Chapter 2: Daddy's Girl

14 Years Earlier: Haggar Household

"Good morning, father!" Jessica smiled as she practically danced down the stairs, giving her dad a larger-than-usual smooch on the cheek.

Normally, he would have presumed she was happy because her graduation ceremony was finally in a couple of days - but he knew his girl - she was going to ask him something outrageous, probably.

"Good morning, princess," Mike Haggar grinned, folding down his paper, her sunshine bringing much-needed levity to his early day. He figured he'd be accustomed to his daily reading about the incessant violence, crime, and destruction of his hometown day by day, but it never got any easier. Jessica was the light of his life who made it easy to forget…if only for a little bit. "You're in a good mood. What's shakin'?"

"Can I please invite Cody over this weekend?" There was the inevitable twitch of the mustache when she'd bring up his name. "We wanna check out the newer retro-styled drive-thru since his little brother's away at his end-of-year school trip this week - and I really don't want him to be alone tonight," she jiggled her new car keys - she was ready. "It's not a school night, the drive-thru has plenty of security, and bonus: we'll be safe under your very watchful eye once we're back, so you can't complain!"

Haggar couldn't help but smile as he shook his head. She always just had to make a case for hanging out with that boy.

"Hah - you got me there!" Haggar responded. While he felt much better with someone at her side whenever she had the rare chance to just enjoy herself outside of their home, he felt much better when she did most of that indoors. The last person's name he wanted to read about in the paper in the ever-lengthening obituaries was his only daughter's.

"Fine. You drive a tough bargain, but you both need to be back in this house by midnight," he knew better than to ask if the boy had his own curfew - he understood that the kid was orphaned, and the last thing he wanted to experience was Jessica's wrath for not remembering every minute detail about their lives.

Of course, he wasn't judging the rapscallion for his difficult life - the father was more concerned about the boy's penchant for fighting. A penchant that could lead him down the wrong path…a penchant that could put his only daughter at risk of the very danger that took his wife. Yet, this was the kid she chose to hang out with all the time…if only he had the power to eradicate all the violence that plagued their hometown - perhaps then he could worry less about both of their well-being.

He wasn't able to protect Nancy. He would lay down his life for Jessica.

"Daddy," Jessica reminded him in that daughterly tone of hers whenever he would get too fired up. "I'm not a little girl anymore. We always hold our own."

"I understand, princess," Haggar sighed, forgetting that truth every time he saw his only child's face. Each day that passed meant she was getting further and further away from the reality of being his little girl, but it felt impossible not to see her as his baby. If you asked him, she was placed into his arms as a newborn just yesterday. He could never forget the feeling when he swore to protect her with his very being from that day forward. She had to grow up fast as a city kid, and especially so after Nancy died. He just wanted her to be happy…

Lately, Jessica seemed a lot more distracted than usual, and at first he figured it was because her primary school career was nearly over as she was figuring out her path in life. The world was her oyster. She had plenty to worry about, but the root of her distraction lay with that best friend of hers…he had such a powerful hold on her, more than he thought she realized. At this rate, he knew more about her "not boyfriend" than he knew what was going on with her!

She'd been bottling up lately, and he was afraid that she wouldn't be able to trust him with her hopes and dreams as she grew into her own woman. Jessica was everything to him and a product of the deep love he and his wife shared. Nancy Haggar died a few years earlier, right before Jessie entered high school, on the way to one of his shows when she was assaulted and robbed. The devastation and grief that followed was nearly insurmountable for the both of them as they learned to live their life without her. To this day, it felt unfathomable at times - which is why they had to have each others' backs.

His little girl was drifting from him, and he was terrified.

Nancy was a fiery, passionate individual who would never let life get her down - she'd probably encourage Jessica's shenanigans, Mike thought. She loved the work she did at their local elementary school as a reading teacher for fourth graders - getting lost in magical books while being surrounded by children's brilliant imaginations was a daily escape from the tough of the city that she relished. One of her more memorable students happened to be that "tough little cookie with the blond mop of hair." There was clearly something about the kid. Haggar couldn't go on if he lost his little girl to the danger that encompassed their hometown.

"What do you see in that boy, anyway?" Haggar questioned, as his eyes desperately scanned his paper, appearing unruffled. He wasn't absorbing anything now. Inside, he was on edge, as Jessica had been mentioning Cody's name nearly twice more frequently than usual just in recent months…each time, it was less about homework, more about fun. Whether it be about the funny joke he told today, or the new move he started learning at the gym down to the detail, or the millionth nice thing he did for her…

They were clearly dating, but the worn man was terrified of the confirmation.

"No one knows him like I do," Jessica blushed as she poked her fingers together. Father's been in a good mood lately, she thought. Now's my chance - I have to tell him about us! I can't hold it in anymore!

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Haggar raised a brow, dreading the words that were going to come next. He knew his daughter. She was clearly crushing on the lad for at least a year prior, but she insisted that he was "just a really good friend." He sensed her resistance to speaking too much about the going-ons of her life lately. Sure, it had been busy for everyone, but Jessica always wore her heart on her sleeve.

He had to prepare himself. She wasn't supposed to date until she was his age. The time to see his little girl grow up was coming up before he was ready…but did her relationship have to blossom with him?

"Well, you know! Cody seems so steely on the outside, but he's actually super sweet, thoughtful, and can be a real comic when you get to know him," her face reddened further. She sat next to her father, and gently pulled down the paper that told him the same old story every day. He didn't have to stress himself with that right now. She had wonderful news to tell him - her joy was his, after all. Haggar hoped his burly mustache was hiding some of the anticipation building on his face.

"Papa," she took one of his massive hands. "We're dating now. He sees me as 'Jess' and not just as 'Mike Macho Haggar's daughter' like everyone else…and he makes me really happy," she bore her baby blues into her nearly 7-foot-tall father, effortlessly bowling him over despite her petite stature.

"And before you get started - I know you think he's a troublemaker, but honestly, he has the biggest heart. It might seem like he doesn't care about anything, but you should see how he puts all of his devotion into what he does care about - me included," she said with pure adoration. "He's talented, he protects me, actually listens to me when I speak, he makes me laugh all the time, and treats me with nothing but respect." Jessica rambled as her father's face softened.

"I wouldn't ever consider dating someone who would hurt me. You taught me better than that."

Perhaps…he was being too harsh. Jessica was a smart girl, after all. She would never worry her father to his grave so intentionally. It seemed that Jessica and this Cody kid shared a bond deeper than he cared to admit, and Haggar couldn't deny that this rough kid had been there for the both of them during some of their darkest hours…the fact that both Nancy and Jessica spoke so fondly of the boy had to mean something.

Trusting anyone but his family proved to be difficult, and he carried this skepticism as he began laying out his campaign plans to win next mayoral election. The time for corruption to end in this city couldn't come soon enough, and folks were going to have to work to earn Haggar's trust if he was going to build a city council that would do just that. He was going to be steadfast, tried and true – integrity was of the utmost importance to him. There was no way he was going to be a typical Mayor. Metro City deserved nothing less. Once he cleaned it up, there'd be so much less to worry about. Sensing his usual hesitation, she exhaled slowly.

"I'm a big girl, father. You don't need to worry about me like you used to. I know what I'm feeling is right. He cares about me and makes me feel like the best version of myself, so...I just want the same for him."

"But, princess…"

"Papa," Jessica interrupted. "You know the feeling? When you realized that mom was the one for you? That's how I feel about Cody. He's so important to me…I love him, and I can't pretend I don't know it."

Sweet girl's got it bad, he thought to himself. She's head over heels. There was no convincing her otherwise.

Jessica was an extension of Haggar's soul and all that he loved, and he would do anything for his child. He always made it a point to instill the beauty of what love, hope and justice can do for a family no matter how hard times got.

As a proud father, all he ever wanted was Jessica's happiness. He was scared to death of pushing her into the lad's arms forever because of his clear disapproval of his lifestyle and questionable choices…but Haggar also knew that no one could help who they fell for. He just couldn't get a read on this guy, because his primary source was quite biased in his favor.

"I surrender," Mike withheld the fatherly tears that threatened to burst out of his eyes at any moment. He was already dreading her graduation day - and now this? "If you insist he makes you that happy…I suppose…I need to learn to like him, too."

"Whew, I'm so glad you finally understand, papa!" Jessica squealed with glee. The unbearable secret was no more. She could live freely. "I feel so much better now! I've been dying to tell you this for months (months?!) - we've got a lot of catching up to do! I love you so much," she smooched his cheek. "We'll see you this afternoon, so you're going to be extra nice to him."

"I love you too, princess. I'll be as nice as I can be…"

Jessica flashed a smile that was even bigger than this morning's joy as she skipped out the door. The girl didn't even touch her breakfast, she was in so deep. She was growing up far too fast for his liking.

Haggar vowed to himself that he would make the effort warm up to this street punk kid who was clearly tender for his daughter. There was less and less reason to doubt that he had a good head on his shoulders, but his overprotective streak was difficult to pierce. He had to trust that his daughter's judge of character was on the money.

Even then, how could he ever be certain that this ruffian could protect Jessica with the same, if not higher level of dedication? Who could possibly top Mike "Macho" Haggar?

"We'll just have to see about that."

Current Day, 12:34AM: Paris, France

Jessica knew that her father's days of leading Metro City were going to eventually come to an end. She was so proud of his endeavors, she was honored to be his kin. His 60th birthday was coming up, and she just had to see him now that he was retired.

She thought a lot about her mother, and how different things would be if she were still alive today. As much as she loved her father, the anticipation of visiting Metro City always hurt, even the few times it was for work. When she left the first time, she had no intention of looking back. The pain was too much to bear. Her father made the effort to visit her in France when his busy schedule rarely allowed it, but those visits were too few and far between.

Jessica Haggar was a stunning woman. A model, a poker champion and a brilliant entrepreneur. She lived her life to the fullest because as long as she was on this planet, she was going to make the most of it. With her spirited outlook, graceful legs, and curvaceous body, no one could deny this. Her unmistakable wavy blonde hair fell past the small of her back, the sky was a mere reflection of her blue eyes - her rosy lips were striking and the suitors endless. On the outside, it looked like she was living her best life.

It didn't matter how the world perceived her if she couldn't sleep for the life of her. She tossed on her twin-sized mattress. Her father insisted on upgrading to a much larger one just for her, but she declined politely. She had no need for anything bigger - her heart wouldn't allow it. He fussed over her comfort for the entirety of her life, and she just wanted him to focus on himself now. She was fortunate and loved her father, and would give the world for him.

Yet, tonight, that usually comfortable bed of hers was just painfully uncomfortable. Tomorrow, she would board her first flight to Metro City in a long time. Her father upgraded his dwelling when he retired, about 15 minutes north of Metro City alongside the east river, right outside the city lines and there was a lovely lakehouse behind his estate that called her name - just the right amount of space between her and her hometown. Father was finally living the high life as he deserved, being able to see the entirety of the city he loved from his backyard. The respite beat grabbing a fancy hotel in Uptown, way too close to City Hall...

Earlier that day, she ran into a dated photo as she packed up for her flight. It hadn't left her mind since. There were originally four people in it, herself included – but the left side was folded over completely. From right to left, it featured her good friend, Guy, her dear old dad, herself, and…someone else she used to know on the very end.

She hated that thinking of him stirred emotions she couldn't handle to this day. She never had the heart to physically cut him out of the photo completely…the smile he presented in that captured moment was simply not how she remembered him last, yet it was who she thought she knew her whole life. The contradiction hurt her, almost physically. She could hardly stand to look at it for more than a few seconds before she put it back inside an old journal on her bookcase.

It was a photo taken when everything was at its prime—her father was a born street fighter - a renowned, retired wrestler, and then-mayor of Metro City. Then there was Guy, the epitome of discipline, loyalty and justice. He was somehow a gentle, yet fierce soul who balanced those elements of himself with a grace she adored. They'd met in Japan during one of her father's wrestling tours, and she was charmed by his dedication to his way and his Bushinryu ninjutsu without ever compromising his approach to the bigger questions of life, even as he struggled in school.

She loved meeting folks from around the world when she traveled in her youth, but no one compared to the one who waited for her unwaveringly back home, each time…the one who broke her heart.

Jessica shook her head and tossed once more. She couldn't believe that someway, somehow, he always found a way to get into her head, even though she worked hard to completely eject him. It was going to be impossible while she was back in Metro City - but she couldn't let that stop her. She was a fighter too, damn it.

Her father had so much work cut out for him given Metro City's notorious and dangerous reputation. While the ultimate dissolution of the Mad Gear and Skull Cross gangs took nearly a decade, the biggest threat the whole of Metro City came very early in her father's political career - when her very being was used as ransom to continue crime in the city. Her father quite literally took matters into his own hands, and overthrew the Mad Gear by force alongside Guy and her then-boyfriend, saving her life and the city in the process. Unfortunately, the consistency of Metro City's troubles also cost the aesthetics, structure and fortitude of the city throughout his tenure. Her life changed once when her mother was killed, and it changed again the day she was kidnapped.

When the supposed love of her life landed himself in prison, after all they'd been through, she couldn't do it anymore. There was only so much one person could take.

Tonight, as she settled into that uncomfortable bed of hers, things felt different. She hardly recognized the city she left so long ago, as she lived most of her adult life in France. Haggar was well-loved in his efforts to get Metro City back on the map, and the fruits of his labor were in full blossom. That man deserved to retire from work altogether. She almost couldn't believe the things she'd read about what was going on on the other side of the world…

While Mike loved Metro City and Metro City loved Mike, the fact was that his term had to end someday. She reminded her father that he wasn't a spring chicken anymore, after all! Complete retirement was not in his vocabulary, apparently. It was always a touchy subject as she knew he'd probably be mayor 'til the day he died if he could - he truly enjoyed this pivot from his wrestling career since he had the chance to do what he loved for a city he loved. She adored her father – who didn't? He always had the leadership, charisma, popularity, and organizational skill to do what he could in his power. He possessed such amazing ability, so why not harness it to teach others?

The last person she expected to become his successor was her ex.

Now, if only she inherited her father's faith…

2 Years Earlier: Nightly Father-Daughter Phone Call

Jessica had no idea how tonight's routine phone call with her father would turn her world upside-down. He'd been expressing his desire to retire for a while now, but he was finally seeing it through. He was far too much of a workaholic, and Jessica was not having it. He had an idea, but needed to pick her brain about it.

"I think you should just pick someone you trust, dad," she said nonchalantly. "If they're up to your standards, they'll be elected hands down. Hell, if I could vote, I would!" she laughed.

"All right Jessie," Haggar started excitedly as he paced in his office. "You're brilliant - as I was thinking the exact same thing. But, I gotta run it by you…"

"Dad, don't let me rule your life!" Jessica giggled, deeply appreciative of her father's devotion. "Just tell me your big idea and I'll tell you if it's crazy or not." Mike cleared his throat.

"It's been a challenge, but I've been working on getting Cody exonerated. You know he can be a bit of a numbskull—"

"What does he have to do with anything?" she asked abruptly, with a level of ice that made even Haggar's hairs stand on end. Cody was a touchy subject, unsurprisingly…but he had to be transparent with his only child. She did not need to be surprised, especially considering his level of involvement…

"Well…this might sound absolutely bananas…but I want him to be my successor," Haggar pulled the phone away from his ear, anticipating heated pushback. Instead he was met with silence, which was infinitely more frightening. "Jessie-girl…?"

"…continue…"

"It'll be good for him. For Metro City. In fact, I received numerous reports that he had been wrongly incarcerated on the majority of his initial charges. The knucklehead refused to claim his innocence, so what else was I supposed to believe? I didn't have time for his self-pity," Haggar grumbled.

Jessica swallowed. Her father sure was going through a lot of effort for someone he initially didn't care for. Cody was framed this whole time? She felt her stomach drop because of all the implications. Did he know?

"What? What happened?"

"So…as you know…he was found on-site during one of the drug investigations. No relation to the deals, of course, but around him were four people that needed to be taken to the hospital, so he had to be arrested," Haggar sighed. "Once they booked 'im, a slew of false charges were tacked to his name, and he wasn't the only one affected either. It was clearly the work of Mad Gear in their final hurrah. Of course, without proof, it made things much more difficult than they needed to be…"

"So you mean to tell me - he's been serving time for nothing?"

"Initially," Haggar replied sheepishly. "That knucklehead did break out more than a number of times which certainly didn't help his case - yet he'd always go back without resistance. He was regularly pushing his limit in there, though. It was as if he wanted to be there…"

"Why didn't he say anything if he knew he was innocent?!"

"Princess - we know he was far from innocent. But I intend to drill him. He didn't even try to put up a fight - the one time it would have been good for him!" Haggar expressed, realizing that a sense of empathy was arising more than his frustration. "He's just so goddamn stubborn."

"I can't believe this," Jessica groaned, slumping into her couch with the same weight of her heart sinking into her stomach. She had been furious at him…for something he didn't do? It felt as if a large portion of her life had been misplaced. She was struck with a pang of loss and loneliness - a feeling she wished on no one.

"Don't worry your pretty little head - I'm determined to talk some sense into him, Jessica. I worked my ass off to eradicate the decades of corruption and I refuse to yield it to someone who doesn't care. Cody is the man for the job, even if he doesn't want to hear it," Haggar said with conviction. "He actually gives a damn about the people in this city, so he's going to listen to me, if he knows what's good for him."

Jessica couldn't believe the words coming out of her dad's mouth. Not that long ago, he wanted nothing to do with him! Of all of the connections Haggar built over the years, Cody of all people? She had to admit, that was one hell of a way to end a term - to the sound of a ringing endorsement of an ex-hero.

"I can't even begin to imagine what the transition will be like, dad," Jessica started. "He's been in prison for so long, I'm sure he'll need time to readjust to life on the outside…"

"I don't want you to feel like you have to be involved in any way, princess," Haggar quickly interrupted. "I just thought it would be important to let you in on my thinking. I understand…it's been a rough couple of years for you."

"You don't have to worry about me, father," she smiled, relieved at the opportunity to not talk about her ex for much longer. "I'm sure everything will be just fine as I can't wait to see you on your big 6-0. I don't want you to stress out."

"There's nothing that would make me happier. Thank you for understanding why things have been a little hectic around here," Haggar said. "I'm proud of what I've done. I wouldn't dare jeopardize my role if I didn't believe in him, despite his troubled soul."

"I'll have to take your word on this one, dad," Jessica sighed. "You've had some wild thoughts over the years, but this…takes the cake."

"It sounds wacky, I know," Haggar reassured her. "But trust me when I say in my gut, I know this is for the greater good."

"I really appreciate you lookin' out for everyone as you always do," Jessica teared up, attempting to steady her voice.

"All in the name of love and justice," he smiled. "I can't wait to see you once this exoneration business settles down. There's lots of new restaurants Uptown calling your name," she could hear him smile.

"I'm looking forward to seeing you soon, dad. I love you."

"I love you too, princess."

Jessica hung up with her father and leaned back on her couch. She couldn't believe that Cody was going to be exonerated soon. The last time she saw him…it seemed like he already made up his mind about his fate.

However, as the heart would have it, her mind repeatedly echoed her father's words of his faith in him. To think that she was the one who had to convince him, all those years ago. The last thing she expected was for their roles to completely reverse.

Jessica searched deep her mind for anyone that could come close to the man Mike described…she genuinely couldn't think of anyone else who had as deep a sense of justice as Cody did, save for her dad and Guy, of course. He just couldn't rest until the wrongs of the world were righted...to a fault.

"Oh, Cody…why do you insist on torturing yourself?"