And now we come to our close.

This ones got some Tony Stark in it. I think we all need more interaction between Nebula and her should've been dad.

Sorry, this wasn't posted two days ago like it was supposed to be, but it's been a weird couple of days. Although this is the end I do kind of wish I'd gone back and added more. Like a chapter POV where someone wasn't so supportive. Or when where you could actually see Nebula and Peter falling for each other, but I didn't and probably won't. So, enjoy this one.

Part 6- Nebula

Peter Parker was something Nebula had never expected. Quill often mocked her for falling for a New Kids on the Block member, as well as calling her Mrs. Robinson. She'd asked Peter as to the reference, but he had yet to enlighten her. He would only flush embarrassedly and mumble something about it being an old movie and not relevant to them.

Nebula made a note to speak with Scott. He was always more than willing to share his Terran secrets regarding the pop culture.

When she had met the young man, it was only to offer some sort of closure for him after Tony's death.

Tony had been something else she hadn't expected, it was unsurprising that he had led her to Peter. The man had been infuriating and almost as obnoxious as Quill. But he'd seen something in Nebula that only her sister had before. And he had given her Morgan. The girl had never looked at her with an ounce of anything but pure joy. She'd never been afraid of Nebula and had in fact loved her from the start. Uncaring of her past and all the blood that was on her hands.

Not even to Peter would she admit wanting her own tiny creature that she could rear and love. Because that desire was trumped by her fear of ruining said creature, like her father ruined her and tried to ruin Gamora.

She hadn't meant to latch onto Peter in the aftermath of the Blip. At first, she had told herself that it was for Tony's benefit. That she was looking after him, just as she did Morgan and Pepper, in his absence.

Eventually she would admit to herself that it was for her own. That she liked his easygoing nature and how he was innocently uncertain. Nebula was likewise constantly questioning her actions, but whereas Peter was brave enough to show it, she hid hers behind a steal curtain of hostility, always terrified of showing weakness. Peter had seen through it though and gently guided her when it was obvious she needed it. He never made her feel ashamed for needing guidance or for being ignorant. Instead he made her laugh and feel at ease.

He was the first person who knew who she was and had never been afraid of her. More importantly, he was someone Nebula had never felt she needed to fear. She trusted him.

When their relationship had developed into something physical, she hadn't thought much would come of it. They were from two different worlds and he was considered an adolescent on this one. Someone who was just beginning their life. Although, Nebula had not yet reached thirty cycles, she was far from beginning her life. She had already forged her path already, in blood and destruction.

Someone as promising as Peter would not stay long with her in the shadows.

But she hadn't ended the affair. She'd spent so long denying herself physical or romantic comforts and was tired of doing so. And each day she spent with him she cherished as a gift. A respite from her painful existence as she waited for the inevitable day when he would move on.

No one had been more surprised than she when Peter had pulled her into the light with him, instead of leaving her to whither in the dark.

Looking down at her enhanced appendages she smiled faintly.

Peter had referred to her enhancements as 'cool' when he'd first seen them and eagerly requested demonstrations. He'd been so enraptured by her augmentations that she hadn't minded showing him. He did not find them repulsive or look at her with pity- even after he'd learned of their origin. But one day he'd come to her with a gift, of sorts. He'd explained through her building fury that he had taken numerous scans of her before contacting the Wakandan Princess to help create superior enhancements that just happened to have the added bonus of stripping her of everything her father had forced upon her. It had been the greatest gift anyone had ever given her. He and the princess married Stark and Wakandan technology to create something entirely new, that bonded with her organically. She felt whole for the first time in many years.

She fingered the gold and red metals the two had managed to incorporated from Tony's salvaged suit. Even in death, Tony found a way to give her everything she needed. Things she'd never even allowed herself to dream for.

Yet, she still feared the day where this dream would all come to an end.

Not so long ago, if she had ever loved something like she loved Peter and they had left her, she would have hunted them down and torn them to pieces in retribution. But after having come close to killing her sister- something she thought she wanted- to then only loose her anyway, she could never do such a thing. Even the hatred she had for her father did not burn away the grief she sometimes still felt at his loss.

No, when the day came for Peter to move on, she would not turn vengeful. She would hurt and mourn and pine. But she could never hurt someone who had made her feel so cherished. Even if he ended up breaking her.

Nebula didn't startle when a warm arm wrapped around her stomach and she felt soft lips on her bare shoulder before Peter's chin came to rest on it. She had heard him coming, knew his step as well as her own.

He sighed as the warm breeze washed over them. Standing on the balcony to one of the Stark residences, they stared out over the bright lights of the sprawling city before them. A party continued to rage on behind them. Off key but jovial singing, dancing, and drinking competitions, curtesy of Drax and Thor, that started just before she'd decided to take a brief refuge on the balcony.

"Having fun?"

"Yes." And she was. She enjoyed dancing and the food was delicious. She also had fun playing pranks on some of the other guests (i.e. Steve Rogers and Rhodey) with Morgan and talking with some of the others.

But then Mrs. Barton had started reminiscing about her own wedding and Pepper had joined in, as well as Steve, and a few others. And Nebula had grown melancholy.

She could not picture herself getting married. Of anyone willingly staying by her side until death parted them. She knew the guardians would always take her as she would them. But it was not the same. That was a familial bond, not romantic.

The only man she would ever desire to be bound with was holding her in his arms.

But she couldn't fathom the idea of him finding her worthy enough.

"You're really beautiful."

Only Peter could make her flush like a swooning imbecile, like one of the woman Quill would often flirt with.

Peter ran his hands across the smooth black velvet of her strapless, mid-thigh length dress. She rarely wore such impractical things, but May and the others had declared that special events warranted impracticality. And she was quite fond of how Peter looked at her in it. She was equally as enraptured with him in his suit. She was told it was a common affliction on earth.

"You are also beautiful." She knew he was smiling. She refused to use the word handsome when beautiful more aptly conveyed her feelings. He wasn't merely attractive, he was a thrill to her senses, causing her mind to awash with the delight of his being even in his absence.

Nebula turned in his arms and wrapped hers lightly around his neck. She shivered as Peter's hands glided over the mesh backing of her dress, feeling the warmth of him on her cool skin.

He smiled at her reaction and leaned in to kiss her. Just as it always did, her body tingled as soon as his lips met hers. But she recognized a slight insistence, which although it was not completely unfamiliar or unwelcome, was not usual and signaled something to her.

She ended the kiss and stared into his eyes and said, "You are inebriated."

Peter smiled goofily at her, his cheeks ruddy with the consumed drink. "Bucky may have invited me to partake in some adult refreshments during the drinking contest."

Nebula hummed, not upset, and leaned in to kiss him again. She ran her hands through his hair and heard him groan. "Who won?"

"Drax and Thor tied for third." She lifted her brow, confused as she thought they were the only ones in competition. "Groot came in second and Valkyrie drank them all under the table." Nebula snorted in amusement.

Peter began to sway with her in his arms, dancing to the music they could hear faintly through the closed doors. Dancing had not been something Nebula was accustomed to before she met Peter, but it had become one of her favorite things about Terran culture. Peter had even taken them to the ballet on their anniversary. She had loved it. Battle without the blood. It was riveting to watch corded refined muscles strain to keep humans in impossible positions while displaying such grace.

Peter was less fond of dancing, but he did it for her. Just as she attended many a comic book convention or science lecture for him. They were both equally fond of blockbuster movies and hiking.

She giggled as he twirled them around and lowered her into a dip. Pecking her on the lips before bringing her up.

They danced a little while longer, before they heard the music end and the DJ make an announcement.

"Common," Peter used their intwined hands to tug her towards the doors. "Aunt May's going to toss the bouquet."

"What is the prize for catching the foliage again?"

Nebula's competitive nature dictated that she was eager to win regardless, but she wished to know what the official reward was.

"It's good luck." She scoffed and saw the quirk of his lips. Reentering the reception, Peter turned back towards her and took her other hand in his. He moved so they were standing face to face without an ounce of space between them. "Whoever catches the bouquet is the next person to be married."

Her gaze that had been raking over the face she loved so dearly, shot to his eyes and froze.

They had never discussed it, but Nebula had assumed Peter had recognized the finite aspect of their relationship. Peter could not marry her. He needed someone…better.

She prepared herself to correct her grievous oversight. Before she could Morgan came over and pushed between them.

"Common, Aunt Blue. We have to catch the bouquet!" Morgan pulled and pushed at her waist until she was standing in the middle of the dance floor with the other females…and Drax. Captain Marvel and a few others had abstained from the 'archaic' ritual and declared themselves uninterested in marriage. Nebula had assumed the practice was simply for fun, but wished she had the time to inquire as to the mystical properties of the bouquet.

Nebula had attempted to shrink back to the outskirts of the group, but Morgan kept her forefront as May took her place in front of the awaiting gaggle.

"Everybody ready?!" There was an agreeing cry from around her. May turned, eyed the crowd over her shoulder once more before turning completely and then hefted the item over her head.

Nebula glanced towards Peter, watching her with a smile, and returned her gaze to the object. All her desire to capture it gone with the ensuing significance of the item. She experienced a brief flash of panic when it appeared as if they object was sailing towards her, only for it to arch towards one of May's sorority sisters.

She had thought she was safe until she saw Groot's arm grow and shoot out to catch it while it was high above them, to then swing his arm over her head and drop the item unexpectedly into her arms, that had reactively moved to catch the falling object.

She stared at the item, wide eyed and dumbstruck, as a chorus of squeals sprang up around her.

"You caught it, Aunt Blue!" Morgan cried and excitedly. And Nebula couldn't help but smile at her, albeit awkwardly.

Luckily, she was saved from much fanfare with the return of the music and dancing.

May found her standing awkwardly on the dance floor and pulled her into a hug with a large smile.

"Now, I don't expect a wedding for a few years, until after Peter finishes school at least. And grandchildren for an even longer while."

"I do not think that will be an issue."

May seemed to realize that her delighted mood was not shared. With a frown of concern, she guided Nebula away from the dance floor and over to the table she and Happy had been sitting at since completing their nuptials.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

'Sweetheart', Nebula had always loved the endearment May often chose to bestow upon her.

"Peter and I are not getting married."

"Well, no, not yet, but-,"

"We will never be married."

May took her hand in hers and silently begged Nebula to explain.

"Peter is…Peter is wonderful. He deserves much. More than I will ever be capable of."

"Shouldn't Peter be the judge of that."

Nebula didn't respond. How could she explain that no matter how painful it was to consider herself not good enough for Peter it would be absolutely crushing for Peter to be the one to decide it? It was one thing to know that you are less, it was another to be told it.

But as always, it was as if May could see into her soul. She smiled at her sadly and placed a hand against Nebula's cheek. She leaned into the comforting touch, her eyes closing.

"We all have doubts. We all worry we're not good enough at some point." Her eyes peaked open to watch the older woman. "You know how we get over those feelings?" Nebula shook her head. "By not pushing away the people who tell us we are. I know you love Peter and you want what's best for him. But I want you to do something for me?" Only when Nebula nodded in agreement did she continue, "Be selfish. Hold onto the man you love because you want to. Because it makes you happy. Because it's what's best for you." Nebula covered May's hand with her own and squeezed it as a tear ran down her cheek. May swiped it away with her thumb. "Hopefully one day you'll realize that what's best for you and what's best for Peter are the same thing."

With a last kiss on Nebula's forehead, May left her at the table to think. Her eyes followed the bride as she went to her new husband. Happy smiled widely at her return and pulled her into his arms, kissing her on the lips and twirling her around as they both laughed.

She didn't battle with her thoughts for long before Peter came and joined her. Leaning toward her he rested his arms against his knees and took her bouquet-less hand in his.

"Everything okay?" he asked her softly. She could see he was worried that this would be the end of them.

Would it?

Everything May had said to her ran through her mind, along with every unkind word her father had said to her, of her, and finally every word, action, moment that had passed between her and Peter. While each one of the latter was not always a happy one, none of them every made her feel worthless.

She had been gazing into Peter's eyes intently when her attention had been caught by Morgan's exuberant laughter as she and Wanda twirled around the dance floor together.

As her eyes followed the girl, she remembered when she had first met her father. Tony had grown tired of her sullen silence almost immediately and attempted to fill it with his nonstop chatter, no matter how many times she'd told him it would waste their oxygen quicker. Nebula had no choice but to listen. He talked about everything, from his favorite muffin to his deepest fears to his most embarrassing moment regarding something called frosted tips. At one point he had begun to speak of Pepper and how she was the best creature in the known galaxy in his eyes. She had scoffed and expressed her doubts regarding the woman's character as someone so worthy would never be with him.

Tony glared at Nebula and said, "Well believe it, Smurfette. Just wait til you meet her," both knowing it was extremely unlikely, "she's everything I said and more."

While Nebula had been tinkering with one of the numerous broken parts of the ship she asked, "And why would such a woman choose you as her mate?" It had been spat with derision. Tony had reminded her so much of Quill in those early days that she couldn't help placing some of her animosity towards Quill onto him.

Smiling bitterly, "I have no idea. But she did and I'm going to make damn sure I spend every moment I got left trying to be worthy of her."

Nebula had stilled and examined him. For someone so arrogant, it was quite a shock to realize how self-conscious he truly was, how much self-loathing he was filled with. Almost as much as her.

His bared soul had made her uncomfortable. Feelings were rarely discussed even with those she'd known for years, let alone this Terran who circumstances demanded she spend her final days beside.

Instead of admitting her own similar emotions she hummed, "Yes, my sister was also in love with a moron." Stark snorted in brief amusement, but a dark shadow still hung above him. It was one of the first times Nebula had ever felt compelled to comfort another being. So, she added quietly enough that it could easily be missed, "No one had ever made her happier," and quickly went back to work. Ignoring his eyes on her back.

Nebula blinked and bowed her head, not wanting to look at Peter. Who's worry had only grown in her silence. At first she stared at the gathering of flowers in her grasp. But her eyes caught on the gold and red metal that clashed against her blue skin. After staring for a few moments, she ran her finger over the metal lightly as she mused silently.

It was an honor to carry a piece of such a great man...of such a great friend. The reminder of who he was and what he did brought her comfort and tried everyday to be a woman he could be proud of.

Breaking away from her own arm, she looked up into Peter's eyes. She could tell that he was holding his breath, preparing himself for the worst.

He let out a surprised puff of air when she kissed him, the short peck turning into a long lingering embrace where Peter seemed to be trying to memorize the pattern of her lips.

It was obvious he did not wish to break the embrace. So, she pulled away forcefully knowing she needed to speak before she'd lost her never.

His eyes had shut with the soft caress of lips, so he could not see her smiling at him. She stroked his cheek until he opened them. "I am fine."

He let out a breath and nodded with a high, 'good, good, good.' That displayed how unsure he still was.

"There is something I must tell you though." He tensed and steeled himself for the final blow. Nebula's smile dropped, her countenance conveying how serious she was about the matter. "Drax is not invited to our wedding."

Peter stared at her in dumb silence for minutes on end, until finally a bright smile broke across his face and he laughed, making her laugh in return. Placing a hand at the back of her head, he pulled her to him and kissed her. Relief and joy pouring through his lips and into hers.

"Deal," he told her when he finally broke the kiss. Then he was tugging her to her feet and pulling her onto the dance floor. Her arms wrapping around his neck with her floral prize clutched between them, their foreheads leaned against each other, as she lead them lazily across the floor, completely off tempo with the music. She thought, as the sounds of Morgan and Pepper's giggling was heard nearby, that even though she may never be worthy of Peter she was more than willing to spend the rest of her life trying to be. Especially if it made him as happy as Tony had made Pepper.

Fin.

Drax is my favorite punching bag. It's not hate, it's just a different kind of love (sounds a lot more domestic violency then intended).