**PLEASE READ THIS AUTHOR'S NOTE BEFORE PROCEDING ANY FURTHER..

This chapter is very short but it needs to be put out before my next very long chapter. As to the bold annoyance above, I have said from the get go that this story would eventually change from 'T' to 'M' at some point. Well, that time has come. This is the last chapter I can post before changing the rating. The rest of the story has mature adult themes that are not everyone's cup of tea and I want to warn people. I know going into this that I will lose readers but this is how I wanted Dani and Peter's story to progress. If you don't mind mature themes, then please continue reading future chapters but you have been informed. Moving on, if you are enjoying the story, please drop me a review and let me know what you think. Enjoy.

Chapter Nine: What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks Does That Mean?

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"You need to focus, anticipate my next move."

Gamora stood in front of Dani, eyeing the blonde closely before circling her like a predator does before pouncing on its prey. Dani took a step back and moved as well, making sure she kept Gamora in front of her. Gamora charged at her, aiming her fist towards Dani's face. She threw her hands out, deflecting the hit that would've surely knocked her out, again. Dani smiled triumphantly, thrilled that she had successfully blocked a hit finally. Her victory was short lived. Gamora spun around, her elbow connecting with the blonde's chest. Dani stumbled back, gasping for air, stunned then fell back onto her butt. Gamora reached down, pulling her to her feet. Dani rubbed her aching chest.

(That's gonna bruise.)

"Nice block, but you got cocky. Let your pride blind you. Remember what I told you. Focus and anticipate."

Dani scoffed. "I'm trying. You do have a bit more experience in this arena than I do, Sensei."

Gamora turned to her, frowning.

"I offered to teach you to fight, I told you it would be tough and strenuous. You even said yourself not to hold back too much.' She paused, moving towards the blonde. 'I've grown fond of you, Dani. I want you to be able to defend yourself. You can't do that if you're dead."

Dani shifted, feeling slightly surprised by her words.

"I'm willing and grateful to learn but I have all of you with me to save me like a damsel in distress." She teased, trying to alleviate the serious tone of the room. Gamora looked sadly at her.

"There may come a time when we're not there to protect you. If Peter had allowed you to take Turos' deal the other day, you would probably be dead already from that pervert's devices. I know the type."

Dani gulped. Gamora turned away, rotating her shoulders.

"Again!" She called out firmly, making Dani's face blanched.

"Can we take a break, my newfound buddy? I'm still catching my breath from your pointy elbow."

Gamora smirked at her.

"When your attacker is hellbent on killing you violently, I doubt you'll be granted a breather. Now, arms up!" She yelled, giving Dani only a second to prepare for another onslaught of hits.

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Gamora paused outside of Peter's room, her closed fist hovering in front of the door. She was working up the courage to actually knock. Butterflies were bashing against the lining of her stomach. She jumped back in surprise when the door opened.

Peter's eyes widened in mild surprise at seeing her loitering in front of his door. "Gamora, what are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"Can you come up to the cockpit with me? There's something I need to show you." She rushed out in a hurry incase she wussed out. Peter nodded.

"Um, okay, after you." He said, closing the door. Gamora forced herself not to turn tail and run down the corridor in terror. She'd never be able to live down that particular embarrassment. She led them to the stairwell, then up into the cockpit.

Peter glanced around the room. "So, what did you need to show me?"

Gamora moved to the console, plugging in Dani's iPod that she 'borrowed', finding the song she had chosen for this moment a while back from the blonde's selection. She pressed play and set it down, turning to see Peter's puzzled expression. The opening notes of the up tempo melodic disco tune drifted from the speakers. Steeling her nerves, she held her hand out to him.

"Dance with me, Peter."

He stared dumbfounded at her hand then up to her face, chuckling. His laughter faltered when he took in the serious look on her face. The sounds of the Bee Gee's 'More Than A Woman' filling the room around them.

"You're kidding, right? I thought you don't dance." She smiled at him, stepping inches in front of him, taking his hands.

"I don't, didn't, actually but I've had some inspiration lately."

Throwing caution to the wind, she swayed her hips along with her shoulders, moving in time with the music. She pulled him closer to her. Peter found himself smiling in surprise by her actions.

"Didn't take you for a Bee Gees fan." He began moving with her. She smiled back at him.

"What can I say? It's a good choice. I am more than a woman." Gamora replied in what she hoped was a seductive tone, allowing herself to loosen up. Peter audibly gulped. They continued dancing to the music.

Gamora, feeling a little more brave, slid up against his body. Her fingers sliding up his exposed forearms as his sleeves from his long sleeved shirt were pushed up. She laid her hand on his chest, glancing up at his face that was very close to her own. She slowed her dancing.

"Peter, I think we need to finally address our feelings about each other. I like you, I think I'm falling for you actually. I know that you have feelings for me, too. I just think that if we feel this way, we'd be doing an injustice to ourselves for not acting on it." She said in a rush, getting out all the words that had been swirling in her head.

Peter looked deeply into her brown eyes as she spoke, sadness welling up inside of him.

A month ago, he would've rejoiced at her words. Now, they only filled him with shame. During the entirety of the song, he only thought about how much the lyrics reminded him of Dani. She was still mad at him for his careless words to her on Alpha Bova. He had been racking his brain, trying to figure out a way to make it up to her. Which was hard to do when she high tailed it to another part of the ship every time they saw each other.

"Peter?" Gamora's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Gamora, I don't know what to say." He simply responded, not sure how to handle this situation. There was no way he was going to voice his growing attraction for his human friend to Gamora, especially after what she had just said to him.

Her face scrunched up in confusion as she jerked back from him.

"What's that suppose to mean?" She snapped, irritated at his lack of a response.

"I do have some feelings when it comes to you, but they are fading. I'm sorry if that's not what you were expecting but that's how I feel."

Gamora had begun to pace around, contemplating her words along with Peter's. The way he explained his feelings were not adding up. She had been quite certain that there was something growing between them. But now, as she thought on recent events, she recognized a shift in him, in how he behaved around her. Almost as if he were being pulled away. She stopped pacing, throwing her arms out.

"What do you mean by fading? I know that there was something there. The only thing that's changing anything around here…" She trailed off, her brain setting the puzzle pieces in the right order. Her eyes welled up and she clenched her jaw tightly when everything fell into place. She turned back to him.

"It's Dani, isn't it?" She asked quietly, her voice cracking.

Peter stared intently at the floor, not having the heart to say something that would cause her more pain. Gamora only fumed more at his quietness.

"Answer me. I deserve that much." Peter's gaze found hers, feeling worse upon seeing the pain in her eyes.

"Yes, I'm sorry." He confirmed, taking a step towards her. Gamora held her hand up, keeping some distance between them.

"Please, don't. I just can't right now." She muttered, heading for the steps. Once she was gone, Peter groaned loudly, rubbing his hands down his face. He wondered to himself when in the hell did his life become a damn soap opera.

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