A/N 20170104: Currently going back through and correcting issues in spelling and grammar. Each chapter will be undergoing a bit of work to smooth them out and some plot elements may find alterations themselves for a smoother read.

Chapter 1 Bye, bye Mars

The glowing visage of Mars slowly began to shrink, smaller and smaller as the massive carrier/battleship hybrid known as the SDF-1 resumed her course to Earth, a place the men and woman aboard had not seen for nearly a year since. Not since the ill fated hyperspace fold over Macross Island. A fold that not only stranded her RDF crew, but also all of the 70,000 surviving inhabitants with them out to the orbit of Pluto. On the aft observation deck, not far from the hangers, two people watched the Red Planet shrink off into the distance, silently going over what the red planet meant to them, and the consequences of the actions taken by both. A young man with messy black hair leaned against the bulkhead and trained his blue orbs on the form of the woman he literally had to break through a wall to save from a certain, fiery death that had been waiting on her had the Reflex furnace of Sara Base gone critical with her in it. Rick Hunter gazed upon the young woman before him, no longer labeling her with the same childish name he had all those months ago. He didn't see a grumpy old lady, one so caught up in regulations that she seemed more alien to him then the enemy, in front of him. No, right now, he found himself watching over the emotional and quite vulnerable form of Lieutenant Commander Lisa Hayes. He watched the young woman as she hugged herself tightly, quiet sobs shaking her body ever so slightly. His heart went out to the woman, one that looked like she needed a friend.

Her pain filled eyes seemed to linger on the planet they had just left, tears silently flowing down her had been so close. So close to seeing her love once more. A man she had fallen for when she was seventeen years old, a young man who had the boy next door in her eyes. And she had gladly awaited death, waited for the end to the lonely pain in her heart. A pain she had covered the best she could since his death on the barren planet almost five years ago. It had been the perfect chance for her. But it had been snatched away from her. Snatched away in the tight grip of a Veritech pulling her from Karl's room. She didn't even bother to look at the young Sergeant, as her anger at his defiance, both from disobeying her orders to just leave her to her fate, to his silent guard over her he was standing not twenty feet away. She didn't want to even be in the same room as him.

"You should have left me. I was supposed to die there." She growled out, her angry tone quite obvious as was her pain.

Rick blinked in surprise, her statement being quite a shock to him. Rick slowly turned his gaze to the Red Planet as he spoke.

"I'm pretty sure if Captain Gloval had intended it to be a suicide mission, he wouldn't have ordered Skull Squadron to rescue you." Rick retorted, wondering just what in the hell was putting her in such turmoil. "And believe it or not, I wasn't about to just let you give up and die ma'am. No matter what selfish reasons you have."

Lisa Hayes was not known to make many rash decisions in her life, nor was she used to being called selfish. Her green eyes blazed with hatred from his words, what she felt was nothing more than a slap in the face, and sent it in it's most potent form at the young dark haired man before her.

"I don't need some cocky flyboy with an ego the size of Mount Everest lecturing me about my choices." She seethed, venom dripping from her every word. "I don't care for nor do I need your acceptance. You can just leave Sergeant. Leave now and I'll forget about sending you up for a court martial for disobeying a superior officer."

The full fury in her tone made the normally determined Rick Hunter take a step back in shock, his mind trying to make sense of what was going on. Shouldn't she be grateful he had saved her? From what he had seen, she had looked trapped in the room at the time and he hadn't really noticed or cared about her seeming desire to stay. He'd thought she was merely being too pessimistic about the chance of survival. But his mind, reanalyzing the whole chain of events from the very start of this trip, Rick came to a realization that made her seem so much more human to him. In that moment, when everything seemed to click, he figured out why she was always so pushy, uptight, and stand offish to everyone. It was a defense for her, one he was all too painfully aware of and understood. It surprised him that he had not noticed it.

"You lost someone on Mars during the last war, didn't you?" His voice, normally loud and cheerful, was now subdued and somber, his eyes never leaving the woman across from him.

"It's none of your business, Sergeant. I suggest you leave me alone."

Rick sighed and headed for the hatch, but not before taking one last look at her, understanding written across his features.

"You know...if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me." He offered.

"Leave!" She screamed at him.

Rick gave a short nod and stepped through the hatch, intent on returning to the barracks to change into his duty uniform. Neither he nor Lisa had noticed a third figure watching the incident with interest. Using a grace that was belied by his tall and lanky frame, the six foot four tall leader of Skull Squadron stepped over to Lisa's position and leaned against the railing that wrapped around the platform. Lisa gave him a heated glare, warning him to keep his mouth shut, but Roy Fokker shook his head at her, his face serious. Normally, he'd be giving that damned cocky, devil may care grin, but at the moment, his visage was set in a serious tone and his eyes seemed to bore into her.

"If you're going to Court Martial Rick, you know I'll be submitting the communication records as well." He warned. "I know what was said between you two down there." He finished with a gesture in the direction of Mars.

Lisa huffed and turned away, turning her gaze back out to the stars as Mars was now just a tiny speck that she would have to strain her eyes to see. She felt embarrassment creep into her mind at what Roy had said. She knew what would happen should those logs get out and she truly had no desire to court martial Rick. She just wanted him to leave and the threat seemed like a good way to force him to disappear. And she was already aware that Roy would have known. It was part of his job as a squadron leader that he had access to the com channels of his pilots, even if they were on a private link.

"I don't intend to, Commander Fokker. Please leave me alone." She stated with an icy tone and a glare to match.

Roy, in the past, would have done as she asked, shrugging the whole way out. But this time, he remained right where he was, his eyes taking on a more thoughtful gaze.

"You know," He began, keeping his gaze on her. "You're not the only one who lost someone they love on Mars. There is a reason Rick offered you his ear to listen. He's a lot like you actually."

Despite not wanting to hear anything more about that damned pilot, Lisa couldn't help but feel her curiosity become aroused at what he had said. She looked back to Roy, who was staring out the window with a far off and pained expression.

"Rick hasn't been honest about his family. He had an older brother that was in the UN Marine Corps during the war." Roy began explaining, his voice calm yet a saddened tone clear to any who heard. " You know that I was adopted by Rick's Dad. We grew up together, as close as any brothers could be. Jack and I were about the same age when the Global Civil War kicked off. Practically joined the same day, the both of us. I remember Rick whined that he couldn't come with us. It was an alien concept to him that he wouldn't have us around for possible years at a time."

Lisa knew she should stop him, tell him she didn't care about what ever it was that had happened to Rick, but a smaller part of her that grew in strength by the passing second, demanded that she at least hear out what the tall blonde man had to say about the cocky hotshot that was a mystery to her.

"I remember when we told Pop. Boy he was not thrilled we'd joined." He sighed and continued. "I had been stationed on the Enterprise while Jack got orders for Mars. He was there when Anti UN forces attacked and he didn't make it. He'd stayed behind, holding off the enemy ground forces while they tried to evacuate. He died in vain. After that...Rick grew to despise the Military, blaming them for the death of his brother. It got so bad, that he and I even ended up in a fist fight over the subject. You can't imagine how proud of him I was when he told me he was going to join the RDF or how touched I was that he took the time to apologize for blaming me for Jack's death." He paused, a look of guilt flashed across his eyes. "I admit, I often wonder if it was my fault he joined anyway."

Seeing this vulnerable side of the normally cheery and joking man was unnerving enough to completely blow away the storm that had settled into Lisa. Feelings of guilt and shame steadily replaced those of righteous anger and loathing.

"I can tell you right now that Rick fully understands what you're going through. Mars is a painful reminder to both of you. Only difference is, Rick has laid the past to rest and is living for the future, while you, Commander Hayes, have tied it around your neck with the goal to hang yourself from a sturdy branch."

His words cut into her mind, bringing about a change in her thoughts. And a sudden realization that he was correct. She had been living in the past these four years, refusing to open herself up least she loses someone close to her again. And she now owed an apology to the young Rick Hunter. From what Roy just told her, he was far wiser than she had thought that he was. She let out an explosive sigh, feeling her anger vanish at the young pilot, as she wiped her eyes and rose to her full height, her eyes red and puffy.

"Alright Commander Fokker. You've made your point. I'll be returning to the bridge." Her stubborn nature taking hold once more.

"Medical first Lisa. Captain's orders."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Rick found himself standing in the Captain's office after the man had called for him. He wondered just what he'd done so wrong that the Captain asked him to report to the bridge while he was headed to his barracks. Before him sat the thoughtful Russian, the man who had fought with such ferocity to get them all back home. The dark eyes seemed to be looking deep into Rick's soul and made him even more uncomfortable. After several seconds of silence, the Captain spoke, his even and commanding voice bringing Rick back to reality.

"I wish to congratulate you on your successful mission Sergeant. You have done a great service to this ship by saving Commander Hayes from an untimely death." The man began, his dark eyes appraising the young Sergeant before him.

"Untimely, right." Rick mentally snorted.

The Captain paused, glancing at the closed hatch, before retrieving his pipe from his jacket. Rick fought to keep amusement off his face, watching the Captain sneaking looks toward the hatch as he quickly packed the wooden pipe and lighting it. The calming fragrance of the pipe tobacco filled the room as the Captain took a few puffs. Rick had heard from a few of the guys how often the little blonde on the bridge, Sammie if memory served, would berate the Captain if he tried to smoke outside of designated areas. Rick held back a chuckle as the man before him relaxed, savoring the flavor of his one guilty pleasure.

"On a more personal note, I want to extend my personal and heart felt gratitude as well. I have become very fond of all my crew and view each and everyone of you as my family." He paused for a moment, allowing it to sink in. "Lisa has become something of a daughter to me, and to lose her would have been a painful experience for me to go through. Not to mention, I am quite sure Lisa's father, Admiral Hayes, would be just as grateful to you, if not more so." He commented, taking a second drag on the wooden pipe.

Rick gulped at remembrance that Roy had told him about Lisa being the daughter of the UN Spacy Fleet Admiral. A man who he would very much like to stay on the good side of. The Captain's eyes hardened before he spoke again.

"Now officially, I know you have reported no complications to the rescue, baring the one exception of the wall you had to punch through to retrieve her from the room she had inadvertently became trapped in." He began, and Rick could hear the unsaid but coming. Rick nodded, his conversation with Lisa replaying in his mind. He really didn't think the Captain needed to know that he had bent the truth a little.

"Unofficially, I must bring forth my suspicions that Lisa refused to leave Sara Base."

Henry left out the fact that he knew full well she had, understanding why the pilot hadn't said anything. He feared that any trip to Mars would only end in disaster and heartache for her and allowing her to go off alone to find out why the computers in the base had powered up had been against his better judgement, but the task needed to be done. He had hoped beyond hope that she would not allow her past to make her take leave of her duties and obligations. It had seemed that hope had held until she found the room of her long dead fiance, Karl Riber. His first fear when she hadn't answered his calls after the base began locking down were that she had been injured some how. But finding out Lisa had been physically unharmed and had merely ignored them had disappointed Captain Gloval. He had wanted to hug Rick Hunter who had defiantly told her he wasn't leaving with out her and physically pulled her from the room despite her direct order for him to leave her to the fate she wanted, and instead brought her home, kicking and screaming the whole way. He kept his gaze upon the young man, waiting his answer he was clearly thinking over.

"Sir, if the Commander had refused, it would have been in my report. And with respect Captain, she's back on the SDF-1 so it's a moot point in my opinion." Rick stated calmly, yet on the inside he felt guilty for lying to the man before him.

Inwardly, Henry smiled at the protective tone in the young man's voice. He was willing to keep what had happened a secret and to protect Lisa from any repercussions. At least, he would have if Henry didn't already know the truth. Outwardly, he nodded his understanding of the young man's statement. He rose from his seat and extended his hand to Rick, the young man clasping his hand with Henry's.

"Very well, you are dismissed. And once more, excellent work Sergeant. You've made us all proud with your dedication to your comrades."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Lisa sighed once more as she waited patiently for the results of her check up were processed. It had been over an hour since she had reported to the infirmary and in that time, she had berated herself for allowing the situation on Mars to spin so horribly out of control. Finding a survivor? Some one who, despite having a working com array, had not attempted to contact the UN? She realized now what a fool she had been. She had so desperately wanted it to be Karl, some how having lived, waiting for her. Logically, her keen mind had known it was impossible and that he was dead. But her heart which had overridden her mind, demanded she find him. And now, now with it once more broken as Sara base was nothing more than another crater putting an end to her foolish hope, she found herself ashamed at her actions, at her world class stubborn streak. She was so engrossed in beating herself up, she hadn't noticed the door to her room had opened.

"I hope I am not interrupting Lisa." A deep voice sounded, breaking her from her thoughts.

Her head snapped to the door and saw the tall form of Captain Henry Gloval entering and setting himself down in the chair beside her. She could see the disappointed look in his eyes as he merely looked at her, deciding on how to start. He knew just what she had attempted and it made her feel even more disgusted in herself.

"Not at all sir. I suppose I have some explaining to do." She meekly stated, her shame bubbling to the surface.

"Yes. You do. But not before I speak." He took his cover off and held it loosely in his hands, sighing. "Lisa, I can not begin to describe how disappointed I am in you and the actions you took on Mars. It was against my better judgment to send you, despite knowing what could happen. Yet I trusted that you would not allow yourself to become blinded by your past, but you did exactly what I had feared you would. You were very foolish Lisa, and you could have cost the life of one of our pilots with your selfish actions." He scolded. "You ignored our calls and you refused to let Sergeant Hunter save you. If it wasn't for his habit of doing what was right despite orders to the contrary, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Lisa hung her head, the Captain's disapproval in her for her actions stinging deeper than even her own shame.

"I take it Sergeant Hunter informed you of what happened?" She asked quietly, bracing herself.

Her gaze snapped back to the Captain with amazement when he said Rick had refused to.

"He did not say anything. Only that it was a moot point as you were already back on the SDF-1." Henry sighed. "Lisa, I know how hard it can be to move on from the loss of a loved one. It is the sad truth that comes with wearing the uniform. You must let the past stay in the past Lisa. You must move on." He urged.

Lisa felt tears well up as she looked up to the Captain, someone who had been there for all of them since this whole roller coaster ride had started.

"I-I know sir. And I'm sorry I let you down. It won't happen again." She promised, her tone carrying the full weight of her shame. And Henry believed her. He could see it in her very soul that Lisa had learned the hardest lesson one could learn. One that no matter how many times someone said it, required you to actually experience it to gain full understanding. He nodded sharply and rose to his feet as Doctor Jean Grant entered the room with her test results for Lisa.

"I know you won't Commander. Take the rest of the day off and return to duty first thing in the morning."

He turned but spotted the stern look Jean was giving him, making him stop short. Maybe he should have phrased his last statement differently.

"With respect Captain, I'm fairly sure it's my job to decided if and when my patient can return to duty." The young woman teased, making Lisa smile and the Captain to pull his cover down in embarrassment.

"Of course Doctor. My apologies." Yes, should have phrased it differently indeed.

"That reminds me Captain, your annual physical is coming up soon."

Captain Gloval made himself scarce fairly quickly at her statement, much to the amusement of the two women. Lisa looked to the dark skinned woman who was shaking her head in an amused fashion.

"Big tough men always running when the word physical is brought up." She chuckled before turning to the green eyed woman before her. "But I agree with his recommendation. You're perfectly fine and can return to duty first thing tomorrow Lisa."

The Commander gave the Doctor a small smile and a thanks before leaving. She really didn't know what she was going to do with herself, but she knew that she needed to eventually track down a certain Sergeant to apologize for her behavior earlier.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"Why him?"

It was one week after the disaster that was Sara Base and Lisa was staring disbelievingly at the promotion list before her. Claudia wanted to roll her eyes at her friend for what could have been confused as a whine, which in reality it was. The dark skinned beauty instead let a sly smirk grace her features.

"Well it might have had something to do with swooping down and saving a damsel in distress." She stated in mock thoughtfulness.

Lisa only scowled at her best friend as the other three girls began to giggle. But when she thought on what Claudia had stated, Lisa felt her eyes go wide in realization before she cursed herself.

"So I'm the reason this boy is being promoted." Her glum tone carrying fairly well across the bridge. She already found it hard enough to deal with him with out the nervous butterflies, but she had yet to seek him out and tell him she was sorry for blowing up on him after he had put his life at risk to save her.

"Oh I wouldn't call Hunter a boy. More like hunk" Vanessa whispered to her friends, a dreamy look crossed her features.

Sammie nodded in agreement while Kim gave a coy smirk.

"He is rather cute isn't he?"

"MmHmm...He has become a very attractive man."

Lisa could hear the Trio, or as known by the rest of the ship as the bridge bunnies, talking among themselves and found herself grudgingly agreeing with their sentiments. Rick Hunter had indeed come a long way from loud mouthed teen ruled by his smart mouth, to the rather polished and responsible man he know was. And, again with a grudging agreement, was a roguishly handsome young man. Her scowl remained as she looked through the rest of the list before setting it aside and went about the rest of her duties, her crew mates highly amused at her reactions.

"It's not that bad Lisa." Claudia tired to stifle her amusement at her best friend. "Rick's a good guy and Roy has said he is one of the best pilots we have. Except him of course."

"I suppose it could be worse. He's not as bad as he used to be." Lisa agreed with some reluctance, checking over her console display. Claudia took a moment to look over at her friend as an idea began to form in her head and she had to fight down the urge to smile like a fox. Maybe a certain new officer could help Lisa to finally get over that invisible line that Claudia had tried to push her friend to cross. Only time would tell.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Rick slammed his head onto the table, letting out a frustrated sigh. When Rick had found out he was getting bumped straight up the chain to an officer, he'd been ecstatic. That had changed when Roy had introduced him to his new subordinates. The two, a blue haired bespectacled kid named Max Sterling, and a motor mouth that was far more cheerful than anyone Rick knew named Ben Dixon, seemed decent enough. Rick was now responsible for the two nuggets and the headache as he looked over their flight reports had only begun to flare up. Max was apparently a prodigy while Ben...well Ben didn't lack for enthusiasm. He almost missed the sounds of woman's heels coming his direction.

"Trouble Lieutenant?" A familiar voice asked with a hint of humor.

Rick raised his head and spotted Commander Hayes giving him a questioning, if partly amused look. He quickly shook his head and offered her the spot across from him. The small restaurant across from the White Dragon didn't have a very large gathering in it as most of the RDF personnel seemed to prefer the Chinese Restaurant rather than the Italian one he was at.

"I guess you could say that. Roy has seen fit to put two unfortunate nuggets under my care." He muttered, straightening the stack of paperwork he had on them. "Wonder who they pissed off.

Lisa raised one elegant eyebrow at him, a smirk crossing her face.

"Why if I didn't know any better, I'd think the Ace before me has admitted to being in over his head."

Rick gave a small chuckle before he answered.

"I have a tough enough time with keeping myself out of trouble and off your radar Commander. Hey, congratulations on your promotion by the way." Referring to her promotion to full Commander.

Lisa gave him a smile and a nod in thanks as the waiter came over to ask if she wanted anything. She opened her mouth to tell him it was a separate order when Rick stopped her with a short wave of his hand.

"Go ahead and get something Commander, my treat. Think of it as my way of apologizing after realizing what a headache I must have been in the beginning." He muttered something that sounded like Dixon to her.

She eyed him carefully for a moment before submitting to his suggestion and ordered a simple plate of her favorite spaghetti bolognese, a dish she had discovered when at the academy and fallen in love with. She studied the young man before her as his gaze drifted to the White Dragon and saw the flash of pain on his face. Lisa took a snuck a quick glance herself and saw a pretty young woman with her dark hair done up in a traditional Chinese style laughing with a few men in uniform and guessed what was wrong.

"Women troubles as well I see." She stated calmly, knowing just how much pain it was to lose someone.

Rick gave a mirthless snort.

"Not how you'd think." He told her, his blue eyes holding a flicker of sadness. "Minmei was someone I had a crush on. I've realized that she's not my type."

"Really? How so?" Lisa was quite curious in this turn of events and knowing this was a good chance to learn more about this young man.

"She's too...out there you know? She'll ask my opinion, and tune out the parts she doesn't want to hear. And she can be a little...self centered, like she expects the world to revolve around her." Rick elaborated. She could grow out of it, not to mention she thinks I'm an immature guy."

Lisa found herself very curious about this and asked him how he knew or if Minmei, the girl across the street, had told him.

"You could say that. I overheard her a few weeks ago talking to a friend of her's." He told her, his mind flashing back to that day...

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"So where is your cute boyfriend Minmei? Is he out on patrol?"

Rick froze, his hand raised to knock on her door. He'd stopped by to ask her if she wanted to go out tonight and hadn't realized she had company over. Instead of making his presence known, he decided to listen to Minmei's response. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't insanely curious about her feelings to him. Not knowing was tearing at him and made it hard for him to concentrate on his duties on a day to day basis, something Roy had commented on just this morning.

"Oh Rick's not my boyfriend." He heard her delicate voice clearly despite the door being closed. "I mean he is cute but he's not really my type. And I really don't know where he is."

"What do you mean? He looks so dreamy in that uniform of his." The other voice commented. "How can a man in uniform not be your type?"

"Well I suppose he is." Minmei had conceded to her friend. "It's just...I prefer older, more mature guys. Rick is great and all, but he acts too much like a big kid. Always playing with model planes. He just doesn't act like a grown up." Her tone became disapproving as she explained why to her friend.

"And you do?" Her friend had teased.

Rick didn't hear Minmei's retort, as hearing her words had crushed him. He turned and hurried back out of the restaurant, barely uttering a good bye to the two people that had given him a place to stay after the fold from the goodness of their hearts. Did she really think that about him? The dejected look on his face spoke volumes as his feet traced a path to the nearby park, one he had frequented with Minmei when he was trying to win her heart. His mind began going over what she had said and he hadn't noticed a shadow appear joining his.

"Well I didn't expect to see you here alone. Where is your little girlfriend?" A musical voice asked.

Rick looked over and saw Claudia Grant, a woman who was well on her way to becoming his sister-in-law and felt hot tears stinging his eyes. Claudia noticed this and her expression went from playful to concerned.

"Rick? What happened sweetie?" She asked with concern as she sat down beside the heartbroken young man.

And it all came out. He told the woman who he viewed as a big sister everything he had just learned, letting his pain pour out. Claudia pulled Rick into a comforting hug as he wiped a few tears that managed to fall down his face.

"It's okay honey. It just means she's not right for you." She told him gently. "So what if you like to have fun with your models? Roy is just as bad and I love him just the same. It shows me that despite the big goof acting like a kid, he'll be a great father some day." She stated with a loving smile as her thoughts turned to her blonde haired paramour.

Rick gave a grin at the mention of Roy playing with models. It was where he had gotten it from and he suspected that trait would be passed to the next Fokker. He pulled away from Claudia's embrace and turned his gaze back towards the city, his sadness still prevalent on his face, though a more thoughtful oook seemed to be taking his in his eyes.

"So you don't think I should stop?" His question also asking about his tendency of acting like a kid at times.

"Rick, let me give you some advice as a woman, alright?" She waited for him to look back to her. "You need to find someone who can accept you for who and what you are. You're a growing into a fine man Rick Hunter, so don't let some shallow child tell you otherwise." She told him sternly, making a mental note to talk to Roy about this latest development.

Rick ducked his head down, his cheeks red from Claudia's praise, but she wasn't done yet. Perhaps he needed to have his eyes opened to another, more possible match. She hoped that he caught her hints, but with how hard the boy's head was, it might go over his head.

"It seems to me, you need to find someone who is more mature and knows a good thing when she sees it. Someone who understands heartbreak. Someone you can trust fully and who'll appreciate you for being you. Models included." She teased.

Rick laughed, feeling better from what Claudia had said and gave her a playful smile.

"Unfortunately Roy already snagged her!" He joked back, making her laugh as she knew he didn't mean anything behind it. "It's just...not many woman around her strike me as that level headed."

"Who knows Rick? You might have already met the one you'll end up with. Maybe even a superior officer." Claudia hinted. Rick gave a laugh and thanked the woman for talking to him. The dark skinned beauty gave him a small hug before leaving with a final few words.

"You just remember what I said Little Brother. And don't forget, you can always talk to me or Roy if you need to."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Rick finished his tale as he sipped at his water. Lisa nodded in understanding, her heart going out to the young man as that was a pain like no other. Caring about someone and wanting to take the next step only to find out the other person didn't feel the same. She did fully agree with Claudia's words of wisdom.

"Well she is right." Lisa stated as the waiter arrived with the food they had ordered. "You need to find someone who'll encourage you, not try to change you. Besides, it's kind of cute to think of you playing with model planes." She teased, surprised at herself as she realized how comfortable she was starting to feel around the young man.

Rick gave a short laugh with a small blush on his face before he responded.

"Yeah. It took me a while to come to terms with it, and to be honest, Minmei hasn't made any comment or tried to find out why I haven't been hanging around her as often as I used to. It's actually been easier for me to concentrate on my duties come to think of it." He commented before taking a fork full of his cheese manicotti.

Lisa nodded in understanding, savoring the taste of her pasta.

"Yes it would. Heartache doesn't really help with any job really." She paused, feeling slightly embarrassed before speaking as this was as good a time as any to apologize for her behavior last week. "I haven't had a chance to thank you for rescuing me Lieutenant. I was out of line with you and I shouldn't have said what I did."

Rick waved it off before giving her a small understanding smile. He had an idea of just what she had been feeling and figured that he might have done the same thing himself had the roles been reversed.

"Hey, don't sweat it. I lost my brother at Sara Base so I know how you felt being there. I guess whoever it was you lost there was pretty important, huh Commander?" Rick asked before mentally kicking himself. "Sorry Commander, it's none of my business." He hastily apologized.

"It's fine Lieutenant." She told him, seeing his unease at the topic. "The person I lost was my fiancee. So as you can understand, it reopened an old wound that had never truly healed."

"Yeah, I guess that does make sense." He mused, taking a drink from his glass of water. "I wasn't too happy with being there myself but we did need those supplies."

"We did indeed. And it's gone along way to helping ensure our survival until we get back to Earth."

The pair feel into an easy rapport, talking about the latest news around the fortress or talking briefly about their pasts and the shared pain that Mars held for them both. Lisa found herself enjoying the young Lieutenant's company and Rick learned that the Ice Queen of the bridge wasn't as cold as she appeared to be. He noted with a surprising sense of disappointment, that it had gotten late and they'd need to part ways soon. They had long ago finished their meal and had simply spent the last hour just talking. Lisa had quickly realized this as well and began to call for the check when Rick stopped her.

"I told you earlier Commander, it's on me." He gave her a grin.

Lisa shook her head in amusement as the waiter brought over the check and handed it to Rick.

"Very well Lieutenant." She smiled. "I'll let you cover it this time. And as much fun as this has been, I need to get back to my quarters. It's been a long day."

The pair headed to the cashier and Rick paid for the meal before they headed out the door.

"No argument there. I'll see you later Commander." Rick gave her a wave and started toward the barracks.

"Lieutenant." Lisa called out to him.

Rick turned around, a questioning look on his face as Lisa wrung her hands behind her back and a sudden shy look appeared on her face. Her stomach fluttered in nerves. She tired to fight down the shyness she seemed to have suddenly developed. Why should she suddenly be feeling this nervous?

"When I'm off duty, you can call me Lisa, alright? We're both officers now so I see no harm in it." She told him, trying hard to keep her voice calm and level, hoping it didn't carry any trace of her sudden bashfulness at what was merely a friendly gesture.

"Oh, uh yeah sure!" Rick replied, hand scratching the back of his head. "Call me Rick then. After all, calling me by rank makes me think I did something stupid. Well, more so than usual."

Lisa gave a small laugh and wished him a good night before turning and flagging down a cab to take her to the nearest lift that would take her back home. Neither of the two had noticed a couple sitting in a secluded spot outside that had seen everything play out. Roy Fokker smiled as he took a drag on his smoke while Claudia had a sly grin on her face. Both of them had been surprised by what they had witnessed, but were happy by the outcome.

"Well now, it looks like our favorite controller has softened up to my little brother." He noted with amusement.

"Sure looks that way Flyboy." Claudia agreed. "Think anything will come of it?"

Roy gave a cocky grin that made her heart beat just a bit faster. Damn him!

"You already know what I think." He told her. "I just can't believe how much Rick has grown up in these past few weeks. And at least I know the reason now."

"Well I'm just glad that Lisa seems to finally be closing the door on her past. She needs some happiness in her life and I think Rick could be the one to help her find it." She said before leaning her head against Roy's shoulders. "Take me home Flyboy. I think I need some love from my own Ace."

Roy's laugh was all the answer he gave before the two headed off for Claudia's quarters.

A/N 20170104: Minor spelling errors corrected. Some dialogue changes, smoothed out a few rough spots in the story.