Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Our Destiny

Chapter / Capitulo: Chapter 11

Author / Autor: Komander Kool

Rating / Clasificacion: AP15 (For Teenagers = Para Adolescentes)

Romance

Angst / Drama

Fanfic: Chapter 11 
 
Destiny's Path of Death and Birth 
 
 
A/N: Thanks for the patience, everyone. I think I'm experiencing a writer’s block. So what did I do to get over it? I took a breather by watching Macross Frontier. I fell in love with it but reality set in and, I needed to get back to my first love… Macross (both versions). 
 
VoltActionSniper, thanks again for the nuggets of advices. Reveen, thanks for the assurance that you’ll stick with me through the story. RickandLisaForever, I thank you for encouraging me to update, trust me, I’m trying my best. EndlessXbliss, thanks for the review. Gppr, I hope you can find time to draw a fan art for this story. Supesfan18, it was our destiny to meet here in , thanks for your time to read and review as well. To all Rick and Lisa fans, this might be the chapter you have been waiting for =)  
 
 
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“Thanks for the ride private.” 
 
“Anytime sir.” 
 
Rick walked steadily towards Leila’s quarters. He had planned of surprising her after the harrowing events he and his team has been into. He pulled out a duplicate key from his utility pocket and opened the door. He crept in slowly. He was rather surprised at what he has seen. A man, who was only in his boxers, was sitting on the sofa and watching T.V. 
 
“Who are you – what are you doing here?” Almost both Rick and the man asked at the same time. 
 
The man stood to meet him. He was about as tall as his Big Brother Roy but with a bigger built. 
 
“Where’s Leila?” 
 
“Why are you looking for Leila?” 
 
“Who are you? This is Leila’s quarters isn’t it?” Rick curiosity deepened. 
 
“I’m Lieutenant Bruce Bledsoe and you haven’t answered my question.” 
 
“Did Leila transfer?” 
 
“Who’s that Bruce?” A familiar voice echoed from the bathroom. 
 
“Is that Leila? Leila – it’s me, Rick!” Rick called loudly and started to walk towards the bathroom. 
 
“And where do you think you’re going?” Bledsoe blocked his way. 
 
Rick stopped and looked Bledsoe in the eye. Somehow, he was starting to realize what was going on and everything around him was starting to get dim. 
 
“Who are you talking -- to?” A wide-eyed Leila, with only a towel wrapped around her body, was stunned at the sight of Rick. 
 
“R-Rick… you’re- alive.” She said trembling. Rick's stare was piercing through her. 
 
“So, you know this guy honey?” Bledsoe inquired. 
 
“I think I have to go…” Rick uttered weakly. 
 
“Yes, I think you should.” Bledsoe crossed his arms on his chest while remarking rudely. 
 
Rick clenched his fists, turned about and started to walk out of the door. Leila on the other hand, was able to grab a robe and put it on. She ran after Rick who was starting to walk aimlessly from her quarters. 
 
“Rick… I’m sorry…” 
 
Rick stopped for a few seconds then faced Leila. Leila saw Rick’s teary eyes. She was surprised to see that the usual cobal blue had turned into dark grey. Rick's eyes were full anger, more than sadness. 
 
“I tried to stay alive- ALIVE just for you. Do you know how difficult it was for us to survive in those Zentraedi ships?” Rick shook Leila as he held her by her shoulders. 
 
“Rick, it’s been more than three months. I- we thought all of you died on that mission.” 
 
“Three months and you couldn’t get hold of yourself from getting involved with another man? You could’ve at least mourned for me first!” Rick raised his voice. 
 
“What do you want me to do? We considered all of you dead!“ Leila raised her voice. 
 
“Is everything alright? Leila, come back here.” Bledsoe called out. 
 
“Nothing to worry about. I was just about to go. Sorry to disturb your peace.” Rick answered Bledsoe while giving Leila an unsympathetic look then started to walk away. 
 
“R-Rick… it’s not what you think it is…” Leila uttered silently while staring at Rick walk away from her quarters. 
 
Tears started flowing down Leila's cheeks. For how quick it was for her to be reunited with Rick, who came from the dead, it was also too quick that he walked away from her life. Was there any way to bring him back to her? She searched her heart and got her answer. 
 
 
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Rick found himself at the briefing room with Lisa, Max and Ben. He didn’t know how he got there but he was already standing at the door and Gloval was looking straight at him. He immediately made a snappy salute. 
 
“Lieutenant Hunter reporting sir!” 
 
“At ease Lieutenant. Where have you been? Are you alright?" 
 
“Y-yes sir. Thanks for asking Captain.” 
 
“Have a seat Lieutenant.” 
 
Rick blankly took the nearest vacant seat. His mind was still stormy after the shock he just had. 
 
"Sir, the doctors have been quizzing us on where you went." Max whispered. 
 
Rick stared at Max like whatever he said didn't matter. 
 
“Alright, as I was saying. I just want to ask a few top level questions about what happened. As you may now know, it’s been months since your disappearance – and the Zentraedi fold system may have to do something about the time and space continuum. Dr. Lang will explain that further, but not yet now.” 
 
“Commander Hayes, I only need top level information for now. You may proceed.” 
 
The meeting did not take long as promised. Captain Gloval only wanted to ask the current situation of the enemy, their organizational hierarchy and weapons capability among others. Gloval also mentioned that they will be recognized anytime during that week so they were given some time off to prepare. All four were dismissed in half an hour. Lisa decided to stay with the Captain to discuss some more of her findings. 
 
“Leader, how about we grab a few drinks in town? I really missed being back here!” Max suggested. 
 
“Yeah, I miss my favorite steak! Hahahahahaha!” 
 
Rick wore a cold face, just staring into nothingness. 
 
“C’mon Lieutenant!” Max prodded. 
 
"I need to go to the doctor. I think you heard Gloval issue that order specifically for me." 
 
"Then we'll wait for you. That won't take long." 
 
“Okay, okay, I guess I could use a few bottles.” Rick finally agreed in gloomy tone. 
 
 
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Rick went through his physical checkup. It was standard protocol that he had to submit himself to, besides, he should have taken the check up earlier, if not for Leila. The examination didn't take long. In a matter of minutes, the three were already on their way. They found a place named “Junkyard Bar”. They noted that it was a new place since it was not yet there in town prior to their recon mission. They agreed it was worth trying- and most importantly, they just wanted to forget about the troubles they’ve been through for the last “three months or so.” That would go twice for Rick. 
 
“What are you having?” A waiter accommodated them. 
 
“Please give us a round of beer and one steak for me and...” Ben quickly answered. 
 
“Hey guys, what will you be having?” Ben asked Rick and Max. 
 
“Beer’s fine with me.” Max replied. 
 
“Lieutenant?” Ben inquired of Rick. 
 
Rick gestured that he’ll also just have beer. 
 
“I guess that’s it. I’ll just call you for the next rounds.” Ben relayed their orders to the waiter. 
 
The waiter was prompt. It didn't take long and the three were already on their first round of beer. Max noticed that Rick downed his first bottle so quickly. 
 
“With all due respect Skipper, why the rush? We have all this time to drink all what we want. Remember, the Captain himself gave us the time off.” 
 
“I want to get drunk and just forget about everything. So drink your beer Max and mind your own business.” 
 
“Hey, what’s with that gloomy attitude sir? You're like a woman during that time of the month.” Ben noticed. 
 
“Ben, you do the same. Put your steak where your mouth is!” Rick fired back. 
 
The two wingmen stared at each other and shut their mouth that it became unusually silent. Rick noticed the change of mood. 
 
“Okay guys, I’m sorry. I’m just- just- I don’t know…” Rick tried to win back the two. 
 
“Gotcha skipper!” Max pointed to Rick, winking while making a shooting gesture with his forefinger. 
 
Rick smiled weakly at the simple prank the two made. 
 
“This is such a nice place, isn’t it? At least I don’t feel a stranger here since most of the customers are from the military.” Ben remarked as he scanned the whole place. 
 
“You can say that again!” Max seconded. 
 
As the three continued to drink their beers, another group of military personnel came in. The group's arrival was so obvious due to the loud conversation they were having. 
 
“The look on his face was priceless.” A voice can be overheard from the group. It immediately made Rick's blood boil. 
 
“Well, he probably thought that this was a homecoming and he was expecting a band to welcome him.” 
 
“I’d say with that look he had, he’d wished he didn’t return back to the ship!” 
 
Rick stood and walked towards the table where the group settled. 
 
“What is your problem Bledsoe? Haven’t you had enough? You already have Leila, what else do you want?” Rick confronted Bledsoe. 
 
“Oh, if it isn’t the flyboy himself! So, ever have some thoughts of jumping overboard?” Bledsoe turned to mock Rick. 
 
“What’s up skipper?” Max interjected sensing something has gotten wrong. 
 
Somehow Max was able to follow Rick from their table. Ben likewise piggybacked sensing something was wrong. 
 
“Hey, if you have a problem with my boss, you’ll have to go through me.” Ben leaned over and pulled up Bledsoe’s collars with one hand. 
 
Bledsoe’s companions stood up and looked like they were about to join the squabble. 
 
“Ben…” Rick pulled Ben away. He released his grip on Bledsoe’s collars. 
 
Bledsoe gestured to his companions to stay where they were. 
 
“But sir…” Ben protested as if he wanted some action with Bledsoe. 
 
“Let’s look for another place…” Rick grabbed Max and Ben by their arms and led them towards the bar entrance. 
 
Bledsoe and his company followed behind the three. 
 
“Hey Hunter, I don’t want to see your face again…” Bledsoe shouted but Rick ignored him. 
 
“Hey, I’m talking to you…” Bledsoe reached out with his right hand to push Rick’s nape as he was escorting Max and Ben away from that place. 
 
The pressure of Bledsoe’s hand on his nape was the trigger. Rick turned around and with a swing, hit Bledsoe straight on his temple, making a nasty cut near the outer corner of his left eye. Bledsoe came falling down like a giant redwood. 
 
“I tried to be civilized with you Bledsoe… you didn’t have to push it this far.” 
 
Bledsoe gathered his strength and stood up. Without warning he threw his fist towards Rick but he was able to dodge it. Bledsoe was able to recover and came with another swing. Rick tried to avoid the punch but Bledsoe got him on the jaw. He lost his footing but Max and Ben were able to catch him. Just as Ben and Max were about to retaliate and Bledsoe’s company was about to counter as well, a voice put everyone on a halt. 
 
“Stop it!” Leila appeared at the scene and stood between the two. She looked like she was shielding Bledsoe from Rick. 
 
“Leila…” Rick uttered. He tasted blood and realized he got a wound on the corner of his lips. He tried wiping it with his wrist. 
 
“Go away Rick! Please…” Leila sounded as if she was begging Rick. 
 
“You think I started this?” Rick raised his voice. 
 
“Just go away!” Leila pushed Bledsoe away from the three. 
 
“What’s going on here? Oh my God, Rick, are you okay?” Suddenly it was Lisa on the scene, who sounded alarmed when she noticed the cut on Rick’s lips. 
 
Lisa noticed Leila was standing beside a different man instead of Rick. From the armored group too, she thought. A question was about to form in her mind but it shifted quickly to become thoughts of concern for Rick. The questions can wait. 
 
“C-commander… what are you doing here?” Rick wondered why Lisa was in that place all of a sudden. 
 
“You have a cut on your lower lip.” Lisa didn’t answer Rick’s question instead shifted the conversation on Rick’s wound. 
 
“Yeah! Good thing mommy’s here to the rescue or he’ll get more than that!” Bledsoe taunted as Leila was pushing him away. 
 
“You better start learning how to shut your mouth!” Rick moved towards Bledsoe again, only to be restrained by Max and Ben. 
 
“Let’s go boss, before the MP’s become suspicious.” Max whispered. 
 
Rick gave Leila a cold stare then nodded to acknowledge Max’s suggestion. Lisa asked the assistance of Max and Ben to bring Rick home. Not that Rick was badly beaten but she just thought that the three should call it a day and just head home to rest. The four were able to hail a taxi that brought them to the military base. They dropped off near Rick’s quarters. 
 
“What was that boss? I thought you and Leila were…” 
 
“Max, please… I don’t even want to think about it.” 
 
“Sorry sir…” 
 
Rick gave Max a sad smile. “Thanks for watching my back!” 
 
“Just as I said sir, as long as I’m around, nothing could go wrong! Ha! Ha! Ha!” Ben blurted out. 
 
“You two get your well-deserved rest. I’m okay…” Rick ordered his two friends. 
 
“Are you sure sir?” 
 
“I’m strong as a mule. Now, get lost! That’s an order!” 
 
“Yes sir!” The two saluted in unison and Rick nodded to acknowledge. 
 
“Commander… I believe you also have some place to go?” Rick turned to Lisa. 
 
“Yes I do, but are you really sure you’re okay?” 
 
“Like I couldn’t take care of myself… ouch… ouch…” Rick’s counter-statement was cut off by a searing pain from the wounds on his lips. 
 
“Just as Major Fokker would say, you talk too much! Come let’s treat that wound.” 
 
Rick and Lisa walked towards his quarters. As they entered, Rick immediately made his way towards the couch. 
 
“Where’s your first-aid kit?” 
 
“Let me get it.” Rick stood. 
 
“Lieutenant, don’t exhibit your stubbornness to me right now. Just sit down on the couch and tell me where it is.” 
 
“Okay… ahh…” Rick pointed on one of his cabinets as he was unable to speak again due to the pain. 
 
Lisa prepared some cotton balls and swabs, sterile water and iodine. Rick looked at her in amazement and somehow, looking at his commander this way, suddenly washed all the troubles he had gone through for the day. He was starting to appreciate this side of Lisa that he has never seen before. Lisa sat down beside Rick and started to clean his wound with sterile water. 
 
"I'm not nit picking but I hope you don't mind me asking about what happened there?" 
 
"It was nothing. Just a 'man' thing." 
 
"Then it's a stupid 'man' thing. Getting hurt for something senseless?" 
 
"Don't push it too hard commander... I get your point. It's actually about Leila." 
 
"What about her?" Lisa remembered Leila and the man beside her. 
 
"She's got herself a new man in her life." 
 
"The one beside her?" 
 
"You have hawk eyes commander." 
 
"I'm a good observer." 
 
"She thought I was dead. All of us - dead. To cut the story short, she got involved with another man." 
 
"Are you blaming her?" 
 
"I don't know Commander. I don't know what to think, I don't know whom to blame. I'm just- angry." 
 
"So, what do you plan to do now?" 
 
"Nothing. Is there anything else that can I do?" 
 
"Get drunk, that's what I think you were planning to do." 
 
"Well maybe getting drunk can make me forget about it." 
 
"I won't argue with that. Are you ready?" Lisa held up a cotton ball and showed it to Rick. 
 
"Yep..." 
 
“Okay, I’m gonna make sure that this will hurt.” She teasingly warned. 
 
Rick would’ve protested but somehow Lisa’s smile made him change his mind. He just felt like he was going to be okay with her around for a while. 
 
Rick grimaced but remained silent as a mouse as Lisa gently dampened the cut. 
 
“Interesting…” 
 
“What do you mean?” 
 
“Well, I was expecting a ‘big ouch’.” Lisa continued to tease. 
 
“You’re enjoying this… aren’t you?” 
 
“Aside from other important things that I do… I love torturing men!” 
 
“Really now…” 
 
“Kidding aside, I should be meeting Claudia and the girls in that bar. They said it was the latest hang out in town.” 
 
“Why are you still here?” 
 
“I’m returning the favor. I haven’t thanked you enough.” 
 
“Thank me?” Rick’s eyebrows furrowed. 
 
“Keep the modesty aside Lieutenant. You know what I’m talking about.” 
 
Rick beamed and somehow Lisa was starting to get affected by that. She concentrated on cleaning Rick’s wound instead. Unconsciously, her face was already at head level with Rick and that the gap between them was only inches away. 
 
Rick continued his appreciation of Lisa, at least in his mind. He could begin listing so many things that he was discovering to like about Lisa. First, the way her eyes rolled from his injury and to the sterile water container and then back. He felt as if being hypnotized by the movement of her eyes. Second, is the way she was biting her lower lip when she started touching his wound with the cotton ball. As if she was feeling the pain as well but he noted she looked rather cute and voluptuous when she does that. Third, is her scent, that was something out of this world. Being this close to Lisa filled the air around him with her scent. He noted that he had to find out what her perfume is. Fourth, he was starting to like how Lisa’s eyebrows would meet every time he was countering what she was saying. Fifth, her brown hair, to him was so soft, fragrant and radiant. He killed the urge to let his hands touch it. The list could go on. Being this close to Lisa was sending chills to his spine. He tried his best not be noticed. 
 
“You’re so beautiful… commander.” Rick couldn’t help it. 
 
Lisa’s eyes widened at Rick’s compliment. She paused to look Rick straight in the eye, scanning for sincerity then went back and focused on cleaning his wound. 
 
“Do you have a fever Lieutenant?” She mindfully asked, trying to sound casual. 
 
“I mean it, even what I told you when we were on Dolza’s ship. It was no motivational speech.” 
 
Lisa blushed at Rick’s remarks but tried to compose herself and concentrated on treating Rick’s wound. 
 
“Don’t flirt with me Lieutenant.” 
 
“Am I?” Rick’s voice became deep. He gently held Lisa’s shoulders making her stop. Rick looked into her eyes. 
 
“Lieutenant...?” 
 
Rick didn’t utter any word. He leaned forward and that action made Lisa close her eyes as if expecting something to happen. The kiss they shared on Dolza’s battle fortress suddenly played again on her mind, as if trying to replay the flood of emotions she felt that time. She was about to pucker her lips in anticipation of what she thought Rick would do. She waited but there was no kiss- on her lips. Instead, she felt Rick’s lips land on her forehead. Rick pulled away. Lisa opened her eyes. 
 
Before she could let Rick notice that she was embarrassed, she quickly opened a line. 
 
“What was that for?” 
 
“Nothing… just a token of my appreciation… for this...” Rick referred to Lisa’s concern for him. 
 
“Well, just as I said, I’m returning the favor...” 
 
Again, the two paused and stared at each other's eyes. 
 
“I think I’m okay now commander. Claudia might already be worried.” Rick broke the silence. 
 
“I guess you’re right.” 
 
Rick stood up and offered Lisa his hand. She smiled and held it and stood as well. 
 
“Can I ask you a favor?” 
 
“What’s that commander?” 
 
“Call me Lisa, at least when we're off duty. And if it’s okay, can I call you by your first name?” 
 
“Roger that commander, err, Lisa.” 
 
“There might be a need of getting used to it.” 
 
“Yeah, you’re right. By the way, Lisa, care for some coffee or tea before you go?” 
 
“No thanks. You don’t know Claudia when she’s mad.” Lisa smiled. 
 
“Okay…” 
 
Rick led Lisa to the door. Lisa moved out slowly then turned around. 
 
“Rick…” 
 
“Yes comm… Lisa?” 
 
“Stay out of trouble.” She winked. 
 
“Lisa, are you flirting with him now?” Her mind scolded her. 
 
“Yes ma’am!” Rick saluted. Lisa knew that the gesture was sincere as compared to their past sarcastic expressions that they usually threw to each other. 
 
Rick waited until Lisa was able to board a taxi. When she was gone, he closed the door gently behind him and leaned on it. He was overwhelmed with emotions and he didn’t know what to make out of it all. One thing was for sure, he wasn’t that bothered by the events of that fateful day. He knew very well, he would be able to sleep soundly that night. 
 
 
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Additional A/N: I kinda had a hard time deciding if I should kill Leila… somebody might already have started a … lol… but I think she’s a nice person. I cannot kill her (maybe for now). I’ll try what I can do to pan the camera away from her and focus on the “lovebirds” we’ve come to know and love as well. See you in the next chapter... 
 

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Author email / email del autor: jomarmaglaquiATyahoo.com