Author's Note: Procrastinating writing something else so I ended up picking this up once more.

Another chapter will hopefully appear at some point.


The building sitting at the edge of the city loomed above them as they walked towards it from the parking lot.

Everyone had heard of TM Consultancy these days. It was a think tank which had a reputation for creative brilliant solutions to problems most people would dismiss as unsolvable. They had appeared from nowhere about two years ago and quickly built their reputation.

Sara Lance looked at the three people standing with her at the entrance, Ray Palmer, Nate Heywood and Zari Tomaz, three people who didn't normally work together. She knew them through some mutual friends and the bar she hung out at some weekends.

"What do a scientist, a historian, a hacker and a martial arts instructor have in common?" Sara asked thoughtfully.

Ray grinned at her, "I think we're about to find out."

Sara watched the main doors open before them. Swapping confused glances, they walked in and looked around the spacious comfortable almost empty reception area.

"Good morning," the woman who stood waiting for them said as they moved closer, she had long chestnut brown hair with storm-grey eyes. Her face had a pleasant but neutral expression while she held a tablet in her hand, "Miss Lance, Dr Palmer, Mr Heywood and Miss Tomaz, it is a pleasure to meet you. Dr Hunter is waiting for you. Please follow me."

They stared when she turned and walked through the wall behind her. Looking at one another again, they shrugged and followed the woman. All cried out in surprise and pain when they walked into a solid barrier.

"Gideon," a man's annoyed voice came making them turn to see Rip Hunter, owner of TM Consultancy standing inside an elevator. He was tall, with sandy hair, neatly trimmed beard, intense green eyes and was dressed head to toe in black, the only part of his body uncovered was his face despite the fact it was the middle of summer but the thing that especially caught Sara's attention were the leather gloves he wore.

The woman reappeared asking innocently, "Yes?"

"Stop it," he stated before turning to them, "My apologies, she has currently developed a rather childish sense of humour since her recent upgrade."

Sara could see the others as bemused as she was, "What?"

"Gideon is the AI who runs the building," Hunter explained, obviously trying not to laugh as Gideon crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him before disappearing back through the wall once more, "Follow me and we can discuss why I've asked you here."

x

"Thank you for coming," Hunter said as they filed into an office decorated in neutral colours with a long dark wooden desk in the middle and the sun shining through the wall of windows, "I'm sure you're all busy so I'm not going to waste too much of your time. The reason I asked you here is to offer you a job."

"What?" Sara spoke up.

He gave a slight smile, "All four of you have very specific skills which would be useful in order for us to expand our business."

"What work exactly?" Ray asked thoughtfully.

"We find solutions for problems that others can't," Hunter replied, "Each of you have the skills I am looking for to expand the team."

Sara frowned before challenging, "Considering my skills, what job do you expect me to do?"

"You're a leader, Miss Lance," he said, "I want you to manage this team."

"What wages and perks are you offering?" Zari asked, "Because we all currently have pretty good jobs."

Hunter smiled slightly again, Sara wondered if he knew how to smile properly, before he told them, "Gideon has emailed you a copy of your contract as well as details of all monetary compensation."

"And you can't give us any specific details of what we'll actually be doing?" Nate demanded.

Hunter mused for a moment before nodding, "I'll send you some write-ups of our previous cases, but there is information that you will not be privy to unless you are working for us. I will say that your days won't ever be able to be called boring."

With that the meeting was over.

x

Rip stood in his office watching from the window the people, he had hopefully just hired, leave the property to consider his offer, stunned that he'd made it to this stage. 'Time' had confirmed that all those that were needed would be in the right place when required and Rip had been concerned that he something would go wrong. It had been a long five years, three of which he'd spent alone and two more building up a business so that he had a way to bring the team together.

"I still do not believe that hiring them is a good idea," Gideon's voice made him turn to find her standing at his side.

"We need Sara to recant her wish now John and Mick have managed to capture the Djinn," Rip reminded her, "But in order for her to do that then she must know about the fact she made it. If she's working here, then we can ease her into the information. The other three will help with finding the information to convince her it's real and some kind of joke."

Gideon rested her hand on his shoulder, the sensors in his clothes letting him feel her touch, "Then we need to get back to work."

"Yes, we do."

"Although," Gideon noted, "You have not yet eaten this morning."

Rip rolled his eyes, "I will get something just now."

Gideon nodded, "Excellent. I will have something waiting for you in the dining room. I'll meet you there."

With that she disappeared, and Rip looked out the window once more at the four people walking away.

Part of him hoped this worked but he also knew if it did, then he would leave Gideon again.

And he hated that thought.


Gideon had been watching her Captain carefully over the past few weeks since he'd made the decision to contact the Legends in this version of the world. John had managed to track down the Djinn who had tricked Sara into making the wish that created this reality, trap it and it was currently being stored in the Waverider under several layers of security both technological and magical.

Although she knew that this was what Rip had been working towards for many years, she feared him succeeding because Gideon would lose him once more.

She never used her hologram and turned her cameras off whenever he was in the shower or changing because Gideon knew Rip hated anyone, even her, seeing the scars that covered every part of his body.

The reminder that to give the Legends time to defeat Mallus after they had blundered in without a proper plan, he had been ripped apart by the energy from the time core.

"Gideon," he called, letting her know he was dressed.

Turning her camera and hologram back on, Gideon smiled to find him dressed and heading out the room.

"Yes?" she asked as she followed him to the elevator.

"Have we received a reply from anyone yet?" he waited as Gideon sent the elevator down to the sixth floor so he could have breakfast.

Gideon shook her head, "I'm afraid not, Rip. However, it has only been a few days and the remuneration package you are providing may be giving them pause."

"Should I have offered more?" Rip frowned concerned.

"From what Mr Constantine has said," Gideon noted as they walked the corridor to the dining room, "You may have offered them too much."

Rip rolled his eyes, "Money has never been something that has meant much to me, not since I was a child, and I stole whatever I could get my hands on. The Waverider always provided what I required. I probably should have had Mr Rory work out those details."

"His economic knowledge is quite surprising," Gideon noted.

Gideon gently touched his hand and Rip took a hold of it. She was relieved he had agreed to let her put the sensors in his clothing, Rip needed physical contact of some kind and would never accept it from Mr Constantine or Mr Rory.

Gideon knew from when Rip and Miranda had been together how much just a simple touch of his hand or kiss on his cheek from his wife, comforted and made him smile.

Rip turned to her and rested his other hand on her cheek, "I'm fine, Gideon."

"I'm not," she whispered, leaning into his touch, "Because the closer we get to fixing the mess Miss Lance made with her wish, the day I lose you again draws ever nearer."

Sighing, Rip shook his head, "I've been dead a long time, Gideon. It's just going to take this time."

"Captain…"

"I'm at peace with my decision," Rip told her, "I only wish it didn't mean leaving you once more."

Gideon closed her eyes and turned her face to press a soft kiss to his palm, "We have time before that moment comes, Rip and I will treasure each moment."

x

"Have you found anything, Mr Constantine?"

Swearing John jumped, "Make a noise, Gideon before you appear."

"I am constantly monitoring all parts of this facility," Gideon noted with a roll of her eyes, "I am always here."

Shaking his head and muttering under his breath, John pulled over the book so she could see it properly.

"I think I can summon the corporeal version of 'Time'," John told her, "But what do we do then? We can't threaten him to keep Rip alive after we've fixed things."

"I am aware of this, Mr Constantine," Gideon replied sharply, "However, I will not allow Rip to die again without trying something to save him. This way we have a chance to find out what we can do."

John shook his head, "I know, Gideon. Look," he closed the book, "I need to collect some stuff to do the summoning so I will start gathering them up. And we can work on what we offer."

She nodded, "Thank you."

"He's my friend too," John reminded her, "And I won't let him go without a fight."

Gideon gave him a soft smile before she tilted her head, "The Legends have replied to the job offers. I will leave you to work while I report this to Captain Hunter."

As Gideon disappeared again, John mused over everything. It was only a few hours after he'd been resuscitated into this world that Gideon asked him to find a way to help her save Rip after he saved the world.

He knew Rip and Gideon were close, but the past few years a lot of the time John could see how close they truly were. Gideon had implanted every piece of clothing Rip wore with sensors allowing her to physically interact with him. John had been a bit weirded out by it at first but realised after a while that it was good for Rip.

John smiled slightly, thinking back to anytime he saw Rip and Miranda together. How she would always place a hand on his arm, or lean into him to look at something, she'd brush a kiss to his cheek whenever she left the room or would simply sit on Rip's lap without even acknowledging him.

It always made Rip smile and relax, Gideon knew this too so, as always, was looking out for her Captain.


Sara stood with her arms folded as she stood just outside the TM Consultancy building.

"You know," Zari said as she walked up to Sara's side, "We only get paid if we go inside and work."

Shrugging Sara asked, "Don't you think this is a little odd?"

"A little," Zari agreed, "I nearly passed out when I saw the salary we were being offered. Not to mention the bonuses for completed jobs."

Sara nodded, "I know what you mean. It…" she hesitated, trying to find the words, "The job is amazing and so much better than the one I was doing but there is just something odd about it and Hunter."

"His dress sense screams that," Zari laughed, "Do you think he knows the all black outfit makes him look like a stick-insect?"

Sara chuckled, "It's the fact every part of him was covered other than his face I found odd."

Zari shrugged, "Maybe he just doesn't like the cold."

"We're in the middle of summer," Sara sighed, "Never mind. We're due in ten minutes and I don't want to be late on my first day."

They started towards the gates and Sara mused over everything. There was something strange about this entire thing and she intended to find out what reason this guy had for hiring them. The money he offered them all was incredible, far more than she expected ever to earn with her qualifications.

Reaching the reception, they found Ray and Nate were already there, sitting on the plush couch just to one side of the desk.

"We were told to wait," Nate told her, "I don't think the computer likes us much."

Sara and Zari took a seat as Zari asked, "Why?"

"Just the look she gave me," Nate replied.

Ray shook his head, "You're imagining things. She was very pleasant, and this time didn't make us run into a wall."

Zari chuckled, "Come on, that was a little funny. And the fact she's an AI with a sense of humour, this job won't be boring."

"Boring is something I'm not expecting," Sara mused.

x

"Are you ready for this, Captain?" Gideon asked softly as he stood in his office watching the video screen showing the four people waiting in reception.

Rip shook his head, "Honestly, no."

Placing her hand on his back, Gideon whispered, "You don't have to do this."

Turning Rip took her hand, "I do. This world isn't real. It is missing those who will step in and save it from dangers that normal people cannot."

"Why is there no other way?" Gideon asked.

Sliding his arms around her, Rip drew her in for a hug, "Because there isn't. Sara recants her wish, the world goes back to how it was…"

"And I lose you again," Gideon sighed, her head resting against his shoulder, "Only this time it will be forever."

Rip closed his eyes before he reminded her, "I made my choice, Gideon. I never wanted to leave you and I don't but…"

"But?" she pulled back and looked at him with large eyes.

He let out a slow breath, "I can't be selfish, Gideon as much as I want to. The world is wrong, and I made a deal to fix it. I made a promise."

"You are far too honourable sometimes, Captain."

Rip sighed, "You are probably the only one who has ever thought that." He gave her a smile and rested his hand on her shoulder, "Let's go meet our new employees."

"I hope you ensure to remind them that I don't take orders from them," Gideon told him, turning on her heel towards the elevator.

Rip smiled and followed her.

x

The ding of the elevator made Sara jump to her feet along with the other three.

"Good morning," Hunter greeted them, wearing basically the same outfit as he had been on the day he'd 'interviewed' them, except his polo neck was blue not black, "I'm glad you all decided to take up my offer."

"Well," Sara spoke for the group, "It was a hard offer to say no to."

He gave a slight smile and handed Gideon who was waiting at his side the tablet he had been holding. Sara stared, feeling the others stunned looks as well, when the AI took it.

"How did you do that?" Ray demanded.

Hunter glanced at Gideon before replying, "Executive level clearance." He turned and headed to the elevator frowning as he turned back to find them staring at him, "Please join me and we can start the tour."

Sara took the lead and walked into the elevator with the other three joining after a moment.

"Before I show you your offices," Hunter said as the doors closed, "I want to confirm to you the areas that are off-limits no matter what. These are the top two floors which house the apartments used by myself, Mr Rory and Mr Constantine. None of us will be happy if you wander into our private rooms. Secondly is the basement."

"Keeping the bodies down there?" Zari asked with a chuckle.

Hunter gave her one of his slight smiles before replying, "Just filled with so much junk it's dangerous and I don't want any of you to get lost down there, it could take days to find you."


John went through his checklist for the summoning spell. It had taken him a month to get everything together with Gideon constantly checking on him.

He had avoided the Legends since Rip had brought them in, it was just weird that they didn't know him, and he knew Mick was also avoiding being around them. The former thief and Bounty Hunter had taken to working in a Think Tank, amazingly becoming their security expert with enthusiasm. When they'd joined Rip and started creating the business, Gideon had gone about reorganising the building so that it worked both for their business but also for a place for the three of them to live.

"Please tell me you're ready, Mr Constantine," Gideon's exasperated voice preceded her hologram appearing.

John smiled to himself at her irritation, "I take it one of our new recruits has annoyed you."

"Mr Heywood insists on calling me 'computer'," she snapped, "Honestly it is only due my promise to Captain Hunter that I have not retaliated."

"Sorry, Gideon," he sighed, "I'll talk to him. Because the last thing we need is Rip to deck him for disrespecting you."

A sweet smile touched her lips and John, not for the first time since he'd been woken in this new world, realised how little he'd understood just how self-aware and 'human' Gideon was.

"Before that though," John pulled out the spell book, "Lock the door and we can try the spell."

Gideon nodded and John heard the click of the lock as he pulled out everything he required for the summoning.

"Okay," he took a breath, "Are we ready?"

"Whenever you are."

John started the summoning spell, feeling the enormous power he was bringing into the room but it wasn't the first time he'd interacted with something powerful and held his nerve.

Finally a man stood in front of him, or it looked like the shape of a man but John couldn't quite see the features or anything other than a slightly grey shape.

"Not many people are brave, or powerful enough, to summon me," the voice echoed off every corner of the room meaning John was in no doubt this was 'Time', "Why had you done this?"

"Rip Hunter," John said, "I want to know what is needed so that he will survive once he gets the wish recanted."

'Time' tilted it's head, "Rip Hunter is dead. I was only able to return him to life because of the wish. He knows this."

"He does," John replied, "But he deserves something more than to die again once he fixes things for you."

"He does," 'Time' agreed, "But I could only give him life in exchange for another."

"Then take mine," Gideon spoke suddenly.

John spun to her, "What? No?"

"You are an AI," 'Time' mused, "Offering your basic immortal life for a human?"

"For him," Gideon replied, "Yes."

'Time' moved to her, "Do you understand what you are offering?"

"I do," Gideon nodded, "And I want to ensure if I do this then he is completely whole once more."

"Gideon," John snapped, "Rip would never agree…"

"Your offer is accepted," 'Time' interrupted John.

John frowned, "No, wait."

"The offer was made without guile," 'Time' told him, "Without deceit. It was given freely and has been accepted."

With that said 'Time' disappeared.

John spun to Gideon, "Rip will never agree to this."

"He does not need to know until after Miss Lance has recanted her wish," Gideon told him.

"And you think I'm not going to tell him?"

Gideon nodded, "I know you will not."

Bright light filled the room and John blinked.

Looking around he frowned, before checking the book, "It didn't work, did it?"

"No, Mr Constantine," Gideon replied, "What you intended did not happen."

Sighing John said, "I'm sorry, Gideon. I know how disappointed you must be. I can try again."

Gideon gave him a sad smile, "It took you almost two years to track down that spell. It is doubtful you will be able to find another in time."

John sighed as Gideon disappeared and he began to tidy up, disappointed that he'd failed.