Not surprisingly, Pepper was waiting for them when the ship landed in the wooded area by the field, once more, and was immediately covered by the netting that would hide it from overhead. Groot was with her, as were a few of the SHIELD people, and Nick Fury. They watched as the hatch opened, and the first one down the stairs was Ned. The boy's smile was ear to ear when he saw Pepper and Nick, although he looked pale and a bit wobbly as he walked down the stairs and toward them. Right behind him came Peter with Tony, and then Natasha, Steve and Stephen bringing up the rear.
"How did it go?" Pepper asked Ned.
"I didn't throw up."
"Good job."
"It was exciting," Ned told her. "And the view…? Wow. It was –"
"We can tell her everything when we go inside," Tony interrupted, knowing full well that if he didn't cut Ned off, they would end up standing in the field listening to a play by play of the entire test flight. "Let's go get something to drink."
The billionaire didn't wait to hear a response. He offered Pepper his hand, his smile reassuring her that all was right with their world, still, and the two headed for the compound building.
"I am groot?" Groot asked Peter.
"They're checking their results from the flight. No one looks too worried, though, so it probably went exactly how they wanted it to go."
"It was amazing," Natasha added, coming up behind them with Stephen. "I'm glad I finagled an invitation."
"Me, too," Peter agreed.
"So am I," Steve said. "Carol wasn't interested in going – she's seen it all a million times – but that's the closest I've been to the stars, and it was incredible."
"Can we go set up the tent, Steve?" Peter asked. "Or did you want to go get something to drink, first?"
"Let me get a drink, first, guys," came the amused reply. "I know it wasn't a mission, but I have this uncontrollable urge to debrief – even if it's just sitting around the table for a minute and listening to everyone's feedback. Then we'll see if Tony wants to help with the tent, or if it's just us."
"Okay."
OOOOOOO
It was about as chaotic a briefing as Steve had ever seen. Probably because he and Natasha weren't guiding the conversation along. Peter and Ned had seated themselves across from Pepper and Nick – and Tony, by default, since he was next to Pepper – and were telling her about the test flight. Where they'd been seated, who was seated next to them and everything there was to tell about the little ship – and then they both took a drink of their colas and really got started, describing what they'd seen out the portals.
To her credit (and because she was interested) Pepper listened to every word, and was even able to ask a few questions when they both stopped to take a breath at the same time.
"It sounds amazing," she said, sincerely, when they ran out of things to describe.
"It was," Peter agreed, looking at Tony to see if he thought so, too.
The billionaire was smiling at their enthusiasm, as well, and he nodded.
"It was."
Of course, he'd been in space, once before, but he'd been delivering a nuke and saving New York, while also saving the world, so he hadn't had a lot of time to stop and look around. It had all been recorded, however, and he'd had nightmares about it for months, and even years.
"When are they leaving?" Pepper asked, knowing the initial plan, but wondering if anything had happened to maybe change things up.
"Tomorrow before sunrise."
"Quill wants to make another trip to load up on snack cakes," Peter reminded them, since he wasn't going to be able to drive the man, now."
"I'll handle his junk food," Stephen promised, just as a motion at the door marked the arrival of the rest of the guardians, who walked over and joined them at the table.
"How did they do, Peter?" Pepper asked Quill when he sat down beside Gamora, with Rocket taking the spot beside Pepper, who smiled down at him and once more had to force herself not to scoop him up and cuddle him. He'd probably bite her – and she'd deserve it – but it was so tempting. "Is Ned ready to be an astronaut?"
"He didn't throw up," Star Lord replied, smirking. "That's a good start."
Ned grinned.
"Can we watch you guys leave, tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"I have to give them the reality stone," Peter reminded them all. He frowned, looking at Tony. "What do we put it in so they can transport it?"
"We've got just the thing," Rocket assured him.
He looked pleased – and maybe even excited – about the thought of having such a huge payday in their future.
Carol walked over, then, and smiled at the group, seating herself next to Steve.
"You guys want an escort?" she offered. "You've dealt with him, before, right?"
"We have," Quill assured her – although he thought it was nice of her to offer. They knew what she was capable of, after all – but they didn't want to share their loot. "He's going to be extremely generous."
"What if he isn't?" Peter asked, curiously, suddenly worried.
"Then we keep the stone and sell it to the highest bidder," Rocket said. He looked at Peter, and he winked – an odd gesture coming from a racoon. "Don't worry, kid," he said, confidently. "The collector would be the highest bidder. I guarantee he wants that stone."
"And all of the rest," Drax added. "You should allow us to take the others, as well. They would be protected, there."
"And we'd get double the payout," Rocket added.
"I am groot."
The young tree looked disapproving, and Rocket rolled his eyes.
"I wasn't serious. Relax. I know they have to be separated."
There had been a few long conversations about the destiny of the other stones and why Tony had no intention of allowing any more to stay on Earth – even if they were carefully guarded. They didn't know how to return the soul stone, yet, but they'd have a chance to sort it out once their guest had gone with the reality stone. Stark figured if nothing else, Wong might be able to figure that mystery out. It was what he did, after all.
He didn't know, exactly, what to do with the power stone, either, since the people who had once guarded it were now decimated. But, again, they'd figure it out. Quill and the guardians had already promised that no one would learn from there about Peter's ability to harness the stones' power, or the origin of the brilliant light that was still making its way across the universe as far as they knew.
"What time do you guys want to leave, tomorrow?" Tony asked, knowing that Fury was interested in the answer, as well.
Of course, so was everyone else.
"Right at sunrise," Quill replied. "We'll vanish into the sun and keep anyone from seeing us go." He hesitated, though, and looked at Pepper. "I do have a request, though," he added. "So I'd like to talk to you – privately – if you have a minute, later."
"I'm free, now," she told him.
"We're going to go set up the tent for the boys," Tony said, instinctively aware that the request that Quill had for Pepper didn't have anything to do with Twinkies and Ding Dongs. "Coming, Steve?"
"I am," Rogers said, smiling. "If I don't, the tent will probably collapse in the middle of the night while they're sleeping in it."
"I'm better than that…" he stood up and looked at his son, who was grinning, too. "Tell him, Peter. Our tent never fell during the camping trip."
"Because I put it up," Stephen reminded him.
"What? You're misremembering."
"Let's go find out…" Strange said, standing, as well.
Soon everyone but Fury, Pepper, Quill and Gamora were heading out the door. A lot of helpers for one little tent, but everyone was definitely interested. Especially Groot, who had every intention to get himself invited to sleep out with the others that night.
"Is everything alright?" Pepper asked Quill when they were gone and the room was silent.
"Yes," he looked a little hesitant, but Gamora put her hand on his, clearly reassuring him. Or bolstering him, Pepper thought. "I just want to make a side trip, and I didn't want there to be a big fuss about it. I thought you might be the one to ask, and then you could decide how best to get me there."
"Where do you want to go?"
"Missouri."