Yay! My new story! Well, this starts after 'Marooned', however, I'm pretending that around the last third of the episode didn't happen. So, ahead, we've got love triangles, angst, drama, and, if you're lucky, maybe some fluffiness. XD Enjoy! Let me know what you think!

~x~x~x~

The Waverider was hanging out in space again. They had come to another dead end in the search for Vandal Savage. Tensions were running high as the group was confined to the ship, which seemed to be getting smaller with every second that ticked by. Mick was especially affected by this setback in their mission. He wanted nothing more than to burn something and the people aboard this ship were looking increasingly favorable. Noticing the look in his partner's eye, Len approached him.

"You gotta keep it together, Mick." he said quietly. Mick just grunted in response, not even looking at Len, who rolled his eyes in exasperation. Just then, Gideon made an announcement.

"Captain, there's a message for you from another Time Master." Everyone looked sharply at the projection of Gideon.

"Put it on screen." Rip instructed. Gideon did so and the team gathered around to read the letter.

Rip Hunter,

It's been a while since we last spoke. Since you left the Time Masters, the organization has gone downhill very swiftly. All the higher ups are only concerned with finding and capturing you. That's all we have become. I have decided that your crusade against Vandal Savage is the honorable thing to do. For that reason, I have defected from the organization and seek to assist you. I have gathered all of the intel that the Time Masters have amassed on Savage and wish to meet up with you at a designated time and place to discuss my joining your team.

Sincerely,

Axel Rondish

When they were done reading, everyone looked at Rip, questioning in their eyes. Rip was staring at the computer screen mulling over the choices he had. Finally, after a few moments, he spoke.

"Gideon, send a message back to Mr. Rondish and ask him where and when he wishes to meet."

"Yes, sir." The whole team looked shocked at Rip's decision.

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Sara spoke up. Rip looked at her.

"I have known Axel for many years. I don't believe it will hurt to talk with him about what he wants."

"Because that worked so well last time." Len mumbled, earning a sharp look from Rip.

"I believe Axel can be trusted. We are going to meet with him and discuss the possibility of him joining the team. End of story."

~x~x~x~

The Waverider was set down in a clearing in the middle of a forest. The team aboard was buzzing with tension and anxiety about the meet up with Axel. Rip, despite his confidence in his friend, was nervous as well. Remembering back to when his mentor attempted to kill him, he decided to take part of the team with him.

"Mr. Snart, Mr. Rory, Ms. Lance, with me."

"Thought you trusted this guy." Mick said.

"Yes, well, you helped me to not get myself killed when I met with my mentor, I...trust your judgment." When everyone gave Rip a shocked look, he quickly added, "In this instance." Len sent Mick a quick smirk. He was quite proud that his partner was proving useful to Rip. He wanted nothing more than to keep Mick with him on this journey. The thought of going on without him was something he didn't even want to think about. Mick was special to him. More so than he wanted to admit to himself. Feelings were a weakness. That's what his father had beaten into him. Shaking his head to rid him of those thoughts, Len grabbed his cold gun and followed the others out of the ship.

Once they were outside, they walked to the exact co-ordinates that Axel had specified in his follow-up letter. When they reached the spot, they only had to wait a couple of minutes before a figure slowly made its way out of the trees. Len and Mick fired up their respective guns and aimed them while Sara got her bo staff ready. Rip held his arm out, signaling them to wait. When the man stepped into the moonlight, his grin was revealed. Then, Len, Mick, and Sara noticed that Rip's shoulders sagged in relief. Seeing him relax, they lowered their weapons for the moment.

"Axel, how have you been?" Rip asked. Axel's grin widened. The man was tall, possibly an inch or two taller than Len. He was muscular as well. His build was closer to Mick's than anyone else's. His emerald eyes shone in the light and he raked a hand through his short, brown hair. When he spoke, it was with an English accent just like Rip's.

"Rip. It's been a while, eh? I've been fine, just frustrated over the inactivity of the Time Masters." He looked over the three team members that Rip had brought with him. Mick looked ready to burn the man at any given moment. Sara looked bored to death and Len was giving Mick warning looks to keep him in line. The last thing they needed was to set an ally on fire. Axel took all this in, a gleam in his eye.

"Who is that?" he asked in a flirty tone. Sara, used to being the center of lecherous attention, bared her bo staff before she saw where Axel was looking. He wasn't looking at her, he was looking at Len. She smirked.

"I cannot believe this." she said, trying and failing to keep her amusement under control. Len and Mick looked away from each other and at her. She was attempting to stifle giggles as Rip looked from her to Axel and following Axel's gaze to Len.

"No!" he said firmly. Axel just pouted at him. "No! Don't even!" Len was looking at Rip, brows furrowed.

"Did we miss something?" he asked.

"Don't worry about it, gorgeous." Axel said, grinning.