Lisa returned to her quarters after her meeting and found Rick waiting for her.
"Hi," he greeted cheerily.
"Are you going to tell me what really happened?" She knew that Rick didn't just fall from sparring earlier.
"I got distracted," he admitted with his head down.
"Rick, you can't afford to be distracted or you might get hurt," she said with concern.
"I know, it won't happen again."
"What distracted you?"
"I thought about you," he explained.
"Rick! Were you daydreaming?"
"No, I saw these flowers in one of the view ports and thought of you." Rick walked over to the flowering plant Exedore had given him earlier.
Lisa didn't know what to say. The flowers were quite exotic and she hadn't realized there were plants in Breetai's ship.
"Exedore had been growing them in one of the storage areas and gave me one today. Aren't they pretty? They smell good, too."
Lisa had to admit that they were fragrant and the room was subtly infused with it.
"Happy Valentine's," Rick greeted her.
Lisa had forgotten what day it was. She had never really had any reason to celebrate it but Rick has changed all that. She approached him and kissed his cheek.
"Exedore thought it would be a good idea if I gave you some flowers," he said. "And since it's …"
Lisa kissed him before he could finish. She was deeply touched by his sweet gesture.
"Does that mean I'm forgiven for damaging the VT?"
"No," she said. "Because you promised not to distract me but did so anyway."
"It won't happen again," he assured her. He wanted dearly to hug her but she was dodging him by taking the plant from him and placing it near the window of her room then getting water for it.
Lisa gently watered the plant and leaned in to take one more whiff of its fragrance.
"What can I do to make you forgive me?" he asked finally, leaning against the table near her.
"I can't stay mad at you," she said and watched relief wash over him. "But you do need to be more careful, ok?"
"Yes, admiral," he said and saluted her.
"Well, you better start packing," she informed him.
"What? Why?"
"We're going home tomorrow. We finished the plans early so I think it's time we went home. There's a lot of work to do back on Earth though."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"We need to build a new base and start training the pilots when the new VTs arrive. We also need to work on the simulations and …"
"We can talk all about it tomorrow on the flight home," he cut her off. "I think we should enjoy our last night here by looking at the stars."
Framed by the window and the plant, the stars sparkled as if only for them.

Lisa reviewed the roster one more time and was amazed at how many have voluntarily signed up for the new mission. It had been almost a month since she returned and the mission had been approved. They now had a name, the Robotech Expeditionary Force, and a base in the works. Admiral Reinhart had been very supportive and she was very grateful. She wondered how soon they would have to leave Earth and if they'd be able to come home. A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.
"Ready?" Rick asked, sticking his head through the door instead of entering.
"Almost," she replied and quickly stowed away the list in her desk. "Are you telling me where we're going?" She wondered why Rick was being mysterious all day. He had asked if she could get off work early and even asked Cindy to confirm her schedule was clear.
"You'll have to trust me," he said. "See you Cindy." He quickly nodded at Lisa's aide as they passed her desk on their way out. He took her to the hangar where a VT was waiting for them.
"Admiral Hayes," the sentry acknowledged. "Captain Hunter."
Rick quickly acknowledged him and headed for the VT. Lisa lagged behind, wondering what he could be up to.
"Where are we going and why do we need a VT?" she asked him from the ground and looking up to him as he got into the cockpit.
"I can't tell you, I have to show you," he said and helped her into the cockpit. "I assure you, you'll love it."
After a quick flight, Rick landed his VT at the new base being conditioned for the REF.
"What are we doing here?" Lisa asked when they got off the VT. "It's deserted."
"Exactly," he said excitedly. "I thought I'd give you a grand tour of your base." He took her hand and headed for the jeep nearby.
"Her base," she thought. As the ranking officer of the REF, this base was going to be her responsibility.
When they completed the tour, Rick took her home.
"Thanks," she said when they arrived at her place. "I've been so busy that I haven't realized that the base is nearly complete."
"Yeah, it's going to be home for a while until we leave," he replied.
Lisa settled on the couch and took off her shoes. She expected Rick to follow her but he went to the kitchen instead. When he returned he had a small cake with some lit candles.
"Happy Birthday," he greeted her and presented her the cake. "Make a wish."
Lisa didn't hesitate and blew out all the candles.
"What did you wish for?" he teased.
"I can't tell you or it won't come true," she teased back.
"Alright, if you must keep it a secret," he said with mock hurt.
Lisa reached over the cake and pulled him close for a kiss.
"Oh, I almost forgot," he said when he pulled away. "I got this for you." He was balancing the cake on one hand while he tried to pull something from his pocket.
Lisa helped him by taking the cake and setting it down on the coffee table.
"I hope you like it," he said and handed her a small velvet box. He watched nervously as she opened it.
"Rick," she said with tears in her eyes.
"I know you don't want matching things but this isn't quite that," he explained. "Half of this heart necklace is yours, and the other half is mine."
"I suppose the one with the little gemstone is yours?" she teased. It was a small birthstone gem embedded on one half of the heart pendant.
"It's not my birthstone," he joked back and took her half of the necklace to put on her. He then took his half and tried to put it on.
Lisa helped him get the clasp on and kissed him with a passion that surprised them both.
"Wow," Rick managed to stammer after their long kiss. "I wish it's your birthday every day."
"But that won't make it special anymore," she reminded him. "Besides, I need my turn at trying to make your birthday special."
Rick wondered what she had in mind. But for now, he didn't need to think about it as he focused on her birthday.

The move to the new base came pretty quickly and both Rick and Lisa had their hands full. Lisa had her new staff in place and promoted everyone when Admiral Reinhart made her Vice Admiral. Rick was still getting used to being called Admiral Hunter and Max never forgot to tease him about it.
The first fleet of new VTs arrived and Max, as Skull Squadron commander was tasked to train not only his own squad but the others as well. He quickly got his squadrons accustomed to the VTs and ready for their upcoming mission.
Lisa and Rick worked together on the simulations for the SDF-3 with their crew. They established a good rapport among the teams working for them which made it easier on everyone. The crew was still inexperienced but helped each other through the difficult maneuvers.
"Well, I think that's a good run," Rick stated after the latest maneuver.
"Well done everyone," Lisa seconded. "Thanks."
The crew saluted the admirals as they left the simulation room.
"I'm hungry," he said when the doors closed behind them.
"Admiral Hayes," Cindy called out as she rushed to meet them. "I'm glad I caught you. It's Admiral Reinhart, he wants you to meet with him in Monument City immediately."
"Alright," Lisa acknowledged. "Did he say why?"
"He said it was top secret," Cindy added, still trying to catch her breath.
"Ok, have Miriya meet me at the hangar," Lisa informed her aide. "I need you to stay here and keep the base running." She knew Rick would have wanted to join her but she needed him to be in-charge in her absence.
"It'll be here when you get back," he assured her. He understood that they were at a crucial stage and didn't argue.
Lisa kissed him on the cheek before heading out to meet Miriya.