The moon set high in the sky looming over the zoo. Except for a few tiny clouds it was a clear and crisp night. While all the zoo inhabitants were preparing to sleep soundly in the calm night, Skipper waddled dreamily (practically dancing) throughout his path. It was sure enough he was in love. He twirled and hummed a rhythmic tune. He leapt onto a light post and swung around it, still humming and sighing dreamily.

At that moment, Kowalski popped out from the hatch from the HQ. He scanned the area, looking for Skipper, until he finally spotted him at the post. He cringed at the sight and gulped.

"Oh good golly," he muttered. "The horror."

He got down to his belly and rushed over to his somewhat disoriented leader. Once Kowalski reached the lamp post, he looked up at love struck Skipper.

"Skipper, shouldn't you return back to base?" Kowalski asked.

"In a minute, Kowalski," Skipper replied, still swinging. "Doesn't the night look glamorous to you?"

"Um… it seems nice…" Finally Skipper hopped down from the lamp and turned to his teammate. "Skipper, I have a reminder that tomorrow is maintenance duty, so I suggest you get some rest."

"Maintenance? Ah well, I'm sure you and the boys back home can finish the job on your own."

"So… you won't be joining us?"

Skipper put a flipper on Kowalski's shoulder, "I'd love to join you fellas, but I'd really like to get to Marlene tomorrow."

"Um, again, Skipper?"

"I told ya, didn't I? I'm making this my personal mission to make Marlene all mine. And I think I'm just getting closer and closer to her."

"So I've heard…" muttered Kowalski.

Suddenly sighed, "But y'know, Kowalski, I'm starting to get the feeling that our relationship isn't getting any faster."

Kowalski blinked, "… relationship?"

"I'm head-over-heels for the dame. But I don't how anymore I can prove it to her how much she means to me. I want to show her my love and more, but I can't seem to figure out the riddle."

Kowalski was completely speechless, are his ears (if he had any) deceiving him???

"That is until moments ago!" cheered Skipper.

Kowalski cocked a brow and tilted his head to the side.

"While we were watching the movie, I could've sworn I heard her sigh and snuggle up against me when the family scene came on."

"Family scene?" asked Kowalski.

"Affirmative. Y'know, a scene where the family spends a Christmas together and the parents are kissing under the mistletoe while the kiddies play under the tree?"

Kowalski's eye began to twitch; he knew if Rico was here right, he'd be upchucking everything he had in his gut uncontrollably like a garden hose!

"She looked up at me with her cute smile, blushing, and then turned away. I tell ya that killed me a little inside. I just can't get enough of her smile."

"Skipper," began Kowalski.

"Wait, just a minute, you'll get your chance to talk! So I think I've got just the thing to… spice things up."

Skipper thought it over in his head with a dreamy yet sly smile. After a while, Kowalski finally caught on he was up to something.

"What are you thinking?" Kowalski cautiously asked.

"I'm thinking…" Skipper began as he waddled away from the penguin habitat. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow."

With that, he slid on his belly and took off to the otter habitat. Kowalski stood there dazed, trying to contemplate if he should go after him. Heck, he wasn't even sure if all that happened just a moment ago was real or not. The poor guy was left dumbstruck.

"This may definitely not be good," he said to himself.

He was about to take off after him, until suddenly he felt shaking underneath him and he could hear electricity blowing up!

"Kowalski!" Private cried from the open hatch. "I don't think the machine's supposed to be making that noise!"

Kowalski immediately took off to help the others with their machine problem. Note to self; never leave the stove on unattended, he thought to himself.

* * *

Marlene swam for a bit in the cool waters of her pond. Eventually, she left the water and shook her fur dry. She looked up at the sky and sighed. It was a nice night. Then she began to reminisce the day. They did exactly what Skipper had planned for the day. The lunch was fantastic; and they ended up watching two movies… and a half. Alice had returned in the middle of the last one, and Marlene couldn't shake off the event that happened after that.

When they heard footsteps coming, Skipper motioned for her to follow him. They both scurried quickly into the closet, just before Alice entered the room. She was extremely exhausted from all the chasing and catching she had to do. Then she caught the TV on. She scratched her head in confusion. "I don't remember leaving the TV on," she had said. She approached it to turn it off until she realized a love scene was on. She shrugged and sat into a chair and stared into the screen. Marlene peered through a crack on the door to see if Alice had noticed them but it was obvious she was distracted at the moment. Come to think of it, Marlene became distracted herself!

Coincidentally the main characters were locked up in the closet as well hiding from someone Marlene hadn't paid enough attention to know from who. The female looked worried, but the male character held her close to him to comfort her. Then the male character pressed his girl's head against his chest. Then the two looked at each other, almost tenderly and lovingly. Marlene thought it was a sweet scene…until she realized her head was also pressed against Skipper's chest! She could feel the chills and her heart began to race. He caressed her head lovingly, making her blood turn cold and an extremely heated blush appeared on her face.

"Kinda dark in here," whispered Skipper. Marlene's eyes widened. "And it looks like a kissing scene's about to come on…"

Marlene looked up at Skipper, as he wore a cool yet gentle smile on his beak. She couldn't believe this was happening! She wanted to run away from this, but Skipper had her pressed against him, his strength made sure she couldn't escape. She pulled gently away, but she was slightly hesitant at the same time! Why?!

"No need to be so nervous, babe," he whispered gently- almost seductively. "Just relax. You know you're safe with me…"

Marlene's heart raced even faster! This was very unexpecting. She had to get out of there! This was insane! She had to be nuts to go through with this. At the same time… she actually wanted this… Gradually, she stopped resisting, and she let her heart at ease. Suddenly her eyes drooped and she saw Skipper's eyes close and he began to lean forward. She couldn't make herself lean in though. She was still hesitant… but this felt so nice… Oh, who was she kidding?! Kiss me already! She nearly screamed in her head. His beak was nearly touching hers, and she could smell his partly fishy breath (she didn't seem to mind it at all) and she slowly puckered her lips. Slowly… slowly… closer… almost…

"Jeez, we won't get to it at this rate," Skipper suddenly shook his head.

Then he suddenly twirled her to one side, dipped her gently yet swiftly, and smooched against her lips. This caught her by complete, total, utter surprise. She grabbed hold around his neck to keep herself from falling, but in the process it also pressed herself and her lips tighter against him. She was wide-eyed at first, but immediately she shut her eyes and enjoyed the sweet passion. Everything felt so right and so blissful. Skipper even pressed Marlene's neck tighter, craving for a deeper kiss. Marlene could feel his beak slightly open, so she began to open hers a little, following his lead. This had to be the most sensual and beautiful moment of their entire lives…

BOOM! Marlene hadn't realized they were leaning in too close to a broom that it eventually tipped over and slammed against the door! Skipper and Marlene were caught in such a surprise, they fell over! Luckily they tumbled into a fallen coat, so when Alice turned around at the closet, they were too hidden to be caught. They pretty much laid there a little shaken, until Alice finally turned off the TV, picked up the broom and shoved it back into the closet. She slammed the door, leaving the two animals in the dark.

"Maybe we should go," Marlene said.

Marlene opened her eyes, and she realized she was lying down on her bunk bed. She was so lost in her thoughts; she didn't even notice she had moved from outside back to inside! She blinked and sat up. It was nice and all… but that was it! It was very romantic, so romantic that she couldn't believe it actually happened! She could feel herself blushing and she smiled. There was a vase of flowers across the room so she got up and plucked one out. She petted its smooth petals and she even took a whiff of it. She smiled as she exhaled with please.

"I never thought this could go so perfectly," she said to herself.

She looked down at her blue flower and smiled. But suddenly her smile shrunk to a frown. It had been several days Skipper spent time with her, but hardly any time with the team. When she had snuck out after her moment with Skipper, she remembered the sad and worried looks on the other penguins' faces. It saddened her to see them that way. Maybe she should let him know that he needs to return back to the team sometime. It's nice to spend so much time with him. But he should uphold his duties as well right? Suddenly her face lit up as she took in the full meaning of it all. Her grip on the flower tightened. Are they really… are they actually… dating? Is it official? The question hadn't really crossed her mind to actually ask! But the thought made her blush! He's practically confessing his thoughts and feelings to her… they kissed in the closet… are there any special rules to make a couple "official?" She cringed at the thought. How could she be so clueless about these things? How could he be so blunt about it? She sighed as she walked over to her bunk and lied there. Maybe a goodnight's rest should do the trick for now until she could sort things out.