Lisa had only been awake for a few minutes before Dr. Wu entered the room. They must be monitoring the room somehow thought Lisa.
"How are you feeling today Lisa," asked Dr. Wu as she checked Lisa's vital signs.
"Um, unreal I guess," replied Lisa. She still couldn't wrap her mind around what Dr. Lang had told her. Everything still felt like a dream, she didn't know if it was because of the drugs or because of the stark differences between being a Zentraedi captive and being back onboard.
"I know it's a huge shock to you Lisa, we are all going to do our best to help you acclimate. Before that though, we need to help you get stronger. We know that they didn't treat you kindly as a prisoner and you have some injuries that need time to heal"
"Thank you Dr. Wu," replied Lisa, "Can you tell me more about my situation? I didn't get any answers about where we are and I wanted to ask about my friends."
Dr. Wu nodded her head, "Or course Lisa, the Captain will be down in a minute, he wanted to be the one to tell you himself."
"Captain Gloval? Is he here?" asked Lisa with a breathless voice.
Dr. Wu, gave her a little smile, "No, but he's not unfamiliar to you."
Lisa was about to ask more, but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Dr. Wu, opened the door and said something to the person waiting outside. Shutting the door, she came back over to Lisa and adjusting the bed to allow Lisa to sit up a bit, said, "Is it okay if I allow the Captain in?"
Lisa was apprehensive, but curious as to who could be on the other side of the door. Giving a slight nod of acceptance to Dr. Wu, she tried to see as much as she could when he entered.
Lisa studied him carefully as he crossed the room to her bedside. She noted the black captain's coat and his height. He was tall and carried himself confidently. He didn't seem familiar to her.
Taking off the captain's cap as he reached her bedside, she took in the shock of black hair and the stirrings of recognition jogged her.
"Hello Lt. Cmdr. Hayes. Lisa, I hope you remember me," said Rick with a smile.
Lisa took a sharp intake of breath, she couldn't believe that Lt. Rick Hunter, was now a Captain. She didn't know what to say, where to start. "Captain Hunter...I would have never believed.."
Rick chuckled, "Well yes, things have changed while you've been uh, gone. Lisa, um, Lt. Cmdr. Hayes, I want you to know that I'm glad that you're here and while I know the circumstances are extraordinary, I hope you know that I will do anything to help you with your transition to this time."
"Thank you," Lisa murmured. She took in the figure standing before her. He was much taller and broader than she remembered and his face, more mature, more defined. He was definitely not the boy that she remembered. His dark blue eyes met hers as she looked him over.
Rick took a seat in the metal chair beside her bed. "I know Dr. Lang explained to you about your rescue and I'm sure there is much you want to know. Dr. Lang thought it best that I do my best to catch you up on what happened after after we made it back."
Lisa nodded her head, "Yes, Dr. Wu said that you three made it back to the SDF-1."
"We did Lisa, thanks to you and your sacrifice. We know that you saved our lives that day and there is no way we can ever repay you for that."
"No Rick, there is nothing that you owe me for. I knew what I was doing when I turned back, I am sure as Captain, you know that I had a responsibility as your commanding officer to give you and your men a chance to escape. I never regretted that decision. "
Rick didn't want to argue with her, but he had studied her service records after he had become Captain and had noted that Lisa had a propensity to put others welfare and wants over hers. While she held a position of command, it was never used for the betterment of her own career, but always for those that were under her.
"Well, you have our gratitude and thanks nonetheless." replied Rick.
"I have to know, did Claudia and Captain Gloval, and the girls - did they make it?" asked Lisa.
On this subject, Rick felt more at ease to address and was happy to alleviate her fears, "Admiral Gloval remained on Earth and is still an integral part of the UN Spacy. Claudia, Commander Grant, still serves under him."
"Oh, did Claudia and Roy, did they ever get married?" asked Lisa.
Lisa watched as a frown marred his face and Rick briefly looked down at his hands before answering. It still hurt Rick to talk about his big brother.
"No, Roy was killed in one of the final battles. Claudia and him, they never got a chance to marry before he died. Last I heard, she was seeing a very nice guy in Macross City."
Lisa looked saddened by the news, "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I could have been there for her and I'm sorry for your loss as well. Roy was a good man and a good friend."
"Thanks Lisa... As for Terrible Trio, Sammy and Kim were married right before the Megaroad took off on it's mission. As for Vanessa, she was still looking for Mr. Right. They were almost killed when one of the Zentraedi commanders Khyron made a last ditch effort to destroy the SDF-1"
Lisa studied the man sitting next to her as he updated her on a few others that they served with on the SDF-1, she still couldn't get over the fact that the Captain sitting in front of her, was that young brash pilot.
Rick caught her inattention and paused mid-sentence. Lisa apologized and quickly asked about Sterling and Dixon. Rick gave her another sad smile, "Ben didn't make it, he died in a blast when the barrier system overloaded."
"And Max?" asked Lisa quietly.
Rick couldn't help but smile and say, "You'll see Max when we get you back to the Megaroad. He's married now, with two little girls. Although they had to leave Dana on Earth."
Lisa gave him a questioning look.
"Oh, um, Max married a Zentraedi.. Miriya, um, they were worried that Dana would be at risk being half Zentraedi. But then they had another daughter about a year ago."
"The Zentraedi's are allies?" asked Lisa in disbelief.
Knowing what Lisa had gone through, Rick wondered if she was going to be accept that the Zentraedi's were indeed their allies and that they were currently on a Zentraedi ship.
Panicking a bit, he apologized to Lisa, "I'm sorry I didn't think about how you would take that news. Commander Breetai and Exedore were key in helping us save Earth from Dolza and we now owe them a great deal in helping us after the devastation."
It was a lot for Lisa to take in, she needed time to absorb everything that she had just learned and her head started to ache a bit.
"I'm sorry Captain Hunter, but do you mind leaving now, I need some time to process this all."
Worried for her and concerned that he may have caused her additional stress, Rick apologized for staying as long as he had and let her know that he would return another time.
Not looking at him, Lisa just nodded her head in agreement and waited til she heard the door close behind him, to lay down and close her eyes, hoping to fall back asleep again.
AN : Some things changed and some things didn't. I was always sad that only Lisa made it, so this time they all survived.
I am sure some were hoping for love at first site between Rick and Lisa, but i think they both need some time to get there.
Thank you all for your reviews!
