Take My Hand


It was finally Xmas once again. Everyone finally took a break in Neptune. The ski resort, snow boarding, bob-sledding, everything was filled with excitement. Everyone, especially Bender, took a bit of travel in their time. Amy decided to ski with Bender, Hermes, once again, bob-sleds over down by the skiing competition, Zoidberg started throwing snowballs at the Professor, but always missed. And Fry and Leela were going to the snow board competition. They all hoped that their Xmas would be better than last time. Especially when they last encountered with RoboSanta.

Bender was facing Amy, telling her that he challenged her into a race. If he won, Amy would give him $2,000 in cash. It was a foolish bet, but Amy said that she was a champion at skiing. She actually betted $2,000, there's no way that she could lose! At least, that's what she thought. Bender has a way at cheating. And he just might get it.

Time and time again, Hermes tried his best into winning that annual bob-sledding race. But he kept on breaking himself. He just says that the only reason he loses is because his wife LaBarbara and his son Dwight isn't there to support him. Or at least he's not even trying hard enough. Poor Hermes.

Zoidberg and the Professor have been trying to challenge each other to a snowball fight competition. Because of his greedy claws, Zoidberg always loses. Professor, however, doesn't really know that he wins everytime. But someday it will come to him...

The competition was ready for the final race. Fry and Leela were ready as well. Almost fifteen people, including Fry and Leela, were already on top of the vast hill, waiting for the gun to fire.

"Leela, I wish you good luck. I don't care either you or me wins, I'm just having the time of my life." Fry said to Leela.

"Thank you, Fry. I wish you luck, too." Leela said.

"Contestants, get ready. At the rate of this time, the winner will receive a free trip to Barbados for three weeks of vacation." the announcer said.

Fry and Leela were ready to make that first move. People across the two were leaning against the high hill.

"Ready..."

Everyone clutched their hands into fists.

"Set..."

They all were about to leap off of the hill...

"GO!"

And they were off. Almost fifteen people were snow boarding all the way through the park. Fry and Leela stayed beside each other through the whole time. They all performed tricks as they all were watched by the reporters of the competition.

"And Derek Steinberg takes the bars, followed by Turonga Leela, followed by Philip J. Fry." the announcer said.

Fry and Leela agreed to take the shortcut pass Derek, longer enough to win. They both passed the ski resort. Leela bended her knees, hoping to go even faster. Fry followed her suit as they startled down the hill. Through the trees, they both came across Bender, who was skiing passed them.

"Hey Bender! Whuz up?" Fry asked.
"Catchin' up with the klutz!" Bender exclaimed as he pointed up the hill.

Amy was eyeing a ski champion from behind. As she was gazing at him, she accidentally hit a tree! Bender laughed so hard, he didn't pay attention to the road. As he turned around, he started stammering. Bender, Fry, and Leela were heading towards the cliff an open cliff! They all screamed. Leela grabbed onto Fry's arm and turned the other side of the ledge. Bender however, couldn't stop at the sight. He flew up in the air when he reached the open space!

"I believe I can fly!" Bender chanted as he fell down, down, down. He crashed onto the fort that Dr. Zoidberg built on the snowball fight.

"Bender! You're just in time to take down the Professor." Zoidberg said.
"I don't think so, Zoid-wad. I'm outta-" Bender started, but got hit by a gigantic ball of snow.
"Sorry!"

It was Hermes. He was still on his bob sled. He somehow created a gigantic snowball when he tried to stop at the ledge. Poor Hermes, trying his best not to get out of the pathway to the bob sledding race.

"Ow..." Bender moaned.

Fry and Leela, meanwhile, continued on their snow boarding competition. Fry stared at Leela for quite a while.

"Leela. Thanks for saving me at the cliff." Fry said.
"Your welcome. Just watch where you're going next time." Leela said.
"'Kay." Fry said.
"No really. Watch where you're going." Leela said as she pointed ahead.

Fry accidentally crashed into a tree. Now he was even with Amy.

"Oh..." Fry groaned.
"Huh..." Leela sighed.

She turned around to help Fry get back on his feet. What he didn't know, was his board was halfway off the cliff!

"Now hurry up, Fry. We gotta win this competition." Leela said.
"Okay." Fry said as he grabbed onto Leela's hand.

As he pulled up, his board lost balance, and he fell down off the cliff, carrying Leela with him! They both screamed, as their boards hit the rocks below. They both landed on the soft snow. Thank goodness that it was soft enough for them to land on.

"Good work, Fry. Now our boards are broken, and we have no way of winning the competition." Leela said.

"It's not my fault that my board was almost off the cliff. We just need to find our way back." Fry said.

"Only one problem. We both landed in different directions. So 'back' could be anywhere!"
"All right. All right. We might find some help from the reporters."
"They're watching the other contestants. They don't even know where we went."
"... I guess that leaves us with one option."
"I know. Walking our backs back home. This is going to take forever."
"No it wont. We'll find our way back to the shelter. Don't worry Leela."

Fry and Leela stood up and walked towards the direction of where they last been in.

"Here, take my hand. I don't want to you get lost and freeze to death." Fry said.
"... Okay." Leela said.

He blushed as she took his hand. Fry felt comfortable touching Leela's hand. She was so gorgeous. He never though about letting go of her hold. Leela felt Fry squeezing her hand. She already knew that he loved her. But still, as she always did, wouldn't give him a chance. Fry always tried even harder to impress her with anyway he can. But somehow, Leela still wont accept him. Fry and Leela concentrated on getting back to the crew. And staying alive.

At least, they hoped.

TO BE CONTINUED...