It's been an odd day. First off I was rudely awoken by Private who was speaking so fast I couldn't immediately understand what he was getting at. It wasn't until Rico interrupted and firmly pointed at Skipper's bunk I understood what the panic was about. Seems Skipper skipped duty this morning. If I'd had a chance to think I'd have thought it was odd Private was the one shaking me awake instead of Skipper.

It wasn't hard to follow his trail. I know each of their scents so well I could probably follow them blind folded… which is a theory I should follow up some time. But it was clear from the tunnel he'd taken who he'd gone to visit. Private was just questioning why he'd be visiting Marlene so early when he reappeared.

Seems Skipper wasn't the only one setting out early today. Marlene decided to visit our kingly neighbour. And Skipper didn't like that one bit. We got there just as Marlene was rolling her eyes and saying she'd just been wishing she had someone she could get on her knees and worship. It seemed incredibly obvious to me she was being sarcastic. Rico clearly realised because I distinctly heard him snigger. Skipper however completely over reacted.

I'm aware that he has a hard time getting on with Julien at the best of times but today was the worst fight I've seen them have in a long time. Eventually we had to physically pull him away. While Rico was firmly directing him back to our habitat, I took the time to explain the lemurs to Marlene. Private naturally chipped in and begun telling her all about how we first met them.

I confess my mind drifted off a bit during the familiar story. Skipper's reaction highlighted just how deeply he's fallen for Marlene. He clearly wanted to protect her during our run in with the lemurs. I don't know her so well but it seems logical to assume she likes Skipper too. All the signs seem to point that way. Which means everything should work out, right? What could possibly go wrong?

I tuned back in when I heard Skipper interrupt saying the information was classified. I wasn't immediately aware of what Private had been saying that might have breached security but then it hit me. Private was about to mention Lola. Skipper's ex. And still a definite sore point.

I should have realised this sooner. Skipper opened his heart to that girl and she broke it. He won't be so willing to show his feelings again. Which leaves a few options.

a. He won't tell her and she won't ever realise he likes her.

b. He'll overcome his fear and tell her in which case she'll either respond in kind (an ideal scenario) or break his heart like Lola did.

c. She'll tell him and he'll happily reply the same.

Unfortunately option one is the most likely. Option two would require a lot of assistance and possibly some interference. Currently I don't have sufficient information to calculate the likelihood of option three. Tomorrow I'll have to see if I can study Marlene more closely. Luckily she's said I can go over whenever I like to learn older code so I'll use that excuse to call on her.