San Diago, California - Fightertown U.S.A (North Island) October
A soft knock sounded on Admiral Kazansky's office door. Knowing who it was, he turned in his desk chair with a small smile. His eldest daughter peeked inside, her beautiful hazel eyes glancing around the memorabilia-filled room before finding Iceman. He faced the black screen of his computer and waved her over as he typed.
'How did your call go?'
His daughter huffed out a laugh. "Good . . . I think."
What did Cyclone want?'
She raised a brow and crossed her arms. "They want me back at Top Gun. Daddy, did you do this? Pull some strings and suddenly the Navy wants me to be more than just a statistic?"
'Don't talk like that. You were taught well, they want you for your brain and skill. Remember, you're my-'
"I'm you're daughter?" The blonde interrupted, smirking at having heard him say it a thousand times.
Ice nodded. Standing from his desk, he cleared his throat and placed his hands on his oldest's shoulders. "I know what my baby girl is capable of, I wouldn't have suggested you otherwise," he croaked.
The young woman smiled, eyes shining. Iceman would never get over how much she looked like Sarah. "I love you, daddy."
She burrowed her head in his chest and the Admiral smoothed a hand over her hair. "I will always love you more, kiddo."
~~~~~
The Hard Deck wasn't as busy as Brandi thought it might be for the late afternoon. A group of aviators scattered about the place and a few couples at the bar, but as she came around a column she spotted someone she hadn't seen in a long time. His dark hair was cropped short and his pilot's jacket had seen better days. But his eyes gleamed the same as he chatted with her Aunt Penny.
Brandi cleared her face, void of all emotion, and joined Penny at the bar, leaning against the counter. "Hey, Auntie, is this man bothering you?"
The older man turned to her, about to tell her off for assuming things when he realized who she was. He shook his head, ducking towards his drink. "Brandi . . ."
