A Rainy Night I:
Rick woke up the next morning feeling like a train wreck. He slept, but it was a disturbed sleep. His mind was racing all night with thoughts of Lisa and Helena.
He sat at his kitchen table having some coffee. Rick was getting lost in his thoughts again. He thought of Lisa. Lisa had become a big part of his life. They have been through a lot, and had the stories to show for it. Through good times and bad times Lisa was there for him. He thought of the time they spent together. They both had to work hard to get where they were in their relationship. They still revert back to their old ways sometimes, but it's not like it how it was when they first met. He realized that they were pretty much a couple for while now. They never had "The Talk," to confirm it, but they were. Rick realized how much she loved him, when she was able to let him explore his feelings for Helena. Rick got upset at himself again for hurting Lisa for the millionth time. Rick sighed, "Oh Lisa!"
Rick was at the kitchen sink washing his coffee cup. He was looking out his kitchen window staring at the overcast sky. Rick had a much deserved day off and was trying to figure out what to do for the day. Drying his cup and putting it away; Rick began to think of Helena.
He leaned against his kitchen counter and drifted away into thought again. His relationship with Helena was a whirlwind. It started with something as harmless like the flirtatious exchange over the radio. Throw some improbable circumstances in between and now she is in Macross City. "Who would've thought," laughed Rick as he shook his head. Their relationship, was so different from his with Lisa. Everything fell into place with Helena, and it amazed Rick how they could talk about anything and everything without fighting. He was amazed by how easy it was to flirt with her and be intimate with her without any awkwardness. Rick, recollected of the night they had sex, it was amazing. "I think I believe in love at first sight now," Rick said out loud to nobody. It felt so right; then Rick remembered the guilt he felt. He felt guilty for betraying Lisa. "I have to get out of here," said Rick.
Rick dragged Riley and Max with him to the Arcade. It was a chance for him to try and not think about the girls for awhile. The three of them enjoyed themselves as it was a quick escape from rigors of everyday life. Max enjoyed family life, but it was nice to be out for bit with Rick. Riley was happy to have Rick in her life again. It was nice to have family again, especially after she thought she lost them all.
They spent a few hours in there and decided it was time to leave. Riley and Max accumulated a nice stack of winnings. They cashed out and left the Arcade. Riley suggested they to go to a bar for a few drinks on her dime. Max and Rick agreed, and as they turned to head to the bar. Rick saw Claudia, he was about to go and talk to her. When he saw Lisa and Helena walking up to her. "They must be on their lunch break," Rick thought. He decided against approaching Claudia. He told Max and Riley he had to bounce. Then he took off before Lisa or Helena could see them.
Max and Riley were looking at each other. They were both perplexed and didn't know what to say. Claudia's voice breaks the silence as she greets the two of them. Claudia is happy to see Riley, and checks to see if she is doing OK. She inquires with Max about his family and hopes they are doing fine. Lisa and Helena eventually catches up with Claudia. They see Max and Riley and say their, "Hellos!" Helena asks the two where is Rick today, and Riley told her he just ran off a few minutes ago.
Riley deciding to have fun with Helena. She asks Helena bluntly, "Are you and Lisa working my cousin too hard in bed? Rick looks really run down lately!" Helena blushed, and became very angry. Helena fired back, "That's none of your business, besides you know you're addressing a superior officer?"
Riley quickly responded, "Just remember he is my family, it is my business!" Lisa did not want Riley to get away with her insubordination without getting a word in. Lisa sharply added, "Don't remind us, one loud mouth Hunter is bad enough! Now we are stuck with you, God help us. Somebody must really hate me!" Riley knowing she got under their skin just laughed and headed to the bar with Max.
Claudia asked Riley where she was going, and Riley and Max told her. Claudia suggested they join her and girls for lunch they can get a drink at the restaurant. Riley looked at Lisa and Helena and smiled. She agreed to join them for lunch because she knew it would irritate Lisa and Helena. Most all, she liked Claudia and wanted to spend time her. Lisa and Helena just rolled their eyes and headed to the restaurant with Claudia and Riley. Max laughed and realized was this was a chance to escape, he wished the ladies a good day. He told them he needed to help Miriya at home with Dana, and that he was gone too long already.
As the four ladies walked to the restaurant. Lisa, joked with Riley, "You better be on your best behavior, Missy, I mean Lt." Riley just responded, "Yes mom!" Lisa decided to let it go, "No use butting heads with a Hunter," she thought to herself. Lunch was fun for all of them. The tension Riley created was gone and they were enjoying each others company. Riley laughed and gasped at all the stories of Rick and Roy. She was so happy that the Lisa and Claudia shared all the stories they knew of Rick and Roy. For Helena, it was informative for her too! Riley had been away and out of touch with Rick and Roy for so long. It was time for Claudia, Lisa, and Helena to get back to work, and Riley was going to try and find Rick to see if he was OK.
Riley decided to have fun with Lisa and Helena as they left. "Bye Lisa, Bye Helena, tell me when the threesome with Rick happens," Riley teased. Lisa and Helena were speechless just looking at Riley in total disbelief as she walked away. Claudia was hunched over trying to breathe, because she was laughing so hard. "Shut up, Claudia," Lisa snapped. Helena flipped Claudia off and walked away with Lisa headed back to base.
Claudia finally caught up with Lisa and Helena after composing herself. Claudia couldn't help herself and said, "A threesome might solve all your problems. I didn't know a Hunter could be so smart."
"Boy if Roy could see you two, the sourpuss twins all hung up over his little brother at the same time," Claudia continued. She then began to break out in hysterical laughter again. The girls pissed off after being teased by Riley and Claudia, left Claudia by herself and returned to base.
When Claudia got to her station she noticed Lisa and Helena were already there at their respective stations in full work mode. It was the Terrible Trios turn for lunch, and Admiral Gloval was away at meeting.
They were the only ones there. Claudia took the opportunity to apologize and let them know she was just joking earlier. She also told them Riley was probably doing the same. Lisa complained to Claudia about Riley being a carbon copy of Rick when they first met. She was telling her it was déjà vu. Helena laughed and mentioned she never thought Rick could be like that. Lisa shot the death stare to Claudia, "Don't even say a word, Claudia," Lisa snapped.
Claudia went on to tell them they should lighten up and relax. Claudia ended by telling them lunch was fun, and that after work they should get together for a Hunter free evening. Lisa and Helena laughed and agreed. They went on to have an uneventful shift which was very much welcomed for a change.