Author's Note - I wrote this on Tumblr to get it out my head. Typically the full story decided it wanted to be written.
Enjoy
Cisco Ramon had seen a lot of astonishing things over the years since the particle accelerator exploded but even he had to admit this was at the top of the list of amazing.
"Stare at her any longer and she will not be happy," Mick Rory rumbled from behind him, "Gideon's got a temper on her."
"But she's human," Cisco stated finally managing to voice his astonishment, "Not an AI."
Mick rolled his eyes, "Get over it and do what she wants."
Cisco shook himself and walked over to the beautiful woman sitting on the bed waiting for him.
"Hello, Gideon," Cisco greeted her, "It's a pleasure to meet you in person."
Gideon smiled at him shyly taking the hand he offered, "And you, Mr Ramon."
"Okay," Cisco said, "Before we do anything I want to make sure that you are completely sure that you want this. This is a big thing we're doing."
Gideon gave a slight shrug, "Since I became human I am now obsolete. I do not have a function with the Legends anymore."
"Not true," Mick spoke up from his spot leaning against the wall where he was watching over her protectively.
She gave him a warm smile before turning back to Cisco, "Despite Mr Rory's assurances I belong with my true Captain and, this way, I have a chance to be with him once again."
"Problem is he doesn't remember you," Mick reminded her, grimacing when he saw the sadness cover Gideon's face.
Cisco spoke up, "I have an idea to help with that," he turned and motioned over the woman who had been waiting at the other side of the room, "Gideon, this is Tina McGee."
"Dr McGee," Gideon smiled at her, "You own Mercury Labs and are responsible for many innovations. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"And you," Tina replied.
Cisco took over again, "To ensure that you have the opportunity to meet Rip we thought we'd get you a job in the same place. Tina is more than happy for you to work in Mercury Labs. She will introduce you to one another and maybe manoeuvre you into each other's path if need be."
"Thank you," Gideon said sincerely.
"It's not a problem, Gideon," Tina replied, "I get the best out of the bargain considering your skills."
The former AI gave another shy smile.
"Okay," Cisco said clapping his hands together, "I will be ready in about ten minutes to do this. Just relax."
x
Gideon sat nervously twisting part of the sheet around in her hands. She hadn't realised how apprehensive she would be about changing her memories, but she had to do this. She needed to be with Rip again.
"You don't have to do this, Gideon," Mick noted from her side.
She looked up at him, "I want to. I want to be with my Captain once more."
"Even if he doesn't know you?" Mick demanded.
"I have faith that he will. Remember he called his dog after me," Gideon replied softly.
Mick shrugged.
"Mr Rory," she called when he was about to move away, "Please stay with me until Mr Ramon is ready."
He rested his hand on her arm, "You can be scared, Gideon. He was scared too."
Gideon took his hand and held on tightly as she waited. Mick was the one Rip had trusted to help him when he had removed his memories. Despite everything else between them Rip had placed his life and Jonas in Mick's hands because he understood the reasons Rip had to take his son and disappear. Gideon knew that he would do the same for her. He would hide the truth from the others. When Cisco returned with the small innocuous looking bit of metal that would change her memories she took another deep breath continuing to hold onto Mick's hand.
"Just lie back and relax," Cisco told her, "When you wake up your new life will be all you'll remember."
Sliding to lie done on the bed, Gideon closed her eyes, "I'm ready."
Rip chuckled as he read the message Katrina had sent, she was on a training course today and obviously bored. She'd been sending messages all day but it was keeping him amused.
"Dr Hunter?"
At his bosses voice Rip turned and saw her walking into the office with a woman he didn't know but there was something oddly familiar about her.
"Dr McGee," he smiled, "What can I do for you?"
"Dr Hunter, this is Gideon Ryder," McGee motioned to her companion, "Our new 'Computer Genius', who I persuaded to come work for me finally. I'm just showing her around and introducing her to a few people."
Rip stood studying her as he moved towards them. She was beautiful, her long brown hair sitting around her shoulders in waves while her grey eyes were bright with curiosity. Rip offered his hand to the new woman.
"Nice to meet you," Rip smiled back at her as they shook hands.
"And you," she replied, surprising him with her soft voice and English accent.
McGee gave a mysterious smile before resting her hand on Gideon's shoulder, "We should get going, more of the tour still to do."
Rip gave them a nod when they left before he headed back to work.
x
It was later that afternoon, Rip was heading to the day care to pick up Jonas when he ran into Gideon again. She was wandering around looking at everything and stopped in her tracks when she saw him watching her.
"Hello again," Rip smiled slightly, "Are you here to pick up a child too?"
A slight blush covered her cheeks, "No. I'm just getting the lay of the land so to speak. I like to explore everywhere I work so I know it completely. It's a silly compulsion."
Rip chuckled.
"You have a child?" she asked.
He nodded motioning her over to the window looking in on the Day Care's main room, "There he is," Rip pointed out the centre of his world, "That's my boy in the pirate captain's hat leading the group. I think they're hunting treasure."
Gideon smiled at him, "He seems like a wonderful little boy. I can see the resemblance to you."
"I always think he looks more like his mother," Rip replied, his eyes still on Jonas leading his crew around the room. He glanced at the woman standing beside him and realised she wanted to ask but was apparently too polite to, "She died not long after he was born."
"That is possibly why you see her in him," Gideon noted to his surprise, not giving the standard response to that piece of information.
Rip smiled when Jonas spotted him and waved, "I should go. It was nice to see you again."
"And you. Dr Hunter."
"It's Rip..." he winced before correcting himself, "Michael."
She frowned confused that he got his own name wrong.
"My wife always called me Rip," he explained, "It must have been because we were talking about her."
Gideon smiled at him, "It was nice speaking to you, Michael."
Rip watched her walk away for a moment before he headed into the other room smiling when his son ran over to him. He gave Jonas a hug before Rip sent him to change shoes while he gathered his things and collected that days' artwork from the table.
When Jonas ran over Rip took his son's hand and they headed home.
Rip woke up finding Jonas had climbed in beside him during the night. It wasn't something that happened very often but it made Rip smile to see the angelic face first thing.
"Morning, Daddy," Jonas grinned at him.
Rip reached out and stroked his son's cheek, "Morning. Did you have a bad dream?"
Jonas shook his head, "You were talking in your sleep. I thought you might need a hug."
Rip hugged him tightly, "Thank you for looking after me."
"Ali and Katrina say you need someone to," Jonas told him.
Rip chuckled, "I don't need anyone because I have you," kissing the top of his son's head Rip slid out of bed, "So, what do you want for breakfast? Because I'm thinking I make us special omelettes."
Jonas grinned and nodded, "Yeah!"
Pulling his son to his feet Rip allowed him to jump off the bed into Rip's arms for a hug before carrying Jonas into the living room and dropping the boy onto the couch. Turning on the TV for his son, Rip then headed into the kitchen setting out Gideon's food first before he pulled out the ingredients for their breakfast.
x
"We will meet you at the restaurant," Ali said to Rip once Jonas had ran in to the apartment to see Katrina excited about going to the fairground with them that morning.
Rip nodded, "Just promise me you won't give in to him and get him too many sweets."
Ali rolled her eyes at him, "When have we ever?"
"I know," Rip replied, "I just like to remind you since you keep telling me how adorable and hard to say no to my son is."
Reaching out Ali cheekily pinched his cheek, "Takes after his father in the cuteness stakes."
He batted her hand away, "I really wish you wouldn't do that."
Ali chuckled before she reached down to pet Gideon who was happily chewing on the bottom of Rip's denims.
"Go, take Gideon for her walk," Ali told him, "And we'll see you in a few hours."
Rip nodded, "Jonas, be good. Stay with Ali and Katrina at all times."
His son ran over and hugged him quickly, petting Gideon before wandering back over to Katrina.
x
Rip wandered through the park with his puppy at his side enjoying the peace. As much as he adored his son Rip looked forward to the few hours he had alone every Saturday morning. It gave him some time to relax and not have to worry about his son, which was something he appreciated more than he could say. Rip heard a soft voice murmuring in annoyance and turned, surprised to see the other Gideon he knew standing there looking agitated and bemused.
"Hello again," he greeted smiling when she jumped slightly.
"Dr Hunter," Gideon greeted him, "I didn't see you there."
Rip smiled at her, "Its Michael."
"Are you sure?"
He chuckled at the teasing smile she gave him, "Perfectly," he winced when the puppy started pulling on his trousers again, "Stop that, Gideon."
"Your dog is called Gideon?" she asked in surprise.
Rip frowned in realisation, "Yes. She's still very young...what?"
"And a girl?" Gideon frowned even more confused.
He shrugged, "It just seemed to suit her. Adorable, sweet, enthusiastic and trouble."
Gideon laughed, "I am not sure if that is a compliment or not."
"And why do you think I'm describing you unless it's true?" Rip noted with a smile especially when she blushed slightly, "So you look a little lost."
"I have only lived here just over a week," Gideon explained, "Since this is the first day I am not working I thought I would get to know the city a little and..."
"You're lost?"
"I merely need to get my bearings," Gideon replied airily.
Rip began to laugh, "Well Gideon...puppy Gideon and I are out for a walk anyway. I could give you the tour if you like?"
Gideon smiled at him, "That would be nice. Thank you."
x
"You do realise that your tour included all the places to find coffee and cake," Gideon noted amused when they passed Jitters.
Michael gave her a mock confused look, "What else is there?"
"Well then let me buy you a coffee and some cake to thank you for showing me around this morning," Gideon offered.
Checking his watch Michael winced, "I'm sorry. I'm due to meet my son and some friends for lunch."
"Perhaps another time," she replied a little disappointed, she enjoyed his company and wasn't looking forward to going back to an empty apartment.
Michael paused before asking, "Do you want to join us?"
"I couldn't impose," Gideon said.
"You wouldn't be," Michael assured her, "Besides it will let you meet some more people. I know how lonely it was when I first came here."
Gideon chewed her lip in thought for a moment. He was right that she was lonely. She only knew Tina here in Central City although after their morning walk she felt that maybe he was now a friend. Finally, she nodded, "If you are sure."
"Of course I am," Michael replied with a smile, "Come on."
They started walking again towards the restaurant continuing to chat generally. Gideon turned surprised when a cry came.
"Daddy!"
Gideon watched with a smile as the small boy came running towards them and jumped at Michael who caught him easily. After their hug the boy turned to look at her before turning back to his father questioningly.
"Jonas, this is my friend from work," Michael said, "Her name is Gideon."
"That's the same as our puppy," Jonas cried in astonishment.
Michael laughed, "It is. Are you going to say hello?"
"Hello," Jonas said shyly leaning against his father.
Gideon smiled, "Hello, Jonas it is very nice to meet you."
"Hi," one of the two women who had been standing with the little boy said.
"Ali, Katrina," Michael said, "This is Gideon. She's just moved here and works at Mercury Labs. I invited her to join us for lunch."
They stared at her for a few minutes before the dark-haired woman stepped forward, "Hi, it's nice to meet you."
"And you."
"Ali," Jonas grabbed the woman's hand, "Can we show Gideon, lady Gideon, the picture we got?"
Hearing Michael laugh Gideon allowed the little boy to pull her forward when he caught her hand too.
x
Rip chuckled watching Jonas pull Gideon along before turning to Katrina who was staring at him with a bemused expression on her face, "What?"
"Gideon seems nice," she said.
He nodded, "She is."
"How long have you known her?" Katrina asked.
Rip shrugged, "She started this week. We ran into one another at the park this morning. I offered to show her around."
"And you're letting her meet Jonas?" a slight frown covered the woman's face.
A confused grimace touched his face, "No, I brought her to meet you and Ali. She's new in town and barely knows anyone. I remember how that feels so I thought you might become her friends, the way you did for me."
Katrina gave him another bemused look before nodding, "Sure."
Following on Rip allowed puppy-Gideon to be taken to the managers office while they took their seats for lunch, one of the perks of the restaurant being owned by their friends.
x
Katrina sat with her girlfriend watching Michael as he settled Jonas on the seat between him and Gideon. The woman was sitting listening to Jonas as he described his morning at the fairground, a gentle smile on her face.
"Do you remember how he wouldn't let Isabelle anywhere near Jonas?" Ali murmured as she perused the menu.
Katrina nodded, "He claims he brought her here to meet us."
"The way he's smiling at her I'm not sure I believe that," Ali chuckled softly, "But let's face it, from everything he told us, Michael had no idea Miranda liked him until she practically hit him over the head."
Katrina nodded, glancing over again at the woman their friend had invited for lunch while she spoke with the little boy between them.
"So, Gideon," Katrina said pulling the woman's attention to her, "What do you do in Mercury Labs?"
"I work with computers," Gideon replied.
Michael let out a soft laugh, "The way you were introduced to me was as 'Computer Genius'."
A soft blush touched the woman's cheeks, "I'm just good with them. I always have been. Tina hired me to help keep the computer systems up to date and as secure as possible. It's something I'm good at since when I was younger I may have done a few things not quite legal exactly."
Ali began to laugh, "Oh the others are going to love you."
"Don't terrify her too much," Michael noted rolling his eyes before turning to Gideon, "They're an interesting group but quite…overwhelming sometimes."
"No, you are just easily intimidated by fun," Ali shot back at him.
Gideon laughed reaching out to gently touch Michael's hand, "You don't need to worry, I am actually quite good with large groups of people."
At the smile he gave her back, Ali and Katrina swapped an amused look. This was going to be interesting to watch.
x
"Daddy," Jonas said as he climbed into bed, "Today was fun."
Rip smiled at his son, "It was, wasn't it?"
"I had lots of fun at the fair this morning," Jonas continued as he settled against his pillows, "And I liked lunch."
Rip gave a nod in agreement, "Sam does make the best food, doesn't he?"
Jonas nodded rubbing his stomach in agreement making Rip laugh. Grinning Jonas squirmed to get comfortable before saying, "I liked lady Gideon. She was nice."
"Yes," Rip agreed, "She is very nice. I'm glad you liked her."
"Will we see her again?" Jonas asked.
Rip nodded, "I hope so. I brought her to lunch so she could make friends with Katrina and Ali since she's new in the city."
"But she's now our friend too?" Jonas asked thoughtfully, "Right?"
Rip smiled stroking his son's hair, "Yes, she is."
Jonas nodded decisively, "Good,"
Pulling the covers up around Jonas, Rip pressed a kiss to his hair, "Sleep, little man. I love you."
"Love you too, Daddy," Jonas sighed as he closed his eyes arms curling around his favourite teddy bear.
Leaving his son to sleep Rip thought over the day and hoped that Gideon did join their circle of friends.