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 IV
"Hello flyboy!"
Rick turned his head from the TV screen. "Minmei!" he exclaimed surprised.
She was standing, or rather posing at the doorframe. One hand was high above her head holding the frame, her other hand was perched on the hip.
His eyes, instinctively, went up and down her body, noticing the long legs barely covered by the short skirt, and momentarily stopping at her cleavage.
Minmei smiled knowingly. She knew the effect she had on men, particularly on this one.
She walked towards him, swaying her hips seductively and stopping by his side to kiss his cheek. "How are you feeling?"
"How did you know I was here?" he asked, still stunned.
"This is the military hospital," she explained. "And I saw you get hurt."
"That's right!" he exclaimed, thumping his index and middle fingers on his forehead before groaning.
"Still hurts, huh?" she said, soothing his hair softly. "I was so scared when I saw you fight against that Zentraedi."
"Now I remember…" he said, pensively.
Minmei furrowed her brows. Rick had forgotten he had seen her? He must have really hit his head hard to forget about her.
"So, how have you been?" she asked, sitting at the edge of the bed. "It's been a while since we've talked, Rick. You've been too busy for me." Minmei pouted as Rick observed her. She was accusing him of being too busy?
"I have been involved with reconstruction, you know?" he said, crossing his arms.
"So have I." She grinned. "I've been working on a few songs I'm sure will boost the morale. I've also been touring and donating money…" She paused as if expecting praise, but as Rick remained mute, she continued, "That's why I was in Granite City that day."
They looked at each other for a few seconds, the silence slightly uncomfortable.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" said Rick.
"I've missed you, Rick," Minmei said sliding closer to him. "You're my only true friend."
Rick smiled bitterly. That's what he always had been…a friend.
"You have tons of friends, Minmei."
"But no one knows me like you do," she explained. "You are the only one…you knew me before stardom. Remember, Rick? Remember when we were lost in the SDF-1?"
Of course he remembered. Those days had been the "good" days, when life was simpler and he was flying for fun.
"I've never forgotten…" She bat her lashes, her exotic eyes fixed on his. "Never forgotten how sweet your kiss was…"
The words hadn't registered completely in his brain, when Minmei's lips came down on his, all the air in the world entering through his nostrils. It was an assault to his senses, her perfume enveloping him, her tongue seeking entrance.
Alarms went off in Rick's head, and before he could react, they both jumped in their seats, separating as the door slammed against the wall.
"There you are!" it was Lynn-Kyle, smiling a feral smile.
"What are you doing here?" asked Minmei flustered "You hate hospitals."
"I needed to find you. We need to part immediately for New Detroit City. I have a few gigs lined up for you."
"The least you could do is say hi to Rick," she replied, looking at him. "Where are your manners?"
"Hello Lieutenant." He obeyed reluctantly "Still killing for pleasure?" He slanted his eyes full of hate.
"It's Commander," said Rick seriously. "And I don't kill for pleasure. I fight for--"
"I know! For life, liberty and freedom!" he mocked "I've heard it all before."
Minmei glared at him.
"Let's go, Minmei! I'm double-parked," Kyle ordered.
"I don't want to leave yet. I'm not done with my visit," she protested.
"Yes, you are." He walked towards the bed and took her by the arm. "You are a star and you have commitments."
"Let me go!" she tried to break free.
"Kyle…maybe you--" Rick started, but he cut him off.
"Minmei, you're causing your friend grief. We should leave and let him rest."
She looked at Rick, tears welling up her eyes. "Let me go!" she told Kyle.
He heard the anger in her voice and released her. Kyle smirked, realizing he was probably going to be in the "dog house" for a couple of days. Minmei returned to Rick's side and kissed his cheek slowly.
"We have a pending conversation, Rick. I'll be back," she whispered to his ear.
The door closed silently behind them and Rick sighed, sliding under the covers. It was always that way with Minmei…she was a whirlwind in his life, coming and disappearing out of nowhere.
Maximillian Sterling was entering the hospital as Minmei was exiting. The oriental looking woman passed by his side, ignoring him.
Thank goodness I have Miriya or this would really shatter my confidence, he thought.
Behind his cool, calm exterior, Max was still insecure. It didn't matter if he was the best pilot of the RDF; when it came to women, he was nervous as a teenager. He still couldn't thank his lucky stars enough for Miriya.
"Minmei, wait!"
Glancing sideways, Max saw a long-haired man trailing behind her.
"Wait? What for?" She sounded angry. "You wanted me out of the room so we could go to New Detroit City, so here we go!"
"Wait!" he repeated.
"I'm only doing what you wanted me to!" she replied "You always get what you want, don't you?" she kept walking hurriedly towards the door.
"Don't you?" he retorted. "What were you doing stuck to that pilot's face, huh?"
*****
Max shrugged and entered the elevator's parting doors. He pressed the tenth button for Rick's floor and hummed to the music playing in the elevator.
"Love is in the Air," Max recognized on his way up, amused. "How appropriate."
"Come in," he heard Rick's voice answer to his knock.
"Maximillian Sterling, reporting, sir!" he saluted, squaring his shoulders.
"Hey Max!" Rick grinned. "It's good to see you, buddy."
"Good to see you, too," he said, taking seat next to the bed. "How are you doing?"
"I'm dying to go home!" Rick complained. "But they haven't signed the release papers, yet."
"Maybe the nurses want to keep you here," Max teased. "You do seem to fascinate the ladies."
"Why do you say that?" Rick eyed him.
"I saw Minmei on my way in. She was arguing with her cousin…Kyle, isn't it?"
"She came to say hello," Rick explained, " and then, Kyle showed up to whisk her away."
"You sound disappointed. Was something going on?" Max eyed him suspiciously.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rick narrowed his eyes.
"You have a guilty look on your face," the blue-haired man explained.
"She kissed me." Rick saw Max's jaw drop.
"What?" he exclaimed surprised "What about Lisa?"
"What about Lisa?" he asked, frowning.
"You kissed Minmei!" Max said. "If I'm not mistaken, you're dating Lisa."
"Hold on!" said Rick throwing his hand up in the air "I didn't kiss her. She kissed me and before I could react, Kyle showed up."
"Aja!" said Max nodding. "No wonder Kyle looked so upset. Those two were quarrelling and it was a lover's spat."
"Minmei's unhappy," Rick reflected aloud. "I could see it in her eyes."
"Permission to speak freely, sir," Max said seriously.
"Stop with the formalities, Max. You are my friend."
"Minmei is a beautiful girl, Rick. I can see why you are under her spell and why you treasure your memories of her but…"
Rick looked at him intensely. "But?"
"You have a something real with Lisa, Rick. I haven't seen you this happy in a long time. Don't let Minmei ruin what you have created with the captain."
"Minmei isn't going to ruin anything, Max. I probably won't see her for a while." He sighed.
"Is Lisa your replacement for Minmei, Rick?"
The commander's face flushed. Max swallowed hard.
"You don't need to answer, Rick. It's just something for you to think about."
Rick was about to reply that he knew exactly what he was doing when the nurse walked in.
"Well, if it isn't Max Sterling, ace pilot and father," she teased "How's the baby?"
"Beautiful!" Rick and the nurse observed how his face lit up.
"Amazing what love can do, isn't it?" She winked at Rick. "As for you sir, we are done with you. You may go home."
"Finally." He smiled.
"Commander Hunter," she said, turning to him as she placed her hands on her hips. "Have I treated you that bad?"
"No, ma'am, not at all." He smiled and got off the bed. "I just need to go home."
"Well, take care now. I don't want to see you handsome face again…unless, of course, you decide to come visit me" She winked before walking out of the room.
Max laughed heartily.
"What's so funny?" Rick turned to him as he put his shirt on.
"You have some strange effect on women. They tend to think of you as handsome."
"I think Miriya's praises are getting to your head." Rick smirked.
*****
Rick walked into his place and sighed.
"It's so nice to be home," he let himself drop on the sofa as Max left his bag on the floor.
"Do you need anything before I leave, Rick?" he asked.
"Yeah," he answered, looking around. "I need to know how much I owe you for the cleaning service. This place looks great. I even have flowers."
"I think you should call Captain Hayes and ask her."
"Lisa did the hiring?"
Max refrained from rolling his eyes. Rick could be so dense sometimes.
"No. Captain Hayes is the one who has been taking care of your house, Rick," he explained.
"You have got to be kidding me!"
"Why does it surprise you so much? She only did what a girlfriend would do."
"Girlfriend?" he repeated.
"She is your girlfriend, isn't she?" Max raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yes, of course." He swallowed. "It's just that I've never labelled her before."
"You are so weird," said Max, walking towards the door "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Got to go and fix dinner before Miriya tries to…" he smiled amused.
"Still hasn't learned, huh?" Rick smiled.
"Nope. She still tries, however. See you later!"
Once alone, Rick lay on the sofa and turned the TV on before dozing off.
Soft knocks awoke him. He blinked as he noticed that it was dark outside and his house was in the dark.
"Come in," he cried, as he clapped his hands to turn the lights on. Lisa's smiling face saluted him.
"Welcome home," she said, placing a basket over the kitchen counter.
"Hi Lisa," he said smiling. "How'd you know I'd be here?"
She came close and leaned to kiss his cheek before sitting by his side.
"Being Captain does have its advantages," she explained smiling. "You look much better."
"Thanks," he said "Oh, and thank you for taking care of my place."
"Oh, it's nothing." She smiled sheepishly.
"I don't think this place has ever looked better," he said. "How can I thank you?"
"There are ways," she said, flirting.
"Which would be…?" He flirted back taking her into his arms. Lisa's body fell over Rick's, on the sofa. She kissed him sweetly, the kiss gradually increasing, intensity building around them--until Rick's stomach growl made them stop.
"Sorry," he apologized, a bit embarrassed. Lisa started laughing heartily as she got up.
"I knew you'd be hungry." She walked over to the counter and opened the basket. "I brought you some food."
"Where did you buy it?"
"I cooked it."
"You know how to cook?" he asked, surprised. Lisa cocked her head, trying to decide whether to feel insulted or not.
"Of course I know how to cook. Do you think you can reach my age surviving only on cafeteria food?" She made fun at herself. "I hope you like it."
"What did you cook?" he asked interested, standing up.
"I'll bring your food over there," she said, stopping him. "I made beef stew. Roy said it was your favorite."
Rick looked at her in wonder. He wasn't accustomed to being taken care of, having been alone for so long. "This looks great!"
"Taste it." She handed him his plate and sat next to him.
"Mhmm! Delicious!" He grinned. "This is great! Never tasted anything better!"
"I'm going to start believing you, Rick." She blushed.
"It's true. If you ever leave the force, you should have your own restaurant."
They both looked at each other…for some reason Lynn Minmei's face flashed in both their minds. Lisa shrugged.
"Thanks, but I'll stick to what I do best," she said quietly.
Rick leaned over and kissed her. "Have I told you that you're the best?"
"Not lately…"
"You are the best, Lisa. The very best."
Lisa's green eyes twinkled as he caressed her cheek.
*****
Claudia Grant entered her house and kicked her shoes off as she turned on the lights.
"Roy?" she called. "Roy, are you home?"
No answer was heard.
"Great!" she muttered. "It's our anniversary, I had to work late, and he's not home," she mumbled.
Sighing, she walked towards the living room and stopped dead in her tracks.
"What in the world?" she said aloud. There was a huge box in the middle of the room, a bowtie around it.
"Happy Anniversary!" she read aloud, noticing a piece a paper taped to the box. "A washing machine? This is what he gets me for our anniversary?" she grumbled aloud.
Claudia contemplated the box for a few seconds before kicking it.
"Ow!" She heard a complain come from under the box.
"Roy?" she asked, moving the box sideways, noticing there was something inside but not a washing machine. She grasped the sides and lifted the box, a kneeling Roy Fokker revealing himself.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her eyes wide in surprise.
The blond man grinned mysteriously. He opened his hand to show her a velvet box.
"Happy Anniversary, Claudia!" He opened the box to reveal a diamond solitary ring.
"Roy…" Her voice cracked, tears filling her honey-colored eyes.
"I love you, Claudia. You are the only one for me…the only one who understands me, the only one that has remained by my side in good times and bad…"
"Oh my gosh!" Claudia whispered as he opened the box, took the ring out, and captured her left hand in his.
"Will you marry me, Claudia Grant? Will you be my wife, my lover, and the mother of my children?"
"Yes! Oh, yes, Roy!" She threw herself in his arms. He hugged her and kept his balance, as he was still on his knees.
"And will you still make pineapple salad for me?" he teased.
"Everyday," she said looking into his blue eyes "Forever."
"Forever you and me, babe," he said leaning into her lips. "And you thought I had gotten you a washing machine…"
Claudia smiled against his lips and kissed him lovingly.
*****
AN: Hope you liked it! Please review! Pretty please? :-D
