Lt. Taylor (Swift) Grace has known Bradley (Rooster) Bradshaw since they were just two years old. They had done everything together since, she even moved herself back four years when Rooster's papers were pulled out of nowhere in the academy. But, w...
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We loaded up into the hangar the next day, we still had two days at sea before we arrived in the right location to take off from. There were no mandatory meetings over the course of the two days, giving Bradley and I plenty of time by ourselves. Since only twelve of us were going on the special detachment assignment, we were sent in a nicer hangar with small rooms for each of us. Bradley never used his though, he insisted on staying with me until the moment he had to get in that jet. The two of us spent most of the forty eight hours talking anywhere we could, sitting standing cuddled up in bed. We kissed a lot too, knowing that every time we did this mission ran the risk of it being the last one we ever received from the other. Finally, the day came. The day I might lose Rooster forever. I knew I would cry eventually, but it probably wouldn't be until later, and whether Bradley would be there to comfort me or not I was still unsure of.
We walked in silence to the deck, hand in hand, knowing that, when the time was right, we would say all that needed to be said before one of us marched right into a death mission. I hugged Bradley tightly, not caring who saw, until Maverick and the admirals showed up asking us to stand at attention.
"It has been an honor flying with you all," Maverick starts, looking over us all "Each of you represents the best of the best, and this is a very specific mission. My choices are a reflection of that and nothing more."
"Choose your two foxtrot teams." Admiral Bates states firmly.
"Payback and Fanboy. Phoenix and Bob." Maverick says.
"your wingman." Bates continues.
"Rooster." Mav states, his voice radiating with his confidence in the decision.
"And your backup?"
"Swift." he says looking to me with a slight smile and a subtle nod.
We are then ordered to gear up, and the rest of the aviators are dismissed. This is when the emotions sink in of what all this mission is risking. Tears start to well up in my eyes, but I push them down. I couldn't get emotional, not now. I walk over to Bradley in his F-18 just as he has sat down in the pilot seat. I climb up the ladder so we are eye level.
"Please," I say, my throat already becoming sore from holding back tears "come back, for me. I love you more than anyone else ever could, bubba. I don't know what I would do without you."
"I love you too, sunshine. God, more than you love me. I'm coming back for you, I promise." he says leaning in. Our lips collide and we kiss like the world is ending, as if the moment our lips part we will disappear forever. "Don't worry every ass I'll kick will be for you, princess." he says, making me laugh lightly. "I love you," Bradley says finally pecking my lips one last time.
"I love you more," and with that I climb down the ladder, walking to the other side of the runway.
I went to the technology room knowing I would not be needed until the first bomb was dropped. I listened quietly, standing next to Hangman and Coyote as my leg bounced. I watched as the four F-18's went into the air and descended below the enemy's radar. After a while, the crew notices that Rooster isn't going fast enough to make it in the time limit. All of a sudden he whispers something to himself that only Maverick and I could ever truly understand the weight of. Barely audible to the comms, I hear Bradley quietly whisper to himself 'talk to me dad' before speeding up several knots. A single tear rolled down my cheek, my heart breaking for him. I wipe away the tear quickly, but not before Jake notices.
"Hey," he whispers to me, sincerity I had never heard from him laced in his voice. "He's tough, everything will be okay," he finishes, pulling me into a hug. I hugged back mumbling a quick 'thank you' and even though it wasn't as nice as Bradley's, it was a comfort I very much needed and deeply appreciated.
I listened as the mission went on, becoming a little worried at some points but overall handling the stress better than I had imagined I would. After the second bomb was dropped, I held my breath. Dogfighting, the groups highest chance of going down. It seems to be going well until I hear Bradley yell about a fifth generation with the target on him. Maverick yells something I can't quite make out, then suddenly, all goes quiet.
"Dagger one down!! Dagger one down!!" I hear Phoenix yell. It was Maverick, he had sacrificed his life for Bradley's.
"I'm going back!" Bradley yells.
"No you can't! It's too late, Rooster."
"I have to!" he says turning back anyways.
This was it. It was the moment I had feared for weeks. I let out a pain filled sob, sinking on to the floor as I hear the three words that ripped my world apart.
