This story picks up after the end of "To the Stars" episode. All characters are not mine, just the continuation of the story. I've inserted some "flashbacks" of the original story at some points which are also not mine. I also may have forgotten some of the actual details of the original story because it's been a while but as much as I can remember and read/viewed recently is included. I may even combine some ideas from the versions for US/Japan into the story. Hope you guys enjoy it.

Rick felt Lisa's body shiver as the wind picked up and the snow fell softly around them. He hugged her closer to keep her warm. He was learning to be more sensitive to her now that they have admitted to loving each other. He was still amazed at how long it had taken him to see how much she meant to him.
"Rick," Lisa turned around to look at him. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that you and I will freeze to death if we don't get out of here," he replied.
He walked up to his Veritech and climbed aboard. He then helped Lisa get into the cockpit with him. She gently sat on his lap and smiled.
"I remember this," Rick teased. He knew that she remembered as well.
Lisa smiled and thought back to when he had come to rescue her from Alaska base. She rested her head on his shoulder as he maneuvered his VT on to the street heading to their quarters. He knew it was flattened by the attack but wondered if there was anything that they could salvage from it before they left. Rick jumped out of his VT when they reached his old quarters. He helped Lisa down and they looked at the rubble.
"I guess there's nothing left," Rick said dusting his hands after pushing some debris away. He saw Lisa bend down and pick something from the ground.
"At least you still have this," Lisa said and handed him a familiar album.
Rick took it from her and wiped the snow away. He was certainly glad it had survived because of what it held in its pages. He flipped quickly to the last pages and smiled contentedly.
"Something to remember her by," Lisa said quietly.
"No, something to remember you by," he clarified and showed her what he meant. He handed back the album to her and made sure it was on the page he was referring to.
"Rick," she said, tears forming in her eyes. She looked at the pictures of her that she had given him.
"I'll get a new album for them as soon as I can," he assured her. He was now ready to close the chapter of his life with Minmei and start a new one with her.
Lisa couldn't fight back the tears any longer and let it flow freely. She ran into his open arms to be close to him. She had started the day thinking that she had lost him forever but only to have him by her side now. His strong arms around her gave her strength to go on.

After a quick look at Lisa's quarters, Rick decided to fly them both to Monument City. He found the building that was being used as evacuation center for the survivors of the recent attack. He wondered how long it would be before they can find a more permanent place to stay. It didn't matter where as long as he and Lisa were together he decided.
Lisa led the way to the lobby of the building. It looked like a condo building that had been commandeered for the SDF-1&2 survivors.
"Good evening Captain," the lieutenant at the reception table said in attention. "Good evening Commander," he added when Rick walked up.
"At ease," Lisa said gently. "Would you have two rooms for us?"
"Uhm," the lieutenant stammered. "Well, there are so many survivors and we only have one room left."
"Is there another place?" Rick inquired.
"None that I know of sir and as the ranking officer, I would have to give the room to the Captain." The lieutenant was afraid that he'd get in trouble for not being able to offer any room to Rick.
"It's alright," Lisa said trying to calm the worried lieutenant. "We can share the room."
Rick was surprised that Lisa would boldly offer to share her room with him.
"I can find a pull-out bed," the lieutenant offered.
"No, it's not necessary," Lisa assured him. "We can make it work. Someone else might need the pull-out bed." She spied a pull-out bed behind the lieutenant and guessed correctly that he was offering his own bed.
"Thank you Captain," the lieutenant said and saluted. He handed her the key to the room and watched them disappear into the elevator.
Once inside the elevator, Lisa leaned against the elevator wall exhausted.
"Thanks," Rick said finally. He watched her smile and followed her out of the elevator when they reached their floor. He took the key from her and opened the door.
After a quick look at their new shared quarters, Rick sat down next to Lisa on the edge of the bed. He took her hand and kissed it.
"Are you hungry?" Lisa asked.
"I'll go get us something to eat," he offered.

Rick bumped into Max on the way to the elevator.
"Rick," Max greeted jovially. "You're here, too."
"Yeah, I guess we're neighbors."
"Did you find Lisa? I mean Captain Hayes."
"Yeah. She's with me."
The two men entered the elevator as it opened on their floor.
"Where are you going?"
"Going to get food," Rick replied, trying to hide his exhaustion from Max.
"Ahh, the men hunting for food," Max teased.
Rick couldn't help but laugh. He suddenly imagined some primal image of them hunting some animal for food.

When Rick returned, he had an armful loaded with food and beverages. He didn't know what Lisa wanted so he got quite a selection. He almost dropped them when he saw her from the doorway.
"Food at last," Lisa said in appreciation. She reached for some of them to help Rick with his load.
Rick was still staring at Lisa. She had obviously taken a shower and taken off her uniform.
"Rick, are you just going to stand there?" she inquired as she placed their food on the table. She also placed their beverages next to their plates.
"Where are your clothes?" Rick finally found his voice and slowly sat down opposite Lisa on the small table in the kitchenette.
"I only have one uniform and I don't think I'll sleep in them," she explained.
"Oh right," he agreed. He took one more look at Lisa and still couldn't believe how unabashed she was in her undergarment. Granted that the full slip covered most of her body, he still saw more than he was accustomed to.
After dinner, Lisa offered to clean up so Rick excused himself and took a shower. When he finished, he debated on whether to follow Lisa's lead and come out in his boxers and undershirt. With one deep breath, he opened the door and went into the slightly lit bedroom. He walked over to the bed and watched Lisa's sleeping form on the bed. Quietly he walked over to the closet to look for an extra pillow and blanket. He turned on the lamp next to him to help him search the drawers as well.
Lisa stirred in her sleep and looked at Rick's back. She watched him open one drawer then another apparently looking for something.
"Rick," she finally said. "What are you looking for?"
"Oh sorry, didn't mean to wake you up," he apologized without turning to face her. "I was looking for a spare blanket."
"Rick, we can share the bed," she offered matter-of-factly. "It's big enough for both of us."
Rick turned slowly to face Lisa. He was slightly embarrassed.
"Come to bed," she invited him again and pushing the blanket down for him on the side opposite her.
"Are you sure?" he said nervously. He slowly approached when he saw her nod her head. He pulled the covers down on his side of the bed and got in. He adjusted the blanket and lay down on his side to face her.
"Hi," she said sweetly.
"Hi," he replied, pulling up the blanket over her shoulder.
"I've never slept with anyone before," she confessed quietly.
"Neither have I."
"You haven't …" she trailed off and raised her head on her bent arm.
"Lisa, I didn't sleep with Minmei," he said it clearly in the hopes that it would wash away her doubts. He thought back to when he opened his door to find Minmei standing there. He should have been overjoyed to finally have her but he wasn't. He didn't know it then but understand it now as he looked into Lisa's green eyes.
"Why didn't you?" she asked. She used her free hand to rub his shoulder gently, trying to prompt him to answer.
"I didn't know why then," he admitted, catching her hand in his. "It just didn't feel right. And it wasn't because I liked sleeping on the couch."
Lisa laughed reflexively as she imagined him curled up on his couch trying to sleep on it. She remembered how many times they had sat there talking about tactical plans, about their friends and about Minmei but never about how they felt for each other.
"It was like playing house," he declared, cutting through her thoughts. He also raised his head on a bent arm to match Lisa.
"Is that what we're doing?" she wondered out loud.
"No," he assured her, releasing her hand and caressing her cheek instead. "I want to be with you from now on. Wherever you go, I want to be there."
Lisa caught his caressing hand and pressed a kiss into his palm. Rick moved closer and caught her lips with his. They started kissing gently at first. Their exploration intensified and unleashed the passion of their feelings for each other.

Lisa woke up cocooned in a warm embrace which made her smile. She tried to remember the events of the previous night and prayed she wasn't just dreaming. She gently turned to face Rick only to find him already awake.
"Good morning," he greeted with an idle smile.
"Morning," she managed to croak before clearing her throat. "How long have you been awake?"
"Not too long."
"What time is it?"
"0700," he replied in military fashion. He was rewarded with a chuckle from her at his manner.
"Very funny Rick," she acknowledged. "We have to get to headquarters." She tried unsuccessfully to untangle herself from Rick.
"Don't we deserve a day off?" he said, pinning her back on the bed.
"Rick, we need to update the senior officers and probably even convince them of the mission Admiral Gloval gave me, I mean us." She still mourned his loss but thought that to honor his memory along with Claudia, the Trio and the countless others; she had to proceed with the mission.
"You're no fun," he mockingly complained and released her.
Lisa got up but froze at the edge of the bed. She wondered if Rick still felt she was an old sourpuss. She turned to ask him but he had gotten out of bed and was heading for the bathroom.
"Come on, you don't want to be late do you?" he said and grabbed her as he dashed into the shower.
The first spray of water surprised Lisa and made her jump but Rick was there to hold on to.
"Sorry," he said as he adjusted the water temperature.
"Maybe we should do this separately," she offered.
"Don't be embarrassed," he said sincerely and took her hands in his. "I want to know how you feel from now on. You can tell me anything."
"I'm feeling very wet," she said as the spray of warm water drenched her.