About several days later, one evening Kowalski had just returned to the HQ after he carefully recycled the cursed love serum to biohazard, taking care that it was all cleared away and no one would ever be affected by it either. The HQ was quiet this evening. It seemed the others had gone- until Kowalski found Skipper sitting at the table with his mug of coffee. Already, Kowalski found out right away something was wrong with his leader. Skipper simply sat there, stirring his mug with a sardine almost in a sad rhythm while resting his head on his opposite flipper. Kowalski made sure all of the love serum was put away without harm, right?

"Skipper?" asked Kowalski as he waddled over. "Is everything alright?"

Skipper drew a deep breath, "Never better, Kowalski."

Kowalski blinked, things didn't look okay.

"Are you sure?"

Skipper stopped stirring his coffee. Then he looked he looked up at Kowalski with a saddened look.

"This love serum, you know it better than anyone else right? You sure it's all worn off?"

"I… I actually can't be all that certain. Why, how do you feel?"

"Well… I certainly don't feel like pouncing on anyone. But ever since the serum… I feel like if something's missing."

"Missing? Well, probably memory's all that you're missing."

"That's another thing!" Skipper suddenly realized. "Lately I've been dreaming weird dreams. I feel like… well, Marlene mentioned we had spent several days together like the way I never even thought at all doing, especially with her! But lately I've been dreaming those things. Like I actually remember doing all those things with her…ugh, it's actually giving me the heebie-jeebies."

"Why? You don't enjoy doing those things with her?"

"What? No! I mean, I actually do feel the warm, fuzzy feelings… when I'm with her but… I'm not supposed to remember them, right? And suddenly I'm dreaming these things… this is spooky stuff, Kowalski!"

"Indeed."

"Then… there's these nightmares…"

"Nightmares?"

"Nightmares, man! Y'know, bad, horrible, unimaginable dreams?"

"Yes, yes, I understand that, but… how unimaginable?"

Then Skipper stared down at his coffee mug, staring into his black reflection (he preferred drinking black coffee) and began reminiscing the horror that dwelled inside his mind.

"I think I remember doing those horrible crimes." Then he growled to himself before he continued. "It makes me feel dirty and just down-right slimy about it. Her screams and resistance… I ignored them all!"

Kowalski just kept quiet as he could see Skipper's eyes in wide shock. Skipper disliked crime and wrong-doing of any sort, and knowing how far he had gone with it, Kowalski understood why he would feel this way.

"Seeing it with my own eyes… I just don't how I can face her again." Then he looked back up at him. "And how I treated my own team. How you've all managed to forgive me so easily is still shrouded in a black cloud of mystery to me…"

"It's obvious to us, Skipper!" said a small voice from the hatch.

Skipper and Kowalski turned around to find Private and Rico coming down the ladder from the hatch and waddling over towards them.

"Your mind was under the serum. We knew deep down inside you needed our help. That's why we never gave up on you. We wanted you back, Skipper, and by Joe we did just that!"

"Uh, huh!" Rico nodded his head furiously in approval.

"But I don't believe that's all you're moping about, right Skipper?" continued Private.

"Private, I appreciate your enthusiasm," Skipper shook his head. "But I think you may just be too young for such matters."

"Maybe," frowned Private. "But I know so much that perhaps you weren't entirely under the serum's control. Like right now, you know there's something left you gotta do."

Skipper looked down at the ground for a moment, and then he raised his head to face his team, all of them smiling at him.

"Private's right, Skipper," smiled Kowalski. "The serum's purpose was to amplify all feelings of affection toward their special someone of interest. It perhaps may not have been all coincidence that Marlene was there and you went loco for her. There's still a possibility you could make it up to Marlene. She believed in you throughout the run, even now she still keeps her window of hope open to you. You still have a chance."

Skipper smiled and his eyes darted over his team's comforting and hopeful faces. Then his brows furrowed as he rose from his seat and drew in a deep breath.

"S'cuse me, boys," he announced proudly as he exhaled his breath. "But I've got unfinished business to attend to."

With that, Skipper waddled over to the ladder and was ready to climb up and head over to Marlene's habitat.

"Good luck, Skipper!" piped Private cheerfully.

Skipper climbed halfway up the ladder before he turned around and smiled coolly, "I don't need luck, Private."

Then he practically hopped out of the hatch, actually performing several flips in the air before making a perfect landing on the platform. The sun had already faded behind the skyscrapers of the city and the stars were appearing. As he stared over at the otter's habitat, he sighed heavily as he could feel his confidence slipping already.

"I need a miracle."

* * *

The lights were out inside. Marlene had already gone to bed, not having the slightest idea she'll be expecting company soon. Not even a little that she wounded up setting herself to some bad timing. As she slept soundly, she was also dreaming. And by her facial expression- it was a nice dream.

She was smiling- snoring a little- but smiling. Only she knew what she was dreaming about. She turned over to one side and giggled a little. She was murmuring in her sleep, and still giggling. Suddenly she rolled over to her back and was wrapping her arms around air, as if she was holding onto something-or someone- and she was puckering her lips! She was smooching the air!

"I love you," she murmured.

"Marlene?"

"Yes, Skipper?"

"Marlene."

She was giggling and continued to kiss nothing. It was a long while until his voice rang again.

"Marlene!"

"Huh?" She opened her eyes suddenly, and the next thing she knew, she was falling! "Waah!"

"Marlene!"

She blinked as she tried to comprehend what the heck was going on! She was on the floor, staring down at orange, webbed feet. Her eyes slowly rose to see the whole figure, and when she did she couldn't help but feel extremely embarrassed! She felt her heart sinking and her cheeks turning hot! She hopped to her feet instantly.

"How long were you standing there?!" she exclaimed almost in horror. "You weren't supposed to see that! How'd you get in here?! I told you before I hate it when you come in without asking!!!"

Skipper smiled at her, desperately trying to hold back his laughter. He was already biting down on his tongue! It was just too much what he just saw… all of it! Even her reaction right now was just priceless!

"W-wow, Marlene," he stuttered between chuckles. He could feel even himself blushing as well, but just slightly.

"No! Don't tell me! I don't wanna hear it!"

She clasped her paws over her ears. She just wanted to crawl in a hole and just die! She wanted to run away so bad! This wasn't supposed to happen! She was practically at the verge of tears! But not now, she had to stay strong somehow! Suddenly Skipper put his flipper on Marlene's shoulder, making her look up at him and setting her paws down.

"Easy, Marlene," he smiled and then he wove his flippers around slowly. "I didn't see anything..."

Marlene's heart raced before she pouted, "What are you doing here anyway?! Even when you were controlled by the serum, you were still polite enough to knock first!"

Then Skipper looked at the ground for a moment, still managing to keep his smile somehow. Then he puffed his chest and faced Marlene, with a softened look. With that look on his face, Marlene can only wonder what he could want.

"That's actually what I needed to talk with you about tonight," he began- surprisingly coolly and calmly. "I… I've realized things."

"Things?"

It took a little bit of his courage and all the confidence he was famous for to continue what he had to say. It was important she heard this, to free himself from guilt and to save their friendship.

"Kowalski was right," he blinked as he stated this.

"What do you mean?"

"The love serum was designed to amplify feelings of affection. Apparently feelings of affection that I already had. The reason I did all those things wasn't just because of the serum only… I…"

Then Skipper noticed Marlene's eye began to twitch and she moved back a little. She was utterly terrified. He couldn't understand why at first until his eyes widened in realization.

"Marlene! Not THAT! Okay, that was the serum's doing. But the other things we did together. I remember them."

Marlene calmed down a little. "You do?"

"10-4 Marlene! I remember the fun, the laughs, and the smiles. It's because of that serum I learned a little something about, loosening up and fun and… all that. But the important thing is that it showed me that you might mean a lot more to me than I'm giving you credit for."

He was losing his train of thought; he had no idea if he was apologizing… or if he was making a different point. By far this was a whole different story that he wasn't even sure he was ready to tell. He was clueless that the moment was coming fast! He looked at Marlene, staring at her waiting expression. This was truly the point of no turning back. And somehow, Marlene knew it too. And frankly… she wasn't sure if she was ready herself. And she found herself wondering if the nightmare was starting all over again, or he truly meant it this time.

Skipper looked at the ground for a short moment, trying to think what he was trying to say. His was heart was hopeful for something, but what? However, when he looked back up at Marlene, his eyes widened in surprise at Marlene's expression. It looked hopeful and encouraging. Could it be that the serum wasn't only affecting him? And suddenly he caught a small hint, but he knew it was there no matter how small, a tiny smile, and suddenly all his confidence returned. Then realization hit him… if he wanted her to forgive him for his dirty crimes; there was only one thing left to say.

As soon as he realized this, he smiled to his cool grin, and then he began to chuckle. Marlene's face suddenly shrank to a confused look.

"Huh?" she asked.

Skipper eventually cut his chuckles and smiled warmly at Marlene, "I'm sorry. It's just that… can you believe I came here to apologize for everything I've done these past several days, and suddenly here I am…"

He smiled at her, loving the very sight of Marlene's eyes glowing and her smile growing to a happy grin. Everything made sense now… when a final memory came to his mind. She was giving in before he snapped out of his trance…

"Suddenly… I don't feel like it anymore."

Marlene's expression was priceless, and Skipper couldn't have been happier. Her whiskers had drooped and her paws and shoulders slumped.

"WHAT?!" she cried angrily.

"You heard me, I lost all feeling of sympathy," replied Skipper cockily as he turned his back on her and smiled quietly to himself.

Marlene couldn't have been anymore furious at Skipper before. How dare he?

"You stupid jerk!!!" she growled. "You have no idea what I had to put up with all this time! Your… your dirty flirting, your mushy talk, and most importantly your STUPID DANCE!!!" She could feel herself blushing as she remembered that horrific thought. "But you know what, I don't feel sorry for you anymore either! I even smacked you just to snap you out of it, and I did it with passion! And I've never felt any sorry for doing it! You selfish, cocky bird! To think I was going to forgive you for everything, but you blew it off! I hope you're happy!"

Skipper looked back at her with his cool and confident expression, his signature smile he was always known for (besides his leadership and ranking position). Marlene was taken aback by this.

"Oh yeah, Marlene," he said almost in a whisper. "More than satisfied."

He turned around and smiled at her warmly. Marlene was about ready to run to the hills! She was very much familiar with that look, except those blue eyes… they didn't hold any sort of hunger or lust, but… love?

He approached her, without laying a flipper on her, and he leaned in just at a safe distance yet close enough to intimidate Marlene anyway. How she was blushing terribly and her desire to smack that cocky smirk off his face!

"Would you mind sharing with the rest of the class what exactly you were dreaming of earlier?" he dared.

Marlene's heart skipped a beat. The pupils in her eyes shrank drastically and suddenly it became harder for her breathe.

"N-n-nothing," she whimpered.

"You sure?"

"… What are you trying to do? Interrogate me???"

"If it comes to it."

"Why are you so interested what I dream about anyway?"

Skipper thought it over until finally he simply chuckled, "So that I can make up to you for what I've done… maybe making your dirty dreams come true can do the trick?"

Marlene practically melted. Did her ears deceive her?

"Did you take more of the love serum again?" she asked unsurely.

"Quite the opposite," Skipper replied. "I don't need some artificial chemical to show how much you mean to me."

Marlene has never felt so caught in between anything before! She was very much unsure whether she should make a break for it, or stay put. These words and actions were too familiar!

"Besides," Skipper continued on. "I remember you telling me you loved me just a moment ago." Marlene's eyes were wide open. Her heart was racing, and she could feel her whole body was heating up!

"I WASN'T DREAMING ABOUT YOU!!!" she exclaimed.

"And in response to that," Skipper approached Marlene.

She wanted to run away now, but her feet were practically cemented to the floor. Then suddenly, he wrapped his flippers around Marlene and hugged her in a tight and warm embrace. It was as if he squeezed pressure out of Marlene, because she felt a change in herself almost drastically. Her heart eased, and she could feel herself growing mellow into his flippers like that.

"I do too," was all he said.

Marlene could feel cold tears forming in her eyes; this was the sweetest and most thoughtful action he had ever done to her, even in his love sickness! She returned the hug with a tight embrace and she snuggled in his feathery neck. It was a warm and tender moment, for the both of them. They were both smiling tenderly and warmly. Eventually Skipper even began to bury his beak in Marlene's soft and silky-smooth fur, drowning his nostrils in her sweet scent. Marlene allowed herself to be showered in his sweet gesture of affection as she tightened her grip on his shoulders. Each one was holding the other for dear life! In that instant, they knew they would always be a part of this warm embrace, this little world they've managed to create in their arms. And sealed away for good in their kiss. Slow and loving. Fevery yet considerate, to say the least.

Perhaps, there was no mistake in taking the love serum after all. Maybe Skipper needed a little push, which Marlene gladly accepted. In fact, they both knew that there was no doubt about their feelings for each other so much, the next morning when the penguins at HQ awoke that morning- Skipper's bunk remained empty.