A/N: I feel like this is a very sloppy chapter. Tell me what you think. Does it seem like I got the characters personalities wrong? Perhaps I'm being too self-critical. Honestly though, I don't think I really nailed anyone's personalities down. Maybe once I finish, I can go back and rewrite this chapter. Any advice would be really appreciated. Help me. :/

Pheonix was flying back to the carrier in a state of complete shock. Her mind was blank; she couldn't think straight. Pheonix's brain replayed the scene just moments ago. Maverick; falling. Rooster; gone. It was all too much. Her hands were on autopilot, they moved instinctively, almost robotically. Bob sat behind her; he also was in a state of shock. His friend and his leader had both been shot down by SAM missiles, and all he did was sit and watch. He thought Mav was dead and did nothing to go and help him. Payback and Fanboy were speechless. Payback let silent tears fall down his face. They were gone. They weren't coming back.

Only one person truly wasn't in a state of shock. In fact, Hangman was angry; fuming, really. He felt helpless, sitting there in the F/A-18, listening to everything going on. He heard Phoenix's pained cry for Rooster to answer. He heard Bob tell Rooster that Mav was gone. He heard Payback report that he didn't see any parachute. But that didn't mean Hangman believed them, though. Of course, he believed them that they both were shot down, (although he didn't want to) but he didn't believe that they were dead.

Hangman jumped out of the cockpit, and down the ladder. His fists were clenched and jaw set. He needed to recruit a search and rescue team. He needed—

Phoenix landed the plane on the carrier, followed closely by Payback. Phoenix hopped out of the cockpit, her faced was flushed, and her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. She walked over to Hangman, her expression a fiery spark of hope. "You alright?" he asked softly.

Phoenix nodded. "We need to arrange a search and rescue team immediately; they're still out there." She spoke.

Hangman nodded, "My thoughts exactly." They both started walking towards the bridge.

Payback, Fanboy, and Bob caught up with them. "Where are we going?" Bob asked.

"I'm going to find Admiral Simpson. We need to send out a rescue team." Phoenix answered. They all walked quickly to the bridge, finding Cyclone and Warlock engaged in a conversation. "Admiral Simpson, sir?" Hangman spoke up.

Cyclone looked up, seemingly to just notice them in the room. "Yes, Lt. Seresin?"

"Sir, I request permission to set up a search and rescue team for Captain Mitchell and Lt. Bradshaw, please." He added.

"Negative. Those bandits will bring reinforcements over here soon and we need to be clear of the danger zone." Cyclone spoke.

"But sir!" Phoenix interjected, "They might still be alive! They could be hurt; we need to help them."

"I'm well aware that they both may be alive, but it is too risky to attempt a rescue mission at the moment." Cyclone said. His expression softened when he saw their faces, "You're not the only one who cares about them."

"If you care about them too, then let us send out a team." Phoenix said. Her usually kept temper was starting to show.

"I can't allow that to happen, I wouldn't want to lose anyone else." Cyclone's voice cracked a little.

"14 days, sir. Please, give us 14 days to find them." Phoenix said.

"8. I'll give you 8 days to find them," Cyclone said, "If nothing is found by then, we leave. Understood?"

They nodded, "Understood, sir." Hangman spoke.

"Thank you." Bob said quietly from where he was standing.

Cyclone nodded. "Get some rest. I'll set up a team to go out tonight undercover in the dark."

Phoenix smiled wearily. "Thank you, Admiral Simpson, sir."

The teammates left the bridge and went down to the beds. Payback and Fanboy shared a room; Hangman shared with Rooster; Bob was with someone else; and Pheonix was also with someone else.

There was a chorus of goodnights as the teammates went their own ways. Bob pulled Phoenix aside. "Are you okay?" he asked. There was a look of concern in his eyes. Pheonix nodded, looking at her shoes. "Yeah, yeah. It's just—Maverick and Rooster…they could be alive. But they also could be…"

"I know, I know." Bob said, "But we can't lose hope. If I know anything about Rooster, it's that he's a very stubborn person. They'll get through this. I know we will."

Pheonix bit her lip, tears brimming in her eyes. It was a rare moment of emotion coming from Natasha. Bob pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back comfortingly. "It's okay," he muttered. "It's okay."

He desperately hoped it was.