A quantum electrodynamical calculation is presented that focuses individually on the two quantum pathways or time orderings for resonance energy transfer. Conventional mathematical procedures necessitate summing the quantum pathway amplitudes at an early stage in the calculations. Here it is shown, by the adoption of a different strategy that allows deferral of the amplitude summation, that it is possible to elicit key information regarding the relative significance of the two pathways and their distinct distance dependences. A special function integration method delivers equations that also afford new insights into the behavior of virtual photons. It is explicitly demonstrated that both time-ordered pathways are effective at short distances, while in the far field the dissipation of virtual traits favors one pathway. Hitherto unknown features are exhibited in the oblique asymptotic behavior of the time-ordered contributions and their quantum interference. Consistency with the rate equations of resonance energy transfer is demonstrated and results are presented graphically. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.