Us, Forever

The Recruitment

Luna woke the next day, still curled up beside Bucky. She knew that she needed to make apologies and she knew that she had to help them gather a team to help fight Thanos. She sat up carefully, leaving him to sleep, and made her way downstairs. She came face to face with Tony in the kitchen. He had just made himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning Sunshine." He spoke, sipping his drink.

"Tony." She looked at him, nodding. "Can.. we speak?" 

"What about?"

"I... I'm sorry for everything that happened."

"It wasn't you, kid. You don't have anything to apologize for. It wasn't you. We don't hold it against you." 

"Thanks, Tony." She smiled sadly. "Also, I know some people who may help. Might want to see if Fury can get anyone to these cordinates."

As Luna wrote them down and handed them to Tony, he raised a brow. "What?"

"It's a team I met while with Thanos. They call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy." She smiled.

"That's stupid."

"Cause Avengers is better?" She questioned.

"I didn't name us." He retorted.

"Anyways. They may not be happy to see me, but we may need their help to end this war." She spoke firmly.

Tony nodded, taking the paper, "I'll get with Fury." 

***

Luna gently caressed Bucks face, watching as he slowly woke up. Smiling gently, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. He smiled and wrapped her up in his arms, pulling her down onto the bed with him. She giggled and poked at his sides. He groaned and curved his body away from her pokes. 

"Nooo." He whined.

She laughed, "We have to get up sugar."

"Doll, we can sleep all day. Lets do that."

"No no, up we go." She flipped the lamp by the bed on and laughed again. 

"Fine, alright." He sighed and got up.

"See you downstairs." She smiled and walked out, leaving him to get ready.

She knew she would need to tell the others about the attack on Thor and Loki as well. Her eyes dropped to the floor, unsure how the others would react to the news. She took a deep breath and descended the stairs, looking out the windows to see a ship landing on the grass. Realization hit. It was the Guardians. Luna wasn't sure what they were told, but she knew she needed to face the music with them. She helped Thanos take one of theirs away, her karma was catching her. She made her way outside, listening to Tony complain about the grass as he stood next to Bruce and Steve. She slowly approached them as the ship doors opened and the Guardians exited the ship. 

"We're here. What's the problem?" Quill spoke, looking at the three men before him. 

"Well, we aren't exactly sure either, but we were told we would need your help." Steve spoke.

"By who?" Quill questioned.

"By-"

"By me." Luna stepped from behind the boys, staring Quill down.

"You." Quill launched himself at her. 

"WOAH!" Tony and Bruce yelled, making an attempt to stop them.

"No! Let-" she groaned, cutting herself off as Quill landed a punch, "let him."

She didn't put up a fight, she let Quill beat on her, yelling in anger at her, "You helped him! Who do you think you are saying we would help now?!"

He kept throwing punches as Steve spoke, "She's not working with him anymore. We rescued her, brought her back to herself." 

"W...What?" Quill stopped, holding Luna by the collar of her shirt. 

Luna turned her head to the side, spitting out some blood, "He was controlling me. I.. remember everything I did while with him, but it wasn't something I would do if I wasn't under his control. I'm sorry." 

"Where is she?" Quill asked, pulling Luna up closer to him, a fist still clenched and raised.

"I.."

"WHERE?!" Quill yelled.

"Gone." Luna answered.

Quill hit her again, dropping her to the ground before standing up and heading back to his ship, "I'll find her."

"You can't!" Luna responded, wincing as she got herself up off the ground. "Quill, you can't." 

"What do you mean?" Quill turned back, looking behind her to see Bucky approaching.

"Quill.. He took her to find the Soul stone. Every stone has a cost."

Quill stepped closer to Luna again, grabbing her collar, "What do you mean?!"

Bucky stepped forward and Luna stopped him, "It's a Soul stone, Quill."

"Did you see her die?"

"I.." Luna hesitated, "I didn't go with. All I know is, they left together to find the stone. Thanos came back alone.." Luna looked at the ground.

"No.." Quill spoke softly, letting Luna go.

"I know it means nothing, but.. I'm sorry. Thanos is still missing two stones. We could use your help to keep him from getting those. If you refuse, I understand. If you need a reason to do it, don't think of it as helping me, but helping Earth." She gave a half smile, "Whatever you choose, I just hope you know I truly am sorry."

Luna left the groups standing together outside as she reentered the building. She took a deep breath, fighting back tears. She entered the meeting room and screamed, slamming her hands on the table. The door opened and closed behind her and she sucked in a sharp breath, fighting the tears again. 

"Luna." Bucky spoke softly.

"Don't." She choked. "Just don't. I don't need some speech about how it wasn't my fault because no matter what, I was still there. I still helped. I helped Thanos take that mans love away from him. I helped end her life!" Luna yelled, tears streaming down her face now.

"You didn't-"

"I know!" She cut him off, shaking her head. "I know I didn't have a choice but it doesn't change the guilt I feel."

"I know.." Bucky spoke softly, stepping closer to her.

"No." She stepped away, raising her arm to block him. "I'm not a hero, Buck. I shouldn't be here."

"Luna, you deserve to be here as much as the rest of us." 

She raised her eyes to him, still crying, "Do I?"

"Yes." He wrapped her in his arms as she sobbed, hugging onto him. "They will come around and everything will be okay." 

"I hope so." She sobbed.

"They will." Bucky smiled, rubbing her back as he looked out the window of the meeting room to see Quill and his team with Tony and Steve watching them, a sadness clear on Quills face.