Disclaimer: PoM does not belong to me.

"Why are you three friends with Skipper?"

The question hadn't been meant as offensive; Marlene had seen some of their training exercises and thought it was downright cruel how much Skipper made his team go through. Then she'd seen him slap young Private, and the doubts began. How much did he care for them? How much they for him? Were they really as close as they seemed?

Still, something inside her told her she shouldn't have asked that question. Kowalski, at the very least, was calm about it, but still had wide, shocked eyes. Rico stared at her with the same shocked eyes, and a gaping mouth. Private just stared at her, with no emotion in his normally expressive blue eyes. That worried her the most.

So, she tried to explain. "It's just that, he doesn't seem to value you three too high. I mean, he used Private as a SHIELD! Why are you three still with him?"

The threesome looked at each other, as if having a silent conversation, before Kowalski muttered, "It's classified," under his breath. He then took a sip of his coffee, in a very Skipper like fashion.

Marlene gritted her teeth. "Fine then," she grumbled, "Guess he doesn't care about you three after all"

She heard something behind her, but was unable to react in any way other than shock as she found Private pinning her to the wall behind her. In his normally joyful blue eyes was a rage she hadn't realized he was capable of. The other two walked over, Rico gently pulling at his flippers in attempt to coax him to let go. After a moment, he complied, but they all knew the pressure would cause marks on her arms.

For a moment, uncomfortable silence reigned. Private stared at his feet, ashamed at himself. Rico and Kowalski both had a comforting flipper on his shoulders. Marlene was still recovering from the shock of being attacked by the nicest guy she knew.

Eventually, Private broke the silence. "I'm sorry, but... you can't talk about Skippah that way. He means a lot to me. To all of us." The other two nodded in agreement. Marlene was just confused.

"Why? And where is he now?"

"He went to get popcorn, we ran out," Kowalski said. "He's important to us for reasons you couldn't understand." An unimpressed glance from Marlene made him think differently.

"Try me."

"It's a long story... three long stories, actually. And we have no idea when Skipper will be back." It was obvious Kowalski didn't want to bother, but Marlene was determined to understand why they stayed with someone who bossed them around when they got nothing in return. What could be worth that?

"Why won't you tell me?" The eyes of the three penguins shifted, until they started listing reasons.

"We don't want to talk about this in front of Skipper."

"We don't want this getting out to the entire zoo. And you are kind of a blabber mouth..."

"Ya Ga Ba,"

Smiling softly, Marlene consoled the penguins. "I won't tell anyone. Skipper wouldn't find out. Now c'mon, give me a chance." The three exchanged looks, unsure, before complying reluctantly.

"BUT. You never repeat these stories. NEVER. Not even to your great-grandchildren." Kowalski forewarned the excited otter.

"Deal," Marlene began smiling brightly, when Private interrupted.

"And Skippah doesn't find out."

"Alright." She agreed.

Little did the three know, Skipper was listening right behind the door. After leaving on the mission, he remembered something he'd forgotten something and came back to get it. He hadn't expected to hear Marlene barge in, or her conversation with his team. He felt guilt when Marlene told them why she asked, a small pride when Private had attacked her for accusing him of not caring, and curiosity at their reasoning.

He wanted to know which stories they'd tell. So, he sat back, his ear hole pressed against the door, listening to the words pouring in from the other side.

"Okay," Kowalski began, "I'll go first."

I'm sorry it's not very long. Or good. Stories will begin next chapter.