Sara Lance hesitated just outside the open door of her father's office, chewing her lip uncertainly. He looked old, she thought, and wondered uneasily how much of that was because of her.

Quentin chanced to look up just then and spotted her. A broad grin lit his face as he got hurriedly to his feet.

"Sara! When did you get here?"

"Just now," she muttered.

"What, you don't got a hug for your old man?" he asked with mock effrontery, holding out his arms.

Sara hesitated for the barest fraction of a heartbeat before stepping into his embrace. His arms felt warm and strong and secure around her, just as they always had. She shuddered, then finally felt some of the tension drain away, holding on to him tightly.

"Hey, what's that matter, baby girl? Everything all right on that space ship of yours?"

"I'm fine, Dad," she mumbled into his shirt front.

Quentin frowned and tucked a hand under her chin, raising her face so he could see her eyes. "Sara? What is it, baby? You know you can tell me anything - hell, all the things I seen, I'll believe anything."

Sara's expression darkened. "Not this, you wouldn't. I lived it, and I'm still not sure I believe it myself."

"But you're all right?" Quentin asked, eyeing her with concern, searching for any sign of injury.

"I'm fine," she repeated stubbornly.

"You sure about that?"

Sara nodded.

"I worry about you, you know - out there flying around in space and all that. I know you can take care of yourself, but you're not like those guys that can fly around and shoot rays outta their eyes and stuff like that. I worry about you," he repeated.

"I know, Daddy. I worry about you, too."

"Hey, I'm mostly behind a desk these days."

"You hang around Oliver," she countered.

Quentin reached out and stroked her cheek gently. It took all of Sara's training and control not to flinch away.

"You're all I got in this world, baby girl," he said softly, then leaned in to kiss her forehead. "You sure you won't tell me what's bothering you? I can tell, you know."

Sara shook her head slightly. She couldn't. Not now…maybe not ever.

"You ever meet anyone when you're off saving the world? It's just…it's a hard life you chose, and you should have someone. You meet some nice fella out there, bring him home and introduce him to me."

Sara bit her lip again, and glanced down at the floor, then back up to her father's eyes. "What if it was a her?"

Quentin shrugged. "You think I care about that? As long as you're happy, I'm happy. You're my daughter. That's all I'll ever need to know."

Sara wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. "I love you, Daddy."