You and Me, Kid

○ Chapter 06 ○

"How are we looking back there, Bob?" Natasha called back to her RIO as she watched her captain swerve around, quickly getting a missile lock and shooting down one of the bogeys, reporting it to everyone.

"We've got one on our tail," he replied. Natasha nodded, manoeuvring around.

"Hey, Phoenix, I've got an idea," Pete's staticky voice said over the comns. "If I intercept them and get them on my tail, I'll hit the brakes and they'll fly right past me. I'll be able to get a missile lock on them that way."

"Roger that," Natasha replied, watching as the pilot maneuvered to behind her, the bogey now following him instead of her. Speeding away from the two, Natasha couldn't help but watch as Pete did exactly what he said; hit the brakes and the bogey flew right past him, allowing the pilot to get a missile lock and shoot, destroying the plane. "Smart thinking."

"I've done it a couple times before, back when I had Iceman and Slider as wingmen." Pete explained quickly. "A tactic we used to pull on each other during training."

"I see," Natasha nodded before flying over to Mickey and Reuben who seemed to be struggling slightly, the captain heading over to Jake. "You've got one on your tail, Payback. I'm in range, just hold still." After hearing confirmation from Reuben, Natasha was able to get a missile lock on the bogey, shooting it down quickly. "One down."

"Make that two," Jake chimed in, grin clear in his voice.

"Alright, that's all of them. Head back to the carrier, I'm just gonna do a quick check." Pete ordered them.

"Yes, sir," they all replied, grinning when they heard the exasperated sigh of their captain.

"You know I hate that," he chuckled before he cut off his mic, now out of range. Landing was simple, though Natasha did grunt when she was jolted slightly. Once the jet had stopped, she cracked open the canopy and stepped out, grinning at her RIO, and heading to get showered before going to report to the commanders with the others.

It was only when everyone stepped into the commander's office that Natasha realised that Pete wasn't back just yet. "Where's Maverick?" She whispered to Jake who shrugged, concern swimming in his green eyes as he stood to attention.

The admiral's eyes looked over them as he paced up and down before stopping. "Where is Maverick?"

"He said he was doing a quick check of the perimeter, sir." Bob replied, jaw set. The admiral hummed before gesturing them to report their findings. "All bogeys taken care of, sir. Skies are now clear."

"Good, you're all dismissed. Why don't you go find your captain? You're all due to leave tomorrow." Saluting, the group of five departed from the room and headed to the landing deck, searching for their captain.

"He said he would be quick," Mickey pointed out, eyes searching before they eventually landed on a shaky jet approaching. "There!" He exclaimed, pointing at the jet as it came into land, the canopy opening to reveal a rather pale looking Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The group rushed towards him, noticing his breathing was slightly heavier than usual and he was shaking, badly. "What the hell happened?"

"Bogeys," he panted, gulping slightly. "A lot of them." Sharing a look, they were quick to guide their captain over to somewhere he could sit, handing him a bottle of water which he graciously accepted, gulping it down. "More came in from the left side of the carrier which is why I took a while. My comns weren't working so I couldn't call it in."

"At least you aren't injured," Jake pointed out, the brunette nodding in agreement. "The admiral said we're due to leave tomorrow so he's given us the rest of the afternoon off." Again Pete nodded, throat too dry to say anything. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder. Was this what Bradley felt like?