CHARACTERS: Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw, Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, Carole Bradshaw, Scott Bradshaw

PAIRINGS: Goose/Maverick

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters. I'm just borrowing them.

'Mess I Made' by Parachute

Pete Mitchell stared down at the grave as it was covered with fresh dirt. He had a small child clinging to the leg of his dress whites, Carole holding his arm and crying openly. So it was really true. Nick Bradshaw was gone.

As much as it killed him to think it, he almost wished he had said something to Nick before the accident. If only he had said it. "I love you, Nick." "I'm in love with you, Nick." "Make me yours, Nick."

Now he stared down at the dirt that covered the casket, toed a rock with his nice dress shoes. He let Carole lean on him. He patted Scott's head. Pete let out a sigh. He knew no one blamed him, but it didn't matter, because he still blamed himself. 'Just look at the mess I made, Nick.'