It was hobbies day, and the boys were having fun doing their own thing for the day. Kowalski had opted to stay inside his lab for the day, making something. Rico had gone out to test some of Kowalski's more explosive inventions. Private had opted for a lunacorns movie marathon, and Skipper, well, he was building another ship in a bottle, waiting it out until Private became bored with the soft snappiness known as the lunacorns and switched it off. It was around lunchtime that he did. Kowalski also came into the main headquarters, ravenous.
The youngest penguin waffled up to his leader. Something had been bothering him.
"Skippah?"
"Yes, young Private?"
"Do you like Marlene?" This question stunned Skipper.
"Well, of course I do, she's one of our friends, isn't she? Kowalski, make a note, I should probably check that."
"Yes sir."
"No, Skippah, that's not what I meant a-tall. I mean, like like her?" Skipper's eyes widened.
"What ... uh ... what?" Private felt the need to explain himself, so he did.
"It's just I've noticed that you seem to be getting nervous around her, like they do in my TV soaps." Skipper silently cursed Private's observational skills.
"Uh ... no ... I mean, PRIVATE? WHY WOULD YOU THINK SUCH A THING? I DON'T LIKE HER IN THAT WAY!" Private flinched, as though he'd been slapped, and fled. It was probably good he'd left when he did. Skipper had his flipper raised ready to slap. He turned to Kowalski.
"What has gotten into his naive little head? I've never shown any sign of that." Kowalski nodded swiftly.
"Of course sir. But I must say, I did notice one little thing."
"Fire away."
"You blushed when Private said Marlene's name." Skipper looked solemnly at his lieutenant.
"Don't tell the Private."