Chapter Seven: Begin Again

The two assassins were thrown through space and time, finally landing on the ruins of an oddly familiar planet.

"We're on Morag." Nat stated confoundedly, looking at the barrenness that surrounded them.

Gamora nodded. "In 2023. It was one of the only places and times I could find that wouldn't mess with the fabric of reality."

"Do you still have them? The stones?"

She searched her person, breathing a sigh of relief when her pockets turned up empty. They must have been left behind in the now-empty Soul World.

"No. Good riddance."

"Hear, hear. So now what?"

"Now, we send out a message to my team. There's gotta be some abandoned houses around here, we can find something to make a communication device."

"I'm on it." Nat said, marching off purposefully as Gamora followed.

Finally, they arrived at a run down house where they were able to find spare parts of machinery. Nat went to work as Gamora ravaged for supplies.

"Can any of your team members understand Morse code?"

"I'm going to take a wild guess and say no."

"Alright, well that complicates things."

"How so?"

"It just...makes my life just a tiny bit more difficult. In that case, I'll uh...here!"

After tinkering for a little bit longer, she stepped away to reveal a rudimentary box of interconnected wires and knobs attached to a microphone.

"I know it's not much, but it saved my ass in Sokovia back in 2015."

"As long as it works."

Gamora stepped forward, fiddling with the knobs to find a signal, and spoke into the microphone.

"Guardians, come in. This is Gamora. Guardians, this is Gamora. Do you read me?"

"Gamora?!" Rocket said through the device. "Yeah, we read you, but what the hell are you doing on Morag?"

"I can explain a lot easier if you come pick me up."

"And how do we know we can trust you, that you're our Gamora?" Peter interjected.

"Peter..." Gamora took a deep breath before continuing. "I love you, more than anything."

The line was silent for a tense moment until Quill's voice returned, unsteady and hoarse. "I love you too."

Gamora broke into a teary smile as the roaring of her team's ship became audible overhead.

As it landed and the hatch opened, Gamora ran inside as Natasha lagged behind.

When she caught up and entered the ship, the Guardians had Gamora wrapped in a group hug. As they broke apart, Peter held onto her hands and lightly brought his forehead to hers.

"I thought I lost you."

"I'm back. And I plan to keep it that way." She whispered, kissing his forehead.

Nebula stood off to the side, meeting Gamora's eyes as she came away from Peter.

"Welcome home...sister."

She smiled as she pulled Nebula into another hug.

"So what are you going to do, now that it's all over?" Gamora asked.

"Well, I figured I'd stick around a little while longer. I've put up with these idiots for this long."

"They're your family now, too, Nebula."

"Yeah, for better or for worse." She ended with a shrug and the hint of a smile.

Natasha cleared her throat, awkwardly waving from the entrance of the Benotaur.

"Oh, everyone. This is Natasha, she was in the Soul World with me."

"We've met." Rocket said, returning her wave.

"Likewise." Nebula added, going over to wrap her arm around Natasha's shoulder and lead her into the ship.

Drax approached them ominously, his eyes searching hers. Nat suddenly felt her hand twitch to reach for one of her blades.

"Your sacrifice gave me my family back." He said finally, in a surprisingly soft tone. "And for that, I owe you my life."

"Well...anytime." Nat stammered.

"Where to, lady?" Peter called from the passenger seat.

"Uhh, New York City. On Terra."

"On it."

As everyone took their seats, Gamora made her way back over to Natasha.

"Off to see a certain doctor?"

Nat smiled.

"Yeah. And with Steve and Tony gone, someone has to take care of the Avengers."

"They'll be in good hands."

"You will come and visit, right?"

"Of course. Being stuck in limbo isn't something just anyone will understand."

"But being stuck with you? That wasn't half bad."

They shared a friendly laugh.

"You saved us, you know." Nat continued.

"We saved each other."

"And the world. No big deal."

"All in a day's work."