A sad Skivate story, I think it needs no further summary. Please enjoy ^^

Private P.O.V.

Sorry.

Such a simple word people use to make others feel better when they did something bad to the other. They say sorry seems to be the hardest word, but to me it is meaningless. Just another ordinary word on the pile of words put together in a dictionary. It lost its affect.

Even then…

Flashback:

I looked through my stuff. Where did I left that badger book again? I perked up at the sound of our fishbowl opening and closing again. I raised my flipper to greet my best friend and leader, Skipper, but let it fall limply beside my body when I saw the look in his eyes. They showed sadness, quilt but still a hint of confidence. He slowly walked over to me, avoiding my gaze and pulled me in a tight hug. I blinked in confusion.

"…Skippa?" I carefully asked.

"I'm leaving, Private. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I just couldn't find the strength." He whispered but I could still hear the tears in his voice. "You're the only one I'm saying goodbye to. The others will just try to stop me and I know you won't. You always understood me so well." Tears were forming in my eyes as well as his words tore me apart.

"B-But I don't, Skippa. I don't understand." I whispered shakily."W-Why? Why are you leaving us?" He released me a bit but held his flippers on my shoulders.

"Things just don't feel right anymore." He simply said. How could he say it so easy. What did he mean? We could work everything out, right? We always did… right? "Also…" he began. I watched him slowly leaning into me 'til we were just a few inches apart. "… I love you." He breathed. My eyes widened as he kissed me passionately. I slowly closed my eyes and leaned into the kiss. Tears fell as we shared our one moment of love. I felt him begging for entrance against my beak, which I allowed. We began exploring each other's mouth trying to remember every little piece. The kiss heated but the lack of oxygen forced us to pull away. For a moment we just stood there, holding onto each other, lightheaded and minds cloudy. I stared into his eyes. They showed love, passion and sorrow. I knew mine showed the same.

"It's time, Private. I need to go." He said closing his eyes not able to look at my broken expression. I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight against me. He couldn't leave me! Not now!

"S-Skippa, please… I love you and I don't want you to leave." I said between my sobs. He pushed me away gently and looked at me with also tears in his eyes.

"And I love you to, Private. You're the most important person in my life and you always will be. That's the reason why I'm leaving. If I'd stay I would destroy your life. I just want you to know that I'll think of you every step of the way." His flipper caressed my hair softly. "You're soft dark feathers…" trailed to my cheek. "…beautiful face and the most amazing eyes I've ever seen. I will remember it all but what I'll remember more than anything is your beak on mine. I'll take that memory with me until I breath out my last breath."

"…" I was speechless. I really didn't want him to leave but he needed it. I knew. He gave me a quick kiss.

"Private, I'm sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for what I'm about to do." He said, his voice contained the hint of confidence I saw in his eyes earlier. I started shaking softly as I watched him. Everything was a blur because of the tears that were still in my eyes. I was about to ask him what he was going to do, but he cut me off by pressing his beak on mine again. We kissed as long as our lungs would let us, savoring every second but then he let go of me fully and I was left with a empty feeling in my heart, right where he fits perfectly.

"Goodbye, Private. I love you. Forgive me."

And he was gone

End of Flashback.

Now I sit here on the cold floor. Crushing the newspaper I'm holding in my fists as tears stream down my face and won't stop coming. On the front page of the paper is the most horrifying news I've heard in my entire life. 'A penguin body was found this morning. The poor guy somehow escaped from the local Central Park Zoo and got hit by a train during his escape. How this could have happened is yet unknown. The zoo is in deep shock of this strange accident.'

"Skippa…" I whisper between my sobs. "W-Why?" I say, my voice getting louder. "I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" I finally scream. I never saw what was behind the mask he was wearing. His confident smile, his jokes, his commanding and all the missions we succeeded. He seemed happy. I never expected this. The door of lab opens and my two best friends come rushing in and embrace me. I continue to sob as I glance over to the empty bed besides mine.

"It's okay, Private. We're here for you." I hear Kowalski say. Rico also starts sobbing quietly. Before Skipper left me, he asked me to forgive him. I don't know if I can. Right now, it just hurts too much to say it. The wound is too deep. He made me feel alive when he told me he loved me, then he went and broke me, shattered my heart to a million pieces. The pain is unbearable but I can deal with it. Skipper would have wanted me to. But forgiving him is a task neither I nor the best trained penguin in the world could do right now. He left me, Kowalski and Rico here alone in sorrow. I don't know if I can forgive him just yet. I don't understand why he did it and I probably never will, but I know now…

Sorry seems to be the hardest word…

Forgive is.