I've added and removed - A LOT - from this part of the episode. As usual, I own nothing but my dog. Although she is a really great dog, she doesn't own Young Justice either.

Warning: Some Language . . .


Conner held Robin as Roy pulled down the top bunk for the boy. Their mission leader had conked out on the way back to the circus grounds, and Conner insisted that they not wake him upon landing.

"He needs sleep," the clone had declared. "He overdid it tonight."

Since no one disagreed with his conclusion, the team filed out of the camouflaged Bioship quietly. A blanket was tucked around the sleeping boy to keep the cold from waking him prematurely as they moved back to their assigned compartment.

"So, no debrief tonight?" Artemis asked.

Roy shook his head. "Better to wait until all of us are awake to do it."

"Okay, then, I'm going to hit the showers," the blonde archer announced. "I smell too much like smoke to be able to sleep well."

M'gann tucked Robin in after Conner laid him down. "Give me a second. I'll come with you."

Roy nodded. "That sounds like a plan. Are you going?" He asked Conner.

"No," the Kryptonian shook his head. "M'gann rid Robin and me of the smell of smoke when she repaired our uniforms. I'll stay here with him while the rest of you go."

"Right. Back in a few," Roy said as he grabbed a towel and followed the girls out of the compartment.

There was one train car set up as a kind of communal shower for the entire troupe. It could accommodate up to a six people at a time; three on the women's side, and three on the men's. The troupe had allotted times in which to use them so as not to run out of hot water, but this late at night there shouldn't be any problem.

Conner pulled his own bunk down and crawled in. He wasn't especially tired and he figured he wouldn't be getting much in the way of sleep tonight anyway. Not with Robin's two close calls fresh in his mind. He remembered Batman's private instructions to him and M'gann at the start of this; to protect Dick at all costs. They nearly blew it – twice! He wasn't looking forward to reporting back to the Bat that they almost lost his Bird.

After everyone was asleep, he and M'gann would contact Bruce via the Martian mind link. Only they were aware that Batman hadn't returned to Gotham City, but remained close at hand. He had been worried about the memories Dick claimed to be having, but didn't want the boy to think that he didn't trust him to handle the mission alone. Conner couldn't help but worry a little about losing the fragile bond that he and the boy had only begun to develop should Dick discover the subterfuge, but Batman had been insistent that Robin remain in the dark about his mentor's continued presence.

Conner grimaced, thinking that the man must have been in the audience for their performance. That he hadn't swooped in and dragged his son home afterward had surprised him. But then again, maybe he didn't see the near catastrophe. Conner wouldn't pretend that the man would have been fooled, as the audience had, into believing that it was all a part of the act had he seen it. But, then again, maybe Bruce was waiting for their report in a hotel room somewhere close by. Neither he nor M'gann knew where the billionaire was holed up throughout this.

He watched as Dick sighed and rolled over onto his side. No dreams as yet, but Conner would remain vigilant throughout the night. He said that he could remember them if he were startled awake while in the middle of them. So, Conner would do his part to help, and wake Dick up once he was firmly into his dream.

He closed his eyes when the others reentered the compartment and climbed into their bunks. M'gann would know it was a sham. Once the other two were asleep, she would link them up right there in their bunks. Conner waited impatiently. He really wanted this over with as quickly as possible.

It was going to be a very uncomfortable night.


The next day, Robin was feeling surprisingly well. In fact, one would never know that he had ever been sick the previous evening. He had slept deeply; apparently not dreaming this time.

With a little free time, the team decided to take the opportunity to run through their performance another time before the evening show. No one wanted a repeat of the last one. It was as they moved backstage that the group heard Faraday's voice. As one, they followed the sound of two men arguing.

"Another tech firm is hit, and again the circus is in town," Faraday said. "I don't believe in coincidences, Haley."

"I don't care what you believe," Haley snapped. "My people are not responsible! I did a bed check last night and every single one of my troupe were asleep in their bunks!"

The team stood off to one side, watching the confrontation with interest.

Well, we sure weren't, M'gann pointed out needlessly.

And if Haley is lying about us, then who else is he lying for?" Artemis wondered.

Come on, Robin snapped angrily. Let's head back to our compartment and run over what we know so far.


"So, it isn't just the acrobats and the fire-breather, but the strongman and the tightrope-walking clown." Roy rubbed the back of his neck. They had just watched glimpses of security footage from two other robberies. "If the entire circus is involved, maybe Jack Haley is the criminal mastermind behind it all."

Robin frowned. "No," he insisted. "It's not him. Even Batman is convinced that Haley isn't involved."

Roy lifted an eyebrow. "And the Bat is never wrong? Is that it? Maybe Batman hasn't been privy to all the information yet. Once we debrief him about this latest heist, he may just change his mind."

Robin stood up; shaking off M'gann's supporting arm. "We may not know who is behind these robberies yet, but we know already who it isn't! Batman's not wrong about this!"

"Is there something that you're not telling us?" Artemis asked. "How can you both be so sure? I was there, and I'm not quite convinced that Haley's in the clear. All signs seem to point to him."

"You've already tried and convicted him," Robin argued. "But the evidence is purely circumstantial. And even if these people are a part of the troupe committing the crimes, Haley has yet to be connected to it directly."

Frustrated, Robin walked out of their compartment. He needed some fresh air.

"Dan, wait!"

He turned around and saw M'gann stick her head out. "What?"

She waved a hand. The top of his unitard shifted and in seconds he was covered in a warm coat. "It's cold out there," she reminded him with a smile.

Robin glanced around quickly to see if there were any witnesses to M'gann's organic manipulation. You need to be careful, M'gann! Someone could have been watching, he complained to her through the link.

Her smile didn't dim. "There's no one around," she assured him out loud; tapping a finger to her temple.

He relaxed a bit and nodded; taking her word for it. "Right. Okay, then, thanks. I'll be back in a little while."

M'gann closed the door and turned to face her teammates when her eyes lit up. She slapped her forehead in dismay. "Hello, Megan," she exclaimed excitedly. Seriously, how could she not thought of this before now? "I have an idea! What if I read Haley's mind? That would certainly tell us if he's guilty or not!"

Roy crossed his arms; skeptical. "Can we trust you to not tip Haley off that he's suspected?"

Conner bounded up and stepped into Roy's personal space. "I know why you're here, and it isn't to pitch in and help," he snarled. "You're here to spy on the three of us."

Despite the clone's challenge, Roy didn't take the bait. The Super Boy was spoiling for a fight. He uncrossed his arms, but let them dangle unthreateningly.

"I'll admit it. I thought there was mole on this team. I had good reasons to suspect all three of you. Artemis and Miss Martian have already been caught in lies, and you could have been programmed by Cadmus without your knowledge," he responded, infuriatingly calm.

"And maybe I could take your head off without even trying," Conner fisted his hands.

No one knew if he planned to act on his threat because M'gann caught his shoulder and pulled him back. It took a bit of Martian strength to manage it, but she did it without anyone realizing that Conner was that far gone.

"Okay, we should all take a time out before we do something we'll regret."

"Speak for yourself," Conner growled, throwing one last glance at Roy before storming out of the compartment.

"A little fresh air might help," she mumbled as she followed him out. M'gann paused in the doorway and glanced back at the redheaded archer. She smiled at him sadly. "You do realize that if I were going to tip off anyone, I could have done it a dozen times over by now and you'd never be the wiser for it."

With that little bombshell, the Martian closed the door behind her softly. Artemis watched the couple leave before turning back to Roy.

"Great job, there! Way to motivate the team," she snarked.

"I'm not here to motivate," he grumbled.

"Then you'll be happy to note that you're succeeding," she retorted crisply. "And I think Haley is already aware that he's a suspect. Faraday did all the tipping off the other day."

Roy grunted at the reminder.

She sighed. "I know you have no reason to trust us, but each of us would give our lives for this team. Try to take that into consideration next time you throw out another unfounded accusation. Hm?"

"Look, I said I don't suspect you guys any longer, but someone is letting information leak to our enemies. I can't ignore that," he told her. "Maybe its being done unintentionally. I have to look at all the angles! Can you understand that?"

Artemis shook her head sadly. "I can see where you're coming from, but don't expect me to sit here and let you make insinuating remarks to my teammates. Maybe you don't trust them, but I've worked with them for months now. I think I know them better than you. You can trust them."

Roy watched as she to left and he was alone in the cabin. He sighed. Ollie always accused him of being a bull in a china shop. After spending the last several minutes stuffing his boots in his mouth, Roy found he was more inclined to believe him. It didn't mean he wasn't right to be at least a little suspicious, but perhaps the middle of a mission wasn't the place to point it out.


"Batman? Are you there?"

The show had gone without a hitch, and as the rest of the team had retired back to their tiny cabin, Dick had excused himself; telling the others that he wanted to take a walk. He scuffed his feet as he walked along the sides of the animal enclosures. Dozens of colorful posters decorated the sides, but Dick was too agitated to do more than glance at them. He was plagued suddenly by doubts.

It didn't take but a second for Bruce to answer, much to Dick's relief.

"Are you in trouble?" Bruce's voice spoke in his ear.

Dick smiled; some of his tension eased just hearing his voice. "Why is it that whenever I call you, you immediately assume that it's because I'm in some kind of trouble?"

"Experience," was the short reply, but there was amusement in it.

"No," Dick assured him. "No trouble."

"Really?" Bruce didn't sound entirely convinced. "Do you have anything to report? How is your mission going so far?"

They were kind of leading questions and Dick suddenly wondered if maybe he had been monitoring the mission from afar. Bruce didn't appear to be taking Dick's assurances at face value.

"Things are progressing," Dick told him; kicking a stone as he walked the circus grounds alone. "We ran into our perp . . . Or one of them. Unfortunately, he managed to elude us and get away with the tech."

"There are four of you," Bruce pointed out. "How did he manage to elude all of you?"

Dick sighed. He really didn't want to go into detail. He was afraid that Bruce would go all overprotective on him again and send him home. But what would happen to Mr. Haley if Dick went home? Faraday seemed determined to pin this on the old guy, and didn't appear interested in looking for anyone else.

"He started a fire. I was forced to split the team up in order to fight the fire and pursue him. M'gann had to retreat because of the heat, and Artemis and Roy took care of the first fire . . ."

"The first fire?" Bruce interrupted. "Exactly how many fires were there?"

"Um, caught that, did you?" Dick muttered. "Two. There were two fires. The first one was put out quickly, but the second one . . . That one kind of got out of hand."

"How out of hand did it get?"

Dick stopped. He leaned against the side of one of the railroad cars, frowning. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm reporting on things you already know about?"

"The explosion was caught on camera," Bruce announced smoothly.

Dick's mouth dropped open. "They reported that all the way back in the States?"

"Explosions make for big news," Bruce told him. "They also caught sight of someone running out of the warehouse naked and carrying something wrapped in a big tarp. Care to tell me about that?"

Dick dropped his head into his hand. "Superboy was caught in the explosion. It kind of burned his clothes off. But he's okay," he followed up with quickly.

"I figured as much," Bruce offered dryly. "What was that he was seen carrying?"

"Look, no one was hurt," Dick began.

"So, it was you," Bruce deduced.

"If you already know so much, then why are you even bothering to ask me any questions?!" Dick exclaimed loudly. He paused to take a look around, but didn't see anyone. Someone would likely decide that Dick was talking on a Bluetooth or else he was crazy; anyway, anyone seeing him would more than likely leave him alone.

"You're defensive attitude makes me question whether or not you've bitten off more than you can chew," came Bruce's response. "Should I return? You are still in Bruges, aren't you?"

"Yes, we're still in Bruges . . . At least until tomorrow night when we'll pull out for the next location right after the show," Dick muttered unhappily. "No! You don't need to return. I've got this! The team is right here with me. They have my back. You don't need to send me home!"

Bruce was silent for a moment, and Dick found himself actually sweating despite the low temperatures.

"You know I trust you," Bruce finally said.

Dick breathed deeply. He hadn't realized he had been holding his breath. "You've said as much," he answered.

"That is hardly reassuring, Dick. I do trust you, you know that, don't you?"

"If . . ." he couldn't believe he was going to say this. He didn't think he could have if they weren't separated by an ocean. "If you trust me so much, then why are you so over protective of me?"

"Because I can't lose you. No matter how much I trust you, Dick, I also need to know that you are safe."

There it was . . . That brutal honesty that made Dick love Bruce so much. Alfred had told Dick that it hadn't always been this way. His memories verified this; those few he still had anyway. Although Bruce tried to be honest with him, he hadn't always been open about his feelings. It made Dick want to reward him in some way.

"I love you, too, Dad," Dick said softly.

Bruce's sigh came through over the earpiece. "And I, you, son. And that is the long and short of it. I love you too much, kiddo, to ever lose you. It would crush me."

"Not you!" Dick grinned. "Nothing could crush you!"

"Batman has his weakness, just as Superman has his kryptonite," Bruce said quietly. "Mine comes in the form of a thirteen year old boy. Promise me, Dick . . . Promise me that you'll be careful. No more hanging out in exploding buildings. No more risky stunts. Deal?"

"I'll do my best," Dick promised.

"I can't ask for more than that," Bruce said. "Now, is that all you needed, or did you have something else you wanted to talk about?"

Dick paused and then came out with it. "You've met Jack Haley. Are you sure that he is innocent in this? I only ask because the evidence . . . It is . . . The people that work here . . ." he stammered.

"Circus folk?"

"Yes, c-circus folk . . . There is evidence that circus folk may be committing these crimes. And if that is the case, then, could it be possible that Mr. Haley is behind it all?"

"If you had your memories, you wouldn't be asking that," Bruce told him.

"So, you still believe that he's innocent?"

"I find it difficult to believe that Jack Haley would turn criminal after what criminals have taken from him."

"What's that?" Dick asked. Maybe if he understood this, he would feel better at ignoring the surface evidence and more confident in looking deeper for another, different, potential suspect.

"You, Dick. Haley lost you and your parents to criminals. I think he was more than a colleague or family friend. You know, you called him 'Uncle Jack' at one time," Bruce revealed. "I have a hard time believing that Jack Haley would turn to crime after crime stole his family away, don't you?"

Dick caught his breath. Yes, Bruce would understand that, and in a way, Dick thought that he did, too.

"Thank you," Dick said. "That was all I needed to hear."

"It's pretty late there, chum," Bruce reminded him. "You should be in bed."

Almost magically, Dick yawned. "Yeah, right."

"Have you been dreaming?"

The question came out casually, but Dick thought he detected a hint of tension behind it. He didn't know why, but he wasn't ready to share with Bruce the one dream he had of his parents . . . not yet. Maybe if more followed, but no . . . not yet.

"I think so," Dick admitted slowly. "But I can't really remember anything."

Was that a sigh of relief he heard? But, wouldn't Bruce want him to remember more?

"Don't worry, kiddo," Bruce soothed. "If they are there, you remember them eventually. It's only been two nights, after all."

At his reassurance, Dick smiled again. "It's good to hear your voice, Bruce. I-I wish you were here."

"Do you now? I offered to come," he reminded him.

"No, you offered to come take over the mission," Dick clarified. "That's not necessary. You were right, by the way."

"Hm?" Bruce hummed noncommittally. "About what exactly?"

"I can work with this team. It didn't feel as awkward as I thought it might." Dick found his stone and kicked it again, but this time back in the direction he just came from.

"Keep in mind, they were your friends," Bruce said gently. "Despite your memory loss, they still are."

"Yeah, I think I can see that now," Dick told him. He looked up and saw Conner and M'gann walking together in his direction. "I've got to go now. Can I talk to you again tomorrow?"

"You can talk to me anytime you like," Bruce said.

"Tell Alfred I miss him, too," Dick added quickly.

"Alfred sends his love. Be careful over there."

"Bye, Bruce."

Dick clamped his jaw to end the transmission regretfully. He really did miss Bruce and Alfred, but, and maybe this was because he was feeling better now, he was beginning to enjoy himself . . . slightly. He waved at his teammates . . . his friends . . . and picked up his pace in order to join them.

Tomorrow was another day! They would catch the real thief yet. And in the meantime, Dick found himself looking forward to yet another performance on the trapeze! It had felt good to be up there again.

Dick blinked. Again? A smile crept onto his face. Yes, again . . .


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