When In Doubt:

Keira and Rick lay in bed after returning home from the base. Instead of going to the shelter, Rick took Keira to the Dayroom to wait out the battle. Keira was sated and was holding Rick's hand. Lately she has taken to admire his scar on his hand on a regular basis. It always takes her back to the first night they met. It also makes her grateful that their chance meeting in the ER led to the happiest moments she ever experienced.

"Is it some morbid nurse thing to admire their patients old injuries," joked Rick. Keira just smiled at Rick's attempt at humor. She told Rick, "I don't think we will ever need wedding rings, this scar on your hand is our connection to each other." She smiles at Rick, the proceeds to kiss him. Again the two reunited lovers eager to show how much they missed each other well into the rest of the day.

The rest of Rick's leave was spent catching up with lost time with Keira. There was one day Rick had to go back to the base and help Max move a new couch into his quarters. Max told him Ben was too hung over and vomiting still after drinking the night away at the bar. Rick laughed and didn't mind at all helping out his friend.

Rick had left the base and was making his back his and Keira's place. Rick was thinking about how happy he was with Keira and how no one ever made him feel the way she did. Just then he remembers their conversation they had while dancing at the bar. The promise he made to marry her when they returned to Earth. Rick thought, "We're not on Earth yet like we planned, but I would marry her right now if she wanted to!" Rick went and headed straight to the jewelry store and purchased the engagement ring that he thought Keira would love. It didn't matter he had make installment plans to pay for it. The cost meant nothing to Rick, he would do anything for Keira.

The Zentradi was exhibiting strange tactics. They would attack the SDF-1 with reckless abandon, then only to retreat as the intensity of battle rises. What the crew of the SDF-1 didn't realize that the Zentradi's orders were capture the ship intact. The recent attacks on the battle fortress was unauthorized and dealt with as quickly as possible by Azonia, who was commanding this mission for the Zentradi's.

Slowly but surely the SDF-1, made the improbable journey back to Earth from the fringes of Pluto. The massive SDF-1, slowly descended upon Earth and the Pacific Ocean. Everyone onboard was ecstatic to be back on their home planet. The residents of Macross City were allowed to fill the deck of the Prometheus to take in the sights of the vast blue ocean and sky dotted with cloud here and there. Most of all the sun shining brightly caught everyone's attention. The sights they were enjoying was something many thought they never would see again.

Rick and Keira were taking in the view from an outside observation deck all alone. They were holding each other happy to be home. Keira talked excitedly about Rick meeting her family in Maryland. She wanted her family to meet Rick so bad. Rick sensing the moment was right took Keira's hand and knelt on one knee before her. He reached into his pocket and opens the little black box revealing the most beautifulest thing Keira has ever laid her eyes on. It was her engagement ring from Rick.

"Keira Westgate would you do me the honor and give your hand to me in marriage," spoke Rick tenderly. Keira was hurrying Rick up in her head to finish speaking so she could say, "YES!" Rick then got up and took her in her arms. They shared a long and passionate kiss to seal their engagement.

Above from the bridge Roy and popped in to see Claudia and they were enjoying Earth's beauty from the SDF-1 bridge. Lisa and the Terrible Trio was enjoying the view too beside the wise couple. Roy sees Rick and Keira standing below on the Observation Deck. He gently elbows Claudia and points to them. Claudia smiles at them, and then looks at Roy and kisses him. Knowing Lisa is next to them, they silently know not to mention anything to each other until they are alone.

Lisa watches in horror was Rick proposes to Keira. Lisa can't hear their words, but gets the gist of their conversation by their actions. She can't control her emotions and runs out of the bridge crying. The Trio wonder aloud what was that all about. Claudia doesn't dare say a word and plays stupid with her bridge mates. Roy tells Claudia he needs to get back to his office and bolts out of bridge as fast as Lisa did. The both of them did not want Sammie, Vanessa, or Kim to know anything at all. It would only take one inkling of Lisa's feelings for Rick and it would be the gossip for all the base to hear.

People aboard the SDF-1 was getting antsy. They wanted to get off the ship and resume their lives again on Earth. Keira and Rick were getting antsy too! They decided that they would take a vacation to Maryland once people were allowed off of the ship. When they got to Maryland they would get married there, before retuning to the SDF-1. Although Keira wanted to stay on Earth and near to her family. The SDF-1 was her home now. Her career as nurse was aboard the ship and her friends were there. Most of all, it was where she met Rick and it was place that they lived a very blissful life together.

Keira was worried if Roy and Claudia would be able to be there at their wedding. Keira told Rick, "Sweetie you need to make up with Roy already, it's time to stop holding a grudge. I know you two have been taking small steps, but you need to get over it already! Roy has been trying really hard. I'm not going to push you and this is last time I'm saying anything about it, but please Rick can you at least try?"

Rick couldn't refuse his new fiancé's request. He said,"How can I say no to you! You are right, I have been stubborn. I was so mad at Roy for bailing, but if it wasn't for Roy I wouldn't have ended up here and would never have met you. Plus, I know how he watched over you when I was gone. I'll will never forget what he did for us." Keira could only hug and kiss Rick when he done speaking.

Rick and Keira realizing that Roy and Claudia was done with work already. The quickly rushed over to break the good news to them. Claudia and Keira were screaming and jumping with excitement. Roy congratulated Rick and told him he is happy for them and proud of him. While the ladies were busy talking about Rick's and Keira's plans on Roy's couch.

Roy asks Rick to join him the kitchen, and as Roy is about to speak. Rick stops him and begins to say, "Look Roy I know what you're going to say so stop. I'm sorry for being a dick to you. I was mad at you for bailing on me and "Pop." I know your were trying to be helpful when I got stuck here. I can't even begin to thank you for looking out for Keira when I was captured by the Zentradi's. You were right about the RDF, and besides if you didn't invite me to Macross City for the SDF-1's christening ceremony I would have never met Keira. I just needed to figure thing out on my own pace. I'm sorry Roy!"

Roy was definitely surprised by Rick's admission. He smiled at Rick and started, "Listen it's water under the bridge already, I'm so proud you and what you have become, Rick! Take care of Keira because you have a awesome catch there, little brother. Oh yeah, next time will you listen first before you talk, dumb ass!" The two start to playfully wrestle, before being broken by Claudia. She comes to tell them that they are celebrating Rick's and Keira's engagement next week Saturday.

Rick's first day at work, entailed him being called to Captain Gloval's office. Rick reports to his office and is informed that Gloval wants Rick to escort Minmei to visit her parent in Japan for a day. Rick wants to decline the mission, but realizes that it probably would be his best interest to comply. Before he dismisses Rick, Captain Gloval casually tells Rick that if needs anything to please see him about it. The Captain goes on to tell Rick how he appreciates his dedication to the RDF, and how he disregards his own safety for the benefit of the people aboard the ship.

Rick thanks him and salutes the Captain as he starts to exit Gloval's office; Rick remembers Keira's request to be married in Maryland. Rick then asks Captain Gloval, "Excuse me Captain, but when we are finally allowed to leave the ship. I would like to request a few days off to take my fiancé to visit her family in Maryland. If possible I would like Cmdr. Fokker and Lt. Grant to accompany me. You see Captain Gloval, I would like to get married there, and would like them in attendance. Since they are the only family that I have left."

Captain Gloval congratulated Rick on his engagement. Gloval gave his word that once he was given permission by the United Earth Government to allow the civilians to return to Earth; he would do everything in his power to accommodate Rick's request. Rick thanked the Captain and left.

The day came for Rick to escort Minmei to Japan. Keira was giving him grief for being able to leave the ship, but she knew that it was something Rick had no control of. She was not going to object, especially after he told her what Captain Gloval had offered. She too, was touched by his gesture.

Rick was waiting for Minmei to arrive. He was waiting for this day to be over with. Rick was cringing at fact that he was going to stuck with Minmei and her irritating high pitched chirps disguised as words. Once in the air Minmei tried start a conversation and told him all the places they could go to. Rick reminded her it was an in and out deal today. She then said, "All I wanted to do was be alone with you and catch up like when we were stuck in SDF-1 together." Rick just countered with, "I don't think my fiancé would like that too much!" Minmei just shut up and said nothing the rest of the flight, to Rick's delight.

Upon arriving in Japan and locating Minmei's parents place; the tenuous reunion took place. While happy to see their daughter alive, Minmei's parents did not want her to leave again. They tried to involve Rick, but he politely removed himself from the conversation and waited outside.

After listening to Minmei and her parents argue for over a hour. Rick is happy to hear yelling and screaming end. Minmei finally appears victorious, however she has extra baggage with her. Minmei and her parents agreed to let her return to the SDF-1, with one condition. Aunt Lina's and Uncle Max's, son Kyle was accompany her and keep her safe. Rick tried to introduce himself and shake Kyle's hand. Kyle just ignored Rick and asked Minmei when do they leave.

On the trip back Rick thought to himself, "In a perfect world I would lock Kyle up in a room with Lisa, and let her verbally assault him like only she can. I don't think he would be acting so tough after that!" Rick was chuckling to himself about the thought he just had. He suddenly realized that his day of cruel and unusual punishment was soon over when he saw the SDF-1, coming into his view.

Meanwhile Captain Gloval and Lisa are also returning to the battle fortress too! They went to Alaska Base to convince the powers that be to release the civilians back to Earth, and to reconsider their strategy for dealing with the Zentradi. The Captain was shut down on both items and was dejected. He mentioned out loud to nobody in general, "How am I going to break the news to the civilians. Crap Lt. Hunter, how am I going to tell him."

Lisa was furious also at the decisions made by her father and the UEG. She was also furious at him for trying to attempt to have her transferred off the SDF-1. A big argument ensued and the end result was the rift between Lisa and her father grew wider and wider. She snaps out her thoughts when she hears Rick's name and asks,"Excuse me sir, but what does Lt. Hunter have to do with all of this?" The admiral explains to Lisa, Rick's request. On the inside Lisa feels like she's going to vomit, on exterior she is doing her best to exude the professional demeanor that she is well known for.

When Admiral Gloval returned to his office he requested that his Aide, page Rick and Keira to his office. Keira was shocked that her name was being paged, she thought something happened to Rick. Why else would Captain Gloval would want to see her. She finally got his office after sprinting there and her fears are sort of appeased when she see Rick walking frantically too! She asks, "Rick what did you do that I have bail out of now?" Rick has no clue what the Captain wants.

Rick knocks on his door and the couple enters. Rick's salutes the Captain, to which his returns Rick's salute. He offers Rick and Keira a seat and begins, "Lt. Hunter and Miss Westgate first of all I want extend my congratulations to you two. The reason I called you here is that I want you two to be the first to hear this. Please do not repeat anything I say until it is disseminated to the public. Rick, Keira; I cannot approve your request for leave; to go to Maryland. The UEG denied our request to allow all the civilians to return to Earth. The reason was that they covered up the initial Zentradi attack and said the SDF-1 was destroyed in an accidental explosion. All the civilians next of kin has been informed that their loved ones died!"

Rick and Keira stared at Captain Gloval's admission. Rick was upset but tried his best to understand. Keira was crying because her family thinks she dead, and their plans for their wedding just went out the door! Rick was hugging her and consoling her.

Captain Gloval sees Keira's pain and thinks quickly, because he does not want to disappoint the happy couple. Captain Gloval speaks again, "Rick and Keira this is what I can do for you. Keira I will arrange for you to get in touch with your family and send them to the one the RDF academies in Annapolis. When there they can patch through the video link so you can let them know you are OK. The next thing if you two want to; if you really are serious about getting married I will preside over the wedding here in my office. Cmdr. Fokker and Lt. Grant can be in attendance, and Keira's family can watch over the video link. I have friends at the Academy that will help make this happen and keep it on the down low."

The two lovers look at each other and quickly decide that's the best that they can do for the moment. They do not want to wait any longer to get married. Rick and Keira both agree and let the Captain know their answer. Gloval reminds them to let him know personally the day they want to get married so he can plan accordingly. Rick and Keira thanks the Captain and run off to quickly plan their upcoming wedding.