Author's Note. For all you Nightwing fans I may have taken a few liberties with his background. I think I added a brother or two. With the New 52, who the hell knows anymore? Try not to flame me for it. The older Dick Grayson is kind of hard to write, trying to make him not be the brooding hero his old boss is. This chapter moves a little slow, but bear with me, it's building to something. Well as always thanks for the followers and reviewers, if you have not dropped you opinion yet, please give me a sentence or two. j9162. Brandan, oaktavor, and Hockey Gir, thanks for the encouragement. R & R and hope you enjoy

We Have a History

The Munich circus had been one the most famous circus troupes in all of Europe for years, but the interest in the festivals had slowly lost its popularity over the decades. No longer were they the show stooping events that came to towns all over the world to sold out shows and glowing reviews. They had now become a niche market, but still somewhat successful on a much smaller scale.

Jack Haley had been an amazing owner and businessman. He had a loyal and family oriented business, and he treated all his performers and workers like family. It had been an extremely hard decision for Dick to leave him, but he was young and a circus life for an orphan was no way to grow up, no matter how romantic that existence might have sounded. Jack would have adopted him, but the opportunities that Bruce Wayne offered could never be matched.

Nothing had made Dick Grayson happier in years than being able to revisit and help Jack get his show back on track after suspicions of foul play had plagued his small circus. His troupe like many others had seen the traveling circus slowly become a dying art form, but within the last few years they had traveled much of North America to small success, but Jack had never been in it for the money, it was the magic he saw in the audiences eyes that drove him. You couldn't put a dollar amount on that.

The train ride to Mittenwald was long, but the scenery was well worth the ride. The city was long considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Bavarian Alps, but Dick had not chosen it to ski or hike, he came there to disappear. During his days in the circus, Germany had always been his favorite country to perform in. His parents even spoke of relocating there one day when or if the opportunity to join the bigger shows ever presented themselves. Haley's circus was big time, but the Munich Circus was Broadway. That's what everyone aspired for. Outside of Gotham, Germany was the closest thing that felt like home, and Dick was in need of one right now.

The train car was fairly empty and Dick appreciated the solitude. The long ride didn't bother him, the rumbling of the train was surprisingly soothing, the hum of the engine the lullaby. He had been lightly sleeping when his phone buzzed and brought him out of his slumber. Receiving of a text surprised him. This was a new phone and a new number, his old ones discarded weeks ago. As far as he knew, only two people had access to it, Bruce Wayne and Wally West. Bruce had been supportive of Dick's decision to vanish. He told Dick it was an unnecessary action, but recognized his need for solitude. It was a long road ahead of him, and after all he been through, he deserved a rest stop.

He was expecting his mentor's name to appear on the display, but was shocked when it was Wally's. He missed his friend, but wasn't sure if that term applied anymore. To say they left on bad terms would be an understatement. There had been no blows, no heated exchanges, just an emotionless embrace and a vow to return to face their accusers. That was where it ended.

He would be lying to himself if he said he didn't feel resentment for his former best friend. The plan had been Nightwing's idea, but it was modified, adjusted, and agreed on by all four of them. Kaldur was not the only one forced to make impossible decisions. Wally had been put in the unimaginable position of heart versus head. Had it been his decision alone, Artemis would never have gone, but he knew his girlfriend and respected her choices even if he didn't agree with them. That was one of the main components of their love, and he knew the choice was always hers to make. He just hoped she wouldn't. Dick had known what he was asking, and hated having to do it; he just didn't realize later how much Wally would resent him for it. Their relationship had been torn apart, and if their last interaction any indication, he was not going to enjoy the contents of this text. He was wrong.

(W. West) How are you?

(R. Grayson) Good I guess, you?

(W. West) About the same. So where did you end up?

(R. Grayson) You first.

(W. West) I'm in Poughkeepsie, New York at the local Oyster festival. SpongeBob and Squidward are the grand marshals of the Crustacean Parade. Thinking of settling down here.

Dick chuckled at the text. It had been months of only curt responses and heated exchanges as the only communication the two shared. This was a nice reprieve.

(W. West) And you?

(R. Grayson) I'm selling jewelry and chicklets in a small village near Monterey Mexico, a few miles outside of the Mesoamerican Pyramids. Business has been pretty good. I think I made around $3.00 yesterday.

(W. West) Got anything with Lightning Bolts on it?

(R. Grayson) I'll check our inventory. If we have one, do you want me to ship it to you?

(W. West) Nah. I'll come get it myself. Was thinking about wearing it at our tribunal. Some bling might lessen our sentence; well mine at least, your screwed.

(R. Grayson) Thanks.

(W. West) Hey that's what best pals are for right?

Dick wasn't sure what to make of that last statement, was it sarcasm or venom? He decided to play it off and see what direction the conversation would go. A few moments went by without any further correspondence when Wally sent another.

(W. West) There's been no news on Artemis, I'm completely cut off, and as a matter of fact they told me to watch my back. So I have that going for me. If you read about a bloodbath at the oyster festival, chances are that's me

Only Wally could be so corny and funny at the same time he smiled.

(R. Grayson) If you need some back- up don't hesitate to call. I can have Patrick and Mr. Crabs there in minutes.

(W. West) LOL

(W. West) Dick if you do hear something I hope you'll let me know.

(R. Grayson) Within seconds. You can count on it. You do the same.

(W. West) I will and thanks.

(W. West) I'll do better keeping in touch, OK?

(R. Grayson) Me too Wally.

(R. Grayson) Despite everything, you know we did good right?

(W. West) I know Dick. I really do know. Just kinda hard right now.

(W. West) Enjoy Mexico and make sure you drink lots of water; I hear it's good for you. Wallman out

(R. Grayson) I will and…thanks for the text.

(W. West) Anytime. Keep in touch.

(R. Grayson) You too.

Dick put his phone back in his pocket and laughed. He truly enjoyed the humor, perhaps the next time they texted he'd really find out what his friend had been up to, but this was a nice start. It was still a long road ahead for both of them, but suddenly it seemed brighter than it had hours ago.

When Dick left the train platform into Mittenwald, the playbill on the wall of the station immediately caught his eye. The Dendrick Circus would be doing local shows as they geared up for a more comprehensive tour of the small towns and cities of Europe later in the year. He had never actually heard of the act before, but had always been a sucker for the underdog.

Days earlier he had the played the billionaire playboy's favorite son routine, but now chose a much different approach. He found a very small, very shady looking motel on the outskirts of town and booked it for two weeks. Everything was paid for in cash. Other than rumor, there would been no concrete evidence Dick Grayson had been in Europe, truthfully not anywhere he supposed. He and Wally had agreed to keep a low profile as they awaited the League ruling. Those words alone frustrated him to no end. What gave them the right? He and Wally had agreed to face the consequences together, the only two conspirators left unscathed, but the idea of the Justice League or some Government Agency prosecuting them or deciding their fate after all they had done and sacrificed was laughable.

Dick Grayson was no stranger to the underworld. Sometimes looking the other way occasionally would end up with a favor owed, that one could keep in their pocket. The players could be anyone from minor crime bosses, to reputable politicians, to even from time to time renowned doctors. Those favors had been called in recently, yet there was still no news on his injured comrades. All parties were keeping a very tight lid on the conditions of Kaldur and Artemis, but he kept the feelers active. You did not want to owe Nightwing a favor and not deliver, that could end up with a hospital visit of their own, or worse a visit from his boss.

As he made his way through town, he noticed the signs. Some decorated lamp post, some carefully placed on streets signs. Notifications of missing children. Dick wasn't sure how many were duplicates of the same document placed there by desperate parents, or if it was multiple missing. Runaways most likely, but abductions shouldn't be ruled out. No matter how quaint the town, evil could still move unabated in any shadows. Bruce had taught him that. Once he got settled, he intended to find out the reason behind them. He may not wear the mask, but Dick Grayson would never give up being a hero.

The scent hit him before he saw it. The aroma of the food, the unmistakable smell of the animals, the thick whiff of burning ozone from circus lights. It was overwhelming and he couldn't help but smile. It was a feeling he desperately missed. He could almost feel what it was like to be seven again.

The big top was empty save for a few workers cleaning the ring and running additional lights. This troupe was much smaller than he anticipated, but they made the most of what they had with charm and color. Above him he saw two small girls; they could not have been more than nine or ten. There was a definite resemblance that even the former Robin could see from the distance. They appeared to be sisters. The two trapeze artists stood 30 feet above the ground on opposite platforms waiting for the swing to reach its apex.

The net was up for safety purposes, Dick remembered the relief he felt when he rehearsed, seeing it below him like a welcomed blanket. The older girl moved first, diving forward, barely making the bar. She swiftly swung her body around into a standing position, dropped to the bar and locked her legs around it, hanging upside down as she waited for her younger sister to begin her routine. When the moment arrived the smaller girl dove for her sister's outreached hands, locking on to them perfectly. In the same fluid motion she summersaulted from her sister's grasp back towards the platform she had originally began on. Unfortunately she was about 3 inches short. The fall was quick, but she never panicked. The young acrobat loosened her body and easily landed in the net unscathed.

Dick observed her closely as she climbed out of the net, expecting to see anger or disappointment, but all he saw was a smile. She loved what she did and he could tell she was good. Her sister called down to her from above laughing with her, not at her. Dick remembered the teasing between his siblings on similar instances like this, but it was usually him on the giving end. Anyone, family included, knew Dick was easily the most talented of his family, but he never acted like it, was never arrogant. He used that enthusiasm to encourage his brothers, not antagonize them, much like the two siblings before him were doing now.

As the younger acrobat's feet reached the ground, her smile began to fade when she saw the brunette decked out in black watching her. Dick approached the young girl to compliment her fearlessness, when he was grabbed by both arms and brought to the ground. His attackers were big and they were fast, but they had absolutely no chance. Two well-placed strikes to certain nerve clusters and both men fell limply to the ground. A third, much older man stood off to the side clearly nervous.

"What do you want?" he uneasily snapped. "There are no children for you to prey upon here."

"What are you talking about?" the brunette asked cautiously.

The both stood feet apart, quizzically staring at each other.

"I'm not here to prey on anyone. I saw the big top and just had to look. I'm just kind of…a circus brat you could say. I grew up in one back in the states."

The older man still remained hesitant. "You're American?"

"Yes. I'm Dick…" he hesitated, but chose the honest approach anyway. "Dick Grayson."

"Wilhelm Schultz, the older man responded. "This is my circus. Your German is very impressive, you speak it like a fellow countrymen. So tell me Herr Grayson. What troupe did you supposedly grow up in?"

"Jack Haley's Circus sir. My family and I were with him for years."

"What exactly did you say your name was again son?"

"Dick Grayson,' he replied again quizzically as he noticed a spark of recognition in the older man's eyes.

"The Flying Graysons?" the old man asked eyeing the brunette much differently now.

"Yes sir. My mom, dad, and brothers. …They aren't with us anymore."

"I know Jack Haley well. It's a small circle of us still doing this silly profession. Perhaps we should call me him and see if you are who you say you are?"

"Lead the way Herr Schultz," he smiled. Seeing the high wire again and getting to talk to Jack Haley, Mittenwald was looking like the perfect destination.

Hours later, after a friendly phone reunion and verification with Jack Haley, Schultz was much more warm and cordial. "I'm sorry for my rudeness. I would apologize for the men who grabbed you, but they seem to have caught the worst of it."

"I'm sorry about that," Dick replied

"No, the apology is mine. We have to be very careful around here. Children in this town and the surrounding areas have been disappearing at an alarming rate. You and I both know the circus can be a destination for abused children to get away from their families when they are….mistreated," Schultz said wincing at the definition that word truly conveyed.

"I protect my staff and my children, they are my family, but the abductions around her are frightening the townsfolk and police alike. Just last week a child never returned from school."

"That's horrible. What are the police saying?"

"Not much. We are far enough away from the capital not to make this a national issue, and most of the children are from poor families on the outskirts of the city. So the information is not getting out like it should. I'm afraid until some government official or wealthy person's child disappears that nothing will be done about it."

"Are the girls runaways?"

"Nadia and Natasha? Yes. Herr Grayson. They were the last. When she and her sister came to me, they were malnutritioned and neglected. Their worthless father came here wanting them back, but the girls begged to stay. Their mother had been long dead and the father was clearly troubled. I offered them a new home in exchange for a small amount of money and I'd say all parties were relieved. She and he sister are now wards of the circus, well of course me actually, but it sounds so much more interesting when we say it like that. They are quite proud of it actually."

Upon hearing their names mentioned, the two girls shyly walked in to Schultz's office and formally introduced themselves to the dark haired stranger. After pleasantries were exchanged, the owner excused himself briefly to attend to lighting issues, leaving the three acrobats alone.

"You both looked good up there. A bit rushed, but your timing was perfect." He looked directly at Nadia and continued." If you tuck your role a little tighter, you'll make it next time no worries."

Both girls were impressed, and of course instantly charmed by the attractive 20 year old, but more importantly they could sense a camaraderie that only people in the business could detect.

"I have trouble with my tucks. Natasha's much better at it."

"Am not, "her sister interrupted, "she is the best acrobat here and she knows it. She's just being humble, which gets really annoying by the way," she smiled.

Dick smiled back kindly at the girls. Pride in family, It was a great trait. "Well I could show you a few things I've learned over the years if you're interested."

Both girls nodded excitedly and they made their way to the tower. Dick felt his palms begin to sweat, not in nervousness, but in excitement. This was going to be fun, and for the first time in months as he climbed, his guilt and sadness stayed behind him on the ground.