"Gideon."
Rip moved towards her, barely noticing Cisco standing there grimacing, remembering the words the man on the message had said.
I chose to leave everything behind, including someone I cared for a great deal, to keep Jonas safe.
And he knew that she was who he'd left behind.
"Gideon," he said again reaching the console, his hands drifting along it in a soft caress, "I knew this place was comfortable, I knew exactly what I was doing when I was fixing you and now I know why."
"Captain?" she asked, annoyance filling her voice she demanded, "Mr Ramon, why is he here?"
Cisco grimaced, "He was our only chance to fix you. I tried, Jax tried but we needed Rip Hunter."
"Gideon, I'm standing right here," Rip stated slightly annoyed, "You can talk to me you know."
"You should not be here," Gideon reminded him, "Allow Mr Ramon to remove your memories once more so you can return to the life we made for you."
Rip frowned, folding his arms across his chest in annoyance, "Not until I've finished repairs."
"Michael," Cisco said softly, "If you stay we won't be able to remove your memories again. We might already be past the point of no return. And that was the point of you coming here in the first place."
Letting out a soft breath Rip shook his head, "I know but what about the people who are missing? You're saying that you want me to walk away and not help them? What about Detective West's son? What about Wally?"
Rip paused for a moment as he realised that he'd never been told the boy's name.
"Your priority must be Jonas," Gideon argued.
"And it is," Rip retorted, "But how can I look him in the eye knowing that I left people to die when I could have helped? And do not say I won't remember," he pre-empted her response, "Because part of me will always know."
"My removal of your memories will be complete," Gideon reminded him.
Rip shook his head, "Really? Because I called my dog Gideon."
Silence filled the room for several minutes before Gideon spoke again, "And I am honoured by that."
Rip let out a quick laugh before becoming serious again, "Gideon, Cisco, I am not going to let these people die if I can do something about it. I know I didn't react very well when I found the message but I'm here now. So, can we get to work?"
"I'll call Jax," Cisco stated.
x
Gideon waited until Cisco had left the bridge leaving her alone with her Captain for the first time in what felt like forever. She had missed him, missed his presence, his energy and how he made her feel because it was only with him that she actually did.
"How are you, Rip?" Gideon asked softly.
Rip smiled, "We're doing well, Gideon. I have a job I enjoy, I have good friends. Jonas is healthy and happy looking forward to going to school soon. I'm content in my life here."
"Which is why you should return to it, Rip," Gideon reminded him, "You are putting Jonas in danger by allowing anyone connected to the Legends know you are alive. Even if it is Mr Jefferson."
He stroked the console once more, "I can't. I can't in good conscious abandon Sara and the team if I can do something."
She almost reminded him they had abandoned him but didn't because she knew his reply.
"I am unable to access where they are, Rip," Gideon advised, "I do not know why."
Rip frowned in thought soothing, "Don't worry. We'll find them."
"I have missed you," Gideon confessed, "Mr Ramon tells me what he can when we are in contact with Star Labs but it is not enough. It is not the same as having you with me or having Jonas onboard."
Pulling out his phone Rip attached it to her systems so she could access it, "I missed you too. I don't know if this will help but there are plenty of pictures and video clips of Jonas for you to see on the phone."
He waited as Gideon went through each, several times smiling as he could feel the small vibrations of happiness.
"Once you have finished repairs, you will return to him," Gideon stated.
Rip nodded, "I will."
Cisco grabbed one of the coffees Joe had picked up before heading back into the Waverider and back to work. Rip's memories appeared to be back almost completely, or they were at least regarding the ship and Gideon.
He wondered how Gideon planned on removing his memories again when the ship was fixed.
"Okay," Rip yelled, "Turn it off."
Jax sighed from his spot at the pilot's seat, "Still not working."
Rip sighed, "No. Gideon what the hell were the team doing to my ship?"
"In what way, Captain?" Gideon asked.
"The Waverider's not had a proper maintenance done in months," Rip replied, "At the very least."
Cisco grimaced at the annoyance in the older man's voice.
"Who is caring for you, Gideon?" Rip demanded sharply, "Tell me."
"Dr Palmer and Miss Tomaz share responsibility," Gideon replied.
Cisco saw the same look of horror cross both Jax and Rip's faces at this news.
"Ray and Zari?" Jax demanded, "Neither of them know how to fix the ship properly."
"They are the only ones left within the team with any possible notion however," Gideon reminded them. "Although on occasion the Time Bureau are allowed on board to perform some maintenance."
Cisco saw guilt pass over both faces at her response.
"Once we save them," Jax spoke up, "I'll stick around and make sure the ship is in top condition before the team go back out again."
"If we ever get her fixed," Rip sighed.
x
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Rip asked leaning against the wall of Star Labs just outside the Waverider.
"Don't worry, Michael," Katrina said, "He'll be fine with us. We'll stay in your apartment, so he is in his own bed if you prefer."
Rip nodded, "Yes, that would be great. The book we're reading is on top of the bookshelf, just one chapter though no matter how much he asks for another."
"I know," Katrina chuckled, "Make sure you get some sleep yourself, Michael. I know whatever you're working on is important but so is your health."
He winced, "I know."
"I do not want to be called to the hospital again," she told him sharply.
"I promise you I will get some sleep," Rip replied, warmed by her concern, "There is someone here who will make sure of that. Trust me. Let me talk to Jonas."
"Sure," Katrina replied.
He heard her call to his son and the quick conversation between them before the happy voice came on, "Hi Daddy."
"Hey," Rip breathed smiling, he remembered that he'd lost his son once before and just hearing his voice made Rip feel better, "Are you okay staying with Katrina and Ali tonight while I work?"
Jonas let out a long sigh, "Yes, Daddy."
"That's my boy," Rip said proudly, "Now I will call before you go to sleep, Katrina or Ali will read you your story tonight and I will see you tomorrow."
"Promise?"
"I promise," Rip told him, "Be a good boy for Katrina and Ali. Give Katrina the phone back while you go and play. I love you."
"I love you too, Daddy," Jonas replied.
Rip listened as Jonas passed the phone back to Katrina.
"He's fine," Katrina assured him, "Ali has taken Gideon out for her walk so you don't have to worry about either of them."
"I'll call before Jonas has to go to bed," Rip promised.
x
Rip sat in the parlour waiting.
"This is something I never expected to see ever again," the familiar voice came from behind him making Rip smile.
Standing he turned to greet Gideon who was waiting with a warm smile covering her face. Without a word Rip wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as Gideon hugged him tightly.
Pulling back Rip looked into her eyes, "I have missed you."
"No more than I missed you, Rip," she replied, stepping into him again her arms sliding around his waist as she rested her head against him again holding on tightly.
Sliding his hand up and down her back Rip murmured, "You're not annoyed I called my dog Gideon?"
A soft giggle came from her, "Actually flattered. I've seen your puppy she is adorable."
"I told you that you would stay with me always," Rip replied.
They stayed in their embrace for several minutes finally parting and taking a seat on the couch that had appeared in the parlour for them.
"Are they treating you properly?" Rip asked concerned, holding onto Gideon's hand.
She shrugged, "No different than how they always did."
"All this time onboard and they still don't understand how special you are," Rip sighed in annoyance, "I'm sorry."
"I believe I told you before that you never have to apologise for choosing Jonas," Gideon smiled at him.
"I'm not sorry I chose Jonas," Rip told her, "I'm sorry that I couldn't find a way to bring you with us."
Gideon shook her head sadly, "This form exists solely here in my matrix," she reminded him, "It is only possible to be with you like this in your dreams, my dear Captain."
Rip sighed, "Not a Captain anymore."
"Always my Captain," Gideon reminded him forcefully, "You know that. Miss Lance leads the team but you will always be my Captain. We are forever linked, Rip. Miss Lance will never have that connection with me."
Closing his eyes Rip rested his forehead against hers, "I still wish I could have found a way to keep us together."
Placing her hands on his cheeks again Gideon smiled, "I keep you here with me at all times, Rip. I hold onto you when they annoy me too much and you kept me in the form of a puppy."
x
Opening his eyes Rip sighed looking around the room unsure where he was for a moment.
"Gideon?"
"I'm here, Captain," Gideon replied before advising, "You are onboard the Waverider. Mr Ramon has brought breakfast which I expect you to eat before you get back to work."
Rip chuckled to himself.
"Have I amused you, Rip?" Gideon demanded.
"It's just nice to hear you nag me again, Gideon," Rip replied sitting up, "Are the showers working yet?"
"As long as it is quick," Gideon replied, "And you don't expect it to be warm for half the time."
Rip shrugged, "Well I've had worse. Let Cisco know I'll be up in about ten minutes."
After having a, very, quick shower Rip dressed before heading up to the bridge finding Cisco already sitting with Gideon going over what still needed to be looked at.
"Good morning," Rip greeted when Cisco looked up.
"Morning," Cisco replied, "Tea and food for you."
Rip grabbed the cup and took a long drink, "Excellent, thank you. Where is Jax?"
"He's on his way," Cisco told him, "I'm trying to find a way to locate the crew so that once we get the ship ready to fly we'll be able to rescue them."
Rip nodded in agreement.
"I'm still not sure why the ship returned here," Cisco told him, "I guess it was luck."
"Nope," Rip replied, taking another drink, "She came here because I am. Gideon's protocol in event of the systems being damaged so badly that without assistance there was no way to help her Captain was to return to the Vanishing Point for repairs. Since it no longer exists she came to the place where the one person who could help was."
Cisco frowned, "But she knew you didn't have your memories."
Rip's hand gently stroked the console, "It wasn't a conscious decision, Cisco. Gideon's connection to me brought her here. She came home for help."