Author note: I own nothing! First things first this chapter is crap-excuse my French-so sorry for the let down. There might be twp more chaps in this before its is completed! Yeah! Read and Review!

*The Dare*

[Marlene's POV]

Its been three days since me and Skipper made-up. At first the other guys would glare at Skipper anytime he was around, but after I assured them that we were friends they backed off. They are all alot nicer now, but they're begining to suffocate me.

Yeesh, they won't leave me alone! I mean I like the attention but its getting to be quite ridiculous. At first I thought that they were simply star-struck by my outfits, and I think for the most part that was partialy true. Its what got their attention, but now some of them seem to actually be interested in what I have to say. Like a few days before Skipper and I made-up I decided to not wear an outfit hoping that it would give me some time for myself, but still the guys talked to me. Not only did I not get any alone time, but I was roped into judgeing a basketball game.

I'm not going to be naive about this, not one bit. I ain't gonna be a stupid girl! No sex for this girl till after my wedding day!

Now Julien's called everyone for a meeting. I swear if this is about his feet again, there'll be once less pompous lemur in the world. As I arrive I go stand next to Skipper, much to the dismay of some of the guys. I do wish that thing could be like it was before Skipper asked me out. It was alot simpler. Frankly the guys are driving me crazy.

Back to Julien once all of us are in the lemur habitat, Julien calls a meeting to order.

"Today I here by announce that tomorrow I, who is the king you all love, will be holding a party." Julien said extremely excited.

"That's not news, that's stated what you always do ahead of time," Skipper argued.

"Oh you silly-billy penguin, are you not knowing what day it is being tomorrow," none of us answered. I really haven't been keeping tract of the days recently, "It is being Valentines Day, so a mandatory dance is being held, with dances and costumes. This is being a black bow event now so dressy-upy, okay!"

"Hey Marlene," Maurice called out to me, "Do you think that you could sing a few songs? You know for some live entertanment."

"Huh...oh I don't think that I can-"

"Do it Marlene." Skipper said beside me.

"Huh?" I figured that Skipper would be total against it, since the last I sang was to humiliate him. I feel guilty just thinking about that!

"Come on Marlene, do it! You have a lovely voice. Share it!" Skipper said with a comferting smile.

"Yeah!"

"He's right!"

"You've got talent, sheila!"

"Fine I'll do it! You all win!" I said in a mock defeated tone.

After some a few moments of disscussing about where the party should be held, we agreed that the lemur habitat would not be big enough to hold everyone. We all had to think for a few moments. At first no one came up with anything. I can't go outside the zoo so that's a no-no. No one habitat is big enough. Hmmmm...

That's when it hit me like a ton of red bricks. How did we miss that! "That's it!" I exclaimed, startling Private.

"Whaaa!"
"What? You got a plan Marlene?" Skipper asked, curious. Gosh! Is he handsome...wait! Marlene you're only friends! Get a grip!

"Marlene?" "Yeah, I have an idea! Why not use the entire zoo? You know some of us volunteer our habitats for certain things. One for diner, one for dancing, one for a midnight stroll, etc." I said.

"Hmmmm... that's not that bad an idea, Marlene." Skipper said with that smile on his face.

Marlene felt herself flush, and then shook it off, desperately!

"Yeah, that could be working!"

"Smashing idea Marlene!"

"Whaaaaaaawhoooooooo!"

"Joey think's the shiela got an idea."

"Thanks... but where would everything be?"

"Hmmmmmmm...," I thought for a moment, "Since Julien's place already has a juice bar, that could serve as a diner. And hmmmmmmmm... the main part of the zoo could serve as the dance floor and if anybody wants volunteer their habitat they can decide what it will be used for."

"Not bad Marlene...but no way are we volunteering our habitat!" Skipper said both seriously and jokingly.

"Right Skipper," I chuckled sarcastically. It felt good to be friends again. You know that saying "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" is right. Our friendship has grown stronger thanks to that incident, though I could've have happily lived without it.

With that we all dispearsed after agreeing what could be where. I went back to to my habitat feeling that I...was being followed. I shook of the feeling and jumped over the wall into my habitat.

Thud!

Suddenly Joey hopped right infont of me! He almost squished me!

"Whaaaa!" I toppled to the ground.

"Sorry shiela." Joey said, helping me up.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Joey didn't usually leave his habitat since he's somewhat a loner...a violent loner at that.

"Well Joey just wanted ask for you to be me date." Joey said-said not asked-confidently.

"You mean to Julien's dance?"

"Yeah-", Joey was suddenly interupted.

"Hey, I was going to ask her!"

"No that was me!"

"Hey!"

"I'm not dead meat!"

"Me niether!"

Great! Now all the guys were in my habitat! And talking all at once!

"Guys, guys calm down! Now then Since Joey asked first its only fair that I go with him." Joey had a smug look on his face as the others left. I really wanted to slap him but considering that it's Joey-not smart! I was kinda sad that the one person I wanted to ask me wasn't there.

Crap! No no no no no no no no! Get it out of your head Marlene! You're friends! Friends! Friends!

"You okay?" I jumped when I realized that Joey was still in my habitat with me. I must have spaced out.

"Yeah, I'm fine... See you tomorrow then." I really wanted Joey to leave. I can put up with him tomarrow, but at the moment I just want to be alone.
Joey left after saying goodbye and I sighed.

I know everything is at peace and I should be happy but part of me is depressed. I'm not sure whats wrong with me...I'll sleep on it maybe the morning will bring it into perspective.

"You okay Marlene?" Startled I looked up to see that Skipper was now in my habitat. Great! I thought sacarstically. Although he looked really concerned...

"I'm fine..." What a lie! I was not fine! But I didn't want to strain our new found friendship. He probably wouldn't want to listen anyway. The last time I wanted to tell him something he had Private use make me collapse... I have no clue why I did though. One of the many mysteries of them I will probably never know.

"Right...," I could tell he didn't believe me but he didn't press on, "So you're going to the dance with Joey."

"Yeah, well he was the first to ask me." I pointed out.

"Well if he tries...anything indecent tell me. The boys and I will take care of it." He wass dead serious too.

"Nothing will happen. I am not a tramp! If he does though I'll be sure to yell for help."

"That-a-girl!"

I yawned, "Well I'm going to bed, see ya tomorrow!"

I went to bed and just stred at the ceiling of my cave for a few hours. Durring that time I realised something...what was bothering me...

...I was still in love with Skipper.

Not that great huh? Well be honest! Please though give only advice and opinions and corrections. I know my spelling stinks! I'll try to fix that! R&R!