The boat had soon reached ashore, Myan practically leaping out of it before it even got there. He grabbed his daughter in his arms showering her with fatherly kisses and loving words. Dick never thought he'd see Bruce so concerned for him when he took him in his embrace. He didn't doubt the man in that sense, it was only that he always kept himself composed and somewhat reserved. Now it was like seeing a different side to him.

Later Bruce would take Dick aside to have a talk with him, leaving Kory and her father to bond.

"You alright, honey?" Myan asked next to her on the boat wrapping his arm around her, to which she nodded silently.

Opposite her sat Dick with his father, but she wouldn't even look at him. He would rather go back to all that is chaotic in Gotham, and after how he gave her a hard time for wanting to be rescued too. No, she would not to give in, no matter how nervous she felt with his eyes on her. How she wished he'd stop that.

-

Half an hour Dick had been sitting in that chair, on that soft, cushiony leather, and it felt like heaven on earth. By God it was so comfortable. He let his bare feet keep in contact with the smooth surface floor. This was all he wanted to do at the moment, just let his senses explore what they will. The smells were strange, so different, yet familiar. His eyes slowly scanned every inch of his surroundings, thinking, wondering, observing. The door was left open by his own will, he preferred it that way. No matter how big the cabin was it wouldn't quell his momentary claustrophobia. Bruce had said he'd be right back with some things, Dick wasn't sure what, but it didn't bother him that he still hadn't returned yet. There was still so much to take in. His eyes rested on a ledger, Bruce's ledger, how little he thought of it, but now he just couldn't stop staring at it. So many memories linked to it, playing in his head one after the other. They weren't anything of much importance, no more than he'd usually care to think, just places he and Bruce went to, or the things they discussed. The more he stared the more his mind conjured the memories. They stopped at the last memory he had...

Bruce is talking to someone on the deck of the ship, ledger in hand. Both men are standing. The other person laughs at something Bruce says. The waiter comes offers them champagne in flute glasses, but Bruce places his down and opens the ledger. They're both looking at it but there's something else beyond them where their heads are blocking most of the view. From what it appears it's a girl, looking sad and lonely while she gazes out at sea. The waiter comes just as she's about to move her hair out of her face, covering the view. He leaves, and there she is.

Kory.

She had wanted to stay, it was probably the one place that made her happy. But he couldn't. There was something he had to do first, as much as it went against his judgement. He only hoped Kory would still have enough patience and understanding to talk to him by then.

-

Ryan raced to the foyer in his socks to answer the phone, before he slid right past it crashing into the plants. He hastily got up covered in dirt and trying to blow it out of his mouth reaching for the phone.

"Yeah, hello!"

The noise made Karen rush in to find the plant pots smashed and Ryan hanging on the side table, dirt covering his hair and talking on the phone. She could only roll her eyes at his idiocy.

"This is so awesome! How long?"

"Whose on the phone?" But Ryan just continued.

"Yeah...yeah...alright. So this afternoon? Dad, wait! Is she alright?"

Dad? Since he left he'd only called once to ask about their mother, but now it had been two weeks. Karen immediately tried took the phone from Ryan. "Dad, dad! Is everything ok?"

Ryan scrambled up from the floor to listen in.

"Yes, we're all fine. Tell your mother, tell her we found Kory and we're bringing her home, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure! But can we talk to her?"

"You'll have your chance when you see her this afternoon, she's taking a nap right now. I have to go, we'll see you soon."

The maids were in the kitchen when they heard the joyful cries echoing in from the hallway, pretty soon followed by the sounds of scampering feet up the stairs. Bewildered as they were as to the cause of this sudden outburst they already had a feeling as to what it might be, and if they were right, then their beloved Miss Kory was coming home.

-

"Would there be anything else for you, sir?"

"No, that'll be all, thank you."

"And for...," he motioned to Kory staring blankly out the window. Myan looked at his daughter, then decided to dismiss the waiter.

"I spoke with your brother and sister, you know. They're very excited to have you back home. I'm sure they'll be wanting to plan some kind of welcome home party for you." His daughter kept her gaze as if he hadn't said a word.

"Kory?" he coaxed, this time placing his hand over hers.

"Hm?" she replied turning her head.

"Are you alright, dear? You've been very quiet."

It wasn't really fair to her father after all this time of searching for her that she not seem appreciative of finally being reunited again, despite the wave of emotions consuming her mind at that moment. She straightened her back and gave a somewhat firm reply.
"I'm fine, really. I'm just getting used to the idea of...going back, I guess."

She could still picture the way her father had grabbed her earlier, lifting her off the ground in jubilation once he got to shore. The tears of happiness in his eyes at seeing his little girl after so many months. His hands had been shaking as he held her by the shoulders, as if he were afraid she would disappear.

Not to say that she hadn't been happy to see him either, it was a miracle to be found, it really was. However, she would have liked not to have those feelings intermingle with the sourness that dampened her now. She should have known, Dick Grayson was all talk. Then again she supposed she couldn't blame him for changing his mind. After all, seeing both their fathers out of the blue sure was a sight for sore eyes. How astonished they seemed to be when they saw us alive. Her father had asked many questions about their survival, she expected Dick's father was interviewing him just the same somewhere off, when they finally emerged together it had been after quite a while. It also didn't escape Kory's attention how Dick's mood became more...tense after their reunion, not to mention his avoidance of eye contact with her. She guessed it was because of having to decide against staying on the island. She could just let it go. Then again holding a grudge gave her a level of satisfaction she needed to get through the day.

-

The ship docked in around 1:30 pm, where a crowd of reporters and camera crew stood at the edge anticipating their first glimpses of the lost survivors. Police had set up barricades to control the mob for when the passengers would make their way off the ship and into their waiting cars. There would be no press conference with the survivors, however Bruce Wayne was expected to make a few comments shortly after their arrival.

Every camera, I-Phone, smart-phone and what not was glued to the ship for those aggravating minutes since its arrival into port, until finally a door opened and one of the first crew members came out carrying some luggage, followed by two more. Immediately everyone was fixed on that one spot before Kory Anders made her appearance with Myan Anders right behind her. A few seconds more and Bruce Wayne came down the walkway with Dick Grayson in tow. The cameras flashed furiously trying to catch every possible moment of the group. Kory had her eyes shielded with one hand to block the sunlight shining directly at her, walking steadily while holding onto the sides. Dick Grayson kept a passive face, his gaze remaining low with a pair of sunglasses on, keeping a few yards behind his father. Crowds cheered upon seeing the return of their long lost survivors, their collective chants echoing to the skies, continuing long after the voyagers got into their respective cars and left the dock.

-

It was all hugs and more hugs at the Anders estate. Ryan refused to let go of his big sister, that is until he was pried off by Karen who was relieved that she would finally get some time to herself without Ryan and his mission to annoy her into a frenzy. Galfore was at the same time solemn as he joined in the reunion, giving Myan a sympathetic smile as he came down the grand staircase. He had just informed Lou Anne of Kory's arrival, but it wasn't likely she would come down.

"Pardon the interruption, but it is time for tea."

"Thank you, Bailey. Why don't you escort the children into the dining area, Galfore and I will follow in a moment."

Myan gave a big sigh as he took off his jacket. "Oh Galfore, I have to admit, it has been a stressful episode. Honestly, I didn't think there'd be a happy ending, even when we were out searching for her."

"It is very fortunate the family is whole again, and that we can concentrate on healing."

There was a slight pause.

"Thank you Galfore, for coming through in our time of need. You've been most gracious helping with Lou Anne."

"Helping family comes easy to me, there is no question about that, cousin."

"And that is why I trust you above all else. So, can I trust you tell me how she is at the moment?"

"Her progress is coming along nicely, she's adjusting well. We didn't tell her straight away of the news that her daughter was coming home. It was advised we ease her into it slowly. She found out two days after you informed us."

"And how did she take it?"

"She was silent, it is unsure that she has even grasped the reality of the situation. When I asked to come down and meet you both she refused. I think she may still be in denial."

"Hmm, I think it's best I take Kory to her, but later. Galfore, why don't you go and enjoy your tea, I still need to freshen up."

Galfore nodded and left for the dining area where he joined the others chatting away.

-

Her room hadn't changed much, save for a change of sheets perhaps and some small objects on her dresser that may have been moved here and there. She had to admit though, she did miss her bed. And her carpet, and her closet, and her bathroom. As she lay on her bed her mind wandered to her mother. She and her father went to her room to see her for the first time since they got home. Kory had already been filled in on Lou Anne's condition and how it deteriorated after she went missing, and it was no pleasure to hear. Her guilt trip had risen faster than profits on Black Friday. Despite the reassurances that her mother was on the fast road to recovery Kory could hardly recognize her. She looked so frail, and distant. It was even more heartbreaking that she showed little to no reaction when their eyes met for the first time. Her father said it may take a while for her to adjust to reality, and that there was no need to worry, but the shakiness in his voice was not lost on Kory. This had deeply affected him too, she could tell he longed to have his 'best friend' back.

Kory wasn't particularly sleepy when it was time for bed, despite the eventful day it had been. She had just taken a shower and was sitting in front of the dresser brushing her hair leisurely, lost in thought. So when the strange sounds occurred outside her balcony window, she hardly noticed...until she found herself being grabbed from behind and wrestled to the bed. Her muffled screams were useless against the assailant's hand that covered her mouth, as was her struggling, that is until she was forced to look her captor in the eyes.

"Dick?"

"In the flesh, Princess," he smirked cheekily.

It didn't take long for Kory who it was. "You beautiful, glorious, idiot!"

"Hey!," he whined as he got up, rubbing his chest where Kory punched him. "What was that for?"

"Shut up!" She pushed him aside as she stood up herself and turned sharply towards him. "You've got a lot of nerve showing your face here."

"I know, I know, I can understand that you're mad. It's just that...I thought it was time to be rational..."

Kory's eyes widened. "Ratio- Are you serious?! You got angry for the exact," she threw a cushion at him, "same," and another, "thing!"

Each time Dick ducked and dodged the cushions, then teddybears, then the pillows...

"Now take it easy Princess."

"Don't you Princess me," she spat while she chased him with her hairbrush. "You realize how stupid you made me look?"

"Come on Kory, it's not like we could stay there forever."

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

Dick thought this was getting ridiculous, he needed to calm her down right now. He managed to tackle her flailing arms and pin her to the ground.

"Okay," he panted, "now just listen. You have every right to be mad." He felt her struggle again but he held her fast. "AND I'm an idiot."

"And..."

"And insensitive."

"And..."

"And inconsiderate."

"And..."

"And a meanie."

"And..."

"And selfish," he sighed.

"And..."

"How long do I have to go for anyway?"

"You're nowhere near done."

"And every other name and accusation that's running through your mind which I can't be bothered to say but I'll make no objections to it because Kory Anders is always right. Can we just leave it at that?"

Kory gave a dramatic sigh. "Well...oh alright." And before she could say anything more Dick gave her a kiss which melted all her anger away.

"Wait...can you beg like that again so I can catch it on video?" Well, most of her anger.

-

It was a beautiful morning when Kory woke up the next day, considering that interesting, yet relaxing night she had. It was safe to say she got a good's night sleep, especially when lying in the arms of Dick. It was no wonder she was all giddy and gliding from her room down to breakfast. That is until she heard her father mention her name to someone on the phone.

"Yes...I'm very hopeful...the wedding will take place next year, by that time Kory will be more settled, it's not everyday my daughter gets married...agreed...till then..."

It felt like her heart stopped. After all the trouble of getting her back he was still going through with this business arrangement? That means she was going to end up with someone she hardly knew, that means she was going to lose Dick.

Yeah, yeah, shut up. :p