AN: We are sorry for the long wait in between chapters, hopefully we'll be able to upload again more frequently, on behalf of Story's Shadow and I, we both hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for writing this chapter Story's Shadow.
-Gotham City Sewers: a week later-
Deathstroke and Cold are looking over some photos and documents at the meeting table. Batgirl and the others approach them.
"What's going on? We're about to start training," Jason said.
"That's great kid, but I've got a lead on a possible new recruit," Deathstroke replied.
"Another one of our old enemies?" Batgirl asked, eyes on Cold.
Cold glared back at her and gave her the finger.
"Well, not exactly. This one, we never exactly liked each other but weren't ever really enemies. And it's not like you have much choice in who joins us," Deathstroke said.
"I started this Deathstroke, I have the say around here," Batgirl said.
"Technically, but you need as much help as you can get. Don't worry, I'm trying to keep your recruits in one of your more tolerable categories, but don't expect me not to have a say in who comes in, especially when I'm recruiting them," Deathstroke replied.
"So, who do you have in mind?" Jason asked.
"You'll know him when Snart and I bring him here," Deathstroke answered.
"You're leaving again? Already?" The professor asked.
"This one has covered their tracks fairly well, but I've done this stuff for a living and I know what to look for," Deathstroke replied.
"And we gotta leave now to meet them before they disappear again," Cold added.
"Where are you two headed and who are you recruiting?" Batgirl said.
"Where's the surprise in that?" Cold asked.
The two men left.
-Nebraska, the next day-
Deathstroke and Cold, in civilian clothing, are in a car driving through the countryside.
"Who would've thought this is where we would find him?" Snart said.
"I didn't take him for the farm boy type, almost a cliche," Slade scoffed.
"Well, let's see how welcome we are," Snart replied.
Slade sighed and pulled into the driveway of a small farmhouse. The two men exited the vehicle. Out beside the barn, they saw two women, one older and one younger, playing with a couple of dogs. Her laughter and smiles almost took the two men by surprise.
"If it weren't for the hell we live in, I'd almost smile," Snart sighed.
"But we live in it...and we're bringing it here," Slade added.
"He's not gonna be happy about that," Snart said.
"Well, it was gonna come sooner or later," Slade replied.
They walked up to the house and went to the door.
"You want the pleasure?" Snart asked.
Slade rolled his good eye and knocked on the door. They heard footsteps and the door open, only to for them to see a gun first. The man holding it was about Slade's height and had a less muscular build. His short hair and thick facial hair barely manages to hide the scars on his face.
"Lawson," Slade said.
"What are you doing here, Slade?" Lawton asked.
"Put the gun down, we need to talk," Slade replied.
"Why?" Lawton asked.
"How's your head?" Snart asked.
Lawson glared at him, but Snart didn't even blink.
"Long time, Snart," Lawton said.
"Yup," Snart replied.
"You look terrible," Lawton grunted.
"And you look as pretty as a picture," Snart scoffed.
"What do you two want?" Lawton asked.
"You," Slade answered.
"I don't swing that way," Lawton scoffed.
Slade didn't laugh, his good eyes just narrowed at him.
"Why are you really here?" Lawton asked as he put the gun down and walked into the house.
Slade and Snart followed him.
"Like the big man said: you," Snart said.
"What for?" Lawton asked.
"To fight the Regime," Slade answered.
"No!" Lawton said as he turned around, his face beet red.
Lawton huffed and grunted in a mix of emotions: frustration, shock, anger, worry, etc.
"Are you crazy?! They were barely defeated before and that took another universe's Justice League to beat them! I won't get involved with this!" Lawton said.
"Why not?" Slade asked.
"Are you losing the rest of your sight?! My daughter and her mother took me back! After all these years! I won't put them in danger! We got away from that hell! We're starting over!" Lawton said.
"Lucky you," Snart said.
Lawton sighed.
"I know I got better off than you -" Lawton started to say.
Snart punched him. Lawton grunted as he picked himself off the ground.
"Don't you dare compare our places in this hell! I lost my sister and my friends! You...you got your girls back," Snart hissed.
"And if they were here, you wouldn't put them in danger," Lawton argued, rubbing his jaw.
"Yeah, I wouldn't take a part of it for them. But my sister would've kicked my a** and would've made me realize that it's time for more people to stand up to those pricks," Snart said.
"And you would've refused," Lawton said.
"I would at first, but my sister would've given me hell to do what needed to be done. She'd ask me what kind of man I was to not avenge people I cared about, to protect those that are still alive," Snart said.
"Careful, you're almost starting to sound like one of them," Lawton scoffed.
"My sister had more heart than anyone I've ever known. What about your daughter and her mother, what would they say?" Snart said.
Lawton didn't say anything for a moment. He walked upstairs and didn't come back down.
"Damn," Snart grumbled.
Slade and Snart walked outside and got to the vehicle. They heard the faint sound of talking from within the house. They entered the vehicle and Slade started it up. They turned around when there heard footsteps. Lawton had a couple of suitcases with him.
"After an earful from my wife and daughter, as well as a bit of an a**-kicking...I'll come, but you gotta make sure they're safe," Lawton said.
"I'll make some calls," Slade said.
"So, you ready?" Snart asked.
"You wanted Deadshot, you got Deadshot," Lawton said.
To Be Continued...