The playing card flew in a smooth arc into the bowl sitting on the bench. The next one missed completely landing on the floor.
"You're getting better," Rip noted.
"Where did you learn to do this?" Alex demanded as the next card she threw went flying off at an angle into the wall.
Rip gave a slight shrug, "An acquaintance taught me one night, and I honed my skills whilst being…" he hesitated for a second before finishing, "Detained by the Time Bureau."
"Oh," Alex winced, she looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, "Do you ever think about them?"
Rip flicked another card into the bowl, "I try not to."
She reached out and squeezed his arm quickly before she threw another card. They were waiting for Gideon and Winn to finish their system tests, so they could go to lunch. Alex had seen Rip throwing cards like this in the past so had pestered him into showing her how to do it while they waited.
"I suck at this," Alex cried as the card veered off almost hitting one of the technicians.
Rip chuckled, "It took me some time to master. Keep practicing."
Before she could retort an alarm sounded just as a breach appeared in the centre of the room. Alex and Rip jumped up catching the guns they were tossed ready to defend the DEO from whoever was coming.
Four people suddenly appeared through the breach, the first Cisco Ramon who held up his hands at the guns that were pointed at him.
"We come in peace," Cisco stated quickly before anyone could say anything, "They're looking for someone we think might have come here. I'm just playing taxi driver."
An unknown man came next dressed in the blue suit of the Time Bureau, followed by Sara Lance and Ava Sharpe. Rip froze as there was no way for him to get out of the room without being seen, it looked like he was no longer hidden.
Sara's eyes locked on him first and she stared but it was Ava who spoke.
"Rip?"
The unknown man suddenly drew his gun, "Rip Hunter," he aimed at Rip, "You're under arrest by the authority of the Time Bureau."
"No!"
Rip frowned, catching Alex's eye as they realised Gideon was coming towards them. Her arms were outstretched, and a flicker of flame appeared from her fingers. Alex ran grabbing Ava pulling her down to safety, Rip tackled Sara to the ground, Winn yanked the unknown agent down while Cisco's highly tuned sense of self-preservation meant he dived to ground just as fire exploded above them. Rip let go of the stunned Sara rolling to his feet, moving to Gideon catching her as the fire faded and she began to droop.
"I've got you," Rip soothed, his arms tightening around her holding her close, "It's okay, Gideon. I've got you."
"I won't let them take you," she whispered, exhaustion from the use of her abilities clear in her voice.
Holding her tightly he breathed, "No one is taking me anywhere. You know the others wouldn't let that happen."
Rip could feel the eyes of their guests on them, especially Sara as he held Gideon close. The rest of the DEO were used to this by now, so everyone went back to work as J'onn marched over.
"I suggest we head to a more private room to speak," J'onn stated coldly, obviously not happy with their intruders, "Assuming you don't want to try and arrest any more of my people."
"I apologise," Ava said instantly, "Agent Lowell has been ordered that Mr Hunter is arrested on sight. He was merely following his orders."
"Your agents obviously haven't been trained that well if they can't read a room," Alex noted, she nodded to Hannah Matthews who took the weapon from Agent Lowell before marching him out of the room.
Rip watched Sara and Ava follow Alex, he caught Sara's surprised look when she recognised Gideon. The stunned look becoming even more pronounced when she saw the bump of Gideon's pregnancy. Cisco, looking a little uncomfortable, stood folding his arms trying to work out what he should do.
Turning his attention back to Gideon, Rip could see she was still tired, "I should go and join in the conversation with Sara and Ava. You need to eat something and get your strength back. Go with Winn and get some lunch, Kara should be here soon too."
Gideon nodded, "Of course. Promise me you will do your best to keep your temper when talking to them."
Rip pressed a quick kiss to her temple, "I promise."
"Cisco, right?" Winn offered his hand to the meta-human, "Nice to finally meet you. Want to join us for lunch?"
"Sounds great."
Before he let her go with Winn, Rip placed a soft kiss on Gideon's lips. She squeezed his hand before taking Winn's arm walking out with him and Cisco. Rip waited until they were gone before he took several deep breaths steeling himself to face his past.
x
Alex motioned their guests to take a seat, turning to J'onn who was clearly not happy with their sudden appearance. She was also concerned about Rip. Despite how much of a front he would put on, Alex knew the arrival of these two women had opened old wounds.
Finally she noticed him slowly coming up the stairs, he was pushing himself into his Time Master persona stoic and cold. When he reached the door, he gave her a quick nod before sliding into the seat across from Sara. Alex took the one on his side facing the other woman while J'onn sat at the head of the table.
"Sara," Alex took over the meeting, "Why don't you tell us why you're here?"
"Firstly I should introduce you to Director Ava Sharpe of the Time Bureau," Sara said, her eyes never wavering from Rip.
Alex felt the temperature in the room drop even more with the announcement, but Rip remained silent.
"Why are you here?" Alex asked.
"There is a man, Artemis Simpkins, who has been causing chaos through the timestream," Ava explained, "We managed to corner him but he had the ability to open a dimensional breach. Mr Ramon tracked him to this Earth."
"As I knew Alex and Kara from the West-Allen Wedding," Sara noted, "I volunteered to come and introduce everyone. Agent Lowell has been tracking Simpkins and Ava came as, unlike previous Directors, she cares about what happens to her people."
At the deliberate dig Rip leaned forward, "I have one question for you," he stated coldly, "Mallus?"
"We stopped him," Ava replied evenly.
Rip shook his head, "So, in other words I was right."
Alex could see the annoyance in Ava and Sara's eyes as they both nodded.
"Then I'm done with the Time Bureau," he stood and turned to J'onn, "I need to check on Gideon, then I have work to do."
J'onn gave him a quick nod of agreement and Alex watched him leave.
"Agent Danvers will be your liaison while you're here," J'onn told them, "She will be able to assist you in anything you require."
Without another word he left as well.
Alex stood, "I'm assuming you have some idea how to track this man?"
Ava nodded, "We do. Agent Lowell has the information on him."
"Then we'll go get it," Alex replied and motioned them to follow her.
x
"Alex," Sara said softly as they reached the office Lowell was being held in, "I hope that we parted as friends."
Alex nodded, "We did."
"Then as your friend," Sara said softly, "I feel I should warn you. About Rip."
Alex frowned, especially when she spotted the man himself standing in the alcove near them, he moved further back so he wasn't seen.
"What about him?" she asked.
Sara shared a quick glance with Ava before sighing, "You can't trust him. Look," she stopped Alex saying anything, "I know Rip can be persuasive, but he only ever cares about his agenda no matter who he hurts."
"Really?"
Sara nodded.
"Thank you for your concern, Sara," Alex said softly, "We may have slept together but that doesn't give you the right to disparage one of my people."
"You may think he's working for the DEO, Alex," Sara sighed, "But he'll be working on something for him only and I don't want you to get hurt."
Alex shook her head, "You really don't know him. Rip is a good man who only wants the people he loves to be safe. The difference between us, Sara is that we listen to him when he warns us of danger."
Alex opened the door to the room, "Agent Matthews will be here until I return. Ask her if you need anything."
Without another word Alex left them in the room and shut the door. She spotted Rip slip out of the alcove he had been standing in and walk away.
"Hey," she called, stopping him in the corridor outside, "Are you okay?"
Rip nodded, "I heard what you said. Thank you."
Alex stared at him for a moment before shaking her head in annoyance, "You thought I was going to agree with her, didn't you?"
"Most people tend to," Rip replied softly, wincing when Alex punched his arm, "Ow, what was that for?"
"You are an utter idiot," Alex told him, "I thought you knew me better than that."
He dropped his head avoiding her eyes, Alex sighed and hugged him tightly. After a moment he hugged her back something even a few months before he wouldn't have done.
"We are your family," Alex reminded him vehemently, "Me, Kara, Winn, James and J'onn are your and Gideon's family. And I don't care who they were to you in the past, they don't get a say in our family. Got it?"
A warm smile covered his face, "Got it."
"Now go check on Gideon while I deal with our dimension hopping time traveller," Alex ordered.
x
Gideon smiled as she listened to Winn and Cisco bond, the two men were so similar in some ways and it was warming to listen to them talk.
"So," Cisco said, "You're Gideon. The same Gideon from the Waverider."
She nodded, "Yes, Mr Ramon and the same Gideon you along with Mr Allen are currently coding."
Cisco looked at Winn who nodded before he grinned, "That is so cool."
Gideon laughed, she took a drink frowning suddenly.
"Are you okay?" Winn asked concerned.
She nodded softly, "I'll be back in a few minutes. Please excuse me."
The two men gave her a quick nod before they started talking again as she slipped away. Gideon headed along the corridor to Rip's lab, entering she found him sitting staring into space. Without a word she moved to his side and wrapped him in her arms.
"It's alright, Captain," Gideon murmured softly as she stroked his hair, as his head rested against her breast, "I'm here."
Rip's arms wrapped around her waist and he stayed in her embrace for several minutes, finally he pulled back and looked into her eyes.
"I guess this being connected to each other is helpful at times like this," he said softly.
Gideon nodded, "It is. So, why are they here?"
"A dimension hopping time travelling fugitive," Rip shrugged, "And they can have all the fun they want with it."
"Rip…"
He kissed her quickly, "Unless it has something to do with the DEO then I don't care."
"Rip?"
At her stern voice he looked into her eyes, "I can't lie to you, remember?"
Gideon nodded, "Do you think I should speak with Miss Lance?"
"It's your choice," Rip told her.
"You know what I mean," she frowned at him.
Rip shrugged again, "Just keep your temper, we don't need any fire damage."