Chapter Nine

Several hours later, after some introductions, and a side trip to the cemetery so Jason could take Peter to see his mother, they all sat in Jason Quill's lounge. Peter knew he should be explaining his past to his grandpa, but didn't know where to begin. Jason kept an arm round Peter's shoulders, as if afraid he would vanish if he let him go. The silence became heavier, but no-one said anything to break it.

Finally, the tension got to Hunter. He sat forward, clearing his throat. "So, is someone gonna speak or are we doing a mime?"

Skye smacked him on the arm, making him wince before grinning sheepishly at her. Coulson and May glared. Jason, surprisingly, chuckled. "He's got a point. This is weird." He turned to face his grandson. "You planning to say anything about how your life's been or do I have to guess?"

"Uh..." Peter squirmed for a minute. He doubted 'I was raised as a thief, and until recently didn't care what sort of reputation I had or how many times I got arrested' would endear him to his grandfather. But what else could he say?

Jason arched a brow. "Yeah?"

"I, um, well, right now I sort of travel with a ship of friends," he indicated Gamora, showing she was one of them, "And we try and stop crimes around the galaxy."

Jason grinned. "Sounds cool." If dangerous. "But before that? I know you well enough to know you're hidin' something, Pete."

"I-"

"I think for now it would be best just to focus on the fact that your family is re-united, Mr Quill," Coulson interrupted. "Life in outer space is probably very different to here, and Peter's experiences might be a bit overwhelming, considering the shock you've already had today." Not to mention he didn't want any antagonism to arise between the two Quill men, and he had a feeling Jason wouldn't approve of Peter's upbringing even if the younger man was willing to discuss it.

Peter looked gratefully at Coulson. "What he said."

Jason opened his mouth to argue: Peter cut him off. "All I'll say is my childhood out there wasn't easy, but I survived. I'm ok, and I have friends to back me up now. I'm happy with my life, especially now I've seen you again."

Jason nodded, though his heart constricted. He already knew where this was headed. "You're not gonna stay, are you?"

"Not forever, no." Peter sighed. "Granpa, my life's different now. I wouldn't fit in on Earth, not after everything I've seen. I'm too different."

A lump rose in Jason's throat, but he nodded, knowing deep down Peter was right. "But..." He cursed the fact his voice was shaking. "You will keep in touch this time?"

"Of course," Peter said. He embraced his grandfather, eyes burning. He squeezed them shut to hide it.

Coulson cleared his throat, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's time to go."

Peter turned to him. "Already?"

He nodded, looking regretful. "I'm afraid so. It will take a few hours to get back to base, and I worry that if your ship and friends stay on Earth too long, you'll attract the wrong sort of attention. There are other forces besides SHIELD who aren't as tolerant of aliens, and I can't control what they might do."

Jason, who had looked stricken at Coulson's words, now squared his shoulders. "He's right, Peter. I don't want you put in any danger because of me. Just... don't leave it so long next time, yeah?" He tried to put on a brave voice.

Peter hugged him again. "I won't, I promise. Actually..." He turned to Gamora, about to ask if she had a spare communicator. She'd anticipated his request and handed it to him wordlessly. They shared a look and a smile, and Jason smirked at what was obvious- his grandson in love! Never thought I'd see the day... He took the phone-like device, eying it warily.

"That'll let us communicate whenever we want, no matter how far apart we are." Peter explained. "Just press that button, and if I can answer, I will. The button to the right is what you press to answer a call. Oh, it vibrates when someone's trying to contact you."

Jason looked sceptical. "So it's like a space cell phone? Hope the reception's better than the phone I use..."

Hunter and Skye sniggered, and even Coulson and May grinned at that, all too aware of how bad phone signal could be. Peter grinned, though he didn't really get it. Gamora frowned, but stayed silent.

May turned to Jason suddenly. "Hold on. You said you thought Peter might be in danger from an agency that mistrusts aliens. Why? They don't generally victimise humans..."

Jason looked shifty suddenly, looking from May to Peter and back again. "Uh..."

Peter waved his hand dismissively. "If it's about my father, I already know. Or, well, I don't know, but I know he wasn't from here."

Jason's brow rose. "He never found you?" Surprise, surprise... Guy who runs out on his girl and his child can't be good for much.

Peter scowled. "No, and I don't want him to. I'm not remotely interested in a guy who abandoned Mom and me before I could crawl."

Hunter glanced between them, hands raised. "Hold on a bloody minute." He scrutinised Peter. "You're half-alien?"

"Yeah, kind of." Peter shrugged. "So?"

"And you didn't mention this because...?"

"Because I don't know anything about dear old dad, and unless I'm mistaken, you don't normally drag skeletons in the family closet out in front of strangers!"

Skye nodded, eyes older than her years, and looking sad. She put a hand over Hunter's mouth to stop him butting in again. She met Peter's gaze. "Sometimes finding answers about missing family only leads to more problems. You're smarter than me, leaving it alone." She didn't elaborate on why, but the atmosphere grew heavier.

Eventually, Coulson spoke to break the tension. "We really do need to be going." Preferably before our assorted friends all kill each other.

Jason nodded, swalliwing hard before hugging Peter again. "It was good to see you again, Pete. Look after yourself, you hear?"

"I will, Grandpa." Peter's vision blurred with tears as the SHIELD team excused themselves, getting back into the car.

"I'll make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble," Gamora interjected dryly. "Even if ensuring that is a full time occupation."

"Hey!" Peter mock-glared at Gamora, before echoing Jason's laugh. The older man looked at Gamora with warmth. He leaned slightly closer to Peter and stage-whispered. "Keep hold of your girlfriend, Pete. She's good for you."

Peter went red, and Gamora, her skin tone still disguised by the hologram, hung her head as her cheeks darkened. Jason chuckled. Kids. "Come on, you two better get going before your ride leaves without you." He walked with an arm round Peter's shoulders, clutching the alien communicator as if it were a lifeline. This isn't goodbye, just see you later.

Gamora squeezed Peter's hand before climbing into the human vehicle, letting Peter and Jason say their farewells privately.

Neither man could think of anything to say now, though. Peter cleared his throat. "Take care of yourself, Grandpa."

"You too, Pete." He waved the phone-thing slightly. "And we'll talk soon, right? You'll let me know you're ok?"

"Yeah. Of course." Peter scuffed the ground with his heel. "I should've come back sooner, I just didn't know what to say..."

"You're here now. And you're ok. That guy Coulson was right. Past's over, nothin' we can do to change it. All we can do is move on." Jason sighed. "It's good you were able to come see Mer with me, at least."

Peter's eyes filled. "I should've come back sooner, I-"

"Peter?" Gamora called through the car window. "Coulson is insisting we leave now." Her tone implied she thought the human was being rude, but looking at Peter's expression, maybe dragging this out wasn't a good idea.

Peter braced himself, hugged his grandpa tightly once more, then stepped away. "I'll call you soon. I promise. And I'll be ok."

Jason nodded, forcing a smile on his face for Peter's sake as his grandson got into the car. He stood there as it pulled away, only letting the tears fall once the SUV was out of sight.

Inside the car, there was an awkward silence. Gamora held Peter's hand but nobody spoke for a while. Peter's expression was preoccupied, worried and he kept glancing back towards his childhood home. Grandpa's all alone. Is this really the right thing?

Coulson was the first to speak, correctly interpreting Peter's pensive mood. "SHIELD will keep an eye on him now, make sure he's safe and looked after. You don't need to worry about him."

"Thanks. I..." Peter didn't think 'thanks' was enough, but couldn't think how else to reply. Luckily, Coulson seemed to understand, smiling warmly.

"Family is one of the most important things we have, even when we can't be with them."

Peter nodded gratefully. "Blood family and family we've found for ourselves, it's all important." He laced his fingers with Gamora's. I have two families. And they're both a part of me. Maybe, later, he'd send an image of himself with the other Guardians, so his grandfather could see who his friends were- if it didn't frighten him!

Skye spoke up. "Are you ok, after seeing your mom? I know I found it hard, seeing a parent's grave, and my mom and I didn't exactly part on good terms..."

Peter's eyes smarted. "I'd really rather not talk about that." The picture on his mom's headstone had been one taken just before she began chemo, the last time he'd seen her healthy, and it brought back memories he thought he'd forgotten. He needed to process it, but wasn't going to do that in front of people he barely knew.

Silence resumed for the rest of the trip home. Peter was grateful for the time to sort through his thoughts. It seemed like no time had passed before they were back at Avengers HQ. Still feeling uneasy at having left his grandpa out on a limb, Peter was heavy-hearted as the other Guardians surrounded him. Gamora removed her holo-disguise, and an idea came to him, making his trademark grin appear for the first time in hours.

"'Mora, c'mere. Drax, Rocket, Groot, you too."

They grouped round him, a little puzzled, as he raised his own communicator so it faced them, and for some reason took a still image of them all standing together. He quickly typed a few words and sent the message.

Rocket stared. "What was that about, Quill?"

Peter shrugged. "Just figured since you all couldn't come with me to meet my grandfather, I'd send him a message so he knows who you all are."

Drax nodded approvingly. "Excellent! Your grandsire should have a image of your comrades. That way any tales told will do true justice to our appearances."

"Provided seeing aliens who look as... unusual as you doesn't give the old guy a heart attack," Hunter quipped. "Ow! What?" He glared at Skye. I'm getting sick of her hitting me... though she is pretty when she's angry... Whoa. Where did THAT come from?! He didn't have feelings for Skye... did he? He shook himself mentally. I'm losing it. She was his friend, nothing more... right?

Drax was staring at Hunter, puzzled. "Why should our appearances frighten someone?"

Hunter stared up (and up) at the huge, muscular grey skinned man, before turning his eyes to the green girl, the sentient tree and the talking raccoon. Not sure I should be answering that... Luckily for him, Steve and Tony chose that minute to walk in, arguing. Loudly.

"...you've had some crazy ideas, Stark, but this?"

"Uh, I think you'll find it's my decision, Spangles. And you already agreed someone had to go!"

Their fight stopped when they realised they had an audience. Coulson and his agents, and the Guardians, all stared as if watching a theatre performance.

Tony grinned inexplicably. "Great! Now I can ask them if they'd mind me tagging along. Since it's really only their opinion that matters!" He looked at each of the Guardians in turn. "Any of you mind if I come with you when you head back out there?"

There was a stunned silence. "You?" Peter managed finally.

"Yeah. Why not? I'm kind of at a loose end right now, my girlfriend Pepper agrees I need a new challenge, and you guys sound like cool teammates. What do you say?"

Peter grinned, already relishing the thought of having another human around. Gamora eyed Tony, then shrugged. Why not? A link to Earth could be useful, and having Thor's teammate on our side would be invaluable if we ever encounter Asgardians. Thanos had crossed Odin's people before, and any ally of his was treated harshly by them before the incident with Loki. Stark vouching for the fact that her loyalties had changed could well save her life some day.

Rocket tilted his head to one side. "It's a deal... as long as I get a chance to fix that armour of yours."

"I am Groot!" The small tree smiled widely, then grew a flower, presenting it to Tony, who took it, looking a bit bemused.

"Is that a welcoming gift or something?"

Drax laughed, clapping Tony on the shoulder. "It will be most enjoyable to have another warrior accompany us on our travels!"

Peter shook Tony's hand. "Looks like it's unanimous. Welcome to the Guardians of the Galaxy!"

Steve and Coulson exchanged looks. "Wait-" The super-soldier spluttered. "You can't just..."

But Tony and Peter had already walked off, the others trailing behind. Coulson raised a brow.

"Looks like it's already settled."

"But..."

"Do you really think we'll win an argument with Stark about this?"

Steve sighed. "No."

"At least this way we get what we wanted, eyes and ears out in the galaxy, looking out for Earth's interests and reporting back to us." Coulson tried to make it sound like he trusted Stark to be responsible. Iron Man's heart was in the right place. He just hoped Stark's ego wouldn't interfere!

Thus, some time later, after contact details had been exchanged- Stark would contact SHIELD once every two weeks, or immediately if he learned anything that would affect Earth. (And of course he'd be calling Pepper more often, once a week if not more)- all five Guardian of the Galaxy reboarded the Milano, accompanied by their newest member, Iron Man.

The ship's engines powered and it took off almost at once. Steve, Natasha, Coulson and May watched the ship vanish into the sky. Natasha spoke first.

"I hope he doesn't get himself killed out there."

Coulson squinted at where the Milano had disappeared from sight. "Don't worry. Stark's far too annoying for that. He'll probably be gone for months, forget to get in touch then he'll just waltz in like no time's passed at all."

"Yeah. He's resilient. He'll be alright." Steve affirmed. The four exchanged looks. Even if Coulson was wrong, there was nothing they could do now. The Guardians were gone. Slowly, they all headed back inside. There was always another crisis, another problem here on Earth. Ones from outer space would have to wait for now. They had their own teams to support now.

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Jason Quill flopped down in his armchair, sinking his head in his hands. He'd tried to keep himself busy with chores after Peter, his girl (whose name Jason couldn't remember) and those SHIELD suits had gone, but he just couldn't distract himself. Peter... found and gone again in the same day. His grandson was grown now, safe, and (it appeared) happy. He had his own life, and Jason would be selfish to expect him to drop all that for him, but still... He felt like an abandoned piece of luggage, that had been useful once but now was nothing but a burden. He stared gloomily at the photo of Meredith on the mantlepiece, then stared down at the weird phone-thing Peter had given him. Wait- was the screen glowing? Tentatively, he pushed the button, and an image appeared, not on the screen but in 3D. Peter stood, in some sort of garage, surrounded by... Jason blinked several times. That was the girl Peter had brought here, but her skin, far from being a rich brown, was green! Also in the picture was a huge guy, built like a wrestler, but with grey skin and covered in red tattoos. And... was that a raccoon, on its hind legs, holding a wrench? And beside that, a miniature tree, with arms, legs and a face, that appeared to be waving!

Jason was suddenly very glad he was already sitting down, or else his legs might have given out from shock. Were these the friends Peter had mentioned? Hands shaking slightly, he read the text scrolling along the bottom of the image.

'Hi Grandpa. I'm really sorry I couldn't stay for longer, but I had to get back before these guys took it upon themselves to come looking. I think you can see why that would be a bad idea! It was really great to see you again, and I will come back someday soon. I hope you know I really missed you all these years, and I really regret not having come back sooner. Take care of yourself, won't you? I'll talk to you as soon as I can, I promise. If you're ever lonely, just look up at the stars. I'm out there somewhere, keeping an eye on Earth and thinking about you. Love, Peter.

PS: This message will save, if you want to keep it and the picture. Just press the silver button on the side of the phone.'

Jason chuckled as his eyes filled with tears of happiness. He'd been so worried that Peter would just vanish again, despite his words earlier. He was so relieved to have tangible proof that his grandson wouldn't forget all about him. He pressed the silver button eagerly, jumping a little when an automated voice announced 'Message saved.' He moved to the window, looking up at the darkening sky as the first stars appeared.

"Love you too, Pete. And you look after yourself, alright? You get hurt, then outer space or no outer space, I'm coming after you to give you a good talking to for takin' stupid risks." He laughed softly at the nonsense of that. But he meant every word.

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Once the Milano had left Earth's atmosphere, Peter put it on autopilot and went to find Tony. He was down in the engine room, discussing something with Rocket, seeming awed by the technology around him. He grinned when he saw Peter.

"I know we only just left, but this is awesome! Nothing like this on Earth. I can't wait to see what can be built from this stuff!"

Peter resisted the urge to groan. Wonderful, another inventor dismantling my ship. "That's great. I just wondered if there was anything you really wanted to see?"

Tony shrugged. "You're the expert. Where's the best place to have some fun? You know, gambling, drinks, that sort of thing?"

Peter heard a laugh from Drax and an exasperated groan from Gamora, both of whom were on the upper deck, and grinned. "I know exactly where we can go first."

Tony quirked a brow at Peter's tone. "Where?"

"It's called Knowhere. And," Peter couldn't help himself, "'You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.'"

Tony stared, before doubling over laughing. "Star Wars quotes? Really, Quill? You have got to get with the times!"

Friendly bickering ensued, about which movies set in outer space were most accurate. Neither won, because Tony knew nothing of life in space, while Peter hadn't seen any movies on Earth since 1988. Eventually, the others came to see what was going on, whic only confused things more since none of the aliens understood half of what Tony was saying. Still, there was a feeling of easy camaderie, and a lot of laughter. Tony couldn't stop grinning. If it's this much fun for the whole trip, I might consider staying out here permanently!

The End... (for now!)

AN: So, should I continue this story, by including Tony's adventures with the Guardians, or save that for a sequel? Let me know in reviews!