Episode Report Card Niki: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Flirting with Disaster
By Niki | Season 2 | Episode 12 | Aired on 02.06.2001
Karen sounds like she's holding back tears as she says, "We knew, we both knew going into this that it couldn't last." Leo says he didn't know that. She says that she did. Leo is starting to look a little panicked. His Adam's apple bobs up and down as he struggles for something to say. He finally turns his back to her and tries to gather some composure. "Hey, it's hard," he finally manages, "I'll give you that. It's hard walking into the middle of someone's life and always trying to play catch-up." Karen reaches toward him, saying, "Leo, Leo you're so young. You have your --" He spins, saying, "My whole life ahead of me? Don't hold that against me, okay? That's like me holding your kids against you." Karen leans forward, saying, "I love that you're young. You make me feel young. It's been so --" "I love you!" Leo exclaims, full of passion. She smiles ruefully and looks down at the table. She says he's going to want a family, and that he's got to think about his own life. "I thought I wasn't thinking about my life," he says. "With you." Karen can't meet his eyes. She says to the table, "Leo, we can't just...We met at this moment in time when we just seemed to magically fit together." Leo gets up and paces. "I am going to fight you on this," he declares. Karen stands and moves toward him, saying tearfully, "Leo, do you have any idea how much Jessie cares for you?" He asks, "Isn't that what you wanted?" Karen moves away a little and says, "Not when she's gonna have to..." She lets out a shuddering sigh and continues, "Look, we can't keep doing this. It’s not good for me, and it's not good for Jessie. It’s only going to rip her apart." "You're ending this?" Leo exclaims, tearing at his hair. He desperately looks around for a beat then says, "I love you. And I know you love me." Karen is unmoved and impatiently cuts him off saying, "Leo, I need to be clear about what I'm doing now! With you!" Leo's making unhappy puppy-dog eyebrows. Karen continues, "I mean, I could keep going with this, with what we have, if it were just me. But it's not!" Leo is dazed speechless. He blinks back tears and staggers a few paces before finally speaking. "Well, I'll get my stuff later, I guess. I want to talk to them. You know, I don't want to just disappear." Karen pats his arm and assures him they'll talk. They both look at the floor. Karen is openly crying. Leo grabs her arm and says, "Just know...I love you." She nods wordlessly and keeps her eyes on the floor. Leo touches her chin tentatively, lifts her face, and gently kisses her before walking out. Karen stands there, taking deep breaths, shaking her head, and basically trying to calm down. I think she'll be sorry.