RECONSTRUCTION BLUES PLUS
CHAPTER 7
DISCLAIMER AND COPYTRIGHT: I don't own Robotech so don't take me to court. If you want to uses any stuff from this fiction, all I ask is an email – wonga316@yahoo.com.au
AUTHOR'S NOTES This is a different spin on things from episode 28 - reconstruction blues. Will try to and a little more action and love/hate triangle with Rick, Lisa and Minmei. This is my first attempt at Robotech fan fiction. So please be gentle, NOT. Tell me if I suck. How else are we going to improve? Some of the guys made seem OC and I apologies to any die-hard fans. But it is fiction after all and anything can happen ;) I recommend that you watch the whole series before reading. It's not essential but I do make some references to events that occurred in the series and it's always a good comparison to what I'm writing. Roy and Ben will still be alive in this story
Warning: there is some harsh language in this chapter
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thought
-...- = Computer chat or phone conversation
****
"Minmei. Oh thank God I found" Kyle said climbing out of the car.
Minmei froze. She couldn't talk or think. Kyle's appearance after an emotional and traumatic evening was just too much for the pop idol to comprehend. Everyone else was just as surprised if not shocked by Kyle's sudden appearance. The trio and Ben looked at each at as what to do next. Claudia clung onto Roy as Roy looked like he was waiting for something or someone to make the first move. Rick had not turned around fully to see the car skid and was still hold Dana with Lisa and Minmei close by.
"Minmei. Please you have to hear me out. I'm sor..." Kyle said as he closed the distance between himself and the gang. He stopped mid sentence as he spotted the back of Rick. He stopped walking and just stood in the middle of the road. And then it was just silence.
Minmei moved closer to Rick and buried her head in his chest again while wrapping one arm around his waist. Lisa saw this and thought [It looks like she's trying to hide, almost disappear] the sight of Minmei close to Rick angered Kyle to the point that he had forgotten why he was looking for Minmei.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Get away from him!" he exclaimed.
The Minmei responded by pulling herself closer to Rick as she wiped some of the tears she started to shed.
"I said let him go! Do you really think he cares about you? He has feelings for the blond bitch next to him!" he yelled, pointing towards Lisa.
Lisa was taken back by this and it took a while for the words to register properly [Blond bitch! I'll show him!] She thought as she started to stalk towards Kyle but before she could get anywhere Rick reached out of grabbed her hand stopping her.
"Don't." Rick said in a calm and strong voice.
Lisa and Minmei both looked up at Rick and saw that his jaw line was set and the baby face good looks were gone. His face was emotional less. His calm ocean blue eyes were like cold steel. Rick handed Dana to Lisa and moved Minmei's arm from around his back. He slowly turned towards to Roy and said "Roy, take the girls inside the house."
Roy saw the look in his eyes and knew better to argue with the man. He nodded and motion everyone towards Lisa's front door. Everyone stood still not moving. The glares from the trio was enough from tell him to not try if he valued his life.
"No" both Lisa and Minmei said simultaneously.
"Lisa, Minmei listen to me. Do you trust me? I listen to you when you asked me not to go and I did. Now I'm asking you to trust me."
"No Rick. You were the one who always says we are family. Family always stick together. Please stay." Minmei pleaded
"Minmei is right. We are family. You don't have to take everything on by yourself. Don't forget about us." Lisa said.
"That's right skipper! We've got your back" Ben yelled from the back of the group. Max and Miriya were also nodding.
"Yeah Rick!" Dana exclaimed pulling on his leg. Lisa had put her down after trying to confront Kyle about his comment.
Rick looked upon the faces of everyone he considered his family and knew that they were right. He bent over and picked Dana up and started walking away. Something had occurred to him [Minmei and Lisa are right. I'm better than Lynn Kyle...]
"Come on Dana, You said you were hungry weren't?" he asked the girl.
"Yeah. Food!" Dana yelled happily pulling Rick's hair. Everyone looked at each other wondering what was Rick doing. Roy and Ben were ready to jump to break something up and actually looked kind of disappointed.
"What's the matter Hunter? You a coward or something?" Kyle said watching Rick with Dana. His comment got Rick's attention. Everyone looked at Rick waiting for a response. Instead he started walking away with Dana.
"You know what Hunter. You think you're so good. You fly around in your piece of shit plane thinking you save lives. Thinking you're a hero? But the truth is you're nothing more than a killer. You think war is a good enough reason to take lives? A good enough reason for you to take lives?" Kyle said taunting Rick.
"No I don't. I didn't become a pilot to become a hero and know I'm a killer... But I know what has to be done to protect the ones I love. What do you have Kyle? Do you have anyone to protect? Do you have anyone to love? No you don't because the answer is that you're afraid. You hide behind your anti war posters and speeches. You're afraid to stand up for what truly important and where has that gotten you? A lonely drunk who takes advantage of women that's where. If I'm a coward and a killer for protecting the people close to me then so be it. I'm proud to be a coward and a killer. So I ask you, are you proud of what you have become, Kyle?" Rick had stopped and turned his head to the side and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. When he finished everyone just watched in awe, as the hotshot flyboy became a man right before his or her eyes.
"Yeah! You meanie!" Dana said over the back of Rick's shoulder, sticking her tongue out at Kyle. Rick continued walking after Dana little interruption.
I wasn't until Rick had walked away some distance from the group before he noticed no one following him. He looked back wondering away everyone was. Everyone had a proud look upon his or her face. Some of the girls were actually crying after Rick's little speech.
[My little brother has finally become a man...] Roy thought proudly.
"Oh my God Rick. That was so moving and powerfully I..." Vanessa said wiping her nose with a handkerchief.
"Yes Rick. I'm very honored to be your friend and have you ask a fellow pilot." Miriya said proudly.
"That's the same with me too." Max added.
Minmei walked up to Rick and hugged him "Thank you. Rick" she said. Lisa followed Minmei closely behind and gave him a kiss on the check "Yes Rick. Thank you."
"Alright, enough of the emotional stuff. I'm starting to really get hungry." said Rick smirking. The cocky smart arse look he always wore had reappeared. Everyone agreed and filed into the cars and left for the restaurant with Claudia's hatchback leading the way.
Kyle was left in the middle of the street. He watched the cars pull away thinking about the words Rick had said to him [What have I done?] He thought as he looked up to the night sky asking God for an explanation. Soon the street was empty. An empty street for an empty man with an empty heart.
****
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Rick was quite surprised with the setup. Lush red carpet filled the entire room. A fish tank holding live seafood was the first thing to greet you as you entered the front. The tank and been cleverly used as a partition to separate the waiting and dinning areas. A small bar was located in the corner with all sorts of alcoholic bottles lining the back of the wall. Old painting of the Italian countryside occupied the sidewalls. Rick assumed that they were Italian since it was an Italian restaurant. He notice a large table in the opposite corner to the bar with 11 seats and one baby booster chair [Must be for us] he thought.
"Welcome, do you have a booking ?" said the attractive hostess. She looked no more than twenty-five with dark short hair and equally dark eyes. She was wearing a tight fitting long shelve dress which finished just above the knee. The dress showed off her nice figure and ample chest. This caught the attention all the male of the group except for Rick who was busy looking around the restaurant. The other guys on the other hand were quite pleased with the young hostess's attire.
Vanessa noticed this and decided to cough rather loudly. This got Ben's attention and in turn he just smiled back while scratching the back of his head.
Claudia resorted to a swift elbow to Roy's mid section. This interaction between the two had become so common that everyone had become accustom to it.
Miriya on the other hand decided for a more forceful and direct approach. Being a Zentraedi warrior she did not know any other way. She proceeding to pinch and twist Max's ear pulling him along her she walked.
The hostess noticed the chain reaction of events that she had caused. After all she would frequently witness these [I guess I still have not lost my touch...] she thought as waited for an answer from someone while scanning the group. Max was yelling in pain. Ben and Roy were trying to provide a plausible excuse to Vanessa and Claudia. The rest of the girls were currently having a giggle at the boy's expense [Doesn't look like I'll get an answer soon she thought... Oh my God, that's so cute...] she thought as she spotted Rick towards the back of the group with Dana.
Dana had refused to leave the Sterling's car unless Rick piggybacked her into the restaurant. The hostess made her way through the group towards Rick and Dana, ignoring some of the looks that she was getting.
"She's adorable! She is yours?" the hostess exclaimed [He's quite good looking himself...]
"Mine? No." Rick replied casually.
"So you're baby sitting? That's so good of you. It's hard to find a man with your type of qualities." She said while playing with Dana.
"What do you mean?" Rick asked confused.
"Oh, you know. Good looking and great with children." she said looking Rick over. She noticed the pair of gold wings on his jacket and continued "You're a pilot too. So that means you have a stable job and a good income. Prefect for marriage material."
"I don't know about good looking and the pay with RDF is not good... What minute what do you mean by marriage material?" replied Rick genuinely concerned with the young lady's comments.
"You know, I finish my shift in about an hour. If you're not doing anything..." the hostess said seductively while running her finger down the front of Rick's jacket.
"Ahem! We have a booking under 'Leeds'" Lisa said sternly.
"Yes. What kind of service do you call this? Making us wait to be seated while you find yourself a date." Minmei followed up.
Both women had seen that the hostess had made a play for Rick and did not like it at all.
Composing herself the hostess turned around and apologies. She then quickly led everyone to the large table in the back of the restaurant.
"Your waiter with be with you shortly with your menus." she said giving Rick a sexy wink before returning to the front desk.
"What was that?" both Lisa and Minmei asked Rick. Both had taken the seats flanking the left and right of him.
"What are you two going on about?" Rick said sounding confused.
"She was flirting with you." Minmei said upset and a little angry
"What are you talking about? She come over to me and started talking about Dana. All of it was innocent" Rick pleaded.
"And I suppose that wink she just gave you was innocent as well?" Lisa stated sounding a little angry herself.
Everyone waited for Rick respond but trying to convince both Minmei and Lisa was proving to be a rather difficult task [Man... this is bad. I rather be trapped on that Zentraedi battle cruiser] he thought.
"Rick can't help it if he's good looking. It runs in the family." Roy stated while striking a pose that a model would do. Claudia hit Roy with one of the breadsticks she was chewing on. This disrupted Roy from his model pose and brought a round of giggles from the girls.
"Ah, excuse me. My name is Simon and I'll be your waiter for tonight." The waiter said while placing a number of menus in the middle of the table. "I'll be back in a little while to take your orders. We also have tonight's specials which are on the blackboard just behind you." He continued before walking away.
Rick quickly grabbed a menu and started reading. He was hoping his ploy would deter Lisa and Minmei's questioning. Lucking for him it seem to work. Lisa and Minmei also picked a menu each and started reading and seemed to have forgotten Rick's little encounter with the hostess.
The waiter returned about 10 minutes later and took down everyone's order. After double-checking everyone's order and he collected the menus and left. Claudia was first to speak "So, Minmei are you really planning on joining the RDF?"
"Yes but I'll have to talk to the captain to see if his offer / position is still available" Minmei replied.
"We can help with that. The day after next is our weekly meeting. You can come along and ask the captain during the meeting." Kim said
"Yeah. We'll all put in a good word as well." Sammy said.
"It shouldn't be a real problem. The captain is usually pretty good these sorts of things. What do you think Rick?" Roy said
"Huh... What was that?" Rick said half dazed.
"Man, for a trained fighter pilot you are quite slow to respond to things." Roy said. This brought about some giggles from the trio.
"Sorry Roy. Excuse me for a minute I have to go use the bathroom." He said to everyone as he got up from his chair. Lisa and Minmei watched with a worried looked as round the corner to the male toilets.
"What's up with him?" asked Roy to no one in particular.
"Not sure but I'm going to check." Max said leaving the table.
"I guess it is a little hard for Lisa or Minmei to go check on Rick since he is in the little boy's room." Roy said smartly causing a blush to appear on both Minmei and Lisa and another whack across the head from Claudia.
"You just never know when to shut up do you Fokker?" Claudia said angrily.
****
Rick entered the bathroom and went straight to the washbasins. Turning the tape on he proceeded to wash his face. When he finished he looked at himself in the mirror [What the hell's going on? First the news about my father, captain's offer of a promotion, Lisa's confession, confrontation with Kyle and Minmei joining the RDF. What else could happen? This is all too much to happen on one day.] he thought, not bothering wipe down his face. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't hear Max enter the bathroom.
"You look like a man who has a lot on his mind." Max said
"Jesus. You scared the shit out of me." Rick said looking at Max's reflection in the mirror.
"Do you want to talk about?" Max asked.
"...".
"Is it the promotion?"
"That and other stuff?"
"Well let's start from the top. The promotion. Are you going to take it?"
"Not sure."
"Don't you want to a Lt. Commander?"
"It's not that. Its just..."
"Just what?"
"...just nothing. Forget about it. We better get back. The food has probably arrived." Rick closed as he grabbed a paper towel and made his way to the door.
"You know Rick, I'm always here if you want to talk about anything. Even relationship matters" Max said. His comment made Rick stop at the door with hand on the handle
"What do you mean by 'relationship matter'?" Rick said
"Come on Rick. Even I know you're not that dense. Lisa and Minmei both have a thing for you. I'm also starting to think Kim might have something for you as well."
"Kim? Since when?"
"So you don't deny that Lisa and Minmei have a thing."
[Damn. Max got me there] "You're right Lisa told me about her feelings for me on the way to pickup Minmei."
"Really! And what about Minmei? Has she confessed her feelings yet?"
"No, not recently but she has in the past."
"I see. That is a problem but I can think of worst things"
"What do you mean?"
"Having to beautiful women chase you're arse is better than a lot things."
"Yeah I guess." Rick replied before he opened the door and left.
****
[I wonder where they are? It's been about 10 minutes.] Minmei thought.
[I hope everything is alright] thought Lisa.
"You know you could always just get up and check" Roy said smugly. He was expecting an attack from Claudia and successfully blocked it. A third attempted strike that taught Roy block the appropriate areas.
"How did a man like yourself ever become one of the RDF elite VT pilots?" Lisa asked with a hint sarcasm.
"What I want to know is how can Rick be related to Lt. Fokker?" Minmei asked.
"That's because he not really."
"Rick!" Lisa and Minmei both exclaimed.
"About time you got back. You're worst than a women!" Roy said. He received a collective group dark looks from all the females in the group after that comment.
"Roy flew in my fath... uncle's flying circus. I met Roy there and he sort of became my big brother." Rick said trying to calm the situation after Roy's comment.
"But I thought it was your father's flying circus?" Lisa asked.
"How did you know that? I never told anyone." Rick asked back.
"Oh... well... you see... ah... It's my job to do a background check on all pilots before assigning them to their commission." Lisa said sounding unconvincing.
"That didn't sound like the truth Ms Hayes. You wouldn't be using our position and authority in the RDF to check up on Rick?" asked Max as he had returned from the bathroom and took his seat next to Miriya.
"What... It's not like that... It's..." Lisa said still sounding unconvincing and slowly turning red.
[I bet it's just your job...] Minmei thought bitterly.
"Ok, I have two specials."
The waiter had arrived with the first lot of dished for everyone. Another two waiters arrived shortly after that with more dishes. Everyone started eating and seem to forget about Lisa's comment concerning Rick's father.
"Rick, you want some?" Dana asked from across the table, holding a fork of spaghetti. The majority of it had ended up on the front of her shirt.
"It's alright Dana. You eat first. I still have my dinner to eat." he replied.
"That's so cute! I never thought you were the fathering type, Rick." Minmei exclaimed.
"It's strange. Dana seems to have developed a special bond with Rick." Max said.
"You know Max, if you want me to see less of her, I can. I don't want her thinking that I'm her father." Rick said.
"NO! Rick you're part of Dana's life and this family. I couldn't picture our family without you. I want Dana to grow up safe. People might hate her for what is she. But I feel better knowing that you will always be there for her, like a guardian angel." Said Miriya.
"Guardian angels are usually dead but I guess with job I have the chances of that happening are pretty good." Rick replied.
"NO! Don't even say that!" Miriya, Lisa and Minmei said.
"Come guys, you have to face facts. What I, sorry we, do is dangerous and our next flight could be the last. I not saying this to be depressing, its just that I don't want any of you guys to give your hopes up." Rick said.
Everyone was silence because they knew what her meant and it was true. What everyone's lives were in danger every time they arrived at work in the morning. Rick's words got Roy thinking [I never knew Rick could be so serious. When we were back at in the flying circus he always goofed off. I'm starting to understand why Dana looks up to him so much and the captain offered him the promotion.]
"So Rick, are you going to take the captain's offer for the promotion?" Roy asked.
"PROMOTION!" Everyone exclaimed except for Lisa, Roy and Max.
"Is that what the captain was talking to you about on the observation deck?" asked Ben.
Rick just nodded as Minmei leapt from the seat and gave him a huge bear huge.
"Oh Rick. I'm so proud of you! This is wonderful news." Minmei said still hugging Rick. She could see Lisa over Rick's shoulder as she glanced a dark look at her [What was that? Did she just shoot a dirty look at Rick or me.] Minmei thought.
"Minmei... Air..." Rick exclaimed going red in that face. She released him immediately and apologized. After catching his breath started to answer Ben's question.
"Yeah. The captain wants to promote me to Lt. Commander but I'm not sure if I'll take it."
"What? Why not?" Everyone exclaimed.
"I just have some things to think about first..." Rick responded.
"What do you mean?" Lisa asked with a concerned look on her face [I thought Rick would jump at the opportunity at a promotion.]
"It's something I rather not talk about right now." Rick said.
"But you're the best pilot there is! What do you mean you're not ready?" Minmei asked. Her comment got some of the trio giggling and Roy choking on his beer.
"What's so funny? I think Rick's the best pilot in the RDF. He has saved my life on a number times and I bet that he has done the same for everyone at this table!" Minmei said angrily. Her response had the right effect, the girls stopped giggling and everyone went silent.
"Excuse me, have you finished? Can I take this away?" The waiter asked Rick.
"Ah... Yes, thanks" he replied as the waiter took his plate away.
"It's alright, Minmei. Don't worry about." Rick said continuing where the conversation had left off.
"Don't worry about it! You act like what you do is nothing important!" Minmei said angry and upset. She quickly got up and left the table, running out of the restaurant trying to hide the tears that were flowing.
"Oh man... I better go after her..." Rick said, standing and placing enough money on the table to cover himself and Minmei's share of the bill.
"Rick, wait..." Lisa said, taking his hand like she did in the lunchroom.
"Don't worry Lisa. I'll be back. I just have check up on Minmei." He said reassuring her.
"But..." Lisa said.
"Look I'll be back. After all how I'm I going to get home." he said before leaving the restaurant.
****
Minmei had finally ended up near a small fountain not far from the restaurant. The spray from the water made the made the lighting from street lamps glisten in the night air. Minmei thought she was dreaming, but her dreams never included her crying and upset.
[Why do you keep dong that Rick? You always make you're life out to be expendable and worthless. Don't you know that you're not expendable, not worthless...] She thought as she started to wipe the tears from her check. She took a seat on the edge of the fountain and looked into the water at her own reflection.
"Look at yourself. All this crying is going to ruin your eyes. Rick might not think you're beauti..." she said looking at her own reflection.
"I'll never think that, Minmei." Rick interrupting Minmei mid sentence.
"Rick... I didn't... I mean..." She tried to explain herself while attempting to hide the blush that she was developing.
"You know the guys weren't laughing at you." Said Rick as sat next to her on and fountains edge.
"I know... It's just..."
"Just what?"
Minmei looked up at Rick. Rick looked at her as if she was going to ask his question. Instead Minmei started to cry again and clung onto Rick's body. By now Rick had become a custom to what to do. Rick hugged Minmei and let her cry.
"Do you want to tell me what wrong? Was something the guys said or is it Kyle?" Rick asked.
"No it's not that" Minmei said still in Rick's arms [I feel so safe here...]
"Well what is it?" Rick asked Minmei.
"Can you just hold me like this for a while..." Minmei said, making herself more comfortable in his arms.
"Ah... Well should really be getting back to the guys." Rick said [It's not I don't like being this close to Minmei...]
"Please Rick..." she pleaded as she did when she begged him not to confront Kyle.
"Alright... Just a little while"
****
AUTHOR'S NOTES Ok... I have tried to correct some of the spelling, grammar and whatever I managed to get wrong from some of the review I have received. Many thanks guys and keep telling me where I stuff up.
Some of you may have noticed that I'm rather quick with up loads. I try to write about 1 to 2 pages worth of content a night or during my lunch break at work. I know how it feels to be waiting for uploads and finally get a notice that the story has been abandoned. I have a few idea's bouncing around in head but the majority of them are just impulse.
I won't tell you if I have decided to make this a Minmei/Rick or Lisa/Rick yet. I'll like to keep you guys guessing, but when I did start writing I had already decided on the pairing and I prefer this pairing as well. I guess it's like a Rei/Shinji or Auska/Shinji pairing with Neon Genesis. But if I don't write the pairing that you prefer, don't worry. I have an ending that will please both pairs (Hopefully...). Its just getting to the end is the hard bit ;)
Just to let you guys know that I have adopted a story format similar to otaku_d_man (I think that's his pen name) who is one of the best Neon Genesis writers (I think anyway). He has a few stories, which I recommend a read, even if you are not a Neon Genesis fan.
CHAPTER 7
DISCLAIMER AND COPYTRIGHT: I don't own Robotech so don't take me to court. If you want to uses any stuff from this fiction, all I ask is an email – wonga316@yahoo.com.au
AUTHOR'S NOTES This is a different spin on things from episode 28 - reconstruction blues. Will try to and a little more action and love/hate triangle with Rick, Lisa and Minmei. This is my first attempt at Robotech fan fiction. So please be gentle, NOT. Tell me if I suck. How else are we going to improve? Some of the guys made seem OC and I apologies to any die-hard fans. But it is fiction after all and anything can happen ;) I recommend that you watch the whole series before reading. It's not essential but I do make some references to events that occurred in the series and it's always a good comparison to what I'm writing. Roy and Ben will still be alive in this story
Warning: there is some harsh language in this chapter
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thought
-...- = Computer chat or phone conversation
****
"Minmei. Oh thank God I found" Kyle said climbing out of the car.
Minmei froze. She couldn't talk or think. Kyle's appearance after an emotional and traumatic evening was just too much for the pop idol to comprehend. Everyone else was just as surprised if not shocked by Kyle's sudden appearance. The trio and Ben looked at each at as what to do next. Claudia clung onto Roy as Roy looked like he was waiting for something or someone to make the first move. Rick had not turned around fully to see the car skid and was still hold Dana with Lisa and Minmei close by.
"Minmei. Please you have to hear me out. I'm sor..." Kyle said as he closed the distance between himself and the gang. He stopped mid sentence as he spotted the back of Rick. He stopped walking and just stood in the middle of the road. And then it was just silence.
Minmei moved closer to Rick and buried her head in his chest again while wrapping one arm around his waist. Lisa saw this and thought [It looks like she's trying to hide, almost disappear] the sight of Minmei close to Rick angered Kyle to the point that he had forgotten why he was looking for Minmei.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Get away from him!" he exclaimed.
The Minmei responded by pulling herself closer to Rick as she wiped some of the tears she started to shed.
"I said let him go! Do you really think he cares about you? He has feelings for the blond bitch next to him!" he yelled, pointing towards Lisa.
Lisa was taken back by this and it took a while for the words to register properly [Blond bitch! I'll show him!] She thought as she started to stalk towards Kyle but before she could get anywhere Rick reached out of grabbed her hand stopping her.
"Don't." Rick said in a calm and strong voice.
Lisa and Minmei both looked up at Rick and saw that his jaw line was set and the baby face good looks were gone. His face was emotional less. His calm ocean blue eyes were like cold steel. Rick handed Dana to Lisa and moved Minmei's arm from around his back. He slowly turned towards to Roy and said "Roy, take the girls inside the house."
Roy saw the look in his eyes and knew better to argue with the man. He nodded and motion everyone towards Lisa's front door. Everyone stood still not moving. The glares from the trio was enough from tell him to not try if he valued his life.
"No" both Lisa and Minmei said simultaneously.
"Lisa, Minmei listen to me. Do you trust me? I listen to you when you asked me not to go and I did. Now I'm asking you to trust me."
"No Rick. You were the one who always says we are family. Family always stick together. Please stay." Minmei pleaded
"Minmei is right. We are family. You don't have to take everything on by yourself. Don't forget about us." Lisa said.
"That's right skipper! We've got your back" Ben yelled from the back of the group. Max and Miriya were also nodding.
"Yeah Rick!" Dana exclaimed pulling on his leg. Lisa had put her down after trying to confront Kyle about his comment.
Rick looked upon the faces of everyone he considered his family and knew that they were right. He bent over and picked Dana up and started walking away. Something had occurred to him [Minmei and Lisa are right. I'm better than Lynn Kyle...]
"Come on Dana, You said you were hungry weren't?" he asked the girl.
"Yeah. Food!" Dana yelled happily pulling Rick's hair. Everyone looked at each other wondering what was Rick doing. Roy and Ben were ready to jump to break something up and actually looked kind of disappointed.
"What's the matter Hunter? You a coward or something?" Kyle said watching Rick with Dana. His comment got Rick's attention. Everyone looked at Rick waiting for a response. Instead he started walking away with Dana.
"You know what Hunter. You think you're so good. You fly around in your piece of shit plane thinking you save lives. Thinking you're a hero? But the truth is you're nothing more than a killer. You think war is a good enough reason to take lives? A good enough reason for you to take lives?" Kyle said taunting Rick.
"No I don't. I didn't become a pilot to become a hero and know I'm a killer... But I know what has to be done to protect the ones I love. What do you have Kyle? Do you have anyone to protect? Do you have anyone to love? No you don't because the answer is that you're afraid. You hide behind your anti war posters and speeches. You're afraid to stand up for what truly important and where has that gotten you? A lonely drunk who takes advantage of women that's where. If I'm a coward and a killer for protecting the people close to me then so be it. I'm proud to be a coward and a killer. So I ask you, are you proud of what you have become, Kyle?" Rick had stopped and turned his head to the side and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. When he finished everyone just watched in awe, as the hotshot flyboy became a man right before his or her eyes.
"Yeah! You meanie!" Dana said over the back of Rick's shoulder, sticking her tongue out at Kyle. Rick continued walking after Dana little interruption.
I wasn't until Rick had walked away some distance from the group before he noticed no one following him. He looked back wondering away everyone was. Everyone had a proud look upon his or her face. Some of the girls were actually crying after Rick's little speech.
[My little brother has finally become a man...] Roy thought proudly.
"Oh my God Rick. That was so moving and powerfully I..." Vanessa said wiping her nose with a handkerchief.
"Yes Rick. I'm very honored to be your friend and have you ask a fellow pilot." Miriya said proudly.
"That's the same with me too." Max added.
Minmei walked up to Rick and hugged him "Thank you. Rick" she said. Lisa followed Minmei closely behind and gave him a kiss on the check "Yes Rick. Thank you."
"Alright, enough of the emotional stuff. I'm starting to really get hungry." said Rick smirking. The cocky smart arse look he always wore had reappeared. Everyone agreed and filed into the cars and left for the restaurant with Claudia's hatchback leading the way.
Kyle was left in the middle of the street. He watched the cars pull away thinking about the words Rick had said to him [What have I done?] He thought as he looked up to the night sky asking God for an explanation. Soon the street was empty. An empty street for an empty man with an empty heart.
****
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Rick was quite surprised with the setup. Lush red carpet filled the entire room. A fish tank holding live seafood was the first thing to greet you as you entered the front. The tank and been cleverly used as a partition to separate the waiting and dinning areas. A small bar was located in the corner with all sorts of alcoholic bottles lining the back of the wall. Old painting of the Italian countryside occupied the sidewalls. Rick assumed that they were Italian since it was an Italian restaurant. He notice a large table in the opposite corner to the bar with 11 seats and one baby booster chair [Must be for us] he thought.
"Welcome, do you have a booking ?" said the attractive hostess. She looked no more than twenty-five with dark short hair and equally dark eyes. She was wearing a tight fitting long shelve dress which finished just above the knee. The dress showed off her nice figure and ample chest. This caught the attention all the male of the group except for Rick who was busy looking around the restaurant. The other guys on the other hand were quite pleased with the young hostess's attire.
Vanessa noticed this and decided to cough rather loudly. This got Ben's attention and in turn he just smiled back while scratching the back of his head.
Claudia resorted to a swift elbow to Roy's mid section. This interaction between the two had become so common that everyone had become accustom to it.
Miriya on the other hand decided for a more forceful and direct approach. Being a Zentraedi warrior she did not know any other way. She proceeding to pinch and twist Max's ear pulling him along her she walked.
The hostess noticed the chain reaction of events that she had caused. After all she would frequently witness these [I guess I still have not lost my touch...] she thought as waited for an answer from someone while scanning the group. Max was yelling in pain. Ben and Roy were trying to provide a plausible excuse to Vanessa and Claudia. The rest of the girls were currently having a giggle at the boy's expense [Doesn't look like I'll get an answer soon she thought... Oh my God, that's so cute...] she thought as she spotted Rick towards the back of the group with Dana.
Dana had refused to leave the Sterling's car unless Rick piggybacked her into the restaurant. The hostess made her way through the group towards Rick and Dana, ignoring some of the looks that she was getting.
"She's adorable! She is yours?" the hostess exclaimed [He's quite good looking himself...]
"Mine? No." Rick replied casually.
"So you're baby sitting? That's so good of you. It's hard to find a man with your type of qualities." She said while playing with Dana.
"What do you mean?" Rick asked confused.
"Oh, you know. Good looking and great with children." she said looking Rick over. She noticed the pair of gold wings on his jacket and continued "You're a pilot too. So that means you have a stable job and a good income. Prefect for marriage material."
"I don't know about good looking and the pay with RDF is not good... What minute what do you mean by marriage material?" replied Rick genuinely concerned with the young lady's comments.
"You know, I finish my shift in about an hour. If you're not doing anything..." the hostess said seductively while running her finger down the front of Rick's jacket.
"Ahem! We have a booking under 'Leeds'" Lisa said sternly.
"Yes. What kind of service do you call this? Making us wait to be seated while you find yourself a date." Minmei followed up.
Both women had seen that the hostess had made a play for Rick and did not like it at all.
Composing herself the hostess turned around and apologies. She then quickly led everyone to the large table in the back of the restaurant.
"Your waiter with be with you shortly with your menus." she said giving Rick a sexy wink before returning to the front desk.
"What was that?" both Lisa and Minmei asked Rick. Both had taken the seats flanking the left and right of him.
"What are you two going on about?" Rick said sounding confused.
"She was flirting with you." Minmei said upset and a little angry
"What are you talking about? She come over to me and started talking about Dana. All of it was innocent" Rick pleaded.
"And I suppose that wink she just gave you was innocent as well?" Lisa stated sounding a little angry herself.
Everyone waited for Rick respond but trying to convince both Minmei and Lisa was proving to be a rather difficult task [Man... this is bad. I rather be trapped on that Zentraedi battle cruiser] he thought.
"Rick can't help it if he's good looking. It runs in the family." Roy stated while striking a pose that a model would do. Claudia hit Roy with one of the breadsticks she was chewing on. This disrupted Roy from his model pose and brought a round of giggles from the girls.
"Ah, excuse me. My name is Simon and I'll be your waiter for tonight." The waiter said while placing a number of menus in the middle of the table. "I'll be back in a little while to take your orders. We also have tonight's specials which are on the blackboard just behind you." He continued before walking away.
Rick quickly grabbed a menu and started reading. He was hoping his ploy would deter Lisa and Minmei's questioning. Lucking for him it seem to work. Lisa and Minmei also picked a menu each and started reading and seemed to have forgotten Rick's little encounter with the hostess.
The waiter returned about 10 minutes later and took down everyone's order. After double-checking everyone's order and he collected the menus and left. Claudia was first to speak "So, Minmei are you really planning on joining the RDF?"
"Yes but I'll have to talk to the captain to see if his offer / position is still available" Minmei replied.
"We can help with that. The day after next is our weekly meeting. You can come along and ask the captain during the meeting." Kim said
"Yeah. We'll all put in a good word as well." Sammy said.
"It shouldn't be a real problem. The captain is usually pretty good these sorts of things. What do you think Rick?" Roy said
"Huh... What was that?" Rick said half dazed.
"Man, for a trained fighter pilot you are quite slow to respond to things." Roy said. This brought about some giggles from the trio.
"Sorry Roy. Excuse me for a minute I have to go use the bathroom." He said to everyone as he got up from his chair. Lisa and Minmei watched with a worried looked as round the corner to the male toilets.
"What's up with him?" asked Roy to no one in particular.
"Not sure but I'm going to check." Max said leaving the table.
"I guess it is a little hard for Lisa or Minmei to go check on Rick since he is in the little boy's room." Roy said smartly causing a blush to appear on both Minmei and Lisa and another whack across the head from Claudia.
"You just never know when to shut up do you Fokker?" Claudia said angrily.
****
Rick entered the bathroom and went straight to the washbasins. Turning the tape on he proceeded to wash his face. When he finished he looked at himself in the mirror [What the hell's going on? First the news about my father, captain's offer of a promotion, Lisa's confession, confrontation with Kyle and Minmei joining the RDF. What else could happen? This is all too much to happen on one day.] he thought, not bothering wipe down his face. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't hear Max enter the bathroom.
"You look like a man who has a lot on his mind." Max said
"Jesus. You scared the shit out of me." Rick said looking at Max's reflection in the mirror.
"Do you want to talk about?" Max asked.
"...".
"Is it the promotion?"
"That and other stuff?"
"Well let's start from the top. The promotion. Are you going to take it?"
"Not sure."
"Don't you want to a Lt. Commander?"
"It's not that. Its just..."
"Just what?"
"...just nothing. Forget about it. We better get back. The food has probably arrived." Rick closed as he grabbed a paper towel and made his way to the door.
"You know Rick, I'm always here if you want to talk about anything. Even relationship matters" Max said. His comment made Rick stop at the door with hand on the handle
"What do you mean by 'relationship matter'?" Rick said
"Come on Rick. Even I know you're not that dense. Lisa and Minmei both have a thing for you. I'm also starting to think Kim might have something for you as well."
"Kim? Since when?"
"So you don't deny that Lisa and Minmei have a thing."
[Damn. Max got me there] "You're right Lisa told me about her feelings for me on the way to pickup Minmei."
"Really! And what about Minmei? Has she confessed her feelings yet?"
"No, not recently but she has in the past."
"I see. That is a problem but I can think of worst things"
"What do you mean?"
"Having to beautiful women chase you're arse is better than a lot things."
"Yeah I guess." Rick replied before he opened the door and left.
****
[I wonder where they are? It's been about 10 minutes.] Minmei thought.
[I hope everything is alright] thought Lisa.
"You know you could always just get up and check" Roy said smugly. He was expecting an attack from Claudia and successfully blocked it. A third attempted strike that taught Roy block the appropriate areas.
"How did a man like yourself ever become one of the RDF elite VT pilots?" Lisa asked with a hint sarcasm.
"What I want to know is how can Rick be related to Lt. Fokker?" Minmei asked.
"That's because he not really."
"Rick!" Lisa and Minmei both exclaimed.
"About time you got back. You're worst than a women!" Roy said. He received a collective group dark looks from all the females in the group after that comment.
"Roy flew in my fath... uncle's flying circus. I met Roy there and he sort of became my big brother." Rick said trying to calm the situation after Roy's comment.
"But I thought it was your father's flying circus?" Lisa asked.
"How did you know that? I never told anyone." Rick asked back.
"Oh... well... you see... ah... It's my job to do a background check on all pilots before assigning them to their commission." Lisa said sounding unconvincing.
"That didn't sound like the truth Ms Hayes. You wouldn't be using our position and authority in the RDF to check up on Rick?" asked Max as he had returned from the bathroom and took his seat next to Miriya.
"What... It's not like that... It's..." Lisa said still sounding unconvincing and slowly turning red.
[I bet it's just your job...] Minmei thought bitterly.
"Ok, I have two specials."
The waiter had arrived with the first lot of dished for everyone. Another two waiters arrived shortly after that with more dishes. Everyone started eating and seem to forget about Lisa's comment concerning Rick's father.
"Rick, you want some?" Dana asked from across the table, holding a fork of spaghetti. The majority of it had ended up on the front of her shirt.
"It's alright Dana. You eat first. I still have my dinner to eat." he replied.
"That's so cute! I never thought you were the fathering type, Rick." Minmei exclaimed.
"It's strange. Dana seems to have developed a special bond with Rick." Max said.
"You know Max, if you want me to see less of her, I can. I don't want her thinking that I'm her father." Rick said.
"NO! Rick you're part of Dana's life and this family. I couldn't picture our family without you. I want Dana to grow up safe. People might hate her for what is she. But I feel better knowing that you will always be there for her, like a guardian angel." Said Miriya.
"Guardian angels are usually dead but I guess with job I have the chances of that happening are pretty good." Rick replied.
"NO! Don't even say that!" Miriya, Lisa and Minmei said.
"Come guys, you have to face facts. What I, sorry we, do is dangerous and our next flight could be the last. I not saying this to be depressing, its just that I don't want any of you guys to give your hopes up." Rick said.
Everyone was silence because they knew what her meant and it was true. What everyone's lives were in danger every time they arrived at work in the morning. Rick's words got Roy thinking [I never knew Rick could be so serious. When we were back at in the flying circus he always goofed off. I'm starting to understand why Dana looks up to him so much and the captain offered him the promotion.]
"So Rick, are you going to take the captain's offer for the promotion?" Roy asked.
"PROMOTION!" Everyone exclaimed except for Lisa, Roy and Max.
"Is that what the captain was talking to you about on the observation deck?" asked Ben.
Rick just nodded as Minmei leapt from the seat and gave him a huge bear huge.
"Oh Rick. I'm so proud of you! This is wonderful news." Minmei said still hugging Rick. She could see Lisa over Rick's shoulder as she glanced a dark look at her [What was that? Did she just shoot a dirty look at Rick or me.] Minmei thought.
"Minmei... Air..." Rick exclaimed going red in that face. She released him immediately and apologized. After catching his breath started to answer Ben's question.
"Yeah. The captain wants to promote me to Lt. Commander but I'm not sure if I'll take it."
"What? Why not?" Everyone exclaimed.
"I just have some things to think about first..." Rick responded.
"What do you mean?" Lisa asked with a concerned look on her face [I thought Rick would jump at the opportunity at a promotion.]
"It's something I rather not talk about right now." Rick said.
"But you're the best pilot there is! What do you mean you're not ready?" Minmei asked. Her comment got some of the trio giggling and Roy choking on his beer.
"What's so funny? I think Rick's the best pilot in the RDF. He has saved my life on a number times and I bet that he has done the same for everyone at this table!" Minmei said angrily. Her response had the right effect, the girls stopped giggling and everyone went silent.
"Excuse me, have you finished? Can I take this away?" The waiter asked Rick.
"Ah... Yes, thanks" he replied as the waiter took his plate away.
"It's alright, Minmei. Don't worry about." Rick said continuing where the conversation had left off.
"Don't worry about it! You act like what you do is nothing important!" Minmei said angry and upset. She quickly got up and left the table, running out of the restaurant trying to hide the tears that were flowing.
"Oh man... I better go after her..." Rick said, standing and placing enough money on the table to cover himself and Minmei's share of the bill.
"Rick, wait..." Lisa said, taking his hand like she did in the lunchroom.
"Don't worry Lisa. I'll be back. I just have check up on Minmei." He said reassuring her.
"But..." Lisa said.
"Look I'll be back. After all how I'm I going to get home." he said before leaving the restaurant.
****
Minmei had finally ended up near a small fountain not far from the restaurant. The spray from the water made the made the lighting from street lamps glisten in the night air. Minmei thought she was dreaming, but her dreams never included her crying and upset.
[Why do you keep dong that Rick? You always make you're life out to be expendable and worthless. Don't you know that you're not expendable, not worthless...] She thought as she started to wipe the tears from her check. She took a seat on the edge of the fountain and looked into the water at her own reflection.
"Look at yourself. All this crying is going to ruin your eyes. Rick might not think you're beauti..." she said looking at her own reflection.
"I'll never think that, Minmei." Rick interrupting Minmei mid sentence.
"Rick... I didn't... I mean..." She tried to explain herself while attempting to hide the blush that she was developing.
"You know the guys weren't laughing at you." Said Rick as sat next to her on and fountains edge.
"I know... It's just..."
"Just what?"
Minmei looked up at Rick. Rick looked at her as if she was going to ask his question. Instead Minmei started to cry again and clung onto Rick's body. By now Rick had become a custom to what to do. Rick hugged Minmei and let her cry.
"Do you want to tell me what wrong? Was something the guys said or is it Kyle?" Rick asked.
"No it's not that" Minmei said still in Rick's arms [I feel so safe here...]
"Well what is it?" Rick asked Minmei.
"Can you just hold me like this for a while..." Minmei said, making herself more comfortable in his arms.
"Ah... Well should really be getting back to the guys." Rick said [It's not I don't like being this close to Minmei...]
"Please Rick..." she pleaded as she did when she begged him not to confront Kyle.
"Alright... Just a little while"
****
AUTHOR'S NOTES Ok... I have tried to correct some of the spelling, grammar and whatever I managed to get wrong from some of the review I have received. Many thanks guys and keep telling me where I stuff up.
Some of you may have noticed that I'm rather quick with up loads. I try to write about 1 to 2 pages worth of content a night or during my lunch break at work. I know how it feels to be waiting for uploads and finally get a notice that the story has been abandoned. I have a few idea's bouncing around in head but the majority of them are just impulse.
I won't tell you if I have decided to make this a Minmei/Rick or Lisa/Rick yet. I'll like to keep you guys guessing, but when I did start writing I had already decided on the pairing and I prefer this pairing as well. I guess it's like a Rei/Shinji or Auska/Shinji pairing with Neon Genesis. But if I don't write the pairing that you prefer, don't worry. I have an ending that will please both pairs (Hopefully...). Its just getting to the end is the hard bit ;)
Just to let you guys know that I have adopted a story format similar to otaku_d_man (I think that's his pen name) who is one of the best Neon Genesis writers (I think anyway). He has a few stories, which I recommend a read, even if you are not a Neon Genesis fan.