“You got it captain.” Nikki said playfully as she went into the computer room and began typing away on the computer. Did she ever expect to find a group of people she got along with? No. Did she ever expect to find her freedom to travel the galaxy with assassin, a pair of other bounty hunters,  a stern and serious man and of course; Peter Quill. In the mists of her typing she couldn’t help but grin to herself. A half human half Spartoi and the prince of the Empire; her people’s mortal enemy’s only son and heir to the throne is helping her achieve her freedom by doing something no one would have ever guessed…

The information required quite a bit of digging but she got her answers. They were wanted dead or alive, alive was considered much more valuable unless they had the leader and his commanding officer dead; then proof was all that was needed. “Hm…” Nikki muttered allowed as she placed her elbow on the table and stared at the screen. The question was how many should they bring back alive versus dead; in addition to that, how many would the Ravagers allow them to return. They’d have to be the one collecting the bounty; the Novas wouldn’t take them seriously if they showed up but if the Guardians showed up with a handful of people and a cargo of corpses, they wouldn’t turn them away or refuse payment.

Nikki chuckled inside, listening to her own thought she realized that she was thinking of herself as one of them without even blinking an eye. That’s really what Quill seemed to want, he seemed like he wanted her to know that she was accepted by them, that she was one of them. Peter Quill, her husband…

The screen suddenly flashed a few times before a blocked name came up. When it came down to it, that could be anyone. Clicking the answer button, Nikki picked it up. “Milano.” 

“Nikki.” Rick’s face appeared on the screen which caused the blue haired woman to look up in surprise. Rick sat in a chair in front of the screen wearing a comfortable flannel shirt and a pair of blue jeans. “Nikki I’m glad I finally got a hold of you. Hear me out, please. I want you to reconsider what you’re doing with Quill.”

“I told you already, I want my freedom. And the only person who can give me that is Quill….” She said defensively.

“But we could travel, you and I. It wouldn’t have to be for work. No more running, no more hiding, no more fighting for your life and no more lock down. You could come and go as you please, we could go together. You’d never have to worry about not being safe, never have to fear that someone’s coming after you, that you’ll get hurt. You’ll live happily… with me.”

“Rick…” She said in desperation, her voice clearly indicating that she didn’t want to talk about it.

“Look Nikki just--- just hear me out. Let me take you on one date, just one. The next time you come to a council meeting. No suit, no weapons, no restrictions or rules; just you, me and a nice night out. I know you’re only with Quill because you think it’s your only way out and I want you to know it’s not.” 

“You’re wanting…” Her head rose, her chocolate eyes turning to the screen, blue eyebrows raised. “You’re wanting to take me, a married woman, out on a date?”

“If you want to look at it from a legal standpoint, yes.” He said rather bluntly giving a firm nod.

Nikki rose from her seat, unsure of how to answer it; when it really came down to it, she never gave Rick much of a chance, and she did jump into things with Quill but… she liked Quill, a lot… “You’ll have to ask Quill.”

“Okay first off, it’s your choice not his, and secondly why would I ask him anyway.”

“Basically boils down to the fact that he’s my legal husband and on Xander he’s my legal guardian.”

“But you’d say yes.”

“Are you willing to take the risk or not Nova?” She asked crossing her arms, and without missing a beat Rick responded with a yes. The blue haired girl made her way down the stairs after putting Rick on hold and went into the dining area to find Peter sitting by himself.

“Whoa, you look like you just got hit with something hard.” She said seeing his face. Walking to him she placed her hand gently on his shoulder with a small smile. “Don’t worry Star-lord; everything will work out in the end.” Yeah just a bit of an ego stroke before she began, “Good news is; price is good dead or alive as long as we have proof. Bad news is…” She bit her lower lip softly and sighed pulling her hand from his shoulder. “You have a phone call on hold.” She nodded softly before sliding her hands into her back pockets and turned, walking towards the cockpit to take in the view of space she called out behind her. “And just so you’re aware; my answer is No. Because I’m happy.” With that she climbed up into the cockpit and stood at the window looking out awaiting to hear what her ‘husband’ has chosen.