Miranda paused her story to look at Jake. He gave her a subtle shake of his head. The others didn't need to know that part. Miranda got the hint. But, she couldn't help but think back to what he had said.

"Something?" Miranda tilted her head.

"I came from a family in Texas. I have two older siblings, Austin and Claire." Jake's voice cracked. "I got a call this morning that Austin was in an accident. He's in the hospital in a coma. No one knows if he is gonna wake up."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Miranda sympathetically replied, hugging the pilot. "Tell me about him?"

"Austin was the best older brother," Jake wetly laughed. "We used to sneak out in the early morning to catch frogs and other small bugs and animals. He'd always have my back. Nothing could separate us." He trailed off.

"But?"

"But we wanted different things. I wanted to be free, and he wanted to continue the family ranching business. We got into a major fight before I left for the academy. We haven't spoken since." Jake avoided Miranda's gaze and focused on his hands. "What if he hates me? What if he dies and I live with the regret of never telling him how much he meant to me? I don't want my last memory of him to be a fight."

"I can't say it would be easy living with that regret, but he isn't dead yet. Try contacting your family and checking up on him." Miranda tapped his chest. "Show them and him you still care."

Jake looked down at her. "But..."

"No buts. Just try."

" ...I'll try."

"Good."

Miranda was shaken from her thoughts by Derek poking her side hard. "Well, get to the good part!" Miranda elbowed him back. "OW!" Hangman laughed with the other aviators.

"You wanna tell this part?" Miranda grinned at Jake.

"Oh, absolutely." Jake grinned widely.

"You ever been up there?" Jake asked as the two walked down the beach. Jake's eyes were up at the clear blue sky.

"A long time ago," Miranda wistfully sighed. "Dad took me up before he was called back out. Pops is too busy to take me up anytime soon. I do miss it though. That feeling of freedom."

Jake smirked. "So, if you had an opportunity to go back up, would you?"

"Oh, one hundred percent!"

"Good." Jake smiled, dragging her back to his car. "Because I talked with Admiral Kazansky. And, I got permission to take you up, once."

"I love you," Miranda gaped in awe. "How did you manage that?"

"You don't wanna know," Jake immediately responded. MIranda laughed.

"WOOOO!" Miranda cheered as Jake barrel-rolled in the air. The landscape zoomed by as Jake did his pilot shit. "This is amazing!" she laughed, watching the open sky with awe and wonder.

"Like it?" Jake teased.

"Damn straight!" Miranda laughed.

"No way you took up a civilian in a military jet!" Phoenix gasped. "That's against the rules. Never took you to take that big of a risk."

"I got permission!" Hangman defended. "Besides, we are both still here, are we not?"

"Best day ever," Miranda agreed. "Pops only semi-babied me afterwards."

"Pops?" Halo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Admiral Kazansky and his wife raised me when Dad was deployed or busy," Miranda shrugged. "Ice is my Pops or Bonus Dad. Whichever nickname I decide for that day. Adam and Derek basically grew up with me as their older sister."

"You definitely got those gremlin Mitchell genes. You are short as hell," Hangman smirked.

Rooster scoffed and stormed off. He didn't need to hear anymore stories about Maverick or Hangman.

"What's his problem?" Fanboy muttered.

"Mav pulled his paper," Phoenix stated matter-of-factly. "He's angry about that."

Jake opened his mouth to add something but shut it. He could say what he wanted to say later. Having a good time at the bar was not the time to share Bradshaw family secrets.

"Don't go telling things you know nothing about," Miranda snapped, shocking Phoenix. "You don't know what happened. And if you want to know, ask Mav yourself. That is a can of worms you don't want to open."

Phoenix was at a loss for words and felt guilty. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"No problem," Miranda shrugged. "I'm not one to hold a grudge."

Hangman guffawed. "Now that's a plain out and out lie, Miranda Mitchell." He stared at her with a smug expression. "You are so petty. Rooster brought his jeep to you the day he got in and you just now fixed it. I know for a fact you could have had it done the next day."

"Not my fault I was caught up with my job and moving back into my childhood home," Miranda innocently blinked. "Besides, my children needed me."

"Children?" Coyote popped in. "How many?"

"Five," she bragged and everyone had shocked reactions. "Wait, no, not that kind of child!" Miranda shrieked. "I meant my children, Chip, Chirp, Squishy, Gummy, and Jelly!" She pulled out her phone and showed various pictures of her five sugar gliders. "I can bring them in one day to show you all. Call it a team mascot to cheer you on for your mission."

The rest of the night went on as usual. The pilots broke up into groups, chattered with each other, and slowly left for the night. Miranda helped Penny clear up, smirking as she closed up and she left with Maverick. "Don't mess up again, Dad."

"Any plans for tonight?" Miranda locked eyes with Hangman, who was holding the door for her.

"Yeah, going home and falling into bed," Miranda responded, locking up. "You?"

"Eh, nothing really. Thinking about what happens after this mission, if we survive." Hangman's voice softened.

"If you survive? Don't tell me this is a suicide mission," Miranda froze, eyes widening. "Jake, what kind of mission is this?"

"You weren't told?" Jake tensed, realizing his mistake. He flashed a grin. "Don't worry. Everyone will make it home safe. Scout's honor." A pang of guilt stabbed him as he made an empty promise. No one could know if anyone wouldn't come home.

"Don't lie to me, Jake," Miranda's voice shook.

"I'm not," Jake promised. "Just calm down." His brain raced to think of something that he could say to calm her down. "Oh, Austin and I are back on speaking terms. Before I was called back here, I visited him. Did you know I am a bona fide uncle!"

Miranda focused on Jake's voice as he gushed about his niece and nephew. His voice grounded her. For that, she was thankful. "Any plans tonight?" she croaked, wiping away a stray tear.

Jake beamed. "I'm free. What did you have in mind?"

"Netflix and chill, but instead we just watch war movies?" Miranda asked hopefully. "I have both Midways, Hacksaw Ridge, Devotion, and I have Band of Brothers. Take you pick."

"We have all night," Jake observed. "Bring all of them. I'll drive you home and then back to my place?"

"Good idea. Dad would kill you if he came home to you on our couch watching movies with me," Miranda nodded. "He is super overprotective. The only boyfriend I had in highschool refused to look me in the eye after Dad had a talk with him."

Jake gulped. "Right, well, let's get going."

Hey guys!

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

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat