HELLO! So sorry for the long break between stories, I've been getting lots of writing done ahead of time on this new one so I can update faster! This is a story that includes the Guardians of the Galaxy! I loved the movie so much and I thought that a big mega-crossover would be really fun to write!

This first part doesn't include them yet-sorry!- I just want to keep y'all on the edge of your seats! Please read and review! Love y'all!

Screams and Explosions rocked the city and my eardrums alike; so loud I couldn't find my own thoughts in the cacophony of noise. I was helpless. On the ground, with rubble on top of my legs. I was pretty sure one of them was broken. Another explosion boomed right next to me. I screamed and covered my ears, only to remove my hands covered in blood with a piercing ringing resonating through my skull.

Of all of my near death experiences, this was the first time I knew I wouldn't survive. Even though I had technically died once, this was completely different. They were with me until the very end last time, when I passed on. Now, I was trapped under concrete, surrounded by fire, and my family was nowhere in sight. Not that I could see very well with all the black clouds of smoke. How everything had come to this, how all of my experiences had led me here to die a lonely and painful death. It was crushing. It was cruel. I don't deserve to die so soon. I just turned eighteen for crying out loud.

My last year and a half had definitely been the best of my life though. Tears streamed down my face, running through the ash and dust that coated my skin.

I couldn't bear to think of them now. Not like this. I couldn't stop the memories from flooding my brain, however. Their faces. Their laughter. Their love. I began to sob as another explosion rocked the ground beneath me. My heart ached far more than my body. I covered my face with my bloodied hands and wailed animalistic howls from the depths of my soul. Sounds dramatic, but I think I earned it.

It had been a mistake to assume I would live with the Avengers forever. I had envisioned them at my graduation from high school and college, my wedding, the birth of my children. I childishly believed that we would always be roommates, that my growing up wouldn't get in the way of our family. They would always be there to save the world, and I would always be there to tag along and make them breakfast the next day. They were a part of me, of my very being.

I already had the rug pulled out from under me twice, but this one felt like a knife in the heart. I shouldn't have been so naive, but this time hurt more for some reason. Maybe it was because I wasn't just tagging along this time. I wasn't just helping the paramedics and evacuating the citizens. I was saving the world too. I had become a superhero in my own right, and was fighting along with the best of them. I snapped my fingers, but sparks didn't come alive in my hands. Tendrils of electricity didn't dance along my fingers. I was undeniably spent; my abilities had left me when I needed them most.

I turned my head slightly to see a giant ball of fire and rubble heading right for me. At least I'll go out with a bang, pun intended. A final tear slid down my cheek. This is it. I closed my eyes, and stoically awaited for my demise.

"Goodbye."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOUUUUUUU!" they finished, and I closed my eyes.

"Make a wish!" Steve said.

"You should wish for a Lamborghini. Or a private jet!" Clint suggested and promptly received a smack on the back of the head, courtesy of the Black Widow.

"It's her birthday..." she said.

I was squeezing my eyes as tight as they would go. This was a very important birthday. It's not everyday you turn eighteen years old. I wish...I wish...

I wish to stay here forever. I wish for my life to always be like this.

I blew out the candles-all in one go, I might add. There was applause and hugs as Pepper cut into my giant yellow-frosted strawberry cake.

I laughed as Tony and Thor fought over the last corner piece. I flicked some frosting at Bruce. It landed on his glasses. He slowly turned to me and then wiped a giant glob on my forehead. We were stopped before we could go any further by Steve.

"Why do ya always gotta be the adult around here?" I whined, and stabbed my cake with my fork.

"Somebody's gotta do it. Besides, a captain has to keep his soldiers in line..." Steve replied, a smirk on his face.

"You're not the boss of me!" Tony exclaimed and catapulted a chunk of cake at Steve's head. It landed in his hair. Clint and Thor cheered. Tony began to reload.

With reflexes I didn't know I had, I ran over and popped his cake chunk into my mouth. Tony stared at me with wide, scared eyes. Natasha cracked up. "Look. We aren't using my birthday cake as ammo. It tastes too heavenly. Besides, we have confetti eggs. Deal?" I asked.

"Fine." Tony grumbled, but with laughter in his eyes.

I sat down again at the other end of the table and resumed eating my cake.

"What did you wish for, Beth?" Thor asked.

"If I tell you, it might not come true, and I can't risk that. Sorry, dude." I replied with a shake of my head.

"Midgardians have such strange birthday customs..." Thor mused. "I shall never tire of learning of your culture." he replied.

"How do Asgardians celebrate birthdays?" Natasha asked.

Thor set down his fork and furrowed his brows in thought. "Well. For the royal family, a large feast and dance would be held in the palace, and the whole kingdom would attend. For common folk, it is customary to hold smaller celebration in the home and invite loved ones. Very similar to your traditions, I suppose." he explained. "May I have more cake? It is quite delicious." he asked and held his plate out.

I chuckled. "Of course big guy." I served him another slice and we chatted over cake and lemonade for another hour.

I wouldn't wish it any other way.