Disclaimer—I don't own YJ.

Italics are thoughts. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One

Dick Grayson had been on Earth for nine years and he enjoyed every minute he continued to live on the planet. He relished the days when he could lay down on the grass, soaking up the sun's warm rays. He loved the freedom he had there and be able to go almost anywhere he pleased. He even liked the reflected light that the moon provided and the twinkles that were the stars. All of those things were a constant reminder that he was not on Terra anymore. It made him remember that his father and the scientists were far away and would likely (hopefully) never find him.

Most importantly, Dick was happy.

Sure, he had had some bumps along the way such as finding his aunt and uncle and their deaths that came four years later. The tragedy of his relatives, though, led to Bruce Wayne taking him in and being like an actual father. It wasn't like Dick's uncle hadn't been there for him, but they both had known that John was too much of an uncle to Dick. John had always been the one who would let him off the hook for things and spoiled Dick as much as he could. Mary, on the other hand, had acted very much like a mother would and Dick had had an easy time referring to her as his mom. But as much as John and Mary tried, Dick had ached for a real father. Bruce had been that for him starting five years ago and still was. Yet Dick didn't call him dad. Whether Bruce didn't want to step on Dick's assumed father's toes or didn't want to give Dick the option only to be rejected, Bruce had never suggested that Dick call him anything else.

Not that Dick was upset about that. He wasn't actually too fond of calling Bruce anything other than by his given name. There was too much anger and betrayal linked to the terms father and dad. Dick also was insecure and couldn't tell you that Bruce wouldn't decide to get rid of him years down the road. After all, it had taken only twelve years for his blood-related father to grow tired of Dick's presence and that almost all of that time had been spent away from the man! Dick had experienced this same insecurity with his aunt and uncle, but because they died so soon, he would never know what they would have done after having him around for years. He was sure, though, that they wouldn't have tried to kill him. They would have gently pushed him to going away and he would have let them. He owed them a lot for taking him in.

Dick just wasn't sure what Bruce would do. The way Bruce spoke and the close relationship they shared, Dick was certain that it wouldn't be any time soon. Maybe once Dick reached the adult age and entered college. Maybe once he graduated college and had a good job. He couldn't be certain of when Bruce would tire of having him around. All he knew that he would have to cross that bridge eventually.

"Master Richard."

Dick turned his head to look at Alfred. "Yeah?"

"I thought you would like to know that Master Bruce is at the Watch Tower. Apparently, a new alien has come to Earth," Alfred said, casting a sweeping glance over the clean room.

Dread and panic fled his brain and pinched his nerves. Did his father finally come looking for him? Had they discovered which planet he lived on? Were they telling the Justice League all about him? How was he going to hide this—

Chill, Dick told himself. You do this every time there's a new alien. You need to calm down and act normal.

"Oh. I hope he doesn't take too long. Aren't you making fried chicken for dinner?" he asked, grateful that his voice didn't shake.

Alfred nodded. "Yes. I hope he makes it to dinner too. Master Bruce would be sad if he missed eating fried chicken."

Dick grinned. "Not just any friend chicken, Alfred. Your fried chicken. Any other fried chicken is unacceptable. Yours is the best ever."

"So I am told. I will leave you to your homework now, Master Richard. Please remember that dinner is in an hour."

The moment Alfred shut the bedroom door, the grin fell from Dick's face and his hands shook. He couldn't help the fear that pervaded throughout his body. If they were here and looking for him, what was he going to do? All it took was one slipup and they would know that Dick Grayson was the person they were looking for. A flare of his powers or a misspoken word could send him back to Terra and to the Room. Heck, they would probably finish what they had started. Maybe they wouldn't take him back to Terra at all. Maybe they would kill him and leave him in a ditch somewhere.

He breathed shakily. "That's not going to happen. It's not. This alien is probably a Martian or something. Yeah, a Martian . . ."

No matter how much Dick told himself that he was freaking out over nothing, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was wrong.

After having his little freak-out in his room, Dick was calmer now as he ate dinner in the dining room. His head was clearer and he realized that panicking at the moment was a waste of his time and energy. He didn't even know the name of this alien and it already had him running around his room like a headless chicken. It was pathetic and embarrassing. If Bruce had seen Dick in that state over something nonexistent, he would have been disappointed to see that Dick had overreacted over something Dick didn't even know. Thankfully, Bruce hadn't been there and still wasn't. He was still up in the Watch Tower with the alien and the rest of the founding members of the Justice League.

"Master Bruce is late," Alfred noted with disapproval and a hint of concern.

Dick shrugged. "Too bad for him. This fried chicken is perfect and delicious and he's stuck with some alien."

"Not anymore, I'm not."

Dick's eyes flicked over to his left where Bruce walked in and he smiled despite the dread in lungs.

"Master Bruce, I see you saw fit to join us at last."

"I'm sorry, Alfred. The alien, Daniel, had much to discuss with us and it took longer than I thought it would," Bruce said as he sat down and sipped his water.

Dick's heart pounded when he heard the alien's name, though he didn't know why. Daniel wasn't a name he recognized from the planet Terra and had no ill memories associated with the name. So why did he feel as though the world was ending?

"What about?" Dick asked to satisfy his curiosity and to prove to himself that he had nothing to worry about.

"He says he's looking for a criminal from his planet and he's certain that this person is on Earth," Bruce answered.

Dick's right foot twitched. "What planet? Is he a Martian?"

"No, he's from Terra. I have never heard of this planet, but J'onn confirmed its existence. The planet is apparently very similar to ours."

Dick could feel his body wanting to collapse, but he forced to breathe as usual and continue eating. It was no coincidence that this alien was from Terra. Daniel had to be here for him for whom else could he be here for?

Alfred joined the conversation. "What did this criminal do to warrant such a search?"

"Daniel says the criminal killed some of their people with a mere touch of his hands. That's why he's frantic to find him as soon as possible. The longer he's out there, the more he may be killing," Bruce replied grimly, his face solemn.

"Him?" Dick forced the words out. He had to know for sure if this Daniel person was looking for him or not.

Bruce nodded. "Yes. Daniel said the criminal's name is Alastair."

That name was significant. Oh, how it was significant. It had been his birth name, a name he had never grown up with. Richard and the nickname Dick had been names he had chosen for himself during his time in the Room. To everyone in Terra, Dick's name was Alastair, but Dick had never used or known it. Beth had discovered his true name and had told him, but Dick had no love for it. Beth had told him that his father had chosen the name. Why would he use that name when all it did was made his heart ache? Thus, he continued calling himself Dick.

It's finally happening . . . They've found me.

Dick wanted to curl into a ball and bury himself into his bed. He couldn't, though, until after he finished eating dinner. He couldn't have Bruce or Alfred worried or suspicious about his behavior.

So much for being happy.

A/N—And it begins! *evil laughter* Don't worry. The next chapter will most definitely be longer. This chapter's focus was Dick realizing he's been found. This chapter was published on 7-16-15 with the length of 1,563 words.