Chapter 35

Life With Shipwreck

Disclaimer: Thought it'd be interesting to do this Shipwreck centered chapter following his time in jail. Also includes a new scene as well.

Ever since Hector 'Shipwreck' Delgado had ended up in jail for three months and made to attend mandatory sessions/classes for Therapy, AA meetings, sexual harassment, and respecting women following the near international incident he had almost caused with Wakanda, life had become different for the man. An incident that had also caused him to be demoted several ranks as well. As it is, not having a drink due to being in jail had been harder on him than he had thought it would be and that and everything else had only served to enforce the realization on how he had been handling things hadn't been for the best. Making him realize he needed to change for the better for not only himself, but his kids and his team mates as well. Though even with that realization it hadn't been the easiest of things for the man and even after he was released from jail it was a constant struggle for him to the point he was tempted to ask if he could go back for a longer period of time.

Sure, the mandatory sessions/classes were still a thing after his time in jail but they could only do so much for the man. But Hector had made a vow, one he had re-enforced after putting the babies to bed the first night he was home that he'd be a better man no matter what. It hurt that Althea and the triplets didn't exactly believe his vow but given how nuts he'd been acting ever since Mara had left, well… Hector supposed he couldn't blame his kids and it made his resolve/vow even stronger. He'd even written several unsent letters to his ex-wife as a way to confront his demons where she was concerned and as part of his healing process. He'd even sent letters of apology to not only T'Challa of Wakanda but to Ororo and Xavier as well but nothing had ever been sent back other than a warning/reminder about the restraining order against him.

Which wasn't exactly a surprise to him and made him regret all the more on how he had acted with Ororo while hoping she was okay while out there in the world. He also wasn't too surprised by the fact Hawk was keeping a close eye on him and Shipwreck was thankful to the man for keeping him from being thrown out of the Military and into a lifetime sentence in prison. And while the rest of his fellow team mates and the kids weren't exactly giving him wide berths, Lance was and Hector could understand that since he basically had failed in the kid's eyes. But like with everything else, he'd do his best to make it up to him and everyone else.

As the saying goes, 'you reap what you sow' and I am definitely reaping right now. Sighed the man in his head as he got Claudius ready for a bath.

Somewhere In The Milky Way Galaxy At The Star Stop

The Star Stop, a space station built around a Diner known as the Short Stop, a Diner that was originally from Earth until it found itself being sent into Outer Space back during the early 70s. And while it had certainly rattled the likes of Ed and Annie Wheeler, the owners of the Short Stop, they eventually got used to being stuck in their corner of the Milky Way Galaxy. Even agreeing to have the space station built around them and essentially overall becoming known as The Star Stop, allowing for all manner of individuals to come through and visit the various things the station has to offer. And one individual in particular had made his way to the Short Stop with intentions of sealing a deal so to speak. Once inside, he carefully looked around and then nodded at what he was looking for and headed for a booth while giving a polite nod to ol' lady Wheeler. "About time you got here, Yondu." Remarked Rusty Collins from his spot at the booth the figure was coming to.

"Yeah, well, good to be careful and all." Remarked the revealed Yondu.

A blue skinned Centaurian by the name of Yondu Udonta who has a red colored metal fin atop his head. "Where's Peter?" wondered Sally 'Skids' Collins as Yondu sat down opposite her and her husband.

"I got him to sign up with the Guardians since Pirate life ain't for him." Informed the Alien much to the two's surprise.

The fact that Vance agreed to it relieved the former Guardian turned Pirate a great deal as he'd never liked that Peter Quill had come into his life through some unfortunate circumstances and essentially got stuck with him and his bunch. Something that had only happened after Yondu and his crew had come across a wrecked ship and thought they could steal anything that might've still been intact and Peter as a boy had been the only survivor left on there and the kid had refused to leave Yondu's side after he found him. Unfortunately however, Yondu and his Ravagers faction would later get exiled thanks in part to an old grudge that framed him by claiming he'd been hauling cargo filled with kids and to this day, Yondu was still trying to clear his name. Getting uncomfortable with the surprised and sympathetic looks coming his way, Yondu got on to business. "Enough about the boy, y'all got what I came here for, right? The sooner we do this, the sooner we can all split our ways since I know bein' around me isn't all that agreeable."

"Right, yeah, we got it." Rusty told him and Sally brought out and placed a briefcase on the table.

Eagerly, Yondu pulled the briefcase closer to him and opened it up and what he saw inside made his eyes widen in pleasure. "Ohh yeah, this is what I'm talkin' about!"

For the contents were six rare, still in their packages, 1960s era Troll Dolls. Rusty and Sally both fought to keep the amused grins off of their faces as they knew he wouldn't like seeing that one bit. Closing the briefcase, Yondo cleared his throat and pulled out a device that contained money on it and handed it to the two Starjammers. "I'll be on my way then and if y'all say a word about this to anyone, I will end ya!" Growled the Centaurian before hauling ass.

Rusty and Sally couldn't help but chuckle to themselves before they too made their leave, but not before leaving a tip.

Author's Notes: Oh yeah, Shipwreck's definitely got a lot to make up for. I also thought it'd be fun to do something with the Outer Space portion since I alluded to it earlier on where Rusty and Sally are concerned. Not to mention mixing a few things together where Yondu, the Guardians, and his Piracy are concerned. The Star Stop is also from the comics too for those who may not be familiar with it. Up next: Lance meets Betsy's family! Oh boy!