela: (Softly) I'll see you then, Fry. I'll see you then.
Leela sat back and started to compose a letter. She would tell him a little more about her own feelings, and let him know that she hadn't forgotten about him either.
Well, here's the second Chapter. I know that not a lot happened here, but I just wanted to take my time with the story. I hope nobody minds, but I wanted to get a little back-story for Fry and Leela, and while it might not be the most interesting thing in the world, I'm a history buff, and thought it would be nice to introduce a little history to Fry's family.
There actually was an airship named the USS Shenandoah (ZR-1). Her first flight was on September 4, 1923, and her final one was on September 3, 1925. The ship was on a PR tour in the mid-western United States, and got caught in a thunderstorm. The control cabin was ripped from the hull and the captain and crew inside of it fell several thousand feet to their deaths. The rest of the ship broke up soon after, and slammed into the ground. All together, 14 men lost their lives. If you want to find out more about this vessel, go to the following sites: ive just let me know via email at wbc31@hotmail.com, and be sure to mention Futurama fan fiction in the subject line, else I'll delete it along with the several dozen spams that I seem to get every day now.