Top Gun: Rooster One Shots

Lock & Key: Part Eight - B.B.

WARNINGS: slight smut, angst.

"Honey, just so you know before you get a surprise in training today...I'm grounded. Permanently."

Your Dad had told you that this morning. You were not happy about it. You tried to give your Dad some 'fuck them' advice but he didn't seem 100% on the same page.

You had a few days on bed rest, recovering as best as you could. You attended Iceman's funeral with your Dad, all dressed in uniform and having to keep as professional as possible which you and your Dad both agreed hurt like hell. You saw Rooster and the rest of the gang at the funeral, giving him a weak smile. He furrowed his brows, as if to non-verbally ask if you were okay.

You only nodded to them all when you walked past them, and they all nodded back sympathetically. Your eyes lingered longer on Rooster and he didn't break eye contact with you until you had to turn to the front.

And now, it was your first day back in training with only a few days to go till the mission. You didn't want to listen to Rooster. You had to fly with the rest of the team. It was a must. You weren't going to miss out on the opportunity of a life time.

You walked into the classroom, looking at the team around you all chatting before class started. Your eyes fell to Rooster first, who straightened his posture when you walked in, and then you saw Phoenix who was running up to you and embracing you before you could say hello.

"Locket, nice to have you back." Fanboy said.

You hugged Phoenix, ignoring the groans in your spine when your arms moved around her.

"Thanks, Fanboy." You smiled, looking around the room at everyone.

Phoenix pulled away and you walked with her, claiming the empty desk behind her, second to the front. You leaned against it and looked up, noticing how Rooster was in front of you. His desk was opposite yours. Typical.

He had his arms crossed and a slight smile on his lips. You hadn't seen him since the day in your hospital room. You wanted to tell him about your Dad being grounded but you were sworn to secrecy about things like this, so you had to keep quiet.

"Attention."

You all stood at attention at the sides of your desks and stared forward as Admiral Simpson walked down the aisle. You chewed your lip nervously and accidentally caught eye contact with Rooster. He did that same concerned look that he always did, immediately knowing that something was wrong. You subtly shook your head as if to say, 'it's fine'. He knew you were lying.

"At ease." Simpson ordered.

You all sat in your seats. You sat in the aisle seat and Rooster sat in his aisle seat - a tell-tale sign that something was about to go down. You were both on edge.

"Good morning, all. There has been a change in your training. Captain Mitchell will no longer be teaching you; I will."

You clenched your jaw and curled your hands into fists, and you could feel Rooster's - and everyone else's - eyes on you. You just kept looking forward. Simpson looked at you then looked away quickly, as if he was scared of you.

"You will be attacking the target from a higher altitude, level with the North wall. It's gonna be a little harder to keep your laser on target but you will avoid the high-G climb out."

Everyone was looking around at each other in confusion, and you could still feel Rooster's eyes burning into the side of your head.

"We'll be sitting ducks for enemy missiles." You heard Payback mutter behind you.