So, with Young Justice back, I've finally, finally gotten my inspiration back. So, without any more explanations, I give you the beginning of the end.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Zatanna, calm down…"

"I can't believe you! Just because the team isn't the team anymore doesn't mean you can just leave me out when major things are happening to team members!"

"Zatanna, please," Black Canary tried to calm her down, but the irate magician was close to breaking something out of rage. "If we had known they were going to do this we wouldn't have even let them. Batman's most likely already taken extreme measures to put them back in their place."

"Put them in their place?" Zatanna's fist crashed into the wall. "I can't believe you just said that! Robin has been missing for an entire year and you expect me and the rest of Young Justice to just sit back while Batman—Batman! —walks right in to try and make things right? Do you understand what could happen if he messes up? Huh? If he makes things worse?"

"You weren't the only one left out of the group, you know."

Dinah sighed, running a hand through her long blonde hair. Artemis, arms folded across her chest, leaned against the far wall of the room.

"Gee, it's no wonder." Zatanna spat, too hurt to care about hurting others. "It's not as if anyone could get a hold of you."

"I could say the same for you." Artemis retorted, equally agitated. "You were too busy trying to be a real superhero to even bother contacting anyone. You're just as bad as Roy."

"Then why is Roy in another dimension and you and I are sitting here?"

"Look, both of you need to calm down." Dinah put up her hands and spoke slightly slower than usual in hopes to create a calming effect. "We received contact from Roy three hours ago. They found him and they are bringing him home. Let's not create a hostile home for Robin to come home to."

Dinah had a point, but that didn't mean the two girls were going to get along. The chaos following Robin's disappearance had done a real number on the relationships of the team. Friendships were broken, romances were strained, and there was no predicted mending in sight. Even with Robin coming home, too many things were said to be forgotten.

"How long?" Artemis asked, breaking eye contact with Zatanna.

"We don't know. Roy never gave us a specific time. The only thing we can do is look out for activity within the device room and a message from the other Watch Tower."

Dick slowly ascended the stairs. His parents were lying together in a guest bedroom, silently comforting each other in a time of goodbyes. They knew it just as well as he that his time was almost up. He approached the guest bedroom as quietly as he could, not yet wanting to disturb them. With a quick peek into the room, his heart lurched painfully in his chest.

His father's large, warm hand was rubbing small circles against his mother's lithe back. Quiet sobs were muffled into his father's chest, small hands clutching tightly to his shirt in desperation. She needed something—anything to hold onto in order to substitute for her little boy. John was holding her close, his own version of longing to never let go.

"Mary." John said softly, alerting his wife to the silent visitor to their room.

Mary took a moment to suppress her sobs and wipe her eyes before turning to her son at the door, offering a small smile she could barely muster.

"Dick, baby, come in."

Dick bit his lip and hesitantly entered, shutting the door behind him. He stood by the door, not quite sure how he was going to say goodbye to parents. This wasn't just a field trip, it was a permanent move. For lack of a better example, it was a bird leaving the nest. The anxiety of leaving was catching up to him, but he knew it had to be this way. He was more fortunate than many, having a second chance to see his parents again. What others would've given to say their peace with a lost loved one.

"Come on over, son. There's always room for you."

"No, I…" He what? Why was he refusing? "I shouldn't, Dad. It'll just be harder to—"

"Dick, please," Mary beckoned softly, "just once more, before you go."

He couldn't say no to her, and slowly crawled onto the bed. He felt as if he were five again, climbing into bed in the small show trailer. It was always his father to the left, his mother to the right, and he was sandwiched in between.

"You'll be careful, won't you?" Mary whispered, kissing his forehead and running her hand through his hair.

"I'm always careful, Mom. Bruce wouldn't let me go out if I wasn't."

"She doesn't just mean on the superhero business, Dick." John smiled, reaching down to find his son's hand and squeezed it in the palm of his own. "There are other things, important things to be careful with. Women, money, school—you should always think before you act."

"I know Dad, I've had this talk since I was five!"

It was a lame attempt at trying to lighten the mood, but what else could he do when he felt like his world was caving in around him again? He didn't want to cry, not in front of his parents. They were already heartbroken and he wasn't going to make this worse.

"We love you; don't forget that."

"I love you too."

There was a warm silence; a small moment in time of just holding one another, cherishing the last, precious few minutes they had. When it was time for them to part, Dick slowly removed himself from them, standing at the foot of the bed before turning back to flash them a small smile.

"Can I ask for one thing?"

"Anything."

"I want… I want a little brother or sister."

Mary and John were astonished. It had been over twenty years since they'd had a child together; and with Mary reaching her mid forties, it was starting to become dangerous to have a child. They had never even considered having another after the heartbreak.

"It's just… I feel awful. I'm going to go back and I'll have Bruce and Alfred, but you won't have anyone. So if you have a baby then it'll be easier. You won't have to be alone and I'll be able to know you're happy." No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop the water works. "I just want to see you be happy."

Gentle arms eased him back into an embrace and once again the family was united. His father rocked him gently and his mother was whispering words of comfort. Silently, the unspoken agreement on the new baby was formed.

Dick pulled himself away once more—admittedly one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do. "Thank you for everything. I'll make you proud."

"You've always made us proud. Just take care of yourself."

Mary wiped away his tears, gently kissing his forehead one final time before slipping her wedding ring off of her finger. "I want you to give this to whoever you decide to dedicate yourself to. I'm sorry I won't be there to see the wedding."

"I'll send photos, Mom. I'll make sure they get to you somehow."

Finally, Richard Grayson left the comfort of his family and with one last loving glance, closed the door quietly behind him. Mary burst into loud sobs, unable to contain the pent up feelings. She cried for her lost son, for her found son, and for all of the time they never shared. John could do nothing else but hold her close and pray she would survive this a second time. He had been afraid he would lose her too after that night. He had nearly lost himself.

I am absolutely amazed at all of the compliments I received from the last chapter! All of my newcomers are so sweet! I know I've said it time and time again, but I really do appreciate all of the comments and all of my readers who have stuck through my random month hiatuses. Thank you all so much!