fanfic_name = Time of Our Lives
chapter = Chapter 8
author = lisav
Rating = AP15
Type = Adventure
fanfic =
First Dates
INTRO...
"Hey, are you crazy?" Max asked in shocked.
He knew he was rushing things a bit by telling her that she was beautiful and the perfect girl for him. He’d expected her to laugh at him, even to call him nuts but to kill him? That was unexpected and it totally confused the heck out of him.
"I am Quadrono Leader Miriya Parino: Zentraedi warrior!”
Max gulped then, "there goes our first date."
------------------------
Miriya Parino had gotten to the spot they had agreed to meet well in advance. She waited and theorized on the best way to kill her date, her archenemy and her obsession.
Tonight’s the night! Honor shall be mine again.
Anger and humiliation burned within her even after all this time whenever she thought back on how he had out flown her, come close to killing her and then forcing her to flee.
No one will be my equal, especially not a puny blue-haired micronian with blue aviator glasses.
Although on board for only a month, she had learned a lot from the Micronians. As much as she resent them for their lack of discipline, purpose or reason in life; she found herself drawn to them too specially the small ones, who were always so boisterous, emotional and impulsive.
At first she hadn’t known where to begin looking for her prey and had spent two weeks wondering around their city-- lost and confused by all the sights and sounds. But one day she ran into their arcades or “training camps” as she liked to call them.
She noticed that everyone-- fat, skinny, old, young, male, female whether in uniform or not goes into them to train on the machines. She knew if she stuck around them long enough, her ace pilot would eventually show up too.
Maximilian Sterling...
She felt her heart pounding as she remembered the heat from him when he had caught her wrist to prevent her from leaving the arcade after their video fight. The one she had lost to him again!
Stop thinking about him! He’s nothing.
Then she sees him as he walked to their designated place. He was dressed in a weird outfit and looking very confident.
Right on time... welcome to your death, Micronian!
Max Sterling walked to the Peace Fountain and paced fitfully around. He was not nervous. Oh, yes, he was! He was nervous in the sense that he did not know quite what to do or to say to her when he sees her.
She was the one. Everything in him tells him this and but how could he tell her that without having her think he was crazy.
No! I forgot to pick up the flowers I ordered her.
He hit himself on the forehead with his hand and his shoulder dropped as in defeat. Then quickly he checked his watch for the hundredth time again since arriving and took another deep breath. All the while hoping she’ll not noticed that his only sport jacket did not quiet match his slack.
He knew girls were particular about these things and he didn’t want to make the wrong impression.
What if she doesn’t show up? What if she does?
From a distance, Miriya watched Max Sterling paced, played with the thin cloth around his neck and checked then double checked his watch over and over again. She knew it was time but her body refused to move.
What was it about him that makes me feel weak and doubtful of myself? What kind of power does he have over me?
She told herself she was merely studying him for possible vulnerabilities but she knew it was a lie. She told herself she was merely waiting for the right moment but once again she knew it was another lie.
The truth was she liked watching him. She liked his long blue hair that kept falling to cover his eyes. She liked the way he moved, the way he carried himself and she even liked his weird outfit. She liked him period.
But at last, by a tremendous application of will, she hurled herself into battle.
“Die!”
---------------------
He has to back me up. I will not give her up without a fight. Max thought to himself as he knocked on Rick’s door loudly and anxiously.
“Max? I’m sorry but I’m kind of tired. I pulled a double shift last night with Skull to get tonight off. I don’t think I’ll be very good company,” Rick said.
“Skipper, I’m sorry to brother you but I need your help,” Max said and walked into Rick’s quarters without being invited in.
“You see, remember my date with Miriya? Well... I think I’m getting marry,” Max said and turned back to face Rick.
If Rick was still asleep, he was certainly awake now.
“Are you crazy, Max? You barely know the girl. Is she trying to pull something over you?” Rick asked suspiciously.
“Of course not! I love her and she loves me. But she’s the enemy, Rick. She came on board to search for me and to kill me because accordingly to her I beat her that last fight we had, the one where you were still in the hospital.”
“You’re joking right, Max?”
“I wish I was,” Max said and began to pace again.
“Okay... if she’s the enemy, the only thing to do is to turn her into the proper authority,” Rick said with a yawn.
“No!” Max stopped pacing and looked defiantly at his skipper. “You don’t understand. I love her. She’s the one, Rick! The one I’ve been waiting all my life for. I will never ever turn her in. She’s mine!”
Looking at Max, Rick had never seen him so fierce, stubborn and determined before. He looked like he was ready to take on the whole world for this Zentraedi woman.
“Max, clam down. Start from the beginning,” Rick said as he took a seat.
...Thirty Minutes Later...
“I want you to meet her, Rick. Miriya’s perfect,” Max said with a dream like smile. “I’ve told her all about you. Come, let go to my quarters.”
Throwing a long sleeve shirt over his t-shit, Rick followed Max to his quarters.
“Miriya? Where are you?” Max asked as Rick and he walked into his quarters.
“In here, Maximilian,” a sweet voice said from the kitchen and within a minute, Rick got his first look at Max’s Miriya. He stared as his mouth dropped open.
Miriya Parino of the elite Quadrono battalion of the Zentraedi fleet was drop dead gorgeous. If Rick didn’t know better, he would bet his next year’s paycheck that she was a model who had just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
Everything about her was perfect. Her green eyes were intensely green and bright; her hair, long, dark green and silky; her legs, they made him drooled for they were long, sleek and gracefully defined. He could just imagine them wrapped...
Rick blinked and flushed to the tip of his toe when he realized he was staring at her none too gentlemanly.
"Max, you’re one lucky man. She is everything you’ve said and more. I-I think I understand now."
Miriya smiled serenely. "Hello Rick, Maximilian has told me so much about you. He said you were second to him in fighting and I'm so pleased to meet you at last.”
------------------------
By the time Lisa got to her quarters, she was exhausted. She wanted bed and oblivion.
The head-ache was still with her, but the pain had turned into a dull, sickening throb. Closing the door behind her, she leaned back on it, trying to summon the strength to walk to her sleeping quarter.
‘Lisa, I was wondering... would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?’
“Oh no! It’s tonight! Not tomorrow... Rick...” Lisa mumbled to herself.
“Lisa?”
She opened her tired eyes and watched Claudia come out of her kitchen toward her.
Seeing Lisa so pale and beaten, Claudia slipped an arm around her shoulders. Her concern took the form of a scolding.
“You should have let me stay with you. I should have never let you face him alone.” She was already guiding Lisa into the bedroom.
“My father, my problem,” Lisa said tiredly.
“Lisa Hayes, I swear sometimes you make me want to slap you,” Claudia said in a low, furious voice as they entered Lisa’s sleeping quarter.
“I’m your best friend or have you found another in the last two hours? You stood by me with Roy, why can’t you let me help you on this issue?”
“Please don’t be angry with me, Claudia.”
Lisa swayed on her feet as Claudia stripped off her uniform jacket. “It’s something I have to do on my own. I can’t let him bully me anymore.”
“I am angry with you.” Claudia’s voice was tight as she slipped the matching skirt down over Lisa’s hips.
“Have you eaten?” Lisa shook her head as she stepped out of the skirt. “And you won’t,” Claudia concluded.
“I’m having dinner with Rick,” Lisa murmured dream, going willingly as Claudia guided her toward the bed.
“I’ll call him and cancel. I can bring you something later. At this moment, Lisa, you need sleep more than love.”
“No.” Lisa slipped between the crisp, cool sheets. “This is our first date, Claudia. I want to go. I need to go,” she corrected as she shut her eyes.
“I’ll rest now. He won’t be here until seven. Please wake me later, please, Claudia, this date means so much to me.”
Claudia walked over to physically dim down the lights on Lisa’s night stand. Even before the room was darkened, Lisa was asleep.
...Four Hours Later...
It was some minutes past seven when Claudia opened the door to Rick. He wore a dark navy suit with a cream-colored shirt. He looked a bit nervous but nice, Claudia thought.
The nosegay of violets in Rick’s hand melted Claudia’s reserved and she smiled attentively at him.
“Hi, Claudia. You look terrific.” He said as he lifted a brow at the clinging black sheath she wore. He plucked one of the violets out of the nosegay and handed it to her.
“Going out?”
Claudia accepted the flower and tucked it behind her left ear. “Yes, I’m going to have a quiet dinner with Roy tonight,” she answered.
“Lisa should be down in a minute. “Rick...” hesitating, Claudia shook her head, and then turned to lead him to the loveseat. “Would you like a drink?”
Rick caught her arm. “That isn’t what you were going to say.”
She took a deep breath. “No.” For a moment longer she hesitated, then began, fixing him with her dark brown eyes.
“Lisa’s like a sister to me. There aren’t many like her. She’s genuine, the real deal, Rick. I wouldn’t like to see her hurt, especially right now. No, I won’t answer any question,” she said, anticipating him. “It’s Lisa’s story, not mine. You...,”
“I’m sorry!” Lisa came dashing out of her sleeping quarter in a filmy flutter of pale green. “I hate to be late.” Her hair settled in silky confusion down her back as she stopped at where they were. “But I couldn’t seem to find my shoes.”
There was a becoming blush of color on her cheeks, and her green eyes were bright, full of laughter.
“Beautiful,” he said and handed her the flowers.
Lisa buried her face in the violets and wonder if Rick meant her or the thin voile dress she had bought a week ago on a whim when she and the Terrible Trio had gone shopping together.
“For bring me such lovely flowers, I believe I’ll let you spoil me tonight, Rick. I’m in a mood to be pampered,” she said.
He took her free hand in his. “Where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere and everywhere,” Lisa said as she tossed her head. “But dinner first, okay; I’m starving.”
“All right, how about a cheeseburger?”
They all laughed and Lisa turned to Claudia. She paused for a moment, then smiled and kissed her cheek. “Thanks and... I promise I’ll behave.”
Watching them leave, Claudia smiled.
Lisa put a hand to her heart as she stared at him. “Chivalry lives!” she exclaimed as Rick opened the car door for her. “I’m impressed,” she added for she couldn’t believe that he’d gone out of his way to rent a car for them.
Rick slid in beside her and turned to look at her. “Chivalry is my middle name,” he informed her and they both laughed comfortably together.
-------
Dinner was quiet, intimate and perfect. They ate in a tiny old inn Lisa never knew existed.
They were one of four couples in the inn’s restaurant but because of the way the tables were situated throughout the room, Lisa felt as if she and Rick were the only two people in the whole restaurant.
It’s been so long since she had a dinner amidst candlelight, wine, fine food, and an intimate atmosphere.
As the evening wore on, her smile became more spontaneous, less desperate, and the unhappiness he had seen deep in her green eyes before, now faded.
“I feel like I haven’t eaten in a week,” Lisa managed between bites of the tender roast beef that was the house specialty.
“Want some of mine?” Rick offered his plate to her as he stared at her with amusement.
Lisa scooped up a bit of baked potato; her bright green eyes seemed to laugh at him. “I’ll just take these but have our waiter wrap the rest of it so I can take it home. For I want to leave room for desert. Did you see that pastry tray?”
“Umhmm... and I want the apple turnover,” he said as he offered her more wine. Lisa shook her head.
“How can you want boring apple turnover when there’s cheese cake dripping with sweet cherries, delicious chocolate mousse cake and tangy lemon meringue pie?” Lisa said and made a face at him and laughed.
Her laughter was throaty, full of flirtation and it appealed to him as well as aroused him for he had never seen her so alive, vibrant and at ease with him before. He never knew being in her company when she was away from the worries of the world could be so intriguing and refreshing.
“Lisa, I know this may not be the best time but I have something very important to discuss with you,” he said. “It’s Max. He’s in love,” but before he could continue, Lisa interrupted him.
“That’s wonderful, Rick...”
“No, you don’t understand. He’s in love with a Zentraedi woman name Miriya Parino. In fact, she’s the Red Baron! He plans to marry her with or without Captain Gloval’s approval. Please let me finish before you say something,” he said.
“I’ve tried to talk him out of it but what I can say, he’s in love. And Lisa, I want to ask you to support them with me. I’m asking you because I believe in them. You should see them; they really do love each other, Lisa.”
After what seemed like a long time, Lisa finally spoke.
“Rick, you know this is serious. If she’s on board, who know how many others are also here. We have to warn Captain Gloval and get her debriefed.”
“Can it wait?” he asked, looking at her. “She’s not going anywhere and tonight’s our first date.” Reaching across he laid his hand over hers.
“Yes... it can wait. I’m sorry, Rick and yes I will support Max and Miriya. How could I not?” she said and there was no need of words as they stared at each other.
“Do you know what I want right now?” Lisa lowered her own voice as she leaned toward him, but he recognized the laughter in her eyes.
“Dessert,” he answered.
“No,” she smiled. “I want to go dancing. I feel like I need to celebrate.”
By mutual consent, when they left the restaurant they avoided the popular, trendy dance clubs in Macross and found a crowded, smoky hole-in-the wall joint with a good band.
They had just sat down and were beginning to enjoy the music when Rick spotted four VT pilots from Ghost Squadron coming towards them. Looking around, he noticed that there were several other pilots from different squadrons in there also and they have noticed as well as recognized them.
“Lisa, we have to leave.”
“Why? We just got here. What’s wrong?” Lisa asked in confusion.
“Do you remember that time in the park when you asked me what Vanessa and Kim were saying about Lieutenant Lake? Well I didn’t know it then but I do now. It seemed there’s a bet going on to see when we would be going out on our first date,” Rick explained.
“Do you see those guys coming toward us? Well...”
Lisa quickly cut him off, “Let’s go.”
But before they could leave, “Ma’am, Sir, are you guys on a date?” asked a toothy blond pilot who looked too young to be drinking let a lone in a joint like this.
Before Lisa could even think of an answer, she heard Rick’s. “Yes we are, Corporal and would appreciate some privacy.”
“Sure thing, sir!” The young pilot said and quickly turned back to his friends with a smile that told everyone he had just won the jackpot. Laughter and high-fives broke out among some of the pilots. While others groaned and took giant gulps of their drinks.
Rick smiled amusedly at Lisa. It was still early and everyone there was fairly civilized, there hadn’t been too much drinking yet but still he wanted them out. He began to edge her toward the door.
When they finally made their way to Rick’s rental car they both sighed with relief. “I’m sorry about that, Lisa.” He leaned across her to lock her door. “I should have known better than to have taken you there.”
Lisa took a long breath, combing her hair back from her face with her fingers as she turned to him. “Don’t be silly; it was my idea, remember? Rick, could we go somewhere else. I don’t want to go back to my quarters yet."
-----
“Wow!” Lisa exclaimed as Rick took his hand off her eyes. “What an amazing view. I can see all of Macross city from here. How did you find this place, Rick?”
“I found it shortly after Minmei and I were rescued from our two week tour underneath the SDF-1. I was feeling a bit depressed and sorry for myself because Minmei seemed to have forgotten me so I went exploring and ended up here...” Then he remembered.
Dammed, why did I have to bring Minmei’s name up? I hope Lisa hadn’t noticed.
“Back then there was just one or two trees and a few small bushes scattered here and there. The vegetation you see now has only been added within the last year. I come here often just to feel rejuvenated and think about things.”
He turned to look at Macross city. “Why is it cities always look better at night from above?”
Lisa looked down on the glittering Macross city skyline. “I suppose it’s the mystique. It makes you wonder what’s going on and you can’t see how fast it’s moving. Up here it’s quiet and it gives you an surreal feel to life.”
She felt his lips brush her temple then.
“Rick.” She drew away, but he stopped her. Searching her eyes with his own he pulled her to him again and this time she didn’t resist him. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“What are we doing, Lisa?” He seemed genuinely to be asking her opinion. “We seem to be spiraling up into something that has no end. Or at least not an end that contains the futures we had planned for ourselves.”
“Is that so bad?” she asked back.
He tipped back her head and gazed into her beautiful green eyes. There was no doubt she meant it. Her eyes were focused fully on his. She was speaking the simple truth.
Then she set her lips to the hollow at the base of this throat and kissed him there. He felt strangely gifted and curiously wanted. In a way he had never felt in his life before.
“No, I supposed it’s not.”
Her eyes were dark and dreamy, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and desire. Her lips were parted in an invitation for him to kiss her. Looking at her he could hear his own heartbeat drumming in his ears.
Slow down, Hunter! Don’t blow it.
Slowly he led her away from the edge and to a grassy spot underneath a tree. He sat down and pulled her down with him. She sat between his legs. Her back was to his chest while his back was against the tree trunk.
“Lisa.” He lifted her hair out of the way as his mouth kissed the back of her neck. Her scent rose and enveloped him. “Tell me what happen today.”
“My father... I received my transfer order today, Rick. It seemed the Admiral wants me off the SDF-1,” she said after a long silence. Her voice held apprehension and self-condemnation in equal parts.
Rick stopped nibbling at her neck. “He can’t do that. The SDF-1 and everyone on board has been exiled or has he forgotten?”
“I told him as much. Oh, Rick, he and I went at it. It was horrible. I’m terribly ashamed now because I called him a couple of names I knew were not true.”
She noticed that had stopped kissing her neck and was twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. She made no complaint and continued speaking.
“My father and I have never gotten along but it was especially painful after my mother’s death. He used to ship me off to expensive boarding schools until I turned thirteen and threw a temper tantrum and promised to stay out of his way.”
Rick listened and his heart ached for her.
How lonely you must have been, Lisa.
He wanted to tell her that he understood but couldn’t so he gathered her even closer, cradling her in his lap and held her tightly to him instead.
“I don’t want to leave, Rick,” she said miserably and he could hear the vulnerability and longing in her voice.
“I don’t want you to leave either, Lisa,” he whispered as his teeth teased her earlobe. He turned her around slowly so he can see her face. Lisa’s stomach somersaulted and he kissed her then, slowly but deeply and thoroughly.
It had been so long, she thought dizzily, so long since she had felt anything this intensely, needed anything this desperately. Tears burned, threatened to consume her. If she cried, she knew she might never stop.
Oh, Rick if you only knew... He was stealing her heart, and he wasn’t even aware of it.
State = Continuará/To Be Continue
feedback = Sí/Yes