Hey readers hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Sorry this is late. Was sick and in hospital but now I'm ready to finish this and get started on the next instalment.

Chapter 23.

Having listened to Carol's story Yondu glanced at Meredith who was standing behind her. She looked worried about the mention of what the Kree could do to one's

mind. Twirling his arrow in his hand he said "yer story is good but for all I know ya could be a spy for the Kree".

Carol pinched the bridge of her nose and snorted before saying "if I was still under Kree influence my uniform would be green and I wouldn't be here speaking to you

and you know that".

"That may be true but how do I know yer not gonna put my whole crew in danger?" asked Yondu as he stood up.

"I guess yer gonna have to trust me. I won't be here long as I am needed in destroying the Kree Empire" said Carol as she crossed her arms.

Yondu shrugged his shoulders and said "I don't trust ya but Mer here can escort ya around. Don't stray from her and the first mention of trouble from ya I'll send my

arrow right through ya. Are we understood Danvers?". Not wanting to anger the former battle slave any further Carol nodded her head and followed Meredith out of

the room.

Yondu watched them go before turning to Peter had been sitting quietly in front of him. It was odd for the boy to be this quiet so Yondu tucked away his arrow and

asked "what is it Quill?"

Peter looked at Yondu and giving his shoulders a slight shrug he replied "I thought you were a bit harsh on her. She did help us defeat the Kree and I think she's nice.

She could make a a great ally"

Smirking Yondu said "that may be true son but just because she's nice and helped us doesn't mean she isn't a spy. Ya can't trust everyone Pete just remember that".

Peter nodded his head and standing up he said "okay. Thanks Yondu". Seeing Yondu nod his head he began to leave the room but stopped and asked "if you're so

worried about Carol being a Kree spy why did you let go off with Mom without protection for my Mother?".

Giving a small chuckle Yondu replied "yer Momma is well able to take care of herself. I trained her but there will be ten Ravagers close to them so Carol won't stand a

chance if she attacks".

Peter nodded his head and left the room before walking quickly to the break room. He knew Tulk would be there and had to get his views on Carol.

Tulk relaxed against the chair as he drank his coffee enjoying the silence that the empty break room had to offer. Taking a grateful sip of his coffee his peaceful

silence was interrupted by Peter dashing into the room eyes eager with questions. "What's up Pete?" asked Tulk as he took another sip of coffee.

Taking a deep breath Peter sat across from Tulk and asked "what's your opinion on Carol?".

"Captain already threatened her huh?" asked Tulk. Seeing Peter nod his head he said "she aided us and for that I'm grateful. However she does wear Kree uniform

and that makes me uneasy. Pete be careful okay and listen to the Captain".

Peter not happy with what Tulk had said ran his hands through his hair and said "I think she's one of the good guys".

Shaking his head Tulk said "Pete just listen to us okay. For once just listen. We don't know her and the last thing Captain Yondu needs is you causing trouble because

of an ex Kree soldier who could be a spy for those bastards".

Nodding his head Peter said "okay Tulk I'll keep outta trouble. I'd better go give Pearle some help and finish my chores. Thanks for the chat".

"No problem kid" said Tulk as he watched Peter leave the room.

Carol looked around the apartment Mer had brought her to. It was cosy and well lived in. There were photographs on the wall which Carol ventured across the room

to view. Looking at the first one she smiled at what she guessed was Peter and Pearle as children. Then there was one of and elderly couple and a few others of Mer

with her children. Hearing a cough she turned around and saw Mer holding two mugs of coffee.

Mer watched the ex Kree soldier sit across from her before handing her a mug of the coffee. They were quiet for a few minutes before Carol asked "are they your

parents in the photograph?".

Sipping her coffee Meredith replied "yes but they passed away a long time ago. There's nothing left for me on Terra now".

"I'm sorry for your loss. So what made you join a Ravager ship?" asked Carol as she took small sips of her coffee.

Meredith chuckled and said "I met Yondu before my babies were conceived. He promised he'd come back and he did".

Seeing a faraway look in Meredith's eyes Carol smiled and said "a promise huh?. He must really like you to make that kind of a promise. Normally Centaurians are

very picky about choosing their mates".

Meredith scoffed and feeling a bit irritated she took a deep breath to calm the anger before saying "I don't care what other Centaurians are like. Yondu is different and

I care for him".

Seeing tears well in Meredith's eyes Carol felt bad at what she said. Leaning forward she said "Mer I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to upset you".

Meredith wiped her tears and shaking her head she whispered "it's okay. I'm just not used to talking to another woman about my life and a certain Ravager Captain".

Carol smiled and finishing her coffee she said "I can see that he really loves you. I can tell by the way he looks at you".

Meredith refilled their coffee mugs before saying "I'd be lost without him sometimes. He's saved my life from a brain tumour and gave me a cybernetic implant. He

even thought me to fight and gave me his friendship. And even though he wasn't fond of it he even allowed me to mother Kraglin who was just a kid when I joined

the crew".

"Sounds like you really love him and that he loves you" said Carol as she smiled at the woman who left her home planet with her kids all for a Ravager.

Meredith was about to say something when the alarms went off signalling something was wrong. Putting down her mug she stood up and said "this can't be good. I'd

better go and see what's going on". Carol nodded her head and standing up she followed Meredith into the corridor where they were greeted by Tulk who had a

terrified look in his eyes.

"Tulk what's going on, are we under attack?" asked Meredith as she put her hand on her arrow and bow ready to use them.

Tulk rubbed his hands over his face and taking Meredith's arm he replied "someone claiming to be a Ravager was allowed to dock and he attacked us. Yondu and the

kids were in the Hangar Bay when it happened".

"I need to get them Tulk. Stay with Carol" said Meredith and before Tulk could stop her she had run down the corridor and was soon out of sight.

Tulk checked his gun making sure it was fully powered and turning to Carol he asked "can I trust you?".

Nodding her head Carol replied "of course you can" and followed Tulk down the corridor towards the Hangar Bay. There was a sudden shifting in the ship's alignment

which knocked them both off their feet. As soon as it happened the ship righted itself and Tulk and Carol ran ahead hoping they would get there without any further

interruptions.

The Hangar Bay was not how it would normally look. Crates were shattered and a few crew members lay injured on the floor. Amongst them was Captain Yondu

Udonta. Carol frowned at the sight but her frown deepened when she saw Peter kneeling on the floor and saying "they took my Mom and Pearle" over and over again.

To be continued…

A/N - Please Review.