#I haven't been this into a new movie since Top Gun: Maverick came out

[youngeditor1999]

OPE. 😳😶‍🌫️🫣😩🫡

[mralexsan]

Best Original and Adapted Screenplays 2023 Oscars

I love the Oscars. No, the Oscars don't represent fan or audience opinions. No shit. This is filmmakers celebrating their own work and success. This is by design. I'm genuinely sick of people getting upset about something that's been true for 95 years. Sorry you're just finding out now. Anyway, sass aside. This is a year of screenplays I'm genuinely fascinated about. I'll leave the full lists at the bottom. This is the first time I've seen sequels get "Adapted' screenplays for being sequels... that's.... weird. Glass Onion and Top Gun: Maverick. I mean fun screenplays but I swear that's a new one on me. And a remake of Ikiru too?! That kinda hurts me.

Other than that I don't have much to say about this category. All Quiet was fine, but nothing to write home about. Don't even know what Women Talking is about so... I'll report back once I've watched all of thee. ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY THO...

I heard about The Banshees of Inisherin through work. Martin McDonagh, the writer, comes from a theater background. I love movies made my theatrical directors and writers. Nearly everything is conveyed through dialogue, and the visual storytelling is just added fluff. And is so often used in interested ways to tell a story. When I realized McDonagh's background I immediately powered up HBO Max and started it up. I really like this movie. So much about the character is conveyed through the acting and dialogue and it's amazing in that way. Two characters sitting around a table or having a pint and talking. I love it so so much. This really taps into my film background. This will no be a movie for everyone since it's an old man movie, but I adore it. Everything Everywhere All at Once kinda came out of nowhere, but the movie very much does with movies what you can't do with other stories with it's visual storytelling. And boy what a ride. Never expected the boys who made Swiss Army Man would be going for an Oscar. It's so awesome and I truly hope they sweep these Oscars. The Fabelmans - Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner coming together to tell an autobiographical movie about Mr Spielberg himself. It's SO RARE to get such a personal story from a truly defining filmmaker. I'm really curious to see where this goes. I haven't enjoyed many of his movies since then, especially Ready Player One and BFG, but this is one that might be a true culmination of his work.

Tár and Triangle of Sadness I only heard about through their nomination. I don't have much to say here - Tár might be worth a watch, sounds very Black Swan. Triangle of Sadness is the one I'm not curious about but I'll still give it a watch.

Best Original Screenplay

The Banshees of Inisherin – Martin McDonagh

Everything Everywhere All at Once – Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

The Fabelmans – Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner

Tár – Todd Field

Triangle of Sadness – Ruben Östlund

Best Adapted Screenplay

All Quiet on the Western Front – Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, and Ian Stokell; based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery – Rian Johnson; based on characters created by Johnson and the film Knives Out

Living – Kazuo Ishiguro; based on the original motion picture screenplay Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni

Top Gun: Maverick – Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie; based on the film Top Gun written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.

Women Talking – Sarah Polley; based on the novel by Miriam Toews

[highwaytothedangerzone502]

Ghost Story - Chapter 5

Pairing: Rooster x Female OC

Word Count: 1625

Warnings: Implied sex, mild swearing

Summary: No one will miss a ghost. It'd been a running joke for as long as anyone could remember, something Ghost herself started, and she always said it with a smile on her face or with mirth in her voice. The untouchable stealth pilot in every sense of the word, no one could've predicted the depth of her turmoil over recent events, nor the extremes she would go to in order to protect the man she loved, not even those closest to her. Now, all that was left of the young aviator for Maverick, Hangman, and Rooster were the memories of the past, which would slowly fade with time. She'd come into their lives and made an unforgettable impression, and then, like a ghost, she was gone... Then again, ghosts can't die a second time.

Notes: The chapters/parts in italics are flashbacks. Also, I know I used Melissa Benoist as Juliette in India Lima Yankee but I really love her as an actress okay...

Chapter Songs: Love Me Like You Do Wildest Dreams Snow On The Beach

***

Ghost

The color drained from Maverick's face at the mention of 'Charlotte Blackwood,' and his eyes grazed over the young aviator's face. It didn't make Ghost uncomfortable, but it made her curious as to how the captain knew her mom. She wracked her brain for an answer, but none came. Meanwhile, Maverick remarked almost wistfully, "Now I know why you looked so familiar."

"You knew Charlie from Top Gun, right?" Rooster queried, his brows crinkling together.

"You sound like you know her too," Maverick pointed out.

"I got to know her. She and Admiral Winchester looked out for me during and after my time at the Academy once Ghost and I became friends. I know she knew Mom and Dad during Top Gun and that she met me when I was little, so I'm figuring that's where you met her."

Maverick rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. We dated for a while. Started during Top Gun and went on for a few months, then crashed and burned. It wasn't pretty. I haven't seen or spoken to Charlie since then."

"Oh!" Ghost exclaimed, a revelation dawning on her. "You're the student she had the affair with! I remember her telling me about you, although she never told me your name."

"She told you about that?"

"Yes, but she didn't go into a lot of detail."

"Yeah, she probably wouldn't like you hanging out with me."

Ghost shrugged, offering a sly smile. "Then I won't tell her. What she doesn't know won't kill her. Now I at least know why she didn't like me idolizing you. You're her ex."

"One of many reasons, probably."

"Unwarranted reasons, most likely."

"Maybe."

Ghost looked up at Rooster. "I should probably head home, get out of y'all's hair. Are you okay giving me a ride, or should I call an Uber?"

Rooster shook his head. "You're not taking an Uber. I'm happy to drive you home."

"Thank you so much for inviting me over, Maverick. I really enjoyed it," Ghost said, standing up.

"You're welcome over any time. We'll see you on Saturday for Penny's birthday?"

"Wouldn't miss it!" Bidding Maverick good night, Ghost followed Rooster to his Bronco, their shoulders brushing against each other, causing a tingling sensation to ripple throughout her body. She wanted to spend more time with him because intuition told her this new girl in his life would change their relationship. Rooster had never been one to keep secrets from her, so the fact he refused to tell her about this new girl spoke volumes. 

As Rooster opened the car door for her, he asked, "Do you want to hang out at my place for a bit? Maybe have a few drinks and watch a movie?"

Ghost's heart skipped a beat. Drinking alone with him was a terrible idea, but she'd missed him more than words could say. Surely they could avoid a third drunken one-night stand? One or two drinks couldn't hurt...

"Sure, that sounds fun," Ghost replied, sliding into the passenger seat. Rooster joined her on the driver's side, and without a word but a smile on his face, he headed toward his apartment. When they arrived, Rooster told her to choose the movie while he selected the drinks. Ghost picked a rom-com. Seating herself on the couch, she waited for Rooster to return. He did so a couple of minutes later with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

"What are we watching?" he asked, sitting beside her.

"The Proposal. You know I'm a sucker for Ryan Reynolds," Ghost said, watching him pour whiskey into the glasses.

"Aren't we all," he joked, handing over her drink and settling in next to her with his own. They fell into a comfortable silence for a little while to enjoy the movie, but it appeared Rooster couldn't handle the silence or didn't want to because he said about twenty minutes into the film, "Want to play a game?"

"I'm assuming it's a drinking game?" Ghost replied, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"What else?" Rooster shifted so his body faced hers. Taking out his phone, he pulled up a list and said, "Name a number between one and a hundred-fifty."

Ghost mulled it over before settling on, "Thirteen."

"Oh, we're starting out easy, I see. Who do you currently have a crush on?"

"The answer to that is-" Ghost took a swig of her drink. 

"Then that means it's someone I know," Rooster mused, squinting suspiciously at her. "Don't tell me you're still in love with Hangman?"

"I don't think that was part of the question," Ghost retorted, snatching Rooster's phone out of his hand and hoping he didn't prod further. He couldn't find out he was her crush, not when he had a date with one of her friends tomorrow. "Your turn."

"Uh, 109."

Ghost snorted into her drink. "We both know the answer to this one: have you ever had a one-night stand?"

"Yes, I have. Give me another one. That was a question we both knew the answer to. Give me... 149."

"Ooh, this is a good one: have you done it while thinking of someone else?" Rooster flushed and took a large gulp of his drink, causing Ghost to grin and say, "You realize that gives me the answer, right?"

"Yeah, but you don't know who I was with or who I was thinking of."

"Care to share?"

"No, nice try, though." Rooster patted her leg affectionately and then took his phone. Ghost gave him a number, and for the next hour and a half, they asked questions, trying not to drink and get drunk but failing as the questions became more personal. Every time they leaned forward to fill their glass with more whiskey, they'd shift slightly closer to the other until Ghost practically sat on top of him, her legs bent over his lap. His giant hand rested on her calf, his thumb mindlessly rubbing up and down and sending her mind racing toward thoughts she told herself she wouldn't bring up. Perhaps these were her cue to get an Uber and head home.

"What's on your mind?" Rooster asked, his chocolate eyes boring into hers.

Ghost rested her head on the back of the couch, trying to play nonchalant despite the anxiety and desire coursing through her veins. "How I should probably stop drinking and head home to get some sleep."

"You can crash here if you want. You can take my bed; I can take the couch."

"No, that's okay."

"What? Don't trust me?" Rooster joked, finishing his drink and setting the empty glass on the coffee table. When he leaned back against the couch, he had noticeably shifted closer to Ghost, something she hadn't thought possible. Their faces now resided mere inches from each other, and Ghost couldn't help her eyes from periodically dropping to Rooster's lips, nor could she miss his eyes continuously glancing down at her lips. 

"Rooster, I should go before we do something we shouldn't," Ghost whispered. Her brain told her body to move, but her body stubbornly stayed put on the couch next to the gorgeous aviator staring at her like she was the most beautiful person in the world. 

"Like we did last time we were drunk?" Rooster pointed out.

"Yes. You're going on a date with a friend of mine tomorrow. We can't-"

"It doesn't count if you don't know who it is and if the date hasn't happened." Rooster reached up and cupped her cheek. "I could cancel the date and-"

Yes, please, so I don't feel guilty for wanting what I do! It's what Ghost wanted to say, but what came out instead was, "No, don't be that guy. You need to go through with it. If you're keeping their identity a secret from everyone, that means you see something in this person that you haven't seen in your other dates."

"How can you be so logical when you're drunk?"

Ghost shrugged. "Because I'm a truthful drunk. And just because I'm thinking and saying logical things doesn't mean I want to follow through with said things. In fact, I'd like to do quite the opposite."

Rooster's thumb trailed up and down her cheek. "Like what?"

Ghost hesitated, then lifted her whiskey glass and sipped the remaining liquid. "I'd rather not answer that."

"You realize that gave me the answer, right?" Rooster countered, echoing her earlier words. He smiled softly at her. "One kiss. One kiss before I can't do it again."

"We said that last time and the time before that. We both know it never ends with just one."

"I know..."

Ghost should've gotten up. She should've said goodnight, grabbed an Uber and headed to her apartment. However, the small yet convincing voice in her head told her Rooster made a point. How could her friend get mad at her if something did happen between Ghost and Rooster if he wasn't seeing the friend yet? This mistake would probably bite her in the ass later, but she didn't care. She'd deal with it then. Slowly, Ghost leaned forward, pressing her lips gently to Rooster's. Immediately, she melted into the kiss. He tasted of whiskey and forbidden pleasure, and his mustache tickling her upper lip reminded her how much she enjoyed the feel of it on her skin.

Ghost wasn't sure who pushed it farther, but she soon found herself enveloped in Rooster's muscular arms and straddling his waist, unable to determine where she ended and he began, and she couldn't care less, too much in heaven with the sinfulness of the kiss. In the back of her mind, she knew two things were certain: there would be more than one kiss, and she wouldn't be leaving tonight.

***

Tags: @supernaturaldawning @shanimallina87 @polikszena @lgg5989 @callsign-milano @bradshawsandbridgetons @harper1666 @shadeops21 @double-j @rotating-obsessions @amantedelnorte @abigailannz @copaceticwriter @sharkprestige @thedarkinmansfield @lapilark @mickeyluvs @mini-bee-bee @starshipfantasy @itzyogurl92 @bennypears00 @mandowife221b @the-navistar-carol @lj13oct @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @carmellasworld @cocoag18 @0hb0llocks @youngmum1996 @nicangelinee

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5

[alj4890]

Choices: A Red Carpet Diaries Fan Fic

(Thomas Hunt x OC) inspired by Top Gun Maverick and taken from my A Second Chance AU

A/N: LOL! Okay. Everyone who looks at my fics/moodboards/etc knows that Jon Hamm is my FC for Thomas Hunt. Blame my eternal love of Mad Men, smh. Anyway, due to the violence and sadness going on in my current TRR Dark AU series and that bit of angsty fluff fic with Drake and Olivia and this last angsty one with Riley, I need some fluff, humor, family life, jealousy; all the stuff I normally write for a breather. And now that my husband is out of the hospital and well again (and life has finally calmed down, LOL) I needed a Thomas Hunt fic! I adore the action, romance, and cheesy 80s aspects of the first Top Gun. And yes, I will confess that I saw Top Gun Maverick twice the week it came out. But this sequel knocks it out of the park storyline wise. And maybe because they added a certain Mr. Jon Hamm to the mix makes it even better 👀 So in this fic of mine, it isn't Jon given the role of Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson. It is our beloved Mr. Hunt much to his wife's delight. And yes my OC, Amanda, is given my love of Top Gun and my own personal embarrassing story of what I used to do when playing the original's love song when single and dating as a teenager 🙈 Those poor guys never understood why I insisted on playing such an old soundtrack each date.

@hopelessromantic1352 @krsnlove @trappedinfanfiction @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @aworldoffandoms @tessa-liam @flyawayboo @moodyvalentinestories

Song Inspiration: Take My Breath Away

Masterlist

Going Method

"Cut!" Joseph yelled out. He had a big smile gracing his lips. "That is exactly the reaction I was looking for."

Thomas tried to be grateful for the compliment. It has been nearly two decades since he had stepped back in front of the camera. He knew the reason for deciding to act just this once was because of a desire to work with Joseph Kosinski. His fellow director impressed him with many of his previous films.

He'd also looked forward to finally being able to work with Tom Cruise. The two Hollywood icons tried for nearly fifteen years to find a free moment to collaborate on a film. Each time Thomas had a new project, it seemed that Tom was in the midst of filming a new sequel to his Mission: Impossible franchise or there wasn't a part right for the actor.

Everything about this should be perfect.

Though this was a sequel, and Thomas typically detested such, there was something about the script that drew him into the storyline. This wasn't your typical action movie. It had heart. It touched emotions he hadn't thought possible for a story about a bunch of hotshot pilots.

Thomas should be having the time of his life, instead of fighting a burning jealousy that could only be sparked by one person.

His wife.

Amanda had no idea how badly he wanted to punch Tom Cruise in his still too handsome face. Her reaction to hearing there was not only a sequel to, unknown to her husband, one of her favorite films but that Thomas would be taking part had taken him completely by surprise.

As Thomas made his way back to his trailer, he could still picture his wife's face when he told her he wanted her to come on location with him.

******************

A month earlier...

"I want it to be just the two of us." Thomas slipped his arms around her. "Rachel and Stephen agreed to watch Kathleen and the twins." He smiled softly at her. "We haven't had a vacation of sorts alone since our honeymoon."

"You know I would love that." Amanda leaned in to kiss him. "But we can't be away from the children that long."

"We'll have them visit." He responded. "If they miss us too much, then we will have them stay."

Amanda's smile twisted into a playful grimace. "We both know once Rachel and Stephen are here that you and I will be easily forgotten."

He snorted, shaking his head. It was true. Kathleen, Ian, and Elizabeth adored their aunt and uncle. Nothing made them more excited than getting special time with them. Most of the requests when they came by for a visit were for their parents to stay home while they went out with their fun loving relatives.

"Perhaps time away will make them remember they love us too." Thomas teased, pulling Amanda closer. "And give us a chance to show each other our own feelings."

"Don't you dare give me that look!" Amanda playfully scolded.

"What look?" His lips skated down her nexk

"You know very well which look." She met his lips in a long heated kiss. "That look plus kisses like that got me pregnant twice."

"Must be powerful." He mumbled, kissing her again.

"Very." She sighed softly as his hands moved along her curves. "You never told me what type of movie you will be starring in."

"Costarring." He reminded her. "It is actually a sequel to one of Tom's old movies."

Her fingers stilled in unbuttoning his shirt. "Oh? Which one?"

"Top Gun." He tugged her shirt up over her head.

"Top Gun!" Amanda squealed, pushing out of his arms.

Thomas stared at her in surprise.

"I love that movie!" She continued, smiling even more at the notion. "Are you his new wingman?"

"No." His eyes narrowed somewhat over her slight pout hearing that. "I play an admiral over the pilot school, Admiral Beau Cyclone Simpson."

"Really?" Amanda sat down at the foot of the bed. "Does your character, Cyclone, like Maverick or do you disapprove of his actions and attitude?"

Thomas folded his arms. He could tell that all thoughts of romance had left by her simply sitting there being unusually inquisitive during his attempt at seduction.

"I disapprove." He grumbled, meaning it in more ways than one.

"I knew it." She nodded. "With your personality and voice, you would be serious and against Maverick."

His eyes narrowed. "Let me guess, you like his character?"

"Of course I do!" Her laughter over what was clearly a ridiculous question turned into a deep, heartfelt sigh. "Who wouldn't love him?"

So like is now love, he thought to himself.

"Do you think he will wear the outfit?" Amanda asked after a few moments of staring off into space.

"Outfit?

"You know?" Amanda prodded. "The Maverick look: blue jeans, tight white t-shirt, brown bomber jacket, and those aviator sunglasses." Her sigh was even louder than the one that came before it.

Thomas frowned while buttoning his shirt. "I don't know what he is wearing in the film."

"If I see him in person wearing that and riding his motorcycle..." Amanda shook her head with a dreamy smile as her voice trailed off.

"I take it you like this particular look." Thomas said with a sarcastic edge.

"It was my favorite look on a man for years." Amanda cut her eyes to her husband. "Right up until I saw you for the first time in a tuxedo."

Thomas stilled in his actions. "Really?"

She nodded, rising off the bed to wind her arms around his neck. "You made every other look and man fade away once I saw you."

His frown eased hearing that.

She pressed a long, tender kiss to his lips. Her hands slid down to start unbuttoning his shirt once more.

"Will you, by chance, be wearing any navy uniforms in this movie?" She bit down on her bottom lip when his kisses traveled along her neck and shoulders.

"I will." He cocked an eyebrow at her.

Her smile turned flirty. "I can't wait to see how you look in them."

His smile reappeared as her lips crashed back against his.

******************

He should have known when he first saw Tom in the stupid white t-shirt and blue jeans that his wife would be thrilled. He heard her slight oh the moment the actor pulled out the leather jacket and made his way over to them.

"You must be Amanda." Tom held his hand out, a big smile popping up.

"I am." Her own matching smile irritated Thomas. "It is so nice to finally meet you."

As the two talked, Thomas could only stand there both grateful for his own aviator sunglasses hiding his glare and cursing the eyeware to perdition because Tom slipped his on. Then he felt heat flare over him as the two walked toward a motorcycle, leaving him to trail behind.

"I know this isn't the GPZ from the first movie." Amanda said, eyeing the new bike. "Is it still a Kawasaki?"

"You know your bikes." Tom replied with a smile.

"I don't." She laughed. "I only know the one you rode in Top Gun." A blush crept up her cheeks. "When my uncle showed me the movie, it became a dream of mine when I was thirteen to ride on one."

"Would you like to try this one?" Tom asked.

"She doesn't know how to drive a motorcycle." Thomas quickly spoke up.

"Then how about I give you a ride?" Tom put the bomber jacket on, then swung his leg over the seat. "We've got some downtime before the next scene."

Thomas was already shaking his head while his wife was nodding hers.

"I'd love to!" She quickly got behind Tom.

Thomas stood there with his jaw dropped. His wife was asking where to put her feet and then where to hold on for safety.

"Just hold on tight to me." Tom told her, starting up the bike. "And lean into the curves."

"Wait!" Thomas struggled to speak. "Doesn't she need a helmet?"

They didn't hear him over the roar of the engine. Amanda wrapped her arms around Tom's waist, scooting much too close in her husband's opinion to the actor's back, and with a quick nod, they took off down the road.

Leaving Thomas fuming.

****************

Later that evening...

"That was the most thrilling ride I've ever been on." Amanda continued to gush. "I've been on motorcycles a few times in my life, but nothing will ever top that!"

Thomas blew the candles out at the table he had made certain was set for a romantic dinner for two. Their bungalow at the beach couldn't have been more perfect for a second honeymoon. Dinner with the waves hitting the shore in the background should have been pleasant.

If only Tom Crusie was not a part of it.

Amanda began to collect their empty dishes while continuing to talk about her teenage fantasy becoming a reality.

"To have him dressed like that while he drove me around was perfect." She sighed softly. "If only my sixteen-year-old self knew it would one day happen."

Thomas eyed her over the rim of his glass. "Sixteen?"

She nodded. Another blush covered her cheeks. "I used to fantasize that I could be the girl Maverick falls for. Takes on rides at night." Her smile turned a tad self-depreciating. "Kiss."

Thomas took a needed gulp of his drink. He welcomed the burn to keep his jealous words from tumbling out.

"I know what I'm about to admit sounds awful." Amanda tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, eyes averted from her husband. "But do you remember the love song in the first Top Gun?"

"Yes." Thomas cleared his throat. "Take My Breath Away."

Amanda's lips curved somewhat. "Gah. That song used to give me chills. When it plays in the movie, and Tom and Kelly start to make love..." She shifted nervously, "I used to play that when on a date."

Thomas frowned somewhat. "The film's love scene?"

"No. Take My Breath Away." Amanda finally looked up at him. "Remember, I was sixteen and well, I used to close my eyes and pretend the guy that was kissing me was Maverick."

Thomas didn't know how to respond. How had he managed to somehow end up in a movie with the one actor his wife not only fantasized about but also felt the need to tell him every detail of it.

"It makes me sound horrible." Amanda mumbled when she noticed the look of disbelief on her husband's face.

"No." He managed to say. "Like you said, you were young and most likely the young men you were dating at the time could have used an upgrade."

Amanda shook her head with a laugh. "It's true." Her smile was warm once again. "I suppose they too imagined I was someone else."

He doubted it.

She wound her arms around his neck. "So..."

Thomas quirked an eyebrow in silent question.

"We are all alone." She threaded her fingers through his hair. "No twelve year old or seven year olds knocking at the door." Her lips found his earlobe. "Whatever shall we do with this freedom?"

His arms locked around her. Eyes closed tight with the way she kissed him.

Thank God that song isn't playing somewhere, he thought to himself.

Her hands drifted down his body.

And then he couldn't think at all.

******************

The next few weeks went quickly. Thomas found himself gritting his teeth anytime his wife and co-star interacted. When it came time to perform his scenes, he had no trouble at all displaying the struggle of keeping his dislike at bay.

Tom and Joseph praised him for somehow conveying that dislike just below the surface.

"I gotta say," Tom patted him on the back after once scene, "that look you gave me was one that made me pause in wondering if you really can't stand me." He chuckled as he parted from Thomas and went into his trailer.

Thomas had to bite back that he wasn't acting, at least not in the sense he used to.

He was going full method for this role.

***************

During Thomas's last week to film for his scenes, a party was given in Tom's bungalow.

Amanda seemed more excited than usual on the days leading up to it. Thomas didn't ask why she was. The last thing he needed was another reason to be jealous. But the night of the party, he was unable to remain silent.

She was actually humming to herself while putting her makeup on. He couldn't remember a time she was this giddy to go out for a night of supposed revelry.

"You seem happier than usual." He grumbled as he stepped out of the shower.

"I do?" Her eyes found him in the reflection of her mirror. "I suppose I am."

He wrapped a towel around his waist, dreading to hear her reasons.

"I know that tonight marks our final days here." A smile played about her lips as she searched for her powder. "I've missed our home and daily routines. Having the children visit us was nice, but I can't wait to get back to them." She lifted her eyes to her husband's. "Though I have thoroughly enjoyed our alone time."

Thomas felt his dread disappear. It wasn't the fact she was about to see Tom Cruise or anything at all to do with her feelings for his character. She wanted what he wanted. To go home and return to the life they had together was still a shared dream.

He came up behind her, tilted her face up, and gave her a tender kiss. He felt her smile against his lips as her fingers tangled in his damp hair.

"You're making me want to be late to the party." She teased.

"You're wrong." He kissed her again. "You're the one making me want to forget about what time we should arrive." His hands grasped her waist, urging her closer as their kisses became more heated. "Hearing you say that you want what I long for in returning home makes it impossible not to kiss you."

She reluctantly stepped back with a frustrated moan. "We better stop while we still can." Her half-smile revealed how little she wanted to. "It would be rude of us not to be on time."

His hands slid inside her robe, pulling her closer than before.

"We'll be fashionably late." He whispered against her skin.

*********************

Perhaps it was the talk the two had or the fact that his skin still tingled from making love to Amanda an hour earlier, but Thomas was doing better at observing from across the room his wife in deep discussion with Tom Cruise.

Seeing Joseph as part of the conversation also helped him keep his jealousy at a low boil.

When she was pulled away by some of his costars, he decided to find out what they had been talking about.

"I bet your ears are burning." Tom teased.

"Burning?" Thomas asked.

"I think you married your biggest fan." Joseph explained. "She was just telling us how much she loves watching you in the scenes you were in."

"She did?" Thomas couldn't stop his smile from forming.

Tom shook his head with a laugh. "My feelings would be hurt if she wasn't married to you. She was blind to the rest of us as soon as you showed up in a scene." He winked at Thomas. "Thank God you weren't in every scene or else she wouldn't have been able to critique my own performance."

"I'd say that you are a lucky man," Joseph added with a grin, "but then that would mean we aren't as lucky as you."

"And we can't have that." Tom teased.

"No, I suppose not." Thomas mumbled, searching the room for his wife.

"She stepped outside in case you are wondering." Joseph pointed toward the patio door.

The two watched in amusement as Thomas hurried off without another word.

***************

He found her near the water. After all these years, he still loved how she would leave a party to get off by herself to think on things and the people she interacted with. He also loved that she never insisted they remain at said party until the bitter end.

He wrapped his arms around her, smiling as she immediately relaxed back against him.

"I was looking for you."

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Looks like you found me."

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming out here?"

"You were talking to Tom and Joseph. I didn't want to interrupt." Amanda turned in his arms so she could slide hers around him.

"You," Thomas leaned down until he was barely brushing her lips, "are never an interruption."

She started to laugh when he drily admitted that she was a distraction though.

"I'll try to stop that." She said once calm.

"You better not." He muttered, finally kissing her.

"I'm going to miss this." She mumbled, once more barely brushing his lips with hers. "No interruptions while we sneak away."

"I thought you missed our three interruptions." He pressed her closer to his body.

"I do, horribly." She captured his bottom lip with her own causing him to suck in a surprised breath. "We will have to find a way to have both them and these rare moments alone."

"Agreed." His mouth slanted over hers, drawing a soft moan from her. "We'll have Rachel and Stephen over more often."

"Perfect." She stepped out of his arms.

He cocked an eyebrow at her when she held her hand out to him.

"Where are we going?" Thomas asked, allowing her to tug him further away from the party.

"Back to our bungalow." Amanda cast a coy glance towards him. "I have a very strong desire to be with my favorite actor from Top Gun"

"That better be me you're talking about." He yanked her back into his arms.

"As if there can be any doubt." She looped her arms around his neck. "You were the only one I visited the set for." Her eyes drifted down. "The one I found the most handsome in his uniforms." Her lips curved when she felt his body respond to her words. "The one I couldn't take my eyes off of whenever anyone else spoke."

"What about Tom?" He couldn't stop the question from tumbling out.

Her lifted back to his. "What do you mean?"

"He was playing your favorite character." He reminded her.

"So?"

Thomas grimaced somewhat. "Wasn't he able to steal your attention away from me?"

Amanda tilted her head in a manner that made him squirm as she silently studied him.

"Nevermi--" he started to say.

"Not once." She replied at the same time.

His eyes widened. "What did you say?"

"I said, not once." She returned to her former position of being close against him. "He doesn't even come close to holding my attention like you do."

"But you love Maverick." He reminded her

"True." She turned her head when she heard music begin playing. "Is that..."

Thomas felt his heart drop when he heard the familar song, Take My Breath Away, playing. He'd forgotten that his other costars were planning on using it to tease Tom. He could hear the laughter of the cast mixed with the melody.

Don't kiss me, he silently pleaded. Don't kiss me and think of Tom Cruise while you do it.

Amanda looked up at him with a playful, flirty smile.

"We should go." He mumbled as she inched closer.

"I'd rather have a kiss." She pressed her lips along his jaw. "Beau."

He stilled. "What did you call me?"

"Beau." She muttered between kisses along his neck. She leaned back to meet his shocked gaze. "Or would you rather I call you, Admiral, or your call sign, Cyclone?"

Thomas merely stuttered until her lips met his. He clutched her close when he realized what was happening.

The song, the very one her younger self used as daydream fuel of Tom Cruise while kissing, was now being used to think of his own character. Thomas didn't know he had anything left within him to fall more in love with his wife, but in this moment he could feel it happening.

He took over the kiss, determined to give her one that she would never forget. He tried to imagine how his character would react to having the woman he loved more than anything in his arms. Completely his. He used that inspiration to draw moans from her, glorying in taking her breath away.

How lucky could a man be to not only have his own dream girl to kiss in both real life and pretend?