Still many years in the past, but not as many

Dirk did call Daia. Over the next two years they became very close. But Daia wasn't the only woman in Dirk's life. There was another, and in some years that one would be two, but I'll tell you about that later. The second woman: he name was Roxy. And Roxy was Dirk's sister, adopted to be specific but Dirk would do anything for her. Dirk did everything for Roxy. Bailed her out of jail when the occasion arose and payed her debts off over the years. When Roxy landed on his doorstep on this night, Dirk knew she was in trouble. He just didn't know how much trouble that would be...

"Dirky! I need-" hiccup "help." Roxy was drunk on his doorstep.

"Rox, what the hell? its midnight stop shouting. You'll wake the neighbors." Dirk was on his way to the door.

"I'm not that drunk, you own the whole floor, Dick. Dirk." Dirk opened the door and Roxy had a large basket at her feet, she nearly tripped on entering his apartment. A noise escaped the basket, a cry. A cat? thought Dirk, it wouldn't surprise him. Roxy had already crashed on his couch, and he looked into the basket. There were two infants. He pulled the basket into his living room and closed the door.

"Roxy!" Dirk crossed to the couch and sat her up. "Sweetie, did you rob a hospital?"

"No silly." She got up and went to his liquor shelf, and started pouring a glass. She sipped it to settle her nerves, she was shaking. "They're mine. I fucked up big, Dirk, got fucked and now... now." She downed the drink and poured another one.

Dirk led her to the couch, and sat next her. "It'll be ok, Rox. I'll help anyway you want."

Roxy sat crying and drinking until her glass was empty. She placed on the coffee table. "Would you take care of one?"

"What? Rox?" Dirk slide off his shades, dropping his professional face.

"Take one. Raise 'em like your own. I'll send money when I can get on my feet. I could raise one but it'll be impossible to take care of both and I don't want some stranger raisein' them." The words tumbled out of her mouth along with some more tears.

"I'll take one, and don't bother about sending money, Roxy, I'll help you out with whatever you need."

Roxy hugged him, "Dirk, I don't what to say."

"You don't have to say anythin'. I'm your brother, it's what I'm for."

Roxy stayed for a week. When she left, Dirk had set up and apartment for her, a stay at home job, all the baby things she would need and Dirk had an infant to raise.

Daia was pissed at first, thought Dirk at knocked up some chick and she left the kid on his doorstep. Didn't come around for a little while. By a little while, I mean almost a year, 9 months, 3 weeks and 4 days to be precise. Dirk kept track of everyday she was gone. She showed up that day when Dirk was running short on money. He wasn't desperate but helping with Roxy and not working, was getting Dirk a little worried. A knock came early in the day.

"I'll be right there." Dirk opened the door, baby in his arms and food on his face. "Sup?"

Daia was wearing his old pair of shades. "So you didn't knock up some chick?"

"Nope."

"It really is your sister's baby?"

"Yep."

"So, do you want help? I don't know anything though."

"Yes."

Dirk almost pulled her into the apartment. The place was different then the last time she was there. The place had been baby proofed. Daia pulled the baby out of Dirk's arms. "Go clean your face. I think I can feed...uh..what is it anyway?"

"A him. Dave."

"Creative, aren't you?"

"Totally." He disappeared down the hall. Daia had silent moment of panic, the first time she had to feed a baby. At least it wasn't a fragile newborn, so she would break him.

"Hi, Dave. I'm Daia." Dave looked at her, for a moment she thought he was going to cry but then he smiled and laughed. "You know as a Strider, smiles aren't permitted." She sat on the couch a baby Dave on her lap, as Dirk came back.

Daia held Dave and Dirk fed him. They made a pretty effective team.

Dave was done eating and Dirk was cleaning up when Daia exclaimed, "Gods, I feel so domestic!"

"Maybe I should ask you to be my wife then." Dirk placed Dave on the floor with a toy, and sat next to him, back against the couch Daia was stretched out on.

"You really think I could be Mrs. Strider? Sounds so respectable."

"You're right, you could never be that respectable." Dirk said with a light chuckle and Daia threw a pillow at him.

Daia stuck around. Her heart taken by little Dave. She wouldn't be a mom, but an overprotective cool big Sis. Dirk would be Bro instead of Dad. Sis would watch little Dave when Bro had to work and when Sis had to work, Bro would be there. This was Dave's world for many happy years. Together they taught Dave to be strong, cool, and fast. Each would teach them their fighting skills with a blade. Bro's specialty was a Katana and Sis' was two short swords. Dave picked up both with relative ease.

Every year on Dave's birthday, December 3rd, Aunt Roxy would call. She never missed a year or a gift to the son who she gave away. Dave didn't know, he would never know.