A/N: Okay, a LOT of people have been asking where Wally is (and Artemis too) so I decided to put this note in here just to clear up some things. First off, Wally couldn't get in to see Dick because of the guards on the door (and he's too scared to contact Bruce personally to ask about Dick so he's been hounding Barry to do it) and that's why you haven't seen him. Rest assured that both he and Artemis will make an appearance before the story ends. I didn't show Wally trying to get in to see Dick because it's not really relevant to this particular plot. And since the story is already long enough, I didn't want to make it even longer with lots of unnecessary exposition. Don't get me wrong, I don't consider Wally unnecessary (he's my favourite character after Dick) but showing him trying to get past the guards doesn't really contribute anything to the plot so that's why I chose not to write it. But he will be back, k? ;)

oOo

By the time they pulled up at a neat little two-story in the suburbs, Dick was well overdue his pain medication and his head was thumping. His social worker had driven for more than an hour around the city to throw off any reporters that might have followed them, before taking the longest route possible out to the residential suburb of Summerland.

Ms. Elliot climbed out of the car and glanced furtively around, before reaching in to take Dick's bag out. Then she opened his door and spoke in a low voice. "Let's get inside quickly, Richard."

Stomach churning, he slid out of the car and looked at the house where he was supposed to live for the next two weeks, maybe longer. His heart ached for home.

Closing the car door behind him, his social worker guided him up the path to the front porch. Dick noticed that her eyes kept darting left and right, scanning for anyone that might see them. She had obviously been just as spooked by the media frenzy as Dick.

They were just coming up the porch steps when the front door opened. Skittish after what had happened outside the hospital, Dick stopped abruptly.

"Oh, you poor dear," came a soft voice, as a short, dark-haired woman appeared in the doorway. She gave Dick a sympathetic look. "We saw the TV. Are you alright?"

Ms. Elliot spoke before Dick could respond. "I'm sorry, Dana, but would you mind if we stepped inside first?"

"Of course," said the dark-haired woman, and stepped aside to let them in, revealing a tall, blond man with glasses standing behind her.

Dick didn't move. He didn't know anything about these people… What if he couldn't trust them? But Ms. Elliot gently nudged him forward. He swallowed as he entered the house and heard the door closing behind him. He was vulnerable and trapped in a house of strangers; if they meant him harm, there was nothing he could do about it.

Dick knew there was something inherently wrong with his thinking that he would even consider that they meant him harm, but he was jumpy after what had happened with the media and was finding it hard to trust strangers after the events of the past week. Nervously, he turned around to face the three adults.

"I'm so sorry we're late, Dana," Ms. Elliot began, but Dana interrupted her.

"Don't apologize, Margaret. We saw what happened outside the hospital on the news. Are you both alright?"

"A little shaken up, but otherwise fine." She turned to Dick. "Richard, this is Greg and Dana Foster, your new foster parents."

"Foster?" Dick asked, unable to stop the smirk that crept briefly across his face. His foster parents' surname was Foster?

"Appropriate, don't you think?" replied Dana with a wink.

Still wary, Dick shrugged his good shoulder.

"It's nice to meet you, Richard," Greg said, his voice a low baritone. "Welcome to our home."

He held out his hand to Dick, who shook it with trepidation.

"Why don't you both come into the kitchen?" Dana suggested. "I've just taken a batch of scones out of the oven."

Dick's stomach rumbled a little at the mention of food and he nodded, head twanging painfully at the movement. He needed his painkillers, but couldn't bring himself to speak up because he didn't know what to expect from any of them. He wasn't used to feeling so uncertain around other people.

Dana smiled at him. "This way."

She led them into a large, shaker-style kitchen. The room was warm and welcoming, a delicious smell of baking in the air. A stove sat against the left wall, two comfortable chairs strategically positioned on either side of it, while an enormous, scrubbed wooden table dominated the centre of the room.

"Here, let me take your jackets," Greg offered, bringing up the rear.

Ms. Elliot immediately shrugged hers off, but Dick was reluctant to shed his. These people seemed nice, but he was still having trouble trusting them. Caution had been drummed into him, both as Robin and Dick Grayson, and after the last week those instincts were on hyper-vigilance.

"You don't have to take yours off, Richard," said Dana, catching his hesitation as she started to take crockery out of the cupboard.

"Okay," he muttered.

"Why don't you have a seat, Richard?" Greg suggested, taking Ms. Elliot's coat. "Sit anywhere you like. You too, Margaret."

Dick quickly took a seat, keeping his back to the wall so he had a view of the whole room. Ms. Elliot sat at the end of the table and gave Dick what he guessed was supposed to be a reassuring smile, but which only made him feel sick to his stomach. He shouldn't be here. He should be at home with Bruce and Alfred.

Greg moved to help Dana and in minutes the table was set, a plate of scones and a pot of coffee in the centre of it.

"Is milk alright, Richard?" Dana asked, putting a glass in front of him and hovering with a jug. "We don't allow soda in the house."

"Milk is fine, thank you," said Dick quietly. She smiled and poured a glass of milk, before buttering two scones for him.

"Now," Ms. Elliot began, once Greg and Dana were seated across from Dick. "You both know that Richard will be here for the next two weeks, possibly for longer depending on the judge's decision at the dispositional hearing, so–"

"But the judge can't rule against Bruce now that I've told you what happened," Dick said anxiously. "He has to let me go home!"

His social worker looked a little weary. "Richard–"

She was interrupted by Dana, who was studying Dick intently. "Do you want to go home, Richard?"

Dick nodded miserably. "I'm sorry. You and Greg seem like nice people but you're not Bruce and I just want to go home."

"Well, then I hope the judge lets you do that," said Dana softly. "But since you have to wait two weeks for that to happen, why don't you give us a chance until then?"

Dick sagged. "Okay," he whispered.

"I know that this must be pretty intimidating," Dana continued. "But we're going to do our best to make you feel welcome. We're not a bad bunch, and the other kids are near enough to your age that you guys might have some fun together. And if you're missing Mr. Wayne, perhaps Margaret could organize for you to have some supervised visits with him here?"

She raised a questioning eyebrow at the social worker, who looked irritated. "I can't allow Richard to have his supervised visits here because then Mr. Wayne would know his location. As it is, we're going to have to talk about keeping his presence hidden from others to avoid a repeat of today."

"You think the press might show up here?" Greg spoke up, looking concerned. He struck Dick as a man of few words.

"Well, that's what I'd like to avoid happening," replied Ms. Elliot seriously. "I know that both of you can be counted on to be discreet about Richard's presence, but the other children…?"

"We'll speak to them," Dana assured her. "They don't know yet that Richard is coming to stay with us; I just told them that we have a new kid coming today. Don't worry, Margaret, I'll explain why they can't tell anyone that Richard is staying with us."

"What about your neighbours?"

Dana shook her head. "They don't pay any attention to the kids unless they bother them. And the only one who really visits us is Mrs. Watkins, who's practically blind. She won't even see Richard much less recognize him."

Ms. Elliot relaxed. "Then we shouldn't have a problem. The next thing we should address is Richard's injuries. His doctor gave him strict instructions to rest and ordered him not to undertake any physical activity. He's also told Richard to inform someone if he starts to feel worse. Given that Richard is still recovering from a traumatic brain injury, I'm hoping that you will monitor him closely."

Dana frowned in concern. "Should Richard have been released from the hospital if he's still ill? He's very pale."

"He was cleared by his doctor. Those instructions are just a precaution," Ms. Elliot assured her. "I have a script for his pain med–ication…" Her voice trailed off as she reached into her handbag and pulled out the script, along with the brown bottle containing the pain medication Dick had been due to take almost an hour ago. She turned to Dick with a look of contrition on her face. "I'm sorry, Richard. After the pandemonium at the hospital, I forgot that you were supposed to take these."

She opened the bottle and handed Dick two small, white pills. Wordlessly, he took the proffered pills and popped them in his mouth, swallowing them down with some milk. He hoped they kicked in soon. His head felt heavy with pain and he just wanted to lie down.

Ms. Elliot gave the prescription to Dana. "I'm sorry. I had intended to get this filled on the way here but with everything that happened…"

Dana waved her away. "It's fine, Margaret, don't worry about it. Greg has to go back to the store after this so he can pick up the pills then." She handed the sheet of paper to her husband. "Probably best if you don't go to our usual pharmacy, honey."

He nodded, pocketing the script.

"Is there anything else we need to know about Richard?" Dana asked. "Does he have any schoolwork that he needs to keep up with?"

The social worker shook her head. "His doctor has advised against school and its related activities while Richard is still recuperating. But Richard does have an appointment with his neurologist first thing Monday morning. I will take him to his appointment and I will be here at eight to pick him up."

"What about the paparazzi?" Dick asked at once, his heart starting to race at the thought of facing them again.

"I'm going to speak with my supervisor about organizing security for you," said Ms. Elliot. "But it's unlikely the press will remain at the hospital now that you've been released." She turned back to Dana. "Do you want to tell Richard your house rules?"

Dana looked kindly at Dick. "Are you ready to hear our house rules, Richard?"

"Okay," he muttered, staring at the scones he had only half-eaten. He'd suddenly lost his appetite. This was all too real. Head-achingly real.

"Are you sure, sweetie?" Dana asked.

Of course he wasn't sure! Dick didn't even want to be here. He wanted Bruce. He wanted to go home. Still looking at his plate, he nodded.

"Alright, Richard, if you're sure." Dana's voice was soft. "Now, a lot of our rules probably won't apply to you, but it's a good idea for you to know them so you're on the same level as the other kids, okay?"

Still not looking up, Dick nodded.

"First rule is that you keep your curfew. Everyone has a curfew and the time depends on their age. But given your situation, Richard, I'm not sure if you going out by yourself is such a good idea. How do you feel about that?"

Dick looked up, shrugging his good shoulder. "Fine. Bruce doesn't let me into Gotham by myself anyway." At least, not as Dick Grayson he didn't.

Dana smiled at him. "Sounds like a smart man. Don't worry, if you want to go anywhere, either myself or Greg can take you. And if it's somewhere us fogies aren't welcome then Terry or AJ can go. But you'll have to be back by seven at the latest."

"Who are Terry and AJ?" Dick asked, frowning.

"Terry and AJ are the oldest kids here," she explained. "They're both good boys…although Terry can be a bit prickly. But don't worry, his bark is worse than his bite. Is that an acceptable compromise, Richard?"

Dick shrugged again because it didn't really matter. After what happened outside the hospital he had no plans to go anywhere anytime soon. "Yeah, sure."

"Second rule is that homework gets done straight after school," Dana continued. "That rule won't apply to you since you're off school at the moment, but it means the other kids will need quiet to study at that time, okay?"

Dick nodded.

"Third rule is that you don't go anywhere without telling us where you're going, and that one really applies to you, okay, Richard? I know you'll probably have one of us with you, but if it's AJ or Terry with you then I want to know where you're going and who you'll be with. I'm sorry if that sounds a bit controlling, but your circumstances are a little different than what we're used to and I just want to make sure you're safe."

"It's okay," said Dick quietly. "Bruce insists on the same thing."

She gave him another smile. "Mr. Wayne definitely sounds like a smart man. Fourth rule is that chores must be done when they're supposed to be done. But given that you're not physically able at the moment, I won't be assigning you any chores. Once you're feeling better, we can revisit that – maybe start you with something small like setting the table."

Dick nodded, his heart aching. These rules were all painfully like the ones at home.

"Last rule is the most important. Everyone in this house must respect each other. That means no violence, no shouting and no stealing. If there's a problem, come to me or Greg." She quirked her lips in a half-smile. "Somehow I don't think that last one will be an issue for you. Now, do you have any questions for me?"

Dick shook his head.

"Okay. Why don't you eat your scones? You've hardly touched them."

"Thank you, but I'm not hungry." His stomach was twisted up in knots from nerves and homesickness.

Dana eyed him in knowing concern. "Alright, Richard. Dinner will be in a few hours anyway." She turned back to Ms. Elliot. "Is there anything else you think we should know, Margaret?"

The CPS agent shook her head. "I think we've pretty much covered everything. I've left Richard's bag in the hall, you can let me know later if he needs anything. Now, if you've no other questions, do you mind if I leave? I'm sorry to rush you, but I'm afraid what happened at the hospital has put me a little behind and I'm due at a hearing in half an hour."

Dana shook her head. "You go ahead. I think we're going to be just fine here."

"I'll walk you out," Greg offered in a low voice. "I need to get back to the store anyway."

Ms. Elliot and Greg got to their feet. "Thank you for the coffee," said Ms. Elliot, while Greg retrieved her coat. "If there are any issues with Richard, you know where to find me."

"I'm sure there'll be no issues with Richard," replied Dana firmly. "You take care, Margaret."

"You too." She turned to Dick. "Richard, I'll be back on Monday morning to bring you to your appointment. If you need anything in the meantime, let Dana know, okay?"

Dick nodded, a lump forming in his throat as it hit him; he was staying here. He really wasn't going home.

"You won't forget Richard's prescription, will you, honey?" Dana asked her husband as he helped Ms. Elliot into her coat.

Greg shook his head. "I won't. You need anything else?"

"Not a thing," Dana replied cheerfully. "I'll see you later, honey. Bye, Margaret."

It was only after his social worker had left that Dick realized she hadn't confirmed anything about a supervised visit with Bruce. He scowled, remembering how she had steered the conversation away from that topic and wondered if it had been deliberate. Dick didn't understand why she mistrusted Bruce so much.

"You look pretty serious. Penny for your thoughts?" asked Dana quietly.

Dick bit his lip, debating whether he should say anything. Eventually Dana's kind expression convinced him it would be okay. "She didn't say anything about when I could see Bruce again." His voice came out wobblier than he'd intended.

"You really miss him, don't you?" Dana commented.

Dick nodded, trying to swallow the lump in his throat. He missed Bruce so much."And she…Ms. Elliot won't believe that he didn't hurt me. I don't know why she won't believe me," he finished in a whisper, misery howling in his chest.

"She finds it hard to believe you because she's seen so many kids lie over the years about their parents abusing them."

"Bruce isn't abusing me!"

Dana held up her hands in a placating gesture. "I didn't say he was, Richard. I'm only explaining why Margaret finds it so hard to believe you." She paused for a moment before continuing. "You know, Margaret showed me your file before you came here. You've had an awful lot of injuries for someone so young."

"That doesn't mean Bruce is hurting me!" Dick said fiercely. "I was part of a travelling circus before Bruce took me in and that's…it can be dangerous. Bruce wouldn't hurt me. I'm all he has and he's all I have, and…and…I don't want to lose my home again…"

Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes and Dick swiped furiously at them in shame. Not again. What was wrong with him? Crying like some stupid baby.

"It's alright, Richard–"

"No. It's not alright!" Dick choked out. "Bruce is the best in the world and I hate that everyone is looking at him and pointing at him and judging him for something he would never do! It's not fair and he doesn't deserve it."

"It sounds like you think a great deal of Mr. Wayne," observed Dana quietly.

Dick nodded miserably. He felt exhausted. "I just want to go home."

Dana reached across the table and grasped his hand. "I know you do, honey. And while I can't make that happen for you, I can tell you that despite what you think about Margaret, she's a very fair social worker. I've known her for years and I know she can come across as stubborn and headstrong, but that's only because she genuinely cares. I promise, if she doesn't find any hard evidence against Mr. Wayne she will drop this and make sure you get home. She's just a little…gung-ho about getting to that point. Guilty until proven innocent, you know what I mean?"

For the first time in days, Dick allowed himself a spark of hope. "Really?"

Dana patted his hand. "Really. Now, you've had a terribly long day and I think you could use a little something to cheer you up. I've been told I make a mean hot chocolate, would you like some? I'll even throw in some marshmallows if you don't tell the other kids."

She gave him a mischievous wink and Dick couldn't help but grin. "Okay."

"Good boy." Dana got to her feet and expertly collected the cups from the table.

"Do you need any help?" Dick offered, standing up.

"For these few things? Pffft! You rest, Richard, doctor's orders. Tell you what, why don't you sit in one of the comfortable chairs by the stove? I'll bring you over your hot chocolate."

"Okay. Thanks. And…it's Dick."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart?"

"I prefer to be called Dick."

She smiled. "Dick."

He moved over to the stove and sat down. It was a little warm there so he unzipped his jacket and shrugged it off. The pain in his head was now quieting to a dull ache and that combined with Dana's motherly demeanour soothed his nerves somewhat.

Dick studied his surroundings and watched Dana bustle around the kitchen. She had the same brisk yet unhurried pace as Alfred when she worked, and it comforted him while simultaneously making him long for home. After several minutes Dana delivered a steaming mug of hot chocolate into his hands and then sat into the chair opposite him on the other side of the stove.

Dick sipped the hot chocolate. "Wow!" he exclaimed, surprised. "This is as good as Alfred's!"

"I'm glad you like it. And who's Alfred?"

"Our butler. He takes care of everything at home."

"Butler, huh? With a name like Alfred, he's just got to be English."

Dick grinned. "As English as they come!"

"Tell me about him."

So Dick did. He talked about Alfred and Bruce. He talked about school. He told her about the very prestigious upcoming mathlete tournament in Metropolis where he would be one of the youngest contestants ever. Eventually, Dick finished talking and realized nearly an hour had passed without him feeling it. It was so good to be able to talk again. He'd missed being able to have a proper conversation.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to talk so much."

"That's quite alright, honey. I enjoyed hearing about your family. I rather like the sound of Alfred."

Dick grinned because Alfred was awesome. Who wouldn't like Alfred?

Dana gave him a searching look. "Would you like to hear about the other kids in the house now?"

Dick nodded. He was starting to trust Dana; she was nice and she didn't seem to have any preconceptions about Bruce. Plus, he needed to know about the other kids because he was going to have to meet them sooner or later, most likely sooner.

She smiled. "Don't worry. You won't have to worry about remembering too many names, there's only four other kids with us at the moment. Sometimes we can have as many as eight! Anyway, the others. First there's Terry. He's seventeen and has been with us for about a year. He's a little rough around the edges but he has a good heart. And like I said already, his bark is worse than his bite. Then there's AJ. He's sixteen and has been with us the longest – almost three years. He's also the most easy-going person I've ever met. Seriously, you could drop a bomb on him and he'd just raise an eyebrow at you!"

She shook her head, smiling. "Next we have Lyssa. She's sixteen and she's been with us for…oh, nineteen months? And just to warn you, Dick, she won't talk to you. But don't take it personally because she doesn't talk to anyone. She's taken a vow of silence."

Dick's eyes widened a little. "Seriously?"

Dana nodded. "It's driving her teachers nuts. But she's doing all her homework and attending all of her classes so I don't see why she shouldn't be allowed the freedom to not express herself if that's what she chooses."

"How long since she's said anything?" Dick asked, fascinated. He couldn't imagine choosing not to talk, especially after he'd just spent almost a week in forced silence.

"About two months now," Dana answered seriously.

"Wow," said Dick, blinking. Intense.

"Last we have Nathan, or Nate as we call him. He's fifteen, and he's only been with us for four months." Dana's expression grew serious. "He's still adjusting so you might find him a little harder to get on with than the others, even though he's the nearest to you in age. He's a good boy; he just has a little trouble controlling his temper sometimes."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's just say he has a very short fuse. But if he loses it while you're here, just walk away and let me or Greg deal with it. He won't hurt you, but his outbursts might seem a little frightening because they're so extreme. He's improved enormously since he came to stay with us though."

Dick nodded. Given the people he'd gone up against in the past, he doubted an angry teenager would scare him. But he couldn't exactly tell Dana that. "So, when do they get home?"

Dana glanced at the clock on the wall. "Pretty soon actually. Do you have any questions for me before they get here?"

"Um…" Dick chewed on his lip nervously. "I'm sort of curious about something, but I don't want to offend you…"

Dana smiled. "I very much doubt you'd offend me, honey. Go ahead and ask whatever you'd like to ask."

"Is it all teenagers that you foster?" Dick was surprised by how old the other kids were. From what he'd seen as Robin, foster kids tended to be younger.

Dana nodded.

"Why?"

Her expression grew sad. "Because teenagers get the worst deal in the foster system. Younger children take priority for placement and most foster homes prefer younger children because they generally come with fewer problems. It means teenagers often get shunted into detention centres and group homes. And it's been my experience that those places are completely useless in helping troubled teenagers."

Dick frowned. "So you specialize in troubled teenagers?"

"You could say that."

"But I'm not a troubled teenager," Dick protested.

"No one thinks you are, Dick. But because of who Mr. Wayne is, Margaret needed to leave you somewhere she could be sure you were safe."

"And I'm safe here?"

"Absolutely, honey."

Just then they heard the front door opening and several loud voices in the hall. Dick felt his stomach flutter.

"You'll be fine, sweetie," said Dana reassuringly.

Seconds later, four teenagers trouped into the kitchen, two of the boys talking loudly.

"No way, man. Hinkle's like a gimpy stallion, he can't even run a corner route," the tallest of them was saying. "It's got to be Darby."

"Darby?!" the shortest of them exclaimed. "You've got to be kidding me; that dude can't run worth shit!"

"Language, Nate," Dana reprimanded him mildly, getting to her feet.

The teenager looked sheepish. "Sorry, Dana." Then he spotted Dick and started, staring at him in disbelief. So did the other three teenagers.

"Everyone, this is Dick," Dana announced calmly. "He's going to be staying with us for a while. Dick, this is Terry, AJ, Lyssa and Nate." She indicated to each of them as she said their names.

"Hi," said Dick quietly, appraising them while they were staring at him with gobsmacked expressions.

Terry was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair and blue eyes that carried a wary edge Dick had seen countless times before in street kids. AJ was a muscular African-American who wore a small, gold hoop in his left ear. His stunned look dissipated pretty quickly into one of calm acceptance. Lyssa was a slightly chubby Goth in ripped jeans and a Tragic Black t-shirt. She was staring at Dick like he was some sort of bug or science experiment. And Nate was the shortest of the four, with dark hair and a slight scowl. He was studying Dick with utter dislike.

"Isn't he the rich kid from TV?" he demanded. "He doesn't need a home! Why is he here?"

"Nate," Dana rebuked quietly. "You know that everyone who comes to stay here comes to stay for a reason. We don't judge anyone in this house and that extends to Dick as well. Okay?"

"Okay," he muttered, looking less than thrilled at the prospect.

Terry was staring at Dana incredulously. "Seriously…Richard Grayson? He's going to rough it here with us?"

"He'll hardly be roughing it, Terry," she replied drily. "And he prefers Dick."

Nate snickered. "Dick? Sounds appropriate."

"Nate!" Dana's soft voice now had an undertone of steel to it and the dark-haired teenager flushed.

"Sorry," he muttered, looking at the floor.

Dick's nervousness was just starting to return when AJ walked over to him and held out his hand. "S'cool to meet you, man." His voice held a deep calm that reminded Dick of Kaldur.

"You too," said Dick in relief, shaking his hand.

"Yeah, what he said," Terry mumbled awkwardly, jerking a thumb at AJ.

Dick smiled at him.

With the exception of AJ, they were all inclined to keep staring at Dick so Dana cleared her throat and they all looked at her. "I need you guys to listen because this is very important. You aren't to tell anyone that Dick is staying with us. Not the neighbours and certainly not any of your friends. No one, okay?"

"Why?" asked Terry, looking surprised.

"It's for Dick's safety. If word gets out that he's here, he could be targeted."

"Targeted?" repeated Nate in disbelief. "By who?"

"The press for starters," Dana replied, striding over to the portable television on the counter and switching it on. "And I for one don't want to see this happen here." She pointed at the TV screen where footage of what had happened outside the hospital was airing.

Dick cringed. It looked every bit as aggressive and frightening as it had felt. Bruce was going to flip when he saw it.

"Holy sh– crap!" Terry exclaimed. "When did that happen?"

"Today," said Dana seriously, turning off the television again. "Do you all understand why I'm asking you not to say anything?"

Looking a little shocked, the four teenagers nodded.

"And do you all promise not to say anything?"

There was a mumbled chorus of "yeah" and "okay."

"Good," said Dana. "Now, you know the rules…upstairs and do your homework. I'll call you for dinner."

They trouped out, all of them except AJ giving Dick a last glance. Dick was troubled by the scowl Nate directed at him; it was full of anger and dislike.

"You okay?" asked Dana when they were alone again.

"I guess… I don't think Nate likes me very much."

"He didn't like us much when he arrived here either. Just ignore him, honey, and he'll come around. Now, I'd better get dinner ready. Do you like stew?"

He nodded, feeling uneasy because Nate didn't exactly strike him as someone who liked being ignored. And the outright dislike he had directed at Dick was only making his feelings of homesickness worse.

Because nice as Dana was, she wasn't Bruce, and Dick just wanted to go home. He wasn't sure if he would be able to stand another two weeks in this limbo of uncertainty and loneliness. He wanted to be with the people he loved, and who loved him. It was hard to understand why the court system would put them all through this misery when none of them had done anything wrong.

For the first time in his life, Dick began to doubt the law. Because where was the justice in tearing happy families apart?