BEFORE AND AFTER

Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. I got bored and decided to play with them.

CHAPTER ONE

Some months before the events in Guardians of the Galaxy

Peter hated being alone. He especially hated being alone and wounded. But that was what he got for flying to a remote outpost for Yondu to help close a deal. The deal had ended up being a double-cross, which wasn't that much of a surprise considering Yondu and the people he associated with. Unfortunately, during his very narrow escape, Quill had been shot. The good news (if there could be any good news when you were shot) was that the wound cut cleanly through the muscle of his left shoulder and there was no damage to the joint or bone. The bad news was it hurt like hell, blood was running down his chest and back, he was a three day flight from anywhere, and he was alone. And had he mentioned it hurt like hell?

After setting the Milano on autopilot, Peter staggered towards the bathroom, picking up his med kit and leaving a trail of blood along the way.

Taking off his shirt awakened an even angrier inferno of agony in Quill's shoulder. He paused to catch his breath before trying to clean the entry and exit wounds, which wasn't easy one-handed. Bandaging them proved to be even harder. Somehow with one hand, his teeth, and some luck, Peter managed to knot a bandage that mostly covered both wounds.

Of all the times to be alone.

Quill rarely lacked for female companions and he wished one was on board the Milano now. While a few had inflicted wounds and pain, most were quick to provide sympathy and gentle care. But there was no use dwelling on what he didn't have.

With a groan, Peter took an unsteady step. When his knees almost buckled, he caught himself on the edge of the sink, a movement that sent a fresh jolt of pain into his wounded shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he managed to stand straight. Quill blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to clear the fog and dark spots from his vision. He just needed to get to his bed and rest.

Peter took a shaky step straight into darkness. He was unconscious before he hit the floor.

Pain prodded Quill awake. His shoulder was on fire and he wished the merciful darkness of oblivion would take him back. When it didn't, he forced his eyes open. He blinked a few times in confusion. It took a moment to sort out where he was.

Peter was laying in the doorway of the bathroom, his cheek pressed against the cold metal floor. Strangely, his first thought was that he really needed to clean his ship. From his current position, he could see the floor was grimy. But right now his priority was getting to his bed.

Summoning strength he didn't know he had, Quill pushed himself to his knees, then finally to his feet. Clutching his shoulder against the pain, he stumbled to his bunk and fell into the bed. Peter closed his eyes, but sleep would not come. His shoulder throbbed with every heartbeat and it felt like it was bleeding again. His movements were clumsy, but Quill managed to tighten the bandage in an effort to stop the blood flow. When he was finished, he sank against his pillows with a groan. He could feel the strange combination of heat and chills of a fever.

Quill really didn't want to die. Especially alone in the vastness of space.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

Quill opened his eyes at the sound of the autopilot alert. A faint expression of relief crossed his face. After three long, pain and fever-filled days alone, he was finally getting somewhere.

Peter swayed slightly on his feet after he forced himself out of his bed. He waited for the dizziness to subside before trying to move again. Knowing it would be impossible to pull on a shirt when the slightest movement of his left shoulder was torture, he didn't bother trying. Quill barely made it a few shaky steps from his bunk before he heard Yondu stomping through the Milano. He tried to stand a little taller when the Ravager captain appeared with Kraglin at his side and a few men behind him.

"Where are my things, boy?" Yondu demanded, completely ignoring the bloody bandage tied around Quill's left shoulder.

"I couldn't get them," Peter replied. "In case you didn't notice…"

"What do you mean, you couldn't get them?" Yondu interrupted. "I trusted you with this!"

"It was a double cross. They almost killed me!"

The captain looked thoughtful. "How many were there?"

"Um… Ten… Twelve… Not more than twelve."

"How many you get?"

"Definitely three, maybe four. I think I hurt a few, too."

Yondu actually looked somewhat impressed. "Not bad for being alone. We'll think of a way to get the rest. People gotta know not to cross Ravagers." For the first time, he seemed to notice Quill's wounded shoulder and weary expression. "How bad you hurt, boy?"

"I got shot three days ago. I passed out for a while."

Yondu's expression softened slightly. "Get some rest."

It wasn't much, but it was more sympathy than Peter expected from Yondu.

Author's note: I do most of my writing during summer fieldwork. I tend to work in remote areas where there's no radio, no television, no phone reception or internet. Usually I have a satphone for emergencies. (Unless I deep six it in a big lake while fishing. Ooops!) Anyway, my typical evening entertainment is writing. Usually I work on my latest novel, but I watched Guardians of the Galaxy right before starting fieldwork this summer and this was the result.

I hope you enjoy it. If you get a chance, please leave a review.