A/N: I am so so so so so sorry that it has been like ever since my last update. life has been crazy like you won't believe! I won't bore you with details because I know that you guys want to get to the story. SO once again I am sorry for the late update, but I want to thank all of you who have stuck with me. I really appreciate it! This chapter is over 3,000 words, so it is a little longer than normal. I thought you all deserved s longer chap! Now, ON TO THE STORY!

Disclaimer: I do not own YJ or the origanal story idea.

It was another beautiful day at Haley's International Traveling Circus. The sun was shining and the birds were singing and everything seemed perfect. It was a nice morning.

Richard Grayson was in the big top working out with the exercise equipment that was in the big tent during the day.

when there wasn't a performance the big top served as a makeshift gym for all the performers and staff.

there were people all over the big top, using different equipment, jogging up the stairs, lifting weights, running laps around the rings, and practicing routines.

Dick was using the chin up bar that was set up in the middle of the center ring where most of the equipment is. He was wearing a Pair of black basketball shorts and a Blue and white muscle shirt.

"...12."

Richard used his arms to pull his chin above the bar before lowering himself.

"...13."

he grits out as he pulled himself up again. He stopped a moment to breath before he lowering himself once again.

"...14."

He could feel the sweat pouring down his face and his arm burned but he convinced himself he could keep going.

Unknown to him there was someone watching. up in the rafters of the candy-colored tent was a young martian in camouflage mode.

I have a visual.

Miss martian informed the rest of the team who were scattered around the circus grounds.

What's he doing?

Raquel asked.

Chin ups.

The martian girl responded.

So he's safe?

Zatanna inquired.

for now yes.

M'ggan said.

Great!

Wally exclaimed.

So now how do we get him to come with us?

Yeah,

Zatanna agreed.

The direct approach didn't really work last time.

Wally scoffed.

Well, Batman Refuses to take him against his will so what else can we do?

For the time being let us just watch and see if Warp shows up.

Kaldur told them.

"...16."

Richard pulled his chin barely above the bar before his arms gave out and he dropped to the floor, landing perfectly on his feet.

A sharp beeping rings out and Dick looked down at his watch.

"Guess workout time is over." He sighed.

He pulled his robin egg blue jacket on and hefted his black duffel bag over his shoulder.

Looks like he's on the move.

M'ggan alerted the team.

Where is he going?

Connor asked.

He is heading out the main exit.

Dick grabbed a water bottle out of the cooler that sat by the exit and began to chug it down greedily.

I see him.

Raquel to was waiting outside the door.

follow him.

Kaldur ordered.

There was a surprising amount of people at the circus for a morning and it didn't take long before Raquel lost Dick in the crowd.

Guys, I lost him.

Dick walked through the crowds of people, heading for the showers when he turned a corner and ran into something extremely hard. Dick gasped and fell backward. did he run into a wall or something?

He looked up to see a guy. A big guy. He didn't look very old, maybe 16, but he was strong. It looked like he didn't even move when Dick ran into him.

He had short black hair and had a superman logo on his shirt.

Guys, I found him.

Connor told the team. He wasn't sure what he should do. Should he talk to Ro-Richard or not?

Dick and the boy stared at each other. Dick wasn't sure what to do. This guy was just staring at him.

Did you find him?

Wally repeated excitedly.

How?

Aqualad asked.

Um… he just kind of ran into me.

Connor said.

Then Connor realized that he had just been staring at Richard.

"Oh, here." He bent down and helped pull Richard to his feet.

"Sorry about that."

"It's ok," Dick assured him. "Wow, you must be pretty strong 'cause you didn't budge an inch." Dick commented.

"Uh yeah." was all Connor said.

The was another long moment of awkward silence in which Connor talked to the team in the mind link trying to figure out what to do and Dick contemplated whether or not to just walk away.

"...Well ok then… bye." Dick said before turning and walking back into the crowd.

Wow, real smooth Con.

Shut up Wally.

"Can we eat?" Wally asked, running up to the others.

The team had decided to gather and discuss what to do next.

"Are you really thinking about food right now?" Artemis asked flatly.

"Um yeah," Wally replied in a duh tone of voice. "I haven't eaten in like 5 hours and this place smells like fair food! It's driving me insane! So can we eat?"

Raquel looked at her watch. "It is almost lunch time, maybe we can figure out what to do over lunch."

Artemis rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Kaldur?" Everyone looked at the leader of the group.

"It might be a good idea to sit down to figure out what to do."

"Yes!" Wally fist pumped. "Greasy fair food here I come."

Artemis and Conner both sighed in unison.

The group of teens made their way to the part of the circus where all of the food stands were.

Wally was running from stand to stand looking at the menu trying to decide what he wanted, actually, he wanted it all.

Once everyone had gotten something or in Wally's case everything they made their way over to one of the many tables that we spread all over.

"There is an open table." Zatanna said pointing over to an empty table.

The team walked over to the table and they all sat down.

When they got settled Kaldur addressed the group.

"So what should be our next move?" He asked.

M'ggan swallowed the bite of pizza she was eating, "I don't know. There isn't much we can do if he doesn't believe us."

"Yeah, and he isn't likely to believe us anytime soon." Zatanna frowned remembering how she and Wally had scared him half to death in the dressing room.

"I think we should just take him." Conner said.

"What?" M'ggan asked looking at him.

"Well if he won't come willingly I say the logical thing to do is just take him."

"I don't think-" Kaldur started, but was interrupted by Artemis.

"I agree with Con. I don't want to but it is the best thing to do in this situation."

There was a moment of silence as everyone thought.

"Given the current situation, I believe I agree." Kaldur said solemnly.

The group began to discuss just how they were going to go about this, but what they didn't realize was that one Richard Grayson as standing just behind the food stand by the team, and he overheard everything.

Richard had no idea who these people are or what they want with him, but whatever it is, he isn't letting it happen.

"Hey, Dick!"

Dick jumped and turned to see who was calling him. He didn't miss how everyone at the table straightened upon hearing his name.

"Dick!" A girl emerged the crowd. He smiled a little when he saw it was Miranda, Jacqueline followed her closely.

Miranda and Jacqueline were twins from France. They were Dick's age and were the daughters of the magician who traveled with the circus.

Dick glance back at the teens sitting around the table but they were gone. He stepped around the corner and looked around trying to locate them. Where could they have gone?

"Dick," Jacquelin said when they got to his side. "Where have you been? We've been looking for you." She smiled.

Dick continued to look around, not paying attention to what Jacquelin was saying. Whoever these people are they were really starting to freak him out.

When he didn't answer Miranda put a hand on his shoulder and he turned his head to look at the two girls.

Both girls had dark hair and bright blue eyes.

Jaquelin had her long curly hair in two pigtails tied with pink bows and she wore a white and black striped shirt with half sleeves and light denim pants rolled into cuffs on her ankle and black flats.

Miranda wore black converse and a bright red skirt that ended a few inches above her knees and a tight black crop top that showed her stomach. Her short hair curled around her cheeks and a red bow kerp her bangs out of her eyes.

Dick then realized how close Miranda was to him and blushed slightly, he had had a big crush on her for the past year.

"Dick, what are you looking for?" She asked in her thick french accent.

"Umm…" He shook his head. "Nothing." He smiled. He didn't want to freak people out over nothing. He was probably just being paranoid.

She cocked an eyebrow. "Right." She looked at him suspiciously.

He just smiled at her.

"Anyway," she started "Oliver is taking us to go exploring if you want to come. Charlie is coming to."

Dick smiled, deciding to push his worries into the back of his mind. It was probably nothing.

"Yeah ok."

"Yay!" Miranda and Jacquelin exclaimed in unison.

The group of five sat in Oliver's dad's pickup truck.

Oliver was swedish, he and his dad were part of the madinence crew. Oliver was 17. He wasn't a big guy but he definitely wasn't small. He had icy blue/gray eyes and light blond hair, so light it almost looked white at times. He word a light green shirt and jeans.

Oliver was also and charlie's best friend so Dick and the twins got to tag along on a lot of their adventures.

Oliver sat in the driver's seat and charlie sat next to him. Dick and the twins sat in the back.

"Hey look, a mall!" Jacqueline exclaimed as she pointed out of the window.

"Really Jacque?" Charlie asked. "You always want to go to the mall, no matter where we are! Can't we do something else?"

"What's wrong with the mall?" Jacque asked, placing her hands on her hips causing her boney elbow to poke into Dick's side.

"Ow!" He jumped slightly. Jacque didn't mover her elbow so Dick leaned the other way and ended up leaning against Miranda. They made eye contact and they both blushed.

"There's a lot wrong with malls." Charlie started. "They are loud and crowded-"

Jacque interrupted him. "We are in Washington DC, It will be crowded and loud no matter where we go!"

"Yeah well who knows, maybe there will be a mall shooting! That seems to happen a lot." Charlie turned in his seat to look at jacque as the two continued to fight.

"Well if there is a mall shooting then maybe one of your super heros will come save us." Jacque rolled her eyes, sarcasm leaking into her voice.

Charlie seemed to brighten up a bit. "Do you think so?" He asked.

Jacque rolled her eyes again (she did that a lot) and crossed her arms.

But even though Jacque's arm was no longer poking in his side Dick didn't move, wanting to staying close to Miranda.

"I wasn't being serious."She mumbled before realizing she might blow her chances of going to the mall. "I mean, yeah, of course!" She smiled.

"Then to the mall we go!" Charlie turned back in his seat.

Oliver just chuckled and turned the car around, heading back towards the mall. "You are one obsessed guy Charlie."

In a matter of a few minutes the group of circus kids were climbing out the old truck in the mall parking lot. The three who had been stuck in the back seat began stretching when they got out. It always got cramped being stuffed in the back seat.

Jacque smirked mischievously and stretched, throwing her arms out further than needed "Accidentally" shoving her sister into Dick, who was just jetting out of the car.

Maranda yelped when she stumbled back and turned to yell at her sister before realizing Dick had caught her and currently had his arms around her to steady her. She then smiled.

"Are you ok?" Dick asked her.

"Um… Yeah. sorry." She laughed lightly. "I'm so clumsy."

"It's ok." Dick smiled as Miranda stood up straight, taking her weight off of him.

The french girl smile widened when Dick didn't remove his arm from around her shoulder.

The two of them began to walk after the group who had left them behind.

Miranda knew that Jacque did that on purpose, she had to remember to thank her sister.

When Dick and Miranda walked through the big doors of the mall the rest of their group had already disappeared leaving them alone, but Dick couldn't bring himself to be annoyed.

The two raven haired teens walked through the mall not noticing Zatanna and Artemis who were by the entrance.

"Look at him!" Zatanna whisper-yelled. "He can't keep his hands off her!"

"Zatanna-" Artemis started but the black haired girl didn't stop taking.

"I mean he has a girlfriend! Me!"

"Yeah but Zee," Artemis stopped her. "In this timeline he only knows you as the creepy girl who broke into his dressing room." Artemis reminded.

"I...But...Well…" Zatanna couldn't come up with a reason to still be mad at the boy. "Whatever, I'm following them." She said before storming after the acrobat.

Artemis just chuckled and run to catch up with her.

We see him and are pursuing.

Artemis told the others through the mind link.

"Keep us updated."

Aqualad ordered.

"So where do you think the others went?" Matranda asked as she and Dick walked past the many stores, stopping every once in awhile to look at something that caught their eye.

"I don't know." Dick laughed a little. "Charlie probably found the arcade by now and Jacque and oliver are most likely looking at all the overpriced hipster stores."

Miranda laughed. "That sounds about right."

"So if we already know where they are, why go looking for them?" Dick concluded, smiling at him.

There was something about her, Dick wasn't sure what, but there was something that just made him smile for no reason. It was one of those smiles here it lights up your whole face. Like your about to laugh but don't. It was hard to explain, but he only ever got this smile when he was with or even just thinking about maranda. To be honest, he loved it.

Dick was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't notice when he almost ran into someone. Thankfully Miranda tugged on his arm, pulling him out of the way of the big teen with black hair and blue eyes and oh my gosh that's him! Dick thought.

That's the weird guy from this morning, he was also part of the group who was trying to get him! Why was he here?

Dick then looked around, starting to become aware of his surroundings.

Walking behind them was the black haired girl who was in the dressing room and the blond who was at the table. He looked to his right. The african american looking guy with short blond hair was pretending to read a magazine. He had been staring at them but looked away when he noticed dick was looking at him. He then look ahead of them where the ginger who was in the dressing room with a red headed girl who was at the table. They were all here. And even though Dick wasn't a detective it wasn't hard to tell that they were following them.

"Dick, what's wrong?" Miranda asked. She had asked a few times before but dick just kept looking around.

"Dick?"

Dick's eye then saw a man, dressed in gray and gold. He looked like he belonged in a comic book, but he was standing a little ways behind the two redheads and he was looking right at him. There eyes locked and Dick filled with dread. The next thing he knew the man was on the other side of the walkway and a few feet closer. He didn't even move. Just flash and he was somewhere different. Dick didn't know what was going on, but he was freaking out they had to get out of here.

"Maranda," Dick whispered, trying not to let anyone hear him. "We need to get out of here."

"Why?" Miranda whispered back.

"Somethings not right." Dick whispered back.

He began leading her back the way they had come looking over his shoulder, trying to keep track of everyone and where they were.

"We've been discovered." Superboy told everyone. He know something's up.

Guys, I think I just was warp. Zatanna, urgency in her voice.

We need to take Dick now. We can't let warp get to him. Aqualad ordered.

Dick noticed when all the people who were following them began to advance closer. And the man in gold was flashing from here to there getting closer and closer.

"Run." Dick whispered.

"What?" Miranda looked at him. He would tell she was freaking out to. She looked where Dick was looking to see a bunch of people begin to run towards the.

"Run!" Dick said louder and the two of them took off.

The next thing they knew a loud ear piercing Bam! Echoed through the mall. A gunshot.

Dick didn't know where it came from but he didn't want to stick around and find out. He was practically dragging Maranda by the arm as they ran. Another gunshot and by now everyone was yelling and running. Big metal doors began to close off the stores. It was an emergence feather that had recently been added to most malls. This way everyone inside the stores were safe, but whoever didn't make it inside before the doors closed had to try and make it to the doors that lead outside.

Somehow, over all the noice, Dick heard someone calling him. He looked over to see the doors of the arcade closing. On the other side stood Charlie, Oliver, and Jacque.

"Come on!" Charlie was yelling.

Maybe they could make it in time. Dick and amanda bolted towards the closing door.

Dick, could tell they weren't both going to make it. So he spend up, dragging Miranda with him. And quickly shoved her through the doors before they could close. Thank goodness she was so small or she wouldn't have fit through the crack.

The doors slammed shut before he could make it through. He pounded on the metal but it wouldn't move.

He quickly moved to the big window that looked into the arcade. Charlie and the others were pounding on the glass yelling for someone to open the door and let him in.

Dick was banging on the glass too. He was scared to death out here with little to now over!

Another shot rang through the screams and Dick immediately ducked down. He franticly looked around trying to find the gunman, but he couldn't.

That's when Dick noticed the bench that was a few feet away. He dove under the bench hoping it would provide some cover. He didn't know what else to do.

But then everything was quiet. Well quieter. There were still people running for the exits but where wasn't as much screaming and the gunfire had stopped. Dick thought maybe it was over, but then the bench he was under was ripped off the floor and thrown across the walkway. He heard his Cousin and friends screaming and shouting. Dick looked up to see a big man. Like big big. He was holding a handgun and had tattoos up his arms and a black ski mask.

Dick jumped up to run the man grabbed him by the neck, cutting off his air circulation, and slammed him against the window, causing it to crack a bit. Dick's hands were trying to pry the man's fingers from around his throat but to no avail.

The screaming and yelling of his friends only got louder.

The gunman then brought the gun up to Dick's head and he was going to pull the trigger.

Then man's arm suddenly jerked, as if someone pulled on it even though there was no one there. And insted of the bullet hitting Dicks head, it went through his right shoulder.

Dick let out a bloodcurdling scream, the man dropped him and was pulled back by someone but Dick didn't know who. He was in too much pain to pay attention.

He was lying on his left side facing the window that was now smeared with his blood. He could see the faces of his friends, scared and horrified. The girls were crying and the boys were trying to get to him.

He could also see the pool of blood that was collecting underneath him.

God it hurt so bad!

His vision was beginning to cloud, the pain becoming too much.

The last thing Dick saw before he blacked out was the horrified faces of his friends. Then everything went black.

Well, there you go! I hope you all liked this chapter!
I really just wanted to do a chapter that built of Dick and his relationships in his "new" life, because for his it really has spent his whole life with the circus.
Anyway, I hope all enjoyed! It will bee at least 2 weeks before I can update again to hang in there!

Please review! When I get reviews it motivates me to write so more reviews faster updates... ;)
Have a great night guys! Thanks again for sticking with me!

~Ember