Overnight Observation
After Bob and phoenix were both stitched up for their cuts and determined to be free of any other serious injuries, they were moved to the fourth floor for overnight observation.
Mav was present with them both until they were going to be moved but each one asked Mav if he could try to get them next to each other.
He smiled on their request and was happy to see how much they cared about each other and their team mindset while also assuring Phoenix that Dagger-3 is still in contention for being selected for the mission and that the preliminary investigation found no fault in their actions so this was not going to affect her career.
Mav succeeded in getting them rooms next to each other and once they settled in by the nurses, they both went to each others room and giggled as they saw each other in the hallway because they had the same idea.
Phoenix: Did you miss me or something Bob?
Bob: No, I still hate your guts by the way.
Phoenix: You are a terrible liar. How Bad?
Bob lifts up his hospital gown to show the doctors needle work.
Bob: I am going to be just fine.
Phoenix starts to lift her gown but Bob speaks up quickly.
Bob: Its ok Nix, a lady deserves to have her dignity protected.
Phoenix: Pretty sure a nerd like you would be dropping 50 bucks for a lap dance to see the show I was going to give you for free. Are you that much of a gentleman or do you not think I’m hot as hell?
Bob chuckles.
Bob: You're my coworker and someone I consider a good friend. I promise to always show you respect and never look on you with lust.
Besides, that is not the way a Christian man should act.
Phoenix gives him smile and motions for him to follow her to her room.
Phoenix: So that’s it. You’re one of those Holy rollers aren’t ya? That explains your refusal to have a beer with me and the boys along with never swearing.
I grew up Catholic myself but I figure hell, I’m confirmed so I’m pretty much good to go.
Bob: I am not a complete stick in the mud, I may have danced dirty once upon a time, fighting with Jujitsu and just started Muai Thai.
Phoenix: Well damn choir boy! I am into Judo and karate but what kind of dancing are we talking about?
Line Dancing isn’t exactly wild.
Bob: I grew up on the East Coast with Dad being career Navy and I was hellion in my youth with the club scene getting down with Ludacris and Roy Jones jr.
But in my later years, I would dance Tango and ballrooms with my wife.
Phoenix gives Bob a dirty smirk with bright eyes.
Phoenix: I also was a bad bitch back in the day but Tango is my Jam!
We should see if we match up sometime but… How did you even meet your wife?
Bob: Oh man, how much time do we have? We both had rough past and found each other at a Christian-based rehab facility as teenagers.
Phoenix: Really?! You did the hard stuff? You don’t strike me as that kind of guy… Tell me about it.
Bob: Well Ok, I got into Meth pretty hard with my dancing at the youth clubs and finally got busted one night.. I was 15 when it happened but the Judge went easy on me because I also was involved in JROTC because dad was adamant about me learning to serve others and having discipline.
Phoenix Cuts him off.
Phoenix: What did he do in the Navy?
Bob: He did 30 years years as Frogman and even finished at DEVGRU
Phoenix: Your dad in Team Six?
Bob: Yep He’s insane but he sure does love our family… Mom keeps him humble and makes him smile from ear to ear after all this time.
But anyhow, I was at the rehab facility when we met and her parents committed her because she was smoking pot and they were very religious so they treated her actions as if she was possessed but she wasn’t.
She made me feel happy with her positive vibes and sweet nature but she was also the prettiest girl I had ever seen.
I had grown up in a Christian home but she was the first person to really help me see what it was like to love like Jesus.
We would hang out each night doing bible studies But I taught her how to shuffle and she introduced me to ballroom dancing.
My street thug ways disappeared the more I spent in the Word and while hanging out with her.
She fell for me because I finally had a chance to be the hopeless romantic I always dreamed about with giving her flowers, writing her love letters and poetry along with my dark fantasy of wanting to be in plays at the theater club in school but Dad was against it.
She was always doing plays so this was my chance to perform as I would be her practice partner.
Phoenix felt warm as she saw Bob’s eyes light up when he spoke of her and his very warm smile.
Phoenix: Sounds like Puppy love that turned to the real thing. That is very sweet but… what happened to her?
Bob’s smile disappeared and was now very somber.
Bob: Drunk driver took her life 3 years ago.
That’s why you never saw me touch a beer.
Phoenix takes his hand and leads him to sit on her bed while she hugs him tightly.
Phoenix: I’m so sorry Bobby. She sounded like best woman you could have ever asked for.
Bob: Thank you. She really was. And I don’t know if I could ever move on.
The Navy is so demanding with being deployed all the time and my main focus is planning ahead to take care of Calvin and Shelley.
It also seems to be that Women don’t want to have stepchildren either but they are my life and I cannot forsake them like that.
Phoenix: I’m sure not all of them are like that… I wouldn’t mind at all! That way I don’t have to push one of those little shits out!
Bobs laughs hard.
Phoenix: What was your Wife’s name?
Bob: Carrie… Carrie Elizabeth Floyd.
Red hair, Blue eyes and standing all of 5’ 3” but she was the sweet little thing that I could never put down after I kissed her.
Phoenix: You got to know what its like to feel truly loved and its gotta be hell having it taken away like that. I don’t know of anybody our age that seems happy together anymore.
All my past experiences were trash so I said to hell with you guys and focused on my career.
I absolutely love what I do and I cant imagine doing anything else!
Bob gives her a nod with a smile.
Bob: Its truly your happy place Nix. I see the way your eyes light up in the mirror and you are so talented with your flying and amazing reflexes!
That said, We are still pretty young yet and I’m sure a good man is out there somewhere who sees all of your exceptional qualities. You are a joy to be around for sure.
Phoenix scoffs at him.
Phoenix: Only you, Rooster, Fan Boy and Payback ever saw me in that way.
Everyone else is just trying to get in my pants and then leave because I don’t tolerate disrespect and guys with ego’s.. You are certainly a breath of fresh air.
But what’s worse is most of the guys in this gig don’t like it when I can outfly them.
Bob: Some people are just insecure. I am sorry they treat you that way Nat. I think you are a wonderful Pilot, very supportive, and dare I say physically stunning on top of that.
Phoenix: That said, you sure you don’t want to see my stitches?
Bob chuckles but their eyes meet again and they both love what they see in each other and smirk.
Bob: I promise to never objectify you Nat. I really want to earn your trust and get to know you better. I think it would be nice to be around you here on the deck as well. Maybe you and I could share a dance sometime? Just as friends of course…. I am not trying to-
Phoenix taps his shoulder with a gentle smile.
Phoenix: I know and I would love to have somebody to dance with but first we have the mission to think about… Mav said we are still in contention for a spot .
Bob: You have my word that I will be laser focused on that once we get back to Top Gun.
I believe in us as a team and as individuals. We may be different, but we do get along very well.
Phoenix: Yes, and I am a fan. Should we try and get some sleep?
Not just Yet!
Phoenix and Bob look in the door way to see Rooster with a straight face but carrying a bag from in-N-out Burger in one hand and a small wooden box in the other.
Rooster: Figured you could use some comfort food and Bob, Hope its ok I brought your family photos as well.
Bob’s face lit up as he takes the box from Roo and Nix takes the Burgers.
Phoenix: HE KNOWS?!!
Bob looked at Nix gently.
Bob: You both do and so does Mav and the other Senior Commanders but they all agreed to keep it confidential.
Look, I told Rooster after I found out about his Father’s death to try and tell him I understand the loss of somebody very dear.
Rooster puts a hand on Bobs shoulder.
Rooster: And it means the world to me that you understand and opened up. You’re a great dude and I like having another friend around.
Phoenix: Well Bob, Roo is the best friend you could ask for.
Rooster stayed for about an hour where he also gave them the news of Iceman’s death and while BobNix were concerned about Mav now that Ice was gone, Rooster was indifferent.
After Rooster leaves, Bob is going through the photo’s of his wife and kids.
Nix doesn’t want to intrude but she cares about Bob and wants to put faces to the names of what matters to him.
Phoenix: Bob… is it OK if I could see a photo of them? I mean your kids and…
Bob gave her a soft smile with bright eyes.
He hands her a photo of Carrie who is very cute with tons of freckles, and a bright smile next to Bob without glasses and Calvin in front of Bob with his sandy hair, Blue eyes, and a smirk. Shelley is in front of Carrie but almost as tall as her already with dark hair, Blue eyes, freckles, and a happy smile.
Bob: That was us hiking the Appalachian Mountains while I was stationed at Norfolk.
Phoenix: What beautiful family you got there Bobby! How old are they now?
Bob: Well, Carrie and I got married at 17 with the approval of both of our families because they actually believed we were meant to be but that was only under the condition that we did not sleep together until our wedding night.
Carrie and I weren’t Virgins but we were absolutely committed to this stipulation because of our strong faith and it really wasn’t about sex, We cared about each other deeply and held each other accountable.
We got Married at her families church and had our honeymoon at Virginia Beach with My parents also being a few rooms away at the suite.
It was a bit awkward to live with her family in their home for a while but the real test was When I went to the Academy at Annapolis and she went to Virginia Tech for college.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and I assure you that it’s the truth.
We spoke on the phone and through letters whenever we could and usually met halfway on the weekends to be together but Carrie got pregnant with Shelley so she finished her first year and began to take on her role of being a mom.
After a long and very difficult talk, we decided that I should stay and complete my commitment so that I would have Job security at the very least along with also having the opportunity to find a good job post-service with my degree in Aerospace Engineering.
Phoenix: What a life you had! So Shelley is 10 now?
Bob: Yep, and Calvin is 7.
Phoenix Takes Bobs hand softly and puts her other around his far shoulder while squeezing him tightly and she softly speaks in his ear.
Phoenix: Thank you for telling me about them. I can see how much family and love means to you… I am going to always be real with you and watch your back no matter how long we are paired up. Good men do exist and I love that I can call one a friend.
Bob returned the embrace very tightly yet it makes Nix feel like he really cares for her.
Bob: And I love your unbreakable spirit, unlimited confidence, and loyalty to your friends. I am never going to take it for granted.
You are an incredible Woman in your own right that I hope to always know.
Phoenix: Without question… But, have you talked to your kids about what happened to day yet?
Bob: I did speak with them but I left out todays events… Shelley is already anxious about my job and Calvin has a hard time being away from me.
I actually fly out to the them every other weekend when I can find a vacant seat on an airline since they offer service members a flight for just 10 dollars. I make the most of what little time I have with them… Just two more years… I know we can do it.
Phoenix: Well I might be able to help you with that from time to time.
Dad is a retired airline pilot who is stupid rich and lets just say that He has his own personal plane and he also bought me one as well. Maybe we take a few trips out together so I can meet them?
Bobs face lit up with pure joy.
Bob: You would do that!? How on earth could I ever thank you for such a kind gesture?
Phoenix: Just be you. I think I could use a nice guy in my life.
Bob: Good deal Nix. Thank you. But maybe we should try and get some sleep.
I will see you in the morning?
Phoenix: We had a nice moment didn’t we? Any chance I can convince you to sleep on the couch over there? I could use a friend close to me tonight.
Bob smiles at her.
Bob: Well since I had a history of a wonderful marriage, my experience of sleeping on couches is very limited but I can certainly try.
Phoenix laughs hard this time as bob moves the couch closer to her hospital bed.
Phoenix: Bob, You also have a great sense of humor, Why are you so quite all the time?
You have got a lovable personality when you don’t hide it.
Bob: Well, in our world of aviators, I don’t seem to fit in because most are cocky and trying to assert their dominance but I am convinced humility is a good way to live.
If I’m Being honest, I am very shy when meeting new people. I can work on that but then I meet ones like you that do not count anyone out… Thanks for trying to include me wit that game of 9 ball.
Phoenix: You're welcome. I thought you were kinda cute with your nerdy vibes and your reserved nature but I remember seeing the look in your eyes when we first spoke and I saw a guy that wanted to give me his best and you certainly did from the moment I told you to “Rack e’m” I saw you setting up the balls wit great attention to detail and even taking advice from Fan Boy which told me you were a hard worker and had the humility to take into account the opinion of your teammates.
I was right about you.. You are good to go.
You were also good to go when we tried to save the bird. I know we were both scared but your attention to detail was vital in that moment and you did the best you could.
Bob: Well thanks for that but I am sorry I was screaming so much.
Phoenix giggles.
Phoenix: I was screaming too. Internally.
Good Night Bob.
Bob: Goodnight Nix.
BobNix had every intention of going to sleep but they actually just kept talking and making jokes for another hour before falling asleep.
Phoenix even mentioned how he had really started to come out of his shell now while Bob told her that their close call of cheating death made him realize he needs to tell her about how he appreciates their unity at work and she agreed with him while they held each others hand and fell asleep.
They bot slept very well and were over the moon to have strengthened their relationship.