There was no doubt that the Guardians of the Galaxy were a family. A dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless. There were days when they would get along swimmingly, but there were others when the tight quarters and the weeks of drifting mindlessly through space wore down on their nerves. This just happened to be one of those days, supplies was running low and Thor's snoring had kept everyone up for the past few nights. While Peter and Thor were busy, or rather arguing, over navigating the ship; the others were trying to combat boredom through a hand of poker.

"So, remind me again why we're playing this dumb game?" Rocket asked.

"I believe this is meant to be fun." Mantis suggested.

Nebula sighed. "We've been on edge lately; games can help with that. "

Rocket scoffed and looked up at Nebula. "Who told you that?"

Nebula looked at Thor's back and then looked down. "A friend." She said quickly.

The loss of Tony Stark was still fresh in the hearts & minds of everyone, especially Thor. There were days when he blamed himself and chose to wallow in self-pity, causing the wound to reopen for some and cause tension. Nebula knew that was the last thing they needed at the moment.

Drax stifled a yawn. "Four of a kind."

Rocket groaned and laid his cards on the table. "Count me out. I don't give a shit anymore."

The gang looked towards Peter and Thor who seemed to be having a quiet argument.

"What a surprise: they're at it again." Drax said.

Rocket leaned forward. "I'm sick of listening to this pissing contest. It's been two months since everything went down, and we still don't have a clue where we're going." He said quietly.

"I don't believe that they know either." Mantis said.

"I know one thing: if this doesn't stop, I'm going AWOL."

"We're all frustrated, Rocket, but getting mad at Quill and Thor won't get us anywhere. They're just as upset."Nebula said.

"Oh, should we all just sit and hold hands and sing songs about putting on happy faces? When did you start to care about everybody else's feelings, Neb?"

"Maybe it was after I lost my sister for the second time!" Nebula shouted.

Everyone, including Peter and Thor, turned to Nebula in a stunned silence. Nebula stormed off.

"Oh boy." Rocket ran a paw down his face.

"I'll talk to her." Peter said

Peter left and found Nebula sitting in her quarters, looking down at her hands.

"He didn't mean anything by it."

Nebula sighed and leaned back. "I know he didn't. I shouldn't have lost it with him."

Peter sat down next to Nebula. "Losing Stark and having Gamora go missing all on the same day is a tough pill to swallow. Nothing we can do about Tony, but there is something we can do about Gamora."

"Search the entire galaxy until we find her?" Nebula asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"What do you think I've been doing this entire time?"

Nebula turned to Peter. "Are you serious? For two months, we've been thinking about how and when our next job is going to be, and you've been deliberately drifting us through the galaxy for a lost cause?"

"Is that what you think it is?"

"I know it is. Before we left New Asgaard, we did all we possibly could. We searched my memories for any clues and asked Danvers to scour the area. Nothing. Not a trace."

"Listen, I know we did all that, but I was thinking that maybe Gamora doesn't want to be found."

Nebula rolled her eyes. "Obviously."

"Not just by us, but by everyone. Now, you said before she disappeared that you told her that she had a price on her head."

"She had the right to know."

"Not saying she didn't, but what if learning what Thanos had done and then hearing she was a fugitive was enough to make her paranoid to the point of not wanting to be found; even by complete strangers."

"That's why you've taken us so far out. There are several planets that are practically deserted-"

"And she may be on one of them, or one of the few civilians out here may have seen her."

"Even if this was true. We have to tell the others."

"No! I'm only telling you because you're her sister and I finally realized you have the right to know this."

"Glad you finally came to your senses."

"This is our secret. If the others knew, they'd want to turn the ship around and give up the search."

"We're not the only two who care about Gamora, Quill. They just might be willing to help."

"If they aren't? Are you willing to risk never finding her?" Peter asked.

Nebula seemed to ponder for a moment and then offered her hand to Quill to shake. "Fine. It's our secret." She said.