Chapter 9

Amelia is leaning back in the barstool, the edge of the counter digging unpleasantly into her back. She's not paying attention to the discomfort, however, because she's busy observing Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in his element. He's giving the group of aviators under his care a pep talk and, even though she can't actually hear his speech, she can tell it's at least half decent by the inspired looks on the officers' faces.

Bob and Phoenix are still under medical observation but are expected to make a full recovery, which means they all have a lot to be thankful for.

Sydney is sitting in the lap of one of the officers – Hangman, she'd called him – and he's got his arms wrapped around her. She watches her father with an grim expression and Amelia feels a pang of guilt considering she's the one who might have instilled some of the animosity her daughter feels toward him.

Once Maverick is finished, a loud cheer erupts from the pilots' table and they raise their glasses as Maverick turns back to the bar with a sheepish grin. He shakes his head, looking at Amelia, and she gives him a small smile. After the day he's had, he deserves at least that.

He makes his way toward her, his expression a well-balanced mix of joy and apprehension.

"Hey," he says, taking up the seat next to hers. He spins on the stool to face the bar.

Amelia leans away from the counter, glancing at his side profile as he knocks his knuckles on the polished surface, nodding at the bartender to get his attention.

"Your usual?" he asks.

Amelia takes a deep breath and then slowly releases it. "You know, I'm not overly thirsty."

He looks at her with a smirk he tries to conceal by quickly pursing his lips. "You might be in the wrong place, then," he says.

She nods. "Yeah, I was afraid of that," she responds quietly.

Maverick lets out a sigh and, when the bartender arrives, he orders himself a gin and tonic, and then turns to Amelia. "For the lady," he says, giving her a crooked smile, "Sex on the Beach, was it?"

She scoffs. "Yeah, Captain. In your dreams."

Maverick laughs. "You're right," he responds, grinning back at the unimpressed bartender. "She'll have a Long Island Iced Tea, please."

"Actually," Amelia says musingly once the bartender walks away. "Sex on the Beach sounds pretty good right about now."

Maverick chuckles, shaking his head. "The ways you torment me, woman," he says. "It's a damn crime."

"Do you want me to stop?" she asks innocently.

He glances at her. "Never," he responds immediately.

Amelia's eyebrows converge at the miserable look in his eyes and she feels instantly guilty for flirting back. She reminds herself that he started it, as always. But that doesn't mean she shouldn't have put a stop to it. She clears her throat. "Pete," she starts.

Maverick groans. "Oh, please don't call me that."

Amelia's shoulders slump. "Mav," she says softly.

"Hm?" he hums, looking up at her tiredly, and she reaches out to place her hand on his knee.

"I'm not here to upset you. I'm certainly not here to torment you," she continues. "But I'm also not here for you. I don't want you to get the wrong idea or" –

"Or to get my hopes up," Maverick finishes.

Amelia sighs, tearing her eyes away from his burning gaze. "If that's what's happening, then yes."

Maverick shrugs. "I wasn't."

She nods, shooting him a brief glance. "Good."

"Great," he says.

"Perfect," she agrees.

"Glad we're on the same page," he says, an edge to his tone. He turns back in the barstool and her hand slips off his leg.

She looks up to see him glaring at the empty space ahead of him, his jaw set. Amelia decides to change the subject. She turns her back to the bar again. "Strange to see Sydney warming up to a bunch of pilots," she says.

Maverick lets out a derisive laugh. "Are you worried?"

She gives him a sideways glance. "Are you not?"

Maverick just out his chin, looking displeased. "They're a good bunch of kids," he says, not looking at Amelia.

"Oh, I have no doubt," she responds. Then, as an afterthought, she adds, "I just can't imagine she would consider a serious relationship with a naval aviator after..." Her voice trails off.

"After?" Maverick asks pointedly.

"Well." Amelia sighs. "After everything we went through with you" –

But Maverick starts chuckling bitterly before she can finish. "Everything you went through," he repeats. "Everything you went through?" he asks incredulously, his voice rising.

Amelia rolls her eyes. "Okay, let's not get into this here," she says.

He nods. "Good idea," he replies contemptuously.

Amelia breathes out sharply. "I don't know why I'm here." She shakes her head. "I can't," she says, rising from the stool. "I can't do this."

Maverick is still facing the bar, holding a fist firmly against his mouth. He doesn't respond.

Amelia gives the back of his head a final, withering look, before she turns to leave. But before she can walk away, Maverick reaches back to catch her wrist. She looks at him as he lets her hand slip through his slackened grip until only her fingertips remain in his grasp. He's watching her earnestly.

His lips are pressed together as though he's fighting to keep them steady. "Stay," he whispers. "Please."

Amelia hesitates so Maverick wiggles her hand playfully.

"C'mon," he says. "Look," he adds, pointing to the bar. "Your drink is here."

Amelia eyes the glass sweating onto the coaster atop the lacquered bar.

"Unless you still had your heart set on sex on the beach," Maverick offers with a smirk. "Because the beach is that way." He points toward the door leading to the shoreline.

Amelia rolls her eyes and Maverick pulls on her hand, bringing her closer.

He glances over her shoulder at his daughter and says, "I wouldn't worry about Sydney. She's got a good head on her shoulders."

Amelia sighs, reclaiming her seat beside Maverick. "I'm not positive it's her I'm worried about."

Maverick follows Amelia's gaze to Bradley, who is grimacing at Hangman as he dips Sydney after a particularly flashy dance number. "Ah," Maverick says, nodding. He takes a sip of his drink and hisses.

"What's he like?" Amelia asks.

Maverick lets out a heavy sigh. "Driven," he responds after several moments. "Reliable. Very serious."

Amelia frowns, watching Bradley brood at the table as Sydney and Hangman continue dancing after the song is over.

"Very much by the book," Maverick continues. "Hates me."

Amelia chuckles.

"It's not funny," Maverick says, but he's got a small smile on his face when Amelia turns to look at him. "The guy won't even talk to me unless he's yelling about something."

Amelia laughs louder.

Maverick starts chuckling too. "I'm so glad that my misery amuses you."

Amelia shakes her head and gives him a sincere look. "I have no doubt that you two will work out your differences," she says.

Maverick watches her skeptically. "Really?"

Amelia holds his gaze. "I know that you won't give up on him."

He sighs and looks past her, running a hand over his mouth. "You've got too much faith in me."

"Eh." Amelia shrugs. "I happen to know you pretty well," she says.

He glances back at her and she gives him an affectionate smile. He furrows his brows, bringing his hand up to cup her face. He runs his thumb over her cheek, his eyes sweeping over her features, and she feels her insides flip upside down. "How the fuck did I mess this up?" he says miserably.

Amelia stares at him, her eyes flitting between his. "Pete," she breathes.

He closes his eyes with a sigh and his hand drops back into his lap.

Amelia is temporarily frozen as she contends with the violent swings in her stomach. It takes all her strength to keep from putting her arms around his neck and letting him lift her off the ground in an embrace. For a moment, she indulges the fantasy. But when the moment is over, she takes a shaky breath and nudges him on the shoulder. "Captain Mitchell," she says in a playful voice. "I hear there's a beach somewhere around here and I recall you promised to get me wet."

Maverick looks up at her incredulously. His lips curl into a smile. "I believe I had offered a walk."

Amelia laughs. "Don't tell me you're suddenly a proper gentleman."

Maverick raises his eyebrows in mock outrage. "Suddenly?"

Amelia stands. "Shall we, Captain?" She holds her hand out to him.

He gives her a fevered glance from under his eyebrows, struggling to keep his smirk under control. He takes her hand, rising from his seat, and brings his arm around her. She feels his palm flatten on the small of her back, drawing her closer, and her heart threatens to gallop right out of her chest. He lowers his head and she can feel his mouth move over her ear as he whispers. "I can get you wet, baby," he mutters, his words bringing about a turbulence in her gut reminiscent of his aggressive flying style. Then, he starts propelling her toward the door. "By throwing you into the ocean."

...

A/N: AHHHH THE FLIRTING XD I feel like I will forever be writing these two with unresolved sexual tension. Until one day I'm just gonna give in because I won't be able to take it anymore haha

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