Chapter 3.

As soon as Yondu, Meredith, Peter and Pearle were back at the Eclector Yondu turned to Meredith and said "take the kids back to your quarters and stay with them".

"Is everything alright?" asked Meredith quietly so the kids wouldn't hear her.

Not looking at her Yondu replied "we've been followed by three Kree members and a battle ship may be close by".

Feeling her heart begin to race Meredith asked "what will we do?".

"Just do as ay tell you, I'll handle it and be prepared for anything" said Yondu as he made his way to the bridge. Meredith watched him go before taking Peter and

Pearle back to their quarters.

Yondu entered the bridge and seeing it empty he pressed the coms link and ordered every able pilot to report to the hanger and take their M Crafts out. Taking a

deep breath he let the bridge to join them and seeing Tulk outside the bridge he said "Tulk I need ya to remain on the Eclector. Make sure Meredith and those kids

remain in their quarters".

"Aye captain" said Tulk as he watched his captain leave for the hangar.

The battle between the Ravagers and the Kree who had brought an entire fleet lasted what seemed like hours to Meredith. Every blast that rattled the Eclector made

her more fearful that they would blast a hole where their quarters were. Taking her kids in hand she left the quarters quickly and made her way to the bridge but

coming around the corner and down the hallway she noticed three figures coming her way. Pushing Peter and Pearle back she hissed "go hide and do not argue with

me".

Taking Pearle's hand Peter ran back the way they had come to a hiding place he knew they would be safe.

Meredith retrieved her blaster from its holster and speaking into her com link she said "hey Yondu we have intruders on the Eclector". Not receiving any reply she

aimed her blaster at the approaching intruders and waving at them she smiled seeing they were kree before firing. Her shot hit the one in the middle and seeing him

fall to the floor she fired two more shots hitting the one on the left but missed the last one. Hiding behind a corner she took a deep breath before peeking back

around the corner and seeing the remaining Kree she stepped out and pulled the trigger of her blaster but it jammed. Dropping it she turned to run but the Kree was

faster and had her pinned against the wall.

"You will make a fine slave for us little one" said the Kree as he looked at her hungrily.

"Keep dreaming ass hole" growled Meredith as she struggled against his hold.

The remaining Kree member locked a collar around her throat which rendered her weakened and unable to fight. Seeing the Kree member cuff her hands her heart

began to beat rapidly as he began to drag down toward the hanger bay. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the faces of her children flashed in her mind. She'd

never see her babies or Yondu and the Ravagers again and with each step the Kree prick dragged her she tried to struggle but failed. Suddenly a sharp whistle

sounded in the distance and a flash or red light shot down the corridor before piercing through the remaining Kree member's head causing his lifeless body to fall

before her.

Looking up at the wielder of the arrow Meredith gave a soft smile and said "thank you Yondu".

Yondu knelt in front of her and removing the cuffs that bound her hands he felt anger boil in his chest that the Kree had threatened her of all people. Removing the

collar from her neck he threw it aside before saying "I told ya I'd take care of ya Mer".

Feeling the strength gradually return to her limbs Meredith wiped the tears from her eyes and nodding her head she whispered "I know".

Standing up Yondu pulled her to her feet and asked "is there any more of them?"

"I only saw three, I killed two but before I could kill this prick the blaster jammed" replied Meredith.

Giving her a genuine smile Yondu nodded his head and said "good". Looking around he asked "where's Pearle and Peter?".

"I told them to hide so they should be hiding in your quarters" replied Meredith as she smiled.

"Why?" asked Yondu confused as he began to make his way to the bridge.

Following him Meredith rolled her eyes and said "because Peter believes that your quarters are the safest place to hide on the ship".

Smirking Yondu said "don't be telling those kids about your safe places Mer".

"Jeez Yondu that was one time, just let it go" muttered Meredith as she felt her face get warm with embarrassment remembering the one night she and Yondu had

sex caused by two much alcohol.

"Nah I'll never let it go Mer not when it gives you such a beautiful colour" snickered Yondu before adding "go get em while I see if Tulk got injured".

Shaking her head Meredith walked back to Yondu's quarters where she opened the door and said "it's alright ye can come out. Yondu came back and the bad guys

are gone".

Peter and Pearle who had been hiding under Yondu's bed crawled out and giving their Mother a smile said in unison "I bet he used the arrow".

Nodding her head Meredith said "yes he did now come on let's go to the canteen so I can make ye some hot chocolate".

Peter and Pearle fist bumped each other before rushing over to Meredith. Meredith held them back before checking to see if the Kree's dead bodies had been moved

and seeing Oblo and Horuz carry away the last one she led them down the corridor towards the canteen.

Yondu sat in the bridge staring down at Tulk who was coming to. Seeing him sit up he asked "what happened?".

Tulk rubbed the back of his head and shaking it he replied "I saw the hanger doors open and then the monitor went blank. I tried to fix the problem but there was

some frequency blocking the code and then everything went black. What happened?".

"Three Kree members got in but Mer took care of two of them and I took care of the third" said Yondu.

"Are the kids okay?" asked Tulk as he got to his feet.

Nodding his head Yondu replied "der fine now go to the infirmary and get that wound on her head looked at".

"Ay captain" said Tulk as he left the bridge and made his way to the infirmary.

Alone on the bridge Yondu rubbed his hands over his eyes. Seeing that collar on Meredith's neck had brought back memories of his time as a Kree battle slave.

Taking a deep breath he thought of Meredith and smiled. He had developed feelings for her but getting involved with her meant putting her and the kids in even

greater danger. He nearly lost them to the Kree and that thought terrified him.