Is This Happening:
As Rick and Skull Squadron taxi their veritech's into the hangar of the Prometheus; Keira could not wait to see her husband. She could never get used to leaving for battle with the Zentradi's. The week away was too long for her. Keira was getting antsy and wanted be in her husbands arms already. Hanging out with Helena a few night helped, but she was really hoping this mission was another step to closer to leaving for Maryland.
Keira greets Rick warmly as he exited Skull-1. She kisses him like it was their first kiss. The two are totally oblivious to crowd around them. Keira then tells her husband, "Rick I'm so happy you're back! Do you mind us just sneaking out of here? I really don't want to do anything but spend time with you!"
Rick and Keira make what they thought was a silent exit, but Lisa was watching the couple leave. She was feeling guilty about what happened aboard Breetai's command ship. Lisa took a step in their direction to apologize, but caught herself when she realized no good would come of it.
Rick and Keira were in their new quarters on base with New Macross. So happy to be alone together the two can't decide what to eat for dinner. Finally, pizza was the agreed upon dinner, and Rick and Keira took the time to catch up while they waited for their pizza to be delivered. Keira jokingly asked Rick if Lisa behaved herself not expecting Rick's response. Rick looked at her with a freaked out look. From looking at Rick's expression; Keira knew she wasn't going like what she was going to hear.
Rick figured he might as well get it over with and spilled to Keira, "Lisa ordered me to kiss her as part of the mission. She told me I either kiss her or get thrown in the brig, and before I could answer she pulled me in and kissed me. I didn't want her to do it and I pushed her away. Breetai wanted us to do it and have it broadcasted; because he was there when we kissed the first time when we were captured! You wouldn't believe it took me, Max, and Claudia to stop Miriya from decapitating Lisa after that."
Keira looked at Rick, and told him, "I can't do this anymore! Every time you have a mission you're either fighting with Lisa, rescuing her, or kissing her. Rick I know you love me, and I know you're telling me the truth; but this is too much. I'm going home to visit my family for week. I hate to do this to you, but you need to decide if you're going to join me or not! I'm giving you a week to make up your mind. I love new Macross, but it isn't big enough for Lisa and I!"
Rick tried to talk, but Keira just kissed gently to stop him. Rick knew Keira was right and something had to change. He really wanted to finish the whole Zentradi issue first, but now it was not possible. Lisa's obsession with Rick threw wrench in those plans. The both of them were sad, they're marriage was at a crossroad. Things were not going the way the planned and it was bitterly disappointing to the both of them.
The day came for Keira to leave for Maryland, Rick was able to convince her that she should let him fly her. Besides Max or Miriya, he wouldn't trust anyone else to do so besides himself. She agreed partly because Rick would be able to meet her family when they picked her up. The other part was she wanted to spend as much time with Rick before they separated again. Keira told her parents she was going to look for a place for them, and possible job leads for herself; while Rick was unable to get his leave request approved.
Captain Gloval kindly let Rick use one the shuttles to transport Keira to the RDF Academy where here family would be allowed to pick her up. Their flight was a quiet one, because Keira never liked flying. It helped that Rick was there to reassure her. For the first time Keira had any sort of doubt in their relationship. It really ate at her, Keira felt like she put Rick on the spot because of Lisa's obsession with Rick.
As the RDF Academy came into view, Rick wondered if this is what his future home would look like. As he landed, Rick was beginning to like what he was seeing. The Academy was damaged minimally and was quickly rebuilt. Rick pulled into the hangar to find Keira's family waiting for her, while being escorted by RDF Personnel.
The greeting between Keira and her parents is a joyous and tear filled one. Keira proudly introduces Rick to her a parents and her sister. They welcome him warmly to their family, and hopes he joins them soon. Rick is able to spend some time with Keira and her family on the grounds of the Academy before he reluctantly leaves for New Macross. Rick and Keira share a kiss goodbye neither one of them wanting to end it.
Rick is back in New Macross, and is sitting in his office staring a hole through his door. He his really considering asking Captain Gloval to transfer him to the RDF Academy. He liked the setting, and he knew Keira could get job at the infirmary and finally work normal hours. Deciding he needed some fresh air before making his final decision; Rick left and went to where he did his best thinking.
There Rick was again sitting under Skull-1, with his back against the landing gear. He was thinking about the Captains offer of being the CAG. It was enticing, and it would ease a lot of Keira's fears of him being in battle. The only battle he would see was from the video monitor, and Rick was OK with it. He could live with being Gloval's personal pilot and testing Dr. Lang's new mecha. Then Rick thought about Lisa, she was to driving force for his current strife. He really was beginning to resent her for putting him and Keira in a bind.
Lisa was looking for Rick, she wanted to apologize to him for what happened aboard Breetai's command ship. Lisa went to his office and decided to check the hangar since he wasn't anywhere else she looked. She saw him sitting under his beloved veritech, and admired him from afar. Lisa gathered all her courage, and approached Rick.
Rick saw Lisa approaching and cringed. She came and sat next to him and tried to speak. Rick cut her off and sharply spoke to her, "You know it's because of you my wife is in Maryland and I'm here! What the hell Lisa? Right now I don't want to hear anything you have to say! I was seriously debating becoming the CAG, but after seeing you; I'm transferring to the RDF Academy in Annapolis."
Lisa was dumbfounded by Rick's statement. She never thought things would progress to this. Lisa in the back of head thought that Claudia would never forgive her if Rick and Keira moved away. The both of the sat there dejected at the situation that they were in. Lisa was shocked at herself for not running away, but realized she needed to clean up the mess she created.
She looked at Rick who had her back turned to her and said, "Rick I don't blame you or Keira for wanting to leave. The Captain confided in me as his Executive Officer your plan and his counter offer. I feel so bad that Keira felt she had to leave New Macross. It would benefit the RDF's cause if you stayed on as CAG. I can understand Keira's fear for your safe return every time you go and fly off to battle. If the Academy is what you want, I will write you a recommendation along with the Captains."
Rick look at Lisa with absolute shock. He didn't expect her to say that. Rick thanked her and just remained there along with Lisa. The both of them thinking about where their futures was going to lead them. Some time had passed when Rick realized he needed to call Keira. He told Lisa he had to leave, and walked back to his office.
Meanwhile Keira was with her sister, Kerry. The two of them were looking for nice place for Keira and hopefully Rick. There was plenty of place that she liked, but could not make a decision without Rick. She figured the worst case scenario they could stay with her parents or find place on the Academy grounds. She was feeling tired and wanted to go back to her parents place so the two sisters quit their quest for the day.
Keira and Kerry finally made it home, and Keira was walking to her room when her phone rang. It was Rick and she was ecstatic to hear his voice. She quickly ran to her room and shut the door. Keira told Rick that she was looking places to live with her sister helping, and that they just returned home because she was tired. Rick shared about his newest encounter with Lisa. Keira wanted to be pissed at Lisa again, but hearing that she would write a letter of recommendation on Rick's behalf kills that urge.
The two continue their conversation, and Rick shares with his wife that he is seriously thinking about joining her in Maryland permanently after today's latest Lisa incident. Keira is delighted to hear Rick say that, but is beginning not to feel well. She tells Rick that she going to get some rest, and will call him when she gets up. Rick reluctantly hangs up after being reassured by Keira that she is fine. She tells him the stress of everything is starting to catch up with her.
A dejected and distraught Lisa wanders around the streets of New Macross. Lisa is still reeling from Rick's admission, and is wondering how she can make things right with him and Keira. If she could go back in time and fix her mistakes was the only thing she could think of. It really bothered her that there was no tangible solutions coming to her brilliant mind. Lisa knew that she could quit the RDF or transfer to another location. Captain Gloval just wouldn't allow it, even with the extra help Helena provided. Lisa went to one place where she hoped to gain some clarity, she headed over to Claudia's.