Author's Note:

To the people who read the beginning of my first ever fanfiction, I'm sorry I've been absent for years.

The source of my absence was a negative review - crazy, right? I retreated into a shell of sorts and decided not to publish my writing again, returning to writing privately.

I'm sure many can understand this. My thinking was, if people didn't like my material, why should I continue to put it out there if it annoys people? Give them a break, I thought.

However, I was favourited by a few people. I even got a few requests to contribute more. This positive feedback gave me hope; some people do like what I'm creating. So I am now FINALLY returning to see if the next instalment in Some Unspoken Feeling goes down well with those interested in the ideas of an Ambitious English Student!

Again - I apologise to you all for letting one negative review stop me until now. It was a silly reaction to have. I'll be posting as regularly as I can get pen to paper (so to speak) and can offer complete chapters.

I hope this next chapter is to your liking!

AmbitiousEnglishStudent


Gamora was livid to say the least. That damned raccoon had gone too far this time. Recording someone talking during a nightmare and showing it to everyone? Really? How evil can a little beast be?

"Where has he put that tape?!" she growled through gritted teeth as she ripped at the seats of the Milano's cockpit, searching for any open seams in which the little brat could have slipped the small plastic sound recorder. This could take ages, she glowered, given the intricacy of Rocket's plans for uproar. It could be anywhere!

After Drax had shuffled off in search of Rocket to presumably ask the raccoon to man up – metaphorically – and apologise to Peter given the magnitude of the damage caused by his mischief, the Star-Lord calmed down and anxiously pondered the walk to his shadowy bunk knowing that there was a destroyed part of his memory waiting for him. He ruminated on what Rocket had said about the damage being minimal, wondering whether he was catastrophising and had overreacted earlier. Either way, what had happened had happened and Rocket was going to make sure he didn't pass Peter in the corridors for a long while yet. Peter cursed himself when he thought of how he had terrified the poor baby Groot with his yelling, and had been prepared to end one of his teammates so readily when presented with the threat of losing something so important to him again.

I am mad, he thought. I almost murdered Rocket. How could I live with that had Drax failed to stop me? He put his head in his hands despairingly at the thought. Rocket has stuck by us during our missions when death has looked him in the eye and money has formed no part of the end goal. How could I have been so out of control today? Then a thought crossed his mind that made his blood run cold.

Am I like my father?

Before he could entertain the idea any further, Gamora breezed into the room and halted with a gasp as she regarded the burn marks marring the ceiling, floor and all four walls. Turning to face Peter with eyes wide, she exclaimed:

"What in the Galaxy happened in here?"

Peter smiled weakly and replied, "Can't you guess? Rocket" before scoffing and hanging his head. Not even the presence of the woman he felt most connected to could uplift him now he was just waiting to discover that he would never hear the likes of Mr. Blue Sky again.

"He played a cruel trick on you too?" Gamora asked as she approached Peter with grave concern, inferring that it was an unforgivable trick by the looks of the room. Peter motioned in a way that resembled a tiny nod, and Gamora squatted before him so she could meet the crushed man's eyes. He raised his head and they gazed into one another's souls. Gamora was overcome by a need to comfort this man who had just lost two father figures and had been recklessly hurt yet again.

After a few moments, she reached out and took one of Peter's hands in both of hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She was careful not to grasp too tightly as she had enhanced strength and could easily crush bone, but Peter wouldn't have felt it if she had. He was enveloped in the warmth of her touch and the kindness of her gesture; it took him over and transported him to the farthest reaches of the Galaxy. He closed his eyes.

"Tell me what he did and we'll work through it together," she whispered, her earlier wrath ebbing away as she used her energy to coax her comrade back to the here and now. "We have no calling, no mission to attend to at the moment. The Galaxy can wait awhile, if it's duty holding you back" she continued kindly. Their faces were inches apart, and Peter could feel her gentle breaths. He reopened his eyes to focus on her.

He had only been this close to her twice before, firstly when they had shared a listening of his other tape and been caught up in a romantic song, and secondly when he had saved her life after her ship had exploded upon impact with a rogue necro-blast during their first mission. Peter felt the invisible gravity between them intensify once more in this moment. Gamora smiled. Wanting to shield her from the terrible truth of Rocket's devilry against him and keep her smile alive, he said:

"I think he's planted something unpleasant in my room, which I could just do without at the minute. I was in the middle of talking to Drax about something important too when he barrelled in laughing like a maniac and not caring whose conversation he upset. It just pissed me off" he admitted, without wholly confessing why he was truly upset. He felt Gamora negligibly stiffen and her eyes fell from his to the floor. "What is it?" he implored. She seemed to clear her throat nervously before speaking.

"If you don't mind, I think I know what he's planted in there. You see, the trick he played on me was to record me having a nightmare and show it to you all." Peter was enraged! How could Rocket possibly find someone in such a defenceless state entertaining? He stood up immediately with balled fists. Gamora was startled by his sudden burst of energy.

"I am going to search this ship" he snarled in the direction of the door, "And if I find a mere whiff of a raccoon in any of MY quarters, I will ensure that it never again sees the light of day."

"Peter!" Gamora gasped, grabbing his shoulders and forcing him to turn to her, "No! You can't. He was just being stupid. As long as the tape is destroyed or taped over, I don't mind! Has Rocket not showed it to you yet then? If not, I'm fine!" Peter was shaking, but he looked into Gamora's eyes and allowed her to calm him. "We. Are fine." She asserted, softening her grip on his shoulders slightly. Then, she rested her forehead against his, causing the Star-Lord's breath to hitch in weakness. "Let's head to your bunk and get this over with" she whispered, and Peter could not refuse the support of this wonderful intergalactic being.

In Peter's bunk, Rocket was desperately trying to undo the damage he had caused - a mammoth task for someone not from Earth and thus unfamiliar with its gadgets. But still, he was talented with technology and was determined to show Peter that he had honestly done no harm to his precious tape. He didn't even know that the damn tape in the recorder was his most precious one when he'd started recording!

"I am Groot" stammered the little tree trunk that sat on the bed, watching Rocket and then the door, which he clearly expected to open at any point with a raging Peter behind it.

"He's not coming, buddy, don't worry" replied Rocket, "and I'm sure he didn't mean to shout earlier. Pals just misunderstand each other sometimes…" his voice cracked as he realised how much of an idiot he had been trying to get the loss of Yondu out of his head. "I've been a jerk" he sighed.

"I am Groot" said the baby, slowly approaching and stroking the raccoon's soft fur. Rocket growled and cursed himself as he struggled with the Terran object, but after what seemed like eons he finally accepted that there was no way he could re-tape the lost songs on his friends cassette. Unless…

No way.

YES WAY.

"Quill will love me for this once he's gotten over the temporary chaos my plan'll cause!" He exclaimed excitedly as he raced towards the door and flung it open, cassette in paw.

Drax met him at the doorway, blocking his path.

"Where are you going with Quill's mixtape?" he demanded, his eyes hard.

"Can't tell, won't tell, Big Man!" he said cheerfully.

"I will not let you hurt Quill any more. It isn't fair to not let us know what you're doing with his most precious possession, Rocket Raccoon." Rocket's mood was dampened. Groot whimpered at his feet.

"All right," Rocket's tone changed from cocky to sly. "Tell me where Peter is and I'll explain exactly what I plan to do with this here mixtape. Deal?"

"Are you stupid, Raccoon?!" bellowed Drax, "If Quill sees you with that object he will try to kill you again knowing what you have done!"

"Oh, I give up!" growled Rocket, shoving past Drax's monstrous calf and making a break for it. Groot cried and Drax scooped him up, leaving the raccoon to put himself in danger if he wished. He had tried, and at least baby Groot was safe.

Gamora and Peter walked down the corridor at the same pace, thinking about anything but the potential horror they were about to experience. They met each other's eyes occasionally and half-smiled, glad that despite the uncomfortable situation, they were in it together. Gamora knew she would be embarrassed by whatever was caught on tape, but being a determined woman, she was prepared to attack it head-on and dispel the feeling of embarrassment after the recording was over. Peter was just worried that all of the precious music that his late mother had compiled for him would be lost forever because of some mischievous raccoon. Having been genetically manipulated on Halfworld must have left him that way, thought Peter, but surely there's enough decency in him to consider the impact of his reckless actions on his loyal friends?

They reached the doorway of Peter's bunk, and his eyebrows drew together in a glower of fury.

"What the hell has he done!" he snarled, bursting into the room - which was dishevelled more than usual. He dived for the pillow that Rocket claimed to have planted the cassette under, but the object was gone. "ROCKET!" He roared.

Just then, Drax appeared at the doorway like a shadow. Gamora regarded him tolerantly, knowing that he knew something as the Groot was sitting in his right palm. The little tree trunk was never away from his best friend, so Gamora had a good idea that Rocket had fled and tried to keep the little one safe. She let Peter do the interrogating.

"Where is he?" came the rasping voice. "I WANT MY MIXTAPE BACK!"

Before Drax could respond, the whole team was thrown off its feet as the Milano performed a huge barrel roll out of nowhere. Baby Groot screamed as he was jolted from Drax's palm, and everything seemed to move in slow motion as he watched the ground speed towards him through his tiny eyes.

Gamora grunted as she swooped in and clasped the defenceless trunk to her chest, inches from the ground. The team crashed to the floor and groaned, but they were more startled than hurt. Suddenly, the tannoy crackled into life:

"Sorry about that unplanned manoeuvre, adrenaline junkies" it was of course Rocket's voice. "Just gettin' used to the controls again. This is your pilot speaking. Tonight's mission is headed for the planet Earth!" The Guardians looked at one another in disbelief. Peter was becoming more and more livid by the nanosecond. First his last present from his late mother, now his most valuable asset, the M-ship he had possessed since he was ten years old. He thrusted himself up onto his feet and prepared to find Rocket and teach him a lesson in respect. Drax leaped for him and was beginning to talk Quill down when Rocket continued, "Yes, we have an unexpected flight plan, and we're gonna have to make a few jumps to get there, but it's all for a good cause. It's a trip in the name of the legendary Star-Lord!" Peter felt immensely confused but took a few deep breaths to bring himself back into a sane mental state. Drax felt confident enough to release his grip.

"What in the Galaxy is he thinking?" Gamora panted, standing up to join the rest of the Guardians.

"I don't know for certain, but I think it might be a raccoon's strange way of apologising" Drax said, executing a perfected wink in Peter's direction.