I'm sure many of you have been eagerly hoping for this chapter. I shall do the utmost to not disappoint you.

I have also never been to a carnival/fair so if something is not right I'm chalking it up to it being an alien space carnival.

And due to a lack of dating experience hopefully this will not be anything hokey or crappy.

Enjoy

After having left the room Peter instantly went to check out if Drax was right about the fair. If it was it would be perfect for a first date, something simple and easy. Gamora was not one for extravagance anyway. Maybe she would even enjoy it more so because of her lack of childhood. This would be an ample opportunity to catch up.

Drax had indeed been right. There was some kind of holiday going on at Xandar. The fair itself was not that large, but that was part of the magic of it.

He just hoped Gamora would enjoy it.

Tearing through his clothes, Peter pondered Drax's words.

You are over thinking.

Quill my friend you do not need such things. Gamora will not care too much about this.

After taking a deep, calming breath, Peter looked through his clothes again. It was only a date, a simple, easy date with the beyond gorgeous, beautiful, and deadly Gamora.

He was so screwed.

You need not fret over your state of dress or appearance. Quill will be happy to just have you at his side.

Drax's words had been quite a balm to Gamora worries. Unfortunately such things still nagged away at her. This was her first date. Her first real date of her whole life, she wanted it to be good, more for Peter than herself. The terran man certainly deserved it after the kidnapping affair.

Thinking about it still made Gamora shiver with unease. She had been so convinced that Peter did not want her, that if he did not kick her off the ship and out of his life, then he would kill her. Of all plausible endings to that situation the one that hurt the most was losing Peter from her life. Had that happened death would have been the greatest mercy of all.

She did not know when he had become so closely engrained in what she had once thought to be a nonexistent heart.

Yet none of them happened. Peter instead came to her, washed the blood from her body, and reassured her that all her worries were false. In that one moment Peter had been endeared to her heart all the more.

Perhaps she even lo...

Gamora instantly cut that thought down. Yes, Peter means so much to her but Gamora did not think she was capable of lo... The Zehoberi woman could not even finish that word within her own mind.

Looking out the window into the skyline of Xandar, Gamora leaned back in the co-pilot's seat. She closed her eyes and attempted to quiet the storm of her thoughts. She needed to focus on this upcoming date. Peter said he had something planned but would not tell her.

Gamora just hoped she would not ruin whatever he had been planning. She wanted it to go perfect.

Nothing in all the galaxy is perfect.

Again Drax's words came to Gamora's mind. The destroyer was certainly full of wisdom. Most would be surprised but Gamora learned long ago that such things were not that implausible.

Once she finally got her thoughts under control Gamora stood and made her way to her and Peter's bunk. It was time to go change into her date clothes.

She really hoped she did not let Peter down.

Gamora was so distracted by her own internal thoughts that she did not make the realization until she looked over her clothes.

She had nothing that could be called 'nice clothes'. Everything to date had always been practical, been things she could use. Gamora had a bare handful of shirts and pants. Not much that would be appropriate for a date.

Looking over at the clock, the Zehoberi woman made a second observation with pure abject horror.

She only had about five minutes or so to get ready.

"No no no," Gamora grumbled under her breath. Surely the deadliest woman in the galaxy was not about to be defeated by her own wardrobe. At the very least she was going to be humiliated. So much for making the date at least somewhat perfect.

Gamora let out a sigh of defeat. She would have to just make the best of what she had and hope Peter would not mind.

After this date she was going to take some of that money she had saved and go... shopping. The thought alone repulsed Gamora but for Peter she would do anything. Even face the creature that was clothes shopping. Surely it would not be that hard to defeat.

Deep down Gamora was keenly aware of a single painful fact.

She was so screwed.

Peter ran his fingers through his hair again for what was probably the seventh time in two minutes. He was star lord, leader of the guardians of the galaxy. He did not do nervous... Oh screw it, he was nervous as hell. This was Gamora's first date and their first date as a couple. To hell with perfect, he just hoped he did not bore Gamora or make her run away again.

Peter had taken Drax's advice and dressed fairly simple. One of his normal pairs of pants with a dark blue shirt. It was warm outside for now but the temperature was going to drop later so he chose to also wear one of his lighter red jackets.

The former outlaw was currently waiting inside the Milano beside the exit ramp onto Xandar. Gamora would be here soon and the pair would head off to the fair together.

Groaning softly Peter tried his hardest to calm his heart beating in his chest like an organic jackhammer.

"Thank you Groot."

The familiar Zehoberi voice snapped Peter into attention. He lifted his head to see Gamora coming towards him. The waist high Groot had just handed her a small white flower that Gamora tucked into her hair behind her ear.

Peter instantly found his heart pounding for a whole different reason.

His girlfriend was gorgeous.

Not in the dress, painted nails, fancy hair, or makeup kind of way either.

Gamora had opted for a simple pair of pants with an equally simple shirt. In fact it looked very similar to the vest she had been wearing when they first met, the one with a mesh screen running up her abdomen and sides but not really revealing anything. Her hair was not done in any way, she simply let it drape over her shoulders in a cloak of dark, pink tipped tresses. The white flower in her hair completed the ensemble.

Gamora was certainly not beautiful in all those clichéd ways. That was what made Gamora different. She was beautiful in the practical sense, something oh so much better. So much so that Peter had not realized he was staring until Groot made a small noise.

Peter cleared his throat nervously as Gamora moved over to him.

The former ravager did not miss the dark green blush on her cheeks.

As they stepped off the ship Peter heard Rocket yell. "Don't stay out too late kids." The talking raccoon then made what Peter assumed must have been kissy noises of some kind.

Gamora grumbled quietly at his side but Peter heard what she said. "Lucky I didn't bring one of my knives."

That was something that had somewhat surprised Peter about this date. Gamora had actually relented when he asked her about not bringing any hidden weapons. Peter did not need to be told to know after that last capturing incident she was worried about him. Besides, of all places to be weaponless Xandar was safer than most.

That was how the galaxy found two of its guardians making their way down the street of Xandar unarmed and walking side by side.

Soon Peter felt Gamora slowly wrapping an arm around his waist. Nothing could have stopped the smile that spread across his face as Peter wrapped his around Gamora's own waist. Before he even had a chance to pull her near Gamora was moving as close to him as their walking would allow.

"You still have not told me our destination," Gamora piped up from his side.

Peter did not tell her for a reason. He wanted to surprise her, Peter just hoped it would be a good surprise. "We'll be there soon babe. It's a surprise."

Peter did not miss when the assassin's breath caught at the use of the word babe. That may be useful for later. He really did need to figure out a unique nickname specifically for her. For now she seemed to enjoy being called babe, temporarily it would work.

"Alri..." Gamora's response stopped short when she looked ahead.

Peter could not help but smile. The ticket booth that was the entrance had just came into view. Fortunately the line was short, they had arrived at the perfect time.

Letting go of her waist he grasped her hand, her fingers instantly lacing with his own, and pulled her towards the booth. After paying for their tickets they made their way into the fair itself.

Peter immediately noticed the way Gamora kept looking around everywhere. Peter knew that look, she was sizing up possible ambush locations. The former outlaw had seen that look far too often.

He was going to have none of that today. "Gamora."

The assassin's head instantly snapped towards Peter.

Before she had a chance to say a word Peter continued. "You need to relax, no one is going to try to kill us here."

She was about to fire back a retort of some kind but again Peter stopped her. "Look let's just kick back tonight okay? Today there is no Thanos, no assassin, ravagers, guardians, infinity stones, or anything. There is just you and me, Gamora and Peter. We're a couple out enjoying the night together."

Gamora opened her mouth as if to say something but stopped before making even a peep. After closing her mouth, she seemed to be thinking hard about something.

Finally she nodded. "Alright..."

Peter could tell that she was nervous about letting her guard down. Peter was just going to have to get her mind off everything.

A nearby grouping of carnival games drew Peter's attention. He did not miss the way Gamora's eyes dragged over the various stuffed animals available for prizes. That could be useful for later.

For now though perhaps one of the rides would be a great place to start. Peter looked around trying to pick one that was simple, for Gamora's sake.

Gamora allowed Peter to pull her along. She had faith he would not do nothing to endanger either of them, not on purpose at least.

This was how she found herself riding on several rides. Such as the "tea cups" as Peter had called them. She did not recognize the name. It must have been something on terra they called by something else here on Xandar. The "ferris wheel" was another such ride he had taken her on.

Gamora honestly did not expect it but she was actually having... fun. The concept was new to her in all honesty. She never did anything just for the enjoyment of it. That seemed to be the point of this fair, doing things just because they were fun.

Maybe Drax had been right when he told her Peter just wanted her there with him. She had been very surprised when he was starring at her when he met her at the exit of the Milano. He had been enraptured by her looks even when she wore what were essentially her work clothes. The only thing she had done that she knew he liked was her hair, he had often told her how great she looked when she literally let her hair down.

How in the galaxy did she manage to catch his eye in such a way without dressing in anything remotely nice?

Her terran sometimes made no sense or just plain confused her.

Part of Gamora's mind was telling her it was because he cared so much about her. Another part was saying she was simply imagining his stare. That was the darker part of her mind. The same part that would repeatedly tell her he did not really care for her.

Somehow though that voice was almost silent tonight. Being out here on a 'date' with Peter seemed to have silenced it. Gamora knew it would not be gone forever but she relished the peace its absence brought.

This peaceful feeling seemed to be dependent of her proximity to Peter. If the former ravager understood this reason for her constant closeness he called no attention to it.

Suddenly Gamora felt herself being pulled by the hand to a nearby booth. The Xandarian running it flashed him a smile and wink at the green skinned woman. After handing him a few units the Xandarian gave Peter two sticks covered in some pinkish colored fluff.

It was not anything she recognized but she learned quickly that it was food of some kind when she watched Peter take a bite out of it. The man made a small noise as he smiled. "Mmm... that's just like I remember at least."

Gamora looked at him curiously as he offered her one of the two sticks. She took it but looked over it in bewilderment. What was it anyway?

"It's called cotton candy Gamora," Peter was still smiling his trademark smirk. "It's a delicacy back on Terra. I never expected to ever see any again."

The green skinned assassin tore off a tiny piece of the pink fluff. It was a little sticky on her fingers but Peter had taken several bites and he seemed to enjoy it. Slowly, she plopped the tiny piece in her mouth.

Of all things Gamora was expecting, the reality was not what she had thought it would be. Gamora had experienced many things in her young life but that blast of sweetness that greeted her taste buds was not one of these. She tore off a much larger piece before even making a thought and practically shoved it into her mouth.

This "cotton candy" was delicious!

At her side Peter was chuckling softly. "Never expected you to have a sweet tooth Gamora."

Gamora did not know what he meant by "sweet tooth" but she inferred fairly quickly what he meant. She did however easily notice he was now laughing. At her.

She contemplated whacking him with the cotton candy in her hand but she did not want to risk damage to her new favorite treat. So instead she elbowed him in the ribs, not hard enough to hurt but hard enough to take the breath from his lungs.

"Oof... Okay okay sheesh, no need to abuse me in public." Peter rubbed his stomach.

Gamora flashed him one of her sickeningly sweet smiles.

Peter, by reflex, took a step away from her before Gamora herself burst into laughter. Within seconds Peter followed her in the hysterics.

The pair walked with arms linked searching for their next thing to do as they finished off the cotton candy. Peter only got to eat half of his own, Gamora stole the other half. When the deadliest woman of the galaxy wants your cotton candy you do not argue.

The pair soon found themselves at a ride Peter did not recognize in the slightest. It seemed to be a simple circular disk with what looked like a large couch in a single loop all around the inside. The disk looked large enough to seat at least half a dozen people with ease. The sign above the ride spelled out 'Skywatchers'.

There was no line so Peter dragged her forward toward it. The two women running the ride had large smiles on their faces, as if they knew something Peter and Gamora did not.

They did not seem to be threats but there was definitely something going on. It was both Peter's presence and the agreement with said terran not to cause trouble that stopped Gamora from saying something.

Peter's natural curiosity is what had them both climbing into the disk and taking a seat on the soft cushions side by side. It was deep enough that the edge of the space they were sitting in only came up to their mid abdomen.

The two women buckled them both in before jumping off.

"Hope you're not scared of heights," one of the two began. "Oh and you might want to hold your breath for a few seconds."

That comment definitely had Gamora's attention.

She did not get a chance to say a word before a rocket on the bottom of the disk abruptly activated sending them flying high into the air.

Gamora was not a person to ever scream unless it was in rage or pain. Peter not so much.

After a few moments they stopped their accent and simply floated in the air. Peering over the edge Gamora could see that they were far up. In fact they were actually above the clouds, she could not even see the world below.

It was when she looked up that Gamora saw the real sight. Being above the clouds and away from the lights of Xandar gave them a perfect view of the starry night sky. The disk itself had no lights, instead it was illuminated by the soft moonlight and starlight. The stars above them twinkled like millions of small burning torches.

The sight took Gamora's breath away.

The disk was slowly moving through the sky. Just fast enough to create a gentle breeze that periodically swept her hair back behind her.

"It really is a beautiful sight," Gamora whispered softly. She was not sure why she was talking so quietly, she could have screamed and no one would have heard a thing below. Maybe it was the atmosphere between her and Peter that begged for silence.

"Yeah, the view really is perfect." Peter beside her sounded almost wistful. Turning her head to the terran she was mildly shocked to find that he was staring at her again.

He had been looking at her the whole time. It was not the view of the sky he had been talking about.

Gamora felt a constricting feeling in her chest as her heart rate accelerated.

She was instantly aware of their proximity. They were practically pressed together in their seats despite being buckled in.

Before Gamora knew what was happening Peter had snaked an arm around her shoulders and leaned in close so that their foreheads were touching. Gamora rested a hand on Peter's shoulder for a moment before slowly sliding it up his neck, feeling the skin beneath her fingertips.

The situation was so much like back when Peter had found her in the bathroom. That closeness but desiring to be even closer.

Gamora found her dark eyes locked on Peter's. It was almost as if she could not physically look away, the terran's orbs had her completely entranced.

They were so close that Gamora could feel the heat of Peter's breath on her lips.

The Zehoberi woman's hand slowly slid up Peter's neck and into his hair. She tangled her fingers in the strands as Peter's arm tightened around her shoulders.

Gamora's mind had almost completely shut down at this point. All she could think about was the terran's lips barely inches away from hers. She had never kissed anyone before, she was not sure what to do. Do you just press your lips to the other person's? Are your eyes supposed to close? Do you breathe through your nose duri...

Peter suddenly tilted his head to the side and pressed his lips to hers.

No w Gamora's mind was one hundred percent completely shut down. Moving on pure instinct, she pushed her own green lips to meet Peter's. The fingers in Peter's hair gripped the strands softly as she pushed her body as far toward Peter's as the disk's restraints would allow which was unfortunately nowhere near as close as she wanted to be.

Gamora wanted... no, needed more.

The assassin's eyes drooped closed as she completely lost herself to the kiss. It was as if grenades were exploding in her head.

Gamora did not even notice her need for air until Peter finally pulled away after what felt like hours. The terran had pulled away just enough to breathe, their lips still brushing the other's. Peter was breathing extremely heavily as if he had just ran a marathon, Gamora was the exact same way.

After several heavy breaths, Gamora gripped Peter's hair tighter before pushing his head back toward her catching his lips in another searing kiss. The former outlaw simply moved with her pull.

Gamora was unsure if the resulting feeling of flying was from the disk they were riding on or the high Peter's lips gave her. Either way, Gamora craved more.

She found herself cursing the terran need to breathe more than her own people.

They continued this cycle for however long the ride lasted. Kiss, pull apart for air, breathe, resume kissing. It was not until the disk began its descent that the pair were able to stop.

As they lowered the last few meters to the ground Gamora found herself licking her lips slowly. They were surely swollen and bruised but she could not make the smile leave her face.

The two women manning the ride climbed back up to them giggling softly as they undid the restraints. Gamora decided to pay them no mind, she still felt larger than life.

As they climbed off, one of the two handed Peter a small envelope. Peter just stuffed it into his jacket pocket without opening it.

Once they were off the ride Peter draped his arm around her shoulders. Gamora just smiled as she wrapped her own around his middle.

Gamora could feel that the two had crossed some unseen line into new territory.

It was not until this moment that the reality set in and it finally dawned on the assassin.

She just had her first kiss.

Her first kiss.

Gamora could not understand or stop that feeling of warmth that spread through her whole body. If that was what kissing was like she wanted to have many more every day.

"It's getting late but there's one last thing we should do," Peter's voice interrupted Gamora's revere as he guided her toward yet another booth. It was the same one she had been looking at when they first arrived. The one with many stuffed animals and other smaller items. She had wondered what it was like to have such things.

Once they were close Gamora saw what the booth actually was. It was some kind of game. There was a large field of glass bottles scattered about a small area in a grid like pattern.

Looking over at Peter she saw the man running the booth place a bucket of red plastic rings in front of Peter. The terran picked up one and spun it around his finger before throwing it. The ring clanged off the bottle it hit and clattered to the floor.

Ah, so it was a game of throwing rings, the stuffed animals must be prizes or something for winners. Which meant planting a ring on top of one of the bottles without knocking it off, as she was currently watching Peter do.

The game would have been easy for someone like her, a large part of her body was enhanced. She considered asking Peter for a few rings but she stopped short when she saw the former ravager. The determination in his set jaw. Surely he did not see her looking at this booth earlier?

By now Peter had finished up almost his entire bucket except his last ring. He was grumbling quietly moments before a wide grim bloomed across his face. "Hey Gamora?"

The green skinned woman arched an eyebrow at him.

"Why don't you give me a kiss for good luck?" There was that traditional cocky smirk.

He was joking, Gamora knew it but before even thinking she moved closer to him and planted a soft kiss on his lips that lasted a fraction of a second. Before Peter could react she lifted his throwing hand to her lips and softly touched her lips to his knuckles.

Peter was too dumbstruck to speak. Gamora herself was blushing furiously.

Once he finally regained his composure Peter lifted the rings up and tossed it. Gamora watched closely as it sailed through the air.

Landing directly on top of one of the bottles.

"Yeah!" Peter cried out throwing his arms up in the air. Gamora could not help but giggle at his antics.

Wait... since when did she giggle?

Gamora almost missed it when Peter was asking which of the stuffed animals she wanted. At first she did not know which to pick. Her eyes finally settled on a small and simple one. It looked like something Peter had once called a "teddy bear". The man running the booth took down the small stuffed animal and handed it to Peter who then handed it to Gamora.

Peter was smiling at her as she examined the teddy bear. It was covered in brown fur except for its stomach that was white instead.

It was really such a mundane item but that is not what made it important.

It was the fact that Peter had won it for her.

As the couple left the fair, Gamora had one arm wrapped around her Peter while her other hand clutched the bear to her chest almost protectively.

"I am Groot?" Drax looked down at the small tree man that had appeared beside him.

"I am sure it went quite well," Drax smiled as he patted Groot's head softly.

It was about the time that Peter and Gamora should return to the Milano and Drax wanted to be there when they did. He had to admit he was curious how their outing went.

"Sure you don't wanna take that bet Drax? I'm sure star-dork has screwed up somehow." Drax let out a sigh at their small furry teammate.

Rocket did not share the same belief in Gamora and Peter that Drax and Groot did. The whole time the two lovers were gone he had been trying to get Drax to make a bet with him. Drax knew the things would have gone perfectly fine so he could have easily bested the furry mercenary but Drax chose instead to take mercy on him.

Just then laughter reached the ears of all three of them. Soon after they saw the two lovers come into view. It was actually Gamora laughing, much to their surprise. She was not one for such outward displays of emotion in public.

Peter and Gamora seemed completely oblivious to the other three guardians.

Once they were closer Drax could see Peter's arm hung around Gamora's shoulders and her own arm wrapped tightly around Peter's waist.

Gamora also seemed to be holding some stitched together doll or toy of some kind. Most likely a prize Peter had won for her from the fair. She was holding it like some precious item that could disappear any moment.

Definitely a gift of some kind from her lover.

Drax did not try to hide the smile that swept his features as a feeling of father-like pride warmed him.

The sight of love flourishing was truly a wonderful sight to behold.

You all get a first date and a first kiss in one chapter. I'm fairly sure that dating rules say no kissing on the first date but these two have been together for months.

Hopefully it did not feel rushed. Also I hope Gamora was in character, the way I see it she is becoming a different person. People have a way of changing us, for worse or for better.

Now a question for my readers. I have some ideas for some M rated chapters. Yes or no? If so they will not be until several chapters from now.

As always your reviews are the air that breathes life into my stories.