It was the first average day there had been since the girls arrived. Kowalski was gently tending to his latest experiment. Rico was trying to figure out how many paper clips would fit in his bag. Private was, of course, watching Lunacorns.

"Private, would you turn that drivel down?" Skipper shook his head.

"Hey!" Four penguins appeared from above. "Don't you call Lunacorns 'drivel!'"

"Nina!" Private ran to greet her, but stopped for fear of Sandy hitting him.

It was noticeable. "Um, Private, I'm sorry I hit you. It was a reflex." Sandy looked away.

"This sounds like some good old-fashioned pride swallowing," Skipper smirked, "and I'd like to know why."

There was a silence. Shelley, Hunter, and Nina collectively pushed Sandy forward. With a sigh, she relented. "We need your help."

"Why should we help you?"

"Nina…dim the lights."

Click.

"It was a dark and stormy night. I was swimming when I came across a very territorial shark…Madame Molar." Dramatic music. "We struggled for hours, until she bit off part of my flipper and won. I've vowed revenge on her ever since….Lights on, Nina."

Click.

"Again, why should we help you?"

"Come on! Don't you have a nemesis?"

Skipper's eyes narrowed. "Oh, I do. A mad genius by the name of Dr. Blowhole."

Hunter choked on the TV remote, which she was trying to inhale.

"I know him," Sandy revealed, "and I've got a bone to pick with him. I could give you information about him you'd never know."

"How do we know you're not bluffing?"

"You've got to trust me on this. But will you help me?" She extended her flipper.

"Please, please, please…" Nina and Private were muttering.

"Fine." He shook it.

Nina and Private high-fived. Step one was complete.

"So what's your plan?" Skipper inquired.

"Well, we find her at the docks, we reason with her, and if that doesn't work, we get our revenge in a violent fashion. What we need you to do is keep a lookout. We have to be able to predict behaviors, know when we're clear."

"Keep a lookout? Ladies, if we're in, it's all or nothing."

Sandy thought for a moment. "Fine. You can help, but don't try to take over."

Skipper winked. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"If I may?" Shelley spoke up. "One of our weaknesses is our fighting techniques. Sure, we're all strong, but if we're facing Molar, we'll need more than brute force. I'd suggest we start meeting to spar, and it's only natural that our fearless leaders go first. 6:00 tonight, so we can give her time to prepare."

"Wow, Shelley, way to step up." Sandy nodded. "Okay. Spar tonight. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a date with a punching bag." She sprinted off to prepare.

"Heh. 'Date.'" Hunter snickred.

"What's funny about that?" Nina asked.

"Oh, please," Shelley laughed, "there's nothing suspicious about sending Skipper and Sandy to meet with each other alone in the evening?"

"Wait a second…like a date?"

"Yes, Nina, like a date, like you've been trying to do!"

"But how did….Wow, you really are smart!"

"Thanks, but I heard from the lemur. He was going on about how he's 'the love god' and telling me about your plan. Now let's get the guys involved."