fanfic_name = Another version of a certain "Rainy Night"

Type = Romance

fanfic = Just what the world needs, right? Another interpretation of what might have happened on that “Rainy Night.”

For what it’s worth, here’s my take of what might have happened.

Thank you to DW Parsnip for being my beta!

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“Commander Grant. Oh, hi, Rick. Yes, she’s here. Okay, I’ll tell her. Uh, huh. Sure. Bye.”

Claudia smiled as she hung up the phone and looked at Lisa who was staring back at her in disbelief, her mouth agape. A little over two hours ago she found Lisa standing in the rain outside Rick’s place. She couldn’t convince Lisa to go ring the bell, so she invited her over to her place for a drink and a chance to dry off – and talk.

“You’re kidding,” slurred Lisa.

Claudia knew Lisa had a low tolerance for alcohol even though it didn’t stop her from occasionally attempting to drown her sorrows in liquor. Claudia hoped that maybe Lisa was loose enough because of the wine they had been drinking to finally be honest with Rick about her feelings for him.

She wasn’t surprised when Rick called looking for Lisa. Kim called her earlier and told her about Rick’s antics that morning, and what Vanessa told him about Lisa’s feelings for him.

“Nope. Your flyboy will be here shortly. Now do me a favor. When he gets here, get out of here, okay? I want to have a drink with this guy,” she said gesturing to the picture of Roy on the end table.

Lisa was nursing a strong buzz from the three glasses of red wine she had consumed in a attempt to numb herself from the angry and hurt feelings over her exchange with Rick. She also felt guilty about the way she acted when she saw Rick and Minmei together the night before. Rick had every right to be nasty to her on the bridge when he reported to her. He had no idea why she behaved the way she did. He didn’t know that she was in love with him, and probably thought she was being an overbearing, control-freak. Worst of all, she ordered him to pursue Khyron even though she knew he was exhausted. She put him at risk because of her jealousy.

Lisa could feel her face flushing and her heart pounding. Why did he want to see her, now? It was almost 11:30 p.m. Didn’t he have to work in the morning?

She stood up and realized just how affected she was by the wine when she had to grab onto the arm of the couch to keep from falling over.

“What does he want?”

“What do you think he wants? Probably the same thing you want. To get all this….” Claudia gestured wildly with her hands searching for the right word, “Stuff…. between the two of you straight.” Claudia glanced out the window and saw Rick approaching. She walked over to Lisa who was pacing in front of the couch, put her hands on her shoulders and looked into Lisa’s eyes. “Honey, learn from Roy’s and my mistakes, and be honest with him. Before it’s too late.”

Lisa broke Claudia’s gaze and looked to the floor, “I’ll, I’ll try.”

Claudia sighed loudly in exasperation and went toward the door.

“Well good evening, Rick! What great timing. Lisa was just leaving.” Claudia handed Lisa her jacket, purse and a box of tea and pushed her toward the door and Rick.

“Claudia, hold on a minute!” Lisa realized that she probably looked awful and decided to run to the bathroom and try to pull herself together. “Rick, I’ll be right back.”

Rick looked around the room. He saw an empty bottle and a half –empty bottle of wine on the coffee table. Claudia seemed fine but Lisa looked like she had a few too many. Her hair was a mess and her face was flushed. And she was giving Claudia weird looks. He began to think maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

At first neither Claudia nor Rick said anything while Lisa was gone. The silence was uncomfortable, so Rick decided to break the ice by saying something about the rain. Before Claudia got the chance to reply, Lisa returned. She picked up her coat and purse, gave Claudia a quick hug and whispered “thanks and goodnight.” Claudia whispered back “be careful.” Lisa pulled back and gave Claudia a puzzled look before she realized what Claudia was talking about. Lisa could feel her cheeks getting red.

Lisa and Rick left the house and stood under the awning outside the front door while Rick opened up his umbrella.

“I didn’t realize it was still raining so hard.”

“Rick, we need to talk.”

“Yes, we do. That’s……that’s why I’m here. Do you want me to call a cab? This umbrella isn’t that big”

“No, no it’s okay. I kind of like walking in the rain. Where are we going anyway?”

“Why don’t we go to my place? It’s closer than yours, but I’m afraid I don’t have anything to offer you.”

“That sounds fine. And I have just the thing….” She said as she held up the box of cinnamon chai tea Claudia slipped her on the way out.

Just then the rain intensified, falling in horizontal sheets, and drenching them both. Rick took Lisa’s arm and picked up the pace. By the time they arrived at Rick’s place they were both soaked.

Rick opened the door and let Lisa go in while he shook off his umbrella. “What am I doing?” he asked himself before stepping inside and taking a deep breath. One look at Lisa and all his trepidation dissipated.

She was kicking off her shoes in the small tiled entryway with her back to him. Her hair was hanging in loose waves down her back and her clothes were clinging to her in all the most flattering places. He stood in the doorway looking at her for a moment before saying, “Lisa, do you want a pair of my sweats or something so you can get out of those clothes. You’re soaked.”

Lisa walked into Rick’s living room and put the tea on the end table.

“That would great, thanks.”

Rick walked over to Lisa and picked up the tea.

“I’ll make us some of this here tea to help us warm up. There are some clean sweats in the laundry basket on my bed. Help yourself.”

Rick headed into the bathroom to change into a pair of Jeans and sweater, a pale blue sweater Lisa gave him for his last birthday before heading into the kitchen.

Lisa walked into Rick’s bedroom, turned on the light and shut the door behind her. She leaned against the door and began to think about what she would say, and how she would say it. She couldn’t just tell Rick she was in love with him. What if he didn’t feel the same way? Maybe he wanted to talk so he could tell her he wasn’t interested in her, romantically, that is. No matter what Claudia’s advice was, she just couldn’t handle rejection, not tonight, wine or no wine. She would tell him something about her feelings for him, but unless he showed some sort of sign that he felt the same way, that would be all. She looked around the room. The poster of Minmei was gone. “Well,” she thought, “that’s a good sign.” As she began to undress the fact that she was in Rick’s bedroom, changing into HIS clothes struck her as odd. She had been in his bedroom before, cleaning, secretly hoping to be back someday…in his bed. He was attracted to her wasn’t he? After all, he had occasionally shown her affection, hugs and kisses on the check. What if he kissed her tonight? Would they end up back in here? Was she ready for that? What was Claudia suggesting with her “be careful,” anyway? Even though she found Rick intensely attractive she wasn’t sure if she was ready for that. Rick’s knock on the door jolted Lisa from her thoughts.

“Lisa, did you find something to wear?”

“Um, yeah, I’ll be right out.”

While Lisa was changing Rick was nervously pacing around his kitchen. What was he going to say to her? “I have feelings for you? I care about you? I like you? Oh, God, no! Vanessa said Lisa’s in love with me. But do I love Lisa?” Rick Hunter knew one thing for sure, he was still haunted by memories of their kisses.

Lisa came out of the bathroom wearing a pair of Rick’s blue sweatpants and a gray t-shirt. She walked over to the couch and sat down, putting her feet underneath her and her hands in her armpits. She was shivering. Rick put two cups of tea on the coffee table in front of them and sat down next to Lisa. He put his arm around her, rubbing it vigorously. “ Isn’t that better?”

Lisa laughed, and cuddled up to Rick.

“Yes, it is, thank you. ” She turned so she could face him and rested her head on the back of the couch.”

“I‘m sorry about yesterday, Rick”

Rick took a sip of his tea and looked at Lisa coldly. “You should be. You could have gotten me killed.”

Lisa sat up straight, ready to argue, but only for a moment. He was right. Sure his performance that morning was meant to hurt her, but it was in direct response to Lisa behaving so strangely the day before. Warning him not to engage in amateur heroics, and letting his feelings cloud his judgment. What was she thinking? And he was still angry with her for recklessly ordering him to pursue Khyron when she knew he had been in action all day.

Lisa sat up at looked Rick directly in the eyes. “You’re right, ” she slurred.

They sat there motionless for a second before Rick said, “What’s going, on, Lisa? You’ve been acting so weird lately.” He was hoping that the fact that she was obviously a little drunk would give Lisa the courage to speak her mind.

She picked up her tea and took a drink. “Be honest with him. Before it’s too late.” Claudia’s words rang in her head. Lisa took a deep breath. Good thing for the wine because she doubted she would have the nerve to go on otherwise.

“Rick, again, I am so sorry about the other night, there is no excuse. That was totally unprofessional, and, well, just stupid. But…. but…the reason I’ve been acting so, so, weird, like you said, is that…. I…. “(TELL HIM!!!) She looked up and looked deeply into Rick’s eyes, barely able to go on and continued, barely above a whisper, “I really…..(SAY IT!!) care about you Rick. I let my feelings for you get in the way, and yes, you could have gotten hurt, or worse because of that. I was the one being reckless, Rick. I’m sorry.” She stopped and looked down at her hands. Rick thought he saw tears forming in Lisa’s eyes.

Wow. Vanessa was right. Well, sort of. Lisa didn’t say she was in love with him. Rick moved closer to Lisa and pulled her gently into his arms, telling her honestly. “Lisa, I care about you, too.”

Rick rested his face against Lisa’s hair. It smelled so good, and she felt so good in his arms. Careful Hunter, he thought to himself. “And I’m sorry for what I did this morning. I acted like an idiot. I’m surprised you even wanted to talk to me tonight, let alone come back here.”

“I deserved it.” Replied Lisa, laughing as she wiped her eyes.

“No you didn’t. I should never disrespect you, especially in front of other people like that. It may not seem like it sometimes but I respect you more than anyone else, honestly. You mean more to me than anyone else. Lisa, our friendship is the most important thing in my life. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Wow” Lisa thought, “friendship.” Not a word she wanted to hear tonight. But he did say he cared about her and that she was important to him. Very important.

The two of them sat there, holding each other for a few minutes, privately struggling with what to say next. Lisa pulled away and sat up so she could look directly at Rick. “So what do we do now?”

Rick reached up and brushed some hair out of Lisa’s eyes. “Well, for one, I think we should spend more time together. Get to know each other better on a more…..personal level, I guess”

Lisa blushed, “I would like that.”

Rick put his hand on Lisa’s chin and lifted her face so he could look in her eyes.

Oh, God, Rick what are you doing? Don’t you know I want you so badly it hurts? But not if you’re not all mine. Not if I’m just a friend…...

”Rick, what about ….”

“Minmei? What about her? We never see each other. I haven’t spoken to her in months, and besides she’s with Kyle now. She’s just an old friend. End of story.”

Those green eyes are so beautiful and those lips…just a kiss, Hunter. Control yourself.

Rick leaned in toward Lisa until his lips were no more than an inch from hers. He raised his eyes, again looking into hers for a reaction. When they closed he knew, and he kissed her slowly, and tenderly. Her lips still tasted a little like the red wine she was drinking earlier.

Rick unconsciously slid his hand on to the small of her back pulling her closer. He could feel Lisa’s heart pounding against his.

Lisa reached up and put her hand on the back of his head, opening her lips, deepening their kiss – their first real kiss.

Neither one of them expected it to feel so good, or so right. Perhaps too good, and too right -- and too fast. They were entering dangerous new territory. Rick slowly pulled away first, but only by a second, and opened his eyes. Lisa’s lips and cheeks were flushed red, and she was breathing heavily. She looked up at him seductively and smiled that slow smile of hers that drove him crazy.

Rick smiled at her in return and said, “I’ve wanted to do that for the longest time.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“I thought you’d probably smack me.”

“No. In fact, I’ve wanted you to do that for the longest time.”

“Really?” Rick replied, genuinely surprised. “Well then how come you never…..” Rick knew the answer to that and didn’t want to bring Minmei up again. Not now. “Oh never mind.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say, and so he leaned in again, placed his hand on Lisa’s neck, and gently pulled her closer, kissing her again.

This kiss was deeper and much, much longer then the previous one. Lisa moved closer to Rick putting her hands on his shoulders, pressing her chest against his. Rick moved his hands down placing one on her hip and the other on her thigh. Lisa reveled in the fact that she felt things happening to her body that she thought were a thing of the past. She hadn’t felt this good, this excited, this aroused since her last night with Karl. She ached for Rick to move his hands and touch her all over. “Be careful,” suddenly Claudia’s words entered her mind again. Yes, this is what she was taking about. Lisa knew if she didn’t pull away now, she wouldn’t want to stop, and that would be a bad idea.

This time, when Lisa pulled away, Rick moved his lips to the lower part of her neck and she let out a quiet moan, biting her lower lip to keep herself from screaming. She lowered her hands to Rick’s chest and gently pushed him away, laughing.

“I think we should take things a little more slowly in that department, yes?” She said as she pushed her hair behind her ears, avoiding Rick’s gaze. Rick knew she was right. It was too soon in their changed relationship for any more “activity” that night.

Rick reached and took Lisa’s hand holding it in this lap. “Always the voice of reason, Captain.”

“Hardly.” Lisa laughed. “You had no idea, did you? Really?”

“What? That you were…. attracted to me, had feelings for me.”

Lisa broke Rick’s gaze again, slightly embarrassed. “Uh huh.”

“No. I guess us pilots really are bone headed like everyone says. What about you – didn’t you know?”

“That you’re attracted to me? Maybe. There were a few times where I thought you were checking me out, or where things were…. awkward between us. I know you’ve been a good friend, fun to be with. You make me laugh – most of the time. You know, I……” Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of something bouncing off the metal roof of Rick’s house. “What’s that?”

Rick got up and looked out the window. The weather had taken an ugly turn. “Hail - sleet. It’s pretty bad out there.” He turned around and looked at Lisa. “Why don’t you stay here tonight?”

Lisa thought for a moment before answering. What was he asking, exactly?

Rick ended speculation by saying, “I’ll take the couch.”

“Oh, no you won’t. I’ll take the couch.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’d rather. Really.” Sleeping in Rick’s bed, especially with him in the next room would be strange to say the least.

“Okay, then.” Rick went to the closet and pulled out an extra blanket and pillow and brought it over to Lisa. “It’s late and I’m on duty tomorrow. I think I better try and get some sleep.”

Lisa stood up and took the blanket and pillow from Rick. “Well, uh, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

They gave each other a quick peck on the lips before Rick headed into the bedroom and closed the door.

State = Continuará/To Be Continue

feedback = Sí/Yes

email = lczuba4ATcomcast.net