Oh, cow... It's been forever since I last updated... I said I won't torture you guys but I didn't update...

Forgive me!

Thank you, GinnyWeasley09, CaptainRex12 and Rachel01160 for your reviews! They inspire me to update XD

Thanks also to CaptainRex12, XX104, ElectricDragonSemblanceHunter, CharmedSerenity, Kami No Zangetsu, 3, megan,daist,9, Sworn2Kill, SilverCarrier, ManLion, Tiva-Forever-08, Dragoness2002 (and if I forgot someone, I'm sorry T-T) for your faves and follows! Wow, you guys... :)

"What?" said Peter, out of disbelief.

Gamora was breathing heavily. She was overwhelmed with everything that was happening. She couldn't think of letting another soul possess her body for the rest of her life. Sure, the soul that will take over her body is her own future self but still, it was different. It wasn't entirely her. It was a different version of her.

She couldn't believe that she actually thought of sacrificing herself out of the pity she felt for Peter. Had she gone soft?

That wasn't even the real question, Gamora knew. For the past few days, she had grown closer to Peter. He took care of her like no one did. She knew he loved her unconditionally, though she was only the past version of the woman he truly loves.

Was it really pity that she felt for him?

Gamora's mind went even more chaotic than it was before. No, she couldn't believe that she felt something more for Peter.

Unfortunately, she can't deny her mind.

Her heart does race when she sees Peter. Her breath escapes her whenever they were close. Her heart feels constricted at the sight of him mourning for her- her future self.

She can't fall in love. She's a lethal assassin, a killer. No one should fall for her. She kills people for goodness' sake! And Peter saves and protects people. She serves for a power hungry cause; he serves for a noble cause. Among all the people in the galaxy, why did he love her?

Gamora knew she doesn't deserve him. She wants the best for Peter, something she can't offer. He doesn't deserve to be be with a criminal.

More than that, she was new to this feeling. She knew that running away wasn't the most logical thing to do right now, especially when she realized that she actually had fell for Peter.

"I'm sorry, Peter. I'm leaving," said Gamora.

'I'm confused, what am I doing?', thought Gamora, at the same time she uttered her statement.

This can't be happening to Peter. She can't leave him, not now.

He couldn't go back to those times. The times when he was merely existing. He couldn't possibly think of walking like a zombie and functioning like one. He can't, he can't survive without her.

Just when she was starting to open up to him, just when he thought they were going closer, this happens, she leaves.

Peter was badly aching for Gamora. He didn't care which version of her; it's still her. It was the same person, the same woman he wholeheartedly felt for and pledged to be with his entire life. Beyond life, at that.

He saw Gamora stand up and begin to head for the exit.

A part of Peter's mind was telling him to go and chase her before she tries to leave but shock engulfed Peter's head.

This can't be happening to him, not now. She's leaving; what will be left of him?

Maybe, he didn't deserve her, after all. That, or the galaxy just didn't place things for them perfectly.

The fading sounds of footsteps snapped Peter back to reality. He rose on his feet and he felt them move at her trail.

"Gamora," he felt his mouth whisper her name. He felt like he was suspended in space; like his body had a mind on his own.

It feels like he was just watching everything happen. Slowly, his awareness came back to him the more he grasped the fact that she was going away.

Gamora rushed to the room where the Milano was keeping a smaller ship. She had to take this decision before she changes her mind about staying.

She realized that she felt something for Peter. Something that she couldn't accept.

She shook her head, trying to avoid thinking about it. She opened the door and went in the smaller ship. She slammed the button and closed the glass as soon as she saw Peter approaching.

Her heartbeat paced. A voice told her that it wasn't a fault to feel something for a man. To feel love in a romantic way.

But a part of her told her that love was nothing but a weakness that drives people to ruin. And that love was nothing she deserved.

Gamora was losing her mind.

Why was she running away anyway? It was just love! How could this pelvic sorcery drive her crazy?!

She was affected greatly by this kind of atmosphere. This truly was sorcery.

This force truly drives someone to ruin.

She was leaving and that was final. She didn't really know why she was leaving but she was doing it anyway. Clear confusion took control of her head.

"Gamora! Please," begged Peter. His hands were against the smaller ship, shaking. "Please, don't leave me..."

Gamora took a moment to take one last look at him but she didn't look long for she might change her mind.

She always thought that he was a man who deserved the whole galaxy, the whole universe, in fact. He was noble, kind and heroic. He deserves so much.

She hopes that he finds those one day. Not that she could tell him aloud. Instead, she found herself apologizing.

"I'm sorry," whispered Gamora, knowing he couldn't hear her from the other side of the glass. 'I'm sorry that I don't deserve you. I'm sorry that I can't stay. I'm sorry that I shouldn't love you,' she thought. Taking a deep breath, she made a decision. She placed her hand on the lever that would let the ship free from the hold of the Milano.

"Gamora!" Gamora heard the muffled shout of Peter.

She pulled the handle. In an instant, the ship went down swiftly but it was all in slow motion for Peter.

She left him, again and gain and again and so on.

Can't he just have her? That's all he wished for. Why can't she just let him love her?

Peter was so upset that his heart pained, physically and... emotionally.

Drops cascaded from his eyes. The stars glimmered Peter's tears.

He leaned back at the wall of the room where it happened. He sat there, helpless.

Had he done something wrong that made her run away?

All he asked of her was for her to come with him so that they can bring the version of Gamora they know back.

As Peter thought of it, he realized his mistake. He asked her to sacrifice herself for- well, herself.

"Gosh, Quill, you didn't just ask her to... Oh, gosh, I'm so lame," muttered Peter. He should've known that this was all too much for this version of her. He technically was pleading her to lose her past self for her future self. As beneficial it seems to the Guardians, including the future Gamora, it was a sacrifice for the past Gamora's part.

She's not the kind who will do something illogical, sacrifice something for something with vague depth of importance.

Peter didn't want to think of it deeper. He wanted to stop dwelling on that loss and find another way.

Whatever happens, he was sure he was going to find her. Even if it takes him his own life.

"Whaddya mean she left?!" screamed Rocket.

Peter had gone to Earth empty-handed. He thought he'd be back with Gamora a few weeks ago but no, he came back home alone.

Everything turned out to be unexpected. By now, his Gamora- yeah, his- would be back, complete with her memories. But no, he failed. He was a miserable wreck.

"You really are a miserable wreck, Quail!" shouted Rocket, kicking Peter's feet at every word he said.

"Stop kicking me, raccoon!" screamed Peter back. His feet must be sore red by now. It'd be a miracle if he would be able to walk after a little while.

Rocket was getting flustered. "I'm not a raccoon!" he insisted.

"Yeah, right... fox..." mumbled Peter but Rocket's hearing enhancements wasn't about to let that mumble slide.

"I'm not a fox, you dim-witted, hopeless romantic!" Rocket jumped to pounce on Peter and possibly, bite him.

Peter moved his hands frantically to shield himself from the angered Guardian who could eat him alive at the moment, although, he never thought that Rocket was a cannibal kind of creature.

"Hey, hey, hey, then what are you, exactly?" Peter argued. He couldn't help but go on with this bickering. "What do you want me to call you? Rabbit?"

"Don't call me that, Star-munch!"

Their bicker evolved into a fierce slap fight. Peter hopes this would distract him for a while from a certain woman.

"Whoa, Rabbit. What's going on, Quail?" Thor broke the duo's silly argument.

Peter rolled his eyes, both at Rocket and Thor, involving the nickname. "It's Quill. Q-u-i-l-l, Quill."

"Rabbit..." silently mumbled Rocket, hoping Peter won't hear.

"Not quail, not wail, not whale, not hail, not qualm, not quilt, not ham sandwich, and most especially, not quesadillas but Quill," emphasized Peter, frustratingly. "Gosh, is it that hard to pronounce it?"

"Alright, Quill. I got it. Chill," said Thor. "Now, what is going on?"

"Oh, I'll tell you what's going on! Han Solo here came back to Earth without greenie!" Rocket hysterically remarked.

Thor turned to Peter. "You didn't find her?"

"I did. She left so, I came back to tell you that," answered Peter.

"There's a reason why calls were invented, idiot!" shouted Rocket. "Now, Gamora can't come back. She's gone. She's dead! For good."

Peter felt a lump in his throat at Rocket's statement. She's gone, for good. All because of him.

"Rabbit!" scolded Thor. The Asgardian turned to Peter. He saw a glint of pain, guilt and regret in his eyes. Thor sighed as he reluctantly patted Peter on his shoulder. Peter just sighed at his action.

Rocket was panting and seething at the same time, still recovering from his tantrum. He regretted his outburst of anger but he couldn't help it. He suffered so long, being alone, without the Guardians, the people he called 'family'. He couldn't afford to lose anymore yet he did.

Peter wasn't the only person in the universe who lost a lot, Rocket wanted to point that out. He just wants his leader to see that; he's not alone.

"Quill," a female voice said. The three turned to see Nebula, walking towards them. Her eyes were looking for someone. "Where is she?"

Peter gulped as he shook her head. "She said she couldn't take it. I'm sorry, Nebula."

Nebula bowed her head, knowing there was a vague chance that she and Gamora would be reconciled the way she promised they would be after Yondu's death.

Thor mournfully bowed his head along with the Guardians. Solemnity painted their atmosphere.

"So, this is it. There's no way we could ever see her again," said Rocket.

"Actually, there is a way," Thor silently blurted almost immediately.

Peter jerked his head towards him. "What?"

"Thor." Venom was present in Nebula's voice. "Don't you dare."

"What? What is it?" pleaded Peter. "There is another way?"

"Thor, please don't," requested Rocket. Despair was in his tone.

"He deserves to know, Rabbit," said Thor.

"If he knows, he will take it," said Nebula.

"You know that, Thor," agreed Rocket. His eyes looked desperate.

"What's going on? Is there a way? Did you guys know all this time?" asked Peter.

No one made eye contact with Peter for no one wanted him to know.

"Guys? Please, don't give me the silent treatment here." Peter said.

No one answered him for a moment.

"The sacrifices for the Soul Stone are permanent, irreversible," a voice states from behind them.

"Stephen, I don't think we should tell him," said Thor.

The doctor ignored him. "But the Soul Stone has the ability to manipulate a soul and resurrect and conjure a representation of the dead."

"Oh, gosh, quit it with the fancy stuff, wizard. You are taking a life from us, can't you see that?" said Rocket.

"I know what I'm doing," declared Stephen, firmly. Rocket looked away from him and distanced himself. The wizard turned to Nebula. "Trust me. I'm saving a life."

Nebula rolled her eyes and turned away, staying in her position.

"How does it work?" asked Peter. "And what happens to Gamora?"

"Gamora is trapped in the Soul Stone, as I told you, the sacrifices for the Soul Stone are permanent," said Strange.

Peter sighed and bowed his head.

"But there is a way that you can go to her."

Peter looked again at the wizard, hoping he doesn't crash his hope this time.

"That is, its pocket dimension," said he. "You may go there if you wish but..."

"But what?" inquired Peter. "If there's any way that I can see her, just like what they said, I'll take it."

Stephen sighed. "But since you're merely a human, you can't enter the pocket dimension at your will. The only way you can see her is if you enter that dimension permanently."

Peter felt hopeful and sorrowful at the same time at those words.

dun dun dunnnnnn! What will Peter choose? You guys can comment what kind of choice Peter makes 'cause I, myself, am indecisive about it...

Hehehe, I said the story would be around 10 chapters... Nope, not anymore. asdfghjklasdfghjklqwert! Please don't kill me!

I apologize 3000 for the errors!

So many Hamilton and BTS references, don't ya think?

-marshmallu