Rip hunter had forgotten. After all he went through, it was understandable. That life was completely behind him now. It needed to be, otherwise he'd have gone mad with the loss. So when the Legends decided to stay a few extra days to celebrate correcting the latest time aberration, Rip didn't raise any objections. In fact, he was even looking forward to it!

Then he saw him, bow tie and all.

It was like a shot of ice water was forced down Rip's spine. Everything came flooding back.

The Sontarans and their plot to take over Earth with tiny angry potato heads. That's not a commentary on their appearance. It was their actual plan, with actual potatoes. Those memories lead to others. The TARDIS. The Doctor. River. Her. Rip couldn't even think about her.

It was time to go. The team can stay here to drink and party all they wanted, but Rip could not be seen right now.

So of course Mr Rory decided right now was the perfect time to break a table with some sorry fellow's head.

Everyone in the bar looked over at the ensuing ruckus. Everyone save the Doctor. His terrifying focus was solely for one Rip Hunter. At least he was alone. There was no way he could face her again.

Casually, the Doctor sauntered over and leaned on the bar next to Rip. When he spoke, it was with an air of calm menace.

"Tell me who you are, what you're doing here, and why those blokes have time energy just oozing off of them. In that order."

"Rip Hunter. Having a drink. We're time travelers. Your turn." Oh yes, that was very good. Not a single bit of the fear and horror he's feeling came out in his voice.

"I think you know exactly who I am, "Rip Hunter." Otherwise you wouldn't look like that, with the nose. Just a touch off, by the way. Shoddy craftsmanship if you ask me."

"It's not what you think, Doctor."

"So you know what I'm thinking? That's funny. Good, you're funny." The Doctor stood up straight and glared. "I like it when they're funny."

"You're thinking I'm here to mess with... with Amy. You think because I look like her husband I'm planning something nefarious." Rip slammed his drink down and turned to face his accuser. "I assure you, Doctor, I intend nothing of the sort. The last thing I want to do is cause her pain. Other than that, what I am doing here is precisely none of your business!"

Sara Lance came over. The entire team was now watching. "Is there a problem, Rip?"

"I don't know. Is there, Doctor?"

The Doctor looked at the people gathering around "Rip Hunter." Some faces he knew on sight, like Ray Palmer and Martin Stein. The others...not so much. But in each of their eyes a fierce loyalty burned.

"You're not here for Amy or Rory?"

"I could never hurt either of them. For obvious reasons."

With those words, the Doctor's whole demeanor changed. He went from threatening to unassuming in the blink of an eye. "I understand." The Doctor smiled and put his hands up in surrender. "Right then! Sorry! I'll be out of your hair in a jiff! Well, not yours," he pointed at Mick. "You don't have any. But that's okay. Happened to me once." Awkwardly, the man brushed his shaggy nerd hair off his face. "Different head."

Once the odd man had left, the questions began. "He's somebody I used to know a lifetime ago. Before I became a Time Master. But it's fine. We're all fine. Excuse me. I'd like to be alone. Stay here. Have fun. Please."

Hours later in Rip's study, Mick Rory barged in and sat down with a six pack of beers.

"I'll never get over your fancy ship being able to print me booze. I love the future!"

Rip didn't look up from the picture he was holding. "I said I wanted to be alone."

Mick shrugged. "Don't care. Amy, right? She's a babe." There was no response. "Followed bow tie out and saw her cuddling up to a younger you. How the hell did you get someone as hot as her?" The estimable criminal opened a couple of bottles and offered one to Rip.

When he didn't take the beer or the bait, Mick just shrugged and pounded back both bottles. After a huge belch, he pulled out two more.

"I know who bow tie is. I know who you were. And I know what the babe means to you."

That got Rip's attention.

"How could you possibly know all that?

"Chronos, remember? You weren't the only one the Time Bastards wanted me to hunt down. Hell, you weren't even the first."

Rip laughed in disbelief. "The Time Masters were going to send you after the Doctor?"

"Eventually, maybe. They just wanted me to know about him. And you. If I ever saw you with him, I was supposed to off you. Never did though. Figured fighting you and the Legends would be easier than taking him on."

Mick guzzled down another beer. Rip finally took his and followed suit.

"Besides," Mick continued, "for a bunch of people calling themselves the Time Masters, they were scared shitless of the guy." He then grabbed the picture. "Amy Pond. Mmm. I like her hair. Tell me about her."

Rip snatched the photo back. "I'm going to need something stronger than beer if I'm to do that, Mr Rory."

"Finally! You're talking sense! On to the good stuff!" He got up and rummaged through the liquor cabinet. Mick found what he was looking for behind a bottle of Chateau Picard 2387 and pulled it out with relish. "Nothing drowns a man's sorrow like whisky!" He took a pull straight from the bottle before passing it to Rip. "Talk."

"It all started when we were kids. Amy told me and our best friend Mel about this big blue box falling from the sky and crashing into her backyard..."

The Ponds were having a picnic on the garden planet Eden Prime. Amy was laughing delightedly at something Rory was saying. She shoved some cheese in his face and laughed all the harder. He tried to glare sternly, but was soon in hysterics right along with her.

The Doctor watched them from a distance. Had either of them noticed, they might have asked why he was weeping.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow and all affiliated characters are owned by DC Comics/Warner Brothers Television. Doctor Who and all affiliated characters are owned by the BBC. I own the bottle of Chateau Picard 2387.