As soon as the morning training was over, Private sneaked over to Kowalski.

"Kowalski?" he began hesitantly. "Why is Skipper… so sad?"

"Ah." The tall penguin looked round as though for an escape. Nothing presented itself. "You see… it's to do with mammalian pheromones being interpreted by the aves genus olfactory system… which is more generally reserved for offspring-parent recognition." He paused and Private shook his head.

"I don't understand." Kowalski hesitated again before patting the junior penguin on the head.

"I'll explain when you're older." He quickly headed back to the HQ leaving Private bemused. Rico wandered up behind him and tapped his shoulder. With a grin he gestured to Marlene's habitat, then to where Skipper had stationed himself on the outskirts of their territory. Private followed his gaze while Rico gave a low wolf whistle. Confused again, Private turned to ask what he meant only to see the crazy penguin diving away.

Private looked about him. Kowalski had been no help. Rico was as confusing as ever and Skipper was still silent as a stone. With a sigh he went to see the only person who might be able to help… however awkward it might prove.

"Hi, Marlene. How are you?" The otter lifted her head up.

"Oh, hey Private." She carefully pulled herself into a sitting position. "Not bad. Nice of you to stop by."

"Oh well, you know. What are friends for?" She looked sceptical.

"You want something, don't you?"

"No. Not really. Well, there's just something I don't understand." He shifted anxiously.

"What?"

"Well… have you and Skipper had an argument?" She looked blankly at him.

"No. Why should you ask that? Has he said something?"

"No. That's just it. I thought… well, I know I don't know much about these things but I thought he'd be… happier now."

"Happier?" Marlene frowned.

"Not that you were hurt," Private explained. "But… I mean when Kowalski and Doris got together he was much happier."

"Doris and Kowalski?" Marlene looked confused. "What have they got to do with anything?"

"Nothing really I suppose."

"I'm afraid I'm not following you Private." He looked unhappily at her.

"I just don't like seeing Skipper so sad." Her frown melted.

"Neither do I."

"Then why aren't you speaking to each other? Didn't you believe him?"

"It may have escaped your notice…" she began gesturing to her scar then stopped suddenly. "What do you mean 'believe him'?"

"Well, I could understand you not speaking if you didn't love him back."

"Love him back," she echoed. With a sudden bound that caused her to wince she jumped up to grab hold of Private. "Do you mean to tell me… he… loves me?" It was Private's turn to look surprised.

"Of course. He told you so the other night. When you were in the infirmary," he reminded her.

"You heard him?" Private looked guilty.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I was worried about him after…"

"He said it was nothing…" she murmured.

"Huh?"

"I was asleep! I heard him talking but not what he said! When I asked he said it was nothing!" She looked angry.

"Oh!" Private suddenly realised what he'd done. "Oh, dear."

"I'm going to kill him!" Marlene fumed as she headed out.

"I thought you were meant to rest." Private quavered after her but she was already gone.

"Skipper!" The penguin turned in surprise at the call.

"Marlene! You should be resting."

"Not before you explain yourself mister." She poked him angrily in the chest.

"What?"

"The other night… you said it was nothing." His confusion turned to panic.

"I don't know what…"

"Is that true? Am I 'nothing' to you?" He glanced round anxiously. The other penguins had wisely disappeared and they were too far for anyone else to hear. He sighed.

"It was a mistake, Marlene. I shouldn't have said anything."

"Shouldn't have said anything? Why on earth not? Don't you care?"

"I do care. That's the problem."

"Why is that a problem?"

"Because it almost got you killed," he replied angrily. She looked surprised. He gazed into the distance. "I should have seen it coming… it's the oldest trick in the book. Target the loved ones." She couldn't help it. She was touched.

"Skipper… you're an idiot." He turned back to her in surprise. "If I didn't realise you loved me, how would anyone else have?" She smiled.

"But… it was my fault you were hurt. I should have delegated to Kowalski… I wasn't thinking clearly… I let Rico loose!"

"Not everything is your responsibility Skipper," she reached out a paw. "You saved me from a fate worse than death… being separated from you."

"But… it's no life being an army girlfriend. You could be targeted again, or I could leave on a mission tomorrow…"

"Could… tomorrow… what about now Skipper? I'm alive and I'm here. I don't want to waste my life worrying about tomorrow. As you say, tomorrow either of us might be gone."

"But I…" She quickly interrupted him.

"You're an arrogant, self centred, adorable fool, Skipper. If you have to leave tomorrow… I'll deal with it then. Right now I want to enjoy my time with you." He stared at her.

"So you…" She rolled her eyes.

"I adore you," she smiled. "Though lord knows why." He smiled.

"Well… I do have certain charms."

"Uh huh." She raised an eyebrow. "Like density." She poked him again.

"Hey!" They began walking together but Marlene quickly stopped.

"Ooh. Hold up a second." She stood holding her side. Skipper waited a second before deciding to intervene.

"Here," he swept her up. "We'll be forever at this rate."

"Hey!" She quickly held onto him. "Don't think this 'macho man' act will impress me." He rolled his eyes.

"I'm not being macho. Some of us want to get back before it gets dark."

"Jerk." She muttered, leaning her head against him. He smiled.

Thanks to all the wonderful people who have reviewed this story. I'm concluding this part here but I will be posting part 2 soon - 'A Wing And A Prayer'.