Richard Lawson writes ---

I wrote this in response to some C&C I got that I always write 
stories with happy endings, "Appearances" notwithstanding.  Well, 
here's a story that doesn't end happily.  In fact, I found myself 
crying while writing some parts.  Oh darn, I've just revealed 
myself to be a wuss.  While I'm at it, I'll just mention that 
Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" made me cry, too, and let you 
taunt me all you please.  :)

If there's anyone who can read this with a dry face, I don't think
I want to meet them.  Nuku-Nuku is more human than they are.

Seriously, this is the most depressing story I have ever written. 
I'm very interested to know what your opinions are, and if you 
hate me forever for allowing Nuku Nuku to die.

But she didn't die,  She's still alive in my heart and memories, and
yours, and Hiro's, and in the hearts and memories of all the other
people who love her, and have been touched by her.  Not to mention
in all the alternate universes where she can go on, and on, and on
in other peoples minds, and fanfics, and OVA's.

The first draft had the final scenes in the hospital room and 
Atsuko's room cut; I wanted to end it with Atsuko still coherent, 
and maybe leave open a possibility for a cure or something.  Not 
that I would do something as wish-washy as that; I would just 
sleep better at night knowing there was that loophole.  :)

I can understand your thoughts, but It's better to let it go,
than leave someone with the false hope that you're going to
do a sequil that fixes everything.

I added the scenes back in when one of my prereaders felt that 
there was something missing, ending it like I did.  So I added the 
scenes back, and another one of my prereaders felt that the scenes 
were too unnecessarily depressing.  I want to know what you think; 
would it be better to leave out the final stages of Nuku Nuku's 
breakdown?

no, leave it in.  The fic isn't complete without those scenes.

/------------------------------\ /-------------------------------\
| William W. Arnold             | Is the universe an accident,   |
| has8wwa@atlas.vcu.edu         |    a mistake, or did someone   |
| warnold@nomad.urich.edu       |    do it to us on purpose?     |
| someone.else@someplace.else   |            --ME--              |
\------------------------------/ \-------------------------------/