Listen, baby
Ain't no mountain high
Ain't no valley low
Ain't no river wide enough, baby

She decided on Maria.

Her dad would yell at her and freak out whereas Pepper would somehow manage to get the truth out of her.

But Maria…

Maria was around sixteen now.

She picked up after three rings.

"… Hello?" She sounded older. And like she didn't dare to hope.

"Hey, Maria."

"Theresa? W-w-what happened? Where are you?" Maria asked, sounding like she was about to cry.

"Maria, you know why I left; I couldn't get married."

"Do you think that matters? Why didn't you come back? We would've understood. I miss you, Theresa," Maria said, crying.

"I'm sorry, and this answer is going to want to make you hit something, but I haven't come back because it's meant to be."

"What?"

"Some very bad stuff would've happened if I hadn't left."

"Some very bad stuff happened because you left," Maria said "Dad was a wreck without you."

"He'll be fine; he's got you and Pepper."

"So? Pepper and I can't replace you! Is that why you won't come back; you think you're replaceable?

"No, no, the reason I won't come back is… well… a long story."

I wouldn't mind a long story," Maria said hopefully.

"I know you wouldn't, but I can't give it to you," Tessa said, a few tears finally escaping.

"Why not?" Maria asked.

"I can't even give you the reason, but maybe one day. Listen, I should probably-."

"No! No! Don't go!" Maria begged, Tessa smiled a watery smile; they were tracing the call, but Rocket had prepared for that.

If you need me, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Don't worry baby,
Just call my name
I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry

"Well, then tell me about your life."

"Well, I got stabbed while you were gone."

"What?!" Tessa demanded.

"I mean, I didn't die. But, I got stabbed in the chest."

"How'd that happen?" Tessa asked.

"Well, during the Battle of New York-."

"During the what?"

"You know, the Battle of New York. The Chitauri destroying everything. The Avengers saving the day."

"What?"

"Where are you that you haven't heard about that?" Maria asked slowly.

"Tell me the whole story."

"Well, the Asgar-." Maria suddenly cut of

"Maria, you still there?" Tessa asked, frowning.

"…Theresa, why'd all the computers just short out?" Maria asked, Tessa smiling slightly; of course Rocket's invention worked.

"Maria, I've gotta go," Tessa said, crying harder.

"Why can't you tell me where've you been? Is someone threatening you?" Maria demanded.

"No, of course not."

"Listen, you don't have to do what they say. Please come home, or at least tell me the truth."

"I'm sorry, Maria, goodbye." Tessa hung up, sobbing and sliding down the wall.

'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, baby.

The other Guardians soon came into her room, but none were sure how to approach her as she wept into her hands.

After a few moments of tense silence, Rocket made his way forward to stand next to her. After a few more moments he began to stroke his paw through her hair.

The others soon followed his lead; Peter laid his head down on her lap, Gamora gripped her hand tightly, Drax awkwardly put his hand on her calf, which was way more comforting than it should have been.

Remember the day
I set you free
I told you
You could always count on me, Darling
From that day on I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way, some how

It had been four days since the call and Tessa hadn't really spoken to anyone, she mostly kept to herself in her room, very occasionally coming out.

"What if she wants to go back to Terra?" Rocket asked after the incident.

"Then we'll take her back," Peter replied, Rocket grimacing. He knew in his heart that if Tessa truly wanted to go back home then he wouldn't force her to stay. But he really didn't want her to.

'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, Baby

Finally the ship was ready and they had boarded it but had yet to leave when Peter opened his gift, holding Awesome Mix Vol. 2.

He played it, the first track being "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

He sat there for a moment, remembering his mother when Gamora came forward, smiling slightly and swaying. Peter returned the smile and hopped up to prepare the ship for departure.

No wind, no rain

Or winters cold, can stop me baby
No, no, baby,
If you ever in trouble, I'll be there on the double
Just send for me, oh baby

Everyone was on the bridge, even Tessa, whose eyes were red rimmed, waiting for the lift off.

"Next stop Terra?" Peter asked, looking at Tessa, who scrunched her brow.

"Why?"

"We'd anticipated you would want to be with your family," Gamora said, Tessa than laughed for a second, making everyone extremely confused.

"Sorry, sorry, it's just…" Tessa smiled like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I already am."

My love is alive
Way down in my heart
Although we are miles apart
If you ever need a helping hand
I'll be there on the double
As fast as I can

"Alright, what do you want to do then?" Peter asked, cheering up significantly "Something good? Something bad? A bit of both?"

"We'll follow your lead, Star-lord."

"A bit of both!" Peter exclaimed happily.

Don't you know that
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you baby.

As Peter lifted off, Tessa smile grew wider as she noticed the little twig in a pot on Rocket's lap stretch and open its eyes.

Tessa reached and scratched Rocket behind the ears as she thought.

Would she ever see Maria again?

Of course, there was no way for her to know, but, yes, she would.

Just, not for a while.

Because, in a universe of soulmates and guardians, there's no such thing as coincidence.

And certainly not when it came to Infinity Stones.

Four out of six in a span of ten years?

That wasn't an accident.

The tides were changing; something new was coming or… something very old.

And it brought war.

And no matter how trained you were in combat, or how smart you were, this war would only be decided by one thing.

Don't you know that

Not by strength.

There ain't no mountain high enough

Not by courage.

Ain't no valley low enough

Not even by Infinity Stones.

Ain't no river wide enough

But, by what had dictated that entire turn of events of Tessa and Maria.

Of the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers.

To keep me from getting to you baby.

Fate.