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Yesterday, Bridgette made a snowman by the pond of the Cooper farm. Button eyes, scarf, carrot nose, branches for arms. Nothing terribly exciting about that.

Today, she's gotten tired of looking at it. She's outside, with a short sword in hand, glaring at the snowman intensely.

With a cry of 'en garde!' she hacks at her snowman's lower torso. Marie, sitting a few feet from the snowman, watches with interest.

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"I never had any brothers or sisters," Dinah admits. "Until I joined the Justice League, then I suddenly had dozens. I miss them a lot, even the ones I always fought with.

"I think Toph could make some bunk beds when she gets back."

"Who were your brothers and sisters on the Justice League?"

"Batman," Dinah starts readily. "Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman and Zatanna, Arsenal. And then later Oracle, Lady Blackhawk and Huntress."

Bridgette's response to that impressive set of names?

"Cool." If she were in a better mood, that'd be said with an exclamation point and a grin. Instead she looks interested but unsmiling.

Bridgette in a bad mood breaks Dinah's heart. She wraps an arm around the girl to give her a friendly hug.

Bridgette sinks into the hug, leaning her head on Dinah's shoulder. She raises her own arm to where 'Marie' sits, in a miniature version of Dinah's hug.

The words are whispered as Bridgette stares at Dinah's hand. ""

Dinah hates hearing this, but she nods slowly. "If they ever come here, we'll stop them together, Bridge."

Bridgette cuddles into the hug, sniffling, her eyes welling up.

""

Every word feels like she's trying to speak through a sore throat. She trails off, staring at 'Marie' , lost in thought.

Affectionately, Dinah smooths out her hair. "Can you tell me what he did, Bridge?"

Bridgette closes her eyes, a few tears leaking out. Her saliva is sour with fear.

"We--" Startled by the loudness of her voice, Bridge falls quiet for a moment.

""

Another pause, this one longer. ""

Bridgette's entire body is taut as a coiled spring by the end. She wipes away a few more tears.

Another hug serves to let Bridgette know that that's all Dinah needs, and it's OK to let go, if she needs to.

"You're safe from him here, Bridge. If I ever see them, I promise I'll stop them."

Hell, Dinah might actually kill him. She knows who Marie is, now.

Bridgette's breathing hitches a few times.

""

Bridgette isn't letting go yet. The hug has now become clinging - both Bridge clinging to Dinah and clinging to the sister only she can see.

Bending her head down, Dinah kisses the top of Bridge's head. "Any time, sweetheart."

She'll stay here for as long as she's needed.

More tears fall as Bridge sobs breathily and quietly. After a while, Bridgette glances over at Marie then up at Dinah, eyes red.

"We're tired. Can we go beddy-time?"

Bridgette hasn't said beddy-time since age five, but she's not in the right frame of mind to correct herself.

"Of course," Dinah says, moving to stand. "Do you want me to carry you?"

A seven year old she can just about deal with, she's a strong woman.

Some maturity comes back to Bridge. She shakes her head. "No thanks. Marie's pretty heavy now."

She gets up off the couch, scooping up thin air from the couch. The sword beside Marie is forgotten about.

Bridgette blinks in surprise, then kisses the air in front of her, much as Dinah kissed the top of her head.

She looks shyly up at Dinah. "Can you sing lullabies? Marie might need some. She woke up."

"Not well."

She has unnatural lung capacity and absolutely perfect pitch, but her voice lacks something artistic. Superpowers without talent.

"I can manage rock-a-bye-baby, Though."

Bridgette nods. "She likes that one."

"Then we'll see what we can do," Dinah says, as they head towards Bridgette's bed.

She just straight up adores this kid.

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