A/N: Hey guys! Sorry the last chapter was so short, I've just been trying to ease myself back into writing again while waiting for inspiration. I hope this chapter makes up for it!
After the team had all finished breakfast, we discovered a decently equipped games room on the main floor. I had already lost spectacularly in two games of darts against Deadshot and decided to sit out and watch while Diablo and Deadshot took up a game of billiards. Croc was keeping himself busy doing push-ups in a corner and the Captain was glaring at all the guards stationed at each entryway. He sat down next to me on the leather loveseat and crossed his arms, jaw tense.
"Bloody Waller has eyes everywhere," he muttered. I patted his knee and gave him my most sincere smile.
"Can't be all bad Cap. I mean, it's a nice break from prison right?"
He looked over at me and the corner of his mouth lifted, threatening to blind me with his trademark grin.
"Cap? I like it. But trust me darl, I got no plans on going back ta that shithole."
I bit my lip as he let his eyes travel up and down my body. "Specially when there are better things to finish exploring."
"Which is soooo easy to do with a blown off head," I pointed out.
He frowned slightly before shrugging. "I'll find a way." He suddenly grinned at me fully now. "Or perhaps you will eh love?"
"What do you mean? What could I possibly do?"
I gasped right after the question slipped out because he was quickly pulling me into his lap. I tried to look cross but I couldn't help but sink into his warmth and enjoy the manly musk he gave off. His facial hair tickled my cheek as he leaned in to whisper against my ear.
"Brother Flag has access to our neck bombs lovely. His little device can shut them off. Think about it. You could easily nick it from him. Then you an' me can take off."
My mind was spinning. "Take off?"
"Ah course, I ain't leaving my girl behind," he said giving my ear a nip.
I snorted and twisted in his lap to look up at him. "Since when am I your girl huh?"
He looked gobsmacked for a moment but I continued. "Just because I let you have a little fun doesn't mean I'm suddenly your property!"
"Are you bipolar or wha?" He asked crossly. "Seriously sheila, one minute I can't get ya off me and the next ya givin' me attitude. What's the deal?"
I wanted desperately to tell him how complicated this all was, how despite my actions screamed that I should be in prison like the rest of them, I also kind of wanted to be good. And despite how much my body wanted him, my mind had to try and be rational.
"The deal is you hardly know me," I snapped back. "How do you know you even want me as your girl?"
The question legitimately seemed to catch him off guard and he blinked down at me. I was so tempted to smack the dumb expression off his face but a good part of myself wanted to kiss it off, god he was adorable. Hell, maybe I was bipolar. Either way I found myself rolling my eyes and fiercely sliding my lips over his. Automatically he scooped me further into his embrace and electricity shot down my spine at the contact. I was gripping roughly onto his hair and he had just slid his tongue into my mouth when there was a loud cough directly above us. I quickly pulled away and looked up to see Deadshot standing there, and behind him the rest of the team. All three looked amused yet disturbed at the same time.
"Come on lovebirds, we got a page from Waller. Time to go," said Deadshot while cracking his knuckles.
"What? When?" I asked, climbing off of Diggers lap and almost tripping in the process.
"Guess you two were a little too occupied," Diablo smirked.
My face burned with embarrassment but the Captain looked extremely pleased. He was unbelievably cocky, a trait that was annoying but also a strange part of his charm.
"Let's go then," I said quickly, striding to the exit with the rest of the team following closely behind me.
We had all been sitting and waiting around a circular table, with my brother and June for about twenty minutes when Waller finally made her appearance.
"I hope you enjoyed some brief leisure time," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I suppose we should get straight to it, hmm?"
"What exactly do you want us to do?" Diablo cut in. Waller looked at him hard, then her gaze moved over to land on me.
"Actually, this first mission will be a solo one. I think it's time to see what Mallory can do."
My brother bumped the table loudly as he shot out of his seat, hands clutched into fists.
"NO! Absolutely not! Are you out of your mind?!" He seethed. June was desperately tugging on his sleeve but nothing she could do would stop his anger. What's worse is in response Amanda Waller simply smiled.
"She's on my payroll Flag. It's about time she earned it." Waller's attention turned back to me. I was sitting frozen in my seat and met her eyes hesitantly.
"This is a simple scouting mission. Observe and report, no engaging. Easy enough Ms. Durnin?"
Despite my uneasiness I simply nodded. "Yeah sure. Piece of cake."
Her smile widened and I felt my insides squirm. "Good. I need you to attend one of Gotham's most popular underground clubs, The Pit, and see what you can find regarding Joker and Harley. I got a juicy tip that they have some acquaintances there, perhaps you can catch some sort of clue as to their whereabouts."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. That didn't sound too bad, I mean, not super dangerous right? I was no stranger to the club scene after all, my youth had been ripe with a string of black out drinking and mistakes.
"What about us?" Deadshot interrupted. "Do we get to do anything or are we just decoration?"
"Not this time around, but I need you all to be on alert and ready to go. Ms. Durnin will be equipped with an ear piece and in constant contact. But assuming she plays her part well, everything should go smoothly." Waller looked me up and down. "So? Is there a problem?"
"I'm on it," I said casually. "I'm familiar with those types of clubs."
"I bet ya are love," the Captain said from beside me with a wink.
"Mallory I know you've had...some interesting experiences but Gotham clubs are different, especially this one. You don't know what you're really getting into," Rick told me, looking upset. "Please think it through."
"This is her mission and she's going," Waller said sharply, giving my brother a glare. "Whether big brother likes it or not."
Rick slumped back in his seat and my heart clenched at his crestfallen expression.
"I suggest you make yourself presentable," Waller told me with a smirk. "You have two hours before an escort comes to get you. I hope that will be enough time."
I gave her a tight smile. "More than enough."
"Good, everyone is dismissed," she said before making a hasty retreat. The team turned to look at me and I shrunk a bit in my seat.
"Are you really okay with this?" Diablo asked me softly.
"Of course she is!" My brother shouted suddenly. "She's crazy, just like all of you!"
I didn't get a chance to defend myself before he stormed out, letting the door slam with a bang so loud the guard standing there nearly jumped out of his skin. June sighed and looked at me with her big sad eyes.
"Well, come on Mallory. I'll help you get ready," she said standing up. I nodded and got up to join her.
"I'll help ya too," the Captain said with a grin.
June shot him a death glare. "No you will not."
He gave her a positively nasty look. "Whatcha gonna do eh? Cast a spell on me?"
"That's enough," I said setting my hand on his shoulder. "Girls only Cap, sorry."
"I'd go for something tight and leather," Deadshot cut in. The group looked at him in surprise and he shrugged.
"I agree," Croc's deep voice rumbled.
"See? A guys opinion helps," Deadshot said looking smug.
"The answer is still no. Let's go June," I was growing exasperated. She gave me a small smile in return.
"Good luck," Diablo told me as I reached the door. I turned and looked at the team.
"You'll be fine doll," Deadshot told me, looking completely serious. "We got your back." The rest nodded in agreement and I looked down sheepishly.
"Thanks guys," I whispered, before letting the door shut behind me. I couldn't help but feel a little hurt that Digger hadn't said anything positive, he simply sat looking like a pouty child.
When June and I had made it back to my room I made a quick beeline for my makeup bag and started on a dramatic smokey eye while June looked through the clothes I had brought. She made a face as she pulled out my pair of chunky wedge boots that had more studs and chains on them than I could even count.
"Why would you bring these in the first place?"
"Don't knock em! They're surprisingly comfy," I replied with a shrug at her confused expression. "And they look hot."
"Ah," she said while placing them on the floor next to the bed. "That explains everything. I'm sorry, I'm not exactly Ms. Fashionable."
I tried not to mess up my winged eyeliner as I laughed. "I wouldn't say I am either. I just know what I like."
"Well you are more than prepared for this type of mission," she chuckled, holding up my absolute favourite dress. It was black, like the majority of my wardrobe and showed a nice amount of cleavage. It also hugged my waist then flared out to stop just above my knees.
"I'll be pairing that with my leather pentagram harness," I told her casually. She gave me a completely bewildered look but soon found the item I had been referring to and laid it out next to the dress.
"I think that'll work," she said nodding to herself. I smiled and double checked my eye makeup.
An hour later I was thoroughly made up, my blue eyes just barely peeking out from the sparkly black shadow and thick eyeliner. I went with a dark raspberry coloured lipstick and had my hair styled in messy waves. I had just finished putting on the last of my jewellery when I stepped out of my bedroom and found June wasn't alone. Captain Boomerang was leaning against the wall glaring at the doctor but his head shop up at the sound of my boots jingling. At the sight of me his jaw practically hit the floor and I couldn't help but feel satisfied at his reaction. June gave me a whistle.
"Wow," she breathed. "Rick is going to try and lock you up forever after he sees this."
I rolled my eyes. "Gee thanks." But I could tell she meant it as a compliment. I looked at the Captain and he was still standing there looking speechless.
"Well?" June pressed him. "Aren't you going to say something?"
He cleared his throat. "...crikey."
I couldn't help but giggle and he gave me a sheepish smile.
"A speechless Captain, can't do much better than that," I said shooting him a flirty wink. June nodded with a smile and I grabbed my small purse off the dresser. I looked at the pair of them and put on my best shit eating grin.
"So. Let's get this show on the road!"
I was about to open the door but a large hand grabbed my arm and I was quickly spun around to face Digger. Before I could say a word he swooped down and planted a firm kiss on my lips, bringing his hand up to cup my cheek. I felt his thumb rub little circles on my skin and smiled into the kiss. It only lasted a couple seconds but it literally took my breath away and I stared up at him as he pulled away.
"Good luck eh?" He smirked, giving me a smack on the ass as he exited my room. I turned to stare at June and she stared back.
"Wow," she said finally.
"Yeah," I agreed, touching my lips, positive I would have to redo my lipstick.
"I can't wait to see what the rest of the team thinks about that lip shade on him," June pointed out and we both burst out into giggles.
The club was suitably named. The Pit, well let's just say it was dark and it was deep underground. It had been built in an old abandoned section of the subway and the cold wind from outside followed me all the way into the depths of the club. As I sauntered past the bouncers stationed at the main hidden entrance the cold was quickly replaced by a wave of heat produced by all the bodies that were packed in the large space. Whoever owned the joint had done a decent job hiding it's true origins. The ceilings were high and pitch black and large granite pillars arched up from various places in the club. The main dance floor was extremely large but fully crowded and I noticed the floor was a deep brown hardwood. The theme of the place seemed to be everything dark, especially considering the lighting was minimal. Simple strings of dull lights hung down from above, making shadows along the walls and I was instantly reminded of a haunted mansion. My eyes took in every little detail and soon I had pushed my way through the throng of equally dark looking people up to the enormous bar.
"Watch what you drink," came a snarky voice in my ear. I rolled my eyes and tapped at the device resting in my ear, hidden by the waves of my hair.
"I'm an adult asshole," I huffed under my breath. Of course my brother would try and control my every move.
"Remember I can hear you too," he replied through slight static.
I ignored his comment and managed to grab the attention of a bartender dressed in a nicely cut black dress shirt. He smiled at me and I admired how the tight shirt accentuated his lean muscle.
"What can I get ya sweetie?" He asked, giving me an appreciative look.
"Rum and coke, please and thank you," I said loudly, raising my voice to be heard over the music and people. He nodded and I watched carefully as he swiftly mixed the coke and dark spiced rum together, before handing him some cash and taking my drink. I surveyed the scene around me as I sat at the bar and took small sips. The majority of people were dressed fairly decent, the usual club wear but I also noticed a few groups of rather shady looking types. I noticed tattoos and piercings seemed to be prevalent, along with a lot of leather, so at least my outfit choice was correct. The place was so large that the seating was very accommodating and there looked to be private booths along the far back wall of the club.
I played with the straw in my drink, wondering where I should even start. My eyes roamed the crowds, looking for somebody I felt I could maybe have a conversation with but before I could make any sort of move shit suddenly went sideways. There was a woman wildly ripping it up on the dance floor, and she had attracted a crowd around her but from where I was sitting I could easily spot the blonde hair laced with pink and blue. Harley Quinn herself was here, not even twenty feet from where I was, which meant the Joker couldn't be far away.
"...well fuck."
