Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Resignation

Chapter / Capitulo: 5

Author / Autor: LTjg_GT_RDF

Dedicated to / Dedicado a: To those of us who wish we can get a second chance at love. 

Rating / Clasificacion: AP (All People = Todo espectador)

Romance

Alternate Universe / Universo Alterno

Angst / Drama

Fanfic: RESIGNATION 
 
CHAPTER 5 
 
The next day in the afternoon 
 
Lisa flew into San Francisco late morning and rented a car. Redding was located in Northern California near the Oregon border. A place she never been to. Thank goodness for GPS. Lisa said to her self. It had taken Lisa over 2 hours to get to Redding. She drove up to the address that was in Rick’s personnel record. 
 
'I hope they’re still alive and still living at the address.' Lisa said to herself as she closed the driver side to her rental car and walked up to the porch and knocked on the door. A minute later, a late middle aged man opened the door. 
 
“Hello, are you Mr. Jonathan Hunter?” 
 
“Yes I am. And who may you be, young lady?” 
 
“I’m Lisa Hayes, a captain in the Robotech Defense Force and a friend of Rick Hunter. Is Rick living here?” 
 
“Oh yes, Rick told us a lot about you. Come in and have a seat.” 
 
“Thank you, sir.” 
 
Lisa walked in the door. Nice house they have. Lisa observed as she quickly looked around at the house. She sat on a chair while Rick’s Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Rebecca sat on the couch. 
 
“How can we help you, Captain Hayes?” 
 
“It’s Lisa. I’m only called Captain Hayes by military people and when I’m in a military uniform. Is Rick still living with you?” 
 
“No, I’m afraid he’s not. He did live with us for a month after he resigned from the service. He’s now living in Everett, Washington. He’s a test pilot with the Northdyne Aeronautics Company. He’s also doing volunteer work for by flying Baptist medical missionaries to South America, Africa and Asia.” 
 
“I see.” Lisa said with disappointment in her voice. Everett, Washington, that is near Seattle. It will take me at least a day to drive to there from here and it almost late afternoon. I don’t suppose they would know a hotel near here. And on top of that, I’m starving. 
 
As if they were reading Lisa’s mind, Jonathan Hunter spoke up. “Lisa, I’m a pilot and have a pilot’s license. Why don’t I fly you up to Washington so you can speak to Rick? It will be faster than driving.” 
 
“Oh, I don’t want to bother you.” 
 
“Oh, you’re not bothering us at all, sweetie. Jonathan doesn’t fly that much anymore, so any excuse he has to fly; he’ll do it, especially when he has a young and pretty girl like you sitting next to him in the passenger seat.” 
 
Lisa blushed. 'I can see where Rick got his charm with people. It must run in the family.' “Thank you. You’re so kind.” 
 
“You’re welcome. Have you eaten lunch yet, Lisa?” 
 
“No I haven’t.” 
 
“Why don’t I fix you lunch before Jonathan fly you up to Washington to see Rick?” 
 
“Oh no, I don’t want to be any more trouble than I already am, Mrs. Hunter. 
 
“Nonsense, Lisa. You’re not trouble at all. And the name is Rebecca.” Mrs. Hunter said with a smile. 
 
Lisa couldn’t do anything but smile. 
 
Redding Municipal Airport 
 
After eating lunch, Lisa left for the airport with Mr. Hunter. At the private aviation section of the airport, Jonathan Hunter and Lisa walked to his single engine turboprop plane and opened the doors. Mr. Hunter began buckling himself in and put on his microphone headset. 
 
“Ok Lisa, if you can go ahead and buckle yourself in, we’ll be taking off in a couple of minutes. Redding Tower this is November- Echo-Charlie 34960 requesting clearance for take-off over.” 
 
“Hello, Mr. Hunter. It has been a long time since I’d seen you or your airplane out on the tarmac. Where are you heading today?” 
 
”Hello Edward. I’m heading up north to Everett, Washington.” 
 
“Are you going to see Rick?” 
 
“Yes I am.” 
 
“Hey, you got quite a looker in the passenger seat beside you, Mr. Hunter. Does Mrs. Hunter know that hottie is in the plane with you?” 
 
“As if it’s any of your business, yes, she does know. Thank you very much.” He then turned to Lisa. “Air traffic controllers, they’re nice but they can be such a pain in the neck sometimes.” 
 
“Hey, I heard that.” 
 
“No you didn’t Edward. You were reading my lips with those binoculars of yours. Now give me a runway number so I can take off or I’ll report you to your supervisor.” 
 
“Ok...ok...ok...you don’t have to be so threatening. Taxi on to runway number 2; you will be cleared for immediate take off from there. 
 
“Thank you Redding Tower.” 
 
“You’re welcome, Mr. Hunter. Please say hello to Rick for me.” 
 
“I will Edward, November-Echo-Charlie 34960 out. 
 
The airplane taxied down the runway and in several minutes, Mr. Hunter expertly had the plane airborne. 
 
'Wow. He can fly an airplane just as good as Rick can. It must be in the genes.' “Mr. Hunter” 
 
“It’s Jonathan.” 
 
“Jonathan, how did Rick get a job with the Northdyne Aeronautics Company so fast?” 
 
“Northdyne was founded by Michael Bateman and his daughter Catherine.” 
 
“Yes, I know about Northdyne. They built cargo and reconnaissance planes for us.” 
 
“Oh did they? Anyway, Bateman was a pilot in my brother’s flying circus. After my brother died, he wanted to settle down. So instead of flying for Rick, he quit and founded Northdyne Aeronautics. When the Global Civil War kicked up, the government contracted him to build support planes for them. Business became so good that he moved the company to the old Boeing facility in Everett and business for him really took off, so to speak. His daughter spent her younger years with Rick. I mean those two were practically brother and sister. Rick kept in touch with Catherine after the flying circus went bankrupt. After he resigned from the service, he called Catherine and asked if he can work for them as a test pilot. She asked her father and he said yes without hesitation.” 
 
“Did you fly for your brother’s flying circus?” 
 
“Oh no, I didn’t. I wanted to do something safer, so after I retired from the Navy, I took a job as a pilot for a major airline.” 
 
“What did you do in the Navy?” 
 
“I was a fighter pilot just like Rick and Rick’s dad. I first flew F-4 Phantoms then the F-14 Tomcat. The only difference between me and my brother was that Jack served in the Air Force and I served in the Navy flying fighter planes off of aircraft carriers.” 
 
“That must have made for interesting conversation whenever the two of you got together.” Lisa said humorously. 
 
“Oh believe you me it did. We’ve always fought whenever we got together. We always argued on which service had the better pilots and which of the two of us was the better fighter pilot.” He looked over at Lisa. “You look tired, Lisa.” 
 
“I am. I’ve been up since early this morning to catch my flight.” 
 
“Why don’t you take off your headset and take a nap? It will take us over an hour to get to Everett. Once we get into Everett airspace, I’ll wake you up.” 
 
“Thank you Jonathan.” 
 
Lisa took her headset, rested her head against the airplane’s window and went to sleep. What seems to be only 30 minutes later but in reality it was almost an hour and a half later, he felt a hand on her shoulder. 
 
“Lisa, wake up. We’re entering Everett airspace.” 
 
“Ok. Jonathan, can I ask you a question about Rick?” 
 
“Sure, go ahead Lisa.” 
 
“How did Rick get involved with the medical missionary group?” 
 
“It’s something that he had been doing before he left the States, his dad and I have been involved with flying medical missionaries for years. Even when he wasn’t making much money with the flying circus, Jack always found the time and money to help fly the medical missionaries to wherever they need to go. It’s a great way to help other people. His dad and I always believed in helping others and giving back to our community and the world. We always believed in philanthropy and it’s something that Rick picked up from us.” 
 
“That’s good. I always knew Rick had a good heart.” 
 
“That he has. I see the tower. I have to contact them Lisa. Everett Tower, this is November-Echo-Charlie 34960. Did you receive my flight plan from Redding Tower over?” 
 
“November-Echo-Charlie 34960, this is Everett Tower. Yes, we did receive your flight plan. You are cleared to land on runway 3.” 
 
“Thank you Everett Tower. November-Echo-Charlie 34960 out.” 
 
After the plane landed, Mr. Hunter taxied the plane to a grassy field Michael Bateman drove up to meet the plane. He extended his hand and Mr. Hunter shook it. 
 
“Jonathan, it’s good to see you again. You’re here to see Rick?” 
 
“Yes I am Michael. Michael, this is Lisa Hayes. She’s a captain in the Robotech Defense Force.” 
 
“Captain Hayes. I wasn’t expecting anyone from the RDF to be here. We don’t have any contracts to sign with you.” 
 
“I’m not here on official business, Mr. Bateman. I’m also here to see Rick Hunter. Is he here?” 
 
“Yes he is. He’s just finished testing a new plane we are building for private aviation. He should be around here somewhere.” 
 
Just then a voice startled the trio. “Lisa?” 
 
Lisa turned to the direction of the voice. Her heart soared when she saw Rick. “Rick? Is it you?” 
 
“Yes it’s me, Lisa.” 
 
Lisa was unsure what to do next when Rick opened his arms. Lisa ran into his arms crying. Bateman decided it was time to leave and let Rick and Lisa enjoy their reunion in private. Mr. Hunter walked away but was close by. 
 
“Oh Rick! I’ve missed you so much.” She said whispering in his ear. 
 
“I’ve missed you too, Lisa.” 
 
Rick let Lisa be in his arms for a while and drew her away from his body. “Lisa, I told you not to try and look for me.” 
 
“I’m sorry Rick. But I had to try and find you.” 
 
“How did you find me?” 
 
“I know the person in charge of personnel records at J-1. She’s a friend of mine. She let me take a look at your personnel record to see who you put down as your next of kin when you first entered the service.” 
 
“YOU DID WHAT?” 
 
“I’m sorry, Rick. But I had to try and find you…” 
 
“Lisa, are you nuts? Do you realize how much trouble you’re in for doing that? You’re jeopardizing your career! You could be court marshaled for doing that! Do you know what that means? It means you don’t get promoted to admiral and you don’t take command of the SDF-2.” 
 
“I know that Rick. I am willing to take that risk because I needed to find you. There were a lot of things I wanted to say to you when you were flying away from Macross but you didn’t give me the chance to tell you.” 
 
“Lisa, what else is there to say to you that I haven’t already said in my letter to you?” 
 
“But Rick, if you did have anything to say to me, I wanted you to say it to me in person. Not in a letter.” 
 
“Lisa, please try and understand. I was in so much pain that it would hurt too much for you and me if I tried to say the things I wanted to say to you in person. If we talked in person, I know you would have tried to talk me out of resigning from the service and leaving Macross City and knowing me, I would have caved in to you.” 
 
“You’re wrong, Rick. That wasn’t the only reason why I wanted to talk to you. I wanted you to talk to me and I wanted to tell you that I made a mistake in not listening to you on why you let Minmei stay with you during the holidays. I love you Rick and I wanted to tell you that for a long time but I was too afraid to tell you.” 
 
“But why didn’t you tell me sooner that you love me? Why tell me when I was flying away from Macross? Why didn’t you tell me like on Christmas night? If you told me you wanted Minmei to leave my house so you can move in, I would have done it. I know Minmei would have gladly moved back in with her aunt and uncle, especially now that Kyle’s dead. Why didn’t you do that instead of turning away?” 
 
“I wasn’t thinking at the time, Rick! I was so angry at you for having Minmei living in your house that I wasn’t hearing what you were saying. It wasn’t until after you left and your squadron was cleaning out your house, one of your subordinates chastised me in front of your house and told me that you were letting her stay with you as a favor for a friend did I realize that nothing happened between the two of you. Please come back with me to Macross. You don’t have to rejoin the service.” 
 
“I can’t Lisa! I have a new job and a new life here! I can’t just leave everything behind me again after doing it just six months ago and expect everything to be the way it was. Everything has changed. I’ve changed, you’ve changed, and our whole world has changed. Please Lisa, go back to Macross. You need to live your life.” 
 
“But I can’t live my life without you, Rick!” 
 
“Yes you can. You have lived your life without me for six months.” 
 
“But it hasn’t been easy Rick. As a matter of fact, it’s been a living Hell. You know what I’ve been doing these past six months since you left? Nothing, all I’ve been doing is my job. Despite Claudia’s best efforts, I don’t go out with her when we’re off duty anymore. All I ever do is to go to work and go home. On the weekends and on my off days, all I ever do is to stay in my house. Claudia and the girls have tried to set me up on dates, but I’ve refused. You know why? Because none of them are you! I don’t feel like I’m special as I am when I’m with you! I don’t feel alive with them as I am with you! They would only out with me out of pity or because they were asked to.” 
 
“That’s not true Lisa! You are a very beautiful and desired woman! I know of many men and pilots who would love to date you if you would only give them a chance! You how many pilots were envious of me because I was dating you? Please Lisa! For the last time! Go back to Macross and live your life without me! Please forget about me!” 
 
“That’s the problem, Rick. I can’t forget about you.” Lisa said softly as she turned and walked away sobbing. 
 
Jonathan Hunter who seen everything happen between Rick and Lisa from a distance, started walking up to Rick at a brisk pace with any angry look on his face. 
 
“What did you just do Richard? Do you realize you just broke that young girl’s heart?” 
 
“Uncle Jonathan, we’ve been over this before.” 
 
“Damn it Richard! Can’t you see that girl loves you? Do you realize how much trouble she will be in once she signs in off of leave? Do you know right now she maybe in trouble with the military? When she gets back, she maybe subjected to an Article 32 investigation and she maybe court marshaled for looking at your personnel record which is illegal. She told me and your aunt that she is willing to take that risk because she loves you! She is willing to risk her military career because she loves you! If that isn’t love, I don’t what is! And here you are, telling her to forget you!” 
 
“Yes I do know Lisa loves me and I know all the trouble she maybe in Uncle Jonathan. But it will be best for her if she lives her life without me. I don’t want to hurt her anymore.” 
 
“You mean you don’t want be hurt anymore. Darn it, Richard! This is not like you! You never ran away from your problems. You always faced them, just like your father.” 
 
“Uncle Jonathan” 
 
“No! You’ll be quiet and you’ll listen to me young man!” Uncle Jonathan said to Rick pointing his finger at Rick. “Your father always faced his problems! When your mother died, your aunt and I wanted him to let you live with us and raise you as our own because we couldn’t have children of our own. We knew it would be difficult for him to raise you by himself and try to earn a living for you and him by doing dangerous stunts in an old airplane. You know what he said? He said no! Even though he knew it would be difficult trying to run a business and be a single parent at the same time. But he saw to it that you got a good education, you have friends of your own age, to have everything you want and needed, and you have a father to look up and be proud of and a home to live in. That is why after a show was over; many times he flew overnight so he can walk you to the bus stop every morning on your way to school. Did you know that? And here you are, besmirching his memory by breaking the heart of a beautiful young woman who loves you and spent her leave time and her own money to see you. I hope you’re really proud of yourself!” 
 
Mr. Hunter began walking away steaming mad when Rick tried to chase after him. 
 
“Uncle Jonathan! Wait! Let me try to explain! Uncle Jonathan! Great!” 
 
Rick stood by on the tarmac as he saw Jonathan’s plane taxi to the runway and soon was airborne. A very pretty girl with sandy blonde hair, roughly Rick’s age and height came up to Rick and put her arms around Rick’s waist. 
 
“Rick. Who is that lady in the plane with Uncle Jonathan?” 
 
“Just someone I knew when I was in the service, Cathy. So, what do you want to do tonight? Do you want me to help you cook dinner; we go out to eat or do we call out for dinner?” 
 
“It doesn’t make any difference to me, Rick.” 

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Author email / email del autor: georgemtATearthlink.net