“Daddy, I want more.”

“In a minute pumpkin.”

“MORE.” The four-year-old daughter of Roy Harper insisted. He sighed heavily as he dutifully reached for a sippy cup and filled it with chocolate milk. Handing the waiting child her much anticipated drink, he continued on with his conversation with his fellow teammates of the Titans.

“Well we could always…”

“DADDY!”

“WHAT?”

“Love YOU.”

“Anyways, like I was saying, we could always go at it from a different angle. Have we searched all the…”

“Daddy?”

“Not now, Lian. Have we searched all the warehouse’s in the…”

“Daddy…I wanna play candy.”

“Play Candy?” Nightwing asked with a smile. He enjoyed watching one of his best friends cope with the pressures of parenthood. Lian never failed to bring a smile to her Unca Dick’s face.

“She means Candy Land, Wingster. Not now Lian.”

“But.. I want Candy!”

“LIAN HARPER, are you ready for a nap?”

“Love you daddy.” The little girl said quietly. Her archer father paid no attention when the little girl put down her chocolate milk and went to sit quietly on the plush navy blue sofa that aligned one of the walls in the Titans Headquarters.

Members from both the Titans and the JLA were assembled, going over possible theories for an alleged terrorist attack. A practice, what if type drill that they routinely ran through at the Batman’s insistence. Always the drills were different but one thing remained a constant, all Batman’s scenarios were about headwork. Mental sharpening to keep both teams on their toes.

“What was I saying?” Arsenal griped, trying to regain his train of thought. He hated these drills. It seemed Batman always gave him the hard questions, expecting him to fail. Or at least, that is how he perceived it. Truth be told, all the questions were hard and even the most esteemed members of the JLA, such as Aquaman and Wonder Woman often felt uncomfortable under the Bat’s scrutinizing glare. Superman however, always seemed to enjoy the challenge and often went head to toe with Nightwing on possible plans of attack and the like.

“Roy why don’t you turn on some cartoons for Lian?” Donna Troy suggested.

“Naw, she’s fine. Like I think I was saying, the warehouse’s down by the docks would be perfect for…”

“Daddy?”

“WHAT NOW?”

“Can I have a hug?”

Aware that everyone was watching him, Arsenal fought off the need to go slink under a rock. He reached for his daughter and gave her a quick hug, putting her down swiftly, dismissing her to go on her way.

“Tank you. I love you daddy.” She said, smiling once more.

“O’kay pumpkin. Here, take the clicker and go see if the Adventures of Batman and Robin are on.” v “YEAH!” She squealed her delight and ran towards the television. The room erupted in laughter causing a blush from the red haired archer.

“I agree with bow head.” Flash chimed in, his mouth full of a pepperoni and mustard sandwich.

“About watching the Adventures of Batman and Robin?” Donna teased.

“Yeah that too.” Flash said with his mouth around a fourth sandwich.

“Well then let’s run it through the simulator and see if it pans out.” Martian Manhunter offered. He was more than anxious to get this annoying meeting over with.

“Daddy, can I watch the simmlater?” Lian begged.

“Honey, let Daddy work, you watch television okay?”

“But Batman’s not on!” Lian pouted. “He’s on toonami and it’s not on till afternoon.” She explained.

Arsenal’s annoyed groan caused a sad pout from the adorable child that awaited his time and attention.

“I love you daddy.” She stated, tears welling up in her big green eyes.

“How bout you watch that purple dinosaur that sings? WILL THAT WORK?”

“Man, I don’t mean to butt in but I’ve got to say something here.” Tempest injected.

“What is it Gill head?” Arsenal growled. He made a mental note to miss the next head game meeting.

“Man that kid has said I love you over and over in just the last few minutes alone but you never say it back to her. What’s up with that?”

“...”

“I mean dang Harper, that’s kinda cold not to ever say it back.” Tempest treaded easy with his friend, wanting to help and not offend at the same time. Sometimes that was an impossible task.

“I do tell her.” Arsenal defended.

Everyone shifted quietly. The silence filled room making all seem uncomfortable. From the corner table, standing by the computer, Batman decided to intercede between the two friends. Speaking the only words he had to the two teams all day.

“Make it count.” He said using a low tone, not his normal menacing ‘Bat’ voice, but something gentler.

“What?” Arsenal asked, surprise lacing his words. Batman seldom spoke to him directly.

“It’s not how many times you tell a child you love them, it’s whether or not they believe you when you say it. Make it count.”

Everyone looked to the other. The Bat giving out his advice on cases was common practice but on parenting, was a rarity that left them all speechless. Batman sensed that he had surprised them and in another rare turn he decided to explain his position somewhat.

“My father… was a well respected man, a pillar of the community, both professionally and in our Church. All that had dealings with him spoke of what a great man he was. I, however, saw an entirely different side of him.”

The occupants of the room made no sound; all eyes were turned to him.

“When around others he seemed affectionate towards my mother and myself, but alone at home, he showed us a much darker side of his personality.”

“Batman… I…. Never knew.” Nightwing stuttered. His heart going out to his surrogate father, he realized he was getting a rare glimpse inside the heart of the man that had raised him.

“The point is, when he wanted to impress others he would often express ‘I love you’. I grew to dread hearing those words.”

Nightwing stepped forward and placed a hand on Batman’s shoulder. A long ago approved show of support between the two. Batman appreciated the gesture, more than he would ever be comfortable enough to express. Turning back to the computer monitor, Batman went back to running a simulator program, as if he had never spoken a word. It took a few moments for everyone to realize that he had shared all he was going to. Roy Harper tried to ignore the lump in his throat when he reached down and picked up his precious daughter and carried her over to the ‘simmlater’.

“Okay, Babydoll, you can watch but don’t spill milk on the keyboard this time.” He playful growled. He was rewarded with her giggle, a sound that always lightened his heart.

“You’re silly Daddy.”

“You got that right Angel.” Nightwing teased.

“I love you Daddy.” Lian whispered, just before she graced him with a feather soft kiss on his cheek.

“I love you too, baby girl.” He whispered back. From the computer desk, Arsenal couldn’t help but notice Batman’s pleased expression. For the first time, it suddenly became clear to him why Nightwing’s affection for the Bat had always remained strong.

“Hey, how about you get Batman to play Barbie Doll with you while Daddy runs the simulator.”

“YEAH!!!” Lian cheered, jumping out of her daddy’s arms, she quickly grabbed the Batman’s gauntlet and pulled him towards the couch.

“Come on Batman, let’s play!!”

From somewhere deep inside, Batman made a confession to the Titan’s youngest teammate.

“I’m afraid I’m not very good at playing.” His voice became soft now, almost unrecognizable to those who knew him in his ‘Bat’ persona.

“That’s okay Batman. I’ll teach you.” She smiled warmly and continued leading him through the room.

“You sit right here.” Lian directed him to the floor by the end of the couch.

“See if you lift up the bottom…” She pulled on the recliner bottom until it pulled open. “If you pull this up then there’s a cave under here.” She beamed. His laughter filled the room, bringing smiles to all who counted themselves fortunate enough to witness it.

“Lian, I think he’s going to like this.” Nightwing chided as he handed Batman a hot pink car, which was quickly rolled into the new ‘cave’….