Come Back To Me // Top Gun: Maverick

[Hangman] Grounded

Opening my eyes, I find myself in a bright white room. I didn't recognise it. I was tangled in all these chords. Looking around I finally realised that I was in the infirmary. I look to my right and see dad sitting there on his phone. 

"Dad..." It was no more than a whisper. 

It kind of hurt to breathe. I tried to but it just hurt. The more I tried the more I felt panic which lead to trying to breathe fast and it was just a cycle of pain. The monitor I was connected to started beating rapidly which ended up only making me panic more. I could feel dad grab a hold of my hand and I look at him tears fell down my face and everything started to go blurry. 

"Hayley! Hayley!"

I could hear Jake calling my name and I look to my left and see Jake pushing past nurses and running to me. 

"Lieutenant! Please wait outside!"

I look over at dad shaking my head hoping he understood I wanted him here.

"Wait! Let him stay!" Dad yells standing up.

The nurses let him through and he sits down next to my bed holding my hand with one hand and the other placed on my cheek wiping away the tears. I was eventually able to calm down my breathing and I leaned into his hand closing my eyes. I feel him place a kiss on the hand he was holding. I open my eyes and try to sit up. Dad and Jake both help me sit up properly. A nurse comes in with a clipboard and gives me a small smile. 

"I wish I had better news. When your aircraft came down, you had an issue with your ejection. Do you remember that?" The nurse asks me which I reply with a nod. "You ended up way too close to the ground and when you did eject... um... you ended up with fractures in your rib cage. You will not be able to fly until you are completely healed plus another 2 months. Orders from Admiral Bates and Simpson. You two can stay in here for 10 minutes but then will have to leave. We will keep Miss Mitchell overnight and then she can be released tomorrow."

Before the nurse could leave I try and catch her attention and pull on Jake's hand hoping I can have him here with me. If he wants to be. 

"Please... please..." I softly ask.

The nurse looks over at dad and then toward the door where Admiral Bates stood. He gave a light nod and the nurse turned to face Jake. 

"If Mr. Seresin wants to stay he can."      

"I would. Thank you." He says nodding at Bates. 

Admiral Bates walks into the room looking at the three of us. 

"I must inform you that unfortunately, Iceman has passed. We will be having a service for him tomorrow. If you feel up to it Lieutenant Commander, the family would love to have you there. Though, they do know about your accident and understand if you don't feel up to it."

I look over at dad and see him looking down upset. Ice had been there for dad for so long and he was like an uncle to me. He was Uncle Ice. Unstoppable. Or so I thought so...