"I'm sorry about that" Nicky asked wanting to calm the discussion. Then turned around and slapped Bradley on the arm "You're another one who never behaves!"

"Navy" Nicky turned around with a raised eyebrow when she heard a grunt coming from Damiana "That's so typical of you"

Typical of US? Nicky wondered impressed by the hypocrisy.

"What it is?" Bradley grunted. Clearly offended too.

She didn't answer. Just stomped her feet and past them abruptly. Impressed by the sullen blonde's attitude, Nicky made a grimace.

"You say it like you weren't one of us" hissed, shaking her head.

"What are you talking about?" Bradley asked completely lost. As always the brunette next to him seemed to know more than he did.

"Nothing" she disagreed, not wanting to spoil the evening.

Let him find out on his own She mentally shrugged her shoulders before remembering something. Like the previous one, he didn't expect the popping slap he got on the forehead.

Nicky was no longer intimidated when he looked at her seriously. And knew that he already had a curse directed at her on the tip of his tongue. Not wanting to argue further, spoke before him.

"Next time, don't act like an idiot" She said irritated "Even if it's not your fault, apologize"

"Fine" He grunted, already in mind that it was useless to debate with her "but it was her fault"

Nicky took a deep breath starting to lose patience with his childish attitude.

"Bradshaw" someone called him before she decided whether to hit him again or not "Is that you?"

Wasting no time, Nicky pulled him by his shirt toward the pool table.

"Is that the only way I know you're back?" Natasha asked annoyed

"I thought about making a surprise" he replied shrugging

Nicky sat in the chair Bob had previously occupied, already feeling drained early in the night. She picked up her drink from the table taking a generous swig. She looked over the top of her glass seeing Phoenix hit it on purpose the base of the cue on the lowest part of Bradley's belly. Lower than that was going to be dangerous for him.

"Did you like my surprise?" she asked with the fakest innocent look ever seen.

"Well done" Nicky grumbled hiding her smile in her glass.

"Good to see you" he groaned, hoping the pain would lessen a little.

"Good to see you too"

Missing an annoying blonde, Nicky looked around seeing him change the song before walking back to them. Hands clenched into fists and frowning.

Bob who was hunched over the table and was finally going to take his first shot of the night had his bat snatched from his hands. He looked up in disbelief at Jake's act.

"Bradshaw" Jake exclaimed. Feigned disbelief. "I don't believe it"

"Hangman" Bradley replied despondently "You look great"

"Yeah. I am great, Rooster" he nodded, positioning himself and aiming. This time a flawless play or Nicky's hand to get in the way "Really great. Actually, I'm too great to be true"

"Modesty sends its regards, Jake" Nicky hissed having a wink in response.

Phoenix just like her, couldn't contain the eye roll.

"Well, does anyone know what the special detachment is for?" Payback asked

"Mission is mission" Jake decreed "The reason doesn't matter. What I want to know is who is going to be the leader. AND which one of you has what it takes to follow me"

"Hangman, you just lead someone to the grave" Bradley said.

Nicky took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. She didn't want to stop one more argument tonight. She wanted to save energy for other problems that would start tomorrow. Giggles cut the second of silence between them. Their rivalry was nothing new to anyone who knew the duo. For some it was a nuisance and a waste of time. For others it was fun. For Swan, it was a migraine.

Jake being who he was and with the jealousy he was feeling, he wouldn't keep his mouth shut. His famous wry, cynical smile crept across his lip. So Nicky knew he was going to say something to make it worse.

"Yeah, but whoever follows you will run out of fuel" provoked by stopping in front of Bradley "But it's your style, isn't it, Rooster?  You stand there, perched, waiting for that exact moment that never comes" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nicky make a move to get up with a tired face. For her sake, decided to change the subject still with a smile on his face "I love this song" he said keeping eye contact.

"Just kiss already will ya?" Nicky asked, losing more patience.

"I'd rather kiss you, ballerina" Hangman snapped glaring at her before marching off in the opposite direction of the bar.

Nicky followed his every step. Part of her wanting to go after him.

To say what?  she asked herself crestfallen.

"Yeah, he hasn't changed a bit" Phoenix sighed.

"Not really" Rooster agreed "Not at all."

Not knowing how to get around the awkward atmosphere, the pilots watched the bar door open repeatedly and more people in the same uniform as they enter.

"Check it out" Fanboy called "More badges1"

"Harvard. Yale. Omaha" Payback acknowledged "Damn, even Fritz"

"What kind of mission is this?" Fanboy exclaimed without understanding.

"That's not the question you should ask" Phoenix denied "Everyone here is the best. So who is going to teach us?"

"There's always something new to learn" Nicky commented, already having the answer to one of the questions "Even if you're the best"

Bradley patted her knee twice before pulling her to her feet and taking her over to something they loved. Her eyes widened as she watched him forcefully pull the cord out of the socket, cutting off the music Jake had put on.

Screams of dismay and protest filled the place. Nicky ignored them and leaned on Bradley's shoulders watching his deft fingers play the piano notes. They always played when they wanted to forget about problems or when they just wanted to spend time together.

The famous bell was played once more snapping Nicky out of her memories. Turning around, she saw that Pete Mitchell was in trouble.

"Cut it out!" an unknown voice shouted. Being accompanied by many others "Cut it out! Cut out!"

From behind Maverick, Hangman and Coyote approached and looped their arms through the captain's. With Penny's signal and Payback holding his legs, he was picked up and carried out of the bar.

When Bradley turned around, Maverick was already out of sight. Which made Nicky relieved.

All was forgotten when a familiar song came out of the piano. Looking at each other in complicity, Rooster and Swan began to sing the song they knew by heart.

You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will, but what a thrill

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire

The entire bar sang the chorus along with the duo. The air being more lively and relaxed. Outside, Maverick watched the scene with teary eyes. How many times had he sung this song with Goose by his side at the piano. It had been years since he'd lost him. But not a day went by that he didn't weigh heavily on his friend. And since Bradley had grown up to be his father's copy, sometimes it helped with the homesickness. But sometimes it seemed to hurt more.

Without meaning to, Nicky looked out the window seeing the captain's sadness. Taking advantage of the fact that Rooster was busy and probably wouldn't notice, she walked determinedly to the exit.

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"Uncle Pete?" She called coming up behind him "Is everything ok?"

"Nicky? Hi" he ran his hands over his face trying to hide that he was crying "You look beautiful"

"Thanks" She smiled a little "I'll ask again. Is everything ok?"

He sighed, averting his eyes to the floor.  Nicky walked up beside him and saw Bradley still playing the song.

"You miss him, don't you?"

"A lot' replied in low voice "I will be your instructor at Top Gun"

"I imagined" She laughed seeing his confused expression  "And I also imagine that Supernova will fly with us. And that's Ice's stuff"

"You were always the smartest in the family" He smiled with a gleam of pride on his face.

"I know" shrugged, leaning against the wall "Who did you piss off this time?."

"Do you really want to know?" She thought for a while before denying it "Did you tell Bradley?"

"No. He's still mad at you"

"I know"

He put his hands in his jacket pockets looking guilty. Inside the bar the music stopped and they started shouting the callsign Rooster. They looked inside watching him dance in a funny way. Showing off and obviously loving the attention.

"I better go back inside. You know how he gets when he loses sight of me without my warning"

He opens his arms awkwardly. Nicky didn't hesitate and hugged him tight around the neck. He was the only father figure she had in her life. And being away from him hurt.

"I missed you"

"Me too" She walked away from him already missing the comfort "See you tomorrow Uncle Pete"

When Maverick got out of sight on his bike, Nicky went back inside and nearly bumped into Jake. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"What were you doing out there?"

"Nothing you need to know" She smiled innocently as if her response hadn't been rude.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed putting his hand on his chest "I was just trying to start a conversation"

"No. You were trying to be nosy"

"Are we really going to be like this with each other?" Hangman came closer looking deep into her eyes.

"You don't give me much choice, jake" Swan replied swallowing hard. The scent of his perfume awakening some memories.

"Is he bothering you?" The two looked to the side seeing Bradley walking towards them.

"No" Nicky put her hand on his arm preventing him from advancing further "We're just talking"

"Hmm" he looked suspiciously in Jake's direction. Wondering if it was true or not "Okay. Ready to go?"

"I was waiting for you" She smiled pushing him towards the door "Start the car"

Bradley shifted his gaze between them wondering if it was a good idea to leave her alone with Hangman. He shrugged and did as she asked.

"I missed you" Jake said analyzing Nicky's reaction.

She looked at the blonde in front of her. Trying to see any sign of sarcasm or lying. When she didn't find it, she placed her hand on his cheek pulling him to her. Standing on her tiptoe, she planted a lingering kiss on his cheek. Almost to the corner of his mouth.

"I missed you too" She admitted against his skin "I missed the Jake you hide. Not the one you show everyone"

Without giving the chance for another word to be said, Nicky turned and left.

Later that night when they were already in their beds, the two looked at the ceiling thinking about each other. Wishing a real kiss had happened on The Hard Deck.

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See you next Saturday. 13.08.22
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