Summary: "He hated the word beautiful." Set after Episode 104, Why Did The Fireman...?

He hated the word beautiful. The ordinary, misused adjective meant nothing in the English vernacular. It lost the importance, significance and empathy behind it. The strength and awe in that simple word had been abused for years by the public over and over again.

She was more than beautiful. She was more than gorgeous. There was no word in the thesaurus that described the woman crying over her dead love, her fireman, her hero. He died in the flames of bravery and she wallowed in a sea of tears.

Deep in his soul he wept inside for her. She meant everything to him -- as a friend or a love, he remained confused on the answer -- and he died a million deaths in his mind more than the fireman for her.

Laverne didn't deserve this. Laverne didn't deserve this. He hissed aloud despite his resoulte control over his emotions. She didn't deserve the overwhelming sorrow in her heart, consuming her mind and body. Not her. Never her.

Things will get better, he thought in his head. I love you, Laverne, more than he did. More than he ever had. A sigh escaped his lips as Shirley walked into the room now, wrapping her arms around her long-time friend and holding her shaking body. He felt his eyes water when he heard the sound of Laverne's shrieking, heartstopping wail.

He didn't have the will to say those thoughts aloud. Instead, he watched from afar like a self-proclaimed dowdy guardian angel for her and her friend. It was the only thing he could do.

He'd never reach her. She sat a couple feet away in the room-- but to Lenny, she was oceans apart.