Nate and Zari stood together in the middle of the Globe, facing Mona and Shakespeare. "So," Nate said, barely holding back his excitement, "you're William Shakespeare? The William Shakespeare?"

The playwright nodded. "The only one of whom I know."

"Dude," Nate gushed, "that is so sick." He noted Shakespeare's confused expression and added, "We…uh…talk differently where we're from. Don't worry about it." He turned to Mona. "Sorry you had to miss out on the action, Mona."

"Actually," she replied with a smile, "Shakespeare and I bonded a lot."

Zari raised an eyebrow. "Bonded?"

"About stories," Mona explained. "Especially love stories. We basically brainstormed romantic plotlines the whole time. I've got a million ideas for Mick now."

"Oh," Zari said with a shrug. "Well, I don't know what else I expected."

Nora and Charlie entered the room. Charlie held a small jar in her hands. She walked over to Mona and handed it to her. "Got you a new mate."

Mona held up the jar and peered into it. Inside sat a tiny bear who seemed just as confused as Shakespeare. "Hey, little guy," Mona said to the creature before looking back at Nora and Charlie. "Why do you have a shrunken down bear?"

"Mick and I freed him earlier," Charlie explained. "Soon as that witch was taken care of, I had Nora borrow her boyfriend's shrink ray and help me track him down."

"I'm sure Gideon can find somewhere safe for him," Nora said. "And safer for everyone else too. A wild bear roaming the streets could get someone hurt."

"I say," Shakespeare said, staring uneasily at the bear in the jar, "you people are indeed the strangest I have ever met."

"Yup," Nate agreed. "Too bad you won't remember us."

Shakespeare blinked. "What?"

Rather than explain, Nate pulled out his flasher and wiped the playwright's memory. He turned to his teammates and said, "Constantine finished sweeping the place for signs of Tabitha and Sara's on her way back to the ship now. Let's head out before this guy comes to his senses." The Legends exited the theater just as Shakespeare was beginning to wonder why he was standing there alone.


Leonard sat up on a chair in the Waverider med bay. Ray had used some of Gideon's futuristic medical tech to help him feel normal again. He had also run a few tests, which he was now analyzing in the lab. Mick had stuck around for a while, but he had eventually wandered off to ask Gideon to fabricate a beer. Now alone, Leonard had considered simply leaving, but the effects of the attack hadn't completely worn off yet, so he was willing to sit still just a moment longer to recover.

He heard someone knock on the edge of the doorway and looked in the direction of the sound. Sara poked her head in. "Mind if I come in?"

Leonard's mouth curved up into a small smile. "Please do."

Sara walked toward him, stopping once she was close to him. She sat down on a stool beside him, which placed her eye level at about the same height at his. "Hey," she said. "You okay?"

"Better now."

She looked him over slowly, studying him for any signs of injury. "Are you sure you're not hurt?"

He smirked. "If I knew I'd get this much attention, I'd get myself knocked out more often."

Sara rolled her eyes. "Stop. Just…stop."

"Okay, okay," he surrendered. He turned his face to look directly at her. "I'm fine, Sara. Really."

She relaxed a little. "Good." She leaned in a little bit closer to him. "For a minute there, I thought I'd lost you. Again."

"Can't get rid of me that easily, Canary. You know that." He leaned back in the chair so that he was looking up at her face. "I didn't survive the Oculus just to get taken out by some crazy lady with a…ow," he groaned as his back fell all the way back into the chair.

A worried look flashed across Sara's face. She reached out her hand and grabbed his shoulder. "Leonard?"

He took a deep breath before responding. "Like I said, I'm fine. I just…I need a few more minutes."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

Sara relaxed her grip but kept her hand resting on his shoulder. "I didn't mean to freak out. It's just…you literally just came back. I'm not ready to lose you twice."

Leonard glanced sideways at her hand, then let his gaze return to her eyes. I'm not ready to lose you twice either, he thought. "You won't, Sara. I'm sticking around. Trust me."

She smiled fondly at him. "You'd better be." She looked away, thought for a moment, then looked back at him again. "Did you figure out what she did to you?"

"Nope." He closed his eyes, remembering what had happened. "I don't know what it was. I just know it wasn't fun, and if it'd lasted any longer, it might've ended worse." He opened his eyes and looked up at her again. "You know, I've been through some weird crap in Central City, but this magic stuff might be some of the weirdest crap I've ever seen."

"Eh," she said nonchalantly, "you'll get used to it."

The two of them sat in silence for a moment until Leonard asked, "So…what about you?"

She raised an eyebrow and looked at him quizzically. "Me?"

"I'm not the only one Tabitha went after."

"Leonard," she reminded him, "I thought I told you not to worry about me."

"Oh, come on, Sara," he drawled. "Do you really expect me to do as I'm told? Me of all people?"

"I thought you said you respected me as your captain," she reminded him.

"I do. And I don't like it when people I respect get their heads screwed with by some magical, revenge-bent nutcase."

"Fair enough." She paused before answering his initial question, "I'm okay. The visions are gone. John even gave me a potion to get any traces of her magic out of my system, just in case."

"Good. That's…that's good." He shifted in the chair until he could sit up just a little bit straighter and look her in the eyes. "She shouldn't have done that to you. And she shouldn't have gotten away with it."

Sara's face grew serious as she understood. "Is that why you ran off and tried to fight her alone?"

Leonard glanced down, away from her gaze. "Well, I wouldn't say it was the only reason."

"Hey," Sara said firmly, commanding his attention again. "Leonard, look at me." He obeyed. "That was a risky move, okay? You didn't know what Tabitha was capable of. You didn't know if we were going to back you up in time. Do not take that kind of risk for me. Got it?"

He stared directly into her eyes, completely calm and not even slightly backing down. "Only seemed fair," he drawled. "Just returning a favor."

"What do you mean?"

"You knew saving me could get you in trouble," he explained, not breaking eye contact. "You knew the timeline could be endangered. You made the call to do it anyway. Mona told me everything."

Sara was surprised that he knew this, but she didn't react beyond a brief hesitation. "I don't leave people behind, Leonard. There was no other call to make."

"Sure there wasn't," Leonard said. His voice and expression softened a little as he continued, "And if you hadn't taken that risk, Tabitha wouldn't have been there to hurt you, to tell you those…lies…about yourself, to make you say them…I couldn't let her get away with that. Not when she was only there because of what you did for me."

Sara's heart melted as she listened to him. This was the Leonard Snart she'd missed so much. The man who had never seen her as a killer or a monster, to the point that it was of the utmost importance to him that she didn't believe such things about herself either. She scooted her stool toward his side and moved her arm to his other shoulder, then leaned in to embrace him in a comforting side hug. It was the simplest, most innocent gesture of affection in the world, but to Leonard, it was everything. Sara turned her face to look up at him and smiled sweetly. "You don't need to do anything for me," she told him. "You don't have to make it up to me or pay me back. You were dead. Now you're alive. That's enough."

"Yeah?" he said quietly, his voice wavering with a hint of uncertainty.

"Yeah," she assured him, leaning in even closer against his side. She felt a small temptation – though it grew stronger by the second – to rest her head on his shoulder. Or let her free hand hold his, or maybe even pull herself around so she could hold him properly. As her mind drifted, she couldn't help thinking about how nice that would feel…how nice it had felt when they'd held each other close in this very room after pulling him out of the timeline, filled with the thrill of battle and reunion…how safe she'd felt in his arms while recovering from Tabitha's attack…how beautiful his voice had sounded as he whispered kind, reassuring words into her ear…how handsome he'd looked earlier in that black cloak, like something out of one of those swashbuckling hero movies her father used to watch…

Ava. The thought burst through her mind suddenly, shaking her out of her trance. What about Ava? You're not ready to think like that yet. It's too soon. How can you really be over someone you were so serious about this quickly? It's impossible. You're not ready. You can't be ready. She began to feel a strange feeling of guilt and quickly let go of Leonard, then stood up and walked a couple of steps away, just out of arms' reach.

He looked at her curiously, not expecting the sudden change. "What? Something wrong?"

"No! I mean, no," she said, trying not to sound too emotional. "I just…I was thinking about…Ava." She straightened her posture and stated matter-of-factly, "I mean, I decided what I'm going to do about Ava chasing us down."

He leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "And that is…?"

She took a breath, then answered, "First thing tomorrow morning, I'm going to go to the Time Bureau…and I'm going to tell her exactly what happened." She paused to give him a chance to argue, but no argument came. "It's what's best for everyone," she continued. "I'm going to tell the whole story of how we saved you. She might let it go once she knows, but if she still plans on there being consequences, I'll take full responsibility. Since we have the closest relationship, as messy as that relationship may be, I'm the one she's most likely to listen to and, hopefully, let off the hook. And, if she doesn't, then I'd rather her punish me than make things harder for you or the rest of the crew."

Leonard nodded thoughtfully. "Uh-huh. And if she's angry? Or thinks you're a criminal?"

Sara crossed her arms and grinned. "Who cares?"

Leonard smirked proudly. "There she is. Sara Lance the Fearless."

She turned her head away and laughed. "Yeah, she was never far away." She turned to leave.

"Sara?"

She stopped and turned her head back to look at Leonard. "What?"

"If she throws you in time jail, I'll break you out."

Sara laughed and turned around again. "Thanks," she said as she walked away. "Now get some rest. Captain's orders." Before he had a chance to reply, she left the room.


Charlie bounded into the kitchen, followed closely by Mona. Mick sat at the table drinking a beer. "Hey, mate," Charlie addressed him, catching his attention. "We just sent that bear off on his way. He's got a long, uncaged life ahead of him now."

Mick set down his beer bottle. "Cool," he grunted.

"You know what's even cooler?" Mona asked, grinning. "Shakespeare and I brainstormed a bunch of story ideas you can use in your next books."

Mick frowned. "I write my own stories."

"Come on, Mick," Charlie said, sliding into the chair next to him. "Even the best need inspiration sometimes."

"What do you know about writing?" he asked. "You're a…" He thought for a moment as he pieced the words together, "…a spleeny, full-gorged carrion!"

Mona raised her eyebrows. "What?"

Charlie burst into laughter. "That's a brilliant one, mate!" she exclaimed, punching him in the arm. "I told you Shakespearean insults were fun."

He smiled. "They're not bad…you dankish, folly-fallen strumpet."

"Not at all, you rascally, beef-witted pumpion," Charlie retorted with a mischievous grin.

"Poisonous, muddy-mottled slug."

"Impertinent, hedge-born haggard."

Mona interrupted their game, "Okay, guys, I think we've had enough insulting each other for one day."

Charlie rolled her eyes. "Just having a bit of fun, Mona." She got up from her seat. "Whatever. I've got to go bother Zari anyway. See you around, you loathed, rough-hewn shrimp!" She disappeared into the corridor with a cackle.

Mona took over Charlie's former seat beside Mick. "So," she said, "Mick, I had a question for you."

"If it's about the Shakespeare stories," he said, "I don't need some guy who died in 1616 to write my books for me." He took a swig of his beer.

"Well," Mona replied slowly, "first of all, he's one of the most famous writers of all time. Second, I'm kind of impressed you know what year he died. But actually, I had a question about something else. Something a little more…personal."

Mick nearly choked on his beer. He set the bottle down. "I don't do personal, kid."

She narrowed her eyes skeptically. "Never?"

He muttered something inaudible under his breath. When he realized her eyes were still on him, he grumpily said, "Fine. What's the question? But if I don't like it, I won't answer."

"Fair enough." She lowered her voice slightly, then asked, "You've known Snart pretty much forever, right?"

Mick shrugged. "Sure. Since we were kids."

"So, would you say you know him super well?"

"Of course I do. He's my partner."

"And you were there on his first mission with the Legends, right?"

"Yeah. So what?"

Mona leaned in a little closer to Mick, trying to hold back her growing excitement. "I was just wondering…is there something going on between Snart and Captain Lance? Maybe something…romantic?"

Mick stared straight at her for several silent seconds. Gradually, his blank face broke into a smirk. "Finally!" he bellowed. "I was getting sick of being the only one who noticed."

"Yes!" Mona squealed gleefully. "I knew it! They were totally flirting with each other all day. Snart said they weren't, but I knew I wasn't imagining it!"

"Ha!" Mick laughed. "You're telling me he really said that?"

"Yeah."

He slammed his fist on the table, almost knocking over his beer. "That lying idiot's been into Sara from day one. Can't believe he's still denying it. Stupid, that's what he is."

"This is great!" Mona said, her mind racing. "We should help them get together! It's just what Captain Lance needs right now, and it would be so fun! And adorable! And…"

Mick held up his hand, signaling her to stop. "Whoa, whoa, whoa…hang on, kid. That's not how this goes."

Mona's shoulders slumped. "But…but Mick, what about the romance? It's just like in one of your books."

"No," Mick argued. "It's nothing like my books. It's real people."

"You didn't mind getting involved with Zari and Nate."

"Yeah but this isn't them. It's my partner and my captain. Big difference. Snart and I, we don't…get involved like that."

Mona crossed her arms. "You sure?"

Mick shook his head. "No touchy-feely. Not with us. Besides, I already tried to talk to him about it and he didn't want to. You can't force Snart to open up. If you try and he doesn't want to, he shuts you out. Understand?"

"I guess."

"Good." He reached for his bottle again.

"I also think you're scared of messing up your friendship with Snart because he's only been here for a short time and you haven't really gotten to enjoy having your best friend back in your life yet, which makes you worried that you're going to jeopardize your relationship with him if you create any unnecessary drama that causes him to pull away."

Mick froze, the beer bottle halfway to his lips. "What are you, a shrink?"

"Nope. Just an observer."

"Right." He rotated in his seat so that his whole body was facing Mona, then looked her straight in the eyes. "Listen, kid. Until Snart asks either of us to set him up with Sara, we're not going to. Got that?"

Mona smiled. "Are you saying you think he will ask us?"

"I don't know. Just don't mess with him right now, okay? The guy's been dead for three years. Go easy on him."

Mona sighed and gave in. "Okay, Mick. I won't push it." Her eyes lit up suddenly. "But that doesn't mean we can't talk about them, right?" she asked, gesturing between herself and Mick. "I mean, you did just say you were sick of being the only one."

Mick's perpetual scowl softened. "Are you kidding? He's my partner. I want to know everything that comes out of his stupid mouth. Starting with today." He sat back in his chair and propped his feet up on the table. "Tell me everything. Especially if it would be embarrassing to Snart. Those are the best parts." Mona giggled and began telling him everything she'd noticed that day.


Sara made her way to the lab and found Ray sitting in front of one of many computer screens. "What's up, doc?" she greeted him as she strolled in.

He spun around in his chair to face her. "Oh, you know, just running those tests for Snart."

Sara leaned back against his desk and looked at the multiple papers, notebooks, and chemical model sketches covering it. "That's a lot of tests," she observed. "Is he going to be okay?"

"Snart's fine," Ray replied. "He needs to rest, but Gideon will have him back to normal in no time." He stood up from his chair and walked to another computer screen a few feet away, then pressed a few buttons and stood back, waiting patiently.

Sara folded her arms. "If he's fine, why so many tests?"

Ray hesitated to answer, but one serious look from his captain was enough to make him talk. "Well, you see," he began, "while I was analyzing Snart's cells for damage from Tabitha's magic, I came across some unexpected findings that I'm trying to make sense of. It could be nothing, of course. He's been through a lot between going from reality to the timeline and back. It's probably just a side effect. Nothing to worry about. Probably."

Sara arched an eyebrow. "Probably?" She walked toward him and stood at his side, joining him in staring up at the screen. She was no scientist, but the figures she saw seemed incredibly complex, even for what she was used to seeing in Ray's calculations. "Ray," she said, turning to face him, "tell me what's going on."

"Uh…well…I don't know," he admitted. He hit another button and the screen froze. He pointed up at the charts and numbers it exhibited. "These are Snart's vitals as of today. They're all within the normal range. But…Gideon?" The screen transitioned to another set of charts and numbers. "But this is what I found in his cells when I tested him for traces of Tabitha's magic. You see those particle levels?" Sara nodded. "That would only be caused by a massive amount of temporal energy. I assumed he'd absorbed some from the timeline when we pulled him out, but not nearly this much. Not to be overly dramatic, but with levels like these, Snart should not have survived being pulled out of the timeline."

Sara looked sharply at Ray. "But he did survive," she said bluntly. "He made it out and he's still very alive."

"I know. That's the weird part. This energy hasn't changed any of his vital stats, cellular functions, or ability to perform physical tasks. At least, as far as I can tell right now." He scratched his head. "It's a real mystery, Captain. I'm going to have to run more tests and get to the bottom of it."

"Good luck," Sara said. "You'll need it if you expect him to let you study him and poke him around."

Ray nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, I'll definitely need it. I was honestly surprised he let me run these tests, and they were pretty noninvasive."

Sara took a step closer to the screen, trying to make sense of the figures in front of her. "Do you think this might explain what happened today with Tabitha? She attacked us with temporal energy from the rift. Maybe the energy in his body was reacting to that."

He shrugged. "Maybe. It's too early to tell."

She spun around, facing Ray again. "Try to find out. If we know what happened, we can stop her from hurting him like that again." And I won't almost lose him again either, she silently added.

"Agreed." He offered her an encouraging smile. "But, hey, look on the bright side: we defeated Tabitha! I mean, sure, she could come back, but we destroyed the rift and her staff, so unless she finds something new, she's kind of powerless right now. I'm sure we'll be safe from her for a while."


Somewhere in 2019, a man carried a large box down the stairs into his basement. He set it down on the ground and unpacked several items, all of which looked very ancient. There were multiple thick, dusty books as well as a few scrolls, some jars with strange contents, and a round object wrapped in dark fabric. The man set aside the various text and jars and stared at the covered ball at the bottom of the box. He felt oddly drawn to it. He lifted it up and set it on top of a nearby table, then pulled off the covering to reveal a shiny, transparent, crystal ball.

He stared at it for several moments. Nothing happened at first, but as he lifted his hand to touch it, a shape began to materialize inside. Slowly, the shape of a person began to appear. A woman. An older woman.

"Well, it's about time you showed up," she said, her appearance becoming clearer by the second. "You have no idea how long I've been stuck in here. It's dreadful, deary. Truly dreadful."

The man watched her warily. "Are…are you…?"

"You knew Neron," she answered, cutting him off. "You owe him everything you have. And you also know me."

He nodded. "Yes, yes of course. But…why are you in there? And here?"

"Neron is dead," she replied, "and the ones responsible took my power. I had no choice but to trap myself in here to escape."

"I heard of his demise," the man said. "Those treacherous Legends tricked him."

"Yes, deary, and without him, you too are in danger of losing your power. You swore an oath to him exchanging a lifetime of servitude for all you've ever wanted." She looked around the room as best she could from inside her crystal ball. "You've collected quite a few magical artifacts in here. I'd guess you're relying on them to maintain your power. Well, you may have enough to last for a little while, but without him, it's only a matter of time before you lose everything. That is…unless you help me."

He took a step closer to the crystal ball. "What do you mean? What do you want from me?"

"Consider me heir to what Neron left behind," Tabitha explained. "Fulfill your oath of servitude to me in his place and I can show you a way to keep your power forever and restore mine."

The man knelt in front of the crystal ball and placed his hands carefully on either side of it. "I would, of course, but how? You are a powerful witch, but not even you could recreate the power of Neron."

"Not as things stand now, deary, but I've spent enough time in this crystal ball to think of a way for us to become the most powerful beings in the world. The timeline is in perfect condition to be reshaped. All I need is a partner and all of history can be ours. Will you join me?"

The man nodded eagerly. "Yes. I will do it. But…what exactly is the plan?"

Tabitha's mouth twisted into an evil grin. "Revenge!"