For the Derby Dame known as Samilee Burke this had been a very trying week.

Heated words had put the slacker on edge. The rift between she and Tara was almost unbearable. With the lavish settings of the Chainned Inn all around, Sami felt free to relax for now. The Slaver's Association lackeys would not dare come into the lion's den and the skinny minnie took comfort in her safe haven. After breakfast was finished she slipped outside with fingers fumbling for the pack of cigarettes from her purse. No matter where she was it felt so strange to smoke indoors. Wide legged slacks of recently ironed black material were met with a white hoodie that covered the messy mop of multi-colored locks atop her head. Turquoise painted fingernails struggled momentarily with the lighter, but a rush of mentholated smoke came pouring into her lungs soon enough. Bright blues began to peer out into the street as she leaned against the front wall of the Inn.

The morning was a bit too humid for her tastes, but the clouds kept some of the sunlight at bay. Nearby there were the usual street vendors with knick-knacks and produce. The derby queen watched them through her haze of a full belly and barely awake eyes. There was one man in particular that caught her eye. Standing there at a side shop was a salt and pepper haired man with rounded cheekbones and a jolly laugh. It was the laugh that first caught her attention. The young salesman was helping the man, garbed in typical Earth wear, to buy a bauble for someone. The scene, the way the two bantered, it made the tired slacker smile.

Somewhere between puffs taken off the cigarette the man turned to reveal the words on his t-shirt previously obscured by distance and angles. It was a navy blue shirt and across the front in proud white and golden yellow lettering it said, "World's Greatest Dad". The shirt was cheaply made and looked like something you would find in a tourist trap around Father's Day. That was coming up soon, wasn't it? The thought had crossed her mind last night before she went to bed. Again the derby queen smiled, but as her bright blue eyes lifted to inspect the rest of his face she realized it was familiar to her.

Twinkling eyes, small against the background of his rosy face, were jovial to the extreme. His smile was alarmingly tender and his motion smooth and confident. By Rhydin standards his belly was larger than most, but there was such strength in that mass. Even so far away from the interaction Samilee knew the sound of his voice, the comedy of his speech patterns. Within her stomach an intangible fountain of joy began to well such that it brought a wave of water to her eyes. This... was not possible. A smile unlike any other previously worn crossed the woman's face and a hand rose to try and cover it from view. The expression she wore was nothing less than pure, unfiltered bliss.

The cigarette dropped from her hand and Sami Burke took a single step forward. For several seconds she stunned, speechless, and unable to believe that this was merely reality. "Dad!!" The call was loud enough for the man to hear, but not so direct that he would stare or think less of her if she was mistaken.

For a long moment his strong arms just held her and then, whenever she was ready, released her. Spindly fingers reached up to wipe the blanket of tears from her eyes and she marveled in awe at how loving his face was. The cheap t-shirt made her lips curl into a near permanent smile. "Oh, hey! You're here now. You can decide this for me." His swollen fingers wrapped around her own as he teetered back over to the stand where he was. "I was trying to pick out some matching sunglasses for us to wear."

Sami felt her pulse begin to throb in her ears.

Sunglasses! Her father liked sunglasses!

It was almost enough to make her start crying again. "Sure, dad... which ones do you like?" He leaned into the table a bit and pulled up two pairs of big-rimmed lime green glasses. In Sami's opinion, they were perfect. He took the liberty of placing a pair on her face and then one on his own. Both stared at each other and grinned like maniacs. "So, what do you think?" "These are totally boss." "Boss? Is that your young hip-hop lingo for cool or nice or something?" The slacker giggled a bit. "Yeah.. it means I like them a lot. Nothing better." William Shatner gave a subtle nod of his head and turned to face the vendor. Some silver nobles were handed out and the change was placed in a little bag he was carrying at his side. As if on impulse she reached out to give him a hug and he just curled his arm around her as if he understood everything she was going through.

"Tell you what, pumpkin. How about you run inside and get dressed, showered, whatever you need. And I'll take you out on the town today, hmm?" Bright blues peered up at him, amazed to see the twinkle in his own eyes. Unable to speak, she just nodded. Samilee didn't want to turn away from him, so he followed her into the Inn and promised to wait downstairs in the lobby until she was ready. Nori was given instructions to keep him safely out of the way before Sami turned to run upstairs.

Three steps up she paused at the sound of his voice. "Oh, Sammy! I just forgot. I bought this for you yesterday... I thought, I don't know, I had it made and I thought you might like it." Curiosity got the best of her and she turned around. There in his hand was a piece of clothing. Inching towards him with eyes on the material it was a fierce looking turquoise cotton. Spindly fingers reached out for it and pulled it open to inspect the front. A baby tee with hot pink writing across the front that said, "Bill's Little Girl". Bright blues turned on him instantly and Shatner seemed to fidget a bit, as if nervous. "If you don't like it, that's fine. I just..." She cut him off mid sentence with another bear hug. "Are you crazy old man? I love it! I'm gonna go put it on!" There was a big kiss to his cheek and Sami turned with glee to go racing up the stairs.

In the lobby of the Inn, her dream father waited with a smile on his face.