Author's note: Trying for some Kico here so let's see how this works out. I don't even know where I was going with this but I made a story out of it!

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters they belong to Dreamworks and Nickelodeon

Pretty Pink Dress

The day was going pretty well for the four penguins. Visitors came and went like usual and their cute routine was again successful in bringing in the crowd.

It was a smooth day as no threats have been after them lately but they were still ready and alert for anything out of the ordinary.

Because everything was going pretty calm, Skipper let them have time to themselves after they were done with their training exercises.

Rico of course chose to be with that doll he loved so much, happily singing as he groomed her beautiful blonde hair. Once he finished he hugged her and even planted a kiss on her cheek.

He wasn't aware a certain penguin was secretly watching from behind his invention.

Kowalski wanted to use up his free time working on enhancing surveillance with plush toys containing cameras that can also shoot out missiles but he never was able to get it to not explode on him.

Then Rico had caught his eye and now he couldn't stop watching as he fawned over that little doll of his. It was rather tiresome to keep watching Rico give that much affection to something that didn't even have a nervous system let alone a beating heart!

No doubt he was jealous that it wasn't him getting that affection. Kowalski had been staring for quite some time, making sure to get back to his work whenever Rico would look up.

He just couldn't understand. What did that doll have that I didn't? This was a thought that haunted Kowalski for ages now. Rico was so enthralled by that doll that whatever move he made wasn't noticed. Not that he made any moves but it wouldn't matter if he did anyway! Rico loved that doll too much.

Maybe I can get rid of it. Kowalski contemplated, rubbing his beak slowly as he thought about all the things he could do. However, it would be wrong to do that to poor RIco so he didn't think too much on it. Though perhaps he could maybe try something like-

"No! Stop it brain you mustn't think like this!" Kowalski interrupted himself, gaining the attention from the others.

"Must not think like what, K'walski?" Private asked him.

Kowalski mustered a smile and tried to explain, "That was for losing concentration and I needed to get back to work yes that is what I must do!" Which is exactly what he did and kept doing so until he was sure everyone lost interest and went back to what they were doing.

Unfortunately that meant Rico continued with his previous actions of loving his doll. There just had to be some way he could gain Rico's attention! Anything! Something to get Rico's attention away from that pink dress wearing doll, who wore it pretty well he will admit.

Wait pretty pink dress that was the answer! It must be what Rico was being allured to and perhaps the hair was super soft that he couldn't resist brushing it.

Now combine all of that with his intellect and charm and you have the perfect mate for Rico. He already had the right wig to use from having to wear it during Private's driving practice. All he needed was the dress. Perhaps the gift shop had some he could borrow.

It would be tough to sneak out late at night on his own. Normally this was a job all four would take or even just three but alone was a different story. With quick wits and his skill, however, it should be an easy task for him.

Luckily, midnight wasn't far off and everyone would be heading off to bed. That's when he would head out. If he could make it past Skipper that is.

Two hours have passed. Skipper announced that they should sleep in order to get up bright and early the next day. That only meant he had another training exercise in store for them. One probably more brutal than the last.

The scientist had many cups of coffee to make sure he had the energy to endure staying up this late. He wasn't too unfamiliar with all nighters but when it was needed he was capable of staying up super late.

Now he waited until everyone was deep in their slumber. It felt like another two hours and it was starting to get to him as he was fidgeting around in his bunk, trying to get comfortable but those cups of coffee certainly were doing their job.

Finally the sounds of snoring told him everyone was sleeping.

Kowalski shifted a bit so he could hear them more closely, making sure they were fast asleep.

There was loud snoring from directly under him which definitely meant Rico was asleep. Kowalski lowered himself a bit so he could reach the larger penguin and he lightly struck his belly to get just the object he needed. Rico spat out the paper clip that might prove useful when reaching his destination. Good thing for him, Rico was a huge heavy sleeper who could sleep through pretty close to anything.

Very carefully and quietly he lifted himself back up and went to spy on Private, who also was soundly sleeping.

Now came the tricky part. Reaching the floor without waking up their mistake could lead to Skipper hearing him and catching him in the act, before he could even take one step! Or was he exaggerating and his leader wasn't as a light sleeper as he would assume.

He is known to be paranoid so one would assume he'd be a light sleeper. Then again you can't always make assumptions it can get you into trouble. But if he didn't make this assumption-There he was again with overthinking it! He should just do it! Just walk right out of here no big deal.

It felt like it took years before he finally had the guts to leap from his bunk and land right next to Skipper, who just had to be sleeping on the bottom bunk today.

When Kowalski felt his feet touch ground he instantly froze in whatever pose he was in. His back was to Skipper so he couldn't tell if he had woken up.

The poor penguin was holding his breath, afraid his breathing would even be enough to wake up Skipper until he heard mumbling of some sort. Was that Skipper talking?

Kowalski turned slowly and found Skipper was muttering something but his eyes were still closed. He couldn't believe it. He was sleep talking! Kowalski never even knew he did that. Now he was curious what their leader would say when under a trance-like state.

"No hula girl you can't leave me now it was an accident," Skipper said, almost too low for Kowalski to hear.

That was odd. Skipper almost never spoke of that doll after...the incident.(1) He didn't want to dwell on that thought for too long however so he stepped away from their leader's bunk, making sure each step he took made the least amount of noise as possible.

Finally reaching the ladder, he took one last look to the others before opening the hatch. There was only a small creak until he managed to squeeze through and close it back up.

It was amazing he managed to get outside but here he was! Alone with the distant sound of cars passing by.

There was something about the zoo at night that he found very calming. Maybe it was the fact no people were around and it was just the zoo animals there, sleeping and not having to worry about anything until the next day.

There was no time to think about the sight any longer so he kept moving forward. The souvenir shop he knew by heart now and how to get there in the shortest amount of time. One trip over to Marlene's habitat and he'd be there in no time.

Kowalski wouldn't dare to go directly through the habitat since that might wake up the otter, so he slid only near it so he could reach the shop in still decent time.

As he would assume, all the lights would be off to conserve energy. Normally the penguins would then stack on top of each other to get to the window and enter from there but obviously he would have to find a different solution. Perhaps the backway?

Reaching the back door entrance he found someone had been messing with the lock. There was something stuck inside of it and it looked to be like some sort of stick. The door was still unlocked. Poor guy couldn't even figure out what was just child's play for him by now.

It was fortunate he snatched the paper clip from Rico earlier. It seemed it would come in handy after all. Now he needed something to stand on so he could reach. There were piles of trash bags around he could use those.

Kowalski held his breath and lifted the horrible smelling bags underneath the lock. Three was enough for him to perfectly reach and unlock the door.

For him it was a cinch. It didn't take long for him to hear the clicking sound and the lock loosening from the handle.

He tried moving the bags aside without getting any of the trash on him but one slip of a banana peel ruined all of that for him.

All that was heard was a yelp and bags tumbling onto him. Cans rolled to the side as he attempted freeing himself from this trap of stench. The same banana peel he slipped on somehow landed on his head and he pulled it off furiously.

Rico better appreciate what I am going through for him. Kowalski thought before stepping inside.

Good thing for the moon to be shining just enough for the shop to have enough dim light to be able to see. He didn't necessarily bring a flashlight with him.

Now where were the plush bears that sometimes had dresses on them. There were some old ones more farther back in the shop from the time they made the polar bear wear one for show. He felt bad for that bear.

The shop was more dark on the right side of the room and it was proving to be a bit difficult for him to search around. He found many plush of him and the others and a few of the lemurs. They were all scattered in huge sets of barrels, waiting to be bought from parents whose children just had to have those plush toys.

There were some polar bear toys but none were the ones he was searching for. This place just had to have clothing it just had to! What gift shop would this be if it didn't?

Suddenly Kowalski heard something shatter. Something that sounded like if it were made of glass along with many other objects scattering across the floor. A shine on the floor caught his eye and indeed it was glass surrounded by what looked like little beads and fake powdery snow.

A snow globe would be his best guess but there was no time to investigate what it was. There was someone else in here with him. It seemed the guy who had tried breaking in before did find an alternative entrance.

His flippers were up, he in battle pose and ready to strike whatever threat came rushing toward him.

Kowalski didn't want to take a step in case he would step on a piece of broken glass so he stood there patiently, fully on the alert, waiting for the person to make their move.

Moments passed and still nothing until he heard glass shattering again and a faint "Are you kidding me."

"Show yourself you intruder!" Was all Kowalski could think of to say. The voice was too quiet for him to recognize so he kept his ground.

"Ok I surrender!"

Kowalski widened his eyes, now recognizing the voice to belong to a certain lemur. He was proven correct when Julien came out of hiding, his arms in the air. For some reason, he was also wearing a hula skirt and...were those coconuts strapped to his chest?

"Julien what in Einstein's name are you doing here?" Kowalski asked, demanding to know why he was seeing a lemur here dressed in drag.

"It is not what it looks like!" Was all Julien replied, now lowering his arms seeing as it was just Kowalski there catching him in the act.

"Please explain what it is supposed to look like then," Kowalski said, offering him a chance to explain what this all was.

Julien lowered his eyes, "I cannot be telling you it's a secret."

Kowalski was confused with the lemur's behavior. He didn't know much about Julien but even he knew that the lemur showing a sign of uneasiness was not matching to his usual personality. He suddenly remembered that someone had been tampering with the lock so he then asked,

"Wait so you were the one who attempted breaking in here earlier? How did you even get in the lock was still in place?"

"Yes that was me. Then I figured that was too much work so I just tried the front door. They must have been expecting me if they left it unlocked." Julien grinned, now showing that usual cockiness again.

"Okaaaay but that doesn't explain the skirt and other things," Kowalski said, unable to look directly at the coconuts because he felt it was disrespectful to. Also it was a bit disturbing.

"I needed them. The gift shop gifted me with this outfit so that I may now be more attractive," Julien answered, even posing to show off his new outfit. "So what are yoooou doing here penguin? The king deserves to hear this story now."

Kowalski couldn't help his blushing, remembering the reason was to get a dress for Rico. It was oddly like what Julien was doing minus the Rico part.

"I was out gathering supplies needed for the team," Kowalski tried stating firmly but his voice still hinted some shyness to it.

Julien found that talking from a distance was getting tedious so he leaped onto the shelves and gracefully landed in front of him. Now getting into his face.

"Something tells me the penguin isn't telling me what the penguin should be telling me. Are you here for someone?"

Now it was Kowalski's turn to not give eye contact. "It's not something you need to know."

"Why not? I am too curious to leave now. I won't stop asking until you tell me smartie penguin," Julien said with a sly grin. "Are you gonna tell me now?"

Kowalski turned his head, away from the insistent lemur. "No Julien and I would stop asking if I were you. You're not breaking me that easily,"

"What if I tell you why I am here? Would that be enough to get you to spill your secrets?"

Kowalski stood there silent, his curiosity now getting the best of him. Would it be a wise move to barter like this? Julien seemed to know where the outfits were and it would truly help save him time so he could get back to the HQ.

He came to a conclusion and turned to Julien. "I'll take the offer. Tell me your reason for you sneaking out into the souvenir shop."

Julien smiled, his fingers poking at one another as if he were shy. Or maybe he was actually being a little nervous. This must be some secret.

"I may have came here to get this outfit for someone because I know they like this girly skirt thing. It does make my booty look very stunning."

Kowalski definitely made sure not to look when Julien revealed his rear end.

"Okay you don't have to reveal everything to me," Kowalski said in disgust. "But this is intriguing how you went through the trouble for someone. Who might I ask did you fall for?"

"Hey you still have to tell me your story thingy now!" Julien said, folding his arms to show he wouldn't say more until he got his part of the deal.

"I'll tell you but promise this is a secret between only us do you understand?" Kowalski asked, narrowing his eyes up at him because he didn't want anybody to know before he could make his move.

"Yes I promise until I don't feel like it."

"Julien!"

"Fine I won't tell anybody just tell me already!" Julien said, getting super impatient and just wanted to hear already.

Kowalski took in a deep breath. "Alright. I came here for a dress. A pink one to be exact."

Julien gave him an all knowing look. "Oh sounds like the penguin is also in love. Dressing up for your lover making it sexy for them. Always gotta give variety."

Now Kowalski definitely was blushing now, every part of him just wanting to leave. This was just so embarrassing.

"I told you all that I am willing to say so no need to continue this any longer then it has to. Now please direct me to the outfits."

"I shall help you with your love quest because you seem to need it," Julien offered, directing him farther back into the shop where he found his outfit. "Also there is glass everywhere gotta be careful."

"I am well aware of that," Kowalski answered, knowing perfectly whose fault that was.

"Wait!" Julien yelled, stopping abruptly causing Kowalski to bump into him.

"What is it? Did you spot something?" Kowalski questioned, fearful that they have been seen.

Julien picked up something and showed it to him. "It's a silly penguin!"

Kowalski was staring at a small Skipper figure that must have been broken out from one of the snowglobes.

"Julien I don't have time for this just show me the area with the clothing already!"

"You are just jealous I have one and you don't," Julien bragged, now admiring his prize.

Kowalski paid no more attention to whatever Julien was doing and just continued to follow him to the back.

"Here you go, penguin! Pretty pink dresses and a wide selection to choose."

"Yes I see now a wide selection of pink and more pink," Kowalski said, seeing that the only color they had was pink. Which is what he needed coincidentally. He just picked one that looked the nicest.

"There now you have what you need to impress your lady or guy or whatever the smartie penguin is into. I'm not a judgemental king."

"You saying you're not judgemental would be a lie in fact I think you judge at least one person every day. But who am I to judge," Kowalski replied.

"Good then I shall be heading back to my kingdom. You can pick up your mess here." With that Julien quickly leaped away and out the door, leaving Kowalski having to pick up after him.

Kowalski merely sighed. He should have foreseen this but lucky for him he was an expert at cleaning up messes. Especially from having to live with Rico for so long.

He spotted a broom nearby and grabbed it, giving it a quick twirl before getting to work with sweeping up all the broken glass.

This was already an odd day for him but he was doing all of this for Rico so he certainly wasn't going to stop right there.

End of Chapter 1

Footnotes:

1. Watch Madly Madagascar to get what is being referenced. I should so make a Skiju moment out of a certain scene from that special too.