fanfic_name = Beyond the Stars

chapter = 4

author = AdmiralPrice

dedicate = Carl Macek

Rating = AP15

Type = Adventure

fanfic = Beyond the Stars: Part Four

By Admiral Price



Rick had spent the most of the past three days by Lisa's bed, only leaving when Greg or Claudia came to see her. He had become exhausted, mostly because he spent most of the time taking care of the bed ridden warrior instead of himself. Even when he did eat or sleep, it was only at Max's behest, and that too only when he threatened to call Miriya. Ironically, Greg got out of the hospital before Lisa, and had somehow convinced Rick to return to return to his quarters. Over the past three days, the RDF had decided not to move Rick out of his apartment.for the time being. Rick slowly opened the door to his apartment and entered it, the familiar scent calling him to his bed. He entered first, and then Greg after him.



"You need some sleep Rick," Greg said.



"I know, but I don't think I can," Rick responded.



"Why not?" Greg asked.



"I just don't feel right, that's all," Rick said.



"Rick, trust me, she'll be fine," Greg said with a smile.



"I know, it's just, you know," Rick stammered, trying to explain.



"You feel guilty about not loving her?" Greg asked.



"I don't know. I mean, I feel so confused still," Rick tried to explain. Over the last three days he had learned to trust Greg, and even though they hadn't known each other for too long, he felt better about him knowing that he was Lisa's friend. Greg just smiled and patted Rick and the back, then went into the kitchen to fix Rick some tea.



"Where do you keep your tea bags Rick?" he asked from the kitchen.



"I don't. I use the powder," Rick answered.



"Blast! That's okay, I'll manage," he said.



Five minutes later, Greg emerged from the kitchen with two cups of tea and some English biscuits on a tray, and set the tray down on a table. Rick and Greg sat around the table, took the tea in hand, and started to talk about nothing in particular.



"So how's Max doing?" Greg asked.



"Not too bad," Rick responded. "Miriya and he are heading the damage control operation. They're probably at HQ right now."



"What do you think they'll find?" Greg questioned.



"I don't know, but whatever it is, it'll be bad," Rick said. "But, hey, it's Max. He should be fine. I've heard rumors that they're trying to give him a squadron."



"They aren't rumors. I've heard personally from Reinhardt. He was asking me what Glovalsky thought of Max. I told him that he thought Max was the most brilliant pilot he had ever seen. He asked me about responsibility, and I told him that he handled himself very well when given the chance. I think he's going to give him a squadron."



"It'll be a long time coming. Max deserved one a long time ago."



"Yeah, it's kinda like Lisa and her first command. She deserved one a long time ago, probably right after the big battle. But Glovalsky was always helpless when the others refused to promote her."



"Lisa."



"I'm sorry, but if you hang around me, you're going to hear a lot about Lisa, the military, and Glovalsky. Lisa and the military are the only constants in my life."



"How did you two meet?"



"Well-"



Just then the doorbell rang, and the two men stared awkwardly at the door. Max was away on mission, as was Miriya, and Claudia was with Lisa in the hospital. Any high brass would have called before coming, and the bunnies were still in the hospital. Rick slowly got up, a weird feeling in the back of his mind, and told Greg to hold his thought as he'd just check the door. As he opened it, his mouth dropped to the floor, and he barely knew what to say.



"Hey Rick," said Minmei.



"H.h.hi," Rick stuttered.



"Can I come in Rick? It's snowing," she asked.



"Su.sure, I think," he said, not so confident. He let her in and closed the door, looked at Greg with wide eyes and shrugged.



"Miss Minmei," he said, nodding. "May I ask you for a favor?"



Rick's eyes widened as Greg reached to his back, where his gun was and pulled something. As he brought it back, Rick dove at Minmei screamed, "No!"



"Um.can I have your autograph?" Greg said, confused, holding a handkerchief in his hand.



"Oh," Rick sighed. "I thought you were going to kill her."



"What? With you as a witness?" he asked with a smirk.



"Who are you?" Minmei finally asked.



"Oh, I'm sorry, formal introductions aren't exactly flyboy's forte," Greg smiled.



"Oh, umm.well, Minmei, this is Greg Steinberg. Greg, this is Lynn Minmei," Rick said clumsily, once he stood up.



"Pleased to meet you ma'am," Greg said.



"The pleasure's all mine," Minmei said, completely unsure as to what was going on. She turned to Rick and said, "Can I have some time alone with you?"



"Umm, Greg?" Rick asked.



"Sure thing," Greg smiled as he left.



"Who is that?" Minmei asked as he finally left.



"Oh, that Lieutenant Steinberg, a friend." Rick deliberated whether or not to tell her he was Lisa's friend. "A friend of mine."



"Oh. You never mentioned him before,"



"Even if I had, would she have remembered?"



"No, I haven't. I met him a few days ago. He was the Admiral's aide"



"Oh.the Admiral. Is he.Rick is Gloval."



"Yes Minmei. All signs are pointing that way."



"Oh no!"



"It's terrible, really. When the military needs its hero most."



They were both silent for a while, thinking about Gloval. Though neither of them had known him particularly well, they, like most of the world, felt great remorse at his passing. But finally Minmei sighed, breaking the silence, and Rick thought it was best if he spoke first. His choice of words, however, weren't the best.



"How have you been Minmei?"



"I've missed you Rick. It's only been four days, but I've missed you."



"I...I don't know Minmei. I'm so confused."



"I went back to the restaurant, but I didn't feel like staying there. I don't know what I was thinking. I love you Rick. I love you so much!"



"Minmei! Didn't you hear anything I said? I don't know."



"Rick, you can't do this to me! You've loved me for three years! Three whole years! And after all this time I'm telling you I love you too. You can't turn me away Rick. It's not fair"



"Why not Minmei? Now do you know how I've felt for four years? How isn't it fair?"



"Because we belong together Rick! I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I didn't want to. I love you Rick, and I want you to love me too!"



She threw herself at him, wrapped her hands around her waist, and cried. Rick was stunned, and he didn't know what to do. He was so utterly confused. But he didn't have much time to react. The door to his apartment opened, and the worst thing that could have happened took place.



"Surprise!" shouted Claudia as she pulled Lisa into the apartment.



"We thought we'd sur-" Lisa began before she realized what was going on. But when she did, she launched out of Claudia's arms and began to run aimlessly down the streets of New Macross City, a stream of tears following her footsteps.



"Lisa, wait!" Rick shouted as he tried to run after her, but Minmei held onto him tight.



"You can't go Rick! You belong with me! You said so yourself!" she yelled.



"What?! I never said anything like that!" Rick shouted in surprised.



"You told me that you didn't care about her! You told me that you wanted me, me!" she continued to yell. Greg was now in the room, and he was surprised because he had tried his best not to hear their private conversation.



"You bastard!" yelled Claudia as she ran after Lisa, who by now was out of sight.



"Minmei get off me!" Rick yelled, trying to pry him off her. But he was unsuccessful. She clung onto him like there was no one else in her life, like her life revolved completely around Minmei. "Minmei, Let go!"



"No!" she yelled. "You can't leave me!" After a long time of trying to pry her, Rick realized that it was helpless. He looked at Greg hopelessly, who returned his look of confusion.



"I can't go after Lisa with Minmei like this," he finally said.



"I know," Greg understood. "You stay with her, she needs you a bit more right now. I'll go after Lisa. I think I'm the only one who knows where she'd be."



"I'm sorry," Rick said. "I'll have to drop her home or she'll die on her way there."



"It's not your fault," Greg said before he got in his car and sped off, chasing after Lisa.



When he left, Rick was left alone with Minmei. She looked at him, her eyes filled with tears of sadness and.something else.



"Let me stay Rick."



"I can't do that Minmei, you know that."



"Why not Rick? She doesn't own you. You don't even love her!"



"I.I."



"And you can't deny it, because it's true."



"I want to give a relationship with Lisa a try, Minmei. You have to understand that."



"Why do you want to try Rick?! Why do I have to understand that?!"



"Because she loves me, Minmei. She loves me."



"But so do I! What's the difference?"



"Because she's.I'm.you."



"See! You can't explain it! I'm the one Rick! I'm the one for you!"



"I can't hurt her, Minmei, that's why. She's important to me. That's it! Lisa's important to me! Minmei, I'm going to have to drop you off. I'm sorry, but you can't stay here."



Minmei finally gave in, realizing that she couldn't change Rick's mind. Perhaps she could make him stay the night? She would just have to try. And as Rick drove through the streets that separated his house and the restaurant, she kept scheming of a way to try and keep him. And then she remembered something. Of course! That was why she came in the first place! She had gotten so caught up with her emotions that she had forgotten. So as Rick drove, she began to plan the perfect way to tell him, to figure out the best way to break it to him, to make him give that girl up and stay with her.



*                               *                               *



"Hey," Greg said as he wrapped his coat around Lisa's shoulders. "It's late."



"How did you know I'd be here?" Lisa said in between sobs. The tears shone in the moon light as it danced gracefully off the ruins of the SDF-1 and 2. She buried her face in her arms and sobbed quietly.



"Hey, it's me. I'd know where you were no matter what. That's what brothers are for."



"How could you? How could you?"



"How could I what? How could I stand by and watch him talk to an old friend? How could I stand back and watch him tell her what he felt? Because he deserves it. He needs to tell her that he's with you now, that he feels for you."



"He feels for her, not me."



"No, he feels for you Lisa. Believe me. I've been around him for a few days, and I already know that he's one of the most honest people I've ever met. He feels for you."



"Then what was all that?"



"You have a habit of walking in on people at the wrong time. Either way, you'll have to talk to him about it tomorrow."



"I don't think I can."



"You'll have to. I'll set it up, you don't worry about a thing."



Greg smiled, thinking about what he could do to make her feel better. Suddenly, a thought jumped into his mind. Of course! She had missed him so much.



"Lisa, come with me."



Greg led Lisa to his car and drove her to the hospital, where he took her to a private room in the rehabilitation unit. She opened the door and came in.



"Lisa?!" a voice cried. "Lisa! It really is you! I thought you died! Lisa dear!"



All Lisa could do was gasp before she ran to her father's arms.





*                               *                               *

"Won't you come in Rick?" Minmei asked.



"No Minmei. I have to go," he said.



"Rick, I have to tell you something before you go."



"What is it Minmei?"



Rick was getting impatient as he stood outside the restaurant, leaning on his car. Minmei was still sitting in his car, and was taking her time to get out.



"Rick."



"What? Just come out with it!"



Minmei winced, her innocent face full with hurt as she looked away from him.



"I'm sorry Minmei. It's just been a really crazy week. What is it? You look worried. Is everything okay?"



"Rick.I'm pregnant, and there's no doubt that it's yours."



===========

Author's Notes

===========



Wow.I just dropped two very big rocks in one chapter. I'm sorry it was kinda uninspired, but I did my best. Hope you enjoyed! Also, on another note, I know that Greg seems like the perfect character right now, but just you wait till the next chapter, hehehe. Anyways, feedback needed! AdmiralPrice786ATaol.com



Hope you enjoyed!

Yours truly,

AP



State = Continuará/To Be Continue

feedback = Sí/Yes

email = AdmiralPrice786ATaol.com