Author's Note: This is a violent story. So, just be warned. This is set before Marlene and Skipper got married. It might start out nice and friendly. Later on...It might bring you to tears...So, make sure a tissue box is near...

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS! I DON'T OWN ANY SETTINGS! ALL I DID WAS WRITE THIS STORY!

The sun rises gracefully over the horizon. Just like every other day in the lovely Central Park. As usual, Skipper and the other penguins, were the only ones awake to watch it.

They did this every morning before training, they take it as a relaxation process to better help their , at least, that's what Private said so he could watch it every morning.

Skipper was sure to keep his orders quiet so as not to wake the other animals. Especially the otter next door, who would soon wake anyway.

As they happily continued their training, quietly, the other animals were sleeping safe and sound. Except for a certain otter who was in the middle of a terrible nightmare. Her body was thrashed around and around, and she was unable to stop herself.

She didn't understand, and she could not scream out as she wished too. Something kept her quiet as someone beat her to the ground. Her eyes were almost blind to the person. She knew it was a he. She knew...Who he was.

As her body slipped to the floor, her father kicked her repeatedly. She spasmed in her bed, from the horrific thoughts and memories. It was so strong she fell to the floor and received another beating. It was too much but still she couldn't make a sound.

She awakened from the nightmare with a thud as her nightmare-self was hit once more. Marlene looked around, tears in her eyes. Her expression was lost in sadness and depression. Shaken by the horrific images still inside her mind, Marlene curls herself into a ball. Holding tight to the tail that had grown since then, she cries silently. Remembering every moment of pain in her life.

After setting her emotions free, Marlene got up and walked to the edge of the pond in her habitat. Seeing the reflection of herself, she cried a little more. She looked up, hearing the strong voice of her greatest friend.

He always did get up early, but she didn't notice the way he shined until now. His feathers seemed sleek and silky from the distance and the though to herself, "He'd never beat me...Well...Perhaps...No..I trust him...Don't I?"

Slowly, she walks toward their habitat. Even though it was early, and they probably weren't expecting her at the moment, but Skipper did say to "Always expect the unexpected." so, perhaps they did expect it.

The penguins were recently working on their swimming records. Kowalski and Skipper were racing with each other by the time Marlene arrived on the platform. Private saw her and smiled, waving kindly. "'Ello there, Marlene. I'm just timing Skippah and K'walski's records."

Marlene weakly grinned at him. Painful thoughts still rushing through her head. Private didn't notice as he payed more attention to the watch.

Marlene began to think of Skipper. All he's done for her. All the moments they've had. Surely, he would love and protect her. Not, hate and hurt her. She would never know, though. She couldn't take that chance and ruin their friendship.

He meant so much to her and she has always meant so little to everyone...That she never imagined...Anyone could care for her.

Almost on cue, Skipper sprung out of the water. As the water splashed around him, time seemed to stop. To Marlene, everything was in slow-mode and everything was beautiful. His eyes were a dreamy blue that came out with the waves and shined with the sun.

When he looked at her, his usual smirk became stuck on his face. She loved that look he gave her, such a charming smile he had. Even if it was a smirk.

Time returned when he spoke to her, "Well, Hey, Marlene! What brings you to our H.Q. so early?". Marlene was caught in a trance, but managed to speak up. "I...I just...Wanted to stop by. I...Wasn't feeling so well." Her voice was weak as well as her smile. And it seemed her body wasn't the only thing shaken up.

Skipper looked at her concerned, but tried his best to hide it. She missed the concern and only noticed Skipper walk up to her. "Now, now, I'm sure you're fine." He tried putting a flipper around her, but she inched away from him. Still scarred from her experiences, and afraid of another male's touch.

Skipper was confused of her reaction to him, but did not question it. "Something really is bothering her." Looking from her to his lieutenant. "Kowalski! Analysis...Help Marlene. Something is obviously not right." Kowalski nodded, "Aye, aye, Skipper." Kowalski led Marlene down into the penguin's 'secret' H.Q.

Skipper's nonexistent brows furrowed with concern. Marlene always seemed so happy. If anyone had hurt her...Hoover Dam...He'd hate to see them after what he would do to them.

She meant a lot to him. Marlene gave him someone to protect. Someone to care for. Someone to fear for. "If only she could see that much." Skipper left his thoughts to drown in the water below him, as he climbed down the hatch.

[Meanwhile in the park...]

Antonio, the male otter bachelor of Central Park, played his Spanish guitar. It was all he could do to not punch out that stupid squirrel he hated so much.

How is it...That the most handsome otter in all of New York, could not find a mate? As he thought this, a sudden scent wafted past him. As he smelled the air carefully, he notced it was an otter's scent. A female...otter's..scent.

He smiled mischievously. Finally, he had found the scent of a female.

Following the smell, he stopped at the zoo's gates. They were closed and impossible to break open. He made a soft whimper as the zookeeper passed by.

"Well, look at you. I bet our otter is going to just love you." Alice opened the gates and picked up Antonio.

[Back at Penguin H.Q.]

Private and Rico were left as lookouts in case Alice dropped by. Private saw Alice walk towards the otter habitat, after coming out of the vet's office.

Private noticed something in her hands, before flying down the hatch. "Skippah! Skippah! Alice is on her way to Marlene's place. She's holding something, and just came from...the vet's...office." As Private's thoughts raced to Sheila, Skipper rushed to Marlene.

"Come on, Marlene! You've got to get back to your habitat before Alice suspects you're gone. I'll tell you later what's wrong with you." Marlene nodded slightly, heading up the hatch and over to her habitat.

She had gotten there way before Alice due to Alice's problem with the thing she was holding. Marlene quickly rested and splashed water on her face to wake up.

Marlene looked at the reflection, then walked towards the inside of her cave. She stopped a few feet from her pond. Keeping her back turned from Alice. Unsure of what Alice wanted, or what she was doing.

Alice bent down and placed the thing she held, inside the habitat. As she straightened up, Alice looked at Marlene and said, "No breeding programs for you. Lucky girl, we found someone for ya. So, go ahead and get cracking. Customers love baby otters." She walked away from the otter habitat and slipped back into her office.

Marlene turned around, slowly. This caused her fur to catch the breeze slightly and flutter in the wind. Her hips stood out defined, and her eyes captured the sunlight at just the right moment. Skipper could see her beauty, even from where he stood.

Antonio began to flirt with her right then and there. Staring at her hips the whole time. Marlene watched as he came closer to her. "Hola there, my bonita. And you are?" Marlene was nervous, but had never seen an otter so...handsome before.

"Hey...I'm Marlene. Who are you?" He grabbed her paw and kissed it, "Ah...Marlene what a beautiful name...For my name, is Antonio. The great otter bachelor of Central Park. And I have for long been searching for a...compañero..." He trailed off. Leaving Marlene to wonder what exactly a compañero was.

He looked at her noticing the puzzled expression on her face, "By that, of course, I mean...mate...In other words...You." Marlene backed up. "M-me? Aha You're kidding, right?"

Antonio got even closer, "No...I'm not." He laughed. Marlene was a little creeped out. "Um...I think I'll have to decline...I barely know you and-SMACK!" Marlene fell back. Her cheek stung fiercely. Antonio grabbed her and brung her close, "Listen. You will be my mate, or I'll be sure to pound you into the nothing you already are." Marlene got tears in her eyes.

This was going to happen to her again. Forced to live a life of pain and misery. Unable to be free. Unable to scream. She knew there was a reason her dreams and memories came back to her.

He laughed maniacally as he forced her palm across his face. "Come on, bebé...Show me your place..." Marlene feared for what he would do to her, but she had no choice but to keep silent as he dragged her into the cave.

Skipper saw the male otter, but had looked away before he had gotten violent with her. He would've kept looking, but had to stop. Marlene's beauty caused him so much pain. Mostly, because he knew that if he took her as his own, it might ruin their friendship. And, the fact that she would now have a mate, made it even worse.

He heard a loud smack and a thud, but payed no attention to it. His mind was too focused on how he could never be with Marlene, now.

Little did he know, that just next door...The beauty and innocent-looking otter he loved...was losing her innocence with each painful slap.

Author's Note: I told you it would be a little tear-jerking...Now, don't worry...this is not the end for Marlene...Antonio will not...get away with what he's doing to her...Still think Antonio is the best match for Marlene?