Keith couldn't believe it! How did this happen? When?! As he tried to figure it out, the social worker cleared his throat, attempting to get Keith's attention once more. Looking at the little girl, Keith knew he couldn't deny who she was. Her long, blonde hair, her grayish-blue eyes, her happy smile… they were all his. This couldn't be his child! But she was. The similarities were too numerous to count. He looked at the social worker, who looked back at him expectantly.

"She's really my daughter…?"

"Yes," said the social worker with a sigh. "If you want to do a paternity test to be certain we could, but the mother told us she was yours. Your name is Keith Goodman, correct?"

"Yes. I would like to do the paternity test though." Keith said. The social worker nodded, and excused himself to make a call. The little girl got up and sat next to him, shaking a little. Her bangs covered her eyes when she looked down and Keith could tell she was about to say something.

"Do you want to be my daddy…?" she asked, sounding choked up. He looked at her, the urge to hug her far too great. Maybe it was the Hero in him that hated to see her cry. But maybe it was the fact that he might really be her father. He picked her up, getting a surprised squeak from her, and sat her in his lap.

"Do I want to? Yes. Am I? I don't know yet. But I promise, even if you're not my little girl, I'll find a way to be your daddy. It's my job to help people." He saw her smile as she leaned into his chest. "I keep forgetting your name. I have such a bad short-term memory…"

"Tallia. My name is Tallia. But the kids in the orphanage call me Tally."

"What a pretty name. I'm going to remember that this time. .Tallia. I think I've got it."

"Are you a NEXT?"

"Why?" asked Keith frowning. Was Tallia a NEXT like him?

"I'm a NEXT. And I have the same powers as Sky High. I was hoping you knew him, so he could teach me how to control my powers. But if you could, that would be good too." Keith smiled. She really was just like him.

"Can you keep a secret, Tallia?" She looked up at him, and nodded. "I know Sky High better than anyone in the world. Because I am Sky High" Her eyes went wide in surprise upon hearing this little tidbit of information.

"Really?" She breathed. Keith smiled and nodded. she was so wonderful… he truly did love her.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

It was almost a week before the paternity test came back. Keith opened the envelope and smiled, reading the results. He knew she was his even before the test. The test just confirmed it. Even if she wasn't his, he was going to try and adopt her. Putting the letter down, he searched for the social workers number. Dialing the number, he waited three rings before the social worker picked up.

"Ah, Keith Goodman, right?" asked the social worker on the other end of the phone.

"Yes, sir. I got the results. She's mine."

"You sound cheerful about that. I'm assuming you'll be taking custody of her?"

"Of course! I would never leave my family behind."

"Alright. I'll be at your house with her in about an hour. I'll also give you some money for clothes and things like that."

"Thanks! And Tha—uh….yeah, thanks….!" Hanging up, Keith checked his watch. Tallia would be here at roughly 3:30. He grabbed his 3DS and started beating the crap out of the Kalos Region Pokemon on it. Without realizing it, an hour flew by. The social worker came, honking his car horn, signaling he had arrived. Keith rushed down the stairs and opened the door. Tallia came rushing out of the car and nearly tackled the King of Heroes to the floor.

"Daddy!"

"Welcome home, Tallia. Welcome home."