Two Of A Kind

by RDF-J6

What would happen if Rick joined the RDF under similar circumstances as Lisa and Mimnei had first fallen for Rick? It might easy for Rick and Lisa to meet and fall in love but it's not as easy as you think and with an obsessed Minmei, it will be harder.

12. Chapter 12 Always Remember Me

TWO OF A KIND

CHAPTER TWELVE

ALWAYS REMEMBER ME

Just as soon as Rick closed and locked the door, he smiled an evil smile at Lisa. Lisa let out a playful shriek and started to run around Rick's living room with Rick chasing her. Then she remembered her coat, suitcase and laptop briefcase was still outside in the hallway.

"Rick, my suitcase and laptop are still outside in the hallway! One of us has to get it before someone takes it or call the Master at Arms saying something suspicious was left at your door!", Lisa said as she was trying to keep Rick from catching her.

"You're just saying that to keep me from catching you.", Rick said playfully.

"No, I'm not Rick, I'm being serious!"

Rick stopped in his tracks. "Okay Lisa, I'll go get your suitcase and laptop."

Rick went to the door and unlocked and unchained the door. Fortunately, Lisa's coat, suitcase and laptop briefcase were still in the hallway when Rick opened the door. Rick grabbed her coat, suitcase and laptop briefcase and placed them inside his quarters. He then relocked and chained the door again, turned around and looked at Lisa, smiled the same evil smile at Lisa and started rubbing his hands.

"Okay…now…where were we? Oh yeah…now I remember.", Rick said with an evil snicker.

Lisa let out a playful scream and started to run as Rick started to chase her around his living room again. Lisa managed to dodge and evade Rick several times until Rick grabbed Lisa from behind by her waist with a "Got'cha!" After they turned to face each other, Lisa let her lips out with a playful pout.

"That's not fair Rick. I'm wearing high heels while you're just wearing socks."

Rick let out a gentle laugh and a smile. "Well, you could have taken your shoes off while I was getting your suitcase and laptop."

"But you got it so quickly; I never had the chance to take off my shoes.", Lisa playfully complained.

"Okay Lisa to be fair, the next time I'll let you take off your shoes before we do this again."

"Thank you, Rick.", Lisa said before she started kissing Rick again.

At first, they started out slow and gentle but very soon their passion began to take over. Rick began to unbutton Lisa's uniform jacket. Lisa had her arms around Rick's neck but dropped it down to her side so Rick can slide her uniform jacket off her. After Rick got off Lisa's uniform jacket, he tossed it on his couch. He began to gently rub Lisa's arms up and down with his hands. Lisa began to moan as she can feel the warmth of Rick's hands on her arms despite her arms being covered by her long-sleeved pullover tunic shirt.

They stopped kissing for a moment; Lisa was breathing hard and looked at Rick with pure lust in her eyes. "God Rick…like I've said before…you know how to press my buttons."

Then her eyes then began to mist over as tears began to well up in her eyes and she buried her head in Rick's chest.

"Oh God Rick…I've missed you so much.", Lisa whispered.

"I've missed you too Lisa."

After a while of being in each other's embrace and saying nothing, Lisa looked up at Rick.

"Rick, why weren't you able to fly escort for Captain Gloval and me to Alaska Base?"

Rick wished Lisa did not ask that question, but he knew she was going to ask it sooner or later. He only wished she would ask it later rather than now. He led Lisa to his couch and they both sat down.

"Ah…Lisa…it's kind of complicated to explain but…the best way I can explain it to you is that…Minmei asked Roy if I can fly her to her home to Yokohama, Japan and Roy agreed not knowing that you were flying with Captain Gloval to Alaska Base."

Lisa then became steaming mad. "That little Chinese girl is beginning to annoy me! Now she's getting into my"

Rick began to kiss Lisa to get her mind off Minmei. After kissing for a minute, they stopped. Rick looked at Lisa with a gentle smile on his face as he put her hand on her face and began to lovingly touch it. Lisa closed her eyes and smiled as if trying to remember and treasure his touch into her memory.

"Hey, don't worry about Minmei okay. I talked with her while I was flying her to her home in Japan and we came to an understanding. She promised not to call me or bother me all the time. Besides, her agent has her looking at movie scripts and I heard she is about to shoot a movie. So, on top of her doing concerts and recording, she is going to be busy for a while. So, don't worry about her."

"That's good because I have the good mind to find her and give her a piece of my"

Lisa could not get the last word out because Rick started kissing her again. Rick then put his arms around Lisa's thin waist then wrapped his arms around her back as he pressed her body against his. Lisa's passion was beginning to rise, and she put her arms around Rick's neck. They broke off their kiss to catch their breath.

"Let us not talk about Minmei alright. You are back where you belong, back on the ship and in my arms. Now let us enjoy our time together because I have duty tomorrow and"

Lisa then coyly smiled and began to playfully shake her head. Rick looked her with a questioning look on his face. 'She knows something that I do not.' Rick said to himself.

"Why are you shaking your head and smiling Lisa?"

"Because I called Roy just as soon after I landed. Captain Gloval gave me the day off tomorrow, so I called Roy to see if you and your buddies in Vermillion Squadron are on flight duty tomorrow and if you are to have another squadron take your place as a favor to me. He said you are on duty, but he will have another squadron take your place and he has excused you for tomorrow. So…it's just you…and me…for tonight…and all day...and all night…tomorrow." Lisa said in between kisses with Rick.

"Why you sly little fox.", Rick said with a surprised smile on his face.

"I am just full of surprises, am I?" Lisa said with a sly smile on her face.

"You sure are. Have you eaten at all? Are you hungry?"

"Umm…I am a little hungry…but I'm even hungrier for you Rick.", Lisa said with a leer on her lips as she put her face inches away from Rick's surprised face.

Rick swallowed a hard lump in his throat. "Ah…well…how about we get something to eat first? Besides like you said we have tonight and all day and all night tomorrow."

Lisa cocked her head back and thought about it for a moment. "Hmm…I guess you're right Rick."

"So, what would be your pleasure Lisa? Do we call out, dine out or we cook?"

Lisa shook her head. "Hey, I saw your refrigerator once Rick. If we want to cook dinner, we'll have to go to the commissary."

"Ah, c'mon Lisa, give me a break. I am a pilot. By the time I get off duty I'm too tired to cook dinner. Besides…I'm a terrible cook."

Lisa incensed that Rick would use an excuse like that put her hands on her hips and give Rick a look of consternation. "What? And you think we on the bridge have an easy time? Well, let me tell you something Mr. Rick Hunter, it is not easy trying to keep track of all of you and the enemy at the same time, make sure all of you pilots get to where you supposed to be and make sure you all get home after the battle's over! As for being a terrible cook, you will have to learn sometime!"

Rick then put up his hands. "Okay...okay you have a point but that still doesn't answer my question of what to do with dinner."

"Hmm…let me think for a moment. Well, what would you like Rick?"

Rick shrugged his shoulders. "It's up to you Lisa. I asked you first."

"Well, I just got back from a long plane trip, I'm tired and I don't want to go anywhere so how about we call out for dinner? You decide what we eat."

"Okay, how about we call out for pizza and soda?"

"That's fine with me.", Lisa said with a shrug of her shoulders.

"What do you like on the pizza?"

"I don't care, as long as there are some vegetables on the pizza."

"Okay.", Rick said as he went to a table in his living room and went to a drawer where he kept all the menus from pizza, Chinese and various take-out restaurants. He reached and grabbed a menu from a pizza restaurant. Rick called the restaurant and ordered the pizza.

30 minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Rick opened the door, gave the delivery guy the money for the pizza and sodas and took the pizza and sodas. After closing the door, Rick turned around to find Lisa coming out of his kitchen with two glasses filled with ice.

"So, what did you ordered Rick?"

"I ordered supreme pizza of course. I had them added more vegetables for you."

"Thank you, Rick."

When Lisa looked at the size of the box her eyes got big. After Rick opened the box, her eyes got even bigger.

"Rick that's not a supreme pizza that's more like king sized!"

"No, it's not Lisa. I ordered a regular large sized supreme pizza. It's perfect for the two of us. If we cannot eat it all, I'll just put it in the refrigerator and eat it as leftovers."

Lisa sighed. "I know what I'll be doing tomorrow...I'll be in the fitness center working off this pizza."

"I thought you wanted to spend tomorrow with me."

"I did, until you brought in that gigantic pizza."

"Well…you know there is another way we can work off the pizza.", Rick said with an evil smile on his face.

Lisa did not see the humor in his sexual innuendo. "Oh, very funny, Rick. By the time we finish eating this, I will be so full and on top of this I'm tired from the jet lag, I don't even want to think about making love with you much less making out with you."

"Lisa you don't have to eat all of it. Just eat what you can and what you cannot eat, I'll put the rest of it in the refrigerator and eat it as leftovers. And to be fair to you, I'll go with you to the fitness center tomorrow. Besides, I haven't worked out in a while."

"Thank you, Rick."

Lisa and Rick sat down to eat their pizza. Lisa only managed to eat three slices before she said she had enough. Rick ate four slices before he said he had enough to eat. Rick then closed the pizza box and walked to his kitchen so he can put the box in the refrigerator. When Rick walked into his living room, he saw Lisa reclining back on his couch with her head leaning back and her eyes closed. He walked over to his couch, sat down next to Lisa, put his arm around her shoulder and let her rest her head against his chest.

"You're tired huh?"

"Um-hmm, it has been a long two days."

"So, what did the brass say? Are they're going to let the civilians off the ship?"

"Rick, let us not talk about work okay. I barely got back here an hour ago. I have missed you and I am tired. Just wrap your arm around me so I can rest my head against you and hear your heart beating.", Lisa said in a tired voice.

"Sure Lisa.", Rick quietly said as he kissed her temple and wrapped his arm around her and let her rest her head against his chest.

Several minutes later Rick can hear Lisa softly breathing as she fell asleep against his chest. Rick slowly and quietly unwrapped his arm off Lisa. He then put his hand against Lisa's shoulder so he can get off the couch. After he got up from the couch, he put his arms under Lisa's knees and wrapped his arms around Lisa's shoulders and lifted her off his couch. He lifted Lisa with no effort at all and carried her to his bedroom. He then gently laid Lisa on his bed and began to undress her.

He began by taking off her shoes. After he took off her shoes, he gently sat up Lisa and slowly began to try take off her long-sleeved pullover tunic shirt. Despite him being gentle and quiet, Lisa somehow stirred from her sleep and woke up.

"Oh, thank you Rick for carrying me to your bedroom. I can undress myself."

"Okay.", Rick said with a smile as he was walking out of his bedroom.

"Hey, where're you going Rick?", Lisa asked as she was undressing herself.

"I'm going to let you sleep. I'm not tired yet"

"Can you at least come to bed and stay with me until I go back to sleep please?," Lisa asked as she was taking off her panties and bra.

"Sure, I can.", Rick said as he smiled and began walking back to his bed.

He lifted the blanket and covers, and he scooted himself over to where Lisa was lying down who already covered herself. He rested his back against the backboard of his bed. Lisa then snuggled her naked body up against Rick and sighed.

"Hmm this is nice. I wish we can do this all the time."

Rick leaned down and kissed Lisa on the top of her head. "You will never know Lisa. One day soon it may just happen."

"I hope so Rick. I love you so much."

"And I love you too.", Rick said as he wrapped his arms around Lisa.

Very soon Rick heard the now familiar sound of Lisa's breathing softly as she is sleeping. Slowly and quietly, Rick moved Lisa off him and laid her head on a set of pillows. He then scooted himself off his bed and walked quietly out of his bedroom and closed the door.

In the quietness of his living room, Rick sat down on his couch and began to contemplate his relationship and his love for Lisa. He loves Lisa with all of his heart, soul and mind but still, he can't get past the tragedy of losing his first love.

'Why? Why can't I get past your death Cathy? Lisa has gotten past the pain of losing her boyfriend. Why can't I get past the pain of losing you?'

Rick knew what the answer is, but he could not come to grips to the reality of getting past the guilt he still feels about being responsible for Cathy's death. He knew he had to get past the guilt so he can get on with his life and get beyond Cathy's death, but he did not know how. He knew in his heart he was not responsible, and he should not feel guilty about Cathy's death, but his brain was telling him otherwise. He also knew in his heart that if Cathy came back to him for only a few moments, she would tell him it was not his fault of her being dead and that he should move on with his life. But still, somehow or the other, he is still letting Cathy's death affect him and continued to weigh him down like the preverbal dead weight. He wanted to see for a sign, any kind of sign to let him know that it is alright for him to move on past Cathy and her death.

'How am I going to get past the guilt? How long it's going to take, a day, a week, a moth, a year maybe not ever? God, I don't know the answers and I don't have them!'

Rick then broke down and started to cry very bitterly.

'I need your help Cathy! Please let me know that it's okay to move on past you and your death but I don't want to ever forget you! How can I move on? I need your help Cathy!'

After crying and sobbing for most of the evening and night and tired of not finding any answers Rick finally decided to go to bed. Luckily, he did not cry loud enough that Lisa heard him. After taking off his clothes and climbing into bed, Rick can feel Lisa snuggling up against him after he lay down and settled himself in.

"Finally decided to come to bed huh Rick?", Lisa said in her sleep.

"Um-hmm, I'm finally getting tired enough to go to sleep." Rick said as he wrapped him arms around Lisa and kissed her.

'That's good because I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come to bed."

"Well, I'm here Lisa. Go to sleep."

"Okay. Good night Rick. I love you."

"I love you too Lisa. Good night."

THE NEXT MORNING

The alarm clock on Rick's nightstand went off. Rick hit the snooze button and immediately switched the clock to; "alarm off". Lisa snuggled herself up against Rick. Rick felt the now familiar sexual excitement he feels whenever Lisa presses her naked body up against his.

"Thanks for turning off the alarm Rick.", Lisa said half asleep.

"You're welcome.", Rick said as he wrapped his arms around Lisa.

"Got any idea of when you would like to get up so we can eat breakfast Rick?"

"Oh, it doesn't make any difference to me Lisa. If it were up to me, I would rather we stay in bed for a while. We don't have to go anywhere today;"

"Well not really Rick. Remember we promised ourselves we will go to the fitness center today to work off the pizza we had last night."

"Oh yeah, that's right. I forgot about that."

"Well, let's just stay in bed for a while and when we feel like it, we can get out of bed and eat breakfast."

"Sounds like a good idea to me Lisa.", Rick said half asleep.

Rick and Lisa stayed in bed for another two hours drifting in and out of sleep. Lisa looked at her watch and decided it was time to get out of bed. She then reached over and kissed Rick on the lips.

"Rick, I think it should be time for us to get out of bed if we want to eat breakfast."

Rick began to stretch and yawn to get himself awake.

"Rick, I think we should just freshen up a bit and get dressed so we can make it to the dining hall in time for breakfast. Besides, we're going to work up a sweat working out at the fitness center later today anyway."

"I guess you're right Lisa. You can go ahead first Lisa. I don't mind waiting for a while."

"Thank you, Rick.", Lisa said as she kissed Rick. She then threw the cover and blanket off her, walked to the living room to retrieve her suitcase. She unlocked her suitcase and grabbed a few toiletries and went into the bathroom and closed the door. Several minutes later, Lisa opened the door.

"Okay Rick, I'm done, it's your turn.", Lisa said as she was walking to her suitcase so she can get her civilian clothes out.

"Thank you, Lisa.", Rick said as he walked into his bathroom.

Several minutes later, Rick walked out of the bathroom and walked into his bedroom and changed into his clothes.

"Are you ready to go and eat Lisa?", Rick asked as he walked out of his bedroom.

"Yes, I am Rick."

Rick grabbed the keys to his quarters. Out in the hallway, Rick locked the door to his quarters, reached for Lisa's hand and they walked to the dining hall to eat breakfast.

While eating their breakfast, Rick and Lisa agreed to go to the fitness center before lunch time. After eating breakfast, they walked back to Rick's quarters. About an hour later, Lisa left Rick's quarters so she can go back to her quarters and change into her workout clothes. They agreed to meet up again at the fitness center.

At the ship's fitness center, Rick ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes after warming and stretching out. He then rode on the exercise bike for another 30 minutes then started his boxing workout by hitting the speed bag and the body bag. As he was finishing his work out, he managed to see Lisa in a small room and what she was wearing took his breath away. Lisa was dressed in a purple leotard and white running shoes. She was doing what looked like dance moves. She looked so graceful doing what she was doing that Rick was captivated by what Lisa was doing. Lisa looked over to find Rick staring at her. Lisa jumped slightly.

"I'm sorry I startled you Lisa."

"Oh, it's okay Rick. I didn't know you were standing there, that's all."

"You look so beautiful doing that. I didn't know you're a dancer."

Lisa bowed her head and blushed slightly. "I wasn't dancing Rick. I was doing what is called Pilates. It's based on dancing moves."

"Oh yes, I heard about that. Don't let me interrupt you."

"Oh, you weren't interrupting me. I was almost finished anyway."

"Great, I'm finished working out too. Let us get a shower and change clothes so we can eat lunch."

"Sounds like a good idea to me Rick.", Lisa said as she leaned to kiss Rick.

Rick returned the kiss and walked into the men's locker room to shower after working out. 20 minutes later, Rick walked out of the men's locker room to find Lisa waiting for him. Lisa was dressed in the same leg flattering jeans, white ankle socks and running shoes, snug pastel pink tee shirt Rick remembered Lisa was wearing when he returned the rental tux. It made Rick stop dead in his tracks.

"Rick, are you okay?", Lisa asked in wonderment.

"Yeah Lisa, it's what you're wearing just made me stop for a moment. You look beautiful in whatever you're wearing.", Rick said in soft loving voice.

Lisa lowered her head and blush a little. She recovered enough to walk up to Rick and wrapped her arms around Rick's neck and kissed him with her eyes misting over. "That's what I love about you Rick. You always say the right things that make me feel so special. You've brought me out of my shell Rick and let me live again.", she whispered with love in her voice.

Rick just kissed her because there was no need to say anything to her. "Let's go to lunch Lisa.", Rick said quietly.

"Okay.", Lisa mouthed quietly as she grabbed Rick hand and walked towards the officer's dining hall.

RISING STAR ACTING SCHOOL

MACROSS CITY

Minmei was taking a break from acting class. She was in class to get ready to act in her first movie. As she was taking her break, she was wondering if Rick and Commander Hayes are really in a relationship with each other. She knew Rick was lying to her when he told her that he and the commander are not in a relationship, but she could not prove it.

She then remembered several months ago seeing a picture and reading in a tabloid about Rick and the commander having dinner at the La Françoise Bistro the night after she won the Miss Macross Pageant. She knew the name of the tabloid as the "Macross Post-Ledger" because she was the main subject of the tabloid and her face appeared on the front page of the tabloid many times, but she could not remember the name of the gossip columnist. It had taken her some time to remember that the gossip columnist's name is Amy-Sue Adams. So Minmei decided to start some poking around by calling Miss Adams to see if she can give her some information about Commander Hayes. Minmei then reached inside her purse and grabbed her smart phone. She then pressed the phone app and pressed 0 for the operator.

"Yes operator, I need the number for the "Macross Post-Ledger" please. Thank you. Yes, please connect me if you can. Thank you. Yes, I need to speak with Miss Adams please, this is Lynn Minmei. Thank you. Hi, Miss Adams this is Lynn Minmei. I'm doing fine. Miss Adams, I have a question for you. What do you know about Commander Lisa Hayes? It is nothing, nothing at all. I know you cannot tell me who your sources are and what they said. Look…you have always told half-truths and even outright lies about me all the time. How about telling the truth for once? Well, you can start by me giving you an exclusive interview in exchange for telling me what you know about the commander no matter how small it is. Thank you. I see. No…no that is okay, a promise is a promise. You gave me some information; I will give you an exclusive interview. You're welcome. You have a good day too Miss Adams. Good-bye."

'Damn, that is not enough information. I need to find a way to get more information. Maybe Vance can help me. He has helped me get people I can trust, and he had them thoroughly checked out. I wonder how he does that.'

Minmei then dialed another number.

"Hi Vance, this is Minmei. I am doing fine. Say Vance, I have a question for you. How did you find those people to help me and to be in my entourage and staff? I see. Can you get me in contact with that detective? It's nothing; I just want to thank him, that's all. Can you have him contact me? Thanks. I am about to go back to class, but I should be let out soon for a lunch break. Can you have him call me during my lunch break? Thanks Vance. Good-bye."

Minmei then pressed the end call icon to break the connection and she then put her smart phone back in her purse. She then went back to her acting class.

During her lunch break, Minmei's smart phone began to ring. She reached inside her purse to grab it before her voice mail answered. She grabbed the phone and pressed the call button.

"Hello. Yes, this is Lynn Minmei. Oh yes, I am glad to finally talk to you. I am doing well thank you. I have something to ask of you, but I do not want to say it over the phone. Can you meet me at the Rising Star Acting School say around 3:30? You can. Thank you very much. See you then. Good-bye."

'Now hopefully I will get some answers about this Commander Lisa Hayes and find out whom she really is and if she is someone I will have to worry about.'

After she was finished with her acting class for the day, Minmei saw the private detective in front of the school. She shook hands with the detective.

"Can we go somewhere where we can talk in private?"

"Sure, we can talk in my car.", the private detective said as they started walking towards his car.

After they got in the car and closed the door, the private detective immediately began asking questions.

"Now what do you want me for Miss Minmei?"

"I need you to get some information on someone for me."

"Okay, who is it?"

"She's a military person. Her name is Commander Lisa Hayes."

"That's going to be exceedingly difficult Miss Minmei. The RDF is very tight lipped about their people and they jealously guard and protect their people's privacy. May I asked why you want have information about her?"

"I just want to know some information about her. Remember she was the one who escaped being POWs with my friend and I just want to know how she's doing and if there is anything, I can do for her, which is all I want to know."

"I see what I can do for you Miss Minmei, but I can't promise you I can get you much information without going to the military and that will be impossible if not difficult at best. And if I do that, the military will get suspicious."

"Well, do and find out what you can without having to go to the military. I will personally pay you for your time and trouble and please don't tell Mr. Hasselwood about this."

"I won't Miss Minmei."

"Thank you.", Minmei said as she and the private detective shook hands. She then got out of the car and left to be taken back home to the restaurant by a limousine.

RICK'S QUARTERS

After eating lunch, Rick and Lisa decided to cook dinner. But first, they went to the ship's commissary to buy groceries. Lisa wanted to cook something light for dinner since they had pizza last night. Rick did not mind as long it's not pork. Lisa then suggested they buy chicken because she wanted to cook a chicken and rice dinner that was in her family for generations, and it became a personal favorite of Lisa's.

"And to make things easy on you Rick and to be fair to me, we'll have a salad. All you have to do it chop the vegetables, okay."

"I'll buy that."

After paying for their groceries, they walked back to Rick's quarters to put away the groceries. It was midafternoon which meant they had several hours to spend before it was time to start cooking. Rick wrapped his arms around Lisa's small waist and led her to his couch. Rick sat down while Lisa sat on his lap with her arms around Rick's neck. They then started to kiss and make out. They continued making out for several hours when Lisa looked at her watch and decided it was time to start cooking their dinner. Lisa walked to Rick's kitchen and looked in his cabinets. There was not much in the way of pots and pans in his cabinets. Lisa could not believe her eyes.

"Rick, do you ever cook?"

"Ah…no. I've told you before that I don't cook.", Rick said in an embarrass tone of voice.

Lisa then sighed. "Okay, I'll go to my quarters and get some pots and pans. Do I also need to bring a cutting board and knives?"

"Ah…yes."

That made Lisa sighed even more. "Okay, I'll bring a cutting board and knives along too. You do at least have dishes; cutlery and cups…do you?"

"Ah…yes."

"Well at least you have that. Alright Rick, I'll be back in a couple of minutes."

Rick sat on his couch as he waited for Lisa. Several minutes later, he heard Lisa yelling outside his door.

"Hey Rick, can you open the door please? My hands are full!"

Rick sprang up from his couch and ran to the door to open it.

"Thank you, Rick.", Lisa said as she walked into Rick's quarters and into his kitchen carrying a small box. Rick followed her.

Lisa first took out a cutting board and a chef's knife and put it on the counter.

"Alright Rick, take the vegetables out of your refrigerator and start chopping."

Rick went to the refrigerator and took out the vegetables and put it on the counter.

"How small do you want me to chop the vegetables?"

"Eh, just use your judgment Rick."

As Rick was chopping the vegetables, the phone began to ring. He had another phone in the kitchen. Rick stopped what he was doing to answer the phone.

"Hello."

"Hey skipper, this is Ben."

"Hi Ben, what's up?"

"A bunch of us including me and Max are getting together tomorrow after we get off duty to celebrate our return to Earth. Commander Fokker is coming, and he is bringing along Commander Grant. You can bring Commander Hayes along and she can also bring along the bridge crew."

"Where's the party being held?"

"We're going to a restaurant and dance club called 'The Dancing Steer'."

"Hold on Ben, Commander Hayes is here with me. I'll ask her."

He then turned to Lisa. "Hey Lisa, a bunch of the pilots are getting together after duty tomorrow to celebrate our return to Earth. Roy and Claudia are going. You and the bridge crew are invited. What do you say? You want to come?"

Lisa had a neutral look on her face but inside, her stomach was churning, and she was panicking. 'Oh-oh, I wonder if the civilians have been told they can't be let off the ship and everyone else has been told that we have ordered to go back into space.' "Uh…yeah…sure…I'll come if you're going. I'm sure the girls would love to come.", Lisa said with a fake smile on her face.

Rick smiled back at her. "Great. Hey Ben, count me and Commander Hayes in. I'm quite sure the girls on Lisa's shift will come along too."

"Alright, see you tomorrow morning then skipper. Oh…and uh…skipper."

"Yeah Ben."

"Try not to get the XO pregnant."

"Hah-hah-hah very funny Ben.", Rick said sarcastically as he hung up the phone.

"What was that all about Rick?", Lisa asked with a look of bewilderment on her face.

"Oh, it's nothing Lisa. Ben's just being a smart ass, that's all."

Rick went back to chopping the vegetables for the salad. Rick was finished in several minutes, right about the time Lisa finished browning the chicken.

"Do you need help Lisa?"

"Uh...I don't think so. I think I have everything under control Rick. Why don't you go to the living room and relax? I should be finished in here in a bit."

"You're sure Lisa."

"Yes, I'm sure Rick. Do not worry about it. You did your part.", Lisa said with a smile.

Rick then put the salad he finished chopping up in a bowl and put it in the refrigerator. Rick feeling guilty about not knowing enough about cooking to help Lisa walked slowly back to the living room and sat down on the couch and waited for Lisa come out of the kitchen. A short time later Lisa came out of the kitchen and sat next to Rick and rested her head on his shoulder.

"How long do we have to wait?", Rick asked.

"It should be done in about an hour.", Lisa said looking at her watch.

Rick then moved himself around and wrapped his arms around Lisa. Lisa then propped her legs up on Rick's couch, reclined herself and let her head rest against Rick's chest, sighed contently and closed her eyes. But before she knew it, the alarm on her watch went off. Lisa opened her eyes and shut off the alarm on her watch.

"Well, dinner's done cooking Rick. Would you be a dear for me and get set the table for us?"

"Sure, it's no problem. And since you cooked, I'll wash the dishes."

"Thank you, Rick.", Lisa said as she kissed Rick and got up from the couch.

Rick got up from the couch himself and went into the kitchen to get two plates and glasses from the cabinet and two, knives, forks, and spoons from the drawer. Rick stacked the glasses, knives, forks, and spoons on top of the plates and walked to the table. He then set the table, grabbed a pitcher, and filled it with ice and water, grabbed the salad dressing and salad he made up earlier from the refrigerator while Lisa retrieved the chicken dish from the oven. Rick and Lisa then sat down as Lisa dished out the chicken and rice. Rick took in a deep whiff of the chicken and rice and smiled.

"Mmm, this smells delicious Lisa."

Lisa smiled. "Wait till you taste it Rick."

Rick then took a bite of the chicken and rice and smiled. "You're right Lisa. It even tastes better."

"I'm glad you like it Rick.", Lisa said with a smile.

"Sometimes I've forgotten what a home cooked meal tastes like."

"Didn't your father teach you, Roy and Cathy how to cook?"

Rick shook his head. "During the summer when we were with the flying circus, we never really had time to cook, so we always ate at restaurants or diners. When we were in school, either Pop, Uncle Jon or Aunt Becky always cooked for us, so we never really saw any need to learn how to cook."

"No wonder you're always at the officer's dining hall to eat. I always wondered why you always eat at the officer's mess when we have kitchens in our quarters."

"Well, now you know.", Rick said sheepishly.

Rick and Lisa took their time eating their dinner. Rick savored the meal. It was the first time since he left New York that he has eaten a home cooked meal. After they finished eating, there was enough of the chicken and rice dish left that Lisa let Rick keep it to eat it over the next days as leftovers. Rick then kissed Lisa and told her to leave the table and relax as he cleaned up the table, put the leftover food away and wash the dishes.

After Rick finished washing the dishes, pots, pans and baking dish, Rick turned off the light to the kitchen and walked out to find Lisa lying down on his couch. Rick knew that cooking can be tiring so he was not surprised to see Lisa resting on his couch. Rick walked over and sat down next to her. Lisa scooted up and rested her head on his thigh.

"Thank you for washing the dishes Rick."

"Well, thank you for cooking Lisa. Like I said earlier, it has been ages since I had a home cooked meal."

Lisa looked up at Rick and smiled. "It was my pleasure Rick. I hope I can cook for you again very soon."

"That would be nice. You know, maybe I should sign up for a cooking class. Maybe one day I might surprise you by cooking for you."

"That would be nice too.", Lisa said with a smile on her face. "What would you like to do for the rest of the evening Rick?"

"Oh, it makes no difference to me Lisa. Whatever you like to do is fine with me.", Rick said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Do you have any board games with you?"

"Umm-hmm, I have a chess and checkers set, dominoes, playing cards and dice so we can play yacht."

"Why don't we start out with chess and checkers? When we got bored, we can play some other game."

"It sounds fine with me."

Lisa raised her head so Rick can get up from the couch. Rick walked into his bedroom and looked in his closet for the chess and checker set. When he found it, he also grabbed a folding tray, so they have a place to play on the couch. He then walked to the couch.

"What do you want to play first Lisa?"

"Let's play chess first Rick."

"What color pieces you want to play with?"

"I'll be white."

"Okay, you go first."

Lisa made the first move by moving her King's pawn two spaces. Rick immediately followed up by making the same move. Lisa wondered why Rick was doing that.

"Hmm, very interesting move you made." 'Okay, let's see what you do after I do this.', Lisa said to herself as she moved her Queen's knight.

Rick then moved his King's knight.

'I see.', Lisa said to herself.

Lisa spent several minutes deciding her next move and Rick was getting impatient.

"Oh, c'mon Lisa, it doesn't take you that long to make a move!"

Lisa was incensed. "Excuse me Rick. We did not set a time limit on how long we have until we make a move. I must think things out first. Chess is a thinking person's game and a game of strategy where you try to anticipate your opponent's next move."

Lisa finally made her move and immediately Rick countered. Lisa was perturbed by Rick's style of chess playing.

"Rick, what are you playing, speed chess? You're playing chess like you're playing against an old man in Central Park."

"It's the way I play chess Lisa.", Rick said shrugging his shoulders.

Lisa then took her usual several minutes to make her move. Rick then quickly made his move. It had taken over an hour to finish the game where Rick put Lisa in checkmate. Lisa conceded defeat by laying down her King. Lisa could not believe that Rick defeated her because she was her school's chess champion, and she was a member of her school's chess club when she was a freshman and sophomore in high school and while she was a midshipman at Annapolis.

"How did you beat me Rick?"

"It's simple Lisa. While you spent all your time trying to decide your move, it just gave me time to decide my move and I anticipated your move. And besides, you gave yourself away by making motions with your arm on what moves you want to do before you finally decided to make that move."

"Okay, fine. You beat me but I want a rematch with you. I won't let you defeat me twice."

"It's fine with me Lisa.", Rick said shrugging his shoulders. "Let's switch pieces first."

Rick and Lisa switched sides. Lisa took her usual several minutes to make her move but this time she used her mind to think out what moves to make. This time, she easily defeated Rick. Rick made a sour face.

"Maybe I shouldn't have told you about your arm movements."

"Don't worry about it, Rick. Besides, my chess teacher and father always told me that was one of my biggest faults. I try not to do that, but it is one of the worst habits I have when it comes to playing chess."

"You father taught you how to play chess?"

Lisa nodded her head. "Want to try for two out of three Rick?"

Rick shook his head. "My brain is fried. How 'bout we play something else. You know how to play checkers?"

"I played it a little bit when I was a little girl, but I was more interested in chess. But I remember enough to know how to play it."

"Okay, you want to be red or black?"

"I'll take red."

Rick and Lisa started playing checkers. In the middle of the game, Lisa sensed that Rick was enjoying players checkers more than chess. "I see you're more comfortable playing checkers instead of chess."

"Umm-hmm, you don't have to think as much. There is still some strategy involved but it's not as complicated as chess."

After playing several games of checkers and Rick winning each of the games Lisa wanted to play another game.

"Do you how to play yacht Lisa?"

"You mean 'poker dice' Rick?"

"That's right."

"Yes, I know how to play yacht."

"Okay, I'll go to my bedroom and get a cup and 5 dice."

Rick walked in his bedroom and retrieved a cup, 5 dice and a pair of notepads out of his closet. They went on to play several rounds of yacht. It was getting late in the evening and Lisa was getting tired.

"Rick, can we stop now? I just want to spend the rest of the evening in your arms."

"Sure Lisa.", Rick said as he pushed the folding table away and as he wrapped his arms around Lisa.

Lisa then sighed a sigh of contentment as she rested her head in Rick's chest. Rick leaned his head down and kissed Lisa on the top of her head. With one arm still wrapped around Lisa shoulders, he then started running his fingers through Lisa's long auburn hair with his free hand. It made Lisa sigh even more.

"Hmm, I love it when you do that Rick."

"Like I said before Lisa, you have the most beautiful and sexiest hair I've ever seen."

She then looked at Rick with a smile on her face. "You know how to flatter a girl, you know that?"

"It's the truth."

Lisa could do nothing but smile at Rick as her eyes were misting over. She then snuggled her head even deeper into Rick's chest. So close, she can hear his heart beating. It was well into the night when Rick looked at his watch.

"Lisa, I hate to break the news to you but it's getting late, and we have to go to bed."

Lisa then sighed. "I guess you're right Rick."

Rick got up from the couch first and offered his hand to Lisa. Lisa smiled as she grabbed Rick's hand and he led her to his bedroom. As Rick and Lisa began to undress, Rick looked over at Lisa as she was taking off her clothes. Rick could not help but stare at Lisa's beautiful nude body. Lisa sensed that Rick was staring at her and decided to have a little fun with Rick. She threw the cover and blanket off the bed and slowly climbed into bed. She then motioned to Rick with her index finger to come into bed. Rick acting like he was in a trance obeyed and climbed into bed. Lisa then climbed on top of Rick and started to kiss his lips. She then worked her way down Rick naked body planting kisses along the way making Rick wiggle and squirm and go hysterical with sexual desire.

"What's wrong Rick? Am I making you horny?", Lisa said seductively.

"Yes.", Rick said breathlessly.

"Well, that's my whole intention."

Lisa continued to make Rick wiggle and squirm until Rick could not take it anymore and wrapped his arms around Lisa's waist and started to passionately kiss her. Lisa made a playful pout of her lips.

"That's not fair Rick. I wanted to make you even hornier."

"How much more can you make me horny? You were close to torturing me."

"That was my whole idea. I wanted you to become so horny that when we made love, I will wear you out.", Lisa said seductively.

"Well then, don't let me stop you.", Rick said with an evil smile.

Lisa said nothing but smiled as she went back to kissing Rick naked body as she was working her way down to his groin. 'Sorry Roy, but I'm going to wear Rick out.', Lisa said to herself devilishly.

THE DANCING STEER RESTAURANT AND DANCE CLUB

MACROSS CITY

THE NEXT EVENING

The restaurant and club were quickly filling up by the time Rick arrived, but he managed to find an empty table. Max, Ben, Roy, and Claudia were already there. Rick sat down and waited for Lisa and the Bridge Bunnies to arrive. By the time Lisa and the Bridge Bunnies finally arrived, the place was getting really crowded. Rick saw them and started waving his arms.

"Looks kind of crowded, doesn't it?", Kim said.

"It sure is. I wonder if we'll be able to find a table.", Vanessa said.

Just then Lisa saw Rick waving his arms and she smiled. "Girls, I think someone has already found a table for us." Lisa said as she started walking towards Rick.

"Who is it ma'am?", Kim asked.

The three enlisted girls looked over to where Lisa was walking to and saw Rick waving his arms. The three enlisted girls then sighed. They heard rumors and gossip from the pilots in the air wing, especially from the pilots in Rick's squadron that their supervisor and Lieutenant Hunter are an item and are seeing each other. The three were envious of Lisa. But at the same time, they were happy for Lisa that she was finally able to find a boyfriend. But they were still envious of Lisa that she found a hunk of a pilot to be her boyfriend. They still have not been able to find where their dance dates are or live ever since they first met them at the Bamboo House Discothèque.

Rick smiled as Lisa walked up to the table. "Hello Lisa."

"Hello yourself you hunk of a pilot.", Lisa said mischievously as she laid down her purse, smiled and kissed Rick.

Rick blushed a crimson red when Lisa called him a hunk. He knew that Lisa called him a hunk knowing full well her bridge crew was with her. He did not know why Lisa called him that pet name. It is not that he does not mind her calling him a hunk; he just wishes she would not do that in front of others.

Lisa sensed Rick's uneasiness when she called him a hunk and just smiled. The Bridge Bunnies tried to stifle their giggles but were unsuccessful.

"How did your day go, Rick?"

"It went okay Lisa."

"Sammie, I think you have something to tell the lieutenant.", Lisa said as they were sitting down.

"Uh…yes I do ma'am.", Sammie said knowing what Lisa meant by saying that and was clearly uneasy about it.

"What are you talking about Lisa?", a bewildered Rick asked.

"Ah sir…I have something to tell you. Remember several months ago when that tabloid printed that picture of you and Commander Hayes at that bistro."

"Yes, I do. So?"

"Well sir…I was the one who gave the tabloid your names."

"YOU DID WHAT?"

"I'm sorry sir.", Sammie said timidly.

"Seaman, you and I are going to have a little talk!"

"Now hold on for minute Rick, before you go off on her, let me explain to you that Sammie has already been punished for what she did, and she did say she is sorry for what she did."

"She's right sir. I am terribly sorry for what I did.". Sammie said sheepishly.

Rick thought about it for a moment. "We'll discuss this in private seaman."

"Yes sir."

As a waiter came by to take their orders, the television that was across the room from them that was re-airing Minmei's benefit concert went off the air. There were groans coming from the throats of the restaurant patrons.

"We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for this breaking news story. We are now going live to a news conference being held by Captain Henry J. Gloval of the SDF-1 and the Honorable Tommy Luan, mayor of Macross City."

The television switched to a live shot of Captain Gloval standing on a podium with Mayor Luan standing behind him and off to the side.

"Thank you for being here on such short notice. I first have a statement to read. Then Mayor Luan has a statement that he will read. Afterwards, we will answer any questions you in the press have. First, I will read my statement.

I have an extremely important announcement to make not only to the members of the RDF and the crew of the SDF-1 but most importantly to the citizens of Macross. I do not know how to say this to you any easily so I will just go ahead and say it to you. After meeting and consulting with my superiors in the RDF, I have been ordered to take the SDF-1 and leave Earth and to station the SDF-1 in lunar orbit. I have also been ordered by my superiors not to allow the civilians to leave the ship. The reason behind this can be better explained by Mayor Luan.

However, I am currently negotiating with several non UEG alliance nations, countries, and states to let the citizens of Macross be declared political refugees and to be allowed off the ship and to be granted political asylum and to be resettled in their countries. If I can do this, the RDF and the UEG will allow the civilians to be let off the ship before the SDF-1 is ordered back into space. I cannot tell you which nations we are negotiating with, but what I can tell you is that several provinces in Canada, several countries in South America and several states in the U.S. are interested in granting the citizens of Macross political asylum. Now, Mayor Luan has a statement he would like to read and afterwards, we will take any questions you in the media have."

"What does this all mean?", an angry woman in the restaurant asked.

"What the Hell is going on here?", an angry man asked.

"Hey! There are some military people! Let us ask them!", another angry man said as he pointed to where Rick, Lisa and the Bridge Bunnies are sitting.

'Uh-oh, this is not good.' Lisa said to herself.

"Hey! I know those two from the newspapers! The female is Commander Lisa Hayes one of Gloval's cronies!"

"Alright commander what the Hell is going here!", an angry man in a suit and tie screamed literally inches away from Lisa's face.

"Uh sir"

"Now look here commander we have been stuck on this goddamn ship in space for over two years now and we have been told that once we land on Earth, we can be let off this ship and we expect to be let off this ship! Now I am asking you again commander what the Hell is going on here! Why are we not allowed off the ship!", the man asked as he was jabbing his finger in Lisa's chest.

Rick then grabbed the man's arm with a calm look of anger on his face. "The commander did not ask to be touched by you sir.", Rick said in a calm but stern tone of voice.

"Get your hand off my arm!", the thug shouted as he was tugging at his arm, but Rick was not letting go. He was holding on to the man's arm very tightly.

"You need to apologize to the commander first sir."

"Oh yeah and what are you going to do if I don't soldier boy!"

"Sir, if you will just apologize to the commander I'll let go of your arm. Then she will explain everything to you. But until you apologize, I-AM-NOT-LETTING-GO-OF-YOUR-ARM!"

"Make me soldier boy!"

"Sir, don't force me to make you apologize to the commander."

"C'mon soldier boy! Throw the first punch!"

'Don't tempt him; you don't know what you're getting yourself into sir.' Lisa silently said to the man. She knows that Rick knows how to box and fight as she saw him working out at the fitness center yesterday.

"Lisa, I think you and the girls should leave. This is going to get ugly."

"Rick! I'm not going to"

"Lisa, I think we better do what the lieutenant suggests we do.", Kim said.

Lisa nodded as she and the Bridge Bunnies were about to get up to leave.

"Sit down! You're not going anywhere until we get some answers!", the man yelled as he shoved Lisa with his free hand.

That did it. Rick threw a wicked left cross to the man's jaw which staggered the man back. He immediately followed up with a punch to the man's stomach which doubled him over in pain. Rick finished him off with an upper cut to the man's chin knocking him out cold.

The man's friends saw what happened to their friend and bull rushed Rick. They both fell to the floor and they started to pummel Rick with punches. Ben and Max were talking with some girls when they noticed their friend and squadron leader getting punched mercilessly.

"Hey Max! Rick's in trouble!", Ben yelled.

"I know Ben! Let us help him!"

Ben, Max, Roy, and several other pilots went to Rick's aid. They managed to pull the thugs off Rick but then they started to throw punches at Max, Ben and Roy. The three pilots had no choice but to defend themselves by blocking and punching back. Soon others started trading punches with other pilots. During the melee, Claudia started to run out of the restaurant when she met up with Lisa and the Bridge Bunnies.

"Lisa we've got to get out of here!", Claudia said.

"We can't Claudia! I need to be here when the police arrive and tell them that Rick was just defending me! WATCH OUT RICK!", Lisa screamed in panic.

A punk had a chair high above his head and was running towards Rick with it as Rick was getting off the floor. Rick sidestepped the punk and threw a roundhouse kick to the punk's sternum. A sickening cracking sound was heard as the punk howled in pain as the ribs in his chest started to crack and break.

Lisa was relieved to hear police sirens. It had taken almost a dozen police officers to break up the fight. After the police broke up the fight and had almost everyone involved in the fight in handcuffs as a precaution, the police began to try to figure out who started the fight. Lisa, Claudia, the Bridge Bunnies, and other patrons told the police that the man in the suit and tie started the fight when he shoved Lisa when she tried to leave, and Rick was only defending her. After getting everyone's account of the fight, the police took the handcuffs off Rick, Ben, Max, Roy, and the other pilots. One of the cops went up to the man and his friends who were still handcuffed.

"Alright, you, you, you and you, all of you are under arrest.", the cop said pointing his finger.

"On what charge?", the man yelled.

"Well, how about we start with assault and battery for starters? We can also add instigating a fight to that."

"Hey! What about the soldier boys? Why aren't you are going to arrest them too? They were throwing punches too!"

"They were only defending themselves and their friend!"

"That shouldn't matter! They should be arrested too!"

"YEAH! One of them broke my friend's ribs when he kicked him in the chest! How about calling for an ambulance?"

"THAT'S BECAUSE YOUR FRIEND CAME AFTER THE LIEUTENANT WITH A DAMN CHAIR! HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED!", Claudia shouted immediately coming to Rick's defense.

A small angry crowd began walking towards the cops and the arrested men. The officers began ordering the crowd to move back. One of the cops then took his pepper spray canister out of his holster and warned the crowd to keep back or else he will start spraying. The crowd kept on coming not caring about the officer's warning. The officer then started to spray the crowd with the pepper spray. The crowd started to get angrier and more started to rush the cops. One of the officers got on his radio.

"Central this is 1-Charlie-18! We need back-up at our location which the Dancing Steer Restaurant and Club for crowd control now!"

The cops and the handcuffed arrested men started to run out of the restaurant and to the cars. The cops barely managed to get the arrested men in the back of their patrol cars and started to drive away when a crowd surrounded the cars and started to rock the cars with the officers and arrested men inside. More cops arrived and started to push back the crowd. Someone in the crowd threw a beer bottle at the police. The bottle hit a female officer in the side of her head knocking her out cold. Another cop pulled out his pepper spray bottle and started to spray the crowd. The crowd grew angrier and angrier and started to push back at the officers. Another officer got on his radio and called for back-up for riot control. The crowd then gotten bigger and angrier and soon it grew out of control. They soon started to throw bottles and other debris at the cops. Soon more police officers in riot gear showed up and started to lob tear gas grenades at the rioting crowd. In response, the rioters broke store windows, stores were being looted or burned and cars were being turned over and set on fire.

LISA'S QUARTERS

Rick, Lisa, Ben, Max, Claudia, Roy, and the others managed to get out of the way of the growing riot in time. Rick had some bruises on his face and had a cut on his lip that Lisa stopped using a towel and cold water. Lisa and Rick were watching the riot happening on live television in her quarters. A reporter was describing what was happening in the confluence of the violence.

"The Macross Police in riot gear has just formed a skirmish line right in front of me! A police commander on a bullhorn has just warned the crowd to disperse or the police will start lobbing tear gas grenades! Okay tear gas grenades have just been launched! Several rioters have tried to kick back the grenades but cannot! The police in gas masks have just charged head long into the very center of the riot! The crowd is beginning to break and run! The police are chasing after them and are now beginning to make arrests! The police are beginning to get the upper hand on this riot! I cannot say for sure that this riot is over, but I am certain that the situation is now beginning to calm down and the police are beginning take control of this riot. Reporting live from downtown Macross, I am Gail Fisher, MBS News."

Rick turned off the TV and blew out a sigh of relief. Lisa broke down and cried on his shoulder.

Later in the evening, Rick turned on the TV again to watch the late-night news. On the screen, there was a live news conference with the Macross Police Chief and Fire Chief, Mayor Luan, and Captain Gloval. The Macross Police Chief was at the podium.

"As the mayor stated earlier, he has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew. Anyone who is caught on the streets will be immediately arrested. I have a report on the riot. These reports are for now preliminary but from what I can tell you from the reports we do have is that we have 21 officers injured, one is in the hospital being treated for wounds she received when she was knocked unconscious by a thrown beer bottle. We have over 200 civilians being treated at the hospital for various injuries but thankfully there are no reported deaths. We have arrested over 700 people for various charges ranging from arson, looting, vandalism also known as criminal mischief, destruction of private and police property, assault and battery, assault on a police officer to inciting a riot."

"Captain Gloval, there are reports that RDF personnel instigated a fight in a restaurant that touched off the riot. Are those reports true and what will happen to the military personnel?"

"Well, for now, all RDF and SDF-1 personnel have been restricted to the ship and base. Macross City is off limits to all military personnel. I have ordered the ship's Master at Arms to have the Military Police and the Shore Patrol to immediately arrest any military personnel caught on the streets of Macross and to be held in the brig until the day of their court martial. I have directed the FCIC to conduct a thorough criminal investigation and if there is evidence that military personnel were involved in the incident, charges will be filed and forwarded to the JAG where appropriate punishment will be meted out."

Rick heard enough. He turned off the TV. Rick wanted to ask Lisa if that were the real reason why Lisa would not answer his question last night on if the brass would allow the civilians off the ship but thought better of it. Lisa again cried on his shoulder. 'Why father? Why wouldn't you listen to us? If you would have listened to us, none of this would have to happen!'

ONE WEEK LATER

It had taken several more hours for the police to finally get the upper hand on the rioters so that the fire department can come in and put out the fires to the burning buildings and cars. It had taken several days to clean up the mess the rioters created. Broken shop windows had to be replaced and burned-out cars had to be towed away. Shop owners and the owners of the burned-out cars had to file insurance claims. It will take even longer for the police to fully investigate the cause for the riot and determine who should be prosecuted and the arrested rioters to go through the judicial system. Many will plead out while some demanded to go to trial.

The Force Criminal Investigative Command questioned Lisa, Rick, Roy, Claudia, Ben, Max, and the other military people involved in the fight in the restaurant that touched off the riot. The FCIC fully investigated the fight, filed its report, and sent it to the JAG, where it was determined the pilots reacted in self-defense and decided not to file charges.

Captain Gloval immediately ordered all outside hatches and doors opened so that the tear gas will not get into the ship's ventilation system. The riot caused Captain Gloval to ratchet up the negotiations with the non UEG alliance nations, counties, and states. He hopes that news of the riot would not imperial the negotiations.

Mayor Luan waited for 3 days to make sure the police fully had the upper hand on the riot and the streets are under control before lifting the curfew. Yesterday, Captain Gloval lifted his restriction and allowed RDF personnel back on Macross after the mayor reassured Captain Gloval that the situation in Macross is under control.

To celebrate, Lisa, Claudia and the Bridge Bunnies went into town to eat lunch at a deli. Despite having to be on flight rotation, Rick, Max, Ben and Roy was invited to eat lunch with the women. On the bridge, a relief crew was on duty when a huge blip showed up on the large view radar screen.

"Captain, I have an enemy ship closing in on us at a high rate of speed! Computer projections show if it stays on its current trajectory it will land 20 kilometers from our current position!"

"Notify RDF Pacific Command and tell them we're under attack! Sound the general quarters alarm, launch all Sea Sparrow and defensive missiles and counter measures and alert Commander Hayes and Commander Grant and tell them to get back here on the bridge on the double!"

"Aye-aye sir!", Lisa's relief Lieutenant Corinne Lee said.

"GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS! ALL PILOTS REPORT TO YOUR READY ROOMS! ALL CIVILIANS PLEASE GO TO THE NEAREST AIR RAID SHELTER IMMEDIATELY! COMMANDER HAYES AND LIEUTENANT COMMANDER GRANT REPORT TO THE BRIDGE ON THE DOUBLE! I REPEAT COMMANDER HAYES AND LIEUTENANT COMMANDER GRANT REPORT TO THE BRIDGE ON THE DOUBLE!"

At the deli, everyone was enjoying their lunch when the general quarters alarm went off. Everyone groaned or sighed when the general quarters alarm went off. Then everyone immediately ran out of the deli leaving their lunches half eaten on the table except for Ben who immediately grabbed his double roast beef and cheese submarine sandwich. Outside on the street Lisa and Roy started waving their arms to try to flag a taxi or two. They did not have to wait long before three taxis pulled up to the curb. Lisa and Claudia quickly gave their boyfriends a good-bye kiss. Then the pilots went into one taxi, Lisa and Claudia went into the second cab while the Bridge Bunnies climbed into the third.

As he was waiting for Lisa and Claudia to return to the bridge, Captain Gloval received more bad news.

"Sir, enemy battle pods have just been launched and the enemy ship just splashed down and went underwater!"

Gloval looked at the screen. "Scramble and launch all available fighters but keep Vermillion and Skull in reserve! What we have launched should be enough to hold the enemy off!"

"Aye-aye sir.", Lieutenant Lee said.

"ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! ALL PILOTS TO YOUR FIGHTERS FOR IMMEDIATE LAUNCH! FLIGHT OPERATIONS LAUNCH ALL FIGHTERS EXCEPT FOR VERMILLION AND SKULL!"

Everyone arrived at the gate at almost the same time. After paying for their fares, Lisa, Claudia, and the Bridge Bunnies went one way while the pilots went the other. As the five young women were running to the bridge, they heard the alert announcement over the ship's loudspeakers. Lisa and Claudia breathed a silent sigh of relief when they heard that the Vermillion and Skull were being held back. That means Rick and Roy for now were safe. 'Oh, thank God!' The two women said to themselves.

The five women ran into the bridge and received their briefs from the bridge crew who relieved them earlier so they could go to their battle stations. After she took her seat, Kim looked at her radar screen and frowned.

"Sir! The enemy has broken through our defensive perimeter and they're now landed on the flight deck of the Prometheus!"

"Damn it! Alright! Alert Vermillion Squadron and have them launched immediately!"

Lisa's heart went into her throat when she heard Captain Gloval's order. "Yes sir!"

Lisa then pressed the button to activate the alert alarm. "ALERT! ALERT! VERMILLION SQUADRON ENEMY HAS PENETRATED OUR DEFENSIVE SCREEN! REPORT TO THE FLIGHT DECK OF THE DAEDALUS FOR IMMEDIATE LAUNCH!"

She then closed her eyes and prayed a silent prayer for Rick. 'Oh God, please be careful Rick.'

Rick and the other pilots of Vermillion Squadron raced to their veritechs and after being strapped in by their crew chiefs and given last minute instructions, they rode the elevator to the flight deck.

'Well, here we go again another frigging battle.'

Battle pods began firing their guns and missiles at Rick and his squadron mates. Rick flinched as a missile exploded mere centimeters away from him.

"God damn it! How more of these goddamn things do we have to shoot down before they stop coming at us ten thousand, twenty thousand or maybe perhaps two million or more!"

Other veritechs were being blown up and destroyed before they even had the chance to take off. Rick had enough of being a sitting duck.

"Vermillion Squadron just go full throttle and take off! Do not worry about using the catapults! The runway's getting cratered anyway!"

"Roger!"

Ben, Max, and several other pilots of Rick's squadron managed to take off and started engaging the enemy. Rick used himself as a decoy to lure several battle pods into chasing him. Ben and Max switched to battloid mode and destroyed the battle pods in a deadly crossfire.

Meanwhile, several Gladiator and Phalanx squadrons were doing their best to try to hold off the advancing Zentraedi attack, but the battle pods were picking them off with ease. Rick soon found himself engaged in a firefight with an enemy Zentraedi officer battle pod. The battle pod had Rick pinned down but Rick in battloid mode charged at the firing battle pod with his gun blazing. The pod continued firing but Rick's quick reflexes and combat experience gave him the edge.

Inside the officer's battle pod the Zentraedi officer who managed to survive the reflex furnace meltdown at Sara Base Mars was getting frustrated and angry. He was throwing everything he had at Rick, but Rick kept getting the better of him. Even though he was growing increasingly angry at Rick, he had to admire Rick's tenacity and fighting skills. "This Micronian is good. He's better than I am."

Back on the bridge, Kim looked at the radar screen. "Sir more enemy battle pods are closing in on us from the northeast at a high rate of speed!"

"Is PACOM sending us reinforcements?"

Before Sammie could answer his question, a voice came over the bridge's speakers. "SDF-1 this is Pacific Command! Reinforcements have been dispatched and should be arriving at your position within two minutes!"

"Wait a minute sir something strange is happening here! The enemy reinforcements are firing on their own people!"

"What? You must be joking or seeing things!"

"I'm not joking sir! The Zentraedi are firing on their personnel! The enemy is now beginning to withdraw!" Kim looked at the radar screen again. "An enemy ship is closing on us at a high rate of speed sir! It's on a suicide run!"

'That ship is coming too fast for us to fire the main gun! Prepare to launch a Daedalus attack!"

"Yes sir!" Claudia responded. "Daedalus attack in 5-4-3-2-1!"

"Launch!"

"Yes sir!" Lisa said as she pressed a button.

The Daedalus arm of the SDF-1 rose out of the water and punched through the front of the Zentraedi ship and created a huge hole. The arm continued its deadly trip through the ship breaking wires and pipes causing small explosions as it continued traveling through the guts of the ship. Then missiles began coming out of the front door of the arm of the Daedalus. The enemy ship then bulged and exploded as the Daedalus began its withdrawal. However, several missiles punched through the skin of the stern of the exploding enemy ship and started flying. An alarmed voice of Rick came over the radio. Rick was chasing the enemy officer battle pod when the SDF-1 initiated its Daedalus attack.

"LISA! I'M THE WAY OF OUR MISSILES!"

Missiles began to hit Rick's veritech like so many rocket propelled flechettes punching holes into the thin skin of the jet. Fuel and oil began to spout out of the wounded veritech like a speared whale.

"I'M HIT! I'M GOING DOWN! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAY"

On the bridge Lisa gasped and flinched in horror when she heard the terrified voice of Rick on the radio. Immediately Claudia reached over and put her arm around Lisa. Lisa then buried her head into Claudia's chest. Claudia could not do anything but to whisper encouraging words to Lisa and let her cry in her chest. Gloval walked up behind Claudia and whispered in her ear.

"Claudia, escort Lisa off the bridge. Find out what hospital Lieutenant Hunter is being sent to and help her get there. I'll have one of the enlisted girls call in relief for the both of you."

"Yes sir.", Claudia whispered at the same time nodding her head.

"Come on Lisa, let's get off the bridge.", Claudia whispered as she helped Lisa walk off the bridge.

CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN

The Seahawk rescue helicopter swooped in low as it approached the spot where Rick supposedly landed in the water.

"Uh roger tower, this is Barracuda. I have the parachute and dye marker in sight, but I do not see any movement. I repeat I see no movement. We're about to insert rescue swimmer."

Rick was floating unconscious in the water. The only thing that kept him from sinking into the ocean is the floatation bags that automatically blew up when he hit the water after ejecting. The Seahawk began to hover several hundred feet above Rick churning up the water with the backwash of its rotor blades. The tell-tale sinister dorsal fins of sharks were circling around Rick but scattered when the helicopter's rotor blades began to violently stir up the water. The rescue swimmer then jumped into the water without hesitation and began to swim towards Rick. The crew chief also acting as door gunner was standing behind an M-60 machine gun with his finger on the trigger ready to shoot at any sharks that wanted to come back to take a bite out of the swimmer or Rick. The swimmer unhitched the parachute from Rick. The rescue line reeled down to where the swimmer was with a rescue harness attached to its end. The swimmer looped the harness around Rick and motioned with an upward motion of his arm to tell the crew chief to start the winch. The rescue line started to go up. The rescue swimmer grabbed onto the line. A minute later the rescue swimmer and Rick entered the cabin of the Seahawk. There the crew chief and rescue swimmer started to work on Rick.

"Tower this is Barracuda. Pick-up has been accomplished. We are on our way back home. Have an ambulance standing by on the flight deck to immediately take the lieutenant to the hospital. Over."

"Acknowledged Barracuda. Tower out."

Just as soon as Roy heard Rick was shot down, he knew Minmei needed to be told. The problem was he did not know where she is. It had taken several phone calls before he found out that Minmei is shooting a movie on the other side of Macross city. Roy went to the motor pool and checked out a car. As he was driving, Roy could not help but to think that every time something bad happens to Rick, he was the one who had to tell Minmei the bad news.

It had only taken a short time for Roy to drive to the set. When Roy reached the set, he parked the car and started walking towards the set when he was stopped by a security guard. He told the guard that he needed to talk to Minmei about a friend of hers. The guard told Roy that they should be stopping very soon to take a lunch break and he would tell Minmei that Roy wanted to talk to her. Roy thanked the guard and waited.

When lunchtime came, the guard kept his word and told Minmei that Roy wanted to talk to her. When Minmei saw Roy, she waved her hand and smiled as she walked towards where Roy was standing.

"Hello Commander Fokker."

Roy gently smiled. "Minmei, I've told you many times, you don't have to do that. You are not military. It's Roy."

"Oh, okay Roy; what's up, what are you doing here?"

The smile disappeared. "Minmei…I'm afraid I have some bad news to tell you about Rick."

Minmei suddenly panicked and let out a gasp of shock as she put her hand to her mouth. "Rick! What happened to Rick? What's wrong with him?"

Roy took in a deep breath then blew it out. "Minmei…Rick's injured. He's been hurt."

"What happened to him Roy?"

"Rick was engaged in air combat when he was accidently shot down by our missiles."

"He's not dead, is he? Please tell me the truth Roy!"

Roy immediately began to shake his head no. "No, he's not dead. The last I heard when the rescue helicopter fished him out of the ocean is that he is unconscious but alive. He's being taken to the hospital."

"Can I see him Roy?"

"I don't know Minmei, but I'll ask the hospital if you can. If the hospital says no, I'll keep you informed of Rick's condition."

"You promise?"

"I promise Minmei. Look Minmei, I must go now. I have to get to the hospital right away."

"Okay Roy. Thanks for telling me about Rick. Please keep me informed on Rick's condition."

"I will Minmei, I promise."

Roy then turned and walked away so he can drive to the hospital leaving Minmei alone in her thoughts. At first, she was frightened and scared for Rick but then she became angry. Not at Rick but at Lisa. She knew that Lisa was somehow responsible for Rick being shot down, but she knew she could not prove it. It was up to the private detective to prove her suspicions and she hoped that the detective would dig something up that she could use against Lisa. It was then and there she was determined more than ever to get Rick away from Lisa's clutches. In her mind, Minmei knew that one day Lisa would get Rick killed and she was not going to let that happen, not if she could help it. Her agent then walked up to her and put his arm around her shoulder.

"Hey Minmei, you/re missing lunch. You're okay?"

"Uh...yeah…. I am okay Vance. It's just that…I was just told that a friend of mine was seriously injured."

"It's not your pilot friend Lieutenant Hunter, isn't it?"

Minmei nodded her head and began to cry very bitterly. Vance embraced Minmei as he let her cry in his chest.

"Oh no, Minmei I am so sorry. Do you want to stop for today? I can try to convince the director to stop shooting for the day."

"No…. you do not have do that Vance. I just need to clear my head and get some lunch."

"Okay…. well…how about we take our time walking to the craft service line. By the time we get to the lunch table your mind should be cleared enough to at least eat lunch."

"That's sounds like a great idea Vance."

MACROSS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Lisa and Claudia were already at the hospital by the time the ambulance arrived at the emergency room. As Rick was being wheeled into the emergency room on a gurney, Lisa managed to grab hold of Rick's hand. Lisa was stopped at the entrance to the ER by an ER nurse.

"I'm sorry commander but I'm afraid you can't come in."

"But"

"I'm sorry commander but its hospital rules. But do not worry, the lieutenant is in good hands here. The doctor will keep you informed on the lieutenant's condition."

Lisa could not do anything but to nod her head as she let go of Rick's hand.

"Please can you stop for a moment?"

The paramedics and ER nurse nodded their heads.

Lisa then leaned down and with tears flowing freely down her cheeks; she kissed Rick on the lips.

"I love you Rick. Please do not die. Please come back to me. I don't know how I can go on without you.", she whispered to Rick hoping he will somehow hear.

She then let the paramedics wheel Rick into the ER. Claudia walked up to where Lisa was standing and put her arm around Lisa's shoulders.

"You need to keep the faith Lisa. Rick is in the hospital now. He is in good hands. Rick has been in tight spots before, and he made it out fine. He will make it out of this one. You just need to stay positive Lisa."

Lisa nodded her head as she continued crying.

In the ER, the nurses and hospital attendants began to cut off Rick's heavily blood-stained flight suit. An ER doctor began barking out orders.

"Alright! Get a new set of vital signs on him! Start IV drip lactated ringers with 5 percent dextrose! Check his dog tags for his blood type and get an EKG started!"

After cutting off his flight suit and attaching the EKG leads to his bare chest, the bouncing light line on the EKG monitor suddenly went flat and a steady whine began sounding giving the ER staff the terrible news that Rick's heart has stopped.

"He's flat lined doctor!", an ER nurse shouted.

"How the Hell did he…alright never mind! Defibrillator quick 300 megawatts! C'mon! Go! Go! Go!"

A nurse gave the doctor a set of defibrillator paddles to shock Rick's heart back to beating. The doctor was getting impatient even though it only took seconds for the defibrillator to charge up.

"C'mon! Damn it! Charge up!"

A steady noise began emitting from the defibrillator machine.

"It's charged!"

"Clear!"

The doctor pressed the buttons on the top side of the paddles. Rick's body jumped several centimeters off the gurney.

"Nothing doctor!"

"Alright! Initiate CPR! 10 cc of Intropin IV push and we will shock him again this time at 400 jewels full charge! C'mon move it! We're not going to lose him!"

Outside the closed ER door Lisa could see and hear the commotion. She flinched when she saw Rick's body jumped when his heart was shocked by the defibrillator. She knew what that meant after seeing it done many times on TV shows, somehow or the other Rick's heart has stopped. She then folded her hands as if she were praying as the tears continued to fall.

"Oh no! Please do not die Rick! Please don't die!"

Claudia walked up and pulled Lisa away from the door. "Lisa, you shouldn't be seeing this. C'mon, why don't we go to the waiting room."

As the ER staff was working feverishly to save Rick's life, Rick could feel one of the ER nurses doing CPR chest compressions on his chest. He then could feel his spirit leaving his body. He looked down to see himself being worked on by the ER staff. He then looked up and felt himself being pulled into a bright tunnel of light. He began traveling through the tunnel of light until he could no longer see because at the end of the tunnel the light was so bright it temporarily blinded him. He found himself in the middle of a meadow in spring.

"This looks like same meadow back home in Windham. Where am I?"

Then he heard a familiar voice calling his name. "Hi Rick."

He turned to where he heard the voice. It was Cathy.

"Cathy? It is you? It is really you?"

"Yes Rick...it's really me.", Cathy said as her voice was breaking.

Rick ran up to Cathy and threw him arms around her as he began to cry. "Oh, Cathy I missed you! I've been missing you so much!"

"I've missed you too Rick."

After a while, Rick and Cathy broke their embrace.

"Where are we Cathy? Is this Heaven?"

"Well…not really Rick. This is more of a place where you need to make a decision."

Rick gave her a look of confusion. "Come again Cathy. I don't get what you're saying."

"Let me put it this way Rick. This place is more of an in between stop. Now…you can go with me to where I am at or you and I can stay here for a while and later, you can go back."

"How long can we stay here?"

"It's up to you Rick. We can stay here as long as you like but eventually you will have to make a decision."

"Am I dead?"

"Umm…technically yes but you're not fully dead if you get what I'm saying."

"I think I do Cathy.", Rick said in a confused tone of voice.

"Rick, can we start walking? All of this is kind of new to me and I'm not really experienced in all this."

"Uh…yeah sure Cathy, it's no problem.", Rick said as they started walking.

"Rick...I know you've been torturing and blaming yourself for my death for all these years but…. Rick…it is not your fault! You need to stop blaming yourself for my death! You need to free yourself of the guilt you're feeling!"

"But Cathy...I should have stopped you from doing that stunt."

Cathy then gently but firmly put both of her hands upon Rick's shoulders. "Rick you need to listen to me! I climbed into the cockpit of that old airplane knowing full well how dangerous that stunt was! I should have said no but I convinced myself and you that I knew how to do the stunt when really…I did not! I lied to myself and most importantly to you that I felt comfortable doing that stunt when I really did not! Heck…I even had Pop go to Roy and to have him tell you that it wasn't your fault!"

"You did?"

"Yes, but somehow or the other, Roy has never gotten around to telling you."

"It's probably because I would not have believed him if he told me."

Cathy shrugged her shoulders. "Umm…maybe, Rick please, you need go on with your life past me. You have someone back in the world of the living that loves you very much and I know you love her, but you cannot give your heart fully to her because of the guilt you still feel over my death. Am I right?"

Rick could do nothing but nod his head.

"Rick…it's okay to move on with your life past me."

"But...I don't know how to Cathy."

"It's simple Rick…just forget about me…but always remember me. Remember to always keep me in your heart and memory but out of your mind."

Rick nodded his head. He is beginning to understand how to move on with his life past Cathy's death and coming to terms with Cathy's death.

"So…what's your decision Rick? Are you coming with me or are you going back to Lisa and to promise her to love her always?"

"I'm going back to Lisa."

Cathy smiled. "I was hoping you're going to say that."

"Cathy, after I marry Lisa, if and when I have a daughter do you mind if I name her after you?"

"If Lisa doesn't mind, no I don't mind Rick."

A door then suddenly appeared. "Well…this is where we say good-bye Rick."

"How do I get back?"

"Just turn around and start walking. You'll find your way back."

"Thanks Cathy. Say hello to Pop and your dad for me."

"I will Rick."

"Thanks, oh and…uh…Cathy."

"Yes Rick."

"I love you and I will love you always."

"I love you too Rick and I will always love you."

Rick saw Cathy turned the knob to the door. A bright light came out as Cathy walked through then closed the door. He then turned around and started walking. Very soon, Rick was blinded by a very bright light. He then felt himself being pulled into the same bright tunnel of light he went through earlier. He kept traveling through the tunnel until he felt himself entering his body. Only this time, he was lying in a hospital bed. He slowly opened his eyes to find Roy and the love of his life Lisa looking at him and smiling. Her eyes were beginning to mist over with tears as she kissed him on the lips. He smiled as she kissed him. He thought he would never feel the warmth of Lisa's lips again.

"Hey Rick, you…you really gave me a big scare.", Lisa said with a trembling voice as tears were falling freely from her eyes.

AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTES

MILITARY ACRONYMS

JAG – Judge Advocate General. Military equivalent of a civilian District Attorney or Attorney General. All six military services have a JAG.