Doris was even more beautiful under the moon lit sky than in the warm rays of the summer sun. Her skin glistened as water droplets trickled down her face and Kowalski could get so lost in her ocean blue eyes. She was the physical entity of beauty to Kowalski.

Doris chuckled upon seeing Kowalski's flustered face. He always got like this the second he set eyes on her because he simply could not believe he had managed to catch and keep her for the 17 and a half time.

"Good evening, Kowalski," Doris said softly.

Kowalski purred for a moment before he took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Evening to you, darling."

Doris gave a sweet chuckle as she rested her flippers on the concrete slipway. Kowalski shuffled closer and rested his flippers atop hers.

"How was your day, beautiful?" He asked.

Doris smiled sweetly and removed a flipper only to wipe some water from her eyes.

"It was nice, I spent the day with my family."

Ah, family. That's usually code for Blowhole. Doris spent every day with her mother since they lived with one another but she didn't like to mention Blowhole by name in front of Kowalski. She knew they were enemies and it pained her to know her brother was swimming down the wrong path and she could do nothing about it. And anyway, Kowalski knew Blowhole had seen her since he had told him before Doris arrived.

Kowalski smiled and bought Doris' flipper up to his chest where he held it tight. But even then, he couldn't stop his brain going back to the dreaded doctor. It was true, that Doris and Blowhole looked nothing alike and Kowalski could not figure out why. Perhaps they had different fathers. But he couldn't just out and ask such a personal question, that would be rude. But looking down at her flippers, she was spotless, flawless, perfectly designed. Not a blemish about her.

Doris noticed Kowalski off in his own thoughts and chuckled as she gently tapped his beak.

Kowalski snapped back and blushed as he chuckled in embarrassment.

"Something on your mind?" Doris asked, looking into Kowalski's eyes with attentiveness.

Kowalski thought for another moment. How to put the question softly and not offend anyone.

"Who do you get your good looks from?" Kowalski smiled.

Doris didn't flinch or think anything of the question. Kowalski felt relieved as her eyes turned in thought.

"My mother always says I have my grandmother's eyes and my grandfather's skin colour. Though, he got very blotchy in his old age, so I hope I dont turn out like that," she chuckled.

"Blotchy?" Kowalski queried.

"Yes, he went darker in some places and lighter in others. He got spots and speckles all over his face."

Kowalski nodded along. So that was it, Blowhole had inherited his imperfections from his grandfather. Though, Kowalski thought discoloration happened towards the end of a dolphins life. How old was Blowhole? Could he have been on his way out?

Anyway, Kowalski gently shook his head, ridding his thoughts about Blowhole. This was a date! He shouldn't have been thinking about a guy, let alone his date's brother.

Kowalski focused all of his energy on Doris, keeping her happy and talking sweetly to her before they left the dock and went for a swim. They dived deep, played in the waves and enjoyed their time together. Kowalski always had the best time with Doris. He was able to relax and just forget about all of his worries. He truly was blessed and in heaven.

At the end of their date they found themselves back at the dock saying their farewells. It had been a wonderful few hours and Kowalski didn't want to say goodbye, like usual. Perhaps a day would come when he was discharged from the team and he could retire with Doris. They could get married, live together, have kids and Doris would tell Kowalski to slow down and that she's not ready and Kowalski's dreams would be shattered and he just needed to stop overthinking everything, like damn.

"I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you, Kowalski," Doris said with a smile.

Kowalski purred back and then sighed blissfully.

"You're welcome, angel. See you next time."

They shared a tender kiss and Kowalski watched as Doris disappeared into the night, getting enveloped by the calm ocean waves. This had been a perfect night and truly nothing could spoil it.

Kowalski took a moment to watch the waves and gather himself. He was in for a long train ride back to the zoo but that was ok, because he had his sweet memories of Doris to keep him company. He kept watching until he knew she was gone, safe and back with her mother.

Kowalski turned and started to walk up the slipway, still blissfully unaware of what time it was or where he was. He was fueled on pure joy.

"What, no good night kiss for me?"

Kowalski was suddenly, harshly, snapped back to reality. He turned slowly to see the physical embodiment of the devil pouting on the slipway. It was Blowhole. Kowalski groaned and turned back around, walking up the road faster now. This couldn't be happening. Not on his perfect date night!

"You're not even going to say goodbye?"

Kowalski stopped, growled under his breath and turned, not taking a step closer to the dolphin.

"Do you have to ruin everything? What is so important that you couldn't wait until tomorrow or even later to tell me? It has to be 30 seconds after Doris leaves."

Blowhole was taken aback for a moment before he smirked and chuckled at Kowalski's dismay. The bird was getting cocky and not watching his words. Blowhole liked prey that fought back.

"As per our contract, I need your help to test a few things tomorrow. Be here as early as you can."

Kowalski grumbled again and rubbed his eyes. He was getting tired and irritated and just wanted to get back to the HQ so he could sleep forever.

"I'm spending more time with you than I am alone."

"Good. You should feel lucky."

Blowhole found the situation amusing but Kowalski certainly didn't. He let his flippers fall and stared at the dolphin. If looks could kill then Blowhole would have been dead 3 times over.

"Fine. Now leave me alone," he said turning on his heels again.

Blowhole laughed as Kowalski walked away.

"Still no good night kiss?" He joked.

Kowalski was fed up of the jokes. Fed up of Blowhole. If only he could make the ego driven mammal shut up for once. So, Kowalski turned again and marched down the slipway right to Blowhole where he stopped only a few inches away. Blowhole looked confused and slightly flustered as Kowalski stared deep into his eye. Then he leaned forward and with all his might kicked the dolphin in the nose, sending him back a foot.

Blowhole just sat there, turning red as he lifted his flipper to rub his tender chin. What just happened? Weren't they all laughs and jokes a moment ago?

Kowalski turned for the last time, with a wide smirk on his face, looking over his shoulder.

"That was a good night kick. Now stop pestering me and see you tomorrow!"

Blowhole was speechless. Kowalski had certainly met his goal of getting him to shut up because he just sat in silence as he watched the penguin walk away.

It took Blowhole a moment to shake off the pain and wake himself from his daze. There was something to that kick. A will, a passion. Kowalski had truly meant it and it astonished Blowhole since Kowalski was not necessarily a physical guy. So Blowhole knew how to get a reaction out Kowalski and that was to get between him and Doris