Author's Notes: Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews! I love them. Just a few quick notes. First of all, math has never been my strongest subject and I apologize for any mistakes made. There are my own and I'm going to keep going with the story as it is. Moving on, there are few things in this next chapter that are accurate. While I strive for my stories to be accurate, this is a story and things are going to happen my way! I'm sorry if that offends anyone but to each his own. Another thing, I'm not quite sure on procedure after midshipmen graduate from the Naval Academy, so I'm making my best guess so please bear with me. Oh, yeah, things are reversed from the show! Moving on, enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: I always forget this! Everyone you recognize ain't mine and anyone you don't is mine.

Chapter Two—Surviving

1306 EST

28 May 1979

Parade Grounds

United States Naval Academy

Annapolis, Maryland

"Lieutenant Rabb." I say, coming up to Harm and saluting him.

"Ensign Mackenzie." He says, saluting me back, "Congratulations, Mac."

"Same to you."

"You should be very proud, Mac." Trish, Harm's mother, says, "Are your parents here?"

"Um, no. But my sister is." I say as Abby comes over to where I am. Abby and I are identical twins but I'm a lot shorter than she is, "Abby, this is Lieutenant Harmon Rabb and Trish and Frank Burnett. Harm, Trish, Frank, this is my sister, Abigail Mackenzie."

"It's nice to meet you all." Abby says as she shakes hands.

Harm and I leave Abby and Harm's parents talking and go off to the side.

"Do you want to meet after all the celebrations end?" Harm asks.

"Sure. Do you want to meet at Jerry's?" I ask, pulling off my gloves.

"Great." He says, looking around before kissing me on the cheek, "See you at 2000."

"Yeah." I say as we head back to where our relatives are talking.

2001 EST

28 May 1979

Jerry's Restaurant

Annapolis, Maryland

I walk into Jerry's and spot Mac in the back, sipping on a glass of wine. I walk back and sit down next to her, "Hey." I say, kissing her cheek.

"Hey." She says.

"I'm so happy that everything is over."

"Oh, I know. Now it's just the summer cruise and then it's time for flight school!" Mac says.

"We survived. Now we can concrete on other things." I say as I smile at her.

"Like what?" she asks, a mischievous smile on her face.

"A little thing called us."

"Oh, you mean like our wedding."

"Exactly."

"I was thinking about it, Harm." She says, playing with her engagement ring, "I don't want us to be rushing into anything. We're young. We still have time."

"We may not." I interject, "You're going to Pensacola for flight school and I'm going to Korea. You never know what'll happen."

"Harm, c'mon, you know that things are uncertain. God knows that things are heating up somewhere."

"Just remember that I love you, Sarah." I say before leaning over to kiss her.

1611 EST

2 June 1986

Lt. Sarah Mackenzie's Quarters

U.S.S. Seahawk

Atlantic Ocean

"Hey, Mac, you got mail." My roommate, Dani, says as she comes in.

"Great." I say, getting down from my bunk. I have to leave in a few minutes to get ready for my next mission.

"You got one from lover-boy, another one from him, and something very official." She says, flipping through them.

"I wonder what the something very official is." I say, taking my mail. I put down the letters from Harm and open the official envelope.

I read it and then sit down, "Oh my God."

"What? What does it say?" Dani says, coming up to me and taking the letter from me.

"I'm going to Top Gun." I say.

"You're what?" Dani asks, her brown eyes staring at me.

""I'm going to Top Gun." I repeat.

"Oh my God! Congratulations! I can't believe!" Dani says as she hugs me.

"I don't believe it!" I say, smiling. I'm going to fly with the best of the best.

"Mac, I can't believe it!" Dani says.

"I have to call Harm." I say, getting up and grabbing my phone card and the letter, "I'll be right back."

Ten minutes later, I've place the call to Harm. He's stationed at Pensacola, training for the new Hornet.

"Rabb."

"Harm?"

"Mac, this is a surprise." He says. He sounds distracted.

"Harm, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Mac. What can I do for you?"

"I'm going to Top Gun."

"That's great, Mac. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Harm. I've got to go. I have a sortie in a few minutes." I say, "I love you."

"Yeah. Bye, Mac." He says.

"Bye." I hang up the phone. What's going on with Harm? He sounded so distant. Maybe he's just stressed and tired. I hope nothing's too terribly wrong.

2236 EST

15 June 1986

Lt. Stacey Bancroft's Quarters

16 Retiro Street

Naval Air Station Pensacola

Pensacola, Florida

"Would you like to come in for some coffee, Harm?" Stacey asks, pulling out her keys.

"Sure. But I can only stay for a few minutes. I have a test tomorrow." I smile at her. Stacey's pretty, with short blonde hair and gray eyes. She and I met at one of the classes and we've been having fun going out for drinks and dinner.

"Have a seat." She says, opening the door and tossing her coat over the back of a chair, "I'll put the coffee on."

Taking off my coat, I glance around her quarters. It's small, like mine, but she has added some personal touches. I pick up a picture of her with a younger man.

"That's my brother, Eric. He's at the University of Virginia. What about you? Any younger brothers or sisters?"

"Nope. My dad went missing when I was six during Vietnam and when my mom remarried, they didn't have any children."

"Eric and I are pretty close."

"That's good. I always wanted a little brother or sister."

"Trust me. They're not all they're cracked up to be." Stacey says as we sit down on the couch.

"I want kids someday."

"I think you'll make a great father." She says, putting her hand on my thigh.

"Stacey, please." I say, moving away from her. She follows me and finally I get up to get my coat, "Lieutenant Bancroft, stand down!" I yell as she tries to kiss me.

Stacey stops and stares at me, "Harm, I like you. I just want to spend some more time with you."

"I like you too, Stacey, but only as a friend. I have a fiancée who I love very much."

"She's not here right now."

"Good point but…."

"But nothing."

1503 EST

5 August 1986

Lt. Sarah Mackenzie's Quarters

Tactical Weapons School

Naval Air Station Miramar

Miramar, Californina

As the tears run down my face, I quickly wipe them away. Erin, my roommate, is on duty right now but I think that her watch is almost over. I stare at the ring which has been inscribed, "To my love." on the side of it. I quickly slide it into the envelope and lick it. Grabbing a pen, I address it:

Captain Harmon Rabb

187 Augustus Lane

Naval Air Station Pensacola

Pensacola, Florida

I love Harmon Rabb with all of my heart but I can't be with a man who cheats on me when we are separated. Why does this have to be so hard?

End Chapter Two.