Wings of Fire: Natasha Trace

.3.

"That husband of yours," remarked Penny after Nikki and Mav had recounted the recent events to her. "He really is something else."

Mav nodded and turned to stare lovingly at said husband. "My guardian angel."

"Damn right," mumbled Ice. 

"And you, Pete, are lucky," Penny continued. 

"I am."

"To have Ice and to have Ice to bust his ass saving your career."

"Agreed."

"Damn right," Ice and Nikki said, almost in perfect sync. 

Nikki was technically on shift but it was mid-afternoon and not very busy. So she stood on the opposite side of the bar her dads were sitting on, picking fries off their plates. 

After her shift when she returned home, she found her dads deep in conversation. 

"I don't know about this job," Mav admitted. 

"Dad, if you don't do it, you'll regret it for the rest of your life - we all know you will," she told him. 

Ice was nodding.  "Pete, the navy are really resistant to this - to be frank, they don't think you have anything left to offer them. I don't agree - I know that's not true. And I know you would love to prove them wrong." He gave his husband a playful nudge. 

Now Mav was nodding. "Okay, I'll do it."

Ice grinned. "That's my man." And patted him on the arm. "You go out there and show them the Maverick we all know."

"And love."

"Yes, and love. I'll call Admiral Simpson now and let him now you're on board."

Now Nikki gave her dad a nudge. "Cheers, Dad. It's official: you're going back to Top Gun!"

-------------------------------------------

The top one percent pilots had arrived, regardless of who their instructor was or not. The Hard Deck was full of them, a sea of uniforms. 

"Do you think they have any idea who their instructor is?" asked Penny.

"I don't think they have a clue," Nikki answered, wearing a mischievous grin.

"Oh, incoming!" Penny announced.

Nikki turned to see a familiar tall, moustached blond stride into the bar.  "Bradshaw!"

"Hey Penny, hey Nikki." Bradley joined them with a grin. 

"I thought this was a top one percent deal. What are you doing here?"

"Very funny Nikki. Come here." He wrapped her up in a hug.  "Good to see you."

"You too. Congrats on making the cut, it's only fair."

"Thanks. You working tonight?"

"Nope, the boss says I'm free to mingle with you folks." Penny, the boss, nodded. 

"All right - well then in that case what'da say we go seek out the competition?"

"Hell yeah!"

They were swallowed up by the crowd as they made their way to the pool table where the biggest group of pilots were gathered. 

"Bradshaw!" a strong voice called out, belonging to one of the few female pilots, her dark hair twisted into a neat bun on the back of her head.  Her name badge said 'Trace'.