"Hello," the voice on the other line greeted. "Who?"
"Can I speak with Cindy?" Rick said, trying to speak over the din on the other end.
"Cindy!" the person called out.
"Hello," Cindy greeted. "Admiral Hunter!" When she said his name, the room got really quiet. She apparently had invited some of her colleagues for a party.
"Cindy, do you know where Lisa is?" Rick asked, not caring that he didn't address Lisa formally.
"No sir, I don't. She should have left early this afternoon because I cleared her calendar." She wondered why Rick was calling so late and where Lisa could be. She worried that they were having a squabble on such a romantic night.
Rick overheard some murmurs of why he wasn't with Lisa in the background and decided that he wasn't going to find Lisa that way. After a quick call to Max, he realized that Lisa wasn't there either. He was starting to worry about her. But he had no idea where she was so he settled for waiting for her. After an hour, he decided to head over to his place to get a shower and get into his favorite sweatshirt. He'd then wait for her there.
"Lisa," he called out when he turned on the light to his place and saw Lisa's keys on the table near the door. He then saw her on his couch getting up to greet him.
"You're home." Lisa dropped the sweatshirt back on the couch and met him half-way the living room. She hugged him close to her.
"I didn't know you were here," he explained. "I first went to your office and wasted time there, then spent the hour waiting at your place."
"It doesn't matter," she said meekly. "All that matters is you're here now."
Rick kissed her and walked her back to the couch. When they reached the edge of the couch, he hesitated.
"How was the concert?" she asked in a whisper.
"What?" he asked, snapping his head up. "What concert?"
"Minmei, she has a concert tonight at Monument City."
"I didn't go see her," he declared. He looked deep into Lisa's eyes to see any reason why she would think he went to see Minmei.
"I called Admiral Reinhart's office looking for you," she admitted. "Admiral Edwards told me that you left hours ago."
Rick felt anger bubbling inside him because it seemed that Admiral Edwards insinuated something to make Lisa upset. But then he realized he probably should have been quicker in returning to her.
"I didn't go see Minmei," he repeated. "No scarf." He teased, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Perfume actually," she reminded him. "So what took you so long to get back?" She didn't notice any perfume on him other than the one she got him which was a relief for her.
"I'm late because of this," he said, slowly getting down on one knee and pulling out the velvet box in his pocket. "Lisa Hayes, will you make me the happiest man by marrying me?"
Lisa was left speechless by Rick's deed. She could only stare into his eyes and see the burning love and anticipation in them.
"Lisa?" he prompted her when she remained silent.
"Get up Rick," she managed to say finally. "Get up Rick, that's an order." She watched him swallow hard then slowly rise to his feet. But before he was fully standing, she hugged him tightly and whispered the words he wanted to hear.
"You scared me there for a moment," he admitted with a sigh of relief. "I was starting to think you either didn't like the ring or me."
Lisa pulled his head closer so she could deepen her kiss. She hadn't even noticed the ring because she was mesmerized by his eyes which spoke volumes. She didn't even notice when he slipped the ring onto her finger. When he kissed her hand was the only time she looked at the beautiful jewel he had given her.
"It's beautiful," she whispered. "And the ring fits perfectly."
"I measured your finger while you were asleep," he explained. He had tears in his eyes just like she did and couldn't contain himself any longer. He claimed her lips and she yielded whole-heartedly.

"Good morning," Rick greeted his fiancée when she opened her eyes. "Belated Happy Valentine's."
"Good morning," Lisa greeted back sweetly and sleepily. "That was a great Valentine's gift."
Rick smiled proudly. He knew he had made her happy but marveled at how happy that made him in return.
Lisa stretched against him and knew how that affected him. She was rewarded with a kiss and she rolled over him.
"What time do you have to be at the base?" he asked her, letting her hair fall around his face.
"I actually have the day off," she informed him. "I thought I'd stay in bed."
"Why wasn't I informed of this?" he asked. "You know we have to coordinate our schedules."
"I can give Vince a call to let him know he's in-charge," she suggested. "I don't have anything urgent right now do you?"
"I do have something urgent right here," he declared. "And I think Vince owes us." He rolled over her this time and pulled the covers over his head. Then the shrill ring of the phone interrupted them.
"I think you better answer that," she suggested. "It might be important."
"It's too early," he complained and let the phone keep ringing. "There, see, it stopped." He had hoped that the caller was mistaken but when the phone rang again, he cursed softly before answering the phone.
Lisa raised her head and started to kiss Rick's shoulder. She wanted to improve his mood after hearing him gruffly answer the call.
"Admiral Hunter," Cindy said on the other end in a panic. "Were you able to locate Admiral Hayes last night? I called her home number but there is no answer. Is she alright? Should we send the MPs out to find her?"
"Calm down Cindy," Rick muttered. "She's alright. She's with me." He heard Cindy sigh with relief then handed the phone to Lisa.
"Hello?" Lisa greeted, sitting up to listen to Cindy's news while pulling the covers around her.
"Remind her you're off today," he said from behind her, kissing her shoulder and rubbing her back.
"Shh," she warned him and continued to listen to her aide's news. "Alright, I'll be right there. Have a VT readied for us."
"Where are you going?" he asked when she got out of bed. "What happened to staying in bed?" He was beginning to like the idea and now she was out of bed.
"The SDF-3 is complete and Breetai wants us to go check it out," she said excitedly.
"Can't it wait?"
"Rick, come on, let's go see our ship," she said, pulling him out of bed.

"Welcome Admiral Hayes, Admiral Hunter," Exedore greeted them when they arrived at the satellite factory. "It is nice to see you both again." As usual, he is as amicable as possible that Rick found a bit difficult to dislike but unsure how to respond to.
Lisa tried to suppress the laughter forming in her as she watched Rick try to be nice to Exedore.
"Is Lord Breetai and Dr. Lang at the SDF-3?" she managed to ask.
"Yes, they are," Exedore confirmed. "That is an interesting jewelry." His eagle-sharp eyes caught the ring on Lisa's finger.
"It's an engagement ring," she informed him. "From Rick." She knew that was the next question.
"Well then, congratulations," Exedore said with a knowing smile. "Does that mean you will now procreate?" He shook their hands but Rick suddenly went into a choking spell when he mentioned procreation.
"We'll get ready for a wedding first," she clarified and rubbed Rick's back to ease his discomfort.
"Ahh, I would like to see that. I am quite interested in the ceremonies that you go through." Exedore stepped off the lift and led the way towards the SDF-3.
"Did he just invite himself to our wedding?" Rick managed to whisper.
"I think given that he has been very encouraging, he should be invited don't you?" she replied and gave him her sweetest smile.
"How are you not embarrassed by his procreation comment?" He knew she wasn't a prude but wondered how she hadn't been affected by Exedore's direct question regarding the matter.
"Because I knew he'd ask and prepared myself," she revealed.
"You could've given me a head's up," he complained, feeling very foolish.
"Rick, you know people are going to notice the ring," she reminded him. "It's not just Exedore who's going to ask about us."

Breetai greeted them when they arrived at the foot of the SDF-3. But since it was designed for micronians, he couldn't enter the ship. He therefore took his leave while Exedore and Dr. Lang took Rick and Lisa on a tour of the whole ship from top to bottom. After the tour, Exedore escorted Lisa to see Breetai upon her request. Rick was left with Dr. Lang who showed him the nuances of the flight decks.
When they saw each other again, Rick was ready to call it a day but he was amazed that Lisa still had energy to make some notes.
"Shouldn't we get some sleep?" he suggested and gave her a quick shoulder rub.
"Just one more minute before I lose my train of thoughts," she replied. After a few more minutes, she turned off her console and faced Rick.
"Ready to hit the sack?" he asked and tipped his head sideways towards the bed.
"Sure," she agreed. "Oh, by the way, I asked Breetai if he would walk me down the aisle."
"What?" Rick suddenly was wide awake.
"I know I should've asked you first but I thought that since he was instrumental in our relationship," she explained. "And he is a good friend of Admiral Gloval."
Rick understood the friendship with Admiral Gloval but not how he was instrumental in their relationship. He gave Lisa a confused look as they climbed into bed.
"If he didn't try very hard to capture you, then I would've been a prisoner with Ben," she continued. "And I may have ended up kissing him." She tried to make him jealous.
"So let me get this straight," he said, seeing through her ploy. "If you kissed Ben, you would've fallen in love with him instead. And I thought that you fell in love with me because of my personality and charm."
Lisa couldn't suppress her laughter and knew he was right about that. She definitely wouldn't have fallen in love with any man just because of a kiss.
Rick took that moment to assault her senses with sensual touching. He avoided kissing her which made her yearn for it more.
"Rick," she called out to him and reached for him simultaneously.
"So now you want to kiss me," he teased, fulfilling her needs. "One question though, Breetai is a little big to walk you down the aisle." He heard her laugh at his understatement.
"He's agreed to micronized for the occasion," she filled him in. "Any other questions?" She wanted to end their discussion and just enjoy his company.
"No, I think you've got it all covered so far," he chimed in and snuggled closer to her.

Upon their return, Rick and Lisa decided to take advantage of the weekend to wander around Monument City.
"Why don't we go shop for the wedding rings?" Rick suggested when they ended up on the street where he got her engagement ring.
"Were you planning this?" Lisa wondered, noticing that their wandering seemed to have a purpose.
"I just thought it'd be a good time to do before the SDF-3 arrives. Once that ship arrives, I'm not sure if you'll even pay attention to me."
"I'd always have time for you," she assured him. "I believe you like the admiral's quarters especially the one that will be mine." She had expected the quarters to be sparse but was pleasantly surprised that it was furnished more like a home. Dr. Lang had explained that it reduced anxiety for them once they go on their mission.
"This is the place." Rick opened the door and waited for Lisa to go in with him.
"Give me a minute," she said and stayed outside to look at the fancy watch that was on the window. When she followed him in, she noticed the balding jeweler was making small talk with Rick.
"Ahh, back so soon? You aren't returning the ring are you?" The man was concerned that Rick had finally realized he was in over his head.
"No," Rick assured him. "I'm not returning the ring."
"Ahh, so did the young lady accept?" he inquired and then noticed Lisa who was approaching them.
Rick nodded with a big smile on his face.
"Is this the lady?" The man looked at her ring finger to confirm.
"It was a lovely ring," Lisa complimented the man's merchandise.
"So, what can I do for you today then?"
"We're shopping for wedding rings," Rick informed him.
"Oh, you don't waste time eh? Well, let me go get some wedding rings from the back room then." The man quickly disappeared to retrieve the trays he had stowed away.
"If only he knew," Rick said softly. He felt Lisa squeeze his arm to assure him it was worth the wait.
"Here you go," the man proudly showed them his best rings.
Rick and Lisa took their time looking through the selection and simultaneously pointed to a set of rings that caught their respective eyes.
"That is a good one," the man said proudly. He showed them the price and enjoyed seeing the same reaction from Rick.
"Can you please give us a minute?" Lisa requested and pulled Rick aside. "Let me pay half." She knew that Rick may get offended but also knew that it was quite a pricey set of rings.
"No, I can afford it," he replied, snapping out of his dazed look. "You're worth more than that."
"That's you!" the man exclaimed, looking at the TV screen that he had on the back wall.
Rick and Lisa looked at what he was referring to. Lisa saw the recruitment ad that she and Cindy worked on. She hadn't expected it to be ready so quickly but apparently it was on air. Cindy had suggested that the ad have a small segment featuring the SDF1&2 during happier times.
"My brother and his family were on that ship," the man informed them.
Lisa's heart sank and braced herself for an anti-war spiel from the jeweler.
"You fought on that ship?"
"We did," Rick answered for her. He, too, worried that the jeweler might have ill feelings towards them.
"Well, let me shake your hands and thank you for keeping them alive," the man said, reaching over to shake their hands. "For that, I'll give you a deep discount on the rings." He punched some numbers on a calculator and showed it to Rick. When Rick nodded his agreement, he took Rick's ring size and promised to have it ready in a few days.
"Wow," Lisa said when they were outside. "I guess there is some perks left for being part of the SDF1&2."
"Yeah," Rick agreed, relieved that he didn't have to break the bank on the rings. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her in the middle of the sidewalk outside the jeweler's store.

Cindy was nervously waiting for Lisa to arrive at her temporary office. She had seen the newspaper and wanted to warn her boss before anything else happened.
"Good morning, Cindy," Lisa greeted her cheerily. She had requested Cindy meet her there the previous day but hadn't expected to see her so quickly.
"Admiral Hayes," Cindy greeted back. "You need to see this." She showed her the newspaper article that had a picture of Lisa and Rick kissing outside the jeweler's store.
"Oh no," she managed to say as she quickly looked from the headline to the story. She entered her assigned office with a sense that she would soon have to face Admiral Reinhart.
"Admiral Hayes," Admiral Reinhart bellowed from the door as if on cue. "What is the meaning of this?" He entered the room and shut the door with a thud.
Cindy watched the closed door and hoped that Lisa wouldn't get in trouble. Judging from the loud voice from Admiral Reinhart, she knew he was upset.