13. Wingman

Ice: I would really like to meet her.

Mav: Meet who?

Ice: What do you mean 'meet who'? Your Finley, of course.

Mav: She's not 'my Finley'

However, he did like the idea of her being his girlfriend, but they weren't quite there yet. Right now they were each other's special romantic person.

Mav: But I would really like her to meet you too, Ice.

Ice: Bring her over.

Mav: You sure you're feeling up to it?

Ice: I am. And Sarah's eager to meet her too.

Pete chuckled at this. Ice and Sarah, some of his biggest supporters.

When he asked her, Finley was excited by the offer. Since they had acted on their feelings they hadn't spent any time together with anyone else besides Penny and Amelia, so this was exciting.

After work and dinner Pete picked her up and they drove on his bike to the Kazansky home. On the way he told her about Ice's cancer diagnosis years ago, and how it had recently come back more aggressive. Her heart squeezed in sympathy for this man she had never met but would soon meet and who was so important to Pete.

"It hurts to speak, so the computer's become his voice," he explained. She nodded - during her studies and practicum she had worked with students who had used computers similarly for help with speech.

They drove into a higher-end neighbourhood along the ocean and lined with towering palm trees. The sun was just setting and the view was spectacular.

"I've watched many a sunset here," he said as they pulled into the driveway. "Even when it felt like I had nothing I had Ice and Sarah."

"I can't wait to meet them," she said as he offered her a hand to help her off the back of the bike. Though she was getting a little nervous as well. "I hope they like me."

"They'll love you," he assured her.

"They sound super cool, like totally badass."

"And so are you."

"I just don't want to be the awkward one out who's not all in with the navy stuff - oh!" she was cut off and gave a surprised cry when her feet lifted off the ground as Pete picked her up and spun her around, kissing her. If he was trying to squash her worries it worked.

"Is it really appropriate to be kissing in your friends' driveway?" she asked with a laugh as he broke the kiss and set her back down.

"Trust me, this driveway's seen a lot worse." He winked, took her hand, kissed the back of it, and led her up to the front door.

Their knock was answered right away. "Maverick, long time no see." A curly-haired woman who looked to be between Pete and Penny's ages answered the door.

"Sarah, yes, thanks for having us." Pete wrapped her up in a hug.

"Of course, anytime." She turned from him to Finley. "This must be the famous Finley."

"I don't know about 'famous', but I am Finley. Sarah, so nice to meet you. Thank you for having us." She internally groaned as she realized she had literally repeated what Pete had just said, her nerves taking over, but Sarah just smiled warmly at her.

"You're very welcome, we're very excited to meet you." Sarah wrapped her up in a hug as well, and some of Finley tense nerves faded away with the kind gesture. "Come on in, Tom's just setting up the computer." She could see deep pain behind Sarah's smile and couldn't imagine what she was going through, watching her husband, the man she loved, dying and in such pain. Her heart went out to her as well, to all of them.

"Would you like something to drink?" Sarah was just preparing tea for everyone when there was the shuffling of feet and a tall man appeared in the hallway.

"Ice," Pete greeted. "How's my Wingman?"

Ice smiled and gave a nod. He had a very warm smile Finn noticed right away, which contradicted his nickname of 'Ice'. He was in a lot of pain, but was clearly putting on a brave face.

Pete put his arm around Finn. "You probably guessed it, but this is Finley."

She stepped forward to greet him. "Hello Sir, thank you for having us, it's so nice to meet you. Sorry, I don't have much experience being in the presence of an admiral," she admitted. Ice just smiled. "Very nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Pete and your long-standing rivalry - I'm afraid I can only speak for him cause I haven't seen you fly, but I believe him that you're an excellent pilot." She was rambling on, she was nervous. Not just because of the admiral thing, but because this was Pete's closest friend.

He squeezed her hand and smiled warmly, then gestured for everyone to follow.

He led the way down the hall and to a room where he opened the door and turned on the light, revealing a spacious home office with a beautiful view of the ocean and full of naval memorabilia, of course only too fitting for the Commander of the Pacific Fleet.

He gestured to some chairs around his desk to say please, have a seat.

"Make yourself ay home." Sarah added, sitting down herself, closest to her husband.

Ice sat down before the desk and computer, hands falling on the keyboard and typing. The screen was black, white words popping up as he typed. He used perfect punctuation and grammar in his typed sentences, which didn't surprise Finley but she appreciated it. The amount of slang and incorrect grammar in her students' papers made her want to scream! Had she taught them nothing?

Don't worry, we don't have to talk about work this time.

Pete chuckled. "Good, I'm glad."

Ice smiled at them and then typed some more. She's taller than you.

"Oh, Tom," chuckled Sarah.

"That's all you have to say?" Pete laughed. "Ice always jokes about how small I am," he told her. "Only cause he's a giant."

Smiling, Ice typed. It's very nice to meet you, Finley.

"You as well, Sir."

Tom, please.

"Tom."

Would you like to see some photos from back in our day?

"I'd love to!"

Sarah got up to get the album, Ice smiling his thanks to her.

"Oh I've seen this photo, it's on the wall at the club we went to."

"Yup, that was after the first mission we flew together," Pete explained. "They actually printed it on the wall in the front entrance of Top Gun."

"Their top boys," smiled Sarah.

"Huh, maybe you can show me some time."

"I'd love to."

The start of a great friendship.

"You said it, Admiral."

Finley heard about the other missions they had flown together over the years, as well as the many, many MANY times Ice had saved Pete's ass and prevented him from getting kicked out of the navy altogether. She also heard all about Tom and Sarah's life together and it warmed her to see the beautiful life they'd built, only adding to the tragic nature of their current situation.

At the end of the visit, the two men held each other in a tight, heartwarming hug. Then Ice cleared his throat. "I'm very happy for you both. Finley, it's been a pleasure meeting you."

She smiled. "You as well, Tom, and Sarah. Thank you so much."

"And Mav - remember what I said last time."

"Thank you Ice, for everything."

"One last thing: who's the better pilot? You or me?"

"This is a nice moment - let's not ruin it." Both broke out laughing.

Then Ice looked at them pointedly. "And I saw that kiss in my driveway - you kids have fun."

The new pair exchanged a warm glance. "Thanks Ice."

"They loved you," Pete said as they climbed onto his bike for the drive home.

"And I loved them right back. Thank you for introducing me."

"Of course."

As they drove home she circled her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his shoulder, snuggling close.

Soon, too soon, they were arriving at her apartment. She didn't want the wonderful evening to end - but why did it have to?

She opened her door and turned to him. "Would you like to come in?"

Oooo... ;) Haha! I'm writing my Tom and Sarah story which is separate from this one, but it's funny to write them here as well knowing all I've created for them in that story!

As always thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)