Taking Flight

CHAPTER TWO

"I'm melting," Ava complained, squinting up at the sky.

Three days had passed since she agreed to go on the mission. Now, Cyclone was required to head back to TOPGUN, and they got her on the same flight as him.

"You just came from Greece. I'm pretty sure there was some sunlight there, too," Cyclone pointed out as they walked to the car. "And did you really have to bring the dog?"

They both eyed the pitch-black Belgian Malinois that walked between them. Rex had been Ava's dog for the past three years. He was her canine best friend and protector. "Of course," Ava replied, beaming at Cyclone. "Plus, I live in Washington most of the time, so it's mostly cloudy. I'm not used to all this brightness."

Cyclone simply shook his head as they finally reached the black SUV that was provided for them. While Cyclone dumped his bags in the trunk, Ava let Rex climb into the backseat. "You brought the dog, but you didn't pack anything for yourself," Cyclone commented as he strapped into the driver's seat.

"The office will send stuff for me," Ava reassured him, also putting on her seatbelt as she settled into the passenger's side. "I'll be sure to pick out some clothes, too. I need to buy sunblock, anyway. Lots and lots of sunblock."

"Welcome back to San Diego, kid," Cyclone said as he pulled out of the parking lot. "The sun is almost always shining."

"Has it always been this hot here?" Ava mused out loud, giving Cyclone a curious look. She hadn't been to California in years. All she could remember was training with Izzy and the other recruits. She didn't even recall much about the city. All her time was spent back at the Naval Air Base Miramar.

Cyclone momentarily glanced at her before turning back to the road, his eyebrows raised. "Yes, it's always been like this here. And I think your discomfort also has something to do with what you're wearing."

Ava looked down at her clothes. She was dressed head to toe in black. Black blazer, black slacks and black high heels. She wore a black bustier top underneath the blazer. In fact, she and Rex almost matched, all she was missing was some fur. "This is how I dress for work. I don't have anything else, and I wasn't expecting to be shipped off to San Diego or any other mission so soon," she pointed out.

"Well, you have enough time today to get settled in and buy the things you need," Cyclone informed her. "Do you need to borrow a car?"

At that, Ava gave a sly smile that Cyclone couldn't really see. But she was looking forward to getting to the base and seeing what her agency sent for her. "No. I should be good," she reassured Cyclone who, for now, was also her handler.

The school was still definitely the same as she remembered.

The US Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known to its students as TOPGUN, was a program created to teach fighter and strike tactics to naval aviators and flight officers. It produced some of the best pilots the Navy ever saw. Once upon a time, Ava was given the chance to train there in order to learn how to fly different aircrafts.

She felt like she was back in those years, walking through the doors for the first time. The TOPGUN logo was emblazoned on the floor, making Ava pause to stare at it.

"I am getting a strong sense of déjà vu," she admitted, glancing up at Cyclone. In honesty, her stomach was also churning with worry.

"At least you're not drooling on my floors," Cyclone teased with a smirk, recalling the first time Ava had seen an F-18. She stood in awe of the aircraft, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

Ava rolled her eyes at the reminder. "Ha-ha," she grumbled as they both moved on and continued towards the living quarters. "I didn't know you could make jokes now, Cyclone. That's cute."