Chapter II: Love blossoms and explosions
Two weeks, he have already been away for so long Lisa allowed her mind to drift away as she walks home after her shift was over. She and Rick had continued to meet during the three days before leaving by drinking coffee, walks through the park and even a dinner the night before he left.
She sighed as she briefly wondered if the gods hated her? She and Rick have finally started going out and dating only for him to be sent away on mission far away, almost like Karl who moved to Mars when they got engage. She clearly didn't have much luck with men and as Lisa was becoming depressed she remembered Ricks last words before making radio silence.
"I will be missing you, Lisa and I look forward to come back so we can continue our meetings" add his famous smile Lisa nodded and replied she would be waiting, and now it was slowly driving her crazy. And worst of all her friends had decided to tease her about it, especially Claudia and Roy who finally was out from hospital and back in his veritech.
As she entered the officers quarters her day dreaming was disturb though.
"Paging 1st Lieutenant Lisa Hayse. Paging Lisa Hayse" a mobile phone box was paging her, she quickly waved at it.
"Over here" Lisa called it over, waiting for it come over to her.
"This is Lisa talking" she said as she picked up the phone after a few seconds it took for the machine to get to her.
"Lisa! Thank god I manage to get you!" Claudia sighed on the other end. "Listen, Rick will be arriving within the next 15min. Captain will be there and need a aide. Interested?"
She didn't hesitate for one second.
"I be there in three" Lisa replied shortly and with new found power she almost ran all the way to the Prometheus, mind clearly set on being there then Rick landed. She didn't care the laugh Roy Focker gave her when she passed through the hall nor the giggling from the Bunny girls, he was coming back and that was all that mattered.
'As long as we wants to continue seeing you' Lisa almost stopped in her tracks, scolding herself for always doubting herself or anything she wonder how long she have had it? Rick had after all declared he wanted to see her again so she would be damn to give up before he at least told her so, he owned that to her...she thought anyway, they weren't a couple so technically Rick could do whatever he wanted to do. She shook her head and continued her way towards Prometheus, hopefully to her Rick.
Far up in the sky Lisa, Gloval and some crew, who were waiting for the choppers with parts for the Veritech, could see the twelve Veritechs coming in with three choppers. All Veritechs were grey with dark lines, the Panthers. The newest Veritech flight on SDF-1 with Rick Hunter as the leader the news had spread like wildfire when Gloval had made the announcement, Rick had always been known for his skills in flying and respected for it but the crew also liked his good nature.
Lisa watch from a good distance as the Veritech landed one by one, the flight crew rushing out and taxing the ships away from the runway. Soon twelve people were making their way towards her and Gloval, in front of group was a handsome young man with long black hair with uniforms with the same color as their ships.
Stopping in front of them, Rick saluted with the rest of squadron following him.
"Captain Hunter reporting for duty. The Panthers are ready for active patrolling" Gloval returned the salute and Rick dismissed the rest of the squadron, except Ben, Max and another pilot.
"Sir" Rick continued his brief briefing. "Cpl. Max and Cpl. Ben succeed with their officer training, even barely for some, and this is Lt. Jack O'brian the highest ranking of the new guys"
Despite having his brown hair in backslick Jack was still the tallest in squadron and among the tallest on the ship to, Roy would finally be glad to have somebody else around his own height.
"Sir, thank you for giving me this chance" Jack smiled, saluted to Gloval and Lisa. He then turned to Rick with a grin.
Rick sighed and waved him away.
"Don't get started Jack. Max and Ben why don't you show the new guys to their place?" he received nods in agreement and the three soon left, but Lisa manage to hear Jack ask Max.
"so, she is the one?"
"So, how did it go captain? Are the rest of the squadron ready?" Gloval asked which made Lisas mind hurry back to reality.
Rick scratched his head and sighed again.
"To be frank sir, they need more experience and some have never seen a major battle. But they are fine pilots and quick learners so I hope it will compensate" he put his arms in his pockets before continuing. "We did several simulations so they should have basic knowledge to combat Zentreadi, but real experience are always the best, we also participated in smaller operations to get know each other"
"Good Rick. You have to tomorrow off so your squadron can learn their new base" Rick saluted which Gloval returned and then left, giving Lisa a smile as he walked back inside of SDF-1.
They looked at each other and smiled, Rick soon moved forward and gave her a huge. Lisa was first shocked but quickly regain her wits and hugged back.
"So, how are things?" he asked as he moved away.
"You know, we haven't had attack the last weeks. Perhaps they missed you too?" Lisa teased. "No, it has been quite if you ignored Roys first week outside hospital"
"Oh, so he is out now? Did he have to wear a crutch or something" the smile on Lisas face was all needed as he erupted into laughter, a minute later when he regain his wits. "Yeah, being a pilot for his whole life Roy hate having his mobility reduced in any way"
Lisa folded her arms and in a mock officer voice asked. "So, hotshot where is my gift? Don't tell me you forgot?"
Rick smiled and returned with a mock salute. "Not a chance, Commander. I have it placed on my most secure place I know"
"Oh and there is that, Hunter?"
"My Veritech of course!" Rick faked his shocked as he started walking back to his Veritech with Lisa behind him. Soon there he climb up and picked up a medium size bag. "When are you done with your shift today, Lisa?"
Lisa shifted her attention from the case back to Rick.
"I should be done around 1700 today I hope, why?"
"Your gifts are...fragile to say and should not be seen just anywhere" he replied cryptically with a smile. "So, how about you come by my place when you are done? I can get some food, no not cooked by me, still tired you know"
'You would have made dinner if you got the chance?' Lisa spirit was definitely lifted by this and smiled happily at Rick. "Oh, I be there flyboy. Somebody has to check on you. But as you mentioned I should return to the bridge, I will see you later Rick" she winked at him and went back to the bridge, swaying her hips playfully at him.
Rick sighed happily and walked towards his apartment before heading out to find the rest of the squad.
Max was known for his calm and ability to always think two steps ahead of things, in battle and in social life. He found it easy to read other people and could therefor avoid uncomfortable discussions. So when Ben told the rest of the squad of a great place with (teriyaki) meat he wondered if a part of his brain was dead? The place Ben decided to head to was the White Dragon, and true they do have good meat but then again Minmay sometimes works there.
And today was such a day.
And now Rick was coming here. Oh shit. They had just come back to SDF-1 and they were about to see a bad part of Rick, but Max could always hope he wouldn't shame himself to much. And it was directly put to test when Rick entered the restaurant as Minmay delivered the second round of meat to Ben.
"Rick Hunter!" Minamy exclaimed as she spotted him and quickly moved towards him. "Why didn't you leave a note to me that you left?!"
Rick looking quite surprised, looking at us he turned to Minmay, back to the table where he notice Bens meat and back to her and finally sighed and rubbed his temple.
"You just had to eat meat, Ben" Rick almost groaned. "Listen, Minmay. I was sent away one a military mission and you have never really cared to call me when you are off to do something"
"But Rick we are working on a movie. And as the leading actor I have a really busy schedule" she pouted, beveling her idea was good.
Rick fought back a urge to roll his eyes.
"And so am I Minmay, so am I" he muttered before turning his attention to Max. "I will see all of you in two days at 0800" Max nodded in affirmative, as the second in command orders to the squad was given to him. Rick turned back to Minmay and said "I will see you around" before leaving the restaurant rather quickly.
"Rick Hunter, get back here this instance!"
Wisely he didn't come back. Max snickered to himself as he turned his attention back to the table and his food.
"Event is over guys, return to your food before Minmay hurries over here" the others chuckled and continued to eat their food.
Rick sighed as he walked over to Roys apartment, where he guessed Claudia were too, with a oval package in one arm a bottle in the other.
'I hope they will like it' he thought as he finally reached the door and pushed the doorbell. Soon the sound of someone clomping and mumbling. Once the door opened Rick could understand Roys grumpy temper, his hair untidy and his clothes put back in a hurry, Rick wondered for two seconds over what he had interrupted but quickly dropped it.
"Are you gonna let me in Bro or letting me stand here all day?"
Roy lighten up like lamp when he saw Rick.
"Rick! Welcome back, little brother" he quickly gave Rick a hug and allowed him to enter the apartment. As he stepped in he couldn't help but notice clothes were laying all over the place, and not all were Roys.
"Did I interrupt something?" he asked teasingly. Roy once again recognize the state of the place and hurried to make some cleaning, Rick also notice the door to the bedroom had slowly closed. "Tell you what, I will wait in the kitchen while you and Claudia makes yourself decent?"
Not even bothering waiting for a reply, Rick walks over to the kitchen and sits down and waits until Roy and Claudia arrive now looking more presentable.
"So, when did you get back Rick?" Claudia ask as she put on the coffee machine.
"Just a hour or so ago" Rick replied with a shrug. "I bought some gifts for you" he continue and show them the package, which he hand over to Claudia, and the bag to Roy.
Claudias turned out be a elegant vase. While Roys was not so surprising, sake. Both were pleased by the sudden gift and thanked Rick, put the gifts away and sat down beside Rick.
"Now, I wonder if both of you could help me with something?" Rick suddenly asked with excitement in his eyes.
Lisa was making her way to Ricks apartment after her shift, thinking back at Claudias strange mood. She had been ecstatic after coming back from Glovals office but no matter how much Lisa tried she couldn't pry it out, not even the Horrible Trio couldn't do anything either.
As she walked past the officer quarters she saw Roy, Ben, Max and the new guy Jack discussing something as they sat in a small circle. With her trained eyes she notice they were sitting close and not allowing anybody to see what was in the middle.
'Some kind of game perhaps?' she thought as she passed by them, somewhat curious but more interested in getting to Rick as fast as possible.
Soon she found herself outside Ricks apartment and knocked on the door, quickly fixing her hair and dress before Rick open the door. He smiled and let her into his place, Lisa was then guided to the kitchen where Rick had set the table and ordered pizza.
"Yeah, I know I know. Not the most romantic dinner nor did I really know what to order for you" Rick said as they entered the kitchen scratching his head embarrassed. "But I will compensate with some really good gifts"
"Oh, I really hope those gifts are expensive so they can compensate for the lack off better food or setting" Lisa teased and took her seat, and they started eating their pizza before it become cold. During the meal they traded news over what had happened during the last two weeks, in short they enjoyed their company as the food slowly was eaten. They put away the dishes and moved to the living room where Rick presented his two gifts to Lisa.
Lisa in turn was trying her best not to act like a child and rip open the gifts in sheer joy, she had heard from Claudia that she and Roy got some small stuff but she had not expected to get gifts herself, and two of them to make it even better.
She started with the one that was oval, started with the most obvious and take the surprise for later was her thinking, soon she had a beautiful vase in her hands.
"Thank you Rick, it's lovely" she said with a smile and took the other gift, unlike the earlier it was soft.
Rick started looking nervous by now, the second gift was actually bought in coincidence as he had passed a cloth shop, he really hoped Lisa wouldn't be mad or something.
Lisa slowly manage to unwrap the gift and couldn't keep down a gasp. It was a elegant white qipao with sakura flowers, that would show the form of her body quite well but mostly it showed quite the amount of her legs. She found herself blushing when thinking about it, going on movies, eating at restaurant or simple taking strolls together.
"W..well, I thought it would look good on you...nothing pervert or anything" Rick stuttered blushing, looking away which Lisa was glad of.
"N...no, I really like. I was just surprised that you bought me a...?"
"Qipao"
"Never would have guessed" Lisa chuckled. "Thank you Rick, it's really beautiful. I like it" she continued with a smile, Rick let out a sigh of relief and sat down beside her.
The rest of the evening continued with them simple enjoying each other company with laughter, wine and some cuddling.
A week flew by fast for the new couple who spend every available time together, but during the times when they couldn't be together she heard rumors of Rick, Roy, Claudia and some other guys from the Panther squadron meeting several times for long hours but Lisa was never told what it was about, when she asked all Rick replied was 'All in good time' or 'It's a surprise' with a smile.
So when she and most of the military got a special ticket to the local stadium with order to dress casual, meaning something to do with the military out of the question. So there she was sitting beside Claudia in civilian clothes preparing herself for whatever might come, she had thought using the Qipao first but decided against it since it would be better suited for dinner or movies. She started looking around for familiar faces but saw no one until she saw Claudia moving towards her smiling happily.
"So mind telling me what is going here?" Lisa asked Claudia somewhat irritated. All around her people were muttering and looking at the black stage in front of them.
"Oh hush on you" Claudia faked scolded. "We all need surprised..and look here we go!"
And true to her word a single spotlight was activated and fixed on a single male moving towards the center of the stage.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the nights show!" Max Sterlings voice was heard through the speaker all over the place. "My name is Max for short and is second in command of Panther squadron for those few who don't know who I'm, and I'm glad to give you..."
"Just get on with it!" another voice was heard, Roy Lisa thought, clearly irritated. Lisa could see that two other people had also joined the stage but standing further away in the dark behind Max.
"If you stop interrupting me, we could start and go home already" Max replied calmly. "Now today we are about to witness the miracle of humanity, a man who was known for his ability to..."
Roy decided it was enough of the talking and picked up something beside him, and started playing.
(Whitesnake – Burn)
Lisa could have sworn that the majority jumped in surprise when Roy suddenly started playing a rock intro with a single spotlight on him, soon however a second appeared over a drum set where Jack also from the Panthers were sitting and also started playing. A third spotlight also appeared over Max who hurried over to his guitar.
"YEEEEAAAH!" a voice was suddenly heard shouting and to Lisas amusement/horror, she wasn't quite sure which, Rick walked onto the stage wearing a open black leather jacket, white shirt under it, his black hair and black blue jeans. And now that Lisa thought about it, they were all dressed almost in the same way only Max had blue jacket where Jack had none or Roys black.
Several more spotlights were was activated and three large pillar of flames rose from the edge of the stage and when it died down the song started.
The sky is red, I don't understand,
Past midnight I still see the land
People are sayin' the woman is damned,
She makes you burn with a wave of her hand.
The city's a blaze, the town's on fire.
The woman's flames are reaching higher.
We were fools, we called her liar.
All I hear is "Burn!"
I didn't believe she was devil's sperm.
She said, "Curse you all, you'll never learn!
When I leave there's no return."
The people laughed till she said, "Burn!"
Warning came, no one cared.
Earth was shakin', we stood and stared.
When it came no one was spared.
Still I hear "Burn!"
You know we had no time,
We could not even try.
You know we had no time.
You know we had no time,
We could not even try.
You know we had no time.
The sky is red, I don't understand,
Past midnight I still see the land.
People are sayin' the woman is damned,
She makes you burn with a wave of her hand.
Warning came, no one cared.
Earth was shakin', we stood and stared.
When it came no one was spared.
Still I hear "Burn!
To Lisas and the stadiums great surprise Rick had a wonderful voice and could sing quite well.
"This somewhat concert is dedicated to all those who gave their life so we could return to Earth and to welcome our newest member, please enjoy the night ladies and gentlemen!" Rick exclaimed as the first song was done, as the crowd cheered he smiled back.
"So a question for ya. is there still love on this ship?"
Authors notes: Yeah, sorry the late update as said on my Naruto story I have had a lot of things to do these past months, but as things are slowing down I have more time to write. Please review ^^