He sits on the bench in front of his locker, watching Leela empty hers for the day. It to strikes him as strange how she goes from a strong captain in front of the crew to a tired shell at the end of the day
There is a look of tired of resignation on her face when she turns her face towards his and he realizes that it hasn't registered with her yet that he's watching her. When it does, her expression turns into that of a forced smile. But her eye can't hide what she's feeling.
He stands up with her as she starts to leave. He doesn't even have to say her name. She stops before him and gently he reaches out for her. He places his hand on her arm, trying to console a pain Leela's trying to hide.
But again she starts to turn away. His grip on her tightens gently and once again they are face to face. There is a look of confused agitation in her eye, but he's determined not to let her go this time.
For a moment, she tenses and considers turning away again. But there is something different in his touch tonight and a thought starts to cross her mind. It's always the same in her life. An empty future, a lonely apartment and pieces of past that never existed. Looking down at his hand on her arm, she knows that it could all change if she would let it.
He pulls her close to him gently and she doesn't resist as she envelopes her in his arms. She lays her head against his chest and for the first time she feels a sense of safety.
Closing her eye, she lets it all come out. Years of bad decisions and lonely nights run down her face, soaked up by the sleeve of his red jacket.
The minutes pass as he holds her in his arms. He can feel her pain as she finds for once a sweet release. But she seems to realize where she is all to quickly and pulling away, quickly wipes the tears from her eye. Offering him a quick and apologetic smile, she turns to leave. He sighs and sits down again on the bench.
He knows that some part of him reached her and to himself he smiles. He knows that a part of her anger died tonight. And another place for love was born.
Standing, he takes his stuff from his locker and turns to leave. As he enters the rain, he sees her standing there. Confused, he walks to her and takes her hand. To his surprise, she doesn't pull away.
He leans in to hug her and she presses herself against him. Taking a chance, he leans in to kiss her. She meets his lips and accepts with a ravenous longing.
He pulled back gently, looking into her eye and smiled gently. She hugged him again, her tears coming.
Thank you for saving me," she whispers as she kisses him again.
