Nova could use a day of rest. Actually, everyone could use that. The stress of the mission was beginning to get to all of them.

Not to mention, after yesterday's issues, Maverick needed this group to become a team. A team that would look after one another, have each other's backs, and do everything in their power to bring each other home.

So he did the only thing he could think of.

He sent a text to the entire group telling them to meet him at the beach behind the Hard Deck at 10. Nothing else.

So it was safe to say everyone was confused. But they all showed up on time, some in swimwear, others simply taking off shirts.

Nova arrived just before her father, swim gear on, and surf board under her arm. She hadn't had a chance to go surfing in a long time, and that was a good way for her to clear her head.

And after catching Jake taking his shirt off, she desperately needed to clear her head of any and all thoughts.

Soon enough, Maverick came down from the bar, a bag in his hands so no one could see what he was planning. (Although it was really just to keep Nova and Bradley from yelling.)

"What are we doing here, Mav?" Hangman asks what is on everyone's mind.

Coyote adds in his two cents. "Yea, shouldn't we be training? You know, in our jets?"

Mav shook his head. "What happened yesterday opened my eyes to one thing that is severely lacking with this detachment." Both Bradley and Jake looked down at that. While they hadn't said anything to each other, they had nodded at each other when they got to the beach. (You know, that weird guy nod that says they are actually cool, but don't say anything because it somehow makes it 'unmanly'.)

"Teamwork. This detachment needs to form a team for this mission to work. And that can't happen until you all get your heads out of your asses. So I figured, if anything could bring us together as a team, it would be this."

He looked directly at Nova and Bradley as he said this, causing them to look at each other confused. But it didn't last long.

Because Mav pulled out two footballs. And then the yelling began.

"I call green! "

"You always get green!"

"No I don't!"

Nova and Bradley were yelling at the top of their lungs at the same time. And matching the others' energy with ease that only comes from familiarity of years.

Everyone else looks at them like they are crazy. Again, no one really knew their relationship with one another, so this was just strange.

Mav cleared his throat, bringing the two to look at him. And for a moment, he was transported back in time. All he saw was a ten year old Nova arguing with a fourteen year old Bradley, who stood a full head taller than her, with a glare that could scare a grown man.

"And because this argument happens every time we play this game, I made an executive decision." He shows them the footballs, which they had completely neglected in favor of their arguing.

The two balls used for the game were blue and red. There wasn't any green in sight.

Nova gasped. "You can't change the colors! That just jinxed the entire game!"

Bradley nodded his head. "You know damn well it's taboo to change the balls."

Now, the aviators were doing everything they could to not burst out laughing. Suddenly, the two adults turned into children, complaining to a parent.

Mav just gave them a look. "Too bad. This isn't just us playing anymore. It's a new team, so there are new balls. Now," he threw one ball to Bradley and the other to Nova. "Since you two know the game, explain it to the others."

"Fine, but I'm texting JJ after we finish the tutorial. He's never missed a game, and he won't start now," Nova pointed out to her father. He shrugged, knowing it was true. As long as JJ was on North Island, he would be in the game, no matter what.

Bradley took the initiative to begin the game. "Ok, this is what we call Dogfight Football."

Nova double teamed him. "Offense and defense at the same time."

The others simply looked at the two, only mildly confused. Natasha was the one to ask the question they were all wondering.

"And how long have you two been playing this game exactly?"

They looked at each other and shrugged. "We've played a version of it since I was six," Nova explained. "It was a good way to get our energy out so we would actually sleep."

Jake had seen the photos the night before and had both of them explain their relationship at separate times. But he was now just realizing how long the two had truly been in each other's lives. And he knew, if he ever wanted to have another shot with Nova, he had to do something about his relationship with Rooster.

Nova grabbed her phone to text JJ, as Bradley asked if there were any other questions. Once Nova was back, they began to choose teams.

And once again, speaking at the same time, they both yelled, "I call Phoenix!"

Of course, Natasha just laughed before going straight to Nova. "Sorry Rooster, but I need to go with my girl." Nova simply stuck her tongue out at Bradley before side hugging Natasha.

"Real mature," Bradley muttered before he picked Payback. And from there, the teams were divided up.

Call it karma, call it fate, call it whatever you want. But Jake ended up on Nova's team, and they couldn't exactly avoid each other when they had a strategy to talk about. Nova took Dogfight Football very seriously, and she wasn't going to let her issues with Jake mess with her game.

And then the game begins.

The balls are flying all over the place. People are getting tackled left and right, and sand is getting kicked up like no tomorrow. Mav has the ball one second, and then Rooster has it.

Phoenix catches hers, scoring a touchdown for Nova's team right before Rooster scores for his.

JJ shows up with Taylor by his side just as Bradley and Coyote chest bump. And then he witnesses the iconic dance Bradley always did when he scored a touchdown.

"You started without me!" JJ yells out to them. Nova looks up and yells, "You're on my team!" Bradley doesn't even get the chance to argue before JJ is taking off his shirt and running to Nova's side.

He does yell out to Taylor, though. "Tay, you playing or sitting this one out?" Taylor shakes her head. "You guys get way too competitive with this game. I'm sitting this one out. But I will enjoy the show." She smirks, looking right at her fiance before setting up her beach chair in a prime location.

JJ sends her a wink, and Nova and Bradley gag in disgust. "Get your head in the game, JJ. We aren't losing this!" Nova yells at him.

With the added person, the game is still just as chaotic. Touchdowns are getting scored constantly, people are going down more frequently, and the team is slowly building its way together.

But one moment catches Nova's attention. One that will live in her head for a while to come.

Jake makes a touchdown, and in a move that had to have been discussed, he flexes with the football before throwing it behind him. The men all fall to the ground, like the football created a tremor in the earth. But it's the happiest Nova has seen Jake, genuine happiness, in a very long time.

He yells out in exhilaration, adrenaline through the roof, before he makes eye contact with Nova. And while Nova can't get that image out of her head, Jake can't get this one out. Nova looks at him with soft eyes, softer than he had seen in years, covered in sweat, in a bikini. (Yea, he wouldn't be forgetting that look for a while.)

At one point, Mav gets knocked down pretty harshly. And Bradley finally extends an olive branch. He leans down, offering his hand to help Mav up from the sand. Nova just smiles as she catches the interaction. Maybe, just maybe, things could go back to how they were before.

But soon enough, Mav begins to feel his age and bows out of the game. The others all boo at him, some calling out a few 'come on's but ultimately continued the game.

He looked up just in time to see Hangman throw the ball to Bob, who caught it and ran in a touchdown, much to his surprise.

The game keeps going, eventually winding down after they get Hondo into the game. And that's when Nova takes her leave so she can catch a few waves before the sun goes down.

Jake watches her from the beach, unable to take his eyes off of her. A few people take notice, but no one says anything to him.

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

Before they called it a night, Penny had everyone come into the Hard Deck so she could feed them food. They had been out on the beach all day, with barely any breaks for food.

Because of this, the group was ravenous. Penny didn't think she had ever seen someone devour food that fast, and she helped raise multiple kids.

Conversations flowed easily between everyone, but Taylor stuck close with Nova. She had picked up on the tension between her and Hangman, having been observing the game.

"That's him, isn't it? The guys from two years ago." Taylor knows she's right. She just wants confirmation. Nova nods her head, mouth full of food.

“He’s hot. An asshole, but hot,” the two laugh at that before they are joined by Amelia.

Taylor smiled at her, and Nova waved. "Hey, Chickadee. Your mom tell you we were here?"

Amelia nodded, grabbing some food for herself. "Yea, she told me about the game. Figured it was better for me to stay out of this one, what with all the grown men twice my size and more muscle in one arm than I have in my entire body." That gets all three women laughing.

"Probably a good idea." As Nova gets into a new conversation with Amelia, Taylor looks over at JJ. She tilts her head, silently asking him a question. He nods his head, coming over to her chair.

JJ cleared his throat before tapping a glass to get everyone's attention. "Taylor and I have something to tell you all. And before you say anything," he looks directly at Hangman. "No, she isn't pregnant."

Jake shakes his head, jokingly muttering a "damn" under his breath, causing chuckles to run through the group.

"We went to the courthouse today and got married!" Taylor held up her hand that now had two bands on her left ring finger. JJ's was back at their house, knowing he didn't want to lose it in the game.

There were cheers all around before everyone got up to congratulate the newlyweds. Only Nova and Maverick knew the other reason behind their surprise nuptials.

JJ wanted his dad at his wedding. He always had. And Taylor was someone who Ice loved with his entire being, knowing there was no one better for his son.

Nova gave the two a tighter hug than most, and they knew she knew. So they hugged her back, just as tightly, thankful there was someone else who understood.

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

JJ and Taylor's wedding announcement wasn't the only surprise of the night.

Nova had finally made her way home and was able to shower away the day.

Just like the night before, a knock sounded on her door. And somehow, she knew exactly who it was.

She opened the door, and Jake was standing on her porch. All he had to do was look at her, and she was pulling him into the house.

"We shouldn't be doing this," Nova whispered, worried talking any louder would break the atmosphere.

Jake lets out a "hmm" but doesn't take his eyes off of her.

Nova moved even closer, still trying to rationalize the situation. "We still have things to talk about."

But it was all leaving her head as Jake pulled her even closer, now chest to chest. And before either of them knew it, their lips were touching.

There were no fireworks. No revelation from above. Just sweet relief that two years apart was finally over.

The two lovers were finally reunited, despite needing to discuss many things. But at this moment, none of that mattered. 

Because it wasn't lust that night. It wasn't wanting, anger, or even love. It was two hearts beginning to mend after being broken time and time again.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Word Count: 2,165

So that happened!

I've always had this idea that Mav created Dogfight Football to tire out the kids when all he and Carol wanted to do was sleep lol.

And JJ and Taylor are married!! I know I haven't included them a whole lot, but I'm trying to sprinkle them in where it makes sense.

And I know. Last chapter I had Nova saying she needed time, and this chapter ended with them sleeping together. I promise, it will be talked about. And no, they aren't just sleeping together for the hell of it or it being a one time thing.

So let me know what yall think. But until next time, bye guys!!