There is no practice today, so everybody but Annie and Skipper leave to walk around the park for recon. Skipper has never been left alone with Annie, except for almost a month ago when Annie was working on her car techniques, on Skipper's obstacle course. Annie, is on the phone talking to her Mom again. She's been talking to Mary-Ann for about two hours now. Annie finally hangs up the phone, and turns the tv off, she turns to Skipper with a huge smile on her face.
"Hey Dad, lets go do something. Can we please?" asks Annie
"Well… Sure, lets go." says Skipper.
They leave, and head into the city. Skipper shows Annie everything, including the mall. Annie, is very excited, she's been wanting to hang out with Skipper all week, but never gets a chance to spend time alone with him. She's extremely happy that he can come out with him. After a while Annie, notices an ice cream shop. Noticing Annie's look, he smiles at her.
"Hey Annie, would you like some ice cream?" asks Skipper
"Can we?" she responds
"Sure, wait here, two vanillas, right?" asks Skipper
"Yes, please." says Annie
"Wait here, and stay out of sight. Okay?" say Skipper
"Okay." says Annie
She hides in the alley, right where Skipper tells her to stay, and Skipper walks off in the distance. Leaving Annie by herself. She waits for Skipper to return. When, Officer X comes out. When Skipper comes back, Annie is dodging everything Officer X tosses at her. Skipper puts the ice cream down,setting it up, when Annie gets captured.
"Annie!" yells Skipper
"Huh? Dad, Daddy!" says Annie
"Stay calm, Baby. Daddy is coming okay! You'll be fine trust me!" says Skipper
"Okay! Okay! I trust you!" says Annie
Skipper steps into action, taking down, Officer X. Annie runs to Skipper, kicking Officer X once in the face. Skipper stands in front of Officer X.
"Let me make one thing clear, don't mess with my daughter. I'll kick your butt, if she doesn't first." says Skipper
Skipper and Annie walks away from the fallen Officer X. They are now far away, heading toward the park, to walk home back to the zoo.
"Daddy, who was that?" asks Annie
"Officer X, don't worry about him, with a little more training you won't even need my help, to defend yourself.," says Skipper, "Are you okay, Annie?"
"Yeah, thank-you Dad. Daddy, what's wrong?" asks Annie
"What do you mean?" says Skipper
"Well, just the way you said, 'You won't even need my help' you sounded sad." says Annie
"I'm fine, I'm just a bit worried, you're mom said 'she needs her father.' but you're getting closer to not needing me anymore. You're growing up, right in front of my eyes, Annie." says Skipper
"Oh Daddy, I'm always going to need you, there's always going to be a time when I'm going to need you. Even after I'm no longer a child I'm going to need you. No matter what I'm going to be your baby. Right?'" asks Annie
"Yes, you'll always be my baby. Never forget, no matter how much trouble you get in, no matter how many times we fight. I love you, and you'll always be my baby." says Skipper
"I love you, too." says Annie
Skipper and Annie walk all the way home, to wait for the rest of their family to come home.
The End