Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Chapter 2: Bad Intentions

--Knowhere--

Quill and the Guardians arrived at the place receiving praise from the inhabitants. Gamora seemed like she doesn't like it while Rocket is in the center of them all.

"You really like being praised, don't you?" Quill said, leaning to Rocket.

"At least I'm enjoying, right? Am I right, Groot?" Rocket asked Groot who was just following them.

"I am Groot." Groot responded politely.

"See. He agrees with me all the way." Rocket said, waving his hand towards the residents.

They arrived at the bar that Kraglin told them and looked for them. Everyone inside the bar were looking at them, they tried to look intimidating. But they weren't intimidated by them.

"Quill!" Kraglin shouted, as he was at the end of the bar with the other ravagers. "Come join us!"

As they walked towards Kraglin, Gamora leaned into Quill's ear, "Are you sure they won't kill us?"

"Of course they won't. We're the Guardians of the Galaxy." Quill said confidently, as if it was obvious.

Once they made it to their seats, Kraglin took a sigh of relief. He was tired of trying to fix the ravagers back after Yondu died. They had a few beers- most of them went to Rocket, as they were just trying to have a good time. Gamora started to notice that one of the men in the bar looked at them angrily. He looked thirsty for revenge. Gamora leaned to Quill and let him know.

"It's fine, Gamora." Quill whispered without even looking back. His eyes were stuttering. He looked like he was about to pass out.

"Everything is alright to you, Quill." Gamora said, hesitating to look at the person again. "Like nothing even matters to you."

"Because the person you're talking about has nothing to do with us. He's not important. He's just looking at us, trying to look intimidating. C'mon, you're Gamora. You should be tougher than that." Quill said quietly, as he returned to his drink.

Quill was right, maybe she was overreacting a bit. She should just relax and take a deep breath. She went outside of the bar and went towards a balcony showing a view of space.

"You might want to go out with her." Rocket looked at Quill. Rocket seemed like he already drank 10 cups of beer.

"Alright." Quill said, standing up, "The beer is mine, ok?"

Quill walked over to the balcony where Gamora was staying. While Quill was walking towards her, he remembered something. Something from a few years ago.

"Do you remember this place?" Quill asked, walking silly towards her.

"Yes, this was the place where we had our first formal conversation." She was playing with the Orb in her hands.

"Formal." Quill smirked as he looked towards space. "I, kind of, don't use that word."

"So you don't know how to speak English?" She smiled at him. Wow, she smiled.

"Of course, I do. I just don't like using that word. Neither does Rocket."

"Well," Gamora said, touching the fabric of his jacket. "I think it's better if you start using it."

--Inside the Bar--

Rocket took one more drink until he stopped. He had about 15 drinks. Groot was outside, playing with the residents who were walking around. Mantis was- she was quiet. They were surprised that they managed to remain fine with the people who lived in Knowhere after they had that big fight. Maybe some of them were still angry about that incident.

"So, how's the drink?" Rocket asked, burping as he said it.

"Well..." Kraglin looked at Rocket. His face went from happy to disgusted," You look like shit."

"Everyone does. Now, how's the drink?"

"Pretty solid for an average bar." Kraglin looked into his glass. He tried to see how much liquid was still inside. "Wish we went somewhere else though."

"This is the nearest place we could find, right? Where else to go besides this place?"

"D'bari. Although their residents aren't friendlier than normal..." Kraglin tried to think as he drank. "And Sakaar. Man, have you tried their best drink? It will knock you out in a few seconds."

"Few seconds, huh..." Rocket seemed in disbelief. "That must be some strong ass beer."

--Balcony--

Until now, Gamora was holding his jacket as Quill stood there. He had nothing in mind. Suddenly, her hand moved to his shoulder as Quill started to feel a little nervous. He hasn't seen Gamora act this way to anyone else. Let alone, him.

"Do you like it, Quill?" Gamora smiled at him, as Quill was still looking away from her.

"I don't know." Quill said, as he bit his tongue. "Is this uncomfortable for you?"

"I'm asking you..." She said, as she lifted her hand to rest on his cheek. "Is this ok with you?"

Now Quill was starting to get really uncomfortable. He has never done this in his entire life. The only thing that came close to this was when they were dancing on the porch four years ago. But this... this was different. Suddenly, the door opened which revealed the man who stared at them earlier.

"You!" The man shouted, as he grabbed Quill by the neck. Gamora tried to protect him but was knocked out by the man. He looked straight into Quill's eyes with anger and revenge. "You were the one who wiped out my entire race!"

"I don't know what you're saying!" Quill was struggling to breath. He tried to get his little phone out so he can call Rocket.

"Stop lying! I saw you, Quill, with your friend setting charges into my planet's core."

"Richard?! I thought you died in Xandar?" Quill tried to kick his chest but it did nothing.

"I didn't. That's why the first thing I did was look for you. And look where you ended up... right in my hands."

"Do you think, you filthy bastard?" Quill asked, as he kicked Richard in the balls. He quickly grabbed Gamora and carried her over his shoulder as Richard was recovering from the blow. He pushed some bartenders to the side until he finally reached Mantis and Rocket, who were having a drink.

"Why are you carrying Gamora?" Rocket asked.

"Shut up and prepare the ship. Kraglin, make sure that no crazy bastards will run to me, ok?"

"I got it, boss." Kraglin replied, telling his men to guard the door.

Quill, carrying Gamora, and Mantis exited the bar. They looked around for Groot and saw him playing with children who looked like they were having fun. They ran over to Groot to call him.

"Groot! We need to ge-" Quill stopped talking as soon as he saw a gigantic ship hovering above them. "Oh shit."