Welcome to chapter 7. I'm glad you're still reading this, even though I'm massively changing their world around. Let's get started shall we?

CHAPTER 7 – Planning

(P staying with me) For maybe the first time in nearly a week, other than the mission the kids and I went on, I was back home. Looking at my hands, I was actually glad to have thumbs again. "Thumbs. That's about the only reason I like being a human anymore," I thought to myself.

Looking around, everything was the way it was supposed to be. My car's paint was not faded and the grass was back to normal. After sitting for a few minutes enjoying being back in my world, I headed inside.

I opened my door and walked inside. My dog Molly ran up to me. "Hi Matthew. Have a fun week?" she asked me. * "Yeah, I did. Other than that one mission a few days ago," I said. "And what was that?" Molly asked me. "Well, I really don't want to go through explaining it again, but remember when I first went to their world?" I asked her.

"I remember. Everyone was pretty shocked at them. I know I was. Why?" she asked me. "Well, Blowhole changed the result of Marlene and I beating him. Everything was changed because of that. I had to work with Anna and Sam to fix it. But since you're also back to normal along with everyone else, it worked," I said happily.

"I'm glad we're all fine. So you just needed a few days to relax?" Molly asked me. "Yeah, it did take a day or two. But the zoo got a new member," I said. "Who?" she asked me.

"The zoo got… actually, you can find out in a few days, along with everyone else," I teased. Molly put on what I guessed was a pouty face. "Well, alright. Setting up an interview?" she asked me.

"Yeah. Which program do you think we should go on?" I asked her. "You always seem to have fun on the Today show. Plus, lots of people watch it every morning," she suggested. "Thanks for the suggestion Molly. I'll get on that right now," I replied. "No problem. But when can I go to their world?" she asked me.

I chuckled. "Only when Skipper authorizes it. Plus, since you're a dog here, you'd probably wind up as a human there," I said. She laughed. "Yeah, you're probably right. Thanks for the chat," she said. "No problem. It's nice to have someone to talk to who can't tell Mom and Dad what I'm up to," I said.

With that, we ended our conversation and I went to get my computer. While turning that on, I also plugged in my phone to charge. "Now that huge battery sure came in use. I'm glad I got this phone," I thought to myself.

The computer finished turning on and I logged in and headed to my email. And it was, as I suspected, empty. "I'm glad I set up a separate account for our dealings with the press and fans," I thought to myself.

I spent the next few hours arranging our interview. They wondered what I had to talk about, but since I said it was big news, they gave us the best slot. I looked at my calendar and put the interview into it. "Oh. July 4th is on Saturday. That should be fun. Especially for Rico," I thought to myself, laughing. After shutting down the computer, I used my Universal Walkie Talkie to go back to the HQ.

"Hi guys," I said to them. "Hi. Did you get the interview?" Emily asked eagerly. "Yep. It's set for Friday morning. We're going to be on the Today show," I told her and everyone else. "Those hosts always crack me up," Sam said. "Same. And that was actually Molly's suggestion," I told them.

(P to Emily) "Molly? Oh no! Is he dating someone back in his world?" I wondered to myself, frightened. "Are you worried about your interview Emily?" Matthew asked me, noticing my expression. I calmed myself down and composed myself. "A little. Instead of a crowd of 20 people, it'll be millions," I said, hoping no one would detect I was lying.

"Don't worry sis. It's fun. You just have to pretend you're back here just entertaining only the guests," Marlene said. Unfortunately her and Skipper's expressions were of doubt that I was telling the truth. "So who is Molly?" I asked Matthew. "She's my dog. And actually, I'm the only one in my world that can talk to non-humans besides you guys," Matthew answered.

That answer made me very relieved. "Neat! So they can only understand us?" I asked everyone. "Yes. Since we technically were on TV and could be understood, that carried over when we broke the 4th wall," Skipper answered. "Did it work for you Annabelle and Samuel?" I asked them.

"Yep, it does, Aunt Emily. Because we were technically born behind the wall as well, it works for us, too. So you should be fine as well," Annabelle answered. "Oh good. It'd be strange to be the odd Otter out," I said. That made us all laugh.

"Hey, I just remembered the 4th of July is on Saturday. You're stocking up on fireworks, right Rico?" Matthew asked him. "Yup," Rico answered. "The 4th of July is on Saturday. Oh my, am I running out of time?" I feared to myself, but kept a relaxed expression.

(P back to me) "So today's Wednesday. What do you guys want to do until Friday?" I asked them. "Perform again tomorrow," Emily said happily and eagerly. I remembered to watch myself this time. "You three have been doing a great job. I know I've been impressed. How'd you come up with that routine?" I asked them.

"Aunt Emily did," Anna said happily. "Really? Interesting. You've certainly been getting a lot of popcorn for that," I said to the three. They laughed. "Yeah. We're getting more popcorn that usual," Marlene said happily. "Then the crowd must love your performance as well," I said to them. "So now what?" Anna asked.

"I'm not sure. Who wants to run more tests?" I asked everyone. "Let me just get my invention," Kowalski said, disappearing into his lab. "Make sure to only do simple tests," Skipper said. "Don't worry. I will. I don't want to be tired so early again. Also, you're not going to watch?" I asked him.

"I think I'm good. Plus, we need to help Emily get ready for her interview," Skipper said. "Good idea honey. Just go get your tie and microphone," Marlene said to him. ** All of us laughed, remembering that day and when they had told us about it. "That was a pretty brilliant idea," I said to Skipper. "Thank you. It certainly fooled all of you," Skipper said to the original three Penguins. "But it was still a good plan," Kowalski said.

(P to Emily) "You've already got a full suit and tie now Skipper, why don't I put on my dress as well?" Marlene suggested to him. *** "Great idea honey. That should make it more believable. And I haven't seen you wear that in awhile," Skipper said.

"A dress? Your wedding one?" I asked my sister. "Well, I've still got that, but I got another really nice one from them as an anniversary present," Marlene said about Matthew, Annabelle, and Samuel.

"We were all humans at the time, but used the shrink ray to keep them," Marlene said happily. "That sounds great. Being human was weird though. I didn't have a tail and I had thumbs," I said.

"Having actual digits was the best part of that mishap," Samuel said. "Yes, I can imagine," I said. "Let's go get you prepared sis," Marlene said to me after a minute. "We'll see you all later," I said to them. "See you later," they all said to us.

We climbed up out of the hatch and walked instead of vaulting over to the habitat. "So were you really nervous about the interview or were you frightened of something else sis?" Marlene asked me knowingly.

"You could see right through that, couldn't you?" I asked them. "Yes. You only appeared frightened after Matthew mentioned his dog," Skipper said. We reached the cave and Marlene started looking for her dress.

I sighed. "I was afraid that was someone he might be dating in his world," I said. "Well, don't worry. We know he's not dating anyone. In fact, he seems to be falling for you even more," Skipper said. I smiled. "He did seem surprised that I had come up with the routine. He also seemed to be holding something back about the popcorn," I said.

"That must mean he's doing it sis. I'm sure of it," Marlene said, now in her dress. "What a beautiful dress. They really got that for you?" I asked her. "The kids and Matthew did. Well, it was the kids' idea, but Matthew did help them fund it," Skipper answered. "I'm liking him more and more. But I am worried. July 4th is on Saturday," I said to them.

"Sis, that Otter only said you would meet your mate, not actually become mates. You're not even dating yet," Marlene reminded me. "Oh. Right. Sorry, it's just a bit stressful," I said, embarrassed. "We completely understand. You're going through the same thing we did for four years," Skipper said.

"I just wish I could at least tell him. I really do," I said sadly. "You will eventually. You're doing a great job at catching his eye," Marlene said to me. "Thanks sis. But are you sometimes experiencing déjà vu?" I asked her. They both looked in thought for a moment.

"Actually, I think we all are," Marlene answered. "It only seems to happen when I ask about my performance or appearance, though. You think Matthew lets something slip and makes us forget what he says?" I asked. They looked in thought for a moment again.

"Actually yes. I especially have been noticing it over the last few days," Skipper said. "He must really be falling for you sis if he's doing that. Maybe we could check the security footage. Even though he might be wiping our minds, he may have forgotten about the cameras," Marlene said.

"Do you have any way of doing that from your phone? Do you have it, actually?" I asked her. "I think so. It's got to be somewhere around here," Marlene said looking for her phone. We all looked around the habitat, digging through everything. I found Marlene's wedding dress in the process.

"I hope to have a dress as beautiful as this soon," I said staring at it. "I'm sure you will sis. Just make sure to put me down as your maid of honor," Marlene said as I put the dress away. I laughed. "You think I wouldn't give my own sister that honor? Of course I'll do that," I said happily.

We continued looking around and finally found Marlene's phone. "Hmm, I actually wonder why it's over here. I'll have to take it back later," Marlene said. "At least it's here now. Did you make it so that you can see the footage?" I asked her. "I think we did," Marlene said turning on her phone. She searched around it before finally finding what we were looking for.

"Here we go," I said, before we started looking through the footage of the past few days. After we finished, I was in shock. "If he keeps saying those things, why is he wiping our minds?" I asked them.

"Maybe he's scared too sis. After all, you're from two different worlds," Marlene said. **** "You're probably right. We're the perfect example of Star-Crossed Lovers. But he thinks I'm beautiful," I said happily.

"I just hope he's seeing the real me, not when I was human though," I said. "He seemed interested when we popped open your crate. He's probably seeing the real you. But being human must have really helped," Marlene said. "Hopefully. But based on what he's saying, I think he is seeing the real me," I said happily. "Let's sure hope so," Skipper said.

That's where I shall end this chapter. Was it good? Please rate and review this chapter. Let's look at the few notes I have, shall we?

* Remember, as a result of going to their world in Book 2, I gained the ability to speak to animals, as I revealed at the very beginning of Book 3.

** Referencing "Command Crisis" here.

*** Remember, the kids and I got Marlene her dress in Book 3 for her and Skipper's anniversary. We also had gotten Skipper a suit, but he doesn't need that when he's a Penguin, since he already has one.

**** I think the OC is myself is scared, actually. Hmm… How will this play out?