The اگلے morning, Antonio arrived at the پینگوئن, پیںگان habitat promptly at noon. The other penguins went on with their duties while Antonio and Skipper sat across from each other at the میز, جدول in HQ.

“So, what do آپ want to know?” Skipper asked folding his flippers on the table.

“Well, I’m not sure where to begin,” Antonio replied. “I want to know everything,” he کہا wistfully, resting his chin on his fist and closing his eyes. When he opened them, Skipper was staring at him impatiently, with an eyebrow arched. Antonio awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Well,” Skipper started, breaking the silence, “how about آپ just tell me about yourself and I’ll tell آپ what Marlene would like.”

“Good idea,” Antonio said. “Well, I was thinking for our تاریخ later, I would take her to get some cotton candy.”

“Okay, let me tell آپ where you’re going wrong,” Skipper کہا casually.

Antonio blinked in surprise. “What?”

“First off, dial back on calling it a ‘date,’” Skipper کہا putting air quotes around date. “Even if she does like you, she’ll feel like you’re moving too fast.”

“Not a date,” Antonio acknowledged. “Got it.”

“Second, if آپ want to get to know each other, wait before getting something to eat, unless she asks for it, of course,” Skipper explained. “Marlene likes to talk, but she also likes to listen. Be sure there’s an equal balance there. Eating will be a distraction.”

“Talk a lot, listen a lot,” Antonio agreed.

Skipper nodded. “All right. Um, what do آپ consider a ‘good time’ with a woman?” he asked studying him carefully.

Antonio thought for a moment. “Well, I like to make my women feel special. What would make her feel special?” he asked leaning آگے on his elbows.

Skipper rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “She likes to feel important, like آپ care about her. But she also values her independence. Don’t be too clingy, and don’t make her feel like she’s fragile, because she’s not,” he کہا shooting him a warning look.

Antonio shook his head. “Never. Um, what would make her feel fragile?” he asked.

“Things like wanting to do everything for her یا calling her delicate,” Skipper replied.

Antonio seemed reluctant, but he nodded. “Give her independence, don’t make her feel fragile,” he said, distastefully emphasizing the word fragile. “What else?”

“Don’t play games with her, like buying her a snow cone just to make her cold and آپ can ‘keep her warm,’ یا getting her nice things just so آپ can be ‘rewarded,’” he کہا narrowing his eyes. “She wants someone real.”

“I give آپ my word, señor,” Antonio کہا putting his right paw over his دل and raising his left, “I would never treat Marlene in such a disrespectful manner. She deserves to be treated like the fine lady she is,” he assured him.

Skipper studied him carefully, and then nodded. “Agreed.”

Antonio smiled. “Do آپ think I should bring her flowers? She seems to love flowers,” he asked.

“She does,” Skipper replied. “Her پسندیدہ are the lisianthus—purple, preferably.”

“My, آپ do know Marlene very well, don’t you?” Antonio observed studying him carefully.

“Affirmative,” Skipper replied. “What else do آپ want to know?”

“How long have آپ known her?” Antonio asked.

“Almost six years,” Skipper answered. “Why?”

“Have آپ two ever . . .?” His voice trailed, unsure of how to finish the question.

“Ever what?” Skipper asked sternly, narrowing his eyes.

Antonio swallowed. Something told him not to tick him off. “Nevermind. Thank آپ for your help,” he کہا standing. “I hope I am welcome to return if I require your advice?”

Skipper stood with him. “Sure. I need to keep my eye on you, anyway. Might as well make it up close and personal. It’ll save me the trouble of finding out where آپ live,” he کہا emotionlessly.

Antonio started laughing, but Skipper just arched an eyebrow, as if trying to understand what was funny. Antonio’s smile faded and he coughed awkwardly.

“I think I’ll go meet Marlene early. I’m not sure I can wait much longer,” Antonio said, attempting to change the subject.

“How much earlier are we talking?” Skipper asked.

“About an hour,” Antonio answered.

Skipper rolled his eyes. “Do آپ know anything about women? Never pick your lady up early. If she’s really getting ready to see you, she’s going to need that hour,” he said.

Antonio nodded. “Of course. You’re probably right. I guess I’ll, um, see آپ later, then?” Antonio کہا without meeting his eye.

“Guess so,” Skipper affirmed.

Antonio nodded and made his way for the hatch. He was starting to think Skipper hadn’t been joking, and maybe never was.

— § —

“Ah, there آپ are, Skipper,” Kowalski کہا from Alice’s computer as Skipper hopped up on the desk. “How was your discussion with Antonio?”

“It was fine,” Skipper replied looking at the screen. “How’s it coming on getting a location on our shipment?”

Kowalski glanced at him. “Should be here in a couple of days. So, what’s Antonio like? Do آپ think he’s a good match for Marlene?”

“So far, I think he seems like an okay guy. Pretty clueless, but decent,” Skipper replied.

Kowalski arched an eyebrow. “Like, Julien clueless یا just romantically clueless?”

Skipper thought for a moment. “As far as I know, just romantically.”

“What makes آپ say that?” Private asked.

“Well,” Skipper reconsidered, “maybe just clueless in being romantic specifically with Marlene,” he admitted.

“Well, that’s why he wanted your help,” Kowalski said, “so he could fix that.”

Skipper nodded. “Right.”

“Is something wrong, sir?” Private asked.

Skipper shook his head. “No, nothing’s wrong. I just keep feeling like there’s something about him I don’t like, but I can’t pinpoint what exactly.”

Kowalski thought for a moment. “Do آپ think he seems too forthcoming?”

Skipper shook his head. “No, it’s not that. I don’t know, maybe I’m just paranoid that he’ll hurt her,” he کہا growling, his face twisting into a grimace, “because if he does . . .”

Skipper didn’t need to finish his sentence for the team to get the picture. Rico whistled as if surprised سے طرف کی his remark. Skipper took a deep breath to تحریر himself.

“Apologies, boys,” he کہا without making eye contact. “I just don’t like the thought of good دوستوں getting hurt.”

The boys nodded in understanding. Marlene was their friend too. If Antonio did hurt her, they would be مزید than happy to help Skipper give him what he deserved.

— § —

Antonio laughed. “You know, in all my life, I have never met anyone quite like you,” he کہا leaning toward Marlene, who was sitting اگلے to him in the گھاس under a درخت in the park.

Marlene shrank bashfully. “Is that a good thing?” she asked pushing some فر, سمور behind her ear.

Antonio smiled. “That is a very good thing,” he replied tipping her chin. Marlene looked up at him and then turned her head back down, fiddling with the grass. When she glanced back up, Antonio was watching her with a calm smile.

“So,” Antonio کہا breaking eye contact, “I brought آپ these,” Antonio کہا reaching behind him and pulling out some flowers.

Marlene gasped in surprise. “Purple lisianthus? How did آپ know these are my favorite?” she asked accepting them and smelling their sweet fragrance.

Antonio arched a brow. “Are they? I just happened to see them and was struck سے طرف کی their beauty, and I was reminded of you,” he کہا gently tracing her jawline with his finger, causing her to hide her face behind the flowers timidly.

“Antonio!” she protested. “We barely know each other.”

“Ah, but I want that to change,” Antonio replied. “I want to know everything about you. Marlene, I just can’t get آپ out of my head! Please, querida, go on one تاریخ with me, and if آپ never want to see me again, I will leave آپ alone.”

Marlene looked at him over the flowers and smiled. “O-Okay,” she agreed. “When?”

Antonio smiled broadly and got to his feet. “Tonight? About seven?” he asked helping Marlene to her feet.

“Okay,” Marlene agreed, clutching the flowers to her chest.

“¡Estupendo!” Antonio کہا happily. “Then I will see آپ at seven?”

Marlene smiled. “Seven.”

— § —

“I don’t know,” Skipper کہا to Kowalski atop their island, “all I remember is some samurai wannabe dressed like Bruce Lee.”

“That doesn’t even make sense,” Kowalski replied.

Before he could say anything else, Antonio dropped into their habitat.

“Ah! Skipper!” he کہا picking him up and spinning him around.

“Whoa!” Skipper protested.

Antonio set him down. “Lo siento, mi amigo. I am just so happy. Marlene agreed to go on a تاریخ with me. I was hoping آپ could give me some tips on where to take her.”

“Sure,” Skipper replied, “let’s go down in HQ.”

Antonio followed Skipper down the hatch and the two sat across the میز, جدول from each other as they had earlier that day.

“So, what should I do? I want everything to be perfect,” Antonio said. “I was thinking I could take her for a swim as the sun sets.”

Skipper thought about it. “You could, but if you’re looking for romance, wait until the moon comes out for the swim. آپ won’t believe what the moonlight does to her eyes,” he کہا looking at the edge of the table. When Antonio didn’t reply, he looked up to see him studying him carefully. “What?”

Antonio sighed and shook his head. “Nothing. So, moonlight swim, even better,” he agreed.

“Remember what I کہا about balancing talking and listening, too,” Skipper said.

“Right,” Antonio replied.

Skipper thought again and shrugged. “Well, she’d probably be up for almost anything,” he said. “What else did آپ have in mind?”

“Anything,” Antonio کہا thoughtfully.

“Almost,” Skipper warned.

Antonio held up his paws innocently. “I know, I know,” he کہا defensively. “You are muy protective of her, aren’t you?”

Skipper met his eye. “I told you; she’s one of my closest friends. آپ bet your سامن, سالمن I’m protective of her.”

Antonio felt a chill tapdance on his spine at his threatening tone and glare. He cleared his throat and nodded. “Of course. I assure آپ I will be a complete gentleman to her. She deserves nothing less,” he said.

Skipper still didn’t look convinced, but he let it go—on the outside, at least. “Anyway,” he کہا breaking eye contact, “continue.”

Antonio furrowed his brow. “What were we talking about?”

Skipper rolled his eyes. “The date? Things to do on it?”

“Right, right,” Antonio کہا shaking the confusion out of his head. “Um, what do آپ think we should eat?”

“She loves oysters on half-shells,” Skipper replied.

Antonio thought for a moment. “Where would I find those?”

“I’ll tell Private to score آپ some from our food storage,” Skipper offered.

Antonio smiled. “¡Gracias! آپ are a true friend, señor,” he کہا putting a paw over his heart. Skipper looked at him quizzically, as if questioning the sincerity of his statement, but then he shrugged.

“Yeah, yeah, de nada یا whatever,” Skipper answered with a dismissive wave of his flipper. “So we have a moonlight swim and oysters. What else?”

“Maybe a walk around the park, just to talk,” Antonio suggested.

“Good,” Skipper replied. “Anything else?”

“I was thinking I might play a song for her on my Spanish guitar,” Antonio said.

Skipper darted a look at him. “You know Spanish guitar?” he asked.

“Sí,” Antonio replied. “Why?”

Skipper looked down thoughtfully. “Marlene loves Spanish guitar,” he کہا feeling the texture of the table.

Antonio grinned. “Even better,” he کہا with excitement. “I must prepare a song for her before I meet her tonight,” he کہا getting to his feet.

Skipper looked up. “What time tonight?” he asked.

“Seven,” Antonio answered wistfully. “Why?”

“Just asking,” Skipper replied as he rose to his feet as well. “Good luck.”

“Gracias,” Antonio said. “Hasta luego.”

Skipper nodded as Antonio made his way toward the hatch. Kowalski dropped in as soon as he left.

“How did it go?” he asked coming to the table.

“Fine, I guess,” Skipper answered. “He’s got a تاریخ with Marlene at seven,” he کہا looking across the room in thought.

Kowalski arched a brow. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Something’s still off about him. I can feel it in my gut. Just hearing his name makes me—cringe,” Skipper answered with a grimace. “Maybe he’s a government spy.”

Kowalski rolled his eyes. “Unlikely,” he کہا impassively.

Skipper looked at him. “I don’t really understand it. He hasn’t done anything to render suspicion,” he کہا rubbing his chin, “but my gut has never been wrong before.”

“Hm,” Kowalski replied thoughtfully, “maybe it’s just your fear that Marlene will be hurt if he isn’t the one. No one wants to see a good friend upset.”

“So آپ feel it too?” Skipper challenged. “That wrenching feeling in your gut whenever آپ go near him!”

“Well, no,” Kowalski answered. “I think he seems like a decent guy, but I can’t say I’m not keeping an eye on him too, if only at a distance.”

“Well, I feel it. There’s something he isn’t telling anyone. I know it,” Skipper replied narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

“What are آپ going to do about it?” Kowalski asked.

Skipper looked at him. “I think I’m going to oversee this ‘date,’ just to make sure he doesn’t try anything,” he said.

“Do what آپ need to do,” Kowalski replied. “I never سوال your gut. If آپ need help, just let me know.”

Skipper nodded. “Thanks, Kowalski, but I think I’ll do this alone. It’ll be easier to stay hidden that way,” he said.

Kowalski nodded back. “All right. Be careful.”

— § —

Translations:

querida = darling
estupendo = great
lo siento = I’m sorry
muy = very
de nada = you’re welcome
sí = yes
hasta luego = see آپ later