Maverick pisses off another Admiral.
But instead of trying to ship him off to Antartica or somewhere equally unpleasant, this Admiral sits him down.
"Ok, what's going on Mitchell? Because, your guardian angel normally would have called by now."
And Mav just breaks down.
Sobbing his fucking heart out, and the Admiral just *oh god what have I done* panic pats him on the back and makes soothing noises.
The whole thing comes out, Ice's cancer, Mav not being there for him because he pissed off an Admiral at the wrong time and now he's stuck here and he's trying goddammit but the Navy doesn't want what he's got not really and ice is the only one who sees his worth and that so fucking selfish because it shouldn't be about him not right now but I can't do this without him and how he should fucking be there but what good will he be when all he does is cause trouble but ice shouldn't be alone I'm his wingman goddammit and what if he dies oh god oh god oh god-
Later, much later, after Mavs been sent to his bunk, the Admiral sits at his desk with a finger of whiskey and thinks why not.
Ice looks up at the nock on his office door.
Maverick walks in, sheepish but with worried eyes. He's fiddling with the file in his hands nervously.
"What are you doing here? Oh god, did you piss off another Admiral? What-"
Mav clears his throat, "I've been reassigned."
"Goddammit! Where? You know I need to be told as soon as possible to mitigate the damage! Why didn't anyone call me? Why didn't you call me?! Where-"
Mav hands him the file, "Captain Mitchell, reporting for duty, sir."
Mavs been reassigned to work for him, if he wants him.