I'm at Wayne Manor when Tim shows up. "Hey, Firebird. Wanna talk fantasy?"

My eyes light up. "Sure."

I've gotta say it feels nice to be happy about something.

He leads me to his room and, when I arrive, I can't help but grin at the fact that a lot of things in it make obvious, even if it's something I already knew. Like me, he's a big reader.

"So what fantasy have you read recently?"

I run one hand through my hair, never believing I'd have this conversation, let alone with family. "Cornelia Funke's Inkheart trilogy."

"Excellent choice. There's a movie of book one in that."

"Oh. Is it good?"

"Personally, I like the book a little better. Now, with the Lord of the Rings, both the books and the movies were good. Who's your favorite character? Mine's Frodo."

"Gandalf. Grey, not white."

"Ian McKellen is pretty cool."

"What, because he's British? I mean, I'm a mutt but, yes, I see his appeal. He's a knight!"

"And gay, not that there's anything wrong with that. So's the guy who plays Dumbledore."

I shrug one shoulder. "Personally, I have a good gay-dar. I guess it's what happens when you grow up in the Slope. I mean, it is home to the Pride Parade."

"That's nice but I think we're getting off topic."

I laugh nervously. "My mind wanders sometimes, T-bird. Don't fault me, bro."

He smiles. "I won't, sis. Now..." He pulls a copy of Inkheart from off of one his shelves. "Are we still talking about this book and its sequels?"

"I guess. Unless you want to choose a new book, be it part of a series or not?"

He puts back Inkheart and pulls out Eragon. "Have you read the Inheritance cycle?"

"Last name like Drake, of course you like dragons. I have but, Geez, those are more brick length. Gork, the Teenage Dragon is also good."

He laughs. "That sounds interesting. I'm guessing the author's a local."

"Yeah, Gabe Hudson's from Brooklyn."

"I'll have to put it on my To Read list then. You Brooklyners are a special breed."

His words make me feel warm. I like being his little sister a lot.

So music I can talk with Jason, books with Tim, but what with Dick?

"Hey, Firecracker."

Speak of the acro...I mean, aerialist.

"Hey, other brother. I was just wondering what I could talk with you."

"How about flying, sis. I do mine on the trapeze."

"Well, since I can't talk while I'm flying, I can't exactly hold that against you, now can I?"

"Especially not when in the form of a pigeon."

"Like I'd even bother shifting into one of those rats with wings! I mean, I like you but no. Fuck, no. To my favorite bird, the peregrine falcon, those are tasty."

He laughs. "Okay."

He leads me to a workout room then looks at me. "So how old were you when you flew for the first time?"

"10. You?"

"4."

I raise my eyebrows.

"Firecracker, I took my first steps on a high wire. Honestly, have you ever been to the circus?"

When he finds out that I have not, he looks scandalized. "What on Earth was your childhood like?"

"Pretty lonely."

"Oh. Sorry."

"It's no big."

"Yes, it is. Neglect is considered abuse too, Firecracker. I'm a cop in Blüdhaven, so I know that."

"You don't really look like a cop."

"I've heard that before. My partner teases me about my baby face. Hell, most of the the department does. I'm pretty used to it by now."

"And I've had words used as weapons against me. I don't like being teased, personally."

He puts one arm around me. "You're right. Getting teased can be no fun. It's different though, Firecracker, when you know they're laughing with you."

"Guess I'll just have to take your word for it. I'd deal with bullies and then listen to Three Days Grace's Unbreakable Heart. That song definitely helped. If I ever met Adam Gontier, I'd totally thank him for writing it. Music like that felt like a refuge for me. Like an escape from my fucked up life."

Jason and Tim show up, making me grin. "Look at that. I have all my brothers with me now."

Soon, I have a picture of me with them, Bruce, Alfred and Gingie on my cell phone and, yes, it makes me feel warm.

I also really fucking like the picture because, hey, it's me with my family, as they know, so guess what my wallpaper is?

Exactly. Bunny ears and all.*

*Dick's giving bunny ears to Tim and Phoenix, who's giving them to Jason and Babs while Tim gives bunny ears to Dick. Alfred and Bruce are looking on