Chapter 1:
It Went a Little Something Like This...

	Rocket used all the know how that he had on hand to navigate through the thick air traffic of Convogue. He made sure he was well into the looming blackness of space and out of the jurisdiction of the Ar'Leirian Peacekeepers before putting the speeder on auto pilot. Rocket took a deep breath and relaxed into the leather seat for a long moment, trying to gather his thoughts. There wasn't much room in the small speeder cockpit.
	The first and most important part of getting home was to make his escape. That's a big ol' check mark on the mental list, Rocket thought, as he looked over the scanners for any approaching ships in his vicinity. Once he was comfortable with the readings and relaxed again, as far as he could tell, the incompetent planet police had taken every opportunity to stop him, but he was just too sly to be caught. Of course there was no doubt in his mind they were going to hire some more bounty hunters to come after him. In truth he didn't mind much. It was much easier to kill bounty hunters than a police officer anyway.
	Rocket turned to his duffel bag that was sitting in the passenger seat next to him. His brown eyes scanned over the bag and a hint of sadness washed over him. Some people just can't seem to keep their promises, he thought. He reached in feeling around, he remembered feeling it earlier during his escape. There it was, he pulled out his Groot pick. In truth it was just one little piece of his much larger friend, Groot. Groot was a sentient tree from planet X. It should be stressed that he was a giant tree creature that had plenty of strength to boot. A quiet sort, and a tree of very few words. Groot was a good friend and they had been through a lot together. Even though Groot didn't agree with everything Rocket did, he stood by him all the same.
	Back to the Groot pick, it was a long standing joke. Groot pick was a way for them to rendezvous if they ever became separated and Rocket got in trouble. Groot would just cease to exist in his other form, and regrow from the little wooden sliver. Thanks for Rocket's ability and uncontrollable mouth always getting him in trouble, the Groot pick had come in handy so many time before.
	Rocket stuck the Groot pick into the soft rubber on the console and cleared his throat. “Hey Groot, can you ask Pete what his coordinates are for me?”
	Pete, Peter Quill also known as Star-Lord had always been a decent friend to Rocket. They'd been through a few tussles and have always come out on top. Rocket's main plan was to rendezvous with the rest of the Guardians, rest up a little, and then take care of a few things.
	While Rocket waited to hear a response, he pulled his prison fatigue shirt off, followed by his fatigue pants. He struggled to keep his seating against the slick leather upholstery and the bare fur of his backside. He contorted his body around, luckily because of his small stature it made navigating the confines of the small cockpit easier. He pulled his Guardian uniform back on, a little perturbed from the dried blood stains on his shirt. At least it was easier to get into his clothes than it was to get out of the prison fatigues. Despite the blood it felt good to be in his old Guardian uniform again. He didn't think it would give him much clout in this part of the galaxy, but at least he wasn't wearing his prison outfit anymore.
	“I am Groot...” The pick in the dash console chimed in finally, as Rocket sat back down in his seat.
	“No buddy, I don't need any help right now. Besides that I doubt you'll fit in this small ass cockpit. Thanks anyway.” Raccoon returned his attention back to his duffel bag.
	“i am groot...” The voice simmered through from the pick.
	“Nah man, I'm really fine. What did Quill say about the Coordinates?” Rocket found what he was looking forward to, a decompressed metal flask. “Hot damn, that hussy sure held up her end of the bargain.”
	He unscrewed the cap on the flask and tipped it back. The liquid was harsh at first, but quite a bit smoother as it went down. He wasn't sure how she knew what his favorite drink was, but she did. A warm rush flooded through his body making his tail twitch. He quickly screwed the cap back on and slipped it into the pocket on the inside flap of his Guardian jacket.
	“I am Groot?” The pick once again chimed in.
	“What do you mean he wants my coordinates? Do you realize that I'm wanted by a whole damn planet here I'm not that far away from them. If he thinks I'm gonna be floating around their orbit while waiting for him to swing by and get me, he has another thing coming.” Rocket flew into a rage, which in other circumstances he would have admitted might have been a little out of order, but right now it seemed justified.
	“I AM GROOT!” It was obvious that Groot was starting to lose his patience with the back and forth.
	“Alright, alright I'm sorry! Just tell him to meet me at the Two Tone Bar on Planet Rylex. This is a short range craft so that'll be as far as I can go without compressing like an aluminum can.” Rocket said leaning back in the uncomfortable seat. “Man, no wonder cops suck so much. If I had to sit in a seat like this all day, I'd be too sore to do my job too.”
	“I...am Groot?” His buddy asked encouragingly.
	“Nah, don't really wanna talk about it. It's been a very long few weeks.” Rocket said softly as he pulled the heavy blaster from the duffel bag and set it on the floor of the speeder's passenger side.
	Rocket started digging through his bag once more, pulling free his pipe pouch. Such a precious item, nothing could ever take it's place. It was his treasure, and one of a kind to boot. He slid the pouch safely home in a pocket at his thigh. The last thing he pulled out of the bag, was a sub sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil. Office Biggs was nice enough to get a sandwich for two, just for him. She was such a thoughtful lady, and so giving...and receiving as well. Thought Rocket vulgarly as he opened the sandwich rolling down the aluminum foil.
	“I...am...Groot?” Once again with a very encouraging tone.
	Rocket's lips smacked loudly as little crumbs of bread rained down onto his chest and lap. “Oh my gods, alright I'll tell you, if you're not going to let me alone about it.”
	“I Am Groot!” It was easy to hear the tone was one of happiness.
	“Where do you want me to start at?” Rocket said taking another huge bite of the sandwich.
	“I am Groot?” The questioning tone was unmistakable.
	“Alright here I go, but it's very long and boring story.” Rocket stated. “And don't think I'm going to put my sandwich down, you're going to have to hear the story while I eat it.”
	An understanding grunt followed by an even. “I am Groot.” Came from the Groot pick.
	“Alright! Well you remember not that long ago when I told you I had to go to Planet Ar'Leir to see an old friend?...”

	Peter Quill leaned back in his seat, taking another bite from his can of raviolis. “No, I completely understand, Rocket. This guy was very important to you and you wanna go see him before he croaks, I'm not judging you. What has me and the rest of the Guardians...”
	“Don't include us in your argument.” Drax grumbled before hefting a large container and paced out of the door with it.
	“Thanks Drax” Peter Quill smirked, before leaning forward in his chair. “...As I was saying...What has me bummed is that, you're leaving us right before the reward ceremony, where get accommodations of excellence, for you know saving the galaxy and stuff.”
	“Pete, come on. You know for a fact that's not what's going to happen when you get there. There is going to be some yelling from Nova Corps about how we should work harder at not causing so much city wide, planet wide, or galaxy wide damage, you pick which one they'll bitch about. Nick Fury will probably be there, he's going to piss and moan about how we need to strive to get along with the Avengers or whatever leotard wearing super freaks S.H.I.E.L.D. has working for them. Then, before any medals are given out, there will be a cameo from one of three people- that Deadpool doofus, that overly hairy, angry guy with the claws, or that creepy old guy who mysteriously seems to pop up everywhere. Then someone is going to start some crazy slow clapping, and everyone will cheer. You'll make out with Gamora, maybe even get her to dance. Some crazy chick'll call me cute...” Rocket took a deep breath after his long rant. “And you know how much I hate being called cute.”
	Peter Quill looked away thoughtfully. “Yeah, that all sounds about right. Are you sure you don't want to be there though, you know...for all the festivities.”
	“Nah, last time I had a run in with Deadpool, he tried to make out with me. Claimed it was the booze or something, but I know what it is, he just can't get enough of the furry dude.” Rocket stopped for a moment and sighed. “But seriously, this guy means a lot to me. And no, not in a gay way either. Maybe someday, you know, when you're less of a douche bag I'll tell you more about him.”
	“Oh thanks for that. Man I'm so loved around here it hurts.” Peter Quill nodded slowly and stood up from his seat, holding out his half empty can of food as if he were pointing. “But I understand that you have things you have to do. I hope you can at least make it to the after party.”
	Rocket grabbed Peter Quill's hand and gave a firm handshake. “Thank you so much for understanding, and I'll try to make it to the after party.”
	“Good, cause I'm going to be really lonely being the only one that shows up.” Peter Quill and Rocket chuckled, before both of them parted ways.
	Rocket stopped short as he noticed Groot had been standing right behind him. “Whoa! How long have you been there big guy?”
	“I am Groot!” The tall tree, slowly bend down to lend a shoulder.
	Rocket quickly scurried up Groot's arm, finding a nice place to roost. “Alright! To the hanger, big guy.”
	The tree let out a long, low rumble. “I am Groot.”
	“Yeah I'm going on a trip, I shouldn't be gone longer than a week or two.” Rocket lightly patted the side of Groot's head.
	“I am Groot!” Groot crouched down and slipped under a door frame into a hall.
	“I don't think so buddy, the guys need you here. This whole accommodations ceremony has got them scared and they need you to protect them.” Rocket grunted as he grabbed hold of Groot, who passed through another door and down a ramp into a small hanger.
	“I...am...Groot.”  Groot said with a low rumbling chuckle.
	“Ha, that's what I said too.” Rocket slid down Groot's arm to the floor, before pacing over to his small speeder.
	“I am Groot?” Groot questioned lumbering up behind Rocket.
	“Nah, I'm already packed and ready to go.” Rocket flicked a switch on his wrist band and the cockpit slowly opened.
	Groot grunted heavily. “I am Groot!”
	“What? If he would have said no, I would have left anyway.” Rocket turned around crossing his arms before leaning against his ship.
	“I...am...groot...” Groot said sadly.
	“Oh come on buddy, it won't be that bad, I promise.” Rocket patted the large tree's thigh. “You know there is one thing you can do for me before I leave. Gimme one of those Groot picks, just in case I get in a little bit of trouble and need a hand.”
	The large tree reached up to the side of his head, pulling a long splinter free. “I am Groot!” He reached down and held the splinter out to Rocket.
	What was a splinter to Groot, had been a small stick to Rocket's small hands.
	Rocket took it and tucked it neatly between his teeth like a cigarette, before ripping it out of his mouth. “Ick man, you need to take a bath.”
	Groot laughed a deep rumbling laugh and gave a heavy pat to Rocket's back sending him sprawling on the metal floor. “Thanks big guy, my back was just starting to feel better too.”
	Rocket did a push up, before standing up. “Alright buddy, I'm off. You stay out of trouble, and take care of those guys. God knows they can't do it themselves.”
	Rocket climbed up into the cockpit, buckling himself in, he could hear an understanding, “I am Groot.” Calling out behind him, right before he slipped his headset on.
	Rocket closed the cockpit, giving Groot a thumbs up and a big smile. Groot gave a heavy nod and took several steps back so he could watch Rocket leave. There was a slow whirring sound filling the small hanger. The small carrier crane lowered Rocket's speeder through the blast energy field and opened, dropping Rocket ship into space. There was a hot white light from the engines of Rocket's ship, that was followed by the speeder rocketing off into space.