Alright, new story, please review and please enjoy.

IT TAKES A PENGUIN

PROLGUE

Marlene lay back against the entrance to her cave and dazed at the zoo entrance, imagining the penguins walking through. They'd gone out on a mission a month ago and had yet to return. They had left in such a hurry and had not been able to tell her where they were going. She was mad for them leaving her out but she sighed and decided to wait. She realized in the time they'd been away that she really had a crush on all of them. They all seemed so brave, loving, cute, se-…. anyway, they were all funny and everything. They all seemed prefect matches for her.

She sighed, knowing that each one of them liked her in return. She'd read Kowalski and Private's diaries and listened to Skipper's diary, and the way Rico stared and drooled at her, she figured he liked her. Suddenly she saw them coming through the archway. Her heart leapt and she immediately raced over to them. But as she approached, she saw they had their heads down and were bruised and battered. She hugged Skipper and he yelped with the pressure added to his bruises.

"Sorry." she said and turned to give the others hugs but they shook their heads at her.

"Easy Marlene." he said, like he hadn't enjoyed the hug at all.

"What's wrong?" she asked

"Nothing. The mission-… nothing." Skipper answered

"No really, tell me." she said and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nothing, we just need some sleep." Skipper said

Marlene groaned. "Why won't you treat me like an equal?!"

"It's better you don't know." Kowalski said, patting her shoulder and wincing at the pain to his flipper.

"Yep." Rico muttered

Private just nodded his head. Of all of them, whatever had happened, Private seemed hit the hardest. She approached him and tried to get him to lift his head but he stepped away.

"What's wrong Private?" she asked, laying a paw on his shoulder.

He didn't even flinch even though it had to hurt.

"Just leave us alone." Private muttered and pushed her away and with that they waddled back to their HQ.

"This is serious." Marlene muttered.