Giving a review mid-story, although I've finished reading it. This chapter held an extra-special plus to any story: in mid-adventure, someone has second thoughts about striking out and turns around to where they came from. It's a realistic touch to have doubts or change a game plan and along with the fourth-wall breaking, makes this story a favorite. What a splendid conclusion it has, as well. Mission accomplished.

One thing they could have eaten is miner's lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata, if it were in the area - it's delicious! We have it in the backyard for harvesting each winter/spring.

PS Rewatched 'Go Fish' and discovered what bugged me about the scene where Kowalski and Private swim close together. It rang a bell and sure enough, the images resemble the sweet sea otters vid from YouTube. If you go to YouTube and search 'sea otters holding hands' you can see the reference.

I consider all your stories a favorite, but if I was to rank them in order of liking, this one would definitely go near the top of the list ("Beyond DNA" being the first on the list).

I agree with what you said about Skipper and Marlene being able to get through anything if they rely on the bond they share. Love is truly powerful, whether you mean romantically or just as good friends.

I'm glad Marlene was able to reunite with her parents, and that Skipper wasn't too badly injured to be able to endure the trip and see it for himself. I could somehow see that scene with Private needing to use the little penguin's room after the flight. That just seemed so Private-y.

I thought this story showed well the bond between Marlene and Skipper. I also liked how, even though there were certainly hints of something more between them, the story could still be interpreted as just a very strong friendship for non-Skileners. Excellent work, as always.

PS, I'm actually glad I decided to re-read and review all of your work. It's somehow giving me more motivation to write, as well as bringing back good memories of when I first started reading and writing fics. Yours were some of the first I ever read, which is what made me fall in love with fan fiction. Even though it was inadvertent on your part, I thank you for that anyway. I really hope you'll write something else in the future, because I will definitely be reading it.

Ah, happy almost-endings. That was cute, at the end. "You're my Marlene." Heheh.

Ha, Skipper tricking Kowalski. He would totally do that. XD

You HAD to break the fourth wall again, didn't you? It's just so hard to resist! You make me want to try to do it more often. xD

I'll save the rest of this review for the next chapter.

They just can't catch a break, can they? Curse you, Universe!

But at least they have each other. I'm glad Marlene was able to act under the pressure just as Skipper did. To ever think that she doubted herself.

Oh, Skipper. You and those hippies. XD

The suspense! The romance! The mortal peril!

I like how the events transpired in this chapter. Having Marlene have an allergic reaction to the cherries was a good way to get Skipper to leap into action and save her.

I also realize this is as close as you've ever gotten to having Skipper and Marlene kiss in any of your fics. You just love torturing us, don't you?

Once again, I liked the realism you used in this chapter. Most authors would probably have them find each other within minutes, especially with an aerial assistant. Although I do feel sorry for each of them for being alone for so long.

"Send an elf and a piano player." HA! That image. Maybe Skipper should've been a bit more brief in the message. That didn't work at all. XD

Julien . . . just . . . shush. XD

I loved the beginning. Sweet and funny! And don't underestimate Skipper! He could probably kill you eleven different ways with that spoon!

Skipper's dream. LOL. Somehow, I could see that happening in an episode.

The ending was almost as suspenseful as the plane crash. I love how protective Skipper is being of Marlene. You're making me soft, man!

I'd also like to say how I like how much detail you've thought into this, such as the penguins having to work on the blimp to save them, how long it would take for them to reach them, etc. A lot of authors don't put that much thought into it. Kudos and props to you.

"several thousand cubic feet of helium . . ." LOL XD

I can imagine the panic the penguins must've felt when they saw the alert, as well as Marlene's parents when they heard the news. I'm glad everyone was able to find their heads after the events unfolded. It was funny when Skipper mentioned the importance of keeping their sense of humor and Marlene's "Is it bigger than a survival tent?"

Wow! This is so exhilarating! It was strange how Skipper's gut told him to go up if something bad was going to happen. Even with all the chaos, however, I had to laugh when the "Check Engine" light came on. Sounds like the kind of luck I would have. I thought the ending was cute, in an "OMG I hope they don't DIE!" kind of way.

You know, I haven't read this in so long, I've forgotten a lot of the minor details. I remember the story as a whole, but by chapter, there's a lot I don't remember. I actually like that because it's almost like reading it for the first time again.

Oh, Skipper. You're such a jerk in a gentleman-like way. How does that work?

Hope he doesn't forget to give Joey his hay . . .

It would've been awful if Marlene's adrenaline kicking up in her fear would've made her go crazy! Skipper would've had an issue!

Also, I love all of your allusions. I love seeing those in fics because it connects them more to the real-world, rather than being confined to the canon world. I haven't seen "Ground Control," but I LOVE Keifer Sutherland. He is amazing! I'll probably look that movie up.

I liked how you started this one. I also like that you brought forth biological relationships. A lot of people don't really think about characters having parents or siblings in their fics if it isn't a canon deal. Having the penguins relate to Marlene's predicament was also nice.

And now this story comes for a close! Normally I would want another epilogue, but I love how this ended. Another chapter closes on the adventures regarding Skipper and Marlene and the strengthening of their bond.
Surviving against the odds in the wilds of Colorado turned out to be more thrilling than I originally thought it would. I'm sure you succeeded with having us readers bit our nails and cross our fingers as we hoped for the duo to survive.
Thought, regarding you Beyond DNA fanfic and upcoming sequel, I now am imagining scenes regarding Ray and Lynne as Skipper's In-Laws. :D
GOTTA GO! PEACE!

"Tell me about it," Skipper remarked. "Marlene and I have had more than our share of setbacks, too. The stuff we've been through these past few weeks could fill the pages of a novel from cover to cover. Or would at least make for 22,000 words or so of carefully developed fan fiction."

Can't have a PoM fic without somehow breaking the Fourth Wall, huh? XD
And I hope Marlene does indeed get a medal! She deserves it! Now, wonder what medal she would get... Well, I can research that later.

"Fish!" Rico sang in his operatic voice as he entered the tent holding a can of sardines.

Attaboy Rico! Bet Skipper was starving for some fish after eating all those mint leaves!

And WOHOO! They're heading for California! Take that, plane crash, tornado, cherry allergy reaction, and black bear! You all lost again! :D
GOTTA GO! PEACE!

Knew there was going to be a meat-eating animal out there due to the chapter title, but didn't except it to be a black bear! Guess they can be fierce as grizzlies went the time comes.

"I'm probably going to wash my beak out with soap later for saying this, but give peace a chance."

If it weren't for the serious situation, I would of wanted that on a tape recorder! And now Marlene is the doctor for a change! Now that must have at least paid back half of the owes due to Skipper! Thought, a broken flipper and wounds from a black bear fight. Wonder if a record so eh we're was broken...
GOTTA GO! PEACE!