A/N: So, err… I may have forgotten about this for a bit *Sweatdrops nervously*. Uh, Sorry?

Anyways! Here it is , the final part to "Three's A Crowd!" More of a Skilene moment, with some Private and Skipper fatherly concern. Hmm… BS-ing as I go with this'un. Enjoy?

DISCLAIMER: If I owned… Their would definitely be some Human AU novelizations for sale.

Three's A Crowd… But Two Feels Alone

Night. Moonlight washing concrete and plant alike in its silver, knowing glow. Shadows, in Summer's weak moonlight, become menacing as gloom folds thick across the air, but Winter's bright sentinel brings a fresh crispness for the wandering mind. Odd shimmers awash in the false-arctic water bashed playfully against the isle of man-stone. It was an excellent night to ponder.

And ponder was what Skipper did. His team had been back at the zoo for nearly a month, only two check-ins with North Wind (mostly Kowalski calling Eva) and a welcome back party from Julian. (The lemur had returned before the penguins; and so had a she-bear, who became a new exhibit).

They had all settled back into their normal routine, Private's sunburn-pink tone fading within two weeks. It was back to training and obscure missions, made from illusions and grandeur. It was wonderful.

But not as much as it should be, Skipper thought. He was still worried about Private; he wasn't as carefree or innocent as he once was, and for some reason it hurt Skipper when he thought about it. He always knew Private would one day become a leader, because he had it in him, and Skipper had trained him to be one. But he always thought that there'd be more time.

"He's growing up too fast…," he muttered.

"Who is?" A voice said, startling him.

A flipper on his chest, he glared at the otter who'd materialised beside him. Trying to quell his startled heart, he responded, "Marlene! Don't sneak up like that; I could have reacted unfavourably and injured you."

She sat next to him with a snort. "Yeah, right. You're not that careless nor that sharp. I could have smacked you upside the head before you knew I was there."

He turned to her, icy eyes analyzing, then looked away. "I am a trained soldier, Marlene. Don't doubt my abbilities."

He could imagine her rolling her eyes as she responded scathingly. "Sure. You were so zoned out, Skipper, that I thought you were asleep." She continued, ignoring his grunt of disagreement, "So what's up anyhow? You've been… weird since you guys got back. Is it about Private?"

He looked back at her, into wide chocolate eyes begging him to speak. He knew she wasn't going to let this drop. He sighed, then continued, looking into the ever-moving water.

"I'm always worried about Private. He's so … innocent and cheerful; but that's changed since we faced Davin - Darl? Dylan? Dave! - and he's been a little less than his usual self since we got back. Private's not as innocent, he's a little more aware of the harsh realities and the cruel world, understanding that everything isn't like an episode of the Lunicorns. It just … worries me a little."

He paused, gathering his thoughts. Marlene leaned against him, with her head on his shoulder. He stiffened, then relaxed and accepted the comfort.

"We were always brothers; ever since we found one another. But I don't see Private as my little brother - I see him as a son," he confessed, hesitant. "I don't want him to lose himself and become more like us: battle hardened and low on mercy. I don't want him … to become a leader. Not yet."

Silence persisted for a few mere moments, then was shattered by Marlene's quiet chuckling. "Skipper. Private looks up to you, wants to be you. Don't be ashamed of that - you're a great guy. And don't be sad that he's growing up; we all do eventually. You can't protect him forever. Be happy that he's more like you, and not like Kowalski. And Gosh forbid he try to be like Rico!"

He laughed at that, and she joined him. He leaned his head a little on hers, breathing, "Thanks Marlene. I won't stop worrying over night - or ever - but I can worry less now."

She gave a hum of agreement, and they watched the water moving silkily with moonlight and dark shadow on its surface. They stayed there until dawn.

~WARNING: Bad attempt at humor below. You've been warned.~

Skipper and Marlene fell asleep, cuddling, but dawn has arisen with an early awoken Penguin.

"Skipper? Skip~per? Skipper! Where are you? I can't find my ionized - SWEET SADIE AND HEISENBERG! RICO! YOU OWE ME SEVEN POUNDS OF MACKEREL!"

"KOWALSKI, THIS ISN'T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! WE WEREN'T -"

"YOU TWO WERE CUDDLING; WHAT ELSE DOES IT LOOK LIKE?!"

"Hey you two-"

"WASN'T!"

"WAS!"

"WASN-"

"SHUT THE HELL UP OR I WILL!"

A/N: Meh… I tried.