A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it's been awhile since I've updated. I have work, school, other fan fictions, etc and I lost track of time!
Peter had to think fast. He handed Lilith over to Gamora.
"Get her back to the ship. I'll meet you back there soon." He said, barely getting the last word out of his mouth before he took off running in the direction that he thought Maria went in. He ran as fast as he could through the dark corridors, trying to find Maria before she found Nebula and vice versa.
He finally found Maria walking with purpose through the hallway in the same direction that he was heading in. The agent had yet to notice him as she continued to briskly walk in the opposite direction and Peter had to pick up the pace as Maria turned at the last minute for him to grab her, placing a hand over her mouth to keep her from saying anything. Maria put up a fight trying to get out of his grip, making the former outlaw wrap his other arm tightly around her waist before Maria kicked him in the groin, but he ignored the pain and tightened his grip.
He had to practically pick her up to get her back to the ship, and she was still struggling as he threw her onto the couch and he had to climb on top of her, resting all his body weight and practically cutting off her air supply until she stopped struggling and Peter got off of her. Only to see she was knocked out cold.
Quill checked her pulse, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw that he didn't kill her as Gamora came down from the flight deck.
"You found her, I see." She said, crossing her arms.
"Yeah. She put up one hell of a fight too," He said, standing up and looking at his girlfriend, "Where's Lilith?" He asked, raising an eye brow at her.
Gamora nodded her head down the hall towards her bedroom and went in that direction, opening the door to see the small, blonde headed child fast asleep in the bed.
"Guys? Why is Maria passed out?" Emily called when she arrived back moments later, coming into the bedroom. The teen had various cuts on her face and a bruise on the side of her jaw and cheek bone.
"What happened to you?"
"I had an unfortunate run in with Nebula," She started, earning startled looks from them, "It hurts to talk right now. I'll tell you about it when my face stops hurting." She added, and Peter gently took her by the arm and brought her into the bathroom to get the first aid kit.
Emily sat on the toilet as Peter cleaned the cuts and placed an ice pack on her face.
"Where are Drax, Rocket, and Groot?" He asked, keeping the ice pack on the girl's face as she pointed in the direction of the sitting area where her older sister was, "How much pain are you in?" He added, holding up a series of pain meds with his other hand.
"Like I was hit by a truck." She said bitterly, groaning as Peter applied more pressure to the ice pack, picking up her hand and replacing his with hers so he could give her the pain medicine before he got up and went back to Gamora's room to see she was now sitting on Lilith's bedside stroking the child's light hair.
"I promise we're not going to let anyone hurt you ever again. You'll be back with your mother and father soon." She said softly, giving Lilith a kiss on her pale forehead.
Peter smiled at the two of them as Gamora continued to stroke Lilith's hair before she finally noticed Peter in the open doorway.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asked accusingly, almost glaring at him.
Almost.
"Only a few minutes. I had to take care of Emily's injuries." He answered, shrugging.
The ex assassin only nodded in response as she turned her attention back to Lili.
"Has anyone ever told you that you'd be a great mother?" He asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame.
"I don't see how I would be. It's my fault that Nebula took her in the first place."
Peter sighed, "No, it's not. It could have happened to anyone. You, Emily, Maria..myself...anyone. And the important part is that Lilith isn't hurt. Or worse." He said, finally moving to sit beside her and put an arm around her shoulders.
Gamora sighed, about to say something else when an angry voice stopped her.
"Peter! I'm going to kill you!"
Peter sighed for the umpteenth time that day before speaking. He didn't expect for Maria to come around so soon.
"Sounds like Maria's awake."
A/N: Let me know what y'all think! Please review :)