Skipper was concerned. Ever since the semester started, Marlene had withdrawn into herself and avoided everyone. She wouldn't tell him or anyone else anything. Josie finally had enough and told him what Marlene had been doing.
She'd get home from school, finish her homework as quickly as possible, and head to the gym. She would barely stop for food if at all and had bags under her eyes. Dinner was skipped most nights and she hardly made conversation.
The concern grew when she was reported to have stopped attending Spirit Squad meetings and her grades started slipping. Skipper entered one evening in March. As usual, Alice's post was unmanned. He made his way to the gym, casually waving at those who greeted him.
"Skipper!" Julien called.
"Not now, I have to find Marlene." Skipper said.
"That is what I wanted to say. She's going all wacky and yelling at everyone too."
That was a newer development. Skipper nodded. "I'll talk to her."
Skipper found Marlene at a punching bag, going ham on it. Actually, it looked pretty unsafe.
"You're losing your proper form." Skipper said. Marlene froze and looked at him, her face sweaty and concentrated. "You started listening to the adrenaline instead of making sure you don't tear every muscle in your body."
Marlene shook her head and took a swig from a water bottle. She ended up drinking too soon and coughed.
"Ugh- can't do anything right..." She muttered.
"What makes you say that, dollface?" Skipper walked over to the punching bag. He examined it.
"Do I look like a doll right now?" Marlene indicated the sweat stains.
"You look like raggedy Ann, as in you're running yourself ragged. What is this going to accomplish?"
"Strengthening."
Skipper pushed the bag around lightly. "It's too loose and old. Alice hasn't done anything with the gym equipment in years. The only reason she replaced the step counter was because Mort almost broke his leg and Julien had her replace it."
"I'm so tired..." Marlene groaned, sitting on a chair. Skipper sat next to her.
"Take a break."
"I can't. That's not what I'm tired of..." Her breath hitched. "I c-couldn't protect her...when the m-moment came...I was helpless."
"You did your best and that's what matters." Skipper said. "I've been caught off guard before too and it's not fun. I got beat up looking for Hans because I was lost in memory."
"Really?"
Skipper nodded. "I'm just glad Hans decided he's not a murderer. Marlene, anyone could have been in your position. I'm glad we found you guys before it was too-"
Marlene burst into tears. He automatically put an arm around her. Through her sobs, she managed to say that she had nightmares about being too late. Skipper admitted he had nightmares like that from time to time.
Once she calmed a bit, Skipper told her to come by the Penguins house after getting a good night's sleep.
...
Skipper was happy to see Marlene with a bit more energy and a change of clothes. She evidently took a shower as well. He caught a scent of something like coconut.
The boys had been granted a day off so Rico and Kowalski accompanied Private and his friends to the mall.
He took her to the workout room, a designated space designed by Rico and Kowalski to maximize everyone's individual space while also giving them challenging trials and equipment. At the center was a large mat.
"We have our bi-weekly defense tournaments on this very mat." Skipper announced, trying to be dramatic. Marlene managed a small smile. "I'll take that. This is where we put our fighting skills to the true test, each other. Private has yet to win one."
"He hasn't beaten any of you?"
"Only once did he make it past Kowalski, but was soundly beaten by yours truly."
"Sounds tough."
"Yeah, but make no mistake, it's all him and his determination. We've offered to go easier, but he refuses to let us do that because 'enemies aren't going to go easier because I'm young'. Kid's got a point there."
"They won't go easier if you're a girl either." Marlene mumbled.
"Which is why you're here today. You're getting the premium Penguin experience...well it'd be more premium with the boys here. You warm up while I change. We like to practice in different outfits for any scenario, but I'll just do a regular spar day."
"Okay." Marlene put her workout bag on a bench and began warmups.
Skipper was pretty quick. He stretched as he entered, wearing gym shorts and a black tank top. Marlene took in his appearance. He still had a bit of a spare tire that he refused to admit he had. His legs were decently toned and his arms were muscular.
"Ready?"
Marlene blinked and nodded. "Yeah."
They started off easier since Marlene was just getting back to a proper eating and sleeping routine. She also talked a lot with Skipper and the boys about her experiences.
Over the next few weeks, the other boys would join in and sometimes she'd watch. She enjoyed the tournaments. It took place over a couple days to allow for rest.
Skipper thoroughly enjoyed Marlene's company. A feeling swelled in his chest every time she laughed or was excited that she knocked someone over. He was proud of her, but there was something else. Something he hadn't felt in a long time. Something he was worried about her response to.
One of those days, Kowalski was in his lab while Rico and Private were on a walk for recon. Marlene had arrived, as cheery and alert as ever. She and Skipper got to the warm ups and he noticed something. Had she always observed him stretching? She looked over a lot...maybe she was trying to see if she was stretching correctly.
For training, Skipper had the boys put three stickers on approved parts of their bodies. He had to emphasize approved after Rico tried to put one in an awkward place. Kowalski had to step out and Rico felt bad, forgetting that part of his boyfriend's past.
Marlene and Skipper put on the stickers.
"Three strikes, no head or neck. You ready?" Skipper asked.
"Bring it." Marlene said.
They got in starting positions. Marlene moved first, Skipper backed away. It was like an incredibly weird dance fight.
At some point in this seemingly unending battle, Kowalski let out a high pitched yelp followed by a yelled 'I'm okay!'.
Skipper aimed for the sticker on her right shoulder. Marlene gasped and ducked, then low kicked. Skipper hopped over it and grabbed her leg, then became confused when she shook it.
"S-Stop...STOP! STOP IT!"
"Marlene? I let go." Skipper put up his hands.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!"
"Marlene, it's Skipper!"
Marlene stood up quickly and panted. Skipper waited.
"W-what?" Marlene was trembling. Skipper took a step closer. "I-"
"You're okay. Allie and Doris are safe. You're here, Marlene. You all got out safely."
Marlene remembered where she was. She looked at Skipper who took another careful step forward.
"You...saved us...saved me..." Marlene whimpered.
"Do you want a hug?"
Marlene nodded and threw her arms around him, sobbing. He silently held her. The door opened and Kowalski peeked in, his hair a mess and his face covered in ash except for where his safety goggles had been. He looked at the leader, asking with expressions if everything was alright. Skipper nodded.
After a while, Marlene went to wipe off her face. Skipper was checking the equipment when she got back.
"You can never check these things too much." He said. "Are you good for the day?"
"No, I can keep going."
Skipper rose a brow. "You sure?"
"Positive. I need to beat this." She gave him a determined expression.
"With your instinct, not just adrenaline."
"I know."
The next few hours went on like this, they took necessary breaks, but Marlene was determined to try to win once. Finally, they both had to call it. They sat next to each other, panting.
"Skipper..." Marlene said once she'd recovered.
"Yeah?"
"I've been thinking about something for a long time and every time I try to convince myself it's something different, it doesn't make sense."
"What is it?"
Marlene sighed, stood up and paced. Skipper waited, but she seemed unable to explain further. He stood up and grabbed her hand. She stopped pacing and looked him in the eyes.
"Marlene, I wanted to say something too. I had a gut feeling that was sort of telling me something, but not my usual gut instinct and I didn't know how to explain it. I think, no I'm sure I'm in lov-"
Marlene had kissed him and he returned it. Neither cared that they were both sweaty.
"Hey Skip-oh!" They broke apart and saw Private covering his eyes. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry! I-it's just, Kowalski wanted me to check on you and-"
"You're safe, kid." Skipper said.
Private lowered his hands and looked at the blushing older teens. Marlene was busying herself with a loose thread on her shirt and Skipper was wiping off his sweat with a towel.
"I didn't mean to interrupt you."
"Don't worry about it."
"Yeah, you're fine." Marlene said, smiling at the younger teen.
"Oh great. Um...shall I let the guys know not to disturb you?"
"No, I was going to go back to the apartments and shower."
Skipper shook his head. "It's getting dark, why don't you shower here? Did you bring a change of clothes?"
"I did."
"Private, check with Kowalski and make sure there aren't any science experiments in the bathroom next to your room. I'll use another shower."
"Aye, Skippa." Private hurried out.
"So...uh...that was nice." Skipper mumbled. "Are we-? I mean do we-? Uh should-?"
"Are we official?" Marlene asked.
"Y-yeah, that one."
"Do you want to be?"
Skipper felt goosebumps. But in a good way. "Yes. And I say that with certainty."
"You know what I say with certainty?"
"What?"
"This." She kissed him again.
Then there was a knock at the door.
"Kowalski says the bathroom's safe." Private called.
"Ok, Private!" Skipper responded. Marlene giggled.
Skipper's team seemed to know what happened as there were smug looks from Kowalski and Rico, to which Skipper shook his head and glared at his teammates. Private seemed on the edge of feeling happy for them or guilty that he accidentally spilled to Kowalski when asking for the shower. Kowalski decided that Rico shouldn't be out of the loop and told him.
After her shower, Marlene made sure to tell Josie where she was so her roommates didn't freak out. She sent back a winking emoji. Marlene rolled her eyes. She came out to see Rico cooking while Kowalski and Private helped prepare for dinner. An additional seat was brought to the table for her.
Rico had made spaghetti and meatballs with cheesy bread. Skipper finished just in time as everyone was sitting down.
"Usually we're watching something or playing a game if the meal isn't messy." Kowalski said as he cut the bread.
"That and we don't usually have guests." Skipper added. "Pass the parmesan."
Rico handed him the jar of shredded parmesan.
"Thanks for letting me stay the night." Marlene said. "Um, where do I sleep?"
"Excellent question." Kowalski said. "We've reverted any guest rooms to other functional spaces and I would say mine and Rico's are probably the least safe for civilians-"
"You can bunk in my room." Private said. "I'll share with Skipper."
"Whoa-ho-what's wrong with my room?" Skipper asked. The boys stared at him. "What? You think we can't share a bed responsibly or that I would dare try to engage in intimate activity with all three of you in the house?"
The boys turned deep pink and stuffed their mouths. Marlene snorted.
"I mean if it makes everyone feel better, I'll sleep on the floor."
Kowalski swallowed and drank water before responding. "N-no, we weren't- I mean...uh...do what you wish."
"We won't do anything that intimate." Marlene assured them. "I'm sure we're too exhausted anyway." Skipper nodded.
Before bed, she asked the four boys to meet her in the living room. She shifted her feet as they waited expectantly.
"I-I think I'm ready to talk to you about what happened." Marlene said. "I told the agents everything and I only gave you guys a general idea...yeah, I know I'm ready."
"It's okay, take your time." Skipper said.
Marlene nodded and took a deep breath before starting her story
"So, we were on the way to Allie's house, I thought I'd drop her off. All of our friends already had gone to prepare for the winter vacation. My flight wasn't due to leave for another couple days and I had most of my things prepacked and I thought I'd walk her home..."
...
FLASHBACK
Marlene's POV 1st person
"-unfortunately, that's when she discovered that glitter was a poor substitute for sprinkles."
"Gross, how bad was it?" Allie asked, making a face. She probably hadn't been expecting my 'grossest Christmas story' to be that gross.
"Poor kid was throwing up glitter for hours...I swear we never really managed to wash the bathroom free of glitter. My parents say it looks fine, but every now and then, I see a sparkle. My sister doesn't believe me."
"That it happened or that you still see it?"
"That I still see it, she was eight when she did that. I was about ten."
"Eight? I thought she was three or four by the way you described it!"
"Nope, she wanted to eat glitter."
"I hope you've shown her that show where this girl sorta eats glitter and stuff she shouldn't, it's really more about a couple kids at their mysterious great uncle's house, it's a great show."
"Oh yeah, Gravity Falls, she's definitely seen it. I haven't gotten around to it."
"I cried my eyes out at the finale for like the last ten minutes of it at least, it was so amazing!"
"I really have to-"
SCRRRRRR
A car skidded to a stop next to them, we screamed in fright. The driver's window faced us, partially open. The person inside seemed alive by the way they moved.
"Watch it! You've never driven on icy roads before?!" I yelled.
"HEY!"
My heart skipped a beat and I whipped around to see Allie's beanie shoved down over her eyes and a masked someone holding her arms behind her back. Allie struggled as the person started shoving her forwards.
"Let go of her! What's going on?!"
I heard the driver door open and turned to see a fist flying at me. I yelped and dodged, trying to low kick, but the guy was too fast. He shoved me and I stumbled backwards.
I balanced myself, which wasn't easy on the icy road, and went for the guy holding Allie, but I got hit over the head with something and blacked out.
...
The next thing I knew, I was in a chair with my hands tied behind me and my head felt like it was going to explode.
"-lene?"
"Hmm?"
"Marlene, wake up." Allie sounded so small and scared. I just wanted to hug her and tell her it'll be alright.
"Al-lie..." I mumbled, slowly opening my eyes, blinking the blurriness away. I gasped as I saw Allie tied to a chair, the hat still over her eyes.
"Oh my god, you're awake." Allie said, stifling a sob.
"Allie are you hurt?"
"It sounded like you got knocked out and you're asking if I'm ok? Are you ok?"
"My head hurts and I think my wrists are getting rope burn." I looked around. We seemed to be in an empty room. Both of us had our feet bound together too.
"I'm scared." Allie whimpered.
"Was anyone in here?"
"They didn't really talk except 'tie her'. It was a guy's voice, but other than that, I have no idea. What's going to happen?"
I looked at the younger girl, I wanted to stop her fear. "I'm going to get us out of here, that's what. We're going to get out of here, get the Penguins to help us, and they can handle it from there. Why wasn't I blindfolded?"
"Marlene, do you have your phone?"
"Hey Siri." I said. No tone or robotic voice responded. Any hope I had disappeared. I had to keep strong for her. "I think they took it, I don't feel it in my pocket. Usually I have Siri on for when I do art projects, I turned it on after school...I think. Damn, two years of self defense for this."
"I think they took my phone too, it was in my pocket." Allie wiggled a little. The chair didn't move, I squinted at the legs and then my chair. They were bolted to the ground. "No phone." She whimpered again. "Why us? What did we do?"
"Well isn't that the question of the day!" A sly voice said. I jumped and turned to see someone standing in shadows, the door had been opened silently. "Quite honestly, you've done nothing wrong really. You just...exist."
"You're sick." I growled. "We're minors and you want to use us for your own personal gain."
"Oh come now, give me some credit, you would be dead by now if I allowed such dirty things."
"Even if you weren't going 'there', kidnapping is still illegal! We have people who will notice our disappearance."
"That's what I'm counting on, my dear." The man said. He came forward into the dim light and stood in front of me. He had dark gray hair and an eyepatch with a scar visible above and elbow it. He put a hand on my cheek, which made my skin crawl. I shook him off, but he just laughed and spoke in a creepy soft tone. "Honestly, you weren't even supposed to be here. We just wanted the girl."
"Leave her alone or I swear I will-"
"Do what? What will you do tied to a metal chair that's been bolted down?"
"Who are you?!" Allie shouted. "And where are you?"
"Poor girl, they didn't even let you look at your friend. These could be your final moments. I deeply apologize for that." He walked over to her and yanked her hat off. It looked like it hurt.
"OW! You could've done that without trying to scalp me!" She snapped. She looked up at him and gasped. "What the f-?"
"Language, Allison, or do you want me to have to tell your parents about your last words being curses thrown at me?"
"You don't get to talk to her like that!" I snapped. "Get away from her! What do you want?"
"Demands...questions...sheesh, give a guy so much to respond to. Marlene, right?"
"Since you know our names, who are you?"
"Really, Allie, you didn't tell your friends? It would make sense that Marlene doesn't know, but I thought you would've told Private."
Yet again, my heart skipped a beat. How did he know Private? Why does he know Allie?
"Shut up, Francis." Allie said.
"I really go by Dr. Blowhole. Rather an unfortunate sounding last name, but you can't help it sometimes."
"You can change your last name and also choose not to be evil." I told him, rolling my eyes.
"But why settle for the monotony of daily life? Why struggle and fight for a brief life on this earth? Why not have some fun?"
"That's what vacations are for."
"Well, when you're bottom of the barrel, where do you go? Riddle me that. You go to a school in New York, not exactly cheap is it?"
"You were born here and your parents made enough money." Allie said. "You killed your mother at the age of four."
"Allie, how do you know that? Who is he?" I asked.
Allie looked ashamed. "H-he's Doris's half brother...and Doris is my half sister."
Blowhole laughed. "Finally! I was wondering when you'd mention it to SOMEONE! Your mother isn't that bright, is she? She could have abandoned Doris and pretended she didn't exist. I might have left you alone."
"No, you wouldn't and my mother would never do that."
"You know her better than I do. I hope I get to know her better."
Allie growled.
"Poor Doris, she has no idea what awaits her at home."
Allie and I gasped.
"Yep, you might have a roommate before you die." Blowhole cackled. "Also, don't bother screaming, you're deep inside a building and no sound escapes this room." He continued cackling as he left.
We sat in silence for several moments. Allie looked as deep in thought as I was. I was trying to search for ways to get out, trying to ignore the scared voice in my head asking if anyone would even realize we'd gone missing. We stayed after school a while since Allie was waiting for me, so most people had left. Maybe a driver noticed? Someone looking out the window?
"I'm sorry."
My brain was brought back down to the room. "Huh? For what?"
"Thinking I could walk around without being targeted and not warning you. The guys, Ramona, Kenny, and Barry have known for two years and since nothing happened to me, we thought I wasn't on his radar at all. Doris didn't even seem to be targeted, though she's usually with a large group like I am."
"Allie, you're innocent in this. You didn't choose the family you were born into and you had every right to keep it to yourself. There was nothing you could have-"
"I could've told them what Rhonda wrote. I should have gone to Skipper about it instead of my parents. They told me not to worry...Skipper would have investigated right away. I should have told him everything back then instead of waiting a year and a half."
"You didn't know her, her motives, or that she was a spy. All you knew was that she was terrible. And telling him early might have still led to this moment, you don't know what could have happened."
"I-I guess."
"Allie, don't blame yourself. None of this is on you."
Allie nodded. I couldn't tell if she believed me or if she just needed to stop talking about it. No one had come by the room in a while, I felt thirsty. Allie said she felt the same, she hadn't had water since school ended. How long had it been?
We heard footsteps this time and the door opened. An unconscious figure with a sack over their head was dragged in along with a chair. The masked men were silent as they bolted a new chair down and tied the person to it. My eyes widened as I realized who it was. Doris had been talking about her new shirt all day and offered to get me and Josie one.
The men finished tying her and removed the sack. Her head flopped to the side. It looked so uncomfortable. The men left and Blowhole came back in. We growled at him, but he ignored us.
He checked the bolts and rope, then lifted her head.
"HEY! DON'T TOUCH HER!" I screamed
"Marlene?" Doris mumbled. "Why ya yellin?"
"Doris, bite! Bite his hand!"
Doris' eyes snapped open and she bit wildly, but Blowhole had already moved his hand away. She was breathing heavily, tears in her eyes.
"W-why?" She asked, glaring at Blowhole.
"Because, dear sister, he kept you from me."
"I'm not your sister." Doris snarled. "He tried to care about you. For years, he believed your mom's death was an accident even when you said it wasn't. He only stopped believing it when you killed that kid when you were twelve."
"Yet, he still had the audacity to marry some unfortunate soul and have a kid. Then he scared her away-"
"That's not what happened!"
"Sure, believe your dear dad. You can even ask-oh wait, you can't anymore." Blowhole cackled and left the room.
"Asshole!" Doris yelled. "My petty insults will get us nowhere...are you two okay?"
"Other than being super creeped out when he touched my face, he hasn't done anything so we're okay in that regard." I said.
"I was on the phone with Kowalski before they caught me, I'm sure the boys are getting help."
"Or on the way themselves." Allie said. Doris looked confused. "Do you know much about the organization that protects you?" Doris looked surprised. I admit I was intrigued too.
"Yeah, a lot. I mean, I didn't know Kowalski and them worked for the organization. Wait, do you mean Private works for them? Isn't he like fifteen?"
"Yeah. Those four boys have worked for them for the past three years."
"I'm sorry, what?" I asked.
Doris was about to explain when Blowhole came back in.
"What're we chatting about, ladies? Because I'd like to know more about the organization myself if you don't mind. I assume Marlene knows nothing about it."
"I know nothing." Allie said.
"I just know they're trying to stop you." Doris said.
"Yeah, duh. I need names." Blowhole said, getting eye level with her. "If you don't start spilling names, I'm going to have to start spilling blood. And I really don't want to have to do that."
PTOO
Doris spit in his face.
Blowhole sighed heavily. "I really wish you hadn't done that-"
"Doctor B?"
Blowhole growled and turned to a guy who had come in the room. All I could see was a dimly lit hallway.
"What?!"
"We have intruders."
"Get rid of them instead of complaining to me, fool!"
"It's those boys and a couple more."
"This got interesting. I'll be back, ladies."
"Or don't!" Doris called out.
"The guys are here, they'll save us." I tried to believe myself.
My hope felt dashed when they brought Kowalski and Private in. They gave him a shot of something and started patting him down, so we screamed to disorient them. Then Kowalski woke up and you know the story from there.
…
"You did your best." Skipper told her.
"Private and I got caught off guard that day too." Kowalski said. "Then I got caught up in my own PTSD episode."
"Drugs." Rico shuddered.
"They caught us all off guard with whatever they gave Rico and Private." Skipper said. "But they probably weren't expecting my brother and Jackie or backup. Shame that Blowhole managed to sneak off."
"I think they found an underground tunnel that led to the subways. He's long gone." Kowalski said. "Hopefully we'll get him one day."
"I just don't want to be scared my entire life until he does." Marlene sighed.
"Which is why we're training you. We're here for you and the city. I'm here for you." Skipper said.
Marlene smiled and kissed him.
"You do realize Josie's going to tell Rocky and Rikki about your relationship and those two will never stop talking about it, correct?" Kowalski asked.
"Yes, however, there's one more member of our team." Skipper said. Everyone laughed as they looked at Private.
"Oh dear." The youngest said, laughing along.
A/N: So, we're coming to the final four chapters. The next two will be Kowalski and Kenny getting closure on their past, the one after will be the story of Julien Sr and George Sorenson, then graduation. The final chapter isn't very long so I can still make edits if there's any confusion or things we don't have a conclusion on besides Blowhole. I have a different idea for him.