Chapter 3:

*Rocket's POV*

Ten years sure do go by fast. Hey yet those years have been awesome. Especially sharing them with Verena, and of course with Groot. We each have a role in our team where follow to keep ourselves safe and sound. Unfortunately, over the years many roles are made because of our new lifestyle.

A yawn escapes the pretty, soft gray lips as Verena, now a twenty one year old gorgeous lady, sits down on the edge of the water foundation. Long to her small waist purple/black hair grew more beautiful and looks shing against the rays of the sunlight. Gray skin looks so smooth against the leather V neck tank top that shows a little of the bottom of her stomach as the curves of her big hips show through the black, leather pants. Black chunky boots lace up to her knees, making her taller than she really is.

Her long fingers touch through a couple of things on the scanner from her leather gloves - fingerless.

"Looks like there's nothing new among the Xanderians," an angelic like voice speaks.

"Xanderians," I speak up, hinting my dislike towards them, "what a bunch of losers. All of them in a big hurry to get from something' stupid to nothing at all. Pathetic."

"I couldn't agree more Rocket," Verena agrees.

A familiar pink colored blush appear on my face when she speaks again. Why does she have that effect on me?!

"Look at this guy Verena," I pointed out to a random guy, "can you believe they call us criminals, when he's assaulting us with that haircut?"

"Definitely something that I am not into," she adds in while rolling her eyes.

"What is this thing?" I notice a small child. "Look how it thinks it's so cool." The child's getting help to walk. "It's not cool to get help! Walk by yourself, you little gargoyle!"

"Now, now Rocket," Verena sighs, "what did I say about children?"

"I'm so sorry," I apologized to her with my head down, remembering her love for children.

She let out a chuckle before speaking with a smile, "it's okay. I know how you are. Besides," she turns to something behind me, "look at Mr. Smiles over there."

I turn around and notice an old man talking to a young woman. "Where's your wife, old man? What a class - a pervert." I let a laugh, turning over to my other partner. "Right, Groot? Groot?"

When he didn't responded back, the smile on my face turn into a frown while looking over to him. Our tree creature was drinking water from...the water fountain.

"Don't drink the fountain, you idiot. That's disgusting!"

Groot looks over to me, trying to look innocent as she shakes his head.

"Groot," Verena sighs a little before smiling softly, "lying isn't good and also if you're thirsty, you know you can have told me."

He groans lowly, looking down to the ground.

"It's okay Groot, I forgive you."

I sighed annoyed as I lean against Verena's arm. Verena notice this and moves her arm around my body pulling me closer. A deep, dark blush appears on my furry face.

The scanner finally goes crazy. She moves it closer to us and it shows us a scene between a man and a woman. It looks like he's talking to her, but making her pissed off.

"Looks like we got one," I speak up, "okay humie, how bad does someone wanna find you?" I asked the scanner.

"Forty thousand units?!" Verena exclaimed with wide eyes. "Gentlemen," she smirks to Groot and I, "it's payday."

"Yea!" I agreed with her, smirking. "We're gonna be rich!"

Groot wasn't paying attention to us as he continues on drinking the water. I frown at this, groaning and shaking my head. The suddenly something came to mind. With the money, I can finally give Verena everything that I always wanted to give her. A better home, clothing, materials for weapons, the ring of her dreams, and the wedding of her dreams. Above all, I can provide for her.

"Come one Rocket, Groot," the angel speaks up, "let's get that bounty!"

My smile turn into a huge grin when she stood up on her feet, ready for action. Gosh, she's beautiful.

Along the way towards our next target, there's someone else wanting in the catch.

"You got a plan Rocket?" Verena asked me, while still eyeing the fight between the human and woman in green skin.

"Yes I do," I smirked to her.

It appears to be the woman is winning and about to stab our target with her knife. Before I set out a place, Verena runs straight towards the woman without thinking.

"Wait! Verena!" I called out to her, worried.

*Verena's POV*

I ran straight towards the woman, knocking her down forward. My pair of dueling knives spin in my gloved hands, ready for a fight.

"Rocket, Groot!" I called out to my partners. "Get him in the bag!"

Groot extends the roots from his hand towards the struggling female under me.

"No! Not her, him!" Rocket screams, running over to the target. "Learn genders, man."

My knives rises up to strike down on the woman, but she grabs my wrists to break free. She looks over to where the gray orb is being picked up by the human and running away with it. I am being thrown to aside into a glass panel. I let got of my knives so I can cover my face. My gun flies off of my back.

"Verena!" Rocket screams, dropping down to the level I am on. "Are you alright?" he asked, holding my head up off the ground when I lay myself on my back.

"I-I think so," I stuttered a little, placing a hand on my slightly in pain head.

"Does your head hurt?" he asked softly.

"A little."

He gently strokes my cheek, looking deep within my eyes. I too look deep within his dark eyes. Something inside bursts, very similar to what happened on the day we first met. Rocket leans in to gently place a passionate kiss on my forehead, healing the pain. I closed my eyes with a soft smile as I place my hand on his small back as if I am hugging him.

We stayed like this for a few moments before returning to reality.

"Was that Gamora?" I asked, referring to the woman.

"The one that works for Ronan? Yea, it's her," he says, giving me my gun.

"He must want the orb," I said, placing on my gun, sitting up.

"Yea."

We both look over to see the man and woman fighting. The man places a small rocket launcher onto Gamora's leg, resulting her into flying. Rocket smirks as I laugh at this.

"Groot, get him!" I ordered him.

He walks over to the man while the man is being distracted and placing the bag over his head. Our tree friend carries the man over his shoulder.

A joyful laughter appear through my pale gray lips. "Excellent work gentlemen!" I grinned to them, walking.

Rocket chuckles at my childlike behavior, but then turns back to Groot who is smiling. "Quit smiling, you idiot. You're supposed to be a professional."

I roll my eyes, smiling to them, "it's okay to smile for a job well done."

Unfortunately, our joyful moment has been cutted by Gamora running over to us.

"You gotta be kidding me," Rocket groans.

She push us to different sides, attacking Groot. My purple/lilac eyes narrows into a glare as I grab my gun to aim towards her. Gamora cuts Groot's arms off. This motion makes her open the bag to be electrocuted by the man's gun.

I groaned loudly in annoyance. The trigger gets pulled to make a small ball of electricity shooting out. It hits the target into a powerful electric shock.

"Wow your new gun is impressive Verena," Rocket smiles to me.

"Thank you," I said blushing, placing my gun back on my back.

Froot whimpers over to us, looking at his arms. My emotions becomes more concern for our partner. "It's alright Groot," I said softly, placing my hands on his face, "your arms will grow back I promise." Seeing the smile on my face made him smile as well.

Suddenly, our bodies were hit by suspension became from the Nova officers' ships. My hands lower down to my side when we all were captured.