Scarlett Ross sat on the plane with her teammates, including her older brother Barney, the leader of their team, and her crush, Lee, who was second in command. She herself held the third-in-command position.

Barney glanced at her and said, "Scar, you know the plan before we go in and take down the pirates, right?"

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know, Bar."

Barney sighed, shaking his head in amusement. He loved his younger sister—he had practically raised and trained her—but that didn't mean she didn't annoy him sometimes. Of course, Scarlett would say the same about him. Still, Barney knew how she and Lee felt about each other.

Lee got up from his seat and moved to sit beside Scarlett, making her heart jump slightly.

"Scar, do you have your knife?" he asked.

Scarlett looked at him and replied, "You know I prefer guns. But you did promise to teach me how to throw."

Lee smiled at that. Scarlett was different from her brother. While Barney and he had an ongoing friendly competition, Scarlett was always there to support it—and sometimes even join in. He loved that about her. Being around her was the best feeling in the world to him. Lee remembered the feelings he had for her, and he forced them down because he was dating someone he loved.

Still, he couldn't deny how much he admired Scarlett. He loved that she didn't need anyone to fight her battles, that she was fiercely independent, and that if someone messed with her, they could be on the ground in minutes. She was also an excellent third-in-command.

Scarlett interrupted his thoughts. "Lee, are you okay?"

Lee snapped back to reality. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Barney stood up. "Alright, let's go. Time to save some hostages."

Scarlett smirked. "We know, Bar."

Barney smiled at his little sister before glancing at Lee, then looking away. Why did they both not just tell each other how they felt?

On the Ship

The pirates had taken over, holding hostages, and The Expendables were there to rescue them.

Guns raised, Barney called out, "There's the money. Release the hostages."

The pirate leader sneered. "We want five million."

Lee scoffed. "What a greedy pirate."

Barney ignored him and kept his focus. "Last chance—take it or leave it."

The pirate leader smirked. "We want the money now."

Gunner lifted his massive gun. "What he said."

"No!" Barney warned.

But before he could stop him, Gunner fired, aiming low. The pirate leader stumbled, crashing into the wall.

"A little long," Gunner muttered.

Scarlett gave him a look. "You think? Good job, Gunner."

The pirate leader started shooting at them, and the team ducked for cover, throwing a grenade over the railing.

"Lights out!" Barney shouted.

The team switched to night-vision goggles and started firing, killing the pirates. When the lights came back on, the remaining pirates were on the ground, guns aimed at them.

The second-in-command pirate barked, "Drop your weapons!"

Lee smirked. "Fat chance."

Toll added, "Yeah, that'll happen."

Barney pressed forward. "Last chance. Let the hostages go, or you're done."

Scarlett caught murmurs in another language. She nudged Lee. "Something's off."

Lee nodded. "I'll take the far left."

"Two on the right," Barney added. "Leave the rest to me."

The pirate leader growled. "I'll kill them all. I don't care."

Lee tensed, gripping his knife. "We'll see about that."

"Bullets are faster than blades," Barney remarked.

Lee shot him a dry look but stayed focused.

The pirate leader snapped, "Bring the money. Now!"

A phone buzzed. Barney frowned. "What's that?"

Lee glanced at his screen. "I'm getting a text."

Barney deadpanned. "Excuse me?"

"Kill them!" the pirate leader shouted.

Barney fired, and Lee threw his knife. All the pirates were dead.

Lee grinned. "I call that a tie."

Barney scoffed. "Keep dreaming."

Toll and Yin talked for a moment, and Hale muttered, "A little compassion, folks."

Scarlett walked near Lee, casually playing with her guns.

Gunner spoke up. "How are you guys doing?"

Barney looked at him. "What the hell is he doing?"

Lee answered, "Hanging a pirate."

Barney sighed. "Don't be ridiculous."

Scarlett and Lee exchanged a glance but said nothing.

Barney turned back to Gunner. "Gunner, this is not how we work. Let him go."

Gunner protested. "Why? He would do it to us."

"Last chance. Let him go, or we let you go."

Gunner muttered, "It's good to hang pirates."

Yin went behind him, engaging in a brief fight. Gunner ended up shoving Yin against a pile of crates before pulling out his knife.

Yin growled, "We don't kill like that."

Gunner sneered. "Yeah? Not polite enough for you?"

Barney put a gun to Gunner's head. "Let him go, Gunner."

Gunner smirked. "How are you doing, Barney?"

"Better than you."

"My partner here kicked me with steel-tipped boots. Can you believe that?"

"You deserved it."

Gunner grumbled. "I think I'll need stitches."

"Maybe."

"I hate stitches."

"Everyone does. Let him go, Gunner."

Gunner sighed and finally released Yin. Scarlett walked over and helped Yin up, giving Barney a look that said, "Deal with this now."

Barney nodded in understanding. Scarlett walked with Yin. "Good move."

He smiled slightly. Lee approached. "You okay, bro?"

Yin nodded and walked away.

Lee turned to Scarlett. "You okay?"

She grinned. "Yep."

Lee smirked. "You look like you need a beer."

Scarlett groaned. "Oh my gosh, yes. Please."

Back on the Plane

With a beer in hand, Scarlett leaned back in her seat and opened her sketchbook, letting herself unwind by drawing.

Barney nudged Lee. "Is my sister sleeping?"

Lee glanced over. "No, she's awake."

Barney nodded.

A few minutes later, Lee checked again. This time, Scarlett was fast asleep. Smiling to himself, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before returning to his seat.

Scarlett stirred slightly but remained asleep. Lee sat back, staring out the window, lost in thought.