Trigger warning - references to rape.
~x~x~x~
There was utter silence on the bridge of the Waverider. Nobody said anything for a solid five minutes. The first person to speak was Ray.
"What?" he asked, still in shock. Jax, hand still over his mouth, shut his eyes and tried to disappear. Rip looked livid.
"How the hell do you know that and why would you just blurt it out like that?!"
"I-uh-" Before Jax was able to make a coherent sentence, Mick looked at Rip, brows furrowed.
"Wait, he's telling the truth?" Rip sighed heavily.
"Yes. Mr. Snart accidentally drank the Travia Serum before having intercourse." he said matter-of-factly. He continued, looking up at Mick. "I'm sure you've heard of it. From the Time Masters?" Mick smirked before answering.
"What, the serum or sex?" Rip rolled his eyes.
"You know what, you sound just like him! A match made in hell, if you ask me." After a moment of silence, Ray raised his hand to ask a question.
"So, what's going on? Why would you even say that Leonard is pregnant? He a man."
"Yes, I'm aware of that fact, Mr. Palmer. The Travia Serum changes the internal anatomy of males to allow them to give birth." Ray still looked a little confused, but accepted what Rip had said.
"Who's the father? Well, other father." he asked, causing glances around the room. Rip smirked and looked directly at Mick.
"Anymore smart ass remarks, Mr. Rory?" he asked smugly. All eyes turned to Mick who turned slightly red. The fact that he was the father of Len's baby was beginning to sink in. He felt shock and anger. The shock was obvious, but the anger... He was furious that Len would even consider leaving the ship in his condition, much less take part in a high-risk arrest, which he then got himself captured during. Yeah, Mick was going to kill Len when he got back.
~x~x~x~
It was almost high noon and both groups gathered in the center of town for the shootout. Mick's anger faded as soon as he saw Len. He was riding on one of the horses, an outlaw behind him. He had fresh cuts and bruises on his face and handprints around his neck. The expression on his face was one of a man that had been shattered. Mick hadn't seen Len this bad even when he still lived with his father. Well, someone's camp was going to be set ablaze tonight.
When Len saw Mick, he nearly lost it. He couldn't wait to be back on the ship so he could just forget all about this mess. He was sore all over and he was unable to control his emotions. He had been violated over and over, by multiple members of the gang. His chest hurt from the warring emotions inside. He was relieved to see Mick, but in a pit of depression over what had happened to him. Back there, at the camp, he had wanted nothing more than to curl up and die.
"I'll be drawing for Sheriff Palmer." Rip announced once Jax led Stillwater out at gunpoint.
"How do I know you boys will keep your word?" Jeb asked. In response, Jax flipped the gun around and handed it to the man.
"Sheriff Palmer's a straight shooter." Jax replied.
"Then he should be the one in the street." The tension was palpable as Stillwater checked his weapon and Rip walked forward. They both sized the other up as they readied themselves to draw their gun the fastest. Len hoped and prayed that Rip won the standoff. He'd rather be dead than continue being the gang's plaything. Finally, it was high noon and both men drew their weapons and fired. Rip was just slightly faster and he killed Jeb Stillwater where he stood. Everybody was relieved, especially Len. His hands were cut loose and he was shoved off the horse as the gang loaded their leader's body up. Len limped across the road and, when he was almost to Mick, he finally broke down in tears. Sobs wracked his frame as he walked up to his former partner, wrapping his arms around him and burying his face in the other man's neck. Right now, he didn't care about how he looked or his reputation, he was just so glad to be back with the others. He was surprised when he felt the larger man's warm arms come around him in an embrace. His sobs got harder until Mick was the only thing keeping him standing. Their moment was interrupted by Sara.
"I don't think we're done here yet." she announced. Everyone, including Len who still had tears dripping down his face, turned and looked in the same direction she was. In the distance, three large figures, all done up in armor, came walking toward them.
"Oh no. They found us." Rip said. Mick and Len looked at each other and Mick began hurriedly shoving Len toward the saloon.
"Go in there and hide. Don't come out until I come for you." he murmured. Len, knowing his boundaries and knowing he was past them, nodded and made a hasty retreat just as the hunters began drawing their weapons.
Len ran into the saloon, looking around for a place to hide. Settling on the bar, he ran around it and hid underneath it. Any other time, he would have felt cowardly, however, now he was injured and responsible for, not only his life, but his baby's. He could hear the sounds of battle outside and the screaming of the townspeople. He closed his eyes, a remnant from his childhood that made him feel slightly invisible, when he heard loud footsteps coming into the saloon. He held his breath as the steps got closer and closer to the bar. When they rounded it, he got ready to fight. Waiting for the perfect moment, Len sprang from beneath the bar, getting ready to punch whoever was there. His fist was caught in a large hand and Len sighed in relief when he came face to face with Mick.
"Easy there, feisty pants." Len scowled and sagged into Mick's waiting arms. They had a lot they needed to talk about, but now wasn't the time. They would get through this and everything would be fine, eventually.