Knock, knock! Marlene's eyes popped open. She sat up and turned to the entrance. She had no door, but someone was still knocking? She caught a glimpse of a shadow stirring there. She yawned, got out of bed, and approached the entrance. She stood there, rubbing her eyes, still pretty tired.

"Hello?" she called. "Anyone there?"

She looked around, unable to find anyone out there. I must've dreamt it or something, she decided in her thoughts. She shrugged and turned around to get back to bed. Suddenly, she could hear a whirl and a stomp from behind her. She flinched and turned around.

"Hello, Marlene," greeted Skipper.

"What? Was that you the whole time?" she asked.

"Who else were you expecting?"

She rolled her eyes… point taken.

"Well, anyways, Skipper, it's late and I really want to get to bed."

She yawned and rubbed her eyes again, but when she put her paws back to her sides, her eyes popped wide open. Skipper ripped out two large leaves… and started dancing erotically! He wiggled his hips with his back towards her; as if he wanted to make sure she had a good look there. Then he turned around and shook his shoulders in a rhythmic movement and waving the leaves around. Marlene blinked nervously and stood there dazed! What is he doing?! He wore a mischievous and seductive smile as he approached her, still dancing sensually. Marlene took a few steps back.

"Skipper what the heck do you think you're doing???" she asked almost in horror.

"You looked a little sleepy," he replied innocently, tossing the leaves and still approaching her in a dance. "So I thought I should perk you up a little before we step inside…"

"What? Uh… um, this isn't the best time for a visit."

"Sure it is!" he exclaimed as he was now face to face with Marlene. "The night's still young; you have me all to yourself…" Suddenly he lifted her in bridal style again. "And I've got you all to myself."

"Yeah… about that. I'm not sure I'm actually comfortable with this."

"C'mon, where's all the fun gone?"

Then he carried her inside and twirled her around as he did. They stepped inside and he continued to twirl her a little around the room. Eventually he set her down, but when he did she stumbled in her steps a little. Not just because she was dizzy from the spinning, but she was still somewhat sleepy, and she was mortified that this was happening. Suddenly she felt Skipper reach around her waist and she was suddenly pulled away, dipped down again just like in the closet, staring right up into Skipper's eyes.

"So, where were we?" he asked suggestively with a sly smile.

"Whoa, whoa! Wait a minute!" exclaimed Marlene as she pushed herself and him up. "Listen, I think we're going too fast. I'm not even sure if we're dating yet."

"Of course we are."

"We are?!"

"Well, it's been a while, Marlene." Marlene's eyes darted around the room nervously. "Boy Marlene, for a gal who likes to have fun, you sure are a little slow to notice these things."

Marlene growled, "It's not that at all! It's just that… you never said anything about us!"

"Sure I did."

"Huh?"

"Y'know," he approached her slowly. "The lunches, the fun, the sunset… the closet… the list goes on."

"You could've been a little more considerate about these things; you've got a beak to talk with y'know!"

"My, my, Marlene…"

"What?" she stepped back again, when she realized he was getting too close to her.

"If I didn't know you any better, I'd say you're looking pretty nervous right about now."

"N-no, well, uh… kinda?" She continued to step back, and he continued to follow her.

"And look at that, you're blushing."

"Me? Blushing? Ha! You're crazy!"

Suddenly her back was pressed against the wall, and he was still coming closer! She's never felt so cornered from anyone before! Her pulse raced, and she could swear she could hear her own rapid heartbeat- and she was blushing like crazy! What the heck?! This is no time to romanticize! Suddenly, Skipper put his flipper on the wall beside her and leaned close. Marlene pressed herself tighter against the wall, as if somehow she'll gain tangibility and seep through it.

"Gosh, Marlene, I just want to hold a mirror up in front of you so you can see how adorable you look right now. The way you blush really makes your eyes look brighter like flames of passion." Marlene blinked, very unsure what to say or do. "It makes your muzzle look whiter too; your lips look like vanilla ice cream from here, so creamy…" He licked his beak noisily in a "tip, tip" rhythm. "And tasty..." Marlene darted her eyes at her arm reaching for something. "Looks like this sweet treat's staring up at me. Almost begging…"

"You're nuts," she whispered, still working her arm out.

"Nuts about you…"

They stared down at each other; Skipper's expression however looked hungry, and Marlene could just tell he was ready to take bites from her. Now what?! Suddenly she grabbed what she was aiming for- a plastic bat- and swung it to the air! She held it high, but when she saw Skipper dart up at it, she swung it down- WHACK!!! Skipper looked at Marlene wide-eyed, almost shocked and confused. Suddenly Marlene stepped away from the spot and stumbled, very much disoriented, waving herself around and staggering. She hit a number on her head! Skipper rushed over to her before she fell to the ground. He held her; still with wide eyes and trying to figure out why she'd hit herself. Eventually her eyes fluttered open, looking up at four Skippers! No wait, two… okay, just one.

"You alright there?" he asked, looking worried.

Marlene smiled at the sight; there was the "normal" Skipper, right?

"Yeah, I think so," she sighed while rubbing her head.

"Good."

Suddenly he swept her up to her feet and held her up by the shoulders, waiting for her to regain control of her legs. Once she did, he helped her back to bed. She sat at the edge, rubbing her head and smiling. She really thought she brought Skipper back. He wasn't acting seductive anymore!

"How do you feel?" she asked suddenly.

"Me?" Skipper asked confused. "You hit yourself on your head! Why'd you do that?"

Marlene looked up at him, "I thought it was just a dream I needed to wake up from…"

Skipper blinked. "So… you don't love me?"

Marlene's face lit up! Did he just ask-?

"What? No! I mean, it's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"It's just… well; I think we're going too fast. I think we should take a little more of our time… and…" Then she remembered what she had been thinking about earlier. "And that maybe, you should go back to your team."

"What? You don't want me around anymore?"

"No it's not that either! Actually… I…"

Marlene could feel herself blushing, and she felt as if she was in a suspense movie. She could hear her own heartbeat, and it seemed to echo throughout the room. She gulped and drew her breath.

"I think I might actually want this…" she murmured. "I… I think I… might too…"

"Might what?"

She gulped, "… l-lo… love… you too…"

Skipper blinked, then after a while, his beak immediately turned into a wide grin. Suddenly, almost like a pounce, he threw himself around her in a hug! Oh gosh, what now?

"Marlene, I'm head-over-heels for ya!" he began. "I'd give the world to ya, and give everything I have just to show how much I love you! I've never felt this way about anyone! I've never… I've never… I've never felt so much desire before…"

Marlene blushed like crazy, and she found herself hugging him back. She had no idea whether to accept this as the greatest moment of her life… or the most shocking! It seemed too good to be true!

"Marlene," he suddenly blurted. "Remember that movie where the parents were kissing under the mistletoe and the kiddies playing under the tree?"

Where was he going with this? "Y-yeah… sure, I guess…"

Suddenly, he moved his flippers down to her hips and pulled her down suddenly until she was under him and he was above her.

"So what are we waiting for?" he asked seductively, with his sly smile and his drooped, hungry eyes! Again! Oh no, he wasn't thinking about that!

"WAIT!!!" she screamed trying to shove him off, but he seemed locked on top of her! "Stop, this isn't like you!!!"

"I know it seems like it," he replied hungrily, almost desperately. "But I can't stand being away from this any longer!" Suddenly he smooched Marlene's cheek as he cuddled against her. "I love you, and I'll make sure you'll be mine for good!"

He cuddled and continued kissing her neck and cheek, until he reached her lips and pressed himself against her, with one flipper pressing her hip against him and the other flipper caressing Marlene's arm. This. Was. Very. VERY. Wrong! And she needed to get out! With her hind legs, she pushed managed to push him off, but he continued to resist it. This had to end.

"Stop! Get off! Let go!" she muffled against Skipper's beak. She had enough. "I said GET OFF!!!"

She smacked him across the face and kicked him off until she was free and she ran on four legs across the room. She stopped and looked back at him. He looked at her hurt by her action. But it didn't take him long to gain his cocky smile again… a little creepy-looking now!

"Playing hard to get?" he smiled playfully.

"You're outta your MIND!!!" she screamed angrily.

"C'mon, where's your sense of fun?"

"There's no fun in this, Skipper!"

"C'mon, you know you want this as much as I do."

"But it's too soon!" Suddenly she slapped her paws over her mouth. Skipper eyes drooped and kept his smile, as if he won an argument. Marlene blushed. "So?! It doesn't matter! This is still out of line!"

"I don't care. I love you, and one way or another; I will get what I want from you." Marlene's mouth swung open appalled, and her eye began to twitch. "I'm trying to reason with you, Marlene. But now it seems too long and boring…"

"What are you saying?"

"It just looks like I'll have to do this by force," his brows furrowed, with crazy, hungry eyes, and his devious smile.

"Hehe, yeah …about that," Marlene smiled nervously, then- ZOOM! She was gone!

Skipper's face lit up in surprise; that was too quick! He quickly left Marlene's little home and stood at the entrance scanning for Marlene. She had already left the habitat! He hopped on the brick wall and peered over. Suddenly he caught a quick glimpse of Marlene's tail slip behind the wall of the elephant exhibit. Skipper smiled, very impressed with her speed and agility.

"You can run and hide all you want," he murmured to himself. "But when I'm assigned on a mission, I always manage to keep my word." He leaped off the fence and stood on the concrete in his military stance. "For a mission accomplished."