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Dagger one is hit. I repeat Dagger one is hit. Maverick is down.
Rooster vaguely hears Phoenix’s panicked voice but can’t comprehend her words.
There’s just no way it’s true.
Why. Why the hell did Maverick do that? What the fuck was he thinking? His eyes burn with unshed tears.
Damn him.
Maverick and his misguided mission in life to constantly protect him and avenge his father’s death. Truth be told it’s been one of the hardest aspects of his relationship with Maverick over the years, feeling the weight of his guilt and the stifling hold it’s had on both of them.
This can’t be how their story ends. They said they’d talk after the mission. Rooster needs that talk. There’s too much left unsaid.
“We have to go back,” he says.
“Rooster, it’s too hostile. We can’t go back. He’s gone man,” Bob tries to be the voice of reason.
No. No. He refuses to believe that.
“Rooster, please Rooster,” he hears pleadingly.
Phoenix knows him too well. He can already hear the shake in her voice and the slight hope as if an invisible tether stretching across the sky can hold him in place. He sees her hand pressed up against the glass.
His wife. His whole heart beating outside his body flies just a few feet from him and it’s the hardest decision he’s ever had to make. Life altering. Death has always been a funny word in his life. The meaning and ramifications having lived with a ghost of a father for most of his life and losing his mom to cancer at a young age. It’s a word that has had so much weight and casted a tragic shadow over him. A weight that he’s so tired of carrying if he’s being honest, and has tried hard to shake. A weight that he doesn’t want to pass onto Nat if things go south for him. Shit.
But it’s Maverick. They may not have had the closeness they once shared over the last decade, but he can’t deny that he’s the closest thing he’s ever had to a father figure. He’s Maverick - he’s just always been there for him, and he honestly always thought he would be, as much as Rooster tried to drive him away.
It’s incomprehensible not being there for him now, especially if he’s hurt or in danger. After all, Maverick did just save his life.
“Talk to me Dad,” he whispers.
He knows what he has to do.
Looking out across to Nat, as if reading his thoughts, her face shifts into a show of strength. She knows what he’s about to do. Closing her eyes and giving a slight nod, Phoenix doesn’t grant him permission as much as she accepts this is who he is. It’s why she fell in love with him.
Rooster sees the acceptance and steadfastness register on her face, and it’s the bolster of confidence he needs.
Don’t think. Just do.
“I love you,” he says into the comms and takes a hard left.
Closing her eyes tight Phoenix asks to wake up from this nightmare.
“He’ll be ok, Phoenix,” Bob tries to reassure. Oh sweet Bob. If only that were enough.
Grabbing the controls with a slight tremble she reminds herself of her job. THIS is her chosen reality, and personal life aside, she feels the heavy weight of responsibility to get Bob home safe. She must complete her mission. It’s what they do.
Rooster. That stubborn, amazing man, she thinks as her nostrils flare with a deep breath.
She knew by the look he sent her way. Felt the tether between them stretching further apart as his literal heart was torn into two like Maverick’s plane.
Taking a deep, albeit shaky breath, Phoenix knows Rooster is an amazing pilot, and above all else she trusts him. Just as she knows he’d trust her. It’s why their relationship works in such an intense profession. It’s not easy loving and being loved by a fighter pilot. Especially one like Bradley that has already experienced the dark and tragic side of things.
Gritting her teeth and saying a prayer to who ever will listen for both Maverick and her husband, she reengages and heads back to the carrier.
Dagger two has been hit.
Her world has gone silent except for a high pitch ringing in her ears. She sees Bob trying to talk to her but she only sees his lips moving.
Rooster.
This wasn’t supposed to be how it went.
Her eyes shut and her knees buckle.
Wordlessly she feels someone wrap their arms around her. But they’re not the warm, strong arms she’s used to. Not the ones she wants. They don’t have the same smattering of golden brown hair, freckles, or Irish Spring scent mixed with aftershave and jet fuel.
It’s not Rooster and her heart hurts.
She sees their life together flash before her eyes, a slideshow as her innocent crush grew into a deep love. The first time she met him at the Naval Academy, fresh faced and already handsome as hell. Nights playing pool. Long nighttime talks under the stars that lead to first kisses. The start of growing that ridiculous but sexy as sin mustache. Singing at the piano. Cruising in his Bronco. Teaching her to surf. Bringing him home to her parents farm and seeing him drive a tractor in a Hawaiian shirt and aviators. Rocking his favorite cowboy hat atop her childhood horse. Winning arm wrestling matches against her brothers. Catching him cuddling and wearing a tiara while reading a princess story to her little niece on the porch swing. Going to baseball games. Steamy nights in his apartment bed. Road trips to Texas to visit his childhood home. Strong embraces after long leaves that felt never ending. Flirty emails. Arguments in the rain. Makeup sex by the fire. Rooster down on one knee. A little chapel in Vegas. Pool cues to the gut. Tender glances across the bar at the Hard Deck. Fingertips touching as they pass each other at TOPGUN.
Rooster. Bradley. Brad. BB. Ultimately, Dagger two.
No matter the name it’s the same outcome. He’s been hit and down in enemy territory with no options of getting him out. It’s a sobering and gut wrenching realization that he’s out there, and at this moment she’s not sure how he’s coming home. Body bag or whole.
Phoenix! Phoenix!
She snaps her head up and looks through heavy eyes. Coyote is yelling something at her but she can’t hear over the roar of a jet.
Looking over she sees Hangman lowering the canopy. He sends her a wink and he’s off.
Confused she looks at Coyote as his words start to filter in. Maverick and Rooster are alive and they are in trouble. Hangman was just given the all clear to head out. Time isn’t on their side so he’s got to fly like hell. Hangman’s favorite style.
Deep down she knows there’s no one better for this mission. He’s fast. He’s confident. He’s cocky. Egomaniacal and brash. But he’s also capable and that’s all that matters to her right now.
His wink is balm for her tender heart. His wink is a Hangman special that lets her know that he’s bringing them home. He won’t accept failure. Despite their rocky relationship, she’ll put it all aside and hug the hell out of him if he brings them home.
If. Don’t quit before the miracle, Natasha she scolds herself while holding her breath.
She hears everyone around her erupt as the good news makes it’s way out of the command center.
Success.
Exhale.
Although she just might kill Bradley and Maverick herself once they safely land.