Marlene was enjoying every second of it. She was simply sapping in every minute she was in that warm embrace. It all felt so peaceful and romantic. So warm and loving. So amazing and beautiful. So very much… wrong.

Suddenly… very suddenly… it happened as if someone was turning down the volume of a radio, slowly yet immediately. The lust and passionate desire faded away, and Skipper began to feel the light-headedness returning. Suddenly, he couldn't remember what he was doing, or where he was. All he knew was something soft and silky was touching his beak. Whatever it was he had to admit it tasted sweet and delicious, but he already doubted it was something edible. He opened his eyes as if he was waking up from a dream. His vision was blurry, but he could see a brown figure was there before him. Then his eyes widened in horror when he knew who the shape belonged to.

Skipper broke the kiss abruptly and Marlene opened her eyes from her awkward and heated trance. She looked up at him surprised, why did he stop? Then she noticed his shocked and blushing look on his face. Skipper's heart skipped a beat and his eye began to twitch in mortal disgust. Marlene blinked, what happened?

"What the-" he stuttered already sliding off Marlene, "I'm- you're- we were…"

He waved his flippers wildly in the air; he had never been so confused! What were they doing?! "Smoked salmon! Cheese and crackers! Dear, sweet mother of mercy!!!"

He was so panicked that he wasn't paying attention to his actions as he continued to step back, and suddenly he fell off the bunk- THUD!!! Marlene sat up and looked down at him from the bunk, somewhat dazed and unsure what to do or say. Instantly Skipper stood back up.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF COD'S FIN IS GOING ON?!!!" he cried.

"J-just calm down for a sec," began Marlene almost softly, but Skipper continued to frantic over the whole situation.

"Is this a sick prank? An illusion? Something's wrong! What was I thinking? Since when??? This- I- Marlene- I WAS SITTING ON MARLENE THE OTTER!!!"

SMACK! Marlene had approached Skipper and slapped him across the face.

"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF, MAN!!!" she screamed as she did.

Skipper instantly snapped out of his panicking state and looked at Marlene wide-eyed. They stared at each other blankly for a moment, and surprisingly the awkwardness wasn't setting in at the moment. They were both simply confused and uncertain what to feel right now. Suddenly Skipper rubbed his cheek where Marlene struck him, barely feeling the sting.

"Thanks, Marlene," he finally spoke. "I needed that."

Marlene wondered if Skipper was finally free from the love serum.

"H-how do you feel right now?" she asked uncertainly, anxious and fearing the answer she would receive.

Skipper continued to rub his cheek and looked at the ground. It was obvious he was still somewhat shaken from all of this. Finally he breathed deeply and looked up at Marlene a little more calmly.

"Very confused," he be replied as he exhaled air. "I can't remember how I ended up here."

Marlene cocked her head to one side, already wondering if he had any memory of what was going on at all. Suddenly she smiled, a very faint one, but something. Skipper was back to his normal self. Suddenly a heavy burden slid off her shoulders as she sighed a breath of relief.

"You're back!" she exclaimed happily. "Thank goodness, you're okay now!"

Suddenly she rushed over to him and gave him a hug around his neck. Almost a little while after that, Skipper pushed her away.

"Whoa, uh," he began and already feeling guilty by the look on her face as he did. "Sorry about that, Marlene, but uh… I really feel awkward about this."

"Right," nodded Marlene understandingly. "Of course, uh. Well, it's a bit of a long story. Take a seat?"

Skipper nodded sat on the bunk and Marlene sat down with him, but not too close of course. She went on to explain how Kowalski's love serum accidentally slipped into the sardine smoothie Private made, and how Kowalski had already concluded the worst and trying to find the cure. She tried to avoid the rather "hard" details, afraid it would make him feel bad. It was the last thing she wanted for the confused, and possibly scared, penguin. She had told him however, of the days they spent wonderfully together and their misadventures. Skipper had smiled at that.

Eventually he sighed and dared to ask, "So what was I doing on top of you like that?"

Marlene blushed and she began to fidget with her fingers, "Um, let's just say you were feeling a… feeling, and decided to act on it and…."

Skipper was quiet as he looked at the floor. Then he lightly blushed, "Did we both really agree to do so?"

Marlene's heart picked up the pace and she began to scratch her head, "Well…" She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she knew he had to know the truth. "…no… no, it wasn't agreed by the both of us. I… didn't… but you…"

She looked at Skipper and she felt guilty to see the hurt look on his face as he drew an angry sigh, "How could I have been so careless and inconsiderate… please tell me it wasn't a frequent thing…"

He looked Marlene, but when he saw the hurt and blush on her face it answered it all. He couldn't remember any of the events, but he was already angry and ashamed of himself. It made him feel weak… and a criminal.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked.

"No."

"Anyone?"

Marlene didn't answer, making Skipper frightened. "Who?"

"Your team…" she sighed.

"WHAT?!"

"You misunderstood their help, and got angry… but please understand, it's not you're fault."

"How bad was it?"

"They're fine now."

"It's still not an excuse. And this is… this is unforgivable."

"But it wasn't you, it was the serum. You don't have to feel so guilty about it."

"It just proves what a weak mind I have. And it all can't be fixed."

He tightened his flippers into fists and growled at himself, and it hurt Marlene so much to see him like this. All she wanted was to make him feel better, and make him believe it wasn't his fault, which was true. She gently yet swiftly put her paw on his shoulder, but immediately Skipper rose from the bunk.

"I'm sorry Marlene, I… I just can't…" he growled without turning to her, only giving her his back. His pride was shattered and he felt his reputation to Marlene was gone with it as well. His dignity was shriveling already; he couldn't bear to admit his fear of looking at her in the face. He began to make his way out.

"Wait!" exclaimed Marlene as she threw herself behind him in a tight embrace. "It's not your fault, and I just wanna let you know that I forgive you for it! Please don't beat yourself up for it, ever!"

Marlene never saw his face, but Skipper's eyes were wide-eyed and he was very surprised by this reaction.

"It's not about if you forgive me or not," he replied. "I can't forgive myself for this. I don't deserve it. I'm sorry, I can't be around."

"No, I won't let you leave like that." Her grip was firm; she was very determined to keep him with her until he can change his mind.

"Marlene, I have to go," he said a little angrily as he began to push her away.

"No."

"Marlene, let go."

"No way!"

"I mean it!"

"Me too!"

"Marlene!"

They struggled, but Marlene was absolutely certain she was going to keep him there with her. Eventually Marlene thought quick and tripped Skipper, causing them both to tumble over. Skipper looked right up at Marlene as she pinned him down. He growled, but eventually eased himself.

"You don't know when to quit, do you?" he asked.

"Neither do you," she replied.

Skipper smirked, making Marlene smile inside as well, but keeping her determined expression. That's when Skipper noticed her light brown eyes, blazing and glowing brightly. He couldn't help but smile at it, but then frowned about it. He was beginning to feel he didn't even deserve to look at them. Marlene could sense his sadness too.

"I can't even say sorry," he began turning his beak away. "There's nothing I can say that can make it all better for you, there just isn't."

Then Marlene smiled, and slowly rose up to her feet. Then she extended her paw at him. He looked up at her and began to wonder what her smile was about.

"Let's start by seeing the others, and let them know you're okay now," she answered.

Skipper smiled, and even willingly took her hand and pulled himself up.

* * *

Already, Kowalski was making a new antidote on the table. He began to mix in the chemicals just like before as quick as he can. However, the others weren't in their best moods as they sat with him at the table. They were beginning to lose hope.

"What if we're too late?" asked Private sadly.

"Let's try to keep our heads up, Private," replied Kowalski.

"I'm doing my best. It's just that I'm really worried for both Skipper and Marlene."

"So am I, but we can't just give up now."

"True." Private sighed, then after a moment. "What unspeakable things could happen?"

Suddenly Rico began to act out a strangling scenario by wrapping his flippers around his own neck and pretending to getting strangled. Then he began making booming sounds, like a gun firing. Then he fell to the ground as if someone had shot him down, and he let his tongue hang as he rolled his eyes allowing only the whites of his eyes to show, portraying the "death" of their friends.

"That is unspeakable!" cried Private.

"Confound it!" snarled Kowalski.

"What is it?"

"Uh!" exclaimed Rico raising his head off the ground.

"I've run out of the love serum itself, and it's a very vital source in order to achieve a proper antidote."

"So, make a new serum," suggested Private.

"Oh believe me, Private, that was my first thought. But it took me a month to create the first batch without counting the countless weeks I've spent researching it first."

"What do we do now?"

"Well, we could probably search for Skipper and bound him until I've come up with the antidote."

"Or put him in the panic room?"

Rico regurgitated a bomb (not lit of course), "Ka-blamo?"

Right on cue, Skipper and Marlene slipped down the hatch and stood there watching the team. They didn't seem to notice their presence.

"Now let's not go too severe, Rico," argued Kowalski.

Skipper and Marlene smiled at each other almost in a quiet chuckle. Then they approached behind the pondering team.

"Maybe we can reason with him," proposed Private

"Skipper wasn't always one to reason with," pointed out Kowalski. "But we can tranquilize him as well."

"Ka-blamo!" cried Rico.

"Gentlemen, I'm touched," chuckled Skipper and immediately the team whirled around to find him standing there. "I never thought you'd go to the extremes just to make sure I was fine. I'm proud of you boys."

"SKIPPER!!!" All three penguins cried as they rushed around him. But before they did anything else, their rejoice turned into caution since they weren't sure if Skipper was going to attack them again.

"Well, why are you here, Skipper?" asked Private.

"Well this is my base, isn't it?" asked Skipper coolly. "Aren't I allowed to be back inside?"

"But what about Marlene?" asked Kowalski.

"What? She's welcomed here too. But only under my authorization, of course." He turned back at Marlene and winked at her and she smiled back.

"So, does this mean you're better now?" asked Private.

"Well, almost, young Private. Somehow I can't recall what happened, but a little birdie told me what an angry moron I've been to you, men. So I came to apologize. What I've done almost seems inexcusable to me, to a point where it's almost unforgivable." He then looked back at Marlene, and the look on his face almost surprised her. It was as if he was looking for strength to go on. Marlene simply smiled and motioned for him to continue. He nodded and turned his attention back to his team. "I hope I haven't hurt you boys too bad, and probably I'm not even expecting you to forgive me, but I need to you all to know that I'm sorry."

Suddenly, Kowalski's beak quivered and he began to sniffle.

"Aw," grunted Rico (this time, finally being able to keep his food down through a touching moment).

"It's okay, Skipper!" cheered Private happily. "You're our leader and our friend. We'll always welcome you back!"

"Thanks, boys," smiled Skipper, very much glad and relieved to still be their leader. "Up high, gentlemen."

With that, the penguins exchanged their series of high-fives, their way of letting each other know of their accomplishment together. Marlene couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sight of the team getting their leader back. It was obvious they all needed and missed him so much.

"So how did you return back to normal?" asked Kowalski as he wiped a last tear from his eye.

"Beats the heck outta me," shrugged Skipper. "I can't even remember when all of this started."

"Perhaps the effect somehow wore off. After all, hardly anything lasts forever."

"Interesting theory," nodded Skipper.

"Let's just be glad everything's back to normal," entered Marlene brightly.

"You said it, Marlene," agreed Skipper.

BANG!!! Private's first prize fish swung open.

"Ah, ha! Now we can all celebrate!" exclaimed King Julien happily, with Maurice and Mort behind.

Suddenly there were colorful lights beaming everywhere, complete with a disco ball hanging down, and a boom box playing loudly with the beats thumping. This was a weird and random event for the team of penguins and Marlene.

"I guess Skipper's return does call for a sort of celebration," shrugged Kowalski.

"What? Since when was he gone?" asked King Julien as he danced along to the music. "We're celebrating because I am the winner of the hide and seeking game. No one had ever found me throughout the round! Ha ha! That's right! I'm am ze winner!!!"

"There was a game?" asked Private.

Marlene slapped her forehead in frustration when she realized what the lemur king was talking about.

"This is perhaps why we don't miss maintenance day," Kowalski told Skipper.

"Affirmative," nodded Skipper slightly annoyed by the lemurs' intrusion.

But suddenly, once Rico began shaking his head to the beat, eventually when he went to the dance floor too, the other penguins joined in! It turned into a big party for all of them. Though Skipper wasn't much of a dancer himself, he had to join the party too. Everyone was having a great time, each dancing the day away to the beat! With a momentous occasion, it truly was the time to celebrate. And Marlene could never have been more proud of herself for it. Still however, as she danced to a fast beat in a circle with the lemurs, she'd take quick glances back at Skipper. No matter how hard or how much she danced, she couldn't help but feel something was left undone.