~ it needs 2 to love ~


This is a story about friendship and love.
How would emotions change the penguin's life? Can the heart be stronger than the psyche?

This here's the story.




Surprise, Surprise.

Marlene was enjoying herself in her bright pool, singing loudly and swimming a few rounds, as suddenly an animal landed with a big splash in the water.
Marlene got frightened, she quickly turned to the animal who couldn't swim.
''Hold on!'', she shouted and swam as fast as an arrow to save the poor animal. It was a rendeer.

She carried it in her habitat and as she looked at the rendeer's face, she smiled in surprise: It was Cupid. ''It's everything okay now. I served you from drowning.'' Cupid opened her eyes and looked confused at Marlene. ''I crushed together with a falcon, i actually wanted to fly home, but.. but...'' Cupid passed out and fell into Marlene's arms. 'I have to tell Private.', Marlene thought, 'But... How would the reaction of the small penguin be?

Without knocking the door she entered the HQ. Skipper shrug, as he saw the invader and immediately turned to her. ''Marlene! I told you to not enter the HQ without knocking!''
Marlene only smiled at him. ''Why, Skipper? We're friends!'' - ''Because it's private!'', he brusquely answered and crossed his flippers. Marlene snorted. ''Good, then it's private! By the way, i'm looking for Private.'', Marlene then smirked again and placed her paws on hips.

Skipper sighed and let her in. As he closed the door, he made a step aside and gave her a charming smile. ''Well, young lady. Wait here.'' Then he turned away.

Marlene smiled to herself. That man just caughed her heart! He was so smart, so irresistably... ''Hello Marlene!'' Private already stood in front of her with a happy look on his face, while Marlene still was following her dreams.

Then she opened her eyes. ''Uh... Hi Private! Someone's here... Well, here, uhm...'' Private looked at her with his head cocked. ''Erm, Marlene... Are you fine?'' Marlene shook her head to clear her mind and continued speaking. ''Erm... Don't worry. I just wanted to tell you that Cupid is here. In my habitat.''

Private was speechless. ''Cu-cupid. In your.. What? Erm, i mean... dear, that's just... Could you... Would you?'' He seemed to be very excited and moved his flippers nervously around. Marlene smiled widely, now it was Private, who was confused. ''Easy going, Private. Of course, i will.'', Marlene twinkered towards him and took him by his left flipper.

As they arrived in Marlene's habitat, Private frightened. Cupid, on the floor, was she alive at all? He laid down next to her and put a flipper on her covered chest. But she didn't move any part of her body.

After a while she awoke. Her eyes widened in surprise. ''Private!'' - ''Cupid...''
He gave her a smooth kiss, that never seemed to end, he was so glad. They then hugged each other and Marlene decided to let them alone.

On the next days, the penguins asked themselves where the young penguin was. There was no trace of Private and Skipper already worried, because he still was a young and naive penguin.
But then it knocked on the door and it was the young penguin with Cupid by his side. Kowalski looked at them in thought. These bipolar beings truely fitted together.

''Private! Where have you been, soldier?'', Skipper was angry about this missing of his young friend.
''But Skippa.'', Private tried to justify himself, ''It was nothing.'' But Skipper still didn't seem to be satisfied. Only Kowalski had some sympathy for the small penguin. ''But Skipper, he'd just tried to tell you, that he hadn't done...'' - ''Not you, Kowalski!'' ... ''Hrr mam flor, bla bla!'' ... ''Rico!!''

Private then explained the story and in the end, Cupid could stay for a few months.

Private had never felt happier before: It was a beautiful evening in spring, the smell of wild flowers surrounded them and a fresh breeze gently stroke their skin. He and Cupd sat outside face to face at a table and stared each other in the eyes.

Private wounded his flippers around her hooves and Cupid just returned his hearty smile. There was nothing, that had to be spoken about. They just kept on speaking their own language: The language of their hearts.


It was Kowalski, who suddenly stood in front of them. He weared a white cloth around his hips, held his beloved clipboard carefully in his left flipper and smiled gladly. ''Good evening, mam. May we offer you a vegetarian forrest plate with mushrooms on a bed of green salad?'' Cupid smirked nervousely and finally nodded. Wow, that was a special date!

''And for the mister, we have a delicious norwegian salmon with a breeze of lemon flavour.'', Kowalski was quiet good looking as a waiter, Cupid had to admit. And his voice had a familiar, pleasantly deep sound.

Also Skipper came along and laid the table with a checkered tablecloth in red and white. He weared a black smoking and a fly, wich gave him a smart look. As he fired a red candle, Private looked at him a little confused. ''Erm... Skippa?'' Private's beak still stood open, until Skipper closed it with his right flipper. Then he raised his voice. ''Madame, Monsieur. You're having dinner in 'chez Rico' this evening.''

Cupid looked excited, as the owner himself arrived. She actually had known him as the hooligan of the team, but now she saw another Rico. He weared the chef's hat with dignity, a black cloth around his hips and held the two plates artistically on his flippers, which he then placed on the table.

Cupid closed her eyes and smelled the delicios taste of fresh herbs and mushrooms. And after Private ate a few pieces of his salmon, he was stunned - This evening was ment to be perfect in every single way for every single one.


The next day Private decided to make a car ride with Cupid. On their little trip they got interrupted by Julien, who stood in the middle of the street. ''Uh, the youngest penguin has a girlfriend, eh?'', Julien laughed and laid himself down on the car hood. ''Very sweet. I will make a party for you two, i tell you!''

Private was taken aback. ''A - party?'' - ''Yes, only for you two lovebirds.'' Private looked at Cupid a little worried. ''What do you think, darling?'' But Cupid just dreamily smiled. ''Oh, I love dancing. Most with you, Private.'' - ''See? I'm already being looking foreward to it...'', the lemur then turned close to Private and laid an arm around his neck. His plan had an idea...

''Tell Skipper and the others. We're going to have ballroom, but only two and two. Understand me, flightless bird?'' Private still wasn't sure. The nasty grin on Juliens face didn't make him feel very confortable either. But then he nodded in agreement. ''Okay... Ballroom's not bad!''.






It needs 2 to dance.

Later the penguins returned to the HQ, where they played a card game at the table. ''We’re organizing a dancing party for Cupid. What do you think, Skippa?'', Private explained while mixing the cards. Skipper smiled and laid one flipper on his shoulder. ''Sure, young Private.''

Private was in the seventh heaven. But then he placed a flipper on his beak and as he thought twice, Skipper would go in doubt about his plan... And he was right. Skipper already had that sly look in his eyes. ''Private. Who exactly organized the party?'' Private sighed and laid the cards down. ''It was Julien, sir.'' Skipper smirked. ''Ringtail? I’m sure, there’s something fishy about it.''

Rico already knew what was fishy. He actually liked fish, but that seemed just very unfishy to him: He screamed. ''Private! He's got the doll!'', Skipper shouted and put his flipper on his front, ''Man, you’re just too cute and too naive, just like Marlene!'' Skipper turned from Private to the other penguins. ''But I ain't no Skipper, if i hadn't already the option.''

Everyone was looking curious, but Kowalski just looked annoyed. ''Erm, Skipper... You've got an option without asking for my analysis?'' But Skipper didn't care a pap for it and continued. ''Kowalski. I don't need any clipboards for my options! ...Alright, men... I’ll dance with Marlene, Private with Cupid and Kowalski, you dance with Rico.'' Kowalski shrug and met Skipper with disbelief. ''Ah, i don’t think so, Skipper.'' … ''But i think so!'' … ''I've already asked Doris.'' … ''No, you haven’t.'' … ''Fine, erm... you got me.''

...Finally Skipper gave the advice...
''Right out, boys. Dancing time!''






A special present.

Cupid laid a hoove on the side of his right shoulder and then they turned a round. Private wanted to dance a waltz, the most romantic dance of all. His darling in his arms... And truely, Cupid felt completely safe in his flippers and she admited, he was a talented dancer. Private enjoyed every second of this wonderful moment. She was able to fly and she was the girl that made him feel like flying too... She had to be a present from heaven!

''Aw, Private...'', Cupid sighed after the long lasting kiss and opened her eyes again. ''I wished i could stay with you forever.'' A tear escaped her eye, but Private gave her a warm smile. ''Cupid. I'll always be waiting for you.'', he answered consoling her, ''Hearts don't know any distance!''






Magic romance.

Skipper already planned something for Marlene.
Marlene. She had always been there for him, she had a good heart and she was the only one besides his teammates who he really trusted. She was a kind of dude, not one of these fancy chicks. He really liked her.

She deserved something special this evening and he already had an idea... His flippers were playing the strings of an accoustic guitar, as Marlene entered.

She had to hold on, as she heared that and finally gave him a wide smile. ''Spanish guitar...''

The next thing she recognized was the bright candlelight, which stood in one corner of the room. She was stunned. She enjoyed it so much, that she had to close her eyes. She never had thought, that Skipper once would play that delicate sound for her. She still was in her dreams, as Skipper stopped playing...

Now he stood close to her and Marlene felt his warm flipper on her left hip, another one rested upon her right shoulder. A shower run down her back, as his left flipper slid down to her arm and finally held her paw. As she awoke, his blue eyes were straightly looking into hers, and he asked her. ''Shall we dance, Marlene?''

Marlene always had liked his voice. His charm. The seductive look in his dark eyes, and this time it made her almost stop breathing. And then there was this smile... He actually was very handsome, was he? She laid her head down to his shoulder, just to settle down and hear the music play. It was a woman who sang the lyric:


All the dancers may be on the floor, but my eyes, they can see only you.
Only you have that magic technique, when you sway i go weak...


She felt his warm breathe on her neck, one of his flippers rested on her her shoulder blade, the other one she held with her paw.

She truely couldn't say, what it was. But his technique had something magical.
Or was it just his person? Then his right flipper pushed her in another direction and she found herself making a perfect piruette. Yes, that simply was magical...
''Where did you learn that, Skipper?'', she asked in surprise.

The truth was, Skipper always hided these little secrets. He actually liked dancing, but he didn't want anyone to know. ''That was you. I mean...'', he replied, but Marlene still believed, that there actually had to be more. ''No, it wasn't me, Skipper. I guess it was magic.''

Skipper rised an eyebrow. ''Magic? Do you truely believe in these sky spirits?'', he smiled at her and shook his head in disbelief. ''Cute and naive as always, Marlene...'' - ''Ah, shut up a little!'', she said very julienlike, ''I'm cute, but i'm not. Naive!'' But Skipper still had that nasty smile on his face.

But he had no idea of that, what Marlene's was planning as she took him by his flippers. ''Wait. I'll show you how to dance!''

''No, stop that madness! Marlene – I AM A SKI-PPEER!'', he screamed and couldn't stop turning, until he landed on his back. ''Cute and cuddely, huh?'', she smiled and finally looked down at him with an amused smirk on her face.

Skipper blushed. Had he ever thought, that Marlene would be that tough? But he somehow liked it... He got on his feet again turned to her. ''Alright, Marlene.'', he laid his flippers around her and sighted, ''It maybe was. Magic.'' Marlene smirked. ''Of course, it was...'' And they both felt: There actually had to be something like that...






Strong at heart.

Only Kowalski and Rico struggled with their jive. It was too fast and Kowalski didn't know how to lead and which instinct he should use for dancing. ''Human instinct, animal instinct, survival instinct? Science give me a aaah... Ouch!'' Rico stood on his right foot and Kowalski couldn't go on. ''Good Isaac Newton! Definately survival instinct!''

Rico looked at him a little worried. ''Technically speaking... Maybe we should just calculate your bmi.'', he murmured in thought, as he placed his left flipper on his beak. ''No way, Kowalski! We already had that madness with a dna test.'' In Skipper's eyes, the tall penguin was acting like a girl. But also Marlene was annoyed, because Skipper desturbed their magic mood. ''By the way, you're not the female, Kowalski.'', Skipper noticed and then continued dancing with Marlene.

He was a man! Kowalski sighed, that just wasn't fair. But he didn't want to disappoint their leader eigher and finally turned to Rico again. ''Here we go... Dancing can't be an impossible mission!'' ... After a few minutes... ''Maybe i should make that female part, Rico...''

After hours, the two penguins laid on the floor next to each other, tired and exhausted from dancing. Kowalski was so proud of his friend and envied his staying power. Rico must have spent a hard time as a child, since he had grown up in the wild. ''You would brave every challenge, Rico.'' Rico happily returned Kowalski's kind smile. Finally someone, who really appreciated him as a penguin and not only as a weapons expert.


The other day Skipper went to Kowalski. The tall penguin already had an askful look on his face, what did the leader want from him? Skipper decided to begin with his motto. ''It's not the big armies that win battles... it's the good ones!''

Okay, Kowalski's liked the quote, but he didn't like the violent part. He usually worked with his brain and wasn't very keen on battle fights. Rico watched the scene. His own life motto always had been 'what doesn't destroy you, makes you stronger', but in this situation, it wasn't fair... He had to stop Skipper, before Kowalski would be hurt.

...Skipper was still holding his head with his flippers, as he looked puzzled at Private...

''Do you keep any power smoothies, Private?'' But Private just stood there with his beak opened and finally shook his head. ''Not at all, Skippa.''
Skipper knew Rico as a die-hard. He would always defend his team, but now he didn't show any mercy for his leader.

Rico carried Kowalski back in the HQ and sighed, after he laid him down on the floor. As he looked at him, he held his flippers folded in front of his chest. That even was too much for him, since Kowalski was a very beloved friend. And now he looked damaged, his face was as pale as icy snow. This was so... respectless.

All alone in the HQ, Rico got distraught about what happened.

His teammate was hurt. Second, his doll had gone with Julien. He felt so blue... Damn, what would Julien do with her? Rico pressed his flipper against his chest, trying to get himself together. Still, this gloom was in his nature. He might win a fight against Skipper, but not against his feelings and he had to get something against it right now, before he lost control.

As Skipper and Private returned to the HQ, they just stood there and smirked at each other. Kowalski, who looked much better again, slept peacefully on the floor, his right flipper placed on the left one of Rico.

Skipper shook his head, while Private looked up at him, excited. ''Seems like we just found the perfect couple, sir!'' - ''You're so right, young Private...'', Skipper said, staring at the two penguins, ''You are so right.''

After a while Kowalski opened his eyes. He felt, that every part of his body was hurting. ''I'm so sorry, Kowalski.'', Skipper waddled to the tall penguin, ''It was my fault to treat you so hard.'' Though Kowalski bravely smiled and sat up. ''Don't worry, Skipper. I'm fine.''

Skipper shook his head and jerked with an eyebrow. ''Fine? I really like your braveness Kowalski. But after a meal you should feel better...'' He made a coffee for himself and actually wanted to...
''Fish n' chips man! Where's our fish gone?'', he got a little shocked, as he opened the fridge. There was nothing but emptiness.

''And my candy too...'', Kowalski was totally taken aback and tried to get a theory, while Private searched the whole room, finally stopping next to the sleeping penguin. ''Seems like Rico's last mission was a little fishy, sir!'', he held a flipper in front of his beak to hide a giggle, the other one was pointing at an empty fishbowl.

Skipper growled, dropping his coffee to the floor. He then turned to Rico in rage. ''What's wrong with you, soldier? Kowalski! Analysis!''

''Already on the way, Skipper.'' Kowalski went in his labor to get his new invention. As he came back, Skipper had a stunned look on his face. ''Your new invention? What is it?'' - ''The emotional intelligence locator!'', Kowalski heroicly spoke and finally put it's fine sensors on Rico's belly.

''It retrieves every single emotion and calculates it's feeling capacity! ...Let's see... Self-control: negative. Self-confidence: could be even better... Of course! The doll's away and lost generates frustation. It just had to be balanced!'' Skipper sighed. ''So? Interesting theory, Kowalski. You will help Rico with his depressions, and we might get the doll.'' Kowalski gave his consent by hissing faithfully. ''Aye, Skipper. I've got everything under control.''

After Skipper and Private turned off for their mission, Kowalski turned to Rico. The dazed penguin stood in front of his bed, it was the place where he had given his doll the very last hug. Rico remembered every detail of it. Her smooth, long hair he used to brush, her filigrane hands he used to hold, the final kiss, which he still felt on his beak... It always was ment to be perfect. He deeply sighted and stared into nothing.

As Kowalski stood right behind him, he began speaking considerately. ''I know, it might be hard for you.'', he said with soft voice, ''But... It's just a dance, Rico.'' He laid a flipper on his shoulder and tried his best to calm his friend down. Though that wasn't that easy. Kowalski already suspected, that it wouldn't be just a dance for him. And it was one of those situations, which drove Rico mad. Noone had to touch his doll at all.

This jealousy made Rico's heart feel like burning. Something was ticking like a bomb inside of him and wouln't make him able to take this any longer.
''Kaboom, kaboom, kaboom!'', he suddenly yelled out and tried to regurgerage dynamite, but Kowalski immediatly put his flippers around him. ''I know, Rico. But violence is no way to fight feelings!''

'He also supported me.', Kowalski thought and remembered his own situation.

At least he would win this battle! He would hold on, because he was strong at heart. And truely, the tension in Rico's muscles eased and his eyes filled with tears, as he looked down to the floor. Kowalski just had broken all his walls...

Kowalski smiled sweetly at him, wiping a tear off his cheek. He somehow was very fond of Rico. He actually wasn't very sophisticated, but the most autentic penguin he had ever met. His genuine character made him to that lovable person, that he started to love... Someone special deserved so much more than such a lifeless plastic doll.

What was with Doris? Yes, it was hard to tell. But he would never have a chance to get her, beneath that she could be quiet complicated.
Uh... Women!

Kowalski had this internal picture on his mind. He knew, there was a bond between him and Rico; he at least had to give it a try...

''Rico... How about a date this evening?'', he was only whispering, because he wanted this moment to become a special one. His heart began to beat faster...

Rico cocked his head. What exactly did Kowalski mean? But then he remembered. Candlelight, moonlight, sharing unforgettable moments with someone you were fond of. Actually he liked this idea, the appearing smile on his face just said everything. Kowalski took him by his flippers and leaned foreward to give the poor penguin what he deserved.

Kissing actually felt like dynamite, but didn't damage ones throat, Rico thought. It was even better! He returned that loving kiss with such a intensity, that he just blew Kowalski's mind away.

Kowalski just didn't know what to say. He had never felt that before, and this penguin knew instinctively how to love. Demanding passion, impulsive and fervent. Slow, but intense and technically speaking very sexy... It made his mind switch from science to art, from his intellect to his senses.

He noticed the pleasant smell of sea salt, as he fondled Rico's mohawk tenderly with his beak. His exploring flippers slid down to the hefty flanks of the weapons expert and gave him a cozy embrace. Rico sighed. It felt so good how Kowalski loved him, the way he kissed him or the way he was looking at him at this very moment made him go weak at the knees.

Kowalski had saved him from himself... The charismatic penguin could be a shoulder to lean on, so how could he ever had loved a doll? Of course, she was beautiful. But she didn't have this wonderful charisma of a good-looking penguin…

Kowalski snickered a little ashamed. Why were they staring at each other like that?


It was late, as Skipper and Private returned from their mission. ''We have the doll!'', Skipper called, as he opened the door. But he slowly closed it again.
What was that? Two penguins in one bed? No, he had to be hallutionating, he thought, then decided to open the door once more...

''Skippa, what is it?'', Private asked in an uncertain way, that just wasn't the way that Skipper usually looked at him. He rather looked disgusted. Then Skipper waddled out the door, moving his flippers around in front of his face. ''You didn't see anything!'', he replied, this usual mysterious look on his face. Private then took a glance in the room and giggled to himself. ''But it's only cute cuddliness, sir!''

Skipper immediately stopped waddling around and turned to him in paranoia. ''Just what?'' - ''But Skippa, wasn't that actually your quote?'' - ''Private!'' - ''Sorry...'' ... ''Skippa?'' - ''Yes, young Private?'' - ''I think they're really cute! Truth be told, i don't know the term of this experiment, but Kowalski just called Rico his sweet... granada!'' - ''Gra..nada? And i thought, these knuckleheads were french kissing!'' - ''Me too... Seems rather spanish to me!'' - ''Yeah. Or even polish.''

''Skippa?'' - ''Yes, young Private?'' Private was such a lovable friend and tried his best. ''Would you admit them to stay together?'' Skipper gave him a tender smile. ''Of course I would. They need each other like a body needs a mind, you know what I mean?'' He knew exactly what Skipper ment. And he was so glad for them...






In the end.

It was a beautiful sunday morning, as... ''Moooorniiing!'', Mort woke up and screamed happily though the whole zoo, how beautiful the weather was. ''The sun is shining very brigh! i like it so, aaaa...''

''Mort! How can you desturb the majestical sleep of king? It's very early and... yes... very early.''
Julien just discovered some more disturbable things: Maurice’s head, resting on his tail. ''Maurice! How can you sleep on my flushy kingliness!'', he screamed sanguinicly and finally got up. ''Excuse me, your majesty!'', Maurice said frightened. Julien finally askd himself: Where was his Carlotta? The beautiful doll was away.

But then a slender penguin appeared. Was that Kowalski? And... he carried Carlotta under his flipper! ''Good morning, flightless bird!'', Julien finally greeted and Kowalski put the doll in front of himself. ''Don't worry, Julien, she won't be necessary for Rico any longer.'' But Julien just looked irritated at the smart scientist, who now was looking in another direction. Rico waddled towards him, looking shyly at Julien. He then gave him a sidehug and Kowalski smiled gladly, blushing a little. ''He loves... me.''

Julien rised an eyebrow and smiled at them. ''Flightless lovebirds? Yes, haha! Mort! Look how cute they are!'' Mort jumped up and down on their bouncy castle. ''Yay, they're pinky and the brain!'' Maurice screamed, jumping too. ''I think, it's more like funky brainstorm!'' Julien giggled and took the doll in his arms. ''Yes, so true... And you're going to be my adorable queen!''

In the HQ again, there was a peaceful atmosphere.
Skipper drunk a fish coffee and talked to Private, who tried to make his third card house and Cupid watched the scene, she always shrug, when the cards fell down on the table.

Rico stood on the other side of the table and prepared some food for dinner. He then took a piece of spaghetti and waddled to Kowalski. "Walski?" Kowalski removed his goggles and took one end of the spaghetti. "Thank you, Rico."

They began slurping, until their beaks met each other in the middle of the spaghetti. ''Mh, you're just delicious.'' ... ''Awww.''. Of course it ended in a longlasting kiss.
Kowalski found, that Rico drove him out of his mind and Rico found, that Kowalski was the only one, who could get under his skin...
No more brute force. No more intellect. Just love.




A week later, Cupid sadly had to make her way home. ''Cupid, you will meet him again as soon as possible.'', Marlene comforted her and laid an arm around her shoulders. Cupid's big eyes widened. ''Oh no, my lovely Private...''

Then Private entered the scene. He had a little smile on his face, trying to think positive as always. He also loved his team, there were lessons to be learned and there were many adventures that wanted to be challenged. And he was glad that he had her.

''I always will be waiting for you.'', he softly said and put his right flipper on his heart. ''And you'll be right here.'' Cupid did the same with her hoove. It was true, she thought. Their hearts didn't know any distance. For Private, she would always be a present. And everytime he opened it again.

Then Cupid gave him a hug and finally startet her trip home. She floated a moment over Private and then flew away without looking back. Private waved her goodbye and felt some tears escaping his eyes. ''I love you, Cupid...'', he murmured sadly, folding his flippers.

But then a shooting star appeared in the dark blue sky and then Private got his head around that sign: There were magic moments, that had to be appreciated.
And he smiled again and made his wish.




It needs 2 for one magic moment.
It needs 2 to love.





© LadyPrivate.