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Slowly but surely the sun began to set and the bar was opened. For some extra cash Miranda worked for Penny as a second bartender. Being by the base meant a lot of customers. Miranda checked her sugars and took a small correction as she was a bit higher than usual. She put her hair up in a high ponytail. Not many people had come in, but Miranda's eyes narrowed when Lieutenants Seresin and Machado came in. A smirk tugged at her lips. 'Oh, this is gonna be fun,' she thought, washing a glass.

"Pete." Miranda's head shot up at Penny's words and she locked eyes with Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, her father. 'Oh, that's what Ice meant.' She smiled and gave him a two finger salute. She tried not to pay attention to him and Penny talk. She was raised right in most respects. She knew they needed privacy. More and more aviators and Naval officers came by and Miranda got busy with serving up drinks. But not before she made a mental note to talk with her father later.

Penny rang the bell and everyone cheered. Miranda winced. She knew who was paying and wished his bank account good luck. Hangman came up and ordered another round on Maverick. Miranda got the drinks ready. "I have a round for a...Bagman?" she looked around and smirked at Hangman, eyes full of mischief. She was a Mitchell after all.

Hangman rolled his eyes, took the drinks, and flipped her off. Miranda returned the gesture with an even wider grin. "Have a great night," she called to him. She went back to washing and knew she struck the jackpot. "And I have a club soda and a Shirley Temple for a Lieutenant Popsicle and Crybaby?"

"Ha ha very funny," Adam "Snowman" Kazansky deadpanned, taking the beer from her. "You really are hilarious." His glare said otherwise. Miranda innocently smiled.

"Did you have to do that?" Derek "Hotshot" Kazanksy sighed, taking the vodka and downing it. "You know I hate being called a crybaby." Out of the three, he was definitely the most anxious and socially awkward. His glare was much weaker.

"Awe, come on, you love me," Miranda laughed, shaking her head. "So, give me the scoop. Why are there so many graduates here? And why is DAD here?" She stared at them, ready to get the answers she wanted one way or another.

Both pilots shared a nervous look. "Father didn't tell you?" Derek whispered, looking around.

"No, he sent some very vague and ambiguous texts apologizing for not telling me sooner or something like that," she huffed. "So, what in God's name is going on?" She leaned over the counter, staring at Derek.

"Some top secret mission," Adam said. "The best of the best were called back. Fourteen of us. Including," he paused and shared a worried look with Derek. "Well, before you freak out, it's been a long time," Derek prefaced, "and maybe things have cooled down–"

"Who is it?" Miranda asked.

"Br–" Derek was cut off by Hangman's loud, "Bradshaw, as I live and breathe!" Miranda tensed up like a deer in headlights as did Maverick on the other side of the bar. Anger bubbled up and Miranda took a long, deep breath. "I see," she said in a cold tone that rivaled Iceman's callsign.

"Are...are you okay?" Adam asked, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "Because if you want, we can get out of here and go do something else," Derek finished for his twin. Most people hated it when they finished each other's sentences, but Miranda loved and found it hilarious.

"I...I'll be fine," Miranda forced a smile. "But, I'm going to need some words with dear old Pops." Adam and Derek shared a look and left her alone. She was trying to curl in on herself to hide from the pain. They couldn't help when she was like that. It was best to leave her alone until she came to them or she broke down crying.

"Holy shit," Fanboy gaped. "That's Snowman and Hotshot. What are they doing here?" Adam and Derek started a round of darts.

"If they are here, this is definitely one hell of a mission," Hangman observed with a large, smug grin. He sauntered over to the jukebox and pushed the numbers eight and six and started a song. "I love this song," he taunted Rooster, pushing past him to talk to Penny. "Can I close our tab?"

Penny nodded and Maverick couldn't pay up. At least, not right then. "Overboard! Overboard! Overboard!" The bar cheered as Hangman and four others picked up Maverick and tossed him outside. "Come back anytime!" Hangman drawled and mockingly saluted with two fingers.

Miranda laughed and shook her head, feeling better. It was always funny when her father was thrown around or doing something stupid. Her eyes widened and glass shattered filled her ears. Broken, shattered pieces of glass covered the ground in front of her. Her throat choked up and she had to get out.

"Mira, you look sick," Penny whispered, rubbing Miranda's back. "Why don't you take the night off. I can handle things for now." Miranda numbly nodded, quickly making it to the door. She had to get out. 'How dare he! How fucking dare he!' The muted tune of Great Balls of Fire haunted her ears as she left the building.

Penny watched and saw the pain in Maverick's eyes. Things fell into place and Penny sighed. Something was up, and she worried it would be the straw that breaks the camel's back. "Alright, back to business," she told herself, shaking her head and going back to work.

Outside, Miranda took deep breaths. Tears blurred her vision. 'Why is he here? How dare he. After everything, how dare he show up. How–' Strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her into a hug. The flood gates opened and the girl sobbed into her father's shoulder. Ugly sobs wracked her body.

"Hey, it's okay. It's okay," Maverick whispered, one hand on the back of her head and the other around her waist. "Come on. Let's go." Miranda wordlessly agreed with a nod and tried to wipe away tears that kept coming. "Do you have a ride?"

"No," she answered softly. "I came with Penny. Where are we going?"

"Home," Maverick smiled, helping her up onto his Kawasaki. "I'd like that," Miranda breathed tiredly. Wind whipped by as the father-daughter duo sped through the streets to an old house Miranda recognized, and a wide smile appeared. It had been years since she had been back to her old home. Maverick pulled to a stop in front of Charlie Blackwood's old house. He had bought it when she had left. He liked the view. Miranda loved the memories of living with her father and uncles.

"Home," Miranda beamed. All of her problems and worries seemingly melted away. And Ice definitely didn't stop by later that night to find Maverick and Miranda sleeping on the couch, Maverick protectively cuddling his daughter. No, Ice definitely didn't see that and most definitely didn't take blackmail pictures. The ice cold COMPACFLT smiled and left a note on the table and a text.

Ice: You really should lock your door, Mav. (1 image attachment) sent at 10:35pm

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Hey guys!

I hope you all enjoyed this long coming chapter! I am not sorry, and the plot thickens. Comments and kudos are appreciated! I love hearing from you all and I love hearing what you think!

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat