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I'll spend my whole life
Just being caught up in your eyes
Don't you know you stop the room
And all that I can see is you

"Once In a Lifetime" by Landon Austin

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Rick has to say goodbye to Lisa when the new day dawns and her duties beckon her back to the command centre. Before she leaves, she perches on the edge of the hospital bed and brushes his hair away from his face. She leans in to give him a kiss.

"Rest," she commands but her sternness is tempered by the hand that gently cradles his cheek.

He quirks a tired smile. "Is that an order?"

Lisa tilts her head, studying him thoughtfully. He can sense her hesitation to move away and truth be told, he will be sorry to see her leave. "Does it need to be?"

"No," he says after a long moment. "I want to get out of here." And home to you, goes unspoken.

He rubs a thumb over the delicate bones of her wrist and links their fingers. He can feel her eyes on him so he forces a smile for her benefit. He doesn't want Lisa worrying about him when there was already being pulled in so many different directions between the RDF, the Zentraedi and whatever fragile peace they were trying to create.

A few more days, he tells himself. Just a few more days.

"I'll be back later to see you," she reassures him and he nods with false bravado.

"Sure. Give 'em hell, Captain."

She gives him one last glance as she slips out of the room and then Rick is left alone with his thoughts. He wonders if there should be some great epiphany in his life after coming so close to checking out completely, but after a night with Lisa peaceful and comforting beside him, all he really wants is more moments like that. He's been alone for a long time, with nothing but flimsy fantasies and vague hopes to occupy him that to have her there had felt like felt like an altogether different kind intimacy. The kind he hadn't realized he was so starving for.

His musings are interrupted when there's a knock and Rick looks up to find a familiar figure in the doorway.

"Hey, Skipper."

"Bobby! What are you doing here?"

"Just wanted to check in on you. See how you were doing."

Bobby wanders in, a half wilted bunch of white carnations in his hands. He holds up the flowers with a pained expression on his round face. "Amelia made me bring these."

Rick quirks a grin. "Aw shucks, Bobby," he mocks. "You shouldn't have."

"Yeah," Bobby snickers as he dumps them on the side table. "That's what I said too, but she insisted. She seems to like you for some weird reason."

"Of course she does."

Bobby chuckles but it's forced and fades off quickly. He stands stiffly beside the bed and eyes Rick with his mouth flattened into a hard line. "So… How are you feeling?"

Rick shrugs half-heartedly. "Tired. Irritated, for the most part. I'm ready to get out of here and get back to work."

"I'll bet. I passed Captain Hayes in the hall. I didn't realize she was back. You must be happy."

"Her shuttle got in yesterday." Rick pauses, then frowns as images waver and shift in his mind. He tries to focus on a timeline but the last few days are a blur and too nebulous for him to grasp properly. "I think. Maybe it was the day before. I'm not sure, I guess my head is still kind of messed up."

"Yeah," Bobby says slowly. "About that…"

"Now don't start that, Bobby," a new voice says.

Max breezes into the room, bright and cheerful in a blur of blue and white tones. He doesn't carry flowers, a fact Rick is pleased about but Max grabs the visitor's chair and drags it over to the bed, spinning it around and perching on it backwards in a move so reminiscent of his brother Roy that Rick's brain stutters.

Max grins at him. "Now this feels familiar, doesn't it, boss?"

Rick snorts. He'd roll his eyes but that would probably hurt. "Too familiar," he says, thinking about the last time Max visited him in a hospital. He'd hoped there wouldn't ever have to be a repeat performance but it seemed he couldn't catch a break. "To what do I owe this great pleasure to have of both of you here, shouldn't one of you be on patrol? Don't leave Ransom out there on his own, he can't handle those new recruits by himself."

"Nah," Max shrugs but he pins a look on Bobby. "But Bobby here seems to think he's somehow responsible for you being in here. I keep telling him that's not the case but…"

"Bobby," Rick frowns but his head is still fuzzy enough it takes him longer than it should to put the pieces together. "You know it's not your fault."

Bobby looks uneasy enough not to argue. "Sure, Skipper."

Rick exchanges a glance with Max. "You know, I never asked…" he says slowly, training his gaze on Bobby. "How did I get out of Skull One after it went down, anyway?"

Max looks triumphant when Bobby's eyes widen slightly with the realization. "Uh, that… that would have been me, Captain."

Rick's leans back against the headboard and folds his arms across his chest. "There. You see? I probably would have been toast if it wasn't for you. So let's not hear any more about it, alright?"

For a split second, Bobby looks like he might open his mouth to protest but then he straightens up and squares his shoulders. Whatever had been bothering him previously seems to have been put aside with Rick's words.

"Yes, sir. I'm glad you're alright, Captain. You… ah, you're still going to be able to make it to the wedding though aren't you?"

Rick manages a smile. "Wouldn't miss it."

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Rick comes home with a mild headache and a lot grumpy, under strict instructions to stay out of a recently repaired Skull One and any other mecha for a few more days at least. He complains about it to Lisa, who manages to pull some strings behind the scenes to allow him to oversee the cadets in the simulators while he's grounded. She figures it will do them all a favour if he's not sitting around cranky and feeling sorry for himself.

Not that she minds listening to his moaning, she tells herself. It's enough that he's confiding in her. She knows how much it means to him to fly but a slither of disquiet hovers in the back of her mind when she considers the long years ahead. Rick was one of the best of the best, his skills and reputation forged in the theatre of war in the stars and in the skies. There were already whispers in the wings of new missions, new leaders rising to power and new promotions that would soon come to pass and Lisa had no doubt that Rick would among those noted in that list. But would he ever be content to give up his flight helmet for a command cap? It was increasingly unlikely.

She pushes those thoughts aside when she finally arrives at his quarters. She's surprised to see his bedroom looks smaller, and then realizes that the single bed once nestled in the corner has been swapped out for a double, crowding the already compact space. Her cheeks heat at the implication, before she reminds herself it's not necessarily an invitation. Perhaps it was just so she could keep him company innocently; like that night they had spent in the hospital.

She has only just placed her overnight bag on the foot of the bed when Rick surprises her with a hug from behind. "You're here," he says with a pleased mumble into her shoulder. "I thought today would never end."

She raises a hand up to run her fingers through his hair before turning in his arms to face him. "I ducked home to get my bag and change. I'm sorry I was longer than I expected. I wanted to talk to Admiral Gloval about some things Breetai mentioned on the factory satellite but he's been so hard to get a hold of. He just spends his days holed up in the old SDF-1 and I'm really not sure what to make of it."

Rick frowns. "I wonder what he's working on?"

Lisa takes the opportunity to lean into him. He smells like soap and mint from his toothpaste. She's glad to realize the stark antiseptic scent of the hospital hasn't followed him home. "I have no idea but I'm sure we'll hear about it soon enough."

Rick kisses the top of her head. "Well, nothing you can do about it now. Let's not talk about work tonight. I want to be alone with you without having to worry about some nosy nurse walking in."

"Hmm, I do like the sound of that," she murmurs, letting the tension ease out of her body with the warmth his affection brings. She tilts her face up for a real kiss and Rick happily obliges.

"Come on," he says a moment later, releasing her to step back and lead her into the living room. He opens a bottle of wine and pours her a glass then fills one for himself.

She eyes the glass in his hands pointedly, brows raised as he takes a sip. "Are you allowed to drink that?"

He frowns and stares at the offending beverage. "Is that a crack about my age? I'm not all that much younger than you, you know."

Lisa chooses to ignore the small flicker of discomfort that particular reminder brings and forces a breezy laugh. "No, Rick, I meant because of your injury."

"Oh," Rick looks again at the glass then shrugs. "I'm sure it's fine. Stop fussing." He sips at it again before pulling a face. "Actually, you might be right. Maybe that's not such a good idea."

She watches him push his glass to the side then rub the back of his neck. He still looks more pale than usual and it was clear to her that despite all his steadfast denials, Rick was still recovering.

"Rick," she says softly. "Come here."

She opens her arms and thankfully he doesn't hesitate to step into her embrace. She curls around him and lays her head against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat under her ear. It was a sound that had become so precious to her and she never wanted that beat to stop - not until they were old and grey with an entire lifetime behind them.

It's a reminder of how precious their time together is.

"I'm so glad you're home, Rick."

There's so much more she wants to say – she's glad he's alive, glad she wasn't still stuck upside on the factory satellite, glad he came to his senses and left his feelings for Minmei behind but somehow she can't make all the words come together in her mind, so she simply molds her body against him and holds him tight.

"Me too," he says against her hair, his breath warm and a smile in his voice.

They prepare a meal together and for a while, they eat in silence. Lisa notices Rick is doing little more than pushing his food around on his plate. "Rick," she probes gently. "Maybe you should go back to bed, get some more sleep."

If she hadn't been watching so closely, she wouldn't have noticed the way his hand clenches white knuckled around his fork.

"No," he says firmly, brows knitting together. "I don't want to spend your free time out of the command centre sleeping."

"But, Rick-"

"Can't we just enjoy this, Lisa? Please?"

It's on the tip of her tongue to protest further but at the pleading in his eyes, she follows his cue not to push it. How can she when he's so determined to be with her? So she nods and goes back to her meal and for the next few minutes, they talk quietly as they eat. Their conversation invariably draws back to issues tangling the RDF but as she's clearing the table after their meal, Rick firmly declares that any further work chatter is now banned.

Lisa picks up her wine glass again to carry it to the living room. "Rick, we can't ignore reality."

"Sure we can," he shrugs as he follows her. "For a few hours at least."

"Alright then," she concedes, figuring he has a point. The same problems will all still be there tomorrow and this quiet time with him will soon become harder for them to hold onto. She tilts her head as she studies him. He seems improved with some food in his stomach.

Maybe he was just hungry, she decides. "So… What else would you like to talk about?"

"Well," he says slowly, sidling close and slipping an arm around her waist. His warm breath against her ear makes her shiver. "How about what day it is?"

That throws her. Her brows furrow in confusion as she lays her hands against his shoulders.

"Tuesday?"

Rick huffs out a small laugh. "No! Well, yes, it is Tuesday, but it's also something else."

He stares at her expectantly but Lisa is as perplexed as ever despite the distracting heat of his hands finding their home against her hips. She shakes her head helplessly. "I'm not sure I follow, Rick."

"You forgot? Whew, that's a blow to the ego," he says wryly. He softens the comment by leaning in to kiss her quickly on the cheek. "Wait here, I'll be back in a minute."

He quickly disappears into the bedroom and leaves Lisa to search her mind about what could be so special about this particular Tuesday but she comes up blank. She settles herself on the sofa to wait for him and he reappears a moment later holding something behind his back.

"Here," he says, almost shyly as he takes a seat beside her. "I hope you like it. Buying gifts isn't really my forte."

He presents her with a square, squat box, ivory in colour and tied with a pretty golden bow. Lisa stares at it in shock for so long that he has to press it into her hand with a dry chuckle. "It won't bite, Lisa."

"Rick, I… I don't understand. What is this?"

His cheeks colour adorably and he coughs lightly into one hand. "Well, it's, uh. It's our one month… uh, anniversary, so I thought you deserved something nice. Go on, open it."

Her heart thuds wildly as she tentatively undoes the gold bow and lifts the lid. She knows it's not a ring, the box is much too big for that, but she wasn't expecting the glimpse of sparkling silver that jumps out at her as she slides the box open. Nestled inside is a circular pendant studded with tiny diamonds and Lisa gasps in delight at the beautifully simple design. "Oh, Rick…"

Her fingers tremble as she traces her finger tips over it. She can't help the lump in her throat as her nose stings with the urge to cry.

Rick eyes her warily, uncertain of her reaction. "Do you like it?"

"It's… it's beautiful," she says, her voice thick. She catches sight of his worried eyes and straightens up, wiping away the dampness that's sprung up in her eyes. "Here, help me put it on."

She unhooks the necklace carefully from the box and hands it to Rick and he brushes her hair away from her nape as she tugs down the collar of her pink shirt. A shy smile forms as she tilts her head and presents her neck to him. Warm fingers brush against her skin and make her shiver as he fumbles slightly with the clasp.

"Almost got it," he mutters as he works at it. "There! It's on."

Lisa turns back to him, her fingers brushing where the pendant sits against her décolletage. She glances at him shyly. "How does it look?"

He gazes at her, his heart shining in his eyes. "It's perfect. You're perfect."

Now her eyes really do prick. She's overcome by a swell of love for him - just when she thinks he can't surprise her any more - that she should be cautious giving him her heart so completely - he cuts through her defenses like butter.

"Thank you so much, Rick," she says, leaning forward to kiss his lips slowly. He makes a small sound of approval against her mouth and then his arms are curling around her. He seems ornately pleased at her reaction and more than a little proud of himself.

"I'm glad you like it," he says.

"It's beautiful and I will treasure it forever but, oh, I haven't got anything for you."

To be honest, she hadn't even thought to look at the calendar to see how many days and nights had passed since their first dinner date when he had first told her he loved her. Something about counting their weeks together felt too premature, too much like counting her chickens before they hatched.

It's wildly comforting to know that Rick had no such qualms.

"I don't need anything," he shrugs dismissively as he pulls her closer to him. She nestles into his warmth. "I have the best thing of all."

His head lowers and he kisses her soft and sweet. Lisa's mind whirls and her stomach flutters with a happy, nervous energy.

There was one thing she can give him, something she has wanted for a little while now but refused let herself think too deeply about - especially after his sharp retreat on the evening following their mountain date. All she knows now is that she wants him inside her when she has nothing on her skin but the necklace he's just given her.

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A few more days pass quickly that has them struggling to find time together but the day of Bobby's wedding is one Lisa has been looking forward to with much anticipation.

Rick meets her at the door to her quarters, resplendent in a formal uniform that has been pressed and shined to perfection. Even his hair seems a little less unruly, pushed back from his face to allow his blue eyes to shine, although her fingers itch to thread through the strands and settle it into its usual disarray.

When his gaze lands on her, his eyebrows shoot up and his mouth pops open in stunned surprise. His jaw works silently for a moment before he swallows thickly.

"Wow…" he breathes.

Lisa flushes at his obvious admiration and smoothes her hands down the front of her outfit. She's wearing the same knock out red dress Claudia been happy to loan her once again, but with one important addition – Rick's gift around her neck. Her hair is pinned up into a soft up style, studded with pretty jeweled clips that leave loose tendrils to frame her face. Her eye makeup is a little more glamourous than usual and her heels are high enough to bring her almost eye to eye with him.

"You said you liked this dress," she says nervously, wondering not for the first time if she should have worn that other emerald green number she had found just a few days ago instead.

"I like red. I like you in red," he grins. He shakes his head as he hands her her coat. "Lisa, you're so beautiful."

She smiles at his earnest compliment and steps close to run her fingers lightly over the threads of his uniform. The insignias of his rank sit proudly against his chest, another reminder of everything they've been through together and how far he's come since their first encounter over the tac net. "You look pretty dashing yourself, you know."

His eyebrows rise again. "Yeah?"

"Yes," she teases, knowing he's fishing for a compliment of his own. "Very handsome. I suppose I will have to keep a close eye on you tonight."

He laughs as he walks her out to the waiting car. "Funny, I was going to say the same thing about you. Everyone is going to want a piece of the lovely Captain Hayes."

"Hopefully not everyone," she quips back and Rick laughs again.

The wedding is held in the private courtyard of the same restaurant Rick had taken her to but the space has been transformed under an elegant canopy of fairy lights and gently flickering candles. Bunches of white and soft pink flowers spill down the makeshift aisle and a few small rows of chairs are rapidly filling with the invited guests.

Lisa holds tight to Rick's arm as they make their way to their seats, waving to Max and Miriya with baby Dana on her hip. Lisa doesn't know how Miriya makes it all look so effortless, clad in a figure hugging deep blue gown with her hair braided back from her face. Rick offers Bobby a thumbs up, making him grin where he waits with the celebrant and his best man under an arbor studded with fairy lights and satin.

On the other side of the aisle, Lisa spies Claudia and the trio, all dressed up beautifully and crowded close by a handful of familiar faced fighter jocks. Lisa smiles to herself as she takes her seat with Rick just as the music starts. Most of the gathered guests turn to look at the bride as she walks down the aisle but Lisa keeps her eyes on Bobby, warmed to see the wonderment on his face the first time he lays his eyes on his future wife walking towards him.

Amelia almost unrecognizable from the girl Lisa had met with Rick the night they had dinner here. She wears a sweet, knee length gown in delicate lace and a veil atop of her dark cascading curls. In her hands she carries a small bouquet of baby's breath with splashes of yellow that Lisa is surprised to note are wildflowers. She exchanges a small glance with Rick at the realization before turning back to the proceedings to watch as Bobby pushes back the short veil and beams at Amelia with his heart in his eyes. There's a collective reverence amongst the guests as the short but heartfelt ceremony gets underway.

In front of the celebrant and all of their friends, Bobby and Amelia speak their vows with halting, trembling voices. Bobby has to stop more than once to take a breath and Amelia cries freely as Bobby finally slides a gold band onto her finger. Lisa feels her own eyes prick at the emotion of the moment but none more so than when one of Amelia's bridesmaids steps forward to read out a traditional blessing.

"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other," she says as Bobby and Amelia hold hands tightly, gazing into each other's eyes. The rest of the world might not even exists for how focused they are on each other and Lisa almost feels as though they're intruding on the special moment. "Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth."

The words make Lisa's heart ache with a kind of unexpected longing. After Riber died, she never thought much about marriage and now with her relationship with Rick charging to strength to strength, she's trying hard not to think too far ahead.

For now, she just wants to live in the moment but most of all, she just wants to live.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Bobby kisses his new wife to the soundtrack of bright, happy cheers. Rick surprises Lisa by slipping his arm around her waist and keeping her close when they stand up. They congratulate the new couple but in the fuss of all the hugs and congratulations, she's separated from Rick and she finds herself on the fringes with Miriya and Dana.

"Does this bring back memories of your wedding day?" she asks Miriya. She tickles the baby's cheek and is rewarded with a happy gurgle.

Miriya chuckles dryly. "Well, maybe if we were suddenly under attack it might, but I am hopeful it won't come to that."

Lisa flushes, remembering the events of their dramatic wedding. They didn't even have a chance to dance. "Oh, yes of course."

Rick shows up again to lead her to their seats, holding a glass of champagne for each of them. He's got a lipstick print on his cheek and Lisa chuckles at the sight. She puts down her glass on a nearby table and reaches into her purse for a kerchief then captures Rick's chin in her fingers.

"Hold still, it looks like the bride has left her mark on you," she says as she gently dabs his face.

He smiles at her gratefully. "Thanks, Lisa."

She smiles back, holding his gaze for a long, drawn out moment. It was so wonderful to see her love for him reflected back in his eyes and she can't help but wonder if his mind was trying to carry him towards thoughts of their possible future as much as her own were.

Maybe one day, it might be them exchanging those vows.

"You're welcome," she says softly and then the moment is broken by one of the wedding party directing them to take their seats at the long tables set up in the other part of the restaurant.

The reception is soon in full swing with a meal and speeches not far behind. Almost everyone wants to get up to say something to the couple, with Bobby being the subject of most of the jokes, but he's good natured about it and there is plenty of hilarity. Lisa laughs along, although a small part of her aches for the way of the world now. Weddings were small affairs these days, as was much of the world that was left since the Rain. Tight on resources but high on hope, she muses but her train of thought is interrupted when Rick stands up and makes his way to where the newlyweds are seated.

The best man hands Rick the microphone and Lisa waits with bated breath to hear what he has to say.

"Good evening, everyone," Rick starts and Lisa allows herself the indulgence of drinking him in with her eyes. He's commanding up there, every inch a leader but warm with the very clear regard he has for Bobby and his new wife. Lisa is proud of him, proud of the man he is. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Captain Rick Hunter, and I'm the man who has been whipping Bobby into shape these last few months."

There's a jeer and more laughter from some of the other pilots and Bobby's cheeks stain red. Rick waves his hand to settle the crowd. "Now, now. I'll have you know that Bobby is one of the best I've ever flown with. In fact," Rick says slowly, his eyes travelling around the room before they come back to settle very pointedly on Bobby. "He even saved my life not so very long ago."

Bobby ducks his head as a series of claps and exclamations ring out. Amelia turns to her new husband with wide eyes but Rick waits until the room settles before he continues.

"I'm the first to admit I don't know anything about marriage so I'll leave Max to talk about that, but one thing I do know… You're lucky, Bobby. You and Amelia… You've found something worth fighting for even when everything feels lost, when everything has been lost. This new world of ours isn't easy but you've found someone who is willing to stick by you, who will forgive your mistakes-" Rick searches out Lisa's gaze before he continues, "-Someone who inspires you to be the best you can be and… well, that's a gift more precious than anything. So with that, I'd like to raise a toast to the happy couple and I want all of you to join me. Bobby and Amelia, may your life together be long and full of joy. Bobby and Amelia!"

Everyone toasts but before he hands back the microphone to the MC, Rick leans over an adds an aside. "Oh, and speaking of gifts, I hope you get so many that you realize none are from me."

Laughter follows Rick back to his seat as Max takes the stage. When he's back in his seat, he glances sideways at Lisa. If she didn't know better, she would think he was embarrassed.

"Rick, that was really lovely," she tells him quietly. There's a swell of affection inside her as she thinks of his speech. "I didn't know you had it in you to be so romantic."

She expects him to laugh that off, to down play the poignant tone of his words but instead he turns and holds her gaze steadily.

"Maybe you've given me a lot to think about."

Lisa is too startled to reply but an answer doesn't seem to be needed when he turns back to listen to Max's speech. Lisa reaches for her wine glass to take a discrete gulp in an effort to quiet the riot of butterflies that have suddenly appeared inside her. Sometimes he astonishes her, and the way it builds inside her chest is almost frightening. He must sense her disquiet because he lays a reassuring hand against her knee under the table without even turning in her direction.

When the speeches are over, the newlyweds follow tradition by cutting the cake then playfully feeding each other. Bobby gets a smudge of cream across one cheek that makes everyone laugh and then the music kicks in and the newlyweds share their first dance as husband and wife.

It's as romantic as they come, and Lisa sighs wistfully as she watches them twirl around the floor.

After the romantic first dance, the music tempo changes and some of the guests take to the dancefloor while the rest get up and mingle. Lisa tells Rick she's going to visit with Claudia and the trio but she stops by the bridal table to compliment Amelia on her dress and Bobby on the beautiful wedding.

"Oh, Captain Hayes, thank you so much for sharing this with us," Amelia says.

"Yeah, thanks Captain," Bobby adds. "I wasn't sure if Captain Hunter would have the guts to bring you but I'm glad he di- ow, what was that for?"

Amelia stares aghast at her new husband. "Bobby, don't say that!"

"What? What did I say?"

"I must apologize for my husband, Captain Hayes, sometimes his mouth is as big as the grand canyon."

Lisa forces a smile, although a portion of her mind is preoccupied by Bobby's words. It seemed like a peculiar thing to say but she decides to write it off as too much champagne. "No harm done. Congratulations again. I hope you will both be very happy together."

She moves on to seek out Claudia and she finds her with the trio. They're gushing over the bride when a tall man steps close and introduces himself to Lisa as one of Bobby's wingmates.

"Ted," he tells her. "Lieutenant Ted Ransom."

"I know who you are," she chuckles in amusement, familiar with all the pilots under her command. He flushes then holds out a hand to invite her to dance. Perhaps it was all the champagne that she had been drinking or maybe some of Bobby's statement was still echoing in her mind, but it doesn't occur to her to reject him.

He does his best to sweep her around the dancefloor but despite his confident approach, he holds her stiffly. Lisa soon gets the odd impression that there's more going on here than she's privy to.

"So, uh. You and Captain Hunter," he starts and Lisa has to crane her neck back to look up at him. He's watching her with a concentration that makes her wary. Her relationship with Rick was hardly a secret so she wonders briefly where his line of inquiry was leading to.

"Yes?"

"Is, uh. Is it serious?"

Lisa looks away. "It is for me."

Ted makes a sound that might be something disapproving. "Well, if you ever change your mind, I don't think Captain Hunter knows what he's got. I'd like to take you out sometime."

Lisa doesn't get a chance to answer before Rick materializes at her shoulder, his expression stormy and his eyes hard. "That won't be necessary."

Ted's cheeks immediately stain red and he stammers. "Captain Hunter, sir, I, uh-"

"Thank you for the dance," she intervenes quickly, pulling her hands from Ted's but keeping herself between the two men. She's flattered by Ransom's interest, surprised even… and privately thrilled by the firm lines around Rick's mouth and the sudden tension in his shoulders. Rick's abruptly territorial stance was wildly arousing, although as a modern woman she would refuse to ever admit that fact out loud.

Ted walks away quickly and Rick tugs her into his arms, continuing to shoot daggers into Ted's retreating back. Lisa has to say his name more than once to get his attention.

"Was he bothering you?" Rick demands, his voice low and rough.

Lisa knew it was wrong on so many levels to enjoy his jealousy, but she can't bring herself to feel bad about it. She loops an arm around his neck and his hands come to rest at the small of her back. "Not as much as you might think."

"He bothers me," Rick mutters, annoyed and Lisa isn't sure if he means in their professional life or just now.

"He's harmless."

Rick huffs in irritation. "Yeah. The rebels probably say the same thing. His aim is terrible."

"Rick," she scolds him but the dry humour in his tone makes her whisper conspiratorially to him. "Should I be concerned that he's the one watching your back then?"

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm an ace, remember?"

Their eyes lock and his smirk fades after a second or so. Neither of them bother to mention his recent all too close brush with death. She has the urge to rub the crease away from his brows but he pulls her closer and lays his cheek against her temple. When the music starts again, they start to sway together on the dancefloor.

"I do, you know," Rick says after a while. Minmei's voice croons about thirteen Junes in the background but Lisa tunes her out.

"You do what?"

"I do know what I've got. I know it took me a while, but-" he shakes his head, struggling with his words then he shrugs roughly in defeat. "I love you, Lisa. I do."

"Oh, Rick," she pulls him in for a kiss that tells him she feels the same and she hopes somewhere that Ted is watching.

The rest of the evening passes in a blur of more champagne, more music, dancing and laughter. She dances with the groom, gets passed around the other members of the squad along with Miriya, before finally making her way back to Rick sometime close to midnight. She's breathless and her feet are beginning to hurt so when Rick suggests taking their leave, she doesn't think to argue.

They claim a rare treat and cab it back to her quarters. She gratefully kicks off her heels the moment they walk through the door, ignoring the chill of the cold tiles under her feet. Rick follows slowly behind her, closing the door to her quarters as she goes to the kitchen and sets the water to boil for tea. It's mostly muscle memory and she's watching the blue flames on the stove in a daze when she decides she actually wants something stronger.

Without bothering to ask Rick, she gathers up two glasses and a very special bottle of scotch that reminds her of her father. She figures she needs the courage it will give her.

Rick glances at the bottle in surprise when she carries it out to the living room. "I didn't know you drank this stuff."

"Not often, but I do make an exception for special occasions."

"Oh, yeah? What's special about tonight?"

"Oh, you know," she says mildly as she pours a fingerful of scotch into each glass. The amber liquid swirls over the ice. "Love, life and happily ever afters."

Rick chuckles lightly as he accepts the glass she hands to him. She catches his eye as they clink their glasses together.

"To love," she murmurs.

"To love," Rick echoes then takes a sip at his glass. He leans back, one arm spread across the back of the couch as his eyes drift closed. Lisa takes a seat beside him, nursing her drink studying the dark smudges under his eyes and the wan pallor of his skin. He was still in the tail end of his recovery that much was clear but she would be lying if she said she hadn't hoped somewhere deep inside that she might have the opportunity to show Rick the pretty lace underwear she wears under her dress. One glance at his face tells her this will be another missed connection.

"Thank you for inviting me," she says quietly, wondering if he's fallen asleep.

Rick cracks open one eye and smiles at her. "I'm not sure it was such a good idea," he starts, a teasing note in his voice. "I think half the squad has a crush on you now. I don't think they've ever seen you like that. It made their night."

"Oh," she laughs, pressing one hand to a warm cheek. She can't imagine that, but it's nice to hear the note of pride in Rick's voice. "I suppose they only see one side of me on the comm."

"I'm going to have to keep an eye on Ransom though. He's got it bad."

Lisa rolls her eyes. "I always promised myself I wouldn't fall in love with a fighter pilot."

Rick's eyebrows shoot up and with a supreme effort he pulls himself forward. "You did?"

Lisa laughs, embarrassed now. "Mostly because Claudia so insisted I would."

Rick's lips quirk in his familiar half smile. "She might have been onto something there. We are pretty irresistible."

"Mhm. Modest too. I've never met anyone so humble."

Rick laughs and slumps back against the couch, his eyes drifting closed once again.

"You don't realize this Lisa, but you're our lifeline when we're flying," Rick says after a moment, a slight slur to his speech that speaks more to his fatigue than it does to the alcohol consumed. "Your voice leads us home."

Rick doesn't stay for too much longer before he takes his leave and shuffles back to his own quarters. Lisa wonders how long it will be before he doesn't have to leave at all and falls asleep dreaming of rainbow stars and white satin.

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