Yay, it's another interlude!

Part 3 of my backstory trilogy! The final part. Here we go.

The legalities: I do not own any of the Expendables franchise (characters, places, and objects especially) and this is mostly au.Rated M just to be on the safe side.

Also, please don't be afraid to write reviews. I would love to hear from you all!

Hope you enjoy!

"Hey Barn, you got a minute?"

Barney Ross turned to see Jacoba Dixie Kooper standing in front of him with her thumbs in her front jeans' pockets. It had been about a month since Lacey had come across the tall young woman hitchhiking her way through Alabama and she had, once again, wormed her way right into the center of their team. While it was true that she and Gunnar were usually fighting more than necessary, the whole of the team actually seemed to be getting along (for the most part, at least). He sighed as he leaned back against his truck and crossed his arms. "What's going on, Jacoba?"

She gave him a slightly timid smile before walking over to the motorcycle frame next to him (she was going to rebuild that bike, she'd assured him) and mirrored his stance. He raised an eyebrow at her and she sighed before smiling again. "So, I was thinking."

Barney gave her a droll look. "You know how much I hate it when any one of you says those words."

Jacoba rolled her eyes and gave him an actual smile, which he returned. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But I think that this could be really good for the team."

Barney furrowed his brow, trying to think of what she could possibly be thinking of but coming up blank. "What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath. "Barney, I want to join the team. I do realize that I could, currently, be the odd man out, but I have already started working with Gunnar on my sharpshooter skills and have been doing pretty well with blending in and…"

"Jacoba!" Barney could barely understand anything she had said after saying she'd want to join the Expendables. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're rambling."

"Oh."

"Four months."

She furrowed her brow and cocked her head to the right, causing Barney to sigh.

"Jacoba, you need a bit more training with all of the guys. So, the soonest I would even consider you actually joining the team would be in about four months at the earliest. And that's only if the guys were to agree to it."

She smiled wide as he spoke. "Thanks, Barn. I don't think the guys will be a problem though."

Barney scoffed. "Amazon, you've got those boys wrapped around your little finger."

Jacoba attempted to hold in her laughter. "I like that. Amazon."

"Well at least we don't have to figure out your moniker."

Jacoba began to laugh almost uncontrollably, causing Barney to chuckle. This seemed to serve as a call to the rest of the team to gather in the garage. At least they all knew when to get together.