The stale, sterile air hit Ronan's nose as he entered the large medical facility. His large strides were quick and insistent, eager to get to Merry. He cast a sideways glance to the little woman at his side, striving to keep up with him.
"Yo, Papa Smurf." Peter lightly smacked Ronan on the arm. "Slow down will ya? She will be there, promise." Peter grabbed what little he could of Ronan's armor and caught the Kree. Tugging, he slowed Ronan's paced.
"Quill." Ronan growled his warning.
"Tsk, tsk." Peter waggled his index finger at Ronan. "Not in front of the lady."
Rolling her eyes, Nika huffed and firmly placed her hands on her hips. "I murdered two people minutes ago." At Peter's pale face she gave a slight smile, "I can handle some bickering."
Clearing his throat, Peter looked back to Ronan. "Regardless of who murdered who, slow the hell down."
"Can't keep up?" Ronan mused playfully. He looked smug. "Or is it all those sweets you eat slowing you down?"
Jabbing Ronan in the ribs with his elbow, Peter let out a laugh. "What can I say. I like sweet things." His expression turned sheepish. "Like your wife!"
Growling, Ronan lightly pushed Peter against the wall, he bounced back and winked at Nika. They turned silent as the trio made their way down a long, dim hallway. They passed numbered doors and Peter silently counted to himself.
"Which room is she in?" Nika asked.
"246."
They had just passed room 188 and still had a ways to go before they reached their destination. Ronan felt nervous, a ridiculous notion to him. He was not eager to tell her that her parents were murdered, while Merry hated them he knew she wouldn't have wished death upon them. In the very back of his mind, Ronan felt responsible for Merry's current condition. If he would have let her stay and help during the attack on the Aster she would have never been kidnapped.
"What are we going to do about Thanos?"
Peter's voice cut through Ronan's thoughts. He looked at the man and his face scrunched slightly. Truth be told he was not sure what to do about Thanos, he killed Nebula and Kehya and Jael were dead, as well. However, Thanos was never short on willing henchmen. "After I see Merry we will speak with Nova Prime."
Confused, Peter quirked a brow. "And what exactly will she do?"
Ronan shrugged. "I don't know. Something. She has the means to reach out to other worlds."
"Should we still worry?" Nika's small voice poked through.
Peter and Ronan exchanged nervous glances. "We don't know but we will find a solution." Peter smiled down at the woman.
"She's married, Quill." Ronan stated and smirked at Peter's eyeroll and Nika's blush.
"That is not…" Peter started, looking a bit startled as he tried to explain to Nika.
"It's okay." Nika gave him a reassuring smile and tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear. "And for the record, Ronan, I am not married." She cast a glance towards Peter. "He died."
"I am sorry to hear that." Peter said, his voice sweet and genuine.
"I apologize." Ronan said. "I was unaware."
Nika nodded her head towards Ronan in understanding and cast a shy glance at Peter. Flushing, she averted her eyes when his gaze met hers. She scolded herself for acting so childish.
Ronan quickened his steps as numbers on the doors increased. Looking behind him, he noticed Peter and Nika talking amongst themselves and took it as a sign he could leave them be. Rounding the corner, Ronan came face to face with the closed door to Merry's room.
"You want some time alone with her?" Peter asked.
"No!" Nika exclaimed at the same time Ronan answered "Yes."
Raising his brows, Peter clicked his tongue. "Well, it looks like we have an issue."
"She is my wife." Ronan said harshly to the woman.
"She is my friend!" Nika clenched her fists at her side. "I took care of her!"
"As have I!" Ronan bellowed.
"Okay!" Peter raised his hands in the air. "We need to take a moment and relax." He looked at the Kree. "Would it be so terrible to have us go in with you?" At Ronan's scowl, Peter held up his index finger. "Ah, we promise to leave to give you some alone time. Just give us, "he paused and rattled his head a bit, "five minutes."
"Five…!" Nika started but quieted when Peter glared at her. "Five minutes is just fine." She gave Ronan a sweet smile, biting the inside of her cheek.
"See?" Peter opened his arms wide. "We are all in this together."
"Shut up, Quill." Ronan snapped and reached for the door handle, turning it but then froze.
"Well, c'mon." Nika urged impatiently.
"Ronan?" Peter's voice was quiet.
"What if she doesn't want to see me?" Ronan admitted. "I am the reason she is here in the first place." He let out a deep breath. "If I would have let her stay near me instead of ordering her to the bedchamber."
Putting his hand on Ronan's shoulder, Peter reasoned with him. "You didn't know this was going to happen. Merry would never hold it against you."
"She is amazing." Ronan gloated.
"Exactly, that's why you should open this door so we can see her and then leave you two for some weird Kree-Xandrian lovin'."
"I don't think it would be wise to mate so soon after a near death experience." Nika said, her voice logical and cool.
"Please never speak of our mating." Ronan asked, cheeks blooming with a hot pink color. Glancing at the both of them. "I am opening the door."
"Well thank God!" Peter burst out.
Pushing open the door, Ronan's eyes sought out his wife. She was laying on a hospital bed and raised her head when she heard the door open. Merry smiled at him and sat up, opening her arms to him. Smiling back, he took large strides to get to her. He bent down and wrapped his arms around Merry, who held onto him with a vise-like grip.
"Oh, Ronan you are alive." Merry muffled into his throat.
"Yes, I am but better yet you are." Ronan let her go and cupped her face. Scratches marked her pretty face and there was some bruises and other cuts on her throat, what he could see of her decollate, and arms. Lowering his head, his lips caught hers in a sweet kiss. Merry sighed her content and kissed him back, happy that he was okay.
"Merry?" A familiar voice rang out.
Breaking her lips from Ronan's, Merry looked over to the doorway and saw Nika. "Oh, Nika!" Her friend came over and gently sat on the bed next to Merry. The woman hugged and shared smiles. "I am so glad you are here."
"Thanks to your husband." They both glanced towards Ronan. "I like him, even if he can be a bit hotheaded." She smiled at Merry's admiring look. "We have a lot to talk about but I think it is time for you and your husband to be alone."
"Nika you don't have to go."
"I know but you two need it." Smiling at Merry she hugged her and nodded towards Ronan. She walked back towards Peter who was standing in the doorway.
"Hello, Peter." Merry gave a wave.
Waving back Peter said, "I'll catch up with you later. I don't want to talk any time away from Ronan." He waved them both good bye and left with Nika, closing the door behind him.
"Ronan, is something amiss?" Merry spoke up after the pair had left. She reached her hand out to her husband.
Slowly walking towards her, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Kissing her soft hand he held it against his chest. "I am worried about you."
"I am just fine, my love." Merry tried to soothe him.
"And our child?" Ronan held his breath waiting for the answer. He knew if they lost the child they could always have more but there would always been an emptiness, a sadness for the loss of a life.
Tears formed and fell from Merry's eyes, "By the grace of Odin and Frigga our child is safe."
A deep sigh of relief overtook Ronan as he fell onto the bed next to Merry. Wrapping her warrior in her arms, Merry hugged him as he took several deep breathes. She felt his hand go under the blanket and her hospital gown to settle on her stomach, just as slightly rounded with child as before.
Merry kissed Ronan's forehead. "Tell me what happened after I grabbed the Infinity Stone."
Looking up at Merry, "I killed Nebula and your parents are dead, as well."
Her eyebrows arched and Merry's eyes widened in surprise. Truth be told, she felt little guilt or sadness over the three deaths. "You said you killed Nebula."
He nodded.
"But you also said my parents are dead."
He nodded again.
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Did you kill them?
"No." It was a simple answer.
"Then who did?"
Ronan hesitated. "Do you truly wish to know?"
Merry wasn't sure if she did or not. Her parents were gone and they could never hurt her again. Knowing who killed them would not change that. "No, at least not right now."
Giving her a small smile, Ronan claimed her lips once more. Merry's hands cupped her face as she deepened the kiss, causing Ronan to moan. "Merry," he murmured against her full lips "you are in recovery we cannot do this." Breaking the kiss he gave her wicked smile. "I promise when you are better, I will do unseemly naughty things to you."
Giving him a giggle, Merry nodded her agreement. "You better keep to your word, husband."
A silence overtook them as Ronan drew little circles over her stomach. After a moment, Merry spoke up. "I told the doctors about your father."
His movements stilled on her skin. "Excuse me?"
She looked at his shocked, wide eyes. "I told the doctors about how your father fell ill. They think they can help him."
She felt his body tense and she feared he would say no. She reached down and laid her hand over hers. "Ronan, please, our child needs their grandfather."
He looked into her green eyes, so full of love and hope. She was right, their child needed their grandfather. Theus would spoil his children rotten and would love, cherish and protect them. He would tell stories and teach them the ancient ways of the Kree.
"I will allow them to heal my father."
Reaching up, Merry wrapped her arms around him and pressed him hard against her body. Holding his beautiful face in her hands, Merry smiled at her husband. "I will never replace those you lost but thank you for allowing me to give you a family."
"I should be thanking you." Ronan admitted. "You are giving my father back his health and giving me a child." He smiled sheepishly, "Hopeful we can make more children."
"Deal, warrior." Merry laughed.