The penguins crouched out of sight with Marlene as the zoo keepers hoisted the still dazed dolphin out of the aquarium. Alice was muttering to herself angrily.

"Do they think I have nothing better to do with my time than ship fish about the country? Transfer to Central. So we reschedule everything to accommodate him. Then… without so much as a phone call… this!" She waved a piece of paper at the assistants who were still busy securing the dolphin. "A memo! Transfer to Alaska! After we've only just sorted out housing him here!" The others had clambered onto the truck and Alice followed them, still grumbling. "Well, the next time they want to transfer any overgrown fish here I'll just tell them exactly where they can stick…" the truck started with a rumble, drowning out the rest of her sentence.

As the people left, Skipper led his team back to the side of the aquarium.

"And good riddance." He noticed Kowalski looking up at the pool edge and followed his gaze. Doris was leaning over the side watching the truck disappear into the distance.

"Don't move," he growled at Kowalski. Then Skipper jumped up onto the edge, startling Doris from her thoughts.

"I told Kowalski he couldn't trust you." He crossed his flippers as she shifted back away from him. "If I'd known Dr Blowhole was you father, I'd have done everything in my power to prevent you getting the hold on him you had. Turns out," he raised a brow, "that works both ways." She tilted her head in confusion. "Am I right in assuming your feelings for my lieutenant are what prompted you to assist in your fathers capture?"

"I love him," she replied honestly. Skipper's face melted into a smile.

"Then it seems I was wrong about you." He turned to look down at the team. "Kowalski…" he didn't get to finish before the other penguin joined him on the edge of the pool. Skipper hesitated a moment more before continuing. "I owe you both an apology. But I was only doing what I felt was best for my team." He turned to Doris who smiled happily at him.

"You love Kowalski too." Skipper coughed embarrassed while Kowalski smiled lovingly at the dolphin.

"Yes, well. Don't think this means you can shirk your duties Kowalski. I expect 100% you hear?" Kowalski stood to attention and saluted.

"Yes sir." Skipper maintained his strict pose only a moment longer.

"Oh, go enjoy yourself. You've earned it." He jumped lightly back to the rest of the team as Kowalski dove into the pool.

"What now, Skipper?" Private asked. "Do we have to debrief?" Skipper looked from the small penguin across to Marlene who had been suspiciously quiet.

"No," he replied hesitantly. "I think we've all earned a break this evening. Why don't you head back to HQ boys?" Private looked confused but Rico quickly grabbed him by the shoulders and propelled him away. Skipper quietly moved over to Marlene.

"Mind if I walk you back?" She shook her head but still refused to meet his eyes as they set off together.

"I haven't said thank you yet," Skipper looked at his own feet as he spoke. Marlene looked at him in surprise.

"Thank you? But this was all my fault Skipper!" she burst out. "You knew it was a trap and tried to keep your team safe but I had to interfere. I had to persuade Kowalski to go and then you were caught and if anything had happened to you it'd all have been my fault and…" she stopped suddenly as he caught her by the shoulders and pressed his beak against her lips.

"Thank you for showing me how much you cared," he murmured eventually. She blinked at him.

"I haven't showed you how much I care," she disagreed. He raised a brow in surprise. "But I will," she promised pulling him close.