Futurama

Fry's Secret
By Frosty

[Leela walked into Planet Express one morning at 8:00. For the past two years, all she thought about was how much Fry had changed. He had become distant, and quiet. Sort of an outcast. It was so strange, he came to work, did his work, barely talked to anyone, and went home. But the thing that surprised her the most was that he hadn’t asked her out in the past two years. Leela opened the door to the lounge and saw Fry sitting on the couch with a bottle of water again. He had also lost weight these past two years, and was eating healthier.]

Leela: Hey Fry.

Fry: Hi.

[He didn’t even look up when she came in.]

Leela: Are you okay?

Fry: Yeah, I’m fine.

[What was up with him? Leela sat down and Fry coughed loudly.]

Leela: Are you sure you’re okay?

Fry: Uh-huh.

[He looks terrible, she thought. Sick, pale, dark bags under his eyes, thin. There is seriously something wrong with him.]

Leela: Well, I’m gonna get some coffee, you want some?

Fry: No thanks.

[As Leela walked into the kitchen, she knew that she had to figure out what was wrong with him. There was only one way. Taking her mug back into the lounge she took a deep breath.]

Leela: Fry,

[He looked up and Leela smiled.]

Leela: Do you wanna go out tonight?

[Fry sighed and started peeling the wrapper off of his bottle.]

Fry: Sorry, I can’t.

[When he didn’t add anything Leela went back into the kitchen.]

[What is with him? Leela was sitting in her apartment that night looking at a picture of her and Fry. Hearing the phone ring, she picked it up and put down the photo.]

Leela: Hello?

Amy: Hi Leela.

Leela: Oh hey Amy, what’s up?

Amy: I wanted to talk to you about Fry.

Leela: What about him?

Amy: Have you noticed how he’s been acting lately?

Leela: Yeah, he even turned me down for a date.

Amy: Wait, he turned you down?

Leela: Yes.

Amy: Why? I mean, he’s chased after you for years, now all of the sudden, it’s like he wants nothing to do with you.

Leela: We really need to figure out what’s wrong with him.

Amy: But how?

Leela: Hey Fry.

[Fry was standing in the door way of his apartment with Leela standing outside. Last year, Fry moved out of the Robot Arms, and got his own place.]

Fry: What up?

[She noticed he wasn’t his cheery self.]

Leela: You seemed really down today at work, and I thought I’d come and see if you were okay.

Fry: Like I said before, I’m fine.

[No, you’re not. She looked around his apartment; it was very plain and boring. Beige walls, a old couch, small TV, and there was only one room other than the living room and the kitchen.]

Leela: Mind if I come in?

[He was about to say no, but Leela smiled warmly at him, and he couldn’t say no to that.]

Fry: Sure.

[Moving out of the way, Leela took a seat on his couch and saw all of the water bottles on the table.]

Fry: I was about to order a pizza, you wanna stay for some?

Leela: Yeah, I’d like that.

[A few hours went by and Leela tried to figure out what was wrong with him, but couldn’t figure it out. I need to spend more time with him. Fry soon started rubbing his eyes and yawned.]

Leela: You look tired, I guess I’ll get going.

Fry: I’m sorry, I just haven’t been sleeping well.

Leela: Well I’ll let you get some rest and I’ll see you tomorrow.

[Before she walked out, she gave Fry a kiss on the cheek before leaving.]

Fry: Wait Leela,

[She turned and Fry smiled.]

Fry: Do you still want to go out sometime?

[Leela smiled back and shook her head.]

Leela: I’d like that. How about tomorrow?

Fry: Great.

[Leela walked out and Fry sighed before going into his room. Before falling asleep, he shook his head. What have I done?]

[Fry was standing in front of Leela’s apartment the next night wearing khaki’s and a light blue collard shirt. Knocking on the door, Leela answered wearing a light blue skirt, a white blouse, and a light blue sweater. Why am I doing this? Fry knew that he should of called an canceled, since he shouldn’t be going out with her. He was just setting her up to get hurt, and he never wanted to do that.]

Fry: Hi.

Leela: Hey,

Fry: You look great.

Leela: Thank you.

[Smiling, Fry held out his hand and Leela took it, letting him lead her down stairs.]

[A few minutes later, the two of them were sitting at a table in The Olive Garden. Fry had ordered a glass of water and a salad, while Leela got an ice tea and pasta.]

Leela: You’re just having a salad?

Fry: Yeah, I’m not that hungry.

[Shaking her head, she once again noticed how pale and skinny he was. But she didn’t say anything.]

Leela: I’m really glad we’re doing this.

Fry: Me too.

[Some time went by, and soon they were waiting for the check. Leela reached across the table and took Fry’s hand, lacing her fingers with his. Fry looked down at his hand and then back at her, smiling.]

[Fry and Leela were walking down the street holding hands. The two of them stopped and sat on a bench, looking up at the stars. Leela released his hand, and looped her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder. Fry closed his eyes, trying to stop the tears. Tell her! Tell her right now, before she gets hurt. But of course, he said nothing.]

Leela: I had a great time tonight.

Fry: I’m glad.

[Smiling, Leela moved in closer and gave Fry a long, but soft kiss.]

Leela: Bye.

Fry: Bye.

[She went back in her apartment, and Fry started making his way home. Oh Jeeze, what have I done?]

[Fry woke up early the next morning, since he kept waking up every half hour not being able to sleep. All he could think about was Leela, and how he would hurt her. She didn’t deserve this, she deserved to be happy. But, Fry knew that he couldn’t make her happy. He thought he could, but not anymore. He had to tell her the truth, but how?]

[Leela was sitting at the controls on the Planet Express Ship. Bender was having a drinking contest with the auto pilot while Fry was sleeping in his cabin. Depending on how he was feeling, she was planning on asking him out again. They didn’t have to go someplace fancy, they didn’t even have to go out, she was fine with just sitting in his apartment with him all night. For some reason, she found herself attracted to him, but why? She had never felt this way towards him before, but now, she felt like he might be “The One”. Hearing a noise behind her, she saw Fry sitting in his usual seat with a sweatshirt on instead of his jacket. His socks and shoes were also off, and Leela noticed a large bruise on his ankle.]

Leela: Fry, what happened?

[She pointed at it and Fry looked at his foot.]

Fry: Oh, I just banged my foot against the door frame a few days ago.

Leela: Ooh, that sounds painful.

Fry: It was.

[He smiled and Leela laughed softly.]

Leela: So, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out again tonight. I mean, we can just relax at your place or my place if you want.

[This could be my perfect chance to tell her the truth! Fry smiled and shook his head.]

Fry: Sure,

[Smiling, Leela focused back on the ship. ]

[Later that night, Fry and Leela were sitting on the couch at Fry’s after watching a movie. It was getting late, and Fry knew that he had to tell Leela what was going on before she left. But as she held his hand, it was like he and Leela were the only people in the universe.]

[Fry and Leela began going out regularly, referring to themselves as Boyfriend and Girlfriend. Over the past few weeks, Fry started feeling better about the whole situation. But he knew that he had to be fair to her, before things got worse. He just knew one thing; she couldn‘t fall in love with him.]

[Leela was laying in her cabin relaxing while coming back from their mission. She thought Fry was sleeping in his cabin, but he was actually out on the bridge, trying to figure out what he could say to her. Finally, he knew he just had to come right out and say it, no matter how hard it would be. Otherwise, he’d never tell her. Knocking on the door to her cabin, Leela answered a few seconds later, smiling.]

Leela: Hey,

Fry: Can I talk to you?

Leela: Yeah, come in.

[Leela took his hand and kissed him before sitting down with him.]

Leela: Wait, before you say anything there’s something I want to tell you.

Fry: What is it?

Leela: I just want you to know, that these past few weeks have been great. And, I’m just really glad that I have you.

[Oh no, why did she have to tell me this now? Fry felt Leela’s hand against his cheek and she leaned in to kiss him.]

Leela: So what did you want to talk to me about?

Fry: That I’m really glad that I have you too.

[Smiling, Leela put her arms around Fry and kissed him again before nuzzling his neck and holding him tight.]

Fry: Hey Leela, lets go out for dinner tonight.

[Fry was sitting in his apartment a few weeks later on a Saturday night talking to Leela on the phone. The two of them had been going out for almost three months and Fry knew that he had to tell her the truth. This little “game” he was playing had gone on long enough, and Leela was going to have a broken heart by the end of the night. Of course, he never, ever, wanted to hurt her, but he had no choice.]

Leela: Okay, what time?

Fry: 8:00, I’ll meet you at Elzar’s.

Leela: Ooh, sounds like a romantic evening. I can’t wait.

[I can. Fry felt tears forming and they hung up after saying goodbye.]

[Leela and Fry were walking down the street later that night after dinner at Elzar’s. holding hands, walking through town, Leela couldn’t help but think about how strange Fry was acting tonight. He barely said anything, and always looked like he was about to cry. Gently she squeezed his hand after she stopped walking. Without saying anything, Leela put her arms around him and gave him a soft kiss. Pulling away, there was a smile on her face. She caressed his cheek with her hand and looked in his eyes.]

Leela: Fry, I love you.

[Fry looked at her, tears running down his cheeks. He had waited to hear those words for years and now, he couldn’t believe it, Leela was finally his. Leela was thinking the exact same thing. She should of told him a long time ago, but now they had the rest of their lives to spend together. But when she looked at him, her smile began getting smaller when he shook his head, his voice just above a whisper.]

Fry: No,

[What? But, this is what he wanted, isn’t it? He wanted Leela to love him, he wanted to be with her, he wanted to marry her someday. But now, he was saying “No”?]

Fry: Leela, I’m sorry, but you can’t love me.

Leela: What are you talking about?

Fry: We can still be friends, but you can’t love me.

Leela: But I do, I love you more than anything and I don’t care what anyone says. I want to be with you Fry, and I know that you love me too.

[Fry shook his head, knowing that this had gone on far too long.]

Fry: Leela, you don’t understand.

Leela: What don’t I understand, Fry?

[He took a shaky breath and looked at her from behind teary eyes.]

Fry: I’m dying Leela.

[What? He was dying? No, he couldn’t be, he was healthy as can be, he never had anything wrong with him before.]

Fry: I have a brain tumor. I’ve had it for two years, and-

[He stopped and wiped his eyes.]

Fry: There’s nothing else they can do now.

[Oh God. No, no, he cant be! But he was, Fry; sweet, loving, caring Fry, was dying. Leela didn’t know what to think. She felt sad, confused, shocked, but she then felt angry. Her tone was bitter when she spoke.]

Leela: Why didn’t you tell me?

Fry: Because, I knew I had to live life as best, and as normally as I could. I didn’t want anyone to be weird around me.

Leela: Even me?

Fry: Especially you! I mean, all I’ve thought about is you!

[Leela put her hands up to her face and sighed heavily.]

Fry: But now you say you love me, and we can‘t be together. It’s like someone is playing a cruel joke on me.

[Leela glared at him. Shaking his head, Fry stormed off before she could say anything else to him.]

[Fry was sitting in the pew at a church down the street from where he left Leela. His cheeks were tear stained and his eyes were closed. ]

Fry: (soft) Please God, please let me live. After all these years, Leela finally loves me, and I just want to be with her.

[Opening his eyes, he sniffled and buried his face in his hands, breaking down in tears. He knew he should of stayed and talked to Leela instead of running off. But he was just so upset and frustrated, he didn’t know what else to do.]

[Hours later, Fry crashed on his bed exhausted. Next to his bed was a picture of him and Leela, and he picked it up, only to hide it under his bed a few seconds later.]

[A few days went by, and Fry wasn’t at work, again. Leela was by herself during lunch fixing the ship (even though nothing was wrong with it). Ever since Fry told her that he was dying, she wasn’t able to sleep, she wasn’t able to eat, she was lucky she was able to get up in the morning. Hearing someone behind her, she turned her head. Fry had on a sweatshirt under his jacket along with a hat. Taking off his hat and jacket, Fry set them down and slowly made his way over to Leela.]

Fry: I’m so sorry. I really should of told you sooner.

Leela: Yeah, you should of.

[He sighed, but Leela took his hands.]

Leela: I’m not going to let you die.

Fry: Leela-

Leela: No, listen to me. No matter what, we are going to make you better.

[Her eye filled up with tears and she wrapped her arms around Fry, sobbing into his shoulder. As much as she wanted to deny it, she knew that there was nothing they could do.]

Leela: Fry, I’m so scared.

Fry: I know, I’m scared too.

[Days went by and Leela was sitting in Fry’s apartment with him after work. They told everyone at Planet Express what was happening and Fry no longer had to come into work. He was getting himself a snack when Leela heard his breathing become shallow. She jumped up and walked over to him.]

Leela: Fry, are you okay?

[He didn’t say anything. His eyes started rolling back in his head and Leela panicked.]

Leela: Fry?

[He fainted a few seconds later.]

Leela: Fry!

[Leela was sitting next to Fry’s bed in the hospital later that day. She could hear his labored breathing, and gently took his hand. Everyone at Planet Express were on their way over to see him, knowing that this could be it. Leela’s eye was red and puffy from crying. She felt a slight movement in her hand and looked up, seeing Fry’s eyes open.]

Leela: (soft) Fry,

[She stroked his hair, and Fry smiled.]

Leela: I’m here, I’m gonna take care of you.

[Hearing a knock at the door, they turned their heads to see all their friends walk in.]

Amy: Hey Fry.

[His voice was raspy and weak.]

Fry: Hey guys. What up?

[They all smiled and chuckled a bit.]

Amy: Not much. What about you, how you feeling?

Fry: I’ve been better.

[Bender sat down next to Fry and lightly patted his shoulder.]

Fry: Hey guys, can you give me and Bender a minute?

Leela: Of course. We’ll be right outside.

[They left the two friends and Fry reached over to the table next to his bed.]

Fry: Bender, you’re my best friend. I’m gonna miss you pal.

Bender: I’ll miss you too Fry.

Fry: But listen, there’s something I want you to do for me.

Bender: What? I’ll do anything.

Fry: I want you, to give this to Leela after I’m gone.

[He handed Bender a letter and he held it in his hands.]

Bender: No problem Fry.

[He sighed and looked up at the ceiling.]

Fry: I just can’t believe this is really happening.

Bender: Fry, you’re my best friend, you’ll always be my best friend. I mean, after everything I’ve done to you; stole your money, stole your stuff, stole your blood, you still wanted to be my friend.

[Fry’s eyes started welling up.]

Bender: I know I’m a robot, and we both know I don’t have real emotions, but I love you pal.

Fry: I love you too buddy.

[A few minutes later, everyone came in one by one, saying good bye to Fry. They all shared memories, and finally, Leela was the only one left. Fry had fallen asleep and Leela was nodding off in the chair next to him. She saw him stir, and he opened his eyes.]

Fry: Hi,

Leela: Hey,

[She sat on the edge of the bed and kissed him.]

Fry: You know what I realized today?

Leela: What?

Fry: That, maybe, you were suppose to fall in love with me after I found out what was wrong. Like, you were sent to me, because I’m sick. To help me through all of this.

[Leela smiled and Fry caressed her cheek.]

Fry: You’re my angel.

[Leela leaned in and kissed him again.]

Leela: I love you, so much.

Fry: I love you too.

[A few days later, Leela was walking to Fry’s room but stopped when she saw the nurses wheeling him out.]

Leela: What’s going on?

Fry: Leela, I get to go home. Please thank Amy for me.

[The doctor closed the door and Leela looked at him.]

Leela: What is he talking about?

Doctor: Your friend had been trying to call you, she’s going to pay for private home care.

[Leela smiled and followed Fry.]

[Leela was standing in front of Amy’s apartment and knocked on the door. Amy answered a few seconds later, to see Leela with tears in her eye. No words needed to be spoken, and Amy hugged Leela tight.]

[A few minutes later, Leela was sitting in bed with Fry, helping him get comfortable.]

Leela: There you go.

Fry: Thank you.

[Fry took her hand and Leela felt tears forming.]

Fry: Leela, do you love me?

Leela: Of course I do.

Fry: Will you do something for me then?

Leela: Anything.

Fry: Will you promise me, that you’ll find someone after I’m gone?

Leela: What?

Fry: When I die, I want you to find someone. Someone who will make you happy.

Leela; Fry-

Fry: No listen. You deserve to have someone special in your life and it’s obvious I can’t be there for you. And I just want you to be happy.

[She took a deep breath and Fry smiled.]

Leela: Okay,

Fry: You promise?

Leela: I promise.

Fry: No matter how hard it is?

Leela: No matter how hard it is.

[Fry reached in his nightstand and pulled out a small velvet box.]

Fry: I got this for you. Just something to remember me by.

Leela: I’ll always remember you.

Fry: I know, but just a little something.

[She opened the box and found a plain silver ring. Taking it out of the box, she read the engraving. I’ll always be here. With tears in her eye, Leela watched as Fry slipped the ring on her right ring finger.]

Fry: I promise you that.

[Leela laid down next to Fry, gently putting her arms around him.]

Leela: I love you.

Fry: I love you too. I always have.

[Bender was walking up to Apartment 1I on a dreary Xmas Day. Fry had been gone for two weeks, and Leela was taking it very, very hard. But it was understandable. Hermes told her to take off a much time as she needed, and she intended to. But she knew that she would have to get back to her normal routine sooner rather than later. Bender knew that she was up in her apartment, looking at pictures at Fry, wishing that they were spending Xmas together. This Xmas would be the hardest of her life, and everyone knew it. But today, Bender was going to keep the promise he made Fry before he died; he would give Leela this letter. The last time he saw Fry, he told Bender to give it to Leela on Xmas, hoping that it would comfort her. Bender hoped his friend was right. Knocking on the door, Leela answered a few seconds later wearing her bathrobe and had a Kleenex balled up in her hand. Saying nothing, Bender handed her the letter and turned around.]

Bender; Merry Xmas Leela.

[She went back inside and looked at the envelope. Her face grew pale, as if she seen a ghost. The messy handwriting was unmistakable, and with trembling hands, she slowly opened it. Inside was a letter, and she read it, feeling a sudden chill.]

Leela,

I know that by the time you’re reading this, I’ll already be gone. I hope you’re doing okay, and I also hope that you’re not beating yourself up over this. Never blame yourself for me dying, because it’s not your fault. It’s no ones fault. I want you to know how sorry I am for not telling you sooner, and hurting you. I wish we had more time, and I know you want the same thing to.

I know that I never got to get married, or start a family, or die at a old age. But I did fall in love. And you know what? That will always be enough. You were my first real love, and I’m so glad that you were.

I love you, more than anything. I always have, and I always will. Remember your promise to me; you said that you would find someone to spend the rest of your life with. Know that it’s what I would of wanted. You deserve to be happy. And when ever you’re feeling sad, scared, happy, mad, know that I’m here. No matter where you are, what you’re doing, or who you’re with, I’ll be there. I’ll be your guardian angel Leela, and I’ll protect you. Please know that.

Love you,

Fry.

[Leela folded the letter up and smiled, feeling the tears run down her cheeks.]

Leela: I know you will,

[That night, Leela laid down on her bed and began falling asleep. For a few seconds, she was freezing, but then, it was as if someone was right there, holding her in their arms, never wanted to let her go. She smiled and knew that Fry was right there with her. And he was never, ever, going to leave her.]

The end.