"Kowalski!" The leader's irritated voice echoed through the HQ. The object of his annoyance quickly put down the framed picture he'd been admiring but Skipper wasn't appeased. "How many times must I tell you? She isn't the one for you. Just let it go man."
"Sorry Skipper." His leader shook his head and was apparently going to say more when a cheerful voice interrupted.
"Hey guys!" Skipper's frown vanished and Kowalski wondered if his fearless leader realised how obvious his own feelings were.
"Marlene! What are you doing here? Can't you see we're busy?" He tried to sound gruff but Kowalski was familiar enough to recognise the pretext.
"Yeah, yeah." She breezed in and laid a paw on Skipper's shoulder. "But I gotta invite you to the party!"
"Party? What party? Why wasn't I informed?" Skipper turned to face his men which, Kowalski noted, put him inches closer to Marlene. However he shrugged along with Rico and Private.
"Because I'm informing you silly," Marlene grinned. "It's tonight…"
"Tonight? Oh no! We can't go out tonight. I have training scheduled. Why such short notice anyway?" Marlene shrugged.
"The dolphins just got a new arrival…"
"Dolphins?" Kowalski couldn't help exclaiming excitedly.
"New arrival?" Skipper's brow rose.
"Yeah. Just turned up today with no warning. So anyhow, they decided to throw a 'Welcome to New York' party." Skipper folded his flippers across his chest.
"We don't have time for such frivolities…"
"Skipper," Kowalski stepped forward. "Surely we should investigate the new arrival?"
"What if it's another spy?" Private added.
"Kaboom!"
"Negative. We have important business tonight."
"More important than investigating your paranoia about spies?" Marlene frowned dubiously. Skipper turned back to her.
"I'm not paranoid… but yes, more important." Kowalski began looking through his notebook.
"I thought we were playing 'capture the flag'?"
"A game?" Marlene scoffed.
"It's not a game," Skipper scowled with flippers on hips. "It's a training exercise. And this is not up for discussion! We are not going to that party!"
"Grr," Marlene flung her arms up in annoyance. "You are impossible, Skipper!" She turned to stalk out.
"Kowalski," Skipper hissed. "Make sure she's safe back in her own enclosure. We've got top secret business to discuss."
Kowalski silently obeyed.
Outside he found Marlene sulking on the edge of their base.
"I don't know why I bother!" she burst out. "He's such a stick in the mud!"
"He's not always so bad," Kowalski argued. "He's just being somewhat… stubborn today."
"Yeah, like yesterday… and the day before…"
"You caught him at a bad time. I'd just upset him by mooning over Doris… again." Marlene glanced over at him. He looked miserable.
"Why don't you go to the party anyway?" she suggested.
"Me? No. Skipper would never allow it."
"So? Don't ask. Just go." He shook his head.
"I'd like to go. I'd like to think Doris would like to see me there. I'd like to think she liked me… but she doesn't."
"Who says?" Marlene frowned.
"Well," Kowalski hesitated. "Skipper." He heard Marlene snort. "Why?"
"She's the one who insisted I asked you guys. I knew Skipper wouldn't be keen but she said maybe you guys would like to come." Marlene nudged Kowalski with a grin. "She mentioned you by name."
"She did?" Marlene nodded.
"What's the worst that could happen? You'll have extra duties right? But just think what might happen." Kowalski's eyes glowed. "Worth the risk?"
"Definitely." He grinned at her.
"Come on then." Together they dove into the water and headed towards the dolphin enclosure.