A few drinks after my extra special serenade, a few people cleared out the floor for some dancing. Somebody threw some change into the jukebox and good ol' Heuwey Lewis came one with The Power of Love. I'm not lying when I say that everyone started moving to the melody, tapping a foot to the beat, shaking their head to the rhythm, humming the lyrics or in Maverick's case, belting them out shamelessly. I drowned my embarrassment in my third beer of the night. People around us made their way to the dance floor, hand in hand with a girl or guy, jibing to the music. I'm not against the song. It's good, and even I'm shifting in my seat, trying to laugh off Maverick's antics.
Goose has yet to join in, thank goodness.
I feel Maverick nudge me and I shake my head.
There's no way he's getting me to put on a show for all these people.
Somewhere in the crowd, a wasted Slider and his sleazebag friends are probably waiting to get at me for something. Hell, I wouldn't put it past Dash to be with them too! So yeah, I shrug Maverick off and sip my beer.
I'm staying right here.
Someone taps me on the shoulder.
I groan. "Gosh, Mav, leave me be! You've had your -"
When I turn around on my bar stool, it's not Maverick, it's the other one. He's smiling under that little mustache, looking mischievous and full of silly shit but I can't help but smile back at him. Goose raises a brow along with his outstretched hand. I carefully set down my beer and cross my arms over my chest. You serious? I ask through narrowed eyes. Goose's grin quivers into a smirk. He nods towards the mass of dancers, couples and a few gangs of uniformed guys, being ridiculous. It's all pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I've had my 'moment' already. I let the boys sing me that stupid Righteous Brothers song and I know tomorrow the whole class won't let me live it down and now Goose wants me to dance with him?
Hell to the no.
Awww c'mon, Stirrups, my RIO whispers in my ear. Scared?
What! Me? Yeah right.
She clears her throat. Great. Get out there.
"You turnin me down, Stirrups?" Goose exclaims, jutting his lip out in a pout.
Maverick clicks his tongue, "Ooooo Stirrups...you can't turn Goose down."
"Says who?" I snap.
"Says me!" Maverick laughs.
And then he shoves me off my seat and right into Goose's arms. I gasp. The time it takes to react is just enough for Goose to grab my hands in his and drag me away from the bar and onto the floor. His hands are warm, I'll give him that. They're a bit rougher than Mavericks, which I find funny. The music is so loud, it's blasting my ears out. I can't hear my own thoughts over the heavenly combination of the lyrics and the electric guitar, urging my feet to bounce along with Goose's. He shifts his grip on my hands for a better hold and pulls one arm back, drawing mine forward and then pushing it away again. I laugh. What? It's funny!
Goose is mouthing the words to the song, shaking his head all around so if he'd had my length of hair it'd be sure to whip into his face.
Together, we roam around the dance floor, spinning around, twirling one another under the arc of an arm and then repeating this weird back and forth arm jerking that's way too hilarious.
I can barely keep up with Goose.
By the time the song's over, we're laughing our heads off.
The upbeat, Power of Love, bleeds into a slower tune.
"I've been lonely...I've been waitin' for you..."
Oh.
Oh I know this song.
Goose senses my change in demeanor immediately and our arms fall together, hands still interlaced. I hide my gaze, staring holes through the floorboards even as Goose ducks his head to catch my eyes.
This song, it's one that she loved.
She used to sing it all the time.
All the time.
"Hey, mind if I slide in?"
Confused, I lift my head to see a familiar face leaning over Goose's shoulder. It's Maverick. He and Goose share a solemn glance that ends in two small smiles. I watch the exchange, barely noticing when Goose's hands leave mine and a gentler, larger pair take their place. I try to see where Goose goes off to, but it's not an easy thing. There's so many people out here, slow dancing to the new song. The pace is the polar opposite of what it was. Instead of wild, lively movements, people stand closer together, taking smaller steps with a smooth sway. Maverick gives my hands a squeeze and then, he lifts them up. I follow his lead, curiously eyeing his poker face as he sets my hands on the pads of his shoulders.
Okay...
This isn't that weird.
This is how people dance.
I've slow danced with guys before.
So why does my heart flutter when Maverick cups my waist and draws me closer to him?
Why can't I speak as he rocks us back and forth.
"What about love? Don't you want someone to care about you..."
It's cruel the way the lyrics pierce my heart, right through all my secrets and hidden desires. It's criminal, that's what it is. Damn this song. It's almost like my RIO is trying to speak to me through it. To warn me of something. What about love? I ask into the silent stretches of my subconscious. What about it?
Unless you count her, I haven't loved in a long time.
Not the kind of love, Heart's song means.
"You can dance," Maverick states, glancing at the ceiling. From the slight lift of his head, I can clearly see his jawline and chin, sharp and proud. I stare at the curves of his face a second too long and Maverick's eyes fall back down to mine, a teasing glimmer that doesn't miss a beat. "Like what you see, Stirrups?"
I ignore the question and address the compliment. "Anybody can dance."
"Oh really?"
"Anyone can do anything."
Maverick cracks a smile. "Can and should are two very different things."
A pit opens up in my stomach and my confidence is quickly swept away. Suddenly those three beers don't seem like such a good idea. They churn in the raging acids of my stomach as fear comes in torrential rain and high winds. He didn't mean to but...he's knocked me backwards. 1 step forward, 3 steps back. I stumble through the night and into the argument on the runway, screaming myself hoarse at my stupid, dipshit of a pilot. Stupid Dash and his stupid smirk.
"You're not the first to tell me," I mumble.
Maverick's signature smile crumbles. His brows knit together as he searches my face, a desperate look in his eyes. "Stirrups? What's wrong?" I turn my face and chew the side of my cheek, trying not to let Dash's words knock me down again. I can't afford to fall apart! Not like the way I nearly did in the showers. If I break, it's going to be where no one can witness it. Especially not Maverick. But he's so damn persistent. Even as I try to ward him off, he removes one hand from my waist and cups it under my chin, carefully bringing me around to face him. Our eyes lock. I know that if I don't get angry, I'll cry, so I scowl at Maverick.
That backfires.
"It's Dash isn't it?" He spits, an enraged frown pulling at his lips. "Gosh that son of a bitch, I swear -"
"Leave it, Maverick." I snap under my breath, not wanting anymore attention tonight. "He's a douche, there's nothing you can do."
"There's plenty I could do!" Maverick shouts.
I tighten my grip on his shoulders, slightly tugging him forward as my fingernails dig through his uniform. "SHH! Quit yelling, ok?!"
"Sorry," Maverick mutters, "Sorry, I just..." He lets out a ragged sigh, dropping his hand back to my side where his grip locks a little hard. I bite back a squeal and try to focus on Maverick's next words that blow my brains right out of my head. "I hate the idea of him giving you Hell. You've been screwed over one too many times and I hate it."
"Maverick," I breathe, startled by his outburst. "I'm fine."
"You aren't," Maverick counters, "I know you aren't!" Before I can object, Maverick presses a finger to my lips. "You aren't, but I don't need you to tell me why, ok? I just...I'm not gonna stand for any of the guys getting in your way, got it? If they bother you, I wanna be there to shut 'em up."
Heart beating out of my chest, I part my lips to answer but no sound comes out. I can't think straight with Maverick's finger pressed to my mouth. It kindles my heart, setting my entire body aflame as I stare up at him, frozen, speechless. People mill around us, dancing on and on to a new song I hardly pay attention to. Wherever Goose is, I don't know. I don't know who's singing or what's being said. I'm not even sure if I'm breathing right. All I know, is I'm tired and my stomach is going to murder me tomorrow for draining all three bottles after staying dry for such a long time. After she died, I told myself I'd keep away from drinks. I knew I'd fall into a hole...
The last thing I needed was alcohol to chain me in it.
But it's not the beers that're spinning the room around like a record.
It's Maverick and I don't understand.
"Why?" I gasp, shaking my head in puzzlement. "Why do you care?"
"Because," Maverick catches my gaze and states with the conviction of a saint. "That's what friends are for."
"Thanks...I guess."
"You guess?" Maverick chuckles.
"Maybe I'll be more certain in the morning," I reply, taking a hand off of Maverick's shoulder and pressing it to my gut. Beneath my uniform and deep beneath my skin, I feel a groan of agony ripple through my stomach. "Oof, I haven't drank a sip of anything that strong in a while..."
"It was just beer!" Maverick laughs.
"Hey!" I smack Maverick in the shoulder and chuckle. "It's been a while."
Maverick nods understandingly. "Fair enough. You'll probably want to get back to Charlie's soon. It's getting late and that stomach's not gonna treat you well when the morning comes 'round."
"No it won't," I agree grimacing.
Maverick lets go of my waist and steps back, offering me his hand in a manner similar to Goose, the same silly grin and everything. "Need a ride?"
And that's how I ended up on the back of Maverick's motorcycle again, speeding down the road to Charlie's. We pretty much ditched Goose, but Maverick assured me he'd be fine. They live in the same house off base, so once Maverick drops me off, he'll head there where Goose'll know to find him. Hopefully. I'd hate for Goose to freak out when he realizes we're gone. Or for him to think that we - that Maverick and I -
Gosh, no.
But I can only hope.
We take a sharp turn off the main road, following an empty street through the small neighborhood Charlie lives in. The sky is already pitch black, dotted with stars like glitter tossed among the abyss above. As Maverick guides us along the line of houses, I cling to his torso and tip my head back to view the stars. They're like snowflakes of the night. Cold, flickering and impossible to catch. The longer I watch them take turns lighting up the sky, one glowing for every one that blows out, I'm reminded of the first night I spent without my RIO. I stayed up so late, staring out the window at the stars and their twins in the sea below. I cried a thousand tears. Enough to fill my own ocean of sorrow and finally in a puddle of my loss, dropped into a dreamless sleep. Dark as a sky with no stars.
Sometimes it feels like I'm still in that sleep.
Starless, shadowy and lost.
Lost but not so lonely, I decide, peeking at Maverick as he slows the motorcycle to a stop.
"This isn't it," I tell him. "It's three houses down."
"I know," Maverick replies, putting down the kickstand. "This way she won't be able to hear you come in. You can go to sleep without having to deal with her."
We slide off the bike and step onto the sidewalk. Together, we steal towards Charlie's house at the end of the lane. The lights are all out. Phew, less likely for her to hear me break in.
Well, it's not a break in really.
It's my room and the window is open.
I'm just lucky I chose to sleep on the first floor. It's gotta be some play of fate, some divine intervention on God's part. He definitely knew I'd need a way to slip in and out of the house without You-know-who on my case.
Maverick follows me to the back of the house where I stop by my window.
"This is it?" Maverick asks quietly, nodding to the glass.
"Yep."
"And it's open?"
"Uh no, obviously," I tease as I rap my knuckles lightly on the glass pane so as not to wake Charlie upstairs. "But it's unlocked."
And with that, I press my palms to the glass and push hard. The window budges, shifting upward. I lean my whole weight into the window and gradually it raises all the way, giving me a good size opening into my bedroom. Maverick rests against the side of the house, watching me work. I can feel my spine tingle and a rush of warmth flood my face, but it's dark and there's no way he can see. Once I'm certain Charlie hasn't heard the scrape of the window opening, I grab onto the frame and haul myself through the gap. I land on my knees with such stealth that I impress even myself!
Who knew, right?
I hurry to flick on a lamplight and then tip toe back to the open window.
Maverick reclines against the window frame, his elbows propped up on the lower ridge and his chin held in his hands. The window is pretty low, so he's sort of hunched over and I have to get on my knees again to meet his eye level. So I do. I sink down onto my knees and stare at Maverick through the window. An icey breeze tears through the night and Maverick's hair, tossing it across his forehead. He doesn't react. Instead, he just stares at me with a dreamy smile on his face, lazily staring into my eyes like he doesn't plan on leaving any time soon. My heart skips a beat, but I refuse to let it show. I stay still, just looking.
Admiring the highlights of Maverick's face in comparison to the deep shadows behind the contours of his nose, eyes and jaw.
Some of his breath carries with the wind.
He smells of leather and beer.
"Goodnight, Maverick," I giggle, telling him to get lost with a sharp gesture towards the street. Something tells me he could sit here all night unless I make him leave.
"Goodnight, Stirrups," Maverick replies softly.
I laugh. I can't believe this guy. "Mav, get los-"
Maverick leans through the window and kisses me on the cheek.
His lips are soft and warm and by the time I contemplate turning to catch them with mine, he's pulled away. "Sleep well, we've got more winning to do," He says and then, like a phantom, he's gone.
I kneel on the floor for a second, dumbfounded, but then I hear an engine roar down the road and I jump up, shut the window, lock it, kick off my shoes and then climb into bed fully dressed.
From the comfort of my blanket friend and swarm of pillows, I turn off the light and settle into the darkness. My bare feet brush restlessly against the sheet's frosty touch, but it's nothing compared to the pleasant hum of heat on my cheek that haunts my every dream throughout a long, wakeful sleep...
>>>>>
The next morning, I only leave my room to tip toe upstairs and brush my teeth. I don't even use the toilet, because that means flushing and there's too high a risk of the noise waking Charlie. By some miracle, I manage to creep back downstairs without being seen or heard. As I pass through the kitchen, I consider grabbing something to eat, but I just know Charlie will notice I've taken her food so I slide back into my bedroom and quickly change into the usual. Jeans, white tee, and aviator jacket, and of course, my sneakers. As I'm pulling on my jacket, I notice an odd dispense of weight in the pockets. Curious, I shove my hands in both. One touches fabric, the other something cool, slick and folded.
I withdraw my hand and in it are Maverick's aviators.
Right...
With all the night's excitement, I'd forgotten to return them. But no big deal, I've got a whole day to get them back to Maverick. So I pocket them again and hurry over to the window. Charlie's still not up, but I'm not taking any chances. I push the window up at a snail's pace, cringing whenever the wood creaks. As soon as it's open enough, I step out into nature, dragging my belly across the window frame as I touch earth. Then, I gently ease the window back down, leaving a small crack so I'll have less work getting in tonight.
I leave the side of the house and take quick steps to the road.
Mission success, I think, smiling all proud to myself, my arms swinging at my side and feet bouncing off the ground.
Not quite, she chuckles. You planning on stealing a car?
What? I bite back a laugh. Why would I -
Shit! I come to a sudden halt at the edge of the street. I forgot all about getting from Charlie's to the academy. My eyes flicker to Charlie's blue convertible, parked by the house, looking all shiny and tempting. I lick my lip and imagine how good it'd feel to take her baby for a spin; to see the look on her face and drink in the power of ticking her off again. Serves her right for screwing me over and playing friendly. As tempting as it is, I know it wouldn't ever work. I'd have to get back inside and fish around for her keys and like Hell I'm giving her another opportunity to corner me.
Nope!
Looks like I'm walking all the way to Top Gun!
Better get a headstart.
I snort. Gee what a helpful RIO I've got. But she's right, so I pick up a fast walk down the street, chin up, hips swaying.
For whatever reason, that Rock and Roll song starts playing in my head. The one that goes something like, "I like that old time rock and roll...that kinda music just soothes the soul," and so on. Well, it's annoyingly catchy and I hum it as I go, passing by the other houses. Just like last night, the neighborhood is quiet. Everyone's either asleep or quietly going about their business inside.
I make it past three intersections without running into any cars.
I'm near the entrance to the neighborhood when I hear an engine coming down the main road, straight for me.
Great, I just hope they don't take me for a hitch-hiker.
What if it's a hottie offering a ride? My RIO inquires.
Yeah, pass.
Even if he's hot?
Why does that even matter!
Our talking distracted me from the road. The engine sounds like it's right by my ear now. I flinch and sidestep closer to the grass, out of oncoming traffic's way. Just as I shuffle outside the white borderline, a motorcycle comes over the hill. I stop and gawk at the rider; brown hair, too short to fly out behind him but getting a Hell of a noogie that's for sure and a smile I'd have to be dead not to recognize. The rider and I lock eyes and the smile shifts into a pleased smirk. He hits the breaks and skids to a stop a few feet behind me. I turn, my face falling, mouth agape as I creep towards the hum of the bike. It's breathing grows louder the closer I get until I'm leering at the rider in the center of the road.
"Maverick?!"
"Hey, Stirrups, nice morning for a walk."
I roll my eyes, "Very funny. What're you doing here?"
Maverick cracks an amused grin. "What do you think?" He scooches further up on his bike and reached back, patting the space on the seat behind him. "Hop on, unless you'd rather hike all the way to base..."
The motorcycle jerks as I throw one leg over the seat and settle, perfectly tucked against Maverick's back. Maverick laughs but doesn't make any remarks. Good. He's learned by now not to test me. I loop my arms around his waist and draw my entire body forward, letting my chest press into the slick leather of his jacket. Maverick urges the bike into drive and we fly down the street. I hold onto Maverick same as always, but this time, there's an odd feeling in my stomach. It's mushy, like some extraterrestrial goop, yet furry at the same time. A monster bunny? What else could compare? I mean, I've been on this bike before and yet my insides are doing acrobatics that make me dizzy. I feel like I'm floating, though I'm vividly aware of my legs nooked under the back of Maverick's thighs and my front to his back. The bike growls beneath me, and my gut lurches slightly.
I know I'm not sick. I'm not. I won't be.
I try looking at the town but it blurs and crosses my eyes. Having no other choice, I turn my face away from the road and drop my forehead into the crook of Maverick's neck. The wool collar of his aviator jacket scratches my face, but I don't mind. My own does it to me all the time, so how's this any different?
For one, it feeds the monster bunny.
I feel a smile creep onto my face and my stomach contort pleasantly. Stifling a groan so Maverick can't worry about me any more than he already does, I nuzzle my face deeper into Maverick's neck.
What is wrong with me?
I've got an idea, my RIO begins, a smirk evident in her voice. But you're not gonna like it...
If I wasn't nauseous before, then I sure as Hell am now. My stomach churns at the notion of what she has in mind. I know my RIO, inside and out and there's no way she could keep up these snarky comments without me catching her drift. I start to clutch tighter at Maverick's middle, think better of it, and loosen my hold. Save it for someone who wants to hear, I snap, I've got enough to deal with, I don't need you getting on my nerves...ok?
Her reluctant sigh fills my head. Ok, she agrees. Hey, don't cloud up the sky before you see the sun! Today could be good! I mean...it's starting off pretty great.
Yeah, I sigh audibly, relaxing against Maverick. Yeah I guess it is.
We swurve suddenly, and I instinctively peek around Maverick's shoulder. Somehow he's driven all the way to the academy without my knowing. I'm surprised, not that I should be. Maverick drives his bike like a race car. He'll have his lisence rebuked in no time, mark my words. He can fly like Hell without the consequence of tickets, but here on planet Earth, we've got something called the 'law.' A thing Maverick probably has little to no regard for if I've read him right. Amusement paints a smile across my face as I climb off the motorcycle. When I see someone for the first time and get a gage of them, from the shoes up, I'm rarely wrong. I'll be damned if I screwed up with Maverick.
Speaking of, he's getting off his bike and checking the kickstand.
I watch him move. His large hands glide over the kickstand and then jerk away. He grabs the back of his neck and scratches at the ends of his short dark hair.
Something inside me snaps.
"Thank you," I blurt.
"Huh?" Maverick whips around, confused and curious.
"Thank you," I repeat, slower. "For...for giving me a ride. And uh, and just for being a good friend. It's um..." Damn I sound like an illiterate animal! "I haven't had someone to stick up for me or trust or..."
Throughout my rambling, Maverick's face has changed emotions quicker than a pregnant woman's hormones. He started out casually intrigued by my outburst, but now his eyes are smiling. They're soft, almost raw. Not open wound raw but real. Like the gentle kiss of damp moss under foot or the softness of a horse's nose against your palm. I can't seem to find my words with him staring at me like that! His eyes are all alight, the green of his irises illuminated by the rising sun. The contours of his face stand out under the pale pink and blue sky. I can feel the grin thrumming beneath his skin, itching to leak out onto that jaw dropping face of his for all the world to see, but Mr. Impulse, it turns out, has enough self discipline to merely dip his head, acknowledging my stutter of gratitude.
"Don't thank me yet," Maverick warns.
Uh oh -
Maverick reaches into his pocket and tosses out something round and red that I catch easily.
I cup the thing in both hands and trace my thumbs over the waxy surface.
A red delicious, look'n deliciously tempting. My stomach, deprived of breakfast in my hasty escape attempt, rumbles.
Maverick laughs. "I knew you'd need it. Can't have you blanking on Dash in the air..." Maverick saunters towards me, his eyes flicker down to the apple and back to my face. "...now can we?"
"I've gone longer without food." I quip, but I take a bite out of the fruit anyways and my mouth waters. Whoever coined apple's name knew what they were doing.
"I was hoping for a thank you..."
"Shut up," I laugh, mouthful of fruit.
"You're welcome."
I consider whacking him in the back of the head, but I've got my hands full with this apple. Plus, the juices are clinging to my skin. The last thing I need is Maverick's hair sticking to my apple grease fingers. I hold my tongue and savor the pinch of food before a long day. If I'm going to deal with Dash and the rest of the class, I'll need all the fuel I can get.