Disclaimer: ROBOTECH and its characters © Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc. This fic was written for entertainment purposes only. No infringement is intended.

"Broken Hearts"

The bartender reluctantly placed the bottle of whisky in front of her.

"Are you sure you want this, captain?" he asked full of concern. "You already had a few beers."

"Very sure," replied Lisa smiling weakly as she poured herself a glass of honey colored liquor.

"But…it's Christmas! Wouldn't you prefer some eggnog?"

Lisa shook her head. "This is exactly what I want."

The man looked at her closely as she took practically gulped the contents of her glass. She had the same look he had seen in so many survivors; the look that said they were trying to drown their sorrow in alcohol. He knew there was no way of stopping her and he shook his head before returning to the glasses he was wiping under the counter.

Merry Christmas to you, Rick Hunter, thought Lisa full of sadness.

She wanted to tell him that in person and a couple of hours ago it had seemed like a good idea…but then reality had slapped her in the face.

A few weeks had passed since their last fight and now she was feeling strong enough to forget her insecurities and make peace with Rick. With his present in her hands she had practically hopped up the stairs to knock on his door – only to find it ajar.

"My life is a song!"

She froze. It was Minmei, dressed in a short skirt that flattered her, asking Rick for a place to stay, for a second chance…and he had said yes. Lisa knew Rick's dream had finally come true.

What about mine?


He had seen her walk in and frowned instinctively. The other men at the bar regarded her with curiosity. Although she wasn't the only woman there, she definitely was the prettiest.

What is she doing here? He wondered sipping from his beer bottle.

Lisa's hurried drinking gave him the answer.

So…you figured it out, he thought bitterly.

Minmei wasn't his and the pilot wasn't hers. He had realized that the day she snuck off to see Rick instead of preparing for the concert. He'd felt his heart break into pieces when she saw them sitting cozily at the restaurant. His first instinct had been to run in and pound the pilot but he knew Minmei would never forgive him. So, he had played the role of the caring manager and agent trying to embarrass Rick by saying that the meal would be covered by the expense account. He wanted to make Rick feel like a nobody – when in reality, he was the nobody.

His ego had been severely struck. After the SDF-1 had returned to Earth, she had asked him to take care of her and he was only to happy to shower her with love and affection. Kyle knew she wasn't indifferent to him. They had shared more than a kiss during the last months aboard the ship and now she was asking him to stay with her. His heart had skipped a beat.

And now, it was hardly beating.

It had not been easy to walk away from Minmei and he hesitated after placing his jacket over her shoulders. She was shivering and looked like a little lost girl but he had to leave if he wanted to remain sane. He gave her one last look, hoping she would ask him to stay…but she didn't. So he walked to his car and drove away.

A few days later, Kyle had heard on the news that she had disappeared and he immediately returned to check on her well being. Kyle's instincts had told him that she was in New Macross City and he was relieved to see her staying at the restaurant with his parents. However, he had not been prepared to see her knocking at the pilot's door. He had felt has if all the air had been knocked out of his lungs.

What a fool!

He should have anticipated that event. He should have known that she was going to retrace her steps back to him. He should have known that he had lost her forever.

And from the looks of it, my fellow partner in the broken hearts department didn't anticipate it either, thought Kyle somberly as he observed Lisa's slumped figure.

The bartender approached her with a concerned gaze. He gently shook her shoulder and she raised her head.

"Are you okay, captain?"

"Perfectly," she slurred pushing her bangs away from her face.

"Would you like me to call a cab for you?"

"Nah," she said adjusting her coat. "A little walking will do me good."

She rose to her feet and almost immediately held on to the counter to steady herself.

"I really think--"

"I'm fine," said Lisa interrupting the man. She placed a bill next to the bottle and with a wave of her hand stepped out the door.

The winter breeze woke her up a bit and she quivered. Flurries were falling over the city and covering it all in white. She buried her hands in the pocket of her coat and began walking unsteadily in her high heeled boots. It wasn't long before she slipped on the icy floor and fell forward bruising her knee.

"Are you okay?"

She lifted her chin to see a blonde civilian hovering over her. He offered her his hand.

"I'm fine. Thank you."

"That was an ugly fall," he replied. "You're bleeding."

"It's only a scrape. I've seen worse."

"Bet you have. After all, you are Lisa Hayes, twice commended for courage under fire."

"You know that?" She looked at him in surprise.

"Everyone does. And by the way, my name is Robert," he held his hand out for her.

"Nice to meet you."

"You shouldn't be walking alone at this hour, captain."

"I can take care of myself," she replied haughtily.

"I bet you can but is it okay if I walk you home?"

Lisa contemplated her answer. The man looked harmless. He was very well dressed and clean-cut. And she knew how to protect herself. What could possibly happen to her?

"That would be very nice of you." Lisa smiled at him.

They were chatting as they walked back to the base. The snow kept falling steadily over their heads and it didn't bother them until it began to rain. Lisa considered hailing a cab but the streets were deserted.

"Come with me," said Robert taking her hand and pulling her towards an alley.

"Where are you taking me?" asked Lisa trying to retrieve her hand.

"We'll take cover here." He pulled her hand again.

"No. That's okay." Lisa felt alarms going off in her head.

"Come with me!" insisted the man grabbing the front of her coat to swing her into the alley.

Lisa's body collided with the wall and she felt dazed. She didn't have enough time to recover and soon the blond man was pressing up against her body.

"Let me go! What are you doing?" she protested.

"What do you think?" He smiled an evil smile and Lisa tried to knee him.

He was expecting it and hit her on the ribs. She let out a groan and practically fell over.

"You better behave," said the man immobilizing her arms.

Lisa pressed the heel of her boot on his foot and he yelped. Robert loosened his grip and she turned to run.

"Not so fast!" said the man tugging her hair.

She stumbled backwards and he slammed her against the wall. Her head bounced off the wall and tears sprung to her eyes. Lisa managed to raise her arms and prepared to punch him but he pressed a knife against her neck.

"You better behave!" He slid it gently over her skin and she winced in pain. Lisa heard him laugh and felt nauseated.

"Let her go."

The voice was calm but it had fierceness in it. Lisa's eyes widen in surprise as the pacifist walked towards them.

"Stay out of this, buddy," Robert replied calmly. "This is a lover's quarrel."

"No!" said Lisa trying to push him away.

"First time I see a lover's spat involving a knife," said Kyle placing his arm over the man's shoulder.

"There's always a first time…and if you don't want it to be the last, leave!"

Lisa wasn't sure how it had happened but Kyle had managed to wrap his arm around Robert's neck and was pulling him from her. Her attacker was flailing his arms wildly while his face turned blue.

"How does this feel?" asked Kyle with too much glee.

He's choking him! She thought full of alarm.

He deserved it but she didn't need a scandal. In a matter a seconds, she imagined the headlines and shook her head. She had to stop Kyle. The Hayes name had never been on a cover unless it was to mention their triumphs.

"Kyle, stop."

He seemed to be in a trance – a very angry one – and kept pressing the man's larynx with all his might.

"Stop! You're killing him!" said Lisa tugging at his arm.

Angry as he was, Kyle acted instinctively and flung his arm back with sufficient force to make her trip. Her heel slipped on the wet floor and she fell to the ground with a yelp. He heard her cry and looked back, only to see her hit her head on the cement.

"Damn it!" said Kyle letting go of Robert. The man barely managed to make it on his feet and ran out of the alley.

Lynn-Kyle kneeled next to Lisa's inert body and carefully raised her head and shoulders.

"Captain Hayes," he called gently, "Lisa?"

She was out. He frowned as he saw blood flowing from her neck down to her chest. Kyle cursed himself. He should have followed his gut feeling. He knew Lisa was in danger from the first moment he saw her walk into the bar.

Now, what? he wondered as he picked her up in his arms.


To be continued…

A/N: Hello to all! How are you doing? Well, it's been a while since I've been around – my Robotech muse had abandoned me but thanks to cable TV, I'm getting my Robotech daily dose!

Hope you guys enjoyed this first chapter. I'll try to update once a week…maybe sooner.

So, what do you think is going to happen now? Look forward to hearing from you.

Ja na!