A/N: This is my favorite chapter so far. It's also the longest so far. Ponytail30527 and knockknocktimerico, you guys rock for reviewing. The rest of you rock for reading this, but I can't thank you personally, which makes me kinda sad. Okay, here we go.

Chapter 4: Confrontation

The rest of Saturday was uneventful. Roz and Cube got to meet the rest of the animals, and entertain the people until the sun went down. Okay, so not uneventful, but not worth going into extensive detail about. As the clock struck nine o'clock, Cube was near exhausted, Peanut was dozing off where he stood, and Roz was yawning a whole lot. They were on a final walk around the zoo, saying goodnight to everyone and enjoying spending time together. As they arrived at their habitat, they were sluggish and clutching onto each other for support. Marlene smiled as they came through the door and nearly collapsed on the floor. The three of them were getting along very well, even for just meeting twenty four hours ago.

Within the next few minutes (probably not even that), the three siblings were asleep, one right on top of the other in a cute stack. She hugged each of them, and bid them good night, smiling as she fell asleep next to them as well.

The next morning had Marshal and Eggy rushing into the habitat to wake up Peanut. When they saw the tower of the three of them, they couldn't help but smile at each other... before Marshal jumped into it and sent them all tumbling over. Peanut started, but when he noticed it was his best friend, he stopped and laughed. "Dude, good one." He said, giving the penguin a high five. Cube simply rolled over and went back to sleep like the heavy sleeper he was. That just left a very angry Rozalin.

"What the... You!? You're not allowed in here, get out." She growled, outraged. Marshal and Peanut both stared at her, unbelieving of what she said. When they asked her why not, she crossed her arms and glared. Like she needed a reason? The penguin was a bad influence on Peanut, she thought, and, for all intent and purposes, she just didn't like him. "Because I said so. Now, before I have to physically remove you, you had better--"

Roz never got to finish her threat, as her mother had woken up and heard everything. "Rozalin LaFayette, they are just as welcome here as you are. Don't be rude!" She saw her daughter visibly cringe as she called her by her full name. Yes, she has a full name, her father picked her second one. Despite the threat he was receiving before, even Marshal had to snicker at her being yelled at.

It was a stare off between mother and daughter, and since Marlene held the upper hand in being older, and in charge, she won. Roz looked away, sighing and agreeing with her mother. She let Marlene pick her up and hug her, a sort of peace offering, then suggested the four of them play outside. Which reminded Marshal why he came over here in the first place. "That's right! We're playing Volleyball at our place. You wanna go Peanut?" After a long pause, he fake-grinned at Roz. "I guess you could come too, ROZ." He was being forcibly polite. Especially since Marlene was probably going to tell Skipper about Roz's behavior, and he did NOT want to be on that train.

The girl shrugged, and looked back at her big brother. He was still asleep, arms wrapped around a pillow he had stolen. Marlene assured her that she would send him over when he woke up, and Roz left with the other boys. "Your whole name is Rozalin LaFayette?" Peanut asked, when they were safely outside. His sister smiled and nodded proudly. She actually loved her name, and the fact that her father gave it to her. She was the only one her father picked the middle name for. He named Xiao Ren, and Cubert was named after her mother's grandfather. Which left Marlene to pick Renni and Cube's middle name.

"Cube's is Azai Shao, and Renni's is Noel." After a thought, she smiled. "I bet you have one, too. Mom probably just won't tell you until she's yelling at you for breaking something." The pair snickered, and Marshal almost glared at them from over his shoulder. Ever since she got there, Roz had been a bit of a thorn in his side. And after thinking it over (just now, for a second), he decided he actually didn't really like her, she was always around Peanut, and his dad... He frowned, climbing carefully over the fence that lead to his habitat. So Skipper had known Roz first, and longest. But... SO WHAT!? Marshal was his son! That counted for more, right!? The boy was getting angry just thinking about it, so he stopped, but the feeling was still there. As the four of them arrived to play, they could see Buttons, Elli... and Athena talking to Cube.

The pair were talking pretty easily, Cube actually taking the time to think about what he was saying this time. Peanut was about to ask how he got there so fast, but Roz rushed over, excited to start playing. She didn't know if she was good at volleyball or not, but she would try her best. The penguins taught them what they knew, and the game started. Marshal was on a team with Roz, Peanut and Eggy, and Buttons, Cube, Athena and Elli were on the other side.

It started off smoothly enough. Bump, set, spike. Pass it to a neighbor, have them get it over. Point, who's up to serve next? When the parents came around to watch their kids play from behind the fence, the score was tied, 14 on, and the next point would win the game. Eggy was up to serve, and for about ten minutes, there was nothing but aggressive serves back and forth. Marshal had the ball coming right toward him, and he knew that they could score on Cube... but he'd have to pass to Roz, which he had taken a point to avoid the whole game. Instead, he did a complex move that tossed the ball behind him, to an unsuspecting Peanut. Unfortunately, he hit it too hard, and it landed with a splash out of bounds, giving a point to the other team.

Game over.

As the other team cheered for their victory, Roz stomped up to Marshal, who was wearing a very sour look on his face and had his arms crossed. "WHAT was that!? I was open, we could have scored!" This started the biggest argument the pair had ever had, and the kids had ever seen.

"You couldn't have put it over, I had to pass it to someone who could!"

"So you passed it to PEANUT!? Peanut is in the back! He couldn't have done it, what's your deal?"

"What are you talking about, I was playing a good game!"

"On Mars, maybe! You haven't passed it to me once! And just so you know, I wasn't JUST talking about the game!"

Marshal suddenly got quiet, and angrier than anyone, even Skipper, had ever seen him before. "You don't know WHAT you're talking about."

"Oh? Well, maybe you could fill me in." Roz started to bear teeth, and Marshal fought back with an angry glare of his own.

"That's gonna happen. NEVER." His face tightened and the friction between them intensified. By now, the kids were all watching, as were the adults, who were just about as unsure to do as their young. "You don't get it. I. Don't. Like you." Everyone watching gasped, and their parents started hopping the fence, to stop the pair from doing any more damage.

Roz laughed. "The feeling's mutual, buddy. Glad we got that out in the open. And to think, all we had to do was play a game that you have no clue how to play!" The volume raised again, and the yelling resumed.

"Please, you're new, you didn't even know how to play an hour ago!"

"Yeah that matters, 'cuz I totally DIDN'T score on them four times!"

"That was luck!"

"What is your PROBLEM!?" Roz growled, and pushed Marshal hard. He stomped his foot. To heck with not getting in trouble, to heck with Roz, and to heck with anyone who was watching.

"YOU'RE my problem!" The penguin pushed her back, and before either knew it, they were fighting; fists-swinging, no-time-to-make-it-pretty, needed-to-get-it-out, fist-to-the-face fighting. Marlene and Skipper were on them as quickly as they could be, separating the pair and holding them still. Neither had more than a few bumps and bruises. Externally.

But both parents knew the two of them had some stuff to talk out.

A few minutes later, Skipper, Marlene, Rozalin and Marshal were sitting downstairs, the youngest two on the floor, and Skipper and Marlene, who promised not to interfere, were sitting at the table. As a compromise for neither of them being grounded, the kids had to talk out what they were feeling, and reach an agreement of some sort. It was mostly Marlene's idea, but seeing the two young he considered his children fight like that... Skipper had to agree. Strongly. For a while, nothing was said.

"Sorry." Marshal started.

"Oh, no you are not." Roz countered. Go ahead and let him get mad and fight her again. Maybe this time she could knock some sense into him.

"Fine, I'm NOT sorry. Happy now?" He was rising to the challenge, Roz pushing his buttons successfully. With a short look over at Skipper and her mom, she bit back a carefully chosen retort. That wasn't why she was here. And she didn't want Skipper to be any more disappointed in her than he already was.

"Not. Really." She sighed and leaned back, and for a second, Marshal thought he saw some sadness in her eyes before she went back to glaring at him. "Honestly, what is your DEAL with me?"

The penguin snickered. "You first." She looked away, and for a second, he thought she wasn't going to say anything. That this whole thing would be over before it even began. But then she spoke, and told him what she felt. Well, about him being a bad influence to her little brother, anyway. That was just one thing, though. His eyes opened wide. "You really haven't been here that long, have you, sister?" Roz tilted her head in a questioning manner, and he continued. "Peanut gets into trouble before me, without me, and without even knowing it sometimes. I remember one time..." The bored look on her face told him that now was not the time for stories. "Well, anyways. I didn't do anything to him." He scooted a little closer to her and looked her in the eyes. "I swear."

What other choice did she have? She believed him. And, in retrospect, it made a lot of sense. Roz made a mental note to talk to her little brother later.

That certainly changed a few things. She wouldn't be as harsh on him, for one. Of course, the pair of them would never be best friends like him and Eggy and Peanut were, but she was going to stop fighting him as much, that's for sure. Wait... "What about you, then?" When his eyebrows went up, she pushed her bangs out of her face. "What is your deal with me?" She asked again.

Marshal shifted uncomfortably, and chanced a quick glance at his father, which Roz caught. She looked at both of the adults and, after assuring them they wouldn't fight, got them to leave. Of course, Marlene had to whisper that if she heard anything breaking, they would both be in really big trouble, but they still trudged out and went up the ladder to wait for their children. The otter turned back to Marshal, who was staring at the ground like it stole his ability to prank. "It's... not fair." Marshal practically whispered. Roz leaned in, and he repeated what he said before elaborating. "It's not fair. He's my dad, Roz. Not yours. Stop taking him away from me." His eyes flicked up to her and she jumped. That stare he had been using on the floor was kinda scary directed at her. "Ever since you got here, he's only wanted to spend time with you. Even though I'm his kid, and you're not even related to him!" Everything he had been feeling since she got there burst out like some sort of dam explosion. "You're messing up everything and... and... He's my dad, Roz!" The boy repeated, now nearly out of breath. As if he realized something was wrong, his eyes shot back down to the floor. Rozalin blinked, then leaned back. Is that what this was about?

"You think I don't know that?" Marshal looked up when she spoke and found that she was glaring at him, her eyes a deep pool of hurt and sadness, which made Marshal instantly feel bad. "I do. Okay? But... He's the closest thing I have to a father, Marshal. And sometimes, a girl needs a dad." She smiled sadly. "Especially when hers is dead." The boy never thought of it that way before. Peanut told him her dad died before she even got a chance to enjoy him. And, kind of like how Skipper took Marshal in, he took her in. The only difference was she had to do most of her growing up without BOTH parents. For as long as he could remember, he had Skipper, and Marlene if he really needed her. "When I look at the two of you, together... You're so lucky, and you don't even get it. I came back," She paused to take a deep breath. "I didn't even think that you'd... but then you were, and suddenly, Skipper... I didn't know, okay?"

If she was trying to make him feel bad... she was succeeding. Though, looking at her, somehow Marshal didn't think that was her goal. Not right now. "I know you knew him before I did, but ever since you got here, he hasn't done anything with me." Which was very true. Roz literally had stolen his father away from him. Now that he knew how she felt, though... was it really a bad thing? "A guy's gotta wonder... if..." He stopped and looked away, not sure where he was going with that. No, that wasn't right. He knew where he was going with that. If he doesn't love me like he loves you. He didn't say it.

In front of him, Rozalin sniffled and inhaled deeply again. She was NOT going to cry. "I'm sorry." She sounded it, and his eyes snapped to hers.

The two sat quietly for a long time, not moving, not looking away.

After five minutes, Marshal got up, and offered his hand to Roz, trying to make amends. She took it, and without words, they knew that what was to be done. Marshal had to stop egging Peanut on as much (at least around her), and Rozalin had to let him have some time with his father, too. She gave him a small smack on the back, which he returned, and, together, they went up the ladder.

Sometimes, that's all it takes.

Next Time On Geeze Doumani

CAAANN YOU FEEEEL THE LOOOVE TONIIIIGHT? (Marlene looks around. "Rozalin?! What are you doing on the voice over thing?") Because there is love in the air here, and... wait... this can't be right... THIS PAIRING CAN'T EXIST! Author lady made a mistake! (A very smug Cube reads over her shoulder. "I don't think she did, Roz... Oooh, this looks cute." The penguin kids rush over and read it too, before breaking out in laughter, Marshal laughing the loudest. "Wow, I didn't know you liked that kind of guy." Cube laughs. "What did you expect, she was in love with a pineapple!" More laughter.) Okay, I'm boycotting this chapter! Anyone with me?

I won't see you next time!

And if you review, I'll... I'll take away your cookies!

A/N: Choose who does the next Chapter Preview! Start voting now! Also, Cube's middle name means "Little Azai". Next update in four days.