Chapter 11

She's sitting high up in the ceiling, brown cargos covering her furry, dangling legs when she hears a door slam, and hurried footsteps skittering down the hallway.

Upon looking down she sees Tan rushing towards Berk's office, knowing he must be late.

Gathering the list she was working on, the made her way back to the floor, and slipped into the servant's quarters to wait for the boy's return.

About ten minutes pass by until she hears Tan loudly entering the room. She watches as he surveys the room. Standing up she watches him until he meets her gaze with a smile and an enthusiastic wave.

She spins around to hide a smile, picking up her things and meeting the boy at the door.

"How was your day Miss Archer?"

She responds by tilting her head to the side and giving the sweet kid a gentle smile.

"Fine, Tan. Yours? You are late."

"Ah! I know! I know! Master Berk wasn't too happy, but he seemed busy so I'm not in trouble today!" He takes his new friend's hand in his and carts the small creature off into the hallway and heads outside.

"I want to show you something! Remember that little box-puzzle you gave me? I think I opened it!"

The kid continues on, rambling excitedly about the box, and then about meeting some 'cool gun maker' on one of his errands.

She just stumbles after the kid, in slight astonishment. The kid was smart, she knew that much…

But how many kids his age should be able to solve a Rubik's cube?

" – And then he gave he a cool gun-thingy and said –" he stops his jabbering and his tracks, causing his poor little friend to run into his back and fall on her fluffy arse.

"Okay! Here we are!" He then releases the archer from his grip and pulls out a large rock from the structure of the estate and behind the block was a box. A box which he drug out of the hole, and opened before her.

"I keep all my important things in here. I don't like keeping them with me inside. I'm afraid the maids will think it's junk and throw it all away." He answers her un-asked question as he fishes inside for the cube-device she had given him days ago.

"See!" He twists it one more time and it opens, presenting a small, orange and silver ring which he reverently set in his lap after returning the puzzle cube back to his treasure box.

"So what is this Miss Archer? You made the puzzle box thing too, right?"

She looks up at the young boy, pride for the kid swelling in her chest, "Yes. I did make it. I made it to protect this. " She reaches a paw towards the kids lap and picks up the charm.

"A ring? Is there anything special about it?" he inquires eagerly, leaning forward towards his friend, paying apt attention to what she will say next.

After a fond chuckle passes her lips, she looks up into the kids' curious gaze with her own sparkling, watery one, "This… this ring is… special." She reaches for the kids and and slips it over his thumb.

"If you are ever in trouble, and need me to come for you, just turn the ring counter-clockwise until the lines match up."

He looks at it in awe and she tugs as his hand to bring his eyes back to hers, "Now Tan," she starts sternly, "this is for emergencies only, okay? This is not a toy."

Nodding at her, the kid looks back down at his hand resting in the small paws of his new friend.

"Does… does this mean you are leaving, Miss Archer?"

Her gaze softens at the boy as she watches tears begin to well up in his eyes. Dropping his hand she shifts closer to the kid, climbing into his lap and giving him a warm hug, nuzzling the side of his face when she hears him sniffle.

"As much as I don't want to… yes."

He hiccups and pulls his furry friend closer, burying his face into her furry neck as she pats him on the back of his head, "It'll be okay sweetie." She says softly to the boy.

"N-no it won't… they'll hurt you –" he chokes on a sob as he tries to finish, "I don't want that to happen to you again!"

She closes her eyes and lets the boy hold her as he continues to sob, hot tears soaking her fur.


After Tan had calmed down, the both silently began to put everything back into its place inside the wall. She stands to go inside when she notices the boy still kneeling by the stone blocks, looking down at his knees.

"Run away." The boy whispers softly, determination in his tone.

She watches him, her white brows lifting in surprise and uncertainty.

"Tan…?"

He stands up and makes his way over to her, grabbing her small shoulders.

"Run away. You can't go back there. I won't let you." He says firmly, glaring at her – his decision made.

Returning a sorrowful look she shakes her head, "Tan I can't –"

"Yes, you can! I will help you!"

Sapphire eyes begin to water as she looks up at the boy, trying to figure out how to convince him that it won't happen; she's tried before.

"Tan, I –"

"That collar thing you have. That's the problem right? I broke the remote, he can't control you anymore, so –"

"He'll still find me, Tan."

The kid makes fists at his sides, shaking slightly in anger, "No. I will hide you. I can help you!"

"Tan, that won't do it – "

"Then I'll take off that stupid collar! And I'll help you leave this place! Get you on a ship or something! I know my way around this place. We can make a plan!"

"Tan, keep your voice down –"

"I'll sneak into Berk's supply room and get tools to get that off you, then I'll smuggle you to the ship-decks and we'll pick – "

"Ah. There you are, miss archer."

They both freeze.

Her blood runs cold. Fear for the boy rushes through her veins as she dares to avoid Berk's gaze.

Tan looked like he was about to grovel, but he surprised them both by stepping up to the large man.

"I'm helping miss archer leave."

A sinister look crosses his face, "Are you now? You know she's not your pet."

The boy growls at him.

"She can't go back there. I won't let her get hurt anymore. She's not their pet! And she will have that collar off tonight!" he yells defiantly up at him.

She's too shocked to interject.

There is a silence before Berk glares down at the boy and moves forward.

It's then that she springs into action.

"Don't you fucking touch him." She growls menacingly, startling both Berk and the kid.

A few moments pass as he regards the small creature and his young charge's bravery. "It just might be worth intervening…" he smirks before turning around with a swish of his large cloak.

"Retrieve your final report and come to my office, both of you." They stare at his back in shock. Tan recovers quickly though –

"I'll make it up to you, Sir. I promise."

Another moment of silence before a gruff voice replies, "We'll see what we can do."

Tan smiles and starts after his master, while the poor, red, furry archer is tries to decide if this is all really happening.

When they are out of sight she snaps back to reality.

"If this works, I know exactly what I need to do." With newfound determination, she marches off to follow them.


Rocket whistles as he returns to the Milano, strolling towards the common area to strew his new purchases over the recently de-cluttered table.

"I just cleaned that you ass!"

Snickering, Rocket ignores his friend and begins modifications to the huge gun on his back.

Peter watches Rocket from the other side of the room as he hums to himself happily while working. "What'd you drink, sunshine and rainbows?"

Grinning, he looks up at Peter then smirks, "No. Just got recognized for my awesome mechanical genius skills, which you all take for granted." He snickers again when he sees Peter roll his eyes in exasperation before leaving the room.

He passes Gamora on his way to the kitchen.

"What is he so happy about?" she asks, raising an inquiring eyebrow.

"His fucking guns." Peter mumbles. Gamora looks over her should at Drax behind her and smirks; her tattooed friend returns a smile.


AN

Sorry this is short. I decided to not waste time on the other fillers.

Next up - the meeting!

Kallen