It's still a fairly solemn vibe in the hangar the next day for training. There is still a mission to be done, pilots to be trained. But it comes at a cost. 

Cyclone stands at the front of the room, addressing the pilots, not Maverick. Which is the first clue something is wrong. 

"Captain Mitchell is no longer your instructor. And as of today, there are new mission parameters," Cyclone informs the team. The mission clock at the front of the room resets from 2:30 minutes to 4:00. 

"Time to target is now four minutes, you'll be entering the valley level at reduced speed. Not to exceed 429 knots." 

Everyone looks at each other with worried and concerned faces, Hangman especially looks concerned. After the hell that Reyna and Mari have been going through, he cannot afford to give them any more pain. 

"Sir, won't we be giving their planes time to intercept," Bob asks the first one to snap out of his shock. He is also thinking of his own wife and what these new parameters could mean for their overall survival. 

Cyclone, slightly annoyed with the question, answers him anyway. "Well, lieutenant, you have a fighting chance against enemy aircraft. What are the odds of surviving a head on collision with a mountain?" 

He continues with the new parameters. "You'll be attacking the target from a higher altitude, level with the north wall. It will be harder to keep your laser on target, but you will avoid the high-G climb out." Even Warlock is looking wary, observing the looks of the aviators around him. 

"We'll be sitting ducks for those enemy missiles," Fanboy whispers to Payback. 

Suddenly, the screen starts to move and a beeping comes online

"Who the hell is that," Cyclone questions as an F-18 appears on screen. 

"Maverick to range control, entering point alpha, confirm green range." Maverick's voice comes over the speakers. 

"Maverick, range control, uh green range is confirmed, but I don't see an event scheduled for you sir," range controls answers back. 

Everyone in the mission room looks excited to see Maverick let go of all restrictions. 

"Well, I'm going anyway," Maverick says back.  

"Nice," Phoenix whispers.  

"Setting time to target, 2 minutes 15 seconds," Maverick says.  

Payback scoffs, "Two fifteen, that's impossible." 

Hangman looks at the screen with a slight smirk, anticipating finally seeing Maverick show his full skillset. 

"Time set for you," range control says

Everyone is watching the screen, hardly breathing as they watch Maverick fly the course, navigating tight turns faster than they've ever seen. 

The time is 1:30 and he's already halfway there, as everyone watches in anticipation. 

39 seconds on the clock as he approaches the target point. 

"Popping 3,2,1," Maverick counts down as he prepares to enter the inverted climb. 

"Bombs away," as he launches the first missiles. 

The missile hits with 0.16 seconds left on the clock as Maverick hits 9.5Gs. 

"Bullseye," Payback calls out as the missile lands. "Holy shit," Coyote says. 

Cyclone stares at the screen, showing Maverick has just hit 10Gs. 

"Damn," Hangman admits. 

But now, all the pilots know that this mission is possible to pull off, which is what they needed. 

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

After Maverick ran the course (illegally, if you want to be technical) Cyclone sent everyone home. Although he did tell each of them to study what Maverick had just done, to ensure they still got training in that day. 

Since Bob was home early and the mission was just days away, the couple spent the day together. Carter took the dogs out to spend as much time at the park as he could, knowing they needed the time. 

And, well, as soon as the house was empty, they wasted no time. The married couple didn't leave their bedroom for at least 2 hours. 

But once they were well satisfied and satiated they went about some more normal and, well, family friendly activities. 

(Although, Mal was only walking around the house in one of Bob's t-shirts and Bob was only walking around in sweatpants. Do with that what you will. *wink wink*)

They got some food, needing some replenishment and energy after they spent all of theirs. But once the bliss of their afternoon wore off, they needed to have a discussion. 

And one topic was brought up because of something Reyna had said the day before. "Baby, I've got a question for you. And you don't have to have an answer right now, but it's something to think about," Mal began, looking over her shoulder at Bob. 

The two were lounging on their couch, but Mal sat up once Bob showed he was listening. 

"How long do you plan to stay in the Navy? Do you see a long future with them?" 

Bob was not expecting that question but did think about it. "I'm not entirely sure right now. I still have another 2 years on my contract before I either re-up for another 5 years or leave. But anything I do, I would be discussing with you either way." 

Malina nods her head. "I remembered you still having 2 years left. But Reyna had brought something up yesterday that had me thinking about the future and what it could look like." 

Bob grabs her hand. "What do you picture when you think about our future? I'm curious. We haven't really talked about this in a while." And they hadn't. They were very much a 'go with the flow, see where life takes us' couple. So they hadn't had a real conversation in a long while. 

Malina pauses, her face scrunched up in thought. "I know I want kids. At least 2. It can be lonely being an only child. And eventually I want to settle down. Have a home base of sorts. I've been traveling most of my life, even with you these past few years. I think I'd like to eventually stay in one place. Maybe try to get some of my work onto a gallery of sorts? I'm not so sure about that one." She gives him a small smile. "But I do know, for certain, whatever I want for the future, I will follow you anywhere life takes us. No matter what. That's what I promised the day we said 'I do' and I plan to follow through with that promise for the rest of our lives." 

It took all of Bob's willpower not to repeat their afternoon after Mal's declaration. Instead, he gave her a very hard kiss, taking her by surprise. Everything she had just said made him fall in love with her even more. 

When they parted, Bob gave his response. "Tell me when you want kids, and I'll make it happen." Malina lightly smacked him for that comment. "No but seriously, I agree with everything you said. And growing up with a sister, I don't know what I would have done without her as kids. And there are plenty of times since I joined the Navy that I miss the simplicity of a home base, as you put it. Not jumping around from place to place is nice. And you know damn well your work is good enough for any gallery you want to be a part of." 

Malina smiles at him, always her own worst critic. "I think, I honestly think, some of my decisions on my future in the Navy are going to depend on this mission. It's like nothing I've ever seen or faced. It's dangerous. But I have complete faith in Maverick and his teachings. And complete faith in Natasha to bring me home, as she has in me to bring her home." 

A gentle kiss is placed on Malina's lips. They kept their foreheads pressed together, soaking in the other. 

"I love you, Robert Floyd. With all my heart." 

"And I love you, Malina Floyd. With every fiber of my being." 

(And then Carter came back with the dogs and proceeded to ruin the moment. Hey, he kept them out for a lot longer than anyone anticipated!)

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Word count: 1,352

Bit of a shorter chapter, but still very important. 

Malina and Bob got FRISKY!! 

No but seriously, I can't write that type of stuff. I'm highly awkward writing that, so you aren't getting any smut, I'm telling y'all now. 

On a more serious note, they had a conversation about their future and I was honestly tearing up a bit. They are seriously setting a standard for the type of partner I want to have, and I'm writing them!! 

But that's all for now, so see you guys next chapter. Bye!!!