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. 

Chapter V

"It's huge!"  Sammie's voice came across the room.

"I think I've gone blind!" said Kim, blinking.

"I can't see a thing with its reflection!" said Vanessa, covering her eyes.

"Stop it, you girls!  You've been saying the same thing for days now!" replied Claudia, happily.

For weeks, actually… thought Lisa from her position below the bridge.

"That rock must have cost Captain Fokker more than two months salary," said Kim.

"No wonder it took him so long to propose," Vanessa whispered to Sammie.

"Excuse me?  What did you say?" said Claudia. 

"Ignore her, Commander," Sammie intervened. "We all know that it takes time for good things to happen."

When will they happen to me? Lisa wondered, leaning forward on her desk

"A penny for your thoughts, miss maid of honor," said Claudia from behind her. "You've been awfully quite down here."

"Hey Claudia…" she replied.  Lisa squinted her eyes, pretending to read the information displayed on her screen.

"Is something bothering you?" Claudia pulled up a chair and sat besides her.

"I'm just tired," said Lisa, turning to face her.  "Gloval and Lang have been keeping me busy with the construction of the SDF-2."

"Maybe they want a woman's touch," said Claudia, teasingly.

"Maybe." Lisa smiled weakly. "What really is bothering me is that Rick and I haven't had time for each other.  I've only seen Rick on the com net and it gets tiring, you know?"

"I understand you, Lisa.  The same happened to Roy and me when we were in outer space." Claudia smiled, understandingly.

"Did Roy start acting differently?" 

"What do you mean?" Claudia asked, intrigued.

"Rick's been acting distant, distracted…I don't know what's gotten into him." She sighed.

"Have you asked him?"

"No, and this situation is killing me."

"Ask him what's wrong," said Claudia matter-of-factly.  "How else do you expect to find out?"

"I don't know, Claudia.  I guess if Rick wanted me to know, he would tell me."

"You don't learn, do you?" Claudia scolded her. "You know…we all know Rick is not good with words."

"But --"

"Don't worry so much, Lisa" Claudia patted her on the shoulder. "Maybe it's just an adjustment period."

"An adjustment period?" asked Lisa, puzzled.

"You guys have been dating for a while, haven't you?"

"For over three months," mumbled Lisa.

"You see?" Claudia smiled. "You are still in the discovery phase of the relationship.  Don't worry about it, Lisa.  I'm sure all will be fine."

"You really think so?" Lisa looked at her friend full of hope.

"Of course, silly!  Remember how much you and Rick used to fight?"

Lisa nodded.

"You haven't done it in a while. I would say that is a great sign of how far you've come,» Claudia said reassuringly.

"Thanks for the pep talk, Claudia."  Lisa looked at her watch and stood up.  "It's time for me to go home."

"Any special plans?" Claudia asked, playfully.

"I'm going to Miriya's house.  She asked me to help her cook for Max," Lisa's eyes twinkled.  "She wants to surprise him."

"I'm sure he'll be surprised…if he can eat it."  Claudia laughed.

"I guess I better hurry up. I really want some homemade food tonight."

"Good luck!"  Claudia blessed Lisa with the cross sign.

"See you tomorrow," said Lisa before walking out. 

Lost in her thoughts, Lisa was unaware of the admiring glances men gave her as she walked down the streets of New Macross City.  She was troubled by Rick's attitude but was also conflicted by her recurring thoughts of Riber. 

She slipped her hand inside her pocket, feeling for the treasure she had kept hidden for years.  Lisa hadn't thought about it in years; Claudia's engagement triggered her memory.

Karl, she thought with melancholy.  I wonder if it still fits… She slid the ring on.

It was a small diamond solitary ring.  Riber had given it to her the night before leaving for Mars.  Lisa had accepted his proposal, tears streaming down her face.  The young man had hugged her tight.  They promised to marry as soon as she graduated from the academy.

Fate had different plans for them.  Karl Riber had died a few months later.  Lisa thought she would die, the pain of his death too unbearable to continue living without him.  However, she had found the strength to go on.  Lisa turned the pain in her heart into the drive to excel, graduating top of the class, and landing a position on the SDF-1.

Men weren't important for Lisa after Karl.  She hadn't dated anyone in years until Rick asked her out.  Rick Hunter, ace pilot, disciplinary problem, and five years her junior wasn't exactly the man she envisioned dating. 

What I'm doing? she asked herself, ringing the doorbell at the Sterling's house. 

"Hello Cap…Lisa" Miriya corrected herself. 

"Hello Miriya," she said entering the house.

"Li…Li…" said little Dana Sterling crawling towards her.

"Hello there!" said Lisa, cheerily. "Is she trying to say my name?" She knelt to pick up the baby.

"I guess so," said Miriya, smiling.

"Hello, sweetie," said Lisa, tickling Dana.  "How are you?"  The baby giggled.

"No babies, yet?" said Miriya.  "You sure look as though you like them."

"Nope.  No babies." Lisa felt her cheeks redden. "So, what are we cooking?" Lisa placed Dana in her walker.

"Lasagna! It's Max's favorite!"

Easy enough! thought Lisa, following Miriya into the kitchen.

"I'll make the pasta," said Miriya taking a handful of flour and placing it on the counter.

"We're making the pasta?" Lisa was surprised.

"I read that the best pasta is made at home.  Max deserves the best, so I'm making pasta."

Oh, lord! Lisa smiled.  "Of course, but… Mir, we need to weigh the ingredients."

"I forgot!"  Miriya giggled nervously.

"I'll help you."  Lisa smiled. 

"Isn't this fun?" The green-haired woman laughed.

"You sure are giddy!" said Lisa, smiling.

"Why wouldn't I?  I'm cooking for Maximillian, the man I love!"

***

Rick landed his VT smoothly.

Home, at last.

He heard the engine die slowly and raised his hands to loosen the "thinking cap." His elbow knocked the Minmei doll he kept on his dash and fell on his lap.

"To be in love…" came Minmei's voice.

How long ago was it? Rick asked himself, sadly.  It seemed like centuries had gone by since he had met her on Macross Island.

Minmei.  Rick recalled the days they had spent together, lost aboard the SDF-1.  He remembered their "wedding" and the kiss they had shared…it was so different from the one she had given him at the hospital.

How did we come to this? Rick held the doll in his hand, his emotions in turmoil.  Minmei had stirred up his emotions – again!  Feelings he thought forgotten, were reemerging, blending with the new ones he had for Lisa. 

Lisa. He realized they hadn't met in days, and that their conversations were impersonal through the net.

He placed the doll back on the dashboard and opened the canopy.

"Good evening, sir," a ground crew member saluted him.  Rick barely smiled and jumped to the ground, a worrisome look on his handsome face.

"Hey skipper," said Max catching up with him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing.  Nothing at all," he lied.

"I don't believe you," said Max, unconvinced. "Why don't you come over to my place for dinner?"

"What are you cooking?" asked Rick, curiously.  Max had a reputation for being an excellent chef.

"Oh, I'm not cooking."  Max smiled sheepishly.

"Then, who --?" Rick turned to his friend.  "I think I better go home, now."

"Come on, Rick.  She's improved a lot since--"

"You just don't want to be alone with her and the food, isn't that right?" Rick punched his friend on the arm, playfully.

"It's always nice to have company," said Max, blushing.

 "Fine!  Just remember: you owe me, big time!"

***

Lisa was covered in flour from head to toes.  She was in the process of making some rolls when inexplicably, the fan had turned on.

"Dana!" cried Miriya, running to the switch.  The baby giggled.

"I am so sorry!" apologized Miriya.  "I told Max she was mischievous but he wouldn't believe me."

"How in the world…?" mumbled Lisa, confused.  There was no way Dana could have reached the switch.  Telekinesis? Lisa wondered. 

"I am very sorry, Captain Hayes," Miriya apologized, again.

"Don't worry," said Lisa taking the apron off.  "I'll just go home."

"Please stay for dinner.  I will feel so embarrassed if you don't."

"I really need a shower, Miriya," Lisa explained.

"Take one," said Miriya pushing Lisa towards the corridor.

"Miriya, wait!"

"This is our guest bathroom. We have nice towels and French milled soap," said Miriya opening the door.  "I will get you something to wear."

Lisa sighed.  There was no way of saying "no" to a Zentraedi.  Miriya returned with a short-sleeved dress.

"This will fit you, perfectly," said Miriya, closing the door. "See you in a bit."

***

The water felt good on Lisa's tired body, the hot water soothing her tired muscles.

Why can't I stop thinking about them?  Karl!  Rick! she asked herself, frustrated.

Lisa closed the faucets and opened the shower curtain to reach for the towel.  She heard a man's voice outside and figured it was Max looking for Miriya.

"Let me wash my hands," she heard the masculine voice say behind her door, and before she could react, the door opened in front of her.

Lisa yelped as Rick gasped. 

"Oh, my gosh!" cried Rick, turning deep purple.

"Get out! Get out!" cried Lisa, covering herself with the towel.

"Sorry! Sorry!" he backed out of the bathroom, closing the door.

"What happened?" It was Max rushing towards him.

"Lisa's in there!" said Rick still in shock.

"Lisa is here?" He raised an eyebrow. "Miriya, darling, do we have a guest for dinner?"

"I asked the captain to join us," she replied, coming out of the bedroom with Dana in her arms.  "Is there a problem?"

"Not really," said Max, containing his laughter.

"Why is your face red, Commander?" Miriya looked a Rick.

"Lisa was undressed," explained Rick.

 "Max said it was a natural thing," replied Miriya, confused.

"Between you and me, Miriya," he tried explaining.

"Humans are so complicated," said Miriya, shrugging her shoulders.  She handed Dana over to Max. "I'm going to check on our lasagna."

Lisa walked out of the bathroom, wet hair trailing behind her.

"Lisa, I am so sorry!" Rick apologized. "I didn't know."

"I know." She looked at him, coldly. "Thanks for having me over, Max," she said, turning to greet the pilot. 

"Thanks for helping Miriya," Max whispered.

"No problem." She winked at him.

"I think I'm putting this little lady in bed," said Max as Dana started fussing in his arms.

"May I?" Lisa asked.  Max nodded. Dana blinked sleepily as Lisa walked into the little girl's room.

She looks so pretty.  I bet she'd be an excellent mother, Rick thought with a smile,

Dinner was going smoothly.  Max and Rick were praising Miriya on her cooking, and she couldn't stop smiling. 

"I didn't do it all alone," said Miriya, self-conscious. "Captain Hayes helped me out."

"All I did was supervise," said Lisa .

"And we all know you are good at that," said Rick, sharply.  He cursed himself silently, realizing what he had just said.

Lisa's face dropped.  Miriya looked at Rick, surprised, while Max considered kicking his boss under the table.

"What's that supposed to mean?" replied Lisa, offended.

"All I said is that you are good at supervising, organizing…" he tried to explain.

"At bossing people around?" she asked, smoothing her eyebrow; the light reflecting off her ring.

"What is that?" said Rick narrowing his eyes.

"What is what?" Lisa was clueless.

"This!" he said, taking her left hand in his. "What does this mean?"

"Nothing," she replied embarrassed, pulling her hand away.

"It's an engagement ring!" said Rick, pointing at her finger.

"Let go!"  Lisa stood up as the Sterling's stared at them.

"This, I haven't seen in a while," whispered Miriya to Max.  He admonished her to keep quiet.

Suddenly, Lisa felt the ring come off her finger.

"I knew it!" he exclaimed looking inside the rim. "It's Karl's!"

"Give it back!" cried Lisa.  She took the ring away from him.

"Why are you wearing this ring, Lisa?  Are you having thoughts of him?"

"My thoughts are mine, Commander Hunter." Lisa turned to Max and Miriya. "My apologies for the ending to this lovely evening.  I will be leaving now."

The Sterlings knew there was no stopping her and didn't even bother trying.

"Lisa, wait!" called Rick stubbornly as she walked out the door. 

"Catch her if you can!" yelled Max, as Rick fled from the table.

"Lisa!"  he called, reaching her a few blocks away.  "You sure walk fast!"

"Leave me alone, Rick," she said impersonally.

"Why are you wearing Riber's ring?" He held her by an arm.

"Because I felt like it," she replied looking into his blue eyes.,

"Is that the best you can do?" he asked smartly.

"You want the truth, Commander?  Think you can handle it?" she eyed him.

"Shoot!" he said crossing his arms over his chest

"Because I feel lonely. You've been acting so strange since you came out of the hospital."

"You're imagining things, Lisa."  He knew he was lying through his teeth.

"Do you really care about us, Rick?"  she looked at him, longingly.

"What is that supposed to mean?" said Rick, defensively.

"Do you know how long it's been since we started dating, Rick?"

"Not really."  Rick shrugged his shoulders.

"We've been dating for over three months, Rick.  Three months!"

"That long?"  Rick gritted his teeth.  Damn!  Why can't I express myself around her? Rick thought frustrated.

"You see!  You are clueless…" she said sadly.

"Men don't remember those things, Lisa." He went pale and swallowed hard.

"Nice excuse, Hunter," she said walking towards her house.

"Lisa, wait! I'm sorry!  I'm just so…dense when it comes to those things!"

"Good night, Rick." She kept on walking.

He followed her in silence, trying to find a solution.  He grabbed her hand as they walked passed his house. 

"Why don't you come in? We could have a cup of coffee and talk."

"I don't know…" She hesitated.

"Please…" He looked at her with puppy eyes.

She held a smile and nodded in agreement.  Hand in hand, they walked to his doorstep. 

"What's this?" Lisa bent over to pick up a flower arrangement. 

"I have no idea," said Rick opening the door. "Come in."

He clapped his hands and the lights turned on. Rick walked towards the kitchen while Lisa followed him. 

"These flowers are nice.  They must have cost a fortune," said Lisa placing them on the counter.

"Why don't you read the card, Lisa?" said Rick, uninterested.   Lisa began reading.

"I always think of you, dream of you late at night…"

Rick felt a knot in his stomach.  Not now… 

"I haven't forgotten about the hospital, have you?  I miss you.  Minmei." Lisa glared at him. "What is that supposed to mean, Rick?"

"I have no idea…" He gulped.

"What happened at the hospital, Rick?" she asked approaching him.

"She came to visit.  That's all."

"You still love her," said Lisa.

"Lisa, you are getting this all wrong--"

"Am I?" Her voice quivered. "Look around, Rick.  Minmei's poster is on the wall, there's a picture of you two, there, there, and there!"  She pointed at the desk, the chimney, and the mantelpiece.  "You still think of her."

In the background, the phone started ringing loudly.  Rick ignored it.

"You still think of Riber," he pointed at her finger.

"You don't get it, don't you?  Riber is gone.  He's not a threat…not like Minmei, anyway."

"Minmei is not a threat."

"Really?  I think I'm starting to understand why you've been acting so strangely."

They stared at each other angrily; the phone was still ringing.

"You should get that," said Lisa. "It might be the base."

Angrily, Rick pressed the speaker button.

"This is Rick Hunter."

"Rick?  I'm so glad to hear your voice.  Did you get the flowers?"  Minmei's sweet voice filled the room. "I haven't stopped thinking of you since…"

Lisa let out a sigh as Rick picked up the receiver, embarrassed.

"Minmei, can you give me a second?" He didn't even wait for her reply and covered the receiver with his hand.

"I'm going home, Rick," She turned towards the door.

 "Lisa, wait!"

"Good night, Rick." She opened the door.

"Good night, Lisa," he replied, too tired, and too confused to stop her.

Lisa closed the door, softly, trying to keep her dignity.  Then, she ran home as fast as she could, tears streaming down her face, wishing he had stopped her.

***

Roy, Max and Rick were sitting at the bar of the Officer's Club.  They were on their fourth round of drinks, Rick's eyes slightly hazed while Max's grinned foolishly.

"You boys can't handle your drinks," said Roy, amused at their faces.  "No wonder you can't handle your women."

"Uh…excuse me but I think I can handle Miriya perrr-fectly," Max said, slurring his r's.  "She hasn't set the place on fire or anything; it's Rick who can't handle Captain Hayes."

"Hey!" Rick protested "Not fair!  It's not my fault Minmei decided to get all romantic with me…I didn't ask her to kiss me."

"What?!"  Roy almost jumped out of his seat. "When?!"

"At the hospital." Rick shrugged. "She had the sudden urge to see me and… kiss me.  I guess Kyle doesn't know how to keep her happy."

Roy's elbow hit him square in the stomach.  "What kind of stupid comment is that?"

"Well…she came looking for me." Rick grinned.

"You must feel so proud knowing that Minmei comes around when she has time or remembers you exist, don't you?" Roy scolded him.

"Now, hold on!" Rick jumped in his seat, offended.

"I told him…" intervened Max, seeing double. "I told him Lisa was for real while Minmei…Minmei is a mirage."

"Well, Lisa was wearing Riber's ring," complained Rick, trying to defend himself.

"Nostalgia," explained Max. "I'm sure that with the announcement of Claudia and Captain Fokker's engagement, she got all sentimental."

"Are you the expert on women?" Roy asked, teasingly.

"Captain Hayes is tough but if you really look," he said adjusting his glasses, "You'll see how soft she really is…soft and so pretty…she does have beautiful eyes…"

"Hey!" complained Rick. "It's my Lisa you are talking about!"

"Don't get all crazy.  It's your fault if she's angry at you!" Max replied finishing his drink.

"Your Lisa?" Roy asked raising an eyebrow. "If you don't make up with her soon, you'll regret it.  I know tons of guys who would love to go out with her and take her away from you."

"Like they could." Rick smiled arrogantly.

"Don't feel so confident about her, Rick," Roy advised.

"The Captain is right! If I were you, I'd be trying to make up with her, fast!" Max snapped his fingers. "Bartender! Another round of drinks!"

"Easy there!" Roy grinned at the blue-haired man.

"It's just a drink," said Max, hiccupping.

"Why is it always so complicated with women?" Rick groaned.

***

Lisa was staring out the window of Roy's car.  Claudia had begged her to get out of the house and finally convinced her to accompany them to dinner.  Roy Fokker looked at her through the rear-view mirror and decided to tease her.

"You're looking hot in that dress, Lisa," said Roy wigging his eyebrows.  "Are you trying to get lucky?"

"Shut up, Fokker!  I'm not in the mood for your nonsense," said Lisa.

"Can you believe that, sweetie?" Roy looked at his girlfriend.  "I give this woman a compliment and she shoves it in my face."

Claudia smiled at Roy.  She was used to the banter between her two best friends.

"I know what will get you in a good mood," said Roy stopping his car with a screech.

"What are we doing here?"  Lisa practically jumped in her seat when she saw they were in front of Rick's house.

"This is your stop, Lisa," said Claudia grinning.

"No, it's not."  Lisa went pale.  "I thought we were going out for dinner."

"We are but you are not coming with us," said Roy.

"If you guys don't take me home right now, I will never speak to you again," Lisa threatened them.

"Come on, Lisa…" said Claudia.

As Lisa went for the handle, Roy locked the doors.  Claudia heard Lisa's  annoyed gasp.

"Why doesn't this open?" Lisa was pulling the handle.

"Childproof locks," he explained laughing.

"Open up, Fokker!" ordered Lisa.

"Don't speak to me like that.  I am not your subordinate," replied Roy, amused.

The blond man descended and walked around to Lisa's door.

"If I open up, will you behave?"  asked Roy, laughing.

"Claudia, help me!"  Lisa looked at her friend, desperately.  "I don't want to see him."

"I think you do."

"Are you going to behave?" Lisa looked at Roy and nodded.  He opened the door and she pushed him, trying to flee.  The pilot was faster than Lisa expected.

"You promised to behave!"  Roy propped her over his shoulders and started walking towards the door.

 "Let me go, you beast!" Lisa struggled in his arms. "Claudia, I will never forgive you!"

"Yes, you will!" She retorted from the car window.

Roy rang the bell and an elegantly dressed Rick Hunter opened.

"Package for Richard Hunter," said Roy dropping Lisa in his arms.

"Fokker, you will pay!" she yelled angrily.

"She's a feisty one!" Roy grinned, closing the door.

"Open up!"  Lisa tugged at the doorknob, ignoring Rick.

"Behave!" said Roy, holding the door shut from the outside.

"Lisa…" Rick's voice called her from behind.  "Please, darling, look at me."

There was something in his voice that caught her attention.  Sighing, she let go of the doorknob.

***

Outside, Roy gave Claudia a "thumbs up" as soon as the door remained still. 

"I think it's settled," he said sitting behind the wheel.  "She sure is feisty!"

"Stubborn," Claudia corrected.  "Let's just hope Rick knows what he's doing."

"He'll do fine…after all, I taught him all he knows," said Roy proudly.  He turned the car on and started driving

"Well, that explains it all," said Claudia making fun of him.

"Let me remind you," he said leaning over to kiss his girlfriend, "That I do have you."

"You don't have me," replied Claudia.

"I will in a few months.  You'll be Mrs. Claudia Fokker," he said parking the car outside the restaurant.

"Mrs. Grant-Fokker," corrected Claudia with a smile.

"Call yourself whatever you like, sweetie," said Roy, smiling.  "We both know you'll belong to me."

Claudia was about to give him a piece of her mind when he leaned over and kissed her on the lips.  He stopped when they were breathless and looked her in the eye.

"Mrs. Claudia Fokker?" he asked with a smile on his handsome face.

"At your service, sir!"  Claudia saluted him, mockingly.

"That's my girl!"  Roy laughed.

***

"You look beautiful," said Rick admiring her appearance.

Lisa had put a lot a care in her appearance, hoping to feel better.  She was wearing a short, black cocktail dress, cut low in the back.  Her eyes were rimmed with dark eyeliner, her lips had a soft tint to them, and her hair cascaded down her bare back. 

"Why are you all dressed up?" asked Lisa, curiously.  Rick was dressed in black slacks, and a dark blue shirt.

"Come with me," said Rick taking her by the hand. He led her into the living room.

Speechless, Lisa noticed the rose petals over the floor, the soft scent of the candles, and the table for two, set in the middle of the room.

"I remembered," he said.  Rick kissed her cheek.  "Happy anniversary, baby."

***

AN: Would you please submit a review?  Many thanks for your comments and special thanks to Lina, my beta reader.