01: AN AVIATOR AND A RANGER WALK INTO A BAR.
Leah

"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain

Too much love drives a man insane

You broke my will

But what a thrill

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!"

Jovial cheers and singing and overall everyone being loud as shit flooded the outside as I walked in, closing it behind me so that the beach goers didn't have to hear the sing along.

"Start a tab for-"

"Welcome into-"

We both stopped as we came to the realization of who was standing infront of us.

"Little Leah?!"

"Penny!" She reached over the bar and engulfed me in a hug, squeezing me before letting me go and grabbing my face.

"It's been sixteen years and you've still got those little cheeks," She squeezed my face in her hands and I smiled.

"I didn't know you still worked here."

"Kiss me, baby

Mmmh, it feels so good

Hold me, baby

I want to love you like a lover should"

"Never left, but you became quite the rebel I hear. Sneaking off to join the Army Rangers? Your dad was livid. I have never seen that man so mad," Penny laughed as she took my card and put it into her drawer with the others as I sat myself down at the bar.

"Why do you think I didn't tell him?" Dad had a reputation and everyone always boasted about how I would come out of my shell once I joined the Navy. To their surprise, I did, but in my own way which left him livid.

"I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs

I'm real nervous, but it sure is fun

Come on, baby

You driving me crazy

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!"

"Who's the rooster over there?" I questioned, hoping my voice made it to Penny over the loud crowd as I opened my beer.

"He's your Rooster, as far as I remember."

Hm?

"What's that supposed to mean?" I quirked my brow as I turned in my seat to see a stupid Hawaiin shirt, barely fitting over those tanned muscles, fingers racing across the piano.

"Iceman told me what happened between you two, but I say take this chance and reconcile. I don't know what went down but when you've got the opportunity, I say fuck it and go for it!" She shouted, my hand suddenly feeling the cold from the beer in my hand as I got up to see him more clearly. I could hear my heart in my ears as I remembered the day as clearly as ever.

No, you're not that girl anymore.

He can't hurt you.

"Rampage!" Phoenix shouted across the bar as she spotted me.

"Get me a shot," I told Penny.

"Already got one," I quickly downed the strong liquid before Phoenix reached me.

"Why didn't you tell me you'd be here? I would've picked you up from the airport," Phoenix gave me a light hug, watching to make sure the beer in her hand didn't spill.

"And have Bagman come along with you? Not a chance," I kept my focus on her but I could feel the burning gaze of someone else on me. Whether it was the lustful gaze of Hangman or the burning hatred from Bradshaw, I couldn't tell.

But only one could send such shivers down my spine.

"He is the one that spotted you first."

"Then kill me now," I groaned as she pulled me along with her, our bodies squeezing through the crowd.

"My, my, my Rampage, you still haven't grown," I looked up at the six foot asshole as he leaned against the pool table pole, a toothpick in his mouth.

"And your dick still hasn't matched your ego," Small chuckles erupted around us.

"Just one word and you can explore that for yourself, Kazansky."

"Who invited the military brat?" The annoyed voice of Bradshaw interrupted Bagmans flirting and I looked over. He was definitely taller and bigger than the last time I saw him, his shades shielding his eyes.

"Who invited the second in his class?" I retorted.

"You guys know each other?" One of the guys asked, looking between us.

Unfortunately.

"Grew up together, and just like a Rooster, all squawk and no show," I said, and he chuckled darkly as his shades fell down his nose and he stepped closer to me.

"Says the girl who didn't even show up to the first day of training. Phoenix, what did you call her earlier?" He asked without breaking eye contact.

"Rampage," She answered in an uneasy tone.

"You didn't show up the first day, so why do you have a call sign? Did daddy push you up in the ranks?" He crossed his arms.

"I'm part of the backbone of the Naval Academy, Rooster. Had my own squad and graduated top of my class in the Rangers," I joined a different branch the same day he pushed me from his life. The thought of seeing him ignore me or even disrespect me everyday made me pull the Kazansky card. My papers were pulled from the academy before the first day started.

"Let's calm down, guys. Not everyone they need for this mission had to come from Top Gun," One of the guys tried to get between us, but neither of us was budging.

"I suggest you back off, Rooster. Rampage isn't one to mess with," Hangman told Bradshaw, getting closer and his tone dark.

"Why? You fuck her too? Probably the only reason someone as desperate as you would-"

Silence took over the entire bar as the back of my hand met with his cheek, the rings on my fingers colliding with his bones as he fell back against the piano.

"You don't get to talk shit. You don't get to shame me. And you definitely don't get to shame me for who I've fucked because clearly loyalty was never your strong suit," I didn't yell. I didn't shout. I didn't scream. The Night Stalkers and the Rangers taught me patience and the bond of a team that risks their lives every mission. My voice was calm but sharp and my eyes remained lasered on his own as he held his cheek.

My dad didn't have to do anything.

I got to where I am today by myself.

No thanks to you, Bradshaw.

///
Bradley and Leah have a past together and grew up together (obviously) but something happened in which both of their trusts was broken. The drama won't be addressed until later but the angst and pining will be amazing.