Kaldur chuckled to himself as Dick launched off a wall ahead of him and Robin. He had not stopped cart wheeling and flipping and spinning and rolling since he had gotten out of the ship.

"He has talent," Kaldur remarked to Robin.

The younger teen nodded in agreement but didn't look amused. "But no discipline."

"You're right."

"Hey, I'm disciplined!" Dick cried from behind them. Kaldur jumped slightly. He hadn't noticed when and how Dick had slipped back past them. "I practice at least five hours a day and follow a strict diet- you don't just pull a quadruple somersault out of you butt you know."

"My apologies, Dick," Kaldur said sincerely. "I did not mean to imply that you did not work hard to be as good as you are."

Dick just grinned. "Nah, don't worry about it. I probably don't have the discipline to be a self-sacrificing hero like you guys." He did a back flip. "For one thing, I like the spotlight too much."

"Sticking to shadows not your gig?" Robin asked- now he looked amused.

"Pfft. No one applauses in the shadows. I don't want to come off as a fat head, but you have no idea what it's like to have a tent full of people piling in to see you because you can do something no one else can."

"You are right about that. But there is a secret thrill one feels when they have done something to make the world a better place," Kaldur pointed out kindly. Dick had the grace to look sufficiently chastised at his boasting before bouncing ahead. Kaldur shook his head in amusement and cast a glance at Robin. The hacker seemed thoughtful, and perhaps a little envious.

Perhaps the reason that Robin did not seem too impressed with Dick was that they were polar opposites. Robin thrived in shadows while Dick basked in the glowing applause of the spotlight. Robin used his not inconsiderable acrobatic skills to help others while it seemed Dick used his great talents to gratify himself. Dick was amiable and charming and sucked people in with an easy, brilliant smile. Robin on the other hand was more reserved, careful about who he let get close to him.

And yet, they were so similar too. Every once in a while, Robin would show off just for the sake of it- just because he knew he was the best. Kaldur couldn't help but think that if it hadn't been for the very stoic mentorship of Batman, Robin would probably be just as boisterous about his talents as Dick.

It occurred to Kaldur that this train of thought was leading him somewhere- somewhere important- but he didn't have a chance to ride it all the way as Robin sprinted ahead and summoned Batman on the communicator.

Kaldur took a deep breath to collect himself, as he always had to before speaking to the Batman, before stepping forward confidently. He faltered slightly when he saw the look on Batman's face. It was an intense look and it settled squarely on Dick. The young acrobat shifted nervously and stepped slightly behind Robin as if he could use him as a shield.

"Batman, we found the source of the energy readings," Kaldur reported, hoping to shift Batman's attention away from Dick. "It seems to have originated from another dimension."

"Robin," was all Batman said in response. If Kaldur didn't know any better, he would say Batman sounded concerned. But why would that be?

"I'm uploading the information to the Watchtower's computers now," Robin said as he tapped on his wrist. Kaldur noticed that Robin didn't make eye contact with his mentor.

"What happened?" Batman demanded in his usual Bat tone- a tone that left no room for hesitation.

"When we arrived, Kid Flash found him in the trees." Kaldur gestured to Dick who made an attempt to smile. "His name is Dick Grayson and we believe he's from an alternate dimension."

Batman narrowed his eyes. "So it would seem. The Dick Grayson of our dimension is hardly the type to be running around in tights." It didn't surprise Kaldur that Batman knew of Dick Grayson. He was the protector of Gotham after all, and Bruce Wayne- and by extension his ward- was part of the city's royalty.

Dick made a funny face as if that was a hard pill to swallow. "What kind of screwed up dimension is this?" he muttered under his breath.

"How did you get here?" Batman demanded.

Dick took a deep breath and took a step forward. He flashed Batman a brilliant grin, perhaps in an effort to win him over. Kaldur was slightly shocked when Batman's expression softened- not by much and it only lasted a moment before the cold mask reappeared. Strange. Dick was charming, no doubt, but it wasn't like Batman was some sort of pushover that could be easily swayed.

"Well, it's like this," Dick began. "I'm part of a circus group called the Flying Graysons. We were in the middle of one of our finest performances when this sorceress, Margali, who had a beef against Tati and Pop Haley, decided she needed to get revenge. The last thing I remember was swinging out and instead of Mom catching me, I flew into a bright light. Landed in the middle of nowhere in a big open space and headed for the trees. Kid Flash found me not too long after that." His explanation was given in one long breath.

"A sorceress?" Batman repeated. Dick nodded, causing Batman to frown. "That would explain the irregularities in the energy signature."

"So what's the plan? When can we get him home?" Robin asked impatiently.

"We'll have to analyze the information you gave us," Batman replied. "It might just be as simple as opening a boom tube- or we may have to go to Zatara for help." That thought didn't seem to please him. "Robin, you can come-"

"I'll stay here," Robin interrupted forcefully. He finally met Batman's eyes and held his gaze. They were locked in a silent conversation until Robin finally looked down. "I…"

"We'll be able to decipher the information without you," Batman acknowledged and Kaldur wondered if there had been any doubt before. Robin was a genius, but surely the Justice League didn't need him to translate an energy reading. The interchange between the two partners, however, was interesting. A thought niggled at the back of Kaldur's head that there was something more to all this than it seemed.

"I will let you know when we have something," Batman said and with that, the screen cut out. Dick let out a sigh of relief.

"That is one scary man," he commented. He turned to give Robin a quizzical look. "And you hang out with him of your own free will?"

Robin's lips twitched.