I’m Star-Lord (SW Xover)

C97 Reunion

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Peter Quill squinted at the bright California sun, the desert stretching out endlessly before him. The helicopter blades above his head slowed to a stop, kicking up dust around his boots as he stepped away from the aircraft. His thoughts were focused on his mission as he made his way into the city, determined to find Peggy Carter, who he needed to help get the Black Widows settled into their new lives. 

Parking the floating base in the sky above the desert had been a necessary precaution. After all, a giant floating base wasn’t exactly a normal sight here on Earth, and he didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention. 

As he approached the city, Peter navigated the streets with ease, heading straight to the small restaurant where he and Natasha had met Peggy last. He knew Peggy would be looking for him, and this seemed the most straightforward way to get her attention.

‘I should’ve gotten her phone number when I had the chance…’ he thought, as that would’ve made this much easier. 

Settling at a table by the window, Peter ordered a burger and a glass of coke, his eyes scanning the street outside. 

Luckily, He didn't have to wait long. As his food was being delivered to the table, a convoy of black SUVs pulled up outside the restaurant. Peter watched with a mixture of amusement and anticipation as a group of black-suited agents emerged, followed by Peggy Carter, Nick Fury, and Phil Coulson.

Peggy's sharp eyes found Peter through the window, and she gave a brief nod to Fury and Coulson before striding into the restaurant. She moved with the confidence of someone who knew they were in control, and Peter couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

"Peter," she greeted as she slid into the seat across from him.

"Peggy," Peter replied, leaning back casually. "Nice to see you again. I was hoping you'd show up."

Peter settled into his seat, the tension easing slightly as Peggy took her place across from him. Fury and Coulson stood a few feet away, clearly unsure if they should join the conversation or not. 

Peter waved them over with a grin. “Come on, guys. No need to be shy. You weren’t shy when you tailed me from that McDonald’s so why start now? Just grab a seat.”

Peggy glanced at Fury and Coulson, giving a small nod. They took seats at the table, Fury studying Peter with intense curiosity.

"Peter, I'd like you to meet two of my most trusted agents, Nick Fury and Phil Coulson," Peggy said, her voice carrying a tone of respect. "Gentlemen, this is Peter Quill."

"Nice to meet you," Peter said, nodding at the two men.

"Likewise," Coulson replied, extending a hand.

Fury simply nodded, his gaze intense as he sized Peter up. "I've heard a lot about you."

Peggy leaned forward, her expression shifting to concern. "How did your business with the Black Widows go? Is Natasha safe?"

Peter nodded, his demeanor serious. "It's been taken care of. Natasha is perfectly fine, and so are her mother and sister."

Fury cut in, his voice sharp. "What do you mean by 'it's been taken care of'? Because from what we can tell, the Russian government is freaking out right now. They seem to be scrambling to search for something but can’t seem to find it."

Coulson added, his tone probing. "You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?"

Peter smiled, enjoying the looks of curiosity on their faces. "Maybe, maybe not."

Peggy sighed, recognizing that Peter wouldn't divulge information without some incentive. She reached into her coat and pulled out a file with bold red letters stating ‘TOP SECRET.’ She placed it on the table. "I'm willing to trade the info on Carol Danvers and her involvement in Project Pegasus that you wanted for info on what you did in Russia and why the Russians are currently in a frenzy."

Peter thought for a moment before shrugging. "Sure." He grabbed the file before they could protest.

Flipping through the file to ensure it wasn't overly redacted, Peter nodded and placed it back on the table. "General Dreykov is dead, and the Red Room is no more. The only thing left of the Red Room is the Black Widows, who are now under my protection. They are currently undergoing treatment for brainwashing and should regain full control of themselves soon."

Shocked, Peggy and her agents stared at Peter with wide eyes. Peggy muttered, "You killed General Dreykov and took possession of every single Black Widow?"

Peter nodded. "I even sent out a message to the active Widows, calling them back to the Red Room. They should be pouring in over the next week or so."

The room fell silent as the gravity of Peter's actions sank in. Peggy exchanged a glance with Fury and Coulson, both of whom looked equally stunned.

"You really did it," Peggy finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Peter leaned back, a confident smile on his face. "Yeah, I did. And now it's time to give them a chance at a normal life."

Peggy leaned forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Do the Black Widows want a normal life?"

Peter shrugged, a casual smile on his face. "I haven't asked, but they most certainly want control over themselves. They've been working hard to break the brainwashing that the Red Room did to them."

Peggy nodded thoughtfully. "Do you think any of them would be interested in joining Shield?"

Peter's smirk widened. This was exactly what he had hoped she would say. "Maybe, maybe not. But I'll be willing to set up a meeting between you and the adult Widows, where you can give them a recruitment speech. But, in return, I need a favor."

Peggy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of favor?"

Peter shrugged again. "Nothing too hard. I just need you to help the Black Widows, young and old, get identification papers and US citizenship."

Suspicious, Coulson asked, "Why US citizenship? Can’t they live in Russia?"

Peter countered quickly. "It was Russia that put them in the Red Room in the first place. I think a fresh start will do them good, especially the younger girls who haven't become fully-fledged Black Widows yet. They can be adopted into nice families, go to school, make friends, and live happy lives. I want to give them that chance."

Peggy considered this, then asked, "And the older ones? Do they want to live happy, peaceful lives as well?"

Peter simply shrugged. "I don't know. But if they don't, they can always join Shield. I'm giving you the perfect opportunity to recruit them, after all."

Peggy thought it over for a moment, then nodded. "I can get the citizenship and all the necessary papers, as long as I'm given the opportunity to speak to them and give my pitch beforehand."

Peter nodded in agreement. "Deal. I'll set up a meeting soon." He said, his voice dropping slightly. "And after the meeting with the Black Widows, I'll show you some things I found in the Red Room that you probably need to know."

Peggy raised an eyebrow, her curiosity evident. "And you aren’t charging anything this time?"

Peter smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, now that you mention it, you should owe me a favor for my kind gesture, shouldn’t you? Though maybe I should make it a few favors since what I have to show you is pretty big."

Interest piqued, Peggy asked, "If it’s so big, can’t you just tell me now?"

Peter's smile widened. "It's a surprise."

Peggy grunted in mild frustration. "I hate surprises."

Peter chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Trust me, Peggy. This one will be worth the wait."

The room fell into a comfortable silence as they each considered the weight of their conversation. Peter knew that the information he had could change a lot of things for her, but he also knew that keeping some cards close to his chest was always a smart move. Especially when he didn’t know who could be listening to this conversation right now. 

————

Outside…

In the backseat of one of the black SUVs, an elderly couple sat, their faces pressed close to the window as they watched Peter and Peggy's conversation from afar. Jason and Anne Quill, Peter's grandparents, stared anxiously, their expressions a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

Inside the car, Jason whispered to Anne, "Do you think that's really him? Our Peter?"

Anne squinted, trying to get a better look. "I don't know, Jason. It's been so long. He disappeared more than five years ago."

Jason nodded, his gaze never leaving Peter. "He looks like him. The way he holds himself, that smirk... it reminds me of our daughter..."

Anne sighed, her hand trembling as she reached for Jason's. "But what if it's not him? What if Director Carter is mistaken? I don't know if I can take another disappointment."

The weight of Anne's words hung heavily in the air, the "what if" making Jason fall silent. He couldn't bear the thought of this not being their Peter. The uncertainty gnawed at him until he couldn't take it anymore.

"Screw this," Jason muttered, his voice filled with resolve. He opened the door and rushed out of the car, ignoring the agent in the front seat who called after him to stop.

Anne, shocked by her husband's sudden action, quickly followed him. "Jason, wait for me!" she called, scrambling out of the car and hurrying after him as he made his way into the restaurant.

Inside, Peter looked up from his conversation with Peggy as the door burst open. Jason and Anne, their faces flushed with a mix of excitement and anxiety, entered the restaurant, their eyes locked on Peter.

"Peter?" Jason called, his voice trembling with hope.

————

Seconds earlier, Peter was mid-conversation with Peggy when she leaned forward, her tone shifting to one of seriousness. "Peter, I actually needed to talk to you about something important..."

But before she could continue, the entrance to the restaurant swung open. Peter's eyes flicked to the door as an elderly man walked in, followed closely by a similarly aged woman. There was something strikingly familiar about them, but Peter couldn't quite place where he knew them from.

As the couple marched up to the table, Peter's brow furrowed. The man's eyes were filled with hope as he looked down at Peter, his voice trembling. "Peter? Is that you?"

Peter blinked, taken aback as the recognition hit him like a tidal wave. The memories came flooding back, and he muttered, almost in disbelief, "Grandma? Grandpa?"

The older couple's faces lit up with joy, their eyes brimming with tears. Peggy watched the scene unfold with a small, satisfied smile, knowing that this was the important matter she had wanted to address.

Jason Quill reached out, his hand shaking. "It is you, isn't it, Peter?"

Peter stood, feeling a mix of shock and overwhelming emotion. "Yeah, it's me," he said, his voice choked with emotion.

Anne Quill stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Peter in a tight hug. "We've missed you so much," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Peter hugged her back, his own eyes watering. "I've missed you too, Grandma. I've missed you both."

The room seemed to hold its breath as the family reunion took place, the weight of years of separation melting away in that moment.

A/N: 1956 words :)