AUTHOR'S NOTE: K, guys. This is my first Penguins of Madagascar one-shot. Well, I've written POM fics before, and I've written one-shots before, but this is the the first time I've combined them and posted it on here. All comments and criticism welcome, just not too much bashing, k? Thanks.

DISCLAIMER: As much as I wish I did, I do not own the Penguins of Madagascar.


She'd Never Tell


Marlene was not an otter of many secrets. There was hardly an aspect of her that one didn't already know. She liked to sing and dance alone in her habitat, and other embarrassing things like that.

But Marlene wasn't really one to get embarrassed, either. A feeling of stupidity for a short amount of time, and then it would quickly pass. However, although most of Marlene's secrets had been found out by some person or another, there was one thing that even Skipper's dangerously high levels of paranoia would never figure out:

She was head over heels for the commando next door.

I know, I know, it's ridiculous and overused. And at first Marlene thought so, too! I mean, c'mon, girl likes boy next door, boy likes other girls, unrequited love, blah, blah, blah. So classic, it's cliché! But this wasn't just some schoolgirl crush, and Marlene knew it. This felt like something real.

For some reason, she'd liked him since Day 1. Something about him reminded her of an oyster. Something just said "hard outer-shell, softie in the middle". Her first few weeks in the zoo were tough, but eventually Skipper grew to enjoy Marlene's company. And as time went on, they grew to like each other just a little bit more each day.

As it appeared to her, Skipper thought of seeing Marlene as just another ordinary part of the day. And Marlene tried to make seeing him appear like that, too. But in reality, just a quick glance at the flat-headed penguin was enough to make her day. And any time that she managed to make him crack a smile-well that was an accomplishment worth whatever you could offer.

Although their relationship seemed nothing more than a brother-sister, sarcastic battle of the wits, at times, Marlene had always wanted just a bit of something more. She sometimes felt that there was a mutual attraction, but then went with her better judgement.

In all honesty, most others could likely tell there was something between the two of them; but Skipper remained oblivious to Marlene's affections. Marlene was a good actor and kept it hidden pretty well, but trained professionals like Kowalski and Private could clearly see what was going on.

Although Marlene was an open book in most aspects, this was one secret she was not going to share. Maybe when the time was right, she'd tell it to the world. But for now, one thing was for sure, and Marlene knew it-she'd never tell.