A/N:Here I am again! With a new story, a Dick & Bruce bonding (I love those). As you can read in the introduction, the story is an AU (alternate universe) story. So if you do not like it, I suggest you try another story that suits you. Oh, and sorry for the bad grammar.

Please R&R it really motivates me

Disclaimer (applies to the whole story): I do not own Batman or Robin or anything from the shows (or comic books).


"Alfred, what's this here?" Bruce said as he studied the flyer in his hand. He sat at the big table and was busy perusing his post until he came across the colorful flyer. "I presume, sir that you are talking about the circus flyer." said the butler as he put the hot soup on the table. "Thanks Alfred, and yes, I 'm talking about the flyer."

Alfred nodded, "I saw the flyer when I was sorting your mail. And if I remember correctly, then surely that is the circus where you have momentarily traveled along?"

Bruce rolled his eyes; of course he had already noticed it himself. How could he ever forget that circus? But in order not to offend the butler, Bruce nodded once "Yes, Haley 's Circus ... but you still haven't answered my question Alfred , why is this flyer here? "

For a moment he thought he saw a sly smile. His butler was clearly up to something. But the answer was short and simple "That's something different than all the parties Master Bruce."

Bruce had no time to react because Alfred had already turned away and was gone with the silver tray. Bruce sighed and read the flyer again. Perhaps Alfred was right and it was time to do something else. He hadn't been really looking forward to the party tonight anyway. And he still had some time left to make a patrol through Gotham when he went to the circus. But there was one thing that he hoped that he wouldn't have to do... and that was to see Mary back again.


"Good evening, how many tickets?" asked the woman behind the counter at the entrance of the circus tent. "Just one, please." Bruce replied as he went looking for his wallet, half hoping that he had forgotten his money and had an excuse to leave. He was glad he hadn't seen Mary here yet. Unfortunately for him, he found his wallet and paid, he had no excuses left so he could leave.

As he walked in, all sorts of memories came back. The memories were about the funny clowns, the acrobats, the animals but especially about Mary. Bruce shook his head, incomprehensible that this woman still evokes feelings within him after all these years. With a sigh he sat down at his place and the show began.

First, the animal trainers let the animals show their tricks, and then came the acrobats with their balance arts and somersaults. Meanwhile, the clowns were everywhere in between, what Bruce found too distracting, but the audience loved it.

It was almost the end when the spotlight focused on the center of the ring, the ring master bellowed through the tent "Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you ... the brave, elegant and great ...Flying Graysons! They will leave you breathless with their arts high in the air, without the security of a net! "

The spotlights were directed upwards and on the plateau, high above the ground, he saw her. She smiled and waved to the crowd. Besides her stood a man and Bruce also recognized him, it was John. Apparently the two still married after his departure. Suddenly his attention was drawn to a little boy who stood in between the two adults. The boy couldn't be older than six or more than seven years. John jumped and flew through the air on the trapeze, Mary followed him and soon they were doing a few tricks in the air. Then, to his surprise, the little boy also jumped. His mouth fell open in surprise, Bruce had never seen so much talent.

The boy made a double somersault, and was just in time captured by John, Mary watched proudly from the other platform. After a swoop he made a triple somersault and he landed next to Mary on the platform. There rose a big applause from the audience and the boy waved with a big smile to the audience. Mary, meanwhile, was back in the air and did some tricks with John. After a swoop Mary was caught by John and he held her by her wrists.

Suddenly he heard a loud scream from the boy that was followed by Mary's own scream which gave you chills when she reached out for the boy.

"DICK!"

Bruce watched as they fell down, but closed his eyes before the bodies hit the floor. The whole audience was silent, shocked at what had been playing before their eyes. What should have been a fun night had turned into a nightmare.

Bruce looked shocked at the broken bodies. A heart-wrenching cry filled the tent, one that no one could ever forget. The boy, Dick, screamed and cried loud and sat on the edge of the plateau with stretched arms, as if he wanted to catch his parents.

But there was nothing anyone could do. Mary and John were dead, leaving the boy behind, he was now an orphan just like him. Bruce stood up when the panic broke out in the circus tent, and everyone started screaming. Just before he walked out of the tent, he saw that a sheet was laid over the bodies. He walked a little faster, beginning to regret that he had avoided Mary, now he never has a chance to speak to her again. And the boy...

Bruce sighed and sat down in the car and he drove of the parking lot on the road. Away from it all though he knew it was only temporary. He, Batman, would investigate this. That was the least he could do for Mary...