I'm 17 years old and I fight crime in Bludhaven. You probably know me as Ghost. Nightwing's partner. Though, in civvies, we're Father and daughter. Secret identity and all that.

I look out at the city, a relaxed smile on my face. I may like being under a full moon better, but I still find it calming being out here. Especially since my curfew has been extended. 11 o'clock on school nights. 11:30 on weekends. I breathe in the night air and my smile widens.

Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself, did I?

My name is Hope Grayson. Surely you've heard of my parents.

You haven't? Where have you been?

My Mom and Dad are practically the most famous couple in Bludhaven. Barbara "Babs" Gordon and Richard "Dick" Grayson.

Oh, you do know them?

Well, I'm sure you know at least one. My Dad is the kind of guy that's impossible not to like. Not to mention the fact that he's one of the few honest cops in Bludhaven. Yeah, I know, crime wise, this city's not exactly the best. But I got to have something to keep me busy. When I'm not at school that is.

Don't make me talk about school. There's not too much that I like about it. Especially since I'm like an insult magnet. I'm 5 feet 3 inches tall, (still short for my age), so I tend to get teased a lot about my height. In art class, I get called a teacher's pet. I'm a really good artist, (don't like to brag but that's what I've been told), and I like to read. Fighting crime is so much more fun though. It runs in my family and I like knowing that I make my Dad proud while doing it.

Yeah, I have other family. There's Bruce, Alfred, Song*, and Tim. But I've always been closer to Tim.

As far as friends go, my best one is Kit West.** I guess, unlike my Dad, I'm not all that good at making friends. Well, actually, my Mom's good at making friends too. Just ask the Birds of Prey. They're a team of women who can kick butt and my Mom leads it.

They didn't teach me how to fight though. Dad did. Mom, if anything, taught me how to be strong. She's easily one of the strongest people that I know.

I look around, from my perch, again. Don't think I've ever seen Bludhaven this quiet before. It's a little unnerving. Then again, I've only been fighting crime for almost a year. I made my debut when I was sixteen. Don't really want to have to tell you all the details. Though, to make a long story short, my Dad was kidnapped and I brought him home.

"Why do I feel like something big's in the works?" "Everyone in your family has at least some paranoia."

Dad shrugs his shoulders.

"Part of being a Bat, I guess. I don't blame you for that feeling though. Times that Bludhaven is this quiet are few and far between." "Don't really feel like a Bat. But I get your point. Got any ideas on what to do in the meantime?" "Good question. I don't really think I have an answer for it." "Makes me almost wish that I brought a book. Not that I don't enjoy your company." "Can't say I've ever read a book during a point when this city was quiet. What book would you have brought with you anyway?" "A detective story I guess. Not sure which one, though, I do admit A got me a little bit hooked on Sherlock Holmes." "He, if anyone, would recommend that. That guy tends to have a lot of time on his hands."

I nod.

"Yeah, seriously. He's got to do something in all the spare time that he has."

Our conversation comes to a halt when I notice a suspicious looking woman. I head over to do something about her while Dad follows close behind. Just in case I guess.

But I never could've expected what the woman does to me. Some kind of energy hits me.

I fight to stay on my feet. It's not long before I realize I can't. I feel kind of funny. I need to sit down. Feeling a little disoriented, I decide to do that. The woman disappeared. I think I'll be fine...


Dick's P.O.V


"Ghost, are you O.K?" "I think so. Whoa. What's going on?"

She turns invisible.

"Ghost? Turn visible."

Come on Hope.

"I'm trying. Hang on."

She seems to flicker for a bit, but then she's invisible again.

"Ghost?"

I fight nervousness from my voice.

"I'm trying as hard as I can. Nothing's happening!"

There's so much fear in her voice. I don't blame her for being scared. This hasn't happened before.

"I...I want to go home. I don't care about my curfew right now. I just want to go home." "O.K. You going to be alright?" "Well, if I am, you can't see it! I...I'm sorry I snapped."

She leads my hand to her shoulder. It's shaking. We definitely should go home. Given Hope's new state, she really needs comfort. How am I going to tell Babs about this? I think of what to say on the way there. When we arrive, Babs looks at me.

"Dick? Where's Hope?" "I...I'm right here Mom. I'm right in front of you. I can't turn visible. I'm...Oh God. I. CAN'T. TURN. VISIBLE!"

There's nothing but panic in her voice. Then I hear her start crying. She takes off her mask and, clearly terrified, drops it on the floor.

"I don't know how to even begin to deal with this. I...think I need to get away for a while. I'm not running away from home though."

I hear her run away. To be honest, I'm a little scared too. How many Dads have to deal with the fact that they can't see their daughter? Not because they're blind, but because she's invisible?

Exactly. Just the one. Me.


*see A Song in Gotham for Song's first appearance
**see Just a Little Kit for Kit's first appearance