What did i do on my second day of summer vacation? I went to a farmers market and bought the new Smallville issue, and i suggest if you love reading wonderful things, you should buy it too. then i worked on this chapter for several hours because i have no life and i kept getting stuck. while doing so, i listened to Elvis, Quest for Camalot, and Disney songs in English and other languages.

It is sad how i have no life.

Anyways, please enjoy the chapter! :D

L.L.A.P

~Laces

P.S.

I noticed i didnt do this so i own NOTHING except for Athena. DC owns everything else.

And Disney owns all the Disney stuff i mention.

And Elvis owns all his songs.

I OWN NOTHING BUT MY OC!

Oh, also i know Haly's Circus is spelled weird along with Mr. Haly's name, but in Young Justice, that's how it's spelled. Why? Absolutely no clue, but that's why i spelled it Haly instead of Haley.

Chpt.9

Athena decided that it was best for her not to tell anyone about how she almost drowned . She knew that they allowed her on the beach without any supervision because they knew that she was safe there. If she told them she almost died, they would most likely feel compelled to watch over her even on the beach.

Athena enjoyed being with people, but she did enjoy her alone time on the beach. She enjoyed just being able to relax and soak up the sun.

It was strange how much she enjoyed the feel of the sun warming her skin. It felt as if she were gaining it's strength.

Athena walked into the living room, and saw Conner's huge pet.

"Hello Wolf." Athena smiled, petting the giant animal.

She liked Wolf, and Wolf liked the girl as well. Sometimes Conner would walk into the living room and find Athena curled up sleeping comfortably on Wolf's stomach, and the animal would be curled around her protectively. Athena was Wolf's pup, and Wolf was very protective of her.

Conner was the only one who was allowed to pick Athena up and off of Wolf's stomach when she slept to put her in her own bed. Any other team mate who made any attempt to pick the girl up was stopped by Wolf's low threatening growl.

"How are you today?" Athena inquired, scratching behind the massive animal's ear. Wolf was, by all means, bigger than the girl, so she had to get on her tip toes to scratch behind his ears.

"Have you seen Conner?" Ralph was the only one who talked back to her when she asked questions. She knew that Wolf wouldn't talk back, but she enjoyed talking to him like he understood her.

"He's out on a mission." Athena looked up to see… well, she didn't exactly know who he was. He sounded familiar, but she didn't think she had ever seen his face before. She was quickly behind Wolf, but she was puzzled why Wolf didn't seem as on edge to a stranger in Mt. Justice.

The man wore sun glasses, had longer black hair, and looked to be in his early twenties. He wore a tight fitting blue t-shirt, a black jacket and jeans.

"W-who are you?" she questioned timidly.

"Athena, it's me, Nightwing." He said calmly.

"Nightwing?" Athena looked over the man again. She had never seen him out of costume.

The girl walked out from behind Wolf, and looked up at Nightwing curiously.

"Why aren't you wearing your outfit?" she inquired, and Dick laughed.

"I got some time off." He said with a shrugged. "I was wondering if you want to come with me to the circus." He informed, and Athena tilted her head.

"Circus?"

"When people flip around and people walk across the tight rope, and elephants do tricks and there are daring stunts. You know… Circus." Nightwing explained the best he could. Athena could only think of Dumbo when he explained the circus, but she was up for seeing something new.

"So, you want to come with me?" Nightwing questioned with a broad smile, and Athena nodded with some excitement.

"Alright." Nightwing chuckled and handed her a helmet.

"Let's get going then." Athena smiled and quickly put in her brown contacts and short wig. Cassie taught her how to quickly change into her disguise.

Athena had never rode a motorcycle, but Nightwing helped her put the helmet on, and he placed the girl on top of the vehicle, and got on in front of her.

"Hold on tight." He advised, and quickly revved the engine. Athena clutched onto his jacket tightly as the motorcycle sped off.

Athena didn't know why, but she was enjoying the speed of the vehicle. It was an exhilarating feeling. An adrenaline rush, and she found herself loving every second of it.

While Nightwing was stopped at a stop light, he turned around to look at Athena.

"Are you doing alright?" he inquired and she nodded with a big smile on her face, and Nightwing couldn't help but smile back. Yup, she definitely had Bruce's fearlessness and love for fast vehicles.

God help her when we teach her how to drive. Nightwing thought to himself as he continued to drive the motorcycle.

They reached the Circus tent, and Nightwing helped the girl off.

"Alright, Athena." He stated as he helped her take off her helmet, and then he took of his own. Then his glasses. "Call me Dick, alright?"

"Dick? Is that your other name?" Athena questioned, and he nodded.

"Just keep it a secret. I can trust you with that, right?" he smiled, and the girl nodded seriously. He couldn't help himself from ruffling her hair. "Alright, let's head in and get our seats."

Athena held Dick's hand so she wouldn't get separated from him, just like she did with Cassie at the mall.

Dick found two seats and got some popcorn for them.

"Feel the aster, Athena. Circus shows are the best." He grinned, and Athena smiled as the lights dimmed and a spot light was pointed at the ring master.

~*~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~*~

"That was amazing!" Athena exclaimed after the show was over and people were leaving. Her eyes were wide, still amazed about what she had seen.

"Haly's Circus is the best." Dick smiled as he stood from his seat. Athena grasped Dick's hand and followed him, but was confused when they didn't go to the exit. He actually headed closer to where the animals were.

Dick headed straight to an elephant and placed a hand gently on its side.

"Hey, Zitka." He smiled, and the elephant wrapped a trunk around him like a hug. Dick looked down at Athena.

"Athena, this is Zitka. She's a good friend of mine." Dick grinned, and Athena smiled at the creature. She always loved Elephants. But to be fair, she liked majority of the animals she saw.

"So he says hello to the Elephant before me? I'm hurt." Athena turned around to see an older looking man.

"Zitka was practically calling for me during the performance. I couldn't just ignore her afterwards." Dick chuckled as he walked over to the older man. "It's great to see you again, Mr. Haly." He smiled.

"It's great seeing you again too, Dick." The older man grinned, and Dick turned to look at Athena.

"Athena, this is an old friend, Mr. Haly." He informed. "Mr. Haly, this is Athena." The girl made the motion to shake the man's hand, but Mr. Haly hugged her instead.

"It's great meeting you, Athena." He looked at Dick with a raised eyebrow, and Dick quickly shook his head.

"She's a friend of mine." He informed quickly. He was too young to be having kids. Mr. Haly smiled, and looked down at Athena.

"So, did you enjoy the show?" he questioned.

"It was amazing!" Athena beamed happily.

"It would have been even more amazing if Dick performed." Mr. Haly grinned, looking up at Dick, and Athena looked over at him.

"You can perform in a circus?" she inquired, and Mr. Haly laughed.

"Of course he can! Once a Flying Grayson, always a Flying Grayson." Mr. Haly exclaimed with joy. He seemed like a proud father.

"I used to swing around on the trapeze with my family." Dick informed with a small smile.

"Before we break everything down, do you want to swing around for old times' sake?" Mr. Haly questioned, and Dick smiled.

"How could I say no?" Mr. Haly chuckled and started to leave the tent.

"I need to go over tonight's earning, stay safe, Dick." He said with a small wave, then left.

Dick turned to look at Athena.

"Do you want to go on the trapeze with me?" Athena looked up at the tall pole leading to the platform where the swings were.

"I don't know if I'd be able to." Athena said in a small voice, and Dick chuckled.

"It isn't that hard. I'll show you." He smiled, and Athena smiled back and nodded.

She followed Dick up the latter to the platform and Dick took a hold of the trapeze and easily swung from one ledge to the other, then back to Athena.

"I don't think I can do this." Athena whispered and Dick gave her an encouraging smile.

"Sure you can." Dick grabbed onto the trapeze and handed it to Athena. "Here we'll go together." He gripped the bar around Athena's hands and then pushed off.

Athena felt the wind flying through her hair, and she found it... well she didn't have a word to describe it, but she was loving every second. However, Athena was completely clueless how to get to one swing to the other.

Dick was way ahead of her and quickly wrapped one arm around Athena, and she grasped onto him as he propelled himself, holding her, to the other swing and safely traveled to the other side.

"Fun?" he questioned, Athena nodded happily.

"Lots of fun." She grinned, but then frowned slightly. "Sorry I didn't know how to make the jump."

"No problem. I wasn't expecting you to know how." He looked at the swing then at her. "Wanna go again?" he inquired, and she smiled with excitement.

Dick figured that she'd enjoy the trapeze. However, he didn't expect her to be so fearless. The heights didn't seem to faze her in the slightest.

"Why did you stop doing this?" Athena inquired while they were swinging. Dick made it to the other side and sighed.

"Well, I used to do the trapeze act with my family when I was young. But one day some nasty people made my parents have an accident and they died. I was then adopted by Batman, and I had to live with him." Dick explained.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." Athena said sadly, but Dick quickly smiled.

"But it's alright, Athena. I've had a great life." Athena couldn't keep frowning when Dick was smiling.

"Wait, so since Batman adopted you, and he's sort of my Dad, does that make you sort of my brother?" she inquired, and Dick ruffled her hair.

"I guess so. Welcome to the family." He then took off swinging with her again.

They left the circus tent after Dick had another small talk and goodbye to Mr. Haly. The two went back to Dick's motorcycle and Athena smiled as she felt the world pass her in a blur.

They returned to Mt. Justice and Dick put his sun glasses back on as the two walked into the living room.

Conner was in the living room, and Athena ran to him happily.

"Nightwing took me to the Circus! It was amazing!" she exclaimed, still excited. Conner sighed with relief.

"That sounds like fun." He then looked up at Nightwing. "It'd be nice if Nightwing was more clear where he was taking you in his note, though." Conner stated, holding up the hastily written letter he found on the kitchen counter.

Conner,

Taking Athena out to party.

~N.W.

"Settle down Super Papa, she's back by curfew." Nightwing chuckled. He then looked at Athena. "But it's been a busy night for you, Athena. You should get some sleep." He informed, and Athena nodded, running up giving him a hug.

"Thank you for taking me to the circus. Goodnight." She smiled, then hugged Conner.

"Good night, Conner." She then ran upstairs to her room.

"Was she okay there?" Conner inquired, and Nightwing nodded.

"She had a blast. Not to mention I found out that she got a thrill gene from someone. She loved the motorcycle ride, and swinging on the trapeze." Nightwing grinned, but then got more serious. "Has there been any new about if the rest of the league is going to try to talk to her?"

"Green Lantern says he'll try to stop by this week. Superman is still fighting off earth, and Aquaman is coming over tomorrow. The rest of the league is just busy." Conner sighed. "Not to mention, Batman has been going over her DNA and he sees a faint trace of some other DNA strand that doesn't match up with anyone from the league." Conner informed. Nightwing raised an eyebrow.

"That's weird. Has he figured out who's DNA it's from?" he inquired.

"No." Conner sighed. "But he's working on it." Conner then grinned slightly. "It's strange to see Batman looking so concerned over a little girl." Nightwing shrugged.

"To be technical, Athena is partially his daughter."

"Still, I wouldn't think of him as a kid person." Conner informed, and Nightwing chuckled. It was his typically 'I know something you don't know' chuckle, and Conner was used to hearing it.

"You don't know Batman very well."