Under the big top, Grayson was able to get his emotions in check.

Whenever there was a problem, Dick went to the old circus that had been abandoned way back when the fates destined him to be Robin.

After becoming Bruce Wayne's adopted son, the circus became his home away from home.

Nightwing sat in the middle of the arena.

His legs crossed and his head down.

"From what I heard Grayson, you've been getting along just fine without me."

His teeth clenched,

How could she think that after everything we've been through.

the boy wonder flipped up from the dirt floor and somersaulted perfectly onto his two feet.

Taking in a deep breath, he slowly turned to leave the tent, but as he was leaving, he heard laughter.

Childrens laughter.

Dick turned around and suddenly the seats were full of people, the lights shun on two acrobats, man and woman who held each other above the Earth.

Before Dick had time to process, their support beams loosened, and they were both falling.

"Mom! Dad!"

Nightwing rushed to save them but they turned to dust as they touched him.

Suddenly he was reliving the moment. The loss, the revenge, the frustration. Dick Grayson could feel the anger bubbling in him.

Behind him, a single ghostly light blasted on a slim figure standing nearby.

The dust was scattered into the dirt of the circus floor, and as Dick turned around, there was no crowd, or anger, or sadness.

His eyes met those of the redhead who stood before him under a stage light.

"...Barbara" he whispered and suddenly the floors started to stretch and the girl got farther away from him.

"Barbara!" he yelled trying to run to her but he was too late, the girl had vanished into a haze of darkness.

"I was too late."