"We start in five!" The shout from the ringmaster rung out loudly, although heard by few thanks to the booming variety of noise all around him as tons of colorful clowns, bustling animals of every size, and lost members of the crowd walked, ran, and trotted all over the back of the large circus tent. A small child would easily be trampled by the sheer number of people, and any number of adults would have been overwhelmed by the talking, shouting, barking, growling, and stomping all around, not allowing anyone to fully hear their own thoughts, let alone anyone else's. The sweet aroma of cotton candy and the salty smell of popcorn mixed with the less pleasant odors of elephant, dog, and mud. Shouts from the crowd could be heard even from far behind the action, where five-year-old Richard "Dick" Grayson sat staring, blue eyes wide, at the commotion. He was enamored, but not a bit afraid. This was home. The Haly's Circus moved often, currently stationed just south of the beautiful Metropolis skyline, but for Dick, it wasn't the city that made it home.

"Mary! John! You're up! We're running ahead!"

A beautiful woman in her late twenties rushed toward the tall, stressed man with a tall black hat. He held a long black cane with a gold bird on the tip and sported black pants and a red suit typical of the ringmaster. As the woman approached him, her longer-than-shoulder-length silky brown hair slowed from bouncing off her shoulders. She was dressed in an acrobatics outfit colored with white and faded blue that paled in comparison to her blue eyes, which while kind, were filled with concern. Dick's head cocked slightly as his innocent smile dropped to a small frown of confusion over his mother's worried state.

"John's coming any minute, but I can't go out until I find Dick." She flung her hands trying to explain her concern, "Have you seen him? He was supposed to be with Hannah, but she's already out there and-wait, why is she out there? Is everything alright? Did Evans get hurt?"

The ringmaster, exasperated, looked back over his shoulder at the deafening crowds, soon to go silent if no new act was started. "Evans'll be fine. Honestly, Mary, Dick's fine. He knows his way around here better than most of us. I need you out there, now! I'll find Dick." She quickly looked around hoping for a glance of her young son, hidden unintentionally behind the hustle of the crowd. Her worried expression was evident as she scanned the movement once more, only Dick had heard his name, and had begun making his way to his frantic mother. She looked back to the now practically desperate Mr. Haly, whose green eyes pleaded with her to begin her act. Suddenly a small hand touched her side, to her instant relief, and her usual smile returned to her face as she knelt quickly to the small boy's side. He looked up to her staring purely into her eyes as he spoke, almost inaudibly compared to the loud atmosphere, but to her at that moment, he was the only thing in the world, "Mom, are you ok?"

"Yes!" She said, wide smile switching smoothly into confusion as she quickly asked, "Where were you?"

"I was right there." He pointed to the small, red, plastic chair barely visible behind the still active crowd. "I waited for you." He said starting to smile, "I love you!" He reached for a spontaneous hug, that was eagerly accepted by his mom.

"I love you more!" gesturing as she spoke, she continued, "Now, you stay with Mr. Haly until I get back, ok?"

"Ok. Where's Daddy?" He inquired, head, once again angled, as Mr. Haly quickly lost patience with the interaction. He was a very kind man, but he wasn't immune to pressure that came unwelcomed with a change of plans. "Mary." He pressed. She understood, "Daddy's coming, but I need you to stay here. I'll see you in just a few minutes." She finished explaining, finally matching the urgency the ringmaster was hoping for. She quickly kissed Dick's forehead and ran into the larger part of the tent to begin her act. Minutes later, her beloved husband and Dick's father, John Grayson ran past Mr. Haly in a suit matching his wife's. According to routine, John was supposed to start the act, and Mary was supposed to join him, but the circus life rarely went fully according to plan, and they were very accustomed to a quick impromptu when needed. As he ran past, John mouthed a quick thank you to Mr. Haly, who smiled and nodded, bringing Dick closer to himself, as he grabbed the tiny hand. Mr. Haly had become much like family to the couple before Dick had even been born. He'd gotten to know the family more than seven years ago when Mary and John were newlyweds looking to start a full-time career as acrobats. The two lovers were having a good bit of difficulty finding someone who was willing to commit to working with them for more than merely one night at a time. At that same time, Haly was just getting his circus past the planning phase, and he desperately needed an act worthy of advertising. The three had met at a small, local circus, and the rest was history. They signed a contract then and there setting up a three-year arrangement, should both sides keep their agreements, and had renewed the contract since. Mary and John didn't have a home or family outside of the circus, but they didn't need one. Mr. Haly and the fellow performers were all the family the couple needed. And the traveling circus felt more like home than they'd ever imagined when they'd first joined. It had grown considerably since, and they had no plans of leaving.

The circus ended, but the activity didn't. It was the last night performing in this particular city, which meant everything had to come down for transport. Occasionally, some people stayed behind to help, but tonight it was just the circus crew. Likely they'd be up until after midnight when everyone who traveled with the circus would begin the drive to the next city. Mary was untying one of the trapeze lines while Dick watched fascinated by the bottom of the platform. "Mom? Can I help? I can do that!" She smiled down at his enthusiasm, "I guess you're big enough to help…" She thought briefly for a task he could easily complete, "How about you pick up the flags outside?" His smile widened with excitement at the ability to help as he dashed for the tent opening, "Ok! I'll do it all by myself! You'll see…" His words trailed from her as he disappeared through the "door" of the red and white striped big top. He ran so enthusiastically that he smashed right into Hannah Willians, another performer who worked primarily with the dogs. "Oof!" she exclaimed as Dick fell backwards on the loose dirt. "Sorry!" He bounced back up and dashed back off to his assignment, too focused on being helpful to acknowledge his own fall. She smiled and let out a breathy laugh as she shook her head at his energy. She, like most everyone else here, knew Dick well, and would be willing to protect him at all costs, should the need arise. "Your child is awfully excited about something!" She called out playfully to Mary, who was climbing down the ladder to the stand she'd been using to untie the trapeze. "I told him he could pick up the flags outside." She smiled at her friend. "Thanks for hanging in there for us, Hannah."

"Oh, you're all good! You'd do it for me, and you can't convince me otherwise! But… you do owe me one!" She said a wide grin exposing her joke clearly.

"It's not every night someone's so happy to help out with the flags," John said coming over to his wife and wrapping his arm over her shoulders, "Dick's going to be an actually helpful helper soon!" He said, a large, full toothed smile coming over his face as Mary gently elbowed him, laughing as she did. "John! He might hear you!" Her light, sweetened voice came through in a whisper, although she knew their only son was far out of earshot by now.

"I'm just saying, pulling flags is a lot more helpful than 'folding' the signs."

"He's learning!" She protested to his obvious teasing, "That's how you learn!"

"I know." He relented playfully, and kissed her cheek, pulling her into a close embrace. She fully accepted as he whispered gently into her ear, "He's going to grow up to be a wonderful person. I know it already."

She gently rocked with him as she responded, "Oh, I know that. I always have."

"Really? How?" His light tone made the joking part of his question obvious.

"He has you as his father." She smiled up at him, peace filling her completely like a hug. He was her comfort and strong place, and she couldn't imagine anyone else she'd rather be raising their young son with.

Meanwhile, Dick was eagerly running around the tent grabbing colored flag after colored flag. As he finished, he noticed a group of four people coming towards him. He dropped his flags in his excitement to tell everyone about their approach, but he only made three strides before spinning back on himself to grab them. Flags once again in hand, he ran into the tent as if on some sort of timer. Right as his quick, little feet left the grass and reached the soft dirt around the entrance, he fell to his face. Mostly unfazed by the spill that left small bits of dust on his face, in his once black hair, in his mouth, and all over his pants, he climbed back to his feet, collecting his treasured flags as he did. He spat out the dust, scrunching his face at the flavor on his tongue. He shook his head quickly sending a brown dirt storm to the ground under him. "Mom! Dad! Misser Haly! Somebody's comin'!" He still couldn't pronounce the 'T' in 'Mister', but everyone knew he was calling for. "Dick?" His parents came over to him, waiting for the rest of the debrief that he was sure to give. He loved making everything into a story. "Mom," he said making sure to give her a hug before continuing, "I was outside, and I was getting the flags like you said, see? And then I saw something, and I was like 'what is that?', but then I saw that it was people, and you need to come out and tell them things."

"Tell them things?" Mary couldn't help smiling at his explanation of the situation. He was such a people person and so thoroughly convinced that if someone was anywhere nearby, they were worth talking to. "Yes!" He answered vigorously shaking his head up and down to indicate his answer further. "Dad, you should come too," he said taking his father's hand as he spoke. As he dragged them out of the tent, Hannah following closely behind she had to add in a silly tone, "Dickie, you know, not everyone wants us to talk to them about the circus."

"But they might want to come." He insisted, not even turning back to look at her.

As they got closer, John could make out a fit group of four people, appearing to be a family, consisting of a man, woman, a boy round eight, and one closer to Dick's age. "Hello!" The man called out as they got closer, "My name is Matthew Houlden and this is my wife Elizabeth and our two sons, Ethan-he's about to turn eight, and Caleb-he's five" As the man spoke, he pointed to each member of his family. "You wouldn't happen to know who runs this circus?" he questioned, his face kind and his nut-brown hair, almost invisible in the pitch blackness of the night around them.

"Yes, we do." John said offering his hand for a greeting. "In fact, we've worked with him for years." After shaking Matthew's hand, John began to lead the group back to where Mr. Haly was directed the packing-up of the circus. As they walked inside the large striped canvas tent, Dick started in on one of his favorite things since learning to speak, and that would be talking to new people. It didn't really matter who it was or how old they were. He just loved people in general. "Hello," he said to Caleb, who seemed only slightly less comfortable with strangers. "Hi!" Caleb responded eagerly. "What's your name?" He asked, his pointer finger almost poking Dick in the chest.

"It's…well, I'm not sure, but you can say it's Dick. That's what Mom and Daddy say. Do you know what-your name is?" -

Caleb quickly responded with confidence, "Yeah, I'm Caleb. It's funny that you, uh, don't know!" He smiled to match his statement. "Yeah, it is kinda silly!" Dick smiled as well before blurting out with excitement, "Do you want to be best friends? Like the forever kind?"

"Sure!" Caleb said excitedly. "Let's go tell Mom and Dad!

"Ok!" Dick grabbed Caleb's hand, as the two ran to their parents. "Mommy! Dad! I need you… I mean… I gotta to tell you something!"

"Well, I want to hear it, but you need to wait for a minute. We were talking." Mary bent down to Dick's level to explain.

"Oh, sorry, but I need you to know it now!" He countered a little confused.

"Well, then you should say 'excuse me' and wait for us, ok? Now, try it, and then tell me what you wanted to say."

Dick didn't understand why he needed to repeat his mother's words when she obviously knew that he wanted to talk, but as usual, he complied anyway. "Ok, 'scuse me. I hav'a tell you somethin' impor'ant!"

Mary laughed slightly at his over-the-top excitement then met his deep blue eyes, "What is it?"

As soon as Dick opened his mouth to tell her, he stopped and turned his head, "I don't 'emember"

"Oh, no!" Mary said with slightly dramatized concern, "Try to think of it."

"Gimme. One min'ite" He said putting one finger out, demonstrating one, before moving it to his chin to show his thinking the way the adults always did. After a second, he looked for his friend and yelled to him, "Caleb! What was the impor'ant thing?"

"We are going to be the best friend forever kind!" Caleb called confidently back, his wide grin evident.

Concern dropped heavily on Mary's chest. She wanted to be excited for the fast friendship, but she knew it wasn't likely to last. Sadness washed over her in a sudden wave as it dawned on her that it would be quite difficult for Dick to ever have friends his age as long as they travelled with the same circus. She gently shook herself to rid of the thoughts and focus on the here and now. Dick was great at making friends! And he could have fun while Caleb was here. He'd be ok, she decided, wanting to be surer than she was. Truly the people they were with created a wonderful environment, but there weren't any small kids his age. "That's wonderful!" She pushed the excitement to her face in a wide, amazed smile, which instantly brought a smile back to Dick's face. He'd lost it when she had gotten concerned. "Yeah! Bye now!" With that, the two boys ran off together, back outside. Still, through her smile, a pang of sadness hit her heart. How many times would he have to re-make "best friends" as they travelled? Would he keep his outgoing personality? Or would it lessen as he had to continually say goodbye? She finally pushed the thoughts away from her mind, deciding to believe it would be fine. He was already so sweet and outgoing; it was bound to only increase as he got older. And there was a chance that the Houlden's would stay with their traveling family. It would be fine.

As the new friends cheerfully exited the area, Matthew, unsure of how his next comment would be received, made his way to Mr. Haly, who was seemingly pleased with the relatively good progress, aptly turned to the visitor to see what he had come to say.

"Mr. Haly, I presume?" Mr. Houlden began, fairly confident in his assumption by the obvious apparel the handsome, fairly young man wore. The red jacket, long, black pants, and white undershirt were still in their places, although his black top hat had been removed and his dark hair was rather messy from under where it had previously sat.

"You assume correctly." Mr. Haly promptly responded, trying to be friendly despite his distracted state.

"Good to meet you, sir." Matthew said, offering a handshake in greeting. As the ringmaster accepted, he continued, "I am Matthew Houlden, and I came with my wife, Elizabeth and our two sons, Caleb and Ethan. We are trying to start out as acrobats, but we can't seem to find much work that doesn't require travel. I know that you run a traveling circus, but is there any way you'd be interested in a partial agreement? While your circus runs in the area we work with you, and when you leave, we work elsewhere, until you come back?"

"Hmmm… I already have a pretty great group of acrobats. And one up and coming." He added the last part with a smirk, "But, depending on what you're looking for pay-wise we could maybe work something out."

He paused to look past Matthew towards those he was referring to, before calling them over, "John! Mary! Can you come here for a second?"

The couple walked over to him, followed by Elizabeth, whom they'd been conversing with a minute before.

"Sure," Mary unnecessarily responded, seeing as they were already there.

"Mr. Houlden and his wife are interested in joining the acrobatics act when they're in town. What are your thoughts?"

Mary and John briefly looked at each other, shrugging gently, before John answered, "I think it could be a bit difficult to only be able to practice the routine twice a year, but otherwise, I'd be glad to have them join us."

Matthew, listening to the concern, quickly jumped in, "I totally see that, but would you be willing to give it a chance?"

"I'd be happy too, but we're packing to leave. I'm not sure we have time to re-set and take everything down again…" Leaving his thought a trail, he glanced to Mr. Haly who rocked his head back, conflicted. They were finally running ahead of schedule…

"How about this." Mr. Haly began after a moment of consideration, "We come back to this spot twice a year. How about in September, when we get back, you come meet us here and show me what you've got. Maybe even try out some things with John and Mary?" That last offer he directed to the couple in question who both nodded, Mary's was paired with a smile to Elizabeth.

"That sounds wonderful! Thank you for your consideration." Mr. Houlden smiled at the group before turning to his wife, her light red hair, tied back in a braid, appeared a deep red in the very dim atmosphere of a midnight tent, lit only by a few electric lanterns placed sporadically where people worked. Her freckles, which usually stood out against her light complexion, were nearly invisible, but her pleasure was evident. A warm smile lit her face at the chance for work in such a positive environment.

"Where are the boys?" Her husband asked, glancing around the tent. Clowns in partial costume and various animal trainers tired already from the night that wasn't yet over, busied themselves with small tasks, but no children could be seen.

"Hmm…" She responded looking around herself, "Caleb went outside with their little boy…" she looked to Mary who promptly answered "Richard, but he goes by Dick."

"Right," Elizabeth nodded, "but Ethan should still be in here." She paused a moment to finish her scan of the area, "I guess I'll go look for him. Maybe he joined the other two."

She left the adult conversation and headed into the almost cool March breeze. Outside was nearly silent, except for the chirps of crickets and the light chatter coming from some feet away around the side.

"If you fall off, I'm gonna tell Mom," Ethan stated, arms crossed. He watched as the two younger boys walked precariously across a metal pole more than four feet off the ground, and only that many inches wide. The rusted pole was set up like a vintage hitching post for tying a horse, but it now simply a decoration a good bit in front of the "Welcome to Metropolis" sign. Dick led the way, having accomplished similar feats before. He confidently continued across, seemingly oblivious to the potential danger of falling.

"Be quiet, Efan!" Caleb called back to his older brother, "I'm tryin'a be focused."

"Suit yourself." Ethan said, faking apathy with an eyeroll. He didn't move from his place on the grass near them, though. Although to the slightly older boy, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to tell Caleb 'I told you so', to Dick and his new friend, this was their chance to prove themselves as up-and-coming circus performers. In Dick's little mind, they were way up in the air, just like his parents, and people from all over the world were there just to watch their amazing act. He smiled proudly, taking the last step on the temporary balance beam and jumping off to the ground, careful to bend his knees as he fell, just as his parents had taught him. Just as Caleb was about to accomplish the same, his mother appeared around the side, concern wiping her face pale. "Caleb!" She shouted. She knew better, but she couldn't help it. Images of him falling, hitting his head on the rusted metal, a visit to Urgent Care to ensure he didn't have a concussion, had all worked to spur her reaction. Startled, Caleb lost focus and immediately slipped of the side. Dick's eyes widened, as he watched, what to him, even at such a young age, seemed like slow motion. He'd seen many falls unto the net from the high-wire and trapeze as his parents tried new tricks and routines. He'd been told many times about how to land, and how important a net was when one did fall. Those conversations were not in vain as the small boy, not too naïve to miss that fact that they did not have a net, threw himself to try to catch Caleb in his fall. He didn't stop to consider his own fall. His new friend wouldn't get hurt on his watch. His attempt was genuine, though mostly unsuccessful as they both tumbled to the ground. Elizabeth ran over to her son with an urgency that implied something much worse had taken place. Caleb was crying as she grabbed him, checking him quickly before looking to Dick, who was still on the ground, although propped up by his left arm which folded behind him in support. Ethan's eyes were wide, but he hadn't known what to do when he finally did see Caleb slip and he didn't know what to do now that it was over. "Are you ok?" came the concerned mother's call to both boys, as she finished consoling Caleb out of his crying. Caleb's small hand went to wipe the tears from his only slightly dusty face, as she mumbled back to her, "I'm ok."

Dick got the rest of the way up, nodding and a little sore, but not panicked about it. "Are you saved?" he said looking to Caleb for an answer. Although Caleb was still too stunned to answer, his mother, still cradling him, responded for him, a tear glistening in her eye, "Were you trying to save Caleb from falling?"

At Dick's nod, a few burning tears came to her eyes. That fact that someone so young would think so quickly to help someone he barely knew was overwhelming to her in the moment. "That was very brave of you." She assured him through a weak smile that grew quickly, "He's fine, you did a really good thing." She reached for a hug, which Dick was quick to oblige as a smile filled his face. He had saved Caleb's life! He was just like Superman! In addition to his aspirational thoughts, his panic was significantly lessened by the fact that he did this frequently. Climbing on things, and attempting stunts he shouldn't pull, were far from new to him, and he often fell as a result of it. The words that his parents often echoed in those situations sat with him now, "If you take risks, sometimes you're going to fall. And that's ok…so long as you get back up and keep on trying."