"Are you s – sure you have the right place Fray?" Cassie's question cut through the icy chill lingering Gotham's suburbs before dawn broke. The cold November air felt like it was seeping through my clothes, flesh and into my bones. Wonder Girl wasn't stammering because of the temperature though, her powers allowed her to adjust to any extreme weather, no it was the feeling they all got from this place. I couldn't help but agree with them. Jackdaw lived in a deserted train station, in one of the warehouses that used to accommodate the carriages on the very edge of Slade's territory. We were literally at the mouth of the enemy. They could feel it.

"I'm sure," I murmured. "You know, if you guys aren't up for it I could just run in while you wait here and – "

"Not a chance," Nightwing's tone seemed pretty final, ah well, it was worth a try.

"What is with you, anyway?" Card Queen but-in. "You swear you actually did have a date planned with this creep."

I clenched my jaw, a habit I seemed to be using more and more around these people. "It's not that. I just, I don't feel comfortable – "

"Handling things as a team." Nightwing finished my sentence for me. Still mutely irritated I nodded. "We all had to get used to it, I thought with Slade – "

"I did my jobs alone, or with Jackdaw. Even then he was just the muscle or the distraction, I used to carry out most of the mission alone."

"Well, get used to it Fairburn," Kid-Flash said with a wink. "I've a feeling we're going to be working together for the next while. Think of this as a training exercise."

"I hope not," I muttered, with Nightwing in the corner of my eye. "Training to me now means getting my ass kicked methodically." The others snorted and I sighed. "Alright, let's just get this over with."

I took the back door into the warehouse I heard a few of the others behind me gasp as the view of Jay's actual layer came into view. He'd converted three old train carriages into a living area, kitchen and um, bedroom. It's amazing the things you can get done in this city for the right price. Even I was impressed when he first took me here. Bracing myself against what very easily be a really bad mistake I strolled up to the middle carriage and knocked on the door. I kept knocking in an impatient rhythm, the methodical thumps calmed me somewhat, as well as getting his attention. I kept on knocking and knocking until he finally opened the door.

"Well," he said leaning against the frame, shirtless, his black wings tucked loosely into his back. I was expecting this, he rarely wore a shirt while at home, it was uncomfortable enough in public. "At least some things haven't changed. When I saw you had brought a team with you I considered that perhaps I didn't know you anymore."

I glanced back at my uneasy companions. "I wanted to come alone but… they're stubborn."

"Of course they are, they're the runts of the Justice league."

I rolled my eyes when I felt them stiffen and take stances. "Shut up Jay, stop bating them. You're outnumbered and you know it."

I pushed past him into the living area, it hadn't changed in the year I'd been there, he was still a neat freak about his place, not a thing out of order. The plush leather sofas and woollen rugs accompanied by all the electronics illegal money can buy. The place was an ultimate bachelor pad. I noticed Kid-Flash gaping longingly around the place but the others seemed to remain focused, although Cassie did seem to be trying hard not to check out Jay's chest. Again, didn't really blame her.

"Aw, you wouldn't let them hurt me would you Effie? Not when I'm being so accommodating with this information."

I scowled at my nickname. "Depends on how good the information is."

He grinned at me, the boyish kind that used to make me smile or punch him. I ignored it this time and sat down on one of the sofas. "By all means, make yourself at home," he said to the others without looking away from my form.

Cassie sat awkwardly next to me, attempting to feel comfortable but failing. With her eyes she seemed to convince Conner to sit across from her on one of the stools. As did Kid-Flash looking pretty relaxed, except he tapped his feet nervously on the foot rests. Nightwing and Card Queen simply refused and remained standing, their bodies tense, ready in case Jackdaw went to strike.

"Well, isn't this a lovely gathering," Jay said cheerfully. "I would offer you beers but I've a feeling if I did you'd consider the bottles weapons of mass destruction."

"Let's get to the point here Jackdaw," Nightwing said darkly. "Or was there any point in you luring Fraya out here other than seeing her in her clubbing outfit again."

Jay's eyes narrowed on the hero in black before smoothing the expression over and looking back at me. "Ah, so this was our fly on the wall – or more correctly baby rat with wings."

They seemed to square each other up. I groaned internally, the amount of testosterone in the small space was suffocating.

"Jay," I sighed. He shrugged off his irritation like a coat and was once again his easy-going self. He could hide his emotions better than I could.

"Fine," he muttered. "As I said Friday night, I don't know much –"

"That's for sure –"

"Nightwing," I hissed in a scary tone matching one of his own. "Shut up."

He scowled out one of the small windows, I urged Jackdaw to go on.

"But there's something big going on between Slade and the other villains of the Big Cities. It's deep under wraps, they barely tell me anything – especially since my loyalties don't lie anywhere but the main impression I got was that it all ties back to you."

"To me?" I repeated, frowning.

"We already know that from the wanted poster with her face on it," Queen of Hearts said sourly. "Please tell me that's not all you have."

He glared at her. "Do your sources tell you that there are humans in on it too?"

There was a cold silence; I stared blankly at him, my mind not quite able to wrap itself around the new piece of information.

"Why would humans want me?" I asked no one in particular. "More to the point, how do they even know I exist?"

"Hell if I know," jay shrugged. "I just overheard Bolt talking to a bunch of brains, telling them that their boss won't succeed in obtaining the absorber before he did. He then fried one and let the other run back screaming to tell his superiors."

"And you're sure those scientists didn't work from another warlord in Gotham?" Conner asked frowning.

"Positive, I know all-too well the tone Bolt takes when he talks to humans."

I nodded, so did I. "Is that it then?"

"No… word on the street is there's gonna be a meeting of the Triad."

Everyone's gaze flicked to Jackdaw's face, even Nightwing who up until this point was pretending to ignore him had is gaze fixed on Jay's.

"The Triad only ever meet once in a blue moon," Cassie spoke quietly. "And that's only if something big got their attention."

"The thing that's big has another word," Jackdaw looked straight into my eyes. "You."

"I don't understand," I broke away from his gaze, shaking my head that seemed to have fogged over in the last few moments. "I am not this important, why on earth would I be a reason to bring the Warlords of Gotham, Metropolis and Central City to one place?"

"Beats me," Jay shrugged as if he'd just announced the Triads favourite flavoured ice-cream. "All I know is that the meetings planned sometime this month, no one knows exactly when or where but a certain few hundred will be asked to attend and –" he gestured to himself. "– be body guards."

I stared at him, taking in where he was going with this, what would be his next move.

"Leave us." The words were out before I really had time to think them through.

"What?" A chorus issued.

"I'll meet you back in the jet. Give me fifteen minutes."

"No," Nightwing said in his scary tone. "I told you –"

"To hell with your rules Nightwing," I snapped across him. I took a breath. "Meeting outside, now."

We filed out of the carriage, leaving Jackdaw with his boyish grin I wanted to smack off.

"All I ask for is fifteen minutes," I attempted to use my calm, restrained tone.

"Why?" Nightwing spun around so he was in my face, I didn't back down though. "What is so secretive that we can't be in there to back you up?"

"I know him. This information that he might give us could in fact get him skinned alive. He won't give it up without a price. I am one of the only people that he'll give it up to and not if a bunch of hot-headed heroes are in there throwing around Justice induced threats which I know you are all well used to dishing out!"

I barely breathed through that explanation, but it seemed to have got my point across. Cassie sighed and shrugged towards Conner who nodded at me, they turned back to the ship, Card Queen after a "your death-wish" followed suit. Kid-Flash remained still, his eyes resting on the man in front of me.

"Your decision bud," K.F. said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Nightwing's gaze hadn't left my face.

I gazed back unblinking. "Three weeks ago Vixen asked me to trust you lot, well now I'm asking the same from you."

We gazed at each other. I'd played what was probably the last card I owned; otherwise we were back to square one. I didn't think I'd be able to go back to training and waiting. I needed this to make some sort of step forward. I prayed all this showed in my face as there was no way I could ever voice them.

Finally, he sighed, shrugging the hand off. "Fine. You have fifteen minutes before we knock the door down."

I didn't even thank him instead I turned and walked back in the room, shutting the door behind me. It was easy to see that Jackdaw had been putting his acute hearing into good use.

"Your new boss is a tool," he commented absently. He lounged on the wall opposite me, I pressed my back against the door, one hand on the handle, reassurance that I could leave if I wanted. I could see it in his posture exactly how the conversation would have to go.

"I don't have a boss, you know that Jay."

"Could have fooled me."

"Cut the small talk, name your price."

He detached himself from the carriage, moving closer to me. "Whatever do you mean by that Ef?"

I sucked a breath through my teeth. "What do you want in exchange for the information?"

He chuckled, darkly, the sound echoed from the back of his throat. Blood rushed in my ears as he closed the space between us slowly. "What would you be prepared to give me?"

I knew he could hear my heartbeat echoing in my chest like a battering ram repeatedly slamming against my rib cage. He was so close that his we could have held a single piece of paper between our two bodies.

"Anything," I breathed. "I need to know what's going on Jay. Whatever you want."

He lowered his head to my ear; I could feel his breath fanning my shoulder as he inhaled.

And then he stepped back, laughing outwardly.

"You make it too easy Effie," he chortled. "You think I would want to sleep with you through blackmail?" He raised his hand to my cheek which I almost automatically slapped away. "It's so much more fun to convince you that you want me, making it a better night for all."

I gritted my teeth. "Whatever, does that mean that you won't give me the information?"

"Nah," he shrugged. "I love to see the Triad's feathers ruffled, curious to find out myself anyway. I'll text you when the meeting is. On two conditions."

I felt like groaning, just when I thought I'd won. "Ugh, what?"

"You come alone. I'm serious this time, I know your new pals are skilled but you saw in that alley how easily my crew can pick up even the quietest of yours. I can't hide all of you."

"Fine," I nodded, knowing how much of a fight this condition was going to cause me. I was still in a little shock that he was giving me this information for free. "That all?"

"That and let's just say I have your marker on this one Effie. You scratch my back I scratch yours. The next time I'm in need of a favour you accept without hesitation, capiche?"

I frowned; pretty sure that agreeing to this will also land me in trouble, yet truth of the matter was that I was desperate. That really left me with little to no options.

"Ok," I sighed feeling as if this was all going to bight me hard in the ass. "But it better be worth it Jay."

"Of course it will be, anyway, our fifteen minutes are up." He reached around me and opened the door. The cold air was actually welcome, it cooled what I knew was a bright red, flushed face. He walked me to the warehouses back door, something he used to do a year ago after my other… visits. When I opened it I could see the others had flown the jet closer, not bothering with stealth anymore. I sighed knowing that they were probably itching to leap out of it to beat him now.

"I have a question," Jay spoke; I turned to see that he had moved very close to me, I couldn't see a thing around his face. "What, did you think would convince me to give you this information that would only take fifteen minutes?"

I couldn't help but smile. "You know I work fast Jay."

At this he chuckled, obviously taking this one moment of weakness he kissed me, hard, I didn't even react, I knew that it was coming. I left him a moment before shoving him backwards into the warehouse.

"I'll be back if I don't hear from you soon Jay," I called over my shoulder as I walked back towards the jet. He said something else but I couldn't make it out over the purr of the engine.

When I ascended the stairs to the main cock-pit I was greeted with a heavy silence.

"He'll find me when he finds out the whereabouts of the meeting," I spoke to try and lighten the gazes on my form. Cassie gaped at me, her eyebrows nearly touching her golden hair line.

"Do I even want to know what you did to receive this information?"

"It wasn't like that," I muttered uncomfortably, wishing they'd just drop it. There was no way these always do-gooders would understand the kind of relationship Jay and I had. We weren't together, but to get anything out of him you had to flirt your ass off.

"Oh?" A dark tone echoed from the driving seat of the jet making me want to sigh. "And pray tell, what was it like?"

I sat down in the back and slowly put on my belt, biding my time I guess. I didn't want to bring up Jackdaw's conditions yet, in this mood Nightwing would never let me go alone to the meeting and I needed to be there. "Look, I got the information ok? What does it matter how I convinced him?"

"Of course it – "

"Drop it Nightwing," Card Queen spoke up surprising us all. His hands seemed to be gripping the nose wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white under the strain. But he seemed to listen to her and return his attention to lifting the jet into the air and steering it back to Happy Harbour.

The heavy silence resumed, Kid-Flash and Conner appeared to blush. I sighed, fine, let them think I had sex with him for the information. Strangely, my stomach sank before I shook myself internally. Why would it bother me if they considered me some sort of whore anyway? It's not like I actually said I did it!

I looked out the window, feeling a few of their nervous and not-so-subtle glances back at me. It appeared that they really didn't realise what I was capable of. As I watched Gotham become smaller and smaller I realised that I probably would have done it for information, hell I did it before when there wasn't even any information to get!

All the thoughts seemed to file under a single conclusion: they would never have done it my way because the truth is I'm never really going to be one of them.

Most terrifying of all, that conclusion actually kind of upset me.