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“On your left, Payback” Phoenix’s voice rang through the channel before her jet swung around and dipped in front of the other jet in sight.
Their second training of the day was going smoothly. They had been running drills for what seemed like hours, speeding through canyons and over salt flats, honing their skills and keeping them on their toes. Two weeks of training had flown by (forgive the pun) and each of the pilots were vying to impress their seniors for a spot in a future mission should it arise.
Mini was a newer addition to the crew. They’d all met each other at different points either on missions or through the Top Gun school. As the newest graduate to join the selection programme, Mini knew eyes were on her and expectations were high.
“You’re coming up a bit short Rooster, pull forward” Bob instructed. fiddling with dials in the backseat of their jet.
“Thanks Bob, coming up on position now”
The programme hadn’t been without its fair share of socialization, of course. The group frequented the bar near the beach for a healthy helping of beer, pool and ribbing one another. Some of the group had met before the programme, but new dynamics were being formed each time they worked (and played) together.
Rooster and Mini had hit it off on one of the first nights they’d spent together, sharing a mutual love of music and making fun of one another. It was a well-known secret that the two were quickly becoming an item, and neither of them had any intention of holding back.
“Watch it Handbag” Mini shot through the comms as a jet shot through beneath her “We’re supposed to be on the same team”.
Hangman chuckled in reply “Keep up short stuff”
Mini felt her temper rising and fought to keep in under control.
“Stop being an ass Hangman” another voice came through.
“How did you know I was an ass man, Fanboy?”
Mini rolled her eyes and wriggled in her seat to get comfy, pressing forward on the yoke.
They carried on, more instructions being fed to them, and the group followed diligently.
Mini watched as a jet neared her from behind “Hangman ease up, you’re getting too close”
“Speed up then” he replied “I’m just trying to get us there on time”
“Well I want to get there alive, thank you” she spat back.
“Suit yourself” Hangman shrugged and Mini watched as he pulled up to her right side.
She locked eyes with him and shook her head, and their distance just allowed her to see him wink back in reply.
His jet shot forward and around hers and took a sudden turn, swiping the air in front of her. She spun to the left to counter his movement but not before his wing clipped the edge of hers with a loud smack and her head hit the window beside her.
The sudden movement sent her spinning down and she grabbed feebly at the controls in front of her. The ground below suddenly became clearer as the numbers on the altitude counter spun wildly out of control.
“MINI, PULL UP!” shouts came through her headset.
“Shit” she whispered to herself as she felt the jet plummet and struggled against the pull of gravity, her breathing sharp and shallow as she worked.
Another quick tug on a dial to her right and the jet pulled back up and steadied, flying level again. A few clicks of buttons to check the systems of the jet and she angled towards home base.
Looking around as she worked to settle her breathing, she noticed her visor had broken, and shards of it had spread throughout the cockpit. Her hand went to her forehead and met a sticky, warm liquid that had dripped down the side of her face and the hand came away soaked with blood. She shook her head to attempt to stop it from dripping into her eyes.
“Shit” she repeated, wiping her hand on the leg of her flight suit and returning it to the controls.
“All crafts return to base” command spoke over the comms channel.
Phoenix was the first to break the silence “You alright, Mini?”
“Yeah I’m ok” she replied.
“Dick move, Bagman” Payback spoke, his words spat out very heated.
The group landed back at base and ran post flight checks. Mini repeatedly wiped the blood from her forehead, trying to catch a glimpse of the cut in the window around her, but having no luck with the last of the day’s sun striking over the horizon.
She finished up her checks, albeit quickly, came down the ladder and stalked towards Hangman’s jet parked down the runway from her. She caught sight of him as he stepped down onto the ground.
“You’re an asshole, you know that” she growled at him.
“You should’ve gone faster” he still had his back to her and spun around as he talked.
“You’re reckless and dangerous” she snarled as she shoved her helmet into his chest as hard as she could, making him step back to steady himself “and you owe me a new helmet”
He caught sight of the gash on her forehead and his brow furrowed, moving to take a step towards her.
“No” she pulled away from his movement “you don’t get to act like you care now”
He sighed, the hand holding her helmet coming to rest at his side. Sweat beaded on his forehead and he took a deep breath.
“We both know what you just did, Hangman” she raised an eyebrow at him “and we both know that you’d lose your spot for it”
He pursed his lips tightly before he spoke “I’m sorry”
Mini rolled her eyes
“Don’t say that” she replied.
“I am”
“You’re not” she wiped another drop from her forehead, dried blood covering the side of her hand.
“Lucky for you, I’m not about to try and get you kicked out” she spoke.
He broke their eye contact to look at the ground, suddenly sheepish. She took a step towards him and pointed a finger at him, landing in the middle of his chest.
“But if you try any of that shit again, on anyone, you’ll be out of here before you can spell Hangman”
She turned on her heel, not waiting to see his reaction and walked from where he was. The rest of the group had finished their own checks and she watched as they all ran towards the pair at the end of the runway.
“Mini” Phoenix yelled, slowing to a jog as she got closer “You alright?”
“Yeah, I’m ok”
Rooster came up alongside the pair and came straight to Mini’s side, a hand reaching up to her face and moved her so he could see the gash on her forehead. From behind him, she could see the rest of the group starting towards the hangar, knowing that Rooster was taking the lead on this one.
He breathed a barely audible curse and she pushed back against him, putting her own hand over his. His eyes studied hers, frantically flitting over her.
“I’m alright” she assured him.
His eyes tore from her and shot over her shoulder, narrowing as she assumed he caught sight of Hangman. She felt his weight shift and her arms reached in front of her and caught his chest before he had the chance to go any further.
“Leave it” she whispered.
He moved again, a hand reaching up to move hers off his chest.
“I said leave it, Brad”
His eyes met hers again and he nodded in agreeance. His hand reached for hers and took hold of it, lacing his fingers between hers.
“Did he clip you?” he asked, looking down at her hand in his.
“No” she replied “I just got caught in the wash”
“You sure?” he questioned.
She nodded “Very”
“We should get that seen to” he motioned to her forehead.
“I’ll be fine” she shrugged it off.
“I wasn’t asking”
She figured that this wasn’t a fight she was going to win.
Rooster looped an arm over her shoulder, half steadying her and half clutching her to his side. He felt warm against her side, his body heat radiating through to her was oddly comforting, even if she knew it was because he’d just come out of an F-18.
The pair met the rest of the group in the hangar and exchanged quick glances around the room. Bob walked towards them and extended out an arm to Mini, handing her a wad of gauze. She took it and padded it against the gash on her forehead, thankfully bringing very little fresh blood away with it.
Their commanding officer stood at the door in an informal stance and the room breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“You’re all finished for the day. Let this be a lesson to all of you” Rear Admiral Stevens spoke sternly but without emotion “Dismissed”
They broke ranks and everyone relaxed a bit more.
“Lieutenant Wright, Lieutenant Seresin; with me”
Rooster took his arm away from her shoulders with a small squeeze.
Not bothering to make eye contact with Hangman, she walked towards their leader, standing to attention in front of him.
“Lieutenant Seresin, I have seen some ridiculous flying in my time but that has to take one of the top spots, what do you have to say for yourself?”
“It was irresponsible, Sir”
“It was incredibly irresponsible, downright stupid. Your attitude needs a tune up, and I expect you to do some serious thinking, is that understood?”
“Yes sir”
He turned to face Mini.
“Lieutenant Wright, first of all, are you ok?”
“Yes, Sir” she replied.
“Second of all, did Lieutenant Seresin touch the wing of your craft with the wing of his craft”
“No, Sir” she replied.
Hangman’s shoulder tensed slightly in her peripheral vision.
“Very well, I expect you to have that seen to” he raised his eyebrows at Mini “you are both dismissed”
The pair turned from where they were standing and went in separate directions, nothing more to be said.
In the corridor outside, Rooster was waiting for her and took position with his arm around her shoulder once again.
“Shall we?” he asked, gesturing towards his car as they came through the door outside.
“What about my car?” she asked.
“Honey, there’s no way in hell I’m letting you drive after that” he spun around and pointed at her forehead.
“I’m not concussed” she replied.
“And I wouldn’t know, I’m not a Doctor” he shrugged at her.
She poked her tongue out at him as he opened his passenger door in front of her, helping her slide into the seat.
“Give me your keys and I’ll grab your bag for you, I’m sure you’ll want to change at some point” Rooster offered before Mini took the key from her pocket and he disappeared for a moment. It was normal for them to bring a spare set of clothes and gear everywhere they went in the case of changing plans. Rooster returned before long and slipped into the drivers seat.
They drove in relative silence, Mini noticing the headache that arose and now wishing that she could just go home and have a sleep. She didn’t miss the glances that Rooster took towards her as he drove.
One of the benefits of military work was medical personnel on call on base at all times. Seemingly someone had called ahead for her as they recognised her name when she checked in.
“Lieutenant Charlie Wright” she repeated to the desk clerk.
“There you are” a few more clicks of the keyboard followed “take a seat, it won’t be too long”
Suddenly feeling the effects of the past few hours, she sunk into the chairs that normally would have been uncomfortable and rigid, now just a welcome reprieve from the day.
“How you feeling, hotshot?” Rooster lowered himself into the seat on her left and handed her a cup of water.
“Like I’m ready for bed” she replied, leaning her head onto his shoulder.
He reached a hand out and placed it onto her thigh, still covered with her flight suit. The other thigh was still covered in dark patches of dried blood and she noticed him staring over at it.
“I promise I’m not bleeding out”
“Gave me a hell of a fright though” he replied, his fingers running gently over the green fabric of her suit.
“Me too” she admitted.
“Lieutenant Wright?” a voice spoke from across the room and the pair stood, Rooster’s arm once again latching onto her shoulders, bracing her a little tighter this time around.
“You don’t have to come with me” she looked up at him.
“And miss all the fun?” he smiled “Never”
A few stitches and a stern warning about concussion symptoms later, they were heading back out to Rooster’s Jeep, the last licks of sunlight painting the horizon.
“Thank you Brad” she spoke as he closed his door and slotted in the key to start the truck.
“It’s nothing, Char” he smiled, turning around to her “Truly”
“Can I get my car now?”
“No way” he replied “You’re coming home with me for pizza and a night in”
She laughed, resting her head on the seat behind her.
“You’ve been grounded for a day, meaning we’re all grounded for a day” he noted, spinning around with his hand behind her seat as he reversed from the park.
“Basically, I’m forcing you to have 24 hours rest” he raised his eyebrows at her and slid his hand to the gearstick.
“Fine” she crossed her hands across her chest.
He simply laughed in reply.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at Rooster’s place. On programmes such as these, they got to choose between being put up in the barracks on base or arranging their own accommodation in the likes of an Airbnb. The allure of the barracks usually wore off in the first few trips and the majority of the pilots would rent a place for the time they were in town.
The cozy house that Rooster chose was warm and comforting, and he lead her to the guest bedroom, her bag in the hand that wasn’t around her.
She didn’t miss the intentional shift of his arm from her shoulders to her waist and was thankful for the closer contact as well as the added stability.
“Have a shower and get changed, I’ll get some food sorted” he was standing in front of her, both hands on her hips “you’ll be ok?”
She nodded in return “I’ll be ok”
He smiled as he walked away and closed the door as he left. Mini showered and changed, very glad to have washed the day away and simultaneously not wanting it to end. She was more than thankful to have Rooster around and so casually ok with bundling her up and looking after her for the evening.
She studied the stitches on her forehead in the mirror – two internal and six external. The doctor had done a beautiful job and there wouldn’t be too much of a noticeable scar thank goodness. Another good story to tell the grandkids, she supposed.
Her hair was still wet when she rounded the corner to the kitchen, catching eye of the dinner he was working on. Soft jazz filled the air as he moved, and he hadn’t noticed her leaning against the door frame as he slowly swayed to the beat of the song.
“Maybe the navy band would benefit from a one Bradley Bradshaw?” she announced.
He spun around a bit too quickly, almost knocking a glass from the table behind him.
“Ever hear of giving a man a warning?”
“I like to keep you on your toes”
He took one of the glasses from the table and placed it in her hand “Dinner won’t be far”
He lingered for a moment to look in her eyes, flicking back and forth between each one, studying them as if it was the last time he’d ever see them.
She felt her cheeks flush red as she watched him, breaking the cool composure that he had manage to crack so often.
“You’re gorgeous” he whispered, leaning forward to place a kiss on her cheek before he pulled away “even if you’ve got one heck of a scar on that pretty little face of yours”.
“You’re a charmer, Rooster”
When dinner had finished cooking the pair made their way to the couch, not bothering to sit at the dining table. Rooster had compiled a couple of homemade pizzas with all the toppings you could want and they sat and enjoyed a healthy amount of the food without too much effort.
“Char” Rooster opened as he settled back into the couch.
“Yes” she replied.
“I’ve been thinking”
“Should I be worried?” she jeered back.
“You’re funny” he mock-laughed at her “It’s more of a question”
“Shoot” she settled back next to him.
“I’ve been caught in the wash of a jet that close more times than I can count” Rooster started.
Mini swallowed a lump in her throat.
“And I can’t remember the last time it sent me into a spin like it did for you today” he continued.
“What are you trying to say?” she questioned, trying not to sound accusing.
“You’re far too skilled of a pilot to be thrown off by something like that, even if it happened without you noticing” he locked eyes with her.
“He caught me in a moment of lapse, I was tired and I didn’t get control quick enough”
Rooster raised his eyebrows at her again.
“What?”
“Did he clip your wing?” he asked.
“I already told you” she replied, leaning up on an elbow.
“Say it again, and I’ll believe you this time” he stared into her eyes, practically boring holes in them.
She broke their gaze and pursed her lips, realising that she couldn’t wrangle her way out of this one.
“Yes”
“And you said he didn’t?!” Brad’s voice raised in surprise “Char, he could’ve killed you”
“Well, he didn’t”
“Why are you protecting him? He’s an arrogant asshole who loves to push his weight around”
“He made a mistake” Mini stopped and took a deep breath “Not one that he deserves to get kicked out over”
Rooster cocked his head to the side in questioning.
“Yes he’s arrogant, and on any given day I’d love the opportunity to let him get stripped to pieces by the higher ups, but he’d lose everything for that” she lamented “He’s still a good pilot and has worked just as hard as you or me to get to where we are”
Rooster looked down at his hands as he wrung his fingers together.
“He knows what he did, I’m alive, and he’ll never do it again” she took hold of his hands in hers and traced the back of his knuckles with her fingertips.
“Scared the shit out of me” he breathed.
“Me too” she replied “But we’re both safe and here together now”
“I’m very happy with both of those things” Rooster noted.
“Plus” she chimed “Now I have blackmail on Hangman”