#Naval Change of Command
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#youtube#militarytraining#Naval Change of Command#Southwest Regional Maintenance Center#Naval Industry#Leadership#Military#Boss#Transition#Navy#Naval Leadership#Government#Commander#Naval Base#Naval Tradition#Ceremony#Naval Operations#United States Navy#Naval Maintenance#Navy Officer#Navy News#Handover#Workplace Transformation#Management Transition#Organizational Restructure#Major Shake-Up#Workplace Changes#Company Leadership#Leadership Change#Employee News
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#YES EDWARD #see this to me feels like a glimpse of who he used to be #of the edward little that was deemed fitting for a prestigious naval expedition as first lieutenant #this is edward little when he's not being relentless ground down by an alcoholic captain and distrust and lack of respect #and the tightrope of covering for said alcoholic captain while not appearing to be insubordinate #when he's *actually* in a position of command #look i know they don't listen to him #but it's at a point when survival overcomes any thoughts of naval hierarchy or loyalty or anything except pure will to survive at any cost #it just makes me sad #as edward little always does #to think who he used to be #and who he became after being slowly but relentlessly eroded - @muchtodoonterror
THE TERROR ⸠1.10 we are gone
#the terror#edward little#oh; those tags hit on every single point i've ever argued about edward#he is a man for whom duty and loyalty stand above all else#he earned his position as first lieutenant. we see it in the very first episode of the show; albeit subtly:#we see that crozier trusts edward with the day-to-day running of his ship long before things go pear-shaped;#(terror; whom we know is mother; lover & confessor all to francis. her care is not a task he would ever leave to a lesser man)#we see that edward is capable and dependable and has both his sense of authority as well as the men under his command well in hand#even later; out of all the men privy to crozier's decision to ween himself off alcohol; it is edward whom he chooses to lead#it's edward he trusts with the weight of the captain's pistol in his hand - the physical manifestation of the burden of leadership#edward is a competent lieutenant. this is a hill i will fight and die on until my dying breath#but competence means absolutely nothing in the face of odds so overwhelming as to break even the hardiest of men#crozier's own distrust in sir john leads to a breakdown of communication and lack of trust between him and edward#which in turn affects edward's ability to confidently make rational and responsible decisions for the good of the men#he is trying his level best; against a commanding officer who; in his illness; thwarts edward's every attempt at authority;#against the machinations of a man so far removed from the hierarchy of the naval structure that he's able to stand outside of it#and manipulate those within; against an unforgiving land and the dangers it poses; both natural and supernatural;#against the hubris of an empire which sends its sons off to die pointless deaths in service of its own grandeur and greed;#and all the while edward's main concern is the lives of the men under his command and the crushing weight of that responsibility;#aware at every turn of his own growing ineptitude - not because he has ever been unequal to the task;#but because there are so many factors playing against him that he cannot possibly guard against them all#and by the time he finally manages to regain some semblance of authority; some sense of agency that he had been steadily stripped of#in the face of everything happening around him; the rug is pulled from beneath his feet one last and bitterly humiliating time#is it any wonder then he chose to follow dundy? when it was made so transparently clear to him that no matter how hard he fights#to change the outcome of the situation; no matter how much he trusts to hope; that he will never succeed in saving them all?#what is left for the man for whom duty and loyalty mean everything when; in his own mind; he has failed to uphold both those values?#what is left; but to carry on; and live with the knowledge that you have been found so devastatingly wanting?
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i need verses cuz i know most of yall havent read ORV and one thing that immediately comes to mind is a verse for genshin and hydro sword jihye is literally right there i just need more of a backstory
#kinda want her to hang out in inazuma cuz inazuma best nation cant change my mind#but shes not FROM there as orv is in korea not japan and THERES A DIFFERENCE#but she can hang there for the moment sure#i also need star rail-#;sir this is my emotional support naval commander. (ooc)
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Fantasy Guide to Royal Guards
Royals have multiple layers of servants but there is no set of servants most important that their protection. Royalty are never without some kind of protection and palaces are usually guarded to the teeth. So how do we write royal security. This is for @jamie-ties-writing
Recruitment
Royal guards aren't just any person plucked from the street and put into a uniform. They are usually recruited from within the royal army, from within particular regiments across the army (a mixture of calvary, naval, artillery, infantry). The Royal Guard is usually made of of multiple regiments, not just a single one. These regiments would share and rotate duties. The British Royal family are currently guarded by the Coldstream Regiment, Welsh Guards, Grenadier Guards among others. Royal guards will be selected for their skill, sometimes their birth (they may be chosen if they rank higher socially) and of course, loyalty to the Crown. Royal guards were intended to be a show of force, strength, Majesty so they were usually impressive specimens meant to instill some power to their monarch.
Duties
A royal guard's first order of business is the protection of the family. They may have sentry duty around the palace, guarding doors or patrolling palace grounds or corridors. A Royal Guard may be assigned to one member only but most likely they will rotate through the family as needed. Of course, a royal can request a guard to always be assigned to them if they want. They may escort their charge of the day to their engagements. If assigned a certain royal to protect, they would tail them throughout the day. A royal guard may even perform ceremonial duties such as the changing of the guard or riding in coronations or state funerals. A royal guard is expected to remain vigilant but never speak of what they see, they are meant to keep an ear out for threats but never repeat whatever is said, they are expected at all times to uphold a professional countenance and respect protocol. They will be expected to give their lives if needed, and be loyal to the last.
Rank
Royal guards are a military division and rank is a part of their lives. Their supreme commander would he the monarch first but there would be an appointed commander. Depending on how you want to write Royal Guards, each regiment would have it's own captain and leaders. Of course, not all regiments may adhere to the same ranks but this would be a basic outline for you to follow.
Colonel: Colonels actually have no duties, they are more an honourary figurehead. Many members of the royal family would have a regiment to be colonel of. This usually requires nothing more than a ceremonial role, the wearing of the uniform while inspecting the troops for example.
Captain: The Commander of the regiment. They would undertake managerial duties, issuing commands from the monarch, assigning duties, approving the induction of new guards into the Household Division. The Captain would decide who would guard which member of the royal family.
Lieutenant: The Second in command. They will assume command if the Captain is not available. They would take on a large portion of duties and aid the Captain.
Sergeant: The sergeant would be next in command.
Guardsman: The lowest rank. They will have the least experience but usually the most duties. They would be the ones patrolling and standing sentry.
Uniform
Of course, no royal guard is complete without their uniform. Royal guards would have to stand out, especially in ceremonial duties. This uniform would be distinctive, not only because it is a great honour for anybody to be named to the guard but also as mentioned above, to add a layer of might to those they protect.
Notable Royal Guard Units
Dahomey Mino (the inspiration of Black Panther's Dora Milaje)
The Praetorian Guard
The Imperial Guard of Napoleon
The Imperial German Bodyguard
Varangian Guard
Swiss Guards
The Kheshig
The Janissary
The Imperial Guards of Tsarist Russia
The Cossack Guard
Guardia Real
Coldstream Guards
Irish Guards
Welsh Guards
Grenadier Guards
Medjay of Ancient Egypt
Al-Ḥars al-Malakč as-Suʿōdč
Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
Thahan Raksa Phra Ong
#Fantasy Guide to Royal guards#Royal guards#Royals#Royalty guide#Fantasy Guide#Writing reference#Writing resources#Writing advice#Writing resources writing reference#writing#writeblr#writing resources#writing reference#writing advice#writer#ask answered questions#spilled words#ask answered#writers
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Smoke size kink headcannons? đ
U truly doin the lord's work
SFW
He'll tease you about it rather lightly but even that has you flushed cherry bright red. Tomas will be rather cheeky and tell you that you look in red
Likes to purposefully put places high up so that way he can get them down for you. You have a feeling he is doing this but he looks so proud helping you that you don't protest
Favorite place for you to his is in his lap. He comments about how light you feel or will tease how your feet barely reach floor as the dangle off him
NSFW
While Tomas is mostly playful with you in the bedroom something seems to change in him
Your body is his paradise and it a land so bountiful despite how much smaller it is from his own
His hands will touch every part of you but his lips shall explore and devour
He loves to watch as his hand grips onto the flesh of your ass, fingers dive deep into the skin before those hands grip you by a waist he could snap
Tomas doesn't but he does make sure to grip you tight and try to see if his hands could completely wrap around you
Rather obsessed over how large his length is when having sex with you smaller and tight core
Before he enters you, there is a always a heavy weight laid atop your stomach, his cock poking at your naval so devilish
He will rub himself against your belly, his eyes watching hooded and hazed
Likes to fuck himself into your thighs pressed tightly together and taunt you with words of how good your thighs feel when they squeeze his big dick
Really takes his time before fucking himself into you. Tomas is just so entranced by how small you, especially with your sweet lips straining to wrap around his girth
He knows it can never fit down your throat and that has him seeing the brightest of stars and so he will watch you work the head and tip so diligently
That not all Tomas watches. His eyes are fixated on where the two of you are connected. You can fit only but half of him inside your tight and wet heat
He moans and pants, watching as his cock is just barely nestled inside you. There is smirking smile and he moans to you "You see that, babe? You can only fit half of my dick inside you. Fuck, baby, you're so cute"
Do not worry, he will fit all of him inside of you in due time. When that time comes he is wild, feverish and unstoppable
Such a commanding hand rests over your naval and the curve of it. A curve that is unnatural but so perfect
Does not hide his pleasure from you at all, moaning right into the shell of your ear "you feel that, baby? you feel me inside you right here? you take me so well, princess"
When he is near that beautiful climax he will finish inside you. There is something sinister about how his seed oozes and seeps out from you and around his length
There is no better perfection that Tomas making love to his small but enticing muse
#mortal kombat#mk1 2023#mortal kombat fanworks#mortal kombat headcanons#mk1#mortal kombat x reader#mortal kombat smut#mk smoke#smoke x reader#tomas vrbada#tomas x reader#tomas headcanons#tomas x you
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The WAVES of Change: Women's Valiant Service in World War II đ
When the tides of World War II swelled, an unprecedented wave of women stepped forward to serve their country, becoming an integral part of the U.S. Navy through the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program. This initiative not only marked a pivotal moment in military history but also set the stage for the transformation of women's roles in the armed forces and society at large. The WAVES program, initiated in 1942, was a beacon of change, showcasing the strength, skill, and patriotism of American women during a time of global turmoil.
The inception of WAVES was a response to the urgent need for additional military personnel during World War II. With many American men deployed overseas, the United States faced a shortage of skilled workers to support naval operations on the home front. The WAVES program was spearheaded by figures such as Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, the first woman commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Under her leadership, WAVES members were trained in various specialties, including communications, intelligence, supply, medicine, and logistics, proving that women could perform with as much competence and dedication as their male counterparts.
The impact of the WAVES program extended far beyond the war effort. Throughout their service, WAVES members faced and overcame significant societal and institutional challenges. At the time, the idea of women serving in the military was met with skepticism and resistance; however, the exemplary service of the WAVES shattered stereotypes and demonstrated the invaluable contributions women could make in traditionally male-dominated fields. Their work during the war not only contributed significantly to the Allies' victory but also laid the groundwork for the integration of women into the regular armed forces.
The legacy of the WAVES program is a testament to the courage and determination of the women who served. Their contributions went largely unrecognized for many years, but the program's impact on military and gender norms has been profound. The WAVES paved the way for future generations of women in the military, demonstrating that service and sacrifice know no gender. Today, women serve in all branches of the U.S. military, in roles ranging from combat positions to high-ranking officers, thanks in no small part to the trail blazed by the WAVES.
The WAVES program was more than just a wartime necessity; it was a watershed moment in the history of women's rights and military service. The women of WAVES not only supported the United States during a critical period but also propelled forward the conversation about gender equality in the armed forces and beyond. Their legacy is a reminder of the strength and resilience of women who rise to the challenge, breaking barriers and making waves in pursuit of a better world.
Read more: https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2023/11/06/historic-staff-spotlight-eunice-whyte-navy-veteran-of-both-world-wars/
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bradley bradshaw extended universe
âł aka Katieâs Rooster masterlist
18+, minors dni. If I notice that you are an ageless / underage blog, you will be blocked
Completed Series â
Sub Rosa â Masterlist (completed)
After months of sneaking around, and a few weeks of not seeing each other, Rooster and Reader get a few minutes to themselves at Iceâs birthday party.
Trouble in Paradise â masterlist (completed)
After the most painful break-up of his life, Rooster is stationed in Hawaii for the next six months. Alone, away from home and hurting, he finds comfort in the arms of a stranger.
Ongoing Series
Ceasefire â masterlist
Bradley Bradshaw is in San Diego, summoned to Top Gun for the first time. Commander âHydeâ Simpson is his flight instructor, and she doesnât have time for schoolboy crushes.
My Future in You â masterlist
Bradleyâs twenty-two years old and not where heâs supposed to be. Heâs supposed to be out of the academy by now. Heâs mad at the world. Then, a hook up at a Halloween party changes his future even more than he could have imagined. College / accidental pregnancy au
Safe Zone (+ Jake Seresin) â masterlist
A team of elite naval aviators holding down the fort at the North Island Air Base while they wait for reinforcements after a virus sweeps the continental U.S. - only, itâs been three months and no one has shown up. Zombie au
Blow by Blow â masterlist
Bradleyâs washed up before his career has even really begun. He doesnât want to fill his fatherâs shoes and he doesnât want someone else to either. Stuck in limbo, living the same way he always has, the opportunity to step up wanders through the door of his gym in a mini dress and heels that are a size too big. Boxing au.
The Parent Trap â masterlist
In which, after a couple of years of listening to Peyton and Piper Bradshaw complain about their parentsâ custody agreement, Grandpa Mavâs meddling goes a little bit too far.
The Odyssey â masterlist
The tale of the arrogant classics professor and the dwindling, soon-to-be-wed heiress that was failing his class.
Ashes, Ashes â masterlist
Maverick is missing in action after not making it back from the uranium trip, leaving his estranged daughter and Bradley Bradshaw to pick up the pieces.
Aeterna â masterlist *coming Summer 24*
Eternity and the related concept of infinity. The summer you strayed from home. 70s circus supernatural thriller au.
Drabble Seriesâ
Hey, Hot Shot â masterlist
Just us spreading our firefighter Bradley agenda â more of a series of one shots / drabbles, etc rather than a series
How you wish it could be all the time â masterlist
A masterlist of drabbles / one shots about Bradley and his dangerous entanglement with Pete Mitchellâs daughter
One-Shots
Helping Hand
So, why do they call you Rooster?
Dog Fight
Pursuit
When All is Said and Done
For Old Timesâ Sake + its prequel âFive Starsâ!
Nerves of Steel (Part One and Two)
#bradley rooster bradshaw#bradley bradshaw#bradley bradshaw au#bradley bradshaw x reader#bradley bradshaw smut#trouble in paradise#ceasefire#my future in you#safe zone#sub Rosa
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Kamala Harris: Mystery Commander in Chief
How would the Vice President keep America safe in a dangerous world? The voters deserve some answers.
The Editorial Board --- Wall Street Journal
Kamala Harris is all but telling Americans theyâll have to elect her to find out what she really believes, as the Vice President ducks interviews and the media give her a free ride. This is bad enough on domestic issues, but on foreign policy it could be perilous. The world is more dangerous than itâs been in decades, and Americans deserve to know how the woman aiming to be Commander in Chief Harris would confront these threats.
Ms. Harris this week tweeted a photo of her sitting next to President Biden in the White House situation room discussing the Middle East. The point is to suggest sheâs a co-pilot on Biden foreign policy.
This isnât the credential the Harris campaign thinks it is, and the voters should hear directly from her what she thinks about the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, the failure to deter Russia in Ukraine, the Iranian nuclear program, Chinaâs island grabs in the South China Sea, and more. The matter is all the more important because Ms. Harris conspicuously declined to choose a running mate who might lend foreign policy experience to the ticket.
Ms. Harris has given a few hints about her own views on the Middle East, and those arenât encouraging. Her team spent much of Thursday walking back whether she told an anti-Israel group sheâd be willing to ponder an arms embargo against Israel. She skipped Benjamin Netanyahuâs speech to Congress when our main Middle East ally is under siege. Did she pass over Josh Shapiro as her running mate because he would have enraged the anti-Israel wing of the Democratic Party?
To the extent she has revealed a larger instinct on national security, itâs been wrong. She told the Council on Foreign Relations in 2019 that sheâd rejoin the Iran nuclear deal as long as âIran also returned to verifiable compliance.â But Iran didnât comply and is now on the brink of a nuclear breakout.
Her 2018 Senate vote to âend U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen,â as Ms. Harris put it in a tweet, also hasnât aged well. The Houthis the Saudis were fighting are now targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea almost daily and putting U.S. naval assets at risk. Does she think this status quo can persistâand what would she do differently?
Ms. Harris will surely argue that she and Mr. Biden reinvigorated the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Vladimir Putinâs invasion in Ukraine. But absent a change in U.S. political will, the war in Ukraine isnât on track to end on terms favorable to American interests. Her past enthusiasm for banning frackingâwhich her campaign is trying to walk backâalso suggests she isnât serious about checking Mr. Putinâs main source of war financing.
Ms. Harris would no doubt also tout the diplomatic progress the Biden Administration has made in Asia with Japan, the Philippines and others. Yet she whiffed on one of the single most important diplomatic questions in Asia: She opposed Barack Obamaâs Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that would have excluded China and boosted America as the regionâs premiere trading partner.
Most important, will Ms. Harris build up the hard military assets required to deter Chinaâs Xi Jinping and a consolidating axis of U.S. adversaries? âI unequivocally agree with the goal of reducing the defense budget,â Ms. Harris said as a Senator in 2020 after voting against a Bernie Sanders proposal to slash the Pentagon by 10%. That vote needed no explanation, but Ms. Harris wanted to make sure the left knew she was sympathetic. Does she still want to slash the defense budget?
Donald Trump often shoots from the hip on these subjects, and his favorable comments about dictators are witless. But his first-term record, especially on Iran and the Middle East, is far stronger than the Biden-Harris performance.
Americans shouldnât have to read tea leaves to figure out if Ms. Harris would keep the country safe in a treacherous world.
#kamala harris#tim walz#Campaign 2024#Democrats#Obama#Biden#Pelosi#Schumer#Schiff#RINOS#Get rid of all of them#The Squad#trump#trump 2024#president trump#ivanka#repost#america first#americans first#america#donald trump#USA#USA First#Put America First
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Commander || Jake "Hangman" Seresin
Summary: Request - Did you see that pose about swim call in the Navy? Could you do a Hangman x Reader drabble while theyre deployed or something like that? super fluffy! You're so good at fluffy hangman haha. thanks!
A/N: Love a good Hangman fluff. Hope you enjoy reading! :)
Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Y/N
Word Count: 3,200+
âItâs too hot. I canât take it anymore. How much longer do we have of this?â Jake whined leaning on the railing that overlooked the Arabian Sea.
You stopped with him shrugging off your button-up uniform from your shoulders leaving you just in your tank top, âYou complain a lot Lieutenant Seresin. Only a few more days. Think you can make it?â Tying the top around your waist you leaned forward mimicking him. You werenât really supposed to be doing that with your uniform, but you really couldnât seem to care. He was right after all. It was blisteringly hot. July in the Middle East was no joke. You knew the worst that could happen was a slap on the wrist, a small reprimand if you were to get caught.
Jake rolled his eyes only subtly hiding the smile that was dancing on his lips. Even you had to acknowledge how damn good he looked as the setting sun framed his face for golden hour flawlessly, âJust because youâre a Commander now doesnât mean you get to bully me Y/N.â
You shrugged, âActually, I think it does Hangman. Itâs exactly what a Commander gets to do. Command.â Giggling you turned your body to him. It was always so easy to be yourself around him. You had run ins with Jake all throughout your Naval carrier. First as students in Top Gun then on missions as coworkers. The two of you always seemingly dancing the line between friends and more than but both too afraid to take that step over.
He huffed knowing you quite literally had him there. He thought he had you somewhere else though, the air, âNow that youâre a big bad Commander youâll never see the inside of the cockpit again.â It was the only thing he had. He knew you loved flying more than anything in the world. But you were born to lead. Having an uncanny ability to predict enemy strategies and to form defenses and offensive strategies was your strong suit. Not many had that gift. The killer instinct as Admiral Kazansky always told you.
âYou know thatâs not true Jake. Did we not just get back from flying with Captain Mitchell?â Raising your eyebrow, you waited for his retort. It took him a second too long to respond though. You knew youâd managed to get the upper hand, for this conversation at least.
âNeed I remind you where your callsign came from, Salsa?â You had to admire his ability to steer the conversation in the direction he wanted. Youâd even compliment it if it didnât annoy you too much. But this was Hangman we were talking about.
You continued to stare at him eyebrows raised, âNo, Jake, I donât need you to remind me.â
âStudent Aviator Lacking Situational Awareness.â He smirked remembering the time your Captain at Top Gun unfortunately giving you the nickname. Brilliant in the air and on the books didnât mean you were so graceful when it came to common sense. All too often youâd ask the most basic questions after solving the most complex problems. Earning you the call sign Salsa. You didnât hate it. But you didnât really love it either.
You laughed it off, âAnd whoâs the Commander now Jake?â
He bowed his head chuckling right along with you, âFair. But even you have to admit⌠itâs hot as hell out here.â Jake tossed you a fake pout changing the conversation yet again in the span of a few moments. Youâd roll with it. Thatâs whatâs always worked.
âYouâre telling me! Iâm from Ohio! Iâm used to ninety-degree summers with moderate humidity, not this shit. Youâre from Texas, you should be used to it!â Leaning on the railing you embraced the wind blowing off the carrier. It was hot but at least it was moving, not stagnant like it was on land.
âI havenât really lived there in years though sweetheart.â He defended himself throwing out that damn word that made you literally weak at the knees. He had to have known what he was doing to you.
Youâd always found the man handsome as hell. But his personality put you off all too often. However, the more you got to know him the more you found out the personality was all just a front. He was actually a good guy with a kind heart who had been burned far too many times. Living the life as a nomad made it hard to settle and it was his defense mechanism. Was it tiring? Beyond. Was it working? Jake thought so.
âFair.â You mimicked him again. It wasnât your fault heâd chosen such words to send your brain into overdrive.
You smiled taking in his features. He was truly such a handsome guy that made you feel very strong feelings. You knew it was him. It was always him. It was always going to be him, and you were quite frankly tired of pretending it wasnât.
âThat all you got to say darling?â He tapped his fingertips on the railing as he waited your response.
âJake.â You sighed not having a clue what to do or to say. It was like you were actually short circuiting. Youâd love to take a next step with him, but you were horrified of the consequences. Were you even allowed?
Youâd worked so fucking hard to get promoted as fast as you did. Youâd proven to countless commanders, captains, and admirals your capabilities in strategy as often as you could. Youâd made fast friends with Pete Mitchell as he was one of your instructors when you went through Top Gun all those years ago. Apparently, that was his first and only year of teaching. In turn, Admiral Kazansky had taken a quick liking to you as he held Pete in such high regard. One thing led to another, and youâd been promoted through the ranks much faster than anticipated. But you earned it. Always proving you were ready for the next step. Was it worth it to risk all that hard work?
âYes?â He continued that damn Jake Seresin smirk that he wore so well.
âI was going to tell you top secret information about what may or may not be occurring at 0100 tomorrow.â You sighed removing your arms from the guard rail pretending you were walking away, âNow if youâll excuse me, I need to freshen up.â
âWoah there, Y/N! You didnât say anything about top secret information.â He grabbed your arm lightly as if to let you know heâd drop it the second you asked him to. Of course, you never would, you loved his touch.
âI donât think I should tell you. Youâre being awfully mean to your commander.â You frowned playfully loving the game you were always playing with him. Things were only serious if they needed to be. Things were fun most of the time. Making it so damn easy to be your full and complete self around the man. Youâd developed such a deep crush that bordered on love for the blonde-haired pilot.
âWhat would please my commander then?â He winked taking a step closer to you. Closing off any distance youâd had between the two of you. So much for the heat?
You smiled a wicked one towards Jake, âGrovel for my forgiveness.â
He couldnât contain his laughter. The way his face lit up as he laughed, the way his eyes crinkled and the way his lips drew in. You were sure you could watch this over and over again. He was so beautiful to you. You joined in on the laughter not being able to continue whatever charade the two of you had gotten into at that moment.
âYouâre awfully pretty when you laugh like that.â Jake spoke up after the shared laughter between the two of you had died down a little.
Biting your cheek, you couldnât stop the instant reddening of your cheeks. Jake was always good for that. Making you blush like mad but then doing absolutely nothing about it, âAre you flirting with me Jake?â
He nodded his head confidently, âAlways am Y/N. Always will.â Shooting you another wink he squeezed your arm once more before dropping his hand from it.
Shaking your head, you decided to finally answer his question, âThe top-secret information might be that weâre having a swim call tomorrow. As long as the weather holds up.â
Grinning ear to ear he grasped your shoulders, âYouâre being serious?â
âAs a heart attack.â You nodded your head. You knew why he was so excited. It wasnât that often that these came around. You had to be lucky to be given a swim call. Some sailors were luckier than others getting to have a swim call on a few deployments. Some were unlucky as they never got one.
It just so happened that Admiral Simpson was feeling particularly kind that afternoon at the senior staff was meeting. Another captain offered it up as a reward and heâd agreed. He decided on tomorrow since there were no scheduled missions or training flights. What better way to relieve stress? He knew this deployment was longer and a little more brutal with the heat. He needed to make sure everybody was still levelheaded. What better way to reward the crew?
âOh, hell yeah! The guys are going to be so happy.â His grin stretched even further if that was possible.
âYouâre sworn to secrecy.â You shook your head, âThe admiral would like surprise everyone tomorrow.â
His grin turned down into a devious smirk, âAnd you told me Y/N?â You were really feeling the heat now. Especially when he was looking at you like that.
âDonât let it get to your big ass head Seresin.â You smiled right on back to him. Just one of the many things he adored about you. Your ability to throw it right back at him. You never backed down from the challenge. Even when you were backed into a corner you would continue to fight. Your tenacity was like nothing heâd ever seen before. Apparently, the Navy agreed as you soared up the rankings. Jake was sure youâd be a captain within a few years. Then an admiral not long after that. You just had it. Few did. You did.
âYouâd never let it get too large.â He dropped his hands from your shoulders. You were about to protest but he did something heâd never done before. Something that caught you so off guard you werenât sure if your heard had stopped or not for second. He wrapped you up in a hug. Gently he squeezed you into his chest taking a few deep breaths before he continued.
âYou know how much I like you right?â Jake whispered so close to your ear you could feel his warm breath as it fell down your neck. God, why did he have to do this to you now? It was already hard to come up with words and now? Now it felt like an impossible task. He was pulling out all of the stops to send your brain into overdrive. Youâd probably forget even your own name if he asked.
âSure.â You hadnât a clue what he meant. Like you as a friend? Like you more than a friend? You prayed for the latter but who knew? It could be the former.
As he chuckled you could feel the vibrations as they reverberated off his body onto yours. You could surely get used to hugs like this. Where you were completely wrapped up in his embrace. Where you felt so utterly protected, âI like you, Y/N. Like like you.â He nodded while grinning after seeing your utterly shocked face.
Yeah, your heart definitely stopped as you processed his words. Itâs like he read your mind. Like he knew you were too much of a chicken shit to question his words. You could stand up to admiral and politely tell him to fuck off, but this felt more than daunting to you. This was your life, and you didnât want to fuck it up with him. Youâd had so many chances, what ifâs, run ins with each other over the years. Was it happening this time? Were your craziest dreams actually becoming a reality?
âWait really?â Was all you managed to spit out as your brain went through every emotion. Every scenario to this confession.
âYes, really. Have for years darling.â He broke apart from the embrace observing you carefully, âIâm tired of waiting on a right time. Thereâs never going to be a right time. Especially when youâre you. Getting promoted every other year and shit.â He grinned pulling you right back into his chest.
âNot every other year.â You shook your head hiding it away in embarrassment.
He couldnât really believe his own eyes. You so effortlessly standing in his embrace seemingly accepting his admission. He was tired of dancing the fine line. He was ready. So more than ready to take a leap with you. He was tired of being labeled the playboy, the flirt, the no-good boyfriend. He knew he could be great for someone. For you. It was time.
âSo was do you say sweetheart?â
You pulled away from him this time giving him a soft smile, âAbout?â
âA date. A real date when we get off this boat in a few days. How does that sound?â He grabbed a hand stroking his thumb along your fingertips softly.
Nodding your head softly, âThat sounds perfect Jake.â
âYeah?â
âYeah.â You squeezed his hand once more before beginning your exit, âNow go shower Lieutenant. No offense⌠but you smell.â
Shocked he strode forward towards you, âI smell? Youâre getting it now. Time for a big hug.â
You giggled running from him, âGotta catch me first!â
Shaking his head, he could only smile as you darted off towards your dorm. Oh, how he knew heâd fall in love with you quickly. He always knew he would once he let himself.
âDid you know about it Commander?â A woman youâd seen a few times around the carrier asked as you changed into your swimsuits.
âThe swim call?â You played dumb. Of course, you knew what she was asking but it was much more fun to get hyped up about the whole thing over again. Morale was at a low point as the deployment neared its end. This was always the hardest time. When everybody just wanted to be home.
âYeah.â She nodded while pulling a strap over her shoulder.
âMaybe a little. But Admiral Simpson just decided yesterday. Captain Flagstaff actually convinced him. It was a sight to see.â You smiled reminiscing on the friendly banter.
âItâs so cool that youâre a Commander and youâre like, our age.â Another girl spoke up from around the corner.
You smiled taking notice of her, âRight time, right place I suppose.â
âBullshit.â The first girl laughed, âYour kind of a legend. What you and Mav pulled in Iran last year was insane!
You felt lucky to be alive. You probably shouldnât be, but you never dwelled on it. Youâd been given a chance and you ran with it. Ruthless and precise, never missing a beat. You were a commander after all, you had to prove your worth.
âTake calculated risks.â You offered up some advice for the young women who looked up to you. It was flattering albeit a little odd, âNow letâs go, we only get so much time in the water!â Grabbing a towel, you led the group out. You spotted Jake further off in the distance looking handsome as ever without a shirt on.
âLook at you.â You winked at him lowering your sunglasses. Youâd always been overly flirty with the man but now? Now it meant something. Years of practice came in handy even as your nerves kicked it up a notch as his eyes traced your figure.
He shook his head, âYouâre joking right? Look at you.â Throwing you a wink he desperately wanted to grab your hand, but he knew better. Not in front of all the Navy guys. It was probably already scandalous that the two of you were standing there alone.
âWhat? In this gorgeous Navy issued one piece?â You thought everybody looked fine in them. Not horrible not good. Just fine. But it definitely wasnât flattering per say.
He shrugged, âYou look good in everything sweetheart.â He whispered as a few people walked on by, âAlways looking beautiful.â
âHush, youâre making me blush.â
He laughed beginning to walk away, âThatâs my job now darling. Now letâs go jump in the sea while we have the chance.â
âLead the way.â You followed him towards the edge of the aircraft carrier. With a few railings removed you peered over the side letting people jump beside you. It was a long way down, but youâd done it before. Done it many times in training. Didnât mean you necessarily enjoyed it though.
âCome on Y/L/N. Scared?â Jake threw you one last wink before jumping right off the side. Heâd one upped you yet again. Dammit. You waited for the all clear before jumping right after him.
Resurfacing you quickly found the guy you were looking for smiling right at you only a little distance away. He certainly wasnât being shy about it. The two of you had yet to really talk about what the other wanted but it felt right. It felt so right being around him. Like he was the other part of your magnet pulling you right into him.
âWhy are you looking at me like that?â You asked once you reached him. Splashing him lightly. God the two of you were being so fucking obvious. But lucky for you nobody seemed to notice. Everybody too caught up in their own story, their own joy.
âI already told you. Youâre so fucking pretty.â
âDonât overdo it now Mr. Seresin.â You were smiling an unusual amount. You were usually so stoic and tight lipped. You werenât doing your best hiding the new rush of emotions that were always sitting there waiting to burst right on open. Boy did they burst right on open the second Jake admitted that he actually liked you. You didnât think you could hide the stupid little smile that didnât want to drop.
âWhat? I canât compliment my girl?â He gave you a devilish smile, knowing exactly what he was doing.
Your heart definitely skipped a beat in the water, âIs that what I am?â Raising an eyebrow your curiously looked at him as he pulled you in a little closer. You were sure it didnât look good. Surely it looked suspicious.
âIf thatâs what you want to be. My girlfriend?â
You nodded, âIâd like that.â You whispered. God how you wanted to swim right over and kiss him. Whyâd this have to happen in the middle of the swim call? Why not when you were on shore and could find a secluded spot away from the rest of the crew. There was one thing you were certain of. Thisâd be the most memorable swim call youâd ever have.
âMe too, sweetheart. Me too.â Giving your hand a squeeze, he made sure to keep an appropriate distance until you could get away on that date. It was hard but it was worth it. Anything was worth making you happy. Jake decided that then and there as he watched you smile swimming around in the sea.
#jake seresin fic#top gun maverick#top gun#jake seresin#jake seresin x reader#jake seresin fanfic#jake seresin x you#jake seresin x y/n#hangman x y/n#hangman x reader#top gun imagine#jake seresin fanfiction#jake hangman seresin#hangman angst#hangman imagine#hangman#hangman fic#top gun hangman#top gun maverick hangman#hangman seresin x reader#hangman seresin#hangman x you#top gun fanfiction#top gun masterlist#top gun 2
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Light of His Life
Request: Hi I just wanted to say that you are an amazing writer!!!
I recently read the one with Mav and his sleepy toddler at a navy ball and it sparked a new idea.
It said in the fic that the reader was a product of a one night stand so can we have a story on Mav's first time meeting her/ first night she stays with him/his reaction to the mother leaving/ him deciding he is going to keep the reader.thank you for considering and this is 100% your choice!!!!!! :)
Pairings: Maverick x Daughter!Reader
Warnings: angst, fluff
A/N: I wanna say happy birthday to one my dearest friends @maverick-wingman! I hope you have a good one! Love you so much! đ
A/N Pt. 2: I did everything except the mother leaving. I hope that's ok.
Masterlist
First Installment: Light of His Life
Second Installment: Maverick is a dad?
Third Installment: Crossing Paths
Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell became a father on August 3, 1987. He wasn't planning on having kids at least not yet but when you go around having fun with every lady you see then consequences will catch up. His thoughts of not having kids were changed when there was a knock on the door bright and early Monday morning. He was already awake due to his internal alarm clock waking him up, he didn't have to go to work since it was raining and all jets were grounded until further notice. He walked to the door and opened it to be greeted by a woman in business casual clothing and a car seat in her hand, files in the other, and a diaper bag on her shoulder. She had her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail and very light makeup on.
"Are you Pete Mitchell? I'm Avery Timber with CPS." The lady whose name he learned was Avery Timber.
"Yes I'm Pete Mitchell but please call me Maverick. Please come in." He replied and she smiled and stepped through the door.
"Of course. Callsign right?" She asked him.
"Yes that's right. Navy?" Maverick asked her and she shook her head no.
"I'm not in the Navy but my dad is a Naval Aviator." Avery said and that sparked Maverick's attention.
"Oh, what's his name?" He asked curiously trying to be friendly and nosy at the same time.
"Tom Jardian. Callsign Stinger." She replied and Maverick paled but quickly recovered before she notice since she was busy getting everything situated and putting the bag on the ground.
"Oh he was my higher commanding officer. You don't have the same last name?" He asked her she smiled and looked at him and shook her head.
"I got married, and my last name changed to Timber. Don't worry he hasn't said anything about you that will change this outcome." Avery said, and Maverick nodded glad about the part of him not saying anything. "Anyways I'm here because of this little girl." She said and stroked the sleeping baby's head.
Maverick finally got over his shock and nervousness when he looked over at the sleeping baby girl. "Right. Who is this cutie?" He asked now curious of her. He has a feeling of what the answer was going to be since some CPS agent was bringing her to him.
"She doesn't have a name yet. The hospital was just calling her Jane Doe. Her mother, Layla Kyler, gave up parenting rights as soon as she was born. She's a well-behaved and quiet baby." She said and watched Maverick's face fall. "I assume you know her." She continued.
"Yes. I had slept with her one night and left the next morning. We never contacted each other after that." Maverick said looking at the baby and he could now see that she looked exactly like him already, especially with having thick dark locks.
"Well, this makes it a little bit easier. Maverick meet your daughter. She's a week old. She stayed in the hospital so that they could monitor her while we tracked you down, which was somewhat hard to do." Avery told him with a giggle and a smile. Maverick smiled back still looking at the little girl that was now his. "If you don't believe this we can get a DNA test done but that is totally up to you." She finished and Maverick shook his head.
"No, I believe it. She has the Mitchell looks." He said and stroked the little girl's cheek which she leaned into.
"Right. Ok. I'm assuming you don't have any baby stuff." Avery said and Maverick nodded. "Do you need someone to go with you?" She asked and Maverick shook his head.
"No I have a friend that should have some extra stuff available. I'll have them stop by and bring it when we're done here." Maverick said and Avery nodded accepting it.
"Sounds perfect. Here are the copies of when Layla gave up parental rights," she laid a stack of papers in front of her "here is her birth certificate you will need to name her and I'll take it to the courthouse and have them send you a copy" she laid it on top of the stack "and finally papers for you to sign so you have full custody." She finished and handed him a pen which he gladly signed then got to the birth certificate and immediately knew what to name her 'Y/N Grace Mitchell'. After he signed the papers she got up collected the papers she needed and held out a hand for him to shake and they shook hands. "If you have any problems or questions or advice, give me a call." Avery said and handed him a business card.
"Thank you, Avery. Tell your dad I said hi." He chuckled showing her the door and opening it for her. She turned to him.
"You are very welcome, Maverick. I will certainly tell him that. Goodbye, and good luck." She said with a smile and walked out the door, he closed it and turned to the baby who was now awake and looking at him.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Alright, now time to call Carole and Goose and pray they have Bradley's old baby stuff. He took out his phone and hesitated to call but had to get it over with. He dialed her number and she picked up on the second ring.
"Maverick what's up?" Carole asked him when she answered the phone.
"Hey, Carole. Do you happen to have Bradley's old baby stuff by any chance?" Maverick asked. There was a heavy pause.
"We do. Why?" She asked curiously, again another pause.
"I have someone that you all need to meet. But bring Bradley's old stuff. I'll see you when you get here." Maverick said.
"We'll see you soon." She said and hung up.
30 minutes later they showed up and like promised they had Bradley's old stuff including a crib. They knocked on the door and Maverick picked Y/N up and walked to the door and opened it. Everyone was silent.
"Maverick did you steal a baby?" Goose said and Maverick scoffed.
"No Goose she's mine." He replied, "This is why I wanted to see if you had Bradley's old stuff." Maverick said and Carole made grabby hands towards her and Maverick happily gave her over. They walked into the house and went and sat down at the table.
"Well, she's adorable! What's her story?" Carole said while Y/N looked at her through Bradshaw family in curiously.
"Goose do you remember a Layla Kyler?" He asked him and Goose stood there and thought.
"Yea she's the girl you took home 9 months ago and left in the morning...." and when he saw Maverick's face he knew. "No this is her and your kid?" Goose exclaimed.
"Yes and she gave up parental rights at the hospital. They kept her for a week there making sure she was healthy and to track me down." Maverick said.
"So are you going to keep her?" Bradley asked they looked at him and Maverick smiled and nodded.
"I wasn't at first but then I stroked her cheek and she leaned into me I knew right then and there she was staying." Maverick said turning his attention onto his daughter. It was true he already loved that little with his heart. They ate lunch, talked more, held Y/N more, and then Maverick and Goose decided to put her nursery together.
They talked more and Y/N was passed around and even Bradley got to hold her, which she immediately took to. Bradley and Carole stayed with Y/N while Goose and Maverick set up her nursery which should've taken a few minutes but with them two it took several hours.
Finally, after 6 hours, everything was set up. While they were doing that Carole and Bradley put away the baby food and refrigerator baby food as well as fed Y/N. Goose and Maverick came downstairs.
"Took you boys long enough." Carole said in a sarcastic tone and handed Maverick his daughter.
"Well, we had some difference of opinions." Goose said to them.
"Well, it's getting late. We should get going. Maverick you can call me anytime. Everything is put away." Carole said ushering the Bradshaw boys out the door to give father and daughter time to bond. Maverick wanted to protest and started to when she spoke back up "You'll be fine. We're only two doors down." She finished off.
They left and it was just Maverick and Y/N who was looking at him and smiling. Maverick looked at her and smiled back. He truly did love this girl.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
When it was bedtime, Maverick was a nervous wreck. He had called Carole and she walked him through changing a diaper, fixing a bottle, and putting her down. Now when people say some babies are easy, Y/N is the definition of an easy baby. OK.
"Ok Y/N. We're going to have a goodnight and I'll be here the entire time." Maverick said and she just looked at him. He sat in the rocking chair and rocked her she fussed a little bit but fell asleep pretty quickly. While she was asleep he confessed a lot of things. "Listen I know you're asleep right now and you not going to remember or understand this. I love you, baby. At first, I didn't know if wanted to keep you but then you leaned into my touch and I knew right then and there I was keeping you. Alright, I'm gonna put you down and hope you don't wake up. I love you, Sunshine." Maverick poured out his heart. He put her in her crib gently.
Maverick did not get any sleep that night and he slept on the floor so he could check on her throughout the night. She was the perfect angel.
The next morning he was up early and called Viper and Jester and explained the situation and they gave him as much time as he needed. Y/N woke up and Maverick picked her up "Hello there, Sunshine." She giggled back at him and they headed into the kitchen. They each got something to eat and went about their day.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
They got a routine down that they could follow. They had a good first week together. It also helped that he had Carole just two doors down. When he had to go back to work Y/N stayed with Carole and Bradley during the day. Y/N really loves Bradley even if they were 3 years apart.
Maverick was definitely keeping her. No doubt about that. Avery called in to check on both of them.
Maverick finally had sunshine in his life. He was finally whole. Y/N is the light of his life.
Tag List:
@kmc1989
@els-marvelvsp
@atarmychick007
#maverick x daughter!reader#daughter reader top gun#daughter!reader top gun#top gun imagine#top gun x reader#top gun fanfiction
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Also preserved in our archive
By Kevin Kavanagh, MD
Finally, a masking initiative I can support. Iâm not talking about the misdirected efforts of emerging mask bans, one the latest in my home state of Kentucky. Instead, we need to emulate the NIH, which, on November 4, initiated a masking requirement at all National Institutes of Health (NIH) patient care areas. Our nation needs to come to grips with the fact that the pandemic is NOT over; the virus is very dangerous and poses risks to everyone. NIH is masking up, and so should we.
COVID-19 and long COVID are not old peopleâs diseases. Recent studies paint a bleak picture of long COVID and its effect on adults and children. The Naval Medical Research Command reported that almost 25% of studied Marines, most of whom had asymptomatic or mild acute COVID-19, âreported physical, cognitive, or psychiatric long-term sequelae of (COVID-19) infection.â
The economic impact is profound. Public health reports from Australia estimated that long COVID has caused a 0.5% loss in GDP. In New Zealand, a country of 5.7 million people, it is estimated the loss is 1.23 billion US dollars per year. The best study from the United States is from 2022 by the Brookings Institute that estimated 2 to 4 million individuals in the United States are not working because of long COVID. Since then, we have essentially handled this problem by not counting. However, the health care sector has been hit especially hard. A recent study from the United Kingdom found 33% of healthcare workers suffer from long COVID.
Most disturbing is the lasting brain damage from the virus, causing a decrease in cognition and executive function, damage resulting in poor judgment, and risky behavior. I seldom see anyone wearing a mask, and too few are up to date with their COVID-19 boosters. We are ignoring the pandemic and nonchalantly spreading the virus.
This phenomenon is occurring nationally. Recently, the American Automobile Association reported a spike in risky behavior associated with the pandemic, behavior manifested by an increase in speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and a decrease in seatbelt use. And a study in the Journal of Neurology found those who have had COVID-19 have higher rates of auto accidents.
Patients who have experienced COVID-19 with changes in their sense of smell are at an increased risk of developing âbehavioral, functional and structural brain alterationsâ in the portion of the brain that controls emotion. COVID-19 has been found to diminish executive function in over half of patients with cognitive complaints, such as brain fog, memory loss, and lower I.Q. In Sweden, the insurance company, IF, found that almost a third of young adults have âbrain fogâ. In the Netherlands, there has been a 40% increase in adults seeking medical care for cognitive difficulties.
One only needs to look at what is happening in our communities and around the world to realize that people have a short fuse, and societies have become powder kegs of confrontations and violence.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can also undergo transformation, allowing it to better infect the brain. Recently, Jacob Class and colleagues in Nature Microbiology demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can lose its furin cleavage site, which is responsible for cellular entry (using the ACE2/TMPRSS2 receptor). This adaptation is hypothesized to optimize the virusâs ability to infect the brain using an alternate cellular entry pathway (Astrocytes or brain cells do not have observable ACE2 receptors).
Evolutionary pressure may be selected for viral mutations that allow SARS-CoV-2 to infect the brain, specifically the frontal lobes. In at least some individuals, this damage would increase risky and confrontational behavior, promoting the spread of this virus. This process would then repeat itself in the newly infected, further spreading the virus. This is not a pathogen to be taken lightly.
In Kentucky, we could possibly be seeing this scenario play out. A mask ban enacted in public venues will increase viral spread. Even outdoors, if you are within 6 feet of an infected person, large droplet spread can easily occur. Any proposed or enacted mask ban is anti-public health and will result in needless cases of long COVID, death, and disability. It will adversely impact our economy and the mental health of our citizens.
We must break this cycle of infections and disability. Clean indoor air, the wearing of N95 masks in public places, and vaccinations are keys to preventing new cases of acute COVID-19 and long COVID.
#mask up#public health#wear a mask#pandemic#covid#wear a respirator#covid 19#still coviding#sars cov 2#coronavirus
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youtube
#youtube#news#Change of command tradition#Naval change of command#USS Henry M. Jackson#Military change of command#Change of Command Ceremony#Naval ceremony#Change of command video#Navy tradition#US Navy#US Navy ceremony#Naval tradition#Military leadership#Military event#Naval ceremony video#Military ceremony video#Military tradition video#USS Henry M. Jackson ceremony#Military Ceremony#Military event video#US Navy event
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You Are My Soulmate
Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw x Reader
Status: In Progress
Last Updated: July 30th, 2024
Disclaimers: Female!Reader
A/N: This is a Soulmate!AU with a spin. Instead of having a single soulmark, a quarter of the population have multiple. Tinkerbell and Rooster are two of those people. I love Soulmate AUs, and well, the Top Gun Brain-Rot is still ever present, so here we go. This one is going to be a bit different for me, as I'm going to be trying out flipping perspectives within the chapters between Rooster and Tinkerbell (Reader's Nickname throughout the fic).
Themes: Angst, Smut, Soulmate!AU, Bradley is a bit of a dick, Rivals to Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love (Slight, One-Sided)
Summary: You're ecstatic when you find out you have five soul indicators at midnight on the day of your twenty-first birthday, right before you start Officer Candidate School for the Navy in Rhode Island. OCS is so complex you canât devote time to searching for your soulmate. On graduating from Officer Candidate School, Naval Aviation Command School, and Aviation Maintenance School at the top of your class, you are given the primary selection of detachment and travel worldwide as an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer. The excitement you felt on your twenty-first birthday has changed over the past seven years, and youâre impatient to see who your soul is. After years of constant movement, itâs a relief to learn you have been assigned to run maintenance on a squadronâs planes out of Naval Air Station North Island. San Diego is sunny and gorgeous, an absolute dream after being stuck on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean for the past six months. The Dagger Squad is a newly-permanent squadron based out of NAS North Island. Each member welcomed you to Miramar as a part of their maintenance crew with warmth and friendliness. Except for one pilot, callsign: Rooster. Heâs the most unpleasant pilot youâve ever met. Heâs full of himself, cocky, arrogant, rude, and condescending. If only he didnât feel so familiar. If only you didnât feel so drawn to him.Â
Bradley Bradshaw is sure heâs never going to find his soulmate. Heâd been in mourning on his twenty-first birthday, still grieving the loss of his mother, followed by the loss of the only father heâd ever known, his Uncle Mav. It isnât until Bradley is across the country at Officer Candidate School that he realizes he never received his soul indicators. Years later, and thousands of miles away, recovering from a plane crash, Bradley, now known as Rooster, jolts awake to the half-remembered scent of citrus and glistening hair in a thick braid. Without any other indicators, Rooster gives up. After all, whoâd want a soul disfigured by something they loved? Thatâs when Bradley gives up. He sinks into the reputation of the piano-playing, mustachioed casanova and gives up on his dreams of finding a love like his parents had found in each other. And heâs content with his life until he runs into the feisty, loud AMDO officer newly assigned to NASNI. Something about her feels like everything Bradleyâs been searching for, at least, if she werenât completely committed to Bagman already. You can call him what you want, but Rooster doesnât steal another manâs girl.
You Are My Soulmate on AO3
You Are My Soulmate on Wattpad
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 - Tinkerbell
Chapter 2 - Rooster
Chapter 3 - Rooster
Chapter 3 - Tinkerbell
Chapter 4
Chapter 5 - Tinkerbell
Chapter 5 - Rooster
Chapter 6 - Tinkerbell
Chapter 6 - Rooster
Chapter 7 - Tinkerbell
Chapter 7 - Rooster
Chapter 8 - Tinkerbell
Taglist is Open!
Want to be added to the Taglist for this fic? Leave a comment on this masterlist or drop me a message in my inbox!
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR AGE IN YOUR BIO. I DO NOT ACCEPT TAG-LIST REQUESTS FROM BLANK OR AGELESS BLOGS. THIS IS AS MUCH FOR MY SAFETY AND LEGALITY ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS YOURS.
I DO NOT CONSENT TO HAVE MY WORK POSTED, TRANSLATED, OR PUBLISHED ON ANY SITES OTHER THAN HERE OR ON AO3 BY ME. IF YOU SEE MY WORKS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE OR AO3, THEN THEY HAVE BEEN POSTED WITHOUT MY PERMISSION AND I WILL BE WORKING TO TAKE THEM DOWN.
#star writes#star screaming about top gun#you are my soulmate#bradley bradshaw x reader#rooster x reader#bradley rooster bradshaw x reader#rooster angst#rooster imagine#bradley bradshaw angst#bradley bradshaw imagine#top gun fanfic#top gun fanfiction#top gun maverick fanfiction#top gun maverick fanfic#unrequited love#soulmates#soulmate!au#angst#enemies to lovers#miscommunication
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The Sea Prince; Hunting Party announcement!
okay maybe this isnât the oneshot I promised but itâs gonna be good I promise-
SO! As of recent, I finished up the revised outline to The Sea Princeâs act one, named Hunting Party! The plot has a lot more going on and Iâm in love with this story so much more. This means sooner or later the prologue will come out! As soon as it does, weâll come to the next important thing;
Beta readers!
Preferably, Iâd want three! I have one already, so two more would be great!
What do beta readers do?
They help give feedback and act as a sort of test audience! Iâll need it with all the things packed into this storyline ehehe. Thereâs a lot in store! Iâd want to make sure Iâm giving off the right impression with my writing and the like.
I will give the summary of The Sea Prince (and Act One!) under the cut, and as a treat, here is a doodle Iâve made of Act Two Scott and Martyn, they get little changes in their designs <3
Thereâs one doodle under the cut that has blood (it isnât red, but blood is blood!) so hereâs your warning for it!
THE SEA PRINCE.
In a world full of deadly, man-eating sea monsters there are specialized teams of people whoâs job and legacy is to eradicate the horrors of the deep. Monster hunters, hunters for short, are funded by guilds to personal employers to seek out the dangerous beasts and let the sea live in a peaceful, monster-free environment for the animals and humans to thrive.
A notorious hunter group, the Canaries, are led by brothers Joel and Grian Solidarity and are personally funded by His Royal Majesty as one of the best hunters the kingdom has to offer. Such luxuries give them the access to powerful weapons and a rivalry with the best naval commanders, known as TIES. These two groups are summoned to a meeting as the King sends them on their most daring commission yet; find and capture a sea prince.
Sea Princes are, by nature, mythological. They donât exist. Theyâre hunter stories meant to scare children and keep the population from wanting to explore the seas, if not for the very real monsters that infest the waters. Capturing one, not to mention proving they exist would be a challenge. This is the King they were working under though, and if he says to find a sea prince and capture it, theyâll do it. Besides, if they were able to, they would be put down in the history books.
Martyn always believed they existed. A child born from hunters, stories about their bloody past and murderous rage haunts and excites him. From the god-like treasure they hide underneath the waves to the feuding war against the mermaids, heâs made it his goal to kill a sea prince. Itâs what he wants the most after all.
Well. There was also Scott.
Scott Major is a beautiful man who works in a tavern, never in his life has he been out to sea. Martyn swears to him that once his life goal is complete, heâll stay. The call of the sea is somehow always there, as if it was right in front of him. Martyn risks his life every single moment he boards the ship, but he always comes back in one piece. He has to.
He canât risk losing Scott too.
ACT ONE: HUNTING PARTY.
Being sent on a mission to capture a sea prince, the Canaries and TIES form a bet; whoever finds evidence of a prince first can lead the mission. Agreeing under pride, they set out. Martyn has his heart set on fulfilling his dream, but it doesnât look like Scott is too thrilled with the idea. Heâll understand.
What the hunters donât know is that their goal charters out of their control and they are forced to seek refuge on an island everyone believes to be cursed. The Scarlet Witch haunts the isle, and every hunting ship that enters will never exit.
Theyâll be the first to prove that wrong.
Elements/ general themes the story will contain;
- Nightmares
- Sea horror (monsters attacking ships, fear of the ocean, those types of things)
- fights and injuries (they bleed!)
- character death
- slow burn. really slow burn but a lot of flirting and sweet moments between the two
- worldbuilding
- found family
- thereâs likely more to which Iâll add unto!
This story has become a very big passion of mine and Iâd love to be able to tell this with the most clarity and enjoyment I can provide! If youâre interested in becoming a beta, Iâd like you to comment under the post or reblog it to why youâd want to beta read it and the like :D itâs not a first come first serve basis and it will be open until I finish the prologue, which is in about a week or two from now. Goodluck in applying! I and @mewhoismyself are going to look through what you guys got, but no pressure, seriously! <3
With the beta readers and synopsis out of the way, hereâs some sneak peeks to the next batch of designs along with some sketches I made for Act One! I wonder if you can figure out the context behind those words ;)
Just some minor changes with Martyn and Scott! Scottâs hair is more red tinted and darker so heâs more ginger, while Martyn is more clean-shaven! Maybe he has some stubble the next time I sketch him, but he looks more youthful here! I also realize that these are all the winners, but it does make sense with how important they are to the story :0!
Now, unto the designs! Can you guess whoâs who?
Super excited to finish this batch and work on their lore; Iâll finish this before the prologue!
And thatâs all i got for now, I hope youâre all just as excited as I am as the project gets to come to life after all these months. Act One is coming soon!
#the sea prince au#limited life#limited life smp#life smp#life series#trafficblr#traffic series#scott smajor#smajor1995#smajor fanart#dangthatsalongname#martyn inthelittlewood#martyn itlw#inthelittlewood#majorwood#mean gills#coral kids#pearlescentmoon#grian#tsp art
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Hesitation
(gif not mine)
pairing: jake âhangmanâ seresin x fem pilot!reader (last name: abbott, call sign: medusa)
characters: jake seresin, reader, the dagger squad + maverick and warlock, leroy jethro gibbs, ziva david, timothy mcgee, anthony dinozzo junior, donald mallard (ducky), james palmer, abby scuito, secnav, male villian!oc - Cole Cooke
warnings: THIS FIC IS 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, language, death, SA, torture, abuse (not by hangman), car accident (mentioned), vomiting, guns, canon violence, iâm sorry if i missed any, please let me know and I will add it to the list
word count: ~10.6k (i-i donât know what to tell you)
a/n: the NCIS team will consist of Gibbs, McGee, DiNozzo, and Ziva (mainly because thatâs the season iâm currently on) and the Dagger Squad is temporarily stationed at Oceana
like mentioned in the warning, this fic contains sensitive themes, reader discrection is advised
**********
The Gibbs Team looked at the plasma, looking over the military file displayed on it.
Tony crossed his arms over his chest and got closer to the screen, âSheâs pretty, real pretty.â âSheâs missing DiNozzo,â Gibbs said, walking into the bullpen with his coffee. âHow did you-â Gibbs just stared at him. âNevermind.â
McGee rolled his eyes before turning to the screen. âLieutenant Y/N âMedusaâ Abbott was reported UA this morning by her captain, Captain Pete Mitchell.â Ziva spoke up, âSheâs a Naval Aviator, graduated top of her class and has flown several high profile missions.â âShe also was a TOP GUN graduate, graduating in the number one spot there as well,â Tony added.
âShe got a backseater?â Gibbs asked. âUh, no, not anymore,â Tim said, looking down at the ground. âNot anymore?â The image changed to one of a photo of Y/N and her backseater. âLieutenant Jordan Winters was in a car accident in 2018. He was in a coma for a month, when he woke up the damage to his legs had been so severe that he was discharged,â Tony elaborated.
Gibbs nodded, âWhat about her wingman?â Ziva pressed the clicker, âLieutenant Jacob Seresin, call sign âHangmanâ; also graduated top of his class and graduated from TOP GUN in the number one slot.â Tony winced, âWonder what he did to earn a call sign like that.â Ziva chuckled, âI can think of a few things.â
A smack sounded out in the bullpen.
Ziva and Tony rubbed the back of their heads. âRight, sorry boss.â
âWe need to talk to her squadron, Captain Mitchell, and Admiral Bates,â he walked around his desk and grabbed his coffee. âDiNozzo, youâre with me.â âGibbs, why are we looking into this? Sheâs only been UA a few hours, thatâs not really enough to classify her as missing,â Ziva questioned. âMy gut.â
As Gibbs and Tony got into the elevator, âMcGee, I want a BOLO out for her vehicle.â âYes, Boss.â
********
After flashing their badges to the gate they went into the training facility.
âHow can I help you guys?â The secretary asked as he looked up from his computer. âDo you know where we can find Admiral Bates?â âHe should be in his office, heâs expecting you.â Gibbs nodded and went down the hall.
He knocked and received a âcome inâ.
Gibbs walked in flashing his badge, âAdmiral Bates? Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS. This is Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo.â Warlock stood, âGlad you could make it here so soon. I know Captain Mitchell called it in, but he was ordered to start training as usual.â âIs he on the ground?â Warlock nodded, âYes, as are the rest of the pilots. If youâll follow me I can show you the way.â
As he led the way, they asked him questions. Like what Y/N was like, what her relationship was with her squad and her commanding officers. And Warlock had nothing but positive responses.
They entered the hangar seeing the pilots sitting casually, standing at attention when the Admiral entered the room.
âYou may be seated.â Warlock gestured to the agents, âThey are Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo. Theyâre from NCIS.â
Payback sat up with a furrowed brow, âNCIS? What happened?â Warlock sighed, âAs you all know, Lieutenant Abbott did not report this morning. Theyâre here to ask you all some questions.â
Gibbs turned to Maverick, âCaptain, Iâd like to speak with you first.â âOf course, my office is this way.â
******
In Maverickâs office, Gibbs asked him questions about Y/N.
âYou called this in very early, why?â Maverick sighed, âMed- Lieutenant Abbott, has never been UA and has barely ever called in sick. Iâve had to send her home a few times actually.â Tony nodded before asking his own question, âSo, there is no possibility that sheâs late?â âNo, sir.â
Maverick sighed, âI just, I have this feeling that somethingâs very wrong. Itâs in my gut, and my gut is usually right.â Tony and Gibbs shared a look, nodding.
âIs there anyone that might want to hurt her for any reason?â Tony asked. Pete shook his head, âNot that I know of. Sheâs loved by everyone on this squad and her past squads had nothing but nice things to say about her.â Gibbs sat up, âWe need to personally talk with each of those pilots out there.â Mav nodded, âOf course, whatever you need.â
******
They spoke with Hangman first.
âWhat can you tell us about Lieutenant Abbott?â Gibbs asked. âSheâs one of the best damn fighter pilots around. Itâs an honor flying with her,â Jake answered honestly.
âYouâve flown with her for a while, nearly your whole career,â Tony pointed out. âYes, sir. We were in another squadron together before being reassigned to this one.â Both nodded.
Gibbs glanced down at Y/Nâs file. âSheâs got a badass call sign. âMedusaâ. Let me guess, you gave that to her?â Jake nodded, smiling at the memory, âI did.â âWhy Medusa?â Jake chuckled, âWell, first she flies stone cold. If she ever gets hit on in a bar, the look she has could kill. She also loves mythology, itâs one of her hyperfixations.â He smiled as he remembered the last reason, âSheâs got a sick Medusa tattoo on her thigh.â
Tony raised his brows, huffing in amusement.
Jake tensed at that, and Gibbs noticed, but didnât mention it.
âYou mentioned that she got hit on, do you think any of those guys would maybe try to hurt her because she rejected them?â DiNozzo asked. Hangman frowned a little, thinking, âNo, most of them are usually drunk and just move on to the next girl.â âWere there any that didnât move on?â He nodded, âA few, but they tend to move on when the rest of us size him up from across the room.â
âHas anything like that happened since youâve been stationed here?â Gibbs asked. âNo, mainly because sheâs not too familiar with the area or the bars so she usually doesnât go up to the bar alone.â âWhat about her stone cold stare?â Tony asked, a hint of mirth in his tone. âIt still works, but some guys tend to take that as playing hard to get. So, one of us guys usually goes to the bar with her. If she needs to go to the bathroom, she goes with Phoenix or Halo.â They nodded, writing their notes down.
âWhat about her relationship with her backseater?â Jake chuckled, âHer and X-Ray are like brother and sister. She still visits him when she gets the chance.â Tony arched a quizzical eyebrow, âTheyâre still close?â He nodded, âThe bond between pilot and wizzo is something else. When youâre in a plane together, your life rests entirely on the other personâs shoulders. They were a great team, I owe both of them my life.â
Gibbs nodded, âSeems like Lieutenant Abbott owes you her life as well. Youâve got two air-to-air kills, one of which was to save her life about 2 years ago.â Hangman nodded, âYes sir. She was out of defense with no ammo, she had a bandit on her three oâclock.â âSo, thatâs when you swooped in and saved the day?â Tony asked, chuckling before cutting it off with a cough from a stare from Gibbs.
âThank you Lieutenant Seresin, if we have more questions I need you to be available,â Gibbs said as they both stood. âOf course, sir,â Jake shook his hand, along with Tonyâs before leaving.
********
The rest of the interviews went very similarly.
Everyone said basically the same thing. Medusa was never late, loved by every one of them, and had no known enemies. When at the bar no pursuers ever tried to follow her out.
While they didnât get a lead to where she could be, they got an idea on who she is.
*******
As they drove back to NCIS, Gibbsâ phone rang.
âWhat ya got, McGee?â âLieutenant Abbottâs vehicle was spotted in a ditch headed towards the air station. Sending the coordinates now,â McGee reports. âZiva and I have already started that way.â
Tony nodded at Gibbs after checking his phone. Gibbs nodded back, âOkay, weâll meet you and Ziva there.â He hung up and started driving to where Y/Nâs car was spotted.
*******
They met up at the scene and began to process it.
âSo, what are we looking at Boss?â DiNozzo asked as he photographed tire marks. âIâll tell you when I know, DiNozzo.â âRight.â
Gibbs turned to Ducky, âDo you have a time of death, Ducky?â âBased on bruising, Iâd say a day, maybe two.â They moved her body from the vehicle to the gurney to check her body temperature. âHer body temperature suggests the same.â
âHow are we gonna tell the Dagger Squad?â Tony asked, watching Palmer wheel the gurney up to the truck. âHow are we gonna tell her family?â âHer squadron is the only family sheâs got, McGee,â Gibbs huffed and made his way back to the car.
*******
Jethro walked into autopsy, âYou got a cause of death for me, Ducky?â Dr. Mallard went over to the x-rays, âWell, based on the bruising, and the position we found her in - Lieutenant Abbott died of asphyxiation. When she crashed into the tree, she was pinned by the steering wheel. Poor girl, her ribs were crushed and it could have taken hours for her to lose consciousness.â Gibbs turned to the autopsy table, walking over to the body on it.
He tilted his head as he looked at her face, squinting a little. âDid we get a positive ID on her?â âWe found her ID, sir,â Palmer piped up. Gibbs just gave him a look before turning to Ducky, âDid we confirm that?â Ducky waved his finger, âI thought you were going to ask that, which is why I was going to suggest getting one of her colleagues to come up here to confirm.â âWhy didnât we just fingerprint her?â
Palmer came over, âWe would have-â He turned her palm over, âExcept she doesnât have any.â Gibbs nodded, âLieutenant Seresin mentioned she had a tattoo on her thigh. One of Medusa, said thatâs how she got her call sign.â
Ducky nodded, âAh! Yes, Medusa.â He moved the cloth of her leg, showing the tattoo there. âBeautiful work of art, truly.â
Gibbsâ phone rang, âYeah Abbs?â âI think Iâve got something fishy with the Lieutenantâs car.â He nodded, âOn my way.â
Ducky looked down at her body, âCall it a gut feeling my dear, but something about you just doesnât line up.â
*******
Gibbs and Tony walked into the garage, âWhat you got Abby?â
The scientist popped up from behind the door. âSomething that doesnât line up.â He rose a brow, âAnd that is?â She enthusiastically waved him over.
âLook at the interior.â He did. âItâs covered in glass, Abbs.â âExactly!â Tony laughed, âAbby, thatâs normal for a crash.â Abby held up a finger, âBut the lack of blood is not!â
Gibbs furrowed his brow and looked at the interior more closely.
There truly was not enough blood in that car for it to have been a proper crash. There was little blood on the air bag, the seat, the windows- anywhere blood would be, there was small amounts.
Gibbs looked at the crime scene photos, seeing the little amount of blood on her body.
âThe lack of blood suggests-â âShe was dead before the car hit the tree,â Gibbs said as he turned to walk to the elevator.
Abby quickly followed him, âGibbs wait!â âWhat?â She smiled at his expectant expression. âI was checking the brake pedal and I found this,â she held up an evidence jar. He sighed and grabbed the jar, shaking it a little, âWhat is this?â She took it back, âIâm thinking itâs cinder block. Iâm gonna run tests to be sure, and on the trace amounts of blood as well.â
Gibbs smiled, âGood work, Abby.â
*****
Gibbs walked into the squad room the next day, he really hadnât left the building, going over every detail he could find on Lieutenant Abbott. Also staying for the autopsy of her body, learning that she had in fact died somewhere else two days prior to the day she was found. And results from the residue found in the floorboard were confirmed to be cinder block
He was still waiting on the results of the blood analysis.
As if on cue, his phone rang. âGibbs.â âThe blood results came back and you wonât believe-â Thatâs all he needed before he hung up and went to the elevator.
*******
Walking in with a Caf-POW, Gibbs went over to Abby at her lab computer.
âTell me something, Abbs,â he said, sitting the drink down. âI can do better than that.â
She pulled up the blood test, both from the body and what she pulled off the airbag. âThese blood samples donât match.â Gibbs furrowed his brow, âSo there was someone else in the car?â Abby shook her head, âNope. This blood-â She held up a vile taken from the body. âDoes not match this blood.â She held up the swab Ducky took from where Medusaâs nose bled. âWhen I ran a test on this swab, I couldnât find a match. So, I requested this.â
Abby took a breath, allowing Gibbs to ask questions. âSo whose blood is this?â âIâm glad you asked.â She pulled up another test, showing a positive match. âWhat is this?â âWhen I learned the blood pulled off the Lieutenantâs skin didnât match what was taken out of her body, I ran what I found on the airbag against both. What was found on the airbag matches what was taken off her skin.â
Gibbs nodded, âDo we have any idea on whose blood that is?â âNot who,â Abby smirked, turning to her evidence table. âAnimal?â âNope.â Gibbs exhaled impatiently, âThen what is it, Abby?â
âBased on the theory we had about her being dead before the crash, I tested the blood for red dye. And I found that both samples, the ones taken from both the air bag and her skin, contained Red Dye 40.â âThatâs food coloring.â Abby nodded, âYup! The blood in the vehicle is fake. Our Lieutenant was murdered before the crash.â Gibbs kissed her cheek, âGood work, Abbs.â
*******
âMcGee, go get Lieutenant Seresin. Bring him in for questioning, but donât tell him why,â Gibbs said as he walked around his desk.
Tim stood up, âUh, but do I get to know why weâre bringing him in?â Gibbs looked up at him, âBecause Lieutenant Abbott was murdered.â
*****
Hangman sat in interrogation, toothpick in his mouth as he tapped on the table.
Gibbs walked in and Jake looked up, taking the pick out of his mouth. âLieutenant Seresin,â Gibbs nodded to him. âAgent Gibbs,â Jake nodded back.
It was silent for a moment, Hangman waiting for the agent to speak.
âWhen did you last see Medusa, Hangman?â Gibbs looked up from the file on the table. âSunday night, around 2200, sir.â âThatâs late, you both werenât in your dorms?â Jake shook his head, âNo sir. The squad went out to the bar that night, sir. Y/N and I went to our rental on base at 2130.â âYou lived together?â Hangman nodded, âYes, sir. Weâre dating, sir.â
Gibbs leaned on the table, âDating?â
âYes sir.â âWas this not an issue with you being in the same squadron?â âWe were dating before joining the Navy, sir. Grew up together.â âAnd you arenât married yet?â Jake exhaled through his nose, his jaw clenching a little.
Gibbs smirked a little as he watched Hangmanâs eyes fall to the table. âWhat happened Sunday night? Did you and Y/N get into a fight that night?â Jake swallowed, looking Gibbs in the eye, âYes sir.â âAbout what?â
âA girl at the bar had flirted with me-â âDid you flirt back?â Jake looked at Gibbs incredulously, âOf course not.â âThen why did you fight with Medusa?â Jake rubbed his face, âWhen I turned the girl down, she laid it on thicker. Y/N claimed her territory.â Gibbs nodded and began writing, âI assume you left after that?â He nodded, âYes sir.â
âWhat happened when you got home, Lieutenant?â Jake sniffed and rubbed his nose, âMedusa was giving me the cold shoulder, which Iâm not entirely surprised about. I tried to get her to talk and when she did, it escalated. And she asked me a question, one that I hesitated to answer.â âWas the question,â Gibbs played with his pen. âWhen you were gonna marry her?â
Hangman nodded, âYes sir. She said she was tired of having to show âbarrack bunniesâ that Iâm taken. That if we were married, itâd stop them. I told her a ring doesnât stop them, if anything they try harder⌠Then she asked if I ever planned on marrying her, and I hesitated.â âThatâs when she left?â âStormed out the door and left. I needed to talk about it, so I called my buddy Rooster and he came by. He stayed over because I wasnât sure if Medusa was going to stay with Phoenix or not. She didnât come home or show up on base.â
Gibbs cleared his throat, âShe didnât come home because she was in a car accident, ran off the road and smashed into a tree.â
He could see Jakeâs heart plummet as the words left his mouth. âIs-is she okay?â Gibbs shook his head, hesitating to pull out the photos but laid them out anyway, âIâm sorry, Lieutenant. She was found dead in the driverâs seat.â Jake looked down at the photos and covered his mouth, âIs she here?â Gibbs nodded, âSheâs in autopsy.â âCan I see her? Please?â
******
Tony and Ziva watched the interrogation through the glass.
âDo you think heâs telling the truth?â He asked, looking down at Ziva. âAbout seeing her Sunday night?â She looked up at DiNozzo, laughing a little, âOr that they were a couple?â He scoffed, âI know thatâs a lie. Dating for nearly 15 years and they arenât married, thereâs no way.â
Ziva looked back and saw how torn up Jake looked. She sobered up, âI think heâs telling the truth. Gibbs does too.â
******
Gibbs took Jake to autopsy, âDucky, Iâve got a second opinion to confirm Lieutenant Abbottâs ID.â
âOh, who might this charming young man be?â Ducky asked, walking up to Jake. Hangman held his hand out, âLieutenant Jake Seresin, you can call me Hangman.â Ducky smiled and shook his hand, âDoctor Mallard, everyone calls me Ducky.â Jake couldnât help but chuckle, âI think youâd like my friend.â âIs he also a medical examiner?â Hangman shook his head, chuckling, âNo, heâs also a bird.â
Gibbs smirked from behind his coffee, before following Ducky and Hangman.
âI must warn you, Lieutenant, the crash made matching her to her ID through facial recognition difficult.â Ducky pinched the cloth in his fingers, waiting for Jakeâs confirmation that this is what he wanted. âPlease, Doctor Mallard.â
Ducky moved the sheet, exposing her face. Jake inhaled sharply, hesitantly reaching out, pausing. âYou may touch her, Jacob.â Jake ran his index finger along the side of her face. âOh, Sugar⌠Iâm so sorry..â
Both Ducky and Gibbs watch tears fill Jakeâs eyes before he furrows his brows. âWhatâs wrong Jake?â Gibbs asked, tilting his chin up. âItâs just- Y/N has a scar. Right here,â Hangman used his pinky to trace a line from just below her cheek bone to a spot on her neck. âShe got it last year. She tried to break up a bar fight and got grazed by a broken bottle.â âAre you sure it hasnât faded?â Jake shook his head, pulling out his phone, finding a photo from Sunday night before the fight.
He gave it to Ducky, who zoomed in on the photo, seeing the scar in the exact place it was supposed to be.
âCan you show me her tattoos?â Gibbs arched a brow, âTattoos?â He looked at Ducky, âWhy didnât you say she had more than one?â âBecause we only had one to go off of.â Gibbs nodded, âYeah, the important one!â
Jake arched a brow, looking between the two before Ducky smirked and turned back to him and lifted the sheet. Jakeâs eyes scanned her body, matching every tattoo to the ones he had committed to memory. He shuddered, covering his mouth, âItâs her.â
Gibbs inhaled through his nose, shoulders rising a little before he exhaled. âLieutenant, can anyone confirm that Lieutenant Abbott was at the bar on Sunday?â Jakeâs eyes shot up to the marine, âI donât understand, you said this was a car accident.â âAnswer the question, Hangman.â Jake stood straight at the tone Gibbs had, âThe Dagger Squad, or the bartender at the Sirenâs Cave, sir.â
******
Ziva and Tony headed to the air station to talk to the squad and McGee went to the bar to get surveillance.
âLieutenant Machado, can you confirm that Lieutenants Seresin and Abbott were at the Sirenâs Cave Sunday night?â Ziva asked, sitting across from Coyote. âYeah, Medusa beat me twice at 9-ball.â
âLieutenant Bradshaw, Lieutenant Seresin said that he called you to come over after the fight he had with Lieutenant Abbott. Did you pass her on your way to their home?â Tony asked Rooster. âYeah, she passed the bar as I was leaving.â
Tony called Gibbs to relay the information.
******
Gibbs opened the interrogation room door.
âEveryone confirmed seeing you both at the bar on Sunday night. Lieutenant Bradshaw confirmed that he saw her on his way to your house. You can go.â Jake stood up, âCan I get her tags, sir?â Gibbs nodded and jerked his head for Hangman to follow him.
They went down to Abbyâs lab.
âGibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!â Abby came over, startling Jake a little. She paused, noticing him, âHi, Iâm Abby, forensic scientist.â He smiled, âLieutenant Jake Seresin, friends call me Hangman.â âOooh, a pilot- wait, youâreâŚâ She trailed off as she realized who Jake was.
She hugged him, âOh, Iâm so sorry.â Jake glanced at Gibbs, who was smiling at him and shrugging, before hugging her back. âThank you, Abby.â
When she pulled away she looked at Gibbs, waiting for him to speak. âIf youâve processed them, I need Lieutenant Abbottâs dog tags out of evidence and given to Lieutenant Seresin,â Gibbs told her. Abby frowned, âIâm sorry, I canât do that.â Jake swallowed and nodded, âI understand if you need to keep them for any reason. I just-â âNo!â Abby cut him off. âNo, itâs not that I still need them. I donât have them.â Jake tilted his head, âThat can't be right, we never take them off.â
âAbby, Iâll be back. Lieutenant, I need to talk to you.â Gibbs ushered Jake out of Abbyâs lab and to the elevator.
âAgent Gibbs, thereâs something youâre not telling me. Was my wingman murdered?â Jake hissed as soon as the doors closed. Gibbs pressed the button for the squad room, sighing as he looked at Jake and stopped the elevator, âThe body in autopsy is three days old. Y/N left your house on Sunday night.â Jakeâs jaw slacked, âThereâs a chance sheâs alive?â Gibbs clenched his jaw, âYeah. So I want to know who went through all the trouble to find a damn near perfect body double and replicate her tattoos to make it look like she died, and I wanna know why.â
******
Your head stayed down when the door opened.
âOh come on, Y/N.â The cold metal of the blade under your chin made you raise your head. âThere she is.â
*******
âIs there anyone in Y/Nâs past that would want to hurt her?â Jake shook his head, chewing a toothpick as he paced through the squad room, âI donât know.â âCome on, Hangman, think.â Jake clenched his jaw so hard he broke his toothpick, âIâm sorry if I canât think of a single person that would have it out for the sweetest woman on the damn planet, Agent DiNozzo!â
Gibbs' phone rang, âGibbs.â âIâve got something!â He hung up and stood, âAbbyâs lab now.â
Everyone, including Jake, went to Abbyâs lab.
âShow me what you got Abbs.â She grinned at him and turned to her computer. âJust to be thorough, I found the Facebook pages of the tattoo shops Medusa got her tattoos at. I found the posts where she tagged them, and matched them with the photos taken in autopsy of her tattoos. And-â The team watched on the plasma as the photos layered over one another. âThey donât line up,â McGee finished for Abby.
âI also called the tattoo shops and learned they all use different ink. And all of the tattoos on our Jane Doe use the same ink.â âSo this just further proves the fact that that body isnât Lieutenant Abbott.â âYes, but the fact itâs all the same ink means itâs easier to trace, Boss,â McGee spoke up.
Gibbs nodded and moved to leave, âWell, trace it McGee!â âI already did, Boss.â Gibbs stopped and turned, finding a smiling Probie.
He tossed his arms to the side, âAre you wanting a microphone?â Tim shook his head, âSorry, Boss. First, Abby found the brand of ink, and then I was able to find where itâs sold. Turns out you can find it on Amazon, along with a tattoo machine. Ducky also noticed that, upon closer inspection, that the tattoos were in the healing stage. So I narrowed the search to purchases made two weeks ago and delivered to addresses in Virginia.â
McGee turned back to his computer, and everyone went to the plasma.
âBoth were delivered to a: Hannah Nicholson.â Gibbs turned to Jake, âLieutenant, does that name sound familiar to you?â Hangman shook his head, âNo, never heard of her.â
Abby came up, âNo, but youâve seen her.â She clicked her remote and someone that looked similar to you was pulled up. âHannah Nicholson is our Jane Doe.â
*******
You gritted your teeth as a slap was delivered to your face.
âWhen Iâm done with you, your career will be over. Youâll never be in the sky again.â You laughed, like actually laughed, âYou canât be serious. Ruin my career? Iâm a part of the best of the best, you could never keep me-â You grunted as he punched you in the gut.
The man squatted to be eye level with you, âDonât get smart now, Y/N.â âWell, you could definitely benefit from getting smart. Donât you think? You fake my death with a car accident and then send a video to NCIS of you with me, very much alive?â You arched a brow at him, âNot very smart-â He cut you off with a punch to the face, sending your chair, and you, to the floor.
*******
The next day while Jake was on base, he got an email sent to his phone. When he checked it and saw it was a video with you tied to a chair as a thumbnail.
âMaverick,â Jake didnât hesitate to burst into his Captainâs office, not caring who may be in there. âLieutenant-â âI need you to take me to NCIS.â (Jake was shaking too much to drive himself) Maverick stood, glancing at Warlock for a moment, âWhy, Hangman?â Jake just turned his phone around and showed him the email.
Both Mav and Warlock looked at the phone. âGo, Captain, Iâll take over training for today.â
******
When they arrived, Jake had no hesitation to go right up to the squadroom.
âLieutenant Seresin? What are you doing here?â McGee asked, being the first to see him. âWhereâs Agent Gibbs?â Tony spun in his chair to get up, âCoffee run.â
He walked up to Hangman, âAs senior field agent, Iâd be more than happy to help.â Jake chuckled, tapping his palm with his phone, not really in the mood for putting up with Tonyâs arrogance. âIâd prefer to speak to Agent Gibbs.â âWell, like I said, heâs not here. And Iâm much better at-â
âAt what, DiNozzo?â Gibbs said, standing next to the agent and the pilot as he sipped his coffee.
Tony stuttered to respond, making Jake smirk a little. âHave you IDâd the man Hannah met online?â âNot yet, boss.â âThen why are you standing here?â âWell, I was- uh- I was just- Iâll get right on that boss.â
Hangman and Maverick shared a look, before Gibbs spoke to them. âLieutenant Seresin, I take it you have something for me?â
*******
âWell, you could definitely benefit from getting smart. Donât you think? You fake my death with a car accident-â
âGod, Medusa, stop talkingâŚâ Jake mumbled to himself. The group winced when you got punched in the face and your chair fell over.
Gibbs grunted a little, âGet this video to Abby. I want her to analyze every frame of that video. And who sent it to Lieutenant Seresin.â âOn it, Boss,â McGee said, emailing it and then following his email.
Jake rubbed his face and sat down. He threw his head back and bit his lip. Maverick knelt down in front of him, âHangman?â
Jake sniffed and looked down at his captain. âWhat is she thinkinâ, Mav? Antagonizing him like that? Thatâs not how we were trained to handle situations like this.â âSheâs not thinking, sheâs just doing.â Jake scoffed, âAs comforting as I assume that was supposed to be, itâs not even remotely easing my nerves.â
Ziva perked up, âWait, what if she wasnât taken because of the mission?â Tony nodded, âThat would explain why sheâs being so sassy. Itâs not intel, itâs revengeâ
*******
âAgent Gibbs!â
The crowd turned to the voice, seeing Director Vance upstairs. âSecNav would like to speak to you. MTAC now.â
As Gibbs made the stairs Vance noticed the two khaki uniforms in the squadroom, but simply nodded at them as they walked into MTAC.
âAgent Gibbs.â âMister Secretary.â âOne of the best naval aviators that just flew a high profile mission is missing. I was told you were on the case.â Gibbs nodded, âYeah.â âDo you have any leads?â âNo.â âAgent Gibbs, you do understand that if anything about that-â âHe doesnât care about the mission. He only cares about Lieutenant Abbott. Itâs personal for him.â âSo you know who he is?â Gibbs shook his head, âNo, but based on the video sent to Lieutenant Seresin, he hasnât asked any questions related to any mission.â SecNav nodded, âOkay. But Gibbs?â The marine raised a brow. âGet her back, the Navy needs her.â
*******
âYou know, you ruined my life that day,â the masked man said as he played with his knife.
Your head lolled to the side, your exhaustion from the beatings taking a toll on you now. âWhat are you talking about?â âDo you not remember me?â He stood and you gritted your teeth as you forced your head up to look him in the eye. âObviously not. Should I?â You winced as he pressed into a cut on your shoulder.
âYeah, you should.â He pulled off his mask to reveal a face you havenât seen since he got kicked out of the Academy.
âC-â
********
âCole Cooke,â McGee said, pulling up Cookeâs old Naval Academy file. âAbby was able to find him because the email he used to send the video to Hangman, he used on an online dating site where he met Hannah.â Jake stood up, âWait, Cooke?â The team parted to let him get a closer look.Â
The pilot's face morphed into anger.
Anger that the marine recognized.
âWhatâd he do, Lieutenant?â Jake had fire in his eyes when he looked at Gibbs. âHe sexually assaulted her and three other girls. Y/Nâs the one that reported him.â Tim nodded, âAnd thatâs what got him kicked out of the Naval Academy and blacklisted from the military.â âHe wasnât arrested?â Jake clenched his jaw, âHe was, but he got out on good behavior.âÂ
Jakeâs phone went off with a notification, an email to be more accurate.Â
He dropped it onto McGeeâs desk. âI donât understand, why would he send these to me?â âYouâre her boyfriend, Lieutenant, this can just be another form of revenge. He wants to get back at her for reporting him and, in turn, ruining his chances at a military career,â Ziva said, crossing her arms as McGee transferred the videos.
âHe ruined his career all on his own, Agent David. Y/N just got a scumbag out of the service,â Jake huffed rubbing his forehead. âNobody liked him, he was cocky. Always thought he was better than he is.â Tony chuckled, âIsnât that the main trait of a naval aviator?âÂ
âThey have something to back it up with, DiNozzo,â Gibbs said. âThe only thing Cooke has to back him up is a record of being a dirtbag.âÂ
He looked at McGee, âPlay it.â
You looked worse than before and Jake felt sick to his stomach. âOh my god.âÂ
They watched him squat in front of you, twirling the knife he just cut you with in his hand. Jakeâs jaw was clenched as he watched your head fall to the side as slow breaths made your chest move.
âYou know, you ruined my life that day,â Cooke said. Your face scrunched in pain as you took a deep breath, âWhat are you talking about?â Cole stood and tipped your head back with a harsh grip on your chin, âDo you not remember me?â You scoffed, âObviously not. Should I?â He moved the hand holding your chin to press into the cut he had just placed here, making you wince. âYeah, you should,â he ripped his mask off.
The look on your face Jake had only seen one other time and it was when you came to his dorm crying.
********
The banging pulled Jake from his book.
âHold your horses!â He pulled the door open, coming face to face with you crying and looking absolutely terrified. âSugar whatâs wrong?âÂ
Your hands were shaking as you showed him your knuckles, bruised and cut up.
âI-I didnât wantâ I told him I had a boyfriend- Ja-ake,â you broke down outside his door. âHey, hey, I got you. Youâre safe now.â You swallowed, âJake, I need to go to the superintendent-the dean-someone.âÂ
He pulled you into his room to get you out of the prying eyes of other midshipmen. âWhy? I need you to-â He finally took in your appearance, you were wearing a disheveled USNA t-shirt and athletic shorts. Bruises were forming on your wrist and your eye and lip. âWhat the fuck happened to you?âÂ
âYou remember last semester when those two girls dropped out for no reason?â He nodded, âYeah, the two freshman girls right?â You nodded, swallowing another wave of tears away. âI found out whyâŚâ Jake searched your eyes, âWhy, Y/N?â
*****
âCole CookeâŚâ
Jake was brought back to the present by your voice.
Cole laughed, pushing your shoulder, âThatâs right, Y/N. Cole Cooke, the manâs who military career you ruined.â It was your turn to laugh, âMe? Ruin your career? You assaulted me! And those two first years! They quit because they were scared of you! Scared because you threatened to kill them if they told anyone!â
He punched you, sending you falling back. He grabbed you by the rope under your breast. âAnd youâre not scared that Iâll do the same to you now?â
You held your head up to look at him, blood pouring from your nose. âI would lie and say ânoâ. But guess what?â âWhat?â He spat through gritted teeth. You smiled with blood stained teeth, âI put you in jail once. Itâs almost poetic that Iâd do it again. Except this time, there wonât be a chance youâll make it out.â
Cole growled and they all noticed his posture change, âLetâs play a game, Lieutenant.â You shifted forward to get in his face, gaze stone cold, âWhat do you suggest, Cooke?â The team could feel the venom dripping off your tone. âHangman.â
The video stopped on the frame of your face falling once again to show fear, and the team turned to face the pilot who looked equally worried and pissed.
*****
You were hanging from the ceiling, your chin resting against your chest.
The door to the room you were in opened. You whimpered just a little when he brushed his fingers against your bruised ribs, âYou didnât hurt him, did you? Please⌠You can do whatever you want to me, but please leave Jake out of thisâŚâ
Cole hummed in your ear, âAnything I want, hmmm?â You glanced at the camera, before looking at the ground shamefully. A shaky and timid âyesâ fell from your lips. He let out an amused huff before his hands ran over your shirtless torso.
*****
Jake felt bile rise up his throat when you looked down in shame.
âWhatâs he gonna do to her?â McGee asked. Gibbs frowned, âWhat he tried to do 12 years ago.â
The anger and disgust rolled off the agents as Cookeâs hands ran down your body. When he got to your breast you jerked away out of reflex, earning a pull to your hair which made you cry out.
You were getting weaker by the hour and the team could tell. Jake could tell, and he hated it.
âYou know, you only had the one tattoo at the academy,â he said, groping at the inked flesh of your thigh. Jake watched your lip quiver and you inhaled as best you could with your position. âI also found your back, extremely enticing,â Cooke ran his hand down your back. You gritted your teeth and looked behind you at him, âIs that because youâre too much of a coward to attack women from the front?â
That must have really pissed him off because he came around and started to punch you.
Jake stood up hastily and made a beeline to the elevator, âI canât watch this anymore.â
Tony jogged after him, âLieutenant Seresin! Hangman-â The doors closed when he got to them.
******
Jake just needed to get away and he was going to Abbyâs lab.
When he stopped on her floor, he moved quickly to her lab but nearly ran into Ducky in the process. âIâm sorry, Doctor.â âIn a hurry, Jacob?â Hangman chuckled nervously, âYeah.â âNeeded a breather, my boy?â âSir?â âI saw the videos as Abby was analyzing them.â
Jake felt bile rise again and this time he couldnât stop it. Ducky noticed and quickly helped him get to a trash can.
âLetâs get you someplace cooler,â Ducky ushered Jake back to the elevator.
******
Jake sat on one of the metal tables in Autopsy.
His khaki uniform shirt was neatly folded next to him as he sipped his water. âThank you, Ducky.â The doctor nodded, âOf course. It canât be easy, seeing the one you love like that.â Jake coughed a little, trying to force the emotion out of his throat, âItâs not.â
Ducky watched his eyes fall to his shoes, he could tell he felt guilty. âItâs not your fault, Lieutenant.â âI hesitated, Ducky. And since I hesi-â His voice cracked, tears finally slipping past his lids. âSince I hesitated she's having to relive the worst day of her life.â
Jake set the bottle down and used his white undershirt to wipe his eyes, âHow long have you been together?â âOver 15 yearsâŚâ Ducky nodded in understanding, âHigh school sweethearts.â Jake huffed out a laugh, âChildhood friends to high school sweethearts to USNA sweethearts.â
âForgive me if Iâm overstepping, but why arenât you married?â Jake shrugged, âI donât know. I guess itâs because we were already acting like a married couple, just without the license and the rings. I never thought about it.â Jake laughed and shook his head.
It was silent for a moment.
âShe asked me if I was ever gonna marry her, and I hesitated. It was a question she asks me all the time, but this was the only time it was during a fight. It was the only time that my answer really mattered. And I hesitated⌠She left and was in a vulnerable enough state to let herself get taken.â
Ducky leaned on the table next to Jake, âCooke was going to get to her one way or another.â âBut I led her right to him.â
Jake looked at the doctor next to him, allowing Ducky to see how broken and tired he was. âIâm scared, Doctor Mallard.â âThatâs perfectly normal, Jacob.â âI'm a damn fighter pilot, Iâm supposed to be level headed, and right now⌠my head doesnât even feel like itâs on my damn shoulders.â
âItâs normal to feel like that, Jake,â Gibbs said, leaning on the doorframe.
He walked over to the pilot, âSheâs strong. Sheâs gonna fight to get back to you.â Jake rose a brow, sniffling as wiped his eyes, âDid you see her, Agent Gibbs? He was using her like a punching bagâŚâ âShe will make it out of this.â âHow do you know?â âMy gut.â
That was oddly comforting to Jake.
âDo you know the mythology behind Medusa?â Ducky inquired after a beat of silence. Jake chuckled again, remembering the nights throughout your lives that you would stay up and talk about mythology of all sorts for fun. Sometimes when he was having trouble sleeping, youâd tell him the story of some hero in mythology and heâd fall right asleep.
He sighed, âWeâve stayed up hours talking about mythology. But if Iâm honest, I never really heard the words she saidâŚâ Both men knew what Jake was getting at; he was listening to your voice and watching your expressions as you told the stories.
Ducky just smiled, âMedusa was a priestess for Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war strategy, and had sworn celibacy. However, Medusa had gained the attention of Poseidon, and they-â âHad sex in Athenaâs temple,â Jake said as he sipped his water. âThat much I remember.â Both Gibbs and Ducky laughed a little at that.
âWhen Athena found out, she punished Medusa for breaking her celibacy by turning her into a âbeastâ with the ability to turn men to stone.â Jake nodded, âYeah, Y/N has the tendency to do that, whether it be with fear or with her beauty.â Jake couldnât help but smile at the memory of him seeing you on prom night for the first time, he froze on your parents doorstep.
Ducky and Gibbs smiled as they saw the look in Jakeâs eyes as he thought about you.
âShe was killed by the hero Perseus, beheaded. Then her head was then used to protect those who had it in their possession. The image of her head was used on shields, breast plates, and more recently, tattoos.â Jake remembered you mentioning that as he held your hand as you got it, âShe mentioned that when she got it. She was getting it because she thought it looked cool, makes her feel powerful; but she likes the extra meaning.â
Ducky rested a hand on Jakeâs shoulder, âI know it may not look like it, but she is protecting herself.â Jake took in a deep breath and nodded.
********
They walked back into the squad room, the group sitting at their desks and making conversation.
âGo home,â Gibbs told them.
It was late. Theyâd been out all day talking to Cookeâs neighbors, his parents, his boss and coworkers. And the last video was sent just after sundown.
They were tired.
âBut we havenât found-â âI know that, Ziva.â McGee spoke up, âAbbyâs trying to analyze the room she is in so we know what to look for. I tried to triangulate where he sent the emails from, but he was using public wifi at an internet cafe.â âWe have no direction to go, Boss,â Tony said, not being able to look at Jake.
Gibbs turned to DiNozzo, âWhich is why Iâm telling you to go home. Get some rest.â Ziva inhaled through her nose and interlocked her hands, âGibbs, we donât know what Cooke is going to do next. We have zero time to waste.â âIf Cooke wanted her dead, he would have killed her already,â Jake said, jaw clenched with his eyes trained on the floor. âBelieve me, Iâm worried. Hell, Iâm terrified out of my mind right now.-â
âBut we canât make progress without leads. Cooke lives in a studio apartment, his parents disowned him, and heâs not shown up to work in days, we donât have anything,â Gibbs said, frustration in his tone. âGo home, get some sleep.â His team begrudgingly got their things, all avoiding Jakeâs eyes.
âYou should get some sleep too, Lieutenant.â Jake chuckled dryly as he shook his head, âI donât think I can, sir.â He ran his thumbs along the khaki of his uniform.
Plus Maverick had left, needing to be back on base. The only way Jake was getting back to base was by cab. Maverick also gave him as much time off as he needed.
âBut- uh, I better head back to base though.â âIn what, Lieutenant?â Jake shrugged, âA cab, I guess.â Gibbs shook his head, âStay with me, Jake. Itâs late. And I doubt you want to be in that house right now.â Hangman looked down at the floor, huffing out his nose and tonguing his lip.
âI know how you feel.â Jake looked up, green eyes swimming with curiosity as his brows pinched together. âWhen I was in Desert Storm, I was informed that my wife and daughter were dead. It was hard to even walk into my house, let alone sleep there.â Jakeâs eyes widened slightly and he swallowed as his jaw ticked, âIâm sorry, sir. I canât imagine what that must have felt likeâŚâ Gibbs nodded, âAnd I hope you never have to.â He patted Jake's shoulder, âCome on.â
******
Gibbs gave Jake a pair of sweats to change into.
They went to his basement, neither being able to sleep.
âSo, youâre a Marine?â Jake asked, sipping his bourbon. âWhat gave it away?â Gibbs asked, smiling a little bit as he sanded the wood of the boat. âOther than you being in Desert Storm?â Gibbs turned, wiping his hands on a damp towel, nodding. âEverything.â
The marine let out a breathy, amused chuckle. âYou know a lot of marines?â âI was raised by one. My father retired when I was 4 as a Sergeant, he was 38.â Gibbs sipped his bourbon, âWhyâd he retire?â âWanted to be there for us. He had a close call, he didnât want to risk not coming home to us. His 20 years were up, so he retired.â
Gibbs nodded, looking at the boat before looking back at Jake. âYou wanna help?â Jake looked up from his glass and between the boat and Gibbs. âSure, yeah.â He downed what was left and Gibbs gave him a sander.
*******
Since Jake didnât need to report to base, he just freshened up and Gibbs took him by the base rental to get some clothes.
He had forgotten his keys in his locker and had to call someone to bring them to him at the house. That someone was Rooster.
Jake got out of Gibbâs car and saw Bradley on the porch. He was sitting on the bench, one fist held by the other as he looked at the ground. Maverick had gotten permission to relay what had happened to you to the squad, and everyone had taken it hard.
Rooster looked up when Hangman shut his car door.
They immediately met in a hug. âIâm so sorry, Jake.â âIâm scared, Rooster. I didnât even-â Bradley pulled back and held Jake by the shoulders, âHey, theyâre gonna find her. Say it to her then.â
Gibbs came up beside them, nodding at Rooster before they went inside.
Jake didnât want to be there longer than he needed to be so once it was opened, he booked it to the bedroom.
Bradley and Gibbs stood at the island in the kitchen. âThey didnât decorate much.â Rooster shrugged, looking around, âWe arenât here for long. They didnât see the need to bring a whole lot.â âIf you arenât here for long, then whyâd they rent the house?â Rooster chuckled, âThey wanted their privacy.â Gibbs chuckled and glanced at his watch.
Hangman was taking longer than he said.
Gibbs went down the hall and found Jake sitting on the side of the bed. He had changed into a pair of his own sweatpants and a green t-shirt. Jethro knew what he was looking at, even with his back to him and from the door.
âAsk her.â
Jake chuckled humorlessly, âAfter thisâŚâ He shook his head, âI doubt she'll say yes.â âAh, I donât know about that.â Hangman sniffled, âI messed upâŚâ Gibbs nodded, moving to sit next to him. âYeah, you did, big time.â Jake shook his head.
âBut this is how you fix it.â Gibbs pointed to the ring box. Jake swallowed, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, âI wanted to wait, ask her on my family's ranch where we had danced in my headlights to George Strait. I had this big plan. Just a private thing, but specialâŚâ âPlans change. Sometimes you have to adapt.â âYeah.â âSo ask her.â
Jake turned and looked at him, nodding at him. He stood from the bed and slid the box into his pocket. He grabbed the small stack of clothes next him and they left.
âAgent Gibbs?â Gibbs and Jake looked over at where Bradley was at his Bronco. âWhen you find her, give us a call?â The agent nodded, âYeah, Iâll give ya a call.â
*******
When Jake and Gibbs got to NCIS, nothing had changed yet.
No new video. Abby was still working on room measurements, and no one had seen Cole.
Until McGeeâs computer went off. Everyoneâs head turned, and Jake felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. âItâs Cooke.â âPull the video up McGee.â
You were still hanging from the ceiling, Cole running his hands over your torso.
The camera was a little closer, and it showed the tear tracks on your face.
âYou know,â you spoke, voice shaky and raw. âIâm gonna need a drink after this. Yeah, whiskey sounds really nice.â Cole just grunted and pulled you back against him. You whimpered a little bit, definitely feeling gross because of what was happening. âOr an Oscar. Maybe two.â
âThe hellâs an oscar?â Tony asked out of reflex, glancing at Jake, but he was just as confused.
Cole grunted into your neck, âShut up.â âHave you ever been to the delta?â He stayed silent but reached over to yank the rope and pull you up higher. You swallowed, glancing at the camera, âMe either, but Iâve been to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I went there with Hangman on a weekend getaway after a rough deployment. My uncle has a cabin up there. God, that weekend was so fun. I love Jake, I love him so muchâŚâ You kept your eyes on the camera to make sure that Jake knew that youâd love him. The video stopped just as Cooke pulled your hair back, making you yelp.
Jake cleared his throat, nodded, âYeah, that weekend was fun⌠Wait, we didn't go to the Sierras; we werenât even in California, we were in Arkansas.â Gibbs caught Jakeâs eyes and thatâs when they realized it.
âSheâs using phonetics!â
The team's eyes grew wide in realization. âWhiskey, Oscar, Delta, Sierra,â McGee repeated. âW O D S?â Ziva spelled it out. âShe said two oscars,â Tony pointed out.
âSheâs in the woods,â Gibbs finished for them. Jake thought back to what you said, âShe put emphasis on âcabinâ.â âDiNozzo, check to see if Cookeâs parents owned or still own a cabin.â âOn it Boss.â
His phone rang, âYeah, Gibbs.â âGibbs, I ran the measurement of the room. She seems to be in a cabin. Based on the dimensions itâs a family cabin, probably two or three bedrooms.â
âBoss, it seems Cookeâs parents own a lot of cabins,â Tony said just as Gibbs picked up his phone. âDid you narrow it down to Virginia?â McGee asked, brow arched. âYes, McGeek, I did. Mr. Cooke owns two hunting cabins and a-â âFamily cabin, two or three bedrooms,â Gibbs cut in.
âYeah, they havenât used it in years. Itâs in Fletcher State Park.â Gibbs got up, âGet your gear, letâs go.â Jake watched them all grab their things.
âAgent David,â he called out before she got too far. âYes, Lieutenant?â Jake grabbed the clothes he brought. âHere,â he held them out. âSheâs in nothing but a bra and underwear, give her these.â Ziva hesitated to take it. âPlease.â She heard the desperation in his voice and took them.
She went over to Tony and Tim. âYou know, despite the odds, we may not-â âWe will find her alive,â she glanced at the fabrics in her hands. âWe have to.â
*******
You yanked down on the rope, crying out a little at the pain in your dislocated shoulder. You had honestly been scared of losing feeling in your hands, but he gave you a bit of a break when he was finished hurting you for the day and left you locked in one of the bedroom closets.
Your toes barely scraped the ground and the rope wasnât going anywhere. You shivered in the cold damp air of the cabin. Only being in your underwear, the chill soaked into your bones. You were certain that if you didnât die of whatever Cooke was doing to you, you might die from the cold.
Hearing tires outside the cabin, your heart sped up. You could only huff out small breaths as you heard footsteps outside the door on the porch.
It was his routine to get you set up for his next sick video, film it, and then leave to send it. Youâd calculated the time it took for him to get back and it was getting close for time to him to be back.
But then there was banging on the door, followed by a gruff voice yelling, âNCIS!â
Your entire body relaxed. You were safe.
âIâm in here! Help me!â You called back, coughing a little.
The door frame splintered when the door was kicked in. âLieutenant Abbott?â The agent asked, pistol drawn as he walked over to you.âYes,â you breathed out. âWhereâs Cooke?â You shook your head, âI donât know but heâll be back soon.â
âPlease get me down from here. Itâs hard to breathe,â you begged, tears of relief falling down your cheeks. You jerked your neck towards where Cole had secured the rope, âEase me down, please.â
McGee was quick to loosen the rope and Ziva helped steady you once your feet were on the ground. âCan you walk?â She asked, gently placing her hand on your sternum. âI think so. I might need a little help.â The agent simply nodded and helped you outside.
Once you were outside the uneven ground and rocks caused you to stumble. Tim moved to help Ziva steady you but he jostled your dislocated shoulder. âShit!â McGee looked panicked, âWhatâs wrong?â You gritted your teeth, âMy shoulder, itâs dislocated. I tried to break the rope and pulled it out.â
You chuckled a little at his expression, âHurt like a bitch. Can either of you pop it back in?â Ziva nodded and leaned you against the car. She got a proper grip and looked at you, âReady?â You swallowed and nodded. She exaggerated a few breaths and when you matched she popped it back in.
âHoly shit! Sweet baby Jesus..â
You pushed off the car and threw up; all the pain catching up to you with the adrenaline rush. Ziva came up and held your hair out of your face.
Spitting out the last of the saliva in your mouth, you thanked her under your breath.
A coat was wrapped around your shoulders. You looked to see Gibbs rubbing your shoulder, a small smile on his face.
His fatherly nature was present and it allowed you to be vulnerable, finally allowing yourself to outright sob; mostly in relief. You fell into his chest and he caught you, hands moving to rub your back. He mumbled into your hair, âYouâre safe. I got ya. I got ya.â
The sound of gravel shifting caught their attention.
Gibbs felt you tense under his touch, âIs that him?â You nodded, whimpering a little bit. He looked at Ziva, âStay with her, cover the front. DiNozzo, McGee, go find cover on the right, Iâll get cover on the left. Youâll know what to do.â
Carefully, Gibbs placed you in Zivaâs hold and she placed you in the car for both warmth and cover.
When Cole finally reached the cabin, Ziva raised her weapon. âCole Cooke! NCIS! Get out of the car-â He threw it in reverse just to be stopped by Tony and Tim. He tried to get out and make a break for the tree line but Gibbs stepped out. He quickly surrendered and was handcuffed.
With you in a separate vehicle they made the trip back to NCIS.
********
Jake paced the squad room. Abby was up there with him, trying to keep him calm.
He was mumbling things to himself out of worry and Abby was following him, trying to grab him by the shoulders. âJake. Jake. Ja-â
She finally got a hold of him, and ducked her head a little bit to make sure he was looking at her.
âJake, they will find her. Theyâre the best there is. Iâm sure they already found her and are either on their way here or to a hospital.â Jake frowned, âShe hates hospitals, especially being in them alone.â Abby shook her head, âShe isnât alone. Gibbs wouldnât let her be alone. Y/N is safe, I can feel it.â Jake just nodded, slowly calming down.
The elevators dinged and he was on his feet, nearly giving himself whiplash as he turned.
But when he did all he saw was red.
Cooke was being escorted out in handcuffs by Tony and McGee. Abby couldnât hold Jake back as he swiftly made his way over and landed a punch to Coleâs jaw. Neither agent bothered to stop the pilot as the one punch sent Cooke to the ground.
But as he went in for more, Gibbs gripped Jake and pulled him away. He had to fight Jake back to the bullpen, but he got him there.
âThat asshole just punched me!â McGee and DiNozzo huffed as they harshly yanked him off the ground. âYouâre lucky thatâs all he did.â They dragged him to interrogation.
Jakeâs nostrils flared as he exhaled, his chest still broadened in his display of dominance over Cole.
However, the adrenaline wore off as quickly as it appeared and Jake felt tears line his eyes. He hung his head and fell into a chair. He pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes, sobs leaving his lips. âI wasnât there the first time, and I wasnât there this time⌠I canât believe I-â Abby cut him off, âDonât finish that sentence, Jake. Because you are here, you were there the first time. She ran to you, you are her safe place.â âBut-â
He was cut off the elevator ding again.
Glancing up, his heart soared in his chest.
There you were. Standing right before him in an old Longhorn sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. You were clean from the dirt and dried blood, having used the showers to clean up after any evidence was collected.
Your arm was in a sling and some butterfly closures adorned your forehead. But even then, you were still the most beautiful girl in the world to him.
*****
You walked quietly with Ziva out of the elevator, the weight of the conversation you had with her and Ducky still sitting on your shoulders.
The sound of a chair rolling back and hitting a desk caught your attention.
Looking up, you saw Jake and once again, you were crying; both from relief and the realization you almost never saw him again.
You moved as fast as you could to get to him, slamming your beaten body into his when you got to him. His arms carefully wrapped around you, obviously not wanting to hurt you. But when your soft crying exhales hit his chest, he all but scooped you into his arms carefully wrapping your legs around his torso.
You winced a little when his arm tightened around your waist. âIâm sorry, Iâm sorry,â he immediately apologized. You pulled your head out of the crook of his neck, shaking it lightly before looking into his eyes, âIt reminds me this isnât just another dream.â
Jake closed his eyes, tears falling down his cheeks as he rested his forehead against yours. âJacob, if you donât-â He cut off your sentence with a kiss, it was slow but no less passionate. He was gentle, the arm wrapped around your shoulders bringing you closer to him.
Ziva, Gibbs, and Abby watched on with smiles. Tim and Tony walked in mid conversation, but stopped seeing the intimate moment happening in the squad room.
You had to pull back for air at some point. And when you did, you rested your forehead against Jakeâs, both of your eyes closing with the contact.
âMarry me.â
Your eyes shot open and were met with Jakeâs green ones.
You had said it at the same time.
A grin broke out on your face, âI hope you arenât just askinâ me that-â Your tease was cut off by Jake, âIâm not. I-I had this big plan. I wanted to take you out to the pasture we danced in on prom night our senior year.â You giggled a little, âThat would have been nice.â
Biting your lip you played with the hair at the nape of his neck.
âI had a lot of time to think over the past few days,â you said quietly, your breath ghosting over his lips. He nudged your nose with his. âSo have I. And Iâm sorry I never asked you sooner.â âLet me finish, will ya?â You chuckled lightly and he did as well. âI realized that proposing, nowadays, is a two way street. I could have asked you at any time and you would have said âyesâ. Weâve been together since we were 15, Jake. Friends since we were born. We should have gotten married right out of high school, but we were scared of what our future held during the Academy and then flight school, then through separate deployments. It was too much to worry about at once, and we didnât know what was gonna happen.â
You licked your lips and inhaled a little, âBut I canât go another damn day without legally being your wife. Those bitches at the bar aside. I just, I want others to know that you're mine and that Iâm yours.â He nodded, âOkay, letâs do it.â You giggled and kissed him, âAlright cowboy.â
He sat you down and pulled out the ring box.
âWait, you had that this whole time?â Jake rubbed the back of his neck, âLike I said, I had this whole plan. I was gonna ask you after we got some time off when we got back to North Island.â You laughed, âYou perfectionist.â You peck his lips and he slid the ring on your finger.
You heard a squeal from behind you and you both looked around to see the entire Gibbs team smiling at you and Jake.
âThank you, for getting her back to me. All of you.â
*********
thank you guys for making it to the end! i hope this crossover was accurate
i have plenty of âx readersâ in the drafts so if you want more let me know
and my asks are open, feel free to request what you would like to see next
feedback is greatly appreciated!
tags <3: @milesdickpicâÂ
<3 love ya babes
#ncis x reader#ncis/topgun#ncis x top gun#top gun maverick#jake hangman seresin#jake seresin x reader#hangman x reader#glen powell#gibbs#ncis#hangman angst#jake seresin x fem pilot!reader#tw: assault
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maybe an odd question, but do you know how naval ships communicated with each other in the 16th-17th century? like, if the commander of a fleet wanted to issue a course change or something similar, how would they pass that on to the rest of their fleet?
Hi,
at that time, sails and guns were used, but also verbal commands or a boat was set out which travelled from ship to ship and passed on the orders.
The flags have also been around since the 17th century and the typical colour pattern as we know it today has been around since the 18th century.
Sorry for the short answer, but I'm not yet fit enough for longer texts. Have a nice sunday.
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