Chapter 1: New Beginnings

"Need help?" A deep, masculine voice called out to her from behind.

"Thanks but I think I'm," a scream erupted from Marlene's throat as her foot slipped from the step. "Oh." The Californian stared into a pair of cobalt blue eyes and blushed when she realized that her arms were around the neck of the stranger, whose muscular arm was wrapped around her waist to keep her from falling. Disregarding the bags that had fallen along with her, her eyes roamed over his attire of a collared shirt with the top button off, black pants, a suit jacket, black leather shoes and a simply accessory of a metal bracelet with his black sunglasses piled on his hair. "Um, hi."

"Hey." The man flashed a heart melting smile at Marlene. It took everything in her to stop herself from sighing heavenly and tightening her grip on the man's neck. Marlene looked away with a blush and was quite surprised when she found herself back on her feet. She turned back to see the man standing before with the same smile.

"I'm so sorry." The brunette collected herself and put on a smile of her own. "I can be such a klutz some times."

The man just shook his head.

"Accidents happen. Are you alright, Miss?"

"Uh, y-yeah." Marlene looked away and nodded, feeling the gaze of the man setting her skin on fire. "Thank you."

"Well, we can't have a pretty lady like you falling now, can we?" Marlene turned crimson and fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.

"Well, uh, I-"

"Marlene?" The two turned to Selena, who was staring at them with worry etched on her face. Apparently, her scream had reached outside, but not upstairs because there was still no sign of Barbie and Kyle. They were right about those soundproof walls and doors. That's when Marlene noticed the boy standing slightly away from them, watching her with curious baby blue eyes.

At the same time, a surly redhead burst out of the door next to one of the potted plants.

"Is everything alright here?" The lady's voice was laced with barely any of the concern she was faking on her face. Marlene's rescuer turned to the lady and spoke to her in a cool tone.

"Everything's just fine, Alice." The lady's sneer couldn't be any worse.

"That's Miss Scheer to you, McGrath."

The man nodded in reply as the boy stepped forward with a smile.

"We're really sorry for the slight disturbance, Miss Scheer. It really was uncalled for during this time of the day. I just hope that the silence that we will provide wouldn't be futile for you."

Alice narrowed her eyes at the boy, but any doubts of his sincerity went away with her next words. "Well then, I guess I'd better get back."

"Of course, Miss Scheer. Have a nice day!" He cheerfully waved after the grumpy woman before turning to the other three with a pout. "Sheesh. What's wrong with her? It's not like we caused the noise this time. Oh." The boy clutched his head in shock rather than pain after a hand collided with it.

"Private." The man hissed at him with a glare, which was returned. "Don't be rude."

The boy's face dropped guiltily and he bowed his head.

"I'm sorry, Skippah." The man's face softened a bit. "I guess I'm a little pi-"

"Excuse me?"

"No! No, of course not! Why would I ever say such a thing?"

"I didn't ask anything."

"Oh."

"But I'm curious. Where did you learn that word?"

The boy blinked his innocent eyes at him. "What word?"

"Don't play with me, young man."

"Um…the tely?"

Skipper crossed his arms with a nod. "Uh huh. Now tell me where you learned that word."

"Uh…"

Selena took a step back and whispered to Marlene. "I think we should go…"

"Yeah," Marlene turned around with Selena, "I think we should-"

"Wait." The girls froze before turning back to the two. "Don't you need some help with those?"

"Oh," Marlene waved a hand away and smiled at Skipper, "thanks, but no thank you. I'm sure you've got better things to do than help us."

"Not really. And we'd be happy to help considering that you would be our new next door neighbors."

"We are? I mean, you're our neighbors?"

The boy dubbed as Private nodded. "Yup. On your left side, at the end." He held out a hand toward the ladies with a smile that was surprisingly similar to Skipper's. "I'm Private McGrath." Marlene took the hand and shook it. The boy went to shake Selena's hand and thumbed toward Skipper. "This is my older brother, Skippah. We were going to greet you in personal later on, but it still is a pleasure to meet you both."

Selena nodded and released his hand. "Same here. I'm Selena-"

"Valentine." Skipper finished with a huge smirk. "And I'm guessing you would be Marlene Sullivan?" He was now looking at Marlene, whose shock was the same as Selena's as they looked at each other. She turned back to Skipper.

"Well, yes, but-"

"And the two upstairs are Barbie McHale and Kalina Millender?"

"Yeah, but how did you-"

"We just know, ma'am." Marlene shook her head and blinked a few times. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Private rolling his eyes and crossing his arms as he muttered under his breath.

"Show-off."

"Um, well," Marlene started to get nervous and she was back to playing with the hem of her shirt, "I wouldn't mind if you would call me Marlene."

"Okay, Marlene. Is there something you want to know?" Marlene blinked again and her eyes stared at the arrogant smirk on his face. Great, Prince Charming just had to another arrogant jerk. Wait, what did I just call him? She shook her head and sighed quietly. And now I'm starting to think like Selena. Great. Just great. Marlene ran her tongue over her teeth and folded her arms with a cool demeanor, smiling internally at the slight waver in the other's expression.

"Well, actually, I do."

"Then you better start now, woman, because I don't have all day."

"I thought you said you didn't have anything better to do?" He looked taken aback at that and even Marlene had to smile as Private and Selena sniggered. "That was what you said, right?"

"Fine." His mouth had curled into a snarl now. "What do you want?"

"What do I want? I want to know why you know everything."

"Know everything?"

"How do you know my name? And my friend's?"

"I'm sorry, dollface, but that's classified."

"Not if my girls are threatened. I'll put that under stalker category when I report this. Unless-"

Skipper gave her a sly smirk. "Report all you want, for all I care. You're not going to hold anything on me."

Marlene narrowed her eyes at him before turning to Selena.

"Get Jay on the line. Now."

Selena pulled out her cell phone. "Wait, hold it." The two girls turned to Skipper. "You know Jay?" The Asian rolled her eyes while placing her hands on her hips.

"The guy's my father, dude. Of course I would know him?"

"You're THE Valentine?"

"I thought you knew everything, bud?"

"But nobody told me…" Skipper trailed off and looked at Private, who stared back at him in confusion.

"What?" His brother's stare turned into a glare. "Wait a minute. I didn't know that either. I think Kowalski would've said something if he knew. And obviously Rico doesn't either, so you cannot blame any of us. Swear. Cross my heart. I don't want to die." Skipper rolled his eyes at that and turned back to Marlene and Selena. His eyes grew wide when he noticed that the latter's phone was already at her ear.

"Wait!" Hazel green and brown turned to him. "You don't have to call him. I'll," his shoulders slumped in defeat, "I'll tell you."

"WH-" Private barely got the word out as a petulant Skipper slammed a hand over his mouth.

"You would," Skipper turned back to Marlene, "would you?"

The man nodded and held up the hand which was over Private's mouth.

"Soldier's word, doll. Wouldn't break it for my life."

Marlene glanced over at Selena and nodded to the side. Skipper and Private watched as the phone disappeared into a pocket before letting out a sigh.

"Before you say anything," Skipper let Marlene close her mouth before continuing, "I already said that I would tell you, but only what you need to know. The rest is really top secret and I'm in no position to reveal such information."

"Are you in the military or something?"

"Used to be."

Private nodded and took a step forward, making sure he was out of reach from his brother. "And you'll have to pardon him if he goes all 'commando' crazy. He can't help it." He ignored the glare that was sure to come his way.

"You're in the same team, dofus, in case you've forgotten."

"Team?"

Skipper turned back to Marlene. "Love to explain everything to ya, doll, but the wall's got ears. No matter how soundproof they are." He picked up the bags without any effort, urging Private to take the rest. When he was sure that Private had secured the rest, Skipper gave Marlene a wink before marching up the stairs.