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"Ain't no mountain no high, ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough baby~..."

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Rocket's POV: 

"RACHEL!" I instantly panicked; Quill and Gamora went to her to check her pulse. Drax goes over, and what he heard made him look relieved, meaning that Rachel's alive. Peter then waves at one of the Nova Corp guys to call a medic: "We need a medic here, NOW!" 

[At the Xandarian hospital]

We were all getting checkups for the injuries that we all had endured for the last few hours after Ronan's death, but that's not all; Quill decided to ask one of the doctors, only to hiss at the nurses doing his injuries, about how Rachel was.

While sitting across from Drax and Gamora, I kept staring at what was left of Groot in a spare pot filled with particular dirt and soil on top of a counter near the window where the sunlight was showing, and Rachel's unconscious body: Her entire grey, white and black fur, tail and haircut was in a mess, her metal arm had been removed, due to Nova Corp wanting to give her a new metal, Gamora, surprisingly suggested that Rachel gets it until she recovers.

However, I was in deep thought when I heard something coming from the conversation between Quill and the doctor, who spoke: "Everything is in good condition. However, your friend's name, Rachel, has been diagnosed with insomnia." The doctor told Quill. I widened my eyes in shock and turned to listen, concerned about what the doctor had just said: 'Insomnia?' I continued to listen, only to glance at Quill's face turned pale, and he stammered, "Insomnia? Are you sure? What does that mean for her?"

The doctor sighed: "Insomnia is a condition that affects one's ability to fall or stay asleep. In Rachel's case, it seems to be a result of the traumatic events she has recently experienced. It's not uncommon for individuals to develop sleep disorders after going through such intense situations."

Gamora's expression turned, and he asked, "But is there anything we can do?" The doctor nodded and reassured her, "There are treatments and therapies available to help manage insomnia. With time and proper care, Rachel should be able to overcome this condition. After she wakes up, however, it will require patience and support from all of you." I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was relieved that Rachel was alright and that there were ways to help her. 

I glanced over at Rachel, who was still unconscious. I made a silent promise to myself that I would do whatever it took to support her through this... because I've been through it as well.

Rachel's POV: Time skips after finally waking up...

Over the next few days of recovery, Nova Corp ensured that our health was a top priority and paid for everything. I'll be honest; it left me surprised, but I also found it nice that the government was doing this for us all. After I had woken up from my unconscious state, Rocket told me that I had been diagnosed with insomnia, which was probably typical for me to know already. 

However, I got scolded by the team about not sleeping well, so I had no choice but to take medication pills for me to sleep better; of course, Rocket was willing to take responsibility for my health. Not that I minded, but I feel like he's overprotective at times.

While at that, I had just noticed my metal arm being constructed as brand new. According to Rocket, he said that it was a gift made by Nova Corp as a thank-you gift for saving the universe from Ronan: 'Hmm, not bad though. I want to redesign it even better.' I thought, now, Rocket was holding Groot in a white pot, with Drax and I were in the white elevator with one Nova Corp escort, dressed up nicely in new clothing, whereas we were welcomed by Nova Prime and her Nova Corp soldiers with Gamora and Peter there with her.

Drax, me, and Rocket joined them, with him holding a pot with a tiny Groot planted. I whispered to Rocket about a robotic guy's eyeball joke, which caused him to laugh a bit until Nova Prime spoke, "Your friends have arrived. On behalf of the Nova Corps, we'd like to express our profound gratitude for your help saving Xandar. If you follow Denarian Dey, he has something to show you."

Peter Quill and Gamora thanked them while we followed Dey towards the exit, taking us all to the restored Milano. My lips grew into a big smile, and I gasped, "Holy stars, can this day get any better?!" 

Corpsman Dey chuckled at my reaction and spoke: "We tried to keep it as close to the original as possible. We salvaged as much as we could." 

I then asked, "And?-" 

"And the planet of Septurn is officially yours, Under full legal property rights." He finishes, making me want to share and show off Septurn to my new family/teammates, while Peter Quill looks so speechless that he is at a loss for words: "Wow. I...Thank you." 

"I have a family who are alive because of you..." Dey starts explaining, "Your criminal records have also been expunged. However, I must warn you against breaking any laws in the future." Then, Rocket asked the Nova Corp soldier a question: "Question. What if I see something that I want to take, and it belongs to someone else?" I tried my hardest not to smirk, only to fail and show a grin, feeling bad that Dey had to answer these questions, who sighed, "Well, you will be arrested."

I raised my metal paw to continue this conversation and see how it goes. It would be a challenge to inner control, so I asked Rocket, "But what if he wants it more than the person who has it? Can he still earn it?" Of course, my grin turned even more significant than before, and I almost wanted to laugh: "Still illegal." 

"Rachel, ssh! Anyways, that doesn't follow. No, I want it more, sir. Do you understand?" At this point, Gamora and I were laughing at his response, 'He sucks at asking a "gentleman-like" question. I swear this is nuts.' 

I covered my muzzle and ended the laugh with giggles until I heard Rocket turning to us, "What are you two laughing at? Why? I can't have a discussion with this gentleman?" "No, you may not, mister."

I scold Rocket playfully as Gamora leads him to the ship; I am about to follow along with them but decide to keep an eye on Drax and Peter from asking or saying something foolish: "What if someone does something irksome, and I decide to remove his spine?" Drax asked. "...dude? I'll puke if that did happen." I playfully glare at Drax's stupid question before leaving for the ship.

Later...

I got in the ship, climbing upstairs to the cockpit, where I jumped onto my seat that was right next to Rocket and sat down with my seatbelts on: "Hey, Rocky." I grin.

"Hey, sweetheart." He smirked while I rolled my orange eyes playfully at him. 

"Really? I thought I told you to call me by my name, not sweetheart." I teased, causing Rocket to smirk wider and respond to my teasing with a comeback: 

"You sure about that? I thought I told you to call me by my name, not Rocky~" Rocket mocked jokingly at me, showing his famous smirk that I found attractive but didn't want to give in; however, I'll let it slide for the time being and enjoy it. Before I could say anything about it, my ears flickered when a new song popped in and began playing throughout the ship. Making Rocket raise an eyebrow at my reaction until he heard the words:

" '{Listen baby~, 

Ain't no mountain no high,

Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough;

Baby, if you need me, call me no matter where you are,

No matter how far;

Just call my name; I'll be there in a hurry;

You don't have to worry,~~}' "

The song was nice and I found myself bobbing my head to the beat. To my surprise, Rocket hesitantly joined in and hummed a little. As it was a new experience for both of us, we didn't mind it. However, our emotions were in turmoil and we were unsure of how to express them. Hence, Rocket and I still have a lot of things to think about before one of us ruins the moment.

'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, babe.}' "

Then, both of us heard a small yawn, I smile at what I saw and squealed in a whisper-happy tone: "Look who's finally awake." Before Rocket could utter a word, we spotted a miniature Groot stretching his tiny arms in his pot. Relief washed over me, and I could see the same emotions in Rocket's brown eyes. "My little angel is awake," I declared assertively, causing Rocket to chuckle at my sudden change of tone. I felt my skin tingle with warmth, and my tail began to sway. 

Without wasting time, Peter took his position in the leading pilot chair, and he took hold of the controls with determination written on his face. "So, what should we do next?" Peter asks happily, "Something good? Something bad? A bit of both?" I glance around at my new family, knowing this will be the best thing ever happening to me: "We'll follow your lead, Star-Lord and Crypto." Gamora answers. 

Peter exchanges a glance with his smirk as I do the same thing as him by jumping up from my seat and punching the air with my furry paw: "Bit of both, and let's hit the engine!" I exclaim. Everyone burst out laughing before we blast off the Milano into the sky, ready for another adventure. 

But then, I start seeing all the surprising adventures of how we all start our journey: Escaping my worst nightmare, meeting Yondu and Peter with the Ravagers, the bounty for the Orb, meeting Rocket and Groot in Xandar while handing him a berry smoothie (which I still feel embarrassed about it), chasing Gamora, going to the Klyn together where we also met Drax, getting drunk in Knowhere, fighting Ronan, and now look at all of us... 

I glance at Drax, then at Gamora, before returning to Peter and Rocket with beamed smiles on my furry face, already knowing the adventures we have just journeyed together. I can't believe I will say this, but we're now a new family and team.

Heh, talk about a life full of surprises, am I right?

The end, stay tuned for more!!!

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Shoot! I forgot to add Septurn as our next destination, F-! *Language bleep*