A/N: I'm back everyone! I honestly can't believe now fast I'm able to keep updating, you all keep me so inspired! I'm also really glad a lot if you liked the recreation idea. I wanted to figure out the most plausible way for Mallory to interact with not only the captain, but the rest of the gang as well. And for those who may be wondering, yes this story will have Harley Quinn, and of course the Joker, how could it not? It's been a long time since I've done any writing so this is still new for me. I'm hoping to develop the relationship between Mallory and Boomerang a lot more, and try and make them their own unique coupling. Also, this chapter will have a bit of a surprise that I hope you all like! So stick with me and here we go!
"Well, you sure know how to keep yourself in trouble," Rick accused me shortly after Waller had left the office. He had resumed his regular seat and leaned forward to glare at me. Gosh he did that an awful lot.
"Trouble? I think I just got a promotion brother dearest! Aren't you proud of me?" I asked giving an excited squeal.
"You don't know what you're doing," Rick said softly. "Or what Waller is playing at. Somethin' is fishy bout all this, she doesn't give a crap how those people feel or if their happy or not. The woman is a viper Mallory, dangerous."
"What did she mean that I wasn't the only person you were keeping out of prison Rick?" I questioned. He gave me a stern look before his shoulders slumped and he hung his head.
"She meant June," he replied quietly.
"June? Does this have anything to do with that accident in Midway?" I asked eagerly.
Rick's head snapped up and he looked at me curiously. "How do you know about Midway?"
"Ooops. Okay confession time," I admitted, pulling my satchel onto my lap and finding the top secret binder that never left my side. I slid it across the desk towards Rick and he stared at it blankly for a few seconds. Then I saw his forehead crease, his jaw go tense and I knew I was in for a shit storm.
"Where...did you get this?" I couldn't find the words to answer and looked away.
"MALLORY!"
"Okay okay," I said quickly. "I took it from your filing cabinet that day you left me alone in this office."
Rick seemed to have trouble processing this. He opened his mouth once, then thought better and closed it, then opened it again.
"You what?"
I leaned back in my chair and fiddled with the ring on my pinky finger but didn't say anything.
"Jesus fucking Christ Mallory," he sighed. "Just when I think you can't do any worse. Too damn curious for your own good."
"So," I started awkwardly. "Are you mad or what? Cause I'm not getting a good read on ya here."
"I just don't think anything can surprise me anymore," Rick replied giving me a sad glance. "Anyway, it's been a long day. I think we should just head home. You got a big day tomorrow right?"
I stared at him wide eyed. "Are you actually okay with this? Little sister getting close to the big bad criminals?"
"I'll never be okay with it Mallory, but I can learn to accept it. I suppose in a way it's a good thing you took that binder. No more secrets. Can we agree on that?"
Rick held out his hand and I bit my lip in contemplation.
"Fine," I relented, grasping his hand. "No more secrets. But you have to understand Rick, I'm not that innocent little girl anymore. You have to let me grow up, whether it's in a way you approve of or not."
Rick nodded and gave me a small smile. "I'll try." We both got up and exited the office and I waited as he punched the code in to lock it.
"So, Amanda said they have the recreational area looking pretty swell. What should I bring? Cards? Balloons? A radio is a must, everyone loves music am I right? I'm right."
Rick simply shook his head in amusement as I prattled on.
"Try re-reading those files you stole," he suggested. "I'm sure you'll come up with something. The security will be extremely tight though, I can't say what you'll get away with. Why don't you start small the first day. I think just being out in an open space near other people will be excitement enough."
"Boring," I huffed. "But fair I suppose. I'm honestly not sure what this Waller lady expects me to do."
"Just try not to get killed and I think you'll be fine," Rick said jokingly. I let out the fakest laugh I could come up with and punched him lightly in the shoulder.
"Seriously though," Rick continued. "I know I've been a straight black and white type of guy my whole life, but Midway made me realize a few things Mallory. While yes, these people are extremely dangerous, some also just have shit luck, and make bad choices. And well, some just naturally ooze crazy. Kind of like you. Maybe that's why Waller chose you."
"Wow Rick careful there, I might actually shed a tear. Best pep talk ever," I grinned.
"Nervous?" Rick asked the next morning as an escort of guards followed us down the winding halls of the prison towards Harley's old cell. June Moone was walking along his other side clutching his arm, looking extremely uncomfortable given the surrounding. She had been away for a couple days in New York examining some new artifacts the Museum of Natural History had required and on her return had stared absolutely flabbergasted as Rick informed her of all she had missed. She had been adamant about coming along to make sure everything went smoothly, for some reason she seemed to care about my well being. I held a backpack containing my old docking station with iPod and a novel, I had decided to take Rick's advice and simply go with the flow the first day. He had been in contact with Waller and informed me they had added a few small features to the space and for that I was thankful. As we were turning a corner we were met with a lone figure standing in the hallway and Rick stopped. I raised my eyebrow as a feminine form glided over to meet us. I examined her strange mask curiously and my eyes traveled down to the lethal looking blade she held securely at her side.
"Mallory, this is Katana,"Rick introduced. The woman in question simply stared at me.
"She's my right hand in tight situations. She ain't around a whole lot because she has a busy agenda but I wanted her here as extra security for you."
"Pleasure," I said dryly. "Is Katana your given name?"
She didn't seem amused in the least but gave me a short bow. "OhayĆ."
"Yeah, heyo to you too," I said smirking. Her hand remained gripping her weapon as she moved to walk near Rick's side. We continued along the rest of the hallway in silence until we reached the opening leading to Harley's old cell, now the recreation area. Standing outside was Amanda Waller, looking strict as usual and evil in a blood red blazer. I myself had chosen black cargo pants and a zip up jacket over a lacy tank top. I had my layered dark hair swept up in a messy bun. Casual but confident I figured.
"Good to see you didn't change your mind Ms. Durnin," Waller said with a rather fake smile. "The group is already inside and have been briefed on the situation. If they maintain somewhat good behavior then they can continue to be allowed recreation time. Your job is to merely supervise and interact with them, see what you can learn."
I watched Rick out the corner of my eye as Waller gave her little speech and I could tell his bullshit detector was going off big time. I was beginning to see what he had been talking about since the very start. What kind of a woman throws a metaphorical sheep into the lions den expecting some sort of 'let's hold hands and sing kumbaya' crap?
"Has there been any word on whether Diablo will be joining the others?" June piped up nervously. Amanda seemed slightly surprised at first, finally noticing the doctor, but continued to smile nonetheless.
"No need to worry Dr. Moone, he has recovered quite nicely and is currently waiting with the others. Flag must have told you how truly remarkable his powers are, he did us all quite the service. If it hadn't been for Superman I'd almost be inclined to say these meta humans couldn't be killed."
Rick looked like he was about to add something to the conversation but Waller silenced him with one glance.
"Are you ready Ms. Durnin?" I turned from my brother to meet her gaze. I gave a curt nod.
"More than ready."
"Let's go then." I walked forward to join her and she signaled a guard who rushed to unlock the gate. Amanda turned to face Rick briefly as the gate swung open.
"Thank you Dr. Moone, Colonel Flag, you can take your leave. Katana and your guards will patrol the area, be assured your sister is in fine hands."
I gave Rick a thumbs up and didn't wait to see his reaction before matching forward with Waller and our entourage. A few steps away was another gate, with barbed wire strung along the top, and through it I could see my new playmates. The large cage that had held Harley Quinn had been removed and the space seemed infinitely larger. I also noticed that the area had been organized into sections. In the very middle sat two long tables and benches. Sitting there basking in the few rays of sunlight shining through was Killer Croc, a sight to truly behold in person. And just down from him sat none other than the Captain himself and my stomach did a nervous somersault. Off to one corner held a small station with a bench set and various weights. That was where the infamous Deadshot was, furiously doing reps. There were a few mats littering the floor as well. On one of them sat the man I knew right away to be El Diablo. He was sitting cross legged, with his eyes closed, looking to be in deep concentration. My gaze wandered and I found they had also set up what looked to be a velcro dart board on one of the far walls. The only thing of Harley's that remained was the fancy expresso machine. As the final gate finally opened four pairs of eyes turned towards me all at once. I tugged at a loose strand of hair nervously.
"I hope this new recreation plan is to everyone's liking," Waller said addressing the group. Deadshot and El Diablo had stopped what they were doing and had gathered around the tables joining Killer Croc and Boomerang. I looked up and noticed the perimeter of the entire space was being monitored by guards on the upper floor, weapons at hand.
"I would like to introduce to you all Mallory Durnin," Waller spoke, giving me a nod. I grinned sheepishly and gave a tiny wave. "She will be your supervisor during this time. Try and be nice to her, if you can."
Amanda Waller turned to me. "I leave them in your hands. Try not to get killed and I think you'll be just fine."
"Funny ma'am," I replied half amused, half terrified. She flashed me a smirk before the gate swung closed behind her and Katana took up a spot in front of it, looking more than ready and willing to slice someone in half. I clung to my backpack a little tighter and walked forward to where everyone was sitting, with looks of complete bewilderment, all except for Digger Harkness, who had a shit eating grin lighting up his face. I couldn't help but smile back just a bit. I dropped my bag onto the bench before straddling it and looked around at the group.
"This is a joke right?"
Deadshot was looking at me with an expression of utter confusion. "I mean, Waller's not serious right? We don't need no babysitter let alone some pale ass little girl."
I placed my hands under my chin and gave him the biggest most innocent smile I could bring up and didn't say a word, just continued to smile. He gave me a frown and looked to the rest of the team for some sort of support.
"I think it's great," Digger piped up. "This sheila can handle erself I'm sure," he added with a wink.
"Thanks handsome," I said sweetly.
"So you do talk," Deadshot observed. "And who are you exactly?"
"Wellllll," I drawled out. "I don't particularly like this to be a known fact, but I am related to Rick Flag, his half sister to be honest."
This seemed to strike a cord with Deadshot and he gave me an appraising look.
"Already knew tha', after all we've met before right darl?" The captain said sliding around the bench to seat himself next to me. "This lovely paid me a visit while I was locked up in tha' concrete shit box."
"Didn't pay me no visit," Croc growled, blinking at me.
"Well I sure would have if I'd know you'd be so much better looking in person," I answered with a grin.
"Ya ain't scared?" Croc looked at me curiously tilting his head. It reminded me of a puppy trying to look cute so it's owners would give it scraps.
"Pshh naw," I replied honestly. "If anything I wish you could have been my date to prom. If I had gone to prom that is. Quite a few people from my high school that could have done with a sudden disappearance am I right?" He gave me a toothy smile in return and let out a throaty laugh.
"Why no prom?" Deadshot asked. "Mommy wouldn't let you go?"
"Well I could have gone, but you kind of need to actually be attending high school to do that, and I may have gotten kicked out the beginning of my graduating year."
"Hard to imagine a lil sister of Colonel Flags getting into that much trouble," El Diablo spoke up for the first time. Everyone else looked at me expectantly.
"Half brother, I remind you. And I don't like talking about the past, it's the past," I said trying to shut it down but instead of dropping the subject they only pushed further.
"Hey, you were put here with us for a reason. Even if you ain't in a cell your still here. No secrets," Deadshot said pointing his finger at me. The others looked to be in agreement. Killer croc leaned in closer and snapped his jaws at me.
"Tell us whatcha did."
"Fine, you assholes. I got kicked out because I snuck in at night and broke into a couple lockers. That was the final straw for the principal. I also may have let loose a dozen rats wearing bow ties in the cafeteria that I bought with the money I stole from my science teacher. Lunch lady cow didn't like it when I skipped out on paying the occasional meal. Not to mention the time I got into a fight with a guy over his iPod in gym class. He treated it like shit, had it all scratched up and whatnot, I deserved it more. But anyway long story short I gave him a concussion with a basketball. Oh and there's the time in eighth grade when I got into an argument with Lizzie Walsh over whether or not fairies existed, she ended up with a bloody nose. Rick really regretted teaching me karate after that happened. The odds were always stacked against me though. But still, good times."
I finished my tale with a tight smile and waited as they all looked at me in amusement. Then the silence was broken by the Captain suddenly booming with laughter. His shoulders shook as he broke down at my story and even Croc cracked a grin.
"Dang girl you are messed up," came Deadshot's reply. "You still never killed anyone though. Those are petty crimes honey." Diablo nodded his head in agreement.
My smile faded completely from my face. "I only told you what I did to get kicked out of school. I'm 25 now, some years have passed since then."
Diggers laugh stopped as well and he looked over at me in surprise.
"What's that supposed ta mean darl?"
"It can mean whatever you want it to mean, but this sharing circle is over," I said tersely.
"Fair enough," Diablo said softly. I could tell he was a very quiet type. "But for what it's worth welcome to the team."
I stared at him dumbfounded. "The team?"
"Why not," Deadshot replied with a shrug. "Girl you're obviously fucked up. I say keep it up and you'll go far." He shot me a cheeky smile, and I felt much calmer knowing the worlds most wanted assassin approved.
"I like ya," Croc added. I practically beamed at them all.
"Ah course he does, what's not to like," Digger said wrapping an arm around me. "Ya stuck with us now love! Hey I been meanin ta' ask...ya got a boyfriend?"
A/N: So there ya go! The surprise was Diablo, I couldn't just leave him out so I brought him back! I hope you all enjoyed this one and keep the reviews coming!
