0400 PST
Burnett Residence - Harm's Room
La Jolla, California
"Beep Beep Beep," Harm rolled over and slammed his fist down on the alarm button before groaning and climbing out of bed. He texted Bud's and Keeter's cellphones telling them to wake up before he to the bathroom to get a shower. After his shower, he went out on his private balcony over looking the ocean. He stood there for a while, just watching the waves come in while lost in thought. He jumped a little when he felt a calm, steadying hand on his shoulder. He smiled and said, "Good morning grams."
"Good morning Harm. You ok?"
He sighed, "Yeah..." and took a deep breath before turning to face his grandmother. "You're up kind of early aren't you grams? You ok?"
She laughed softly, "Harm, you forget how early I have to get up on the farm."
He smiled, "Yeah. Are you doing ok? Do you need any help on the farm? Does the roof need to be fixed again?"
"Harm, relax. Yes, I'm fine, the farm is fine, however, if you decided to come up sometime to take a look yourself for a couple of days, I wouldn't mind. Me, the animals and Mr. Becker across the road miss you." Grams winked at her grandson with a twinkle in her eye.
He laughed at her and rolled his eyes, "Yes Grams, I know. I miss you all too... well except for Mr. Becker... the mean old bastard."
Grams laughed and smacked his shoulder softly, "Don't roll your eyes at me young man. And he's not that mean... he just doesn't like you since took those boards he had out behind his barn to build your wings you used to attempt to fly when you jumped off the porch roof."
Harm laughed harder, "Well it wasn't like he was ever going to use them!"
Grams smiled and looped her arm around his, "Come on. You can escort an old woman downstairs for breakfast."
"Yes ma'am."
0800 EST
Dulles Airport
Washington D.C.
"US Airways Flight 6557 to San Diego, California will now start boarding regular class coach. Please have your tickets and ID out and ready. We thank you and hope you have a nice flight. We will now be boarding rows 22-18."
Mac turned and looked at Sturgis as she pulled out her ticket. "Did Coates get us next to each other?"
"Yeah, we're in row 9 with the emergency exit so it'll just be us on our side."
"Ok good. Have you heard anything from Bud?"
"Yeah, he said they landed fine last night and that they were about to eat dinner. They're heading out to the carrier at 0730 PST."
"They?" Mac questioned watching Sturgis' face for any knowledge of what was going on.
Sturgis just shrugged and heard their row being called. "Come on Mac, that's us." Mac nodded her head and led the way over to the gangway door. Sturgis cursed himself quietly for his slipup and knew he'd have to be more careful.
0530 PST
San Diego NAS
Bud looked around curiously when the limo pulled up in front of 2 Raptors. "Sir, where's the helicopter that's going to take us out to the carrier?"
Harm grinned and looked at Harriet before answering, "We're not taking a helicopter Bud. Bud we're taking the Raptors out to the carrier."
"But sir, aren't the Raptors single seaters?"
"Yes Bud, but we've got these special two-seat trainers. Perfect for passengers." Harm turned and watched a Petty Officer walk across the tarmac towards the group. "Petty Officer, can you please take Lt. Roberts inside and get him fitted out in gear."
"Yes sir. Right this way Lt."
They were halfway across when Harm called out to Bud, "Lt.! Make sure it all fits properly!"
"Aye, aye sir!"
Harm just laughed at his curious look and turned back to everyone else. "Come on mister AJ, let's show you what a Raptor looks like. Come on Keeter, you can start making sure we're ready to go." With that, they turned around and headed over to the planes while Harm showed them the planes.
0630 PST
Harmed walked into the squadron ready room and smiled while watching the PO try out different helmets on Bud. "You doin' ok Bud?"
"Yes sir. Sir, normally wouldn't I just get something that's somewhat close to what I need?"
"Yes normally Bud. Harriet's given her permission for this." Harm smiled at Bud and winked at Harriet. "We need you to get probably geared up for instances like this where you'll head out with us in the jets." He smiled at Bud at headed into the locker room to finish changing into his flight gear. "Come in here when you're done Bud so I can go over some basics with you before we head out to the jets."
"Aye, aye sir."
0700 PST
Keeter was sitting with AJ in the cockpit of his plane while Harriet took pictures and Grams, Trish and Frank watched and smiled. Harm was busy showing Bud how the ejection seat worked. "Ok Bud, I think that's it. Why don't you go take some pictures with your son and wife. I've got to preflight."
"Ok sir."
0715 PST
"Ok guys. I guess we better say goodbye and get going," said Harm while walking closer to everyone.
After the goodbyes, they climbed up into the jets and took off. They did a pass over the group and waggled their wings goodbye and headed out towards the carrier.
1143 GMT
USS Ronald Reagan
About 200 miles off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii
Harm, Keeter and Bud knocked on Admiral Boone's bulkhead door. "Enter! Take a seat wherever you can make one." After everyone was seated, he passed out Coke's. "Harm, have you made him the offer?"
"Yes sir." Boone turned to Boone and raised an eyebrow.
"I'd love to sir."
"Great! Well then, we need to head up to the bridge for your promotion ceremony soon. But before that, do you have any questions Lt.?"
"No sir. The commander was able to answer all of my questions on the way out."
"Good." With a mischevious look, he asked, "So how did you like your flight out here?"
Bud grinned and replied, "I loved it sir."
"Good. I hope the kids didn't play too much," said Boone while trying not to laugh.
"Yes sir. They behaved for the most part."
Harm and Keeter looked aghast before Harm replied, "Hey now! We only buzzed a few sailboats..."
"Sir, it was more like as many as you could spot," said Bud while grinning.
"Well then guys, I'm glad you had fun. Now lets go see Captain Ingles." He lead them up to the bridge and Harm had Skates come up to join them. After the ceremony, everyone went back to their quarters for some shut eye.
1500 GMT
USS Ronald Reagan
Harm & Keeter's quarters
Bud knocked on the door to the Commanders' quarters. When no one answered, he opened up the door and smiled when he heard both of them snoring. Bud yelled "Attention on deck!" and laughed when both fell out of bed and stood immediately at attention.
After they realized who it was in their room, the Commanders glared at him. "What do you need Bud that couldn't wait?"
"Sir, Commander Turner called me and said they're arriving in an hour on the evening COD."
Harm sighed and leaned back against the bunks. "I'm going to go get cleaned up. Bud, bring Sturgis down to our ready room after they report in to Cpt. Ingles."
"Yes sir. What about Colonel McKenzie? If she comes, she comes." He turned and looked at Keeter. "I guess you'll go with Bud to meet them. Just please don't start with the stories... if we're gonna tell them, then we all should be there to defend ourselves... especially considering how you and Sturgis just LOVE to blame everything on me," said Harm while grinning and rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, I wanna check out that six and see if it's the same as last time I saw it," said Keeter winking at Harm and Harm again just rolled his eyes.
Bud looked kind of shocked, "Sir?"
Keeter put on a serious face and turned to Bud, "Commander Turner Bud. You know bubblehead... bubblebutt..." Keeter waited for a minute and Bud's jaw dropped. Harm and Keeter started laughing hard.
"Bud, he did mean Mac."
"Oh... ok."
Harm prepared to leave for the showers and said on his way out, "Why don't we all just meet in the ready room in 30 minutes." With that he left the room.
Bud looked at Keeter and asked, "Sir, how do I know which one is your ready room?"
Keeter grinned, "The door has a poster of a dress-wearing Raptor imposed over an F-22 and the Raptor and whatever else comments the other squadrons have added to it." With that he left the room as well laughing.
1543 GMT
Racy Raptors squadron room
"Sir, are you sure you don't want to go up on the deck with us?"
"No Bud. I'll see her soon enough I'm sure." Sighed Harm.
"Ok sir. We'll see you shortly." Bud and Keeter left to go up on the deck and wait for the COD. After they left, Harm sat down in his ready room chair and kicked it back while turning Top Gun back on.