My life had always been easy. If I wanted a toy or a pony it was in my bedroom by the next morning. I was daddy's little princess, and I was always happy in that fact. But there came a time when material possessions couldn't fill the void that my father's disappearances left. As his nightly escapades, either with women or in secret, became longer and more consistent I felt myself asking if I really was daddy's little princess. After all, wouldn't a princess have more company as she played in the magnificent gardens or when she spent hours on end staring blankly at a book? Maybe my life was easy compared to other people's, but it wasn't better.

As I marched up to my room, my disbelief and rage overwhelmed me. How could he not have known his own daughter? His own flesh and blood? Why did he spend more time with some stupid orphans he picked up off the street then his own… but I had banished those thoughts years go. After the incident I no longer cared. At least Alfred looked after me. Slamming my door behind me I collapsed gratefully onto the purple duvet cover of my queen sized bed. For the first time in many years I let a few tears stumble their way down my cheeks until they wet my shirt. He didn't know me for who I was. What I was. He had never cared enough to know. Batman meant more to him then I ever could. Slowly, I curled into a ball, reminiscing over lost times and distant places. I had always loved plants, and so I had insisted on my room being painted dark green when I was eight years old. The walls were now covered with dark thoughts and sayings, but I could still take comfort in the deep forest green that covered my room.

Tears slipped out of my eyes slowly, dotting the bedspread. I took deep breaths, calming myself as fast as possible. Tears didn't help me. Tears had never helped me. As I lay down and my eyes fluttered shut I dreamed of a time when no one could ever forget me.

"Hope, wake up! Come on girl, stop day dreamin'!", a strong southern accent greeted my sudden return to the world of the living, a hand accustomed to hard work and labor waving in front of my face. Kiley, the impatient blond that she is, had decided to wake me from one of my more pleasant dazes that I had encountered in this Algebra II classroom. With two 'nerds' residing in my home, I had already mastered up through Calculus level math, but I had no problem with not informing my dear teacher Mrs. Crawford of that piece of information.

"What's up?", I yawned, my muscles protesting to the sudden movement. Never go to bed without stretching, I reminded myself once more, or you'll pay dearly for that midnight target practice.

"You can't keep zoning out like that, girl, not to mention you were droolin' somthin' awful.", Kiley impatiently replied, gesturing towards my slobber covered notebook. I blushed slightly at that comment, but brushed it off. "Not ta mention Bobby's back there lookin' at ya."

I squirmed slightly at that, making sure that I didn't turn around. to see for myself. The bell sounding made that all the easier as I escaped the classroom, bag in hand. Kiley caught up easily though.

"Ya seem distracted. What's goin' on?", she queried as we made our way towards the doors. I sighed, explaining the confrontation that had been replaying quite a bit through my mind since it had occurred.

"Man girl, that really sucks. Ya dad actually forgot ya?", Kiley shook her head, her blue-grey eyes betraying her pride in my actions. Kiley had always been the best of confidantes, and she wasn't about to let me down. "My lips are sealed, promise."

But suddenly that didn't concern me anymore. My jaw dropped as I glanced towards the parking lot, stopping in my tracks. Distant calls from Kiley couldn't wake me from this stupor. There, in all his glory, was Wally West. He smiled at me as I stared at the red Porsche that he was slightly leaning on. It's not as if I hated Uncle Wally, but the famous Flash did not drive that type of car. I bid Kiley a quick goodbye and headed for the parking lot.

"Hey, gorgeous. Care for a ride?", he gestured towards the car, opening the passenger side door and the jumping into his won seat behind the wheel. I merely smiled at the speed demon, my infamous smirk of mischief plastered on. My father and Uncle Wally had never really gotten along, but that really was the beauty of it. With his need for speed, Wally was my hero. Especially when he was driving this car.

We sped half-hazard through the free way lines asI leaned into the leather interior. This was the life.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, luv, but Bats is really sorry about last night.", Wally commented as we sped past yet another car. I almost screamed right then and there, but I'm not Bruce Wayne's daughter for nothing.

"I believe that is none of your concern, Mister West.", I coldly replied, causing him to wince. He hated when I called him mister. "Besides, I think I can take care of myself."

"Don't give me that, Hope. I know you too well for that. Besides, when Bats says somethin' is wrong, somethin' is…", he trailed off as I turned my icy stare onto him. He suddenly gulped, pushing the gas just a little bit harder.

"My father", I spat the word as if it were a curse "put you up to this?" He glanced towards me, a look of guilt passing over his face as he turned towards home. "I don't believe this. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! HE PUT YOU UP TO THIS!" By now I was screaming, the anger and hatred I was feeling almost palpable in the air. For a second I thought I had lost control, but it returned soon afterwards.

"Now, now, don't get so upset.", he reminded me, reaching to pat my hand as we pulled up to the house. I flinched away, not daring to even look at him before I could calm down again.

"My father does not care for me. Take your damn Porsche and get the hell away from my house. I bet it was just a gift from daddy anyway to get you to try to convince me how good he really is. Well I'm not buying, so just leave. Goodbye Mr. West.", I knew my words hurt him, but his actions had hurt me far worse. The doors burst open as I ran for the house, but it didn't deter me. Neither Tim's voice nor the clatter of china stopped me either. Only the firm hand on my shoulder made me hesitate, but even then I reacted blindly. Flailing and slashing at my captor, I couldn't see or feel anything. I hated them. I hated them all. But my dark thoughts didn't stop the infamous Batman from dragging me to his office as I fought tooth and nail against my capture, like a tiger being led to it's cage.

He everybody, I'm back again. School is almost up, so I'll be updating more. I promise. Now, I need reviews. Many reviews. The faster they get here the faster the next chapter goes up! Happy May everybody!