"If you can't control your actions, maybe I'll just make Carl a full time strategist. He's better than you!"

Kowalski knew good enough to keep his mouth shut (though he was boiling up inside).

Meanwhile…

Jane sat down on the couch and flicked on a sitcom. As usual, Rico was there, watching her. Though she was rather frightened by the tough penguin, she couldn't help a feeling of curiosity.

"So, why don't you talk?" she asked.

Rico lowered his head. "Mah."

"Mom? Is that what you're trying to say?"

Rico nodded. His eyes were brimming with tears. He wiped his eyes for a moment.

"What happened?" Jane put her hand in his.

"No talk!" Rico said.

"Why not?"

Rico turned away. "No talk!"

"You'll feel better if you tell me," Jane consoled.

Rico didn't answer.

***

Millie was a leopard. Millie was a bobcat. Millie was queen of the night, assassin of the unworthy, a lithe dolphin in the sky. Millie was the duchess of darkness, the crusader of recon.

The sassy penguin had requested to take recon again. Her senses were buzzing with alerts from every nerve ending in her body. Tonight she would not fail at her duty.

***

Kelsa watched as Kowalski sat at his workbench. Zeek was snoring in his hammock, turning over. Kowalski's brow was furrowed with concentration as he screwed the last bolt in place. Kelsa sighed and slid into her bunk.

"Kowalski, I wanted to say-"

"Don't want to hear it!" Kowalski held up a flipper.

"I'm sor-"

"No! I will not listen to you!" Kowalski said.

"I'm sorry, Kowalski." whispered Kelsa before turning over into her bunk.

***

The next day…

"It's not that I don't value Millie or Jane's opinion, but you're the only girl I've met that's not a penguin. I need some… romantic advice." Kelsa explained.

Marlene was flattered. "Me? Give romantic advice? Okay… shoot."

"Well… Kowalski doesn't like me."

"Why is that?"

"I lost him his job, got him in trouble with Skipper-"

"Okay… Guitar! Moonlight! Oysters! Every boy likes it. Of course, Kowalski is a different story… have you tried apologizing?"

"He won't let me talk to him."

"Give him some time to cool off." Marlene's green eyes were sparkling with pleasure.

"How long will that be?"

"Hard to tell. Penguins can hold a grudge, though. And when you get between Kowalski and his notepad…"

Kelsa nodded and sighed. "I guess we're… not meant to be together."

"There are plenty of other guys out there." Marlene said. "And Skipper's Crew… not the best for relationships. But I could introduce you to my brother, Jeremy. He and my cousin Lola are coming to visit. And…" She leaned in closer. "Nothing like making a guy jealous."

"Are you suggesting I…?" Kensa gasped.

Marlene nodded. "We never had this conversation. Now leave."

Kensa nodded and left.

***

Chapter Four is now done! What did Marlene mean? Meet her brother and cousin in the next chapter. I'll update as soon as possible!

(Check out Of Dreams And Darkness while your waiting)

~Lukos