Maverick was sitting at his desk during his prep period. Suddenly, his phone buzzed. It was a text from Bradley.
We're gathering at the Hard Deck tonight to remember and celebrate our fallen fellow servicemen and women. You're welcome to come. If it's too triggering for you, I'll understand why you aren't there.
Mav smiled and sent a reply.
Of course, I'm coming, little duck. Save me a spot by the piano. :)
Bradley's reply came instantly.
You betcha, Uncle Pete. See you there!
Even though Bradley and Maverick weren't related by blood, they were close. But they weren't always this close. Bradley's old man had been Maverick's RIO and best friend. During a training exercise, Bradley's dad died when he hit his head on the cockpit canopy. It took Maverick 30 years to let go of the guilt. And it was unhealthy guilt because Goose's death was not his fault. Before Bradley's mom died, she made Maverick promise to keep Bradley from flying. Maverick pulled Bradley's application to the Naval Academy, setting him back several years. Bradley was understandably angry with Mav for a long time. Things got worse when Maverick was assigned to train a bunch of Top Gun graduates, including Bradley, for a special mission. The chances of dying were high and Mav found himself torn between two choices: Send him on the mission and he might never come or don't send him and Bradley would never forgive him. Either way, Maverick could have lost him forever. But more than that, Maverick didn't think Bradley was ready. So pulling his application wasn't just a fulfilled promise to Bradley's mom. Maverick was trying to protect him and be the father he lost.
But things turned out just fine. Bradley was ready by the time the mission came. He and Mav buried the hatchet.
Maverick sent Bradley another text.
Brad, what time?
1800, Cap.
The 58-year-old pilot smiled at Bradley addressing him as "Cap."
Several hours later, Maverick finished his work for the day. He headed over to the Hard Deck on his motorcycle. Mav parked and strolled into the bar.
"Hey, Pete!" Penny greeted.
"Captain Mitchell," Phoenix greeted.
"Penny, Phoenix," Maverick said.
"Mav!" hollered Hangman. "Come play pool with me!"
"In a minute, Hangman!"
Bob approached Phoenix and Maverick.
"Captain," Bob acknowledged.
"Lieutenant," Mav replied. "I'm going to say hi to the others. Have you seen Rooster yet?"
Bob shook his head.
"You'd better keep your word to Hangman." Phoenix said.
One look from Maverick told her that he intended to. He made his way around the bar, greeting his former pupils. Just then, Rooster/Bradley strolled into the bar.
The middle-aged pilot approached the young Bradshaw.
"Mav,"
"Rooster,"
Maverick clapped Rooster on the shoulder.
"You ready to get this party started?"
"You bet."
"I promised Hangman I'd play pool with him so I'd better keep my word before he goes AWOL."
A bit later, Mav was in the middle of a game of pool with Hangman when they heard the piano. It was Rooster playing jazz.
Maverick put down his cue stick and headed over to the piano.
"Mav!" Hangman complained.
"Sorry, Hangman!"
"Deserter!" pouted Hangman.
Mav settled onto the piano bench beside Rooster and swayed gently to the music.
After a few minutes, Rooster looked at his surrogate father and asked, "Ready?"
"For what?"
"I think you know already."
"You bet."
With that, Rooster began to play "Great Balls of Fire." He started singing and soon, the rest of Maverick's former students joined in.
"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will, but what a thrill
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
I laughed at love 'cause I thought it was funny
You came along and you moved me honey
I've changed my mind, this love is fine
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Kiss me, baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me, baby
Well, I'll still love you like a lover should
You're fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you're mine, mine, mine, mine
I chew my nails and then I twiddle my thumbs
I'm real nervous, but it sure is fun
Come on, baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Well kiss me, baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me, baby
Well, I'll still love you like a lover should
You're fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you're mine, mine, mine, mine
I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
Real nervous, but it sure is fun
Come on, baby, drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire"
After the song, it was time for stories of their fallen fellow servicemen and women. The 58 year-old Navy pilot was surprised to hear lots of stories about deceased servicemen and women from his former students, despite telling Rooster the year before that if he flew long enough, he'd loose fellow aviators. Viper Metcalf had once uttered those same words to a twenty-something-year-old Maverick after he lost Goose.
Then, it was Rooster's turn to speak.
"So my Dad, as you all know was known as Goose and he flew with Captain Mitchell. I was so little when my dad died. And as I got older and learned what happened, I was angry with the Captain. I believed that the Captain was responsible for my dad's death, even though a board of enquiry exonerated him of any wrongdoing and it was an accident. I held onto that anger for years until I realized that's not what my Dad would have wanted. Mav, I know you're not responsible for my dad's death and it was truly an accident. So everyone, raise your glasses to the memory of my dad, Lt. Nick "Goose" Bradshaw."
"To Goose!" Everyone repeated, including Maverick.
Finally, it was Mav's turn.
"Well, Bradley, looks like you're not the only one who's going to be talking about your dad tonight. Goose was not just my RIO. He was my best friend and for more than thirty years, I felt responsible for his death even though it was not my fault and it was an accident. For more than thirty years, I still said, "Talk to me, Goose," before a test flight or a big combat mission. But Goose is not the only fallen service member I'd like to remember tonight. Iceman was not a combat casualty, but I'd still like to say a few words about him. Ice and I were rivals in our class at Top Gun. Then, he was my wingman during a sortie after we graduated from Top Gun. Ice saved me more times than I can count in my long naval career. Every time I disobeyed order and pissed off an admiral, Ice managed to keep me in the air even though every one of those admirals had every reason to ground me, or worse, have me court-martialed and dishonorably discharged. So please, raise your glasses to the memories of Goose and Iceman!"
"To Goose and Iceman!" Everyone repeated.