"Why were you following us?" Gamora's black and red tresses whipped around to face L'Wit.

They had just returned to the Quadrant, leaving Xandar in their new ship that Peter unsurprisingly named, the "Benatar". Even though they were able to salvage their belongings that survived the crash and the Ravangers, the ship was irreparable.

L'Wit's golden eyes flickered up to the brown in front of her. "The refugees followed me-" She started out, rage firing in her eyes. "Looked at me as their leader. They even started to call me 'Princess'." The young woman took a breath and dug out the ring that used to hang around her neck by a chain. "Seven years and the damn Badoon Royale still won't give me a break. They found us and we were outnumbered.

"Drouug, their general...he threatened us- Told me that if I didn't claim my throne as the princess, they would annihilate every single citizen who followed me. Their deaths would be merciless and painful. And as much as I hated my ancestors, I had to protect those innocent people. I agreed to go with them, but the civilians started a rebellion. They went against my orders to stay with Klaxon...I told them to look at him for leadership...he knocked me unconscious and I was thrown in a pod, launched into space.

"When I woke up...I flew back, hoping that maybe, just maybe, the Badoon left them alone." A tear escaped from L'Wit's eye as she took a deep breath. "I got out of my pod and...there were no survivors. Klaxon was alive, but barely. I ran over to him and tried to save him, but he shook his head and told me it was too late. He died in my arms, Gamora."

The warrior eyed L'Wit in remorse, her brown eyes welling up. "L'Wit, I-"

"Don't." The princess interrupted, adjusting her long, off-white scarf. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and let out a sniffle. "I wasn't following you for pity." Gamora blinked at the young woman's snap. For the small time she knew L'Wit, she never thought the Badoon would have such a cold side to her. "I was following you because I need your help. I wasn't just going to sit there and grieve over those men, women and children who lost their lives, protecting me. I want to avenge them. Kill every last one of those damn soldiers who took part in killing them. I want to make sure they don't touch another innocent soul ever again.

"I began hunting them down, one by one. They split up in several groups, searching for me. They had no clue that I was also looking for them. Over the past few months, I was able to find data on their whereabouts. A few weeks ago, I found one of the groups and before killing the last soldier, I interrogated him. He told me that the Badoon had restored their alliance with Thanos. He also informed me that one of Thanos' hideouts had been mostly abandoned- Said there was...a data-base with everything Thanos had information on, including his alliance with the Badoon. Thanos is apparently looking for something."

"What is he looking for?" Drax asked in his deep roar.

"I'm not sure. The soldier died before he could answer."

"Where are you going with this, L'Wit?" Gamora questioned, a slight warning in her voice.

"I snuck into the hideout. I was able to reach the data-base and I found files on the Badoon. I tried to encrypt them, but I didn't get very far. My cover was blown and some of the guards started to attack me. I should've brought a data-chip and copied the files onto it...what I'm trying to say is...you know Thanos better than anyone. Maybe between you and your team, you could help me?" The look on Gamora's face let L'Wit know that she wasn't going to help her. "Gamora, there's something else you should know before you answer-" Her dark tone faded and became more soft. "It was the same lab you were experimented on."

The emerald-skinned woman opened her mouth to say something, but Peter interrupted, "How do you know that?" The half-Terran glared at the woman suspiciously, puffing out his chest as if to intimidate her. Gamora placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. His stiff posture relaxed when Gamora gazed into his eyes, letting him know that she wasn't a threat.

"There were files on you, too. I was curious and I was able to encrypt a small portion of your file. That's how I found out. I know it's a lot to ask, but I really need your help."

Gamora thought about it, turning her head towards Maia, who was sitting in one of the passenger seats, fiddling with Peter's Zune. She was alone and that was the way she wanted it to be. Groot had offered to play with her several times, but she declined, making Groot wonder what he did to upset her. Of course he didn't do anything, but he didn't know that. The poor child was already going through so much with the aftermath of Ego. She wasn't the same girl she used to be. Gamora remembered Maia's personality before the battle with Ego. The petite girl was bubbly. Playful. Happy. Now, she was in a bubble, filled with anxiety and fear. Sure, she had her moments where her old self came out, but it was very rare. She didn't dance or sing, anymore. When Peter would try to get her to sing, calling her his Rockin' Robin, she told him to stop because didn't want to sing anymore. She told him she never would, ever again.

They all worried about her. Even Mantis and Kraglin, despite only knowing her for a short week. Gamora worried about her most, constantly asking Peter if she would ever be the same again. What worried her most, is when Peter didn't answer at all.

"I'm sorry, L'Wit." The older woman said, focusing her attention back to her. "I can't. It's-it's too dangerous." L'Wit nodded, understanding why she declined to help. Gamora sighed, feeling a bit guilty for having to say no. "But, we do have a spare cabin. It's yours if you want to stay for awhile."

"Thank you." The pale woman met Gamora's brown eyes and smiled softly. "I guess a small break wouldn't hurt. It'd be nice to catch up."


Yondu's old bed was more comfortable than Peter imagined. Being a filthy, space pirate, he always thought that the blue Centaurian was like the rest of the Ravengers, sleeping in creaky, hard mattresses. Maybe, it wasn't the bed, though. Maybe, it was the woman curled up in his chest that made it so comfortable. It was getting late in space-time and everyone was getting ready to hit the hay. After getting Maia and Groot settled in bed, both, Peter and Gamora, had decided to take a look at what information Nova Prime was able to dig up about Maia's heritage.

With the lights out, Peter wrapped his arm around Gamora, grabbing onto the other side of the data-pad he was holding. The emerald-skinned woman was tucked into his side with her head on his chest and and a hand resting on his abdomen. He placed the data-chip into the device as they both watched the transparent, blue-tinted screen load the files from it.

Various documents popped up as Peter tapped them. They both studied the first, carefully:

Name: Quill, Maia

Current Age: 5 Earth Years

Date of Birth: 8/4/2009

Place of Birth: Unknown

Height: 145 Microbules Weight: 263 Grets

Species: Terran, Celestial, Unknown Maternal Heritage

Eye Color: Hazel Hair Color: Black/Purple

Skin Tone: Ivory Prominent Features: N/A

He tapped the screen again, revealing a second document:

Medical History:

Medications: N/A

Allergies: Pollen, Yarpes

Mental/Physical Illnesses: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Previous Critical Injuries: Fractured Arm (Left), Various Stab Wounds, Minor Concussion, Minor Burns

Peter tapped the screen one more time, only to find the documents had come to an end. He turned off the data-pad and tossed it to the foot of the bed. Sighing, he looked down at Gamora. "Well, we know not to feed her anything with yarpes in it."

"Peter," Gamora started softly, rubbing her hand across his abdomen.

"I thought they would've found more than this." The ex-Ravenger breathed, slightly tightening his grip on her.

"Can you think of anyone at all who could possibly be her mother?"

Peter stiffened a little in embarrassment. He was ashamed of all the women he had one-night stands with. It especially sent chills down his spine when he discussed it with Gamora. "No." He choked out.

The woman tilted her head up, only to see his embarrassment. She placed a hand on his cheek. "The past is in the past, Peter. Remember what you told me?"

A slight smile jumped onto Peter's lips as he spoke, "It doesn't matter who we were, then. What matters is who we are, now."

"Exactly. I'm not saying what you did was right, but what matters is you're not that person anymore."

A moment of silence passed after Peter nodded in agreement. He began thumbing her arm as they both stared off into space. "Why aren't you gonna help L'Wit?"

"I want to, but...Maia." Gamora shook her head as if it would make the words come out easier. "Peter, we can't. I can't. Maia is still processing everything that happened with...we can't. There's also the fact that she wants us to go into Thanos' territory. Do you know how dangerous that is?"

The half-Terran kissed the top of her head, feeling her body relax under his arm. "I know, but L'Wit said it was abandoned-"

"Mostly abandoned." The woman corrected.

"Whatever. The point is, Thanos isn't there anymore. We'll bring a data-chip, upload the info on there and leave. Mantis can watch over Maia and Groot while we're gone. We'll be fine...they'll be fine, I promise."

Gamora sighed, rethinking her decision. "Fine." She agreed hesitantly, nuzzling a bit further into Peter's chest. "Is it selfish that I want to go to find out what information Thanos still has on me?" She felt the man shake his head above her.

"Nah. Listen, Gamora, you deserve to know whatever is on that data-base about you. Don't feel selfish for wanting to know that." A few minutes passed before a question, lingering in his mind, finally slipped out, "Why didn't you ever tell me about L'Wit before?" He felt Gamora shrugging slightly.

"I don't know." She sighed. "I guess I haven't really thought about her that much until today."


The room she was given on the Quadrant was finally personalized with the belongings she had left on the Milano. Her adoptive mother had just tucked her into bed for the night, but she couldn't sleep. Partially, because of the fact that she felt guilty for attacking L'Wit. Mostly, because of the events that happened on Ego.

Hoping that apologizing to L'Wit would help her sleep easier, Maia slipped out of her old, purple comforter, setting her bare feet on the cold floor. She grabbed Teeka by her leg and crept over to the young woman's temporary cabin.

Peeking her head through the doorway, Maia saw the rebellious princess sitting on her bed with her legs tangled like a pretzel. She was so focused on reading something on her data-pad that she didn't notice the girl in her doorway. Maia knocked softly on the wall, walking further into the doorway with her head hung low.

L'Wit turned her data-pad off and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Maia?" She set the device aside, turning towards the small child. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I'm-I'm sorry for attacking you earlier."

"Don't be sorry, Maia," The woman said gently. "I understand why you did. You were trying to protect your family." Maia stood there awkwardly before she began to leave. "Hey," The young girl stopped, turning back around to face L'Wit. She patted the bed next to her. "Come here."

She watched as the partially black-haired child hesitantly approached her. Gamora had told her of the events on Ego and how it affected the young girl. She saw how the broken child affected Gamora. For some odd reason, L'Wit was determined to fix both of them and she was starting with Maia. She smiled softly as the girl sat down next to her.

"Gamora told me you love to sing-"

"I used to." Maia interrupted.

"Why don't you sing anymore? Gamora said you had a beautiful voice."

The child shrugged. "I just don't like to anymore."

L'Wit twisted her face to the side before standing up. She picked up the data-pad next to her and started playing an upbeat foreign tune. "Your dad said you love to dance."

"Not anymore."

The woman smirked, pulling the girl onto her feet. "Well, I want to learn how to dance...you think you could teach me a few moves?" Maia thought about it for a moment before smirking back and accepting L'Wit's request.