Chapter nine: Let's Get This Straight

(Kowalski's POV)

I found myself filled by rage. It filled 85% of my body. 15% of me, however, knew that there was nothing going on between the two, but I wanted to hear it out of Rune's mouth.

"Kowalski?"

My head turned to the sweet small voice. It was Rune, of course, yet she... looked different somehow. More nervous.

She took in a deep breath, then opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but nothing came out.

"Er... Rune?"

Rune made a squeeky sound and her face turned beat red before she ran off.

Okay... I belive the scientific term is... weird. I turned my head just in time to see Skipper shake his head and sigh.

The next thing I know Skipper slid on his belly to the other side of the room where Rune sat face red, tail wrapped around herself. He whispered something to the female lemur.

"What?!" she yelped loudly.

Skipper covered her mouth and pointed to me.

I concentrated very hard to hear.

"...don't you?" I heard Skiper ask.

"Well...yes, but-"

"It'll be fine! Let me handle this!"

Suddenly, Skipper montioned to me and we walked out the door.

***

"May I ask what this is all about, Skipper?" I asked. I was fed us will all these sercets!

"Me and Rune were talking last night-"

"I know," I growled angry. Jealiouscy filled my soul as I remembered their embrace last night.

"Let me finish, solder!" Skipper scolled. "We were talking about you!"

"M-Me?" My face felt hot red.

Skipper pulled out one of his tape recorders. "Do you really not know how she feels about you?"

I blushed wildly and shook my head.

"Well, listen to this," he told me, pushing the play button.

Rune's voice came from the machine, "It's not what we have in common, it's what we like about each other! I like the way he talks to me. I like the way he makes mistakes, reminding me no one ca be perfect. I like how he scribbles all his thought on his notepad and the cute way he swims or eats fish. Most importantly, I love...I absolutly love the way my heart races when he touches my shoulder in comfort or when we hand out or just being around him and his almost too perfect scent..."

By this time, my heart was pounding. I had no idea she felt this strongly!

"It's not done," Skipper told me.

"I just don't 'love' Kowalski, I'm 'in love' with him! I'm not sure that makes any sense but that's the way I feel and not you or anyone else can do or say anything to change that!"

Skipper stopped the tape in a rush. "Er... that's all you need to hear. No need to play my words... So, Kowalski, what's you take in all this?"

Frankly, I didn't know waht to say. All these emotions I never felt before filled my heart. I couldn't deny it any longer. "I...I also love her!"

"So, you're going to tell her?"

I froze. Admitting my feelings to others and myself was hard enough...

Skipper laughed. "Well...Now I know what you two have in common." He began to walk away, but he stopped outside the door. "One more thing, Kowalski..."

I turned to him. "Yes, Skipper?" I noticed... his eyes were soft and caring!?

"Rune's a good girl... She's kind and sweet and she loves you with all her heart, but..." His voice suddenly turned cold. "If you were to break that poor girl's heart for any reason you will be running extra laps for a month and I'll convasgate your clip board!"

I laughed a little bit. "No need to worry about that, Sir!" Wow. I never seen him act so fatherly to anyone besides Private.

"Good... Now, I'm gonna talk to Ru."

---

(Rune's POV)

"He loves me? He loves me?! He really does? Oh my god, he really does?!" I squeeled as I hopped up and down.

"Good Lord, girl! You keep bouncing like that, you're gonna make me get sick!" Skipper told me.

I stopped hopping and I hugged Skipper quickly, then rushed to the ladder.

"Where are you going?" Skipper asked. "You know Kowalski's still outside the door."

"I know," I said over my shoulder as I climbed the ladder, "But you know me, I put things off! I'm gonna take the longway around."

I heard Skipper laugh lightly with a sigh.

***

I had just got to the top of H.Q. when I spotted Kowalski. He must have been planning to do what I was doing! I smiled as I hopped into the water and doggy paddled to the other side. I could see Kowalski was surprised. He should be! I've been practicing to swim all last night till late afternoon.

"Kowalski! Hi," I panted as I struggled to climb out of the water.

Kowalski grabbed my hand and helpped me. "Ah... hello, Rune... Where'd you learn to swim?"

"I taught myself," I told him.

It was an ackward silence.

Well...not really ackward(to me anyway)... I just stared into his eyes... His brillant dark blue eyes... Now that I knew he loved me too, I felt completely free of my emotions. Without reliezing what I was doing, I got close and snuggled my nose into his feathers, taking in his sea water scent... I loved his scent... it comforted me... reminded me of home. "Kowalski...," I muttered, rubbing my head on his chest.

I felt heat coming off him. He must be blushing! He wrapped his flippers around me. God... it felt so nice to have his body close to me...

My eyes widened as I felt his beak nuzzling my neck. I found myself laughting. "So...? Who's gonna be the first to pour their heart out?"

Kowalski chuckled. I felt his breath on my ncek and I blushed more than usual. "Well..?"

Silence.

"Awe, it can wait," I told him with a wide smile, "Why ruin a good thing?" I pulle back, grabbed his beak and kissed him.

Kowalski's face turned into a goofy smile. "W-Wow!"

I giggled as i cuddled back into his chest. It was all too perfect. Even if we were both too shy to admit out feelings to one another, we both knew... we both felt the same.

---

A/N: Feel free to "Aww!" at this! ^^ So if ya didn't catch on; Kowalski was the one to see Rune and Skipper hug and he got jealous. Now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

SKILENE!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes! Skilene shall prevale! And what of Private and Trixy? Contuine to the next chapter to find out! ;)

Review, please! =3