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"

Este capítulo está dedicado a blueazulacero.

¡Muchas gracias por leer! Espero disfrutes de este capítulo.

Lynn-Kyle shifted uncomfortably on his feet – and he didn't know why. He had been observing Lisa for a while as she caressed the toddlers' head; her slender fingers were soothing his brown hair as he slept in her arms. The other children had already been retrieved by the nurses but this one had refused to leave Lisa.

"Why are you here?"

His voice came out a little louder than he had expected and Lisa made him aware of it by placing her index finger over her lips.

"Sorry," mumbled Kyle sitting on an empty couch.

Lisa smiled as she pushed back a few dark tendrils from the toddler's forehead.

"Beautiful," whispered the woman.

"Yes, beautiful," repeated Kyle in a daze. He had never expected to see such a soft side in a military woman.

The door opened and a smiling nurse beckoned Lisa. She rose carefully from the sofa, trying not to wake the boy and walked towards her.

"His parents are here," explained the woman stepping aside.

A couple was standing behind her and their worried expressions changed into those of joy when they saw the bundle Lisa carried in her arms.

"He's alright," said Lisa placing the boy in the mother's arms.

"Thank you!" the woman hugged the boy as the father caressed his cheek. The boy opened his eyes and squealed full of delight at the sight of his parents.

"You don't need to thank me."

"That's what heroes usually say," said the father looking at Lisa. "We know what you did…and you."

The man looked at Kyle that stood silently in the room. And, though he didn't feel he deserved it, he nodded to acknowledge the man's kind words.

"Come now, we need to check on this little boy," said the nurse turning her back.

"Say goodbye, Jeremy." The woman raised the boy's hand and waved it.

"Goodbye, Jeremy," said Lisa as they walked away.

Sighing, she turned around and looked at Kyle. "So…"

The pacifist seemed at a loss for words. "So…," he repeated.

"Guess it's time to go home, huh?"

"If there's still something to call home," commented Kyle as Lisa kneeled to retrieve her shoes from under the sofa.

"Do you need to sound so bitter?"

Kyle frowned as Lisa put her shoes back on. "I'm just stating a fact."

"A possible fact," she said correcting him. "Try being positive for a change, why don't you?"

"Why are you here?"

"What do you mean?" She looked at him in confusion.

"I mean, before the attack, you were already here. Were you sick?"

"Oh! Yes, well no."

"Yes or no?"

"Impatient, aren't you?" She adjusted the jacket of her uniform. "I guess you can say I was sick. I passed out yesterday at work."

"What?"

"I'm okay, just too much stress. The doctor kept me overnight to force some rest on me."

"Oh," He seemed relieved and Lisa chuckled as she patted him on the shoulder.

"Calm down! Your diagnosis was right, Doctor Lynn."

He picked up on her joke and smiled, much to his bemuse.

Handsome…if he only smiled some more, thought Lisa much to her own surprise.

"You should get that checked," said Lisa pointing at him.

"What?"

"Your hand."

Kyle's eyes fell on the frayed bandage. "I don't think it's of importance."

"Really?"

He wasn't expecting Lisa to press his hand with her fingers. A gasp escaped from his lips.

"You were saying?" said the woman crossing her arms over her chest.

"It only hurts when I smile," said the man a bit mortified.

Lisa shook her head and undid the makeshift bandage. She grimaced at the sight of the cut.

"What happened to you?"

He pulled his hand away rapidly and shrugged. "Nothing. It was just a dumb accident."

Kyle was lying and she could read it in his eyes. Something in his voice told her it had to do with Minmei. And, it didn't take the man too long to know that Lisa had figured it out. His eyes focused into space as if he were looking at something important.

"You…should get yourself checked," said Lisa brushing away dust from her skirt.

"I probably should…"

Lisa felt a wave of triumph. She looked at him cautiously as he let his "good" hand slip through his short hair.

Karl…

"Did you say something?" Kyle looked at her with curiosity.

The woman shook her head and cleared her throat before speaking.

"I wanted to…apologize to you, Kyle. I'm sorry about the MPs--"

"No need. I understand it was a mistake."

"I'm so sorry. Of all people--"

"A pacifist. What better opportunity to lock me up?"

"Will you let me finish my sentence, Mr. Lynn?"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Of course! My apologies, Captain Hayes. I'm all ears."

Lisa had the feeling he was mocking her but she decided to continue.

"Thank you for helping me. The other night, if it weren't for you--"

"I only did what was needed."

"Thank you for being a gentleman…and for listening. I was such a mess…"

"It's alright. I understand. You know?"

The man gave her a meaningful glance and Lisa knew he felt the same pain she did. She felt a connection to Kyle that didn't exist before and without thinking, she leaned to kiss his cheek.

"Lisa! Are you okay?"

The senior officer and the pacifist turned, only to discover a surprised Rick Hunter staring at them. He shook his head in disbelief at the scene in front of him.

Lisa, kissing Kyle?

"Rick!" She stepped back feeling as if she had been caught stealing a candy. "What are you doing here?"

Rick's eyes fell on Kyle who was staring at him with no visible emotion on his face. The pilot stepped forward.

"I was worried about you. I just found out you were here and…"

Lisa's eyes widened as Rick embraced her. She felt as if all the air had been suddenly pushed out of her lungs. She was at a loss of words and remained motionless in his arms. The pilot's body was warm and it felt so nice.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

"Rick…"

Out of the corner of her eye, Lisa saw Kyle walk towards the door. She wanted to say something but nothing came out. The man touched his fingers to his forehead in a mock salute before walking out the room.

"Are you okay?" said Rick looking into her eyes. "When Max told me you were here, I couldn't believe it and then the Zentraedi…"

"I'm fine." She pulled back to face him.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that, Lisa?"

Because you're with Minmei…aren't you? Lisa wished she could say those words aloud.

"What?" Rick stared at her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she unwrapped his arms from her waist and walked away.

"Wait!" The pilot grabbed her arm. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"You lie," His thumb and index finger held her chin up. "I can see it in your eyes."

His breath was warm against her cheeks and she felt weak.

"I know we argue a lot, Lis but can't you see how worried I was about you?"

His hands cupped her face and his lips reached for hers.

Oh, Lord! Lisa closed her eyes in anticipation.

"Rick!"

It was a cold bucket of water to hear Minmei's voice and they both jumped in their place.

"Rick! Thank goodness you're here!"

The petite woman walked towards them, oblivious to the fact that she had just interrupted a very romantic scene. Rick scratched his head uncomfortably as Lisa moved away from him.

"What happened to you?" wondered Rick, noticing she limped.

"I twisted my ankle," she replied slightly lifting her foot towards him, giving him a nice glance of her thigh.

Minmei hopped towards him as she looked at Lisa for the first time. "Hello Captain Hayes."

Lisa wanted to smack her – and Rick! Feeling her senses returning to her, Lisa walked towards the door.

"Lisa, wait!" said Rick full of grief.

"You've got your hands full, Captain Hunter. No need worrying about me."

"Wait!" He stepped forward but Minmei's body practically collided into his. The leader of Skull team gave the singer an annoyed look.

"Sorry," she smiled sweetly.

Rick looked towards the hall but Lisa had disappeared. Sighing, he turned his attention to Minmei.

"What happened to you?"

"I was shopping when the attack began," she explained, "and as I was running towards a shelter, I tripped. Oh, Rick! I was so scared! I had to crouch under a doorway. I couldn't walk. I'm here because an ambulance brought me, and when I saw Skull-One, I knew you I was safe!"

"You need to see a doctor," said Rick looking at her swollen ankle.

"Will you carry me? I can't walk anymore."

"Sure, why not?" he replied coldly.

Minmei rested her head on his shoulder as he walked her to the examination room. She felt as if she were in the arms of Prince Valiant – while Rick felt as he had the weight of the world on his shoulders or rather, his arms.

"I'm so glad I found you," whispered the girl into his ear.

She expected him to reply, to say something sweet but he remained quiet. Not willing to give up, she tickled his ear with one of her tresses.

"Stop that," he said pulling away.

She pouted and rolled her eyes. Rick was definitely in a mood and she couldn't help wondering if it had something to do with Lisa.

Speaking of…

Her blue eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of the "old sourpuss" walking out of the emergency room with…Kyle?

It can't be…

But it had to be him. She recognized his stride, his body, even if the long hair was gone. He seemed to be enthralled in conversation with the senior officer.

He's even smiling!

Her brows furrowed as she noticed Lisa holding his hand to inspect the bandage. She felt a dull ache in her heart and it didn't help that Rick practically dropped her on a stretcher.

"Stay here," he ordered.

"Ouch!" Minmei gave his a dirty look. "Where are you going?"

"I'll be back," he replied courtly.

Darn Minmei! Thought Rick as he walked down the corridor looking for Lisa.

He knew Minmei had purposely acted like that in front of Lisa. Maybe Max was right. Maybe he should ask her to leave because she was a threat to his relationship with Lisa.

Relationship. Rick smiled wryly. It was actually the first time he acknowledged what they had like that. It had only taken a threat on Lisa's life to make him realize it.

"Have you seen Captain Hayes?" he asked a nurse.

"You just missed her! She just left with Mr. Lynn."

Rick's frown made the nurse wonder what on Earth she had said wrong. The pilot thanked her and stepped towards a window as he silently cursed the pacifist.

What is going on?

The scene he had interrupted replayed in his head. At first impression Rick had thought she was about to whisper something to Kyle but had Lisa been about to kiss him?

No way!

He remembered seeing Kyle leaving Lisa's house. He remembered the undershirt. Rick shook his head in disbelief and leaned his forehead on the surviving window. His blue eyes widened as he saw her walking towards a military jeep accompanied by Kyle.

Rick felt a strange ache in his heart as Kyle took seat next to her.


Hello!

Should I duck? I have a feeling a few of you want to throw something at me…but, it just couldn't be that easy for Rick, don't you agree? The boy's got to make up his mind and fast!

It may look like it but I promise you this is not a Kyle – Lisa fic. Wait and see.

Okay, two more broken hearts…let's see how we fix this.

See ya soon! And thank you again for reading!