As her heart learns to beat (A Legends Of Tomorrow Fanfiction)

Chapter-6: Winter took it all

Rip rushed to open the cargo bay door but by the time he reached, DarkFire was already there.

"What are you doing here?", He asked

"The world was well off without me Rip", this was the first time she addressed Rip with his first name. Naturally, Rip could sense she was about to do something stupid.

"Now there", he said, "no need to jump to any conclusion yet"

"Rip, listen to me", she urged

"No, you listen to me", there was a commanding tone in his voice as he spoke, "My team and I went through a lot of trouble in order to ensure your safety. It is high time you learnt to respect those efforts. Please do not do any such thing that can make all our efforts go in vain"

"Why Rip?", She asked, "why is it so important for me to live?"

"Because the world needs you", he replied, "that's the reason they kept you alive for so many years! This universe needs you"

"And who told you that?", She charged.

"The Time Masters of course", he replied with an 'obviously' look on his face.

"Exactly my point, Rip", she said, "the time masters! Since when did you start believing them?"

Rip was confused. He did not know how to respond to that. Strangely, DarkFire had a point. The time masters were not really protectors of the timeline. They in fact used to manipulate the time in accordance to their convenience. So, when they said DarkFire was needed for the greater good of the universe, chances are high that they actually meant, DarkFire was needed for their own greater benefit!

"I am indeed a walking definition of destruction, Rip", her eyes were swimming in tears as she spoke, "I am more of a weapon and less human now. As long as I live, they'd keep coming back again and again to try and abduct me, manipulate my mind and use my half weaponised cyborg body as their toy. Don't let this happen Rip. Allow me to die with dignity— Please"

Rip was left with no point to argue. Today, for the first time since they had met, Rip could see why they called her a 'Legend'. Her bravery, her reasonings, her sensibility, all together made her so special!

Rip hardly ever had any pleasant memory with her and yet for some unknown reasons, he could already feel the pain of losing her. The sadness was clearly visible in his hopeless eyes.

"Its about Gideon, isn't it?" DarkFire asked with a fade smile on her face, "the memory chip that turned a lifeless computer into your Gideon is going to get destroyed with me in this process. That is why you're so sad?"

Rip did not bother to reply; not because he didn't wish to but because he really wasn't sure about his feelings at that moment. Was he really missing Gideon or was it about DarkFire herself? He couldn't decide!

"You and her", she spoke again, "you shared a really close bonding, right? In fact, you sort of fell in love with her"

"I- beg- your- pardon??", finally breaking his silence, Rip reacted in disbelief at her seemingly unrealistic remarks.

"Its alright", she said, "you don't have to say it. Gideon and I share the same events of memories, remember? I am already aware of each and every moments you shared together. Even that little kiss"

Rip still couldn't believe she actually said that !?!

"Is that why you wanted to revive me so badly?", She asked in a cracked voice, "so that you could get your own human version of Gideon?"

After a brief silent look of disbelief, Rip finally burst out into laughter! Even under such tensed circumstances, he couldn't stop laughing at DarkFire's vague imaginations.