Wow, this one's longer than expected. Well, folks, I don't know if that was a long wait, (It probably was; I'm such a slowpoke!) but I hope you're satisfied with the work. And I'd like to thank GS Dragono for all the help on this chapter. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

It's official. GS Dragono's gonna be my writing buddy.

Disclaimers: We've been over this already. I have NO money. I'm broke. I own nothing. 'Cept Crow and Dove and Remando because I made them from scraps I found.

Never Court A Bird
By Lea Cat
8/9/06

"There is a Carn of the Val next week!" Star shoved a poster onto the breakfast table, which came dangerously close to the drooling, sleeping Beast Boy.

"WHAT? Really! Oh my god, we have to go!" Dove shrieked. It was emphasized with a particularly loud snore.

"But we just went to the flea market." Crow protested, leaning his head against the breakfast table.

"Suck up and deal with it." Dove growled, shooting him the evil eye. Literally. Glowing red and everything.

"Ah. Okay!" He squeaked.

"Robin, may we go? I wish to eat the cotton that is edible!" Starfire pleaded.

"Alright, Star, you win, we'll go…" Robin suddenly found that he had breathing problems. And it wasn't because of his lungs…

"Oh, thank you, Robin!"

"Star?" Cyborg tapped the Tameranian's shoulder. "You might want to let him breathe…"

"Eep! Forgive me; I wasn't doing the 'thinking'!"

"It's fine, Star. And the phrase is, 'I wasn't thinking'." Robin muttered while rubbing circulation back into his arms.

"Okay, now that we've decided that we're going to attend the carnival next week. Can we get back to planning what's happening today?" Raven suddenly spoke up. She whacked Beast Boy over the head. "Wake up. Your snoring is getting on my nerves."

"Ack!" Beast Boy flew up so fast, he whammed into Cyborg, who had been leaning over him. Needless to say, Beast Boy's headache was now worse than Raven's… "Raven! What was that for?"

"Shut up and listen, Robin's outlining a battle strategy."

(XXhxaxpxpxyxxdxexpxrxexsxsxixoxnxxhxaxtxrxexdxxhxoxpxeXX)

"Wow!" Dove gasped as she stared at the many assorted games. "Raven, Raven! Can I go play?"

"You didn't ask me? I'm hurt." Crow moaned. Dove ignored him as she ran off to throw darts at balloons. Remando followed after like a dejected puppy.

"Robin, I wish to follow Friend Dove!" Star stated, and grabbed Robin's hand, zipping off.

"Come on, Crow."

"Huh? Where're we going?" Crow asked, bewildered.

"We're going to the Maze of Mirrors." Raven replied.

"Whaaaaat! No! That place is creepy! We are NOT going there! Raven! Nooooooo!" Crow cried as Raven forcibly dragged him along.

Cyborg and Beast Boy stood by themselves for a moment. "Cyborg?"

"Yeah?"

"That was freaky."

"Yeah."

"…"

"…"

"…Arcades?"

"Boo yah!" was Cyborg's only response.

(XXhxaxpxpxyxxdxexpxrxexsxsxixoxnxxhxaxtxrxexdxxhxoxpxeXX)

"Wow, you're really good at this." Remando commented as he watched Dove throw darts at balloons. "What's your secret?"

Dove threw another dart with unerring accuracy at a balloon. She gave a satisfied smile when it popped. "I'm pretending they're Crow's head." Remando choked.

"Uh…why don't we go look at the animals? Yeah…let's go look at the animals…" Remando forcibly dragged Dove away. Which wasn't much of a struggle, because Dove immediately clung to the bars of the animal cage.

"That poor lion." Dove said.

"Yeah…hey, look! The guy's gonna get the lion to do tricks!"

She pouted. "I'm not four; you don't have to point those things out to me."

Remando scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry…"

"It's fine."

They stood there for a while, watching the lion jump through hoops. When the act was over, the man bowed to the audience, who obediently clapped. Then a child's balloon popped. The lion started, and bashed out of the cage.

The people cleared out quickly, screaming and running. "Dove!"

Dove was standing in the path of the lion, apparently frightened into standing still. I always was nervous around lions. They never made me comfortable. That one's going to kill me—

Her train of thought was interrupted by something slamming into her. When she wasn't immediately torn to shreds, she looked up and found Remando cradling her. "Are you alright?" He asked.

He saved me. Dove thought dizzily. I always dreamed that someone would rescue me from a dangerous situation. He saved me. "My hero!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, causing him to turn ten different shades of red.

"Ah…" Thankfully, he was saved from having to say anything when Crow came on the scene.

"Dove! Are you alright!"

Dove smiled at him cheerfully. "I'm fine. Remando saved me!"

"Is that so…" Crow said, eyeing Remando. "…well, we should get you back to the tower."

"Come on, the rest will come after us when they're done. We don't want to ruin their fun." Raven droned as she appeared behind Crow.

He started and clutched at his heart. "Fine, as long as you don't DO that!"

Raven ignored him and brushed her hand against Dove's forehead. Dove pushed it away. "I'm fine!"

"Let's head back." She said.

(XXhxaxpxpxyxxdxexpxrxexsxsxixoxnxxhxaxtxrxexdxxhxoxpxeXX)

Crow sat on the roof and moped. How come Remando got to save Dove? That guy had no right to waltz in and act as he pleased.

"May I join you?"

Speak of the devil. Crow only grunted, and Remando took that as a yes. Crow glowered as the other man sat next to him.

"You know, your sister is something else."

Remando didn't have to say which sister he meant. "Yeah. Dove's always been special. She's really sweet."

"She has an innocence you hardly see anymore." Remando paused and laughed before continuing, "It makes me want to shield her from the world. I'm sure you understand." His only response was a glare, but he kept going, undeterred. "In my entire lifetime, I've never met anyone like Dove. Lately, I've been getting up so I can see her smile." That got Crow's attention.

"You seem really dedicated."

"Yeah. You see, I'm an orphan, and my childhood was shaky at best. Finding Dove was like lighting up the dark room I've always lived in. She makes me want to be a better person."

Crow nodded, and watched the content smile on Remando's face. "I can sympathize."

"I just want to make her happy."

Crow's eyes lit up as he came to a realization.

(XXhxaxpxpxyxxdxexpxrxexsxsxixoxnxxhxaxtxrxexdxxhxoxpxeXX)

"I wonder what they're talking about up there."

Raven looked up from the book she was reading. "Hm?"

"Crow and Remando are both on the rooftop." Dove said, as she stared at the hallway doors.

"Well then, let's hope that Crow doesn't kill Remando." Raven replied calmly, as she turned a page.

"Don't say that!" Dove yelled as she jumped up from her seat. "Why do you and Crow think that Remando's such a bad guy, huh? Maybe he's not as bad as you think! Maybe you're being paranoid! Will you please just give him a chance? He's not bad at all!"

Raven simply stared at her until she stopped ranting. "Will you sit down?" Once Dove was sat again, Raven continued. "I never said that Remando was a bad person. I simply implied that Crow does not feel comfortable around him. It comes from the fact that neither Crow nor I know what his intentions are. Understood?" Dove nodded sulkily.

The main doors slipped open, and the rest of the Titans filed in, led by Starfire. "Friends Raven and Dove, we are back! It was a most delightful trip!" Starfire chirped before floating over to where Dove was and asking in a more serious tone, "Friend Dove, are you injured?"

Dove smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine, Star. Remando saved me."

"That is good to hear." Starfire smiled back.

Laughter was suddenly heard throughout the main room. The causes of it walked in a moment later.

"That has GOT to be the funniest story I have ever heard!" Crow laughed, his arm draped casually over Remando's shoulders.

"If you think that was funny, wait till you hear the one where my brother burned down the kitchen!" Remando replied, his arm also draped over Crow's shoulders. Both were laughing as if drunk.

"Crow?" Dove asked hesitantly.

At his name, Crow straightened and faced them all. "I've come to a decision. This guy," he thumped Remando's back, "is perfect for Dove!"

"I'm glad you agree! I was going to ask you if it was alright to accept later." Dove said.

"Then it's decided. Dove is gonna marry Remando." Crow finalized. Starfire cheered happily.

"Glorious! I must make a cake for the wed of the ing!" Starfire flew off towards the kitchen. Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy went to congratulate the two, while Raven pulled Crow aside.

"What are you thinking?" Raven hissed.

Crow frowned. "Come on, Rae! Remando and I had a talk and I think he's the best for Dove."

"I still think we should wait a little longer--"

"I'm the oldest." Crow interrupted. "And it is my right as the oldest to overrule you."

Raven watched as Crow stalked off. For the first time ever, Crow had gone against her advice. He must have felt really strongly about this, she mused. But that did not ease her suspicions. She would just have to keep a closer eye on Remando.