'Peter…'

He shifted in his bed uncomfortably.

'Peter…'

"Mom…" He mumbled in his sleep.

'Peter… Hold my hand…'

He shifted again. He heard the sound of a long beep. He awoke with a yelp. He gasped for air; his bare chest was covered in sweat. He looked at the crib across the room. Lotus sat there unmoving, looking at him with observant eyes. He sighed. He must have awaken her. He rubbed his face in frustration. He didn't want to wake her up. "I'm sorry, sweetie." He got up from his bed and walked over to the crib. He picked the baby up; she snuggled against his neck like she always do.

"You know that your name is Meredith, right Lotus?"

The baby did not replied.

"Well, you were named after my mother, Meredith Quill. She… she died when I was just a kid."

Lotus half closed her eyes.

"And she was beautiful…"

Lotus closed her eyes a little bit more.

"And strong…"

Lotus fully closed her eyes.

"And happy… Just like you." Peter placed the now sleeping girl back to the crib and placed the pink blanket above her to keep her warm. He smiled down at the girl and sat at the edge of his bed. Sometimes he would dream of his mother, of the time he didn't took her hand. He shook his head. There was nothing he could do now. That was almost 27 years ago. He couldn't change the past. He leaned back in the bed, pull up the covers.

He just went back to sleep.

But it turns out, he couldn't. He sat up again and walked outside his room, not bothering to put on a shirt. He walked towards the next door. It was Gamora's room. He slowly and quietly opened the door, knowing of the risks. He peeked his head inside, looking at the peaceful figure under the bed covers. He smiled. He just wanted to know that she was safe and sound. He closed the door again and walked towards the deck. He sat on the captain's chair and looked at the stars like Gamora does.

He couldn't help but think of all the things that had happened lately. Since Lotus' arrival, his life couldn't be happier. But he couldn't help but to think of things like the Collector admiring Lotus' pink eyes to this 'Crimson Red' woman to Nova Prime telling him to take good care of his daughter.

As the father he was, he couldn't help but to get worried. Everything was now turning to his daughter and his team and if something happened, he could help but to blame himself.

"Peter?"

He turned his head around and saw Gamora in her PJs, her hair a mess. Peter smiled at her. "Couldn't sleep?"

She shook her head. "Apparently someone was spying on me while I was 'asleep'. That's called stalking, you know." She gave him a tired smile.

Peter made space for her to sit down, but instead, she sat on his lap. Of course, he didn't mind. At all. "I was thinking…" Peter started.

"That's a first." Gamora said as she crossed her arms around his neck.

Peter smiled at her. "Hey, I need to think if I'm the leader of the team, right?"

"Good point."

"I was thinking about… Lotus. And everything else."

Gamora's gaze saddened a little bit. "I understand that you are worried."

"Yeah…" Peter looked at the stars. "I just want to protect her. That's all."

"And you will. You're Star-Lord, remember?"

"That's what I'm worried about. I'm Star-Lord. I have enemies. And therefore, her enemies. I just don't want her to get hurt."

"And she won't because you are her father."

Peter looked down. "That doesn't change the fact that there will be people after her."

"That also doesn't change the fact that she is surrounded by a big walking tree, a trigger happy raccoon, a man with anger issues, an ex-assassin and a thief. And all of them love her and will do anything for her."

Peter gave a weak smile. "You're right…"

"I'm always right." They looked into each other's eyes for a few minutes until Gamora decided to break the silence. "Well, I'm going to bed. I suggest you do as well." She got up and adjusted her PJs. "Good night."

"Good night, Mora."

She growled at him. "Don't. Just don't or I'll slice your throat."

Peter held his hands in slight panic. "Hey, I was just testing a pet name for you. Just chill!"

Gamora rolled her eyes and walked away. Peter sat there for a few more minutes. He sighed and walked back to his room. He took a glance at Lotus' crib; the baby slept like… well… a baby. Peter smiled and decided it was time to go back to sleep. He didn't want to get back to those days where he had those horrifying bags under his eyes… It didn't helped his image.

OOO

Crimson tapped her fingers on the hard wooden table while leaning her head over her fist. "Is it done yet?" She asked to a group of scientists that surrounded a small device.

"Yes, mistress." The leader of the group grabbed what it seemed a fancy metal collar with three red bottoms on the back.

"Have you test it?"

"Indeed. It works perfectly. It will make the user obey every single one of our orders, my lady."

Crimson stopped taping her fingers on the table and extended her hand. The scientist placed the collar on her hand so she could do some examination. She looked at it with a smug smile on her face. Her head darted to the Orb that sat on the far corner of the room, surrounded by an energy barrier that made it levitate slowly. She smirked. "Good. I just need something else."

OOO

Nova Prime walked back and forth with worry written all over her face. She had promised the Orb will be safe and now… it was stolen by a red hooded maniac. Just like that. A high security facility was infiltrated by Thanos' soldiers and Crimson led them. She killed almost twenty soldiers in less than an hour!

"Nova Prime?" Dey entered her office.

"Yes, Dey?" She turned her head towards him.

"We have more information on Crimson Red."

Nova Prime frowned. Crimson Red now seemed to be the number one villain in the list. It only seemed like it was yesterday when Ronan and Thanos took that place. It didn't help that she had a connection to the previous two. "Go on."

"Is slight information, but it's helpful. We detected a transmission from the ship that Crimson Red was boarding. They are after a target. In fact, various."

"And? Who are these targets?"

Dey stayed quiet for a few moments. "They… they are the guardians, Nova Prime."

Nova held her breath. They were targeting the guardians? No, they couldn't. There was a baby in their ship!

"Contact them. Make them come here. I don't care if you sue them with money or vacations or a new ship or with more money. Just bring them here. And if you need to arrest them to bring them here, do it. Don't hesitate." She turned around, looking outside the window. "If Crimson Red is after the guardians… then they are in grave danger."

OOO

It was money. Money brought them here. In fact, they NEEDED the money. Ten thousand units. Not bad, the money was already in their account. But they didn't know what was so important and why Nova Prime wanted them here. So they parked the Milano outside the building, with some corpsmen guarding it and they walked inside.

Peter decided he wouldn't take the baby carrier again. Lotus was getting heavy anyway. So he just carried her with his hands while she snuggled against his neck. They all took a right turn and a guard was standing there. With a bandage over his nose. Peter recognized the guard and smirked.

"Hey there, asshole. Is your nose alright?"

The guard flinched at Peter's voice and shut his eyes, he was shivering. What a coward. The guardians laughed at his cowering figure and keep walking. In a few minutes, they reached the conference room on record time.

"There you are." Nova Prime said while he approached them. "Follow me."

The guardians looked at each other, unsure of what was going on and followed the corpsmen leader through a hallway. This hallway was painted white and its floor was made of marble. "So Nova, why are we here exactly? Because I'm pretty sure you give us our mission in the conference room."

Nova did not replied instantly. "This mission is quite… different. And it requires a high security room."

They reached the end of the hallway where a pair of big silver doors stood out with pride. Nova Prime placed her hand in a finger print recognition and the doors opened, allowing them access to its insides. The room was slightly smaller than the conference room they usually went to. Nova took a seat in the middle of a large round white table. The guardians sat around it and Peter placed Lotus in his lap.

Nova sighed before speaking. "We have a red code emergency."

The guardians looked at each other with confusion and worry written on their faces. Nova continues. "The Orb… has been stolen. By Crimson Red."

Gamora automatically gasped and Rocket slammed his fist onto the table. "You said it will be safe!"

"Rocket, calm down!" Gamora said.

"I am Groot." Groot agreed with Gamora.

Nova sighed again. "It was safe. But with the help of Thanos' soldiers, Crimson was able to grab the Orb with ease. She killed almost twenty corpsmen in less than an hour." She took a deep breath. "Also, she's targeting a couple of creatures."

"Who?" Peter asked.

"All of you."

The team stayed silent as Nova continued. "We are not sure why she is targeting you all. But we came to the conclusion that she's specifically after Mr. Quill and Little Miss Quill."

Peter gulped. "Oh, really? Because as far as I can remember, I don't know her, therefore, I don't own her anything, do I?" He said nervously.

"No, Mr. Quill." Nova replied. "She took an Infinity Stone. Nobody can control them. Nobody could… until you grabbed that stone and it was you who could control it and defeated Ronan."

Peter could feel a sweat drop running down his face. Was it hot in here?

"It practically made you the only known being in the galaxy that can control such a powerful ancient artifact. It makes you a target for many. And IF that anomaly in your system is hereditary…" Nova looked at the baby in Peter's arms. "…therefore, she is a target as well. And a very vulnerable one."

Peter surrounded Lotus with an overprotective arm. How couldn't he see it before?

"So now I declare that the Guardians of the Galaxy are under the Nova Corps custody."

OOO

"Ok, so we are all here under the custody of the police." Rocket commented while he crossed his legs over the table. "Bunch of jackasses… sitting in a circular table… Feels like we are being arrested again."

Drax scoffed and crossed his legs over the table a well. "We are not criminals anymore."

Rocket face palmed. "I said it feels like we're being arrested again. I didn't said we were arrested."

"I am Groot."

"Shut up, Groot. You're not helping."

Gamora looked at her friends while she sat beside Peter. They had been inside that high security room for hours. Sure, they were send some refreshments and some entertainment. But the Guardians of the Galaxy weren't made to be inside a room all day. And they weren't allowed to leave the room. They would have escaped the room, but for Lotus' safety, they agreed they would stay there as long as they needed to. But Peter looked awful. And he was unusually quiet.

Gamora remembered the conversation they had last night. Peter was starting to worry if something happened to Lotus. And today's conversation with Nova Prime didn't help her boyfriend's case.

In Peter's case, he was lost in his thoughts. He didn't keep track of time. The only thing in his mind right now was the protection of his team, Gamora and his baby girl. And the fear of the future.

"Peter?" He felt Gamora's hand on his shoulder.

He turned to look at her in the eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just that…"

"It's ok. I know you are scared."

Peter looked at the sleeping baby in his arms. "I'm… I guess you're right."

"You remember our conversation from last night, do you?"

"Yes."

"Good. That's all I needed to know."

Peter gave her a weak smile, knowing that they were all there to protect each other. The silver doors opened and an elderly looking man with round glasses walked inside with a janitor's uniform.

"Hello there. I was asked by Nova Prime herself to bring you this refreshments." The man held up a couple of drinks and two bags of potato chips.

"Finally, something to eat. I was starting to think that Nova Prime wanted to starve us." Rocket commented as he snatched a bag of chips from the man. The man gave a drink to everybody and brought some baby food in a jar and a spoon for Lotus. Peter thanked him and opened the jar to feed the baby, who eagerly opened her mouth.

The man gave Drax a bottle of water and then gave one to Groot as well. "I am Groot." Groot thanked.

"Well, I'm Stan Lee. Nice to meet you."

"I am Groot." Groot repeated.

"Well, I am Stan."

"I am Groot."

Stan frowned. "Ok, I know you're Groot. So stop repeating it."

"I am Groot."

Stan turned around to face Peter. "Is he pulling by leg?"

"Giving Tree here only speaks in three words but with different meaning." Peter said.

"Oh…" Stan said in understanding. "Ok, well I must be off. I need to finish my comic books."

"Comic books?" Peter asked. "You write comic books?"

"Oh yes. I'm quite famous." Stan said with pride.

"Never heard of you." Rocket said, munching on a handful of chips. "None of us have."

"Ok, think whatever you what." Stan walked towards the doors. "See ya'." And the doors closed behind him.

Gamora turned to face her team. "Well, that was weird."

Peter shrugged and gave another spoon full of food to Lotus.

OOO

"Any trace?"

"No, Nova Prime. Not even one." Dey replied.

Nova sat on her chair and gave a low sigh. The guardians were a bunch of jackasses, but they were heroes and now, it was her turn to help them. But how could she help them if she couldn't even track down their stalker? "Keep searching. I don't want any risks."

Dey turned around to leave but stopped. He turned again to face his boss. "May I ask you something, Nova Prime?"

"Yes." She replied as she rubbed her temples.

"What would happen if Crimson Red got her hands on Peter or Lotus?"

Nova looked at Dey in the eye, concern written on her face. "Bad things, my friend. Really bad things…"