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     "Welcome to Xandar!" Peter announced as Poe and BB-8 stepped out of the Benatar.

Poe blinked as he wasn't expecting a large city. It was still being repaired since Thanos, yet managed to be decent enough that it was almost back to normal.

All Poe could think of was the cities his parents told him about and he was living a dream. People were walking in the streets of all races he had never seen before. He scanned the city several times before he finally uttered a word.

"Wow."

BB-8 mimicked the tone of voice Poe. Both were left speechless by what they saw before their eyes.

Ava noticed how Poe acted as if he'd just seen the Christmas tree at Rockefeller center for the first time. She fought herself from smiling at the innocence the man had.

The group was greeted by Rhomann Dey and some of the other Nova Corps.

"Welcome back guys." He said as he shook hands with each of them until he stopped when he saw Poe. "Who is this? Another recruit?"

The little beeps from the droid caught his attention as well. Rhomann stared at the strange white ball before returning his eye to the man in the orange jumpsuit.

Gamora shook her head. "No. That's why we are here. We need to speak with the Nova Prime."

Rhomann nodded. "Of course, right this way."

The Guardians and the man with his droid began to follow Rhomann inside.

"How's your daughter?" Ava spoke up as the group was led down the hall.

Rhomann let out a warm chuckle at the mention of his daughter. "She's doing great! Making her goodies as always. If you have time, you'll have to see her while you're here."

"Oh don't worry, I'll pay her a visit." Ava replied with a smile and a wink, thinking of his daughter as a young sister or cousin.

Ava loved creating relationships with the citizens, it brought a special feeling to her. They were humble and kind to her ever since she joined the team. It gave her a sense of belonging and finding a place to call home.

"Nova Prime, the Guardians of the Galaxy are here to see you." Rhomann announced. 

All eyes in the council room landed on Ava and her teammates. Each member smiled and welcomed the group in.

"What reports do you bring us today?" Irani Rael, the head of the council, asked as the group gathered around the round table.

Gamora cleared her throat as to be the voice. "We found this stranger on Behert who doesn't have a way home." She explained.

At the mention of the foreigner, everyone noticed an extra person standing in between Groot and Drax. His arms crossed and putting weight on his left leg. Ignoring all the stares from the members of the Nova Corps.

"Anyway, you can provide a solution?" Gamora requested.

Irani nodded. "We would be happy to help in whatever way we can."

Everyone else refocused their attention on the Nova Prime, while Ava's remained on a highly stressed Poe.

For his sake, she hope there would be answers.

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"Unfortunately, we still haven't found any results of Ajan Kloss in our galaxy." Irani informed the group after she and the Nova Corps searched their databases for the planet.

Ava watched as Poe grew more annoyed and impatient, dropping his arms as his hands rested on his hips.

"So you can get me back or not?"

Irani sighed. "It's possible."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Poe raised his voice a little with a hint of anger. "Am I stuck here?"

Ava was ready to march up and slap him for being so demanding. Yet he also was several light-years from his home. Did the people on his Rebel Base really need him?

"Sir, we are doing the best we can. We can get you home but-" She paused for a moment.

"But what?" Poe urged her to finish what she was about to say. 

"It's possible you're from a galaxy beyond ours. A galaxy far away infact. It will take months to find your galaxy and weeks to find your planet." Irani informed, bracing for a reaction from the stranger.

"You serious!?" Poe exploded as he knocked down a chair, making everyone jump from his outburst. He paced the room and ran his hair, muttering gibberish.

The Guardians watched him as he mumbled something they couldn't understand. All of them feeling bad for the lost pilot who was far from home. Ava hated the attitude he was giving, but she couldn't blame him.

She imagined if she was taken from the Guardians and thrown into an unfamiliar world. The idea of having no friends, family or even allies near scared her.

Which is exactly what she saw underneath Poe's wrath. She saw panic and fear in his eyes as he moved his fingers, letting them rest on his lips.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience." The Nova Prime added to her news.

Poe broke his pacing and gave a short glance in response before storming out of the council room. He yanked the handle and opened the door with a strong force as it hit the wall.

A tug at her chest made Ava's heart ached for Poe. Wishing there was something she could do for him. She turned back to Irani. "If there is any research you need me to do, I am happy to help as well."

The Nova Prime smiled. "Ah yes, I remember you are very knowledgeable in astronomy. We will let you know." She said with promising reassurance.

After the meeting, they made their way out into the lobby. The place had couches and the front desk all decked out in white. A giant glass window that stretched up to the ceiling. 

"Well Guardians looks like we may be in Xandar for a few days," Peter said as he clapped his hands together. "We can just stay and rest until the Nova Corps find Poe's galaxy."

Peter went on to discuss the plan with the others while the mention of Poe worried Ava. His devastated face stuck in her brain when he left the room earlier.

"Should we tell him about the Blip now? And that he could have been gone for 5 years?" Ava asked and interrupted the banter the Guardians were having about sleeping arrangements.

They all looked at each other. Seeing if her suggestion was a good idea.

Gamora was the first to respond. "Let's wait until we know for sure. We don't want him to freak out over nothing."

"But if we don't tell him-" Ava began to protest.

"Then he can figure it out when he's not our responsibility." Nebula cut in with her arms crossed.

Ava glared at her as the two faced each other. "He is our responsibility. He sent a distress call and we have to help him."

"You're right," Gamora said. "We can help him by not freaking him out. Especially if he is suspicious of us."

Ava sighed in defeat. Gamora gave her a nod before pulling Nebula away.

Rocket resumed the previous conversation as Ava left the group. She wandered down the hall, searching for him until she saw the orange jumpsuit in the corner of her eye. She stopped and saw who she was looking for on the balcony with his droid. The ball was currently leaning its head on his leg as a way to comfort him.

She carefully opened the clear door and stepped outside. 

"Hey," Ava said, notifying her presence as she closed the door behind her.

"Are you going to give me a speech about how everything is going to be okay? Because I'm pretty sure it's not since everything seems to get worse." Poe huffed out without moving his focus away from the skyline.

Ava was lost for words as she stood in place, fidgeting with the zipper on her jacket. "I can't say much about that. I just came out to tell you that I'm sorry. Sorry that you're stuck here, Poe." She replied with gentle care and took a few steps towards him.

Poe finally glanced over at her with tired eyes. "Don't need to pity me blondie, I'm fine."

She let out a smirk as she walked over and leaned on the railing next to him. "Well," She let out a long sigh. "I'm just trying to be a good acquaintance. And I promise I'm not a bounty hunter."

He put his head down with a small smile forming on his lips at her joke. "Thanks." Poe chuckled as he looked outwards towards the landscape.

He appreciated her trying to lighten the mood. However, she could see that he was still bitter about the news from the Nova Corps. She wanted to tell him about the Blip but knew Gamora was right. Now wasn't the time. Poe was already worked up about not going home sooner than he wanted. Telling he was gone for 5 years didn't seem like a burden Ava wanted to add to his stress.

Without another pry, Ava ripped her gaze off of the pilot and admired the view. Nothing but Xandarians making their way home from work in the streets.

She spotted a tall man, whose skin was bright orange with brown hair and wore glasses, approaching his front door. He opened it only to be tackled by his two children. A little boy, resembling his father,  tackled his leg without letting go. Jumping on his back was a girl around the age of 10, with multiple braids. Though it was too far to hear, but hard to miss the laughter that was shared among the three.

Another figure came to the door as the kids ran inside. A woman wearing an apron greeted the man. He stood up straight to give her a hug and a kiss before they followed their children.

Ava felt warmth at the sight, knowing they could live in a universe that was safe from Thanos and other threats. She hoped one day, she could share a life with someone the same way that couple did.

Her attention shifted towards the sunset, failing to notice the soft brown eyes that were admiring her.

The city was finally getting back to normal since the Blip. Some parts of town seemed untouched while others were still being rebuilt or improved.

The silence between her and Poe would have been more awkward if it wasn't for the busy noises of Xandar. She glanced back at him and he quickly turned his gaze to the sunset.

She ignored the sudden movement and decided it wasn't too important.

"Xandar does have some of the most beautiful sunsets." Ava spoke, breaking the silence as she observed the bright yellow ball on the horizon, casting gorgeous colors.

"The city too."

Poe nodded before he turned his body around so his back was now leaning against the railing. Now facing her with a grin. "I'm sure you're the expert right?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

She could feel her cheeks become a little warm as her eyes found her feet below her. "I don't know about that. I've only been in space for about 6 months. I'm no expert."

He straightened himself as he took a step closer, knowing all too well that she was blushing.

"I doubt that." He said barely above a whisper as he rested his right elbow on the railing.

Ava stared back at his face, admiring his daring eyes that remained locked. His charming smirk and raised eyebrow caused her to bite her lip. Trying to prevent herself from smiling back. To make matters worse, a rush of chills went down her spine.

Oh good Lord.

She opened her mouth to respond but hesitated. Ava was scared of what would come out as she got lost in his captivating eyes.

"Hey,"

The two turned to see Rocket standing in the doorway, giving Ava an excuse to tear her gaze away from Poe.

"Dinner is ready."

She nodded in response, as did Poe.

BB-8 zipped inside while Poe tagged alongside the Raccoon, while a suspicious smile grew on Rocket's mouth.

Ava on the other hand staggered behind slowly.

She mentally slapped herself as she watched Poe disappear around the corner with Rocket.

"Don't even think about it, Ava Stella Quill." She cursed herself.

"Don't even think about it."

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