Chapter 12

Private woke up slowly, hearing birds chirp happily, and eventually opened his eyes, confused. I'm not dead? I should be, it would be better than having to deal with Kowalski. He felt tears glide down his face and swiped at them angrily. "Ouch!" he shouted, realizing he couldn't move his left flipper. His beak opened in shock when he saw Skipper next to him, a flipper around Private protectively. He coughed as he began to breath again, trying to recover from the shock, aware of his body next to the Skipper's. This is perfect. He didn't want to think about why Skipper was next to him and he really didn't care. He smiled widely as he laid his head back down on the leaders chest, lying there and watching the older, savouring he moment.

Skipper woke up and turned to the younger, hoping he would be okay. He felt amazingly happy to see a pair of sky blue eyes watching him intently. "Private?" Skipper asked, astonished, his voice caked with emotion.

"Hi Skippah" Private blushed.

Skipper quickly crushed the little penguin in a hug, being careful not to hurt him, tears falling down his face freely.

"Skippah? Why are you crying? Please don't cry" the younger said softly, trying to wipe Skipper's tears away. This caused Skipper to cry even harder and pull Private closer.

"God Private, I was so scared I was going to lose you" He cried, stroking the younger's feathers tenderly.

Private was astonished. Skipper's crying? Over me? But why would Skipper miss me? I'm not important, I'm easily replaced... Despite his thoughts, he said nothing, blissful that Skipper was holding him, he just let the older cry, knowing it was best if he got it out of his system.

Finally, he couldn't contain his thoughts any longer. "But why would you miss me Skipper, I mean..." he trailed off, thinking he sounded like stupid kid.

The older lifted a flipper to stroke Private's cheek lovingly. Private felt as if he would melt. I must be dreaming, this is too perfect.

Skipper looked into the younger's sky blue eyes. I'm scared, God, he'll probably think I'm a pervert. What if I scare him? He took a deep breath. Just do it you wimp, don't you think he deserves to know? I cant lie to him any longer. Oh I hope I don't screw this up, please let him not hate me. He pulled himself out of his thoughts, back to reality, back to Private.

"Because.. I love you" He whispered, gently touching his beak to the younger's. He pulled away almost automatically, angry at himself. Jesus, what did I do that for? I'm so stupid, I just ruined everything.

Private was hurt when the older pulled away. That brief moment when Skippers beak met his was amazingly perfect. Skipper kissed me! And it was amazing, the best thing that ever happened to me, now I'm sure I must be dreaming, Skipper likes me?! He felt as if his heart would explode from happiness, no words could describe how he was feeling.

"Skippah" Private said breathlessly, lost in the leaders usually icy dark blue eyes. But this time they were filled with love...and fear.

Skipper felt horrible. What did I just do? I just ruined my friendship with Private, just because I'm selfish. Why the hell did I do that? I'm so freaking stupid, God! I wish I could just take it back. He wanted to say something, anything to say how much he regretted it, how guilty he felt, he wanted to hold the little penguin, but all that came out was a pathetic "Sorry"

Private touched his flipper to his beak, still buzzing from the kiss. "Don't be sorry " he said shyly. "I love you too" he whispered, nestled in the elder's flippers once again. "I was so afraid to tell you, I thought you would hate me and kick me off the team, then I would never see you again."

Skipper heard the younger's words and felt his usual icy heart begin to thaw, feeling overjoyed, all his doubts washed away. " I wouldn't ever kick you off the team" he said truthfully, wrapping a flipper around Private's good one, wanting to remember the feeling of somebody caring about him. Somebody cares about me. He couldn't help but admit that it was the best feeling of all.

Private fell asleep once again and Skipper let him, knowing he would need his rest. He was ready to close his eyes too when he saw a dark figure running towards them.

"Kowalski" Skipper muttered darkly, as the figure drew nearer. He quickly jumped up into a defensive position, forgetting Private was there.

"Skippah?" They younger asked confused. "What's going on?" He looked to where Skipper was focused and shivered. Please not again. He huddled closer to Skipper instinctively. Protect me, don't let him hurt me.

"Shh, it'll be okay, he won't hurt you. Not on my watch." he said, leaning the younger back against the tree. "Kowalski!" he shouted, raising his flippers again. "Get the hell out of here before I finish you off, which I should have done earlier!"

Kowalski appeared confused. "What?"

"Don't come any closer" Skipper warned, Kowalski mere feet away now.

"Skipper? Have you gone crazy? What are you talking about?

"Don't play stupid Kowalski"

"Honestly, Skipper, I have no idea what your talking about. In case you didn't notice, I haven't been here for the past 3 months."

Private appeared behind Skipper, fearfully peering his head around. "Please don't hurt me Kowalski, whatever I did, I'm sorry" he whispered.

Kowalski moved closer but Skipper made him back up again. "What?" The scientist questioned. " I wouldn't hurt Private, what in Newton's Knickers is going on?"

Private looked behind him as he heard Rico's cries of help.

Kowalski stood over Rico, punching him. Wait, Kowalski? The little penguins head swivelled from one Kowalski to the next and back.

"Umm, Skippah?" Private said worriedly, alerting the older.

"Private! I told you not to move, you might get hurt more, what..." He trialed off, seeing the other Kowalski. He too looked between the Kowalski's, utterly confused.

"Oh good golly!" Kowalski exclaimed as he saw...himself? It suddenly made sense, he felt so stupid. He slapped himself for his stupidity, moving to the other penguins to explain.

Skipper backed away protectively with Private behind him.

"For Pete's sake!" Kowalski shouted, throwing his flippers in the air. "I'm not going to hurt either of you. But I do think I know what's going on."

Skipper looked at him. Can I trust him? But Kowalski hurt Private...but it wasn't really Kowalski... I don't think...Gah! I don't know.

"Fine" Skipper said tersely. "Explain away."

"Well, you remember awhile ago when I made clones of myself"

Skipper butted in. "Another Kowalski invention gone wrong, of course."
"Well, it seems as if someone got a hold of one of my clones and programmed it..."

"Kowalski! Why is it that your inventions always screw up!" Skipper shouted.

Kowalski hung his head. "I'm sorry Skipper and I take full blame."

Skippers face turned grim, assessing the situation. "We have to rescue Rico, Kowalski options?"

"Well, we could...distraction and run?"

Skipper sighed. "Good enough. Move out men!" They began to belly slide towards Rico but Skipper stopped, addressing Private. "Your not coming Private, its too dangerous and your already injured. Go back to HQ, you'll be safe there, we'll be there soon."

Private didn't want to leave Skipper, he was too scared, but he heard the warning tone in Skipper's soft voice and obeyed.

"Forget distraction" Skipper said, clenching his flippers into fists of fury, wanting to cause the other Kowalski bodily harm, great bodily harm. Sweet, innocent Private. "Grab Rico and head to HQ" he ordered, sneaking up from behind and attacking the 'evil' Kowalski.

Kowalski nodded in response and scooped up Rico from the ground, pulling him along behind him. Rico struggled horrifically, realizing his captor was Kowalski.

"Don't struggle Rico, I'm not gong to hurt you, that wasn't me, I swear!" Kowalski said.

Rico didn't believe him until he looked back and saw a flurry of fists, Skipper fighting 'evil' Kowalski.

"Long story, short version- clones" Kowalski tried to explain.

Rico remained quiet, his mind reeling. They reached the HQ in record time.

Private heard the hatch open and jumped up eagerly. "Skippah?"

Kowalski and Rico appeared and Private sighed. I hope he's okay. What if he gets hurt? It would be all my fault, please let him be okay.

Private sat in a corner, fidgeting. Kowalski approached slowly, not wanting to scare the younger. Private instinctively flinched as Kowalski neared. Its Kowalski, he wont hurt me, I think, I mean, the other Kowalski was the one who hurt me, I shouldn't be scared.

"I'm not going to hurt you, I promise" Kowalski said.

" I know Kowalski, I'm sorry, its just..." Private trailed off, his eyes wet.

Kowalski hugged him. "Shh, it'll be okay, and stop worrying about Skipper and don't tell me your not, I can tell."

Private wiped his tears away, wanting to believe the scientist's words

Skipper had the element of surprise, a huge bonus against the evil fighting machine. He tackled 'evil' Kowalski from behind, both of them crashing them to the ground. He noticed 'good' Kowalski and Rico escaping out of the corner of his eye and felt relieved. The team is safe. After that, the fight blurred into a flurry of fists and anger. It seemed the 'evil' Kowalski would never be beaten. That is, until Skipper landed a hard punch against 'evil' Kowalski's beak. The taller stumbled back, while Skipper smirked, knowing he had found the others weak point. He launched forward again, this time landing a blow to the others stomach, Private's face imprinted in his mind to fuel his rage. This blow caused the 'evil' Kowalski to howl in pain, falling to the ground. Skipper moved forward, with a killing intent. Screw clear consciences, this asshole deserves it for hurting my Private, nobody will hurt the little guy and get away with it, not while I'm living. He advanced towards the taller penguin, wrapping his flippers around the other's neck, wanting to see him struggle, watch him become weak and see all life like seep out of him slowly. 'Evil' Kowalski struggled against him, thrashing, but Skipper pinned him against he ground. He watched as the others breathing became slow, his eyes shooting daggers before they closed. He didn't let go until he saw the others chest become still. He stepped back quickly. I just killed somebody. With my own flippers. He looked down at his flippers, feeling dirty, but this was nothing soap and water could wash away. He backed away, he needed to get to Private, he had to remind himself why he had killed. It's for the best, now he can never hurt Private again. He began sprinting away, wanting to take the younger in his arms and tell him everything was okay, that 'evil' Kowalski wouldn't ever hurt Private again.

As Skipper ran away, 'evil' Kowalski opened an eye, then another and stood up, an evil grin on his face, "Oh Skipper, its not over yet." he cackled.