A/N: It has been one hell of a journey, but I present to you the final chapter! I have so much undying love for everyone who has stuck this story out. As my first official Batman fanfic, it was a joy for me to find my voice for each character. I expect to be spending a lot of time writing for this fandom, so I hope I'll see many of you in the future. All rights to their respective owners, of course. I cant believe it's finished!

It was always strange to see the dorm rooms after they were all packed up. Harley sat atop her unmade bed, her suitcase on the floor by her feet. She'd only packed the essentials, since she would only be going home to Brooklyn for a few weeks. Still, her room looked so empty, though not nearly as empty as she felt inside.

"You know I'll call you every day," Pamela murmured. She had been throwing the last of her belongings into her bag, but she paused to look up at her best friend. Less than twenty four hours ago, they had all been fawning over each other as they got ready for what should have been the best night of their young lives. Now, everything had changed. Everything had become irrevocably different between their group.

Harley nodded numbly. It was a nice sentiment, but she didn't actually except the other girl to follow through. With her boyfriend in the hospital and her own things to worry about, she would have been surprised to hear from Pamela twice over break. And she would have been lying to say she cared.

She was happy to be going home, really, getting away from this place, this town and all the memories it now held. Every place in the school felt cursed somehow, a reminder of the few short months she had gotten to share with Joker. In her heart, she couldn't help but fear he would never return for her, and she would be left with nothing but the quickly fading remembrances of her first great love.

Pamela sighed, dropping her favorite sweater and crossing the room. She knelt down before Harley, taking her hands. "I love you," she said, with all the sincerity in the world. "You're my best friend in the whole world, Harley. And trust me, I know what you're going through. But hearts break every day. You're going to get over this. And it might not be easy, and it's probably going to hurt like hell. But one day, when you're all grown up and we're dressing our daughters for their first dance, you wont even remember this day."

Harley stared into Pamela's pale green eyes, tears brimming her own. "I love you too, Pammie," she choked, her voice cracking as the tears finally broke free. Pamela pulled Harley into her arms, and only then did she allow a few tears of her own to fall. It had been a twisted, maddening autumn. And she knew that leaving for winter break wasn't going to change or erase anything. But maybe when they returned for the final months of their last year, they could try to start anew.

When all their tears were dried, the only thing left to do was smile. Pamela leaned in to kiss Harley on the forehead. "Keep that smile, Harls," she whispered. "Even if you're falling apart. Even if you're absolutely terrified, and you're only smiling out of fear. Promise me you'll keep that smile."

Harley managed to nod, giving Pamela one last hug. At last the pair rose to their feet, each clutching their suitcases in their hands. They stepped out of the room into the hall, flipping off the lights as they went. Harley gave it one last look before closing the door with a definitive bang.

…

Bruce slammed his suitcase shut, running a shaking hand through his hair. This had undoubtedly been a few of the worst months of his life, and he was eager to put it all behind him. He wanted nothing more than to forget it all, though he knew how impossible that was going to be.

"Hey, the town car is here." Bruce looked over his shoulder to see Selina standing in the doorway. She'd spent the night with him, but had left to go gather her own belongings. She was waiting now with her duffle over the shoulder, arms wrapped protectively around her slender body.

Bruce picked up his bag and went over to her, slipping his hand into her own. Even though she had assured him over and over that she was okay, he could see the lie in her green eyes. He could see the fear in each smile she forced. He knew all too well that she was not, in fact, okay. He bent down to kiss her on the corner of her mouth.

"I love you," he whispered quietly, earning a slight grin from the girl. But it wasn't nearly as bright as it had been before. A shadow had descended over Arkham Academy, and it had dimmed each of their shine. Things would never be the same, not after what they all had been through.

"Let's go home," Selina said, leading him out of the room. They made their way down the hall hand in hand, every step putting more distance between them and the nightmares of last night. But distance was not enough to make the memories go away or the pain ease.

"He'll be back, you know," Bruce muttered as the two stepped out into the glow of the wintery sun. "He'll be back to finish what he started."

Selina swallowed hard, giving his hand a tight squeeze. She knew he was right, no matter how much she wanted to believe this terror was behind them. However much she tried to convince herself this was all over, she had this unshakeable feeling that it had only just begun. "Maybe," she said slowly. "But if he does come back, you'll be here to stop him."

Bruce managed to smile, only for her, as they shoved their bags into trunk of the car. He helped Selina into the backseat, closing the door and motioning at the driver to head out. As the car started to pull away from the curb, he stared out the window at the academy, growing smaller behind them every second.

Selina was right. He was certain this was far from over. But when Joker returned, Bruce would be ready. And this time, he would not allow him to get away. He would stop at nothing to protect the people he loved.

After all, someone had to be the hero.

END

A/N: Look out for the sequel, Laughing Out of Madness, coming soon! xxx