The accolades had died down and consequently the Justice League had begun to make their exits. There were only so much congratulatory words that could be said to the three costumed teens. After all, they had *only* saved the world, and that for most superheroes that was a daily routine. This time, the planet earth had been threatened by a child who could make thoughts into reality.

But, ultimately makeshift trio of Robin, Superboy, and Impulse had defeated Bedlam and restored everything to status quo. Earth had been reunited (Impulse says not to ask) and the three teens were still on an adrenaline high. Green Lantern flew out of the old JLA cave as Impulse frantically waved goodbye. Superboy was floating along talking with Wonder Woman. They chatted for a bit until she needed to leave as well.

Running out of JLA members, Impulse dashed to the Flash and then proceeded to follow him, thus continuing the conversation for a good length of time. Impulse was back in the cave within a minute, apparently having gone as far as Springfield. All the while, Robin leaned against the bank of monitors watching the revelry.

"You're allowed to smile," Superman said, as he approached the Batman's newest protégée.

"I know," Robin replied as a half smile involuntary began to spread upon his features.

Superman leaned against the monitor, in the same fashion as the boy wonder. They stood in silence for a moment watching as few more adults made their exits. Superman cleared his throat, thus gathering Robin's attention.

"We were talking," Superman started to say. Robin nodded and noted the subtle shift Superman had made from speaking as a friend to speaking on behalf of the league. "The three of you make a pretty good team. If you were inclined to continue working together, and if you needed a place to operate, the JLA would have no objections loaning you this space for the time being.

Perhaps it was due to his time spent with the Batman, but Robin merely nodded.

"Think about it." With that note, Superman left the cave, and with his exit all the JLA members had departed.

"Thinkaboutwhat?" Impulse asked rushing up to the boy wonder.

"Yeah," Superboy demanded, "what did big blue say to you?"

"Oh, nothing big," Robin started. He kept his tone of voice casual just pretending to play down the offer. "He just said something along the lines that if we were serious about working together then the JLA wouldn't mind if we worked out of here."

"Here?" Impulse dashed from one corner to another surveying the area, despite the fact he had already done so beforehand. He made a show of lifting up tables and looking under chairs as if furniture could define a superhero hideaway. His nose crinkled as he opened a foul smelling cabinet, then he shrugged. He ducked into several other rooms then ran back to where his two friends were standing. "Here's kewl!"

"Woah, woah, woah." Superboy put up his hands. "Are we actually doing this team thing?"

"Huh? What's wrong?" Impulse asked. "We're not gonna upstage you or nothing."

"Tch, yeah right, maybe in your dreams. I just meant that we've got, you know, our own lives and stuff. Besides we don’t really know each other."

Impulse cocked his head to the side, and titled his eyes up in thought. Robin, was content to stay a few steps away and watch the conversation unfold. After five minutes of non-movement, Impulse shrugged. "So? I mean, we like know each other well enough and stuff. Do you want a life history or something?"

"No, I mean, not that. It's just like... well, okay, for starters, I mean, I don't even know you're real name."

"Bart. What's yours?"

"Kon-el," Superboy replied automatically.

"Ta da! Now you know it."

"That's not the point," Superboy said exasperated.

"But you just said—"

Kon sighed. "I mean, there's like stuff to do before we become a team. We need a leader and a name and a..."

A loud rumbling echoed through the cave. The effect was instantaneous. Robin fell back to a defensive posture, his hand ready to withdraw his bo stick should the need arise. Superboy head whirled around looking for the source as he slowly began to float from the ground. There was no one in the area, but that didn't mean--. The sound echoed again, and the trio got ready to move out. Well, except for Impulse who was standing nonplused in the middle of the cave holding his stomach.

"Hey guys?" Bart asked. "Can we talk about this over food?"

As if to punctuate his point, Impulse's stomach rumbled again. Robin and Superboy exchanged looks. Superboy shrugged.

"Works for me," Robin asserted. "Okay, Impulse you go get the pizza. Superboy, go find some snacks, and I'll grab some drinks."

Impulse dashed out of the cave before Robin had even finished speaking. That was definitely something that needed to be worked on. Robin shook his head and hopped that Impulse would come back with some normal style of pizza.

"Why didn't you just make him get everything?" Superboy asked slightly perturbed. "He'll be done before we even leave."

"Well for starters, it's not fair to make him do all the work, and secondly, he has to be patient and wait for the pizza to cook."

"You're sadistic," Kon said as a smile surfaced on his face.

"I try. Call it payback for Nazi Dinosaurs from—where was it?"

"Venus."

"Venus. Thank you."

"You know, you can be cool when you're not being bossy."

Superboy flew off to procure an assortment of chips, and cookies, and other such stuff.

Robin scratched his head then spoke into the empty headquarters. "Thanks. I think."

.to be continued.

~story index~