Maverick's silhouette stood in deep contrast with the cotton candy sky that was seemingly painted on a canvas. The way the bright blues melted with the coral pinks, purples hinted in the corners of the two colors, creating more depth within the ever-going sky.

Mist from the violent waves splashed onto her face as she was only a couple steps behind him. She let her eyes dance across the horizon, her breath being taken away as she stared out, almost forgetting about the man next to her.

The salty air inflated her lungs as she took a deep breath, trying ever so hard to focus her mind on the important task at hand: the life threatening mission that she might be chosen for. Not some guy who she was too chicken to admit her feelings to.

After she had calmed down later that night, the red numbers of Phoenix's analog clock that sat in her bed reading 3 am, erupting small sighs from them, knowing they had to be up in less than two hours, and have their asses on the carrier.

Dakota still felt like her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, and that her nose was still a little bit stuffed up, but other than that and the pounding thoughts of the previous day, she was mentally and physically ready to accomplish this mission; if she was chosen that is.

"You okay kid?" Maverick asked so quietly that she didn't hear him; with the crashing waves deafening below them. Her fingers gripped the railing tighter, the pain in her chest subsiding with each exhale. "I don't know." She replied, feeling empty. He sighed, licking his lips as he leaned his weight on his elbows, "It's about Bradley isn't it?" At this point, she was just so tired of denying her feelings. She nodded her head, her eyes meeting his as he looked up at her from his leaned over stance.

"God I knew it. I knew it from that night at the bar, the way you two looked at each other," he shook his head lightly, his gaze tearing from hers and settling on the horizon in front of them, hers doing the same, as she let out a shaky breath. "I just don't know what to do Mav," she started weakly, interlacing her fingers together. "I thought I hated him, thought he hated me. Then it's like a week ago we both started acting, different." "Like you two mean something to the other." He finished, sadness laced in his tone.

She scoffed lightly, "Yeah, how do you know-" "Charlie and I," he sighed heavily, turning his head towards her. Dakota remembered stories he would tell her about Charlie; how they met, how she was even one of his instructors, forbidden love. "That's what happened with us too. And plus," she watched as a smirk was tugging up at the corner of his lips, "I can read both of you like a book."

The two of them let out light laughs, a feeling other than dread filling her nerves, soothing them. "How'd Penny take the news of you being mission leader?" She asked carefully, just knowing that over the course of the last few weeks, they had been growing closer, trying not to, yet inevitably relighting the once dim spark between them. "She took it pretty hard," he leaned up from his position over the railing, fingers wrapping around the bars. "Said she'd 'kill me if I died'." Smiles on both of their faces as he said this, "Yeah that sounds like Pen."

Dakota's upturned lips slowly dropped, feeling the warmth of her distracted mind slipping away. "Mav," her hoarse voice spoke out. He hummed in acknowledgment, raising his eyebrows as he turned toward her. "What should I do?" She felt the feeling of dried up tears somehow managing to sting behind her eyes.

"Tell him;" he shrugged, "No doubt he feels the same way." She swallowed back the tears, not allowing herself to let anymore weakness show through other than to her list of people she has that's titled: 'List of People I Can Cry In Front Of'

She nodded her head, her lips pulled tight into a thin line. Dakota secretly loved the quiet moments between the two of them, the comfortable atmosphere that encompassed around them as they cooked, worked on their motorcycles, or whatever. He was the dad she never had the privilege of having. It seemed as if ever since her mom had passed away in a crash just a few years prior, he had somewhat stepped-up his game as just her friend. Being there if she needed anything, yelling at her if she was too reckless, you name it, and he was there; along with Penny.

"Thank you." She almost inaudibly muttered, her voice not quite getting lost in the salty air around them. "Even though we have a mission to focus on, you somehow had time to give me advice about my love life." Dakota's teeth glinted in the golden hues of the sunlight that shined on them as she looked at him, "Thank you, Maverick."

And she could've sworn she saw tears build up behind his eyes, in mouth opening and closing as he furrowed his eyebrows. He nodded, stepping closer to the girl and wrapping his arms around her neck, pulling her body into his, placing his chin atop in slicked back hair, just barley, given the face she was only an inch shorter than him. "No need to thank me," his voice vibrated his chest, which her cheek was pressed up against. "I'd do anything for the daughter I never had."

His words only caused her to let out a quick sob, that wasn't met with any tears, as she tightened her arms that were around his torso. "I love you, Pete." She said, turning her head towards the sunlight that warmed her body up even more. "I love you too, kid."

"Captain Mitchell, Lieutenant Jones," the sound of Warlock's voice spoke, making the two of them pull away ever so slightly. She expected for a stern look to be on his face, his jaw set, his eyebrows furrowed. But no, a sympathetic emotion was etched onto his features, making her think that he might've been watching them for a minute. Dakota sent a curt nod to him, as did Maverick.

"You're where you two belong. Make us proud."

-

Dakota stood next to Bradley, much to her dismay; her hands clasped tightly around her back as she stood at attention, the humidity of the room they were all placed in making condensation accumulate on her nose.

She had tried her best efforts to avoid him at all costs once her and Phoenix made their way on the carrier, skipping breakfast, sitting in the back row when they had their final mission briefing earlier that day. But now that she was planning on telling him, and soon for that matter, it made standing next to the guy she loves, having to keep completely still, almost impossible.

"It's been an honor flying with you." Maverick spoke from the front of the room, his eyes trailing between the pilots. "Each one of you, represents the best of the best. This is a very, specific mission." She heard him inhale sharply from her place, and she felt Rooster tense up beside her. "My choice is a reflection of that, nothing more."

From beside Maverick, Cyclone spoke, "Choose your two foxtrot teams." His tone filled with nothing. He took a beat, silence engulfing every soul that breathed in that room. "Payback and Fanboy, Phoenix and Bob." Dakota felt her heart sink into her stomach, yet filling with pride at the same time at the face that her best friend was chose.

"Your wingman."

From her peripherals, she saw Bradley straighten up slightly, clenching his jaw. "Rooster." Maverick's face was full of an emotion she couldn't pinpoint, the energy surrounding the two men seemingly shifted.

"And now, your Dagger five."

Dagger five? Confusion racked higher and higher in her brain. The mission outline called nothing of the sorts for a fifth plane. Yet nonetheless she stilled stood at attention. "Mustang." His voice rang through her ears, echoing along the hard surfaces of the room they were places in.

Everyone around them started moving once Maverick stepped away from the front of the room. People coming up to her and Rooster with small 'congratulations' and fist bumps; but she didn't really process any of it, still confused over the fact that there was nothing mentioned about a fifth flier.

She looked up at the man next to her, meeting his gaze. She felt her stomach flip, her chest hurting, her breathing becoming uneven. She was hoping that he wouldn't get upset like he did last time she got deployed all those years ago, and was constantly saying to herself that if he did; she totally wouldn't waste her time anymore.

But, to her surprise his finger tips grazed over her knuckles, sending the feeling of an electric current through her nerves as he intertwined their fingers, pulling her close so that their shoulders touched. She knew they were somewhat secluded, since they stayed back where they stood as everyone else walked over to congratulate the foxtrot teams.

He squeezed her hand lightly, making her meet his gaze. Bradley nodded his head towards the back of the room where it was less crowded, near some storage units that were stacked on top of each other. She followed him, watching as he made sure no one really had their attention locked on the two of them. Their hands disconnected once the stopped walking; and he turned around to face her.

Her eyes settled on his face; honey hair slightly damp due to the sweat that ran down the side of his face, hazel eyes filled with what she could only identify as worry and love (?), his chest rising and falling with each breath she took. Bradley Bradshaw was the man she undoubtedly fell in love with; the feeling each time he smiled that rose in her chest being undeniable.

"Are you okay?" She asked, her voice laced with nothing but concern, as she stepped just a little bit closer, tilting her head to look up at him. His Adams apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed, letting out a shaky breath, avoiding her gaze, as it was focused on his boots.

He nodded hesitantly, ghosting his fingers around her waist, desperate to have her closer to him. She obliged; wrapping her around around his neck, twirling his sun kissed curls around her fingers. "You're lying. What's wrong?" She questioned more pronounced, wanting– no needing him the just speak to her. Bradley was completely unaware of her little breakdown she had in Natasha's arms the night before, and he didn't need to know; he didn't need to know the effect he had on her.

She brought her hand up and gently placed it on his cheek, he leaned into her touch, closing his eyes as he inhaled slowly, before opening them. Her heart involuntarily fluttered, her throat closing up, at the intensity of the moment that was ahead.

"I just don't want you to leave me again."

And in that area of time, that small, small area, she somehow fell deeper for him. Her lips parted slightly, her eyebrows furrowing, yet her eyes filled with adoration. The corners of her mouth turned upwards, his doing that same as he leaned down, leaning their foreheads against each other's, breath fanning out and intermingling.

"God, I'm so in love with you."