Over the next few weeks, Martian Manhunter and Spectre got closer. It wasn't uncommon to see the tall green alien sitting with the girl, exchanging stories. Whenever he could, Robin would join them. There were even days when Batman could be found, sitting in the Batcave with the eight year old girl on his lap, figuring out mysteries.

One memorable occasion had Batman in his chair, fast asleep, with Spectre and Robin both sitting on his lap, curled into each other. The two children were as thick as thieves, and as close as two friends could be.

Alfred loved the girl. He would often hand Batman and Robin small bags for the girl, filled with vegetables, cookies, and non-perishable foodstuffs.

One day, Spectre was sitting in the kitchen, watching the elderly man cook dinner, when Batman, now Bruce Wayne, walked on in. He ruffled the girls hair, as often did, but as his hand came away, it was covered in dirt, soot and grime.

"Spook, when was the last time you had a wash?" He asked, referring to his personal nickname for her.

The girl tilted her head to one side. No matter how many times J'onn, Bruce, Dick or Alfred asked, she wouldn't take off her 'mask.' (This was really just a blindfold, one she could see out of.) "Umm, it would have been two or three years ago. I haven't really kept count."

Bruce was surprised. He really shouldn't have been, considering that she was a homeless kid. "Well, would you like one?" He asked awkwardly.

He was new to this parenting stuff, okay? The girl smiled and ran out of the room, calling to Dick (Also known as Robin). She knew that Bruce was a bit uncomfortable when it came to washing younger kids; after all, he was the bachelor of Gotham.

Dick was happy when Spectre asked for his help. He had often wondered what her hair colour was, heck, even what her skin colour was! She was so covered in dirt and grime that her real colour was hidden. Bruce had a thought, and stuck his head out of the door. "Put your clothes outside the bathroom door and I'll have them washed!"

"Okay!" Came back the faint reply. Inside the bathroom, Dick and Spectre were having fun filling the bathtub with bubble bath and soap. Even though the girl had the knowledge of trillions and millions of years, she still liked to act her age. Dick decided to go for a bath too, and within moments, the two were performing a synchronised swimming performance inside the way too big bathtub. Or at least, Dick was. Spectre couldn't really swim.

The two weren't awkward around each other. They were kids, and practically siblings. They couldn't be any closer if they grew up together! Soon the bathwater became brown, then black, as all the grime was washed out of Spectres hair and skin.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Bruce and Alfred were looking at the washing machine in horror. They had been cleaning the girl's clothes, or at least Alfred was, but there wasn't much of the closes to wash! The hoodie survived, coming out an extremely threadbare grey, but her jeans and shirt didn't. The only things that had been keeping the clothes from falling apart were dirt and a prayer.

Alfred was sent to get an old pair of Dick's jeans and shirt for the girl, while Bruce went to haul them out of the bath. Even the bath hadn't gotten all the dirt off the girl. A once white towel became a dirty grey as Bruce dried Spectre off, eyes closed.

Hey, he was slightly uncomfortable having to dry off a young girl! And there was the fact that Dick had asked him to close his eyes. Apparently the two kids wanted to show off the 'Absolutely, Squeaky Clean Spectre' to everyone at the same time. Everyone being Bruce, Alfred and J'onn.

Bruce was speechless as the girl walked down the stairs in the too big shirt and old jumper, the jeans discarded because they were falling off of her. J'onn was in a similar state, having been called down from the Watchtower.

Spectre was skinny, skinnier than either man thought she would be. Her skin was a smooth brown, like a roasted nut. But it was her hair that made the men stare. Her hair was short and straight, coming around her face to fall in soft strands that just reached her shoulders. It made a beautiful contrast against her darker skin. In a few years she'd be hard pressed to keep the guys away from her!

Bruce tore his eyes away from her hair and looked at her legs. Usually they were covered in her jeans, but now that they were bare, the extent of her malnutrition became that much more noticeable. Her bones and muscles were outlined with shocking detail, any excess fat on her legs having disappeared long ago.

Her feet, also bare, were just as emancipated, the skin on the soles of her feet tough. But something that really shocked J'onn was her scars. Batman wasn't unused to scars on young children, having seen too many on young Dick as it was, but it was a new experience for the Green alien. Long, ropey scars spread up her legs, with smaller knicks here and there, probably from broken glass. The soles of her feet, when she was asked to show them, were even worse. All the skin was hard, simply a mass of scar tissue.

"Why are there so many scars on your feet?" Bruce asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

"Oh, I don't wear any shoes." Spectre sounded so matter of fact about it.

J'onn cocked his head to the side quizzically. "Don't all humans wear shoes to protect their feet?"

"Well, yes, but I make do with wraps. They're easier to find than shoes." Spectre walked towards the kitchen, before stopping and turning towards the two speechless men, one speechless green alien and a smirking 9 year old boy.

"Well? Are you going to come eat? I think dinner has gotten cold." With that she turned around and walked into the kitchen.

Bruce shook his head and smiled. He couldn't wait until she met the rest of the League. She'd probably confuse and embarrass the heroes. Not to mention her sense of humour and sarcasm would have many of them rolling on the floor in hysterics, or in some cases (coughSupermancoughcough) staring at her in disproval. And hopefully she wouldn't break them. Hopefully. Or she'll break them into crying messes. Bruce smirked. Yeah, maybe (hopefully) break a certain Boy Scout into pieces. Hopefully.

Little did Bruce know that Spectre would meet the rest of the League one day. Maybe not the next day, or the next week, but would meet them. Defiantly.

So, this chapter didn't come out quite as I wanted it. But, you did get to find out what she looked like (Somewhat) And Spectre will defiantly meet teh League members in the next chapter.

Be Crazy!

Psy Koteek