A/N: Thanks to everyone that is reading this, especially to the people reviewing it. It is always nice to know people enjoy your work. Thanks to Red Fedora for her help with this story. Also, since I always forget the disclaimer: I don't anything other than my computer and my idea. If I owned The Cape, it would still be on T.V.

Cards lay strewn across the small wooden table along with two soda cans. Orwell and Trip had somehow managed to get Vince down the stairs and into her car. She had done the best she could with her various computers to scan Vince to make sure there was no internal damage, before bandaging his head. She had even managed to get a card game going so that Trip was no longer just sitting and staring at his father.

"So, my dad is The Cape." Trip said looking over his cards. It was a statement, not a question.

"Yep." Orwell said.

"I knew all those they said about him weren't true. I didn't care who said them."

Orwell smiled. She knew Vince would be happy to hear that. She took a quick glance at him, but he was still unconscious.

"Why couldn't he tell me?"

Orwell saw the pain in the little boy's eyes and her heart broke for him. "I think that is something you are going to have to talk to him about." Trying to change the subject she asked. "Got any sevens?" Go fish was the only game she could think of that was age appropriate.

Trip checked his cards. "Nope, Go fish" before looking back at Orwell. "So, are you like Robin?"

"Excuse me?" Orwell asked drawing a card from the deck.

"You know. If my dad's the Cape and you have this liar with all these computers and stuff does that make you like Robin?"

"Am I his side kick?" Orwell let out a small laugh. She couldn't help it given the circumstance. She had never considered herself to be a side kick. "I like to think that we are equal, but you can think of me as a side kick."

A groan from the other end of the room stopped the conversation. She saw Trip immediately begin to get out of his chair. She put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Let me talk to him first, okay?"

Trip nodded hesitantly, agreeing to wait.

Orwell stepped over to Vince's bed in time to watch his eye lids flutter open. "W-What happened?" The words came out slow and were almost slurred.

"You took a glancing blow from a metal wrench. Lucky for everyone you have a hard head." Vince attempted a laugh which turned into a cough. "So, that's why I fell like I have been trampled by an elephant."

"As far as I can tell you have a concussion. You need to stay put."

Vince began to try and sit up and immediately regretted it as the room began to spin and the pounding in his head worsened. He laid his head back down.

"Because as it seems you just found out." Orwell gave him a look. "You may be dizzy and nauseated for a time."

Orwell took a deep breath. "I don't mean to throw a curveball at a guy that was just knocked out, but…"

Orwell moved out of the way allowing Vince to see Trip. He watched as Vince's eye grew wide and he immediately reached for his face. "It's okay, dad. I think it's cool my dad's a superhero."

"Help me up." Vince said softly.

Orwell looked at him. He repeated himself louder. "Help me up."

Orwell knew better than to argue with him. She steadied him as she helped him sit up on the side of the bed. She watched him close his eyes for several moments after becoming upright.

When he opened his eyes, she saw look as clear as she had ever seen them. "Come here, buddy and give me a hug."

That was all the invitation he needed. Trip ran over enveloping his father in as tight a hug as he dared.

Orwell slid away from the family scene. She watched as tears began to slide down Vince's face.

"I love you." Vince breathed the words out, no letting go of Trip.

"I love you too, dad. I've missed you." came the small reply.

"I've missed you too." Vince finally pulled Trip away so that he could look at him. "I told you there was no journey too far."

"I got the compass." Trip said smiling up at his dad.

"Good." Vince smiled taking in his son's face, memorizing every detail.

"I'm glad you have a hard head, dad."

Vince couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Me too."

"Mom will be so happy." Vince's expression instantly changed to one of concern. "Trip, you can't tell her I'm alive."

"Why not?" Trip cocked his head to one side. "Why didn't you ever tell us you were alive?"

Vince took a deep breath. "I was trying to protect you." He paused momentarily. "You remember when we would read the comics together?"

Trip nodded. "The hero has to keep his identity secret so the bad guys don't go after the ones he loves?" Trip nodded again.

"It is the same thing here." Vince said. "There are some bad guys out there. The ones that said that I did all those bad things. It is better that they think that I'm not around anymore so they don't come after you or your mother. I never stopped missing you. I would come and see you the best way I knew how."

"I knew all those things they said about you weren't true."

"Thanks buddy." Vince smiled. "You understand why you can't tell your mother?"

"I guess." Trip said. "Mom has been really upset. She acts like everything is okay, but I can tell. I thought it would make her feel better."

Vince's heart broke again. "I know it's hard. I would love to see her and give her a hug and make her feel better too, but it's not safe right now."

"When will it be safe?" Trip stared directly into his father's eyes.

"I don't know, Trip. Hopefully soon. Hopefully soon."

"Speaking of your mom, we need to get you back home before she gets worried."

"Can't I stay a little longer with you?" Trip pleaded. "She thinks I'm spending the night upstairs with Freddie."

Vince drew his son into another hug. "If I could I would never let you go again. But, you have to go for now. Okay?" Vince pulled his son away so that he could look into his eyes. "My friend is going to take you back home. I'll see you again as soon as I can."

Vince looked up at Orwell who had stayed over in the corner away from the family scene. "Make sure he gets home okay."

"Come on, Trip. Your dad needs to rest so he can come and see you again." Trip didn't move continuing to stand in the same position.

"Trip, please." Vince said barely containing his emotions.

Orwell once again tried to steer the boy out of the room and this time he hesitantly obliged.

Vince watched them leave as long as he could before laying back down, his head and heart a swirl of emotions.