The next morning they snuck past security jumping into two jets. She opened her phone for a minute reading a jumbled text: u been bend?
She laughs knowing it was meant to be 'benched' so she texts her husband back: we'll see about that.
She tucks her phone into the inside pocket of her gear. Revving up the engine she closes the canopy. Her helmet slides forth. Maverick takes to the air first before she does. When he's a good distance away she races off to catch up to him.
"How are you doing, kid?"
"Perfect. I'd be your wingman anytime, Mav."
"Ready?"
"Born ready."
The two of them get close enough. They head in one after the other until they see the entry point.
Maverick makes the call connecting to the tower. "Maverick and Moonlight to range control. Entering point Alpha. Confirm green range."
There's a pause on the other line for a minute. "Uh, Maverick, Moonlight, range control, uh, the green range is confirmed. I don't see an event scheduled for either of you."
Finley smiles through her helmet. "Eh, what the hell. We're going anyways."
"Setting time to target, two minutes fifteen seconds," he stops for a second. "Final attack point. Maverick's inbound."
"Moonlight inbound."
They set into a steep decline. She grunts feeling the light weight invade her chest. As they level they enter the course.
She grunts again taking a sharp turn. "My tolerance for idiots is extremely low today. I used to have some immunity built up, but obviously, there is a new strain out there."
Maverick turns quickly to the right. "Are you talking about yourself or me?"
"Uh, both? I get it from..." she wheezes, "you. The stupid decision seems to be in my blood too. You know, Oaklynn says I abuse the privilege."
Maverick chuckles, "he's not wrong. How are we doing on time?"
"00:00:46 seconds ahead of schedule. Keep it up, Mav."
"We're almost out of this."
She laughs with yet another painful grunt. She breathes hard. "Good. I'll have you know I love being me. It pisses off all the right people."
"Do you plan on getting dishonorably discharged?" He asks.
"Well, as much as flying is my life I don't care too much. But my other mission... damn they'd be lost without me."
"Will you tell me about that?"
"That's classified, dear Maverick."
"Popping in three, two, one."
As they hit the incline it doesn't last long until they invert to go down the imaginary hill.
"Laser, Moonlight."
"Laser is a go. Target lock."
"Bombs away."
They quickly pull up. The momentum they take makes Finley feel as if all her organs left her body. Her brain squeezes all which ways, her heart hammering along for the ride. At nine g's she squeezes her eyes shut and reopens them. Her thumb is still on the laser.
"Positive contact!"
The two of them instantly level out seeing as they hit ten g's. They unhook their masks gasping for air.
"If this goes wrong," she starts looking over to Maverick with a beaming smile, "it's been a pleasure flying with you, Pete Mitchell."
"The same goes for you, Finley Floyd."
They laugh together as they fly back to the tarmac. Once they land they are instantly escorted to the admiral's office. Simpson is staring out the window watching as the planes lift off and leave the ground. Bates stands off to the side, as usual letting Simpson talk.
He huffs with his arms behind his back. "You both have put me in a difficult position. On the one hand, you have demonstrated that this mission can be flown. Perhaps the only way it can be survived. On the other hand, you did it by stealing a multimillion-dollar military aircraft and flying it in such a manner that it may never be airworthy again." Finley bites her lip suppressing a worthy laugh. "Iceman is no longer here to protect you. Either of you. I have everything I need to have you both court-martialed and dishonorably discharged. So what do I do? Risk the lives of my pilots and perhaps the success of this mission... or risk my career by appointing you a team leader?"
"Sir—" Maverick steps forward, baffled.
"I think the admiral's asking a rhetorical question, captain." Maverick nods at Bates' words.
Finley smiles softly at his contained excitement. "Captain Floyd." She looks up at his stern looked face. "This mission needs more than meets the eye. I offer you a decision." She swallows harshly waiting for the options. "You can remain and reserve... or you could become our fifth pilot."
"Fifth pilot, sir?"
"This fifth pilot would be at the tail. They would be extra help to maintain the safety of the rest of the pilots. They would help against the enemy SAMS."
She licks her lips trying her best not to show her happiness. "Being the fifth pilot, if that's alright, sir."
He nods. "You're both back on the team. I wish to never see behavior like that ever happen. Do you understand?" They both agree at the same time. "I look forward to who you pick for your team. You're excused."
As they leave the room Maverick offers him his fist. She snorts giving him a fist bump.
"Congratulations, Captain," she says with a grin.
"You too, Captain."
They erupt into a fit of giggles. As they walk out the front doors they spot some of the aviators. Those are Bob, Rooster, Phoenix, Fanboy, Payback, and Hangman. Maverick nudges her shoulder telling her to go to them.
The second she is a foot away Bob throws himself around her. He slaps her shoulder. She jumps back confused before remembering what she did. Oh right. "Don't do that!" He pulls her into him again squeezing the life out of her.
"Can't. Breathe."
He lets go stepping back. "Sorry," he clears his throat. "Did you seriously get benched?"
She scratches her arm. "Technically I got fired and then told I was heading back to Afghanistan to complete my mission..."
Payback laughs, "well, the sea—"
She quickly covers his mouth before he gets to say the word. She gestures to the side where Maverick is getting ready to leave. A bright smile on his face.
Phoenix punched her in the shoulder, "he doesn't know you're in the SEALs!" She hisses quietly.
"Jesus, stop hitting me! No! He doesn't. It was a secret we all wanted to keep from him."
"What does he think you've been doing the last four years?"
"Uh over watching for pilot missions?"
"Was that a question?"
She glared at Hangman. "No, it wasn't. You can't tell him. We kept it a secret for a reason. If he found out that I'm in the SEALs he would freak the fuck out. I can't handle concerned Maverick. I already handle depressed Maverick."
"Why'd you keep it from him in the first place?" Payback asks.
"The training is brutal and after the shitshow that happened with my last mission, we didn't want to worry him. SEAL training is so extreme. There is a reason not many women are in the SEALs."
Fanboy scratches his neck. "Uh, am I overstepping if I ask what happened to that guy?"
Bob and Rooster look at her concerned. Phoenix gives her the same look. "If I went through with the charges he would be in prison. No, I got him dishonorably discharged. It would have been attempted murder otherwise."
"Glad you're with us, Moony. Wait, what happened back there?"
"Oh, I got a position on this mission."
"O-oh really," Fanboy stutters, "what — uh — what position did you get?"
"Fifth pilot."
"Fifth pilot?" They all question.
She rolls her eyes. "I just managed to do the impossible in 2:15. They added a position for me. I'd be behind you guys to level out the chaos so we can all get home."
"Do you know the teams?"
She shakes her head. "Maverick was appointed team leader. We have to talk about that. You'll find out on the ship. We ship out in a day."
She pats Rooster's shoulder heading off in the direction of the car she left behind the day before. Bob runs behind, picking her up and spinning her around. "I'm so happy for you!"
"I'm so happy for me too!"
"Okay, stop!"
She laughs at him crashing her lips onto his.