A/N: Hey everyone! I know it's been awhile since my last update and I'm sorry for the wait! This month has been a rough one, I lost my uncle and got out of a 2 year relationship so needless to say wasn't exactly feeling inspired to write. But I'm back and really hope I can resume regular updates and continue with this story! This chapter is fairly short, just trying to get back into the swing of things and give you guys something! Thanks for hanging in there!

A few hours later I was freshly showered and just putting on some lip gloss when there was a light knock on my door. With one last glance at my appearance in the mirror I scurried down the hall to answer it. Opening the door, there stood June Moone, looking tentative but friendly.

"I'd say good morning but technically it's almost noon," she said giving me a small smile. "I heard you had an eventful time this morning."

I rolled my eyes and sat down on the couch to pull on my boots.

"You could say that," I chuckled. "Rick give you all the juicy details?"

"Well as much as he could with his face swelling with rage," she replied trying to hold in her smile, but it appeared nonetheless. I had a good laugh at that but June's grin faded a bit.

"Listen Mallory, I know you and Rick have your issues, but he does care about you a lot. I'm not going to tell you what to do, it's not my place but maybe give him a bit of a break? He's just trying to protect you."

I looked up at her pleading face and found it hard to get angry, she was too much like an innocent little mouse. Sighing I ran my fingers through my black hair and gave her a genuine smile.

"I know he does, and deep down, somewhere really deep down...I do appreciate it. Happy?"

June perked up at my admission and pushed her glasses up higher on her nose as she nodded in agreement.

"To be fair, I have nothing against you forming relationships with the team. For the most part they are good people, just...life throws you curveballs sometimes. Trust me, I know. Boy do I know...but they've really become like a small family, and Rick knows that deep down too."

"Even the captain?" I asked giving her a smirk.

She bit her lip in reply and seemed stuck on finding the right words.

"Well...he's different that's for sure. He's a thief, but then again so are you. Oh god, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply-" she stuttered before I cut her off.

"It's fine June," I said shaking my head in amusement. "I know what you meant. Besides, I'm not even sure where I stand with him. I mean, it's not like I can date someone who has a prison sentence right?"

June's expression turned to one of pity as my face dropped and she hesitantly rested a hand on my shoulder. "Would some late breakfast make it better?"

"If that means bacon then the answer is always," I answered with a slight smile.

"I hate all these guards," I muttered to June as we stepped off the elevator onto the main floor of the updated hotel. I couldn't help but feel like I was being scrutinized by every one we came across, especially the few women present. Either I was paranoid or word travelled fast, perhaps a bit of both.

"I'm not a fan either but it is necessary unfortunately," she replied giving a curt nod to the nearest guard as we passed by. Down at the far end of the lobby we went through two large double doors and I was graced with the most mouth watering smell of pancakes, coffee and-thank god-bacon. Everything was set out in a buffet style and I quickly grabbed a plate and started filling it, June close behind. When I was satisfied with all my choices, I turned to follow the doctor and groaned when I realized she was leading me to a table where my brother sat. To my surprise however, he was in deep conversation with none other than Deadshot, and neither had yet to acknowledge our presence. It wasn't until June took a spot on his other side that my brother looked up and gave her a loving smile. Then his gaze switched to me, and man if looks could kill. I sat myself down across from the trio and sent a smile towards Deadshot.

"Having a good stay so far?" I asked him sweetly. He grinned back at me and picked at the fruit on his own plate.

"Not as good as you apparently honey."

My brothers face immediately soured and June quickly began whispering in his ear, small hand massaging his shoulder. I chose to ignore the pair and took a quick gulp from my cup of coffee, filled more with creme and sugar rather than actual coffee.

"So where is everyone else?" I asked Deadshot after a few bites of scrambled egg.

He shrugged. "Who knows. I was the first one down here."

"They just let you wander around?" I was curious exactly how much freedom the prisoners were being allowed, still wondering about how easily the Captain had gotten to my room earlier that morning.

"Where they gonna go?" My brother replied instead, giving me a dark look. "Guards are everywhere thanks to Waller's strict watch and if they did escape, all the evil queen has to do is go off with their heads and that's that."

"Another great speech man," Deadshot chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

I could almost feel the tension in the air sizzling between my brother and I. A part of me really wanted to apologize, to say something to break the ice but I couldn't find the words or the nerve. Son of a bitch was scary when he was really, truly mad. Luckily I didn't have too, because with impeccable timing as usual, we were greeted by the last person my brother wanted to see besides myself.

"Well if it ain't my pretty little sheila!"

I looked over to my left to see Digger strolling up, closely followed by Croc and El Diablo. The Captain immediately plopped himself down beside me and slung his arm around my shoulders, giving my brother the biggest shit eating grin ever. At that moment I was just thankful that there were more people joining us to cause a distraction and I could see June doing her best to keep Rick from leaping over the table. Digger helped himself to a slice of bacon off my plate and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Beaut," he remarked after he finished it. "They got this place set up pretty nice."

"It's too fancy," Diablo said tightly. "What are they keeping us here for? Like this is some sort of a getaway?"

"Come on Flag," Deadshot spoke up, giving my brother a pointed look. "Tell em what's up."

My brother took a deep breath and folded his hands on the table, looking around the table at everyone.

"Waller left it to me to explain the situation, since once again I find myself leader of this shit squad."

June elbowed him in the ribs and I just barely heard her whisper "Be nice."

"Anyway," Rick continued gritting his teeth. "Recent events have made it so that we need to be here in Gotham cleaning up a few messes."

"What kind of messes?" I asked. "And what about batman? I'm sure you guys have tabs on him."

"Batman is otherwise engaged," Rick replied looking irritated. "This is something Amanda Waller feels only we can fix."

"She wants us to stop Harley and her crazy ass boyfriend," Deadshot stated flatly. I was pretty sure he had known from the very beginning what was up, just as I did.

"But you and your sister knew that already didn't you Flag?"

All eyes turned to look at me in surprise. I bit my lip and shrugged.

"It was a guess really," I said softly.

"How could you not tell us something like that?" Diablo pressed, glaring at me. "We can't go against our own. No way, no how."

"Don't blame anything on Mallory," my brother interrupted. "She doesn't know any better."

"Um ouch, sitting right here Rick," I snapped, sitting up in my seat. Digger grabbed the back of my jacket and pulled me back down to rest against his side. I glared up at him but it softened as I felt his thumb stroke my hip.

"It's not like she coulda done anything," the Captain offered. "Even if she had told us, what difference would it have made? We still would have been brought here against our will."

"S'not your fault," Croc spoke up, giving me a reassuring albeit toothy smile.

"All I knew was that Harley had escaped," I told them all honestly. "I don't know Waller's plan." That part was a lie, and it hurt to play dumb, but for the time being it was a necessary evil. The group relaxed somewhat at my words, but I could see Rick growing even more tense.

"I get it now," Diablo said, looking at my brother. "Fight bad with bad right? And if we don't cooperate we die. Same old story."

Rick massaged his temple before finally meeting his gaze. "Yeah that's pretty much the gist of it. I imagine setting you all up here is her way of taking the sting out of it all. And to wait until Harley and the Joker make their next move."

"How nice of the bitch," Deadshot commented.

"I suggest you all just sit tight and enjoy the hospitality while you can," Rick said sharply. The group collectively glared at him but nobody said anything further. El Diablo excused himself to grab his own plate of food while Digger chose to continue picking off mine.

"Do you mind?" I asked him tersely. He raised an eyebrow at me mid chew.

"Get your own," I emphasized, pulling my plate away. "Bacon is not to be shared."

"A gal that likes to eat," he observed shrewdly. "I can appreciate that darl."

"Shut up," I muttered, all too aware I was on the curvaceous side.

"Aw don't be like that, I thought you'd be in a great mood after this mornin," he said with a wide grin. Deadshot eyed us with a smirk while Rick looked like he was trying to be anywhere else. My cheeks reddened but the Captain only laughed before placing a big kiss on my temple as he stood up from the table, finally joining Diablo to get his own food.

"I have a meeting with Waller," Rick said abruptly. "I'll see everyone later."

Deadshot leaned over to say something in my brothers ear and he nodded in response, neck muscles tense. He gave June a quick peck on the cheek and quickly excused himself. The table grew silent and I could feel goosebumps rising on my arms. This situation was getting messy, and I was wondering just how much I really wanted to be a part of it. I liked Digger, at least the little bit I knew about him. He was eccentric of course, but he also made me feel things my body had never experienced. Maybe that was the forbidden lure of the bad boy, and I realized it partly explained Harley's bizarre fascination with her own mentally insane boy toy. Only the Captain wasn't Joker crazy, nobody in our group could match that except Harley herself. Either way, it was worth exploring, and I decided I would do whatever it took to help my new family, half brothers warnings be damned.