I want to make this the last chapter, so it'll be pretty long. :)

*Private's PoV*

I can't sleep. I'm too worried about CC. She's been in a coma for hours and I fear Kowalski can't wake her up.

I climb out of my bunk and see that Skippah's is empty too. I look all over the HQ for him, only to find him on the island up top.

"Skippah?" I call. He turns and sees me.
"Private? What are you doing out of bed?" he asks, as I sit down next to him.
"I was about to ask you the same thing," I reply.
"I can't sleep."
"Neither can I."

We sit in silince for a moment.
"I'm not sure what I'd do if CC doesn't wake up," I say, tears choking me as I speak.
"I don't either," Skippar replies.
"What do you mean?"
"I want CC to be alright too," he answers. "She's a sweet girl, and I'll be upset if she doesn't wake up."

Skippah just told me something he probably didn't want to tell anyone. I know I have to do the same.
"Skippah," I say.
"Yes, Private?"
"I-I-I...I love CC."
"Yes, we all do, Private." Skippah doesn't get it.
"No! LOVE her. Love-love."
Skippah doesn't react how I expect him to. Instead, he puts his flipper around my shoulders.
"I know."

*Kowalski's PoV*

It's 7:28 am. I'm still in the lab, and CC is still in a coma. I tried to tell Skipper and Private there is nothing I can do, but they just won't listen. All I've done is sit here, for the past 24 hours. How dissappointed Private will be...

I stand up, as Skipper comes into the lab.
"Kowalski?" he says. I shake my head. "Well do something!" I sigh.
"I can't Skipper," I mutter. "I-I'm...out of...options..."

Skipper frowns.
"What?" he says quietly.
"I'm out of options," I say louder. "Can't you understand? There is NOTHING I can DO, Skipper! NOTHING!"
Skipper stands there. He stares at the ground.
"Nothing we can do..." he whispers, his voice trailing off. He leaves, not looking at me. Just...leaves.

*normal PoV*

The penguins sat around the HQ. Skipper had his coffee in front of him, but he let it grow cold. Rico didn't even sing to Ms. Perkey. She just sat in the corner, staring at them with her plastic eyes. Kowalski was still in lab, doing who knows what. Probably sulking. Private-he's the worst of them-sat and just cried.

Finally, Skipper stood up.
"Come on," he barked, startling everyone. Kowalski poked his head out of the lab. "We're going to do training."
"But Skippah," Private sobbed, looking at the floor. "It won't be the same." He looked up at his leader, tears glistened in his light blue eyes. Skipper hadn't told him yet, and now, he dreaded it even more. "Plus Kowalski has to keep working on CC."
"Private," Skipper said softly, sitting on the floor next to him. He took a deep breath, ready to tell the news, but couldn't. "CC will be alright for a couple of hours."

Private remembered something as they exited the HQ.
"What happened to that little raccoon baby?"
"Marlene's taking care of her," Skipper replied. "She's alright."

As Skipper trained the team, he was distracted with the news he had to break to Private. He knew he'd find the right time to do it.

After training, Skipper pulled Private aside.
"Skippah?" Private asked, as he noticed Skipper's sad face.
"Private, you know this, you just don't understand it."
Private was still confused.
"What do I know?" he asked.
"About CC. Remember Kowalski said there is nothing he can do for her?"
"I do," Private nodded slowly. "But I also know, he has to keep trying."
"But Private," Skipper put his flippers on the younger penguin's shoulders. "This IS nothing he can do. CC is NEVER going to wake up."

Private would have turned pale, if he hadn't had a white face. He stared at Skipper, trying to find some sign in his face and eyes that he was joking. He was joking, right...Right?
No. He isn't. He wouldn't joke about something like this. Skipper looked at the young penguin with concern. He was in a state of shock. Private looked at his leader once more, then pulled away from him, and ran into the lab.

Skipper stared after him. He needed to be alone.

Private entered the dimly lit lab. He saw CC on the table. He walked over to her and gazed at her. She seemed so peaceful. He just didn't know the pain and grief she was experiancing inside her head. All CC wanted was to wake up, and see the smiling face of Private again.

CC, in her dream, cried her little heart out. Even though she was at home, and human again, like she wanted, she was misirable. No-one could see her. Her friends, family, no-one. Only the imanginary Kowalski, that tried to comfrot her, but failed.

He didn't know what to do. He too, like the real Kowalski, was out of options.
"I'm obviously a failure!" he groaned. CC lifted her head and stared at him. He put his flippers over his eyes.
"No you're not," he felt a small, warm hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see CC, cheeks wet from tears, but smiling slightly. She pulled him into a hug.
"You're no failure," she whispered. When she let him go, he smiled.
"Thank you CC," he said.
"If I don't wake up," CC went on. "I know you'll be here for me, won't you?"
"Of course," Kowalski replied.



Private sat by CC's side. He knew she was alive. He just didn't understand why she wasn't awake. No-one had ever explained what a coma was for him. To him, it was death, only worse. Much worse, because you know they're alive, but you can't be with them.

He sighed, knowing he had to leave, so he could be cute and cuddly with the others. Not that he felt like it. He gazed at CC one last time, before leaning down, and kissing her cheek. Then he turned, and headed ofr the door.

He stopped, when he heard a groan. He quickly turned around. Nothing was there. CC was still lying on the table. He turned away again, but this time, he heard his name being called.

"CC?" he whispered, slowly turning around again. He looked at her, and saw her eyes flicker open. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, before turning her head towards Private.
"Private," she whispered, smiling. Private smiled back and waddled up to her.

CC sat up on the table, as he approached her. She smiled more, as she stood and flung her flippers around him.
"I w-was so sc-scared," Private sobbed, as he settled into her hold.
"I know, I know," CC whispered, stroking his head. He continued to sob. "Shh. It's alright now." She looked at him and wiped away his tears.
"I love you, CC," Private whispered.
"I love you too," CC replied.
"Skippah will want me to be cute and cuddly now. They're all on the island, by now," Private said. CC smiled.
"Then let's go be cute and cuddly together."

Skipper, Rico and Kowlaski's beaks dropped in surprise as they saw Private exit the HQ, followed by CC. She smiled at them, her brown eyes sparkling with life and mischief, as always. She grinned at them.
"What? Never seen a living, dead girl before?" she and Private laughed.
"We'll talk about this later," was all Skipper could say.

Later, Skipper, Private, Kowalski, Rico, and CC all sat around the table.
"What is going on?" Skipper demanded. "Kowalski said there was nothing we could do."
"I haven't the foggiest..." Kowalski muttered.
Private spoke up.
"There's nothing more powerful than love," he said. CC smiled.

Just then, Kiva entered the habitat to see how the penguins were. Imagine her surprise when she saw her friend, who was thought to be in a coma, sitting at the table and talking with the penguins.
"CC?" she gasped. Everyone turned to face her.
"Hello, Kiva," CC said.
"H-hello, CC," Kiva replied.

That night, CC lay in her bunk. She was so happy to be back in the zoo with the penguins. But there was still the problem of her home. What about her family?
She turned over to sleep. She'd think about that later. Now, she was just happy to be here.

In the zoo...