#hunterburn

1 - The Vanishing Point

Michael stared at the large structure hanging in space before him as Time Master Druce flew the small ship towards it. This was his first visit to the Vanishing Point, the Time Master’s base and Michael was not looking forward to it one bit.

He’d had to get up early, was wearing stiff grey clothes that made him itch, his hair was plastered down neatly, and he had to wear the stupid courier thing all day. Miss Xavier had explained when she had given him it that he had to wear it at all times. It was meant to be worn on his ‘non-dominant hand’ whatever that meant, finally Miss Xavier just told him to wear it on his left wrist because that was the hand he didn’t use as much. She then had to explain what ambidextrous meant.

Michael tended to keep it in his pocket because it was so uncomfortable.

“Now,” Druce stated, “Today you will get to see the important parts of the base. Including the Council Chambers. I expect you to be on your best behaviour at all times, listen to your elders and follow any orders given. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” Michael said, as Miss Xavier had drummed into him.

Druce stood and started out the ship, heading out with Michael following after him trying to keep up with the man’s long stride.

As he stepped out onto the deck, Michael stared feeling suddenly terrified of the large grey room filled with people and ships. He’d never seen anything like this in his life.

“Why are you standing there?” Druce snapped appearing beside him, “Follow me, Michael.”

Shaking slightly, Michael followed behind Druce relieved when they stepped into a corridor which was much quieter.

“Now that was the smallest docking bay where the ships get maintenance,” Druce told him, “There are six others which is where the Time Master Captains dock their ships when they return from their missions and another one used for training,” Druce continued his explanation while Michael jogged to keep up with him.

It was going to be a tiring day.

x

Michael was relieved as the day was drawing to a close and they would be leaving soon. The entire day had been filled with so much he had no idea about and Druce kept talking not caring if Michael understood everything.

Michael had a list of things to ask Miss Xavier about when he got back ho… to the Refuge.

“So, Michael,” Druce stated as they headed back to the ship, “What do you think of the Vanishing Point?”

He hesitated before saying, “It’s really big, with so many people.” He realised that Druce was looking for something more, “But I like it.”

Druce chuckled, “I suppose considering where you come from this must be overwhelming in many ways. On your next visit, I’ll let you sit in on some of the training sessions. We’ll see how smart you are.”

Michael grimaced as Druce started walking away again. With a sigh, the boy began to chase after the man once more. As they reached the ship, Druce motioned Michael to wait while he moved to talk to a woman with white hair wearing a uniform just like Druce by a similar looking ship.

Standing near the other ship was a girl about his age with dark hair, dark eyes, and pale skin who was dressed the same as Michael.

She glanced at him, Michael waved at her happy to see someone his own age. She stared at him for a moment before crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue.

Michael laughed and stuck his tongue out at her, jumped when Druce turned and snapped, “Michael, behave yourself.”

Chastised he saw the girl smiling amused.

“Sandra,” the woman called to her, “It’s time to go. Time Master Druce, we will discuss this later.”

As the girl, Sandra, walked past him she smiled amused again before Druce stepped in front of him.

“Time to leave, Michael,” Druce said.

Following the man back to the ship, Michael sat watching how Druce activated the small ship before he turned his attention to the place he was going to go once he grew up.

Part of him wanted to, the other still wanted to find a way to run away but as they flew away Michael stared at the intimidating structure hanging in space before him knowing that it was going to play a large part in his future.

2 - Jelly Beans

Rip let out an audible sigh of relief as he reached the door to the home he shared with his wife and son. It had been several long hard weeks, with multiple dangerous missions which had resulted in Rip needing a lot of medical attention that he knew he’d have to tell Miranda about because Gideon would.

Reaching out to open the door, he paused and listened hearing his son singing along to something. Rip couldn’t quite make out the words, or tune, but the sound of Jonas’ voice filled him with joy.

The moment he opened the door, Rip was attacked by his little whirlwind as an excited Jonas slammed into his legs.

“You’re home!!!!!”

Rip eased Jonas off him before he lifted his five-year-old son up and hugged him, “I have missed you, Little Man.”

“We missed you too, Daddy,” Jonas told him seriously before beaming and hugging Rip once more.

Miranda appeared from the kitchen, her long dark hair pulled up in a messy bun, “Why don’t you get your drawing you did in school today to show your daddy.”

At her suggestion, Jonas wriggled so Rip would set him down and ran out the room. Miranda moved to her husband and kissed him hello.

“He’s been very excited since we got your message,” Miranda murmured, as Rip pulled her close.

Rip rested his forehead against hers, “So was I when Gideon told me I can be here for three days.”

Before they could say anything else, Jonas appeared carrying a drawing of him with Rip and Miranda.

“Wow,” Rip crouched down to look at the picture, “That’s amazing.”

Jonas beamed again and leaned in for another hug. x Rip settled on the couch, happy to be home. Miranda was finishing dinner, he’d cook the rest of the time he was here, while Jonas had disappeared with a mysterious smile.

Closing his eyes Rip relaxed, happy to be home.

Aware suddenly he wasn’t alone, Rip opened his eyes and found his wife standing with his son grinning at him. Both were holding gifts in their hands.

“Happy Birthday, Daddy,” Jonas cried.

Miranda gave him a smile, “Happy Birthday.”

Rip frowned; he hadn’t realised that it was the date the Time Masters had estimated to be his date of birth. To be honest it wasn’t something that mattered to him much but if it mattered to Jonas then Rip would go along with anything.

“Open Mummy’s gift first,” Jonas told him.

Rip nodded and took the small rectangular present Miranda gave him. Slowly he unwrapped it to find a gold pocket watch, beautifully engraved and smiled when he opened it find the picture of his wife and son in there.

“It’s perfect,” he breathed, “I will never let this out of my sight.”

Miranda kissed him quickly, “Jonas has got you something special for you.”

Rip turned to his son who thrust the gift into Rip’s hands. Jonas was bouncing excitedly as Rip slowly opened the wrapping once more. He caught Miranda rolling her eyes, but he’d never been able to just tear off gift wrapping.

When he’d unwrapped the gift, Rip laughed to see the large bag of sweets.

“They’re jellybeans,” Jonas cried, “Mummy said you like sweet things.”

“I do,” Rip told his son, “But I’ve never tried jellybeans before.”

Incredulity filled Jonas’ eyes, “You’ve never had them before.”

Rip shook his head, “I haven’t.”

“They’re yummy,” Jonas told him, “Try one.”

Glancing at his wife’s amused smile, Rip opened the bag and took several of the sweets out popping them into his mouth. He did have a sweet tooth but usually ate cakes, sweet cereals or on occasion chocolate to satisfy it. As he ate the sweets, he let Jonas take some while Miranda had a few too.

Enjoying the jellybeans, Rip knew that from now on these would be his favourites because his son had introduced him to them.

3 - Kendra Saunders

The doorbell being rung pulled Kendra out of her reading. Opening the door, she stared in surprise at the man standing there. He was dressed in the same dark denims, white shirt, brown leather jacket and duster she always remembered him wearing but he was clean shaven.

Which didn’t suit him at all.

“Rip?” she laughed, “What are you doing here?”

He gave her a small smile, surprised when she hugged him and managed to pat her back gently.

“Still have issues with affection from your friends, I see,” Kendra noted amused when she let him go.

Rip shrugged, “Still expect a punch more than a hug.”

“That was once,” Kendra laughed as she motioned him inside the apartment, “And you deserved it for lying to us.”

Rip rolled his eyes while Kendra led him into her small living room.

“Do you want some tea?” Kendra offered.

“Not at the moment,” he replied.

Kendra chuckled, “Probably a good thing, my tea making skills haven’t improved since we last met.” Taking a seat across from him, she asked, “So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” x Rip hadn’t been sure if coming to visit Kendra was a good idea. But since he’d left the Waverider to get his head together, the ship with the Legends had been trapped in a time quake. He’d spent more than six months alone when he’d only intended being away for a week at the most and lost without Gideon, needed to speak to someone, anyone who understood his life.

Kendra listened to the story of what had happened since she’d left the Waverider, although Rip left out several things that he didn’t want to talk about but gave her the general gist.

“You’ve done what?” Kendra asked when Rip finished talking.

“I created a new organisation to protect time,” Rip told her, “I was hoping you might want to see it.”

Kendra smiled, “That sounds like fun.”

Relieved Rip stood and pulled back his sleeve so he could access his courier.

“What is that?” Kendra asked intrigued, jumping when the portal opened.

Rip gave a slight smile, “Something I have been working on for a long time. Shall we?”

Taking his arm, Kendra walked through the portal and into the Time Bureau.

4 - Playing Records

Rip walked into the parlour, happy to see that it was now back to the way he had left it, all evidence of those who had infested his ship had been removed. It was almost as if the past few years had not happened.

Except for one thing which definitely had.

“The engines are at full capacity,” Gideon stated as she walked into the parlour, “We can leave the time stream whenever you are ready.”

“When we’re ready,” Rip reminded her, “We’re partners, remember?”

A smile touched her lips, “Of course.”

Rip nodded before he turned back to the desk, finding his record player sitting in its spot undamaged. Either it had been put in storage or this was a newly fabricated one.

Flipping through the record collection he had amassed over the years, Rip found one of his favourites. As the music filled the room, Rip turned to Gideon and offered his hand.

“Dance with me.”

Gideon shook her head, “I don’t know how.”

Moving closer and taking her hand, Rip smiled as he drew her closer, “I’ll teach you.”

Shaking her head slightly in amusement, Gideon allowed him to put his arms around her and start to move gently in time to the music. Gideon rested her head against his shoulder as the music played, Rip held her tightly as the next song came on.

When the music stopped, Gideon looked up at him and smiled as his lips touched hers. Taking his hand, Gideon turned off the record player and led him to the room they were now sharing.

From that day on, they played records and danced after dinner.

Happy to be together.

5 - Shogun Ballistic

“Gideon,” Rip winced when he saw the contents of the bag she’d brought back from her shopping trip, “What…just what?”

She stopped brushing her hair and turned to him, “Is something wrong?”

“Is there something you want to talk to me about?” Rip asked her.

Gideon placed the hairbrush down and moved to sit on the bed beside him, “We’ve been together for several months as a couple.”

“Yes.”

“And as much as I enjoy our…” she blushed before continuing, “Activities in the bedroom, you are much more experienced than I am.”

“I was married to the same person for over ten years,” Rip reminded her, “And the only experience each of us had was with one another.”

Gideon rolled her eyes, “It’s still more experience than I have.”

“That doesn’t explain your shopping,” Rip noted.

“The books I have read suggest that to ensure your partner is satisfied then it is a good idea to use toys and accoutrements in the bedroom to ‘spice things up’,” Gideon explained, looking anywhere but in his eyes, “I just want to make sure you don’t get bored with me.”

Rip frowned, he really had to find her a hobby so she wouldn’t worry so much about small things that didn’t matter. He touched her chin so she would look at him, “I’m not bored with you, I’m not going to get bored with you. You are amazing, Gideon and I love you.”

Smiling she leaned in to hug him. Rip wrapped his arms around her holding her close.

“I love you too,” she murmured softly, snuggling close to him, “But I did buy these things so perhaps we could try them.”

Rip chuckled, “If you want. What else do your books say about spicing things up?”

“That we should agree on a safe word or phrase for if one of us wishes to stop everything,” Gideon told him.

“So you don’t remember nothing at all?” Miranda asked me while she was healing me.

“No”

“Do you at least remember any number of any friend?”

“No, I remember my friends but they’re probably far away. They travel a lot” flashbacks came to my head. Me on the Waverider with the Legends, fighting Mallus, the Time Bureau, all of it was like a dream but I knew it was real, at least in Earth 1.

“Well, you can stay here if you like”

“Seriously? I am a stranger, I can probably kill you or something” Miranda laughed, oh I missed that laugh so muh.

“You don’t seem like a bad guy, you are cute” I smiled. 

Weeks of fun and happiness came, finally I was happy. I knew that soon I had to go back to Earth 1, protecting time is still my job. 

But right now, it wasn’t the time to do that again.

6 months later

And I just fell in love again, with the same woman, another version of her but she was still Miranda Coburn, my Miranda Coburn. 

But nightmares started coming, every night. Nightmares when Miranda and Jonas got killed, all the bad things I did when I was brainwashed. Sara and the Legends sad faces, but specially Sara’s sad face was the one who make me guilty. 

I woke up, sweating and almost screaming, again.

“Are you okay love?” Miranda told me touching my back slowly. 

“Yes, yes I am” I said after I could finally breath.

“This is the fourth time in the week you woke up like this”

“The nightmares are haunting me”

“You want to tell me about it?” I faced her and I sighed. It was time to said all the truth.

“I am not from this earth, Miranda” I started taking her hands. “The universe you knew, is not the only one out there. There is a hole multiverse, more than one earth. For me, this earth is Earth 2, in Earth 1 I was a Time Master, my job was to protect time. A lot of things happened, and I gave my own life to save my friends, but I didn’t die, and that’s how I got here”

“Is that just a nightmare or is real life?”

“Real life pretty much”

“So, technically in each earth, there is one Miranda?” 

“Yes, but in a differen version. Maybe in this earth I am a dentist or I may be dead” 

“In Earth 1, you know me?” memories came to my head, and tears were about to came soon.

“You, Miranda Coburn, were my wife, my one true love. We meet and fell in love, even when the Time Masters weren’t allowed to love but we did. You were the most wonderful Time Master but you gave up your job for me, for our love. We got married, you became Miranda Coburn Hunter and we had a child named Jonas. We were a happy family, I was still working like a Time Master but being home was the most happiest thing, you and Jonas made me the luckiest man on the multiverse. But I lose you, I lose you and Jonas, both killed by the devil in person, Vandal Savage. I built a team, named the Legends, I traveled back in time and we tried to stop Vandal before he killed you, we stopped him but you and Jonas were still dead. The Legends became my new family, and I have to admit that I miss them. In secret I worked on a way to go back to Earth 1, and I finally figured it out. I stayed here with you because I missed my wife so much, and I had the opportunity to be with her again so I took it” tears fell from my eyes and from Miranda’s.

“So, you only fell in love with me because I have the face of your wife”

“No, it’s not like that. Even if I didn’t had a wife with the your face, even if I am not from another earth, I knew that I would still be in love with you. I don’t know, maybe in all earths Miranda Coburn and Rip Hunter are together, maybe soon you are going to meet and fell in love with the Rip Hunter of this earth. I love you Miranda Coburn, that’s the only thing it matters” 

“I love you too” Miranda said with a smile between the tears and we hugged. “We are star-crossed lovers, right?” I laughed.

“Yes we are” 

I finally finished my portal, the portal that was going to let me go home again. 

“I think it’s time to say goobye” Miranda nodded. 

“I just want to say thank you, for this wonderful 6 months, you made me really happy Rip”

“You made me happy too, and I have to thank you for healing me the first day we meet, for letting me stay in your house and give me the best 6 months on this earth” she smiled, and then she started crying.

“I’m gonna miss you” 

“I’m gonna miss you more” I hugged her, while she was sobbing on my shoulder. Miranda looked at my eyes minutes later of hugs and tears, and she give me a photo. 

“Here, a reminder of how much I love you and how much Earth-1 Miranda loved you” the photo was me and Miranda on bed, looking at each other with big smiles. My arm was around her and her hand was resting on my chest. 

“I love you so much” I said and then I kissed Miranda’s lips with passion, showing her how much I was gonna miss her. 

I opened the portal, a blue hole was now in front of us. 

“Goodbye Rip”

“Goodbye Miranda” and she let my hand go. I walked into the portal, but not without looking at Miranda one more time. I gave her a last smile and I finally left, back again on Earth-1, back home.

                               *********************************************

 Rip ran, dodging people as he chased.

The man ran through the park, so Rip jumped onto the nearest bench, which let him get onto a wall above the thief. Rip leaped forward and tackled him to the ground. Pulling the man to his feet, Rip pushed him to the uniformed officers.

“Read him his rights,” Rip ordered.

Joe West chuckled as he leaned against the car watching, “That was a little vicious.”

“I wasn’t chasing him all day,” Rip replied sharply.

“Technically this is our day off,” Joe reminded him, “Remember that? You’re meant to be helping me pick stuff up to paint the nursery.”

“Well you shouldn’t have parked next to a shop being robbed,” Rip retorted.

Joe rolled his eyes, “Of course, what was I thinking?”

“If you still want help then we should get started,” Rip said walking towards the hardware store.

It was now three months since his encounter with Sapphire and Steel, since he’d been completely stupid falling under their spell and believing in the bond they talked about. He’d received a lot of praise for tracking them down, even if he hadn’t managed to arrest them, because a lot of the stolen items had been recovered. It was praise he knew he didn’t deserve but Rip remained silent and was relieved that the thieves had not decided to tell anyone what had happened. Now the case had been put on hold, since the thieves had disappeared, and Rip had been partnered with Joe West. It was the one of the two good things that came out of the past few months.

The other good thing was the fact Rip had returned from his time in Coast City to be told Zaman Druce had died of a heart attack the night before. Despite the fact he’d been safe from the man for decades, Rip felt relief knowing that he was gone for good and there was no way Rip would ever have to worry about him again.

 -

 Joe watched his partner as the younger man painted the wall of the nursery with the intense focus that he’d had the past months for pretty much everything. Singh had decided to partner them permanently considering Rip’s success on the Sapphire and Steel case, even if Rip insisted not managing to arrest them meant it wasn’t a success. He’d liked Rip from the moment they met. Rip was smart, he looked at things in an unconventional way which Joe appreciated, and they worked well together.

Joe did what he had with his previous partners by including Rip in his family, whether he wanted to be or not. He had basically guilt-tripped Rip on their day off into help him paint the nursery – which he never thought he’d need ever again.

“Don’t you have a son and son-in-law to do things like this for you?” Rip asked, standing back to admire his work.

Joe chuckled, “Both are busy.”

“I bet,” Rip replied rolling his eyes.

“Thanks for your help,” Joe told him, “I do appreciate it.”

Shrugging Rip said, “I had nothing else to do today.”

“Good to know,” Joe replied, “How are you at home repairs?”

“You couldn’t afford me,” Rip told him, an amused smile touching his lips.

Joe laughed.

“You promised me food for my help,” Rip reminded Joe, “Is that coming at any point?”

Nodding Joe pulled out his phone, “Pizza?”

                                 *********************************************

 “Hi,” Nora Dahrk cried happily, hugging Miranda then Gideon tightly when they were led into the lounge where she was waiting, “I’m so happy to see you both.”

Miranda beamed at their friend, “Thank you for giving us a place to stay.”

“Of course. You’re both welcome here whenever you want,” Nora reminded them, “Ray will be ecstatic to see you too.”

Gideon smiled tightly, “Where is he?”

“Playing in the garage with all his toys,” Nora laughed fondly, “I’m going to have to lock it to make sure he comes to his birthday party on Saturday. But he’ll be so happy that you’re both here to celebrate with us.” She pulled them over to the couch, “Now tell me everything that’s happened that means you need a place to stay.”

Gideon took a few steps back, “I think I’ll go see Ray.”

Confused Nora watched Gideon head to Ray’s workshop, turning to Miranda she demanded, “What’s wrong?”

Miranda sighed, “We did something…stupid.”

Nora stared at her for a few seconds before bouncing up and pouring them both a glass of red wine. Handing one to Miranda, she sat beside her again, “Tell me everything.”

Taking a long drink Miranda told her friend about their detective and the past few months.

“So, Gideon is upset by the fact you ended the relationship,” Nora sympathised.

Miranda sighed, “We both fell hard for Rip. But I made the decision alone. Gideon and I have always discussed everything, but I knew how deeply she’d fallen for him. I made the decision to remove him from our lives without her because I didn’t want her to make it.”

“I understand that,” Nora soothed, “And I’m sure she does too.”

Miranda shook her head, tears filling her eyes, “I’m scared she’ll leave. Nora,” she stopped her friend before she could say anything, “Gideon loves me, I know this but she hasn’t been the same the past few months and I’m afraid she’ll decide that what I did means she can’t stay with me.”

Nora wrapped her arm around Miranda’s shoulders, hugging her close. Nora’s father had been a business associate of Druce, whenever they had business together Druce would bring Miranda and Gideon along as companions for Nora. They had become good friends, so when Nora’s father died and Nora inherited everything, she made sure Miranda and Gideon knew they were always welcome.

Whenever they needed to go to ground it was a refuge for them with Nora and the adorable, brilliant Ray, Nora’s husband. Miranda just hoped Gideon would feel better spending some time here with their friends because Miranda couldn’t lose her.

 -

 Gideon slipped away from Nora and Miranda, heading up the stairs to the room Nora had given them when she’d first taken over the house. She had thought about going to say hello to Ray, but he was such an enthusiastic person and she did adore him, but right now Gideon didn’t want to deal with his cheerful disposition or his concern if she didn’t manage to be as upbeat as he would expect her to be.

She was sad.

Part of her understood why Miranda had ended their relationship with Rip but she was hurt that Miranda hadn’t trusted Gideon to be part of the decision. They had returned to England to let things die down for a while and, although Gideon tried to move past the hurt she felt, their relationship had become strained.

Opening her laptop Gideon began to scroll through some of the websites she liked, a mixture of jewellery and technology, her two favourite things. She flicked to the website that she had been looking at the night before and for the last few days. Finally making a decision that she’d been hesitating over.

With a deep breath, she found her bag and packed her laptop wondering if she would have the strength to say goodbye.

 -

 “Hey,” Miranda’s voice made her turn, “I thought you were going to see Ray.”

Gideon shrugged, “I changed my mind.”

“What are you doing?” Miranda asked confused to see the bags sitting there.

Shaking her head sadly Gideon sat, she had hoped to have a little more time to get herself together for this conversation.

Miranda took a seat on the bed beside her, “Can you talk to me? Please.”

Sighing Gideon stood and walked to the other side of the room trying not to see how hurt Miranda looked, “I know you were thinking of all of us when you ended our relationship with Rip, but you should have talked to me first.”

“Gideon…”

“You’ve always taken care of me,” Gideon cut her off, “And I love you for that.”

Confused Miranda said, “I love you too.”

“But,” Gideon sighed sadly, “I’ve never had to be responsible for myself and I think it’s time I am,”

Shock and fear covered Miranda’s face, “What do you mean?”

“When I first lost my parents,” Gideon breathed, “I was so afraid, and there you were. My angel. You looked after me and you’ve never stopped but I shouldn’t have let you.”

Tears filled Miranda’s eyes, “Please…”

“I just want to spend some time on my own,” Gideon continued.

Still confused Miranda asked, “Why now? Is this because of Rip.”

“Yes,” Gideon replied, “And no. It has nothing to do with him, it’s the fact that you didn’t trust me enough to make that decision with you.”

Miranda sighed, “I didn’t want you to have to make it. I know how much you adore him.”

“It wasn’t your choice, Miranda,” Gideon cried frustrated, “And I have tried to stop how I feel but I can’t,” she took Miranda’s hands, “I love you but I need to stand on my own just for a little while.”

“How long is a little while?”

Sadness filled Gideon’s eyes, but she didn’t answer the question. Instead she pulled her coat on and picked up her bag. Leaning over she kissed Miranda before pulling away and leaving without a word.

Rip slid his coat and jacket off as they entered the house, Miranda smiled slightly as she watched him automatically hang them up behind the door. It was clear he knew this place and that made her feel a tingle of happiness as she realised that Rip was going to come back into her life permanently very soon.

“I don’t have much in,” she said as she headed to her kitchen, “But I can throw something together.”

“Why don’t you let me?” Rip offered, rolling his eyes at her surprise, “I have learned a few things over the years.”

Miranda chuckled, “Alright, the kitchen is yours.”

A soft smile touched his lips making him look like the Rip she’d left only a few years before and she watched for a few minutes as he checked the fridge.

Leaving him to fix dinner, Miranda tidied up a little knowing that Rip felt more comfortable when everything around him was organised. She could tell from what little he’d said that he’d had a hard mission which had affected him so much he needed comfort.

Miranda wondered how far in her future he was from, but it was also clear that they were together where he was from.

When she had left the Time Masters, Miranda ensured that she left no trail to follow because as much as she loved him, Miranda couldn’t put his career in jeopardy, but she always hoped he would find her one day.

 Dinner was really good, and Miranda groaned when she finished eating the pasta dish he’d made.

“That was incredible,” she told him, “I’m amazed I didn’t know you could cook before now.”

“Well, it wasn’t a skill required at the Academy,” Rip reminded her.

Miranda shrugged, “True.”

“I learned from Mother,” Rip said, “But you know we were never encouraged to do things that relaxed us.”

Reaching out to touch his hand, Miranda frowned when he pulled away from her.

“I should leave,” Rip whispered.

“Why?” Miranda demanded.

Rip sighed, “Because I shouldn’t be here. I am so close to crossing my own timeline and that would be disastrous.”

She reached out and touched his cheek before he could duck away, “How close?”

“I…I shouldn’t tell…” he stammered.

“Rip,” she breathed, “You came to see me because you need to be here. How close?”

He swallowed before replying, “I can be here until tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

Miranda nodded before kissing him. Rip froze for a moment before he kissed her back, his arms sliding around her and pulling her close. With a soft moan, Miranda slid onto his lap and continued to kiss him as she felt his hands slowly slide along her body while she began to unbutton the shirt he was wearing.

“We shouldn’t,” Rip murmured, drawing back slightly their foreheads touching his eyes half-closed.

Miranda simply kissed him again and he surrendered to her.

                         *********************************************

 Giving a soft sigh, Miranda slid off Rip and lay at his side turning to look at him. He still looked tired but a lot more relaxed than before.

“I forgot how nice that was,” Miranda murmured, cuddling into his shoulder, “And it was so much better not worrying someone would walk in on us.”

Rip chuckled as he held her close his hand slowly trailing along her back, “I know,” he kissed her again.

“So,” she said when they parted, propping her head on the elbow, “I know you can’t tell me anything about our future but what can you tell me?”

Rip rolled his eyes, “Not much.”

“Well,” mischief filled her eyes, “You told me you’re coming back to me, do we get to do that a lot?”

“You insist,” Rip replied softly.

Miranda laughed, “You’re very good at it, I don’t want such talent to go to waste.”

Rip kissed her quickly.

Okay,” she mused for a moment before asking, “Do we tell each other our childhood names?”

It was something that they’d never done, revealed the names they’d grown up with, the identities that someone could use against them.

“We will,” he told her before reaching out Rip stroked her cheek and breathed, “I love you. The younger me, I am so afraid of telling you this after the two years apart in case you reject me, and it will take me a while before I do. But I need you to know that I love you.”

Miranda felt her heart flutter as he’d never said those exact words to her, “I love you too.”

Rip leaned in and gently rested his forehead against hers, “You are my world, Miranda.”

Wrapping her arms around him, Miranda pulled Rip onto her, and they lost themselves in one another once more.

 Rip was sleeping and, to Miranda’s surprise, he was in a deep sleep which she had never known him to do. Rip was always a light sleeper, even with her and woke at the slightest sound or movement but as Miranda slipped out of bed, Rip only gave a sigh and buried his face deeper into his pillow.

Sliding her robe on, Miranda headed to get a glass of water from the kitchen. As she sipped her water, Miranda looked at the fantastic duster Rip had been wearing and wondered where he got it from.

Unable to resist, she went over to the coat and studied it. Surprise filled her as she realised this was genuine from the time period and hoped one day to get the story. Feeling a small bulge from an inside pocket, Miranda’s curiosity got the better of her and carefully, knowing exactly what Rip tended to keep in pockets and how dangerous they could be, slid her hand into the pocket. She frowned thoughtfully finding the pocket watch, it was beautiful, and she gently drew her fingers over the pattern on the front. About to return the watch to the pocket, Miranda couldn’t resist pushing the button to open it, gasping at the picture inside.

It was her with an adorable a little boy, and as Miranda looked at him could see both herself and Rip in the child’s features.

Miranda felt tears fill her eyes, as she realised that Rip was going to stay, that when the version of him that correlated with her arrived then it would be forever.

Forcing her tears back, Miranda put the watch back where she’d found it before heading back to her bedroom finding Rip still fast asleep. Sliding back under the covers, she closed her eyes as Rip’s arm automatically wrapped around her waist. Cuddling into him, Miranda let sleep take her.

                         *********************************************

 Miranda sighed softly as she woke up, reaching out to find she was alone in the bed. Grabbing her robe, Miranda left the bedroom realising she could hear noise coming from the kitchen and smiled to see Rip making breakfast.

“Morning,” Miranda said as she walked over to him, smiling as he leaned over and kissed her.

“Morning, I thought I’d make breakfast.”

Miranda smiled, “I could get used to this.”

Rip frowned, “Don’t. I won’t always be here, you know that.”

“Then I will make you promise to make me breakfast when you are here,” Miranda replied, pushing up on her tiptoes to kiss him again.

He turned back to the omelette he was cooking while Miranda sat at her small breakfast bar watching and sipping the fresh orange juice that he’d passed over to her.

They ate breakfast talking quietly about memories they shared, and Miranda loved the domesticity of it. Realising that he was going to leave soon, Miranda dragged him into the shower for a little fun before she had to let him go.

 “I shouldn’t have been here,” Rip said softly as he put his jacket and duster on, “But I’m glad you persuaded me to stay for a while.”

Miranda caught his hand, “Sometimes you need someone to make you take care of yourself.”

“That’s true,” he shrugged, pulling her close and kissing her once more.

Sighing softly as they parted, Miranda held his hand as he opened the door. Rip gently stroked his thumb across the back of her hand before letting her go and walking away.

Miranda watched him until he disappeared around the corner. Shaking herself Miranda stepped back inside the house and closed the door.

The rest of the day Miranda spent cleaning the house, needing to get rid of some of the energy she had. By the end of the day, Miranda made herself a light dinner and settled down to read her book.

A knock on the door surprised her. Annoyed she was being interrupted, Miranda yanked the door open, about to demand what whoever it was wanted, stunned to find Rip standing there.

Her Rip but wearing the same coat.

“I know you feel that it isn’t a good idea for us to be together,” Rip said nervously, “But I’m now a Captain and have my own ship. My AI will help hide our time together because she thinks it will make sure I’ll take better care of myself if I have you in my life.”

Miranda smiled and wrapped her arms around him, “I think I can agree with that.”