Homecoming:
Rick is in his quarters, thinking about how he is going to break the news to her. He was going to tell Minmei, while he was escorting her to visit her family in Japan. He was going to have some alone time to let her know he was moving on from her. He was tired of dealing with her flakiness. He was tired of waiting for her to call. Most of all he was just tired of waiting. Waiting for her to have time for him.
On the other hand there was Lisa, their relationship whatever it was was better. It didn't start off so good, "I know we still fight, but it's different now. We are friends, maybe even more, I've been spending a lot of time with her since we escaped from the Zentradi's. I mean I do like spending time with her, and she is attractive. No not attractive, Lisa's hot as hell," he mentioned to himself. "No it can't be, I guess, I mean am I in love with Lisa? Oh well, I need to get some rest and get tomorrow with Minmei over with," Rick rambled on.
The next day he warily prepared himself for his escort duty. He double checked his flight plans and did a once over of his plane to be sure there were no visible problems. When he was done, he waited for Minmei, as usual she was late again. When she finally arrives she's thirty minutes late. Rick is irritated, but just wants to get on with it already. Once in the air, they make small talk. Rick is nervous and is fidgety, Minmei notices and asks if something is wrong.
Rick sensing this is his chance, he takes a deep breath; and begins to drop the bomb on her. As the words come out of his mouth a sense of relief comes over him. He realizes that he really didn't love her. Rick figured out that was it was puppy love or infatuation, nothing more. When he was finished Minmei was a wreck. She crying uncontrollably, and yelling "how could you!" Rick was sad for hurting her but he couldn't go on pretending anymore. After she calming down Minmei asked if there was someone else, and Rick froze. He didn't know what to say, but decided to be honest with her and told her his feelings for Lisa. Minmei was livid, but she knew she had lost him. She remained quiet the rest of flight to Japan. Rick just wanted to be done with assignment already.
Upon arriving in Japan, the two made their way to Minmei's parents place. They couldn't believe that she was alive. Her family was overjoyed to see her. Happiness turned anger, when her mom and dad refused to let her return to the ship. She looked to Rick for help. Surpried he was dragged into this; Rick could only say was, "Minmei is very important to the ship with her music and movies, and some might see her as an inspiration." "Inspiration for hope and peace," he mentioned.
He also said, "This is a family matter, please don't involve me." Minmei and her family continued on, until she proclaimed she has her parents permission to return to the ship with one condition. The condition was that her cousin Kyle go with her to make sure she is safe. One look at Kyle and Rick knew he was bad news. It was confirmed when Kyle made disparaging comments about the military and the war before asking Rick when do they leave. Not wanting to disrespect Minmei's parents, Rick let it go. Even though he wanted to kick Kyle's face in!
Rick couldn't wait for the flight back to the SDF-1 to be over with. He wanted to vomit listening to Minmei and Kyle catching up with each other. He thought to himself, "I wonder if Lisa thought the same thing the few times she saw me and Minmei together on the ship." He wasn't jealous of Minmei and Kyle, he was sure of it! He was so different now, because time and the war had changed him. He didn't have time for the trivial things that Minmei and Kyle were enthralled with. The SDF-1 was in sight; Rick received his landing instructions and landed the shuttle. He was glad it was over, and he said goodbye to Minmei and Kyle. Minmei thanked him back and gave him a hug. Kyle, however, just walked away. Walking back to his locker; Rick wondered, "What is Lisa up too? I wouldn't mind hanging out with her after is ordeal?"
Lisa and Captain Gloval were at Alaska Base trying to convince the Earth Council and Lisa's father that continued fighting with the Zentradi is madness. They needed to regroup and try more diplomatic efforts to avoid the destruction of Earth and their inhabitants. The meeting went on forever. The two were excused while the council deliberated their decision that would decide the fate of all mankind. They were waiting patiently in the hallway, for what seemed an eternity. That's all they could do now is wait.
Helena Chase, newly assigned to Alaska Base was making her way to the mess hall for a break. Helena graduated second in her class at the RDF Academy, upon the SDF-1 returning to Earth she was given her first assignment at Alaska Base. She was thinking she didn't have time to breathe since arriving here. It was one assignment after another. She was lost in her thoughts and she bumped into Lisa in the hallway. "Lisa, um Lt. Cmdr. Hayes, Captain Gloval, I'm sorry I should watch where I'm going,"as she saluted. They retuned her salute and Lisa mentioned don't worry about it.
They had crossed paths on the ship, Lisa had heard Helena was the second coming of her. They talked a few times in passing; they were friendly, but not friends. Helena asked what they were doing there, not wanting to divulge too much all Lisa said was waiting. Gloval hearing them make idle chit chat, told Lisa she could go with Helena to get a bite to eat and he would contact her when the Council was ready. Helena and Lisa walked off to the mess hall.
They were talking, Helena letting Lisa know about her transition to Alaska Base. Lisa filling Helena in on what happened on the ship since Helena left. Their conversation drifted to the topic of guys. Helena mentioned she'll never find someone here at Alaska Base, and she's too married to her job to find anyone. Besides she said, "I believe in love at first sight!" Helena laughed, maybe that's why I'm still single. Lisa laughed, and said you sound like me, married to my job.
Lisa assured Helena that she'll find someone, after all Lisa was able to find someone after all that happened to her in life. Wanting to know more Helena pressed Lisa for more information. Lisa went on to tell Helena about Rick, but she never mentioned his name in the process. Helena was happy for Lisa, because she heard all the rumors about her being the Ice Queen.
Helena wondered who this pilot was, but thought nothing of it. She continued to listen to Lisa. Helena mentioned she thought Lisa and her pilot both have feelings for each other and they haven't acted on them yet. Helena looked at Lisa and told her, "What are you waiting for?" Lisa just replied, "That's what Claudia keeps telling me." Lisa's name was being called on the intercom. She knew she had to go back, so they both walked back to Captain Gloval. When they reached him Helena hugged Lisa wished her good luck. The news Lisa and Gloval received was not what they wanted to hear. They left the Alaska Base disgusted not knowing what their future held in store of them and the SDF-1. All Lisa knew is that she wanted to see Rick when she got back.