Always Interrupted | Bradley Bradshaw

Chapter 6

Free-bird stormed down the hallway into a conference room, still high on the adrenaline and pure rage that was flowing through her veins. As she entered the room, she yelled and kicked a chair then paced back and forth. Eventually, she leaned her forearms against the wall and hung her head. After she caught her breath, she stood up and examined her hand. As she looked at the forming bruises she thought three things.

1. That was really stupid.

2. I don't think I hit him hard enough to break my hand.

3. Damn, that felt good.

Free-bird groaned and sat down. She shouldn't have hit him; what if she gets kicked off the mission? She knew Maverick wouldn't say anything but she didn't put it past Hangman to go straight to Admiral Kazansky about the whole ordeal. She knew Iceman liked her, they were close family friends in fact, but he would have to do something about it if a formal report was made. Her head snapped up as she heard someone enter the room. In the doorway was Phoenix holding an ice pack and first aid kit.

"Hey," Phoenix said softly as she closed the door behind her.

"I'm fine. I calmed down," Free-bird watched as Phoenix sat next to her. The girls turned their chairs to face each other and Free-bird held out her bruised hand.

"I brought band-aids in case you split a knuckle," Natasha said as she examined Anne's hand. "Looks like you're just bruised though." She grabbed the ice pack and placed it on Anne's knuckles, Anne slightly drew back from the shock of the cold.

"I shouldn't have done that," Anne whispered as she hung her head.

"I don't think anyone blames you. All Hangman's done is poke at you this entire mission. Everyone has a breaking point... Plus, I think everyone in that room wants to punch him." Anne smiled at her friend.

"What if he reports me? I know Maverick won't but I wouldn't put it past Hangman."

"Oh please. You think Hangman is going to tell someone he got punched by a woman? That misogynistic asshole isn't going to admit that, even on his deathbed." The girls chuckled, then they heard the door open. It was Bradley. He looked concerned almost mad at first, but once the door closed all the way, his face broke into a smile. He quickly pulled a chair next to Phoenix and sat down.

"Are you okay?" he asked picking up her hand and taking the ice pack off to examine it. "Wow, I'm surprised you didn't split a knuckle you should see the bruise Hangman has right now." Bradley set her hand back down.

"Is it bad?" Anne asked with a smile on her face. Bradley drew a circle on his lower jaw bone on the left side of his face. "His entire lower jaw? I don't even think I hit him that hard..." The three talked for a little while longer before there was a knock at the door. They all turned expecting to see Bob, Fanboy, or Payback. But when the door opened fully, Maverick was standing on the other side.

"Hey uh, could I talk to Free-bird for a second?" He said to Bradley and Natasha. Bradley turned back to Anne with a scowl on his face then got up and brushed past Maverick.

"Yes, sir." Natasha said as she got up to leave. Maverick closed the door and turned to Free-bird. She had her elbows on her knees and her head down, waiting for the lecture to start. Maverick sat in the chair that Natasha had just been in and put a hand on her knee.

"How are you feeling? Is you hand okay?" Free-Bird looked up at Maverick, slightly confused. Why wasn't he yelling?

"Y-Yea I'm good, I've calmed down. My hand is bruised but nothing is split or broken."

"Good, good." There was a beat of silence before Maverick let out a breath and smirked.

"What?" Free-Bird asked with a nervous chuckle.