Chapter 4
Skipper looked around and tried to take it all in. There were puddles of water and melting ice packs strewn about his HQ. Medical equipment had been set up and for some reason he was connected to it. Oddly enough, everyone was looking at him with the same look of pure happiness. Marlene and Private were both in tears and Kowalski looked close to it. Rico had a big goofy grin spread across his face. "Hey, what's going on he-" was all that Skipper could get out before Marlene jumped onto him.
"Skipper, I was so worried about you! We were all really worried about you." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in the feathers on his chest.
The feeling of her warm breath washing over him sent shivers up his spine. He lifted her chin up so that he could look talk to her face to face. "You know I hate to see you cry, Marlene." Skipper looked into her bright hazel eyes and smiled charmingly.
They would've been content to stare at each other lovingly for a while, but Kowalski cleared his throat to remind them that they weren't alone. Skipper, it gets kind of hard to pretend we don't know about you two when you do stuff like this. "I'm sure you're wondering why you're hooked up to this IV pump."
At first Skipper wasn't really paying attention, but when he realized everyone was looking at Marlene and him, he was quick to shout something out. "Kowalski, status report!"
Kowalski pulled out his clipboard and began to read off the information that he had recorded earlier. "At roughly fifteen hundred hours you passed out in the middle of our endurance training. According to my data, you were rendered unconscious by your body's inability to regulate temperature, what is known as classic heat stroke. Because of the daily training and minimal hydration, it was only a matter of time before something happened. We were just lucky it didn't get any worse."
Skipper looked at all of his men, first Kowalski, then Private and finally Rico. Reluctantly, Skipper uttered the two words he rarely even thought about. "I'm sorry. When I put us on that heat endurance training regiment, I didn't think about how you felt and blatantly disregarded your safety. I'm just glad that this happened to me and not one of you."
"Skipper, you shouldn't say things like that. They were worried sick about you." Marlene said as she lifted herself off of Skipper. She thought it was probably a good idea to move, especially since everyone looking at them with a hint of uneasiness. There was an unspoken agreement that no one would acknowledge their relationship until they had decided to go public with. For the time being she was content to just sit next to him.
"So, how about some details, men. There has to be more to this than just me passing out and waking up." Skipper sat up straighter and pulled the needle out of with only a hint of discomfort.
Private was the first to speak. "Kowalski was a great temporary leader, Skipper! It was like you never left."
"I wouldn't go as far as to say that, Private." Kowalski said, trying not to smile at the compliment.
"No, it's true! You knew exactly what to do. You analyzed the situation, came up with a plan, and executed it. Skipper is all better now, thanks to you, Kowalski."
Skipper stood up and gave Kowalski a pat on the back. "From what Private is telling me, it seems like you've got real leadership potential. Maybe I should let you lead a mission every once in a while. Besides, I could use a break. Moving furniture can really tire a penguin out."
"Good job, Kowalski!" said Marlene. She started a round of applause and everyone followed suit.
Kowalski turned to face everyone and cleared his throat. "I appreciate it, but I'm in no rush to assume a leadership role again. But, I do have one thing I need to say before I return leadership back to Skipper. Thank you, Private, Marlene and Rico. You were willing to trust me and believe in my ability when I didn't believe in myself. Without you, this wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it did. I truly believe that a leader's strength lies in those he or she leads."
The clapping increased significantly after Kowalski's heartfelt words, but died down when Skipper began to speak. "Spoken like a true leader. I'm proud of you, and proud to call you my friend."
"That means a lot to me, coming from you." Kowalski could hear the clock chime in the background as he spoke. It was nine o'clock. He looked at Skipper, then toward the clock, and then back to Skipper. "I know my leadership role is at an end for the time being, but do you think I could….."
Skipper responded without needing to hear him finish. "Of course. I would be honored to have you lead night recon. I guess I'll have to stay here with Marlene while you guys have all the fun."
"I think we'll be able to find something to do while they're gone." Marlene said in a mischievous voice Skipper knew all too well.
Everyone stood silent, not knowing how to or wanting to respond. It was Kowalski that ended the awkward silence. "I guess we'll be going then." He uttered a nervous laugh, and exited the HQ as if his life depended on it with Rico and Private right behind him.
After hearing the secret entrance close, Skipper turned to Marlene. "So, it looks like we're all alone."
Oh, no! I've been dreading this all day. "Yep, I guess so." Marlene began regretting her decision to make that suggestive comment. She couldn't really say something like that and then leave.
"What's wrong, Marlene? You seem really tense." Skipper put his arm around her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. "You know, you can talk to me about anything."
Marlene blurted it out without think. "We need to talk!"
Oh God, she's going to break up with me! I thought things were going well. "Is it something I did? I'm sorry I forgot to call you last night like I said I would. Sometimes it gets really busy around here and things just slip my mind. If I did anything wrong, just let me know." He reached over and held her paw as he spoke. "I want to make this right."
Look what you did now, Marlene. He's beating himself up over this. "No, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Please, Marlene, tell me what's the matter."
She turned away from him, not wanting to see his reaction when she spoke. "Skipper, I'm pregnant!"
"You are?" was all Skipper could say.
Marlene closed her eyes and braced herself for the barrage of questions and accusations, but none came. She turned around to look at him, hoping to explain why she hadn't told him as soon as she found out. But she didn't need to.
For the second time that day, Skipper had fainted.
Please tell me what you think. I was most afraid of what people would think about the ending, so please review. I need feedback so that I can get started on the sequel. If you didn't like the ending or think the story should be a standalone, I'd like to know what didn't work and what did. Like always don't be afraid to be honest.
END?
