[ Part two of the Past.]

Let's all thank L for her wonderful ideas and her Betaing because without her this wouldn't even have been written! 8D

Dick Grayson was the only child of the famous Flying Graysons from Haly's Circus.

The circus was in the city of Paris, France, and they were getting ready for a show that would leave the crowd breathless and full of excitement and joy. Everyone was busily getting ready, setting up the big tent as the loud chatter buzzed with excitement, for it was rumored that the king of France was going to be there on one of the days Haly's Circus was in the city. Two weeks they would be there, and hopefully the king would come so his visit would add to the fame of their circus.

John and Mary Grayson soared on the trapeze as they warmed up. As John and his wife did a trick that would make anyone gasp in awe, a little boy of the age of nine flew off his trapeze bar, doing a quadruple flip before throwing his arms out. Just as it seemed the child would fall to his death, his mother reached out to catch him with ease as her husband held onto her ankles, all three doing flips as they landed on a side platform, their arms up.

"Perfect show, Graysons!" John said proudly, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "You did a good job, son."

"Thank you, tata!" Dick flipped once more. "I cannot wait for tonight!"

"How wonderful that the king may be there tonight," Mary sighed, before picking up her son. "My little Robin, you fly like the wings of a bird."

Hugging her tightly, Dick giggled. "One day I will fly like tata and you, mama."

"Attention!" the Ringmaster's voice sad loudly. "Attention, attention, the show shall begin in half an hour! Everyone to your places!"

John took his son from his wife. "Flying Graysons, how do we fly?"

"With grace," Mary said, a smile on her face.

"And how do we land?" John asked, as they climbed down the stairs.

"Together!" Dick grinned.

"Yes," Mary said, as he got down the last few steps.

"Mama, tata?" Dick called to them happily. "We're always going to be together, yes?"

"Of course, my little Robin." Mary kissed his nose. "Graysons always land together."

A week later Dick was running around the circus playing tag with himself. Since there were no other children in the circus his age, he had to use his imagination. All the others were too old to play with the little Gypsy or too young.

Not that Dick minded of course. He was always happy, and using his imagination, he always came up with something fun and exciting to do. Giggling as he skipped down the back ways of the circus, he sang a little song, which was pretty much one word, but it was upbeat and happy. Really happy.

"Happy day! Happy, happy, happy day! Happy, happy, happy- oof!" Dick hadn't been watching where he was going and ran right into something that felt like a brick wall. "Oooowww..."

Before he could do anything, two large hands settled on his waist, pulling him up and setting him right back on his feet. Shaking his head, Dick looked up to see a large man standing there with a smile on his face. Dick was in awe because he had only seen one other man that large and muscular and that was the strong man in the circus.

"Oooh, you're so big!" Dick gasped, looking up, his head tilted all the way back.

The man chuckled. "Thank you. Who might you be?"

"Oh!" Dick ran back a good ten feet before running at him and flipping easily, landing a foot away from the man. "I are Dick Grayson!"

The man raised an eyebrow. "Ah, good to meet you, Dick. However, your English is a little shaky. I believe you meant to say, 'I am Dick Grayson.'"

"I... a-are...?"

The man ruffled his hair before shocking the small boy by talking in Romanian. "My name is Bruce Wayne. It's nice to meet you, Dick."

His eyes lit up with so much glee that someone other than his mama and tata knew Romanian. This glee didn't go unnoticed as the boy practically shook happily, dancing from one foot to the other.

"Are you new to the circus? What do you do? Where are you from? Do you have children? Can I play with them? Where is your cart? Can I visit you? Do you like elephants-?"

The man named Bruce patted his head. "One at a time, chum. Now then, can you tell me where the Ringmaster's office is?"

"I know where it is!" Dick ran a circle around the man before tugging at his large hand. "Follow me! I'll take you to him."

Bruce let Dick walk him to the cart that was the office. The little boy skipped along, never letting go of his hand all while chattering away about everything from elephants to lions. The kid was enjoyable. Sweet and cute.

When they got to the office, Bruce thanked the boy before knocking. The Ringmaster came out, looking at him before grinning widely. "Bruce! I haven't seen you in years! Come in, come in!"

"It's good to see you too, Haly." Bruce grinned before climbing into the cart. "I heard that your circus was in town and I thought that visiting an old friend was a grand idea."

Dick pushed his way onto the cart's floor, his legs dangling, not able to touch the ground, but he had enough upper body strength to pull himself up before hooking his leg onto the edge, climbing up onto it. Grinning happily, he walked up to the man, Bruce, who raised an eyebrow.

Haly frowned a bit before sighing. "Dick, why don't you go find your parents? I'm sure they're looking for you."

Realizing that maybe the man wasn't going to talk with him or play with him since he had come to see Haly made Dick pout sadly. He really wanted a friend. Someone to play with him and talk with him, to run around with, eat lunches in the trees and sing songs. As Dick thought about what he wanted in a friend, he didn't notice that he was just hanging there, lost in thought, until he was lifted up easily and set on Bruce's leg.

Dick grinned up at Bruce as the man handed him a tin box. Dick giggled happily when he saw that there were lemon drops! Candy! Opening it, Dick took one before shoving it into his mouth, sucking on it happily as he started to swing his legs back and forth.

"That should keep him busy." Bruce grinned at his friend. "So, tell me, Haly, how has it worked out, your dream of being the owner of your own circus?"

"Wonderful!" Haly leaned back. "Let me tell you about the last fifteen years, my friend, and what wonderful years they were."

Dick listened in on the conversation as he ate his candy happily. It had been such a long time since he'd had a piece that he had almost forgotten how good it was! Once the piece was small enough to chew on, Dick opened the tin, taking out another one before popping it into his mouth.

"Richard John Grayson!" a voice yelled.

The three in the cart looked out to see a man standing there. Dick looked down at the tin of candy before looking back at his tata and quickly handing the tin back to the nice man, finally looking at his tata with a guilty expression.

No sweets before dinner.

Or at all really.

The only time Dick was allowed to have candy was on his birthday. Both his tata and mama were against any sweets. It was no secret why either. It was because Dick was already so hyper and energetic. He only slept about seven hours when they were off training, eight when training. Dick couldn't help it. He was just so full of energy. So excited about what life had for him each day. When they gave him sweets he about burst form all the extra energy it gave him and would only sleep four hours, and even then he was always moving around.

"Can we help you?"

The two circus men and the small boy looked at Bruce, surprised that he was the first to talk.

"That's my boy," John said, eyes narrowing at the man he had never seen. "Richard, come here now."

Dick lowered his head, avoiding everyone's gazes. He knew he was in a lot of trouble when they used his whole name. Slowly sliding off Bruce's lap, he muttered in English a quiet, "Tank chuu for ta canee." (Thank you for the Candy)

Bruce watched the little boy walk over before jumping down from the cart and making his way slowly to his father, big eyes not daring to look up. John took the small boy's hand before taking him around one of the tents.

"What was he so angry about?" Bruce asked, looking at Haly.

Haly only sighed before leaning back. "They don't let the kid have candy. Don't know why though. He's such a sweet kid-"

Bruce's ears picked up a small voice yelping in pain. "Excuse me, old friend, I will be back in a moment."

With that, Bruce stood to leave, quickly making his way to where he had heard the small cry. When he got there, he saw the little kid, Dick was his name, sniffling as tears fell down his little face, lips quivering as he rubbed his backside. His father was putting his belt back on.

Bruce's face hardened. He never liked anyone hitting their kids. It had always bothered him, yet no one ever seemed concerned about the whoopings or beatings others gave their kids. Bruce didn't have any kids, but one day he would.

"Richard, don't you have something to say?"

Dick rubbed his eyes, furiously trying to stop the tears before nodding. "I'm sorry, tata."

"Good. Now go back to our cart and stay there until it's show time. That should give you enough time to think about what you've done. Go on now."

Sniffling, Dick limped away, looking back a few times. Bruce followed behind to see where he was going. He saw Dick climb into a cart with a poster on it called The Flying Graysons.

Going back to his old friend, Bruce retook his seat. "So, Haly, tell me... do you have a ticket for tonight's show?"

"For you, my good friend, always." Haly grinned, handing him a glass of wine. "Here's to a grand show."

Bruce agreed.

Bruce could honestly say he was stunned.

The boy was an amazing acrobat. Actually, amazing would be an understatement, because there were no words to describe what he saw as he watched Dick Grayson on the trapeze as if he was flying, the content smile clear on his little face.

It made Bruce grin as he watched the boy perform with his family. Truly amazing. Everyone cheered and clapped when the act ended, giving a standing ovation for the family of three. Bruce stood as well, clapping, but his smile turned into a grin when Dick noticed him and waved frantically at him, jumping up and down on the platform the three were on.

Waving back, Bruce took his seat.

When the show was over, he decided to visit Haly again before heading home. Once he was back at his house, Bruce couldn't sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about that little kid and realized that he wanted to spend time with the child. Such a strange thought.

The next day Bruce found himself going to the show again. Of course it was as wonderful as Haly said it would be, but Bruce couldn't help but go only for the chance of seeing Dick fly in the air. Time went by fast and before Bruce knew it the week was up for the circus and they were about to leave.

Bruce didn't want Dick to leave.

So right before they could leave, a dark shadow broke into Haly's Circus and stole all their money. Such a terrible thing to happen. The whole circus was in a frantic uproar. All their money was gone, which meant they couldn't leave and had very little food to eat. Luckily, a certain well-off nobleman, Bruce Wayne, was there to try and find whoever stole their money.

Haly rubbed his forehead in defeat. How was he going to feed his circus family? How? And what about the animals? Even with everyone trying to pitch in and buy the animals food, and even putting on two more shows to help, they had to pay for the lot they had used and they were late for their next showings in other towns.

Haly's dream was spiraling down hill quickly, with no way out.

He was getting desperate.

"Bruce!"

Haly's head snapped up as he heard Dick's voice squeal out his old friend's name happily. He saw his friend waving at the young boy, smiling at him. Ah, good old Bruce had been bringing food for the kids in the circus.

Dick bounded up to the man like a deer, hopping around him excitedly with his arms up wanting to be swung about. There was something about the way Bruce had taken to Dick. Haly figured that it was because Bruce was in the prime of his life that he wanted to start a family.

"Hello, chum!" Bruce said, setting the bag he carried down and swinging Dick up and onto his back. "How are you today?"

"I so happy! Bruce is came to seeing me!" Dick cheered in his broken English. "Are to go play? Please?"

"In a minute, chum." Bruce picked up the bag before walking over to Haly. "Old friend, I'm afraid the police have no idea who stole your money yet. I'm sorry."

Haly leaned back sadly. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Bruce... I can't keep the circus if I don't get money and soon."

"That is a problem..." Bruce sat down. "Haly, I want to talk to you about something important."

"What is that, my old friend?"

Bruce set the bag down before pulling Dick off him, taking a seat across from his friend. Dick cuddled up to him quickly, asking what game they would play that day, but Bruce hushed him gently, giving the boy a little wooden game puzzle with little iron balls that had to be dropped through a hole in the center of the puzzle by tilting it this way and that.

Dick was very easily distracted.

"Haly, I have the money that could save your circus."

"Bruce, I couldn't... it wouldn't be right." Haly looked at him sadly.

"Haly this is your dream and all the joy you bring to all the people who watch your show. I will give you the money, I have enough, but I do want one thing from you, old friend."

"Yes?"

Bruce smiled as he ran a hand through Dick's hair. "I would like you to ask the Graysons to make me Dick's Godfather."

"What?" the old man asked in disbelief.

Bruce nodded. "If you can. If anything were to happen to them I would take care of their son. I will assure you that nothing will happen to them."

Before Haly could protest, Bruce opened the bag filled with money. "Everybody wins. Isn't that right, my friend?"

A week later the circus left the town, Mary and John Grayson not pleased with making Bruce Wayne their son's Godfather, but when they were finally far away, John felt relieved. Maybe he was paranoid, but he felt like Bruce was trying to steal his son from him.

Mary told him that they didn't have to worry, because now they were far away from Mr. Wayne, so why then did he feel like something terrible was going to happen? Looking down, he smiled at his son, who was sleeping on the train.

What no one noticed was a dark shadow also on the train, calmly drinking a crimson liquid from a wine glass as he read a book with happy thoughts about the next two weeks to come.

In two weeks time he would have his first child.

A son.

With blue eyes and black hair that could fly through the air.