Disclaimer: ROBOTECH is a trademark owned and licensed by Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc. No infringement is intended. This fan fiction was written for entertainment purposes only.
Chapter X
Lisa glanced at her nightstand and sighed.
Another sleepless night, she told herself as she rose from her bed and walked towards the viewport. She stared into the eternal night, which was space, and wondered if Rick was thinking about her.
He just stared at me…, she thought full of pain.
She wondered if her relationship with Rick had reached a point of no return.
He's never going to forgive me.
They were both so stubborn and so hot-headed. She realized once again that letting her emotions take control of the situation had been her worst decision.
The one time I decide not to "think" and this is what happens.
She had Rick locked away and more than likely he had locked away his love for her.
Oh, Rick! She leaned her forehead on the glass. Will you ever forgive me?
Back on Earth, Rick was walking along the streets of New Macross City. Rick had made up his mind. He had had three weeks to put his feelings in order and he had made the decision. Smiling, he pulled the door and entered the store. The elderly man behind the counter smiled at him.
"Commander Hunter! So nice to see you! Have you decided?"
"Yep! I know exactly what I want," he said pointing through the glass pane.
"You made a wise decision! Captain Hayes will be pleased. Heck! Any woman would be pleased."
Rick couldn't help but smile as he held the ring between his index finger and his thumb. It was a three carat oval cut diamond nestled between the platinum band – lessening the risk of scratching or dislodging. It would cost him a small fortune, actually, all his savings but he decided it was well worth it.
She's gonna love it! He thought enthusiastically.
He couldn't wait for her return. He wanted to propose as soon as she landed, to get down on bended knee and ask her to be his companion for the rest of their lives. Rick could only imagine her face.
"Will that be cash or check, Commander Hunter?" The salesman looked at him.
"Cash," replied Rick awakening from his daydream. He placed a wad of bills on the counter. The salesman opened his eyes in surprise.
"Cash? You brought cash from the bank?"
"Actually, I had it under my mattress," explained Rick. He laughed at the bewildered look the jeweler gave him.
Lisa Hunter. Lisa Hayes-Hunter…hum…I wonder which one she'll take, he mused as the man counted the bills…and coins.
"I broke my piggy bank…" laughed Rick, joyfully.
Male and female Zentraedis looked at each other with apprehension. They couldn't believe Breetai had summoned them for a meeting…together! Each group squirmed as far away from each as possible.
Lisa held her laughter. She couldn't believe they were still acting this way. She couldn't recall which group number this was but she knew that everyone on board was aware that these meetings were co-ed.
"Three weeks and still the same behavior, huh?" Max joined her.
"Incredible, isn't it? They've seen you, Miriya, and little Dana aboard and they are still frightened…I wonder if I've done a good job in these presentations," said Lisa pensively.
"You're doing a great job, Captain," Max reassured her.
At that moment, Miriya decided to stroll in the conference room with Dana asleep in her arms. Startled gasps were heard across the room.
"Greetings!" She saluted them in military fashion before placing her daughter in the crib besides the podium.
"Now that we are all here, let me introduce myself," began Lisa in Zentraedi, "I am Captain Lisa Hayes and these are my subordinates, Max and Miriya Sterling."
"That's Miriya Parino," corrected a female soldier, "she's not a "Sterling", whatever that means."
"Show more respect," said Miriya, angrily. "Sterling is my husband's name and I have taken it."
"Why?" asked a male soldier. "We all have our names and we never change them."
"May I explain this?" asked Miriya looking at Lisa. She nodded. "I have taken his name because I have married him."
"Married? The concept has been explained but it is not clear," responded another soldier.
"Married means that we live together, we eat together, and we sleep together."
"Together? What is the purpose of such behavior?"
"To love and to have babies," Miriya pointed at Dana.
The Zentraedi's raised their eyebrows still not understanding. Lisa smiled. She loved the inquiring minds the soldiers had. They wanted to know all aspects of human life: birth, life, death, love, sadness, tears…
"Go ahead, Miriya," urged Lisa, "Tell them…"
Miriya kissed her husband passionately before explaining the intricacies of love and sex to her people. They gasped, turned pale, and ran out of the room.
"I think you should do the conferencing, Captain," whispered Max.
"I think you're right." Lisa shook her head in disbelief.
"I guess I was too blunt…" said Miriya, embarrassed.
"I think telling them about breast milk was a little, too much," said Lisa amused.
Rick sipped from his coffee cup right before a hand slapped his back. He jerked forward, spitting a bit of the dark liquid.
"What's up, little brother?" Roy sat across from him. "Why so blue? She'll be back soon."
"Who says I'm thinking about her?" he asked arrogantly.
"Stop pretending. We all know you miss her. I miss Claudia terribly."
"She's your fiancée."
"And Lisa's your girlfriend…even if she threw you in jail."
"Don't remind me."
"You know? If you talked more than you argue, you'd have a great relationship. You're just too stubborn for your own benefit."
"Maybe so…" Rick nodded.
"Come on! Admit it! You miss the old sourpuss!" Roy laughed.
Rick's hand flew and he swatted Roy upside the head. "Don't call her that!"
"Ouch! No need to get rough," complained the blond haired man.
"So, how's the wedding planning going?" Rick changed subjects.
"Don't remind me!" Roy buried his face between his hands. "The bunnies are driving me insane!"
"I thought Claudia left everything written down for you."
"She did but I think the girls forgot its Claudia's wedding. They seem to think it's theirs." Roy shook his head. "They are switching everything around!"
"Can't you stop them?"
"Nothing can stop them," whined Roy. "They're like a tornado! You just got to let it take its course."
"It seems like you're going to have an angry bride when Claudia gets back."
"Well, she can handle them." He rolled his eyes. "I give up!"
"You better prepare yourself for Hurricane Sammy," advised Rick.
"What?" Roy moved his head sideways. "Where is she?"
Rick withheld a smile as Sammy grabbed Roy's ear and pulled.
"Captain Fokker!" said Sammie loudly. "What are you doing here? We're waiting for you! We have to decide on the menu and the flowers, and the decoration for the pews… We have a wedding to plan, in case you've forgotten!"
"Ouch!" Fokker looked at his friend with despair. "Save me!"
"Come on, Captain!" Sammie tugged at his arm. "We have to choose the linens for the reception."
"Rick…please…come with me." Roy gave him "puppy-eyes".
"Sorry, big brother" He rose from his seat. "I have a meeting with my staff."
"Can't you cancel?"
"Let's go, Captain Fokker!" Sammie pulled his sleeve.
"See ya', big brother. Wouldn't wanna be ya!" Rick laughed as Roy sighed and followed the petite woman.
Rick looked at the calendar for the umpteenth time. It seemed as if Lisa had been gone forever and he longed to hold her in his arms. It just felt so right to have her next to him, to listen to her soft breathing, to wake up and feel her snuggled against his chest.
I'm such as idiot! Why didn't I call her?
The memory of her face on the window pane haunted him. She looked so sad, so vulnerable…and it seemed as if she had been crying. He wanted to wipe away her tears and kiss her. He wanted to tell her that everything was ok…even if he still didn't know why she had sent him to prison.
The doorbell interrupted his thoughts. He got off the couch and put his slippers on.
"Aren't you a bit early, Fokker?" asked Rick as he opened the door.
He didn't expect to see Minmei's smiling face, and his face showed it.
"Hi Rick!" Minmei smiled sheepishly. "Is this a bad time?"
"Minmei! Hi!" He stepped aside to let her in. "I thought it was Roy."
"Boy's night out?" asked Minmei, amused.
"No, not at all. We're just going to order some food and watch some old movies."
"If this is a bad time, I can come back later."
"My friends are always welcome." He closed the door behind him and followed her into the living room. "I haven't seen you in a while."
"I know. I've been a bit busy…"
"Did you come to say goodbye?" He pointed at the small carry-on Minmei had with her.
"Not exactly…" She played with her hair. "Could I have something to drink?"
"Sure." Rick stood up. "What would you like?"
"A glass of juice would be nice."
"No problem." He walked towards the kitchen and opened the fridge. "Orange or apple?"
"Apple, please."
Rick retuned with her beverage and sat in front of her. "I have to ask you…how did you manage to get in?"
"I flirted with the guard." She winked at Rick.
"Ah! That explains it. I should report him and have him fired."
"Aw, come on, Rick! Everyone knows I'm harmless…"
Sure…harmless enough to cause the defection of Zentraedi soldiers and win the war with your voice…
"Besides, he knows we're friends and you know how convincing I can be…" She smiled her million dollar smile.
"Yes, I know…" He sat in front of her. "How's Kyle doing? Did you work things out?"
At the mention of her cousin's name, Minmei got teary eyed.
"Oh, Rick! If you only knew…" Her voice trailed off.
"What's wrong, Minmei?" asked Rick, worriedly. It was so odd to hear such sadness in Minmei's voice.
"Kyle and I had a fight…and we broke up…" Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry." He placed his hand over her shoulder.
"Actually…he left me. It happened the day after I visited you, remember?"
"I remember."
"It was my fault, Rick. I messed up! I told him I loved you…"
"Oh, Minmei!" He shook his head in disbelief.
"It was a lie." She looked at Rick. "I do love you but not in that way…and I realized what Kyle means for me when he was gone."
"Gone? Gone where?"
"I have no idea. He just left and he hasn't called in over a month."
Rick handed her a tissue and she wiped her tears. "I miss him so much!"
"I'm sorry, Minmei!"
"It's so horrible to be at the restaurant without him. Aunt Lena and Uncle Max…they look at me in such a weird way."
"I'm sure you're imagining it, Minmei. They adore you."
"But Kyle is there son. And they blame me for his departure."
"Minmei…"
"I need to find him, Rick and I need your help."
"I'll do anything I can, Minmei. What do you need?"
Rick had expected her to ask for money or a ride but not the petition she uttered. He even blinked twice as the words settled in.
"You, what?!"
"I'm sorry, Rick. I hate to ask you but…I'm desperate! I can't live with Uncle Max and Aunt Lena anymore! Every time they look at me I feel them accusing me of Kyle's absence!" She raised her teary face towards him.
"But Minmei," he crossed his arms over his chest. "How is staying with me going to help you in your relationship with Kyle?"
"Simple, silly!" Minmei laughed. "He's going to go ballistic when he finds out I'm with you."
Not only him….
"I don't think this is a good idea, Minmei."
"Please Rick, help me!" She pouted. "I promise I won't bother. I'll cook and I'll clean. I'll sleep on the couch."
"I think you should stay put and wait for his return."
"He's not going to come back unless he's jealous."
"He'll be jealous and angry…and he'll do those karate moves…"
"It's kung-fu."
"Whatever. The only thing I know for sure is that there will be blood involved."
Minmei laughed at Rick's words and took his hands in hers.
"I promise you he won't."
"How can you be so sure?" Rick lifted an eyebrow.
"Because he'll be too happy when I give him the news."
"What news?"
"I'm pregnant, Rick! Isn't that fantastic?" asked Minmei ecstatic.
Rick, literally, fell on the couch.
"Pregnant? Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure! That's why I need Kyle to come back. Now, will you let me stay here?"
"This is a really bad idea…"
"No, it's not!" She kissed his cheek. "Everything will work out!"
Rick turned his head to face her.
"Come on! Do this for the mother of your godson," pleaded Minmei.
"Godson?"
"Or goddaughter…because you will be the godfather, right?"
He let out a sigh and nodded. "Sure, Minmei."
"Just one more thing, flyboy."
"What will that be?" asked Rick a little annoyed.
"You can't tell anyone I'm pregnant."
"What?!"
"Can you imagine the scandal? Besides, my family will kill me if they find out through the news. And Kyle! Kyle would never forgive me!"
"But Minmei…"
"Promise me, Rick. Promise me you won't tell anyone!"
"I'll have to tell Lisa."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"She'll look down at me. I know she doesn't like me…" She pouted.
"Don't be ridiculous, Minmei. Lisa is not that kind of person."
"I beg you. Please don't tell her. In name of the friendship we started those two weeks we were locked in the SDF-1, I ask you not to- -"
"Ok, ok!" interrupted Rick. "I promise, Minmei."
Minmei let out a cry of happiness and hugged him.
"This is going to be so much fun," said Minmei enthusiastically. "It'll be like old times."
"Right."
"Only this time we'll have all the comforts necessary."
The doorbell rang again and Minmei got out of her seat.
"I guess Roy is here. I'll open the door for you."
Roy Fokker hid his surprise behind his grin when Minmei opened the door.
"Hello there, handsome!" Minmei flirted with her eyes and moves. "How have you been?"
"Minmei! What a pleasant surprise!"
"Don't just stand there! Give me a hug!" She practically jumped into his arms. "It's so nice to see friends!"
"Good to see you, too." He let go of the woman and they both stepped inside. "Hey, Rick!"
"Hi Roy" Rick felt his questioning gaze.
"I just had a brilliant idea," said Minmei entering the kitchen. "I'll make some dinner for us. How does that sound, boys?"
"Sounds heavenly," said Roy as he sat in front of Rick.
"Thanks Minmei."
"Go ahead and chitchat as I start cooking," said Minmei tying her apron on.
Roy turned on the TV to drown the sound of his voice and turned to Rick.
"What in the world is she doing here?" Roy gave him a serious look.
"She came asking for help…"
"And the help is…?"
"She needs a place to stay for awhile."
"What?" He almost jumped out of his seat. "Are you insane? Lisa will never speak to you again."
"She'll have to understand. Minmei is my friend and I can't refuse to help her."
"You're playing with fire, Rick."
"I think you exaggerate."
"Exaggerate? Do you even know why Lisa locked you up?"
"No and I rather not remember that incident." He shrugged his shoulders. "That's all in the past, Roy."
"Didn't she tell you?"
"Tell me, what?"
"I thought you guys had spoken." Roy scratched his head. "Tell me you called her before she left."
"I didn't."
"I can't believe you!" He shook his head. "This will only make things worse."
"Why are you being such a drama queen?"
"You are so dense! Lisa saw you with Minmei on the couch..."
Rick felt the color drain from his face.
"What did you say? When?!"
"So, it is true!" Roy looked at him. "I thought Lisa was wrong but from your expression…"
"That was a mistake!"
"It sure was little brother. How could you do that to Lisa?"
"It was an accident. Minmei had some type of crisis and thought she was in love with me…and she jumped me but I pushed her away."
"I don't think Lisa saw that."
"Why didn't you tell me any of this before, Roy?"
"Because Lisa asked me not to. She wanted to speak to you and tell you personally. Besides, it's not good to get involved…"
"And what you're doing know is…?"
"Trying to save your hide! Lisa is going to flip is she returns and sees Minmei here."
"I'll have to talk to her. I'll explain and she'll understand."
"You're lying to yourself. And if you have any intentions of keeping Lisa, you better tell Minmei that she can't stay here."
"I can't do that. I gave her my word that I would help her."
"She has her family, and Minmei is synonym for trouble, Rick."
"She needs me, Roy."
Roy was about to knock some sense into his little brother when Minmei showed up. She smiled at them and sat across the older man.
"How's the wedding going, Roy?"
"Don't remind me!" He shook his head helplessly. "The bunnies are driving me crazy!"
"Bunnies?"
"He's talking about Sammie, Kim and Vanessa. They work at the bridge."
"I remember them. What are they doing to you?"
"Claudia left a list of specifics that she wanted for the reception and the church," explained Rick, "but the girls are not exactly following them."
"Claudia is going to strangle me when she returns." Roy closed his eyes.
"These girls…can't they follow instructions, Roy?"
"They seem to think the wedding is theirs."
"I see. These spinsters are living their dreams through Claudia's," said Minmei snobbishly. "Well, I could help you, Roy."
"You can?" His eyes lit up.
"I've been planning mine since I was a kid!" She smiled. "Plus, I helped in tons of weddings back in Yokohama."
"Really? Will you help me then?"
"I'd love to! But I have to be in charge."
"No problem. I'll tell the girls that you're the boss and I'll ask them to give you Claudia's list."
"I promise you the wedding will be perfect, Roy. Your bride will be happy and I'm sure she'll like me then."
"Who says she doesn't?"
"I saw her face at the restaurant."
"Oh!"
"I admit it was my fault. I was flirting with you." She smiled mortified.
"I smell burnt," said Rick sniffing into the air.
"My rice!" Minmei ran to the kitchen as the fire alarm went off.
"Man, if she's as careful with your wedding as she is with our food…you're going to be in trouble," said Rick humorously.
"Gee, thanks!" Roy smirked.
"I thought you said Minmei meant trouble, big brother."
"When it comes to you, Rick. As far as I'm concerned, she's a savior. She's helping with my wedding and we can all live happy. Well, all of us but you."
"Do you really think Lisa will have a fit?"
"YES!"
"If only I could speak to her or write her an email and explain what's going on…"
"But you can't, so you better make sure that you're waiting for her when she gets off the ship before anyone tells her Minmei is here."
"No one needs to find out."
"I'm sure that by tomorrow morning all New Macross will know, Rick. Stop kidding yourself."
"Ok! I'll make sure I'm waiting for Lisa upon her return."
"For your own sake I hope you're there."
AN: Thank you for your patience and sorry for the delay but I've been so busy with work. Many thanks for your emails and PLEASE REVIEW!!!
