Just Friends by k71

Chapter 2

All during the afternoon meeting, Rick found himself watching Jeff to see if he
was watching Lisa. Most of the time he was, even if Lisa was not lecturing at
the time. Rick also found himself inadvertently staying protectively near Lisa
all afternoon.

After the final class was dismissed, he quickly approached Lisa and suggested
they go to dinner in town.

"Sounds great," Lisa answered enthusiastically, "I never got to finish my lunch,
I'm starving!"

"Ok, let's go," Rick said in a rush as he grabbed his papers and tried to escort
her toward the door.

"Wait, I have to gather my things," Lisa said, "Why are you in such a hurry all
of a sudden?"

"I'm just really hungry, that's all," Rick answered as he scanned the large
room. Then he saw who he was looking for. Jeff was standing on the other side
of the room talking with another officer. When Rick saw that he was again
staring at Lisa, he got an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"OK, I'm ready," Lisa said, breaking Rick's concentration, "Let's go."

"OK, how about the new Italian place on the square?" asked Rick.

"Perfect," said Lisa as Rick again tried to hurry her out of the room.

Jeff saw Rick and Lisa leave together and consulted his friend.

"Well, there she goes," Jeff said to his friend Chad.

"Well...why don't you catch up to them and see if she wants to go to dinner
tonight?" Urged Chad.

"No, no, not yet. First I want to check out some restaurants in town and then I
have to work up the courage to ask her."

"Work up your courage?" Chad said with a laugh, "But you ask out women all the
time on the spur of the moment. Just a few weeks ago, you asked out that girl
at the bus stop. Then there was the hostess at the Greek restaurant, the MP
that was ticketing you for parking in the red zone at the base, the dry cleaners
daughter, and don't make me list all the ones you've picked up in bars."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But Lisa's special. Besides, you make it sound like I'm a
lady's man or something."

"First of all you think they're ALL special," Chad said with a smirk, "And
secondly, I call 'em like I see 'em, Romeo."

"Say what you want, Lisa really IS special. She is one of the most intelligent
women I've ever met. Plus she's a highly decorated officer AND an admiral's
daughter AND the XO of the entire SDF-1 AND she's beautiful AND she's sexy
AND..."

"OK, OK, I get it." Chad said, giving in, "You're right, she's not your average
woman."

"Damn right she's not. That's why I'm nervous," replied Jeff, "What does a guy
do to impress a woman like that?"

"Maybe save her life a few times?" Chad said with fake innocence.

"Don't try to play innocent, I know you're talking about Hunter," Jeff said,
looking at his friend knowingly, "We've all heard the stories about how he
pulled her out of Alaska base."

"And saved her life on Mars and maybe a few other times, too. Are you
absolutely sure those two don't have something going on?" asked Chad.

"I'm sure. I asked him at lunch point blank."

"What did he say, exactly?"

"He said, EXACTLY," Jeff said mockingly, "that he and Cpt. Hayes were just
friends."

"OK, it's just that I was talking to some of the pilots and a lot of people seem
to think that Hayes and Hunter..."

Jeff interrupted him, "Look, I heard the same thing. But I ASKED him. I'll
admit that I do have a love of the ladies, but you know I would never butt in on
another guy's territory. Especially this guy. I like Hunter a lot. He's a
nice guy and seems to be a competent officer. But he said they were JUST
FRIENDS. I don't have to ask twice, right?"

"No, I guess not."

"Besides, I heard another rumor that Hunter has the hots for Lynn Minmei."

"The singer? Yeah, I mean, who doesn't?"

"Well, she's not really MY type," said Jeff.

"I didn't know there was a girl that wasn't your type," Chad said with fake
seriousness.

"Ha, ha," replied Jeff, "Very funny. She's a little too, well, stuck on
herself, for my taste. Not to mention too young."

"Well, with those looks and that voice I think I could overlook a few small
flaws."

"Whatever! Well anyway, they say Hunter actually knows her personally. That
he's even dated her before."

"No way. Really?" said Chad with amazement.

"That's what they say," answered Jeff.

"How lucky is that Hunter guy?" said Chad, "He survives the frontlines of the
big war, he dates a superstar and he's, like, best friends with one of the most
beautiful women officers of the RDF."

"Very lucky, in my book," replied Jeff laughing, "When the lottery gets started
again, he should definitely by a ticket!"

Both friends shared a laugh. Then Chad said, "Anyway, let's just go eat in the
mess, I'm starving. Then we can head over to the rec lounge and have some R&R."

"Sounds great," replied Jeff, "Maybe I can get some restaurant recommendations
at the rec center."

"Great, what are we waiting for?" said Chad as they both headed toward the door.

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