Disclaimer—I don't own Robotech or it's characters.

Thanks for the feedback!— Adenna, Bmatesea, Spherian, Carla, Dwparsnip, K71, and Cornish.

I just got a new job! Hopefully one that won't be working me to death, so I hope, but can't promise, that in a couple of weeks when it begins, I will be able to update more often.

Alicia watched Claudia leave and then closed the door. She turned around, facing Roy, managing to keep her voice chipper as she noted "So that was how you spent your evening. I suppose congratulations are in order. How long have you been after Claudia?"

Roy cut his eyes at Alicia, but didn't say anything; he didn't have the time or the desire to explain anything to this woman. He needed to get her out, change into some clothes, and chase after Claudia.

"So now that you've gotten that out of the way…" Alicia moved closer…

"I'll keep this short and simple. You're not welcome here. Get out."

"You're rather cranky…"

Roy walked over to the door, opening it without another word.

"I'll come back when you're in a better mood" Alicia decided.

"Don't bother." Roy answered, closing the door behind her.

Alicia looked down at the porch step, her mind racing. Had Claudia done what other woman had only dreamt of. Had she changed Roy's playboy ways?

No matter, she decided.

Finally she began to walk, her decision made.

As far as Alicia was concerned, Claudia just paved the way for Alicia. She would think of something.

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Rick stretched out on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He sighed, glad for the chance to be in his bed. The couch wasn't very comfortable to sleep on.

Minmei's perfume lingered in his room.

Just a couple of weeks ago, that would have made him happy..

Now…Rick stood, going over to the window and opening it, staring outside.

He wanted to, he needed to stop wondering if he would ever have a chance with her. She couldn't even listen to what he had to say. It used to bother him before, but now that he had spent some time with Lisa, and actually had a real conversation with someone, his time with Minmei left him filling empty. Used.

And it wasn't even that she was being vindictive in her actions. It just seemed to Rick that he was low on Minmei's list of priorities. That wasn't her fault really. Though it was harder to be friends with someone who seemed to take more than she gave.

At this point, Rick was even wondering if he would want a romance with Minmei if it presented itself.

Meanwhile, each second he spent with Lisa made him want to spend even more time. But her deceased fiancé still had such a hold on her heart that someone who just looked like him made her sad.

"Minmei…Lisa…Lisa…Minmei…" Rick mumbled to himself. He went back over to the bed, laying down.

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Stupid

Don't jump to conclusions before seeing what Roy might say or do

Stupid

Don't jump to conclusions before seeing what Roy might say or do

Stupid

Don't jump to conclusions before seeing what Roy might say or do

This was the battle that raged in Claudia's head as she rushed to Lisa's place. She needed to talk to Lisa so badly. Lisa would help calm her down, help her feel better, help her decide what to do.

But Lisa wasn't even home.

So Claudia walked back to her own place. She needed to change and get to work anyway.

She didn't have time to be worried about Roy and Alicia.

Stupid.

Don't jump to conclusions before seeing what Roy might say or…

"Lisa?"

Lisa stood from Claudia's porch. "I remembered that you had duty, so I took a chance that you might come home before heading to the base."

"Are you going somewhere?" she asked, noticing the outfits that Lisa was carrying. Claudia opened the door to her place and they walked inside.

"I was supposed to be going on a date with Rick today."

"Really?" Claudia smiled, but it faded as Lisa's words sunk in. "Supposed to? What happened?"

"Aren't you supposed to be on the base soon?" Lisa realized.

"Rick is right, you don't ever go off duty, do you. Come on back."

Lisa followed Claudia into the bedroom and as Claudia went into the bath, leaving the door open as she prepared to shower, Lisa sat on the edge of the bed out of view. "So, what happened?"

"Minmei spent the night at Rick's place."

Claudia froze. "What?"

"Minmei spent the night at Rick's place. I ran into her and Kyle on their way back." Lisa choked and let the tears she had been fighting, well up in her eyes.

Claudia turned on the shower, stepping inside and giving her friend a couple of minutes before venturing, "Lisa?"

Lisa wiped her face.

"I'm not excusing Rick, trust me, I'm not. But you knew about Minmei and it didn't stop you from falling for Rick to begin with. She's not going to make you fall out of love with him either. So I wouldn't break your date because of her if I were you."

"I knew…but…I didn't…I can't….I don't want to be second to Rick. I love him too much, Claudia."

"Then, he deserves a chance, don't you think? A chance to catch up to where you are. You deserve a chance to see what might happen once he catches up."

"What if he never does? What if he just spends some time with me, and Minmei still wins?"

"Minmei could win whether you and Rick try to have a relationship or not. So…shouldn't you at least stack the cards in your favor?"

"I don't know…" Lisa wiped her face as more tears fell. "I…" Lisa stopped speaking as Claudia's doorbell rang, followed by a pounding on the door. "Someone's here…Claudia?"

Though Claudia was itching to run and see if it was Roy, she couldn't just leave her friend in tears. "They'll come back. This is more important."

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Roy saw the light was on, so Claudia probably was still home, but she wasn't coming to the door. He reached up his hand to knock again, but it fell without doing so.

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"You think I should go?" Lisa mumbled as Claudia turned the water off.

"Yes. Go and pour on the Lisa Hayes charm…"

"You have me confused with someone else obviously."

"Did Rick Hunter ask out some other Lisa Hayes?" Claudia came out, glaring at Lisa. "You'll never get Rick to stop pining after Minmei if you're not convinced you have a chance. Would you go into battle with a defeatist attitude?"

"No, but…"

"There is no but. You go out with Rick and you do your best to make him realize that you're the woman for him. And if he doesn't, then you give him another chance, maybe three because Rick's slow."

Lisa laughed and Claudia smiled.

"But, you give him a chance or three to come to his senses. He's already part of the way there, given he asked you out to begin with. So put…" Claudia pointed to an outfit. "…that on, and go get your man."

Lisa stood, "Ma'am, Yes Ma'am" she saluted. "Thank you, Claudia."

"Now get out, so I can change."

Lisa saluted with another smile and left Claudia alone. But as Claudia was changing, Lisa came running back into the room.

"Hello! What!" Claudia covered herself.

"We were roommates" Lisa reminded her. "I came to tell you that Roy is sitting on your porch."

"What?"

"I was on my way out and I passed the window and noticed he was sitting on your porch. What happened?

Claudia put her blouse on. "Roy and I spent the night together."

"I know that. I'm not clueless."

"I wasn't going to…I knew it was a bad idea…but…we shouldn't have."

"Why do you say that?"

"Someone called him last night; it was obviously one if his conquests."

"Former conquests I dare to say."

"Maybe." Claudia sat down as she put on her heels. "Anyway, then Alicia dropped by this morning"

"And you left without saying anything to Roy?"

"I said goodbye." Claudia stood and tucked her blouse in her skirt and grabbed her jacket.

"Well goodbye was obviously not enough because he's sitting on your porch. What are you going to do?"

"Go to work."

"Wrong answer."

"You're advising me to play hooky? What has Rick Hunter done to your mind?"

"You're going to talk to Roy and see what he has to say."

"Of course I am."

"Okay." Lisa nodded and they each left the bedroom, heading for the front door.

Whether Claudia chose to actually trust what Roy would say, she wasn't sure about yet.

Lisa opened the door and with a quick good-bye, left Claudia and Roy alone.

"You rushed out of my plaec" Roy noted as he stood from her porch.

"I have to get to work" Claudia reminded him as she began walking slowly, Roy next to her. "So what are you doing here?"

"I just…thought…"

Actually, Roy hadn't thought that far ahead. He knew he had to go and see Claudia to make sure things were okay, but now as he looked at her, he was reminded that he wasn't yet sure what okay was. He wasn't yet sure of where they stood. He knew where he stood, but not where she was. And her demeanor wasn't giving him any idea. She didn't seem angry, but by the same token she didn't seem quite herself. Perhaps she really didn't care that Alicia was at his place. Maybe he was reading too much into things.

"You thought?" Claudia prompted.

"That I could walk you" he shrugged.

That's it?

With a small sigh, Claudia glanced over at Roy, but didn't say anything.

Seemed that was it.

They walked to the base in silence.

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Lisa walked slowly…if Rick wasn't there, then she would give him no more than 15 minutes to show before she left, she had decided. She glanced at her watch and automatically picked up the pace.

Lisa Hayes was never late.

She got to the park and looked around. It was a nice day, it was lunchtime, and it was crowded.

And she didn't see Rick anywhere

But it was nice out, and it was lunchtime, and it was crowded…maybe she missed him.

Her heart fell into her stomach as she did another scan.

No Rick.

She turned around

Gasping.

"Hello Lisa" Rick smiled. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Lisa stared at him, surprised that he was actually here. "I'm not late, am I?"

"Oh, if you were late, trust me, I'd let you know. I was early."

Lisa cleared her throat, gathering herself. "You…early? I'm shocked."

"Ha ha" Rick rolled his eyes. 'You're hilarious".

"Excuse…"

Lisa's eyes grew, her words lost as Rick kissed her quickly on the cheek. She stared at him and he suddenly grew flustered. "Sorry…I guess I don't remember the proper…sorry" he turned and began to walk.

Lisa found her legs and caught up with Rick quickly. They walked side by side, looking for a place to have their lunch.

Rick's pace slowed and he glanced over as Lisa laced her arm with his. He took a more assured breath and they continued their stroll.