Disclaimer ROBOTECH is a trademark owned and licensed by Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc.  This fan fiction was written for entertainment purposes only.  No infringement is intended. 

Note:  For my story purposes, Roy Fokker is alive.  This story is kind of AU.  It does not follow strictly the Robotech storyline. 

Chapter III

"It's official," Sammie's voice whispered.

"What's official?" asked Kim, looking at her bridge mate.

"Captain Hayes and Commander Hunter are dating!" Sammie replied excitedly. "They've been going out for over a month."

"And, how would you know that?" asked Kim, smirking.

"Because it's been a month since the Captain hasn't had a single fight with Commander Hunter over the net. I'd say that is proof enough," the blonde girl replied smartly,

"Well, if you ask me, it's about time!" responded Vanessa from her station. "Those two have been fighting for so long; it was so obvious they'd end up together".

"What about Miss Macross?" inquired Kim. "Do you think he's over her?"

"Has to be..." Sammie bobbed her head. "She's been out of the picture for a while."

"I heard from Rico, Konda and Bron--" started Vanessa.

"The president, vice president and secretary of Minmei's fan club," said Kim.

"That she's on tour. Supposedly, she and Kyle are holding concerts in benefit of reconstruction."

"Is that so?" said Kim. "Lynn-Kyle doesn't strike me as the generous type."

"Well," added Sammie maliciously, "I'm sure Miss Macross has ways of convincing him to donate money."

The "bunnies" laughter filled the bridge as Claudia and Lisa walked in with several cups.

"What's so funny?" asked Claudia curiously, setting the drinks on a table.

"Nothing, Commander," replied Sammie.

"Nothing, huh? Why is it that I don't believe you?" asked Claudia sternly.

"Oh, let them be," said Lisa good-naturedly. "We brought you some hot chocolate, girls."

"Thank you, Captain," said Kim, eyeing her friends. Captain Hayes was definitely in a very good mood.

"Wow! Her attitude has really improved," whispered Vanessa to Sammie.

"Aw shucks!" exclaimed Kim opening her container. "They forgot the marshmallows."

"I'm sure Captain Hayes has some in her drawer, don't you?" asked Sammie innocently.

All four women faced Lisa, who was blushing uncontrollably.

"Yes...mini marshmallows...will that be ok?" she stammered.

"Sounds good to me! Are you sure Commander Hunter won't mind?" Kim asked slyly.

"He's prone to sharing," said Lisa, digging through her drawer.

"Told you," Sammie winked at her friends.

"Is there something in you eye, Samantha?" asked Claudia, interrupting

the fun the girls were having with Lisa.

"No, sir! Commander Grant!" replied Sammie, sheepishly.

"Enough, you girls," said Claudia sternly, crossing her arms over her chest, "I think you should start monitoring those screens.

"Thank you." Lisa's lips formed the words without a sound as she looked at Claudia. She just shrugged it off with a smile as the Terrible Trio went back to work.

*****

"Minmei, where are you?" Lynn-Kyle's voice came from across the room, his hand searching the empty space besides him.

"I'm over here," her voice came softly from the window pane of the hotel where they were staying.

"Why did you get up so early?" asked Kyle sitting up on the bed, the sheet revealing his naked torso.

"I couldn't sleep anymore," Minmei replied, sighing. Kyle frowned. He could see Minmei's reflection on the window, her brows were furrowed together. That usually meant she was upset about something.

"Why don't you come back to bed? The sun hasn't even come up, yet," he asked sweetly.

"I don't want to!" she replied petulantly, stomping her foot on the ground.

Great. She's in one of her moods, thought Kyle. "Care to tell me what's upsetting you?"

"I can't believe what you charged for the tickets, Kyle! It's indecent!" she complained.

"I'm only trying to keep you living in the lifestyle you're accustomed to, Minmei," he replied.

"So, this is for me?" She turned around to face him, anger vibrant in her eyes. "Do you know me so little to think that I need to stay in a penthouse to be happy?"

Kyle stared at her, bewildered at how a woman that angry could look so incredibly gorgeous.

"Are you listening to me? This room is extravagant... it's too much!" She continued her banter.

Kyle's mind flew to his memories of him and Minmei in Japan, when they were youngsters. She had always been pretty and very aware of how exotic her slanted blue eyes were. They had always been close; he being the first man Minmei had flirted with and used her charms on. Kyle had ignored her many times, but he had finally given into the game of her flirting. Lynn-Kyle had given her her first "grown up" kiss when she turned fifteen, a couple of months before Macross City had been transported into deep space. He had cried thinking her dead, but then, a year later she had reappeared in Japan, and he knew then and there, Minmei would never leave his sights again.

"Lynn Kyle," she waved her arms wildly, "You are not listening!"

He was, but he was more enthralled by the Minmei in front of him, hair billowing behind her, dressed in his white shirt, long legs on display. Minmei was his goddess...it had taken him forever to get her to share his bed and now that he had her, he wasn't going to let her go.

"This is for us, Mimi," he said using his pet name for her. "I want you to be happy."

"If you want me to be happy," she retorted, "why don't you give all our profits to the mayor?"

"Minmei, we've discussed this before..." he said, standing up and putting a pair of silk boxers on.

"Maybe we should discuss this some more." She stood on her ground as he came near her. "Maybe we shouldn't," he said picking her up in his arms.

"I'm not a little girl!" she protested. "Put me down!"

"You're acting like one," he said, holding her close as he walked back to the bed.

Minmei was angry. Her fists, futilely, hit him on his chest as he deposited her softly on the mattress and covered her body with his. His mouth came over hers, silencing her protests.

"Kyle..." she mumbled.

"I love you Minmei...you are the brightest star," he said, holding her tight.

She shut her eyes tightly as Kyle's hand roamed her body and his lips searched for hers anxiously. With a sigh, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, hungrily, searching to fill the void in her soul.

*****

The sun was coming in through the open curtains. Kyle's head was resting over Minmei's chest, as he fell asleep listening to her heartbeat. Her eyes were fixed on the ceiling as she cried silently.

When has her life become so confusing? When had it all started? She was the one who ran away from love...she had had her own shadows to cast (1) and here she was, being a shadow, losing herself in Kyle's ambitions and drowning in his love. What an irony!

Kyle blinked in his sleep as he heard Minmei sing in a voice full of sorrow the lyrics to the song she had written in the past months:

I always think of you,

Dream of you late at night.

What do you do,

When I turn off the lights? (2)

"I always think about you, Mimi," said Kyle sleepily.

Minmei caressed his hair that fell over her breast and stopped singing. The tears were flowing freely as she hummed the song softly to herself.

It is you I miss

It's you who's on my mind

It's you I cannot leave behind... (3)

If you only knew, was the last thing Minmei thought before falling asleep.

*****

The alarms went off on the bridge. Lisa, who had been checking some reports below, ran up to the bridge.

"What's going on?" she asked, looking over Kim's shoulder.

"Enemy Pods are approaching Granite City Commander," she responded

"It couldn't last forever," said Sammie, sighing sadly.

"Enemy Pods?" repeated Lisa aghast. "What can they possibly want?"

"I just received a call from Granite, Captain, they are requesting assistance," said Vanessa.

"Send a recon patrol," said Lisa. "Who's on duty?"

"Vermillion Team, Captain," responded Claudia matter of factly.

Lisa swallowed. Of course! As if she hadn't known. She walked towards the communications net and connected to Rick's screen.

"Good day, Captain!" responded Rick happily, but still trying to keep some type of formalism between them.

"Commander Hunter, there seems to be an uprise in Granite City. We need you to go there ASAP."

"On my way, Captain Hayes. Vermillion Team," he ordered through the net, "change coordinates to Gamma 3 quadrant 6."

Lisa heard Max and the others respond affirmatively to Rick's orders and watched on the radar as they switched directions.

"Godspeed," said Lisa, looking at him directly. "Please, be careful."

"I'll be back soon," he smiled, "we have a date, remember?" He grinned before signing out.

The Terrible Trio turned their heads towards Lisa, who was looking straight ahead. He had done that at purpose! He enjoyed her flustering!

"He's going to get it!" She thought heatedly at first but then smiled amused "Yeah right!" Probably a zillion kisses."

*****


Granite City wasn't too far away; it took Vermillion Team about twenty minutes to get there from their present position.

"There they are boys," said Rick over the net.

There were two Zentraedi pods and five fully uniformed soldiers, entering the city. Vermillion flew over them, the eyes of the Zentraedi lifting towards them, shaking their fists angrily at them.

"What do you think they want?" asked one of Rick's wing mates.

"There are some Protoculture pods in this town," answered Max. "They probably want that.

"Let's go down there and talk to them," said Rick.

"Hey Max," said Bobby, a wing mate, "Can't you use your influences?"

"Wish I could," said Max, sighing. "Wish I could."

They configured their mechas into Battloid as they landed and faced the Zentraedi.

"Zentraedi, my name is Rick Hunter, Commander and I would like to speak to you."

"Leave us alone!" said the soldier, pushing Rick out of his way.

"I order you to stop!" said Rick more forcibly.

"Don't interfere. Let us be," spoke one of the soldiers facing Rick.

"We would like to talk with you," continued Rick. "What's your name?"

"My name is Khoji," he responded "I am the leader."

"Why are you in warfare attire?" asked Max "There is no fighting permitted."

"We want to go home," answered another. "And you won't let us."

"Go home?" repeated Rick "I thought this was your home. We have been working together to build a community."

"We don't belong here" answered Khoji "We want to return to space and you won't help us. Therefore, we must find our own ways."

He signalled to his comrades and the pods, proceeding to enter the city.

"What do we do, boss?" asked Bobby, a member of Vermillion. "We have to stop them but let's not scare them," answered Rick, signal

ling his men to follow him into the city. "We don't want anyone to get hurt."

Granite City was starting to awaken. The few pedestrians that were out ran for cover as soon as the ground beneath them began trembling. The Zentraedis continued their stride along the narrow street, barely missing the buildings next to them.

Rick saw the horror in the faces of the inhabitants; he heard the cries of despair and the kneeling of people who were bracing themselves for the worst. Sighing, he stretched the hand of his Battloid and touched the shoulder of Khoji.

That was a mistake. The Zentraedi, startled, took the robot's hand and flipped him over in a martial arts move. Rick felt himself fly through the air and land against a building, which plopped under his weight. Fortunately, the building was still under construction.

Max, Bobby, and the other members of Vermillion grabbed their weapons and pointed them at the remaining soldiers.

"Boss, are you ok?" asked Max.

"Been better," responded Rick, returning his Battloid to standing position.

"Leave us alone!" shouted Khoji, launching himself towards Rick.

Startled, Rick saw on of the Zentraedi's hand grab hold of his "neck", while the other tore at his breastplate. Flashbacks of his encounter with Breetai crossed his memory as he opened his eyes wide.

"Rick! Oh my gosh, Rick!" He heard a feminine voice calling for him desperately, but it wasn't coming from the net. He tried looking around but the soldier's face was inches from his canopy, a furious, insane look upon him.

"Rick! Rick!" wailed the voice again.

Rick looked past the maniac's face, his eyes focusing on a figure waving her arms madly from the window of a hotel, another figure behind her pulling her away from danger.

"Minmei!" he yelled back, but by then, sparks were flying all around him as the Zentraedi was tearing at his Battloid, and pressing the canopy with his fingers.

"Eject! Eject!" came Max's voice through the net, as he ran towards Rick's Battloid, while the rest of Vermillion controlled the rebels.

Rick felt a spark hit him and he pulled the trigger for ejection. The canopy exploded in the soldier's hand and in an instant, Rick was flying out of his cabin. Furious still, the Zentraedi tried to grab him; he missed, but touched him barely enough to send him sprawling against the rubble of the building they had destroyed earlier.

******

"He's been hurt," Max's voice came flatly through the communications net.

Lisa felt her knees go weak, Claudia ran to her side, supporting her by the shoulders.

"Rick's been flown into the hospital. He should be there by now."

"How is he?" asked Lisa with a voice that didn't sound like hers.

"He was unconscious when they took him, Captain."

"Thank you, Max," said Lisa, regaining her composure. "Is the situation taken care of?"

"Yes, Captain. The Zentraedi have been disarmed and sent away." Max's concerned face answered through the net.

"Good job, Max. I assume you'll bring Vermillion back to headquarters?"

"We shall be there shortly. Over and out, Captain...and Captain..." He hesitated.

"Yes, Max?" she looked at him through the net.

"I am truly sorry. If I could have prevented it..."

"I know. Hurry up home, Max. Miriya is waiting for you," she smiled. "Over and out." She cut communication before two tears rolled down her cheek.

Claudia squeezed her shoulders.

"He'll be ok," she tried to reassure her.

"How can we know?" She looked at her friend helplessly.

"He's resilient," intervened Sammie.

"He's too handsome to be hurt seriously," added Kim.

"He has you to come back to," said Vanessa.

Lisa looked at the women full of appreciation. They were definitely more than comrades; they were her friends, her sisters.

"Thank you, girls," she said, smiling weakly.

The door opened and Gloval's figure appeared with a pipe between his lips.

"Sir, there is no--" started Sammie.

"Captain Hayes, what are you doing here?" he asked seriously, interrupting the blond before she lectured him.

"Sir?" she blinked looking at her watch "My shift isn't over, yet."

"Yes, it is. At this moment, there is a more pressing matter than a few rebel Zentraedis. Go and see how Commander Hunter is doing."

"But Sir..." she protested, "it isn't professional..."

"I want you to leave, Lisa," he spoke like a father. "I am sure we'll do fine without you."

"Go, Lisa," all four women urged her. She felt tears welling up her eyes.

"Thank you, Sir," she said, picking up her purse, and walked towards the door.

"And Lisa..."

"Yes, sir?"

"Give Commander Hunter my best wishes for a fast recovery," he said, lighting his pipe.

Sammie considered admonishing him for smoking, but decided she could give Gloval a "break".

*****

"What the heck were you thinking, Minmei?"

The singer raised her eyes at the man that was shouting furiously at her. They were still at the hotel, the manager giving them a free night to compensate for the "stress" of the battle that had occurred outside.

"There is no need to yell, Kyle."

"What were you thinking, looking out the window when there was a fight out there?"

"That was a friend of mine in the Battloid," she explained flatly.

"Who? That stupid pilot from the SDF-1? What's his name? Rick something.. Yeah! Rick Hunter, the guy you saved a seat for during your premiere and who didn't even show up...that fool!"

"Stop it!" Minmei stood up and shoved Kyle. "I owe him my life."

"Whatever, Minmei!"

"Something bad happened out there," Minmei said shivering, "I saw some techies come and pick up the Battloid."

"So?" asked Kyle indifferently.

"Rick would not abandon his mecha unless something happened to him."

"Battloid...mecha....where have you been picking up this war jargon, Mimi?"

"How dumb do you think I am?" she asked hurt.

"I don't think you're dumb," he said soothingly. "Just a bit...spacey".

"Gee, thanks!" She sulked.

"Time to get ready, Mimi," said Kyle, checking his watch. "We promised the manager you'd do a couple of songs in exchange for another night, remember?"

"I'll be ready," she said, sitting in front of her vanity mirror.

"Look your best," he said, kissing her neck.

"I won't disappoint you," she said sullenly, and pulled away. Once Kyle left her side, she closed her eyes and said a silent prayer, hoping Rick would be alright.

*****

"Hello, handsome."

"Lisa.." He smiled faintly at the figure standing next to him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, holding tears back.

"How long have I been here?" he asked, looking around the sterile room.

"Thirty-six hours. They knocked you out good this time…" She attempted to smile.

 
"I guess I caught up on sleep," he said, raising his hand to his forehead. "Ouch! Still hurts!"

"Of course it does, flyboy!" said his nurse, entering the room. "How many more times am I going to have to see you?"

It was the same woman who had taken care of him back on the SDF-1.

"Good to see you, too, I guess," said Rick awkwardly.

"Likewise," she smiled.

"How bad is it?" asked Rick.

"Well, your ribs are bruised, but not broken, and you have a concussion. However, you seem to be reacting normally, Lieutenant."

"Commander," corrected Lisa gently. The nurse smiled at her, unfazed.

"If there is one thing that has been proven with you," she smiled after taking his vitals, "it's that you pilots have a head made of granite."

"Thanks." Rick smirked. "When can I leave?"

"Not sure, flyboy. The doctor will be by later on. He'll let you know." She turned to Lisa, "And you, darling, you should go home and get some rest, your flyboy is safe and sound."

"You've been here all this time?" asked Rick stunned, once they were alone.

"I didn't want you to be alone," she responded.

"Come here," said Rick scooting over on the bed.

"But Rick..." she protested.

"Come here, Captain," he mockingly ordered. "I want you in my arms."

At his words, Lisa sat next to him as he passed an arm around her shoulders.

"Do you have an idea of how sweet you are?" Rick said, squeezing her shoulders.

"I was so worried. I couldn't bare to be away from you."

"What about work?"

"Oh, I owe Claudia a couple of shifts." She smiled. "They've all been very worried about you."

"Is that so?" Rick smiled, pleased. "Are those flowers from the Bridge Bunnies?"

"What did you call them?" She practically glared at him.

"I mean..." he started, flabbergasted.

"Yes, they're from the girls." She smiled "and the balloons are from Sammie."

"They are so sweet," reflected Rick. "We really shouldn't call them bunnies..."

"No, you shouldn't," she agreed. "Roy also stopped by."

"What did Big Brother have to say?"

"He called you a blockhead. Roy says you should have called for backup."

"Probably. I just didn't think they would actually attack me...in the Battloid. It was a shock to me, too! And later on, when he went for the canopy..."

"I was so scared..." said Lisa quietly, hiding her face in the curve of his neck, inhaling his scent.

"I'm so sorry, Lisa. I never meant to worry you."

"It's inevitable. You are a pilot." She gave him butterfly kisses along his neck. "just try to not to do it again. Promise?"

"I promise," he said, taking her chin between his index and thumb. "I have you and those beautiful eyes to come back to, darling."

"Oh Rick..."

"Do you know what would make me feel better, Captain Hayes?" He grinned boyishly.

"What would that be, Commander Hunter?"

"A little bit of Vitamin L."

"Vitamin L?" asked Lisa curiously, "Where can I get that?"

"Vitamin Lisa, vitamin love..." He wiggled his eyebrows as Lisa burst out laughing.

"I see," she said smiling, while heading for his lips. "Let's see if I can fill that deficiency..." Their lips locked. Lisa tilted her head to kiss him lightly, playfully taking his lower lip between hers and tugging at it softly. Rick moaned as Lisa's tongue slipped between his lips and stroked his palate. Feeling his blood rush through his veins, he pressed his tongue against hers and sucked a bit harshly, taking her by surprise.

"Hey little brother! Heard you're doing well!" Roy burst through the door, a box between his hands. "Whoa! I see you're doing better that I expected!" he said, as the scene before him sunk in.

"Hello Roy," said Rick, annoyed at his intrusion.

"Captain Fokker," greeted Lisa descending from the bed.

"Captain Hayes," he returned the greeting "I see you're taking care of my little brother."

"Doing the best I can," she retorted, standing up to his banter.

"You are so lucky," said Roy grinning. "You've got the best taking care of you, little brother. Captain Hayes, have you considered a second career in care-giving?"

Lisa pretended she didn't hear him and kissed Rick on the cheek.

"You're leaving?" asked Rick, sounding extremely disappointed.

"I'll stay with you all night, Rick," interjected Roy. "So you won't be lonely."

"You see? Roy will keep you company." She kissed him again. "I'll be back tomorrow. Good night, Rick."

"Good night, darling," said Rick, pouting.

"Good night, Captain," Roy saluted. Lisa knew he was mocking her, so she saluted him in return before leaving the room.

"Wow! You call her "darling", eh?" exclaimed Roy once they were alone. "What was going on before I walked in?"

"Nothing, thanks to you!" he complained.

"Hey! Don't give me this attitude. Next time, remember to lock the door, you fool!" Roy whacked his arm. "You ingrate! I even brought you a box of chocolates."

"Ouch!" complained Rick. "I'm hurt, remember?"

"Whatever!" said Roy, sitting next to him on the bed and taking the remote control. "Let's see what's on TV." Rick felt himself pushed over, almost out of the bed and sighed. Roy opened the box and started eating a bonbon.

"You are starting to become a pest, Roy. You have a knack for showing up at the most inappropriate times."

"Not my fault." He contained his laughter.

"You know what you need, Roy?"

"What would that be, Rick?" he looked at his friend amused.

"A bell around your neck."

*****
(1), (2) & (3) are from the Robotech books.  No infringement intended!

AN:  Thank you to all who take the time to write:  Unbeseigbar K., Sphersian (I've read your fic!), K71, TetsuoTsubushi, Admiral RT, Deadguy23, Ann, Joshua, rick and lisa fan, Aikiweezie, lucky, abrilknight, and many others (sorry if I forgot someone).  It is always nice to know someone is reading what takes effort to create. 

Hope I didn't disappoint you.  Maybe Lisa seemed a bit more emotional than we normally see her but I am a firm believer that those that seem really "tough" are the most sensitive ones…right? Comments are welcomed.  Thanks for reading and have a good week!