Dick's P.O.V

I park the car then head inside.

"Hope, I'm home!"

Where is she? I know she'd be home by now. I look around until I hear something. It sounds like it's coming from the work out room. Is Hope in there?

I go to find out. Well, there's her backpack and...I see Hope at the punching bag. Looks as though she's letting out some frustration. Must have had a bad day at school. I know she's teased a lot.

"Hope?" "Don't want to talk right now Dad."

Hope's not using any protection for her fists and she's punching pretty hard. Definitely had a bad day at school. She always tells Babs and I everything. When she's not talking to Tim and Kit* that is. I try calling her name again.

"I thought I said I don't want to talk right now." "I thought you knew you can tell me everything."

Turn around Hope. Please. I don't want you to hurt yourself. Not sure what to do, I try calling her name again.

"What part of I don't want to talk right now are you having trouble understanding?"

I hear a little bit of anger in her voice.

"The don't."

Seeming somewhat reluctant, she turns around and faces me.

"Yeah, I guess so. Sorry I snapped at you. I didn't really have the greatest day at school, and I'm feeling kind of different right now, but that's no excuse."

We sit down on a mat.

"Do you want to talk about it?" "Not really sure you'll understand but I might as well." "What makes you think I won't understand?" "Well, let's see, you were never teased about your height."

She's got a point.

"No, instead, I was teased about my heritage. That was when I wasn't be called a charity case."

Hope knows that, on my Dad's side, I'm half Gypsy. She's heard me scream in Romany. I spoke that language with my parents but I had a nightmare about...that night.

"Yeah, I used to be called a charity case too. But you're not a Meta. No one in this city, except me, is. I'm the only person I know who has the power to turn invisible."

Again, she's got a point.

"I feel like a square peg in a round hole."

Hope...

"Yes, but you're my square peg. As for the round hole...I'll use my escrima sticks to make it square." "You think you can do that?" "For you, yes, I'll try as hard as I can to make that happen. I'll call in backup if I need to."

She smiles.

"Thanks Dad." "Not a problem."

I'd ruffle her hair but I know she doesn't like that. I notice her knuckles are kind of red.

"You O.K?"

She nods.

"I think so, yeah." "I want you to know something else." "What's that?" "You may be different but I wouldn't have you any other way."

Her smile widens.

"I think you just made the hole square." "Well, that was easier than I thought it would be. Are you underestimating my ability with escrima sticks?" "When you're the one who taught me how to fight? Of course I'm not. It's just that, sometimes words speak louder than actions, instead of vice versa. Speaking of actions..."

She wrinkles her nose.

"I have math homework. But I'm looking forward to going on patrol."

I smile.

"Me too. I like going on patrol with you better than going out alone." "Good. Nightwing needs a partner anyway. He's got a tendency to get into trouble."

She grins, grabs her backpack, then heads to her room. I roll my eyes.

"I am not a trouble magnet!" "That's not what Mom said!"

Babs shows up and grins.

"Don't try to deny it Dick." "Where would the point be in that?" "There wouldn't be any. Hope and I have known you too long." "I know when I'm beaten." "Not during your "night shift" you don't. But we love you anyway."

I grin.

"I should hope so." "Nice pun Dad!"

I hear a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Later, after dinner, Hope and I are ready to go on patrol.

"Now I really don't feel that different."

I smile.

"Good."

She grins.

"Yeah. Now come on! We've got butt to kick."

I manage to hide laughter as I head out on patrol with my daughter. Difference and all, she always be my daughter. I can't help but be proud of her.

*see Just a Little Kit for Kit's first appearance