Chapter Nine

Peter stared broodingly out at Xandar as the ship prepared to dock. It had been almost two days since Gamora had announced she was going to leave them behind, and since then she'd only left her room for meals and had barely said two words, always seeming deep in thought. He'd tried repeatedly to start a conversation with her, but she just kept shutting him out. Eros had noticed, of course, but just told Peter to give her time and not crowd her- he probably thought she was just struggling with what had happened on Tartoonia.

Peter had considered telling Eros his suspicions that there was something else going on with Gamora, but he'd promised her he wouldn't... If he broke his word, he'd have no chance of her trusting him again. He sighed heavily as the ship landed.

Eros glanced over at him quizzically. "Is something wrong?"

"Gamora still isn't speaking to me."

Eros frowned. "I told you, just give her some time. She's been through something awful. She'll open up when she's ready."

Peter considered, then spoke, choosing his words carefully. "What if there's more to what's bothering her than that?"

"What do you mean?"

"I... I just get the feeling she hasn't told us everything." There. He hadn't told his father anything specific, but he wanted to know if there was anything else he could do.

Eros nodded slowly. "I've noticed that too- she acts older than she is, doesn't seem to know how to be a kid. But the answer's the same. We can't force her to talk to us. All we can do is wait."

"And if she leaves?" Peter couldn't help but ask.

"Then it'll be a shame, but it's up to her." Eros' gaze drifted to Xandar's surface, and he smiled. "Mahr-Vehl's beaten us here."

Peter followed his gaze. The Kree was waiting near the docking bay, but he couldn't make out his expression. "Do you think he's worried we're late?"

"Nah." Eros waved his hand dismissively. "He won't mind." He turned his gaze back to his son. "Go and get Gamora. Maybe meeting someone new will actually get her talking."

Peter nodded, though he looked doubtful, and left. Eros stood up, stretching, heading for the ship's exit. He wouldn't let on to Peter, but Gamora's sudden reticence was worrying him too. She'd been fine until about two days ago... Sighing, he went to greet Mahr-Vehl, knowing he'd have to apologise for being late. His friend wouldn't be too bothered though.

Mahr-Vehl strode over as soon as Eros set foot on Xandar's surface. "Where have you been?"

The anger in his friend's voice took the Eternal by surprise. He blinked. "I didn't realise a couple of days' delay would be that big a deal."

"In a 'couple of days' you could both have captured, or worse!" Mahr-Vehl shook his head. "When are you going to start taking the threat of Thanos seriously?"

"I do take it seriously, I just-"

"Then why didn't you at least let me know you were behind schedule?"

"I..." Eros had no response. "I'm sorry."

Mahr-Vehl took a deep breath to calm himself. "I dont know why I'm bothering to say this, you've heard it before, but it would be safer for you and Peter if you stopped this gallivanting about. Danger from Thanos aside, do you really think it's good for him to be uprooted so often?"

Eros was getting annoyed now. "Peter's fine, thank you very much. If I want help parenting him, I'll ask." He counted to ten before speaking again. "And as for Thanos, he has no reason to target Peter. He probably doesn't even know he exists!"

Mahr-Vehl's face was grim. "I hope you're right, for Peter's sake."

There was silence for a minute. Mahr-Vehl sighed. "I'm not trying to fight with you, I'm just worried. And so is your father."

"I know."

"So what's this about Peter inviting a new friend along with you, anyway?"

Eros quickly explained how Gamora had come to join them. Mahr-Vehl looked sickened. "That's... I can't believe..."

"Disgusting, I know. And it's affecting her. She's hardly spoken for the last few days."

"Hardly surprising. Will she stay with you?"

"I don't know... I think Peter wants her to, but she needs some sort of help. She's very withdrawn, and I've gotten the feeling she's been through a lot. The incident on Tartoonia might only be the tip of the iceberg."

Mahr-Vehl looked troubled. "Do you think it's wise for me to meet her? Another new person might be too much."

He was proved right, as Peter emerged from the ship, looking frustrated as he came to join them.

Eros sighed. "She's still in her room?"

"Yes. I don't know what else to do. She said just to leave her alone." Peter raked a hand through his hair in annoyance.

Eros sighed. "Maybe we should."

"What? Dad!"

"Just for a while. Give her some time without us breathing down her neck. Don't forget she's been travelling with us for days. She might just be feeling crowded. Let's go sightsee for a while, and maybe she'll be more talkative later." Eros' tone made his doubt of that clear, but he didn't know what else to say.

Mahr-Vehl frowned. "We can't just leave a virtual stranger alone on your ship, Eros."

"I'll stay." Peter volunteered. At Eros' sceptical look, he held his hands up. "I won't bother her. I won't even go on board. But at least this way I can keep an eye on things."

Mahr-Vehl felt uneasy about that, but kept quiet. Technically, it was Eros' decision... and anyway, if Peter wasn't nearby, he would have a chance to inform Eros of this supposed new Skrull assassin in Thanos' employ, and encourage him to return to Titan in time for A'lars' deadline, now less than a month away.

Eros nodded. "Alright. Just don't push her. If she wants to come out and talk, she will."

Peter rolled his eyes. "I know. Where are you two going anyway?"

"Just to my ship." Mahr-Vehl replied for them both. "Call if you need anything, alright?"

Peter agreed (with another eye-roll) and Eros and Mahr-Vehl excused themselves. Peter sat near to the ship's entry ramp for a while, then, bored, got up and moved, leaning against the hangar wall. He could still see the ship's entrance from here, but he'd be harder to spot, and so far there had been no sign of movement. He put his Walkman on, enjoying the nostalgic sounds of his mother's old mixtape. He badly wanted to go and check on Gamora, but Eros had a point- if he kept pushing her, he might only make things worse.

He'd played the tape through twice before a slight movement caught his eye. He glanced up, but didn't move. His eyes widened. Incredibly, Gamora had climbed out through one of the small windows, and now, clinging to the edge of the ship somehow, was climbing down to the ground. His heart was in his throat, as he was sure she'd fall, but she made it to the ground unscathed, leaving Peter's mouth hanging open. How was she that agile?

She ended up on the opposite side of the ship to him, and began moving silently towards the hangar doors. Her expression was troubled, and she clearly hadn't slept for a while. Is that why she hasn't had any more nightmares? Peter wondered vaguely. Moving as quietly as he could, he pocketed the walkman and set off after her, determined not to lose track of her like he had on Tartoonia. She didn't seem to know he was there, which helped. She wouldn't bolt if she didn't know she was being followed. She set off into Xandar's streets, and Peter hesitated. Should he let his father know what was going on? He took his comm out of his pocket, considering. Glancing up again, he jumped- Gamora was nearly out of sight! Making his decision, he continued following her. He'd contact Eros once he'd been able to calm Gamora down. He was not going to let her leave and deal with whatever trouble she was in by herself.

Glancing back quickly at his father's ship and Mahr-Vehl's, Peter set off at a run after Gamora, hoping he didn't lose track of her in Xandar's busy streets.

To be continued...

AN: Sorry there's no Gamora pov in this chapter, she didn't want to let me know what she was thinking. We'll get an insight into her thoughts next chapter, though. Also, I will be losing internet connection today, and sadly won't get it back until Friday, but I will keep working on this and will update when I can.