Disclaimer: I do not own 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.


"Man, it's hot in here."

Carlin didn't look up from her drink, a clear, emerald green liquid that gave you a colorful buzz. She was not in the mood for talking or going home with anyone. All day long she'd patrolled the city, but her guy was no where to be found. It left her wearied and cranky, and all she wanted to do was get drunk and go to sleep.

"A Rainbow Kicker, huh?" the male stranger pointed out her drink. "Those are brutal."

"I know." she deadpanned, still keeping her gaze focused on the drink in her hands.

"You look down and out." he was inching closer, she could feel.

"Look," she whipped around towards him. "I'm really not in the mood okay? If you're looking for a quick fix, you may want to move on to the next girl."

The Xandarian man flinched, eyes wide. Grumbling under his breath, he got off the stool and walked away, wounded. Carlin shook her head and gulped down the rest of her Rainbow Kicker, then knocked it in on the bar top to get the bartender's attention. The purple-skinned man refilled her glass, then rushed down the line to help another patron. She sipped at it, set it down and fanned herself with her hand. It was getting warm in here, she had to admit. She peeked back over her shoulder at the large and spacious tavern. It was filled with people, laughing, chatting, bickering and holding meetings. Though it was late, she let her eyes rove over the scene, hoping to spot her man. Apparently he was Kree, so he should have been easy to find, given the fact there were not many of his species living on Xandar.

As she looked, her eyes fell on a familiar figure sitting amongst crowd, head above the rest. It was the sweet tree man from this morning, Groot. Her hand drifted absentmindedly to the part of her vest where the flower he'd given her was tucked away and a smile tugged at her lips. After a moment of staring, she saw him stand and begin weaving through the maze of tables, heading straight for the bar where she was located. Carlin hurried and turned back to her drink, hunching over it, trying her best not to be seen.

"I am Groot?"

She failed miserably.

Pretending to be surprised, she snapped her head around towards the sound of his deep voice, putting on a toothy smile.

"We meet again, Big Guy," she winked, then laughed a little. "How are you, Groot?"

Groot just smiled and took the seat that had been vacated by the Xandarian man she had rejected and replied in a happy manner.

"I am Groot."

Carlin's smile faltered. She hesitated, then said. "You've already told me your name, Sweetheart. Quite a few times in fact."

Groot's cheerful demeanor fell and he almost looked embarassed. Carlin felt terrible. She had not stopped to consider that perhaps he could not communicate well. He was very exotic after all.

"Hey! That was rude of me," she reached out to touch his arm. "I'm sorry. If you don't mind me asking, Groot, is that all you can say?"

He nodded once.

"Well, forgive me for being an ignorant bitch." she reprimanded herself, giving him a compassionate look.

"I am Groot." he patted her back gently.

Her smile returned, taking another sip from her glass. "So, where's your pal?"

Groot nodded his head in the direction of the tables.

"He sent you up here to get some drinks, huh?"

He gave a nod, rolling his brown eyes dramatically.

Carlin laughed. "Do you drink?"

Again he nodded, rather vigorously too.

"Really?" she cocked her head, a curtain of blonde bangs falling into her eyes. "You don't strike me as that kind of person. I'd have thought you would be big on water."

"I am Groot."

"Well, don't let me stop you," she motioned to the bar with her arm outstretched. "Get wasted, my friend."

Groot made a low, guttural thumping sound, that seemed to come from the depths of his wooden chest and Carlin guessed that he was chuckling. He waved down the bartender, who came hustling over, panting and sweaty.

"What can I get ya?" he looked Groot over, momentarily struck by the tree creature.

"I am Groot. I am Groot." he ordered casually.

"Nice to meet cha, now what can I get you... sir?"

"I am Groot." Groot repeated.

"Look, buddy, I ain't got all night. Make an order and I'll see to it." the bartender was getting annoyed.

Before Groot could say something more and further piss the purple man off, Carlin stepped in.

"He would like two of these." she pointed down at her glass. "You can put it on my tab."

"You got it."

As the bartender went to make up the emerald drinks, Carlin turned to Groot, who was staring at her intently.

"So he sends you up here to order, knowing that you can barely talk, and expects everything to go well?" she was miffed by this.

Groot shrugged. "I am Groot."

Carlin didn't know exactly what he meant by that, but she assumed he was making up some sort of excuse for his friend's bad decision.

"Alright, two Rainbow Kickers," the bartender came back, sliding the green drinks across the countertop to Groot. He looked at Carlin then. "That'll be ten units."

The woman rummaged in her vest's pockets for a few seconds, then pulled out the exact amount and dropped it in his palm. Groot stood and grabbed the drinks, looking over and down at Carlin with an appreciative expression.

"I am Groot!"

Carlin smiled, nodding. "You're very welcome. Maybe I'll see you again sometime?"

Groot beamed, then, just as she'd done at the start of their meeting, provided her with a playful wink. This earned him a giggle from the female bounty hunter. He then returned to his table with the drinks for his raccoon companion, leaving Carlin rather lonely with her nearly finished glass of Rainbow Kicker.