A/N: So here's the epilogue. Ladies and gentlemen, it's been an honor.

"He promised to look at them by next Friday."

Dick nodded thoughtfully. "Did he say anything about how long he thought it might take?"

"For now, we have no idea." Bruce paused. "They seem to be settling in alright here?"

The boy smiled. "Kaldur won't leave the bathroom. He thinks toilets are a gift from God."

The billionaire chuckled. "I'm happy to keep them here until they have their own families. Or until Wally breaks my treadmill…"

Dick grinned, and then cast his eyes downward. "I'm sorry about earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"About before… in Hawaii. And also… I'm sorry I called you dad. When you saved me."

Bruce halted in his tracks. "Tell me, Dick. Why don't I let you call me that?"

"So I won't forget him. My real father."

Bruce's eyes were soft as he looked at the boy. "And on that island... were you beginning to forget me?"

He nodded silently.

Bruce let the lesson go unsaid. He nudged Dick lightly. "Now, get some sleep. That island made you soft; training starts bright and early tomorrow morning."

Dick groaned, retreating into his room and shutting the door.

He made himself ready for bed, taking a few moments to relish in the little comforts he had missed in the jungle.

As Dick lay down, he felt as if the bed was… too soft. Despite himself, he'd grown used to the hardness of the cave's rock floor. He hoped the others were sleeping well.

The night began to drag on around him. Just as he would begin to drift, shadows reared up and snarled, moving in twisted shapes. He rolled to his side, only to meet Mallah's gaze. He gasped and sat up, turning on the light. There was nothing there.

Dick shuddered, laying down again and refusing to turn off the light.

The man's green eyes pierced him like the scalpel he held. There was some kind of drug running through his veins; his skin was on fire, his eyes were screaming louder than his mouth, which had grown hoarse after hours of the endless pain.

The man took off the mask, only to have Gar's face. The monkey stared at him, empty, and snarled softly before plunging the scalpel into his throat.

Wally leaped up off the floor, clawing at his throat. He was surprised to see it still intact.

He glanced towards the door, where Artemis was leaning. Her eyes watched him, sad and scared. Wordlessly he went to her, taking her hand.

Dick leaned his head forward as the figure appeared at the door. Megan entered. She looked up at Dick sheepishly, murmuring, "Dick… I kept having nightmares. Is it… Is it okay if… I stay here?"

The boy paused, and then grinned gently. He indicated for her to come to the bed, where she snuggled in on the edge and lay still, breathing steadily after a moment.

A few minutes passed before another shadow appeared at the door. Conner muttered, "Oh, she's in here. I was worried, I…" He cleared his throat. "I guess I'll… go…"

Megan lifted her head sleepily. "Conner? Do you want to stay here?"

He hesitated; Dick nodded, and the wolf prowled forward, resting beside Megan's form.

It was not even a full minute before Kaldur appeared at the door. Dick just sighed, indicating for him to join. He did not snuggle like the other two, but seemed relieved just to have human contact. Dick tried to ignore his wet, slimy skin.

Finally, Wally and Artemis appeared at the door, hand in hand. Wally frowned. "Aw, you guys didn't even invite us?"

Megan smiled and beckoned them to enter. Wally jumped on the bed, covering Dick's lower torso while Artemis cuddled around his legs.

Dick was uncomfortable; they were all sleeping soundly soon, but he was too warm and too cold and bony limbs were poking him.

However, he could not care less. He closed his eyes, smiling to himself as he drifted off.

The gorilla glanced up. The cart was wheeled in, a large machine held chained to it.

Mallah chuckled softly. "So you are chained too, Monsieur?"

"I do not understand why, but I can do nothing about it now." He paused. "How does prison suit you, Mallah?"

"I am bored. There is no one left to intimidate: no challenge. They will not even let me have a book for more than a few minutes without supervision."

"Fear not, we will escape."

"I know, Monsieur." Mallah flashed a small glint of steel.

If he had a head, the Brain would have shaken it in admiration. "Oh, mon grand. Je t'adore."