Tailspin: A Top Gun Love Story - Pete "Maverick" Mitchell

Chapter 16

"What's this about, Maverick?" Tom calls, stepping out of his car. He slams the door to his Buick and jogs over to Maverick and Goose who are standing outside the air station. "Is she okay?"

Goose looks at Maverick pointedly. "Go ahead, Mav," he says. "Tell him."

"Tell me what?" Tom glances worriedly between Goose and Maverick. "What happened?"

"Well, Ice," Maverick says. "Amelia is on her way to LAX. In fact, she's already landed."

Tom furrows his eyebrows. "What's in LA?"

"An airport," Goose says.

Tom narrows his eyes at him and grimaces. "Can you just tell me what the hell is going on?" he rounds on Maverick. He starts snapping his jaw aggressively.

"Her layover is in LA. And we don't know where she's headed next," Maverick elaborates.

Tom freezes mid-chomp. "How do we know this?"

"The intel is solid," Goose confirms. "It comes straight from my wife."

"Okay, why the hell are you still here then?" Tom asks in outrage. "And why am I here?"

"We're here," Maverick says. "Because the planes are here."

Tom blinks at him. "Excuse me?"

Goose starts to fretfully rub his forehead. "Just wait," he says.

Maverick throws Goose a reproachful look. "I'm going to LAX," he says.

Tom stares at him. "Don't say it." He shakes his head.

"And I'm taking Ghost Rider," Maverick finishes.

Tom continues gaping at him. "Are you insane?" he hisses.

"He is, in fact, yes," Goose confirms.

Tom ignores Goose. "Maverick, you will be discharged! You could be thrown in prison! Hell, your plane could be shot down for entering controlled airspace!"

Goose nods in agreement without saying anything.

Maverick sighs. "That's where you come in," he says.

Tom shakes his head again. "No, no, it's not. I refuse."

"Ice, I need to get to her before she takes off," Maverick says. "She'll be on the ground for at least an hour and a half between flights." He looks down at his watch. "It's been about an hour, so" –

"So, you were at an airport," Tom interrupts him. "Why didn't you just buy a ticket?"

"I would've been waiting five hours for the next flight out," Maverick replies vehemently. "I could make it to LA in a jet in two and half minutes." Maverick's face looms closer to Tom's as his tone grows more heated.

Tom gives him a withering look. "On what planet?"

"Let's aim for five minutes, Mav," Goose says gingerly. "Just to be safe."

"You are on board with this?" Tom exclaims at Goose.

Goose cringes. "He's not exactly asking for permission," Goose says.

"Look," Maverick says. "All you have to do is distract tower. Goose will help me with the prelaunch checks."

"You are out of your mind," Tom says.

"Ice, she's leaving. We don't have time for this!" Maverick says impatiently in a low voice, looking around to make sure no one is listening.

"Even if this weren't extremely dangerous and illegal, why would I help you?" Tom growls.