You'd just stepped outside the back door of your little shop when the shots rang out. You'd ducked down, but your eyes had quickly scanned the area. It hadn't taken long to spot the prone figure that you instantly recognized as a prominent leader of the community. She and her husband lay side by side. A cloaked figure stood over them. Smoke drifted from the muzzle of the perpetrator's gun in the low light of the alley.

Fate had only been kind enough to keep you hidden from their view.

No doubt you'd been victim, too, if their killer had noticed you standing there, watching everything go down as if it was a slow-motion scene of some murder mystery.

You lost all sense of time as you crouched in your position, waiting and praying that the cloaked figure would leave soon.

Your answers were answered eventually. Not without the further misfortune of catching sight of their face during their fleeing of the scene. Your blasted mind recalled every detail despite the shadows rapidly falling around you. It was a face you wished to forget. Or at least wished to replace with someone who didn't scare the bejeezus out of you.

Why did you have to witness an actual mob hit? What had you done in any of your previous lives or this one to make you so unlucky?

When you could finally get your feet to cooperate, you'd dashed in the opposite direction. Running in your low heels proved impossible, but you found a stride that worked between a brisk pace and a jog. Constantly scanning your surroundings for fear that man would come back. He wouldn't hesitate in finishing the job, and you knew it.

It was why you didn't dare stop moving until you hit the lobby of Stark Tower. Well, Avengers Tower at that point. The receptionist hadn't hesitated in calling Tony Stark himself upon hearing your story and recognizing you as a friend. Within seconds, Tony appeared and whisked you skyward until you sat on one of the sofas of the common area.

They'd all rallied around you, too, but none more so than Steve.

Your life had been turned upside down, but he always managed to keep you firmly grounded. He always would.

"You've given up so much to take care of me," you whispered back finally, letting yourself sink into him further. "I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to repay you for all you've done."

His lips brushed against your temple, and his arms tightened even more around your shoulders.

"There's nothing to repay, sweetheart. You did the same for me once."

The memory tugged a smile on your lips though you managed to retort, "That was one night, not nearly three months and counting."

"That one night equals at least of a year of my protection, I'll have you know."

"Only a year?"

Steve chuckled, his body vibrating into yours. His happiness seeped into you at hearing your teasing tone returning. He never liked when you allowed yourself to go into your dark place. It didn't happen often and typically didn't last long, but it got so dark, so fast. It would leave you disoriented and reeling, clawing desperately at anything to ground yourself. He'd made it his mission to keep you from reaching that place while you'd been tucked away in the Tower these past few months.

"I'd make it a lifetime if you'd let me," he said as his laughter died away.

The absolute certainty and promise of his words stilled you both.

He would, and you knew it.

"Hey, hey, hey," Tony interrupted the moment, "you two done canoodling yet? We're about set up, and I'm determined to beat you two this time. Still not convinced you're not cheating somehow."

"Maybe we're just in-sync with one another," you offered, meeting Steve's steady gaze and sweet smile.

"Maybe we are," he agreed. He bumped his nose against yours. "Come on. He won't leave us alone unless we play him again."

"He's just going to lose."

Steve chuckled. "Yeah, he is."

It turned out that way.

Tony lost and lost bad.

No matter how much he begged, bribed, or threatened, he couldn't bring Steve or you back to the table after wiping him out.

"Next time, Tones," Steve said softly, his arm wrapping around your waist. "Right now, we're calling it a night. Someone has a big day tomorrow, and you've helped distract her enough."

Tony finally conceded, his eyes meeting yours and softening. "We're all going to be there tomorrow. No way that dirtbag is getting away with what he did."

"Thanks, Tony," you murmured before following Steve towards the elevators.

His arm remained around your middle, keeping you tucked under him. It was a place you'd never felt safer and wished to stay as long as possible.

Too bad, the elevators worked so quickly and efficiently in the Tower.

Soon enough, it deposited you both at Steve's quarters where he swept you further inside.

"Want me to put on a movie for some sound?" Steve asked.

You shook your head while you grabbed your sleep clothes from his dresser. "I should probably get some sleep."

Moving towards his bathroom, you sent him a small grin, which he matched with one of his own.

"You know if all goes well, it shouldn't be too long before I'm out of your hair again. You'll have your place back to yourself."

His eyes swept the room, taking in the few items you'd brought from your apartment. Little things that helped make you not feel so out of place within his space. Things that helped with the nerves of being the only eyewitness to a horrific crime. He lingered on each one until his smile slowly slipped away, replaced by a frown.

You paused at the bathroom door. A frown tugged at your lips even as your brows pinched. "What's that face about? A single guy should be happy to have his space back, especially when he's had an unexpected guest for so long. I mean, shouldn't he?"

"Yeah, I guess," he muttered though he didn't look any happier or more relieved. If anything, he appeared almost sadder at that thought. At last, he seemed to shake himself though his expression and posture still held a hint that sadness. "It was nice to have my place feel like a home, you know? It's been a long time since I've had that."

"Well, maybe we can decorate your place then? I can take you to some of my favorite shops. See what they have that appeals to you. It shouldn't take too much to get the feeling back."

He nodded, offering you a hint of a smile. "Yeah, I'd like that."

What you didn't hear as you entered his bathroom was him saying, "But really, you're my home."

By the time you emerged from his bathroom, changed and ready for bed, Steve appeared back to his old self. He grabbed what he needed and headed into the en-suite himself, nodding towards his bed. "Take it. You need a good night's sleep for your testimony tomorrow."

You rolled your eyes.

He'd been insistent on you taking his bed for the entire time you'd stayed in the Tower.

Yet, you always managed to convince him you were just fine on his sofa. It was plenty big for you as it'd been made with a super soldier in mind in the first place. With your pillows and blanket, you had everything you needed for a good night every night.

Well, at least on the nights you didn't have nightmares. Those nights you always woke up in Steve's bed with his arms wrapped around you. He would make soft shushing noises until you came back to him, holding you long after, too. Sometimes, you'd talk about the dreams if you could remember them. More often though, you'd simply let him hold you until sleep claimed you again.

Those had gone away within the first couple of weeks staying with him, which you were thankful for. Not only did they mess with your head, but they made you wish for more with the very man who held you during them.

Maybe once everything settled after the trial ended, you could entertain similar nights with him again. Ones that weren't filled with terror but with pleasure. Something about that kept you going and even fueled a few of your more naughtier dreams the longer you stayed with him.

You just had to get through tomorrow.

One more night.

Then, you'd be free. To be you again. To do what you wanted, when you wanted. To love the man who'd captured your heart and refused to let it go openly and honestly.

You could hold out one more night.

You clenched your teeth and prepared to stand and leave, when a sudden, quite loud, voice could be heard from outside. So loud you and Rocket both actually jumped the moment it's robotic cadence began to speak.

"Exit the Terran dwelling immediately. Unarmed. Mercy will be considered upon compliance with our request."

You locked eyes with Rocket for the briefest of seconds, exchanging expressions of confusion, before you stood, abandoning your tea, and ran to the window that gave view to the front garden.

Your blood ran cold the second you peeked around the curtain.

Several tall, golden-colored droids stood in your front garden. They appeared like round pods on large legs with powerful arms that looked like they may actually be some form of blasters. At first glance it seemed like there may be people operating in the pods, but the glare off the shiny glass made it impossible to tell for certain.

That wasn't the horrifying part though, no. The real horrifying part was the fact that you could see more droid/pods hovering above those on the ground, and more still flying in to join them.

Hundreds more.

Hundreds of golden pods that sprouted golden legs and blaster arms upon landing on the earth- all setting aim on your home.

"What the fuck-!?" you breathed out, backing from the window. You barely notice that Rocket had climbed up to look as well, or the fact that the robotic voice was still making demands, as you rushed into the hall.

There you met Peter as he was coming down the stairs with Gamora, who had the phone SHIELD gave her up to her ear. You could also see Yondu and Mantis rushing to the sitting room windows to peek out.

Before either of you could speak the voice from outside talks again, sounding as if it were coming from a loud-speaker.

"We've found you, 'Guardians of the Galaxy'." the voice sounded full of condescension, "Best to come out willingly. We would hate for this to get... messy."

Just then the sound of screeching metal and crunching glass could be heard from somewhere out front, and you suspected one of those droid-things had decided to crush your car.

"Back away from the windows!" you commanded as you move to grab your weapon from the hall table near the front door.

Gamora is dialing on the phone again as you're re-entering the sitting room, and you knew she must be having a hard time getting a hold of Fury.

You ask Peter if he knew how to use a shotgun, and when he said he was sure he could figure it out, you instructed him to grab the one from the kitchen closet, but you didn't catch the uncertain look he shared with Gamora before he obeyed.

"Yondu- I only have a few weapons here, and limited ammo. How many do you think you have covered with your arrow?" you ask the Centuarian after Peter left to fetch the shotgun.

Yondu just shook his head, still looking toward the front window. He looked so tired, so defeated. So... very unlike himself. Finally, he answered.

"None."

"None!?" you reply in shock. "You told me before that arrow could-"

He cuts you off. "Nah, you don't get it," he began, "There ain't no one in those ships out there."

Your eyebrows knitted together.

Peter continued for him, he was back from the kitchen with the shotgun, the realization that he and all his friends were fucked evident in his voice. "Those things are piloted remotely. We had to deal with them before- they just... they just don't stop. There's no one inside to kill, so they just... keep coming."

"Come out, "Guardians of the Galaxy." We know you are here. The Sovereign demand your immediate surrender."

Glass breaks in the kitchen. One of the droids had shot out a window.

"I am Groot!" little Groot cried as he ran past you, out into the hall, and into Rocket's arms.

Gamora looks increasingly frustrated with the phone and she and Peter share a look, almost appearing if they were silently discussing if she should bother trying again, before she does anyway.

"How did they find us?" Mantis asked in a whisper, as if afraid the droids outside could hear her.

No one answered her, unless you count Drax pulling her into a hug.

"We are growing impatient. Surrender NOW!"

A loud smashing noise came from the back of the house, and you'd probably win the bet that your shed was now flattened out back. This, unfortunately, also signaled that you were all surrounded.

You move further into the sitting room to quickly look out the window, despite having just told the others to back away moments ago.

They were right. Even if this army were flesh and blood, there's just too many for you all to fight. There's also too many to outrun, even if they hadn't smashed your car and didn't currently have you surrounded.

You really are all fucked.

Unless...

Gamora begins to speak, sounding surprised and slightly frantic- unusual for her typical confident demeanor. You didn't catch her words but glancing over it was clear she had finally gotten through to Fury.

Glass shatters somewhere from upstairs and the house shakes bad enough that Gamora drops the phone, where the screen smashes and turns black upon connecting with the floor. It seems your unwanted visitors really were getting tired of waiting.

"Shit- Everyone to the cellar now!" you command, motioning for everyone to exit the sitting room.

"What good is that gonna do?" Kraglin asked, not bothering to move from where he stood next to Yondu.

"Just trust me! Move it!" you command, pushing him and the others out of the sitting room and into the hall. You move past them to the cellar door and open it, ushering them down the stairs.

They all seem uncertain, but having nothing to lose they do decide to just follow your lead, much to your relief.

Silently, you do a head count as they go down. Mantis followed by Drax, Yondu followed by Kraglin, Gamora- who had at some point picked up Groot and placed him on her shoulder, both followed by Peter, and... yes- there was Rocket bringing up the rear.

Everyone all accounted for.

As you shut the cellar door splintering wood and more glass breaking can be heard from the kitchen, and you curse the fact that the cellar door had no lock. Though, you supposed it's not like it would do much anyway.

You run down the cellar stairs behind the others, who were already at the bottom waiting for you. Sounds of your home and belongings being broken above your heads could be heard as the droids rip the place apart looking for the Guardians, who looked up towards the sounds with varying expressions ranging from fear, to sadness, to resignation that this was the end.

But little did they know you had a plan.

You push past them and throw open the closet, ripping out its sparse contents and pulling open the false back wall and revealing the tunnel, much to the others' surprise.

"Was this here the whole time?" Peter asked incredulously.

"No, I dug it this morning- what do you think?!"

"Impressive-" Drax complimented, but it went largely ignored by anyone who actually understood sarcasm.

You usher them through, handing them the few flashlights you had had in the closet and telling them to keep going until they find a ladder that will take them to the surface with the instruction to contact Fury when they get there. Remembering that Gamora had dropped her phone you quickly pull yours out of your pocket and shove it towards her. "He'll know what to do, and help is probably already on the way."

Drax and Mantis were already on their way into the tunnel, now carrying Groot with them. Yondu and Kraglin were next, though they were hesitant, as were Peter and Gamora, who stood in the doorway.

"Move it!" you command. "I'll be right behind you. I have to be last to put the wall back up."

With a frown Yondu and Kraglin finally turn and depart into the tunnel. Peter and Gamora hesitate a moment longer, before you physically shove Peter into the tunnel (and also into Kraglin) and tell them to go. You watched Rocket trail after them as they run.

Now that they were all on their way, you approach the boiler SHIELD had installed when the Guardians were placed with you so that the house might have something capable to holding up to the heating demands of 8 extra people.

You open one of the smaller panels, revealing a dial and some wiring before opening a larger panel above that, which revealed more dials, wiring, and some sort of a glowing light, which appeared like mini florescent tube-bulbs glowing blue.

Staring into all this of the larger panel, you frown. You had no further idea what any of this was for than the first day you opened these panels, and you still maintained that this was not like any boiler you had ever seen. Leave it to SHIELD to always be extra- this was probably some Stark industry experimental energy shit they decided to put in your house.

"What are you doing?" Rocket asks, having had turned around partway into the tunnel when he noticed you were, in fact, not right behind them. His words seemed to almost startle you as you turned to face him and finally spoke to him for first time in days.

"What are you still doing here? Get going with everyone else." you command, turning back away from him to again look into the open boiler panel, trying to make sense of it.

Rocket's eyes widen as the realization of your intentions hits him. "No-" he says, "I won't leave without you- I... I can't."

"Bullshit," you reply, turning back to the boiler. "Now go!"

"No-"

In frustration you turn back to face him. "Why the fuck not?"

"Because it's all my fault!"

You pause and stare at him, squinting your eyes. After the would-be silence is interrupted by the sound of smashing stone from somewhere above you roll your eyes and say, "This isn't the time for self-pity about the the batteries or whatever it was you did to piss these guys off." Shaking your head you turn back to the boiler. "Get going."

"No- it's not that- I mean... it's my fault they're here... now."

You pause yet again. "What?" you ask, turning, yet again, back to face him.

"I- I smuggled in a data pad even though those SHIELD guys wouldn't let us keep our tech," he confessed with shame, before turning to word vomit, "I think they tracked it once I turned it on- I thought my encryption would be strong enough! But it wasn't- at least, I think that's why they're here and-"

Several emotions cross your face as he speaks, and you look like you would like to say several things at once, but you ultimately settle on, "Get out."

It comes out in frustration, angry even, cutting him off in the middle of his sentence.

"But I-"

"I don't have time for this. Get in the tunnel." This time you physically grab Rocket by the back of his jumpsuit and roughly throw him toward the entrance before turning back toward the boiler.

"I said I'm not leaving without you!" Rocket snarls and jumps at you to get you away from the open panel. "I know what you're trying! And-and I won't let you! You need to come with us!"

You glare at him and tell him again to leave. Tell him he doesn't know what he's talking about.

"I know you're gonna try and blow the boiler!" He briefly succeeds in getting you away from the panel, having launched himself at your head and caused you to flail away, clumsily stumbling a few feet away from the boiler. As the two of you struggle he continues, "I'm not- letting you- do that! It's a suicide mission! Especially since I can tell- that you- don't even know what you're doing!!"

You finally manage to throw him off with a few choice curse words.

He lands on his feet and skids, preparing to lunge again, but a loud noise upstairs halts your tousle. Loud enough that you wouldn't be blamed for thinking the roof had caved in.

"Look, I know I ain't got no right to ask you to trust me, but let me help you! I can rig the boiler to blow on a delay- That can give us both enough time to get out!"

"Rocket-"

"Please! I can't... I can't lose another friend!"

Another loud crash from upstairs rings out, sounding closer to the cellar door, as if something either fell into it, or crashed in front of it. You hoped for the latter, as it might give you more time. After a quick moment of frustration you finally agree- if for no other reason than to get him out before the Sovereign droids found their way down into the cellar.

Rocket quickly begins working in the panel while you start grabbing whiskey from the shelf, positioning the bottles around the boiler to add fuel to the fire when it explodes. When he notices what you're doing he says, "Look, I respect the idea, but you gotta know this here boiler has a tri-cell plasma energy generator, right?"

You paused and looked at him, the last couple whiskey bottles in hand, and said, "That boiler was uh, kinda a SHIELD upgrade when you guys got here..."

"So... you have no idea what I just said, do you?"

You flattened your lips and shook your head.

"Right..." Rocket turned back to the panel before continuing. "Let's just say those bottles would only be like throwing a lit match on an already raging bonfire. Sure, the flame might get bigger, but no one would really notice."

"Ah..." you place one of the bottles in your hand on the floor and sigh. Opening the other, you say, "Well, in that case..." and take a swig from it before placing it too on the ground.

Rocket finishes the task with the boiler mere moments later, to your surprise. Though, to be honest, he was right and you really didn't have any idea what you were doing or how you would do it when the idea to blow the boiler came to mind. And given that you have no idea what a tri-cell plasma generator is- or why it was in your boiler...

Yeah it was probably a good idea he had come back.

Regardless, you usher him into the tunnel once it's all said and done before following, closing both the closet door and false back wall to hopefully buffer from the explosion so it didn't light up the tunnel. Just as you begin to run you hear a loud crash from the other side.

One of those things must have finally broken into the cellar- or fell through the floor- you weren't sure which. All you knew was it was time to get the hell out of there.

"How much time do we have?" you ask, running hot on Rocket's tail through the tunnel with only the sparse light from a nearly dead headlamp he must have nicked from the shed before you had grounded him from it.

Loud crashing and breaking noises tore out from behind you, making it difficult to hear his response. If they hadn't gotten into the cellar before, they definitely had now.

"Not sure- I couldn't exactly put it on a timer, but I pulled out all the safety switches and set it on high- so it should overheat before long... and when it does- BOOM!" he waved his hands in the air to mimic a large explosion and laughed before retracting them and saying, "Oh- I mean, sorry about your house though- it's kinda not gonna be there anymore."

"Pretty sure those droid-things already took care of that," you reply flatly, instinctively looking back behind you to make sure you weren't being followed, but it was so dark you couldn't see where you had come from.

"How long is this tunnel, anyway?" Rocket asked.

A particularly loud impact could be heard in the distance behind you.

"I never fully measured it, but I'd say it's got to be at least half a mile?"

"Hmm..." Rocket seemed to be calculating in his head for a moment before responding, "That should work."

Getting a sense of what he has implying your eyebrows knit together. "What?"

"Nothing. Just keep running. Maybe a little faster."

Your frown deepened, but you took his advice anyway. More destruction noises sound in the background- somehow not getting quieter despite the two of you moving further and further away. You look back once more, but again, can see nothing but darkness behind you.

The two of you run in relative silence, aside from the sounds of your house being torn apart echoing in the darkness, wondering how quickly the two of you would catch up to the others. You thought you could just hear Rocket muttering to himself as he ran, but due to the added sound of your running footfalls and your own heavy breathing you weren't quite sure. Every now and then you'd look back over your shoulder again to make sure nothing had followed you into the tunnel, but you could never make out anything untoward.

After a few minutes of this- and mentally lamenting that you felt you were getting out of shape, you start to see light up ahead. The others must have reached the end of the tunnel already and climbed out.

The two of you are almost to safety, when Rocket suddenly yells, "Hit the deck!"

Initially you're confused, but a loud boom- louder than any of the other noises echoing in the tunnel- gives you a brief moment of understanding before a forceful wave of air hits you in the back, knocking you harshly to the floor.

* * *

Above ground the Guardians wait anxiously. They had performed a head count and realized not only were you not right behind them, Rocket was now missing.

There was some debate on whether someone should go back, with Peter volunteering himself and Gamora vetoing the idea with Yondu agreeing they should wait.

Then they heard the boom- both in the distance and echoing up out of the tunnel they had just climbed from. Everyone jumped at the sound, watching as the blast of air scattered the leaves around the tunnel entrance.

There's a moment of stunned silence and panicked glances. Groot begins to whimper softly into Gamora's shoulder as she shares a wide-eyed look with Peter, who's shock is quickly forming into anguish.

Nobody makes a sound, they just stare down into the black abyss for several moments.

Waiting.

Hoping.

The silence is only broken when Mantis begins to softly wail, followed by Peter finally breaking- falling to his knees and desperately shouting Rocket's name into the tunnel.

* * *

Dazed, you blink several times as you slowly move to pull yourself up. There's a tug at your sleeve, and you realize it's Rocket. He's saying something but you can't make it out over the ringing in your ears.

Assuming he's trying to tell you to keep moving, you finally manage to stand and follow him toward the light, only now feeling like you had much less energy to run than before.

Frantic voices from above let you know that your hearing was starting to return as the ringing had mostly subsided. You motion to Rocket to climb up the ladder, who wastes no time getting the heck out of the tunnel as you look back one last time to make sure nothing had followed you- just in case.

Of course, as before you could see nothing in the darkness.

Breathing a short sigh of relief that at least the tunnel wasn't compromised- well, at least beyond the explosion, you linger just a moment longer before finally climbing the ladder yourself.

You're met with the relieved cries of the others when you finally surface. Exhausted, you just sit on the edge of the tunnel opening for a moment, glancing back in the direction of your home. Or, rather, the direction of where your home had been. You'd be surprised if you would find anything more than a crater given the shock wave you experienced in the tunnel.

Still, you didn't let yourself fully rest. Not yet.

Yes, that explosion was big- huge even- but you had still seen the absurd amount of drone ships that had surrounded your home. There was just no way that explosion took them all out- could it?

Turning to Gamora from your place on the ground you ask her if she had managed to get ahold of Fury, and she nodded, stating that Fury instructed them to stay where they were and wait for his team to extract you all.

You frowned, but nodded and turned back away. For one, you didn't like the idea of staying still just in case those drone things started a search into the woods and found you all before Fury could. Secondly, you weren't confident that even Fury could take those things if they found him before he found you.

Briefly you thought to also wonder how Fury would know where to find you all out here. You start to wonder if he intended to triangulate your phone- until you remember that this kinda confirmed that it must of been him who fixed up the tunnel door in the first place. Of course he'd know where it let out.

You finally move to stand, if for no other reason than to close the tunnel so no one fell in, and you debate if you'd have time to try and walk towards your home to check how many more of those things were left.

After what felt like forever of waiting and listening to the sounds around you, now that the others had mostly quieted down, you found yourself wondering if your hearing was still compromised, or if there really was indeed a lack of "Sovereign Drone destruction" noise coming from the direction of your home.

Standing with the intent to ask the others, suddenly the door to the tunnel bursts open, throwing an unlucky Mantis, who had been standing near it, to the side like a rag doll and nearly into a tree.

Drax and Gamora run to her aid as your heart leaps into your throat.

Out of the hole emerged a badly beaten up golden drone, it's screen cracked and black. It's movements were slow and jerky, hindered by its mangled metal. It tried to speak but it's speakers were so damaged only garbled nonsense and the occasional word could be made out.

Namely, the word, "Die."

One of those drones had somehow managed to survive the explosion- the only explanation being that it had to have gotten into the tunnel just before the boiler blew.

Evidently their persistence really did know no bounds, and unfortunately, it appeared as though it's blaster still worked. A red light flickered on as it took aim at it's nearest target- Peter.

The sound of the blaster powering up whirred as Peter yelled for the rest of you to take cover- but this was immediately interrupted by two simultaneous sounds.

A whistle... and the fire of a blaster canon.

Yondu had called for his arrow, but on this rare occasion, someone else had managed to outdraw him.

Director Fury lowered his still-smoking weapon as the Sovereign Drone collapse to the ground, it's screen now shattered from the baster round. An experimental weapon from one of SHIELD's labs working in collaboration with Stark Industries and some "commandeered" alien tech- more than likely a lab who didn't yet know their experimental blaster was missing, taken by a director who didn't have time to wait for paperwork. He hands the blaster off to another agent who packs the weapon away with Maria before walking towards you.

All you can do is blink as you look between Fury, the fallen drone, and the rest of the Guardians. "Uh, thank you...?" is all you manage to say. You wanted to ask where they had come from, and how long they had been there, but you settled for just following Fury's instructions to follow him and the other agents to their cloaked vehicles in a nearby clearing.

You are all taken back to SHIELD headquarters where, after a trip to medical to make sure everyone was indeed uninjured and ok, everyone is taken to a conference room- the very same one you first met the Guardians in, to be briefed on the situation.

It's there you find out that after the stunt the Sovereign just pulled, Nova Core finally had cause to arrest their queen. Apparently red tape and all that meant they couldn't arrest for threats, but they could arrest for proven actions- those actions unfortunately being the complete and utter destruction of your home. The only other good news was that apparently these Sovereign weren't very bright- and had collectively dogpiled every single drone onto your house in some weird form of "cuddle death," like bees, right before it blew. The explosion took out every drone ship- as impossible a feat as that seemed- but then again, Rocket did say the boiler was going to make a very big boom.

Well, every drone ship aside from the one that found itself inside the closet/tunnel, anyway- but that hardly seemed an important distinction at the moment.

There was also talk about about charges against the Sovereign for acts of intergalactic war on "endangered planets" and such, but you hardly listen.

You tune in and out as you think about all the memories in your attic that were destroyed, and the fact that your family home of generations was now just... gone. In the blink of an eye- more or less. All those memories, all that work you and your family before you had done to keep up the old house- all gone.

And now the Guardians will soon be gone too. They no longer needed to be in hiding- the people after them were now going to be held accountable for their actions. Of course they would be going home- who wouldn't?

You think back to the first day the Guardians came to live with you. Remembering how bad you felt for them. How you offered up your home when you realized they were going to be separated because you couldn't bear to see it.

Then you remembered how you never actually had a choice in the matter- that it had all been part of Fury's plan because he knew that you wouldn't be able to see them in pain and turn them away. He only got lucky that the one agent that couldn't also happened to be the one with a home large enough to house them all- because he knew of the family you had lost years prior, and the empty rooms they left behind.

You remember how irritated you had felt then, how used. The anger of watching it all unfold that this had been a plan for weeks- and how while you were gone SHIELD had come in and changed your home- given it upgrades, went through your attic... had removed items- memories- of which you had shoved in there to keep them from your sight.

The pain at seeing your marriage bed again for the first time in years, now given to a stranger; followed by the horror upon seeing your daughter's crib ripped from the attic so that it may be used for a raccoon.

You hands grip the armrests of your chair, your knuckles white. Pushing aside that thought so it didn't go further, you attempt to relax and briefly tune back into the conversation. Now they were talking about the explosion. Something about it being equivalent to a 60 ton bomb, and how you and Rocket had been lucky to have gotten just outside of the thermal radius before it blew- whatever that meant. Apparently it would have been bad. Then something else about also being lucky that the blast hadn't been radioactive? Well that sounded like good news, but you didn't know bombs so you just took their word for it and went back into your thoughts.

You move toward remembering how awkward everything had been at first, especially when you sat in the kitchen with Gamora and a couple of the others. Remembered how Gamora kept apologizing, and how you made her stop by telling them that as long as they cleaned up after themselves and didn't destroy your hom-

Hm.

You'd almost laugh- they had one job, more or less. Don't destroy your home. It had never occurred to you that that rule could have ever been broken as literally as it had been.

But yet, here you were. Your home destroyed. Gone. Forever.

Because of them.

Because you just had to take them in.

Ice starts to build it's way back up around your heart as bitter thoughts creep in. You sink slightly in your chair, eyes staring blankly forward, as you realize that you have effectively lost literally everything left that mattered to you in the span of just a few hours. Your home, and now soon... your friends.

Your friends who caused your home to be blasted to smithereens. Who were also now just going to leave you behind in their wake.

You know what- Whatever. Screw them- maybe you're better off without them. You were alone before, you could handle being alone again. At least before when you were alone your home still existed. Before them you still had all your memories. Your photos.

Your children's ashes.

Yeah- you don't need them, these 'Guardians.' Look what they'd brought you? Feckin misery.

After stewing in these thoughts for a while, Fury's voice cuts through your wallowing.

"Agent? Are you here with us?"

You attempt shake the melancholic thoughts out of your head and sit up to respond. "Yeah- sorry. What?" It still came out a bit curt.

Fury frowns, only somewhat impatiently as he motions you to look at the Guardians, who apparently had been attempting to ask you a question.

Peter speaks up first, "Um, first- we uh... we want to apologize about your house... and well... everything."

You stare back at him blankly. Sorry wouldn't bring your home back. And easy of them to say sorry when they just get to take off and leave you behind.

He continued, "We uh, feel really bad about that-"

'Yeah, maybe they should,' you thought.

Drax chimes in. "So we would like to apologize for destroying your house leaving you with no home to return to."

"Drax!" Gamora scolds before attempting to give you a sympathetic glance that came out more like a grimace as Rocket backed Drax up with a 'What? It's true!' She attempts to recover, "They mean-"

She's cut off by Peter. "What we're trying to say is we'd really hate to leave it like this-"

Your eyes narrow slightly. What was he even on about? Before you can ask him to clarify, Yondu speaks up.

"What they mean is you got some fire in ya, and we could use that."

Your nostrils flare. "Oh- so everything I gave so far wasn't enough-" you thought bitterly, now they want to 'use you' for some favor? What more could they possibly want! You do all you can not to roll your eyes and will them to just get lost already. If they were going to leave, just rip the plaster off! The sooner they left the sooner you could go back to work. Bury yourself so deep in missions that you forget you ever met them.

"She can't possibly have fire inside her- people are too wet on the inside!" Drax asserts, earning an earnest nod from Mantis and a weary eye roll from Kraglin who only half-heartily tried to explain it was just an expression.

"I mean-" Peter interjects through their bickering, "would you consider joining our team?"

Wait, what?

You had been prepared to tell them to fuck off with whatever favor they were going to ask of you- but now you were wondering if you actually heard him correctly. There was no way, right?

Your eyes dart between them all, conflicting emotions playing in your chest. Were they-? Why would-? Is this just a pity offer? Who did they think they were!? You don't need their damn pity- especially after all the pain they'd caused you!

Your eyes fix on Peter skeptically and you open your mouth to answer, but Fury speaks up before you can utter a word, correctly assuming you were about to say something you might regret.

"Now that's not a half bad idea- we could use an agent working in liaison with the Guardians of the Galaxy." He nods slightly toward Peter and Gamora, and you could have almost sworn you saw him wink at them. "Of course, it's up to you, Agent..."

Peter seemed to read your mind earlier, because he quickly added, "This isn't a pity offer or anything- I mean, yeah we feel bad, but we really would like you to join us."

"We know things didn't turn out so hot," Rocket spoke up, "and that we-"

Kraglin nudged him with his boot.

Rocket rolled his eyes and looked down. "I mean, I was kinda... sorta... shitty- but you... well, you... We..."

"I think what Rocket's trying to say is that you're like part of the family." Peter finished for him. "And we want you to stick around- if you want."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Rocket muttered, crossing his arms and trying to look like he didn't give a shit.

"I am Groot!"

"And the kid says he'll miss you too much if you stay behind." Rocket still wouldn't look you in the eye, and Gamora looks at him with a wry smile over his "translation."

Words wouldn't come when you opened your mouth, feeling conflicted as the former ice in your heart start to melt away. You had been so prepared that they would just up and leave now that they no longer needed you, but now you were finding it hard to hold onto that anger.

You found new memories starting to flood in. Fonder ones.

Slipping toys to Mantis a Groot, and building a bed for Rocket. Store runs and prank wars with Peter and Kraglin. Sparing matches with the team. Watching movies and playing games together. Fun drinking nights and stories shared. Deep conversations with Yondu. The times when they had your back and covered for you with Fury. That time when they literally saved your life.

It was strange feeling, like a weight being lifted off your chest- and replaced with guilt.

They... weren't just going to leave you behind? They... they really wanted you to come with them? They considered you... family?

But what did you want?

Earth was all you'd ever known- you'd loved, and lost, and built so many memories here... how could you leave?

But also, would allowing those memories to tether you in a place where there was nothing left be chasing ghosts to a grave?

You find yourself nodding in response to Peter's proposition.

"I- yes. Yes, I think I'd like that."

Mantis and Groot happily cheer, rushing over to hug you and nearly knocking you out of your chair in the process, which causes Drax and Kraglin to laugh heartily.

"Great!" Peter responds. "We can leave by tonight- you cool with that?"

"We'd ask if you need to pack, but..."

"Rocket! Not cool!" Peter swats at the raccoon and misses, and Gamora gives Rocket a mortified glare.

"What? What did I say?"

You find yourself smiling slightly as you stood- almost surprised in how unbothered you were in that moment compared to the whirlwind of anger that flowed through you just moments before.

Well, until Maria spoke up.

"We have a bag already packed for you, Agent."

"Excuse me-?" you start whipping your head in her and Fury's direction but then thought better of it, "Actually- never mind. I don't want to know." Sometimes it was terrifying to see just how many steps ahead that man was- but you supposed maybe you should be grateful that he was so many steps ahead- in certain circumstances, of course.

Instead, you chose to just be happy in this moment, accepting claps on the shoulder from Kraglin & Peter, and allowing Yondu to pull you into a brief side hug as he welcomed you aboard the team. This was then followed by Drax grabbing you up in a big bear hug that threatened to suffocate you, and Gamora smiling and offering you handshake once he dropped you back on the floor- possibly more to steady you rather than anything more formal.

Well then, it was settled. You'd be joining the Guardians.

Were they a little dysfunctional? Yes. Maybe more than a little. Did they tend to annoy you? Again, yes. But were they also full of heart, have your back, and able to make you laugh and feel loved? Also, yes.