Heart of Steel: B. Bradshaw

Fifteen: My Pocket

"What is that noise?"

Omahas eyebrows furrowed together in confusion as the noise got louder. Steely didn't say anything in response to the question.

"Sunshine, what is that noise?"

"Nothing." her voice came out completely muffled.

"Is there something in your mouth?"

"Why are you asking me so many questions. Focus on the task at hand," Steely shoved her hand back in her pocket.

Maverick stood in front of them droning on about what their day of training would hold.There was a slight crinkling noise coming from where Steely sat and every once in awhile people would turn their heads to look at her.

Omaha watched as she dug around in her pocket before bringing her closed fist to her mouth quickly. "Are you eating something?" Omaha leaned towards her to get a closer look.

"No."

"Steely there's literally something in your mouth right now."

"Neil, shut the fuck up," she whispered yelled at him. Maverick must have heard her because he stopped talking and fixed his stare on her. Steely twisted her full mouth into a smile which had Maverick feeling confused.

"Sunshine.... are you eating?" by now everyone had turned to look at her.

"Fuck Neil, you just couldn't leave it alone," Omaha scoffed at her words before she swallowed quickly, "Maybe."

"Why and what are you eating?" Maverick questioned.

"I got hungry and fruit snacks, sir."

The whole room bursted into quiet laughter. Maverick did his best to hold back a smile but in the end failed as Steely pulled the package out of her pocket.

"Lieutenant Kerner, am I going to have to take away your pockets?" Maverick teased her with a big smile stretched across his face.

"Please don't take away my pockets, sir." Steely sat ram rod straight genuinely worried she would get in trouble and loose her pocket privilege.

"As long as you promise to keep your crinkling to a minimum I'll allow you to keep your pockets," he shot her a wink before returning to his previous speech.

Omaha opened his mouth to say something but Steely quickly cut him off, "Fuck you."

•••• ••••

The low hum of the plane filled the quiet space as Steely put all her focus on the course in front of her. This go around Maverick wanted to try teams of four so Steely and Omaha were paired with Phoenix and Bob.

"Alright, we've been doing this for a few weeks now. Simple and easy let's get it done."

Steely followed safely behind Phoenix and Bob allowing them to lead her towards the target. All was going well when, surprise to everyone, a loud alarm broke the once quite atmosphere.

"Guys, Maverick is here," Bob explained as Maverick showed up on their radar.

"Good morning aviators! I've been going too easy on you these past few weeks. I want you to fly the course as normal but this time I won't be on your side. Good luck!"

"Here we go, Phoenix lead the way!" Steely called out to the pilot in front her.

They flew the course perfect and ended right on time which threw them straight into Mavericks trap. He was waiting for them on the other side and true to his word challenged them completely.

"Smoke in the air! smoke in the air," Omaha yelled as he watched missles cut through the air towards their plane.

"Shit!" Steely let the end of the word drag as she smashed her hand into the button that would release her flares. The nose of her plane rocketed upward doing its best to avoid taking a hit.

"He's on me Sunshine I need your help," Phoenix spoke to Steely through the comms as Maverick was hot on her tail.

"Hold him off for a little longer."

Pressure mounted on her chest as she twisted the plane in the direction of Phoenix and Bob. "Smoke in the air!" Bob yelled just as Steely locked Maverick in, he heard the noise and backed off of Phoenix and Bob.

The two teams were able to make a quick escape, flying wing to wing in order to protect eachother in case Maverick came back.

"Good work, head back to base."

Steely and Phoenix found themselves chatting in the locker room after Maverick dismissed them. Steely sat on a bench running her fingers through her long hair while Phoenix buttoned her shirt.

"We haven't hung out in so long sweets," Natasha spoke up.

"Right? we should go out tonight!" Steely sat up quickly excited about their growing plans. She missed her friend and was getting tired of spending so much time with her boys.

"Absolutely! you're a genuis."

"Flattery isn't needed you already have my heart," Steely brought her fingers to her lips and blew a quick kiss in Natasha's direction.

"You're too pretty I just can't help it," Natasha fanned herself dramatically.

The two girls continued to make plans about their night out as they left the locker room and made their way towards the exit.

"Did someone say party?"

Bradley, Neil, and Bob pulled themselves off the bench they were sitting on and joined the two girls on their walk out of the building

"No," Phoenix and Steely said at the same time. They made eye contact and laughed loudly. The three boys pleaded with girls but they were firm in their answer. Eventually they caved and invited the boys to come with them.