It was simply a normal day. Well, as normal as a day at Top Gun can be.

Jake, well aware of Nova’s disregard to all flirtations made by Navy personnel, was not giving up on his quest to at least have one date with the woman.

He could confidently state he had never been as infatuated with a woman before. There was just something about Nova that pulled him in. He didn't know why she wouldn't give him a chance, after all he had been on his best behavior since meeting her.

No flirting with other women, no buying others drinks at the bar, and keeping his comments to a minimum (around her at least), so what more could he do?

All he knew was that anytime he asked her out she said a variation of the same thing. “I don't date Navy men.” Why, he still couldn't get out of her.

Did someone in the Navy hurt her in the past? Did she lose someone she cared for in the Navy? But why would she be working with the Navy if that was the case? He just couldn't figure Nova Mitchell out.

But all those questions were about to get answered. Let's just say, the answer is not something he was expecting.

And things had just become extremely more difficult.

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“Who are we waiting for? We've never waited this long before starting,” Matt, a fellow Top Gun pilot, questioned lowly. No one would dare ask that loud enough for the instructors to hear.

Jake shrugged, keeping his voice just as low. “Who knows, but I want to get into my jet, so I hope they hurry it up.”

Apparently their conversation wasn't quiet enough, as Nova turned to look at the two men. “Now I know you two aren't that stupid.”

Jake smirks. “Oh yea darling, what do you mean by that?”

Nova simply rolls her eyes, but answers his question. “Who would have enough power and respect that they would hold up a Top Gun class? Come on, use your brains, no matter how small they are.”

Before either of the men could reply a call came. “Attention on deck!”

Everyone in the room stood at attention, Nova included, although she didn't have to.

In walked the one and only Commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky. It wasn't every day the Commander observed a class, so it made the aviators wonder why today was so special.

In reality, Ice just wanted to see his goddaughter, especially after beating his throat cancer. He didn't make many appearances after the diagnosis, wanting to preserve his strength. And while he knew Nova would be visiting the house for dinner many times before she was done, he wanted to see her work. There was something there that always amazed him.

(Part of that could just be because he had watched her make some of the dumbest decisions he had ever seen, alongside his son JJ. So seeing her actually putting her smarts to good use was always a relief.)

“At ease,” he called, his voice still a bit shaky and not back up to full strength yet. “I am simply here to observe today's flights, no need to be nervous. I was in your shoes once, I know what it's like.”

That did not ease the nerves of the majority of the pilots, but one aviator looked as calm as ever, if not a little smug.

The normal combat runs went on without a hitch, no problems at all, despite the extra pressure of Ice observing that day.

Through his observations, Ice stood with Nova checking the vitals of his pilots as well as the signals for the plans. He did notice that when one pilot in particular came up, Nova tensed just a little more.

Checking the name, Ice watched as Hangman pulled some moves he had seen some 20 years prior. Hangman was pulling the same stuff Maverick had, but he didn't have a WSO to keep him in check. (Rest in Peace, Goose.)

Ice would be informing his wife on the matter when he got home, so they could devise an interrogation for Nova the next time she was over for dinner.

By the end of class, Ice had a good idea of this group of pilots, the good and the bad. He was always looking for ways they could improve the program or the teachings. But he hadn't had a long day like this in quite a while.

Once the aviators were dismissed for the day, Nova turned to Ice, knowing he was exhausted. “Come on, old man. I'll escort you to your car.” She held her elbow out, for him to link his own arm through.

Ice simply let out a chuckle. “Who are you calling old, Star? I can still out maneuver most of these pilots.” Star was her nickname, Ice calling her that since she was a baby.

Neither of them saw a few of the aviators still in the room, making some observations of their own. And they all had one question running through their minds.

How on earth does Nova know the Commander of the Pacific Fleet? And well enough to be cracking jokes with him where he would joke back?

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Jake's time at Top Gun was almost done. A few weeks had passed since Iceman had visited the class. And he's not quite sure how, but he finally broke Nova down into going on a date with him.

That date turned into two and then three and now they've stopped keeping track. And while it wasn't serious just yet, both Nova and Jake knew they wanted it to be.

Which is why, just before the end of Top Gun, Jake was called into the Commander's office. He didn't know what he did, as far as he knew, he was at the top of the class and he hadn't done anything to warrant a warning, especially not from the Admiral himself.

What he didn't know was that Ice was well aware of Jake's new relationship with Nova. And considering Nova had sworn off Navy relationships, he needed to know what was so special about Jake Seresin. And just how serious he was about Nova.

Iceman was not about to have his niece’s heart broken if he could do something about it.

Jake arrived at the office, knocking on the door before entering when told. “You wanted to see me sir?”

“Sit down Lieutenant,” Ice gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Jake took the seat, trying not to show he was internally panicking.

“Do you know why you are here, Lieutenant?”

Jake shakes his head, “no sir.”

Ice signed before looking Jake right in the eyes. “You aren't in trouble Lieutenant, at least not yet. That all depends on what you say next.”

Jake looked relieved for a moment before he registered what the Admiral had said. “What do you mean, sir?”

So Tom Kazansky asks the question as bluntly as possible. “What are your intentions with Nova Mitchell?”

Jake is taken so off guard, he only says, “sir?”

“What are your intentions with Nova Mitchell? I won't ask again.”

Jake is still taken aback but he can see the seriousness in the Admirals eyes and hear it in his voice.

“We've only been dating for a few weeks sir. But I can tell you I've never felt this way about another woman. And I'll always try to do my best by her. But you know this job, sir. There are things I can't promise or ensure.” These are things Jake has only thought to himself. He's never admitted these out loud and to do so to Admiral Kazansky of all people was bizarre.

“May I ask why you want to know this sir? I can't imagine you go around asking all your pilots their intentions with their partners.”

Ice looks at the man sitting in front of him. The answer he gave is enough for the little secret to slip, but not enough to prove himself fully just yet.

“Nova Mitchell is my goddaughter. I've known her since she was born and have helped raise her. I don't particularly like that you're a pilot, but I will always make sure the person Nova is involved with has her best intentions at heart.”

That was not something Jake had anticipated. Hell, how could you anticipate that? It was so out of the realm of possibility in Jake's mind he was stunned into silence for a few moments.

Once he regained his ability to think, much less speak, he made his stance clear for the Admiral. “I can't say for certain what will happen with us, but I can promise you this, sir. I will always have Nova's best intentions at heart. I can say that I care for her, more deeply than I ever thought possible in the short weeks we've known each other. I can also say that I would never want to intentionally hurt her.”

Those words solidified for Ice that Jake Seresin was, in fact, quite serious about Nova. More serious than even he himself realized at the moment. Jake Seresin acted a lot like Maverick had back in his Top Gun days. And despite how much Nova loved and worshiped her father, Ice was well aware that Mav did not want someone like himself for his daughter. But even he would be able to see the beginnings of love in the man's eyes. 

“That's what I needed to know, Lieutenant. And I assume I don't need to tell you that this conversation remains between us and us alone?” Ice states more than asks.

“Yes sir,” Jake responds. He stands at attention and salutes the Admiral when he is dismissed.

Finally making it to his car, he sits in the driver's seat and lets out a long breath. Of all the reasons Nova didn't date Navy personnel, her being close with the Commander of the Pacific Fleet was not one he thought of.

He's broken from his thoughts as his phone chimes. Grabbing it, he looks at his home screen, seeing that he's got a new message.

Dinner and drinks tonight? I know this great diner nearby.

Of course Nova texts him now. And while he's got a lot of things to wrap his mind around, he knows his answer immediately.

Course darling. I'll pick you up at 6. See you soon.

He puts his phone back and starts the car, heading back to his place to freshen up. He's kept secrets for a living, depending on the mission he's assigned. But keeping this conversation with Iceman might just be the hardest one yet.

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Word count: 1,794

So there you have it folks!! This is how Jake discovers Nova’s connections, or at least one of them.

I've always had the idea that Ice would be protective over Nova, no matter the case. And with Maverick always getting shipped off somewhere, Iceman always looks out for Nova. So Mav not being able to threaten Jake the first time around means Ice just has to do it for him.

Some more Snapshots of Nova and Jake's original time together are next, so stay tuned for some sweet sweet fluff.

See you next time, bye guys!!!