Father's Love
Chapter 5: Expect the Unexpected

The clock was showing 1800 hours, Central Park Zoo already closed. Kowalski was watching the tv with Rico and his doll. Skipper told them that Brian can be trusted - and they knew it, after they heard the reason. He was Skipper's father after all. Now Skipper went to Marlene's habitat, while Brian was watching the sunset of New York City with Private on the penguins platform.

"Beautiful," said Brian. "The sunset in village is much more beautiful. But this one is cool too, really. I love to see the orange clouds."

"Yes, me too," said Private cheerfully. "How was the sunset in village? Can you tell me, Grandpa?"

"Well," said Brian. "It was fantastic. The sunlight shone between ice hills, with white and orange clouds. Wind blew slowly to your face. While you enjoy a cup of fish-coffee on a wooden chair."

"Heard cool," said Private. "We've ever visited Antarctica, but we only found snow field."

"Because you didn't know the exact location of the other penguins," Brian replied with a chuckle. "Live in village doesn't bad actually. The others are so kind. But I missed my family a lot, and that's why I decided to visit Skipper. Unfortunately, I was ambushed in the middle of my way. Luckily I was able to escape."

"Was it Torn? He's still alive, isn't he? Have you forgive him?"

Brian laughed. "Forgive him?"

He took a deep breath, and then placed his right flipper on Private's shoulder. "You're a nice boy. You're innocent, always thinking about the others. But you have to be careful. Your enemy can take advantage of your innocence. You need to be paranoid sometimes, so you can expect what unexpected,"

Private nodded. "Expect what unexpected. Skipper said so."

"He learned that from me." Brian replied with a warm smile.

Skipper sit on a branch of a tree. He was staring far away, thinking about a memory in his mind.

"Come on, son! You only have 1 more lap to go!"

Young Skipper swam across the lake again, following his father. He was tired a lot but he didn't care. He had to show that he can. Finally he reached the edge of the lake and climbed up. Then he lie on the ice, gasping for air.

"Nah! Finally! You did it, Skipper! That's my son!" Brian said.

Skipper smiled. "Yeah, dad... But I'm pretty tired,"

"Take some breath, son. You have to be stronger if you want to learn how to do this,"

Skipper watched in amaze as his father slided and swam into the water, reached the edge across in no time and jumped up so high. Then he glided down to the middle of the lake. Huge water splashed away, made Skipper's body wet again, and Brian showed up in front of him again.

"Dad, that was so cool! Would you teach me that move?" Skipper asked.

"Of course, Skipper. The point is, follow your gut and senses," Brian answered with a smile. "But, that's for later. You're too tired right now."

Suddenly, Jack came to them, sliding while bringing a phone.

"Dad! Thorn wants to talk to you!" said him.

Brian took the phone. After a short dialogue, his face looked shocked.

"Jack! Take Skipper with you, go home now!" said Brian.

"Roger that, father," said Jack. "Let's go, Skipper."

Skipper and Jack slided back to their house, while Brian slided away from them. Skipper stopped and watched as Brian disappeared through the snow hills.

Skipper slided and swam across the lake, jumped up and glided to the middle of the lake. Water splashed everywhere, and he reached the edge of the lake when he saw Brian slided to their house.

"DAD!" Skipper shouted. Brian looked around and slided back to him. He looked pale, maybe because he was tired so much.

"Skipper, my son." said him as he hugged Skipper. "It's been a year since I went away. I miss you."

"Dad, you know what? I've mastered your move!" said Skipper.

"Really? That's cool. But we gotta go home now. We don't have much time," Brian replied.

Brian quickly turned on the computer when they arrived.

"Dad! You're back!" said Jack, cheerfully. But Skipper gave a sign to be quiet, so they let their father work. Almost an hour later, he finished.

"Okay, boys. I've changed your identities. From now, I'm not your daddy anymore." said Brian.

Skipper's heart felt like stop beating. "Dad, why? What happened?"

"I can't tell you now. But soon you'll understand," Brian answered. "And Jack, from now on, you and your friends will get another commanding officer. But remember my advice, be careful. Keep your eyes opened,"

Jack sighed. "But, dad-"

"This is an order." said Brian. He hugged and kissed Jack's forehead, and then Skipper's. "I love you, boys. Now I gotta go. Good bye. Make me proud when you get older."

Skipper and Jack stared their dad slided away again. The last time they could see him.
Days later, they heard news saying their dad was a traitor. First, Skipper couldn't believe it. But as the time running, slowly his mind changed.

Skipper smiled sadly. 'I was so stupid. How could I believe them instead of my own dad? I hope Jack knew this too...' thought him. 'That night... the first time he saw I performed his move... Unfortunately, in a fight against himself..'

Suddenly he realized that he already sit there for hours. The sky was dark, without stars. He decided to jump down and went to Marlene's habitat now.

Skipper arrived at the otter habitat. It was so quiet there, until he noticed Marlene was laying on her bed, facing the wall. And her body was shaking.

"Marlene?" he called worriedly.

Marlene surprised and turned around. "Skipper? When did you come?"

He saw her eyes were wet, like she was just crying. He slided to her side. "Marlene... What's wrong?"

"Nothing... Really." said her, got up and sit on her bed.

"If it's nothing, why should you cry?" said Skipper, wiped her tears with his flipper. "It's because of... me... right?"

Marlene nodded silently. Skipper took a sit next to her.

"Marlene, I'm so sorry... I was very sensitive about my father... I didn't mean to yell to you, I swear with my whole life. I was terrified because they know my big secret. Would you forgive me, Marlene?"

"Definitely I would, Skipper. I understand your feeling. But, what about your father? Is he really a criminal?"

Skipper sighed. "Technically, yes. Do you want to know the story?"

Marlene nodded. Skipper began to tell her everything happened that day in the H.Q until his dad's reason.

"I regret everything I did and I said to him earlier. How could I be so stupid?" said Skipper in despair.

"Don't blame yourself. I'm sure your dad understand. He loves you." said Marlene.

Skipper smiled. "Thanks, Marlene,"

"By the way, when will I meet him again? Your hero," asked Marlene.

"What about tonight?" Skipper offered. "Would you like a dinner with me - I mean, us?"

"Sure," Marlene smiled.

"2100 hours, Penguins Headquarters. I'll take you there." said Skipper while sliding away.

Skipper arrived at the Headquarters. It was so dark and quiet there.

"Boys?" he called. "Dad?"

He got no reply. And then he noticed something red on the wall. He waddled towards it and found out it was a message, made by blood.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR COMRADES AGAIN,

COME TO EQUADOR. YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO.

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: Sorry for the long update, got a lot of things to do. By the way, you gotta tell me how was this chapter! Review! ^^