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Anticipation was eating Ava alive. She felt confident about the plan before but now she was more anxious. New Knowhere was much more advanced and overwhelmin
gly crowded. It reminded her of New York on Black Friday. So many creatures and races making their way through the crowd. What made the situation slightly better was seeing Poe react to seeing the planet's structure as a giant head of a Celestial. Every time he learned about their galaxy, he acted like a kid who got the latest Lego set and couldn't wait to find out more.

Nebula and Ava stepped outside Benatar as the ramp pulled down to the loading platform. Nebula held up a communicator.

"Get out of there if anything goes wrong."

Ava looked at her with a nod while Nebula placed the device in her hand.

"Thanks, Nebula." She smiled, putting up a façade of confidence when she panicked on the inside. Overthinking all the possibilities that could go wrong.

"Don't worry Lil Quill." Nebula assured, as if she could see right through Ava's mask of pride. "You took on a pirate gang of Skrulls, Tivian is nothing compared to that."

Ava's smile widened from Nebula's encouragement and knew that she was right. They exchanged another nod before Poe come up next to them on the platform.

"You ready for this blondie?" Poe asked, glancing around the atmosphere before he looked down at her with his brown eyes.

Tilting her head in an angle and raising an eyebrow, Ava scoffed. "Are you?"

"You know it." Poe replied with a smirk.

"Let's go." Ava said as she started to lead the way.

A tug on his hand, Poe looked to see Rocket grabbing his hand with his paw and placing a round device with a red button on it. Poe rose an eyebrow while Rocket only winked at the General and gestured him to go.

Poe shoved the object in his pocket and broke into a jog to catch up with Ava. She grabbed his wrist as she spoke over her shoulder. "Stay close, this place is full danger and it's easy to get lost. It's not like Xandar."

Pulling him along, they passed by several booths. Different smells mingled but didn't blend well together. Ava almost wanted to puke.

Poe chuckled as he yelled back over the loud conversations around them. "Wait until you've seen a Cantina blondie!"

She was too focused on weaving through different bodies to see his face, but she could see the proud smirk in just his voice. Dragging him until they finally came across a large arching entrance. Extravagant golden material accented the walls, with a matching statue of Tivan in the middle. A plaque in the center of the arch read in alienic text:

The Collector's Emporium

Ava let go of Poe's wrist as she looked at him. "Okay, let's get one thing straight here." Ava said in a quiet voice as Poe leaned his head in to listen. "I've heard Tivian is an unpredictable man. If you taunt him or use you're mouth the wrong way, things can go south very quickly."

"Relax, Blondie." Poe put his hand out as a signal. "I use to sell Spice. I've had plenty of negotiations and survived each one."

Knowing there must have been a different meaning behind the term, Ava still couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease him when he was trying to impress her. "You used to sell people paprika and cinnamon for a living?" She snickered.

"No!" Poe scolded a finger at her. "I sold Spice. Can we stay focused her blondie?"

Ava shook her head to keep herself from laughing. "Right, right. We just need to be professional, ask for Groot and BB-8 in exchange for the Pym Particles."

"Sounds good." Poe said grabbing her hand, beginning to drag her towards the building.

"What are you doing?" Ava questioned as she felt her face flushing from the sudden touch. She almost pulled her hand out, but Poe turned around and tightened his grip. Refusing her to let go.

"Didn't Gamora say we should pretend to be partners?"

"I never agreed to that." Ava said, ripping her hand out of his grip. "We will be fine."

As she walked past him, Poe let out a long single sigh before he followed her inside.

They approached a Krylorian woman, her pink hair tied back into a single pony tail. She wore a oddly shape white dress that was in line with New Knowhere fashion.

"Welcome! My name is Brina have you come to see Tivian's new and improved collection!?" She piped as if she were a voice recording with her hands clasped in front of her.

Ava nodded and cleared her throat. "Yes, we came to ask him about some of the recent relics he has discovered."

"Right this way then." Brina smiled as she lead them inside.

The Guardian and the General followed the pink lady down a hall, bringing them to a large open gallery that was almost as big as an arena or a football stadium. Vast amounts of relics and creatures in various vaults.

"This guy needs a better hobby." Poe whispered so only Ava could hear.

She huffed before she glanced over at him. "No kidding."

Brina led them to an empty desk as she stopped and turned around, hands still in a polite clasp. "I present to you the Collector."

She said as she stepped to the side with her hand extended as a man walked out from a grand door off to the side. His spikey white hair sticking up. He wore a rusty colored outfit and a elegant cape of fur from an unknown space animal that dragged behind him. The man stepped in front of the two, stopping to be right in front of Ava.

"Thank you Brina for welcoming our guests." His said, his voice sending an uncomfortable chill down her spine. Creepily removing his glasses to reveal heavy eyes covered in a purple eyeshow of some kind.

"Tivian at your service." The Collector smiled as he grabbed Ava's hand and brought it to his lips. The uncomfortable feeling expanding, but Ava didn't want to raise suspicion. "What brings you here?

Poe cleared his throat, his jaw tensing up as he stared the man down. "My wife and I, wanted to see you're latest additions to your collection."

The Collector made eye contact with the General and let go of Ava's hand. The man wasn't even embarrassed that he overstepped boundaries, but showed respect towards the foreigner. Fixing his lazy eyes on Poe.

"Well, a lovely couple, such as yourselves, came to the right place." Tivian smiled as he put out his arms. "Let's take you two on my Grand tour on the Gauntry lift shall we."

The man began to led the way, as Ava looked at Poe with a nod. He attempted to hold her hand again, but this time she accepted it. Not wanting Tivian to touch her ever again.

She leaned close to Poe, keeping her voice quiet. "Wife?"

He moved his head so his lips were near her ear. "Just convincing him to keep his distance." Poe assured her in a whisper, his breath gently grazing her skin.

If pretending to be his wife didn't send her in cardiac arrest, that definitely did. Her heartbeat remained to be untamed, sending shivers down her spine.

Stepping on the Gauntry Lift that sprang to life as Brina pressed a button. Causing the technology of the elevator to begin to move upwards.

"What did you want to see?" Tivan asked as he scanned his eyes between the trio.

"We heard recently you captured a Groot and a Droid." Poe replied firmly. Anxious as he was so close to being reunited with BB-8.

"Droid? That's interesting. I have a Groot, but I don't have a droid." The Collector said in his dry, monotone voice.

Ava squeezed Poe's hand as she saw him ready to point his blaster at the Collector. She know the man was lying too, but they couldn't blow this opportunity.

The rickety gauntry lift came to a hault. Tivan and Brina led the way, the tourists following behind them. Passing by several creatures locked away inside cells. There were old pieces of Chitari that now became rare since they were all wiped out during the battle against Thanos.

"Now not to brag or anything, but Groot is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy." The Collector said with his head held high with pride. "In fact, he was one of the heroes who came back from the Blip and helped kill Thanos."

Ava's heartbeat skipped a beat as she found Poe's eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"What do you-"

"We're excited to see him!" Ava piped, not letting Poe finish asking his question. She glanced over at him and he rose an eyebrow.

The Collector chuckled, oblivious to what he just hinted.

Ava gulped, hoping Poe didn't get suspicions. Still not ready to face a reaction.

"Here we are!" Tivan announced as he clapped his hands once. Presenting the visitors in front of a cell.

There, Groot sat in the corner, with his knees to his chest and his head resting on his arms. Anger inside tempted Ava to punch Tivan in the face for doing this to her friend. The teenage tree looked up, excited to see three familiar faces. A gasp escaping his mouth.

"Tivan," Ava began, holding back her fire as much as possible. "My name is Ava Quill."

Tivans eyebrows raised in amusement. "Quill, huh? You must be the sister of the legendary Starlord and are the new member for the Guardians of the Galaxy."

Ava nodded as she titled her head towards Groot. "Yes, and we would like to have our missing member back."

The man didn't say anything, but he stepped in her direction until he stood right in front of her. She felt her heartbeat rise, hoping that she didn't just blow the chance to save Groot.

A movement over her knuckle and she knew Poe was trying to encourage her to stay strong.

"And, what Miss little Quill," He whispered in a low voice, making Ava grow uncomfortable. "What would Tivan get in return?"

Breathing in a single breath of confidence, pushing away her fear, she replied. "Pym Particles."

"What?"

"Oh, you haven't heard of Pym Particles?" Ava retorted. "The Great Collector Tivian, doesn't know about one of Earth's greatest inventions?"

"Hmmm," Tivan hummed as he glanced at her. "Would care to present them to me then Ms. Quill?"

"Of course," Ava nodded, taking a step back to move the bag of her shoulders. Letting go of Poe's hand, she dug through the pack. Grabbing the vials and the small disc's from Scott Lang.

She held up one of the vials, filled with red chemicals between her finger and her thumb.

"This is what a Pym Particle is." Ava stated, showing all the red vials and discs. "It's scientific technology that allows someone or something to shrink."

Then she showed the blue disc's. "This device allows something to enlarge."

She tossed it a red disc on Groots cell, causing it to become a tiny cube, shinking Groot as well.

Tivan cackled a laugh as he covered his mouth with his hands. "Bravo!" He cheered as he clapped his hands.

"You can have these, and I can always get more on Terra." Ava said.

"Yes! I would be happy to add this gadget to my display." He replied as he reached for the tools in Ava's hand.

Before he could snatch them, Ava closed he hand and pulled them away. "First, return Groot, then you can have them."

The Collector stared at her for a few seconds. Then he grinned, picking up the miniature cell. "There you are my dear," He winked as they exchanged the deal.

Poe stepped up and held her hand again, shooting a subtle glare in his eyes. "Thanks, I think my wife and I would just like to explore your fine collection now if that's alright." He said, emphasizing her title as he did his best not to hurt Tivan for treating Ava like that. Ava didn't know Poe would be so dedicated to the act. She shrugged it off as a daydream and refusing to let herself imagine something more.

The Collector nodded once. "Of course. Go on ahead, be my guests." He then went on the Gauntry Life with Brina that took them down. Leaving the pretend couple alone as they began to walk around the museum.

Ava held up Groot in her palm. "Hang in there buddy, you won't be small for much longer, I'm going to put you inside my bag okay?"

Groot, with his hands on the glass nodded. "I am Groot." He said in a high pitched voice that sounded like a baby.

She smiled back at him before she looked at Poe. "You remember Poe right?"

"I am Groot." He replied.

Poe picked up the small cell and inspected it with a grin. "Hey little guy. You doing alright?"

The tree nodded. "I am Groot."

"You're planet is weird." He huffed as he looked at Ava for a moment.
Ava chuckled. "You've only seen a sample of what people on Earth are capable of Dameron."

He sighed before returning his attention to Groot. "Have you seen my buddy, BB-8, here?"

Ava bit her lip and closed her eyes as she feared a horrible fate came upon the droid. She braced for another outburst from Poe.

"I am Groot!"

Her eyes popped open as she looked at her friend.

"What did he say?" Poe asked, requesting an interpretation from Ava.

"BB-8 is in on the next level!" Ava informed.

"You serious!?" Poe gasped as he looked at Groot who nodded.

Never had Ava seen Poe light up jn the way he did when he knew he was minutes away from being reunited with his droid. A warmth in her chest spread through out her body as a proud smile formed on her face.

Poe then carefully placed Groot inside Ava's backpack. Then he grabbed her hand again.

"What are we waiting for?" Poe beamed his beautiful eyes, only a feet or two in front of Ava. "Let's go, Blondie!"

No hesitation, he pulled her along as they got to the Gauntry Lift and pressing the button to go up. Stepping on the lift as soon as it opened.

Once inside, silence fell.

Ava stared at a spot on the wall as the awkward tension came between them. She then remebered how close they were before on the Benatar. If Drax hadn't interrupted, what would have happened?

Poe cleared his throat as she glanced over at him. "What you just did," He began loss for words as he had trouble finding her eyes for moment, until he finally fixed on her azure orbs.

"That was smart."

"Did the General just give me a compliment?" She faked a gasp, putting her hand over her mouth. "I'm flattered."

Poe snickered. "Count yourself lucky blondie. It doesn't happen often."

Ava turned her head away, pretending to sneeze, not wanting to give away her face becoming pink.

"Well," She let out a soft giggle as she looked back at him. "I've seen you get annoyed before Dameron, but I think back there was record breaking."

"It was for a good reason." He stated simply in defense as he glanced over at her.

"Oh," Ava teased while nudging his shoulder. "And what might that reason could that be? It better be a good one."

Hesitation clouded over them as Poe only stared at her, but nothing came out.

Ding!

Poe's head snapped at the doors opening as he stepped forwards. Waiting for permission to cross the threshold. Ava sighed with admiration, knowing her question had left his brain.

"Ready to go find you're droid?"

"Oh maker, I hope he's here." He said under his breath.

Before she could let fear stop her, she squeezed his hand. Poe looked over at her on his left in response.

"Let's find out." Ava replied before leading the way, bringing him along.

They passed by one of the bird like creatures on Behert. Asguardian armor in the next cell. Then there was one trapping a golden retriever that wore a NASA resembling suit.

"What is that?" Poe asked as he pointing at the canine.

"It's a creature from Earth called a Dog. Pretty much like a droid for you, they are a loyal best friend." She replied before they continued to search.

Still no sign of BB-8.

Poe let out a painful sigh, regardless of Ava's attempt of comforting him by squeezing his hand, it didn't make his worry disappear.

"He's probably getting sold for parts." He accepted, slowly letting go and putting his head down and flung his hands in the air.

"We're too late Blondie."

The slight crack in his voice pierced into Ava's chest. He was giving up, letting go the last strand of hope. She knew words couldn't do much for Poe now. Instead, she placed a hand on his shoulder. Pushing him to lock eyes with her for a brief moment, seeing him holding back tears. Before he could pretend he was okay, Ava wrapped her arms around him.

Poe, caught off guard at first before he accepted her tender embrace. He allowed himself to be vulnerable and buried his face in her neck. A couple of tears slipped onto Ava's skin, but she didn't mind, one of her hands found his dark curls as she brushed them with her fingertips.

"I'm sorry Poe." She said calmly, the name rolling off her tongue naturally as if she said it her whole life.

She pulled him out, starring directly into his eyes, as if to tell him it was okay to cry. She used her thumbs to wipe a few remaining tears. His face only a few inches away from hers.

Until a familiar squeak caught his attention. His head whipped in the direction.

"Buddy?" Poe said softly, regaining a small ounce of hope again. Without waiting for Ava, he walked down the corridor in a rush when he heard the noise again.

"BB-8!?"

Hearing happy beeps he knew all too well in response. Hoping he wasn't dreaming.

"BB-8! I'm coming!" Poe called out as he frantically searched for his droid while Ava did her best to keep up. He turned a corner to see a bigger room with a single cell at the center. The beeps became screeches. Louder screeches everytime Poe called for his droid.

There inside a blue and clear cell, in front of Poe and Ava, a white sphere with orange accented circles on it. The camera-like head Ava remembered meeting the first time she met Poe.

Poe didn't hesitate to bolt towards the cell, placing his hands on the barrier. "Buddy! Thank the maker you're okay!"

BB-8 rolled around in circles as he responded to his master. Telling him all the adventures they went on.

"Blondie," He said as he spun around in desperation, catching his breath from running. "You still have one of those shrinking devices? We could put BB-8 in the backpack with Groot."

Ava swiftly opened her back pack, grabbing the box that contained the rest of the viles.

"Yeah," Ava began as she opened the box. "The problem is we only have one blue disc left. And we need it for Groot to go back to normal."

Before Poe could say anything.

The lights powered off.

Darkness coming from every direction that the eye could see. The only faint of light was the glowing exit sign written in an alien language. BB-8 chirped, his sounds bouncing off the walls creating an echo.

Ava could barely see him, but his silhouette approached her and she felt two hands on her shoulders, startling her until she realized it was only Poe.

"You alright, Blondie?" He asked in a voice a little louder than a whisper.

"Yeah, you?"

Poe's head nodded, and her eyes adjusted to see his brown eyes pouring into hers. He then looked around as curiosity of the situation came out of his mouth. "What happened?"

Ava shrugged. "Beats me."

She pulled out a flashlight from her bag and shined it.

"I am Groot."

"It's alright. We're figuring it out." She said.

Ava moved the light around their surrounding until sudden movement almost made her jump out her skin. The round ball freely emerging in the darkness, rolling straight over to Poe.

"Buddy!" Poe shouted with joy as he knelt down, meeting his precious droid on the ground. Poe proceeded to scratch BB-8 like and dog as the droid continued to beep a chorus of sweet noises that Ava hardly understood. A smile spread on her face as she watch Poe touched his forehead on top of BB-8's.

"Missed you so much!" Poe whispered.

The droid hummed as if he were to say how much he missed his master as well. Poe examined BB-8, searching for any damage. "Look at you, all in one piece!"

BB-8 beeped before he noticed Ava. She knelt down beside Poe to greet the droid. "It's good to see you again, little fella."

The droid replied with a beeps as he rolled over to her. BB-8 ducked his head to be under her lazy, dangling hand. Forcing her palm to meet the surface of his head, making a cat call.

"BB-8!" Poe shouted at the droid.

"Didn't know I was capable of attracting your droid." She replied with a teasing smile and a giggle while she patted BB-8's head.

Poe open his mouth to say something, but Ava's focus was on BB-8, he closed it. Instead he decided to admire the way her face seemed brighter with her smile even when the only light source was a flashlight and the exit sign.

"How did you get out?" She asked, her hand lingering on the droid.

BB-8 beeped more phrases. Ava could only understand half.

"Something about escaping." She looked at Poe for help, but was surprised to find him already staring at her. He nodded slowly as he kept his eyes on her.

"On the right track Blondie. BB-8 said when the lights shut off, the cell opened as well."

"Makes sense." Ava let out a breath as she cleared her throat. She got up and shined her flashlight around the room. "What doesn't make sense is the cause of the power outage." She began to wonder around, walking away from the man and his droid.

Poe stood up to follow but felt a budge at his feet. Something he didn't realize he missed until he found BB-8 staring up at him. The droid blurted out a few purring noises.

"No! I don't!" He snapped at the droid louder than he wanted. Poe anxiously looked up, checking to make sure Ava didn't hear it. He let out a small sigh when he found her still ahead with her flashlight.

BB-8 gave Poe a unconvinced response. Pushing for his observations to be confirmed by his master. BB-8 suggested his idea again, hoping to find some evidence.

Poe immediately shook his head. "Don't talk like that BB-8."

The red dot inside of BB-8's eye rolled around before the droid rolled towards Ava. Poe shook his head in disappointment of his droid for thinking something so obscure and non-existent. Ava was just a friend. She reminded him of Jessika, Rose or Rey in some ways. Strong, determined, brave, loyal and many other similarities.

But there was one major difference that Poe wouldn't dare to admit that. None of those women had the effect Ava had to make him fall.

Fall hard.

"Poe?"

He looked up to see Ava shinning her light back at him.

"You better be coming or I think I'm going to steal BB-8." She chuckled in a way that made Poe almost forget to respond back.

"You wouldn't dare." He scoffed with a smile as he walked towards her.

Ava retorted as she crossed her arms. "You think I'm kidding? I was this close to running off with him into sunset." She held up her finger and her thumb to emphasize that last sentence.

Poe raised an eyebrow. "What did you figure out?"

"This whole place is shut down." She answered as she scanned the place with her light, trying ot hide the fact that she almost rambled again.

Poe, regaining focus on their situation stood on guard as suspicions continued to rise. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Suddenly the lights came back on. Ava made eye contact with Poe before grabbing his wrist.

"C'mon!"

Running towards the Gauntry Lift with BB-8 rolling full speed along their sprint. She looked over her shoulder before Poe could say anything, pressing the button to go down. "We have to get out of here before Tivian finds out-"

The Gauntry Lift doors opened to reveal Tivian.

"Shit." Ava cursed as she stepped back, pushing Poe behind her and BB-8 circled around to hid behind their legs.

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It's about to get fun in the next chapter is all I will say.

😏

marie
xoxo