Maverick chuckled as she walked to the lockerroom with Ghostrider to change into her khakis. She smiled waving at her childhood friend.

"See ya later Pete Mitchell." Maverick said.

"Sure." Ghostrider said smiling back. He watched Maverick walk into the women's lockerroom and left once she was out of view. She put her phone on the bench, along with her towel and pulled out her khakis that were hanging up. Maverick put her helmet in her locker and took off her flight suit hanging it up with the clean one in front. She took her hair down and put the tie on her khaki uniform. Maverick hummed as she turned the knob to hot water and waited till it was hot enough for her. Once she was satisfied with the temperature, Maverick got in the shower. The events from their day started to replay in her mind as she used the body soap she brought with her. Maverick smiled remembering how at the end of todays training it was only her and Iceman that were left alive. They had taken Jester an Viper out, tag teaming them. Iceman slipped up and Maverick made the kill. Getting the most kills, again. And it was just her and Ghostrider after that. Maverick paused, getting quiet as she heard the lockerroom door creak open.

"Iceman?" Maverick called and turned off the water, "Tom?"

No response. Mavericks heart was in her throat as it pounded loudly, causing her ears to ring. Goosebumps rose on the back of her neck, legs and arms. She wrapped a towel tightly around herself and got in a fighting stance that she had learned from self defense classes she took.

"Peter Mitchell?"

"Gotcha." Sundown said hand over Mavericks mouth as she tried to scream.

"No!!" Maverick shouted shoving him off her. She pushed him hard, landing against the lockers and Maverick let out a glass shattering scream when Sundown ran at her. She blocked him, dropping to her knees and moved out of his way when he grabbed her ankle.

"LET ME GO YOU—"

"Let her go!!" Shouted a firm deep voice. Iceman.

Sundown wasn't compliant.

"You son of a bitch!"

Iceman ran in and clocked him good. Maverick got up, her legs like jello from the adrenalin.

"You ok Brett?"

Maverick nodded as she dried off and slipped into her khakis an boots. She pulled her hair back again.

"Just in shock." Maverick said.

Iceman looked her over and cupped her cheek.

"I've had enough of this. I'm reporting Sundown to Jester and Viper. Something needs to be done." He said, "I know you don't want to, but you may have to testify against Sundown. Maybe."

Maverick nodded clearly wanting what was best for her.

"I'm tired of being afraid of being a woman." She said and Iceman smiled, kissing her.

"That's my tough girl." Iceman said. He grabbed her hand and took her to their superior officers office.

✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️

"Sundown tried to rape you?" Jester said as Viper rose up in his seat but then sat back down when he got a look from Jester.

"Yes sir." Maverick said.

"Now Maverick you know we don't tolerate discrimination." Jester said standing up and sitting on the edge of his desk.

"Sir!" Iceman said, "I came in on him trying to rape her and I stopped him, sir."

Maverick looked at Iceman and then nodded in agreement with him. She looked back at Jester still standing by what she said to him.

"It's not about skin color sir. It's about what's morally wrong and right, sir." Maverick told Jester.

Viper was grinning, he was so proud of Maverick for standing up for herself. Jester nodded and looked down taking the toothpick out of his mouth.

"They'll have to open a case if it happens a second time." Jester warned Maverick.

"I know sir." Maverick said fearlessly, "I just want to be respected and treated like one of the guys sir. That's all I ask."

"I understand Maverick." Jester said pulling some paperwork out and a pen, "I'll get to it right away."

"Yes sir." Maverick said.

"Dismissed." Jester said and went back to writing as Maverick an Iceman left their superiors office.

"You going to be alright??" Iceman asked Maverick.

"Yeah. I'll be okay." Maverick said, "Why?"

"Just making sure Babiegirl." Iceman said, "I wouldn't let him hurt you."

"I know you wouldn't." Maverick said smiling at Iceman, "He's just so set on taking us out that he's willing to do it, no matter what it takes."

Iceman nodded.

"But you know that won't happen." Iceman said, cupping Mavericks cheeks, stopping them in the hallway, "I won't let that happen Brett."

"Yeah..." Maverick said softly, her head tilted as she kissed Iceman back. He hugged Maverick and then they walked hand in hand down the end of the hallway.

✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️

Later that afternoon, Maverick was sitting on the steps of Icemans bungalow. She was in her black camisole, oversized knitted sweater and black suede pants barefooted. Maverick hugged her knees to her chest pulling out Goose's dogtags. She looked at them as tears streaked down her cheeks. Maverick stood up and walked through the sand till she felt the water lapping at her feet. She held his dog tags up as the chain dangled and she reared back tossing them into the deep ocean. In that moment of time, she was letting go of Goose and growing as a person. She observed the sunset wrapping one arm around her stomach seeing all the different colors and a breeze blew. Maverick closed her eyes exhaling. A familiar scent tickled Mavericks senses and she smiled.

"Hey you." Iceman said softly, "I missed you at the lecture. They thought you quit."

"No, I just needed some space." Maverick said smiling softly. She looked up at Iceman and he saw that Maverick was no longer wearing Goose's dogtags.

"You're finally doing it huh?" Iceman asked.

"Yeah. I'm letting go." Maverick said wrapping her other arm around herself, "It was time."

Iceman nodded and kissed her cheek, resting his chin on her shoulder. Maverick leaned back as he rubbed her chest and stomach lovingly, comforting her as he feathered his fingertips across the center of her neck. Iceman kissed Mavericks temple lovingly.

"I love you Brett Johnson." Iceman said.

"I love you Tom Kazansky." Maverick said.

"So no training or lectures tomorrow. Is there anything you want to do tomorrow? Maybe go to the beach? Or something fun?" Iceman asked Maverick.

"That sounds fun." Maverick said smiling up at him, "What about we go to the beach?"

"I'd love that." Iceman said and Maverick took his hand in her hand walking back to his bungalow.