Configuration: Content types Request and Candidate. Candidate has a field collection that holds two node reference fields. One node reference field is a Reference From URL pointing to Request.
The other reference field is pointing to another entity, a small information object.

Occurs with both References Dialog and Node Connect modules used for that second reference field.
Symptom:
I have a custom crafted url, places the request nid in there for the RefURL field to find. I click that link, the field collection form comes up in Drupal7 overlay. If the second reference field is filled out normally, then the Request reference from url is fine. If I use another module, NC or RD, to make a new small entity (a school that the candidate went to) then on return to the field collection form the link to the request is lost.

Ideas?