Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Retrace

Author / Autor: endlessxbliss

Dedicated to / Dedicado a: To all Rick/Lisa fans, to Anberlin, one of my favorite bands, and my best friend, for introducing me to them and being patient enough to listen to my ramblings.

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

Romance

Fanfic: The battle had ended, and it seemed like it had been forever. However, it had only been days since the SDF-2 had fallen, and its predecessor, the legendary SDF-1, had risen and protected the Earth once again. It had only been days since Khyron had been defeated, but defeated with a heavy prize. It had only been days since Minmay had offered him a normal, ordinary life. It had only been days since Lisa had told him that she loved him. 
 
Lisa. He heard she had been promoted to Admiral, loading herself with work. He wouldn’t exactly know; they haven’t seen each other since the day of the battle. They haven’t had the chance, though neither would’ve made an effort to see each other even if they were given such opportunity. I wonder how she’s doing… That was the curious thought that ran through his head as he walked along the sidewalk, finally heading home after a long, strenuous day. He had just returned from South America. Khyron’s base was found, and subsequently, he was ordered to investigate. He couldn’t help but want to go back there, to stay there and forget the recent attacks of devastation in New Macross, including the death of great, beloved friends and allies. Still, Macross was home, and there was something—someone—that impelled him to return. 
 
Oh, how I've tried 
To get you out of my head 
And I lie with broken words I said 
Never thought I’d walk on this street again 
Standing where it all began 
 
Tried to forget 
When I left this town 
Well it takes me right back 
When I come back around 
 
Retrace 
The steps we took on that long summer night 
I'm back there by your side 
Retrace 
The steps we took when we met worlds away 
Counting backwards while the stars are falling 
 
It was a windy day, reminding him of when Lisa had left him after the disastrous picnic. He winced, recalling how much of a jerk he had acted. 
 
All around as he walked and remembered, citizens finished their last efforts of reconstruction for the day. However, as he thought more and more of her, the more the knowledge that they were even there flowed away. 
 
He continued sauntering, and when he had arrived home, his feet immediately made their way to his bedroom. His body collapsed on the bed, his back facing the ceiling. He turned his head sideways to make himself more comfortable and then closed his eyes. He was so tired. 
 
But despite this state, he found himself only seeing Lisa’s face. How odd it was that when he had first met her—when he had called her old sourpuss after she had yelled at him—he wanted her to go away. But now that she had left, he felt… empty. 
 
He missed her, he knew that much. 
 
Oh now I find 
Every subtle thing screams your name 
It reminds me of places and times we've shared 
Couldn’t live locked in these memories 
Now I’m chained to my thoughts again 
 
And I tried to forget 
When I left this town 
But I'll take you right back 
If you come back around 
 
Retrace 
The steps we took on that long summer night 
I'm back there by your side 
Retrace 
The steps we took when we met worlds away 
Counting backwards while the stars are falling 
 
He made himself believe that he should stop thinking about her, and he forcefully opened his eyes. He spotted his photo album, and his hands reached to grab it. Now sitting, he flipped through the pages. Sheet after sheet of Minmay’s pictures. He recalled their conversation after the fighting had ended. 
 
“Rick, I’ve finally realized it. The two of us… we don’t really fit. ” 
 
“But Minmay—” 
 
“No, Rick.” 
 
“I didn’t run after her, so why are you leaving?” 
 
“Rick, maybe you really don’t love her, but you have your military and I have my singing. My songs mean more to me than I thought. Don’t we both know that though we can try, we can’t succeed from separating from these things that are very important to us?” 
 
Rick looked down. She was undeniably right. 
 
“When Lisa came to our house, and said those things to me, she reminded me of my duty to be an inspiration to the people, and when you forced me to agree to let you fight, it told me that I had been completely selfish, Rick. So I’m going back to where I should be. I’m going to keep singing.” A silent moment ensued. “Don’t forget me, Rick. You have to promise you won’t.” 
 
Rick gave a slight nod. “I will. I promise.” 
 
She smiled, told him “I really have to go now,” and reached to give him a small peck on the cheek. “Goodbye, Rick. Goodbye.” she said as she ran outside. Suddenly, she stopped, turned around, and waved. Rick gestured back and saw her walk further away. 
 
She was gone for good, but he didn’t feel as sad as he had assumed he would be. The two years had drifted them apart. 
 
He turned the page again and finally arrived at the pictures of Lisa. A bigger, better reason than the gap for not being so melancholy was, he now began to believe, because he felt a bigger loss. It left him bewildered that though death had taken some great friends and though the songbird flew away never to return, his mind was much more occupied over the thought that Lisa was now gone and was moving on. Farewells of others did not agonizingly pierce his heart as much as the valediction of the woman he loved. 
 
I need some shelter 
I need some safety 
 
Photographs they 
Haunt me lately 
Chasing shadows 
As the evening takes me 
I’m still searching but the picture's fading 
 
Retrace 
The steps we took 
On that long summer night 
I'm back there by your side 
 
Retrace 
The steps we took 
When we met worlds away 
Counting backwards 
Still counting backwards 
 
And nowhere else has ever felt 
Like home 
And I can’t fall asleep 
When I’m lying here alone 
I replay your voice 
It’s like you’re here 
You move the earth 
But now the sky is falling 
 
Love? Love! That was it! How could he have been so stupid as to not realize it till now? He was, without a doubt, completely in love with Lisa Hayes. 
 
With this new understanding, he immediately ascended from his bed and ran towards the all-too familiar house, despite his already heavy exhaustion. 
 
When he reached his destination, he was completely out-of-breath. He was shaking, and his body was screaming for a bed. But that didn’t matter now; he needed to talk to her. 
 
He walked towards her door, but the lights were off. Is she asleep? He rang the doorbell. “Lisa?” No answer. He rang it again and knocked. Still no answer. He began to powerfully bang the door. Again, no answer. Not even a light or two switching on. Maybe, she’s too tired. 
 
No. I need to talk to her. Maybe she is tired, but she needs to listen to what I have to say. At last, he opened the door with the combination Lisa had given him. As soon as he stepped in, he turned the lights on, and the fading of darkness revealed a vacant residence. 
 
Suddenly, he spotted a picture frame lying on the floor. He picked it up. It was a picture of them together, with one arm wrapped around her shoulder, while the other poked her cheek. She was blushing. Rick chuckled as he remembered the time the photo was taken. It was a few days after Lisa had given him her pictures. It was a lovely summer day, a great comparison to the harsh windy days lately. They were talking and walking together after work, as was their usual routine. Rick mentioned the pictures and how photogenic she was. She began to blush, and he was having too much fun teasing her—he was rarely given the chance to do so. Wanting to push a little more, he told Lisa he’d prove it to her, and called one of the talking cameras that walked around the city. 
 
Tears beginning to moisten his eyes, he sighed and held onto the frame tighter. Why…? Why did I just now realize how much you really mean to me? Why now? And why did you leave? Didn’t you say you’d always love me? Where are you? 
 
Retrace 
The steps we took 
On that long summer night 
In my mind I’m back by your side 
 
Retrace 
The steps we took 
When we met worlds away 
Counting backwards while the stars are falling 
 
“Why is the front door open? And the lights are on…?” he suddenly heard from the front door. “Hello?” The familiar voice called. Could it be?! 
 
“Rick?” He turned around and saw her. She was shocked to see him there, standing and clutching the picture frame. As he stared, he made a mental note to spank himself for not realizing he was in love with this woman, this oh-so beautiful woman. 
 
At the shock, the frame slipped from his fingers. As he kept staring, he couldn’t help but run over to her and hug her, tight and secure. 
 
She almost choked. Nevertheless, she was worried about him, especially as she noticed his moist eyes. “Rick? What’s wrong?” 
 
He closed his eyes, and a tear trickled on his cheek. “I missed you so much.” No more holding back he thought. 
 
Then, Lisa pushed him away, releasing herself. Her expression grew restrained, and she gave him a forlorn smile accompanied by visible tears that threatened to fall. “Rick, please… don’t…” Her head dropped and she stared at the floor. 
 
“I love you!” She raised her head again, looking at him confusedly shocked. His hands cupped her delicate face. “I love you. I’m sorry I only realized it now. Please… please… whatever you do… please don’t leave me.” His tone, his expression—all of him—gave Lisa no room to doubt his words. 
 
Is this a dream? Tears ran down her cheeks as she embraced him with need, with love. 
 
The salt water from her eyes dampened his shirt, but he couldn’t care less. He was just glad that she was finally in his arms. 
 
“I love you too.” 
 
He lightly pulled away and landed his lips on hers. A passionate kiss ensued, one full of relief, happiness, and most importantly, love. 
 
They stopped, suffering the need for air, and then, he took her in his arms again. 
 
“Looks like I’ve got to give Max even more thanks.” 
 
“Huh?” 
 
“He’s in charge of my security." She sighed and continued, "The RDF is being a little too overprotective these days. It’s the loss of all the high officials after Khyron’s attack, and they’re afraid that they might lose more if they’re not careful. They won't let anyone get near me without drastic measures. Of course, upkeeping these measures included new living quarters. I can't even tell anyone where I leave. Of all things, the movers forgot the picture. I kept telling myself to forget about it, about you, but in the end I just… couldn’t. The movers were convinced that they left nothing, so I told them I was going to get it myself. I had to ask for Max’s help to sneak out though.” 
 
He smiled. “Maybe we can give him a promotion; he deserves it even if he didn’t help us.” 
 
“We can. We should.” 
 
“Congratulations on your promotion, by the way. Though this is probably the first time I've heard of an admiral sneaking out.” 
 
“I’m not even sure that was a great decision. I feel like I’m trying on one of my father’s uniforms.” 
 
“You kidding me? No one deserves it more than you do.” 
 
“Maybe, but I want to forget about work right now.” 
 
He nodded. “I’m always so tired, but I bet it’s been even more exhausting for you.” 
 
“So you better watch your back. I bet they’re going to promote you soon.” 
 
“Oh, no please not me. Heaven forbid that a cocky, dense jet jockey like me be promoted to a respected admiral.” 
 
“You deserve it too, you know.” 
 
“Whatever happened to the not-talk-about-work agreement you suggested?” 
 
“You can’t escape it fore—” 
 
Before she could say anything, his lips caught hers. 
 
“Maybe I can’t… but for now, we both have better things to spend our time with than discussing this.” 
 
She smiled the warm smile he would never be able to get enough off and took his hands in hers. “You’re right.” she agreed. 
 
The two began to walk out of the quarters. As they reached the exit, they both took a final glance of the room, switched the lights off, and finally close the door. 
 
The battle had ended, but the obvious fact that there were more to come lingered in their minds. Did it matter? Yes, but at least they had each other, and that alone gave them enough strength to go to the stars and beyond. 
 
The End

Credits: the song is RETRACE and was sung by ANBERLIN.

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Author email / email del autor: xendlessxblissxATyahoo.com