It had become very apparent that the Hard Deck was the place to be if you wanted a night out around Fightertown. Considering a very specific group of aviators had been there virtually every night since the start of this mission, Penny was making a lot of money.

Ever since airing her worries to Bradley earlier in the evening, Cecelia was determined to remind the other aviators she was close with just how much they meant to her. Phoenix was obviously the first on that list, but Bob, Payback, and Fanboy had quickly endeared themselves to her. Not to mention Coyote practically worshiped the ground she walked on, much to everyone else's amusement.

Arriving at the bar, the newcomers grabbed a drink before heading over to their usual group. Before anyone else to grab them, Kai took all the darts, challenging Fanboy and Bob to a round as Fanboy had been bragging about his skills the previous night. Cat had taken over Cecelia's spot in regaling Coyote with stories he could take back to his niece, promising she would record a message for her after this mission was over.

And Cecelia quickly found Phoenix, who had been playing a round of pool against Hangman to prove a point. But as soon as she saw the look on Cecelia's face, she gave her que to Rooster and walked over. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Grabbing Natasha's hand, Cecelia took her into a quieter area of the bar. She quickly explained her worries about the mission, waving off Nat's reassurances. "I've already talked it out with Bradley, but it made me realize that I wanted to tell you just how much you mean to me. Natasha, you were really the first true friend of Bradley's I had met from the Navy. Everyone else was in passing, but you stayed. And then you wormed your way into my life as well."

Trying to keep up with Cecelia, as she was beginning to talk faster and faster the more worked up she got, Natasha grasped the hand closest to her. "Lia, slow down. Take a breath. I'm not going anywhere in the next five minutes, take your time."

"Sorry," ignoring the dismissive wave from Natasha, she continues. "I had accepted a long time ago that I would always have to worry when Bradley was on assignment. I didn't expect anyone else to come in and take that worry as well. So, I'm going to tell you something I should have said a long time ago." She looks around the bar for a minute before raising her eyes to look right into Nat's. "I love you and I am so glad you came into my life. I never really thanked you for how much you care for Bradley as well. I know you've known each other longer than we have, but we both know he doesn't have the easiest past."

Nat gives a laugh at that, tears forming in her eyes from the emotion Cecelia is emitting as she talks. "I can truly never thank you enough for welcoming me with open arms the way you have. You really are one of my best and greatest friends and I can't imagine my life without you."

Now the tears are falling for both of them. Without saying a word, Natasha stands and pulls Cecelia into a hug. If anyone were to look to their corner of the bar, they would likely assume something was wrong, but they couldn't be more wrong. Tears of happiness, joy, and love were openly flowing between the two friends. Natasha didn't give a damn about being a tough Navy pilot at the moment.

"I don't think I can compete with that speech you just gave," she begins, whispering into Cecelia's ear as they continue to hug. "But I love you too." They let go of each other, but continue holding hands. "You know I don't have many female friends, this profession doesn't exactly lead to that. But you have given me so much in the past few years that I can never repay."

Laughing, they both dry any tears left on their faces. "Now come on, let's grab our drinks and go show these boys who the real pool champions are. I've still got a bet against Hangman that I can beat him tonight."

That perks Cecelia right up. "Oh," she teasingly remarks. "What is on the line with this bet, may I ask?" Natasha pushes her shoulder for her tone, but doesn't answer. "No matter, if I can't get it out of you, Cat certainly will."

☽☆☾ ☽☆☾ ☽☆☾

The girls had, in fact, come away victorious in their pool game against the boys. Not without using methods that had everyone else around them laughing while the boys were practically drooling. Everyone had videos and pictures for future blackmail material should they ever need it.

Cat and Cecelia would exchange looks every once in a while, as both observed the way Phoenix and Hangman were acting with each other. It seemed like the impending mission mixed with a few confessions had brought any and all potential feelings to the surface.

While the aviators weren't drinking enough to get drunk, due to the mission happening tomorrow, the same rules did not apply to Cecelia and crew. Cat was on her way to be absolutely wasted, Kai not far behind her. And everyone was made aware of this fact when Cat, very loudly, stated that every single one of the pilots should consider a modeling career if they ever got tired of flying.

When everyone looked at her like she had two heads, she simply said, "I'm lesbian, not blind." That had Ronen handing her a glass of water, having experience with her when she is hungover.

Cecelia had slowly made her way around to the others she wanted to talk to. Fanboy had been talking to her all week about her different projects. He had been genuinely interested and wanted to know everything he could. While it wasn't unusual, he had asked questions Cecelia didn't usually get, making it a much more interesting conversation every time they talked. He actually had her thinking deeply about quite a few things, things she didn't normally think of, but none of it bad.

Payback, and Fanboy to an extent, had welcomed her brothers instantly and had helped keep Kai calm about his upcoming auditions. She couldn't thank them enough for that, even if it seemed like a common thing to do. She was the oldest and had always been worried about her brothers, no matter how old they were. And she knew just as well as they did what their industry was like, if not worse, so she always has nerves when it comes to work. But Payback had really toned her brother down from his worrying when it struck at random moments.

Bob was the person she got along with the quickest. It isn't hard to like Bob, or want to protect him. As Hangman calls him, Baby on Board is a literal sweetheart that Cecelia just couldn't see as someone in the Navy. But she of all people knows not to underestimate someone based on looks. Of all the pilots she had met while here, Bob is the one she could safely say she would gladly stay in contact with for the rest of her life. And there was no one else she trusted with Phoenix's life than Bob, to be honest.

It was safe to say that most of the aviators had managed to snag Cecelia's heart. And while the wedding planning was only in its beginning stages, she had places set for all of them already. No matter the outcome of this mission, they had all come together as a team. No, as a family, in the past few weeks.

By the time they called it, Cecelia had talked with everyone for at least a little while, Hangman included. Although that conversation quickly turned into both Cecelia and Cat subtly threatening him about treating Phoenix right and with respect. Both of them could very easily see through his act, especially since they put them up all the time.

Arriving back home, Bradley and Cecelia say good night to the others, as Cat goes to stay with the Marcellini brothers to give the couple the night alone. And while others may have taken full advantage of that, Bradley and Cecelia simply stayed with each other.

This was the last night, the last moment of peace, before he left for this mission. Despite not knowing if he was going on it or not, the risk was still there. So they spent every waking moment wrapped up in each other. And when they fell asleep, their limbs were tangled together as well, not daring to let go for even a second.

No amount of time would ever be enough, but as long as they were together, they could face anything.

✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

Word count: 1,495

Again, not too sure on this chapter. I know there wasn't a lot of dialogue at the end, but I wanted to show how Cece felt about everyone rather than having multiple conversations.

The mission begins next chapter and then we are in the home stretch. Not too many chapters left after this one. I'm so surprised it has gone by so fast, but I hope you are still enjoying what I'm writing.

But that's all for now, so until next time. Bye!