The Love That Matters Forever

"... We are?" Fry asked excitedly.
"Yeah. Somehow when I look at Lily in my thoughts, I feel another child. Probably like about two years younger than Lily." Leela said.

"Wow. Another child... What do you think we're gonna name it?" Fry asked.
"Somehow I kept on having thoughts on... Brandon." Leela said.
"Brandon... I like that." Fry said.
"It's been a while since I knew you would be such a perfect father. Especially with two kids."
"Yeah. I know Lily will be perfect for us, and I'll make sure nothing happens to her. Even if it does cost me my life."

"Oh, Fry..." Leela said as she jumped into his arms.

Her hands were wrapped around his neck, as he held her with his own hands. She was standing up, but only her right foot was off the ground, where she continued to lean on Fry's hands.

"I can't wait until they're born." Leela said.
"I can't wait until we're married." Fry said.
"Neither can I. But I know that it's gonna be what you want it to be." Leela said.
"With you, it will be the most perfect day of my life."

Fry leaned to her face and kissed her. She kissed back, as though it was the first time. After their kiss, Leela was the first one to talk.

"We better give Nibbler the information and fast." Leela said.
"It can wait..." Fry said as he smirked at her.
"I know. But the sooner we tell him the better."
"... You're right."
"I'm gonna go get the ship started."

As soon as Leela slowly pulled away from Fry's hold, Fry slowly kept his arms on her until she finally was away from him. She knew he did that playfully, so she smiled at him for her response. He smiled back as she went out the door. His eyelids covered half of his eyes as he thought about Leela, and how he first met her...

"Name?"
"Uh... Fry.
"I'm Leela. Now it's New Years Eve, so I'd like to decide your fate quickly and get out of here."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"As long as it's not about my eye."
"Um..."
"Is it about my eye?"
"Sort of."

Leela sighed.

"Just ask the question."
"What's with the eye?"
"I'm an alien, all right? Now, let's drop the subject."

What really pleased him most, is how he told her so much about everything she never knew... with him...

"Your chip. What are you doing?"
"Quitting."
"Why?"
"Because I've always wanted to. I just never realized it before I met you."

"But I worked hard to be the person I am!"
"The fabulous person!"
"With friends like you guys."
"Fabulous friends!"
"And I'm really happy I have that life back."

"Well, that is touchingly pathetic. I guess I can't let you go alone."

"Happy Valentines Day, Fry."
"Happy Valentines Day."

"Look's like everybody's got somebody. Except me."
"And me."

"I thought that if you heard a familiar voice, it might help keep your mind together. But, who knows if it really got through."

"It got through Fry... It got through..."

Fry and Leela finally reached the ship to the Planet Eternium. Nibbler, Fiona and Ken were surprised at the results, but mostly confused.

"Velour cloth? I understand that is a flaming kind of clothing, but who in the right mind would wear that?" Nibbler asked as he paced back and forth.

"Calm down, Lord Nibbler. I am sure we can find more information soon after we determine where this underhead is." Fiona said.

"Have you found out any more clues?" Leela asked.
"By comparison, no. But did you have anything that may lead to the culprit?" Ken asked.
"... Well, I do have this collar that a Cerburus wore at the park." Fry said as he took out the collar.
"Ah, yes. The collar might help." Nibbler said as he took the collar.
"I can tell the Cerburus had the same smell as the culprit. It must be his dog." Fiona said.
"You mean that Cerburus belonged to the culprit?" Leela asked.
"Correct. As I swallowed it, I could taste a tiny bit of velour cloth that I spit out immediately when we got home." Nibbler said.

"... Then that was the same man that used..." Leela said.
"That's right. Steroids. A terrible combination of steroids that was found beside the whisky bottle." Fiona said as she handed Leela the bottle of pills.

"Maybe these steroids and that whisky bottle got to his head." Fry said.
"Quite possible. Ken, take this to the chemics where the water is that removes unwashable ink." Nibbler told Ken as he handed him the collar.

"Speaking of clues, what about that storm we were in?" Leela asked.
"Well, the culprit has been on there, and practically threatened it that there will be more humans on there to destroy the planet. Ever since you two were on there, they thought you were one of them." Nibbler said.

"Who's they?" Fry asked.
"The tiniest lifeforms in the universe. Unknown they may be, but they are extremely strong as they come in the biggest groups." Fiona explained.

"Then why did you want us to meet you there?" Leela asked.
"We didn't find out until we were caught in the storm. We could understand that is was threatened." Nibbler said.

Then, a large boom of light appeared on their faces. Ken had finally cleaned the collar license. It was so shiny they all had to put their hands on their eyes. Nibbler took the collar and put on some ordinary sunglasses so he can get a good look.

"Hm..." Nibbler began.

They all heard him gasp.

"I... I cant believe it!" he exclaimed.
"What? Who is it?" Leela asked.

Nibbler took off his sunglasses and looked at all of his friends.

"Everyone? The culprit is-" Nibbler began until something made the headquarters shake.
"What's going on?" Leela asked.
"Someone is firing the headquarters!" Fiona exclaimed as she fixed her pink bow.
"It's him, isn't it?" Fry asked.
"Yes." Ken said.

All of a sudden, the entire headquarters blew off the ground, carrying Fry, Leela, Nibbler, Fiona, and Ken with it! They all screamed, Fry grabbed onto Leela, holding her for her protection.

The next thing they all could see was pitch black.

"Fry? Fry? Fry, wake up."

Fry felt a shove on his shoulder. His eyes opened, and the first person he saw was Leela. Behind her was just complete darkness. Almost like they were in a cage.

"Oh... Leela? Where are we?" Fry asked as he stretched.

"We're in a cell. The culprit locked us in here just we could see him. Nibbler and the rest of them are unconscious." Leela said.

"Crap. Are you okay?" Fry asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"... How are we gonna get out of here?"
"I don't know. I guess the best thing to do is wait until Nibbler wakes up."
"I guess so-"

Fry was then interrupted by the sound of the cage opening. The culprit was in the shadow, but standing right at the door. Fry got up and stood in front of Leela protectively.

"Who are you?" Fry asked as Leela stood behind him.
"... Why, I'm just an old... friend..." the man said as he came out of the shadows and into the light.

Fry and Leela gasped. The man that threatened to destroy their planet and everybody else on it was standing right in front of them, staring and smiling an evilish smile. It was...

... Zapp Brannigan...

TO BE CONTINUED...