Back To You | B. Bradshaw

06.00

"Hey, Chief."

Poppy hears someone says as they shake to wake her up. Wincing and groaning, she lets out a slight stretch before opening her eyes. She sees Butters standing above her.

"Butters?" She chokes out in a hoarse voice.

"Geez. Chief, did you spend a night here?" Butter said before leaning towards her and sniffing. Scrunching their nose in disgust, they lean back.

"Yeah, don't answer that. C'mon, let's get you out." They said before popping out their hand for Poppy.

"Thanks, Butter." She said before grabbing her hand. Letting out a strained groan, she felt her muscles tense and then relax as she got out of the cockpit.

"Oh, Chief." Butter said, looking at her with pity.

"You look like shit." Another voice chimes in, both turning to see Grease, a technician.

"Thanks, Grease."  He throws a thumbs up at them before disappearing behind a jet.

Poppy turns to see Butter holding a clean rag. She looks down at her hand in confusion.

"Wipe your face. It looks like someone broke your heart." They jokingly said, letting out a small laugh, then going silent, realizing Poppy wasn't laughing with them.

"Oh, Poppy..."

"No, No, I'm okay, Butters." Poppy said before giving her a small smile. They are partly right about what happened. Wiping down her face with the clean rag. She sticks it in her pocket before letting out a slight stretch.

"Okay, let me get some coffee, and we can start adjusting and realigning the framework of this F-19."

"Yeah, No, that's not happening."

"What?"

"You missy, Is going home."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are,"

"I am not going home."

Butter gives a look that says 'bullshit.'

"Honey, you look like crap, and now knowing why you look like crap. You go home, shower, get some sleep and eat ice cream. We can survive a day without you."

"But."

"They'll be using the F-18s, Poppy. We can handle it." Butter said, placing their hands on her shoulders, assuring her.

"Okay, fine. But call me immediately if something happens. Okay."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"You call me," Poppy said firmly, and they nodded in response.

"Not the Admirals, Me. You call me."

"Yes, Chief Engineer Poppy Mitchel. I will call you." Butter said, giving her a small salute before shooing her away.

Poppy laughs at their antics, heading out to get ready.

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After freshening up, Poppy decides to crash at the beach near Hard Deck. Sitting on the sand, she nurses her cold beer in her hands. She takes a small sip and watches a small family play by the water. She smiles at them as old memories come back to her.

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Poppy was 6, and Bradley was 9 at that time. It was a couple of days after her dad arrived from his deployment. They decided to celebrate his safe arrival at the beach. Bradley's mom, Carole, was sitting on the beach chair, watching the two kids play by the water.