disclaimer: I don't own Penguins Of Madagascar, nickelodeon and DreamWorks do.

A/N this story takes place around the episode Wishful thinking, i had to say that so later chapters make sense xD

Skipper smiled, peering down at the tiny bundle in his flippers.

"Daddy?" the little penguin asked.

Skipper hugged her tightly "Yes Lucy, Daddy's here" She's so tiny, and perfect, I wont ever let anything happen to her.

~real time~

Skipper woke up with a start, wiping his tears away he had unconsciously wept. Its not fair, I didn't protect her... He stood up with a sigh, needing some fresh air to clear his mind.

~Private's POV~

Sleep Private yawned It would be nice if I could sleep, I'm so tired! It was one of those nights when your so tired but you still cant sleep for some reason for the youngest penguin. He lay in his bunk and decided to get a glass of water. He heard a noise from outside and hesitantly walked over. He looked up the hatch and saw his leader sitting on the ground.

"Skippah?" He asked worriedly, climbing up the hatch.

Skipper turned around and wiped his tears.

"What's wrong Skippah?" Private asked, not used to seeing the leader so...emotional. Skipper has emotions...thats surprising, not like he ever shows the,.

Skipper didn't respond, embarrassed at being caught at his weakest moment. Leaders don't cry.

Private waddled over and sat down next to the older and hugged him. "I'm worried about you Skippah, you've been so distant the last while, and now your here all alone ..something's obviously wrong Skippah and I wish you would tell me so I could help, this isn't you Skippah, you aren't acting like yourself and its kind of scary to be honest."

"Sorry" Skipper whispered. "I just came out here for some privacy, I didn't want to worry you"

"Oh" Private said, moving to stand up but Skipper pulled him back down.

"You can stay"

Private snuggled closer and it became quiet.

"I wish you'd tell me" Privative whispered, worried but not wanting to pry.

Skipper sighed and shifted against the younger. "Its a long story, in fact, its stupid, forget it"

"Its not stupid, not if it bothers you, maybe I can help"

"Nothing can help, nothing can bring her back, its all my fault!"

Private nudged him, willing him to go on.

"It hurts to talk about, go back to bed, you need to sleep"

Private crossed his arms. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me Skippah, talking about it can help"

Skipper glared at the younger. "You play dirty" he accused.

Private shrugged, hating the awkward silence that followed, wondering if he had pushed too hard.

Finally Skipper took a deep breath and began. " A long time ago, before I came here and met you guys I lived at another zoo. I don't even remember the name, it seems so unimportant. I had...Lucy...she was amazing and beautiful and perfect and so tiny and fluffy, she was the reason I got up every morning, he mother had died a little after she was born, I was all she had left. She was the most important thing to me, I guess all fathers say that, but...its true. I'll never forget the day she hatched, I couldn't have been prouder. She was mine. My little girl and I was supposed to protect her, you shouldn't live longer than your daughter! Its not right." Skipper let out a sob and Private rubbed his back comfortingly. Skipper took a deep breath and continued, staring at the blurry wall to keep his composure. "She got sick one day, I didn't know what to do. She was so sick and I was so scared, so I took her to the doctor's, thinking they would make her better. But they didn't. I'll never forget it, I went back to check on her and I was standing by the window and I heard everything they said; that it was too late, they couldn't help her, that they should out her out of her misery...I didn't even get to say goodbye, to hug her one last time, to tell her how much I love her...I just wish I could see her again, tell her how sorry I am" He broke off and became silent and Private realized he was crying as well. Skipper's a daddy? They younger unconsciously smiled at that part I bet he'd be a good father...but she's dead. He tried to picture a tiny female version of Skipper and utterly failed.

"I'm a horrible father, its all my fault! She's dead! If only I hadn't taken her to the doctors..." Skipper whispered.

I cant stand this, he's being too hard on himself. "Skippah" Private interrupted. "Stop blaming yourself, its not your fault. you couldn't have stopped it from happening. If you hadn't brought her to the hospital she would have died anyway Skippah. You have to stop thinking like this. I know it hurts but you cant remember her like this, think off all the good times you had, how much you cared. Skippah, I'm sure she loved you very much and I bet she's up in heaven looking down at you, and she wouldn't want to see you crying Skippah, I know it. Your a good person Skippah even if you don't want to admit it and you were probably an amazing father and yuo have to remember that when things get tough. Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened."

"I bet half of that came from the Luncaorns" Skipper sniffled.

Private smiled "Maybe but that doesn't make it any less true"

"Never thought I'd see the day I was taking advice from a children's TV show" Skipper said sarcastically.

" I wish I could have met her Skippah, she sounds pretty special" Private said gently

Skipper smiled faintly and stroked the younger's feathers. "So do I, you two would have gotten along perfectly. "

"I wish you told me all this before Skippah, sharing problems makes them easier to deal with" private murmured tiredly.

"Now I know that's Lunacorn stuff" Skipper sighed. "Sometimes I just sit here and wonder what it would be like if she was here"

"You must be telepathic, I was just thinking that" Private smiled. "I think you should talk about her more, I think the rest of the team would like to hear about her too" Private said softly, sleepily leaning against the older.

"Maybe" Skipper replied. "Time for you to get to bed" he said, standing up and placing the younger in his bunk.

"G'night Skippah" Private whispered. And goodnight Lucy