"Tati?" Scarlet woke up in the car, battered, bruised, and feeling like she'd been hit by a truck. There was dried blood on her face, but she was victorious. Bruce had elected ti sit in the back with her while Alfred drove with Dick up front.

"Yes, birdie?" Bruce asked, leaning close to her.

"How'd I do?" she asked quietly, blinking sleepily.

"You did wonderful, baby. Wonderful. So did Dick." Dick smiled from where he sat in the front seat. he reached out to pat her arm and she yipped in pain.

"What hurts?" he demanded, instantly worried.

"I... everything." Scarlet panted. "But... it'll heal. I think. Tati... do I HAVE to play sports?" she asked. Now was the time to turn on the cuteness, she knew. This was THE D-day of Operation Freak out.

"Well..." Bruce looked uncertain.

Dick sensed their father was undecided and made a move. "Squirrel!" he yelled, pointing, and Alfred slammed on the breaks. It was dark out, so Alfred believed him. The sudden stop sent Scarlet rolling onto the floor, crying out in pain and wincing, curling into the fetal position...

Bruce stared, alarmed, gently grabbing Scarlet under the arms and pulling her up onto his lap. She took slow, measured breaths, and Bruce could feel her shaking and knew all these injuries had come from the game.

"No, Scarlet, you don't have to play sports." Bruce said quietly.

"I see no squirrel, Master Dick." Alfred said, shooting an annoyed glance at his charge.

"It was a black squirrel, I just saw the headlights reflect in its eyes..." Dick said, trying not to smile. "How're the bruises feeling, Scarlet?"

"Wanna sleep..." Scarlet muttered, slightly grumpy. Operation Freak out was a success , and she was exhausted and bruised, Dick had had it easy- performing and being surrounded by hot cheerleaders fawning over him. She'd had the crap beat out if her by those boys and she was ready to SLEEP. Bruce brushed the hair from her face, and she laid her head in his lap and drifted off once again...

"Happy birthday, Scarlet." Bruce tossed the just turned seven year old a set of keys. She stared at them, shocked "You got me a CAR?"

Bruce looked confused. "No, I thought the keys would be enough..." her face fell, and Bruce chuckled. "I'm kidding. It's not a car, but you'll like it. It's out front." Before he had finished the sentence she took off running.

There was a joyful scream a moment later, and Bruce grimaced and smiled at the same time.

"IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou!" she said, hugging Bruce before racing forward. She stopped in front of the cobalt blue dirt bike that was perfectly her size. She reached out and touched it, as though making sure it was there, before jumping onto it happily.

"You know how to ride? This is your break, and that's the throttle..." Bruce was showing her everything, now. She knew about them all ready, of course, Bruce had gotten Dick a red bike for his birthday exactly like it, and Dick had graciously allowed her to ride it alone once.

"And your helmet." Bruce produced a matching blue racing helmet and put it on her head, making sure it fit properly. He pulled up the visor so he could see her eyes.

"Promise me you'll be careful?" he asked.

"Sure, Dad. I'm seven, now. I'm invincible! Can I ride it now, please?" she asked, practically vibrating from excitement.

"Alright. But be safe." Bruce ordered. Her bruises from the football game that had become legend were almost healed, now, a week later, and he didn't want her getting any new ones.

She turned the key and the engine roared to life. She grinned, kicking up the peg, before revving the motor and taking off. There was another roar and a flash of red, and Bruce smiled slightly, seeing Dick pull up alongside her as they tore across the yard of the estate. He'd show her the ropes to riding.

"Master Bruce, are you quite she's safe on that... contraption?" Alfred asked, looking at him, slightly alarmed.

Bruce smiled. "Yes. Those helmets they're wearing are from Wayne-tech- Lucius just developed them. They're equivalent to the helmets our soldiers are currently wearing for firefights in Iraq and can take the impact of gunfire- they'll be fine."

Alfred smiled. "I should've known, Master Bruce. I should've known."