"Well, seeing as you three can't seem to get along, we are going to have to figure something out!" Nick Fury says in her sassy female voice to Tony, Steve, and Bruce. "But the way it looks now, the two of you," She gestures toward Tony and Steve who are sitting on opposite ends of Bruce, "still have a lot of issues to deal with."
Both Tony and Steve have their arms crossed angrily and are looking away from each other. Bruce is just sitting there timidly.
"And what is your role in all of this?" Nick Fury asks Bruce, who is the only one to make eye contact.
She looks up at Nick Fury with sad watery eyes. "I was just trying to protect Tony." Nick Fury furls her brow in surprise. "I was afraid she was trying to hurt him. She was very angry." Bruce continued.
"Wait." Fury says. "You were protecting him from her?" She points to each as she asks this. "She was the angry one? Not the other way around?" Bruce nods.
"That's the way it looked to me also, sir." Maria Hill says from one of the computers nearby.
"I'm confused, what's going on?" Vision asks through the computer speakers.
"I'll tell you later." Shuri whispers back to him.
"You can go sit with the others Bruce." Fury makes a dismiss gesture, and Bruce quickly jumps off her seat and rushes away, taking a seat by Shuri, who gives her a hug. "You know, when I called this meeting, I didn't expect it to turn into an intervention. Yet, here we are." Nick Fury says angrily.
Steve Rogers looks up at everyone in the lab, guiltily. "I'm sorry everyone. I don't know what came over me." Shuri, Sam, James, Maria, and Wanda look on silently, not sure what to say.
"It's alright," T'Challa says softly. "I'm just glad no one was hurt."
"He broke our wall." Oyoke grumbles angrily. This causes Sam to chuckle. Rhodes hits his arm and shakes his head.
"It seems, you both can't be in the same room without going at each other's throats like a couple of wild animals." Nick Fury tells them. "So, naturally, you're both going to have to patch things up in front of everyone, or...!" Nick Fury pauses to let the plan settle. "I'm gonna leave you both here on the planet, all alone. So you can cat-fight amongst each other. No offense King T'Challa."
"None taken." Black Panther responds.
Tony glares at Nick Fury wondering if it's a joke, but knows better than to challenge her right now.
Steve Rogers studies Fury's face for a moment then tries to look up at Tony, but decides to turn away. She is unsure if it's in embarrassment or anger.
"I was trying to patch things up..." Steve says. "But he was being difficult."
"Is that so?" Nick Fury asks. "And what about you, Lover Boy?" Fury now turns to Tony. Tony gives Nick Fury another angry glare, making Fury realize she should tone down her sarcasm.
"I'm sorry." Nick Fury tells Tony unexpectedly, before changing her question. "Now, even I am being a little tense about everything. What happened with you, Tony?" Nick Fury asks nicely this time.
Tony has to force himself to calm down before speaking. "I was trying to patch things up also..." He tells Fury. "Things just got carried away."
"There." Nick Fury tells them. "Isn't that better? You both have the same goals." They're both looking down in embarrassment, now. "Look, I'm not the type of guy that's going to make you say you're sorry. I'm not going to ask you to forgive each other and put it all behind you."
Everyone in the rooms continues to stay quiet, because none of them know what to say. Nick Fury continues. "After the shit that went down between you two, it's a miracle we've only lost a wall and a table... But what I am going to do is ask that you two get your SHIT together long enough for us to save the world, and the goddam universe first."
Tony looks down again letting Nick Fury's words soak in. Steve Rogers just slightly nods to acknowledge she is listening.
"When this is all done," Nick Fury says loudly. "If you two still want to kill each other. Be my guest! I'll rent out a stadium and buy the popcorn. But until then, we need both of you to get along. Do you got that?"
Steve Rogers hesitates a moment before looking up and nodding. Tony looks away and nods lightly.
"Do you got that, Tony?" Fury asks angrily.
"Yes, I got it." Tony replies with forced calmness. "We'll get along. That's all I really want, anyway. To save the Universe. We'll worry about our problems later."
Captain Rogers looks down. She is now too afraid to bring up the subject of Bucky, which was her original goal. She feels bad for having to let him down, but at least he will be safe on Earth.
"Alright." Nick Fury says. "Now we have more important things to worry about." She turns away from the two then addresses the room. "King T'Challa, James, and Tony, We have a very serious issue at hand. I'm going to need one or more of you to host a press conference. Things are getting a little hairy out there, and people need answers.
As Nick Fury begins to update everyone on the situation, Sam who is now not listening, leans toward Jame Rhodes and Maria Hill. "I'm glad he didn't ask them to kiss and make up." He whispers.
Maria Hill turns and gives him a disgusted look, but James Rhodes chuckles loudly. He turns to Sam trying to look serious, but failing and says, "Man, shut up!"
*** That night***
"Hello Peter, we need to talk." Gamora tells Star-Lord.
"Oh, you want to talk?" Peter asks, playfully. "I guess this is one of those dreams."
"No Peter. This isn't a dream." Gamora responds.
"It's not?" Peter replies, not quite believing her. She starts approaching Gamora seductively. "Because it really feels like a dream, to me." Peter begins to caress Gamora's arm, but she is not having it.
"Peter, this is serious." Gamora snaps from somewhere behind Peter. It surprises her and she turns to see Gamora has somehow moved away from her. When Peter turns back to see who she's been caressing, there is no one there.
"Gamora, what's going on?" She asks, still trying to be playful, as she approaches Gamora again.
"Peter, I need to warn you," Gamora tells her. "And everyone!"
"Oh! You need to warn me?" Peter says, seductively, still not giving up.
Gamora rolls her eyes and looks to the side. "This is my fault." she says to herself. "I shouldn't have messed around with him." She turns back toward Peter and holds her hand up. This causes Peter to freeze in her place.
Peter panics a little at her inability to move. "Gamora, what's going on?"
"What I'm trying to tell you Peter, is that you're in trouble." Gamora says as she approaches Peter. She is taller than Peter now, so she has to lean in to look into her eyes. "Everyone is in trouble Peter."
Peter finally relents, but Gamora can't tell because she's still frozen.
"Thanos has figured out the stones." Gamora continues. "I can hold him off for now, but it's only a matter of time before they get too powerful. I need you guys to hurry, or it's only going to get worse..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Peter interrupts. "Gamora?" she asks, "Is that really you?"
Gamora looks at Peter dumbfounded. "Of course it's me. Who else could it be?"
"I thought you were just a dream." Peter says, with a hint of emotion in her voice.
"No!" Gamora snaps, somewhat offended. "I told you the first time. I'm connected to everyone the stone has affected."
Peter's eyes begin to water. "Gamora? Is it really you?"
"Yes, Peter! Are you not listening?" Gamora is legitimately getting upset.
"I thought you were dead..." Peter is really tearing up now.
"No!... And yes..." Gamora responds, but has to think about it. "I don't really know. When my father sacrificed me for the stone, something happened. It kind of drew me into it. I'm able to see everyone and everything affected by the stone, and I seem to be able to communicate with some people also. I don't know how it works, Peter."
"Uhmm..." Peter contemplates what to say. "First of all, you can let me go now. I promise I won't maul you."
"Oh, sorry." Gamora says. She doesn't make any gestures, but Peter takes a deep breath like she just relieved some tension. "This is just very important." She starts to say.
Before Gamora can get another word in, Peter rushes to her and hugs her tightly. Gamora tenses angrily for a moment, because it completely catches her off guard. She wants to stay upset, but the intensity of the hug implies it is something different. She can hear Peter sniffling.
"I thought I'd lost you, forever." She tells Gamora. "I'd thought I'd never see you again." Gamora tries to lightly return the hug, but Peter's emotions seem contagious. She ends up embracing her tightly and cannot resist a few tears herself.
"Can I stay here?" Peter asks unexpectedly.
"What?" Gamora replies in disbelief.
"Just here, with you." Peter tells her. "It's just really hard without you. I feel like everything I say is idiotic, and I don't know how to lead, and Mantis keeps acting funny..."
"Peter..." Gamora says. "You can't stay here." She loosens her embrace and Peter does the same. When they lock eyes again, Peter's face is a terrible mess. Gamora reaches up to wipe tears away. "Peter, your crew needs you. Now, more than ever."
"They just feel sad for me." Peter responds.
"That's because they're waiting for you to feel strong again." She grabs Peter's shoulders and it seems to steady her mind. "Peter, you don't need me or any voice of reason to lead your crew. They all look up to you."
"Even then, I can't do it without you... I need you."
"Hey, Captain!" Gamora says with a playful sternness. "You have me. What do you think the last few days were about? I could have gone anywhere, or talked to anyone, but I came to you."
Star-Lord smiles lightly at the thought.
"In hindsight," Gamora continues, turning away. "We probably shouldn't have spent so much time fooling around, but that can't be undone."
Peter takes advantage of the opportunity and checks out Gamora's body. The thought that it was really her the entire time, threatens to overwhelm her emotions again. She has to force herself to concentrate. "Okay, Gamora." She says with an understanding nod. "What do you need to tell me?"
Gamora half turns back afraid to show emotions as she repeats herself to Peter. "Thanos has figured out the stones." She says. "He's trying to undo the wish, but they're so weak right now that I seem able to control them." She turns toward Peter now. "The soul stone in particular."
"How much time do we have?" Peter asks.
"I don't know... A couple of weeks at best." Gamora responds. "He's using them to rebuild his army... And recruit others. He's planning something big. Also, I'm not sure who, but he's brought a few people back from the dead as well."
"Four of your siblings died in the battle on Earth." Star-Lord tells her.
Gamora's eyes widened with shock. "Four?" She asks, and Peter nods. "Then there might just be hope." She tells Peter. "No planet has ever been able to take out more than a single one of us, let alone four. You must ask them for help."
"I'm already on it." Peter says. "All of us are on Earth now. We've been assembling a team."
"You need to tell them to hurry. You really don't have time. I've spoken with one other person on Earth, but he's not asleep now."
"I'll let the others know." Peter responds.
"It's urgent, so I need you to wake up now." Gamora tells Peter.
"Wait!" Peter requests. There is a moment's pause, before he asks, "Can I save you, Gamora? Is there a way to take back the sacrifice?"
Gamora thinks about it for a moment. "I don't know... I really don't think it's possible."
"Why not?" Peter asks.
"This place... It's like a prison. There are others in the stone as well, Peter..." She says in a warning-like tone. "Old, ancient beings. Some from further back than I ever thought possible."
"But, if it's possible to save you..."
"Peter, there are things in here that put my father to shame." Gamora interrupts Star-Lord. "Even while bearing the stones..."
"But if there were a way..."
"No!" Gamora shouts. "I forbid it! It is more dangerous than you can imagine. There is more to the universe than you can possibly comprehend, and this place spans even beyond that. Opening a way between here and your universe would be the equivalent of creating a black-hole that expels things instead of absorbing them."
Peter does not understand how something more powerful than an infinity stone can be contained in only one, but she is starting to understand Gamora's fear.
Gamora sees the concern in Peter's eyes and forces herself to calm down. She approaches her and touches her face. "When this is all over..." She tells Peter, "You will have to accept that I am gone." Gamora's eyes begin to tear up with Peter's. "Just know that I did love you, and I do love you."
Peter does not know what else to say, so she nods her head. Gamora moves forward and gives her a hug. They embrace for a long moment and when they finally pull away they share a soft drawn out kiss.
They step away from each other eventually and Peter tries to wipe the tears from her face.
"You will hear from me again, Peter." Gamora says. "Now go. Warn the others. You're a Guardian of the Universe, now."
Peter Quill smiles at this and chuckles as she says, "Yeah!"
"Oh, and sorry." Gamora suddenly adds to her farewell. "I might have been encouraging Matis's behavior. I really didn't think he'd get so carried away."
"Wait, what?" Peter asks just as her surroundings fade away and she is forced to wake up.
Peter wakes up in the guest room given to her in Wakanda. She peers out the window, realizing it's still fairly late in the night. She begins to contemplate whether any of the conversation was real, when she hears a whimper come from the corner of the bed.
"Mantis!" Peter shouts angrily. "What are you doing? How dare you sneak in here again."
Mantis turns toward Peter and his eyes are completely overflowed with tears.
Peter's captain instincts and concerns for a friend kick in. "Mantis? What's wrong?"
"Gamora..." Mantis answers. "You saw her too, didn't you?"
Peter Quill feels a strong chill envelop her as the threat of Gamora's warning looms over the room like the shadow of an eclipse.