Marlene sighed. Where was Skipper? She didn't know. The zoo wasn't that big, yet she couldn't find him. She wondered around the zoo trying to find him. It was starting to get late. The sun was setting down. Maybe it was a good idea to ask Kowalski or Rico or maybe even Pravite to find out where he was.

She wondered some more, Until she begin to hear soft music.

"Whoa.." Up ahead was bright lights flowers everywhere and there stood Skipper with a black tie. He looked proud at his work. Marlene was awestruck. He looked so handsome. And it was beautiful. The flowers and roses. It smelled nice too. It was very much like When Phil tried to impress Lulu but things took a bad turn. Her mind began to race as she watched him from behind a brick wall. Was it a good time to tell him how she felt? Of course not! He looked so happy, and she didn't want to upset him. She decided to head home but just as she was about to leave, Skipper turned toward her direction.

"I know you're there Marlene." He said facing her direction, waving a flipper, he let out chuckle."Come on out. It's okay ."

What the? How did Skipper know she was behind the brick wall? Marlene's heart skipped a beat. Slowly, she did as she was told and came out.

"Well, What do you think?" Skipper waved a flipper to show off his work. "I didn't go to far did I?"

"Uhh.. Umm." Marlene was speechless. She shook her head and responded with a smile. "Nope, it's amazing. You did awesome."

He raised an eyebrow and noticed her strange and nervous behavior. "Care to tell me something?"

"Me?" Marlene thought back at what Pravite said. She sighed. She had to tell him. But was it a good time, right now? "Skipper I.."

"What is it, doll face? You can tell me anything."

She smiled at the nickname.

"I.."

Marlene bit her tongue. The words didn't want to come out. She growled at herself. How hard can it be to say 3 words?

"I-I"

There was flapping sounds. They gazed around.

"Here she comes! " Skipper said happily. He held his flippers together in exictment. "Right on time!"

Marlene had never seen a falcon close enough before and this falcon was huge and somewhat very scary looking. Pravite was right she was well. A Falcon with sharp long claws. Marlene's fur began to stand up in fear.

"Kitka. My love. Right on time." Skipper smiled and waddled closer. He sighed happily.

"Who's this?" She said with a hint of jealously and disgust in her voice, but Skipper didn't notice it. She glared at Marlene. "Can I eat her?"

"Huh?" Marlene was scared. She wanted to run away but couldn't move.

"No, she's a friend. So no eating." He said firmly. He placed a flipper on Marlene's back and pushed her a bit forward toward the large Falcon. Skipper didn't notice that Marlene shaking a bit. "Kitka, this is my neighbor Marlene. Marlene this is Kitka. My date."

"N-nice to meet you." Marlene held out a paw. She forced a smile but really she was terrified and her body was shaking a bit in fear, hopefully they wouldn't notice. At this point she just wanted to go home. It was a bad idea to come here. Very bad.

"You too." She shook her paw with a wing, then turned toward Skipper. "You ready? I was thinking we go for a flight first. Show you around town maybe. How does that sound?"

"That.." He stepped forward. "Would be a lovely idea. But first let me show you what I did for you. You'll love it."

Kitka gazed around, she smiled. "The flowers are lovely."

"I'm glad you love it, My love. Let's go."

Marlene frowned. Then she gripped Skipper's flipper pulling him aside and away from Kitka, who glared at her.

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing I.. I don't think it's a good idea.." She whispered softy. What was she trying to say? "I worry about your safety Skipper."

"Worry no more, Marlene. I'm in good feathers. Now please excuse me. I got a date. Have a good night. " He waddled away with a smile. He placed a flipper on her back and grinned. "Now.. Where were we?"

Marlene saw that Kitka was looking at her in a different way. The Falcon gave a smile before leaving with Skipper. Marlene frowned. Tears formed in her eyes. Quickly she wiped them away and began to head home. She couldn't say it. And now it's going to eat her up. She needed to sleep, Maybe they'll help.

..

.
Marlene heard a knock outside of her cave entrance. She jumped. Who could it be? It was late and the penguins usually just walk in.

"Uhh." She stepped outside. Looking around she saw nobody. Her fur began to stand up. "H-Hello?"

Marlene heard a scratch sound. She tried around and saw Kitka on top of her slide. Her cold gaze staring into Marlene's soul.

"Arlene, right?" she asked.

"It's M-Marlene. "

"Hmm." She studied her up and down. Then she flew down to meet her. She stood over her just a few feet away. Slowly, Kitka began to walk closer then stopped right in front of the small otter.

Marlenes heart begin beating fast. Why was she here so late? It didn't make sense. And what made things worse, was that Kitka looked.. Angry. Marlene swallowed hard. "W-Why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious? " She growled, And took a step forward. She hissed. "You're getting in the way."

"In the way?" Then she realized what she meant. Her eyes widen as she gazed back her. "uh,Kitka, I.. "

"I won't stand here and let you ruin everything."

"But I.."

"Don't you understand? Skipper loves me." She spread out her long wings. She glared down at Marlene. "He'll never love a silly otter like you and I'll make sure of it!"

Something was telling her to run and she did, Yelling in fear. "Help!"

She jumped off the gate trying to get to the penguin's HQ, where she knew it would be safe, only she didn't land on the ground. Long sharp claws gripped her sides and lifted her up. Before she could react she was lifted high in the air. She could see the entire zoo below her.

"Let me go! Please!" she cried out in fear.

Kitka chuckled and gripped tighter. "I don't think so."

"I'm not in the way! I promise I'll stay away. Just just put me down." Her eyes were becoming watery. This was not happening! This could not be happening! "Help! Skipper! Anyone!"

"Yell all you want." She growled then she laughed. "Nobody can hear you at least not from this height."

"You're crazy!" she cried out, struggling to get free, but the more she moved the more Kitka's claws went deep into her sides, Her mind was racing. "Just put me down please!"

"Oh, I'll put you down." Kitka said. She flapped her wings harder flying more high up. At this point, Marlene can see the entire city. It was a nice view but she wished she didn't have to see it this way. "But first I'm going to teach you a lesson to never get in between me and Skipper! I saw the look. Were you going to tell him that you love him?"

"Skippers my friend! I would never take him away from you." she cried out. She was so high up. She was starting to get dizzy. "He loves you! He's head over heels for you!"

"Loves me huh?" Slowly, Kitka begin to loose her grip. "Then he doesn't need you at all."

"What are you.." Marlene finally gazed down. They were no longer over the zoo they were now deep over the park. Kitka had changed direction and was flying into the park that was below. Marlene could feel her wild side coming back but she tried to fight it. "Please! I'll go wild!"

She chuckled ignoring Marlene's cries. "Time to take out the trash."

She let go. Marlene fell screaming and crying out . She landed on a tall tree that broke her fall, she landed on branches that snapped and she fell and landed hard on the ground.

"Argh.." Marlene slowly sat up on all four paws. She gazed at her sides and realized that she was bleeding from Kitka's strong grip. It was nasty cuts and would probably leave a scar. Her fall on the sharp branches didn't help either, She placed a paw on her bleeding side to help stop the bleeding and gazed up. Kitka was nowhere to be seen. Marlene let out a soft sigh. Suddenly she forgot about the pain and remembered where she was. "Oh No.. I'm outside.."

Her tail twitched as well as her whiskers.

"No! No! Fight it, Marlene!" She tried to run to the zoo. Ignoring the pain on her sides and arms, she ran as fast as she could to get back home safe. To get back to the penguins HQ, To get back to Skipper, to get back in his warm flippers. "You gotta get back. You gotta get back to Skipper!"

She tried but her inner side was slowly taking over. She stopped

"No.. No.." she cried out and sat up. Holding her paws around her head, she shook her head.

It was too late.

..

.

Tune in for the next chapter!