The Doctor

In a faraway galaxy Peter Quill sat in a bar wondering why they always tried to strike up a conversation with him. The 'they' he was referring to were the lonely drunks in the bar. It was a bar at an outpost between galaxies, so there were many lonely travellers in the place, but there was always one up for a chat, and they always decided he was the friendly ear who would listen to them. This time, Peter's 'friend' was a grey haired gentleman in a black suit. Peter thought he looked a bit like a librarian, but he was sure this guy had seen a lot more in his lifetime than just a few mouldy old books.

"Gone, just like that" the man waved his hand, nearly knocking over his drink. "Stolen away by that wretched boy, honestly why do I even bother with him? I tried to teach him, tried to show him the good inside but he doesn't want to acknowledge it. I am worried he will let his anger burn him from the inside out before he tries to do a good deed."

Peter nodded sympathetically, hoping that the less he said, the quicker the man would leave him alone.

"My girl" the man shook his head, "my poor old girl, who knows what he's doing with her? Well I have my hopes and I have my suspicions. Please let my suspicions be wrong".

Ah, Peter thought to himself. So the old guy's wife has run off with another man, a younger one too by the sounds of it, no wonder he's miserable.

"Cheer up Dude. I'm sure you're all better off" Peter said giving the man a comforting pat on the arm, which was not well received. Peter's arm recoiled at the man's hard stare; yep he was sure this guy wasn't a librarian.

"Don't call me 'Dude'" the man said sternly.

Peter held up his hands "whatever Dude – sorry".

Peter could feel himself starting to sweat under the man's piercing gaze, why had he opened his mouth?

"You think everything is better off do you?" the man asked quietly, "with my ship in his hands?"

"Whoa sorry Dude, you're talking about a ship?" Peter asked, "I thought you meant your wife or something".

The confused look on the man's face suggested to Peter that he couldn't really see the difference between the two.

The man frowned, "you know, once upon a time, I don't think I would have worried. I might even have agreed with you. But now things are dangerous. What happens if I don't get to Loki first?"

Peter looked at the man with alarm "Loki? The Loki? Sorry Dude, our conversation is over; I'm not getting on the wrong side of anyone from Asgard".

Peter started to stand, and the man's hand shot out and gripped his arm surprisingly tightly "sit down Mr Quill. I'm not finished with you".

Shock gave way to apprehension as Peter sat down. He knew he had never mentioned his name. Peter stared at the man, who no longer looked drunk, but grim-faced and very, very sober. "Oh crap".

"No need to fret Mr. Quill" the man said in a tone that was meant to be reassuring but came across more menacing, "I only wish to obtain your services. I need you to find something for me, well salvage something really. I know you will succeed where others would fail".

Peter shook his head "Dude, I am not going to even attempt to break into Asgard. Find yourself another sucker".

The man sighed, "Firstly Mr. Quill, I'm not sending you to Asgard. Secondly, I will pay you well for your services. And thirdly, you have called me 'Dude' four times since I told you not to".

Peter looked nervously at the man "what should I call you?"

"Call me the Doctor".