Come Back To Me // Top Gun: Maverick

[Pheonix] 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! It's going to be alright!"

Dad held onto my hand and gently hugged me and eventually I was able to calm down my breathing. I close my eyes finally calming down. I open my eyes and try to sit up so dad helps 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 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."

Grounded... I can't believe I was actually grounded. The nurse exits the room and Admiral Bates walks into the room looking at the two 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. I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. I just saw him and now he's gone. I can't believe that Uncle Ice was gone. 

"I will... I will be there..." I say nodding my head and giving dad's hand a slight squeeze.

"Admiral, Captain. Visiting hours are over." The nurse tells us.

Admiral gives me a slight nod and exits the room. Dad then stands up and places a kiss on my forehead.

"I'll bring you your uniform for tomorrow and a spare change of clothes."

I give him a smile with a nod and watch him leave. I carefully lie back down in bed and I couldn't help but feel weak. My ex, James, was verbally abusive and manipulative. He used to tell me that girls shouldn't be in the navy. Said that they are too emotional and weak. Part of me can't help but think that maybe he was right...

🗲 🗲 🗲