fanfic_name = The Picnic

chapter = 2

author = LTjg_GT_RDF

Rating = AP

Type = Romance

fanfic = THE PICNIC

PART TWO

Even though the skies were threatening, Lisa decided to walk home instead of drive. She needed the time to think and she can’t do it while keeping her eyes on the road and trying to concentrate on the traffic at the same time. Fortunately, it wasn’t too long of a walk and Lisa is still young and being in the military, she stays in shape. She was walking in the Turkey Run Hill subdivision of one of Macross City’s outer suburb's. Many of the SDF-1 and RDF senior officers including her, Rick and Claudia live in Turkey Run Hill. She was about halfway to her house when it started raining. It wasn’t a real heavy rain at first. But it was enough to make Lisa regret leaving her raincoat back at the office. As she was coming up on Claudia’s house, the sky really opened up, drenching her and chilling her to the bone. Looks like it going to be a long hard winter.

“Great! The Aerographer’s Mates said it was going to rain today. It serves me right to leave my umbrella at home.”

She decided to stop at Claudia’s house instead of trying to make it to her home in the driving rain.

“Good, the light’s on inside. That means she should be home.” Lisa said to herself.

Lisa ran up to the porch, began banging on the door and pressing the doorbell button. Less than a minute later, the porch light came on and Claudia opened the door. She was surprised to see a wet Lisa Hayes standing on her porch.

“Lisa! What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you’re walking home.”

“I am Claudia.” Lisa said rather sheepishly and with an embarrassing smile on her face.

“Well, come in out of the cold rain so you can dry yourself off and get warm.”

“Thanks Claudia.”

“I’m in the middle making dinner but I haven’t started yet. How do chicken fettuccine and a salad sound to you?”

“Sounds great, Claudia. I’m starved.”

After getting a towel to let Lisa dry her wet hair, Claudia put the teapot on the stove to get the water boiling.

“I’m putting the teapot on the stove so you can have some hot tea to warm you up.”

Lisa was in the living room drying off her wet hair. Hot tea sounds nice but the chill she was feeling was more close to her heart. Even though she was never much of a drinker of anything containing alcohol, at this moment in time, Lisa really didn’t cared.

“Not to sound like I’m being a pushy guest Claudia, but do you have anything stronger than tea lying around your house?” Lisa asked as she was taking off her wet uniform jacket and following Claudia into the kitchen.

“Like what?”

“Like a bottle of wine perhaps?”

Claudia thought for a moment. “Since we’re having chicken, I think I have a bottle of white wine lying around here somewhere. Let me look around.”

Claudia looked around her cupboards and kitchen cabinets for a moment. “Ah! Here it is success!” Claudia said in triumph as she turned and smiled at Lisa.

Claudia then went over to the cupboard to get two wine glasses. Claudia then searched through her kitchen drawers for a corkscrew. Then poured two glasses then raised her glass.

“What should we toast to?”

Lisa thought for a moment and raised her glass. “Since it’s getting close to Thanksgiving, how about we toast to a good Thanksgiving.”

Claudia thought about it for a moment. “It sounds good to me. Here’s to a good Thanksgiving.”

Very soon the pair was at Claudia’s kitchen table eating their dinner. After they finished eating, Lisa helped Claudia clean off the table and washed the dishes, flatware, pots and pans. After drying the dishes and putting everything away in the kitchen cabinets, Claudia and Lisa sat on the couch in Claudia’s living room with their glasses of wine.

“Now, tell me what Rick has done this time that made you go walking home moping in the rain. Come on. Spill it. Tell big sister Claudia everything. So that the next time I see Rick, I can strangle him.”

Lisa laughed an embarrassing laugh. She then slightly bowed her head with a look of embarrassment on her face. “Actually Claudia, it’s more my fault than Rick’s.”

“Oh? Still, tell me everything.”

Lisa then went on to tell Claudia what happened at the airfield before and after the rescue mission and after Rick had gotten off patrol duty for the day. Claudia nodded her head knowingly and gave Lisa a sympathetic look. “Ah yes the old green eyed monster. Let me tell you something, sister. You’re not the first woman to get jealous when you think some female is trying to horn in on your boyfriend. And you won’t be the last.”

“I know Claudia. I know Rick cares about me and loves me. But still…I can’t help but to think that he still have feelings of love for Minmei.”

“Didn’t he tell you that he had gotten over his feelings of love for Minmei a long time ago?”

“Yes he did. And I believe him. Well...at least I want to believe him.”

“Then why don’t you believe him?”

“I don’t know Claudia. There is just something in the back of my mind that is telling me he’s still in love with Minmei.”

Fed up with Lisa’s indecisiveness, Claudia looked up at the ceiling and let out a playful yell of exasperation. She then looked over at Lisa with a comical berserk look on her face, exaggerated her breathing, slowly clawing her fingers and started inching towards Lisa as if she wants to strangle her. Lisa started backing up, holding her arms out and laughing at the same time. “I’m sorry Claudia. But I can’t help but think that Rick still has feelings of love for Minmei.”

Claudia then stopped as if she thought better of strangling Lisa. She then looked over at a framed picture of Roy Fokker and picked it up. “I can tell you stories about Roy and I that will make what you’re going through with Rick look pale in comparison. Want to hear some of them?”

Lisa looked out at the picture window. It was still raining hard. “Looks like I’m not going anywhere for a while. Let’s hear it.”

Claudia began telling Lisa about when she and Roy first met in Wyoming in the early stages of the Global Civil War. She was a naïve young enlisted person fresh out of service school. She was barely out of her teens and not even a half a year removed from leaving her loving family and her comfortable Boston, Massachusetts home to enlist in the service. He was a young fighter jock. He was also brash, cocky and full of self confidence and himself. He had already flown several missions and had several kills. He knew the rules about fraternizing with enlisted personnel. But he didn’t care. He bore his sights on Claudia. While he was chasing Claudia, he was chasing other women, trying to make Claudia jealous. And he was succeeding. It wasn’t until she really had gotten to know Roy that she found that he was trying to hide his fear of death behind the mask of being a womanizer.

That was one part of Roy Lisa never knew. Roy was very good at hiding behind a mask. She was very surprised that Claudia told her that. When she met Claudia at Macross Island, Claudia and Roy was already an item. She always thought that Claudia and Roy were in love with other. “Claudia, you never told me that. I always thought that you and Roy had hit it off from the beginning. Unlike Rick and I…because…well…we started off as enemies and we were at each others throats all the time.”

“The same thing happened with Roy and me, Lisa. We never had gotten along with each other when we first met. As a matter of fact, there were many times when we fought like cats and dogs. Let me tell you something else. You may think you have all the time in the world to work on your romantic relationship. When the truth is, you don’t. Before he died, Roy and I thought we had plenty of time. That was the reason why Roy never bothered to ask me to marry him. Even though we both knew that he could be killed at anytime being a fighter pilot. Then after Roy was killed, this” Claudia said as she was holding up her glass of wine, “has become a necessary crutch for me. It’s the only way I know how to deal with the pain. Now…nothing seems to matter much anymore.”

Lisa was surprised that Claudia made that confession to her. Claudia always maintained the façade of the happy go lucky girl even after Roy was killed. Sure, she was in mourning for while after Roy died. But she never showed any outward signs of emotions of grief to anyone of how seriously Roy’s death affected her. Even to those closest to her. About the only one who really grieved Roy’s death was understandably, Rick. But never Claudia, that is until now.

“You can’t let jealousy get in the way of your happiness. You have to have enough faith in Rick to believe him when he tells you that he is over his feelings of love for Minmei, he’s telling you the truth. It’s okay to have doubts sometimes, but you can’t let those doubts always cloud your better judgment and your love for Rick. If you continue to have doubts, you’re going to drive Rick away before you know it. You need to hold on to each other as long as you can because it’s not going to last forever. Do you understand what I’m saying to you? Is it finally sinking into that thick skull of yours?”

Lisa nodded her head as she was seeing the logic of what Claudia was saying to her.

“Now you need to tell Rick about your feelings about Minmei. I mean everything. Get it out in the open, once and for all. If he tells you that he is over his feelings of love towards Minmei, then that’s it. You should believe him. It should be water under the bridge from then on. You are never to bring that up ever again, even if you do it in a fit of anger. Because if you ever do, one day Rick’s going to have enough of it and you’re going drive Rick away forever. And you will have no one to blame but yourself.”

“You’re right Claudia.”

Unbeknownst to Claudia and Lisa, Rick was at his home, going over the day’s events in his head. He began to look at the photo album of the pictures Lisa gave to him one day. The first picture he looked at was the one with a kitten on top of Lisa’s head, too cute. Rick then looked at the picture where she was in a read coat and was wearing a matching red beret on her head. She put her hand behind her head and struck a pose like a model. She’s very photogenic. She looks great in front of the camera. Shame she didn’t became a fashion model. I bet she even looks great in a bikini. She does have the body for it. I should ask her if she has a picture of herself in a bikini. Rick said to himself. Then he looked at the funny picture of Lisa in the same coat and beret, winkling her nose and sticking out her tongue at the camera. He never knew Lisa had a wacky sense of humor. He loves Lisa with all his heart but he can’t help but feeling like he’s always butting his head against a wall. It was almost like he was fighting a losing battle in trying to convince Lisa that he loves her and her only.

“I shouldn’t have been too hard on Lisa. But still, she should have believed me when I told her that my romantic feelings for Minmei have long since disappeared. Why can’t she believe me?”

“Still, I shouldn’t have yelled at Lisa. She does love me and I love her. I should call her and apologize for getting angry at her.”

Rick first called Lisa’s houses but received her voice mail. He then called the base.

“RDF headquarters, Staff Duty Officer, Army 2LT Simms. This is an unsecured line. May I help you, sir or ma’am?”

“This is Captain Hunter, Lieutenant Simms. Is Captain Hayes still in her office?”

“No sir. She left hours ago. May I leave a message for her?”

“No, I think I know where she is. Thanks for your help anyway lieutenant.”

“You’re welcome sir. Good night.”

He then called Claudia’s house.

“I’ve done a lot of things in my life that I later regretted. One of them was not trying to persuade Roy into getting him to ask me to marry him. And now, my chance for happiness is gone forever. You’re lucky, Lisa. Your boyfriend is still alive, which means, you have another chance to get it right with Rick. But you don’t have many left. Don’t screw it up.”

Claudia’s phone rang. The telephone was on a lamp table that was adjacent to the couch. Claudia leaned over and answered the phone.

“Hello, Commander Grant’s residence. Oh hi, Rick. How’re you doing? Yes, she’s here with me. No, we’re not doing anything right now. We ate dinner a while ago and we’re sitting on the couch talking. No, nothing important, we’ve been talking about you, that all we’re doing. No, nothing bad about you, trust me Rick. Rick, have I ever lied to you? No, she walked over here from the base. Well, what can you say? That’s our Lisa for you. Oh really? You did? You are? Ok, do you want to speak to her? She’s sitting next to me. No? All right then. Sure, I’ll tell her you’re coming over here to pick her up. I’ll make sure she’s ready to walk out the door the minute you arrive. You’re welcome, Rick. See you in a couple of minutes. You drive safely Rick. It’s still raining very hard outside. You too, Rick. See you in a minute or a two. Bye.”

“Well, speaking of the devil.”

“Rick’s coming over here?”

“Yes he is. He called your house first. Your voice mail answered. He then called the base. The SDO said you left hours ago. Then he called here. He leaving his house right now and is driving over here to take you home.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Maybe it will be a good time to tell Rick about your feelings about him and Minmei once and for all.”

“You’re right Claudia. Get it out in the open and settle it once and for all.”

“That’s my girl.”

Several minutes later, Rick was outside in his sports car on Claudia’s driveway and honking the horn.

“Rick’s outside. You better put your shoes on and put on your uniform jacket.”

After Lisa put on her shoes and her uniform jacket, she was outside on the porch looking at her best friend with gratitude in her eyes and gave her a hug.

“Thanks for everything Claudia, for the dinner and the listening ear.”

“You’re welcome Lisa. Now, get out of here. I want to share a drink with Roy before I check my e-mail and turn in for the night.”

“I’m going! I’m going!”

“Tell Rick I said hello.”

“I will Claudia. See you tomorrow at work. Bye” Lisa said as she ran to Rick’s car and waved. Claudia waved back.

“Roy, let’s hope it works out between the two of them. I don’t think I can take much more of this.” Claudia muttered as she closed the door and turned off the porch light.

“Hi Rick.” Lisa said as she entered Rick’s car and closed the door.

“Hi babe” Rick answered with a kiss. “Do you want me to drive to your place or mine?”

Well, that’s a good start. Lisa said to herself as she returned Rick’s kiss. “My place, I like to get out of my uniform and into drier clothes.”

Rick and Lisa talked a little small talk because it wasn’t far from Claudia’s house to Lisa’s house. Rick decided to let Lisa know of his feelings of love for her and the feelings he still has for Minmei when they get to her house.

After Lisa opened the door and turned on the house lights. Rick dressed in a white tee shirt, his black leather flight jacket and blue jeans, suddenly closed the door, grabbed Lisa by her arm, turned her around and gave her a deep, passionate kiss. Lisa just melted in his arms and let Rick have his way with her. Rick has always been a good kisser and he knew just how to press Lisa’s buttons just right. Lisa put her arms around Rick’s neck while Rick slowly worked his hands up and down Lisa’s sides of her body, sending jolts of erotic electricity through Lisa making her groan with passion. They continued kissing for what seemed to be minutes. Rick stopped and looked at Lisa with love in his eyes, bringing tears to Lisa’s eyes.

“Lisa,” Rick said quietly and with love in his voice. “I love you and you only. There’s no Minmei. There’s no one else, there’s only you.”

“I know Rick. I know you love me and I love you. It’s just that I get so jealous when ever Minmei’s around you. I get so angry and fearful that she’s trying to take you away from me. You heard what she said to you today at the airfield after you rescued her and Kyle. I’m sorry I yelled at you today.”

“Hey babe, I should apologize to you. There’s nothing wrong with being jealous. Being jealous just means that you love me. But you should have enough faith in me to believe me when I say to you that I love you and you only. And that my feelings of love for Minmei have long since passed. Yes, I heard what Minmei said to me today at the airfield. She may have said it because of the stress she was under being held hostage by Khyron. I don’t know because I’m not a psychologist. What I do know is that it didn’t affect me one bit. It did not change my love for you. She may have feelings of love for me now but I don’t feel the same way about her now. Do you believe me?”

Lisa nodded her head. “I do believe you and I love you. Are we still on for this weekend?”

Rick thought for a moment. “Yes, if the weather clears up by tomorrow. How about we have a picnic? There’s a small forest in a park between here and Monument City that I discovered while on patrol one day. How about we go there?”

“A picnic, wouldn’t it be too cool for a picnic?”

“Hey, who says the weather has to be warm in order to have a picnic? We just wear warm clothes and sweaters. There is still autumn color on the trees. Hardly anyone will be there because the weather’s no longer warm. What do you say?”

“Ok. It’s a date. I’ll make the lunch.”

“It’s a deal.”

“So, lover boy, are you going to stay the night with me or are you going back to your home?” Lisa asked with her arms around Rick’s neck.

“I’m going home. Unlike you I haven’t eaten. What are you doing for the rest of the night?”

“Nothing much, I going to get out of my damp uniform, take a shower, check my e-mail, watch a little TV, read a book and go to bed.”

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then, babe. You want me to stop by tomorrow morning to take you to work?”

“If you don’t mind doing it, sweetie I would certainly appreciate it. Would you lock the door when you go out?”

“I sure will.”

“Thanks sweetie. Good night lover.” Lisa said softly as she kissed Rick.

“Good night babe.” Rick said just as softly.

Lisa then turned to walk into her bedroom so she can take off her damp uniform and take a shower. As Lisa was walking away, an evil thought came into Rick’s brain. Then he slowly smiled a sick twisted grin. He was going to get his little measure of revenge on Lisa. After first making sure that he can hear the water running from the shower in the bathroom, Rick quickly but quietly ran into the kitchen. He searched through the cabinets and cupboards until he found the biggest bowl Lisa has. He turned on the cold water on the faucet tap and waited until the water has gotten as cold as it can get. He then filled the bowl almost full of cold water. Slowly and being careful not to slosh water on Lisa’s floor or carpet, Rick slowly walked to the bathroom. Rick then slowly opened the door to the bathroom and crept to the shower. Seeing Lisa’s beautiful naked shadow in the shower curtain, Rick raised the bowl above his head and dumped the cold water right on top of Lisa. Lisa jumped and gasped and let a screaming yell of shock, instantly realizing what had just happened.

“Rick Hunter! I’m going to kill you!!!”

“Good night Lisa! See you tomorrow morning!” Rick quickly said as he dropped the bowl and running as fast as he can to his car.

State = Continuará/To Be Continue

feedback = Sí/Yes

email = georgemtATearthlink.net