Gideon was confused.

Rip told her to wear something nice for their day off because he had a surprise for her.

Bemused she found a light green summer dress that Eve had picked out when they went shopping the last time she was in town. It was perfect for the beautiful warm mid-July day and the white sandals, bought at the same time, went well with the dress.

"Are you ready?" he asked appearing from the bedroom wearing a light grey suit which Gideon thought he looked particularly handsome in.

She frowned, "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"It's a surprise," he offered his hand to her smiling when she took it, "I promise you'll like it."

Still confused Gideon allowed him to lead her out of their apartment. She sat in the car watching the world go by as Rip drove, staring stunned when they arrived at City Hall to find Eve standing waiting for them.

"What are you doing here?" Gideon asked embracing the other woman, happy to see her.

Eve shrugged, "No idea. Rip just called and asked me to meet you today."

Turning to the man in question Gideon folded her arms waiting for him to explain.

"I know what Bennett said a few months ago when I was hurt upset you," Rip told her, "That he felt under no obligation to tell you if something happened to me, so I thought we make sure he is."

Gideon stared at him for a moment, "Rip, we discussed this. I am not looking to be your wife. That is and always will be Miranda."

"I know," Rip replied softly, "But it is a piece of paper to make sure that if something does happen to me then Bennett has no choice but to treat you as my next of kin. I asked Eve to be here to be the witness as she is our…well your friend."

Eve chuckled slightly.

"Rip…"

"I love you," he reminded her, "We are and always have been Partners so we make it legal, we make sure no one can question your rights."

Gideon thought over his words, glancing at Eve who gave her a nod.

"Gideon, will you do me the honour of legally becoming my Partner?" he asked.

"It will be my pleasure," Gideon answered laughing slightly.

Rip offered his hand and they walked together into the building in front of them.

x

Checking he had all the papers required for their 'ceremony', Rip took a moment to glance over at Gideon and Eve. He had been much angrier than he let on by Bennett's deliberately not letting Gideon know he'd been hurt on that mission, even more so by Bennett's snide remarks that he didn't need to tell her anything.

Rip wanted to make sure that everything was set up properly because he knew Bennett was going to move against him at some point. He knew the other man didn't like working with him and it was only Rip's knowledge and standing with the board that kept Bennett from doing anything at this moment in time.

Aggravating Gideon was done deliberately, he was pushing and hoping Rip would do something in anger. Technically Bennett had been right, his anger meant he decided to ensure Gideon's status.

A young woman appeared, "Judge Ward is ready to see you."

He took a deep breath and rested his arm around Gideon's waist walking into the room with her. The man waiting for them reminded him of Jax a little in the way he grinned enthusiastically as they walked into the room, he obviously enjoyed this part of his job.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Rip motioned the man to one side of the room while his assistant went through the paperwork to make sure everything was in order.

Ward listened to his explanation of what Rip wanted before chuckling slightly, "Honestly not the most unusual thing I've heard. Shall we get started?"

Rip nodded and took his place facing Gideon with Eve at their side. Ward took his place with his assistant.

"Mr Hunter, I believe you wish to use your own vows," Ward stated.

Rip took a deep breath, he wasn't good at this, "Gideon, you have been my best friend and rock for so many years. When I felt like I had lost everything you were there to keep me sane, you kept me together through all the times I was lost and it was you who brought me back. I love you."

Gideon smiled, speaking when the judge nodded to her, "My dearest Rip, my Captain for so many years. I have watched over you for a long time and I have always been proud to be by your side. I love you, I always have and I will always be here for you."

"You have tokens to exchange," Ward noted.

Rip pulled out a box and opened it for Gideon to see. He'd had a ring made for her, originally for what they'd chosen to be the date for her birthday but had decided this was a better use. It was made from Caeruleaum, a metal that would be used a great deal in the 30th Century which had slightly psychic properties. It was a very light blue, similar in colour to the hologram she had used on the Waverider. While he had a small version of the Waverider made, from the same bit of metal, for him to wear on the chain he always wore that held his and Miranda's wedding rings.

When he touched the ring, he knew that his love for her and happiness at this moment was imprinted on it for her, and her feelings for him would be imprinted on his small pendant the moment she touched it.

Taking her hand he slid the ring on before allowing her to remove the chain and add the symbol for their bond to it.

"It is my great pleasure to pronounce you as Partners in life and love," Ward pronounced, "And I wish you every happiness."

With a smile Rip pulled Gideon into his arms and kissed her to seal their union.


The rumours that they had married spread quickly through the Time Bureau but, as only Gideon wore a ring and neither of them confirmed it, after a while most people just assumed nothing had changed. In all honesty Gideon found it fun to keep people guessing and simply noted that they were partners whenever someone made a comment. However, Rip ensured that the paperwork was filed so that if anything happened to him then Gideon was clearly shown to be his next of kin.

There was now less than two years before the Waverider would return, which meant less than three until Rip would sacrifice himself to give the Legends time to defeat Mallus. It was a shadow on her otherwise happy life with him.

But she had two years left before everything changed and she was determined to make the most of them.

First thing to do was celebrate the work the team she had led had done.

x

Cheers sounded when the Timeship left the dock, finally ready. Gideon smiled proudly as she and her team watched the product of all their hard work. They had completed them almost a year ahead of schedule.

She turned to where Rip, Bennett along with the board of the Time Bureau stood watching. Walking over to them she took her place at Rip's side throwing a smug smile at Bennett before turning to the members of the board.

"As you can see the ships are now ready," she said, "Within the next six months the fleet of ten that have been requested will all be completed."

"Miss Carter," Abigail Spencer, the current head of the board, smiled at her, "When Director Hunter brought you onboard I will admit I was concerned as we had no prior knowledge of what you could do. But you have more than proven yourself."

Gideon smiled sweetly but remained silent.

"What about the AI systems?" one of the board members Gideon didn't know asked.

"The AI systems are based on the ones previously used by the Time Masters. They will all be integrated into the ships," Gideon explained, "However unlike those used by the Time Masters the AI will be no more than an information system. They are not needed to be a sounding board or sole companion to the occupant as there will always be a team crewing the ships."

"The isolationist tendencies of the Time Masters are something we have ensured was not continued here," Rip said from her side.

x

"Bennett looked a little sick," Gideon chuckled as they strolled through the park near their apartment later than night, "I think he was hoping I would fail."

"Oh, he was," Rip noted, "He definitely doesn't like you, but I think it's due to the fact you're brilliant and proved him wrong by finishing so far ahead of schedule."

Gideon beamed leaning into him.

"He brought up the Legends today," Rip noted, annoyance filling his voice, "Even though it's a few years before they reappear he's already lobbying that they should be arrested the moment they arrive for the damage they've done."

An annoyed frown touched her lips, "Saving the world from a group of men who were going to twist reality to their own version."

"I know," Rip sighed, "But all they see are the consequences of the decisions made to do that."

"What are you going to do?" Gideon asked softly.

He shrugged, "I'm considering all the options. Thankfully we have a little time before that happens."

Gideon nodded, she knew what his decision would be but couldn't say or influence him in anyway.

"I've been thinking," Rip changed the subject, "You know what's going to happen in Central City soon."

"The Flash will face off with Zoom," Gideon nodded.

Mischief danced in his eyes, "Would you like to go and witness it?"

"Captain," she shook her head.

"You know I always loved those stories," he reminded her, "It's going to happen in two days, we can easily hide and watch an important event."

Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close Rip waited for her to answer.

"If it is something you really want to do," Gideon laughed, "Of course."

Rip kissed her, "We can spend a few days there."

"Are you actually advocating taking time away from work?" she teased.

"I'm advocating spending time with the woman I love," he replied softly, "Not to mention that technically we got married and didn't have a honeymoon."

Gideon laughed, "And you've already booked a hotel, haven't you?"

"It's a really nice room," he shrugged.

"Then we shouldn't let it go to waste."


Rip stared at the information before him.

There was something about the anachronisms that was bothering him and had been for a while now but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He sometimes wished Gideon would crack, tell him what she knew but he also knew she couldn't and he would never ask her to.

Protecting time was what he had been raised to do, what he had lost everything in the service of and Rip knew he couldn't use the future knowledge Gideon had otherwise he would be no better than the Time Masters.

Sighing in annoyance he moved onto the reports from the most recent missions. He groaned reading some of the long-winded expositions his less experienced agents were writing. He had to set up a seminar with Ava on how to write these things so not to put him to sleep.

Skimming the final one a word caught his eye and Rip went back to the beginning to read the thing in its entirety.

A memory of a story told by his mother came to him, one that as a child had scared him so much he'd slept with the lights on for months.

Mallus.

Cold settled in his stomach as he returned to the anachronism map. He hoped he was wrong, he hoped that he wasn't seeing this.

But Rip knew he was.

In stopping Thawne, Darhk and Merlin they had had opened time to an even bigger threat.

And now he had to stop it.