**Nico's POV**

I quickly got off Nikki. Brushing myself off and I noticed my bottle cap was on the floor. I put it back on my head. My face felt hot, and I was completely embarrassed. I turned to see Nikki was facing away, leaning against the nest, wings wrapped completely around her. I turned back to Pedro who was still looking away.

"Umm. What did you want Pedro?" I asked clearing my throat.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to go with me to the Branch today. But I see you are busy. You guys might want to leave a sign out saying "Do not disturb." Pedro chuckled turning to face me.

"Ummm. I'll probably catch up with you in a bit. I'll meet you there." I said.

"Sure bro. See ya later. See ya Nikki." He said waving and flying off.

"See ya Pedro." she waved, not bothering to glance up.

I just stood there. Not knowing what to say.

"You can go if you want. I wouldn't want to keep you from your friends." Nikki said suddenly.

"Why would you think.. You don't keep from anything." I said climbing back into the nest and sat opposite of her.

"I have felt like I do. Since I broke my leg. I can't go anywhere. And you stay here to take care of me." she stuttered.

Without thinking, I pulled her into my wings, and hugged her. I leaned against the other side of the nest, and held her in my wings. She looked up, blinking tears away.

"I stay because I love you. And you are my mate. My love. And I have been without you for so long, I don't want to miss a second of your beautiful face. So I don't go out with Pedro a lot. It doesn't matter. Because. I can see him all the time. I only get these sweet moments with you every so often." I said to her, holding her close to me.

She hugged my tightly. I hugged her back.

"Now, I can't keep him waiting. I'll see you in a couple hours okay?" I said to her once she pulled away.

"Okay." she smiled wiping a few tears away.

I rubbed my beak against hers.

"I promise." I said.

She got off me, and settled back down into the nest. I climbed out, straightening my bottle cap once again, and went to the entrance. I smiled at her, and she did the same. I took off flying through the jungle. Heading for the city.

**Nikki's POV** An hour later**

I spread out in the nest. Trying to think of how to keep myself occupied. I sat up looking over at the flat bark where my bandana laid. I looked into the piece of mirror I had put in a week ago. My yellow feathers around my neck seemed ruffled up. I smoothed them down, and once I was satisfied with my looks, I climbed out, limping on my leg, and tied the bandana around my neck. The feeling of cloth on my neck felt so familiar again. I looked at my left wing. The bandage still was loosely wrapped around it. I could move it so I saw no need in the bandage anymore. I carefully unwrapped it. I put the bandage down on the wood.

Stretchin out my wings, I flapped them a little. Maybe I could fly, and be back without Nico knowing. I didn't want to worry him, but I have been cooped up for so long. I went to the entrance looking down. It was a long way down. I inched out holding on. I stood on the branch just outside the opening, leaning more on my right side.

"Okay.. You can do this. You haven't flown in 3 weeks, but you can do it. Okay." I said to myself.

I jumped. As soon as I was a few feet from the ground, I opened my wings and soared up. I hovered a bit. Feeling the adrenaline rush. I smiled.

"Yahoo! I did it!" I exclaimed flying in circles.

I started flying and diving through trees. Birds were dancing all around. Flying free. I smiled. I did a couple back flips, before I felt a tinge of pain in my leg. Distracted by it, I stopped flying. I plummeted toward th ground. Panicking I tried to flap my wings, but fear kept me from making any ground. I knew I was going to hit the ground hard. I prayed I would live, when suddenly, I felt something lift me up. I saw the ground was no longer close, but instead, getting farther away.

Something set me down on a branch. I regained my balance, sitting down, and looked u to see what saved me. It was a white and orange canary. Definitely male. I couldn't help, but stare.

"So, dollface. No thank you for saving your butt?" he scoffed, jokingly.

"Dollface?" I said standing up, steadying myself on my right leg, "Look, I don't know who you think you are, but you don't call me that."

I sneered at him, pointing my wing, and getting up into him. Suddenly, he grabbed my wing, ad bowed to me. I just stared.

"Well... I go by the name Ricardo. Are yours would be?" he asked standing up straight, still holding my wing.

"N-Nikki. Short for Nikolette." I stuttered.

"What a beautiful name for a beautiful bird." he said then kissing my wing.

"Thank-"

"Hey, what's going on here?" a voice exclaimed suddenly pushing me aside.

It was Nico, he puffed out his chest, and stood between me and Ricardo. Pedro landed beside me.

"Alright, do we have to teach a bird a lesson. Cuz I am ready to whoop some feathered butt!" Pedro exclaimed.

"Well. I do believe I just saved this young lady's life, and she was extending gratitude to me." Ricardo replied, acting regal and sophisicated, and ignoring Pedro.

"Saved her life?" Nico asked turning to me.

"Yes. She was flying around when she suddenly stopped, and I dove to save her, and brought her here. And if I may ask, who are you?" Ricardo said.

"I'm Nico. Her mate." he replied annoyed.

"Well, I would say keep a close eye on her. With that busted leg, she shouldn't be flying." Ricardo said turning away.

I gulped. This wasn't good.

"I watch her the best I can. She isn't a baby that needs to be watched." Nico added.

"i agree. She is a very beautifully matured lady bird," Ricardo retorted, "Well, I must be going. Goodbye Nikolette. See you later, maybe."

He took off flying. Pedro and Nico eased down. I sighed.

"What were you doing flying?" Nico asked me steaming.

"i wanted to stretch my wings. I have been resting for 3 weeks Nico." I retorted.

"But you are injured. You need to-"

"Rest and Heal. I know."

"I'm just trying to-"

"Protect me... Nico, I know."

"Obviously, I can't do that if that guy saved you."

"Nico? Are you jealous of Ricardo?" I asked.

He stopped, and his face turned red. Pedro started laughing.

"N-No. Of course not. I'm not letting that pompous, narrow minded-"

You sound pretty jealous Brotha." Pedro implied.

"I'm not jealous! I just don't like strange birds saving my mate. Especially male birds. Can.. Can we just go back to the nest now." He huffed.

"Yeah. Let's go back. I'm feeling kinda beat." I said stretching.

"You okay to fly a bit?" Pedro asked.

"Yeah, I should be." I replied.

Nico took off, leaving me and Pedro there.

"Talk to him Baby Bird. You know he is a bit of the jealous type." Pedro said to me.

"Yeah, I know. I'll talk to him and make everything better." I assured him.

"See ya later Chiquita." he saluted before taking off.

"See ya later Pedro."

I took off, trying to catch up with Nico. Within a few minutes, we both landed at the nest. I went straight to the soft bedding and plopped down. I sighed. I leaned my head back. Everything looked upside down. I chuckled.

"Look I'm sorry I got a bit upset and jealous, but you shouldn't have been flying! What would have happened if no one was there for you?" Nico exclaimed.

"so you admit you were jealous of Ricardo?" I asked looking at him upside down.

"That's not the point! You could have been seriously hurt."

"But I'm not. Nico. I'm okay. You can't get so worked up. I've been stuck in this nest for 3 weeks. I just wanted to go fly for a-

"So you are bored here?"

"No. I'm just saying that healing is no fun. Don't mix up the words in my mouth."

"Well. I'm sorry I couldn't make your time healing more enjoyable." he huffed.

He walked away from the nest and stood by the entrance. I sat up. I stood up carefully, limping, and walked over to Nico. Standing behind him, I wrapped my wings around his body.

"I have enjoyed my time here. You have been so nice. Eva and Jewel come to visit me every so often. I'm happy to be in the company of you and our friends. Really. I am. I'm just saying when I'm alone. Things get boring. And I miss being able to fly. I just needed to get out of the nest for a few, okay?" I said in a low tone to him.

He untensed. Turning his head toward me.

"I understand." he said half smiling.

I kissed his cheek and he chuckled. He turned to me and hugged me tightly. Then, pulled away.

"What?" I askd confused.

"I just don't really like that snob nosed jerk that saved you! I mean, why did he kiss your wing? That was a bit-" he exclaimed

I stopped him, kissing him hard and passionately. After a minute or so, I pulled away.

"Better?" I asked.

"Yeah.. Better." he smiled.

"Good! Now stop being jealous!" I exclaimed.

"Sorry. But With a beautiful bird like yourself, I have a right to be jealous." he said dipping me down, holding me.

I blushed. He chuckled and kiss the top of my head.

"Now, why don't we go back to what we started earlier?" he winked.

"I'm rather tired. How bout a nap instead?" I said.

"Aww you're no fun."

"Well. Since we are together. I want to take things slow. Get to know eachother. Before we get too serious. Because I hope to be with you forever."

He smiled at me, standing back up, and straightening me out. He hugged me tightly.

"Nico?" I asked confused.

"I wish to be with you forever too. Okay, I'll take it slow." he said pulling away.

"Thanks." I smiled.

"Anything for you."