Chapter 1.
Eight years later.
The Eclector was quiet as Yondu sat in his quarters running everything over in his head. He had been hired by a celestial being called Ego who was also a planet to
deliver three of his children, each child orphaned after their Mother had died. The last child he delivered had been a small girl who like her two siblings had been
excited to meet their Father. Yondu took a deep breath trying to remove the memory of what he had seen happen to that child. He had hung around on Ego and while
walking past the open courtyard he saw a tentacle of light come out of the ground and pierce the chid taking her young life. Now not one hour after arriving back on
the Eclector Ego had sent another message and co-ordinates to pick up an orphaned Terran male child. Yondu had accepted instantly deciding to keep this one and
not deliver the boy to the faith that was awaiting him. Standing up he left his quarters and moved to the bridge where Oblo sat piloting the ship.
"Oblo take the Eclector to Terra" ordered Yondu as he stood looking out the window.
Oblo nodded his head and said "aye Captain Udonta, are we on another job?".
Yondu gave him a pointed look and replied "we're pickin up and that's all ya need to know for now". Oblo not wanting to anger Yondu set the course for Terra.
Eight years had come and gone for Meredith Quill. Eight years ago she had met a blue skinned Ravager Captain and a month after meeting him she had met an angel
composed out of pure light named J'son. J'son had confessed his love to her, made love to her and then left. He returned twice after that while she was heavily
pregnant with not one but two babies. Putting away her son Peter's clothes she carried the second small bundle of clothes to her daughter Pearle's bedroom she put
them away before going into her own bedroom. Looking at the photo of her Father who had passed a year ago she sighed and whispered "wish you were here Dad".
Opening the wardrobe she pulled out a small wooden box that held some items. Opening the lid she smiled at them before carrying the box down stairs and placing it
on the kitchen table. Hearing the front door open she turned around to see Peter and Pearle entering the kitchen. Hugging Pearle she noticed Peter's left eyes had a
bruise.
"Peter why have you been fighting with the other boys again?" asked Meredith as she let Pearle go.
Peter bit his lip and shrugging his shoulders he replied "they tried to squish a frog with a rock that hadn't done nothing to them".
Meredith smiled and whispered "you are so much like your Daddy but in future try another way of saving the ones smaller than you". Seeing Peter nod his head she
added "I made lunch it's on the kitchen table".
Peter hugged his Mom and joined Pearle who was munching on a ham sandwich and staring at a wooden box across from her. Taking a bite out of his own sandwich
Peter asked "what's in the box Mom?".
Meredith joined them at the table and opening the box she took out the Ravager badge and showing it to them she said "I keep this in the box along with an
earpiece".
Pearle touched the badge gently before asking "where did you get them Mommy?".
Meredith smiled at her daughter who had her blonde hair and blue eyes. Taking a sip of the cup of tea Peter had poured for her she replied "well before you were
born I met a captain in the forest and he gave me that badge".
Peter and Pearle looked at each other before turning back to their Mother bother asking "was he our Father?".
Shaking her head Meredith placed the badge back into the box and said "no finish your lunch and start your homework".
The evening passed quickly and as the night rolled in Meredith left the kids watching a movie on television while she sat outside on the porch to gaze at the stars.
Memories from the past flooded back and she bit her lip wondering why J'son had never returned. Feeling the ground beneath her tremble she panicked believing it
was an earthquake and was just about to rush inside but the hovering lights of an aircraft stopped her. The aircraft landed in the field that her Father had once
worked in and recognising its shape as Yondu Udonta's MCraft Meredith left the porch and walked closer to it. Seeing two beings she didn't recognise Meredith started
walking backwards but one of the beings was too quick and before she knew it he was standing in front of her and had clipped something behind her ear.
"Looking for a young boy named Quill" said the being in front of her.
Meredith realising that it could be Peter they were looking for snapped "look whoever you are you can piss off, I've had my fill of alien beings". Seeing the second
being who stood cloaked in shadow by the MCraft shake his head she added "and don't you shake your head at me mister".
Yondu who had stood by the MCraft smiled at the image of Meredith Quill. Shaking his head he gritted his teeth that she had gotten involved with that celestial
jackass Ego. Hearing her snap again at Tulk telling him to drop dead he gave a whistle sending the Yakka fly toward them stopping inches from Meredith's face.
Seeing her anger disappear to be replaced by a smile he walked towards her and said "Meredith Quill we meet again".
Meredith stared at the arrow and hearing Yondu's voice speak to her she walked away from the arrow to face him before slapping him hard across the face before
asking "how dare you Yondu Udonta coming here to try and kidnap my son".
Seeing the shocked expression on Tulk's face Yondu glared at him before whistling to return the arrow to its holster. Rubbing his cheek he said "so Meredith Quill
grew up and had a kid".
Meredith folded her arms and looking him in the eyes she said "yes I did you are not taking him from me".
Yondu looked back at Tulk and said "stay by the craft I'll be back with the cargo". Looking at Meredith he gripped her arm and led her toward the house until they
were away from Tulk hearing them. Letting her go Yondu said "I thought ya was dead".
Rolling her eyes Meredith said "well you were wrong Yondu I'm not and anyway why do you want Peter?".
Not wanting to tell her the truth about his involvement with Ego Yondu replied "the boy's been targeted by a jackass who takes their life force. I came to collect him
and to keep him safe from said jackass".
Horrified Meredith began to tremble and feeling tears roll down her cheeks she asked "is it because Peter and Pearle's Father is from space?".
Hearing that she had not one but two Yondu nodded his head and replied "yeah it is now listen Meredith ya gotta trust me on this. Get the kids packed and the three
of ya come with me. Anyway I did promise ya I'd come back and give ya a spin on my ship".
Wiping her eyes Meredith smiled and asked "will the kids be safe living on a Ravager ship?".
"No one gonna hurt ya or the kids while I'm captain" assured Yondu.
Feeling reassured Meredith said "okay. Give me time to pack some things and get the kids". Seeing Yondu nod his head Meredith rushed back inside the house and
rushing upstairs she grabbed two duffel bags and back her and the kid's clothes and shoes into them along with some photos, cassette tapes and toiletries. Carrying
the duffel bags down the stairs she found Yondu on the porch speaking to Pearle who had a universal translator clipped behind her ear. Listening to the conversation
she smiled as Pearle asked questions about the arrow holstered to his hip. Peter had wondered down to the MCraft curious of it. Dropping the duffel bags on the floor
she walked into the kitchen and opening the small wooden box she grabbed the badge and universal translator before shoving them into her pocket.
Taking one last look around the kitchen she left the room and saw the duffel bags were gone from the hallway. Stepping outside onto the porch she closed the front
door and seeing Yondu waiting for her she asked "where's the duffel bags?".
Yondu chuckled and replied "Tulk put em on ma MCraft. Kids are already buckled up just waitin on you".
"I'm ready" said Meredith as she opened the front door to grab her black leather jacket slipping it on before closing the door and following Yondu to the MCraft ready
to start a new life with her children. By doing this she knew she would be able to keep Peter and Pearle safe.