Chapter 5
"...Tony. Stark. Open your eyes."
She was trying to think of something she could say to him that would ease him awake. When Gamora used to have bad dreams as a child, she would stroke her hair and whisper that she was safe, that she would never leave her - but she wasn't sure, in fact, she was sure he wouldn't want her to touch him in that way, besides, he wasn't safe, she didn't know when he would be and once he was home, he wouldn't care what happened to her. She froze as he grabbed onto her hand and he sobbed out, "Peter. Don't - don't leave -"
"Tony. It's Nebula. I've got the ship running, enough to get us into orbit, anyway. I need you to wake up, Stark, it's time to get you home."
Tony's eyes finally opened and focused on her. "Neb?"
"Bad dream."
"I didn't -"
She shook her head at him. "I've got the power going finally."
"Kicked it into submission?" He rubbed his eyes, then tried to catch his breath. "Damn. Not now -"
"Tony, look at me. Take a breath, it's okay. You survived for a reason. You survived so you could find a way to get them all home again. Look at me, take a breath, think of the cheeseburgers waiting for you back home. Just breathe, Stark. Breathe." She watched as he closed his eyes again and took one shuddering breath, then another, and as his fingers tightened around hers, she knew at that moment that she would give anything to get him safely back home where he belonged. "You will get home, Tony, I promise. If it's the last thing I do."
He opened his eyes again and smiled gently at her. "Neb."
"Tell me the first thing you are going to do when you get home."
"I can't."
"Tony. You will get home. Close your eyes and tell me -"
"Shower. A hot glorious shower until the water turns cold."
"Then?"
"Ice cream."
"Ice cream?"
Tony opened his eyes and laid a hand on her face. "Oh, Neb. I wish there was a way - sorry. When I, when we get home, if you - I want to find a way to help you, I know the pain you are in -"
She shook her head, but couldn't look away from him.
"I see it in your face, I know pain, Nebula, and I know how it feels not to be seen for who and what you truly are. It doesn't matter what Thanos made you into, what you've done in the past. If I can, I want to help you, if you'll let me?"
"Tony." She finally nodded, then whispered, "do you think you could make it so I could smile again? I can't remember the last time I smiled."
"Yeah, when we get home, I'll find a way, I promise."