Jake Seresin and his wife Kailani were not a normal couple, they had met because Aria had needed a plus one for Rock Steadys wedding. Jake had only agreed to go because his Wingman had promised there would be free food and lots of girls.

She had been correct, but while Jake had been going to prowl out the hunting grounds he had laid eyes on a female that took his breath away. He didnt know who she was, but she recognized that he was her sisters wingman. So she had introduced herself, neither of them really remembered what happened after that, but they were pretty sure someone spiked the punch because they woke up in Las Vegas married.

Now Jake had been a womanizer, but he had also been raised by his momma to believe that marriage was a one and done kind of thing, and so had Kailani. So they had stuck it out, and found that it was easy to love each other, what really just began as lust had turned into a loving marriage...

And now they were dogfighting, Hangman worked hard to shake his wife from his tail but she was sticking like glue. "Thats a kill." Hangman could hear the smirk in Ice Queens words "Nice flying Ace."

Next up were Maverick and Ice Queen vs Rooster and Phoenix, and that's was when things went south. Maverick pulled his old trick of going inverted over Rooster, which made Rooster rather mad.

The two went into a rolling nose dive and Rock Steady called to his pilot "Those two are going to kill each other!"

On the ground DarkStar moved closer to the radio muttering "Pull up Bradshaw, pull up."

Above Ice Queen yelled "Mav! Rooster! Your going to kill yourselves!"

The two pulled out of the dive and were now low in the canyons, Rooster had an easy shot, if he would take it. Ice Queen decided if they were breaking the rules she might as well too, so she dove down into the canyons.

Maverick was calling to Rooster "This is your chance take the shot!"

"I'm too low."

"Chance is over, your dead." Ice Queen called from where she had dropped behind

"Go see Hondo for your push-ups."

As they landed Ice Queen walked to Maverick "What were you thinking? You both could have died pulling that stunt! Dads right you are dangerous."

With that Ice Queen turned and walked away leaving Maverick blinking as he again realized just how much like her father she was.

DarkStar walked towards where Rooster was doing push-ups while talking to Phoenix, as Phoenix stood and walked away DarkStar approached "You think too much."

Rooster stood his height towering over Aria, and yet instead of intimidating her it made her feel safe.

"I think to much? What do you want me to do? Fly like your and Hangman who dont think at all?"

DarkStar sighed "No, I want you to fly like my sister, she has no fear of the plane she's flying, I think you do.. And I understand why."

Rooster frowned and walked away with Aria following behind "Why do you care so much?"

"I dont know." Was the only answer he got, they walked to the parking lot and he headed to his jeep, but Aria stopped him "You know how to ride a motorcycle?"

He turned to look at her and nodded "Yeah."

"Come with me."

Rooster tilted his head but followed, they came to DarkStars motorcycle and she motioned him forward "You drive."

Bradley considered the woman before him "I dont understand."

Aria grinned fondly at a memory "When I was old enough to drive a motorcycle my dad took me out on his, taught me how to drive it, then he took me to an empty road and told me to let loose. He said it would teach me not to fear death at high speeds."

Bradley raised an eyebrow "And you think this is going to help conquer my fear?"

Aria shrugged "Worth a shot."

_________________________________________________



Meanwhile Ice Queen, Hangman and some of the others were still inside the building, Hangman noticed a picture on the wall and stared in disbelief.

"Hey, Coyote. Take a look at this."

Coyote walked over and looked at the pictureseeing Maverick he noddrd "The man is a legend."

But Hangman shook his head "No, look."

As they both stared at the picture it was easyto see the resemblance between the Bradshaw they knew and the Bradshaw in the picture.

"What are you doing?"

Hangman jumped hiding the picture as he grinned at his wife "Uh, nothing."

Kailani raised an eyebrow "I happen to know what picture is hanging behind you Jake."

Jake sighed and moved his wife moved forward looking at the picture, she pointed "My mom, her ROI, and my dad."

She looked to the two pilots who had been nosing around "You have questions?"

They nodded "Bradshaw's dad was a pilot?"

Kailani shook her head "Goose Bradshaw was an ROI, he and my mom had been friends since high school, he died during Topgun training.. It was tragic. My dad was in the air at the same time that Goose and Mavericks crashed."

"So Bradshaw was Maverick's ROI?"

Kailani nodded "He never got over it, and now he and Rooster are at odds apparently.. Whatever it is, it needs to be resolved before our mission."

"Woo-hoo!" Aria yelled as she urged Bradley to go faster "Come on Bradshaw I know she has more juice than this!"

Bradley pushed the motorcycle faster but refused to take it too top speed, he refused to be the reason the girl clinging to him died.

_________________________________________________



The next day the pilots were finally given the mission Maverick stood before them explaining " Time is your worst enemy. Stage 1 of the mission is to advance at low altitude in two teams. You will reach your destination through this narrow canyon. The area smells of radar-mounted heat seeking missiles. These missiles are deadly. But they are designed to protect the sky above, not the canyon below. Because the enemy knows that no one is crazy enough to fly under them."

Dark Star and Hangman smirked both knowing they were crazy enough to do just that.

"That's exactly what I'm going to train you for. On mission day, your altitude will be 1000 feet. Maximum. If you pass this altitude, the radar will catch you...and you die. Your speed will be 660 knots. Minimum. Arrival time at destination 2.5 minutes. This is because of the 5th generation warplanes waiting at the nearby airport . If you encounter these planes in an F-18... you will die. So before these planes even have a chance to catch you... you must enter, hit your target and disappear. This makes time your biggest competitor. Your navigation system has a simulation of the canyon. The faster you cross this canyon... the more difficult it will be for you to stay under the radar and stay away from enemy planes . As the turns get harder, the force of gravity on your body increases exponentially. It compresses your lungs... It forces the blood in your brain to flow... It affects your decisions and reaction time. They asked me not to overload you. So your altitude is 1,300 feet and your time to destination is 3 minutes.

Good luck."

Over the next few days they were paired up in groups, Ice Queen and Rock Steady were paired with Rooster while DarkStar was paired with Phoenix and Bob.

They went through the mission simulation many times, Rooster was the only one who made it too the target but he had been late and now Maverick was berating him

"Why did you and your team die?"

"Sir," DarkStar spoke up "he was the only one to reach the target."

"One minute late. He gave the enemy planes time to find him. He's dead."

"You can't know that." Rooster argued

"You're not flying fast enough. We don't have a second to waste."

"We reached the goal."

"And superior enemy planes...cut you off while you were leaving."

"Then it's a dogfight." Ice Queen defended her wingman but Maverick shook his head at his goddaughter "Against 5th generation warplanes."

"Yes, we still have a chance." Said Rooster

Maverick laughed "In an F-18."

"It's not the plane, sir. It's the pilot."

"Exactly!" Maverick said making Rooster bristle "There is more than one way to fly on this mission."

DarkStar listened as they argued, knowing that Rooster flew too slow, she had flown fast enough but her wingman had gone above their hard deck.

"You better listen to the criticisms a little bit . That's all. Lieutenant..." Maverick finally said dismissing them, they all moved to stand except for Hangman who drawled out

"We're going to war, son. The kind that no living pilot has ever seen. Even him. Now is not the time to think about the past."

DarkStar froze looking to her brother-in-law with horror in her gaze, he wouldn't.

"What does that mean now?"

"Jake!" Ice Queen spoke with ice in her voice, clearly saying that if he continued he would be in the doghouse. But Hangman didnt listen, this mission was important and if Rooster didnt get his head in the game it would get them all killed... Including Kai and Aria..

"I can't be the only one who knows that Maverick flew with his father. And while Maverick was flying with his father..."

Rooster attacked and the two tried to trade blows but were stopped by their fellow pilots. Hangman called to Maverick "He's not fit for the job and you know it!"

Aria finally turned on her wingman "Neither are you Jake."

Then she turned running after Rooster when she found him he was crying in the bathrooms, she moved forward sitting by his side.

"You must think I'm pathetic." He muttered but Aria shook her head "No, never."

They sat side by side and Aria comforted Rooster, letting him rest his head on her shoulder.

"Crying doesnt make you weak."

_________________________________________________



Maverick drove up a long driveway and smiled slightly when he saw two kids running over the lawn. Jet looked up from where he was playing with his kids and waved at Maverick who waved back before heading towards the house.

Gemma Kazansky opened the door and smiled happily letting Maverick in. "Oh Mav."

She hugged him tears entering her eyes and when she pulled back Maverick frowned "Its come back?"

Gemma nodded "The doctors told us last week, its..." She paused "its far worse this time... They said he doesn't have much time.." Her tears streamed down her face and Mavericks took his friend back in his arms tears in his own eyes because he knew this was hard for her... Iceman was Firebirds soulmate in every way.

Gemma pulled back gently patting Maverick on the chest "It hurts for him to talk, so dont be surprised if he doesnt actually say much."

Maverick nodded before asking "The girls?"

Gemma sighed "They dont know, Tom wouldnt let us tell them, not with everything. It would take you down three pilots."

Maverick tilted his head "Three?"

Gemma nodded "Aria, Kailani, and Jake."

Maverick shook his head "I hardly think Hangman would give up this opportunity to see glory."

Gemma gave an amused smirk "Surprising as it might be, Jake Serensin is hopelessly devoted to my daughter, Maverick. He looks at her the same way I look at Tom, he would give up flying if she asked him too. The only time he doesnt listen to her is if he thinks shes in danger. He's been there for both of my girls."

Maverick frowned slightly before he shrugged "I wont argue."

This time Gemma gave a laugh "Thats a first." She motioned to Iceman s office "He's waiting for you."

As Maverick entered Icemans office Garrison approached his mother "Mom?"

Gemma turned and smiled sadly at her son who pulled her into his strong arms, he had been her rock throughout. But she knew she had to find her own feet sooner then later.

After Maverick left Gemma entered her and her husbands office, he was having a coughing fit and she quickly helped him drink some water.

As he finally stopped he smiled at his wife "I probably couldnt catch you anymore."

Gemma looked up with tear stained eyes "Oh, honey, it was your eyes that caught me, the moment I first looked into them."

She leaned up kissing him gently when she pulled away she asked a question "Do you remember the first day you took me home?" He nodded typing out "How could I forget?"

Gemma smiled and Tom reached out gently stroking her face before he quietly said "I want to fly, one last time."

Gemma bit her lip tears welling back up as she quietly whispered "I think I can make that happen."

_________________________________________________



The next day Maverick took his team to the beach and together they played a game of football, everyone was having a blast.

Ice Queen grinned as her husband grabbed the football getting a touchdown "Thats my golden boy."

DarkStar rolled her eyes at her sister "You are so twitter-pated."

Then Rooster got a touchdown and did some kind of dance that made Arias face turn bright red and had Kai elbowing her "What were you saying sister dear?"

Aria shoved Kailani into the water and ran screaming "Hangman save me from your wife!"

Hangman turned laughing as his wife ran after her younger twin, Hangman turned to Rock Steady "You take one I'll take the other."

Rocksteady grinned and was about to run and grab Aria when someone else ran forward sweeping her into his arms. Rooster gave a slight glare to Rock Steady before he took off running, Aria squealed and blushed as she was hung over Bradley Bradshaw's shoulder, "Bradley Bradshaw you put me down right now!"

Bradley laughed "No, ma'am I can't do that, I'm saving your life and my momma taught me never to leave a lady in distress."

Hangman grabbed his wife and took off with her towards the ocean "Hey Bradshaw! Lets cool these girls down!"

"Jake Serensin I am telling your mother!" Kailani scream3d as she was deposited in the ocean

Bradley grinned and made his way to the water as Aria screamed "Dont you dare!"

But her screams were unheeded as she joined her sister in the waves

"Welcome to the Navy Kazansky!"

Later the crew had built a fire and were sitting around it, Bradley noticed that Aria looked cold and ran to his jeep to grab his hoodie.

"Here." Aria smiled shyly taking the hoodie and putting it on, across the way Jake and Kai were snuggled together. Jake leaned into his wifes ear "That is so nauseatingly sweet I might wind up with a cavity."

Kai grinned "Why didn't you bring me a sweater?"

Jake blushed as he answered "Because I would rather snuggle you."

Kai laughed and looked back to her sister "You need to leave Rooster alone Jake."

Jame sighed but nodded "Fair enough, but he busts my wingmans heart and I'm going to kill him."

Kai leaned up and kissed him gently "I'll help you."

Bradley stared at Aria, the flames were setting her face aglow giving her an unearthly look. "Do you always stare at people?"

Bradley blushed "No, you're actually a first... I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable."

Aria smiled and looked over at him "Its okay, I was staring earlier. Your dance is cute."

Bradley grinned and bit his lip before he asked "Would you like to go out? Like on a date?"

It was Arias turn to blush as she nodded "Yes, I would really enjoy that."

Bradley smiled a smile that only grew as Aria scooted a little closer to him so their bodies were pressed together.

Rock Steady watched it all with a smile, he would have to tell his wife that he had once again been right about two people who belonged together.

"Your target is the uranium enrichment plant it will start working sooner than expected." Admiral Simpson stood before them. "The raw uranium will be delivered to the plant in 10 days. As a result, your mission has been pushed forward a week. To avoid contaminating the target valley with radiation."

"Sir, no one here has successfully completed the low-altitude course." Said Payback there were murmers of agreement but Admiral Simpson knew there was now alternative "You have been ordered to advance."

Maverick stepped up "We have one week to focus on Phase one The most dangerous part of the mission. A hard dive that required two miracles in a row, and...to leave the package. Two pairs of F- 18s will advance to the target, maintaining their attack pattern. In order for the mission to succeed and for you to survive.. it is very important that these planes work in coordination and as a team."

All the pilots looked at their partners each knowingvthat teamwork was more imperative then ever

"As you know, the facility is between two mountains. In the last step, you will go straight into a hard dive. This gives you the opportunity to maintain the lowest possible altitude and reach a single angle of attack. Your target is in an area of less than 3 meters. The first two aircraft will paint the target with a laser sight. The first pairs target is an exposed vent they will drop a laser-guided bomb and hit the reactor. This will leave an open space for the second couple. Thats the first miracle."

Everyone began to shift nervously if that was miracle number one what was miracle number two?

"The second team will deliver the killing blow. And will destroy the target. This is the second miracle. If either team misses the target...Mission fails. You will have to make a hard ascent to avoid hitting the mountain. You'd eat at least 8 Gs on that steep ascent at that speed .

"The fuselage of the F-18s is designed for 7.5 G." One pilot spoke up and Mavericks nodded "That's the accepted limit. You will endure more to survive this mission . Even if it means twisting your torso . Your heartbeat will accelerate and you will feel pressure close to 4 tons. Your skull will crush your spine. Your lungs will explode as if an elephant is sitting on your chest . You will fight with all your might just not to faint. And right here you will be the most vulnerable. This is... the coffin corner. Assuming you avoid hitting this mountain ...you will go straight into enemy radar and you will lose your privacy. Within seconds, enemy missiles will be fired at you.

You've all had a malfunction in the air before but this will bring you to the point of destroying both you and your plane."

"Sir, can this task be accomplished?"

"The answer to this question is... It depends on the pilot in the box."

_________________________________________________



Gemma fired up her jet and bit her lip, she was one of the few Admirals who still flew herself. She typically flew solo , but today she had a very important passenger "Alright Iceman.. You ready for this?"

"Check."

Gemma grinned and took off, after asking the doctors whether or not this was a good idea they had told her it couldnt hurt and it least the former pilot would get to do something he loved one last time.

They flew through the air free as birds, Gemma went slower then she normally would have flown but still fast enough to where there was a thrill.

"Thank you, for being my Wingman, I love you Firebird."

Gemma smiled "Forever and always! I love you too Iceman..."

Iceman smiled looking out the cockpit, memories flashed through his mind.

Seeing a young female pilot and being awed by her the first day of class. Getting to take her home... Being her wingman while they were in Topgun... Their first kiss, their wedding, then the births of their children and grandchildren... Icemans smile grew slightly and he closed his eyes, it was so peaceful.

There was silence for a few minutes before Gemma grinned and asked "Hey Ice, you want to buzz the tower?"

There was silence and Gemma frowned "Ice? Ice!" Her voice grew more frantic and she quickly called the tower telling them to get an emergency crew ready on the tarmac.

The second she landed the crew was undoing the shield and checking on Tom, Gemma hopped out of the plane staring as she watched them check her husband over. For a moment she felt like she was back thirty years ago, listening as Iceman called out that his plane had been hit. He had survived that day, against everyone of the odds, now she shook her head as the medic approached her telling her that he husband had passed on.

For once in her life the Firebird felt cold as ice

_________________________________________________Authors note: Sheepish grin hiding in corner cause I think people are going to throw things at me for this one.

On a serious note it has been brought to my attention that I have changed Aria's name when I started the first chapter from Avia to Aria. I really like the way Aria sounds and it means Air while Kailani means Sea and Sky... I had chosen Avia originally because it can be short for aviator but I think I like this better. So deepest apologies if that confused anyone!

Anyway let me know what you think of this chapter

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Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's