Author's Note: I'm meant to be writing other things but I couldn't leave this idea alone when it hit me. I do have a few chapters already written.
Enjoy
New York was cold.
December had brought snow and ice with biting winds that cut through the thin jacket he was wearing. Unfortunately their funds were not exactly great here in the 1940s and they had to make certain sacrifices, like warm coats for food, but they were together which was all that mattered.
Shivering while he walked back to their small apartment from the hospital he worked in, Rory Williams tried to think what to get his wife for Christmas this year. They'd been trapped in the past for three years now and, as much as they both missed home, they had made the best of it.
Rory became aware of three men walking near him. Not exactly unusual as it was New York City and there were a lot of people on the streets but they had been following him for several blocks now.
The Centurion, hidden deep in his subconscious, began to stir for the first time in years sensing danger nearby. Rory began to walk slightly faster keeping an eye on his new friends, grimacing that they followed him. Turning into an alley Rory climbed up a fire escape, tucking his body behind several plants, watching the three men look around confused that he had disappeared.
The men talked for a few moments before one tapped on the watch he was wearing and a portal opened. Rory's eyes widened in amazement, this could be a way home. Climbing back down to the street Rory started home again, grimacing when three different men wearing identical suits appeared all pointing weapons at him.
"Mr Hunter," the one in the centre stated, "You will surrender yourself to us."
Rory's right hand twitched slightly for his sword, "I think you've mistaken me for someone else."
"Nice try," the man continued, "But we're not your idiot Legends. You will surrender or we will take you back by force."
Rory took a step back, "I have no idea who you people are so I'm going to have to decline."
The man on the left attacked suddenly. The Centurion took over and Rory dodged, instinctively slamming his elbow into the face of the second man. Turning to run the third man appeared before him and white light filled Rory's vision then there was nothing.
x
Rory's head felt like it was going to explode when he opened his eyes. Looking around he frowned seeing the cell he was in as it meant he was definitely no longer in the 1940s. Amy was going to be pissed.
"I was surprised by how careless you were," an older man stated sternly from outside the cell, "Being caught in the background of a photograph in a newspaper."
Standing Rory glared at the man on the other side of the barrier, "Who the hell are you and who do you think I am?"
"This pretence of ignorance is not going to work, Rip," the man stated sharply, "You know how escaping would sit with the board. I tried to warn you where your obsession would lead but you never listened."
Fisting his hands to force the Centurion down Rory kept his voice steady, "I have no idea what you're talking about. My name is Rory Williams. I have never heard of this Rip or Hunter or whoever you seem to think I am."
The man let out a snort of laughter, "Good try but DNA doesn't lie."
"Apparently it does," Rory retorted.
"I had hoped you would face everything, acknowledge the damage you did to this agency, your agency and finally make amends," the man stated, "But it looks as though you're still deluding yourself that you are the victim. I'm sorry, Rip but get used to these four walls."
Turning away the man disappeared leaving Rory wondering who he'd been mistaken for and how his DNA matched the man they thought he was.
Three days had passed since Rory had woken up in the cell and he knew there was no way they were going to realise they'd made a mistake and let him go. This meant he had to take matters into his own hands.
Rory had grown up wanting to help people so he had chosen to be a nurse. However his IQ tests had shown he could do anything he wanted. When the Doctor had appeared in their adult lives, after being a fairytale and game for their childhoods, Rory began to read up on everything that could be connected to the man. He studied and when the Doctor had brought him onboard the TARDIS he learned all he could from the other man.
People never really saw him.
Rory had always faded into the background mostly due to the fact Amy was there. She was bright, brilliant and sparkling so no one noticed him at her side which was something he'd learned to use to his advantage over time.
They thankfully, along with his three meals, gave him books to fill his days along with the paper and a pencil he asked for. Not a pen because they seemed to think he would be able to do something with that.
They didn't know he could do things with paper and pencil. All he needed to do was remember the origami class Amy had dragged him to then let the Centurion loose.
x
Rory looked up at the camera in the corner as he made some more folds on the square of paper he had in front of him. He'd spent most of the previous night sharpening the pencil while they would assume he was sleeping. It wasn't the greatest plan in the world but right now it was all he had. He knew there was no way the Doctor would save him, considering the Time Lord thought he was trapped somewhere the TARDIS would never be able to return to.
Finished making his box Rory slipped it over the camera, using the pencil to hold it on, standing to the side waiting for the guard to appear. The moment the man stepped inside Rory released the Centurion who quickly incapacitated the guard. Creeping through the corridors Rory grimaced when alarms started to sound. He was screwed.
Taking a quick breath he allowed the Centurion to remain in control because right now being a nurse wasn't going to help him.
Choosing a direction Rory began to run, dodging the people who came at him. He noticed a few of them were wearing the same watch thing as the men who had been following him in New York. Knocking one of his pursuers out Rory stole the device knowing he could work out how to use it once he got somewhere safe. Throwing himself round a corner and attaching it to his wrist to make it easier to carry Rory was surprised when the device suddenly activated.
"What the..." he murmured staring at the device which instantly requested an order, "Why are you letting me access you?"
He tapped the menu and found an emergency exit command. Hearing people coming towards him again Rory shrugged, "What other choice do I have?"
A portal opened beside him showing what appeared to be a bedroom, with no indication of where it was. Rory decided that, considering it was noted as emergency exit, it had to be safer for him than here. He dived through relieved when the portal closed before anyone could see where he went.
x
Rory sat on the ground of the room he was suddenly in taking a few deep breaths.
"You are not Captain Hunter," a woman's voice came from around him.
Rory let out an annoyed sigh, "Thank you. At least you believe me, whoever you are."
"I am Gideon," the woman stated, "I am the AI for the Waverider. Please identify yourself."
"I'm Rory Williams," he replied before asking interested, "You're an AI? So you control the ship I presume I'm on?"
"I do," Gideon replied, "Please advise how you were able to use Captain Hunter's emergency exit protocol? It is activated on by his DNA profile only."
Rory shrugged, "I have no idea. Everyone seems to think I am this Hunter guy. Wherever I was before, some Bureau they said something about our DNA matching."
There was a pause before Gideon came back on.
"I will need you to come to the Medical Suite in order to confirm that," Gideon told him, "However the crew are currently awake and I do not believe they will react well to someone who looks like Captain Hunter."
"That makes me feel safe," Rory sighed.
"You are safer here than you were in the Time Bureau," Gideon assured him, "Are you hungry or thirsty?"
"A little thirsty," Rory replied.
"If you go to the cabinet beside the bed you will find some canteens of water and several protein bars," Gideon told him, "This room is locked. None of the crew will try to enter as I have never allowed them access."
Rory sat on the bed before he opened the cabinet finding the supplies Gideon had told him were there. He hesitated when he went to open the water.
"Can I trust you, Gideon?"
He waited for a moment before she replied, "Captain Hunter is my priority. At the moment you appear in many ways to be him. I want to examine the evidence before I decide what the next step is."
"So I can trust you until you realise I'm definitely not your Captain?"
"I already know you are not Captain Hunter," Gideon told him amusement in her voice, "I need evidence before I can inform the crew who will help you return to your own time. They will require proof."
Rory took a drink before he let out a long sigh and lay back on the bed, "Brilliant."
x
"I have noticed you are restless," Gideon spoke up about two hours later.
Rory looked up at the ceiling where he guessed the cameras she used would be hidden, "Did my continual pacing give it away?"
"I can provide you with some entertainment," Gideon told him, "If you wish?"
Rory nodded, "I could use something to read."
"You can use the tablet on the desk to access the library," Gideon told him, "I will provide you with books from your era if you advise when that is."
Rory grimaced, "I was living in 1941 but I was born in 1989."
"You are a time traveller?" Gideon asked in surprise.
"I was," Rory nodded, "It's a long story."
Gideon was silent for several moments before stating, "Then this is not unusual for you."
Rory chuckled, "This is pretty run of the mill. Finding out I grew up with my daughter as one of my best friends, now that was weird."
"I have uploaded books and films for you from the era you are originally from," Gideon told him, "If you feel the need then you should use the shower. You can also borrow some of Captain Hunter's clothes."
"Thank you, Gideon," Rory sighed, "You have been very accommodating."
"It is clear you have a connection to my Captain in some way," Gideon advised, "He will want you to be safe until I am able to return you to your home."
Rory nodded in appreciation, "All I want is to get back to my wife."
Final Note: I do have an explanation for why Rory is being mistaken for Rip.