And so my friends, this brings me to the last chapter. Please enjoy it, and do review and let me know what you think. Though, I'd love it if you told me why you like or dislike the story. I do not own the song quoted.

A THIN LINE BETWEEN FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE

CHAPTER SIX

Stepping into a blind light may be the way to describe how I feel at the moment. Sitting in the dark, recounting the past events that lead to this, and of course, waiting for the future. The future that would shed the light of truth on to my life, and may determine what I feel inside for Skipper, and for myself. And what I will take with me, and what I will leave behind.

And somehow, I can feel Skipper approaching now, and I know I can't wriggle out of this. There's only one word that describes this situation and it's "horrible". No matter which way it turns, this will definitely not go well. Skipper will most likely kill me and accuse me of making Marlene break up with him. If by some chance he was okay with it and did like it, then the rest of the zoo would never accept it. I'm too depressed to figure out the statistics.

Suddenly the door is opening. God, strike me down before I must face him. I stand, looking at the leader. He flips on the light, seeing me there, but a scowl has not graced his face. He's stony eyed and determined, with a hint of sadness. He walks toward me, I myself am preparing to be struck, and so I close my eyes. But no impact touches my face and I open my eyes to see him just sitting there, watching me. If you've ever had a lion look at you with an expression that may make you think he's going to pounce on you and purr like a small kitten, and then suddenly eat you alive, you know I feel at this moment.

I sit back down, staring into his eyes as though my soul is caught in those iceberg whirlpools and he's slowly sucking every last bit of strength out of me. This maybe scarier than actually being hit. He continues to watch me, as though he doesn't know what to think about me and then his beak opens and a sigh escapes, one that I cannot say what emotion it expresses.

"Kowalski," He begins, the way one might begin by reading off one's crimes against his or her species. "You haven't been experimenting on yourself again?"

"No… sir…" I murmur, looking down at my feet.

Somehow I just know how he's looking at me. Sort of in pity in a way, and then as though he's looking at a brother he lost… he may have…

"Then this emotion is all in your head?"

God, does no one understands. He thinks this is just stress or something-…

"And you feel you must live by it?"

Now I realize that inside that leader of mine, there is understanding, and something that was never there before.

"Yes, sir." I murmur.

Of course this is not an easy decision to make. I have not tried to fix myself, have brain surgery or something. I don't need any. I understand that this is how I am, and that whatever happens because of this emotion that no one understands, it will happen no matter how I look at it. Yes I can dab some holy water on my neck, and look up at the heavens and tell God that I am excepting to go to hell. But no one understands that I cannot help it. And no matter what anyone does, it will never change anything. People liked me before the emotion really kicked in, and now they are going to kill me just because of one change? They were never really my friends at all if this is how they may react.

But at this moment, I think Skipper does accept me. I look back up at the penguin and I suddenly feel connected to him again, like I used to. Not just in a romantic way, or a friendly way, but in a brotherly way, the way Skipper always has treated me. He knows that even though this new emotion has formed, I am still his brother, and no one can change that.

"I understand." Skipper says with a slight nod.

"Thank you, sir."

"So, you do love me? More than a brother?"

I hesitate. "Yes, sir."

"I see." He says, getting up.

I look up at him as he moves toward me and a thousands thoughts flash through my head, all with one question; what will he do? Will he strike me after all? Does he really not understand as I had thought, and as he claims? Or will he kiss me? Oh, heaven and God. I would love that, but I still feel uncomfortable with this whole thing. But he does nothing, only stands before me.

"You know," He said, a tear coming from the corner of one eye and he begins to pace before me. I watch each movement. "Marlene broke up with me."

"Um… did she? I'm sorry." I lie.

"She told you, herself." He said, without a phase of expression. "Don't lie."

"I'm sorry. You're right."

"That's a problem, Kowalski. You need to stop being sorry, and start thinking about everyone else. You've been thinking of only yourself, and what others will think of you for the past few days."

One of the greatest insults of all time for me; is for someone to say I'm only thinking of myself. I do everything I can to show others I care, and it causes to thoughts. One; that they aren't appreciating what I do, two; that I'm not doing enough. Both are complete opposites of one another and make me feel angry and sad at the same time. Skipper's words were no different.

"I-…" Skipper began but I cut him off as I stood up.

"How am I being selfish?" I cry, anger burning in my face. "I try to do all I can to help you, the team, everyone else in this damn zoo, and for once I think about myself, and I'm being selfish? You Skipper are being selfish! You're not thinking of my feelings or anything! I-…"

"That's enough!" Skipper shouts, looking me straight in the face with anger.

Once again, all my power drained, looking into those powerful eyes. I find that Skipper is the master of everything… mostly everything.

"If there's one thing I hate, Kowalski." He spat. "It's being interrupted. Will you let me continued?"

I fall silent, staring back at him. He begins to pace again.

"You have been selfish in a way that you have only thought of how others will think of you, and if you will get what you wish from me. I agree that you do need time to think of yourself but…" He pauses for a moment and then begins again, but stops in front of me, looking down at me. "It needs to end. You, Kowalski need to stop thinking of weather others will accept you. You are you, and no one else can change that. You are going to do with your life what you want, no matter what anyone says, the team will be beside you the entire way."

I felt a few tears welling up in my eyes, but continued blinking them back as the cold stare that had been fixed on me softened. He takes my flippers and raises me from my seat. His face close to mine, he plants a gentle kiss on my cheek. Something I will never forget.

"I love you, Kowalski." He murmurs, patting my shoulder. "But you are my brother. And that is how you will stay."

He then turned and went out of the room, leaving the door open, allowing my freedom. I touch my cheek where is beak had once been and somehow, being his brother is all I'll ever need.

I know that

All that we want

We can't hide

We'll be the best in the world!

-Just Stop by Disturbed

AUTHOR'S NOTE

And so that is the end of "A Thin Line Between Friendship and Love". I felt that the last scene of the story would be better told in current perspective and I hope you all have enjoyed reading this as much as I have had writing it. This story is dedicated to all those who are gay and or criticized because of their sexual orientation, race, parents, wealth, sex, or any form of hatred taken upon them. When we realize that we are all the same underneath, may all these people be blessed. (You can quote me on that.)

-Tripenguinman

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

SkullDestroyer and the other Skullbrothers, From Darkness and Light, Skoolgirl09, GrandOldPenguin, the anonymous reviewers, and the other reviewers that have helped support this story.