FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

My name is Paul Adamo. I was born on Earth and lived there until I was 15. It wasn't my choice to leave. The Ravagers took me for some job they had to do, though I don't know why. They were taking me to whoever wanted me, but another human stopped them. His name was Peter Quill. Yondu was not happy about that. He went crazy when Peter said that he was not going to let them have me.

I was scared shitless and barely knew what was going on. They were speaking languages I didn't understand, though Peter was speaking english. I heard he wanted them not to take me. After about an hour of arguing between them, Peter won. I was free from going to wherever I was going. The only thing was I couldn't go back to Earth and Peter had to watch over me.

After that, Peter and I became closer. He became a brother to me. We were flying through space, stealing things, recking havoc, normal Ravager stuff, for two long years. I never was able to go back home and still haven't. I don't know if my family is okay and they probably don't even know if I'm alive.

Sad, I know, but at least I have Pete. It isn't always a good thing though. He is a bad luck magnet, yet we still manage to pull ourselves through crazy shit. Today for example is one of those.

We got some information about a deal Yondu is doing. We came here before he did because Pete wanted to get all the money for himself and, well, me. It just so happened some other guys were looking for it too. While Pete was inside, I saw their ships land. I, of course, was left with no weapon because someone, not naming names here, cough Quill cough, broke his weapons and took mine. They went inside and a few came to the ship. All I could do was hide, so I ducked down and waited. Within minutes, Peter was back on the ship. I started the engines and he took the wheel. We were about to get away when the planet decided to vent right below us and short out our engines. Fun right? We got them, no, I got them online and we flew out of there. That brings us to now.

"Well that was fun! Right Paully?"

"No, Peter," I spit out, "that was horrible. We almost died. What's that, the third time this week?"

"I dunno probably."

"..."

"We still made it okay! And look, I got the thingy." He said as he tossed me a metal ball.

"What is it?" I asked as I looked it over in my hands.

"How am I supposed to know? Though it seems to be some kind of case."

"No shit Sherlock." I said and put the ball in a bag next me. "Where do we sell this thing?"

"Xandar. Our contact is waiting for us there."

"You mean Yondu's contact?"

"Yep." Peter said, when suddenly the hatch to below the ship opened. I had no idea who she was. Probably one of the girls Peter slept with no doubt. They said a few words and we all went down to the inner ship.

Pete went to set the nav cords in the autopilot when the Yondu called. The girl answered the call and the blue face of Yondu appeared, angry as ever. He wanted the orb and threatened us some, so I went ahead and hung up. Pete made a quick snort and we went on our wonderful way.

---

We arrived on Xandar in its afternoon. The city was bustling with all races of people. It was a nice place, but too nice for Peter, so we rarely stayed there unless he got some chick to be with. I, personally, like it there. It reminds me a lot of Earth.

Peter was chatting up a girl when I came to him. "Hey, isn't it time we go?"

"One second Paul. Go away." He whispered to me.

"Oh he's adorable! Are you brothers?" She said.

I glared at her. I hate when people compare me to Peter. The only thing that we share physically is that we are both human and guys. Peter saw my glare and he turned me around. "I'm sorry, we have to go. Call me later." He said and started shoving me away.

"We do look a lot alike Paul. You can't blame her."

"We look nothing alike! Why do so many people think we're related?!"

"Well we-"

"That was a rhetorical question. Don't answer it."

Peter rolled his eyes at me. "So we are going to go meet with the Broker. He was Yondu's contact, a middle man."

"Okay." I said and we started walking to wherever this guy was. Peter didn't share much with me, so I hardly ever knew what we were doing or where we were going.

It didn't take us long to find the Broker. "Okay, so you're going to stay out here while I sell this thing, mmmkay?"

"What?! Why do I always have to stay outside?" I complained to Peter.

"Remember the incident on Brolva IV? We are NOT going to go through that again."

"That." I chuckled. On Brolva IV Peter was sick and told me to go to the swap. Our contacts had some phobia of sick people. I went in alone, but forgot to do research on the people. I might have said some things that really, and I mean really pissed them off. I tried to fix it, but made it worse. To say the least, we left with only wearing our underwear. I'm just glad Peter is good at hiding the Milano. "I guess you're right. I'll stay out here."

Peter nodded and went inside. I don't know how long he was in there. I fell asleep leaning on the wall. I was dreaming of being back home with my friends and family. I was happier than ever, but happiness doesn't last forever.

I was awoken by a loud grunt. I jerked awake and saw Peter run after a green woman. I couldn't really tell if she took something or he is just chasing her for the fun. He has done that before. The moment she flipped him, I could tell she took something. I saw she had the orb. I got up and ran towards them.

"Get outta the way kid!" Was yelled as my leg was shoved out of the way. I couldn't believe what I saw. It was a talking raccoon! That's crazy right? Seconds later a giant tree walked past me. He looked at me with an apologetic gaze. I did a double take of the pair. This is the weirdest day of my life.

I realized they were going straight for Peter and the green chick. "The hell?"

That moment I saw the gun on the raccoons back. He was one of two things: someone who Peter had utterly pissed off or a bounty hunter. "Peter!" I screamed, trying to get his attention.

He turned and looked at me. He had the orb, but a second later the green woman grabbed it. The tree swung a giant bag and caught the girl. So they weren't after Peter, sweet. "Not her you big idiot! Can't tell the difference?" The raccoon yelled. Okay, so they were after Peter.

The moment she was restrained, Peter grabbed the orb and took off. "Paul, come on!" He yelled behind him. At that I took off sprinting. When we got down the stairs the green one had escaped and the strange buddies were already down there. They fought a little more until Peter got the orb, again. He sprinted away, but the raccoon took out a huge gun and pointed it at Peter. I ran to push it out of the way when he fired. Too late. I then saw Nova Corps moving towards us. I knew Peter's plan in case something like this happened. Take the ship and go to Yondu. I knew that wasn't an option at this moment, so I ran towards Peter. He was out cold. I tried to drag him, but the Nova Corps got us too. "Shit, not again."

---

They took us to the Kyln. It was a prison in space. Nova Corps send many of their criminals there, be it murderers or petty criminals. We soon learned the names of our fellow captives. The green woman's name was Gamora, the raccoon's was Rocket, and the tree, Groot.

Apparently Rocket escaped many prisons and was willing to get Peter out. He bartered and got me out too. Oh, and also he was a bounty hunter, so that's fun. Rocket didn't want to take me because I had no bounty on my head. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. All the tree was saying the entire time was 'I am Groot' and Rocket somehow understood him. That is a strange, but good pair.

We spoke with Gamora, after she had gotten beat up by a big guy named Drax, and she told us what she wanted the orb for. She was going to sell it to a buyer for millions of credits and wanted it not to 'fall into the wrong hands' whatever that meant. She lost us the moment she mentioned the credits. We decided we were going to work together to sell that orb.

We were gathered at a table in the main hall. Rocket was explaining his plan to us. He said we needed the guards arm band, the prisons power source, and a guys prosthetic leg. I don't know what the leg is for, but he seems like a smart guy.

When he was explaining this, I was looking around the prison. I saw Groot get up and go to a box on the wall. I realized what it was. "Guys?" They ignored me and continued talking. "Guys?" Groot had the casing opened and was tugging on the wire. "Guy!" They all looked at me at the moment Groot pulled the wires. The alarms started blaring and guards came out with guns.

"I'll get the arm band." Gamora said.

"And I'll get the leg." Peter responded.

"And what am I supposed to do?" I asked, but they were already gone.

Gun fire started and Groot made a shield type thing with his arm, protecting Rocket and himself. Drax, the big blue guy, smashed some guards heads in and threw Rocket a gun. They started hitting and shooting everything. I had no weapon so I just punched any guard I saw. I only hit two until I was socked in the stomach and on the ground. Before I knew it Peter was calling my name. He was already up in the tower.

I ran over to two giant things Groot made and climbed up towards the tower. When I got there Rocket was shooting down at guards waiting for Gamora. She ran past him, but he didn't see and continued firing. I saw a guard behind him about to fire. Instead of doing the logical thing and telling him to watch out, I ran at him and tackled him inside.

"Wha- Let go of me!" Rocket yelled as he got up followed by me. He jumped on the computer and started doing things. I really had no idea what he was doing. I was feeling. little dizzy when rockets were fired at the windows. The glass started cracking and Rocket started to work even faster. He turned off the artificial gravity and had the robot security fly under us for boosters. Gamora said something like 'you turned off the gravity.' Thank you Captain Obvious. We started moving through some doors smoothly until Rocket had us smash down. When we stopped, everyone started climbing out of the once flying control room.

I got up but was way more dizzy than before. I couldn't see straight and barely walk. I looked down at a pain starting to come to me in me gut. I had a bullet hole there that was bleeding profusely. "Peter?" My vision blurred and I fell back down.

"Paul!" Peter yelled and I blacked out.

---

I woke up in my room onboard the Milano. I looked around and tried to get up. Pain shot through my stomach. That was not a smart idea. "Hello?" I waited for a response. "Peter!" Still nothing. I had to get up. I pulled myself through the pain and sat upright. I slowly got to my feet and was very wobbly. I was not up to full strength. I then recalled what happened. Ouch.

I walked to my door and went out. I didn't see anybody there. I started to go toward the stairs. I looked at them for a second. That's not gonna happen. I proceeded to go to the bathroom at the slow pace I was going before, wincing at every step. I opened the door and saw Rocket getting out of the shower.

My eyes widened as he turned toward me. "What the fuck!" He yelled putting his jump suit on very quickly.

"Oh, God! I'm sorry I- I- I didn't know anyone was in here! I'm so sorry!" I repeated.

"Get out!" He yelled at me. I didn't realize I had just stood there and stared at him. I blushed even more that I already was and tumbled out.

I got into the hallway and saw Peter run over to us. "What happened? Are you Okay?" He asked in a worried tone.

I ignored his question and went as fast as I could to my room, which is still not very fast. I sat on my bed, face still burning. I can't believe I just saw that.

Peter came into my room half an hour later. "You feeling all right?"

Has Rocket told him? Fuck! I will never live this down. Let's just play this cool. "Yeah, still a little super sore."

"That is very contradictory."

"How do you think I feel, I was shot for fucks sake!"

"True, very true."

We sat in my room in silence for about five minutes before he spoke up. "So there's kinda no room left in the ship, so one of them is going to have to sleep with you. Gamora said she will sleep in my room, so I'm taking the cockpit, Drax has the guest room, and Groot has the storage room. That means it's Rocket."

I could feel all the blood rush to my cheeks. I turned my head immediately. "You know, I wo-"

"-uld love to have him, thanks. I'll go tell him." Peter got up and left the room before I could finish my sentence. He knew I couldn't catch him, so he used that to his advantage.

This is going to be so awkward. I've barely spoken to him and I walked in on him getting out of the shower. Peter, you will pay for this.

Everyone was getting tired and started to go to their perspective rooms. Rocket didn't come into the room and I was getting tired. I drifted off to sleep.

I was awoken by someone entering the room. I heard nails hitting the floor and knew it was Rocket. I opened my eyes when the footsteps stopped. "I know you're awake." He sounded tired.

His voice cause me to jump. He was standing right in front me, but it was too dark for me to see him. How'd he see me? Wait, he's raccoon, night-vision, duh. "Uh, hey, Rocket."

Silence.

"You, uh, need room to sleep? I can sleep over there." I leaned up into the dark and felt the pain again. I winced.

"What're you doing?" He asked me in the same tired tone as before.

"I'm, ugh, going to go to the sleep over there." I said and pointed to the window. There was a little area big enough for me to put a pillow and sleep. It's very uncomfortable, but wouldn't be as awkward.

I felt a small hand on my chest push me down to the bed gently. "Stay here. I'll go there." He walked over to the window and I saw his silhouette. He pulled himself up and curled into a ball. We stayed silent and still for a minute. I reached over and grabbed a blanket by my bed. I saw his ears twitch with the sound of my movement. I curled it into a ball and threw it at him. It went a little past him and he didn't move. I watched him for a moment and laid my head down. I saw him move a little and pull the blanket to him. He wrapped it around himself and I made a small smile. I closed my eyes. This was not what I it would thought be, but it was still weird. I drifted back to sleep with the smile still on my face.

---

I awoke the next morning and Rocket wasn't there. The blanket was neatly folded and put on the table I had in my room. I didn't think of him as the kind of person who would do that. I got up out of bed with less pain than yesterday. It was easier to move around. I left my room and went to get a snack. Again, no one is around. What's with that? I went over to our food storage, basically a fridge. I pulled out some fruit and got some water. That reminds me, I need to check water level. I gulped down the water and went to water storage.

I'm the only one who has ever really been down there. Pete hates it. He says it's too dark. The only reason it's dark is because he doesn't know how to turn on the light in here. I went over to the first tank. It was full. The second tank was half full, yeah I'm one of those, and the third tank was empty. We can last about a week more on this. I went over to the cooling tanks for the engine. They were almost empty. We haven't filled them in months because it's used very slowly. Well, thats something we need to get, more water.

I left the water room to the main room below the cockpit. When I reached the stairs, I looked at them with worry. I hope this isn't gonna hurt. I pushed up step after step after step. It hurt, yeah, a lot. I got to the top and said, "Hey Pete, we ne-"

"He's up there with the other two." Rocket said annoyed.

"Good morning to you too, rocket. Hi Groot." Rocket grunted in response.

"I am Groot."

Rocket was toying with some device in his hand. I had no idea what it was and curiosity got the best of me. "What's that?"

"A bomb." He said plainly.

"What the fuck! Why do you have a bomb?" I panicked slightly. A bomb on a ship in space is not that smart of an idea.

"Don't worry, It's not like I activated it yet."

"Shit, Rocket, you're gonna kill us aren't you. Is that what you've been planning this entire time?"

"If that was my plan, I would have killed you in your sleep while you were mumbling shit about someone called Earth."

"That's not a person. Earth is my home-planet and Peter's too."

"Whatever."

"Okay, guess I'll talk to you later." I walked away up to the cockpit. It seems like the awkwardness went away between us sometime last night, though Rocket is kinda mean during the day. I guess that's natural for him. I went into the cockpit and saw Peter, Gamora and Drax staring out the window and talking. "Hey Peter, we're running low on engine coolant an-" I was cut out by the view I saw. "What is it?"

"This is Knowhere."

"It's clearly somewhere." Gamora face had a look that said 'seriously?' and Peter laughed next to her.

"It's where we are going to meet my contact." She said in annoyance.

"So what is it? It kinda looks like a giant head." From any way my face was turned, that's what it looked like.

"That's what it it. It is the head of an ancient Celestial being. Now it is used as an illegal space port where they mine fluids and sell them at high prices on the black market."

"Interesting," I said with more interest than I actually had, "but we still need more water for the ship."

"Okay, Paully." Gamora smirked slightly and Drax looked in confusion then smiled.

"I understand! You're calling him a little girl!" He laughed loudly. I looked at Peter with annoyance.

"You're going to pay, Peter." He just laughed at Drax's wrong logic and didn't listen to me. I left the cockpit back down.

Peter can be an annoying bitch sometimes. "What's going on up there that's so damned loud?" Huh, that's funny. "Peter is being an annoying bitch."

"Quill? Who would have guessed."

I shrugged and just sat down on a chair near Rocket. I stared at him while he was fiddling with his gun. "Where are the bombs?"

"Um, I dunno. Somewhere."

"You lost them?!? Oh my god, I was right, you're gonna kill us!"

"Just watch where you step and we'll be fine."

He is the craziest person I have ever met an I live with Peter. Who leaves bombs around? Who creates them in their free time? I shook this out of my mind.

"Anyway, we are almost at Knowhere." I waited for a joke, snicker, or something, anything! Nothing came. "Isn't it funny? We're going Knowhere. It's funny. C'mon, you know it is."

"That had absolutely no humor in it." Rocket turned around back to his work, but I saw a smirk! He liked my joke!

"I saw that! You smirked! Hahaha, you thought it was funny too!" I grabbed rocket into a hug and squeezed him tightly. Rocket was tense for a second, but relaxed into the hug. Hell he even melted into it. I can't hold him forever, but this seems right somehow. I let him go.

"I did not smirk and you have no proof that I did." I smiled back and he returned to his work.

---

When we got onto Knowhere, we went to a bar. There was a little gambling going on in there and Rocket wanted to join. "Paul, c'mon let's play! Make a bet, you pick one!"

"Sorry, but I don't gamble."

"You owe me!"

"For what? What could I possibly owe you for?"

"Who do you think fixed your wound? No one else could do it."

"You did? Fine I'll play, but only if Drax does too."

"Well then, let's get Drax to play."

We spent the next few hours gambling and drinking. I'm pretty sure Rocket used half my credits, not that I had many. Peter and Gamora had left somewhere, my guess Pete is trying to get into her pants about now.

We have had so much to drink. I turned to look at Groot, when a fight breaks out. Drax and Rocket are arguing, Rocket threatening. My mind was cloudy and slow. I start towards Rocket, when Peter steps up. He stands between the two and stops the fight.

After a few words Rocket started talking. "-Treat me like an animal-" I can't get all of what he's saying, but it's touching my heart. People treat him as an animal, apparently, and he is really sensitive about it. I feel really sorry for him. I've never felt sorry for anyone before. What's different about Rocket?

Drax storms out of the bar and Peter is about to go after him when Gamora tells him to stop and let Drax cool off. We stay in the bar for another hour or so and have time to get sober enough to know what's going on clearly enough. I really shouldn't drink. I don't think I would even be able to on Earth.

A women walks into the bar and asks for Gamora. We all go with her. We arrive at this huge building belonging to the guy. Gamora told us that he is called the Collector. Collector of what?

When we go in we see all sorts of things from small objects to actual beings. This guy is really weird. He is standing with his back to by a table. He turns around and- Wow this guy is ugly.

"My name is Taneleer Tivan and I am the Collector." He continues talking, but I'm really good at tuning out people living with Peter. Looking around the room, there are many strange things. I even see a dog in a spacesuit. Shit, it's a spacesuit from Earth. What the actual fuck?

Some glow appears before my eyes and he starts talking about infinity stones. I thought those were a myth, but we were carrying one the entire time! That's even worse than Rocket's bombs!

"Karina!"

I swing my attention back. She grabbed the stone in her hands and energy shot out in all directions. We all run. Peter grabs Gamora and hide behind something. Groot picks up Rocket and runs out the door. I have no idea where to go. I take off sprinting after Groot and Rocket. I'm at the exit when the place explodes. I get sent flying out. A energy ball from the stone is hit my back and I feel it surging through me. Rocket and Groot must have seen it to because they immediately went over to me.

"Are you okay Paul?" My vision starts to fade. Why does this always happen to me? "Adamo, don't you go unconscious on me." He then slaps my face repeatedly. Peter and Gamora come out then come to me.

"Rocket, what happened? Paully, why do you always get yourself into things like this?"

They all look up and we see Drax and Ronan facing off. "Don't move, 'kay?" Peter said then he, Gamora, and Rocket left me and Groot stayed. Roman threw Drax around and into some acid or something. I am not here enough to see exactly. Ronan then turns and sees me. He walks over to me. Groot left sometime ago, I don't know where.

He bent down and stared into my face. "You have it in you. I can feel the power in you." He reached toward my face, but refrained. He looked over toward some guards from his ship. "Take him." I blacked out.

---

I awoke in some room aboard a ship I have never seen before. I get up and look around the room. No way out bit through the door. I bend down to the pad. I pull it of to hack into it when the door opened. Ronan stepped in.

"The door was unlocked."

I stared at him for a second then realized I didn't try just opening the door. "So you're Ronan?"

"Yes, and you're Paul Adamo, a Ravager."

"Former, I'm not one anymore."

"Yes, well, anyway come with me. You must be hungry."

I looked at him with suspicion. Does he always treat his prisoners like this?

"Don't worry. You're not a prisoner. You are my guest."

How did he know I was thinking that? "How come I'm not one? Or why am I not dead?" I asked with even more suspicion.

"Well, you see, there is a legend about this infinity stone. It chooses a person to be bound to it, but it has been recorded to have happened once in the last millennia. This person can touch and use the stones power. I don't know why, but I believe you are this person. I believe the stone chose you."

"I'm nothing special. Never have been, never will be." Funny thing is, that's true.

"You think so lowly of yourself. Why?"

"Because I want to." I spat. I really don't like this guy.

"Answer that or not, it does not matter. I only care to know if the stone chose you or not, and I will find out."

"Now how do you plan on doing that?"

"Simple, you just hold the stone in your hands."

What happened to that girl on Knowhere when she touched the stone is not happening to me. "You don't even have the stone. How can you test your theory if you don't have it?"

"You think I do not have the stone? That I cannot get it from your friends? How low do you think me? I have the stone. I can assure you of that."

Shit. Maybe I can make a run for it at this next split. I looked up at him and he is just grinning. We reach the corner and I ran. He's not coming after me. Either that's good or... Fuck. A whole barracks at this turn? I need blueprints. All the soldiers looked up at me. A few got up and grabbed me. Well this is great. They took me back to Ronan who was 30 feet away. Man, I really thought I got further than this.

They threw me down at Ronan's feet. When I looked up I saw his stupid grin still on his stupid face being really stupid. I hate him so much right now. "Why do you try to run? I will find you." He did this maniacal laugh that sent shivers down my spine. "Now come, I do not like to be kept waiting."

We walked a short distance more until we came to a large throne room type place. My guess is the large chair in the middle is his throne. "Now, let's test this shall we." A blue chick brought the orb to Ronan. "Nebula, I trust you have dealt with your sister?"

"Yes, Ronan, Gamora is dead." What the fuck? Gamora has a sister? And she's dead? Holy crap. Things have gotten so messy sense Peter and I met these people.

"Good. Now," He opened the orb and exposed the stone. "You will do your part." He held the orb out to me.

"..." I didn't move and wasn't going to. Unless of course Nebula come and forces my hand like she is doing right now. "Agh!" She twisted my arm in front of the orb.

"Now, let it begin!" Ronan dropped the orb into my hand. I immediately felt the power rush through me. I feel strong and powerful. I look down at the orb and my arms. My arms are glowing a pinkish color. Wait, are those my veins? Gross. I feel the stone. It's a strange sensation. It's communicating with me, but not with words. I can't explain it. It's extraordinary!

I'm suddenly cut of from the orb. I lose all connection to it. I feel empty now, like there is a big part of me missing. "What did it feel like? You where holding it for an hour. What was the power like?"

"It was... unbelievable. The stone, it was communicating with me. It's like it's alive."

"Incredible. Now, it is time to prepare you for the attack. Take him to-"

"Attack? What do you mean? I'm not going to help you with an attack."

"Oh, yes you are. If you want those you care about to live. That other human, dead." I didn't even move. Peter would rather die than to have me help Ronan kill millions. "Gamora, well, she is already dead." You piece of shit! "The blue one, dead." Is he trying to piss me off? "The tree, dead." If he is, he's succeeding. "And the rodent, dead." That's it, your dead. I jumped at him, but Nebula did some crazy ninja moves and threw me onto the ground.

"The rodent? You care about that one the most?" What's he mean? "Out of everything I said, the rodent brings the reaction? What can you feel for that thing?" Do I care about Rocket? "Did you even know you cared about it? It looks as if this is news to you." It makes sense. I have been spending every minute I can with him and bothering the shit out of the little guy. I have only done that when I liked someone. "Well, he dies if you do not do as you are told. Understood?" I hauled myself up and glared at Ronan. You son of a bitch. "We will be arriving at Xandar in one hour. Be ready or it dies."

I continued to glare at him until I was escorted out back to my room.

---

I was brought back to Ronan. This is it I guess. Help Ronan or all the rest of my friends die, Rocket will die. In Ronan's throne room, he sat waiting with the orb. He opened it and gave me the stone. I took it and prepared for what I had to do. I looked out side and saw the planet of Xandar. It looked normal, like it wasn't expecting this at all. The thing is, I know Peter. He will stop this, or at least try. He has probably warned everyone down there of the coming attack he somehow found out about. I sure hope I'm right.

We entered the atmosphere and to my surprise, Ravager ships were lined up in front of us. How did Peter convince Yondu to help? The ships didn't move and just stayed there. It didn't take long for me to see the Milano. It has a couple of distinguishing characteristics only Peter and I can spot. Suddenly the Ravagers fired toward us and the rockets burst in midair. Distraction nice. I've seen this before. They flew under the spoke and attacked from the bottom.

The battle for Xandar has begun. I saw all the ships engage in a huge dogfight. The Ravager ships were going down and fast. I looked further and saw Nova Corps ships moving in. Little late to the party, huh? I turned to see Ronan looking angrily at the battle. I realized I still had the stone in my had. I focused and thought of Peter.

'Peter? Can you hear me'

"What the Fuck? Paully? Where are you?" He was in the Milano somewhere in the dogfight I think.

'I'm with Ronan and have the Infinity Stone. It chose me and I can touch and control it. I still getting the hang of it though. What's the plan? I don't have one.'

"Well, we are going to stop Ronan. That's the plan."

'Wait, are talking out loud?'

"Yeah, why?"

'What's everyone thinking? It must look like you're talking to yourself.'

"...I'm talking to Paul. He's onboard Ronan's ship with him and he has the Stone. He's talking with me in my head. Gamora, don't give me that look, I'm serious."

'She's alive? Nebula said she killed her!'

"Well, Nebula was wrong. Gamora is right here. Oh, and we are about to get in the ship."

The ship suddenly shook. 'I felt it.'

"Yeah, you know me."

'Is everyone all right? Rocket, Groot, Drax?'

"Rocket is still out there defending the people and everyone else is in here. Sorry I can't talk anymore bad guys to kill"

I let my focus slip from Peter to Rocket. 'Rocket? Rocket? Are you okay?'

"Who the hell? Paul, is that you? where are you?"

'I'm onboard Ronan's ship. Listen, I need you to hide. Leave this planet and get out of here, please.'

"What! Why?"

'Please Rocket! I'm about to do something really stupid and he said he would target you. Get out of here!'

"..."

'Rocket? Rocket!' Dammit, I've lost focus. Please have left, Rocket, I'm sorry. I turned toward Ronan. "Ronan, I'm done with this." I sent a burst of energy at the people at the controls one by one. When I hit the last one, I was sent a burst toward Ronan. It hit his empty seat. I looked around and was hit by his hammer and sent flying. I lost the stone. I tried to get back up, but couldn't. I looked toward Ronan and he smashed the Stone into his hammer. He then absorbed its energy. I felt it in me. The stone was in pain or something and it hurt me too.

Peter, Groot, Gamora, and Drax burst through the door. They see me and run towards me. Peter looks around the room and sees all the damage I caused. "Shit, you can do some serious damage if we gave you that much power." I tried to laugh but couldn't. "C'mon man, just stay here and well handle this shit, alright?" I nodded.

Peter brought out this overly large gun and fired it at Ronan. We won, right? The smoke cleared and Ronan was standing right there. Fuck. The others charged at him and fought him. He easily won. We are all going to die. Great. Out of nowhere a ship crashes into this room. Ronan is sent flying somewhere. After even more smoke settled, I saw who was flying the ship, Rocket. I pushed myself and ignored the searing pain as best I could. I think a couple of ribs are broken. I went over the the cockpit and pulled Rocket out. I sank to the ground and cradled him in my arms and started to sob. He wasn't moving and barely breathing.

"Rocket, wake up, please. God! Why didn't you listen to me? Why couldn't you leave? Fuck, Rocket, WAKE UP!" I yelled at his unconscious form. Peter, Groot, Gamora, and Drax all came over to us. They shared looks of sorrow, but I could only stare at Rocket. Groot spread vines all around us and entrapped us in a ball. I looked toward Groot questioning. Rocket came to sometime while I was looking at Groot. "Groot, you'll die." He said.

Groot responded with, "We. Are. Groot."

After a couple of seconds we crashed. We were spread on the ground with people around us. I pulled myself up and saw everyone, and what I guess are the remains of Groot, spread out. We all got up and Ronan came out of the crash smoke. Peter said something I could't hear and started dancing. Was he having a dance off with Ronan? What an idiot. "...distraction." Oh, I get it now. Rocket fired the rocket at Ronan and it broke his hammer. Before it hit, a burst of energy was sent at Rocket and hit him. I ran over to him. The world went on around us, but I only focused on him. I felt the energy from the stone flow back to me. I turned to see Peter with the stone and Drax and Gamora holding his hands. The energy that went to me went to my hands. I looked down and saw it going into Rocket. He gained consciousness. I brought him up and he grabbed Drax's finger and my hand. The energy surged through us. I felt the stone and it thanking us for saving it. Peter shot a beam of energy at Ronan and destroyed him.

Gamora immediately put the stone into the orb and Peter took it. He put it into his back Pocket and Yondu approached. He asked for the orb and Peter gave it to him. Gamora got pissy, but told her about his switch he always does. I saw it immediately because he always does it. I turned back toward Rocket. Drax had his arm around him on some rubble while he was holding Groot's remains. I couldn't look at him. Soon the Nova Corps came to us and told us to go with them to headquarters. Rocket dropped all the sticks and walked away with his head down. I think he was crying. I started after them, but stopped. Isn't Groot a tree? What if I grabbed a stick and planted it? Would it grow? I went back and grabbed the most healthy stick I could find and ran back to catch up with them.

---

The Nova Corps took us through a long rewards ceremony and told us they were making a new and improved Milano for us. That sounds like it would be really nice. To top it all off, they gave us all a nice sum of money.

We had to stay on Xandar until the ship was ready. We got to stay for free in this really nice hotel. I have never stayed in a five star hotel before and it was super awesome. I immediately planted the stick into a small pot and watered it. I really hope this will grow.

Rocket has been really mopey since the we became the Guardians of the Galaxy. I've become more worried about him. He has also been drinking every moment he has alcohol nearby. I took it upon myself to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.

I knocked on Rockets door. "Rocket? Rocket it's me! Open up! Ugh." I used the card I had to open the door. Rocket was sitting on the couch with more liquor in front of him. "Rocket, please, stop drinking. You're hurting yourself. It's not good for you." I looked at him and he was unconscious. This was the perfect time to saw what has been bothering the shit out of me. "Rocket, I don't know why, but I have fuckin' fallen in love with you. Seeing you do this to yourself is killing me. I don't know what to do if something happens to you. I really hope my plan works. I hope Groot can come back from this. It's crazy, but he has been growing. He can probably make you happy the way I can't. Fuck, Rocket, why did it have to be you. The grumpy ass, mean guy. Only I can love that."

That felt good to get off my chest. I looked at Rocket and I saw his ear twitch. Shit. Was he awake? I stared at him for about a minute and no other movements. That's good. I cleaned up his room and took out all the alcohol. When I finished I went back to my room. I went and checked on the twig and noticed how it had been looking healthier and healthier the more I watered it, but no Groot. It made me sad that Rocket wont be happy. I watered the twig and went back to Rocket's room. He left the couch and I started to panic. "Rocket? Rocket! Where are you?"

I went to check his room and he wasn't there. I checked the bathroom and he wasn't there either. Where could he be. I ran to my room to get my jacket. I opened the door to see Rocket staring at the twig.

I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure if it would work or not. I didn't want to get his hopes up. He would be devastated, again. "Hey Rocket. Why aren't you in your room?" No response. "Rocket, buddy?" I went over to him, bent down, and touched his shoulder. He looked at me with tear filed eyes. I couldn't stare at those for long or I would cry, but I had to be strong for him. He then turned back toward the twig. I got up and sat on the couch and watched him.

He continued to stand there for ten minutes facing the twig. I got up and pushed one of the chairs in the room over to him. "Rocket, I have a chair here for you, you don't need to stand." Still no response. I decided to do the riskiest operation I have ever done. I picked up Rocket and put him in the chair. To my surprise there was no reaction.

He just went along with it. He stayed like that until sunset. I was starting to fall asleep on the couch. I woke myself up and went over to Rocket. Exact same position. "Rocket, I can take him to your room. Would you like that?" I reached over for pot, but a low growl escaped from his throat and he bared his teeth. Okay, so not doing that. "You want him to stay in here, that's okay. So i guess that means you'll be here too. I'm going to make some food now." I went to the kitchen and started making some sandwiches. I made Rocket one and set it on the table in front of him with a glass of water. I ate my food and was really tired. I looked toward Rocket and he hadn't touched a thing. I sighed. "Rocket, I'm tired. I'm gonna hit-the-hay. Want anything else? Just wake me, okay?" I stood in the doorway for a second then went inside. I laid on the bed about to go to sleep when I realized something. Rocket must have heard me say what I was doing. How else did he know to come in here? That means he heard the rest too. Crap. I closed my eyes tight with my face hot with embarrassment and went to sleep.

The next morning I woke up and left my room. I saw Rocket sleeping with his head on the table. The plate was had the sandwich gone and the water was too. I was as quiet as I could and grabbed his plate and cup. I went to the kitchen and out them in the cleaner. I started to make toast for breakfast. I very soon realized I needed to go get some more supplies so I dropped everything and went to the supplies store.

I came back after about 20 minutes and Rocket was awake and staring at the twig once more. It appeared more healthier than it had before and slightly different too, like a flower was going to bud from the end of it. I continued making breakfast and gave some to Rocket with a glass of water once again. I sat on the couch and ate. "You know, You're like the most quiet roommate I have ever had. Peter, well, you know Peter, he talks and talks and talks and never shuts up. He was my most talkative roommate. My oldest brother, he wanted me to stop talking and was sometimes an ass. And my youngest older brother, if that makes sense, completely stopped sleeping in the same room as us because we apparently smell. It was kinda funny really. I wish I could see them again." I stopped talking after i finished all my food. "Well, I have to go see Peter about the ship. I'm gonna be gone a couple of hours, okay?" Silence. "See you later, I guess."

I went to Peter's room and he answered the door. "Hey Peter."

"Oh, hey Paully, um, I'm kinda busy at the moment, so could we do this another time?"

"What do you mean busy? You don't do work." A girl giggled in the other room. "Really Peter?"

He laughed, gave a thumbs up, and closed the door.

"Asshole." I guess I have to go check on the ship myself. I found out the ship will be done in three days. I'm done with this place. Peter is either with some girl, Drax, or Gamora. He doesn't spend much time with me anymore.

I arrived back at my room around lunchtime Rocket was right where I left him and his plate was empty and so was his cup, I grabbed them and filled the cup with water. I went to pour it into the pot, but I got another growl. I put the cup down in front of Rocket cautiously. "Okay, you do it then." I left him there and made us some lunch. After lunch, I made dinner. I was watching TV eating and fell asleep on the couch.

The next morning I awoke very slowly. I opened my eyes and realized I was on the couch. I tried to get up, but a weight was on my chest. I looked down and saw Rocket curled up on me. I smiled and pulled him closer very slightly. I stayed like this until he woke up. "Hey, good morning. "

"Hi." Did he just say so 'hi'? That's the first thing he has said in two weeks.

"Sleep well?"

"Slept fine."

I smiled at him.

"..."

"What?"

"You're squeezing me." Shit, forgot.

"Sorry," I let go. "So, you feeling alright?"

"Not really." He hopped off my chest, sat down, and I sat up.

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel any better?"

"You've done enough."

"What do you mean? I haven't done anything, Rocket."

"What the fuck do you mean you haven't done anything?" He said sounding a little frustrated. "You took a bullet for me, brought me back from the dead, and now you're taking care of me while I'm being really fucking depressed. You have done way too much for me. Why? I don't deserve your love. I don't deserve anything you have done."

"I knew you heard me say that. It's true, Rocket, I love you. I don't know why, but I do and I wouldn't change that, ever. Yeah, I think you're a grumpy, mean guy, but also a caring, sensitive one too. I regret a lot of things I have done, Rocket, and none of them involve you. I will never regret anything I have ever done and will do for you."

"Is that why you told me to leave? Because you loved me?"

"Yes! Ronan found out I cared about you and used you to have control over me. I wanted you to run so he couldn't get you. You had to be a dumbass and crash your ship into the one place I didn't want you."

"You know me, if you to-" I shoved my mouth onto his muzzle and we had a really awkward kiss. Our mouths didn't quite fit, but Rocket took control and made it fit. We had a passionate long kiss. We finally broke apart from what felt like an eternity of a kiss and looked into each other's eyes.

"Rocket I lo-" I looked over his shoulder and saw what I couldn't believe. "Holy crap! Rocket look!"

He turned around and we both looked at the little twig moving and stretching. It was a mini Groot. We ran over to him and watched as he opened his eyes. He jumped back a little at seeing two giant faces then hugged them. "I'll go get the others! They'll be so psyched, Rocket!"

I ran out of the room and knocked on all the team's doors. They came out at the same time. "Guys, Groots back!"

They all ran into my room to see this for themselves. We had our own small party and celebrated the reunion of the entire team. We soon got the call the ship was done an entire day early and we could leave on it. We packed all our stuff and headed to the ship. Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot went in first, then I after, and lastly Peter. I chose a room right next to Rockets'.

In our new ship, with our new friends, with our new relationships, we embark on new adventures to the stars.