If I Said I Loved You: Chapter 6
"Skipper!" Kowalski exclaimed. Breaking out of the kiss, but still remaining in Rico's arms; "how… when did you come in… Where did you-"Skipper cut him off. "Kowalski what is the meaning of this solider?" Kowalski's eyes flickered, and he stammered "I- We- Me… me and Rico…", and Rico felt more and more sickened as Kowalski lost all his self worth in front of Skipper. "Get over here solider! We need to talk." Kowalski attempted to remove himself from Rico's embrace, but the other penguin wouldn't let go. "Rico… please let go" Kowalski whispered to him. Rico looked him in the eye, and slowly loosened his grip. His eyes pleaded for Kowalski to stay, but Kowalski looked away, "I have to face the facts by myself Rico… whatever happens… I deserved it" he said, his dignity hidden behind his shame. Skipper led him to above the penguin habitat. Rico sat there, ashamed and angry. But he still felt the kiss lingering on his beak. He knew Kowalski had enjoyed it too. But why was he ashamed of the kiss? Because they were both boys?; Because Skipper was ashamed of him? Rico knew which one was the correct answer almost immediately. He went up to the ladder to try and listen, but he couldn't make out what they were saying this time. What Rico would do to listen to their conversation… he would do ANYTHING.
"What's wrong with you!" Skipper growled. "I- I-""Why would you do this? You don't like Rico! You never did! How could you confuse friendship with love? How could you mix up emotions like that?" Skipper didn't let Kowalski speak at all. "What possible thinking could make you mix them up?" "How would you know what emotions I was feeling?" Kowalski said. "Because I know YOU solider, you're my lieutenant! I care about you! And I Know Rico-" Kowalski silenced him, "Yes, you know ME, of course you know me! I told you everything about me! But Rico is different. He can't speak. He's not hiding anything from you, he just can't tell you everything he could tell you if he could still speak." Skipper narrowed his eyes, "if he could STIL speak? How would you know so much about Rico?" Kowalski took in a breath. "I've… gotten to know him… we've become close friends…" Skipper shook his head, "FRIENDS don't KISS each other! What were you thinking Kowalski? I thought I could trust you!" Kowalski fought back small tears forming in his eyes, "You only think you can trust me because I am the only solider who believes in you enough to never disobey your orders! Even Private disobeys you, but I ALWAYS did what you wanted me to do!" The small tears dripped down his face. "You WERE the only solider you mean, SOLDIERS, don't cry!" Kowalski fought to stop his tears, and managed to keep only a thin stream down, "regular soldiers don't cry… but when you're their leader, they probably will have to after a while." Skipper shook his head, "you still have a lot to learn Kowalski, I thought you would know better" Kowalski had had enough, "no. YOU have a lot to learn… not only about being a true soldier but about people's feelings, and about being a good leader!" Skipper scowled angrily, "Kowalski…-" "You're a horrible leader! Private wasn't wrong when he said you don't know everything, he was right, you don't know everything… and you never did!" "Kowalski if you don't!-" Kowalski cut him off now having his emotions all over the place. "I hate you!" He said. Then he saw the infuriated look on Skippers face, and everything went black.
Rico felt a cold sweat run down his face as he heard a thump, and a small whimper. Immediately running up the ladder he was mortified as he saw a guilty and horrified Skipper gazing unbelievably at his flippers. One of them had a red stain on it. "I- I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I- I didn't mean to…" Skipper kept repeating. On the ground, with a small amount of blood trickling from the left side of his face… was Kowalski.
