💕 TWO WEEKS LATER 💕

Classified smiled to himself, eagerly waiting for Skipper's reply. As a gift, he gave each of them a penguin-sized phone that they could easily operate with their flippers. Since then he and Skipper have been texting each other non-stop. They both knew it was going to be hard, especially when both of them had their own personal matters to attend to but it was always excruciatingly painful waiting for his penguin to reply. It always worried Classified when Skipper would take ages to text back, especially when being together meant he had paced a bigger target on Skipper's back then what he had previously. Regardless he knew the penguin could handle himself but even Skipper had his limits. Sharing personal information about his past was clearly one of them. Not able to wait any longer, the agent pulled out the files of the latest North Wind's new recruits. As head agent, Classified was responsible for doing the final checks before they moved onto the final stages of their training. Face to face interviews were only conducted if any red flags were raised. Unfortunately, this happened just half an hour into his investigation. The file was for a Danish puffin named Hans. The more he read the file, the more red flags were raised. Mostly it was what the written in the past employers section of the application: Dr Blowhole, the agency known as The Poisoned Mackerel. The North Wind had many encounters with that agency many times and none of them were at all pleasant. It was filled with ex-agents, mercenaries and criminals. The wolf took the file and headed to the training facility. Once he arrived, Classified stood on the sidelines, watching Hans take down animals four, five times his size. He would be lying if he said that he wasn't impressed by the puffin abilities. The wolf just had to be sure that Hans intentions were pure and not for personal gain. As soon as the puffin was finished, Classified pulled him aside and led him to one of the interrogation rooms. Hans began to internally panic, terrified that his cover was blown. He couldn't afford his set back, not when his plan to get his Skipper back hadn't even been set in motion. The puffin tried his best to remain calm as he took a seat opposite the stupid wolf that stole his soul mate away from him.

"For your information, as far as I'm concerned you are no in trouble. We are just required to ask a few questions when we see red flags in someone's file. This is just for you to classify a few things that were mentioned and for us to get the full story from you. Is it okay we begin the questioning?"

Hans let out a sigh of relief. "Yes sir, I have nothing to hide."

Classified nodded as he opened Hans' file. Thank god he was one of the few cooperate agents. "You have to forgive me in asking you this but mentioned that you've worked with Dr Blowhole as well at The Poisoned Mackerel, why did you decide to terminate your employment with either of them?"

"Change of heart. The agency and the dolphin gave me orders I was uncomfortable with. They wanted to hurt too many people. I changed to make amends for my mistakes."

Classified nodded. He may be against his better judgement but the wolf was a sucker for second chances. He thought that everyone deserved them, no matter how bad they were in the past. It's the main reason why he made the penguins honorary agents. The wolf closed the file and continued the interview. All the puffin's answers to the questions were reasonable and answered from the heart. The rest interview took about half an hour by the time Classified asked his final question.

Lastly, what were your motives behind applying to the North Wind?"

Hans smiled and giggled shyly. "You have a brilliant and positive reputation. One I need if I have any chance to regain my lover's respect. That's why I chose this agency."

Classified smiled. He respected that. Love can make you do stupid things. Like waiting an hour for your boyfriend to reply to your text when you should be doing work. The wolf chuckled softly as he began to think of Skipper. He let out a happy sigh before turning back to the puffin.

"Well, that's all I have for now. I wish you luck with the rest of your training. You're already impressing your superiors." Classified smiled.

The wolf shook Hans' flipper before watching him leave the room. He gathered up the file before his communicator's alarm began going off. Classified ran at full pace to his team's conference room. He was thankful that his team was already there.

"Talk to me, Eva." He panted.

"Dr Blowhole has escaped sir. We believe he had someone on the inside that helped him do so."

"Do we know this location?"

"No, not of yet. We're working on it."

"Keep at it, Corporal, Short Fuse bring in the penguins. Eva and I will try to locate the dolphin."

"Yes, sir." Corporal smiled as he and the seal headed to the jet.

This was the last thing he needed. Just when Classified his life was getting good, something like this always happened and ruined everything. At least it would allow him to see his Skipper again. It had been ages since he last saw the penguin. Texting just wasn't enough, Classified needed to see Skipper. But for now, he had to locate Dr Blowhole before he had a chance to re-establish his operations. By the time the penguins arrived, they had already narrow it down to four possible locations, which was better than how they started. Classified tried to keep a neutral face as he watched Skipper and his family walked in and jump onto the table. He could tell that Skipper was trying to do the same.

"So why did you call us here this time Classified? Misplaced your favourite chew toy?"

Classified rolled his eyes as he walked over to their digital whiteboard. "Dr Blowhole has escaped custody. We don't know much but what we do know is that he had help on the inside. We managed to narrow his location to four of his known bases. Coney Island, Hawaii, Antarctica and London. The best way to tackle this is to divide into four teams of two. Eva and Kowalski, Private and Corp..."

"I can't believe you let Blowhole slipped right from under your noses. So much for advanced tech." Skipper teased.

Classified tried hard not to groan before he continued. "As I was trying to say before you rudely interrupted was it is best to tackle this in four teams of two. Eva and Kowalski can investigate Antarctica, Private and Corporal; London, Short Fuse and Rico; Coney Island with you and me Skipper, taking on Blowhole's Hawaii base."

"Question boss, will we all be travelling in separate vehicles?" Short Fuse asked.

"Yes, it will be less suspicious that way. We can't afford the dolphin to be on to us. Corporal and Private can take the submarine, Eva and Kowalski can take the helicopter. While Short Fuse and Rico can be expressed posted to New York Aquarium and Skipper can take the jet with me." Classified explained. "You all have your assignments, I suggest you move."

Both teams nodded before venturing off to their assigned vehicles. Classified watched as each team left for their location, gradually leaving him alone with Skipper. When they were alone, both leaders let out a sigh, finally being able to turn off the facade they were playing for their teams. They both agreed that their teams weren't ready for such news, especially since neither Skipper or Classified knew where this relationship was going. He smiled down at Skipper before planting a kiss on his cheek.

"You need to learn how to answer a text. I was worried."

"Sorry, dealing with a personal matter. Had my flippers tied."

"You're forgiven, this time. I'll make sure there is a jet, fueled up for us. You okay to stay here by yourself?" The wolf teased.

"I wouldn't be a leader if I couldn't handle being alone."

The wolf chuckled before leaving the penguin alone to check on their jet. Skipper smiled to himself, unable to believe he was finally happy. Sure he was happy before but never this kind of happy. The kind of happy that occurred when you finally meant your perfect match. He waited patiently for Classified to return but he hadn't been waiting long when Skipper heard the familiar sound of icy cold webbed feet against the floor. Before the penguin had a chance to react, the owner of the feet pulled him close and kissed him. Skipper let out a feral growl as he was finally released.

"Skippy, I can't believe I finally found you. You wouldn't believe how much I missed you."

Skipper glared at Hans before pushing the puffin off the table. "How the hell did you get in here? More importantly, how the hell did you find me? I made sure to cover my tracks after you betrayed me."

Hans sighed as he climbed onto the table and stroked the penguin's cheek. "You weren't hard to find, especially after you defeated Dave. After that, it was merely applying to the North Wind. I did so we could finally be together again."

Skipper glared as he slapped the puffin's wing off him. How crazy must this Dane be? After all, he did to him, Hans immediately thought that they still had a chance. You can't make your mate a country's number one enemy and expect everything to be okay. It will never be okay. The puffin broke Skipper's heart and his trust. Not only that he was with someone he knew would never betray him under any circumstances. Classified was good to him, good to his family. Hans, not so much. He wished things were different, but at the end of the day the puffin was a creature of pure evil and Skipper was not.

"You're joking, right? You attempted to destroy my family and banned me from an entire country. You're the last animal I..." Skipper began as he heard familiar footsteps.

"The jet is ready Skipper. We should get going ASAP. We can't have Blowhole pulling a fast one on us." Classified stated.

Skipper jumped off the table and began leaving the room. "Couldn't agree with you more."

"I see you also meant one of our new trainees. From the looks of it, you two already know each other. "

"More or less." Skipper growled.

Hans smiled as he followed Skipper's lead, giving him a secret wink before headed back to his training. He wasn't too worried by the penguin's words. He had ways to change his mind, he just had to be patient. The pain would be unbearable but it was a small price compared to the reward he would be given. This particular penguin let out a sigh of relief as soon as the puffin left. Skipper had hoped that part of his life would remain hidden in the dark depths of his past. A place of no return. The last thing he needed was this puffin wreaking havoc and trying to drive a wedge between his brothers. Like he always did. The penguin looked up at Classified and sighed. He could see the wolf was clearly suspicious with a hint worry.

"Want to tell why you know Hans?" Classified asked.

"You have your secrets, I have mine. Everything about Hans and I are strictly classified, Eddie. I have powerful enemies but unlike you, I don't have an organisation to protect me if things go sideways."

"You are an honorary agent, Skipper. You have me and my team to protect you. But I suppose you're right, there are some things I have to keep secret from you, just promise me you'll speak up if you're in way over your head."

Skipper sighed. "I promise, but I rarely ever over my head. You on the other hand."

"Shut up and get in the jet. If we're lucky we can spend some extra time together before we head back." Classified smiled

Skipper nodded as he followed the wolf on to the jet, sitting on the dashboard as they took off to Hawaii. All he could think about during the entire trip was how close Hans was to him now. How close he was to his family and the new life he built after the Denmark incident. Private was the only one who knew the entire truth, mostly because Skipper had a soft for the little guy and hated seeing what his actions were doing to the Private. Plus at the time, it seemed that if Private did spill no one would believe him. But now, Private's word was more valid than ever. Especially when they stopped treating him like a baby. Still, Skipper trusted the young penguin with his life. He knew how loyal Private could be. The leader was more worried about what his past would do to him. Not only him but all he cared about. The penguin felt himself being nudged softly, seeing Classified looking even more worried than before.

"Skipper can't you tell me anything. You're really starting to worry me. You were silent for a whole hour."

"I'm sorry, but besides Hans, only one other person knows the truth. It will stay that way. I can't afford more of my past creating chaos wherever I step. I just can't." Skipper sighed.

Classified nodded. Deep down he hated that his boyfriend was keeping secrets from him. He knew that sounded hypocritical but the penguin wasn't giving him anything. No clues or hints. Only that one other creature knew about the whole ordeal and goddammit, he was going to find out who it was. He couldn't ask Hans since the puffin clearly made Skipper uncomfortable. So Classified's only hope was this mystery individual. He didn't want to do this but Skipper left him no choice. The penguin was stubborn and clearly wasn't going to change his mind about this. Skipper hadn't been at ease since he saw Hans. Something happened between the two and the wolf was determined to find out what.