Birdstrike
After Phoenix ejects and her chute opens, she sees the horrendous wreck of what used to be her jet and is jarred by the sight but her next thought was about her Wizzo.(Slang term for Weapons Systems Officer.)
She knows he ejected first so he didn't burn in but then she sees him below her with a full canopy waving at her trying to tell her he is OK.
Now that she confirms he is alive, she watches him land on the side of some boulders as he falls over but he is moving slowly and its looks like he’s having a hard time getting to his feet.
Phoenix lands roughly herself but it was on flat terrain and she quickly shakes it off and makes a call out to Bob on their radios.
Phoenix: Bob! Its Nix!
Can you hear me?
Bob responds but she can hear him painfully trying to speak.
Bob: I got you Nix .. Are you OK?
Phoenix: I'm good! I will make my way to you.. were a few hundred meters away from each other.
Bob: I didn’t see where you landed and I lost my glasses on the landing… I'm So sorry Nix I don’t know where you are!
Phoenix: Your fine! Just stay put. Are you OK?
Bob: My back feels kind of weird and I cant see very well but my leg is cut open pretty bad.
I am trying to patch it up best I can.
Phoenix: I'm Coming!
Nix is running full tilt to where she saw Bob Land and gets to him in a few minutes.
She can see him waving to her as he is sitting on the ground holding a gauze bandage on his left calf and waving at her with the other hand.
Phoenix: Let me take a look at that!
She stoops down but is immediately met with a tight hug from her Wizzo.
Bob: Thank God your Ok ! I was scared you didn’t eject in time!
Thank You for everything!
Phoenix hugs him back tightly even though she is more concerned with his wounds but she can feel how much he cares about her and she enjoys his big heart as most of her coworkers are not as kind and gentle.
Phoenix: Well, Thanks for thinking of me but can you let me go? I need to take a look at your leg!
Bob releases her and she assesses his leg to see its is bleeding profusely.
but is distracted by a glint from the sun on the ground a few feet away from them.
Phoenix: I See your glasses! Be right back.
She grabs his specs and although they are scratched, Bob can still see through them.
Bob gives her a warm smile despite his pained face.
Bob: Thank you Nix. But can you movie closer to me? You have a gash on your side.
Nix dint notice but as she looked down, she could see her flight suit was damp with her blood.
Phoenix: I hadn't even noticed! How bad does it look?
Bob: Its kind of deep, let me get a pressure dressing on it while you work on my leg?
Phoenix: Deal!
The two are trying to stop the bleeding of each others wounds but also trying to give the Search and rescue team coordinates of their position.
Both of their GPS systems were dead from the hard landing so they worked together while Bob had his compass and protractor out while Nix was holding the map for him and she began to help him read it.
Once they determine their location, they went back to each others wounds but their eyes meet and both look on each other with compassion and they give each other a gentle smile.
Bob Carefully takes his free hand and goes back to hugging her while caressing her shoulders.
Phoenix: Bob, what's wit-
Bob; I thought I lost you… forgive my emotions but… you're my friend and I care about you so much! No one had ever accepted me like you have in my line of work. You are the best Pilot I ever flew with. I just want to be here for you.
Phoenix unsnaps her helmet and also removes Bobs as she puts her head next his.
Phoenix: and no one has ever been so gentle and and easy to work with either. You are a good and sweet man.
I'm sorry I couldn’t get the bird back up.
Bob: we tried everything we could. Its OK, no matter what happens next, I am still your Wizzo and will fly with you again if you would do me that honor.
Phoenix whispers in her ear gently.
Phoenix: Anytime and anywhere.
Bob: Your side is no longer bleeding but I need to try and cover you up now… I apologize for touching you there.
Phoenix: It had to be done and I'm not worried in the least.. Just tell me That not the first time you ever saw side boob.
Bob starts laughing Hysterically.
Bob: No!... I may be quiet but I have been all the way before as I have two little creations of my own back home running amuck...I. Yea.. didnt want anybody else to know but since I almost died, They are heavy on my mind.
Phoenix: YOU HAVE KIDS??!!
Bob smiles proudly.
Bob: One boy and One girl… God’s gift to me for sure.
Phoenix grabs the back of Bobs head looks into his eyes with a fire in her own. She already cared about her backseater and always had his back but this? This felt like betrayal. She screams at him as her eyes shake him to his core.
Phoenix: What else are you hiding from me?!!
Do you have a wife too?!
Nix goes back to a tone of concern while those eyes shift back to try and read him.
Phoenix: I need to know what you are worth because before just now, I already saw a good and quiet man that strives to be at his best and works with me at every turn.
I cared about my Wizzo because he is an upstanding Aviator who I don’t have to fight with.
Bob’s eyes shift from confrontation to a deep blue of remorse for hiding his personal life. Its time to tell her the truth.
Bob: I know the risks we take up there but I didn’t want you to have any added pressure because you are already leading us in the air with remarkable decisiveness and we have to push it up there.
I don’t want my family status to affect your decision making because something might be too risky.
I love flying with you Natasha!
And… I was married but she went to be with the Lord.
Phoenix could feel her chest tighten after Bobs gentle words of affirmation and learning of his loss.
Phoenix: I'm so sorry!
But how you can be here if you have such a challenging personal life?
You should be a civilian taking care of your kids!
Bob: It's a long story but my In Laws have them and they are in good hands. I see them as often as I can and plan to be with them after my contract is up in two years.
I had the option to leave early but I wasn’t stable enough to take care of them on my own yet.
I know how weak that must sound but they have a more stable home life with their grandparents for now while I finish my masters degree and continue to serve.
Phoenix squeezes Bobs hand harder and goes back in to gently speak by his ear.
Phoenix: That’s not weak at all.
That’s bravery and forward thinking on your children's behalf.
I love your character. Never Change that.
Bob: Yes Ma'am.
The rescue team is starting to land so BobNix help each other up and walk carefully together to the helicopter while having an arm around each others shoulders.
Bob: You're an amazing teammate Nix, I'm glad its us together no matter if we get to fly this mission or not, its been a privilege to be your backseater.
Phoenix give shim a warm smile as her eyes catch the sun with a beautiful glint. but her eyes shift to the remains of the F-18 they were flying as they walk past it. She Stops them to stare at the wreckage.
Phoenix: You could have orphaned your babies today Bob. I am so glad you are still here! (She hugs him this time tightly) I dont know how, but I promise to keep you alive no matter what.
Bob: and I shall do the same Natasha.
How about I come see you tonight after we get checked out at the hospital and I explain everything?
Phoenix: Not if I beat you there first!