The search for the replacement parts was going to be a long one, but that didn't hinder the Guardians of the Galaxy. For Peter, Drax, Rocket and Groot it was a chance to spend time with the now seven year old Gamora. Each of the men took turns watching over her and in turn grew closer to the little girl. There were many ups and downs now taking care of a small child. Regardless of such things, Gamora was having a blast with the four heroes.
Drax was often the one whom the others went to when it came to getting advice on how to act like a parent. This didn't bother Drax at all; since he had a wife and young daughter before that day he lost them forever…
It still pained him, losing his beloved family. He would never completely get over their deaths, especially having to witness them first hand as the late Ronan the Accuser slaughtered them with no remorse. The Kree radical just took them down as if they were dumb animals. It angered Drax to no end!
He would take his frustrations out in the training room, beating the punching bag until his fists and arms where sore. When this didn't quell his anger, Drax had taken to meditating with Groot on the observation deck. The tree man had save his life all those months ago, proving not only Groot was a true friend, but so was the rest of the guardians. When a friend is in trouble, you have their backs and will stand by their side no matter what. With Gamora now a child again, Drax was given the chance to repay her for her acceptance of him (even when it was he who screwed up in the past and called her unflattering names).
Most of the time he spent watching the little girl, they did typical father-daughter activities. As he watched the seven year old play with her toys and games, Drax began to recall the times he spent playing with his own daughter. Gamora would often notice the sad look on Drax's face when they would spend time together. She knew little about his late family and wanted to ask him about them, but knew it was rude of her to ask such questions.
However, her wish to figure out what was eating Drax finally caught up to her. During a game of Guess Who (a Terran game Peter had taught the aliens how to play); Gamora finally had the courage to ask the brute about his family.
"Mr. Drax, can I ask you about something?"
"Of course."
"Well…I notice that sometimes you look sad when you spend time with me. Am I making you upset?"
Drax noticed the girl's hurt look. "No, you are not making me feel sad. It's just…you remind me of my daughter from time to time."
"Oh." Gamora still wasn't convinced. "I know she died a long time ago, along with your wife. I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. I still miss the both of them and I was in so much grief. But don't feel as if you are forcing me to bring up such bitter memories, Gamora. In fact, I am reminded by you on how much I have loved my daughter."
"How am I like her?" the little girl questioned. She was curious as to how she was similar to his deceased loved one.
Drax let a small smile appear on his face. "My daughter Camaria was a bright, intelligent girl. She was always eager to learn and enjoyed expressing her creativity. Camaria also had a gentle spirit; she would make friends easily and could have been a natural born leader."
"I'm just like that too?"
Drax nodded. "I have no doubt that if Camaria was here today the two of you would have become very good friends."
Gamora grinned with delight. "I wish I could have met her sooner, Mr. Drax. Your daughter sounds like she would have been a lot of fun to be around with. I bet even Nebula would have liked her too."
"Do you miss Nebula?" Drax knew that along with Gamora, Thanos had another adoptive daughter. Nebula had originally betrayed Thanos and sided with Ronan. She even made several attempts to kill her sister, but ultimately retreated from the final battle. As of now, the heroes had no clue where the cybernetic-enhanced villianness was; but when the time was right Nebula would make herself known to the group.
For now, the juvenile Gamora only saw Nebula as a supportive older sibling and not the bitter, vengeful woman the real Nebula was. "I miss Nebbie so much! She and I would spare a lot when Father would train us. Nebbie is stronger than I and would win often. But when it was just the two of us, she was willing to help me improve my skills."
"She sounds like a loving, caring sister." It was awkward for Drax to make such a comment when it was far from the truth. But Gamora was just a child and when you are young, the truth is sometimes clouded amongst lies that would ultimately show themselves later in life.
When they grew tired of playing Guess Who, the little girl wondered what they should next. "What kinds of activities did you and Camaria like to do?" she asked Drax.
He thought about it and then an answer came to him. "I remember fondly that Camaria enjoyed art very much. When she was in school, she would always grow excited when it was time for art class. Camaria would bring home piles of drawings and paintings of just about anything that would inspire her to create beautiful works of art."
"Then I want to do that with you!"
Drax agreed and began to search the ship for art supplies. After finding scrap paper, a box of markers and some colored pencils, he presented them to Gamora. While there wasn't much of a color palate to choose from, the girl was still grateful for the chance to be able to draw and color. As Drax and Gamora worked on their drawings, he made a note that the next time the Milano stopped at another planet, he would try to find a proper art kit for the little girl.
He was once again reminded of his daughter, rushing home from school with a big smile on her as she hugged him and eagerly thrusting the pile of papers covered with various doodles and figures for him to see.
"Look, Daddy! I made a spaceship just like the ones the Nova Corps fly!" Camaria said, pointing the oddly shaped object on the construction paper in hastily colored crayon.
"You are quite the artist, little one." Drax had told the young child.
"I want to be able to fly on a real spaceship someday. Will I be able to when I'm older?"
"I know you well, sweetheart." He said before placing a kiss on her forehead.
For every time he mourned the loss of his wife and daughter, Drax was quick to recall happier moments with his family. This memory of Camaria, so sweet and innocent, made the former criminal almost shed a tear. Instead, Drax smiled, glad to have such wonderful memories give comfort in otherwise grim times. He was lost in thought when Gamora brought him back to reality.
"Mr. Drax, I want you to see my work."
"Alright. I am keen to see what you have created, Gamora."
The seven year old turned her paper around for him to see. On the off-white sheet, she had drawn all the guardians, including herself. As he stared at the picture, Drax couldn't help but start to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Gamora said.
"Your skills as an artist are splendid, young one! You have captured Quill and Rocket so humorously!" bellowed the brute.
Gamora looked at her interpretations of the Terran and raccoon. She had given Rocket a frown while Peter was drawn with a slightly annoyed expression. Now seeing just how funny their expressions where, Gamora also laughed.
"You're right, especially since Mr. Quill and Mr. Rocket are always fighting with one another."
"That is true, but they do care and respect one another." Drax pointed out. He then noticed a gray and red figure next to one that appeared to be Groot. He asked the child if this was supposed to be himself.
"Yup! I think I may have not drawn your tattoos right, though." Gamora then pointed to the man's skin. "You have so many, it's hard to keep track."
"All of my markings on my skin have meaning. They tell of troubling times and of good ones as well. Someday, when you are old enough, I will be more than happy to explain their meanings to you." Drax explained.
She nodded, but then an idea popped into her head. "If you don't mind, I would like to draw a better picture of you. I want to be able to draw your tattoos perfectly."
"And how will you accomplish this?"
It was strange sight to see as he walked into the main area of the ship. Peter was going into the galley to grab something to drink and a snack when he saw the little girl and Drax. She was sitting on the floor busy scribbling away on a sheet of paper with a pencil, occasionally looking up at Drax. He was standing about a foot or so away from her, posing. The way the man stood was like that of a competitor from American Gladiators; though the ones Peter remembered from his childhood exuded confidence and pride, not looking so foolish and odd.
"Drax, what are you doing?"
"Oh, hello friend Peter. I am posing for young Gamora here. She wishes to capture me in a heroic stance, as well as practice recreating my markings on paper."
"OK…and how's that going, Gamora?"
"Rather well, Mr. Quill." She said and held up her drawing to Peter.
He was impressed by the girl's skill. The amount of detail Gamora had put into Drax's tattoos was remarkable! The hard, sharp lines and swirls that adorned Drax's body were perfectly captured in the little girl's drawing.
"Nice job!" he said and gave her thumbs up as a seal of approval.
"Thank you. Now, "she said, turning back to Drax. "Can you lift your right arm up a bit? I just need to finish the marking on your arm and I'll be done."
"Certainly, little one." Drax then raised his arm in a strongman's stance.
Peter had to stifle a chuckle as he watched the muscle of the group look like something out of a Warner Brothers cartoon. Peter's laughter didn't seem to affect the child's concentration. Gamora was so engulfed at the task at hand that her eyes squinted in determination and her tongue stuck out slightly. Her face returned to normal when she had completed her drawing. Standing up, she let Drax know that the picture was done and proudly showed the man his portrait.
"So, did I do a better job this time?" she questioned him.
"Hmm…You not only did a better job, you have magnificently captured me as the hero I have become, Gamora!"
The seven year old had a huge smile on her face from the praise she was receiving from Drax. "Are you sure? I know I can do better…" she said, then becoming worried of failing at her drawing of the man.
"You have done a fine job. You should not be so hard on yourself. I know your father has high expectations of you, but you need not to prove yourself over and over to us, Gamora. I am honored by your interpretation of me and my markings in your artwork. You have made me proud." Drax said, hoping to ease her worries.
Gamora saw just how appreciative the hero was of her hard work and became happy once more. "Thank you very much, Mr. Drax! Mr. Quill, would you like for me to draw you as well sometime?"
"I'd like that. But let's be sure I look just, if not, better than Drax here." Peter playfully bantered.
"With your attitude, friend Peter, it shouldn't be hard at all. You are a bit of a hothead." Drax told him, correctly using the Terran phrase that Rocket often called Peter.
Gamora giggled over the thief's chagrined reaction to Drax's statement. But he was quick to forgive his team-mate; after all, a little humility does go a long way.
Much later in the day, after the group had dinner, Peter had pulled Drax aside and asked how he was doing with the juvenile Gamora. "I know it must be tough for you, given how you lost your daughter at around the same age Gamora is now."
"I have fared better in dealing with my loss now that I am among true friends. I will admit that there are times the death of my wife and child still haunts me, especially when I am with young Gamora."
"If it bothers you too much, I or Rocket and Groot can take her off your hands." Peter offered.
"Thank you for the consideration, but I must decline."
"Really?"
Drax nodded. "Now that Gamora is a young girl again, it reminds me of the good times I got to spend with Camaria. I have lived in grief over her and my wife's death for so long, that I almost forgot about the wonderful times I was able to have with them. When I am with the little one…it gives me comfort that I now have a second chance to offer happiness to not only to Gamora, but to remember just how wonderful it is to parent."
Peter patted the brute's shoulder. "I'm glad for you, buddy. You being mopey around the ship isn't healthy. But I understand where you are coming from…and I'm glad that Gamora was able to show you that those good memories always beat out the bad ones."
Drax thanked Peter, happy to have such a good group of friends to remind him that life may deal you hurdles, but once you get over them, you are often rewarded with something even greater.