What happened?
Peter had called Earth home for about three years now, but he visited Knowhere from time to time. When you’re a universal hero, you get to do that, you know? While others prided themselves of going on vacation to different countries, Peter got to casually say, “I’m off. Just gonna take some me time. In space.” He always put an emphasis on the last part, as if there were a whole lot of people he was trying to impress. Most of the time, his grandpa is the only one there. Thankfully, his grandfather loved him enough not to get pissed at his never-ending attempt to brag.
During such time, he goes to his original family, the Guardians of the Galaxy. Now saving the galaxy, one problem after the other was pretty much just a hobby. When he’s in Knowhere, he joined missions just for the fun of it. He called it “bonding time” with the team he missed every time he went home to Earth.
Meanwhile, Nebula had been… occupied. She never expected to be a leader of pretty much an entire planet, but there she was, nailing it. That’s how the residents of Knowhere put it, and that’s good enough assurance for Nebula. Good to know that they were not disappointed. And that somewhere in the galaxy, there are those who actually believe in her.
She didn’t usually go on missions anymore. And who could blame her? Dealing with the adversity in Knowhere on a daily basis was in itself, already a tiring adventure. Not to mention, they had been raising so many, so many, children. Though, she really couldn’t take the credit there. Dealing with the kids was mostly all Drax. She would rather deal with a deadly riot in the bar than two kids wanting the same thing when only one item was available. If Nebula’s skills on avoiding children could be converted into battle skills, it would be Gamora with the replaced body parts.
“Missed me, deep?” Peter asked teasingly. He was leaning on Nebula’s office door (Yes, Nebula had an office now. With a table and chair and shelves and all). Deep was the nickname for the nickname Peter came up with for Nebula. On his first comeback from Earth, he found it fitting to call Nebula ‘Deep black eyes” openly teasing her and reminding her of the time he tried to flirt with her. He greeted her with, ‘Hi, Deep Black Eyes’ and a wink. Which was then met by a blast from Nebula’s mechanical arm. That didn’t stop him from calling her that though.
Nebula was sitting on her chair. In front of her table in the middle of her room. The door where Peter was leaning, directly in front of her. Through narrowed eyebrows, Nebula quipped, “Why would I? You’re not worth missing.” She really didn’t like the nickname. “And how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me names?”
“Ouch” Peter put one hand on his chest acting like he was shot. When he finally stood straight, he gave one quick glance at Nebula before walking closer to her. “Good thing there’s one thing that still hasn’t changed with you. For a super villain, you still don’t know how to properly lie.”
Nebula hated that her face decided to have a quick blush. She looked down on her paperwork while this was happening. She would shoot herself first before letting Peter see her blush. While she was at it, she also let a small smile escape from her lips. Then she looked up with her resting irritated face and decided to just talk business. “How long will you be staying this time?”
“Just a week.” Peter sat down on one of the two chairs in front of Nebula’s office table. “Unless…” He faced up to the ceiling as if he was looking for something there, “There will be a reason for me to stay longer?” He was still facing up, but his eyes were darting to the side to look at Nebula, then up again then to the side again.
“You look stupid.”
“Oh, you’re noticing how I look now?” He faced her, smiling.
“You know where your room is, Peter. If you’re wanting a welcome back, go to Cosmo, or Kraglin, or even Drax.”
“Wow, you really don’t want to spend time with me, huh? Your best friend, Petey?”
“Who the hell’s Petey?”
Peter gave her his signature puppy eyes, hoping this would make Nebula stop being so hard on him. When she just kept her poker face, Peter finally gave up. “Whatever. Fine. You know what,” He paused. To look at Nebula in the eyes. “Nevermind, I’ll just go.” He stood and paused again, waiting for Nebula to stop him, when he got nothing in response, he decided to leave the room.
Nebula’s eyes followed Peter as he was leaving. She felt bad that Peter felt like she was throwing him away. She honestly thought Peter would be his usual persistent self and pester her more. She didn’t expect him to actually leave when she told him to.
It’s this bad feeling that caused Nebula to agree to join on the next mission that Rocket pitched. Peter seemed like he just wanted to spend time with her. Of course, she said it was because she needed a break from all the paperwork and leader work she’s been doing the past years.
This proved to be a terrible mistake. Because this caused Nebula to lose one year of her life.
The mission was pretty big. They were up against a big syndicate. There was an organization that was abducting creatures all over the galaxy. They were offered a large amount of payment in exchange for bringing back a prince that this organization abducted. Additional payment if they found a way to remove said organization from existence. The Guardians must have underestimated this mission.
They were able to get the prince, but in the process, Nebula and Peter were taken. Then, they just vanished.
It took the Guardians a year to find where they were and rescue them.
They were being held on a what seemed like a manmade planet. Along with all the other abducted species. There were probably thousands taken. Definitely a bigger population than Knowhere.
When they were being rescued, it seemed as if Nebula and Peter didn’t know who they were. Like they were under some sort of spell or something. It took having to blow up the whole planet for Peter and Nebula to regain consciousness. Everyone felt lost. Didn’t know how they ended up in that place. They also could not remember anything that happened while they were being held captive.
After everyone was brought back to their homes, Nebula and Peter, along with the other Guardians would have looked for an answer. But they blew up the planet, leaving there all the culprit of whatever madness this was.
This incident, losing himself, being controlled by someone else for a year, losing his memory, basically, losing an entire year of his life shook Peter. It was like the Blip, except this time, he knew he didn’t die. When he was rescued, he was wearing a suit and tie. Rocket said they rescued him in an office. He was working in an office. He went to Earth and lived a normal life, but never once was he an office worker. He lived a life he couldn’t remember. Somehow, it made him feel worse than the Blip.
It must have traumatized him because he hadn’t returned to Knowhere since.
Feeling alien to her own self is nothing new for Nebula. Feeling like her actions weren’t her own, that was a daily thing when she was working for her father, Thanos. So, when she woke up from her trance, she was told she was found in a market. She looked at herself and she was wearing a sundress. After seeing herself and an “ugh,” she just accepted the facts and let go. Of course, not letting go until she has killed as many of those sick assholes who kidnapped her as she could. Nebula tried not to kill anymore, but that was for innocent people. Those assholes were far from innocent. It didn’t take Nebula long to recover and get back to taking care of Knowhere again. Though, she silently credited her friends for that. They helped her get back on her feet like she had never left.
~
6 YEARS LATER. KNOWHERE
“Hey,” Rocket softly said as he entered Nebula’s office. Nebula looked from the paper she was reading to him. “You know it’s okay to receive compliments, right?”
~
Nebula was spending some time with the people of Knowhere in the bar. She was having fun. She was talking to them, drinking with them, listening to music with them. It was all fun and games until a guy approached Nebula. He was a decent looking guy. Orange skin, black hair that reaches his shoulder, tall, a little on the thin side, wears glasses. This guy came up to Nebula and offered to buy her a drink. She refused. But the guy insisted, and still bought her one. He tried to make conversations with her, but Nebula just pretended to not hear him.
He was a decent guy. When he noticed that Nebula was not listening, he just smiled. But when he was about to leave her alone, he decided to do something stupid and pay her a final compliment, as if Nebula was the kind of person to want to receive one. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
For the record, Nebula was wearing her regular jumpsuit, so, she didn’t understand where this guy was coming from. So, she took offense of it instead and yelled, “What the fuck?! Why don’t you just mind your own business?!” She said angrily, almost asking the guy if he wanted to fight.
“I-I-“The guy stammered. “I’m sorry, Nebula” and he left in a hurry.
~
Nebula only scoffed at Rocket.
“Nebula,” Rocket sat on one of the chairs in front of Nebula’s office. “Whether you like it or not, some people find attractive.” Rocket was oddly serious. He wasn’t trying to make fun of her or of the guy who just tried hitting on her. It was weird for Nebula. “Add your daily bossy and angry tone. I mean, you can really fit someone’s kink.” Rocket laughed at his own joke. Finally, he’s being normal. Nebula just watched him, and when Rocket stopped laughing, he went serious mode again. “Look, there’s nothing wrong with being with someone. You don’t have to walk this galaxy alone, you know?”
“I’m not alone. I have you.”
“Not forever.” Nebula was taken aback by this, but before she could take it too seriously, he recovered. “I mean maybe one day I’ll retire too, and go home. Like Peter. Did you know, apparently, I was from Earth too.” He said it like he couldn’t believe he shared a planet with Peter. “Look, all I’m saying is, you are beautiful, Nebula. Don’t take that away from yourself.”
“Are you drunk?” Nebula didn’t understand why Rocket was being so sentimental with her. Though, deep inside, she really appreciated the things Rocket had said.
“Ha-ha. You’re gonna get left out. Even Mantis is dating. Even Drax is dating. I mean, Drax!”
“You’re not.”
To this, Rocket had a change of tone, there was sadness present in his next words. “I already found mine, Nebs. I’m just waiting for the right time to be with her.”
Nebula knew what he was talking about. In the many years they spent, Rocket was most comfortable and honest with Nebula. And even though Groot was his longest companion, Nebula was the one who knew the most about Rocket.
“Did you ever consider that maybe dating just wasn’t my thing? That ‘I’m not into that whole having feelings for someone’?” Nebula quipped.
“As if! Didn’t you have a thing for Quill back then?”
“What?!” Nebula yelled. Her voice higher than what she wanted. “What are you talking about?! I never had a thing for Quill! Ew!”
“Huh? Really? The time before High Evolutionary tried to kill me? You didn’t have feelings for Quill then?”
“What, no!” Why is her voice getting so loud?
“Oh, okay. If you say so.” Rocket stared judgingly at Nebula. “I guess I read that wrong.” He scratched his head. “Then if that’s the case, and you’re not into being in a relationship, then, what the hell am I doing here?” Rocket hopped off the chair and started walking away. “Oh well. Goodnight, Nebs” He waved and left.
Nebula was taken by surprise by Rocket’s claims, she was amazed that she was still able to reply, a “Goodnight, Rocket.” Because for the rest of the evening, Nebula was speechless.
~
The day after, a ship landed. Everyone recognizes that ship. It’s Peter’s ship. He arrived with Mantis, to everyone’s delight.
Peter called a meeting with all the Guardians. He said he had some important news. Rocket said he sent Adam, Cosmo, and Kraglin on some mini mission. So, if it’s something that could wait, they’d be home in a few hours. But Peter was so excited. He couldn’t wait. So, they all gathered in Nebula’s office.
“I’m getting married!” Peter announced.
“What?” Rocket.
“I am groot?” Groot.
“Who’s the unlucky person?” Drax.
Everyone was shocked.
“She’s human. From Earth,” Peter happily continued, like they didn’t know what humans mean. “Her name’s Alex. We started dating two years ago and now we’re getting married! She said yes just yesterday! The wedding’s in a few months so make sure you’re all free cuz you’re all coming!” Peter couldn’t contain himself. “And don’t worry, cuz you guys are all I talk about so, she knows all of you and all your weirdness! No offense.”
“Yeah, and she’s so nice too. I mean, when I went there, and Peter introduced me as his sister. She was sincerely amazed and didn’t get weirded out.” Mantis shared, with her soft-spoken voice. “She even got me this beanie.” Shee gestured to the red beanie she was wearing, “The holes were specially made for me.” She clapped her hands in excitement.
“Congratulations, Peter.” Nebula said in the most Nebula way. Plain and robotic. As few emotions as anyone could say it. “I hope you were honest about all the suffering she’ll have to endure while with you.” Nebula tried to joke. Though, it worried her a bit when the room fell silent. Not for long though, thanks to Peter.
“Awww. Thank you, Nebula!” Peter went for a hug. Which Nebula uncomfortably returned. Soon after, everyone joined into a group hug. Mantis didn’t mean to use her powers, but when she inadvertently touched Nebula during the hug, she felt Nebula's emotions. Which made her shocked and confused.
Moments later, they broke the hug.
“GUYS GUYS GUYS!!” Cosmo suddenly appeared in the room, looking like she had just seen a ghost. “We found something!” Then she saw Peter. “Peter! Perfect timing!”
“Huh?” Peter got curious. Cosmo got everyone curious. “What did you find, exactly?”
Adam walked in holding up what seemed like a big box of paper? “Here.”
“Apparently, the organization that kidnapped you, had a remote site for their files.” Cosmo explained. “We found an abandoned site and checked it out while we were helping the kingdom that hired us. And found these piles of shit.”
“There’s more in the site, but we took here what we found most important.” Kraglin continued.
“The box that contains your files!” Cosmo exclaimed, referring to Nebula and Peter.
Rockets eyes widened. Like he could smell a good item to steal. “Okay then. Give us that.”
“What? Why to you, that’s my file!” Peter tried to race Rocket to Adam but to no prevail.
The folder on top of the files inside the box reads ‘QUILL’. Rocket hurriedly opened it and saw a file with what looked like Peter’s 2x2 photo in the upper right corner. He immediately scanned it. Everything looked like basic Peter Quill data. Like his species, estimated age, height. Things he read out loud. Which kind of disappointed Rocket because he thought he would find something he could use to make fun of Peter. Until he read further where it said:
OCCUPATION: ACCOUNTANT.
To this, he started laughing uncontrollably. “Peter? You? An accountant?!”
“What the hell you talking about. Give me that.” Rocket ignored him.
“Ah, you can’t even do 1+2. HAHAHHA”
“3. Asshole. It’s 3.”
“Oh, look at that our little accountant. You make us so proud.” The others, except Nebula of course, joined Rocket at laughing.
“So, those files just say their jobs. Huh I thought we’ll find more.” Kraglin sounded disappointed in himself. “Like something that would help us understand what happened to Peter and Nebula then.”
“What are you talking about, Kraglin? This is already gold.” Rocket was still laughing through his sentences. “But, yeah, this is mostly their profile.”
“Just hand that to me already!” Peter demanded anxiously. He grabbed the folder, but Rocket won’t let go. They had a tugging war until Peter pulled it so much that it left Rocket’s hands, but he lost control of it as well. Three pieces of paper and a folder went flying down the floor.
Peter picked up a piece and finally got his file. Nothing really surprised him there, except for the fact that they know his father and mother, and except for what was his apparent job which Rocket had already announced.
Rocket picked up the folder and the two remaining pieces of paper. “Oh, here’s Nebula’s file.” He said without much thinking, as he just saw Nebula’s photo at the upper right corner. Since he already knew that other information there were just basic stuff, he immediately looked for:
OCCUPATION: HOUSEWIFE
He read out loud again. Everyone was silent. Even Nebula froze “Housewife? Is that an occupation?” Rocket innocently commented.
‘Wife?” Questioned Drax.
Rocket did a quick search and his eyes widened.
“Give me my file, Rocket.” Nebula extended her hand, demanding. In her voice, the evident warn for Rocket not to mess with her.“ Rocket looked at her with sincere eyes, and gave her paper.
Nebula looked at it with a poker face. But this proved hard to do after she read the first line in her file.
“Nebula Quill” Drax read, peaking into Nebula’s file from her side. “Why would you have the same last name as Peter? Did they name all residents of that planet Quill?” He turned to Peter. “Is this your father’s doing again? Did we kill him a second time without knowing it?”
“No, Drax.” Mantis whispered. Annoyed.
The room was filled with silence as realization dawned on everyone.
“At least they kept your name?” Adam tried to break the silence. But soon regretted it.
Rocket looked at the last piece of paper in his hand. This time he didn’t know what to feel. He sure didn’t feel like joking.
Cosmo gasped when she read the file in Rocket’s hands.
“What?” Mantis was dying from the suspense.
Rocket looked at Nebula then Peter. Both were speechless and were just anxiously waiting for Rocket to spill it out. So, he held out the file for everyone to read.
On the file was a picture of an infant. With what looks like human skin, but with a shade of violet on the same places where Nebula had violet. Eyes as black and deep as their Luphomoid leader.
The name written was NOVA QUILL.
Parents: PETER QUILL. NEBULA QUILL.
Everyone was just staring at the piece of paper. No one daring to talk. Except for Drax.
“Who the hell is that?”
“It looks like Peter and… Nebula have a child…” Mantis stated the obvious. She sure didn’t miss being Drax’s translator.
“I have a daughter?...”
“I had sex with Nebula?”
Nebula and Peter (respectively) said at the same time.