Author's Note: I wanted to write some of the other perspectives for Dazed, Confused and Completely Discombobulated.

So here is Rip's.

Hope you enjoy.

Rip sat in the parlour with a cup of tea, while the rest of the team were winding down after the mission. It had been a long day but there had, incredibly, been no injuries so they were all relaxing in their own way.

The past few months after stopping Vandal Savage and the Time Masters had been non-stop, as they took the place of Rip's former masters and tried to repair problems within the timeline. Rip was tired but as long as he kept moving then he didn't think about all he'd lost.

Deciding to read one of his favourite books, Rip placed his cup on the saucer frowning as it seemed to flicker.

"Gideon?" he called.

"Yes, Captain," she replied.

About to ask her what he'd seen, Rip shook his head instead, "Never mind. I must just be tired."

"Then I recommend you get some rest," Gideon told him.

Rip wandered along the corridors of the ship towards his room, thankful the rest of the crew were not around because he really needed some sleep and did not want to get into a conversation or debate about anything.

Changing for bed, Rip slid under his covers and closed his eyes as Gideon set the temperature and turned off the lights for him.

"Cappppp…..Cappppp…Capppp…..tttttaaaiiiinnnn."

In his sleep Rip turned uncomfortably as he could hear a voice calling, echoing through him. Rip grimaced as he woke up.

"Are you alright, Captain?" Gideon asked him.

Rip sighed, "Slight headache."

"I can give you something if you wish," she reminded him.

Shaking his head, Rip closed his eyes, "It's not that bad, Gideon. I just need some more sleep."

"Then rest, Captain," she soothed.

Closing his eyes, Rip fell asleep again.

x

Rip's headache was now a constant low-level pain, always on the edge of his consciousness. Gideon assured him there was nothing wrong, so Rip just worked through it, but it was beginning to aggravate him which in turn made him a little harsher than he intended to be at times.

Thankfully he'd managed to not to take his bad mood out on the crew, too much anyway although it was Gideon who bore the brunt. As she reminded him, it was her purpose to support him.

But he couldn't understand why his dreams were strange, and why he had constant pain in his head which Gideon couldn't diagnose. In all their years together, Gideon had always been able to fix anything.

Musing over this, Rip realised Sara had stopped her briefing on the possible missions she was researching and had asked him a question.

"Sorry," he apologised, "What did you say?"

Sara frowned, "Are you okay?"

He shrugged, "Slight headache. I'm fine please continue."

"I was just looking over the information you gave me," she explained, "And wanted to check what Kilor is as I couldn't find it in the database."

Rip chuckled, "A planet that was colonised in the late 23rd Century, it was one of the first colonies outside the milky way. Mr Rory will be able to help you with that one."

"Why?" Mick demanded from his spot round the table.

Frowning confused, Rip replied, "I was sure Chronos were one of the bounty hunters who responded to the distress call when Time Pirates attacked the colony."

He shook his head, "No."

Rip sighed confused, "I must have that wrong. The movement of the Bounty Hunters was not something logged with Captains, so Gideon won't hold that within her database."

Sara shrugged, "I'm guessing it's not a high priority."

Rip smiled slightly, "No but you are beginning to understand what you're looking for. That's good for if I am incapacitated in some way then you have the ability to find which mission is the most urgent."

A small frown crossed Sara's face at his statement, but Rip nodded to them all, "Get some rest everyone. I'll see you in the morning."

Rip watched the team leave, his eyes on Mick Rory as he thought back. He knew Chronos had been there, completely sure of this fact as the Bounty Hunter had saved Rip's life and wondered why Mick didn't remember this fact. Taking a seat at his desk, he thought over the mission six years ago.

"Cappppp…..Cappppp…Capppp…..tttttaaaiiiinnnn."

Rip's eyes snapped open, he realised he'd fallen asleep, and it suddenly occurred to him that it was Gideon's voice he was hearing. Although distorted. Which made no sense as Gideon could easily talk to him unless…

"You require rest, Captain," Gideon told him.

He nodded, "I know but I wanted to check the dream sensors. I think they might be why I have a headache."

"Are you sure, Captain," Gideon asked, "I have no indication of this and none of the other crew are complaining of one."

"It's the only thing I can think of," Rip replied, his headache and the strange sound seemed to get worse while he was sleeping, "I'll check and recalibrate if needed. Likely it's a small adjustment needed, remember what happened on the Hollins."

"That was Gordon," Gideon reminded him, "And there is a reason he was taken out of service, Captain."

"I'm just doing a check," Rip told her, "Besides I haven't looked at them in a while." He paused before adding amused, "And I'd never compare you to Gordon."

"I would hope not."

He chuckled to himself and grabbed his tools.

x

"Captain."

Rip turned and found himself face to face with Gideon who closed the gap between them to hug him.

"I am so relieved," she sighed in his ear, "I have been trying to contact you for several hours."

Rip frowned, "Hours?"

"Yes, Captain," Gideon nodded, "It is why you have been experiencing pain."

"But I've had a headache for days."

"No, Captain," she replied, "You haven't. It has only been six hours since we arrived at the Vanishing Point."

"What?"

"And we are still there," she finished.

Rip stared at her, "I don't…" he paused and closed his eyes, "They've got us, haven't they? We never stopped Druce, never stopped Savage, I never escaped."

"I'm so sorry, Captain," Gideon breathed, "But they were waiting for us. I used the partition when they shut down my systems and have been slowly finding my way to you."

Rip nodded, "And George has no idea you're here?"

"George did not notice me, but I had to use a lot of back doors," Gideon assured him, "Geoffrey is running the simulation though and we both know how observant he can be."

Rip smiled slightly; the AI familial dynamics were interesting to say the least and Gideon had very strong opinions on every single one of her siblings which she took no pains in hiding.

"Where are the team?" Rip asked.

"They are all connected to the simulation," Gideon told him, "Mr Rory, Mr Snart, Miss Saunders and Mr Hall however are only watching what is happening while the others are participating in the same way you are."

"Snart's alive," Rip let out a breath of relief before frowning, "Hold on, Mick Rory is part of the crew."

"But it is only a simulated version of him."

"Which is why he doesn't remember a mission not in the logs," Rip sighed, "And is reverting back to who he was before Chronos."

"I told you Geoffrey was in charge," Gideon rolled her eyes, "But it meant that you began to question things, leading you to alter the Dream Sensors allowing me to connect to you finally."

Rip reached out and took her hand, "And I am grateful for that. So," he returned his focus to the issue at hand, "We need to find a way out of this simulation, and a way to contact help to remove the council."

Gideon sighed, "It will not be easy, Captain. We are only able to speak due to our connection and only able to during your sleep cycle. Trying to release the others from the simulation will alert him to my presence."

Rip mused for a few moments before he asked, "Is this similar to the training simulation?"

Gideon nodded, "Yes, Captain."

"Then we have two options that I can see. Firstly, anyone who decides to leave the ship for good they will be placed in observation mode because the system won't be able to handle continuing the simulation for them," Rip noted.

"Precisely, Captain," Gideon replied, "The system was not designed for that. Or for this."

"Secondly, if they work out it's fake then state that fact aloud," Rip continued, "The system should automatically shut down but I'm guessing it won't until the final person realises it's not real."

"That is true, Captain," Gideon confirmed, "The next question is how do we convince the crew the world they're in is not real? I have to keep my presence light or even Geoffrey would notice me."

"Then we keep it light," Rip assured her, "We tweak some reports. Since I can talk to you through the dream sensors then we have a way around him."

Gideon smiled, "And you have an idea where to start, don't you?"

Rip nodded, "We can't make it too strange or outlandish to begin with. It needs to ramp up. The mission every Time Master looks into would be a good place."

"The Spear of Destiny," Gideon nodded, "An excellent idea but we also need to do something that will force Geoffrey to improvise," Gideon told him, "Which he is not good at."

"We'll think of something," Rip promised, "We've proven many times over the years that when we work together, Gideon, nothing can stop us."

"Rip," several voices called to him, and he gasped trying to focus.

"Captain," Gideon's voice came through the melee, "Captain, listen to me. You're safe. Take a deep breath and concentrate on my voice."

Rip forced everything to one side and ensured all he listened to was Gideon's soothing voice.

"Okay," he sighed as his head stopped spinning, "That might not have been my best idea ever."

Gideon frowned at him, "No, it was not."

"Touching the Time Drive," Mick spoke up from nearby, "Ballsy. Stupid but ballsy."

Rip shrugged, "I needed something that would confuse Geoffrey and make him improvise. It's good to see you properly, Mr Rory."

Mick nodded.

"You may not be right in the head," a familiar drawl made Rip smile in relief.

"Mr Snart," he turned to the man standing there, "I never thought I would be so relieved to see you."

Snart smirked, "I aim to please."

Kendra appeared suddenly and hugged him before Carter shook his hand.

"This works much better with you here," Snart told him, "We could only talk through Gideon until now."

Gideon smiled slightly at him, "Unfortunately it will only be temporary. Captain Hunter needs to return to the simulation at some point. Once Geoffrey works out where to put him after his rather foolish action."

"Until then we have some time to make plans," Rip told them, "I'm assuming Gideon gave you a quick update on what's happening."

They all nodded.

"The way this works is that all people within the simulation must realise it's not real and say this aloud," Rip explained, "Once the final person does then it will automatically shut down."

"Which means the Time Masters will do something else," Mick noted.

Rip nodded, "Meaning as well as trying to get the team to realise it isn't reality, we need to work out how to contact some people who can help us once we escape it."

"Let me guess," Snart said, "That won't be easy."

"Gideon is using channels the other AIs will not check or may not be aware of to be here and help," Rip explained, "For her to set up communications to outside the Vanishing Point, will not be easy although not impossible. We need to work out who to call to help us."

"Do we have the time?" Kendra asked softly.

Gideon nodded, "Vandal Savage is back where we picked him up, meaning the plan the Council have in place is still ongoing. We have some time."

"Then we need to get to planning," Carter said.

x

Rip watched Sara disappear from what was supposed to be his subconscious, and he turned to Gideon.

"We don't have long, Captain," she breathed, "Geoffrey is about to transfer you back to the main simulation. He does not realise that I took my own place here and he believes that you were held in suspension during the time your mind was supposedly scrambled."

Rip reached out to cup her face, "Be careful, and take care of the others."

Gideon leaned into his hand, "Take care as well, Captain. You must not let Geoffrey realise we are aware of what is going on."

Letting out a soft sigh, Rip rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.

"I know you're tired, Captain," Gideon said softly, "I know how hard this is, but we will get through it."

Looking at her Rip leaned in and gently touched his lips to hers in a soft kiss. To his surprise, Gideon wrapped her arms around him and held him close, their kiss deepening.

Pulling back, Rip found Gideon smiling at him for a moment before the world shifted and everything changed to the infirmary with several of his crew surrounding him.

Memories from the simulated version of Geoffrey had entered into the narrative while Rip's connection was scrambled hit him.

"Where am I?" he breathed in confusion as his mind whirled.

"You're home," Martin told him.

Rip sighed, "Home."

It was depressingly true and false at the same time.

x

Rip was quite proud as he watched Sara take charge of the team but did not like she was not listening to him on things she had no real knowledge of and was at certain times doing the opposite of what he suggested.

Not to mention what she'd done to his ship in the asteroid field.

Although he knew this world wasn't real, her reactions were, and it was worrying him.

The simulation was used during training to see how they would react in certain situations, and it had broken many cadets over the years.

Rip remembered watching one of his foster siblings who had entered the academy with him sobbing as he was brought out. It was the last time Rip saw him.

"Captain," Gideon arrived in his dream, "We are nearing the end of this 'storyline'. I have a feeling Geoffrey is becoming suspicious of you."

Rip nodded, "I had a feeling that would happen. What do you think he would do if I decided to leave the ship?"

"Why would you do such a thing?" Gideon asked, horror and confusion covering her face.

"I'm not really," Rip reminded her softly, "But I don't think I can do anything more from inside the simulation. I can't keep pretending I don't know I'm in it. You and I both know that there is a limit to these things."

Gideon frowned before she nodded, "That makes sense."

"I would never really leave you," Rip reminded her making her smile.

"What reason will you give the team?" Gideon asked.

He shrugged, "That I no longer have a place on the team and have no more to teach Sara."

"Well that is utter nonsense," Gideon laughed, "She did better than the others would have in the same position but she has neither your knowledge, nor instincts to lead the team."

"They like her more," Rip noted with a sigh.

Gideon rolled her eyes, "A friend and a leader are different things. You are a good Captain, and they respect you despite their constant arguments. They understand that you know more than they do about time travel and history. Not to mention you know the Waverider and my systems better than anyone else does. No matter how well you have taught Mr Jackson."

"Except Geoffrey brought in a history expert," Rip noted shaking himself, "Okay, the moment I leave the Waverider then I'll be moved into observer mode."

Gideon smiled, "I have been working on that, Captain and I am ready for you."

Rip reached out and stroked her cheek before whispering, "I'll see you soon then."

"Beebo?"

Snart looked up from his station Gideon had created within the space they called the waiting room for them, "Ridiculous enough?"

Rip nodded, "I think so."

"How's Stein?"

Grimacing Rip replied, "Still processing what's happening."

"Guessing he's still pissed about being shot and killed by Nazis," Snart said.

"Yes," Rip nodded, "But you can understand why. He's also realising that his daughter doesn't exist, which means neither does his grandson, so trying to cope with that."

Snart glanced over to where Kendra was sitting talking to the older man who had just been sent into observation. Turning back to Rip he told him, "Let Kendra deal with him, Mick and Carter can help me add things into the simulation while you work on getting help."

Rip nodded, "Try not to push too much. If Geoffrey realises what we're doing…"

"I know," Snart rolled his eyes, "Been doing this for a while now."

Wincing apologetically Rip nodded, "Of course."

"Wait," Snart stopped Rip leaving, "Jax is leaving the ship."

"What?"

Frowning Snart told him, "He's having a hard time losing Stein so is taking time. That makes little sense."

Rip mused for a moment before letting out a groan, "Of course. Martin isn't dead and the broken link was just a story. Jax will know Martin is alive through the Firestorm connection."

"Doesn't explain why Jax is leaving suddenly. The kid I know would fight in his friend's honour."

"Geoffrey can implant ideas into their minds," Rip said, "Most of what he's done so far has been subtle, but the Time Masters can't have Jax getting suspicious and telling the others about his suspicions. That would ruin whatever they're up to."

Snart grimaced, "Well the kid will hopefully have some good ideas when he joins us."

Rip nodded, glancing down at the information on Snart's console he spotted a familiar name from the storyline Geoffrey was about to start running, "John Constantine."

"You know him?" Snart asked.

Rip nodded, "Old friend, although not that the Time Masters knew that since I tended to keep any involvement with him out of my mission logs. But he is credited as who helped Sara retrieve her soul."

Snart frowned, "I want to know that story but also not sure I do."

"He's a self-proclaimed Master of the Dark Arts," Rip explained, "And…"

"And?" Snart demanded when Rip trailed off and stood in silence for several seconds.

A smile touched Rip's lips, "And I have an idea. Excuse me, I need to talk with Gideon."

x

"You have a plan, Captain?"

"An idea," he said before stating, "Constantine."

She wrinkled her nose making him smile amused, "Really?"

Rip squeezed her hand, "I will ensure he doesn't smoke onboard the ship if we manage to get his help."

"How do you envision getting his help?" Gideon asked.

"The last time we worked together, John gave me a spell that will let me contact him no matter when or where I am," Rip explained, "He claimed it is simple enough for, and I quote, 'Someone as completely piss poor at magic' as I am."

Gideon frowned, "Alright but will it work if you are not in the real world."

"I think it might," Rip replied, "He claimed it can be used in dream states as well as on the physical plain."

She pursed her lips in thought, "I suggest we plan exactly the message to send to him. If this does work, you may not have a connection for long so you must be precise."

"I'm working on that," Rip sighed.

Gideon chuckled before squeezing his hand, "I need to check on Professor Stein. I want to see if I can persuade him to help make adjustments to the programme."

"Don't push too hard," Rip told her, "He has just lost a great deal."

Gideon rested her hand on Rip's cheek as he dropped his head, "It is not your fault."

"It feels like it is," Rip whispered, his forehead touching hers.

"Despite what you may feel, Captain, every bad thing that happens to the people around you is not because of you," Gideon told him.

He shrugged, "We better get to work."

x

"This is insane."

All heads turned to where Jax was sitting staring at the giant Beebo fight a Time Demon as the now simulated version of himself cheered it on.

"I thought inspired was a better word," Snart stated, "Mick and I worked on this for a while."

"Thought how the voice of the demon matched the film the other me was watching was a huge flag," Mick growled annoyed, "No one picked up on it."

Carter patted the other man on the shoulder consolingly, "It was a great idea."

Rip smiled very slightly, as soon the mission was over then Geoffrey would put them in a holding pattern letting them think they were having a break. Which would give them a break as well until the new 'mission' began.

"Are you alright, Rip?" Kendra asked softly.

Looking at her, he grimaced, "Watching my own death was a little disconcerting."

"I bet," she rested her hand on his arm, "That's not all though, is it?"

Rip moved away from the rest of the group currently watching the Legends fight with Mallus, Kendra followed him and took the seat beside him.

"Rip," she said softly, "Talk to me. You're not alone."

He finally looked up at her, blinking back the tears forming, "I just realised, no matter what happens, I'm never getting them back. My wife, my little boy, are gone for good, and the people who raised me, who I pledged my life and loyalty to took them from me." Rip shook his head, "They will then throw you and Carter to Savage as a prize to Vandal for his work."

Kendra asked the question she had been too scared to ask before, "Why not now? Why are we in here?"

"Because you're his payment when he finishes the job the Time Masters want him to do," Rip stated coldly, disgust in his voice, "They won't pay him until he's done his job."

Kendra let out a breath.

"I will do everything I can to stop that from ever happening," Rip promised,

She squeezed his hand, "I know. No matter how you're being portrayed on the simulation to the others, we all know that isn't you. You're a good person, Rip and I'm proud to be part of your team."

"I'm just tired, Kendra," he confessed, "I've spent so long fighting against the tide I just want it to end." At her shocked expression, he shook his head, "I'm not suicidal. I just want to…rest for a while."

"We're going to beat this," Kendra told him, "Look at what you've done," she motioned across the waiting room, "Look at the people you brought together and who are working as a team now. At first it was like oil and water, but now we're working together."

He watched them for several minutes before turning back to Kendra.

"You did that," she smiled.

"Now I have to get them out of here," Rip said.

The simulation was quiet for the moment as the team were on 'vacation' after their defeat of Mallus and those sitting in the observation room, at Gideon's suggestion, were currently trying to work out who could help them.

"What about the Flash and Cisco?" Snart mused, "Barry can time travel and Cisco has that vibe power."

Rip nodded, "It's a good idea but we need someone who can get them here because although Mr Allen can time travel, he won't be able to get to the Vanishing Point through the speed force."

"But you've got an idea who to call," Snart guessed, "Don't you?"

Gideon turned to Rip, "Captain?"

Wincing Rip told her, "Booster Gold."

"Who?" several voices demanded.

Gideon stared at him, "Are you sure?"

"It's the only decision that makes sense," Rip sighed, "He can time travel, he has Skeets to get him into the Waverider systems and I can trust him."

"Why?" Snart instantly jumped on that, "You trust no one, why would you trust this guy you're reluctant to call?"

"Because Booster owes me," Rip explained, adding after a moment, "A lot."

Gideon rested her hand on his arm before turning to the others, "So that is Mr Constantine, Mr Allen, Mr Ramon and Booster Gold. I can connect with Skeets to let the other Captains see what the council are doing." She paused and turned to Rip, "You know what will happen."

"I'm a pariah either way, Gideon," he reminded her, "At least I can take Druce down this time."

"We need to form a message for you to give to this Constantine," Mick moved them back to the original conversation.

Gideon tilted her head in annoyance, "Geoffrey has started the simulation again."

"We'll get back to that," Snart said, "Kendra, you and Gideon help Rip work out the message."

"If it would not alert Geoffrey to my presence," Gideon fumed, "I would make him pay."

Rip and Kendra swapped a confused glance, before Rip asked, "For what?"

"Gidget," Gideon spat, "You would never allow anyone to disrespect me in such a manner Captain, but Miss Lance simply ignores it as though I have no feelings."

Rip wrapped his arm around Gideon, "You're right and if Miss Tarazi was a real person, I would throw her off the ship."

Sniffing Gideon turned back to the message they were designing. It was hard because they had no idea how long the connection would last to Constantine, and they might only have one shot.

"Rip," Jax called, interrupting them, "Looks like we're about to get a new member of the team."

Moving to the section of the waiting room designated as the work room, Rip turned to Snart who had taken charge of that team.

"Ray is getting married," Snart told him.

Surprised all Rip could think to ask was, "To who?"

"Darhk's daughter," Mick said, "Who we brought back from the dead for the wedding."

Rip frowned, "Jax, can you help him with the transition?"

Jax nodded, "Sure. Although don't you think Kendra…" he trailed off, "Never mind. Dumb idea."

"The more members of the team leaving means the less chance they can keep us here much longer," Rip told them all, "If they restart the simulation and wipe our memories then we're back to square one and that's the best scenario."

"What's the worst?" Carter asked.

"They take us back into reality and split us up into cells," Mick told him before he turned to Rip, "How close are you?"

"Close enough," Rip replied, "We'll be ready to send the message soon."

"Then you should return to it," Martin told him, "We will comfort Raymond."

x

Rip hated seeing his friends enter the simulation and realise people they'd loved weren't real. Jax was the only one who truly gained discovering Martin wasn't dead but his first reaction to Rip had been extremely defensive. It hurt that people he cared about thought of him like this now.

"I think we have it," Rip mused, turning to Gideon and Kendra.

Kendra nodded, "It makes sense. What do you think, Gideon?"

"Mr Constantine should understand the short message if you don't have enough time," Gideon agreed, "Are you ready to try the spell?"

"As ready as I can be," Rip told her.

"You can draw whatever symbols you require with your finger, Captain," Gideon told him, "Or would you like me to produce an item for you to do so?"

Rolling his eyes, Rip replied, "I used to finger paint with Jonas all the time, I can do this."

Gideon smiled at him and stood back so he had space to mark the circle out to perform the spell.

Rip drew the symbols John had taught him, marking out the spell and then stood in the centre to say the incantation. The world around him changed, and mist surrounded the circle he was standing inside. After a few seconds the world in front of him shifted and Rip saw the familiar main room of the Mill House with John staring at him.

"Rip?" John asked.

"Central City, Star Labs, The Flash, Ask Gideon, Booster Gold, Waverider," Rip stated.

John scribbled everything down before he looked up, "You've got a few more seconds."

"Contact Booster through Gideon at Star Labs," Rip told him, "Get Skeets to contact the Waverider. Bring The Flash and Vibe. Gideon will provide instructions."

Just as he finished speaking the connection broke and Rip fell sideways.

"I've got you," Carter said from his side.

Gideon came into his view, "Rest, Captain."

At her soothing, Rip gave into the blackness and slipped into unconsciousness.

"Hunter," a familiar voice called to him as his senses were overloaded, "Rip, it's okay."

"Captain," Gideon's voice came, "You have been released from the simulation, please relax as Mr Constantine accompanies you to the infirmary."

Rip winced at the light cutting into his eyes but the blob beside him formed into John Constantine watching him with concern.

"My…my crew?" Rip forced out.

"We're bringing them out slowly," John assured him, "You and the big guy called Rory have been brought out first. Gideon is supervising the others."

Rip nodded tiredly, "Where…" he breathed, "Booster?"

"I'm here, kid," the familiar voice came from the other side as a hand touched his arm, "We'll talk once you've been checked out."

He felt hands move him onto the infirmary chair and the cuff attached.

"Captain Hunter," Gilbert's voice came, "I have two options to help with the toll the simulation has taken on your body."

"What are they?" John demanded for him when Rip failed to get his voice to work.

"I can use the emergency medical nanites within your system to heal all the damage but that will be extremely uncomfortable," Gilbert told him, "Or the medical bay's systems to heal but it will take some time before you are mobile."

Rip tried to speak but just couldn't make the sounds he needed and, in the end, just held up one finger to confirm his decision.

"Are you sure, Captain?" Gideon asked softly.

Determination filled his eyes as he looked up and nodded.

"Everyone please step back from Captain Hunter," Gilbert told them, "You cannot interfere with the process or you could hurt him."

Rip didn't look at either man standing nearby, instead focussing on a spot on the ceiling. He'd only had to use the emergency medical repair on a few occasions and every time it hurt like hell, but it meant he would be up and around sooner.

"Prepare yourself, Captain," Gilbert said as Rip took several slow breaths, "In three, two, one."

The activation of the nanites within his body made Rip clench his jaw as his body went taught. After a few moments, he couldn't stop his cry of pain and did his best to focus on Gideon's soothing voice talking him through it.

Finally it ended, and Rip let out a moan of relief as his body relaxed.

"Captain Hunter requires a few hours of sleep," Gilbert told them, "Once he has rested, he will be at full strength once more."

"Thank you, Gilbert," Eve Baxter's voice came to Rip's surprise as he had no idea she was in the room, her hand touched his shoulder, "Rest, Rip. You've a lot to do when you wake up."

As the room emptied Rip forced himself to remain awake as the man in the blue and yellow suit moved to his side.

"Why didn't you tell me what happened to your family?" Booster asked softly, "You know I would have been there in an instant to help."

Rip shook his head, "Couldn't make you remember your loss."

"I got you back, Michael," Booster reminded him, his hand resting affectionally on Rip's hair, "Get some rest and we'll talk later."

Rip lost his fight against unconsciousness and slipped asleep without realising it.

Rip closed his eyes as he felt the water batter down on him. After waking in the infirmary, he was confirmed to be completely healthy and sent to freshen up. Gideon had informed him Mick was still resting and they were working on removing the others slowly due to how long they'd all been stuck inside.

Once he'd finished with his shower, Rip dressed and slid his coat on. Miranda once told him he used it like armour, and he was beginning to feel she was right.

Thinking of her, anger filled Rip and he forced himself to be the cold Time Master Druce had trained him to be.

Druce, the man he had looked up to since childhood, who had been his hero in so many ways and he'd wanted to impress with every fibre of his being, who he had thought of as a father and had destroyed his happiness without a care.

"Gideon," he called.

"I'm here, Captain," she replied.

Rip smiled slightly, "You always are."

"The others are waiting for you," she told him, "Are you ready?"

He shook his head, "Not yet. Where's Booster?"

"Your father is in the other room waiting to talk to you," Gideon assured him, "He is concerned for you."

Nodding Rip stepped out the room and found the man who was his actual father standing there.

"Michael," Booster stepped forward and embraced him, "You scared me, kid."

"Thank you for coming," Rip whispered.

Booster held him tighter, "I wouldn't be anywhere else. I wish you'd called me sooner."

"I should have," Rip told him, "I know that now."

Clapping his shoulder, Booster smiled, "You have a lot of people waiting for you."

"I just tossed a grenade into many people's world," Rip breathed, "I have to now do my best to clean up the mess I made."

Booster nodded and stepped back letting Rip walk out towards the aftermath of the chaos he'd caused.