"I fear, therefore I am."

Chapter 1 – I've been through worse

Hey! New fanfiction :D This one will also be a Rocket focused fanfiction, but this time I won't be putting any 'invasive' characters inside the plot. I know most people didn't like Daemon, and therefore reading the whole story was a pain in the ass. I hope you forgive me for this xD

Anyways, I plan to do a relatively short one, this time for real because the last one had 27k words ;P. I was thinking about 2k – 4k words per chapter and only three of them; I'm not aiming to write a book here xD. Still, tell me if you have enjoyed this rough start of a chapter and feel free to correct any mistakes I might have made. Thanks and Have fun!

"I raise!" – Rocket threw another set of colored chips on the table's center with a large smile, to surprise of everyone.

Quill lifted his left eyebrow with a small smile with the corner of his mouth

"You know, I'm not lending you any more units. You're on your own now." – He bit his lip lightly and took a look at his cards. Rocket had been lying ever since they started playing, but he wouldn't risk it, he threw his cards down and said: - "Fold. You better know what you're doing mate'."

Rocket looked at him. – "Relax; I got a feeling this time." – He leaned back against his chair and placed his feet on the table, holding his cards in one hand with both arms crossed.

Drax scratched his forehead and grabbed a pack of chips from his share. – "I call."

The round went on while the other players did their choices, some choosing to skip out and some joining in. The Guardians were taking a break from all the heat; they had been doing random missions throughout the galaxy for almost two weeks, nonstop. Quill chose a relatively populated planet to land on, filled with bars, markets, shops, illegal and legal stuff. The best part was that they had earned a fair amount with the jobs, which jumped between saving small villages to escorting important people, most where boring according to Rocket but the reason for that was that he rarely got the chance to shoot someone.

Gamora and Groot went out to buy some supplies and some other things they might like across the city, while Drax, Quill and Rocket went inside a bar and joined a friendly poker game. Both Rocket and Quill had some experience in gambling or luck games, but Drax had never entered one before. He turned out to be a good player, since most of time their adversaries couldn't tell what he was thinking because his face looked pretty much the same all the time. Rocket and Quill had agreed they wouldn't cheat in respect for Drax and would try not to go bankrupt.

They watched as the card's dealer threw another three cards on the table and turned them over, Rocket growled louder than he intended too and the other players heard him.

"Running out of luck, pretty boy?" – One of them provoked, causing his friends to laugh. His nickname was 'Lars', short for Larsove. He was rather famous inside the bar and had some companions, two were playing alongside him. Rocket didn't pay mind to them.

"The game's still young, funny. Still got two cards left…" – He grinned showing his sharp teeth and the provoker let out a 'tsc'.

"We'll see…"

By the last round the bets were extremely high; whoever lost would be out of chips and therefore, out of the game. Only Quill, Rocket and Lars were left, Quill folded again and called out, grabbing his remaining chips and leaving the game, which left Rocket and Lars to face each other. Just as the last card was flipped over and the dealer said "cards down", Lars slammed his against the table.

"And that's your end! 'Full house'! Hand me the chips and the next drinks are on me!" – Everyone across the bar raised their glasses and screamed alongside him. He extended his hands to grab the chips but he saw the Raccoon on the other side of the table chuckling, first just a light laugh but then it turned louder and louder, turning into a hysterical laughter. Lars stopped half-way to the chips.

"Not today, friend. 'Four of a kind' and I guess that means you're out…" – Rocket flipped his cards, still grinning and showed a perfect sequence of four '8s'.

Lars eyes were widened and the whole bar was silent before Rocket said:

"You'll still pay for the beers? I could use one right now."

The whole place started laughing and the regular agitation returned, the musicians in the back resumed their song. Lars was clearly pissed off, as he pushed his chair away getting up in a jump and placed one hand on the blaster strapped to his thigh with a leather belt. He was about to pull it off when a hand was placed in his chest. He looked a bit to his left and his glare met Quill's, both of them stood there for a minute.

"We're not exactly looking for trouble right now. He won, accept it and move on or things will get bad." – He moved his coat and placed his hand on his pistol's handle – "And bad things are not good, are they?" – He had a slight provocation on his voice, but also a firm and obvious threat. Lars pushed the Terran's hand away from his chest and looked at Rocket again, his nostrils pulsing and face slightly red.

"I'll get back what is mine, I always do…" – And with that last sentence he made a quick signal to his companions and they slowly walked out of the bar, pushing their way throughout the crowd. Quill, Rocket and Drax watched as they closed the door behind them.

They exchanged the chips on the bar's balcony and each bought a bear, sitting down on the stools while talking and laughing. They stood there for about 2 hours and then decided to head back to the Milano, they went out the bar and met Gamora and Groot waiting for them outside.

"So… How did it go?" – She asked and they all smiled, obviously all three were drunk.

"Great! We multiplied our gains!" – Quill said, a bit clumsy on his feet and showing her his Unit Card. – "Find anything nice?"

"I am Groot." – Said the tree-man, showing them a large bag obviously full of random trinkets, because of the sound. Groot took out a small blue battery and handed it to Rocket.

"Really? Thanks bud, I needed one of those." – Rocket rolled the battery in his hands, admiring it. – "What else did you get?" – He asked to Gamora.

"Just some souvenirs and the supplies Peter asked for. " – She touched the new greyish blue cape she was wearing and placed her other hand on her hips. – "Shall we call it out tonight?" – It sounded more like a statement than a question.

"Hell yea… All I need is a bed right now; let's head back to the Milano." – Rocket shook his head to send away the dizziness from the drinks.

"I agree with the small beast." – Drax completed. Both of them learned to get along and Rocket stopped minding being called some names by Drax, he knew he didn't mean any of it. Some names, of course, were offensive. 'Vermin' was still a reason for Rocket to pull his gun and point it to whoever said it, so Drax avoided those.

Gamora, Groot and Drax went ahead; as both the tree-man and the tattooed warrior were bigger it would be easier to cut through the crowd. The streets were filled with all sorts of alien races and types of people, but the interesting part was that everyone seemed to be minding their own business, despite the mass being so large people were constantly bumping into each other. Peter and Rocket were slightly behind them, walking in silence. Until Quill whispered:

"I thought we had agreed not to cheat…" – He didn't look angry at all, more like having fun.

Rocket grinned without looking at him. – "The guy was cheating too; I guessed it would be okay to balance the game a bit." – He twisted his nose and looked slightly to Quill, still keeping his smile – "Besides, I saw you cheating too smart-ass."

Quill smiled back. – "I did? Well, whatever anyone says it was an accident."

"Sure… Sure…" – He sniffed and scratched his back. – "Still, it was fun. The guy having a twitch at the ending made all the night worth it."

"And the drinks, I haven't been in a decent bar for quite a long time."

"Yeah… Though I think we spent more in drinks than we won playing the game. Totally worth it." – He chuckled and Peter followed. – "Still, you think that guy was serious about coming back?"

Peter stared at him with a smile. – "You're dying to shoot someone at the first opportunity you get, aren't you?"

"What are you, some sort of foreseer? You're reading all my thoughts today."

"Not that hard to figure it out, you know?"

"I guess… Same bar tomorrow?" – The small guardian asked with a grin and peter returned it.

"Same bar tomorrow. You're paying, since you still owe me those units I lend you.

"Deal."

The walk continued in silence until they reached the port where the Milano was stationed, Quill paid a small fee for the manager and they entered the big red and blue ship, they were all used to it and seeing it triggered the kind of relief when somebody sees their home. And for a reason, the Milano was the Guardian's home.

Once they climbed on the boarding ramp, they split up and headed for their respective rooms. Groot and Rocket slept together, so they both went to the engine room, where Rocket had picked to be their place, he enjoyed it because the engine made the whole place being warm, and the Milano was rather large making it be cold in most places, and also because there were tools and a workbench inside it. Quill of course took the captains quarters, which was rather big for him but he didn't mind, he actually enjoyed it. The Milano had 4 extra bedrooms; both Drax and Gamora took two for themselves. Draxe's room was rather empty, except by a small framed picture on his bed table of a green woman and a small girl that looked like both. Gamora, on the other hand, filled her room with all sorts of weapons; She didn't had a picture of her parents, therefore the only photos she had were the ones of each of the guardians and one she kept hidden from the others, a picture from Nebula.

Quill pressed the Ship's lockdown and power out when he passed through the cockpit, which made the Milano fall in a relaxing silence and darkness.

Quill woke with a knock on the door.

He blinked twice to get used from the sunlight coming from the window, and placed his pillow on top of his head and yelled, a bit muffled:

"Yeeeeeeah…?"

"Peter, breakfast is ready. You're coming?" – Gamora said from the other side of the door.

Peter was still feeling quite dizzy, but he wasn't invalid to the point of refusing food. – "Sure, I'll be right there." – He heard Gamora walking back through the corridor. Quill got up and grabbed his coat from the chair. He quickly put it up and headed for the Milano's lounge. Drax, Groot and Rocket were sitting around the long square balcony; Gamora was serving them with a mix of toasts and some other local food. They all tried to cook, but Rocket ended up 'accidentally' dropping some spare gun parts in the stew he was making, Drax couldn't handle the instruments very well because his hands were enormous, Groot also dropped some things on accident, but in his case were leaves and small branches inside the food. Quill did everything right, but his food always turned out to taste horribly… Gamora was the one that got an "acceptable" state in her food, even though she never cooked before. "Thanos wasn't very fond of culinary, you know. His business is more like tearing people from their families and destroying every single happy person in the galaxy". – She had said. But in the end she was the one that got the 'cook' title inside the Guardians. She didn't mind, of course, she felt like it was an honor for her to be trusted to be serving food for them. The guardians would, of course, help in what they could, but Gamora lead the core.

"Mornin' Sunshine. Booze hit you that bad?" – Rocket asked and took a bite on his toast.

"Good morning, Friend Quill" – Drax completed his share.

"Hey guys, I guess it really did. I guess being a Terran has some disadvantages… I'm still a bit dazzled." – He smiled. – "Nothing some food can't solve, give me some space Rocket." – He said and the raccoon pushed his stool a bit to his right, to give Quill some space to sit with them. He grabbed a plate and started eating.

"I am Groot." – The tree man said after some time.

Everybody looked at him, including Rocket.

"Really? What are they showing?" – Rocket seemed interested, and the rest was just confused.

"I am Groot"

"Sharpshooter show? Damn it, I can't miss that; let's all go!" – Rocket lifted his cup and cheered, but everyone was looking at them with a confusion stare. – "Oh, right, I forgot you can't understand. Groot said he saw a poster with an announcement from an intergalactic group of performers; they're presenting some shows including simulated laser sword-fights, sharpshooting show as I said before, acrobats and some animal tamers. We could hop in; they will be out of the planet tomorrow."

Quill scratched his chin – "Sounds like a circus; I would like to see that. Never heard of an intergalactic one before."

"What's a circus?" – This time it was Rocket's turn to be confused.

"It's also a group of performers that make quick presentations, but in their case they just go from town to town. They usually set-up a colorful tent and sell food inside, it's intended for people to have fun and cheer up.

"Or, as usual, for the money." – Rocket grinned.

"You can stop being a bounty hunter, but a bounty hunter never stops being you…" – Quill shot back.

"That didn't even make sense."

"It wasn't supposed to."

Rocket looked at him like he was crazy, but didn't say anything. The raccoon moved his shoulders back and forth making small growls and scratched his back.

Gamora noticed.

"You okay, Rocket?"

"Yeah, just got some back ache… Bad sleep I guess. That stupid mattress is killing me, I need a new one."

"I am Groot."

"Don't mention it." – Rocket evaded Groot's sentence and the rest of the guardians noticed some sort of secret between both of them.

"Well… We can go buy one. I think I saw a store selling mattresses back when Groot and I were shopping." – Gamora offered.

"Thanks, I find it quite hard to buy stuff from people. Usually I just take what I want." – He took a bottle from the table and drank it, which made Quill let out a 'tsc'.

"You never stop drinking?"

"Not while I can." – He took another sip. – "What time does the show begin?"

"I am Groot." – Groot showed five fingers.

"Let me guess, five cycles from now?" – Quill asked Rocket, who nodded. – "We still have some time." – Quill completed checking his wrist watch.

"Great, we can buy my shit and still reach in time for the show."

"I am Groot"

"What? Limited tickets? No way!"

Drax frowned. – "In this case, we must acquire those before they expire."

"Ok so let's do the following: Both me and Rocket will go buy the mattress, since I know where the store is and you guys go get the tickets. We meet you there after that, deal?" – Gamora said to them making gestures.

"I am Groot."

"Then it's settled, off we go." – Quill stood up from his chair and the guardians followed, they got out the Milano and left the port.

"So, we'll meet later, take care." – Quill said before they split up and dived inside the crowd, following their respective directions.

Gamora and Rocket were bumping into a lot of people on their way, and most would almost knock Rocket over, therefore he grabbed her cape and pulled softly. She looked down to a reluctant Raccoon. He scratched his back and growled softly.

"You… uh… You mind if I climb your shoulder? I'm growing tired of people almost stepping on me." – He was obviously annoyed.

She smiled gently - "Sure, hop on." – She leaned a bit forward and Rocket climbed through her back, taking care not to rip her new cape. He grabbed on to her like a backpack, a bit to her left shoulder and held firmly on it.

Gamora took some directions and turned across the many buildings scattered around the city. She eventually found the store way deep in an alley, but Rocket's attention was in something else.

"That 'Margoth Guns emporium' sound's interesting… You mind if I…" – He pointed at the store.

Gamora looked at him with a doubtful expression. – "You're not stealing anything, are you?"

"Me? What makes you think that?"

She kept looking at him.

"Ok… Ok… I'll control myself." – He contracted his shoulders like something was bothering him, his back Gamora thought.

"What kind of mattress you're looking for? Let's make things quicker."

Rocket thought for a second – "Grab the softest you can find, just make sure I don't disappear inside it. I'll be right back." – He gave her his Unit Card, climbed off and made his way through the people's legs, Gamora saw him entering the shop before turning and making her way to her objective.

It was a general furniture store; as soon as she pushed the door and a small bell ringed, an attendant appeared out from nowhere.

"Hello there Miss, what can I get you today?" – He smiled gently and she smiled back.

"Show me your mattresses, the softer you can find."

"Right away! Please, follow me." – He made his way through the furniture and people around the store and headed for the back, where many beds were disposed side-by-side. He showed her many models until she found one Rocket would probably like.

"Fine pick lady, you're buying?"

"Yes, please. Place it on this card." – She handed him Rocket's card and he nodded his head. He went to the balcony and returned shortly after accompanied with a Centaurian guy that returned her the card.

"Done, hope you enjoy it! Anderson right here will accompany you to the back where our products are, if you just follow him." – He placed a hand on the employee shoulder and pointed at the exit. – "Anything else I can get you?"

"Not right now, thank you."

"Good them, we hope you choose our store again sometime!" – He said and went to another client.

Gamora followed Anderson out of the store and went a bit deeper on the alley, where he entered a hangar.

"Just a minute, I'll get your product miss." – He disappeared behind the door.

Gamora waited sometime before she heard a noise coming from behind her. By instinct, she unsheathed her knives and positioned in a combat-stance and turned to face whoever was close to her.

She was facing with a pack of thugs, five actually. They all had knives and blunt weapons, beyond that no weapons she could see. Gamora watched as one of them took a step forward, she looked straight to his eyes. Eyes filled with desire for revenge.

"Well… Well… Went for the cat and got the tiger. You think you can help us, pretty girl?" – Lars took another step with a large grin on his face.

"Another one and you'll be just in range for me to slice the tip of your nose off, I'd stay right where you are if I were you." – She held the knives tighter.

"Woah, easy there… You see, I'd be lying if I said I'm not interested in you. Damn, I'd be a cunt if I ever thought of that. But right now we're looking for a friend of yours. A little friend of mine saw you and a couple more guys standing just outside the bar we use to go. And it happens one of these guys was a small furred creature that cheated on a poker game last night, and I want my money back. So why don't you tell me where he is now?" – Lars laughed and his crew followed.

Gamora spit on his feet. – "Over my dead body."

Now Lars was pissed, he turned around and made a gesture towards Gamora. – "Get her boys, but don't kill her. We still need her to tell us and she will, like it or not."

His companions surrounded Gamora, hitting their weapons on the floor, walls and palms of their hands, provoking her to make the first move but she was experienced.

After all, you don't assassinate people by being rushed.

Eventually one of them lost patience and dived on top of her, then another and soon all four were trying to hit her. She blocked, ducked, rolled and dodged their hits, when they were tired and got a bit slower because of the heavy weapons she stroke back. She wasn't aiming to kill anyone, so her fists and the knives handles were her weapons. After some time she knocked all four of them out with a smile. When she was about to turn to face Lars again she felt an excruciating pain on her back and fell to her knees, electricity coursing through her body. She bit her lip and tried to get up, but another shot made her lie down on the floor. Gamora rolled over and her gaze met Larse's, he was pointing his gun right at her face.

"You're a tough one, I admit it. But even you can't stand two zapper blasts on the back. Now you're going to tell me where that friend of yours is, and now."

"I'm right here bastard."

Lars tried to turn but Rocket was faster. His gun knocked Lars unconscious instantly and he fell along with his crew.

"Sorry, I should have warned you those guys might be after me. You all right?" – He rolled his shoulders and pulled the jumpsuit a bit up to settle it. His breath was really fast, probably because of the adrenalin.

"Yeah… But I'm having the start of a really annoying headache right now."

"It'll wear off, don't worry." – Rocket lowered his weapon and kicked Larse's body.

Gamora stood up slowly, feeling a bit shaky. The thing about zappers is that they send an electricity burst that attacks directly the nervous system, causing pain whenever they go. The victim usually faints because of the shock but Gamora was stronger than that. She shook her head to get rid of the ringing inside her ears and picked up her weapons from the ground, spitting again at the group of thugs on top of each other.

"These guys didn't even put up a fight; at least they won't be bothering anyone for some time, right Rocket?"

No answer.

"Rocket?" – She turned and saw Rocket leaned against a wall, his hands wrapped around his body trying to reach desperately his back.

"Gamora… Please… The pain…" – He hissed and threw up on the floor.

"Rocket!" – She ran and grabbed him just before he collapsed. His eyelids were blinking and he was whimpering slightly. He was also twitching like something on his back was causing him great pain. Gamora lifted him up in her arms before picking up her communicator.

"Quill, answer please."

The device made some screech noises before stopping and Quill's voice came from the other side.

"Gamora, what is it? Everything okay?"

"No, there's something wrong with Rocket and I don't know what it is."

"What's your location, we're coming for you."

"It'll take too long for you to find us, meet me at the Milano, I'll bring him there."

"Ok, take care." – Both of them hang up their comms.

Gamora held Rocket close to her and checked his state, he was still barely conscious. She grabbed his weapon and placed it on her shoulder using the strap, and then made her way out of the alley. Most people thought the scene was, at least, odd. A green woman carrying a brown furred mass on her hands and pushing everyone aside wasn't something you get to see every day. Some cursed as she bumped on them unkindly, calling her the worst names one could ever imagine. Normally she would teach them to be polite by pressing a knife against their throat even being gentle as she was, but in this case she didn't even pay attention and, instead, just kept going.

Eventually she reached the port and headed for the Milano, where all three of the Guardians were waiting with concerned look upon their faces. They entered the Milano and Quill followed Gamora, asking her about what had happened.

"We were apart when a group of thugs came at me, asking where Rocket was. I fought and took down four of them but the last one managed to shoot me twice in the back. While he was trying to harass me Rocket took him down from behind. I was getting up when I heard him shrieking in pain, he threw up on the floor and would have fallen on top of it if I hadn't held him."

"My back… Hurts." – Rocket was now awake, but still feeling rather stressful as the pain was still there.

Needless to say Groot was worried sick, he was sticking really close to Gamora, just barely far from touching her all the way. They went inside the Milano straight to a separate room they used for treating wounds, something like a medbay.

"Put me down, please." – Rocket said with a weak voice.

Gamora placed him sitting on the table, she moved back to him.

"Untie the jumpsuit Rocket, please." – Gamora asked him and waited.

Rocket growled but didn't move.

Quill took a step forward. – "Rocket, please."

"I am Groot."

Rocket growled again but this time he released the jumpsuit clips at the front, taking it down to his hips.

"Damn it…" – He heard Gamora saying.

"Rocket, your back…" – Quill said with a scared look.

"Cut the drama and just tell me what's wrong, like this isn't bad already." – Rocket said angrily.

"Your… Your implants. They're bad, and bleeding."

"I am Groot."

Gamora took a step back and opened the cabinets, taking some medical supplies from inside.

Rocket shuddered – "How bad…?"

"I don't want to scare you, but really bad."

"I'm not scared." – He made a movement to bring the jumpsuit back up, put Peter grabbed his arm.

"We need to clean it up buddy, just a couple more minutes." – Anyone could tell Rocket was uncomfortable, but there wasn't really much they could do about it but to make sure things didn't get more awkward. Gamora returned with a pack of bandages, gauze, a cloth and some water in a small basin.

Rocket's back had four smaller attachments and a bigger one in the center, probably directly connected to his spine. All of them were slightly bloated and had made Rocket's skin around each turn blood red, which was probably because they were actually dripping blood. The raccoon was also shaking from time to time.

"Relax now, okay? I'm not gonna do anything more than I have to." – She watered the cloth and raised it but didn't touch Rocket, waiting for him to comply.

He hissed. – "Just do it quick."

Gamora nodded and started pressing the cold fabric against his sore back; he cringed slightly every time she did it, but remained still. After a couple minutes she cleaned all the blood and applied a cream to reduce the bloating, finishing up by wrapping a bandage around his upper body. After that Rocket pulled his jumpsuit up and jumped off the table before anybody could say anything else.

"Thanks guys, I'm brand new." – He moved his shoulders back and forth, but staggered while doing so.

"I am Groot."

"Sure hell I do. These things just end up healing themselves, you idiot. You know it happened before, remember? I've been through worse."

"Did your wounds bleed like this before?" – Drax, who had been quiet until then, asked with doubt on his face.

Rocket turned his face away and said with a low voice. – "No… But hey, they hurt all the time. Nothing to worry about, I'm fine. Now can we go ladies? We'll miss the show." – He left the medbay without saying anything else, leaving everyone with worried expressions behind.

Groot followed him and Drax too, leaving only Peter and Gamora left at the medbay.

"Those things weren't just normal wounds, something is really wrong with him…" – Quill said with a thoughtful tone.

Gamora nodded. – "We need to run some tests on him before those things get worse."

Quill shook his head and looked forward to the door, sadly.

"Good luck convincing him to do that."