Captain tensed up when he heard that name Marlene, it rang in his head like church bells 9:00 on a Sunday morning. Than it hit him, this was Marlene? This is the sweet caring strong independent girl his son wrote about in the letters he wasn't supposed to read.
"So this is Marlene? Oh this is so exciting." Skippers mother squealed letting Marlene go from the death grip hug she had her in for several moments. Darrin managed a chuckle as Marlene gave a quick intake of air. Marlene liked Skippers mother she was enthusiastic and sweet, most of all she cared about Marlene even though she'd never met her.
Skipper turned to his father with a look of desperation in his eyes. "I find it hard to believe a military penguin such as yourself has gone long enough without finding my letters." Skipper pointed out, Captain stayed silent for a moment, his son knew him to well.
"I've read a majority of them, son." He answered simply, Skipper flinched when he heard the word son, it seemed to be an issue with being called that penguins son, and calling that penguin father.
"I do not consider myself your son." Skipper hissed cruelly to the retired captain that stood over him. Every one was watching him, including Darrin. Skippers mother seemed upset by the lack of family ability, and it struck Marlene's Mind, 'what could have happened to create such bitter hate.'
Captain let out a sigh, than smiled slyly like a plan was forming in his head, "I know because no son of mine would fall for a girl so frail." Marlene froze, was he talking about her? Why does everyone think she is a helpless victim, she was about to say something, but she knew best not too.
"Especially an otter," Captain finished, than pretended to spit on the ground as if it was disgusting, Marlene felt anger well up and it wasn't going to be long before she exploded.
"Henry." Skipper's mother hissed, she had a stone look in her eyes and her beak was tilted into a frown. Marlene took a step forward, clenching her paws into her fists, but she was held back, she looked down to see Skipper's mother holding onto her.
"When you left last time Skipper I knew you were taken against will, but I didn't expect you to stay because of a Mammal, a lower mammal to be exact." This time Skipper butted in before Marlene had a chance to speak.
"I stayed because it meant getting away from you." Skippers voice was stone cold, and it struck Marlene oddly, he'd never used that tone before not even with Julien. 'Marlene was the bonus to staying here, She made life enjoyable, something you never understood." He hissed, Captain met his stare everything fell silent for moments.
That is until a familiar scrapping noise filled the room Private jumped down the fish bowl entrance followed by Rico and Kowalski. They seemed shocked by the strangers but not alarmed considering Skipper hadn't done anything to harm them.
"This is your team?" Captain asked skeptically, Skipper smiled proudly an nodded his head, "front and Center boys." Skipper commanded to his team, They slid on their bellies over to them as quick as they could, standing shortest to tallest with their flippers glued to their foreheads in a salute.
"At your service Skipper." Private eagerly said, Skipper smiled and saluted them in return, The Captain scoffed simply turning his head away. "You should not speak unless spoken to." He let out a mild sarcastic laugh, making Private feel dumb.
"This isn't your team Captain, they have freedom, as long as they don't step over the line." Skipper patted Private on the back comfortingly, Private smiled lightly and stood tall again. Captain narrowed his eyes at his son, how dare he ridicule him like that.
"They'd be under better command with a more qualified leader such as myself." Captain pointed out, Skipper narrowed his eyes back at his father, he was always trying to one-up him.
"With all do respect, Skipper is a great leader, everyone in the zoo respects us." Private interjected happily, he didn't one bit mind Captains death glare. Marlene still felt hurt at the attacks sent at her, words can hurt, however she had a few of her own.
"With no respect Captain, I think you're crazy." Marlene started, Skipper shot her a glare but she ignored it. The Captain stared wide eyed at her, "You attempt to take a fine team away from a respected leader, yet you claim to be retired, You stand tall and proud insulting anyone you come across yet don't know the slightest bit about them." She pointed out blindly.
Skipper felt shocked and proud at the same moment, Marlene has always been the peacemaker so why is she trying to start a fight, Darrin was once again inching toward the door, while everyone stood shocked by Marlene's sudden actions.
"You find yourself a feared leader, yet this 'lower mammal' is standing up to you without being the least bit scared." Skipper placed a flipper over Marlene's mouth and guided her backwards into the tunnels of the sewer they came through before.
"At ease Marlene." Skipper said soothingly to Marlene, she was still struggling to break free and go back at the Captain. She at once became calm, she stopped struggling and stomped her foot on the ground, Skipper couldn't help but smile at her cute anger.
"What a jerk." She mumbled under her breath. Skipper put a flipper over her shoulder comfortingly. Marlene laid her head on his shoulder and dropped her arms to the side.
"What happened Skipper? With you and your fa- Captain?" Marlene corrected herself, and turned to look into Skippers blue eyes. Skipper couldn't say no to her, like he said in one of his letters she was his weakness. He sighed and agreed to tell her.
"He was always over controlling, and lecturing me to do better. He assigned me to the worst possible missions and never let me forget he was in charge. I tried my best to please him every day, but I was always left in the dust, Soon on my last mission as a free penguin, I was attacked by a sea lion, that's when Jessica came in, and that's how I came here." Skipper finished with a happy expression, Marlene nodded her head in understanding.
"Sorry about my outburst, it kind of set me off, when you say lower mammal you're only insisting I'm a mammal, but when he said it, it was an insult." Marlene broke away from Skipper and Shivered. It wasn't cold it was just weird to think about.
Skipper wrapped her flippers around her once more, and leaned in kissing her sweetly. When they broke away, they stared into each others eyes with bright smiles.
-Feh, a mammal, what's gotten into that boy?" Captain complained as he peaked outside at the happy couple, Skippers mother rolled her eyes "I shouldn't have let you come." She hissed under her breath. Captain stared at her with a mild glare.
"He's happy Henry, let him be. He is my son as well as your's, and I know what's best for him." She scolded meanly, Captain came away from the door, unable to give up his anger. His son was in love with a lower mammal, an otter no less.