Whoa! Two chapters in one day! And that's not counting the one I posted for a different fanfic! :D

Chapter 4: Pain and Fury

Rico couldn't believe what he was hearing. Skipper never said any of that stuff about Marlene! I otta blow Connie up! he thought, growling softly.

Connie glided down in front of him. Rage bloomed even further in Rico, when he heard her snicker.

"Hey, Connie!" he called, clenching his fists.

Connie turned to face him, smiling as though nothing had just happened. "Why, hello there, Rico! How ya doin'?"

Rico stomped up to her and jabbed his flipper at her chest. "Tabba wa poppa tub! Yana un globba! Rubbo potta, Connie? Rubbo potta!?"

The flying squirrel stared at him in confusion. "Sorry, but I still can't com-pre-hand what you's always blab'ring about."

Rico facepalmed. "Okay." He pointed at Connie. "You." He put his flippers on his hips. "Bla bla bla." He pointed at the otter habitat. "Ma'lene." He pretended to cry, then said, "Get it?"

After a moment, Connie said, "Oh! You heard me speakin' with Mahlene?"

"Yep. An' I'm tellin' Ippa."

"I'll assume you threatened to tattle?" Rico crossed his flippers and nodded. Connie smirked. "Who do you reckon he'll believe? May - the gal he's known and trusted for years - or you - the psycho birdie who can't even speak English?"

Rico growled. "He'll b'leve me."

"Oh yeah?" She rested a paw theatrically on her forehead and said dramatically, "Oh, Skipper! Rico won't stop harassin' may! He keeps accusin' lil' ol' may of the most ridiculous thangs, and threatening to e'splode may! Please, please help!" When she'd finished acting, she grinned evilly and casually strolled in the direction of her habitat.

A growl rumbled in Rico's throat. Skipper wouldn't believe that piece of trash, would he? Of course, not! the manic told himself. Skipper trusts me with his life! He'll listen to me! Rico hopped over the wall of Marlene's habitat, knowing that the otter would need consoling.

He knocked on the entrance to her cave - not something he was used to doing.

"Uh, c-come in," he heard Marlene call.

Rico waddled into her cave, smiling because he knew it would make her feel better. "Hi, Ma'lene!" He forced cheerfulness into his voice.

It hurt him to see that her eyes were red. He could tell his friend had been crying. Marlene gave him a clearly forced smile. "H-hey, Rico. It's kind of strange of you to knock." She swallowed, and Rico hoped he wasn't making things worse by being there.

He dropped his facade and gently asked, "You okay?"

Marlene swallowed again. "Yeah, I-I'm fine."

"You on't look fine."

"Well, I...a-am."

When subtly didn't work, Rico just blurted, "I erd Connie."

The otter's eyes glistened, and she blinked rapidly. "O-oh."

Rico smiled reassuringly. "Relack. It not-"

"Rico," Marlene choked, "I'm not r-really in mood f-for visitors."

"But-"

"Just go away!"

Rico stared at her sadly, for a moment. Marlene seemed to be holding back tears. Poor girl, he thought. She's really broken up. Maybe I should wait until she's in a better mood. Then, I'll tell her.

Rico nodded. "Okay." He turned and exited the cave.

Once out, he heard soft sobs that twisted his heart. He hated seeing his friends so upset. His sadness turned to rage, when he thought about the one who caused Marlene's pain. Note to self: Blow up Connie.

Skipper sipped his coffee, then spoke with a bored tone. "Sorry, compadre. I just can't picture Connie doing that."

The penguins were sitting at the table in their headquarters. Rico had just finished explaining what had happened.

"Agreed," Kowalski said. "Connie doesn't strike me as someone who would do that."

Rico looked hopefully at Private, who drowned his hopes by saying, "She does seem rathah nice."

"Come on, guys!" Rico pleaded. "Connie mean!"

"Connie nice, soldier," Skipper countered. "I've known that woman for years. She'd never hurt anyone who wasn't an enemy."

Kowalski pulled out a clipboard and a red crayon and began drawing something. "Rico, there is a good chance that the impact from falling," he showed Rico a drawing the manic unconscious, "could have altered what you heard. For all you know, Connie and Marlene could have been having a friendly conversation."

Rico wasn't buying it. "But Ma'lene cried!"

"Perhaps you hallucinated that."

Rico groaned. Guess I'll have to handle this, on my own.

Will things get better for Marlene? Stay tuned...