It was night time in the central park zoo, and all animals were getting ready to fall asleep.

Skipper glared out the window from the bars of his grey cage. The moonlight shone on his ivory feathers and glistened on his ocean blue eyes as he sighed. Private had fallen asleep in the farthest corner of their cage a few hours before.

Skipper tried to stay strong for Private. But it was hard. He knew he would just worry Private, and at this point, he didn't know how much the little penguin could take.

He looked to the ground as he sighed once more.

"Skippah, are you alright?" asked Private as he rubbed his eyes numbly.

A bit startled that Private had awoken, he answered, "Yeah, I'm fine…"

"Well, ok then…" Private turned around and continued to sleep until they heard footsteps coming from the other room and heading towards theirs.

Private sat up as Skipper pulled him behind his back, hiding him from harms eyes. "Those damn doctors." Skipper mumbled under his breath, still pressing Private's flippers around his waist with his own wings.

Private just whimpered as he glared at the door.

The vet entered the room carrying a bottle of pills with a wide, almost suspicious smile on his face.

The man opened the cage door and spoke, "Don't worry little one, after last time, no more needles, just the simple IV's that we put in your arm. From now on, you will be taking your medication in pill form." The doctor smiled as he starred at the two penguins in the cage.

Skipper looked at Private as awaited for a response.

"It's better than the needles." Private grinned as he shook his head in conformation.

Skipper sighed as he stepped towards the vet uneasily. The vet carefully placed the pill near Skippers beak.

Skipper rolled his eyes as he snatched the pill away with his flipper and gulped it down with a wince. The doctor smiled as he walked out of the room.

"Ok, I know I'm sick but does he really have to try to feed me?" Skipper chuckled as he looked at Private.

Skipper noticed Private had started to sob in the corner. "Private?..."

"I-I had that dream again…" Private responded as he clung onto his leader.

"It's alright Private…I'm not leaving you yet soldier…" Skipper smiled as he hugged him tightly.

Private started to whimper as he clutched onto Skippers chest feathers.

"There, there…It's gonna be ok now…you should get some rest…we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Skipper said in a consoling yet reassuring voice as he gently stroked Private's back.

"B-But what if I have the dream again?" Private asked shakily as he held onto his leader.

Skipper sighed as he sat down next to Private, still embracing him.

Skipper lay down with Private resting his head on his stomach. "Listen…" said Skipper as he pressed Privates head closer to his heart.

Thump, thump. Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

Private enjoyed the rhythm…the sound…the beat, as he listened closely to it. It was like a melody. A soothing lullaby. One that calmed him with every thump.

"It's your heart, Skippah…" Private smiled as he glared at his leader.

"Exactly. And as long as I'm close to you, and remain in your heart. I will ALWAYS be with you. Even in death. Because deep down, you're more than my comrade…you're my son…and right now…I'm here…and I'm not leaving just yet…" Skipper smiled as he held the small hiccupping penguin even tighter in his wings.

"Thank you Skip-…dad." Private smiled as he snuggled into Skippers side and closed his eyes for a peaceful nights rest.

For the first night in months, Private was finally at peace in his dreams. Safe from harm's way in Skippers arms. He could finally get some rest knowing that his leader was with him.

All he could hear now were the soft yet soothing sounds of Skipper's heart beat.

Thump, thump…thump, thump…thump, thump…