Rip sat looking at the flyers Iris and Caitlin put in front of him, "What are these for?"
"Jonas needs to go to school," Caitlin told him, "But considering how smart he is we don't think a regular school would be a good idea for him."
"I spoke with Clarissa," Iris took over, "And she suggested that he might do well at a school that specialises in gifted youngsters."
Rip grimaced, "I was thinking that it might be better to home-school him considering he was living in a different time period until now especially as I have Gideon to help."
The two women swapped a look.
"He still needs to learn to socialise with kids his own age," Caitlin noted, "Because as much of a kid as Cisco can be at times, he's not really a substitute."
"Surely," Iris picked it up, "Jonas went to school before he came here, didn't he?"
Rip nodded a little unsure, "Yes."
"Then he knows what it's like to have friends his own age," Caitlin reminded him, "And he will start wanting them again."
A frown touched Rip's face before he sighed, "I'll think about it."
"That's all we want," Iris told him.
x
"Why did we get landed with that job?" Iris asked after Rip left the room the leaflets in his hand.
"Because the others were too afraid to bring it up," Caitlin noted as she sipped her coffee, "For some reason they think Rip is less likely to get defensive with us."
Iris frowned, "Because we're the 'girls'?"
"Kind of," Caitlin said before shrugging, "From what I know he was raised by a strong-willed woman and his wife was similarly strong. Then add Gideon, his best friend, who may be an AI but is also female. He responds better to suggestions from women especially when concerning his son."
Iris leaned back, "I didn't think of it like that."
Caitlin shrugged again, "Not to mention Barry and Cisco also don't want to be seen to be interfering."
"Typical."
"Are you okay over there?"
Rip glanced to where Joe was driving and shrugged, "I had no idea buying a house was going to be so complicated."
Joe chuckled, "At least you have the money to buy outright. It's even more complicated the other way."
"I suppose," Rip grimaced, "And thank you for helping me with this. It's not very often I am completely out of my depth but in this I am."
"I'm guessing putting down roots wasn't a high priority for the Time Masters," Joe noted.
Rip nodded, "Not exactly."
Before they could discuss anymore a call came over the radio for Joe.
"Sorry," Joe told him, "I have to deal with this before we head back."
"No problem," Rip replied before calling, "Gideon, can you let Cisco know we'll be a little late?"
"Of course, Captain Hunter," Gideon told him.
Hitting the siren Joe grinned, "It is really cool you can do that."
Rip chuckled gripping his seat when Joe spun the car.
x
The car screeched to a halt next to the other police cars. Joe turned to him, "Stay here."
"Of course I will," Rip grimaced as the other man got out the car, "It's not like I used to protect the timeline from Time Pirates and other threats."
He watched Joe disappear into the crowd leaving him to sit and watch.
"Gideon," he called, "Any idea what's happening?"
"From the information I have collected there is a hostage situation within the jewellery store," Gideon told him.
Rip sighed.
"Captain," Gideon spoke up, "You have Jonas to think about and must not get involved."
"I'm not getting involved," Rip defended himself.
"But you wish you could," Gideon said astutely.
Rip grimaced, "You're annoying, Gideon. You know that don't you?"
"Of course I do," she replied cheerfully, "It is one of the reasons you like me so much."
x
Joe arrived back at the car looking surprised to find Rip was still sitting waiting patiently.
"Is everything sorted?" the former time traveller asked.
Nodding Joe looked at him interested, "And you've been here since I left you?"
Rip let out a sigh, "Yes, I stayed in the car."
"It'll be a few minutes then we can head," Joe promised the other man, "If you want, you can leave the car while I finish up."
"How kind of you," Rip muttered but slid out the vehicle.
Joe nodded, "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Rip sighed again as the man walked away again, "Take your time."
He stood watching the police as they arrested several men from the jewellery store.
"Okay," he snapped before confessing, "I miss the adventure," her amused silence made him roll his eyes, "Thanks a lot, Gideon."
Shouts from nearby made Rip turn to see two of the hostage takers break free and start running towards him. Rip waited until they were close enough before he yanked open the car door hitting the first man. Dodging, Rip easily avoided the second's clumsy attempt to hit him before slamming an elbow into his face knocking him out.
Rip heard Joe shouting orders, glancing over to see the police running towards him Rip missed the first man pulling a knife. Pain shot through him when the blade was plunged into his side and he stumbled slightly but managed to punch the other man just before the police arrived.
Joe caught Rip when the adrenaline faded and he couldn't stay upright.
"I need an ambulance," he yelled.
Rip shook his head, "No, Star Labs."
"You need to get to a hospital," Joe told him.
"Listen to me," Rip grabbed Joe's arm, "I cannot go to a hospital. You need to take me back to Star Labs."
Joe winced, "I..."
"Time traveller," Rip reminded him pain filling his eyes, "Joe, please."
Grabbing his phone Joe hit the 'Flash Alarm' button they all had. A moment later a blur of red appeared stopping beside them.
"Get him back to Caitlin," Joe ordered Barry.
x
Rip wasn't sure if it was the blood loss or the journey back to the lab but he felt even worse when he suddenly landed on the bed.
"Gideon," he called but Caitlin suddenly appeared in his eye line.
"Rip," her voice was calm and soothing, "I'm going..."
"You're going to pull out the knife," he told her through gritted teeth, "And make sure you keep it separate from everything else. Where's Jonas?"
Bemused she frowned, "Cisco has him, they're visiting Clarissa."
A blast of air announced Barry and Joe arriving both looking concerned as they ran over to the bed.
"Ask Clarissa if she can keep him overnight," Rip ignored them, "I won't be up to watching him."
Caitlin motioned to Barry to do as Rip asked before she turned back to her patient.
"I need to check you before I remove the knife," Caitlin told him.
Rip gritted his teeth, "Caitlin, please trust me."
"You need to..." Caitlin trailed off crying out when he yanked the weapon out himself, "Rip!"
"Gideon," Rip called again handing Caitlin the knife.
"I'm here, Captain," she replied.
Wincing Rip pulled his t-shirt up so the wound was exposed to the air and forced out, "Indigo. Faster. Darkness."
"Captain..." the disapproving voice came.
"Just do it, Gideon," Rip snarled.
x
Caitlin dropped the knife into a basin turning back to the bed to see Rip grip the rail of the bed his jaw clenched, he let out a quiet moan his back arching slightly shoulders pressing against the bed. She stared in astonishment seeing his wound begin to close.
"Rip," she moved to him stopping when he held up his hand to keep her back.
"Gideon," Caitlin called, "What's happening?"
"Captain Hunter's wound is being healed," Gideon explained, "It is a painful procedure as you can see. I would suggest staying back until the process finishes."
She turned to Joe and Barry who were staring at the man whose wound was healing before their eyes. When it sealed completely Rip's hand released and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Gideon?" he breathed.
"Your wound has been healed," Gideon told him, disapproval in her voice, "You will need to rest for the night."
"Caitlin," Rip whispered, exhaustion filling his voice, "Can you call Clarissa so I can talk to Jonas?"
She pulled out her phone dialling quickly. After a quick conversation she passed the phone to Rip.
x
"Daddy?" Jonas cried happily.
"Hey," Rip forced all pain out of his voice, "Are you okay staying with Grandma tonight?"
"Why?" Jonas asked.
Rip winced slightly, "I have some more things to do tonight that are really boring. I thought you might prefer to have fun with Grandma instead."
"Okay," the little boy replied unsurely.
"I promise I will come and get you in the morning," Rip told him.
"Can I watch the movie with Cisco and Grandma?" Jonas asked.
Rip gritted his teeth at the residual pain managing to reply normally, "Of course, I can watch it with you another time if you like it."
"Okay," Jonas said, this time a little happier, "I love you Daddy."
"Love you too," Rip whispered, "So be good and I'll see you tomorrow."
Hanging up Rip collapsed unconscious against the pillows.
x
"Gideon," Caitlin called as Barry handed her the phone he'd had rescued when it dropped from Rip's hand, "What happened?"
"Captain Hunter will sleep now until morning," Gideon replied.
Caitlin grimaced, "Not my question. What healed his wound?"
There was a pause before Gideon came back, "I am afraid that Captain Hunter has not cleared you for that information."
Caitlin caught the winces which crossed Barry and Joe's face at the reply.
"Okay," she said holding her temper she turned to the two men, "Can you change him into scrubs and I will isolate his clothing until I can get some answers."
Leaving them to follow her orders Caitlin turned to her equipment, she may not know what he did but she was at least able to monitor him.
"Gideon," she called again, "Can you at least let me know if I need to put him on an IV?"
"All Captain Hunter requires is rest," the AI assured her.
Grimacing she turned back to find Rip was now in scrubs, a blanket had been wrapped around him and Barry had placed the blood stained clothes in a hazardous material bag.
"Thank you," she told the two men, "You should both head home. I'll keep an eye on him tonight."
"Are you sure?" Barry asked, "One of us can keep you company."
Caitlin waved him away, "Go home and see Iris. Joe, I know you have a date tonight so go. Gideon can keep me company."
Barry wrapped his arm around her in a quick hug, "Call if you need anything. Joe," he turned, "Want a lift back to your car?"
Giving Caitlin a quick hug Joe nodded and the two men disappeared in a blast of air. Moving back to her patient Caitlin rested her hand on his forehead to ensure there was no fever. She was already very fond of the newest member of their odd family but he needed to learn to trust them.
And when he woke up he was about to find out that his health was something she needed to know about.
