A/N: Wow, it's been a while hasn't it? -nervous laugh- Sorry guys. But look, I'm back =D Anyways, unfortunately, I will not be continuing 'Como Va?' because... well, I've forgotten where I was going with it. I will, however, be leaving it up, just in case I'm ever inspired again. ^^ However, to make it up to you guys, here's a new story! It's Rico/Kowalski, 'cause they're my boys, but it's not the only thing going on. xD

Split

Chapter 1: Paranoid

The zoo was disturbingly quiet. It made Skipper's feathers stand up on end, sure that something was coming. Kowalski, Rico, and Private sat back, watching as their leader paced back and forth. It was making the rest of them a little antsy.

"Skipper, don't you think you should sit down for a bit?" Kowalski suggested.

"No," Skipper responded firmly. "Something's in the air..."

Private frowned, standing up and moving to pat Skipper on the back. "I think you just need a break, Skippa. It's probably just quiet 'cause Julien decided to sleep in." Skipper peered around at the others and sighed, supposing that perhaps just this once he was being a little too paranoid.

"Alright boys, I'll cool it down."

Private grinned and nodded. "What you need is a good game of volleyball!"

"Vo'yball!" Rico grunted in agreement, regurgitating an already inflated beach ball.

Skipper chuckled. "Alright then. Let's play."

"So those pengu-ins just sent you to that disease-ridden cesspool? Really?"

"Yes, that is right."

"Oh, you poor thing. And after the dames kicked you out too!"

"Yes, it was tragic."

"I'll tell you what... How would you like to help me get revenge on those pengu-ins? And in return, you get to keep their secret base."

"I think... That sounds like a wonderful plan."

"Shake on it."

"Oh, right, of course... You know, your skin is surprisingly pleasant to the touch."

"Moisturizer. How about you whip up some of those pastries?"

The penguins were quick to set a net up topside, dividing into their usual teams. Kowalski glanced to the side and fought back a smile as he saw Rico crouched and ready, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He was eager to play as always. The hefty penguin had a spike unmatched by anyone. He was always glad to be on Rico's team, and Skipper liked the challenge of being against him. Private was always happy to be on the same side as his idol. Every now and again they'd switch the teams up, but for the most part, they were content with their pairs.

"Ready... Go!"

Skipper served the ball and the game began. Soon the air was filled with cries of victory and the occasional 'hyah!' as they saved the ball from hitting the concrete.

"Private!"

"I got it, Skippa!"

Private dove for the ball, cringing when he hit the ground and the ball bounced only centimeters in front of them. "Oh... darn it!"

Skipper raised an eyebrow as he caught the bouncing beach ball. "Private!"

Private blushed and sat up. "Sorry for the potty-mouth Skippa. Just got a little competitive I suppose."

Skipper smirked. "Well, you better take a break." He patted private on the head and he nodded. "Kowalski, Rico, keep an eye on things, Private and I are going to go visit Marlene."

"Aye-aye, Skipper." Kowalski and Rico both saluted, and the taller penguin caught the beach ball as it was thrown his way. He turned to Rico, holding up his flipper. "They're just leaving 'cause we won."

Rico chuckled maniacally, high-fiving his taller teammate. They waddled to the edge of the concrete platform sitting down and kicking their feet like a pair of children. He loved days like these, where it was warm and clear, enough that he didn't miss the time he could be using to work on his experiments instead. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath of air and soaking up the sun. "This is the life, eh Rico?"

"Yup."

He snorted a soft laugh at the scarred penguin's simple answer, despite having expected nothing more. He was enjoying the sun when suddenly a shadow was blocking it from him. "Hey," he frowned, turning to face the person, only to feel a sharp pain in the side of his head, followed by black.

"K'wal-"

Private had a skip in his step as he and Skipper headed back to the HQ. Today had started out bad, but the result delighted him. Glancing to the side, he saw Skipper walking with a little smile on his face. It was rare to see the leader so at ease, his earlier fears put to rest with the quiet day. They'd even investigated the lemur habitat to see what the source of silence had been, discovering that Julien had decided that today he was going to sleep the day away, basking in his kingly luxuries.

Private had never seen Skipper so delighted. He was going over the things they could get done with the Lemur King out of the way. "We can do some maintenance at HQ, and have some of those love smoothies."

"Sounds like a great idea, Skippa," was Private's chipper response. He climbed to the little edge where the bars of their habitat were, diving into the water and popping out again at the concrete center. He was surprised to find that Rico and Kowalski were there... Well, they were probably inside. He and Skipper slid down the ladder to the entrance, peering around. When they didn't see them, Skipper tensed up in alarm.

"Men, front and center!" he called. Nothing. The paranoia that had been washed away came rushing back and he narrowed his eyes. "Private, topside, now, gather the other animals and start a search."

"Yes sir," Private responded immediately. He didn't know what had happened, but suddenly he was beginning to feel that perhaps Skipper was right. He was about to climb back up the ladder when their TV clicked on, revealing the face of a dolphin with one glowing, mechanical red eye.

"Hello Skipper."

"Dr. Blowhole!" Skipper snarled, his mind making the link. "What have you done with my men?"

Dr. Blowhole smiled coolly, tapping his bottle-nosed chin. "Oh, you don't have to worry about them, Skipper. They're still alive. For now, at least."

Private felt fear grip at his heart. "Wh-what do you want?"

"Oh... nothing." The dolphin chuckled softly. "Except revenge." He focused his gaze on Skipper alone. "You pride yourself so much in your team, Skipper... let's see how well you function when you're missing pieces of it."

Skipper clenched his flippers, actually trembling with rage. "If you lay one flipper on them-"

The TV clicked off. Private watched silently as Skipper grabbed the remote, hurling it at the TV and causing it to shatter. "Blowhole! Get back here you coward!" He moved to the leader, twiddling his flippers uncertainly.

"S-Skippa..."

There was a pause before Skipper took a deep breath, turning to face the youngest penguin. "We'll get them, Private. If it's the last thing we do."