An Old Love Story ~ Bob Floyd

**Chapter Three**

**Chapter Three ~ Dancing in the Moonlight**

After a few hours of talking and enjoying themselves, the pilots start to disperse. Katelyn and Bob are the last aviators in the bar.

"Hey Pen. I'll pay my tab now." Katelyn says to the bartender. Penny shakes her head.

"No need, darling. It's already been covered." She says, her eyes moving towards the man sitting next to her.

"Bob..." Katelyn says quietly, turning towards him. He just smiles and moves his finger to his mouth, hushing her.

"Come on. I'll walk you home." He chuckles, standing up with a hand held out for her.

She shakes her head and smiles, taking his hand and standing up with him. The two of them walk out of the bar together. Just like the night before.

*~*

They walk along the beach again, both living along the seafront.

"Lyra's still here." Bob says quietly, almost whispering. He stops in his tracks, looking at the sky.

Katelyn looks back at him, debating joining him. She walks over to him, looking at the constellation aswell.

For a moment, everything goes silent. They feel like it's only them in the world.

Without realising it, Katelyn is gently pulled to the ground and back to reality.

Laying on the sand, the pair unconsciously find themselves hand in hand, watching the stars. For once, there's peace. Away from all the commotion of the hard deck. The chaos of Top Gun and the other aviators.

Just them. Together. Quiet.

It doesn't take long for then to realise what they're doing. They swiftly remove their hands from being entwined and sit up.

Bob places his hand on the back of his neck and smiles awkwardly. Katelyn on the other hand, doesn't immediately return her mask. She looks into his eyes, hers glimmering with a silver shine from the moon. A shine that has been missing.

She feels herself falling for the shy WSO in front of her.

Bob clears his throat, bringing her back to her senses.
"Should we... head back?"

Katelyn nods, breaking eye contact and standing up, holding a hand for him.

The two of them continue on their path.

Until... music?

A soft melody plays from a nearby cafe. It's late, but not late enough for all establishments to be closed.

Katelyn chuckles as she recognises the song.

"The Righteous Brothers?" Bob questions. Katelyn nods, humming along to the tune of 'You've lost that loving feeling.'

"Shall we?" Bob asks, chuckling as he holds out a hand to her.

She rolls her eyes and smiles, taking his hand. He pulls her to his chest, one hand on her back, the other in her hand.