Gravity's Pull

Maverick's POV

I knew Maeve was right, that I needed to leave the subject of her previous RIO alone. It felt impossible, she was like a MiG I needed to shoot down but couldn't get a target lock on. It was a relatively new feeling that I couldn't seem to shake, no matter how many women would fling themselves at me, I did not want them. She would not leave my head, I wanted to keep her safe in a cocoon. But that was impossible because she was a fighter pilot, we craved the adrenaline, the danger, the fun of it all. On top of all that she was independent, she could take care of herself, but my instincts told me that she needed protection.

This would not be a good thing when we were flying together, I had already lived through the scares and constant worry of her not coming back one day. Not that she knew any of that, but I was sure her independence would prevent her from ever accepting the love she truly deserved. I sighed, leaning back in the lawn chair that I had sat in to prevent myself from going after her. I was sitting outside for quite some time, as I watched the sun start to dip below the horizon. The string lights outside kicked on and I heard someone clear their throat behind me.

"Hey Mav, you alright?" I turned to see Goose standing in the doorway looking down at me from the step. I smirked up to him, trying to hide the frustration I was harboring.

"Yeah, I guess I'm enjoying the downtime we'll be having for the next couple of days," I told him. He chuckled coming down the steps to sit next to me in the other chair.

"Yeah right," He said sarcastically, knowing me too well to believe the web I had been spinning. Sometimes it was obnoxious how well he knew me.

"You're thinking about M-A-E-V-E," He spelled out her name as if there were a child nearby and he didn't want them to decipher what he was saying. I slinked down in the chair I was in confirming his suspicion without saying anything. When I didn't give his comment a chuckle he switched into a more serious tone.

"Mav, what is it about this girl that you can't get off of? You've never been interested and pushy like this before with anyone. Trust me, I've seen a lot of your conquests, even with that one admiral's daughter… You blew through them easily without a second thought. Why her? Why now?" He asked, his questions were valid and to be honest I wasn't sure.

"Honestly Goose, I just want to be helpful," I told him, knowing he could see right through me.

"All right, you're not ready to talk about it because then it makes it real. But just so you know everyone sees it but you two. She already seems like she's lost in the dark... Don't get lost yourself trying to find her." He smiled at me sadly.

"There's more to her than just that though, Goose. I intend to find out what it is, but I'll take your advice." I told him, letting my head rest on the back of the chair as I analyzed his reaction.

"Mav, let's get out tonight, we can go to the bar, maybe get your mind off of things?" He asked me. I nodded, not entirely looking forward to being out with the other pilots but agreed nonetheless.

"All right, let's invite Reaper and Doe," I told him. I knew he wanted to go to the bar and scope out the competition, and I'll admit it was something I wanted to do too. He got up out of his chair waiting for me to join him. I lifted myself out of the chair and followed Goose inside the house, the air conditioning inside felt great.

"Do you want to tell them? Or do you want me to do it? I've already talked it over with Doe." He told me.

"Why don't you let Doe do it then?" I told him, gripping the edge of the counter to stop myself from running to her. He nodded moving to go up the stairs as I rifled through the kitchen looking for a snack. The kitchen wasn't stocked, but I did manage to find some fruit that had been in a bowl. My hand gravitated towards the orange, I picked it up, checking it before I peeled it to make sure it hadn't rotted. As I bit into my first bite I heard footsteps coming downstairs.

"Goose has decided that we should dress in our whites." I heard Doe come into the kitchen. I nodded when she came into view, she looked a bit annoyed at the thought of slipping into yet another uncomfortable outfit.

"Did you guys decide where your rooms are?" I asked her as I threw the orange peel into the trash and grabbed the bags I had left near the back door. I went to follow her up the stairs.

"Yes, you'll be in the room to the left near Maeve. Nick and I are on the opposite wall" She said as we got to the top of the stairs, pointing towards the rooms as she mentioned them.

"Is she doing all right?" I asked her in a hushed tone. Doe nodded, gesturing me closer. I took a half step closer to her.

"I went to check on her when she came up, she's not in great spirits so try to leave the past where it is. She just wants to have fun, she hasn't let loose in a long time." She told me, I nodded confirming to her that I understood.

"Thank you, Doe. She's very lucky to have found you." I told her as I left the conversation and went to my room to unpack the dress whites. I closed the door to my room as I unpacked everything, putting my clothes in my drawers and my flight stuff on the desk near the window. I hung up the things that needed to be hung. I shrugged out of my tans, hanging them up in the closet and replacing them with whites. I didn't bother to change my undershirt and boxers, since I had already cleaned up from my shift this morning. I plopped down onto the bed, finishing off my orange, I closed my eyes waiting for Goose to come get me after everyone was ready. It wasn't long before I heard my door push open.

"Mav, are you decent?" I heard a feminine voice call out, I forced myself to stay planted on the bed when I knew Maeve had come to get me instead of Goose.

"Yes, are we all ready?" I asked her as I quickly pulled my white dress shoes on. She stood leaning against the door frame as she pushed the door fully open. I took in her appearance, she had redone her hair in a neat bun as it always was. I loved her hair down, it held a natural wave that women craved. She was a petite little fireball who knew her limits and everyone else's. She stuck to the rules strictly, she was so opposite to me and yet I felt my attraction grow.

"Yeah, we're just waiting on you." She told me, I chuckled as I tied the laces on the last shoe. Standing up, I grabbed my hat tucking it under my arm. I followed her down the stairs where both Goose and Doe were waiting.

"How're we going to get there, did we decide on arrangements yet?" Maeve asked them.

"I say we all pile into Goose's car," I said to her, standing just over her shoulder. I smiled, I could smell the perfume wafting off her as she craned her neck to look at me. Everyone watched for each other's reaction making sure that idea was alright. When there were no objections, we filed out the door and to the Bronco that sat in the driveway.

I opened the passenger door for Maeve, then climbed in crawling over the center console. It was a tight squeeze but it was better without all the extra gear from earlier. Goose turned on the radio flipping the channels until he found something that fit what he was in the mood for. It wasn't a long drive to the bar, back down the highway, and near the base.

When we walked inside, it was packed with people. We pushed through the majority of them making our way to the bar. I looked behind me making sure Maeve and Crystal were still there. I could see them talking amongst themselves, I wrapped my arm around her waist pulling her close to me for a second as she was about to get bulldozed by some already drunk patrons. I immediately let her go so as not to upset her as she took a half step out of my grasp squeezing in just between Goose and I, Crystal squeezing to my left. Maeve flagged down the bartender easily,

"Vodka tonic, and whatever they want." She gestured to us,

"Budweiser" Goose said to him looking at me for confirmation that I was okay with that. I nodded.

"Make it two, and a Cosmo for the lady." Goose immediately said, ordering for the rest of us. The bartender nodded and briskly got to work on the drinks. He got us our beers first, then started mixing the ladies, getting Maeve's to her before Crystal. I turned around resting my elbows on the bar.

"Mav, you want to know who the best is? That's him, Iceman. That's the way he flies, ice-cold, no mistakes. Just wears you down, you get bored and frustrated, do something stupid and he's got you." Goose told me, I nodded taking in the information. I had a feeling I was going to really get on his nerves in the sky. I brushed the thought away as I watched Maeve, she looked around trying to find a booth against the wall away from our fellow pilots.

"Hey, hey Slider, thought you wanted to be a pilot, man. What happened?" Goose started the conversation with him pulling him closer by his collar.

"Goose you're such a dickhead. Whose butt did you kiss to get in here?" Slider asked him, a shit-eating grin on his face. He was a few inches taller than Goose but raised his chin to appear even taller, fucking annoying he thought he was better than us.

"Well, the list is long but distinguished," Goose replied to him.

"Yeah, well so is my johnson," Slider replied to him, as he downed a shot, I laughed, sure.

"So you're flying with Iceman?" Goose asked him.

"It's Mister Iceman to you." Slider said getting stupid over his pilot.

"Hey, Mother Goose how's it going?" Iceman walked up to us, shaking Goose's hand.

"Good, Tom. This is Pete Mitchell, Tom Kazansky. And well, you've met this one, Maeve Ford, and Crystal Harris." Goose formally introduced everyone. Not that it was needed I already knew I didn't like this bastard.

"Congratulations on Top Gun," Iceman said, giving Maeve a smile, she just stared at him, not offering a smile in return.

"Thank you," I replied for us, not giving her the chance to speak. I could almost feel her eyes burning through me for not letting her talk. I knew she was itching to give him a piece of her mind but now was not the time or place.

"Sorry to hear about Cougar. He and I were like brothers in flight school, he was a good man." He said as he reached over Maeve to grab some beer nuts, she scoffed and turned her head away from him as he got close to her.

"Still is a good man," I told him quickly as if he was implying Cougar was anything but. I knew Maeve was still touchy about the subject, he had only turned in his wings 48 hours ago, but I knew it was still fresh in her brain.

"Yeah, that's what I meant." He said unfazed by his lapse in wording, stuffing more beer nuts in his mouth.

"Right, because you clearly give a fuck about him and all the other pilots in here." Maeve spit out angrily taking a step towards him, begging him to egg her on. I stepped behind her ready to grab her if she decided to pounce. We didn't need the attention, not yet anyway.

"Guess the rumors are true about you then, Reaper," Iceman said to her backing down from her harsh gaze. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her and she was locked on him ready to take him down.

"You know, I was just telling Maverick not to believe everything he hears. Which means it's either better or worse than what you've already heard…" She advised him as she took a sip of her drink watching him over the rim. I did the same, I needed more alcohol in my system if this was where the night was heading.

"Say, you need any help?" He asked me, he just couldn't shut his mouth. But I was glad he knew not to step any further with Maeve. She backed away from him, bumping into me, still fuming. I stabilized her, gripping her hip lightly with my free hand.

"With what?" I asked him, genuinely confused about where he was going with this. Crystal moved in from where she was standing on the other side of me to hear the conversation.

"You figured it out yet?" He continued the questions. I noticed Slider watching my movements carefully, I released Maeve from my grip, tapping her as I let go, I wanted her to know I was here for her if she needed it. But there was no need for there to be rumors of fraternization, especially coming from the most likely pair that would get us thrown out of this program at any cost.

"What's that?" I asked him taking another drink of my beer.

"Who's the best pilot." He told me as he neared my face, a bit too close for my liking.

"No, I think I can figure that one out on my own," I said to him glancing to my left to check on Maeve, she had finished her drink and started to wave the bartender down for another. She was tracking Iceman with her eyes not willing to let him out of her sight, even though she was not talking to him anymore. I could tell she didn't trust him and didn't like his attitude.

"I heard that about you, you like to work alone," I smirked, it was true, other people tended to slow me down in the air. The only one I would want as my wingman would be Maeve, she knew how to keep up with me when we were flying. She wasn't afraid of the stunts I pulled, not many would want to follow me through the gates of hell, but I knew she would.

"Mav, you must've soloed under a lucky star, huh? I mean first the MiG, and then you guys slide into Cougar's spot? And you, your commander just gave you another spot?" Slider started on this bullshit again.

"We didn't slide into Cougar's spot. It was ours, okay?" Goose jumped in before I could.

"Someone else dropped out, just because you're insecure doesn't mean you get to be an ass." Crystal jumped in for Maeve. I could practically feel the irritation rolling off her figure just in front of me. I took another sip of my beer, almost ready for another.

"Yeah, well, some pilots wait their whole career just to see a MiG up close. Guess you guys are lucky and famous." Slider adjusted his tactic seeing as he was hitting some delicate topics.

"No, you mean notorious. I'll see you later." Iceman finished the conversation walking off, but not before giving Maeve and Crystal one last glance.

"You can count on it," I replied as I watched them walk away letting out a sigh.

"They were abused children," Goose said to me, noticing my reaction.

"We're going to have a good time," I said to him smiling as we clinked our bottles together.

"Always." He said, leaning over the bar to order another round for all of us.

"Let's go find a place to sit down," I said, leaning into Maeve's ear as I didn't feel like shouting at her. She nodded and worked her way to the corner booth she had been eyeing. I followed her lead sliding into the seat next to her as Crystal took her other side waiting for Goose to arrive. He wasn't far behind us but I noticed him struggling with the drinks, I got up and grabbed two from his hands and we made our way back. I set the glasses on the table in front of the girls and sat back down. Just as I did, silence rang through the air as the jukebox changed songs.

"That's it for me guys. I'll drive us back tonight," Crystal said as she pushed her empty glass in front of her and brought the full one toward her.

"No, no, you're not driving my car." Goose chuckled a bit, getting his keys out and waving them in front of her. She grabbed them quickly, stuffing them in her breast pocket.

"Well if you don't want me driving you'll have to stop drinking.." She smiled at him watching his face fall with defeat.

"Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me," Maeve burst out, her head dropping to look at the table. I looked around the area confused, there was no one here that would cause that reaction from her.

"What??" Crystal asked, also struck with confusion over her outburst. Maeve lifted her head and pointed towards the ceiling, a ghost of a smile gracing her face. She wasn't entirely pissed and I could tell she was moderately amused.

All our times have come, here but now they're gone. Seasons don't fear the reaper, nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain, we can be like they are. Come on baby don't fear the reaper.

"Alright that's gotta be one of the guys teasing you, but it doesn't matter Reaper, you know the rules, drink up, finish that one." Goose let out a chuckle gesturing to her newly bought drink. It was this game we played, if any song got played that related to our callsigns we had to finish our drink. Of course, this got difficult sometimes the more creative the callsign, like Goose, so he chose his own song each time we went out. Maeve groaned, not looking forward to the drink going down her throat but she was a good sport and chugged it down.

"All right boys, I guess that means I need another." She told us, tapping me on the shoulder so I would let her out of the booth. She was definitely in better spirits as I watched her walk over to the bar, she took a seat on the stool waiting for the bartender instead of flagging him down immediately. I leaned in towards Crystal knowing that Goose wouldn't approve of this topic of conversation.

"I got a question for you," I said to her as I finished the beer I was working on and grabbed the new one in front of me.

"Why did you agree to be her RIO with all the rumors floating around with her previous one?" I asked her, she looked at me pensively.

"Well it's one of those things Mav, do you believe all the rumors about anyone in the squadron?" She asked me. I thought for a second,

"Well no. But with all the suspicion surrounding it?" I prodded more. Goose just overhearing this shook his head at me as he realized what we were talking about.

"When I signed on to be her RIO, they asked me if I wanted to hear the story from her or read her file. I chose to hear it from her, she let me in and told me in her own time. Mav, look at her, do you really believe she could kill me?" She asked me as I looked over to Maeve.

"No, I don't, you two are thick as thieves," I said, this seemed to satisfy Crystal as she let out a giggle.

"See, and you couldn't kill Goose either. But regardless, it's not my story to tell. Just give her time." She said making her point. I nodded.

I noticed Maeve stand up from her seat, a bit wobbly, drink in hand, she looked absolutely pissed. The guy next to her spun his chair towards her as she started walking away, he checked out her ass and grabbed her wrist to pull her back to him. At that moment, I jumped up from the table about to go over there with Goose and Crystal right behind me. I raced my way to her but the damage had been done.

Then the door was open and the wind appeared. The candles blew and then disappeared. The curtains flew and then he appeared. Saying don't be afraid. Come on baby, don't fear the reaper.

She raised her right hand that was holding the glass and threw it to the ground. It shattered instantly upon hitting the floor into a million little shards. It distracted everyone for a second, Maeve took the opportunity and punched him straight in the face. Immediately, there was a silence that fell over the crowd, which was quickly replaced with yelling from both sides. My heart skipped a beat as I noticed blood pooling from her hand, dripping onto the floor. I was on her in seconds holding her back from doing anything more to the poor fool who thought he could get something out of her. Some of the guy's buddies jumped up upon seeing us and got in front of their friend ready to defend him.

"What the fuck man? Psycho bitch!" One of them yelled at her. I made sure Maeve was situated behind me before I took the next step. I could feel her fight back against me hopping on my back just to take a swing at this guy. I steadied my feet feeling her additional weight combined with my own.

"No one gets to call her that, you don't even know her," I yelled at him getting in his face. I felt Maeve shift her weight towards the bar grabbing a full beer bottle and taking a swig. Goose immediately intervened, pushing me back from him, Maeve slipping off my back. I noticed all the other pilots and RIOs from Top Gun appeared slowly next to our side wanting to see what was happening.

"I said no and told him I wasn't interested about 15 times and he still wouldn't leave me alone. Not everything is yours to claim. I don't belong to anyone." Maeve yelled at him now in line with my shoulder. I refused to let her get much closer, she would tear them apart. I put my right arm in front of her, bracing her against it.

"Hey, hey. Wow, let's calm down here, see, she has a pretty good reason why she reacted the way she did." Goose started as he lined up on the other side of me.

Maeve slipped underneath my arm, her hands slipping around my neck, I broke my gaze with our offenders and watched her face. She smiled at me and brought my face down to hers. When our lips connected I completely lost track of what was happening. I grabbed her hips, pulling her fully against me, she let out a small moan that made me want her even more. I traced the tip of my tongue along her bottom lip, just as she was about to open her mouth she tore herself away from me throwing the bottle across the room, it hit someone and shattered on the floor. She ran towards the man who had called her a psycho bitch, he threw a punch at her, she dodged it, grabbing his wrist, twisting it, and coming down hard with her elbow into his arm. I heard a deafening crack that filled the atmosphere. A scream followed it as everyone backed away from her. It was like I was cemented to where I stood, waiting in awe for the next thing to happen.

"Yeah let's leave these pussies alone, they clearly need to rethink their tactics after getting beat up by a girl," Iceman shouted near the front.

"Man fuck you." One of his friends said to him as he walked up and pushed against his chest believing he could move him. Safe to say he did not. From there, the rest of the night was a blur, people were throwing punches, breaking bottles, and chairs seemed to fly from one end to another. It was absolute chaos, anyone who wanted to fight, did. Clearly, there was no need to stick around as everyone had forgotten who threw the first punch and why everything had started.

"Grab her, get them outta here!" I heard one person say about the injured men that Maeve had absolutely destroyed. She had punched strong enough to knock some teeth out. Upon hearing them trying to get her, I went forward grabbing her by her waist and throwing her over my shoulder.

"Yeah, that's right, get your woman." I heard someone say behind me as I pushed myself through the people who had gathered around us. Maeve thrashed against my back trying to claw and scratch her newly formed enemies. Once I got us to the back near the booth, I set her down, which I quickly realized was a mistake as she tried to immediately go back. I stopped her, getting in front of her and holding her shoulders, keeping her in place. I looked towards the table spotting a cloth napkin, I knew this would be useful for her hand, as she had split open her knuckle on the guy's tooth, I stuffed it into my pocket as Crystal and Goose appeared next to us forming a sort of wall around her so she couldn't go anywhere.

"Reaper, we have to leave before anyone remembers you and wants to file charges," I said to her using her call sign to get her attention. Her eyes flashed with anger at me but she turned around and headed towards the door. We rushed out of there so fast someone would have thought the bar was on fire, but we weren't the only ones who decided to run. We piled into the car fast, I practically jumped over the center console into the backseat holding out my hands for Maeve to take so she could lower herself in. Goose took the passenger side as Crystal started the Bronco and peeled out of the lot bound for the house.