A/N: Okay, sorry for the cliffhanger at the end there, it WILL be resolved, but I am changing tactics, here. I'm going to do this split down into two. The first part is the long awaited St. Dick thought process. The other…well, you'll see.
Chapter 9: The Musings Of An Ass/A Reconciliation, Of Sorts
Dick Grayson was not happy when the phone by his bed rang. The digital clock beside it read 2:37 a.m. He hadn't had even a full hour of sleep yet. Hell, he'd just ignore it. He wasn't about to talk to someone when he couldn't string together a coherent thought.
No luck. It kept ringing. And ringing. And ringing.
Kory stirred beside him. "Dick, just get the phone…" She muttered, rolling onto her side and covering her head with a pillow.
Groaning, he groped for it and put it to his ear.
"RICHARD JOHN GRAYSON! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE NOW!"
He winced and held the phone away from his now ringing ear. "Babs?"
"You're damn right! Do you know what your wife has been doing to Natalie?"
"Barbara, slow down, slow down…" He sat up and put his free hand to his temple. He was fairly sure he heard Natalie protesting in the background.
"I cannot believe it escaped my attention, but then she has your flair for hiding things. Why didn't you do something about those bruises?"
"Bruises? What--" He didn't get the chance to finish as he heard scuffling, then Natalie's smooth alto, "It's nothing, Dad. I'm fine. Go back to--" The phone switched hands again, and he heard Barbara cry, "It is NOT fine! Dick, while I know Kory doesn't like me for obvious reasons, there is no reason why her feelings should transfer to OUR daughter!" He winced again, as she placed emphasis on the "our." "Now, I'm sure she might not have meant it, but she apparently grabs Natalie quite hard--she is Tamaranean, after all--and Natalie has had to hide the bruises on her arms and wrists! How could it escape your attention? And why the hell haven't you talked to her about it?"
"Barbara, I had no idea this was happening!" Kory was injuring Natalie? He took a glance at his wife, who just groaned.
"Dick, hang up the phone. It's 2:30 in the morning. You can call her tomorrow."
He covered the receiver. "Kory, go back to sleep." Going back to the phone, he stood. "I had no idea, Babs, otherwise I would have done something. You know I would never let her get hurt."
"It's a little late for that, Dick."
There was no malice in the words, but Dick felt as though he'd been stabbed. This was the third time in two weeks he'd been accused of being a poor father. First by Roy, with that horrid spectacle at the office, then Kyle had called him last Sunday to tell him that his daughter had broken down in his arms and bawled herself to sleep because of him. Now he was getting a guilt trip from her mother. "I'll be right over, Barbara." He hung up the phone and got dressed gingerly. He walked downstairs and wrote a note for Kory, in case she got up, and began the long drive to Gotham.
One thought hit him suddenly as he turned the corner and got onto the highway.
Natalie had called him…Dad.
God, what had he done?
He admittedly had handled the news of Barbara's pregnancy poorly. More than poorly, he'd been an ass. But he never imagined that she would actually get pregnant! They used protection, after all! Still, any method was only ninety-nine percent effective. He wasn't ready to be a father, so he denied it. Granted, Barbara wasn't ready to be a mother, either, and she had so much more to deal with, since she was actually carrying Natalie. He was an idiot. He refused to believe that it had happened, and pushed her out. He still loved her, so very much, but there was no way she could have gotten pregnant by him. He had been convinced.
He later realized just how many nights he had reduced Barbara to tears because of his apathy, his callousness. His Barbara. He had sworn never to hurt her, and he had failed. The shame of it made him even more reluctant to face her, even thought it did her little good. He convinced himself of another fact: she was better off without him.
But he was the first one she called when she went into labor. He went, despite the fact that he was terrified of hurting her more. She apparently didn't mind him being there, in fact, she told him that she was happy to have him with her. He wasn't sure if it was the drugs talking or not, but when Natalie was finally born, there was nothing that could compare to the immense pride that welled as he held her in his arms. He never should have doubted Barbara. She had his black hair then, and his eyes. She was an angel. Right then and there, he decided he would do anything to protect this little thing, this person he had created with Barbara.
So why had he pulled away immediately after she was born? Why had Roy, Kyle, Garth and Wally had to beat some sense into him, literally? Because that very same day, the day he got down on his knees and begged for Barbara's forgiveness, she had told him that it could never work between them.
She had refused him.
He understood now, why she made the decision she did. But he hadn't, then. And he let the beginnings of a grudge be nursed by the pain of that rejection. He reverted back to his safety net: the both of them were better without him. He sent child support for Natalie, and gifts on her birthday, but he rarely saw her. He figured it was better for her that way.
He was such a bastard.
------------------------------
Natalie didn't want to think. She couldn't believe what was happening. She had been gearing up to tell her mother about what happened with Benz, when her mother noticed the bruises on her wrists and forearms. She was wearing her tank pajamas, and had completely forgotten to retrieve her robe before her mother got home. She hadn't even meant to bring up the situation with Kory. The woman was overprotective and spiteful, fine. She didn't want to make trouble, at least not any more than there already was. So what did she do? Pulled out her sketchbook and curled up on the couch. At least it gave her something to look at besides her mother's eyes.
"Sweetheart, why didn't you come to me sooner? Why didn't you tell your father?" Barbara asked, coming in from the kitchen with fresh mugs of cocoa. Why were all serious talks accompanied by hot or alcoholic beverages?
"Mom, I told you, it's no big deal, really. I don't want to make any more trouble than I already am." She paused to pick up her kneaded eraser, "Besides, that's not what I needed to talk to you about…" There was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, but her hand was being forced. If she didn't tell her mother tonight, her friends would. Besides, she could always crash at Kyle's or Roy's in the event of serious violence. No, she couldn't. They'd be out for Benz's blood because her mother would call them first thing in the morning.
"Oh?" Barbara frowned. "What is it?"
Natalie took a deep breath, her hand poised over her work. "You're not going to like it, but you have to promise not to tell anybody, and don't stop me until I'm finished. I…don't really want to talk about it, but Rab and Twitch are getting all noble and I figured you'd better hear it from me…" She proceeded to attack the paper with the eraser, pulling out the highlights from the potted plant across the room.
She saw Barbara's eyes widen a bit, but otherwise she said nothing.
"That pain I had earlier is from a surgery I had freshman year. They screwed it up, so now I'm on pain medication for the rest of my life, unless they find some way to fix it. I--"
"Surgery? Why did you have surgery? How could you get it without--"
"Mom! Please!" She cried. "This is going to be hard for me to say and you to hear, so just…just stop, please." Tears stung her eyes, and she took a moment to collect her thoughts before continuing softly. "I had an abortion. It's not something I'm proud of, but I was scared, and I didn't want to tell you that your only daughter had gone and wound up like you--knocked up and unmarried. I didn't want to jeopardize all that you've worked for, because you know how the press is, they want to find as much dirt these days as they can, and…I didn't want anyone to know. I just wanted to forget that it happened…" A stray tear trickled down her cheek and in an instant, Barbara was sitting next to her, pulling her into the protective hug she used to use when Natalie woke from nightmares, rocking her back and forth.
"Natalie…oh, sweetie…" She dropped a kiss into her daughter's red hair, "Who…who was the father?"
"No one that I wanted anything to do with…I didn't want to have any memory of him, of what he did to me…" For some reason, Natalie found in impossible to let it go with her mother. Her voice shook with emotion, with the hatred and self loathing she had carried for destroying her child's life--never mind who the father was. It was her child. And now, because of the botched abortion, she would never be able to carry another child of her own. "What I did to myself, trying to get rid of him…"
Barbara stiffened, and looked into Natalie's eyes. "Natalie, are you saying that someone raped you?"
"I don't want to talk about that right now." She tore her eyes away from her mother's shining ones and turned back to her drawing, which was effectively ruined by tear droplets scattered across the page.
"Natalie, why didn't you tell me? Or tell--tell someone, at least?" Barbara blinked away tears. "You know any one of us would have helped you."
"And done what, Mom? It was a date rape, my word against his. And anyway, Benz is protected. You can't touch him."
"Benz? You mean that boy who is in that gang?"
She was silent.
"He did this to you? Honey, of course we can get him! On several counts!"
"No, you can't! Mom, he's got amnesty or something like it. His parents are internationals, he's completely untouchable! Why do you think he's able to run a heroin smuggling operation right under your nose? Why do you think you're never able to get enough evidence to put him away?" She got up and walked to the opposite end of the room, facing the wall, and trying to reign in the sobs that wanted to escape.
Then the doorbell rang. She spun around. "Mom, please, you can't tell Dad. Not yet. Not right now. Please."
Barbara looked torn, but she dabbed her eyes and nodded, going to open the door. "Hello, Dick. Come on in."
Dick nodded and stepped into the entry way, looking haggard in a pair of sweatpants and a T shirt under a heavy jacket. "I'm sorry it took so long, but it couldn't be helped." He paused, looking around. "Where's Sam?"
"Out of town on business."
"Isn't he ever around?" Dick's voice sounded genuinely concerned, which was something of a surprise for Natalie. She dried her eyes and stepped into the middle of the room, so she could observe her parents.
"Of course he is, Dick. This is just a busy part of the year for him. Don't worry, he takes good care of me." Barbara replied.
"I'm sure he does." Dick nodded. His eyes met hers. It was like looking into a mirror. "Natalie."
She bit her lip and grabbed her left elbow, avoiding his gaze for a moment. "Hi Dad." Well, this was awkward.
He walked toward her. "Natalie, nothing I can say can make up for the way I've acted over the past eighteen years. It is inexcusable. But…I do love you, sweetheart. Can I get a hug?" He sounded so hopeful, and she wanted it so badly…she walked slowly forward and let him hug her.
His arms felt so good, closed around her in the first real gesture of affection in at least six years. Her frustration seemed to melt away and she just enjoyed the moment. Slowly, timidly, she tested the waters and eased her arms around him. She saw him smile down at her and hug her tighter, which only made her grip him as tightly as she could. She couldn't hold the tears back any longer, and she released them into his jacket. "I'm sorry…"
He didn't pull away. Instead he kissed the top of her head. "No, Natalie. I'm the one who should be sorry. You were only acting off of what I did."
This had to be a dream. Half an hour ago, she had been convinced that she did NOT want her father to get dragged into this mess. Half an hour ago, she had been certain where she stood in her relationship with him. Now he was hugging her, apologizing! Who was this man and what had he done with the real Dick Grayson?
"I named you, you know. You were the best Christmas gift I ever got."
What? She pulled away to look up at him, then at her mother. She nodded, and while Natalie could see tears still glistening, she was fairly sure it wasn't because she was sad. Dick led her over to the couch and sat down with her, taking off his jacket and laying it over the armrest.
"You were my world, Natalie. It's just that, when your mother decided it wasn't going to work between us--and listen to me before you blame your mother, it's not her fault." Dick admonished, raising an eyebrow as he looked down at her. "I assumed you would be better off without knowing me. At the time I thought your mother had her reasons, and her reasons had to do with the way she thought I would treat you. It wasn't the case at all, but then I've always been stubborn. When your Mom married Sam, I thought that was the clincher. She had found a new dad for you, someone you loves you very much and takes good care of the both of you."
"I guess the fact that I wanted to see you slipped your mind?" It was a cruel question, but she needed it to be answered. For her sanity, at the very least.
Dick sighed. "I was an ass, I know it. But…I've had some sense knocked into me over the last few weeks, literally, and if you'd let me…I'd like to try and give this another try. I have no place to ask this, particularly now that you're an adult and a fully capable young woman…one I am proud to have as my daughter." He took her chin in his hand and made her look at him. "What do you say?"
That clinched it. This was a dream. She reached over and pinched herself on the arm. "Ow!"
Barbara frowned. "What was that for?"
"Well, at the risk of sounding frighteningly cliché, I was afraid this was a dream." She replied, offhand. Turning back to Dick, she added, "That's all well and good, but…I need to know you're not just saying it. I need to know that you are going to be there, this time."
"I'm a busy man, Natalie. I have many responsibilities at work. But if you ever need me, I promise I will be there. I'm the head of the department. I can do that sort of thing." He smiled at her. "And as for the bruises…" He gently took her arm in his hand and looked it over, wincing. "I will make sure that this never happens again. I can't imagine Kory meaning to do this, but she is a lot stronger than she realizes, and sometimes she gets carried away. It's no excuse. I promise things will be better."
Looking into her father's eyes, Natalie realized that like her, he was completely vulnerable. Whether it was years of being around the GCPD or just hearing her mother go on about profiling, she could read this man quite easily, for all that she hadn't seen him in ages. She said nothing, and just nestled into the crook of his arm. "Okay."
Smiling, Barbara replied, "I'm going to bed, then. You two can have some time to talk. Natalie, we'll discuss the other thing in the morning, before you go anywhere, okay?"
She nodded, secretly thankful that her mother had this much tact about a situation which would have driven other mothers to insanity. Then again, her mother wasn't the usual woman.
"So, Natalie. Tell me what you've been up to. What's going on in your life?"
"It's way too early to go into the meaning of my life, Dad."
"Okay, let me specify. Any boys I need to meet?"
Although the point hit much too close to home for her liking, she managed a small smile. She knew what he meant. "No, I'm not dating. I don't intend to for a very, very long time…"
"Glad to hear it."
They continued their couch chat into the early hours of the morning. It was largely idle conversation, but Natalie could hardly be expected to bare her soul right away. In any case, whether spoken or unspoken, they had reached a reconciliation, of sorts.
And it felt good.
A/N: Whew! That's the longest chapter I've written! And the most emotionally draining. Do forgive me if it seems a little contrived, I was trying to get away from it, but Natalie's already so confused, *I'm* getting confused…blah. So you know…
IT IS NOT OVER! Come on, we have to make sure Dicky keeps his word, and besides, it will at least be some humor for Natalie to find out that her father was/is in fact her favorite vigilante! The question is, HOW? Suggestions are welcome! Again, thanks to my amazing reviewers, particularly TesubCalle--you do indeed have the monopoly on my review board, but I could care less! Thank you for taking the time to get that title!
Chapter 9: The Musings Of An Ass/A Reconciliation, Of Sorts
Dick Grayson was not happy when the phone by his bed rang. The digital clock beside it read 2:37 a.m. He hadn't had even a full hour of sleep yet. Hell, he'd just ignore it. He wasn't about to talk to someone when he couldn't string together a coherent thought.
No luck. It kept ringing. And ringing. And ringing.
Kory stirred beside him. "Dick, just get the phone…" She muttered, rolling onto her side and covering her head with a pillow.
Groaning, he groped for it and put it to his ear.
"RICHARD JOHN GRAYSON! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE NOW!"
He winced and held the phone away from his now ringing ear. "Babs?"
"You're damn right! Do you know what your wife has been doing to Natalie?"
"Barbara, slow down, slow down…" He sat up and put his free hand to his temple. He was fairly sure he heard Natalie protesting in the background.
"I cannot believe it escaped my attention, but then she has your flair for hiding things. Why didn't you do something about those bruises?"
"Bruises? What--" He didn't get the chance to finish as he heard scuffling, then Natalie's smooth alto, "It's nothing, Dad. I'm fine. Go back to--" The phone switched hands again, and he heard Barbara cry, "It is NOT fine! Dick, while I know Kory doesn't like me for obvious reasons, there is no reason why her feelings should transfer to OUR daughter!" He winced again, as she placed emphasis on the "our." "Now, I'm sure she might not have meant it, but she apparently grabs Natalie quite hard--she is Tamaranean, after all--and Natalie has had to hide the bruises on her arms and wrists! How could it escape your attention? And why the hell haven't you talked to her about it?"
"Barbara, I had no idea this was happening!" Kory was injuring Natalie? He took a glance at his wife, who just groaned.
"Dick, hang up the phone. It's 2:30 in the morning. You can call her tomorrow."
He covered the receiver. "Kory, go back to sleep." Going back to the phone, he stood. "I had no idea, Babs, otherwise I would have done something. You know I would never let her get hurt."
"It's a little late for that, Dick."
There was no malice in the words, but Dick felt as though he'd been stabbed. This was the third time in two weeks he'd been accused of being a poor father. First by Roy, with that horrid spectacle at the office, then Kyle had called him last Sunday to tell him that his daughter had broken down in his arms and bawled herself to sleep because of him. Now he was getting a guilt trip from her mother. "I'll be right over, Barbara." He hung up the phone and got dressed gingerly. He walked downstairs and wrote a note for Kory, in case she got up, and began the long drive to Gotham.
One thought hit him suddenly as he turned the corner and got onto the highway.
Natalie had called him…Dad.
God, what had he done?
He admittedly had handled the news of Barbara's pregnancy poorly. More than poorly, he'd been an ass. But he never imagined that she would actually get pregnant! They used protection, after all! Still, any method was only ninety-nine percent effective. He wasn't ready to be a father, so he denied it. Granted, Barbara wasn't ready to be a mother, either, and she had so much more to deal with, since she was actually carrying Natalie. He was an idiot. He refused to believe that it had happened, and pushed her out. He still loved her, so very much, but there was no way she could have gotten pregnant by him. He had been convinced.
He later realized just how many nights he had reduced Barbara to tears because of his apathy, his callousness. His Barbara. He had sworn never to hurt her, and he had failed. The shame of it made him even more reluctant to face her, even thought it did her little good. He convinced himself of another fact: she was better off without him.
But he was the first one she called when she went into labor. He went, despite the fact that he was terrified of hurting her more. She apparently didn't mind him being there, in fact, she told him that she was happy to have him with her. He wasn't sure if it was the drugs talking or not, but when Natalie was finally born, there was nothing that could compare to the immense pride that welled as he held her in his arms. He never should have doubted Barbara. She had his black hair then, and his eyes. She was an angel. Right then and there, he decided he would do anything to protect this little thing, this person he had created with Barbara.
So why had he pulled away immediately after she was born? Why had Roy, Kyle, Garth and Wally had to beat some sense into him, literally? Because that very same day, the day he got down on his knees and begged for Barbara's forgiveness, she had told him that it could never work between them.
She had refused him.
He understood now, why she made the decision she did. But he hadn't, then. And he let the beginnings of a grudge be nursed by the pain of that rejection. He reverted back to his safety net: the both of them were better without him. He sent child support for Natalie, and gifts on her birthday, but he rarely saw her. He figured it was better for her that way.
He was such a bastard.
------------------------------
Natalie didn't want to think. She couldn't believe what was happening. She had been gearing up to tell her mother about what happened with Benz, when her mother noticed the bruises on her wrists and forearms. She was wearing her tank pajamas, and had completely forgotten to retrieve her robe before her mother got home. She hadn't even meant to bring up the situation with Kory. The woman was overprotective and spiteful, fine. She didn't want to make trouble, at least not any more than there already was. So what did she do? Pulled out her sketchbook and curled up on the couch. At least it gave her something to look at besides her mother's eyes.
"Sweetheart, why didn't you come to me sooner? Why didn't you tell your father?" Barbara asked, coming in from the kitchen with fresh mugs of cocoa. Why were all serious talks accompanied by hot or alcoholic beverages?
"Mom, I told you, it's no big deal, really. I don't want to make any more trouble than I already am." She paused to pick up her kneaded eraser, "Besides, that's not what I needed to talk to you about…" There was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, but her hand was being forced. If she didn't tell her mother tonight, her friends would. Besides, she could always crash at Kyle's or Roy's in the event of serious violence. No, she couldn't. They'd be out for Benz's blood because her mother would call them first thing in the morning.
"Oh?" Barbara frowned. "What is it?"
Natalie took a deep breath, her hand poised over her work. "You're not going to like it, but you have to promise not to tell anybody, and don't stop me until I'm finished. I…don't really want to talk about it, but Rab and Twitch are getting all noble and I figured you'd better hear it from me…" She proceeded to attack the paper with the eraser, pulling out the highlights from the potted plant across the room.
She saw Barbara's eyes widen a bit, but otherwise she said nothing.
"That pain I had earlier is from a surgery I had freshman year. They screwed it up, so now I'm on pain medication for the rest of my life, unless they find some way to fix it. I--"
"Surgery? Why did you have surgery? How could you get it without--"
"Mom! Please!" She cried. "This is going to be hard for me to say and you to hear, so just…just stop, please." Tears stung her eyes, and she took a moment to collect her thoughts before continuing softly. "I had an abortion. It's not something I'm proud of, but I was scared, and I didn't want to tell you that your only daughter had gone and wound up like you--knocked up and unmarried. I didn't want to jeopardize all that you've worked for, because you know how the press is, they want to find as much dirt these days as they can, and…I didn't want anyone to know. I just wanted to forget that it happened…" A stray tear trickled down her cheek and in an instant, Barbara was sitting next to her, pulling her into the protective hug she used to use when Natalie woke from nightmares, rocking her back and forth.
"Natalie…oh, sweetie…" She dropped a kiss into her daughter's red hair, "Who…who was the father?"
"No one that I wanted anything to do with…I didn't want to have any memory of him, of what he did to me…" For some reason, Natalie found in impossible to let it go with her mother. Her voice shook with emotion, with the hatred and self loathing she had carried for destroying her child's life--never mind who the father was. It was her child. And now, because of the botched abortion, she would never be able to carry another child of her own. "What I did to myself, trying to get rid of him…"
Barbara stiffened, and looked into Natalie's eyes. "Natalie, are you saying that someone raped you?"
"I don't want to talk about that right now." She tore her eyes away from her mother's shining ones and turned back to her drawing, which was effectively ruined by tear droplets scattered across the page.
"Natalie, why didn't you tell me? Or tell--tell someone, at least?" Barbara blinked away tears. "You know any one of us would have helped you."
"And done what, Mom? It was a date rape, my word against his. And anyway, Benz is protected. You can't touch him."
"Benz? You mean that boy who is in that gang?"
She was silent.
"He did this to you? Honey, of course we can get him! On several counts!"
"No, you can't! Mom, he's got amnesty or something like it. His parents are internationals, he's completely untouchable! Why do you think he's able to run a heroin smuggling operation right under your nose? Why do you think you're never able to get enough evidence to put him away?" She got up and walked to the opposite end of the room, facing the wall, and trying to reign in the sobs that wanted to escape.
Then the doorbell rang. She spun around. "Mom, please, you can't tell Dad. Not yet. Not right now. Please."
Barbara looked torn, but she dabbed her eyes and nodded, going to open the door. "Hello, Dick. Come on in."
Dick nodded and stepped into the entry way, looking haggard in a pair of sweatpants and a T shirt under a heavy jacket. "I'm sorry it took so long, but it couldn't be helped." He paused, looking around. "Where's Sam?"
"Out of town on business."
"Isn't he ever around?" Dick's voice sounded genuinely concerned, which was something of a surprise for Natalie. She dried her eyes and stepped into the middle of the room, so she could observe her parents.
"Of course he is, Dick. This is just a busy part of the year for him. Don't worry, he takes good care of me." Barbara replied.
"I'm sure he does." Dick nodded. His eyes met hers. It was like looking into a mirror. "Natalie."
She bit her lip and grabbed her left elbow, avoiding his gaze for a moment. "Hi Dad." Well, this was awkward.
He walked toward her. "Natalie, nothing I can say can make up for the way I've acted over the past eighteen years. It is inexcusable. But…I do love you, sweetheart. Can I get a hug?" He sounded so hopeful, and she wanted it so badly…she walked slowly forward and let him hug her.
His arms felt so good, closed around her in the first real gesture of affection in at least six years. Her frustration seemed to melt away and she just enjoyed the moment. Slowly, timidly, she tested the waters and eased her arms around him. She saw him smile down at her and hug her tighter, which only made her grip him as tightly as she could. She couldn't hold the tears back any longer, and she released them into his jacket. "I'm sorry…"
He didn't pull away. Instead he kissed the top of her head. "No, Natalie. I'm the one who should be sorry. You were only acting off of what I did."
This had to be a dream. Half an hour ago, she had been convinced that she did NOT want her father to get dragged into this mess. Half an hour ago, she had been certain where she stood in her relationship with him. Now he was hugging her, apologizing! Who was this man and what had he done with the real Dick Grayson?
"I named you, you know. You were the best Christmas gift I ever got."
What? She pulled away to look up at him, then at her mother. She nodded, and while Natalie could see tears still glistening, she was fairly sure it wasn't because she was sad. Dick led her over to the couch and sat down with her, taking off his jacket and laying it over the armrest.
"You were my world, Natalie. It's just that, when your mother decided it wasn't going to work between us--and listen to me before you blame your mother, it's not her fault." Dick admonished, raising an eyebrow as he looked down at her. "I assumed you would be better off without knowing me. At the time I thought your mother had her reasons, and her reasons had to do with the way she thought I would treat you. It wasn't the case at all, but then I've always been stubborn. When your Mom married Sam, I thought that was the clincher. She had found a new dad for you, someone you loves you very much and takes good care of the both of you."
"I guess the fact that I wanted to see you slipped your mind?" It was a cruel question, but she needed it to be answered. For her sanity, at the very least.
Dick sighed. "I was an ass, I know it. But…I've had some sense knocked into me over the last few weeks, literally, and if you'd let me…I'd like to try and give this another try. I have no place to ask this, particularly now that you're an adult and a fully capable young woman…one I am proud to have as my daughter." He took her chin in his hand and made her look at him. "What do you say?"
That clinched it. This was a dream. She reached over and pinched herself on the arm. "Ow!"
Barbara frowned. "What was that for?"
"Well, at the risk of sounding frighteningly cliché, I was afraid this was a dream." She replied, offhand. Turning back to Dick, she added, "That's all well and good, but…I need to know you're not just saying it. I need to know that you are going to be there, this time."
"I'm a busy man, Natalie. I have many responsibilities at work. But if you ever need me, I promise I will be there. I'm the head of the department. I can do that sort of thing." He smiled at her. "And as for the bruises…" He gently took her arm in his hand and looked it over, wincing. "I will make sure that this never happens again. I can't imagine Kory meaning to do this, but she is a lot stronger than she realizes, and sometimes she gets carried away. It's no excuse. I promise things will be better."
Looking into her father's eyes, Natalie realized that like her, he was completely vulnerable. Whether it was years of being around the GCPD or just hearing her mother go on about profiling, she could read this man quite easily, for all that she hadn't seen him in ages. She said nothing, and just nestled into the crook of his arm. "Okay."
Smiling, Barbara replied, "I'm going to bed, then. You two can have some time to talk. Natalie, we'll discuss the other thing in the morning, before you go anywhere, okay?"
She nodded, secretly thankful that her mother had this much tact about a situation which would have driven other mothers to insanity. Then again, her mother wasn't the usual woman.
"So, Natalie. Tell me what you've been up to. What's going on in your life?"
"It's way too early to go into the meaning of my life, Dad."
"Okay, let me specify. Any boys I need to meet?"
Although the point hit much too close to home for her liking, she managed a small smile. She knew what he meant. "No, I'm not dating. I don't intend to for a very, very long time…"
"Glad to hear it."
They continued their couch chat into the early hours of the morning. It was largely idle conversation, but Natalie could hardly be expected to bare her soul right away. In any case, whether spoken or unspoken, they had reached a reconciliation, of sorts.
And it felt good.
A/N: Whew! That's the longest chapter I've written! And the most emotionally draining. Do forgive me if it seems a little contrived, I was trying to get away from it, but Natalie's already so confused, *I'm* getting confused…blah. So you know…
IT IS NOT OVER! Come on, we have to make sure Dicky keeps his word, and besides, it will at least be some humor for Natalie to find out that her father was/is in fact her favorite vigilante! The question is, HOW? Suggestions are welcome! Again, thanks to my amazing reviewers, particularly TesubCalle--you do indeed have the monopoly on my review board, but I could care less! Thank you for taking the time to get that title!