"Do you want to come in Rick?" Lisa asked. Rick had picked her up from the lab at the agreed upon time and it didn't take long for them to reach her quarters.

"I know I don't have much to offer right now, but maybe a cup of tea?" she asked.

Rick was happy to spend more time with Lisa and wanted a chance to talk to her about what he had experienced and it felt like now was as good a time as any. Roy had encouraged him to tell Lisa as well. He would like nothing better for Lisa and Rick to find the kind of happiness that he had with Claudia and as a pilot's life was possibly too short to not make the most of time that you had with someone you cared about.

Rick settled himself on her couch while Lisa put her stuff away and started the tea. They made idle chatter as they waited for the kettle to boil, which didn't take long and Lisa measured out some tea leaves to put in the teapot to steep as she settled in next to him.

Knowing that he had to tell her and that he had to know, Rick decided to tell Lisa about his experience.

"I don't know how you are going to take this Lisa, but I wanted to tell you something."

Lisa became anxious. Rick seemed nervous and he ran his hand through his already messy hair, not knowing where to start. Her usual natural reaction would have been to shy away and try and change the subject when things became uncomfortable but for some reason, Lisa decided that she had to hear what Rick had to say whether it was bad or good.

"When I saw that it was you that Roy was holding in his arms when he pulled you out of the Knight, my heart just stopped. Roy had to perform CPR on you Lisa, before letting the medics take over and I was paralyzed, knowing that there was nothing I could do. I was really worried about you Lisa, especially after Dr. Lang and Capt. Gloval explained about the Veritech link and the blue liquid. But there was something else, I wasn't quite truthful when I said that the blue liquid had no affect on me. I was drawn to it as well, but more drawn to you, laying there, so still and alone. I wanted to make sure that you knew you weren't alone and that I was there with you. I wasn't supposed to but I reached in and held your hand Lisa and the most amazing thing happened. I found you! I don't know how it worked but that blue stuff brought me to you and I got to see some of your past Lisa. I got to see your house, and see your mom and dad and even your housekeeper."

Lisa was stunned she didn't know what to say and just listened as Rick continued to explain everything that he had seen. Rick was so excited to tell her that he didn't even notice her reaction and slowly trailed off as he noticed that she wasn't saying anything at all.

"Lisa, are you okay, I'm sorry, I know it's a bit overwhelming. I don't know if what I saw was real or not, but I had to tell you..."

Lisa didn't respond but leaned down and opened a drawer on the coffee table and pulled out a thick photo album. She placed the album on her lap and opened to a page and turned the page to face Rick.

Rick immediately recognized the building as Lisa's childhood home and described to her in great detail about the decor and the home itself. Lisa flipped to another page containing a family portrait and Rick made Lisa smile by telling her that she "looked just like her mom." They talked for the next couple of hours about Rick's experience but Rick was saddened when Lisa admitted that she didn't remember him being there. "You made me promise Lisa, that I'd help you remember.. and that you wanted to make things better between you and your father."

He also wanted her to remember because she had admitted feelings for him that he needed her to admit in the real world as well. They talked more about the connection that the blue liquid was able to give to them. Lisa knew that she had to give credit to Rick for helping her recover emotionally as well as mentally and hoped that the experience he had meant that he had stronger feelings for her than she suspected.

Seeing that Lisa was starting to feel fatigued, Rick suggested that she retire and that they could talk tomorrow. Lisa was loath to let him go, she still craved that closeness with him but at least she better understood why. They agreed to meet for lunch the next day and Rick let her know that he would pick her up at her quarters the next day.

It did not take Lisa long for her to fall asleep and found herself dreaming of Rick once again. She tried to pay attention to the dream so she could remember it in the morning, but it seemed to go by so fast and Lisa soon found that it was morning already. Knowing that she would see Rick soon, she tried to remember everything that she could so she could tell him when she saw him.

In fact Lisa couldn't wait to tell him and as soon as he came to pick her up, she asked him in and told him all about her dream, and how he had been there. Excited that Lisa may finally be remembering through her dreams, Rick pulled her in for a big hug. It wasn't enough for Lisa though. She wanted to let Rick know how she felt about him and as he released her from his hug, Lisa wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him in and kissed him, conveying to him all the feelings she had for him.

At the touch of their lips, something magical happened and all the lost memories of their time together during Lisa's dream state came rushing back to her. Rick also felt the jolt and connection between them and happiness flowed through him as he also showed Lisa how much she meant to him as well.

They separated, breathless, unable to let the other one go.

"You remember?" Rick asked in a whisper.

"Everything, Rick, everything! Thank you so much, I wouldn't have made it back without you. I remember now, the liquid wasn't content for me to be physically well, they also wanted me to be happy Rick, and everytime you came, even though the memories were sad or uncomfortable, it could sense that I was happier when you were around."

"It's the same for me Lisa. It made me realize how much I had grown to care for you, to love you and I hope that we can make those feelings we had for another a reality."

Lisa's heart burst with happiness, she couldn't believe that all her dreams were coming true and promised herself to do her best and to make sure that Rick knew how much she cared and loved him too.

They stayed together that way as long as they could until hunger drove them to the dining hall in order to find something to eat, knowing that they had many memories to create with one another.

Over the next few months, things progressed fairly quickly between Lisa and Rick and it was obvious to everyone how much in love they were with one another. They also found that they had an ability to sense the other one or at least when they were feeling strong emotions.

Rick knew something was wrong when he felt some sadness from Lisa and quickly left the hangers to go and find her. Finding her waiting for him in her quarters, Lisa ran to him when he entered. Lisa informed him that due to the Zentraedi defectors on the ship and the findings that they were genetically indistinguishable from humans that she had to return to Earth to convey the news and also try and convince the UEG once again to let the citizens on the SDF-1 return to Earth and to also try and convince the UEG to strike a truce with the Zentraedi.

Lisa was torn, she knew she had to go and thought it was the best decision, but she didn't want to be away from Rick. Rick tried to convince her to go to the board and ask them to send someone else, but Lisa disagreed and said that it had to be her.

Seeing how strongly Lisa felt about the situation with the Zentraedi and knowing she wouldn't give up doing what she thought was best, Rick tried to console her by saying that it would only be a few days and that she would return soon.

Lisa broke down at that point and admitted that she didn't know if that would be the case at all. "I have a feeling Rick that once I'm down there, my father's going to do all he can to keep me there. I'll do my best to come back as soon as I can Rick, I'm going to miss you so much!"

Rick was devastated. He didn't think of that possibility and wondered if the Admiral could really do that. He remembered how ruthless he had been towards trying to keep Lisa from harm's way when she was younger. Could he still wield that much power?

"When you do have to leave?" he asked quietly, already dreading the answer.

Lisa hugged him tighter, "They want me to be ready to leave by 6am tomorrow. I don't know if I can do this Rick. To be away from you not knowing whether or not I will return or not."

Rick knew exactly how she felt but he didn't want to be the one to hold her back and he knew now that there were personal sacrifices that had to be made in a war such as this. Knowing that Lisa was struggling with going, he tried to be strong for her even though he was scared to death as well. Taking her by the shoulders, Rick looked into Lisa's sad green eyes.

"Lisa, as much as I hate to say it, you're right, you do need to do this. But we will be together again, whether it's a day or two from now, or months. I promise that I will find a way to get to you." Wiping the tears from her eyes, RIck lovingly kissed Lisa on the lips. Knowing that they had less than twelve hours together, they made the most of their time together until it was time to go.

Rick watched from the large bay windows as Lisa's shuttle left towards Earth. He had wanted to fly guard, but Capt. Gloval asked that Max and Roy do it instead. Rick was glad when they returned, reporting that the shuttle safetly landed at Alaska Base. Lisa was correct when she said that Admiral Hayes would not let Lisa return to the SDF-1. She argued with her father and explained why she needed to return and even told him about Rick, but Admiral Hayes was not swayed, even though he knew his decsion would continue to cause strife between him and his only child. It pained him, but he knew of no other way to keep her safe.

While she was reassigned to Alaska Base, Rick had approached Dr. Lang and Capt. Gloval to continue the testing of the Emerald Knight. As him and Lisa were the only ones that were capable of connecting to the Knight using the blue liquid, they agreed to his request much to Roy's chagrin. Rick knew of Lisa's concerns that the Grand Cannon and the SDF-1 would not be enough to hold back a full scale Zentraedi assault, and wanted to anything he could to keep those he loved safe.

And even though there was no communication allowed between the banished SDF-1 and Alaska Base, Rick and Lisa was comforted by the connection that they seem to have, something that distance did not seem to have any affect on. It was enough to keep hope for them alive that they would be together one again.

The day that Dolza's fleet starting to fill up the space around Earth was a day that no one would forget. They would always remember where they were when the fleet showed up. Fear connected Rick and Lisa as they worried about one another and the fate of the world and as Dolza's Rain started to fall on Earth, Rick looked on in horror, wondering if Lisa was alright. Angry at the thought of losing her, Rick prepared for battle alongside Max and Roy in the newly renamed The Queen's Knight. The colors and emblem on the fighter remained the same, but now piloted by Rick.

Rick flew like he never flew before, slashing and doging the Zentraedi as they sent everything after the Veritech's. Communication from the bridge gave the fighters hope as they cleared the path of the Grand Cannon, which successfully fired destroying millions of the Zentraedi warships. Minmei's song and performance, a weapon suggested by Exedore the ambassador sent by Breetai, also successfully caused confusion to the Zentraedi forces, allowing for the remaining fighters and Breetai's fighters to also take down the remainders of Dolza's fleet.

Rick had seen a second barrage of fire head towards Alaska Base after the Grand Cannon fired and knew that it was unlikely there would be any survivors, but Rick knew that he had to find out for himself Lisa's fate. Informing Roy of his intentions, Rick re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, trying to feel for Lisa. He wasn't sure why his senses were dulled but was hopeful when he felt Lisa's presence with him. He could tell that she was scared and was seaching for him as well. As they connected with one another he could feel a palpable change in her, her acknowlegement of his presence, helped to calm her.

As he flew towards Alaska Base, he was rewarded with receiving Lisa's distress call and risked diving into the now destroyed Grand Cannon to rescue the one he loved.

Cutting through the final door that blocked his way, Rick was rewarded when he jumped out the Knight to find Lisa running to him, tears flying from her eyes. Rick knew they didn't have much time to get out as the base was falling apart around them at an alarming rate, he quickly asked if she was okay before helping her into the Knight and fleeing the base before it collapsed on them.

Flying far enough away from Alaska Base, Rick finally halted the fighter and the two watched as the sun started to set. Unable to yet reach the SDF-1, the two reunited lovers didn't speak but just held one another communicating their joy and happiness at being together again, while also expressing concern for their friends on the SDF-1 and the people on Earth.

Lisa finally broke the silence, "Thank you Rick for rescuing me, I don't ever want to be away from you again."

Rick just smiled and held her tight, "I told you I would make it back to you and no matter what happens next, as long as you are by my side, we can face whatever comes."

Lisa just nodded her head in agreement, and gently kissed Rick on the lips.

The SDF-1 finally made it back to Earth and recovery efforts began. Even though Rick and Lisa were kept incredibly busy, the connection they shared helped to keep them in synch with one another.

Exedore and Breetai, hearing about the connection Lisa and Rick had and the exposure to the blue liquid, mentioned to them that there was an old Zentraedi legend taken from the Robotech Masters about such an occurrance happening but that joinings such as these were extremely rare and only bestowed upon exceptional people who's destiny led them to great things.

Rick and Lisa didn't put much store in the fairytale, but everyone else knew that these two were destined for greatness.

~Finis

Author's Note: Thank you all for reading and the reviews! I very much appreciate the support. I would have liked to add additional battles scenes to keep the suspense of the Knight's identity a secret for longer, but I wasn't able anyone else wants to expand on this story, please feel free to do so.