A/N: While Dick is attending to his annual trip to the circus, Tim disobeys and follows him, getting into major trouble on two fronts. Without realizing, by revealing that Tim is his biological brother, Dick has placed Tim in grave danger from a source they have dealt with before. Will Dick be the last Flying Grayson, again?

A Circus Boy Returns Home

Part 13: Far Reaching Eyes and Ears

The blond-haired girl left the circus camp and went to find a phone. She stepped into the lobby of a local hotel.

"I'm lost," she said, in a child-like voice. "Can I call my Daddy and have him pick me up?" the girl asked the person at the desk.

The woman took pity on the girl and directed her to a phone that sat on a table. "Do you know your Dad's phone number?"

"I do," the girl said. "Daddy insisted that I memorize his number in case I got lost so he could come and get me."

"Very good. Press that number to get an outside line, then you can call your Daddy. I'll keep an eye on you until your Daddy comes."

The girl picked up the phone, pressed the number to get an outside line, then pressed the numbers she had memorized. Once the person on the other end answered, the girl talked in such a way so the person who was watching her would have no clue what she was talking about.

"He's here, Daddy," the girl said. "You want me to meet you there? Yes, I know the way. Any other instructions?"

The desk clerk paid half-attention to the girl whom she assisted and didn't hear the conversation that the girl was having, becoming preoccupied with new guests. If she had heard the words the girl had said, there would have been no doubt that the girl was older than she appeared with the use of her words. Once the desk clerk had finished what she was doing, she looked up to see that the girl had gone. She raced out of the hotel and looked around, but the girl was nowhere in sight.

Meanwhile, back at the circus, a young man was trying to teach his teenage brother a new trick.

"Come on, Tim," Dick encouraged his little brother. "You and I have practiced this before."

"Yeah, in the gym at the Manor, not in a tent with people watching," Tim replied.

"Just look at me, Tim. Don't worry about the audience."

Tim tried to do as Dick instructed. He swung out and tried to focus on Dick. When he did swing out into space, Tim continued to discover that his timing was slightly off, slipping through Dick's fingers. Dick was acting as his catcher. Tim fell into the net below. He sat there sulking until Dick bounced down beside him.

"I can't seem to get it right. I don't have the reach."

"Well, the trapeze in the gym is closer together. Maybe that's the problem. We've been practicing for a few hours now," Dick said. "How about we get some lunch. Don't want to wear ourselves out before the first performance."

"Performance!?"

"Yeah," Dick answered. "You're a flying Grayson. Did you think I would let you sit by the sidelines?"

"Well . . ."

Come, on," Dick nudged. "Let's get something to eat and we'll try it, again."

"Can I be the catcher this time," Tim asked.

"You want to catch me?"

"Yeah, it's only fair."

"All right, you can be the catcher, but after lunch."

Dick and Tim went to the edge of the net. They grabbed the edge and flipped themselves down onto the surface of the tent. Dick led Tim to the cafeteria tent and when they entered, cheers erupted. Tim's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't expect this kind of welcome. He looked over at Dick.

"Surprise," Dick said, sheepishly.

Even the roustabouts were, welcoming him. The look on Tim's face must have prompted Dick to answer his growing questions.

"I know I reacted badly when you appeared in camp. I didn't really want to be as harsh as I was, but in truth, I'm really glad you're here. And to answer your questions, it wasn't easy telling everyone and keeping it a secret. And staying away, that was painful for both of us. I didn't know you were sleeping in your car, at first. And when the circus was going to leave during that thunderstorm, I had to make sure you came with us, along with your car. I didn't want to leave you behind."

"I . . . I don't know what to say," Tim replied.

"This is a celebration," Dick said. "You didn't get to experience circus life the way I've been able to during the first eight years of my life. Some things have changed, while other things have stayed the same. And I wanted you to experience all of it. We've all had to do things. The circus isn't just performing for crowds, it's pitching in on keeping the equipment running well, and making repairs, feeding animals, selling tickets, even picking up trash."

Tim was understanding that everyone had to do their part to have a well-run circus, just like there had to be a well running team. Everyone had a part to play. Each time the circus came to a new town, it started over, even though it was in a new place. He hadn't been to a circus since the day he sat on Dick's lap when he was between the age of two and three. Tim realized that those who were older knew the Grayson family, about his birth, and were just as saddened when he had disappeared from the circus. Tim felt overwhelmed at the reception. He never expected anything like this. It felt warm and welcoming.

Dick led Tim over to the other performers and he had him sit down in the middle of the group. People started peppering Tim with questions of their own.

"It's wonderful to meet you, Timoti."

"You look so much like your father."

"Where have you been all this time?"

"Didn't I see you a few years ago?"

Dick brought back some food along with a small cake and placed it in front of Tim.

"Dig in," Dick said. "Don't worry, there's plenty. This is for you and me to share between us."

"That looks big enough for more than just two people," Tim commented.

"We'll save some for after dinner and after our performances, After practice of course and a short nap. Don't want to wear ourselves out."

Tim went silent. Did Dick actually mean he was also going to perform? He's never done anything like that. Tim got a sinking feeling in his stomach. What if . . . No, he couldn't think like that. He had to hold it together for his brother's sake. Tim concentrated on eating his lunch and a piece of cake to steady his nerves. Even so, he got the strangest feeling that there were unfriendly eyes boring into the back of his head. He's had that feeling before, just before he was attacked. It would save him on several occasions, but when he looked back, he didn't see anyone. There were too many people wishing him well.

'Maybe it was my imagination,' he thought. 'I wonder what Sammie and the boys are doing right now.'

Continues With Part 14