Disclaimer:  ROBOTECH is a trademark owned and licensed by Harmony Gold U.S.A., Inc.  This fan fiction was written for entertainment purposes only.  No infringement is intended.

Note:  For my story purposes, Roy Fokker is alive.  ( I just can't imagine a story without him).

Chapter I

Rick Hunter had asked her out!

Lisa Hayes looked at her reflection in the mirror, her green eyes twinkling, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She didn't want to get her hopes high, but she couldn't help it. She scanned her wardrobe looking for something suitable to wear.

"No," she reminded herself "Not suitable--sexy."

She took off her uniform, made a twirl and loosened her brown hair from a bun before jumping into the shower.

*****

Lisa had been leaning against the rail on the lookout bridge of the fortress, a mug of coffee between her hands, when he had approached her.

"Hi Lisa!" he said cheerily from behind.

How is it that with two simple words Rick has the ability to make my heart skip a beat? she asked herself turning to greet him.

"Hello, Commander," she answered sourly, trying to conceal her real emotions.

"Coffee?" he asked pointing at the mug. Lisa nodded affirmatively.

"Just what I needed," he said, and before she could react, Rick was drinking from her mug. "I didn't know you liked your coffee sweet, Captain" He handed her the mug.

She knew he was teasing her and just smiled. "How was your patrol?"

"All is calm, Lisa. Looks like the Zentraedi are giving us a well deserved break.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to integrate them into our society successfully. After all--"

"Would you like to have dinner with me, Lisa?" he asked suddenly. "There is new place in town and I've heard the food is superb...Would you like to join me?"

Lisa looked at him in utter shock.

"I think we could have a nice time, Lisa," he added, as he received no response from her.

"Yes, of course," she said recovering.

"Great!" he said with a smile. "Then, I'll pick you up at 20h00...and wear your nicest dress," Rick said as he stepped away towards the hangar.

*****

"So you finally did it, didn't you, little brother?"

Rick had gotten out of the shower in a hurry, wrapping a towel around his waist before opening the door. "I could strangle you," he said, looking at his sempai smiling slyly.

"Did you have to ring the bell so desperately, Roy? I thought it was an emergency or something!" Rick complained.

"Whoa! Someone's nervous. Care for a drink, little bro?" he offered, before stepping inside and walking towards the liquor cabinet.

"No, thanks. I don't want any alcohol in me before--"

"Before you kiss Lisa?" asked Roy, taking a seat on the black leather sofa.

"Before I get any food in my system," corrected Rick. "What kind of comment was that?"

Roy let out a hearty laugh. "Don't need to pretend with me, Rick. I know you have the hots for Lisa".

"I don't have the hots for anyone!" he lied, blushing furiously. He was a private person. Roy knew that. Maybe that was why he enjoyed torturing him so much.

"Sure you don't," Roy said after sipping his drink. "Where are you taking her?"

"Ponte Amore. I heard the food is--"

"Bridge of Love?" Roy interrupted excitedly. "I'm impressed, Ricky."

"--superb." Rick finished his sentence. "Don't call me Ricky. No one has called me that since I was ten. Now tell me, is there anything I can do for you? There must be a reason for your visit..."

"Not really," answered Roy walking towards the kitchen. "I'm just killing time while Claudia finishes her shift. Thought I'd stop by and make myself at home."

"Mi casa es tu casa," said Rick turning towards his room. "I have to get dressed."

"Rick…" called Roy from behind.

"Yeah?" he replied facing his older brother.

"Don't hurt her, ok?" he said. "Lisa is like a sister to me."

Rick swallowed with difficulty, while watching Roy leave. He had never seen such a serious look on his face.

*****

Baby Sterling was lying on top of Lisa's bed. She seemed fascinated by the three women who kept coming in and out of the walk-in closet.

"What's with her?" asked Claudia surprised, as Dana giggled.

"She thinks we're playing Beek-a-Poo," replied Miriya poking her head outside the closet. "Max is always playing that with her.

Beek-a-Poo? Lisa questioned herself. "Oh! You mean Peek-a-Boo!" she said laughing.

"Yes, that's it!" the beautiful Zentraedi said, also laughing.

The three women stood at the closet doorway and smiled at the green-haired baby, who giggled uncontrollably at them.

"She is adorable," said Lisa pensively.

"If you play your cards right, my friend, you might have one of your own sooner that you expect!" said Claudia poking her best friend's ribs.

"Do you plan on playing cards with Commander Hunter, Captain Hayes?" Although more than a year had passed since she had met Lisa, Miriya never gave up the habit of addressing her by rank. Claudia laughed as the ex-Zentraedi warrior looked at them puzzled.

"Not really, Miriya," replied Lisa, searching through her closet for the perfect dress.

"Thank goodness!" Miriya sighed relieved. "There are better things for the two of you to do, Captain Hayes. After all, Commander Hunter is a fine Micronian specimen, if I must say. Not as magnificent as my Maximillian, but close enough," she finished full of pride.

Funny how two sworn enemies can end up getting married and having a baby… Claudia thought. "Lisa wants a baby," she said playfully.

"The Commander wants a baby?" asked Miriya curiously.

"Claudia!" cried Lisa, blushing. "It's only a first date!"

"That's all it took for Max and me to know we wanted to be together as warriors and as lovers," said Miriya. "However, I don't recall any card games in having Dana. Just plenty of hugging and kissing and--"

"We know Miriya!" Both women interjected before they heard anything too personal. The Zentraedi was notorious for her forthrightness.

"How's this?" asked Lisa, after slipping into a red cocktail dress with spaghetti straps and fitted bodice. The hemline came at least two inches above her knees, showing off her shapely legs.

"Perfect!" said Miriya enthusiastically. "Commander Hunter is going to pass out when he sees you," she said, using her latest learned jargon.

"You should definitely wear that dress, Lisa," added Claudia. "You look great!"

"Your legs are almost as nice as mine," Miriya said nonchalantly.

"Thank you" Lisa smiled. "Let's just hope Mr. you-know-who shares your opinion."

An hour later, Mr. You-Know-Who was trying not to gawk at Lisa as they walked towards their table. Have I been blind? Rick asked himself while pulling out her chair, as Lisa received approving glances from the restaurant's patrons.

Lisa looked positively gorgeous in the short red dress she was wearing, the thin straps showing off her sculpted, yet feminine arms and shoulders. Her well-formed legs ended in shapely calves, and her feet looked small and delicate in the strappy sandals she wore.

"Sir?" the waiter's voice brought him back into reality. He blinked and took the menu that was being offered to him. "Thank you."

Rick noticed her slender neck now that her hair was done in a simple upsweep with a few tendrils framing her oval shaped face. Her green eyes were sparkling under the candlelight. She was smiling at him and he felt chills run through him.

"Are you alright, Rick?" Lisa asked as the server walked away.

"Never been better," he said, smiling at her.

He's so handsome, Lisa thought, as Rick concentrated on the menu. He was wearing a dark blue tailored suit with a pinstriped shirt and a tie that made his eyes even bluer. Somehow, he had managed to comb his unruly mane (probably with lots of hair gel) and wore it combed sideways to the back, showing off the chiselled features of his face.

The waiter came back with a bottle of wine, vintage wine he said that had survived Dolza's radioactive attack in some private cellar. "A gift for you" said the waiter as he filled their glasses. "Mr. Delatorre, the owner, wishes to thank you for your work during the past year of Reconstruction, Commander Hunter and Captain Hayes."

"Please thank him," said Lisa before the waiter left.

"Cheers!" Rick said raising his glass to Lisa. "May Earth never suffer destruction again."

"To the Reconstruction. May we continue to live peacefully." She met her glass with his. Their eyes met and he held hers while they drank. Unable to control her nerves, Lisa practically gulped her drink.

"Whoa, Commander!" he exclaimed smiling, "I don't want to have to carry you out of here."

"Don't worry about that, Rick. I can drink like a sailor," she said smiling, feeling her anxiety go away.

"As long as you don't act like one..." said Rick jokingly.

After the waiter had left with their order and had refilled their glasses, they stared at each other without knowing how to start a conversation. Suddenly, they both spoke at the same time, interrupting each other.

"You first, Lisa." She smiled at him, an eyebrow cocked, while she rested her chin on her hand.

"So, tell me...what made you ask me out? Do you have any special requests and need permission granted from your superior officer?" Lisa knew her words had come out harshly but it was too late to take them back.

"Not at all, Lisa." Rick looked at her shocked. "I just thought it would be nice to go out for a change. All we've done since Reconstruction started is work and I think it's time for a change."

He looked hurt...and Lisa felt miserable. Why do I have to ruin everything? she scolded herself.

"I'm so sorry, Rick. I didn't mean to--" she began apologizing.

"Don't worry about it," he covered her lips with his index finger. "Come, let's dance," he said as the live string quartet began playing an old song called "Strangers in the Night" She accepted graciously and he led her to the dance floor. His arms wrapped around her, and a full bolt of electricity crossing Lisa's body.

"I think our grandparents danced to this music," said Rick.

"Probably..." She sighed full of happiness. Lisa closed her eyes and placed her head on his chest. His wool suit felt soft against her cheek and she wondered how his skin would feel against hers.

"Do you know how absolutely breathtaking you look tonight, Lisa?" Rick whispered into her ear, unable to control himself.

She felt her knees buckle...and so did Rick.

"You don't look half-bad either, Hunter," she replied casually, while her heart was doing flip-flops. He only smiled and held her closely between his arms while she relaxed.

More than a year had passed since they had been this close. On that occasion, he was rescuing her from the Alaska base and she had sat on his lap, her face hidden against his shoulder, his smell of battle inundating her senses, and she loved it because it was Rick's. Together they had seen the SDF-1 land and together they had returned to work along Gloval and the others to bring some sort of order to the new world.

They had become close after the Zentraedi attack, talking about their hopes, their dreams, and even sharing secrets but never talking about their growing attraction for each other. Lisa knew Rick cared about her; he would call and check on her if he hadn't seen her during the day, and more than once he had called "just to say goodnight", but she didn't know how deep his feelings were. After all, there was still a poster of Miss Macross hanging on his wall.

Across the dance floor, Rick noticed a man ogling at Lisa. He couldn't help frowning and drawing her close to him. No one should make the mistake of thinking they weren't together. But...are we? he asked himself puzzled.

The music ended and Rick led her back as the waiter approached the table with their food.

"Yum!" said Rick greedily looking at his rack of lamb, baby vegetables and wild rice. "This looks fabulous!"

Lisa couldn't help but laughing at his expression. "I would have expected you to have a pasta dish, Rick. This is an Italian restaurant".

"I know," he said guiltily, "but I'm a meat and potatoes kind of guy. I can't help but having my meat, you know?"

"I see." Lisa smiled before tasting her penne pasta with cherry tomatoes, flavored with olive oil, basil and thyme.

"How is it?"

"Fantastic. Mr. Delatorre must have kept his spices in a nuclear proof shelter. I haven't had these ingredients in ages," she smiled pleased.

"I'm glad you like it," he said, noticing Lisa's elegant manners. So classy, he thought.

*****

It was after midnight when they were walking towards Lisa's house. It had been her idea to take a stroll under the moonlight instead of grabbing a cab like Rick had suggested. Unfortunately, the moon was hidden behind some clouds that were starting to look gray and menacing.

"Oh oh…" said Rick turning his palms upwards as huge droplets started falling on them.

Thank goodness I'm wearing waterproof mascara, was Lisa's first thought.

"Run!" exclaimed Rick, pulling Lisa by the hand abruptly. She jerked forward and followed him rapidly.

By the time they reached her house the storm was in full rage. Lisa's hands were so cold and numb she could barely find the keyhole. Rick smiled and took the key from her hands before opening the door.

"Didn't know you could run with heels, Captain," he teased her.

"Didn't know you could keep up with me, Commander," she retorted before taking her shoes off.

"Guess I should leave," said Rick at her gesture.

"Why don't you wait until the storm passes?" she asked casually.

"Are you sure it's no trouble?"

"Don't be silly. Let me get you some towels," she said, before disappearing from the living room.

Lisa came back almost immediately wearing khaki-colored cargo pants and a tiny olive green t-shirt, which showed off her midriff just a bit.

"You look comfortable," Rick said, glancing at the small strip of skin.

"I feel comfortable," she said with a grin. "I left some towels for you in the bathroom as well as some clothes".

Rick raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Roy left some of his clothes here the other day," she explained. "Claudia sent him over when their machine broke."

"I see. I was about to get all jealous," Rick murmured before disappearing.

Lisa watched him close the bathroom door with her mouth open. Had she heard correctly? Was Rick Hunter flirting with her or was it all in her imagination? She shrugged her shoulders and walked towards the kitchen.

"I feel like a munchkin," said Rick reappearing shortly. He was wearing a pair of jeans that fit a little loose on the waist and very long in length. The tee was black and came down to his hips. "Sometimes I forget how freakishly tall Roy is."

"The shirt's not bad," said Lisa holding her laughter. "And I'll remember to tell Roy you called him a freak," she threatened, winking at him.

"What are you doing?" he asked leaning on the kitchen counter.

"I thought I'd make some hot cocoa. It will keep us warm."

"Do you have--?"

"Marshmallows?" she interrupted. "Yes, and I have the mini ones you like so much."

"You do pay attention, don't you?" he asked, smiling.

"Only when I'm interested..." she replied softly.

There! She had said it… or at least, sort of. Don't waste your opportunity, Lisa… Claudia's words rang in her ears.

"If only it were so easy," she mumbled, turning towards the stove.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all," she lied.

Sitting in front of the TV set, they could hear the lightning and thunder crash outside. Rick took the remote and raised the volume; Julie Andrews sang "My Favorite Things".

"I love these old movies," Rick said excitedly, "Don't you?"

Instead of a response, he had Lisa's head crash against his shoulder.

"So sorry!" she said embarrassed, sitting upright next to him.

"You're falling asleep," he said with a chuckle while he stood up. "It doesn't seem like the rain's stopping anytime soon, Lisa. I'm just going to run home."

"You'll catch a cold."

"No, I won't. I'm more resilient than you think," he added smiling.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Rick," she said from her sitting position. "I had fun."

"So did I. I don't think I ever told you but I really enjoy your company, Lisa." He held her eyes with his.

"I enjoy your company, too, Rick. You...you are...fantastic," she said nervously, gazing back at him.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Rick said leaning towards her to kiss her cheek. She leaned forward too, and that's when it happened. Their lips met, their eyes met, and neither did a single thing to separate.

Rick was the first one to close his eyes, his lips capturing her lower one. Lisa's arms snaked around his neck and she brought him forward, his weight falling on her.

She kissed him back, parting her lips at his insistence, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth and slide against hers. She felt their teeth clash and heard Rick say faintly, "I'm sorry."

They were breathless when they stopped, Rick straddling Lisa. He looked at her a bit ashamed and stood up quickly.

"I... I should leave," he said, turning towards the door.

Her steps were so light, he didn't hear them on the carpet as she followed him. Surprised, he felt her hug him from behind, leaning her cheek against his shoulder blades.

"Don't leave," she said softly. "Stay with me."

*****

AN:  Hello!  This is my first attempt at writing a Robotech fic and writing in English.  I will appreciate any constructive criticism you can give me.  Hope you find it interesting…if not, let me know.  Thanks.