Author's Note: This is the final chapter. Hope it doesn't disappoint.
Enjoy
The world around them flowed with swirls of colour as they stepped through the tear in the fabric of time. Rip released his grip on both women moving further inside.
"What..." he heard Miranda snap in surprise.
Pulled out his reverie he turned to see Gideon had taken the gun from Miranda.
"Did you truly think I was at your mercy?" Gideon asked archly.
Miranda glared at her.
"Even Charlatan cannot match the skill of a Sigma 9 Guardian," Rip noted before he turned. He felt the presence of his mother, as well as the other members of the family he had just discovered, "And it looks like you're about to get your wish because Time is coming."
The four Seasons appeared, all but Summer had a figure standing at their right shoulder before a man appeared. To Rip's surprise the man barely looked older than he was.
"I must take my place," Gideon told him softly.
Rip frowned, "I thought your place was with me?"
"Officially I am Summer's protector. You do not need me for this," Gideon squeezed his arm before taking her position at his mother's side.
Rip turned back to Time and found he was being watched. Rip swallowed nervously knowing just how powerful the man standing before him was.
"It is good to finally meet you, Rip," Time said softly, his voice as young as his appearance but Rip could hear the echo of ages within it.
Not sure what to say Rip nodded finally managing, "And you, sir."
Time laughed softly, "I suppose calling me Grandfather isn't something you're ready for just now."
"Father," Summer interrupted, "We have other matters to deal with."
"Ah yes," Time stated turning his attention to Miranda who Rip had almost forgotten about, "My would be enslaver."
Miranda said nothing simply glaring at them all, Rip realised suddenly that she was being held in some kind of force-field.
Time moved to her, "Your crimes are numerous but none I take more serious than attacking my daughter and grandson. My family are not here for you to play with and I am not someone who bows to the whims of a mortal." He continued to walk around her, "For these crimes, including your involvement in the murder of a child, you shall have what you wanted and be a part of time. Every atom of your being will be scattered across time forever."
"No," Rip stated.
Summer caught his shoulder, "Rip..."
"No," he said again stepping forward.
Time turned to him, "After everything she has done to you, you wish to save her life?"
Rip turned to look at Miranda who stared back at him coldly, "Yes. Let her live with what she did. Put her somewhere she can never access time travel again and let her live out her days remembering that little boy who called her Mummy. Because you can act like you never cared about him, Miranda but no one can do what you did for that child and not give a damn."
"Are you sure?" Time asked.
Rip nodded, "I watched her die over and over. I won't do it again."
"It is your choice," Time replied, snapping his fingers and Miranda was gone.
Stunned by the sudden disappearance Rip caught his breath feeling a hand on his arm, turning he found Summer at his side with Gideon moving to his other.
Time joined them, "I believe it is time for you to explain everything to him, daughter dear."
Summer smiled, "Yes, Father."
"It was a pleasure to meet you finally, Rip," Time told him, "And we shall someday have a proper conversation."
Before Rip could say anything else the world around him shifted and they were in Summer's home.
x
Gideon watched her Captain sit at the table in the dining room, while Summer went to make them some tea, and drop his head into his hands. She gently touched his shoulder wrapping him in her arms when he looked up, feeling him cling to her.
"I'm sorry," Rip whispered after a few minutes.
"No," Gideon soothed, "Never be sorry for having loved her."
Rip sighed sighing softly when she rested her forehead against his. Finally he moved back and stood walking around the room in silence. Gideon took a seat watching him, wondering what would happen now.
Summer brought three mugs of tea out along with a plate of biscuits and cake. Taking her mug Gideon stood to leave them alone.
"Gideon," Summer said, "Please remain. I think Rip would prefer your presence while I explain."
Turning to the man in question Rip nodded. Gideon retook the seat at his side smiling slightly when he reached out and gripped her hand tightly.
x
Summer took a deep breath and a long drink of tea before she turned to her son, "Your father was a time traveller. He was involved in an accident and somehow entered my realm, badly injured."
"You healed him," Rip said.
Summer nodded, "I was not supposed to. I should have returned him to his own plane of existence but I was curious. The only mortals I had ever met were our protectors so I allowed him to stay here to heal and we grew close. You resemble your father in many ways, especially in your stubborn nature and dry wit. He was a good man and I loved him."
"So, what happened?" Rip asked.
Summer smiled, "The more time we spent together the harder it was to say goodbye to him but I knew he could not stay. It was only after he left I discovered I was pregnant."
Rip frowned, "So he has no idea I exist?"
"No," Summer replied sadly.
"Is he alive?"
Summer nodded, "And you were named Michael for him."
Rip stayed silent for a moment taking this information in, "Okay. What happened to me? Why did I end up living on the streets for the Time Masters to find?"
Closing her eyes in sadness Summer sighed, "When you were born it was not possible for you to remain here. My protector at the time told me that he knew somewhere you would be safe, somewhere you would be able to grow up protected from anyone who could harm or try to use you until you were old enough to return to us. Except he lied."
"Why?" Rip whispered.
"Winter told me that it was jealousy that prompted him to abandon you where he did," Summer shook her head, "When I discovered his betrayal I was distraught but although we searched for you it was too late. The Time Masters had found you and began your training. I knew all I could do was provide you with a protector to guide you. Which is why I gave you Gideon."
"And do I get to keep her?" Rip demanded his grip on her hand tightening.
Summer frowned, "Now you are aware of who you are and have the team, Gideon's presence is no longer necessary."
x
Gideon stood staring at the lake trying to control her emotions. Rip had gone for a walk after Summer finished her explanation to get his head around everything he had been told and she dreaded his return because they would have to say goodbye.
"Gideon," Summer's voice made her turn, "I did not make this decision lightly."
"I took an oath to protect him," Gideon said softly.
"And you have, Ariel," Summer replied using her true name once more. Something she hadn't done since Gideon had become Rip's protector, "I am more grateful to you than I can say but the situation has now changed."
Gideon dropped her eyes, "I do not want to leave him."
"I know," Summer reached out and rested her hand on Gideon's shoulder, "But you are my Protector, Ariel. I saved your life for this duty. You are still bound to me."
"Then release her," Rip's voice made them both turn.
"Rip..."Summer sighed.
"Mother," Rip said moving to her, "I understand Gideon agreed to be your protector but she has been with me for the past fifteen years. Please, please don't take her from me too."
Summer smiled slightly, "You've never called me that before."
He shrugged, "I thought now might be the time to start."
Reaching out Summer rested her hand on his cheek, "My dear son. I cannot begin to tell you how much that means to me. Ariel," Summer turned to her once more, "I release you from your oath to be my Protector. You are free once more."
Gideon hugged the other woman, "Thank you."
"I still expect you to protect him," Summer whispered.
"Always, my Lady."
Gideon knelt by her sister's gravesite.
Due to her actions and betrayal of the Guardians code Arivana could not be buried in their traditions or with their fallen siblings. The Legends instead found a place where Gideon could lay her sister to rest, hidden away where she would never be disturbed. Once the small funeral had taken place the crew returned to the Waverider leaving her to say her final goodbye.
"I wanted to hate you," Gideon said softly as she held Arivana's sword in her hands, "You betrayed everything I held dear, you killed me and I wanted to hate you for it. But what you did gave me the opportunity to meet someone I have found great joy in knowing."
Resting the sword upon the grave Gideon spread the Oil of Separation upon it, "I have spoken with the Council and told them all that happened. They are happy for me to remain with the Legends. Considering the trouble they always find then a Sigma 9 Guardian will be useful to help maintain the timeline."
"I wish I could understand what made you so angry," Gideon whispered, "I wish you had talked to me, when did you stop being able to talk to me?"
The tears she had been holding back began to slide along her cheeks as she lit the oil. Watching her sister's sword burn, destroyed as per their traditions, Gideon gave in to her anguish and began to cry. She was surprised when a hand rested on her shoulder and she turned to find Rip at her side. Without a word he pulled her into his arms and held her as she grieved. After several minutes Gideon moved back and looked at her Captain who placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Are you ready to leave?" he asked, his hands gently rubbing up and down her arms.
Gideon nodded, "Yes, Captain."
He stood and helped her to her feet, "Then let's rejoin the crew."
x
The Waverider was berthed in the car park of Star Labs so that Mr Snart could see his sister while the crew visited their friends and family, leaving only Rip and Gideon onboard once more.
Gideon was curled up in a chair in the study, no longer looking like the warrior he had come to know in the past few days. She was wearing leggings and a large jumper which made her look small and fragile as she stared sadly into space.
"Can I join you?" Rip asked.
Gideon looked up surprised he was there before nodding, "Of course, Captain."
Taking the seat at her side Rip took her hand in his, "I wish I could do something to make you feel better."
"Having you here, Captain," Gideon smiled softly resting her head against his arm, "Is enough."
Sliding his arm around her Rip hugged her close, "So, what now? How do we...How are we..."
Turning to look up at him Gideon reached out and rested her hand on his cheek, "We are as we always were, Captain. I am your Gideon, you are my Captain and nothing else matters."
"This is going to take some getting used to," Rip noted motioning to her.
Gideon smiled, "For me also. I am remembering that I need to eat and sleep once more."
Rip laughed, "Then how about we do that?"
"Which one?" she asked mischievously.
Shaking his head Rip replied, "Eat. Let's go for a meal."
"I would like that."
Taking her hand and pulling her to a stand Rip smiled, "I know a good place in Star City."
Gideon rested her hands on his arms, "Of course you do."
Resting his forehead against hers Rip let out a soft breath, "And then?"
"We have plenty of time, Captain," Gideon reminded him at his hesitation, "Let's just start with dinner."
Rip smiled back knowing that this was a new beginning for them both. Offering his arm he led her to the Jumpship so they could go to dinner.
Time was one thing they had plenty of.