#star-munch

The nurse that was assigned to Groot when Rocket came to visit with his son spoke first. “Rocket, I’m Kalika and I was Groot’s nurse when he came in last night. It was very touch-and-go with him and he was in a lot of pain when we took him to the procedure room, where we had no choice but to place him in a medically-induced coma until his condition stabilizes and improves. But he showed no immediate improvement as is typical of people who come in with these types of injuries. There were also a couple of times when he stopped breathing and was deprived of oxygen for at least fifteen minutes. And he was also clinically dead for a couple of minutes twice in the span of ten minutes before we were able to revive him.”

Rocket bowed his head down at hearing this. He sighed before mumbling to himself. “So there’s no hope for him, is there?” He looked up at the other people in the room. “You’re going to pull the plug, aren’t you?”

The nurses, specialists, and technicians looked at Rocket as they silently nodded, confirming Groot’s fate.

“All the signs point to brain death. He also contracted a very severe infection from the blades of the knives he was stabbed by and some of the stab wounds he suffered were very deep and close to some of his vital organs, further increasing the severity of the infections. Now, he suffered a very bad black eye that’s extremely swollen. We tried to get him to open it while he was still conscious so that we could look at the damage and determine if his eye could be saved, but he couldn’t. He also has a few lacerated muscles and a few fractures in his arm and both of his legs.” Kalika explained as Rocket’s expression changed. “His chances for survival, let alone a full recovery are less than a 0.01% chance. If somehow he did make it, he would be severely brain damaged and would be a bed-ridden vegetable for the rest of his life, and I know that neither you nor him would want that, so it would be best to remove him from life support and let Groot die peacefully.”

Rocket does his best to contain his emotions. He tries not to cry as he asks “Can I see him one last time before he-.” The raccoon couldn’t finish the sentence.

Kalika nodded as she and all the other specialists got up and escorted Rocket back to Groot’s room. On the way back, they pass the waiting room where a few familiar faces greeted them.

“Gammy? Drax? Nebula? Kraglin? Mantis? Star-Munch?” Rocket was surprised at seeing the other Guardians in the waiting room. “What- what are you guys doing here?”

“We figured that you needed some moral support while Groot recovers.” Drax answered for the others as he placed an arm around Rocket. “I would’ve wanted the same if my wife and daughter had a chance to be saved after Thanos slaughtered my people.”

“That’s very kind of you guys.” Rocket acknowledged their kind gesture towards him. “But...” He paused, the next words tough for him to say. “Groot’s going to be taken off of life support.” The other Guardians were saddened at the news as they joined Rocket in walking down the long lonely ICU corridor to Groot’s room.

When they arrived, the Guardians all stood around Groot’s bed in a semi-circle. There were two nurses already there to clean Groot’s wounds and treat them with a special ointment before covering them up with gauze wrappings. Groot also was recently given a sponge bath and had a fresh diaper and gown on him. He was still alive, but just barely and the machines that were hooked up to him were doing the breathing for him. His entire face and body were extremely swollen and Groot’s expression told the Guardians, especially Rocket that he was in extreme pain and wanted it all to just go away. Rocket didn’t have the heart to tell Groot that it would be over with soon.

The other nurses left the room. Kalika was still present to oversee the Guardians saying goodbye to one of their own and then she would turn off all the machines that were keeping Groot alive. Moments later, the coroner stood at the doorway with a cadaver cart that he would transport Groot on once he died and take him to the morgue that was in the basement of the facility so an autopsy could be performed on him to determine what injuries contributed to his eventual death. The coroner also had in his possession a fountain pen in his front pocket and laying on the cart was Groot’s death certificate. It was already filled out, the only things that were missing was Groot’s cause of death and the date and the time of his death.

The pastor entered the room and said a final prayer for Groot before the Guardians said their goodbyes to the teenager.

Up first was Mantis. She placed her hand upon Groot’s forehead to see if she could read his thoughts.

“I-I can’t tell what he’s thinking!” Mantis wailed as she trembled. “It’s unending darkness!” Drax then picked her up and carried her to a chair.

Nebula approached Groot’s bed. “Hey, Groot. I know that we didn’t actually get along all that well and you were scared to death of me when I first came to visit but, you eventually got used to seeing me everyday and became less scared. Even Gamora said over these past few weeks you were starting to look at me as your Aunt Nebby.” Nebula reminisced to Groot. “I’ll always be your Aunt Nebby, no matter what.” She added before she got up and walked over to where Drax and Mantis were sitting.

Kraglin walked up to Groot next. “Hey, Twig.” He greeted the teen, hoping Yondu’s nickname for Groot would miraculously wake him up. Nothing. Kraglin thought of something to say. “Remember the time that we went to Terra for a weekend vacation of rest and relaxation? And on our last night we were looking for some place fancy to eat? And every other place was either closed, out of business, or didn’t want to serve a mangy raccoon or a fat guy who refuses to wear a shirt.”

“Hey! I’m not a mangy raccoon!” Rocket snarled at Kraglin.

“And I’m not fat, I’m buff!” Drax corrected the Xandarian.

“Oh, yeah?” Rocket challenged. “Then why can’t ya wear a shirt? They make em big enough for fattys!” He roared as Drax charged towards the raccoon.

“I CAN’T HELP IF I HAVE SENSITIVE NIPPLES!” Drax exclaimed.

“OH, REAL CLASSIC! THE ‘SENSITIVE NIPPLE’ EXCUSE!” Rocket mocked. “LIKE WE HAVEN’T HEARD IT A MILLION TIMES BEFORE!”

Peter and Gamora separated the two before they got to each other and got into fisticuffs. Peter using all his strength to hold Drax back and Gamora holding Rocket in her arms after he leaped into the air.

“ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!” Gamora yelled at the two. “This is not the time for you two to be fighting. Now, calm down and apologize to each other.”

“Rocket, I’m sorry for my sudden outburst.” Drax said as he bowed his head in submission.

“And I’m sorry that I called you fat.” Rocket apologized. “Hey, do you and your sensitive nipples wanna get some Ben & Jerry’s later?”

“Small friend, it would be a pleasure to get some Terran Ice Cream with you.” The Destroyer accepted Rocket’s offer.

Kraglin waited for everything to settle back down before he continued to talk to Groot. “Anyways, as I was saying, Groot, that night, the only place that was open was Souplantation. Quill was tired of trying to find some place that would please everybody. Long story short, I guess that’s where my soup addiction came from. And I remember the time when I babysat you and there was no soup for us to eat. You showed me that cereal is the breakfast version of soup and all the different sugary types got me addicted to cereal now.That brings me to my next point, I’m sorry about sneaking out of the house to go to the soup kitchen the other night. I knew that it would embarrass you, but Drax dared me to or he would show Quill my secret soup stash...” Kraglin looked around at everybody. “...And now that that secret is out...” Kraglin regrets talking about his secret soup stash out in front of everybody. “Anyways, Twig, when ya meet back up with Yondu in Heaven, tell him that I’m holding down the fort and keeping Quill in line.”

Kraglin got up and traded places with Drax, who sat next to Groot.

“Hey, Groot.” Drax began. “I know that you and me weren’t the best of friends, but I’ll never forget the fun times that we’ve had together.” Drax wipes a tear from his face. “All the times I rocked you to sleep when you were on my shoulder, all the play fighting we would do just for fun and you teaching me how to turn invisible.” Drax chuckled to himself. “I’m sorry for calling you ‘dumber, smaller Groot’ and ‘dumb tree.’ I didn’t want it to sound mean to you. I’ll miss you Groot. Do me a favor and tell my wife and daughter that I’m doing good.”

With that, Drax sat back down where Mantis, Nebula, and Kraglin were. It was now Gamora’s turn to reflect on her time with Groot.

Gamora brushed some of Groot’s moss out of his closed eyes as she began to speak softly to him. “Hey, baby. Oh, sweetie, you’ve grown up so much since you were little. I remember all of us, especially Rocket getting excited when you started to move in your little pot. He was so happy and overfilled with joy when you stretched your little arms out and yawned. We all remember when you started to talk for the first time. Sure, all you could say was ‘I am Groot.’ But he was so happy and he took it upon himself to teach us how to understand you. When it was time for you to leave your pot for the first time, Rocket placed you on the kitchen counter to get you ready for your bath. But you wanted some cookies first, and Rocket kept telling you ‘No.’ You waited until his back was turned and you extended your little arms until you reached the shelf the cookies were on and you lifted yourself up to them. Well, your coordination wasn’t the best, so you fell over and luckily I caught you before you hit the ground.” Gamora smiled. “Rocket and I checked you out and saw that you had two very strong legs that were scrunched up in that pot and it was time for you to stretch them out. At first you were crawling, then we had to baby-proof the entire house so you wouldn’t get into stuff that you shouldn’t have been near. Rocket was against the idea of having to keep all his weapons under lock and key, but better safe than sorry. And then you started to grow up as soon as you started school and we were all proud of you.”

“We love you, baby.” Gamora finished before she kissed Groot on the forehead and got up from her seat and rejoined the others as Peter got up to talk to Groot.

“Hey there, Groot.” Peter began as he sat next to Groot. “I know that these last couple of years you weren’t the most well-behaved kid and that’s kinda my fault.” Peter looked at Rocket as the raccoon stared at the humie. “But, not once did I not think of you as my son. I know that Rocket is technically your adoptive father and he did most of the work needed with raising you. The truth is, Groot, is that each of us had a hand in helping to raise you, and in turn, you taught us new things and together, all of us became a family. A dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless.”

Peter patted Groot on his shoulder as he stood up. It was now Rocket’s turn to say his farewells to the one person that his whole life revolved around. As the raccoon walked to Groot’s bedside, he couldn’t help be reflect on Groot’s life. Not just when this Groot was reborn, but from the very first time he met the Original Groot back when Original Groot and him were both experiments and prisoners on Halfworld.

“Groot, I know that you and me haven’t had the sort of traditional father-son relationship these past few years when you became a teenager, and especially since you’ve entered your rebellious stage and started to defy all the rules I set down for you.” Rocket struggles to say as he fights back the tears. “But- but, I wish that I had been more stern with you. If I’d put my foot down when you started to disobey us, we wouldn’t be here right now.”

Rocket held Groot’s hand as he struggled to look at his son through tear-shot eyes. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t the father that you wanted. I’m sorry that I wasn’t the father that you deserved.” Rocket then looked at the other Guardians, specifically Kraglin and Peter. “I wish that I was more like Yondu. If I was, Groot wouldn’t have snuck out the house. Groot wouldn’t have met up with those hooligans and gotten stabbed. Groot wouldn’t be here right now on his deathbed fighting for his life.”

Rocket looked back at Groot. “I failed you, Groot. I tried my best to raise you right and keep you safe from everything and everyone that could hurt you. I should’ve tried harder.”

Rocket stroked Groot’s face in a caring and fatherly manner. “I love you, Groot. I’ll never forget the joy I’ve had in raising you and being your daddy.” He then tucked Groot’s old Bob Ross doll into Groot’s clutched hand.

Rocket then tilted his head towards Kalika. He was ready for her to take Groot off of life support. She pulled the plug on all of the machines and took the breathing tube out of Groot’s mouth.

“Go on, Groot. Go to Heaven. Be free of this pain.” Rocket sobbed to his son as Groot’s breathing became more sporadic and his heartrate started to slow down. “Go to Bob Ross.”

With that, Groot’s heart stopped beating, the heartrate monitor flatlining, letting out the lone, long beep that signaled Groot’s death.

The coroner came in and filled out Groot’s time of death on his death certificate while Kalika disconnected all of the IV lines and monitors from his body. The coroner and Kalika then picked up Groot’s lifeless body and placed him on the cadaver cart to be taken to the morgue. Rocket was overcome with emotion when Kalika draped a white blanket over Groot, offering him one final look at his son before she covered the teen’s face with the blanket, signifying his passing.

No amount of consoling could satisfy Rocket. With some convincing on Peter’s part, the raccoon obtained clearance to accompany his son down to the morgue before the autopsy began. The other Guardians went home to let Rocket mourn in private. For obvious reasons, Rocket couldn’t be in the room while Groot’s autopsy took place and he wouldn’t see him again until all the funeral arrangements were made.

As Rocket walked into the morgue, Kalika and the coroner placed Groot on a cold table so that the autopsy could take place. The teen was washed clean and incision lines were drawn all over his body in preparation. Groot was stripped of his gown and diaper, the only thing on him was a damp washcloth covering his loin area. Groot just looked like he was just sleeping, but Rocket knew that this wasn’t true. All of the instruments on the side table said otherwise, as he knew that they would dissect Groot piece by piece to determine how he died.

Rocket climbed on a nearby stool to see his son one last time. He looked at his son in silence for five minutes until the coroner was ready to begin the autopsy with his assistant.

“Well, Groot, I’ll see you later.” Rocket sobbed as he held Groot’s hand. It was now time for Rocket to leave.

As the coroner grabbed one of the scalpels and hovered it above Groot’s chest, Rocket began to let go of Groot’s hand. As the scalpel came down, Rocket thought he could feel Groot’s grip on his hand. Rocket couldn’t believe what he was seeing, Groot grasping his father’s hand on his own. Could Groot be alive?

The coroner and Kalika check Groot for a pulse and find that Groot has a weak pulse. They perform an emergency intubation on him to make him breathe again before taking Groot back up to the emergency department for immediate care and scans as to him coming back from the dead.

Kalika broke the news slowly to the raccoon. “I’m sorry, Rocket, but it’s not good. When we took Groot in for his evaluation, the first thing we did was scan his brain to check how much brain matter wasn’t affected.” She took out a scan of Groot’s brain on a hologram and showed it to the Guardians. There was a lot of dark spots. “He only has about 1 percent of brain function left after the accident. As a result, he has the mental capacity of a 3 month old. We gave him a memory test and have concluded that he has severe short-and-long-term memory loss. Also, after he has his cast for his skull removed, he’ll have to wear a specially-designed helmet to protect his skull from any further injuries for the rest of his life. If he gets another skull fracture, he’ll have to be placed in a halo until it heals over.” Rocket looked down at Groot, he didn’t know what to say.

“What does that mean for Groot?” Gamora asked. “What can he do?”

Kalika took a sigh. This was going to be hard to explain to them. “Well, for starters, Groot can’t breathe on his own, but we are going to try and wean him off of the ventilator, but that will be a very touch-and-go process as Groot’s current condition is very fragile. As a result, Groot can’t talk either.”

“But, when Groot’s off the ventilator, he will be able to talk again, right?” Rocket asked.

“No, I’m afraid not.” Kalika answered. “Groot’s language center in his brain was one of the areas affected by the trauma he suffered. He’ll likely never be able to talk again without some sort of talking device.”

Rocket didn’t know what to say. No matter how much speech therapy he would put Groot through, Groot’s only possible way of talking with the people around him was that communication device that was like the one that the school had forced him to use or else his grades would drastically plummet.

“What are some of the other things he’ll need help with?” Peter inquired as Rocket held Groot’s hand and stroked his head.

“Groot is currently unable to eat solid food on his own, as he can’t chew or swallow on his own.” Kalika explained. “Therefore, he has a feeding tube in his stomach so that he can get the nutrients that his body needs. As with the ventilator, we will work on weaning him off of it when he relearns how to chew and swallow. At the same time we’ll introduce him slowly to liquid foods, then to extremely puréed foods, then he’ll move on to baby food, then toddler food, and finally when he can eat normal food again.”

“Well, we did have to do the same thing when he was a baby, so that might not be bad.” Peter reassured Rocket. “At least he won’t be in a diaper.”

“I’m afraid that’s not the case.” Kalika told them. “Groot has no control over his bladder or his intestinal functions, so, he’ll have to wear a diaper until he can be toilet trained, which right now, is impossible.” She informed them as Groot had a coughing fit as Kalika cleaned out his breathing tube.

“Is- is he gonna-.” Rocket couldn’t finish his sentence as he caressed Groot’s cheek in an effort to comfort him.

“Be able to get out of bed?” Kalika finished the sentence for him. “No, I’m afraid that he will be bedridden for the rest of his life. You can look into intensive physical therapy for him and with a lot of work, they might be able to get him to sit in a manual wheelchair for a short period of time, but other than that, anything more voluntary, moving his arms, using his hands, or him being able to walk on his own with an assistive device, will be about a million-to-one longshot.”

“I-I just can’t see him living like this.” Rocket stammered. “I want to take him home without any medical intervention and let him live out the few days he has left.” He tried not to cry.

The other Guardians knew that Rocket really didn’t mean that and they voiced their concerns about how Rocket was making a spur of the moment decision without properly thinking about it.

“There are other options.” Kalika interrupted when she was able to sense a lull in their family argument. “Groot won’t have to go home to die.”

“Are you saying that he’ll have to spend his whole life here?” Rocket countered. “Just to stare at the ceilings as he’s being wheeled room-to-room for whatever experiment your sick twisted minds can come up with to torture him?!?!” Rocket barked at Kalika.

“No, no, he won’t.” Kalika answered. “We never keep any patients here long-term. We work to fully heal them. In the rare instances that a patient comes to us with substantial, life-changing injuries, like Groot here, we work with them and their immediate familes to find the best placement for them in certain rehab facilities. For Groot’s needs, he’ll need to be placed in a nursing home facility that has trained nurses and staff that deal with severely brain damaged patients.” She hands the Guardians a brochure of the facility in question.

“What would they do for Groot?” Mantis asked.

“Firstly, they would assign Groot his very own personal care nurse that would be with him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The nurse will take care of him, bathe him daily, get him dressed, give him his medications, and accompany him on any day trips the nursing home does for its residents. The nurse will also stay with him during his various therapy sessions.” Kalika stated. “The nurse will also maintain contact with you and give you updates on any progress in Groot’s recovery, or if anything happens to him.”

“How much will this cost?” Peter said as he crossed his arms. Surely this amount of personalized care wasn’t going to be cheap.

“The care that Groot needs won’t be cheap and is not covered by any insurance plans. The cost will be around 10,000 units per month.” Kalika said as there was an audible gasp from the Guardians, whose bank accounts were dried out after an impromptu party by Drax and Kraglin last week led to repairs that needed to be done on the house. “But it’s worth it, these people have been known to work miracles.”

“We’ll think about it. When’s the soonest Groot can move there?” Peter asked.

“Groot will need to be weaned off the ventilator and no longer need to be fed through a feeding tube first, but after that he’s guaranteed immediate placement there because of his condition.” Kalika answered.

Groot was sent away to get another brain scan done to see how much damage he suffered. Rocket came to the decision that no matter what Groot could or could not do, he would love him no matter what. He didn’t care if Groot would be back to his usual moody self or would need to be placed in a specialized nursing home that cares for severely brain-damaged patients with 24-hour care and a private nurse for Groot. He decided that he would celebrate every single milestone Groot reached, no matter if it was as simple as Groot maintaining eye-contact with Rocket as he talked to him, or if Groot could talk to Rocket again himself.

Rocket didn’t know what to expect as he was escorted to Groot’s room. Sure enough, Groot was still hooked up to all of the life support machines that he was on before he was taken off of them when it was decided to let him die in peace. But this time, Rocket was glad to see Groot hooked up to those machines. It meant that Groot was fighting to stay alive, that he had a fighting chance to live. Rocket secretly hoped that Groot would beat the odds stacked against him and make a full recovery without any lasting injuries or impairments. But he would accept whatever his son could do.

Rocket sat next to his son and gently stroked his face. Groot’s head was shaved as a result of the emergency procedure that he had to have done to prevent even more catastrophic damage to his brain. His head was wrapped up in gauze with a green covering over it.

“It’ll be okay, Groot.” Rocket said to him softly. “You’re a fighter, that’s for sure. And if you won’t give up, I won’t give up.”

There was a blip on the heartrate monitor followed by a beep. The same thing occurring on the machine that monitored Groot’s brain waves. Could Groot detect Rocket’s presence even though he was in a coma? He pondered this as he left Groot’s room to meet the Guardians out by the entrance to the ICU wing.

Just then, Peter and the other Guardians came by to see why Rocket called them. They were perplexed as to why instead of crying, Rocket was smiling.

“Rocket?” Peter was confused as to why the raccoon was smiling as he stood in front of the entrance to the ICU wing where Groot was recovering. “What’s going on?”

“You remember when you told me that when everything seems to be lost, to just keep faith and life will find a way to make everything better?” Rocket responded as Peter looked confused as to what he was saying. “Groot came back. He’s in there fighting for his life still, but he’s alive.” The other Guardians were shocked by this as they walked with Rocket to Groot’s room.

Inside, two nurses were assessing Groot’s vitals after they gave him a sponge bath and changed his diaper. The nurses told Rocket that Groot’s vital signs were vastly improved compared to when they checked them this morning.

“He’s doing really good.” One of the nurses, Talei, informed the Guardians. “So good that in fact, we might be able to wake him up from the coma.”

This filled Rocket with emotion. Just 24 hours ago, Groot had no hope of recovery and was taken off of life support as Rocket held his hand as he watched Groot take his final breath just before he died in front of his father.

Now, Groot was now considered a “Miracle Child”, having come back from death and making such a fast recovery that his caretakers were talking about bringing him out of the coma that he was currently in.

A few minutes later, Kalika entered the room and Talei and the other nurse gave her an update on Groot. She talked to them for a while before calling her supervisor on her work-issued cell phone. She then came to tell Rocket the news.

“Rocket, we will be waking up Groot today.” Kalika confirmed to Rocket and the Guardians as the raccoon was overcome with emotion.

“How- how soon?” Rocket stammered as he looked at his son. “How soon?” He repeated as he held onto Kalika’s arm to hold himself up.

Kalika looked Rocket in the eye. “How does ‘In the next five-to-ten minutes’ sound?” She asked the raccoon.

Rocket couldn’t believe it. In the next few minutes, Groot would be conscious again. He didn’t know what to think. Just a day ago, Groot wasn’t expected to ever come out of his comatose state. This got Rocket thinking, was Groot making a faster recovery than expected?

The raccoon sat by Groot’s bedside as Kalika and the other two nurses lessened the amount of the medicine that was keeping him in the coma while at the same time, injecting the medicine that would enable him to wake up into his main IV line.

Slowly, the medicine started to course through Groot’s body. Over the next ten minutes, Groot started to moan and groan as he stirred in his sleep. Kalika urged Rocket to talk to him to encourage him to open his eyes. Rocket understood and nods.

Rocket leaned in towards his son and started to talk softly to him. “Hey, Groot. It’s me, Daddy.” Rocket said soothingly to Groot as he placed Groot’s Bob Ross doll in his hand and gently stroked it. “I’m here, Star-Munch’s here, Aunt Gammy... we’re all here for you. Can you open your eyes for us so we can see those big beautiful eyes of yours?”

Groot opened those gorgeous brown eyes of his. Granted, one of them was covered with gauze as it continued to heal, but the eye that wasn’t covered with gauze looked at Rocket with fear, uncertainty, confusion, but most of all, faith, confidence, and happiness. Faith for all of the obstacles Groot is guaranteed to face in these next few months, the love and support of Rocket and the others to help him through it. Confidence for Rocket’s constant encouragement through the trials and tribulations that these obstacles are certain to produce. Lastly, Happiness for when Groot has an especially rough day in his recovery, that he can look at his family and their undying love for him.

But fear quickly took ahold of Groot. He tried to scream even though he had a breathing tube down his throat. He has no idea of where he was, how he got here, or what has happened to him. Rocket tries desperately to calm him down to no avail.

”Groot, it’s me.” Rocket shakily said as he looked at his son. “It’s me, Groot. Daddy.” There was no response from the teen as he continued to silently scream. Instant worry flooded Rocket. “Can- can he hear me?”

“I don’t know.” Kalika admitted as she gave Groot some medication to calm him down through his IV line. “Since he’s conscious now, we can take him to the labs to determine the exact amount of brain damage he suffered.”

Groot calmed down moments after the medicine entered his body. Rocket stroked Groot’s face in an effort to comfort him and agreed to the tests for him and signed the consent form. But no matter what Rocket did, Groot was still scared and confused about everything going on around him and wouldn’t stop trying to scream.

Rocket tries to soothe Groot one last time before he is taken to get those tests done. “Alright, Groot. You’ll be alright. I’ll be right here when you get back, okay? I love you, son.” Rocket kisses Groot on his cheek just before Kalika takes him in his bed down to the exam rooms.

After Groot is inside the elevator at the end of the ICU wing and the doors close, Rocket turned back to face the other Guardians. The look in his face says everything. Even though Groot was out of the coma, he faced an uphill battle with his recovery. Rocket doesn’t know what to do.

“Rocket.” Gamora began as she placed her arm around Rocket’s shoulder as she pulled him in close in an embrace. “No matter what Groot can or can’t do, he’s still your son.”

“Yeah, she’s right.” Peter added. “Your love for him never lessens, it only gets stronger.”

“But, didn’t you guys see him?” Rocket asked. “It’s like he’s forgotten everything and all he knows now is the unceasing pain that he’s in.”

Rocket’s body language told the others that the raccoon was about to give up all hope on Groot.

“Rocket, you’re not going to give up on Groot.” Drax interjected. “Groot wouldn’t give up on you if you were in his situation, so don’t do it to him.”

Rocket took out an old photo of him and Groot in happier times. “I guess you guys are right.” He agreed. “I can’t give up on him. I gotta be here for him, no matter what.”

Just then, Kalika returned with Groot, who was still silently screaming in pain while he laid down in his bed. “Look who’s back!” She cheerfully said as she pushed Groot’s bed into its normal spot.

Rocket was anxious to hear the results from the evaluation on Groot. “How’d he do? Is he gonna be his old self again?” He implored Kalika. “Well, minus the typical moody teenager crap, of course.” The raccoon added as the other Guardians looked at him weird.

“Well, the good news is that we took a look at his black eye and it has completely healed up to the point where he doesn’t need to have it covered anymore.Rocket  The swelling in his face has vastly diminished too.” Kalika explained as the Guardians saw Groot started to look more like himself and his black eye was completely gone and the bark around it has returned to a healthy color. “We also tested his eyesight and there’s no problems there either.”

“What about his hearing?” Peter asked.

“His hearing was also tested and I’m happy to report that he suffered no impairments to his hearing.” Kalika stated. “But... I’m afraid that’s where the good news ends.”

A lump suddenly formed in Rocket’s throat. “What’s the bad news?” He asked nervously as he stood up.

It was early morning on the Milano and the Guardians were settling down around the kitchen table getting ready to eat breakfast. That is, all but one of them.

“Hey, Rocket, where’s Groot?” Starlord asked as he sat down with another heaping plate of pancakes for the crew.

“What are you talking about?” The raccoon responded as if Peter had two heads. “He’s right here, sit-.” He stopped mid-sentence as he turned around to see that Groot wasn’t in his high chair. “Oh, he must still be sleeping. I’ll be right back. Save him a couple of pancakes.” Rocket ordered Starlord as he walked down the hallway to Groot’s nursery.

Rocket opened the door to the nursery, which was closed so that Groot could go to sleep without having to hear the other Guardians or the various noises of the ship, which kept him up sometimes, especially if he had a nightmare. Inside, it was pitch black as the window curtains were also closed so that the morning sun didn’t shine in Groot’s eyes, which he hated. Rocket walked towards Groot’s crib and turned on the lamp that was on the nightstand next to the crib.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” Rocket softly said as Groot opened his eyes and smiled at his adoptive father.  “Did you sleep good?”

“I am Groot…” Groot said sleepily as he stretched and yawned at the same time.

“That’s good.” Rocket said as he lowered the side panel on the crib and took off the blankets that he tucked Groot into the night before. “The guys are in the kitchen eating breakfast. I think Star-Munch made your favorite today: Homemade Chocolate-Chip Pancakes with Maple Syrup.” He told Groot as Groot cheered and clapped his hands in excitement.

Rocket then helps Groot sit up in bed and gets the slippers that Gamora sewed specially for him on. Groot didn’t like the feeling of clothes, let alone fuzzy slippers, on him. Rocket told him the slippers were for his own good because since the stumps on his feet were uneven, the slippers evened them out so that Groot, being only a week out of his pot, could walk correctly without falling.

“Hey, this is for your own good. The slippers Gammy made for you even your feet out so you can walk.” Rocket explained to Groot, who glared at him. “Look, we ain’t going to be able to carry you your whole life, especially me.” A tear forms in Rocket’s eye. “You’re growing up so fast, Groot. It’s just-” Rocket stopped right there as he reflected on the sacrifice his friend made for the team. 

“Oh, alright. I’ll carry you to breakfast, but you’re going to have to learn to walk sooner or later.” Rocket conceded as he picked up Groot and carried him from the nursery to the kitchen. Groot laid his head on Rocket’s shoulder as the furry creature hummed various songs down the hallway.

“Hey, there he is.” Starlord said as he got up to help Rocket get Groot in his high chair. “Hm, that’s weird, he’s usually fighting us when he has to sit in the high chair.” He realized as Groot didn’t fight him and Rocket as usual and instead let them strap him into the high chair with little to no fuss, and after they get the tray table on, Groot lays his head on it and closes his eyes.

“Is he alright?” Kraglin asked as Starlord went to the stove. 

“He’s fine. Just a little bit tired.” Rocket said as Starlord turned around ballerina-style.

“Who wants some of my famous Chocolate-Chip Pancakes with Maple Syrup?” Starlord asked Groot excitedly, trying to rouse him from his stupor.

“Uh, Star-Munch, there’s no pancakes on that plate.” Rocket informed Peter.

“What? I could’ve sworn that I made 2 Groot-sized pancakes for him just like you asked.” Peter responded as they heard loud chewing noises coming from Drax, who was munching on the pancakes that were meant for Groot.

“What?” The Destroyer asked as everyone looked at him.

“Those were Groot’s pancakes, ya numbskull.” Rocket scolded him as Drax took another bite of the pancakes.

“I didn’t see Groot’s name on them.” He responded casually as Starlord facepalmed himself.

“Now you get metaphors? What happened to ‘Nothing flies over my head, I would catch it!’ Huh?” Peter responded.

“I don’t know. Plus, can’t you make the dumber smaller tree some more pancakes?” Drax said as he burped.

“No, I can’t! That was the last of the pancake batter!” Peter informed him as he showed Drax that all of the batter was used up.

“So? Just buy another batch.” Drax flatly suggested.

“Those pancakes were from Terra! Terra is 40 jumps from here and we won’t be back there for another 3 months!” Starlord shouted. “Plus, you’ve had like 30 pancakes, 20 pieces of bacon, and 10 sausages, all in one sitting!”

“So? I got a hearty appetite.” Drax responded as he stood up and patted his belly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to the workout room.” He said as he walked out of the kitchen.

“Rocket, I guess you’re going to have to make Groot some oatmeal.” Peter said.

“Already 5 steps ahead of you, Star-Munch.” Rocket said as he was already making the oatmeal. “Can ya do me a favor and get Groot something to drink?”

“Yeah.” Peter said as he opened the cupboard that had all of Groot’s baby bottles and got one out. “He drinks orange juice, right?”

“Yeah, but you gotta dilute it with water first and nuke it in the microwave for 10 seconds before he will drink it.” Rocket instructed as he stirred the oatmeal to a consistency that Groot could eat and digest it safely.

“Oh, really now? Is there anything else “His Treeness” desires with his juice?” Starlord sarcastically said as he placed the bottle in the microwave and put it in for the time that Rocket told him. “Does he want one of those light-up ice cubes, perhaps?” He added as he took out the baby bottle and let it cool for a couple of seconds.

“No, Star-Lump, just regular ice. He hates weird things in his drink and food.” Rocket said as he finished cooking the oatmeal and poured the contents into a bowl, got a baby spoon and brought it over to Groot. He then sits next to Groot, gets a bib on him, and dips the spoon into the oatmeal. He then holds the spoon out in front of Groot, whose head was still laying on the tray table.

“Groot, buddy. It’s breakfast time.” Rocket gently woke Groot up and Groot slowly picked his head up from the tray table. “You okay?”

Groot nodded as he let out a soft squeak in disgust at the sight of the oatmeal.

“I know that these aren’t the pancakes that you were expecting, but SOMEBODY…” Rocket yelled as he looked towards the direction of the exercise room where Drax was currently working out and lifting weights. “Decided that he wanted all the pancakes for himself. But look, I got the oatmeal that has the candied Orloni eggs in them. You love that kind, remember?”

Groot let out a little cough before pushing the bowl away. He looked at them to say that he wasn’t hungry right now.

“Groot, sweetie,” Gamora began as she kneeled next to him whenever he wasn’t feeling good or was upset. She was sort of a motherly figure to him. “Can you at least drink your juice?”

Groot looked at her for a moment before he let her hold his bottle for him and he took a couple of sips from it before he didn’t want anymore.

Groot then felt something in his tummy and placed one of his hands over it before puking a milky-green liquid all over himself.

“Uh, oh, this isn’t good.” Rocket said as he picked Groot up from the high chair and cradled him in his arms as he rocked him.

“What’s not good?” Drax asked as he came up from the exercise room.

“Groot’s not feeling well.” Starlord informed him as Rocket got out a thermometer and took Groot’s temperature “The Old-Fashioned Way.” as Groot squirmed in his arms and cried. Rocket told the others over Groot’s crying that “That’s how it was done on Halfworld.”

“This is bad.” Rocket stated as he looked at the thermometer. “Groot has a 106 degree fever.”

“Oh, no. Rocket, we need to talk.” Starlord ushers Rocket into his bedroom as Rocket handed Groot, who was now shivering, to Gamora, who wrapped him up in his favorite blanket and sang a gentle lullaby to him.

“What is it?” Rocket asked as he closed the door behind them.

“I know that you’re not going to agree with this and that you’re not going to like the idea based on your past experiences, but,” Peter began. “We’re going to need to take Groot to a specialist.”

“No.” Rocket said expectedly. “I will NOT subject Groot to the same torture that I endured the first half OF MY LIFE!” He shouted as he sat on his bed. “I don’t want him to know pain.” Rocket then looked at Peter in the eye. “But you’re right. He does need help. I don’t even know what’s wrong with him. Let’s go see if we can get someone to look at him.” He added as they left the room and rejoined the others in the cockpit.

In the cockpit area of the ship, the rest of the Guardians were in their seats, the pilot and copilot seats were left empty for Starlord and Rocket, respectively. Drax was in his seat located behind Rocket’s seat, while Gamora, who was still holding a still very sick-looking Baby Groot wrapped in his blanket, was sitting behind Peter’s seat, trying her best to soothe Groot, who was having another coughing fit. Mantis and Kraglin sat on the couches in the back.

“How is he?” Rocket implored as he looked at Groot.

“Still not good.” Gamora said as she handed over a now crying Groot over to Rocket. “He vomitted again after you two left and now he’s very lethargic-looking.”

“Oh, no. Groot, it’ll be okay, we’re gonna get you well again.” Rocket comforted Groot as he sat down in the copilot’s seat with Groot in his arms.

“Well, where’s the nearest med center?” Starlord asked Drax, who was looking at his datapad.

“The nearest one would be the Collector’s place in Knowhere.” Drax informed them as Starlord sat in his seat.

“Well, let’s get going then.” Peter said as he fired up the engines.

“No.” Rocket ordered.

“Why not?” Starlord wondered.

“Did you forget what almost happened to him the last time we visited that damn nutcase?” Rocket barked at him.

“Um…” Peter was in deep thought, trying to think back that far.

“The idiot wanted Groot’s body after he died.” Rocket snarled. “AFTER HE DIED!” He emphasized that last part. “We ain’t going there. I’m putting my foot down.”

“But Rocket, you don’t have any feet. Only paws…” Drax as-a-matter-of-factly stated.

“What did we tell you about metaphors?” Starlord said as he turned around to look at Drax.

“Oh, right, sorry.” He apologized.

“Guys, wait. We can’t go to Knowhere.” Gamora interrupted as she got up from her seat as they were about to take off into space.

“Why not?” Starlord, clearly frustrated as he powered down the ship, asks as Gamora picks Groot up from Rocket’s lap.

“Look at him.” She said as she showed a very ill Groot to the others. “He’s too sick to travel.”

“Knowhere is only 5 jumps away though, Cap’n.” Kraglin said as he looked at Drax’s datapad.

“Groot can’t even handle one jump.” Gamora said as she patted his back to calm him. “The G-forces would worsen his current condition.” She turns to Rocket. “You don’t want to lose him again, do you?”

“No. Let’s find something here on Xandar.” Rocket concedes as Gamora handed Groot back over to him. “I don’t care if we even have to go to a veterinarian for him.” He finished as both Peter and Drax bursted out in laughter. “Wha- What’s so funny?”

“Dude, a veterinarian is for pets and animals.” Starlord struggled to explain to the raccoon in between bouts of laughter. “They’d be more willing to give you a Rabies shot than they would be interested in looking at Groot!” Rocket places Groot in the copilot seat before lunging towards Peter with his teeth out. Gamora fortunately grabs Rocket shortly after he launches himself at his target. She scolds him and tells him to calm down. He goes into his room for 5 minutes.

A little bit later, Drax is on his datapad looking for someone who could help Groot.

“I think I found someone!” He told the others. “Only thing is, they’re a botanist…” He finished as Rocket came out of his room.

“What’s wrong with that?” Quill asked.

“Well, uh, a botanist is, uh…” Drax struggled to understand the meaning of the word. “Someone… who… works on robots?” He looked at the others to confirm that his definition was the right one, only to see them shake their heads.

“No, Drax, a botanist is someone who works on plants.” Gamora corrected him.

“Oh. Well, guess we have to take Groot to the veterinarian, then.” Drax said as he picked up Groot. Groot then promptly vomited on himself and Drax. “Ew! Gross!” He exclaimed as he gave Groot back to Rocket and ran to wash himself off with a damp cloth since the crew’s bathroom was out of order until further notice.

“Serves ya right, ya buffoon!” Rocket called out to Drax as he disappeared. “Oh, you don’t look too good either, Groot. I better get you cleaned up too.” Rocket said as he carried Groot away from the rest of the Guardians to clean him up.

“Boy, Groot ain’t doing too good.” Starlord said concernedly to the rest of the group.

“No, he is not. Even the Crabby Puppy is worried.” Observed Mantis as Drax came out of his room, freshly cleaned and a set of new pants on.

“What do you think we should do? Should we call this botanist and see if there’s anything that he can do for Groot?” Starlord asked the others.

“I think it would be for the best.” Gamora chimed in. “We saw how Rocket was the first time that he lost Groot. I don’t want to even think about how he would be if he lost Groot now.”

“You’re right.” Starlord agreed as he got up and dialed the number of the botanist on the monitor.

A few seconds later, the image of a skinny woman came on the screen. She was the receptionist by the looks of things.

“Hello?” She said in a very heavy accent as the picture came into focus. “Would you like to make an appointment?”

“Yes. We have a uh,” Starlord turned to the others. “What did Rocket say Groot’s species was again?”

“Floral Collosus.” Gamora reminded him as Starlord gazed back to the woman on the screen.

“A Floral Collosus.” Starlord told the receptionist. “And he is really sick. Sneezing, coughing, a 106 degree fever, vomiting, diarrhea, not wanting to eat anything, sensitive to light and sound, and he is extremely tired and weak.” He finished as the receptionist was writing all of Groot’s symptoms down.

“Okay, we can get him in right away.” The receptionist said before she ended the call as a wet Rocket came back carrying a freshly showered Groot, who was wrapped up in a towel.

“Who was that?” Rocket asked as he placed Groot in his baby swing.

“We just got Groot an appointment with a botanist.” Starlord told Rocket as he looked at Rocket suspiciously. “Why do you look like a wet dog?”

“Hey, I was giving Groot a bath.” Rocket explained. “Even when he’s sick, he still hates bath time.”

“Wait a second…” Kraglin smells something fishy. “Ain’t the crew bathroom currently out of order? So, how were ya able to give Groot a bath when the rest of us can’t?”

“Okay, you caught me…” Rocket admitted. “I gave him a bath in Star-Munch’s bathroom.” He smiled wildly as Peter freaks out. 

“YOU WHAT?!?!” Starlord was in shock.

“Or, more accurately,” Rocket teased him. “I gave him a bath in YOUR Jacuzzi.”

At this point, Peter was mortified. “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!?!” Peter was about to pull the hair out of his head. “DON’T YOU KNOW HOW MANY UNITS THAT JACUZZI IS WORTH?!?! NOW IT’S RUINED BY TREE BARK AND RACCOON FUR IN THE DRAIN!”

“Yeah…” Rocket said. “But, I thought that the heated water would help Groot get better. Plus the sound and movement of the jets help Groot take his mind off of being sick.”

“Okay, you got me there…” Starlord admitted defeat.

“Yeah.” Rocket patted him on the back. “Plus Groot liked the golden water in the Jacuzzi…” Rocket winked at the others. 

“WHAT?!?!” Peter was mortified more than ever. “YOU LET HIM PEE IN MY JACUZZI?!?!” He runs off towards the direction of the Captain’s Quarters.

“Hehehe… wait until he sees what else I let Groot do to the Jacuzzi…” Rocket smirked to the other Guardians. 

“GOD DAMN TRASH PANDA!!!!” The anguished cry from Starlord echoed throughout the Milano.

After an hour of Peter mourning the destruction of his beloved Jacuzzi and Rocket reluctantly agreeing to buy him a new one, it was time to take Groot to the botanist. Rocket and Starlord were still at odds with each other as they exited the ship.

“I don’t care that the crew bathroom is unusable.” Starlord argued with Rocket as he picked up the diaper bag filled with Groot’s stuff. “That doesn’t give you the right to ruin MY bathroom!”

“Well, maybe if you gave a damn about us, then you wouldn’t have your precious Jacuzzi wrecked!” Rocket fired back as he placed Groot in his stroller and pushed him.

“Boys, stop arguing.” Gamora ordered as they arrived at the Botanist’s office. “Put aside your differences and focus on Groot getting better.” She held the door open for them as they walked inside.

Inside, the lobby was cavernous. Every screech a plant-child made echoed throughout the lobby. Groot didn’t like the cacophony that the other children made and tried to cover his ears. Rocket saw this as he pushed Groot’s stroller over to the check-in desk as the other Guardians sat down.

“Hi, Groot is here for his appointment.” Rocket told the girl at the front desk.

“Alright, can you please fill out these forms first?” The girl handed him some forms that he needed to fill out since Groot was a new patient there. “And I’ll need to see your ID and insurance card, please.” Rocket hands her Groot’s insurance card and under that, an ID, carefully concealing the picture on the latter. 

“Okay, thank you, Mr. Quill.” She said as she handed the cards back to Rocket and Rocket pushed Groot back to the others.

“I am Groot…” Groot meekly told Rocket after he sneezed and a snot ball hanged from one of his nostrils.

“Shhh… Don’t you tell anyone. This is what you call payback, Groot.” Rocket told his son as he wiped Groot’s nose. Rocket then pushed Groot’s stroller the rest of the way back to the group.

“I do not understand why we are here.” Drax stated as he blankly looked around. “This is a botanist’s office, not a veterinarian’s…”

Peter facepalms Drax. “Dude, we’ve been over this. A vet takes care of dogs and cats. A botanist takes care of plants.”

“But Groot is not a plant.”

“Drax, what species is Groot?” Rocket quizzed him.

“Um…” Drax searches for an answer. “I don’t know.”

“A Floral Collosus, Drax.” Rocket informed him. “What does that sound like to you?”

“Hm…” Drax is deep in thought. “A really big rainstorm.”

“No, Drax.” Rocket answered. “What does Groot look like?”

“Groot looks like Groot.” Drax said as he looked at the little tree. “He even tells you that he is Groot.”

“No, Drax. Groot only says his name because his vocal cords are stiffened so that’s all he can say.” Rocket informed him. “It’s just how it is.” He added as Drax looked at Groot apologetically. 

“What’s his least favorite children’s book?”

“Um…” Drax didn’t know this either. “Rock-a-Bye Baby?”

“No!” Rocket kicked the floor. “That’s a lullaby.” Rocket regains his composure. 

“Okay…” Rocket wipes away a tear. “What did Yondu used to call Groot?”

”Annoying little beast?” Drax guessed as Rocket fumed in anger.

“No, idiot. The answer is TREE! Groot looks like a TREE! Groot’s least favorite children’s book is The Giving TREE! Yondu used to call Groot a TWIG, which is the first stage of a TREE’S LIFE! Don’t you get it?” Rocket got in Drax’s face.

“Now I do.”

“Good, now let me get back to filling out these forms.” Rocket said as he focused his attention to the forms. “Uh, how old would you say Groot is?”

“How long has it been since you found out that he can regenerate?” Gamora asked him.

“Dunno. Couple months?” Rocket guessed.

“There you go. Groot is two months old.” Gamora told him.

“But, how does his rebirth factor into his age, though?” Rocket pondered.

“It doesn’t.” Starlord interjected. “If Groot looks like he’s 2 months old, he’s 2 months old. Trust me on this.” He told Rocket, who eventually agreed and filled out the rest of the paperwork and handed it in.

Five minutes later, a nurse came out from the back.

“Is Groot here?” She asked as she looked around and saw the Guardians stand up, Rocket pushing Groot in his stroller. “Oh, I’m sorry. There isn’t room for everyone in the exam room. Only 3 of you can come back with Groot.”

“Well, I’ll stay out here, then.” Kraglin said. Never been a fan of blood.” He added as he sat back down.

“Me either.” Drax admitted as he left and joined Kraglin.

“Yeah. I never liked getting needles as a kid back on Terra.” Starlord admitted to the others.

“Dude, they’re not gonna give Groot any needles.” Rocket snarled at him as Groot got scared at the word “Needles” and started to cry.

“They might have to.” Peter told him. Starlord then kneeled down to Groot. “Groot, hey, buddy. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I’ll let Mantis come back with you and Rocket to calm you down, okay?” He asked Groot as Groot stopped crying and nodded. “Good job, buddy.” He kissed Groot on the forehead.

“I am Groot?” Groot asked as he looked at the Zune in Peter’s pocket and then looked at Peter.

“If it’ll make you happy, then yes, you can take it back with you.” Peter nodded as he placed the headphones on Groot’s head and placed the Zune next to him.

“Hey, Groot, you want me to come back with you?” His favorite person, Gamora asked him as he nodded.

They then followed the nurse to one of the examination rooms.

The nurse took down Groot’s medical history and asked Rocket, Gamora, and Mantis various questions. After a few minutes, she was done and left the room. Gamora then got a notification on her phone from her sister, Nebula.

“Ugh, she’s such an idiot.” Gamora sighed in frustration as she looked at her phone.

“What’s wrong?” Rocket asked as he rocked Groot back and forth in his stroller.

“She’s still hellbent on killing our father.” She explained.

“Thanos? That big ugly Barney look-a-like?” Rocket said as Groot moaned in disgust. “Sorry, Groot. I forgot that you hate that stupid purple dinosaur.” He apologized as Groot nodded.

“Yeah. I told her that it was a Death Wish. But she never listens.” Gamora sighed as they dropped the conversation.

As they waited in the examination room, the Zune ran out of battery and shut down. Not wanting to upset Groot, Gamora turned on the TV. Luckily, Bob Ross’ “The Joy of Painting” was just coming on, much to Groot’s delight.

“Oh, no! Not this stupid crap again!” Rocket yelled as he walked up to the TV and punched it with his fist. Not feeling satisfied with only denting the TV and Bob Ross still being on screen, he got out his blaster and shot a big hole into the TV, breaking it.

“Rocket! That wasn’t yours to break!” Gamora scolded him as he hid his gun and Groot cried.

“So? That Bob Ross guy shouldn’t be around young, impressionable kids! How does he get away with saying “Look at all the happy little trees!” Where if I said the same DAMN THING, I would get thrown in the loony bin!” Rocket yelled.

Rocket seethed in anger for the next few minutes as Gamora calmed Groot down.

A few minutes later, the nurse, followed by a tall, thin young man came into the examination room.

“Hi, I’m Zalik and I’ll be looking at Groot today.” He said as he shook their hands. He then looked at Groot, who was huddled up in his stroller, afraid of the new person. “Hi, Groot, I’m Zalik. Can you get onto the table for me?” He asked as Gamora unbuckled Groot from his stroller and picked him up and placed him on the examination table. “Now, when did you first notice the symptoms?”

“Well, we were sitting at breakfast when we noticed that Groot wasn’t up yet. So when Rocket got him out of bed and was about to feed him, he puked.” Gamora told Zalik as Groot thrashed about on the table, the sound of the sanitary paper soothing to him.

“Now, are there any other symptoms that you’ve noticed?” He asked Gamora, ignoring Rocket.

“Yes. He is vomiting, coughing, and sneezing. He has a 106 degree fever, along with the chills and sensitivity to light and sound. He is vomiting heavily, along with having diarrhea, sometimes at the same time. He is also not wanting to eat, and he is extremely tired and weak.”

“Okay, let me take a look.” Zalik said as he looked inside Groot’s ears, nose and mouth. “Hm… he does have some wax buildup in his ears, and his nose is extremely clogged with snot.” He said as he got out a wooden tongue depressor. “Groot, can you say “Ahhh” for me?” He asked Groot as Groot started to cry and Rocket looked at Mantis for help.

“Calm.” Mantis said in a trance-like state to Groot as he relaxed as Zalik gently opened his mouth to look inside.

“His throat has a lot of phlegm in it and it is swollen too.” Zalik observed. “Okay, Groot, I’m going to listen to your heart now. This is gonna be a little cold.” He warned Groot as he placed a stethoscope against Groot’s heart as Groot shivered a little. “Okay, take a deep breath in… and out.” Groot did as he was told. “Good boy.” Zalik turns to Gamora and Mantis. “His heart is normal. Just a little bit fast because he’s fighting this illness.” He turns back to Groot. “Groot, can I take your blood pressure?”

Groot got nervous as the cuff was placed around his arm and it squeezed him. Mantis then used her empath skills again to calm him. Since Groot was a new patient, Zalik needed to take a blood sample from him too. Again, Mantis calmed him as the needle went into his arm and a sample was drawn.

Zalik also asked if Groot was potty trained yet and Gamora told him that Groot was only a week out of his pot and his feet were uneven because of this and he couldn’t walk properly yet. Zalik then offered to trim Groot’s foot trunks to make  him walk easier, which Gamora agreed to as she soothed Groot.

“You’re doing good, Groot. Last thing, I promise. I need to take your temperature.” Zalik told Groot as he helped Groot sit up. Groot was crying hysterically, because he thought that Zalik would take his temperature the same way Rocket usually does. Groot was relieved when Zalik took his temperature through his mouth instead of “The Other Way”.

“Hm… you said that he had a 106 degree fever?” Zalik asked.

“Yeah, that’s what it was when we took it earlier today.” Gamora answered.

“Well, it’s getting worse.” Zalik showed them the reading. “It has increased to 108 degrees. We have no choice but to admit him for treatment and observation until this flu of his goes away. We’ll also give him a flu shot to prevent this from happening again this flu season.”

“WHAT?!?! NO! GROOT’S COMING HOME WITH US TONIGHT! YOU’VE ALREADY TRAUMATIZED HIM ENOUGH!” Rocket snarled angrily.

Rocket then lunges towards Zalik with his teeth bared. Fortunately, Gamora’s reflexes kick in and she manages to catch him in midair before he lands on Zalik. Zalik then calls for security to put a muzzle on the raccoon and take him to quarantine.

“He’ll have to stay in quarantine for a week and have to get screened for Rabies and a series of shots. I would also recommend neutering him too. Groot, however, will need to be monitored by us until he gets over the flu, then he’ll be able to go home.” Zalik said as he carried Groot out and up to the inpatient floor where he will be staying until he got over the flu.

Gamora and Mantis then leave the examination room and told the others what happened. Drax, Kraglin, and Starlord got a laugh out of Rocket being taken to quarantine and having to get neutered and possible Rabies shots. Especially considering how Rocket has been treating the whole team (except for Groot) recently.

A couple of days pass and Groot was cured of the flu and able to go home. Rocket, however, tested positive for Rabies and needed to get those Rabies shots and show no more signs of being infected, decontaminated, and neutered before being released from quarantine and able to go home. 

On the day of Rocket’s release, Peter got a quote from his health insurance company charging him an extravagant price for Groot’s care when it was Rocket who was supposed to pay with his own insurance plan that Groot was somehow on.

“Nah, keep him in there.” Starlord said to the quarantine team. “He needs to learn. Maybe give him one more de-furring session and decontamination bath before he comes home with us.” He slyly said as Rocket was taken back to the bathing room.