"Neil!" Halo screamed, bolting up. Her eyes were wide with panic. Where was she? Nothing looked familiar. "No, Neil! Please!" she screamed, tugging at the IV in her arm. She flinched when someone grabbed her arms and gently laid her back. She wanted Neil. She wanted her pilot. 

"I know," Halo recognized Maverick's voice. Did she say that out loud? "I know you miss him, Callie. I know exactly how you feel, but right now, I need you to calm down." Halo stared at Maverick, tears welling in her eyes. 

"Why did it have to be him?" she sobbed. "He didn't deserve it." Maverick's heart broke and he moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. Halo leaned into Maverick hugging him back. "It's not fair." 

Maverick and Halo fell into a comfortable silence. The only sounds heard were Halo's cries, the steady beeping of the medical equipment, and moving air from the vents in the hospital room. Maverick didn't know how long they stayed like that, but he didn't care. Anger blossomed in his chest. Someone had targeted his pilots–his family or ducklings as Hondo called them. No one went after his friends and family without serious consequences. 

"How long…how long have I been out, Sir?" Halo asked, voice raw from screaming and crying. She tried to straighten up, now fully realizing Maverick, her superior officer, was there. 

"Cut the sir bullshit, Halo. You've been out for about twenty-four hours," Maverick informed her. "We have people investigating Omaha's death. We will find who did this," he promised. 

"Thank you, Si–Maverick," Halo nodded, relaxing and shifting in the hospital bed to get more comfortable. "When will I be able to leave?" 

"Soon. I'm working on the discharge papers," Maverick smiled at her. "Umm, since you're awake, there are some people who want to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?" He looked at her with concern. "You don't have to right now, but you will have to answer them eventually."

Halo was quiet for a few minutes, taking deep breaths. "Yes, it's okay…it's okay, Mav!" she said again after noticing Maverick's concern deepened. "Please, it's better to get it over with. I…I need to do this now." 

Her determination made Maverick smile. "Alright. Do you want me here with you when they come in?" Halo firmly nodded, her brows furrowing. You got it." Maverick got up from the bedside chair and opened the door. "You two can come in now. She's ready." 

Halo narrowed her eyes at the two figures who came in. One was a blond male with a goofy grin. He reminded her of a human golden retriever. The other was a female with dark brown hair and a soft smile. She reminded Halo of a cat. "Hi," she said warily. 

"Hey, I'm Special Agent Marty Deeks, and this is Special Agent Kensi Blye," Deeks smiled, introducing them to Halo. His smile seemed to light up the room. Halo decided she liked him…platonically of course. 

"We are with NCIS," Kensi explained, stepping forward. "We just have to ask a few basic questions. You found the Lieutenant's body, correct?" 

Halo thickly swallowed, Omaha's body still fresh in her mind. "Yes, I did." 

"Did you know of anyone who would want to kill him or wanted him dead?" Deeks asked in a softer tone, sending Kensi a quick glare. 

"Not that I can recall," Halo shrugged. "He was my pilot. The enemy definitely wanted us dead, but no, nobody wanted him dead. Sure, a few people here and there like to pick fights and joke around, but it's all harmless." 

"Do you know where he was last before he died?" Deeks waited for Halo to compose herself. All of these questions hurt her more than she anticipated. 

"He…he said he would get coffee and some treats from the cafe by his apartment. Sweet Delights is the name, I believe." Halo squeezed Maverick's hand, glancing up at him with teary eyes. 

"Alright, one last question then we will be out of your hair," Deeks assured with a smile. "Did you know of anything valuable he had that someone might have wanted?" 

"No?" The confusion evident in her voice. "Not unless military grade clothing and sheets are valuable," Halo joked, a smile creeping onto her face. "Sure he had some heirlooms, but he kept them in a safe in his childhood home. The only thing of value he had was the information he was told," she nervously glanced up at Maverick, "but that information was never made public. No one outside of Top Gun knows the information w–he had." 

Deeks and Kensi shared a knowing look. "Well, that will be all. Thank you so much for your time, Lieutenant Bassett. Captain Mitchell," Kensi smiled, glancing at Deeks who froze, "it's been an honor." 

"Wait, you're Maverick!?" Deeks shrieked, jaw dropping. Halo and Maverick laughed at Deeks. "The Maverick? Oh my gosh, it's really you." 

"Deeks, stop embarrassing yourself." Kensi shook her head, sending Maverick an apologetic look. "You were going to meet him eventually." 

"Yes, I am Captain Pete Maverick Mitchell," Maverick shook Deeks' hand. "I take it you're a fan?" he smirked, eyes filled with mischief. "Not everyday you're in a room with the best pilot in the Navy?" 

"Admiral Kazanksy?" Halo innocently asked, batting her eyes. 

Maverick glared at her while Kensi laughed. "She must have hit her head. It's obviously me," he retorted. "Deeks agrees with me, right?" 

"Oh, umm, yeah, yeah, definitely," Deeks stumbled over his words, still in shock he was meeting Maverick. 

"I rest my case," Maverick let go of Deeks' hand, smirking at Halo who flipped him off. "Careful, I could get you in trouble for that," he chidded with no intent to follow through. 

"But you won't," Halo cheekily grinned. "You love us too much." 

"I do, dammit." He turned back to the NCIS agents. "Cyclone should have sent out a memo for the rest of us to meet you at base. I just have to help Halo here and then I will answer any questions you have." He winked at Deeks. "And I mean any question." 

"Have a good day, Captain," Kensi sighed, dragging Deeks out with her. Sometimes her partner was too much, but that's what she loved about him. 

"Bye!" Maverick waved after them. Soon a nurse came in and explained that Halo was fine and Maverick did the discharge paperwork. 

"I am so sorry, Maverick. You shouldn't have had to do this," Halo murmured, looking down at her hands. "If I had been stronger, I wouldn't have–" 

"–That's enough," Maverick cut her off, eyes hardening. "This is not your fault, Callie. It's the bastard who killed Neil. Anyone who was in your position would have acted the same way. It's not your fault." 

"I–" 

"I wasn't finished. You are a strong woman and an even better WSO. Don't let anyone tell you you are weaker than them. I am sorry this happened. I want that bastard to pay as much as you," Maverick spoke, keeping eyes locked with Halo. "Do you want to come to base or go home? I will drive you wherever you want to go." 

"Mav, you don't have to do that," Halo whispered, tears welling in her eyes. 

"I want to. Now, where do you want to go?" Maverick asked again with a soft, reassuring smile. 

Halo sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. "Can we get some lunch and then go to base?" 

Maverick's smile grew wider. "Of course." 

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Hey guys!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Comments and votes are appreciated. I love hearing from all of you!

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat