NOTE TO READER: For those who have not read Part 1 или 2, или do not recall what happened, this is a prologue chapter that takes place the день before where Part 2 ended. Hopefully, this will remind/inform Ты of the Назад events. I hope Ты enjoy Part 3 of Brothers and Sisters. :)

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"We're almost there!" Kowalski reported from the driver seat.

After their long ten час drive through New Jersey and half of New York, they were almost home.

Eve sighed. "Finally, I'm so stiff." She сказал(-а) rubbing her neck and shoulders.

Skipper smiled. "Come here." He pushed Eve around so her back faced him and rubbed her shoulders.

"Oh, Skipper, Ты didn't have to-ooh...a little lower..." Eve сказал(-а) giving in, enjoying it too much to ask him to stop. Skipper chuckled softly to himself. Kowalski, Private, and Rico smiled at each other in the front seat.

Heather let out a silent sigh, happy that Eve found someone. After their father killed Clark, Heather was afraid that she'd never find Любовь again. Skipper seemed to make her happy. She only hoped that Eve would tell the truth. Without a doubt, Skipper would still feel the same way about her. But the longer she kept it from him, the harder it would be for him to hear.

The cold air nipped at their cheeks; the snow crunched under the wheels of the car. Kowalski pulled into an alley. "There are some blankets in the trunk." He informed them.

"I'll get them." Skipper offered getting out of the car. He rounded the back and opened the trunk, pulling out the fleece blankets. Suddenly, a rush of cold wind enveloped him and an image flashed though his mind. Eve was holding someone in her arms as she wept. He couldn't see his face. What was wrong with him? First, he sees Eve's beak met with another man's, then he sees Eve and her sister in one of his military memories, now this? He'd been having these flashes ever since he'd awoken from his coma a little over a день ago. Wait...that couldn't be right...a day? Surely it'd been years...

"Skipper, are Ты alright?"

Interrupting his thoughts, he looked up from the хобот, ствол into Eve's worried eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He answered shutting the trunk.

After getting back into the car, spreading one blanket over himself, Eve, and Heather in the back, and another over Kowalski, Rico and Private in the front, he wrapped his flipper around Eve and pulled her close to him. Even though they were so close, she felt so distant to Skipper. As if...even though she was there, she wasn't really there. He tried to ignore it in hopes that it would pass soon.

Four hours later--after driving through magnificently decorated streets, past bell-ringing Santa's, laughing children, and 'shoppers rushing Главная with their treasures'--Kowalski pulled up to the zoo gates. A sign that read Closed for Christmas immediately caught their eye. Skipper smiled.

"Merry Christmas, everyone." Now that they were home, it really was a Рождество worth celebrating.

The others returned the gesture as Kowalski parked the car behind a nearby bush.

"Come on, our secret hatch is right through here." Skipper told them as he helped Eve and Heather out of the car.

The six of them made their way through the secret entrance and sopped once they were inside. The habitats were empty.

"Kowalski, analysis." Skipper ordered.

Kowalski thought for a moment. "Perhaps they're at the Zoovenir Shop." He suggested.

"Right! Переместить out!" Skipper instructed.

They slid across the zoo and into the side entrance of the Zoovenir Shop, being sure to keep quiet when they discovered the zoosters there, in hopes of surprising them.

"...and have been missing for two weeks now, but I assure Ты that they're coming back. They always do." Marlene was saying. Her voice had hope, but showed doubt.

"But what about the Christmas? They could be in подливка, соус danger now!" Julien replied.

"Well, Ringtail, I didn't expect you'd miss us that much." Skipper spoke up stepping forward, resulting in heads turning in his direction, eyes resting on him and mouths gaping.

Вопросы came at them from all around. Where were they? Who are the two females? What happened? Are they alright?

"Excuse me! Everyone! Where we've been is very long story. A story I wish to tell after we enjoy Рождество together. Deal?" A moment of silence passed before they all smiled and nodded.

"Eh, excuse me, bossy penguin. I am demanding to know what has become of Ты all this instant. And Ты must answer, because I am king." Julien commanded gesturing to his crown. "And let us be starting with who they are." He continued pointing at Eve and Heather.

"Ah, Ringtail. I must admit, out of all of the Друзья here that I've missed, Ты have to go at the bottom of the list." Skipper replied folding his flippers over his chest. "Is it too much to ask to enjoy Рождество with all of our Друзья before going into the long, long story about where we've been?"

"Ugh! Fine! But Ты have to at least tell us who they are."

Skipper turned to Eve and Heather. "Everyone, these are two very special Друзья of ours. Eve,-" he placed his flipper on Eve's shoulder.- "and her younger sister, Heather." He gestured toward her with his other flipper. "I'm sure Ты all will get to know and Любовь them the way I ha...uh...we have." Skipper ended with a nervous clear of his throat. Eve tried to suppress a giggle. "So, get on with Christmas, shall we?"

Skipper engaged in a snowball fight with the children. Kowalski and Rico played musical chairs with some of the other zoo animals. Private sang carols with some of the larger animals. Heather found herself deep in conversation with Phil; it was the first time either of them had conversed with another mute. Eve was talking to the ladies; Marlene, Becky, and Stacy.

"So, it just happened? He didn't think it was awkward?" Marlene asked.

"No. Not really. I mean, it was when it first happened, it was so unexpected. But after that, it was never anything we really discussed. We just...connected." Eve answered. The corners of her beak curled up slightly at the memory of when Skipper told her that he loved her for the first time.

"Aw, that's really sweet." Becky replied. Eve blushed.

At that moment, Skipper skidded to a halt a few yards away from them and chucked a snowball at a group of children who were chasing him, causing laughter to erupt from them. "'s that all ya got, kids?!" He called. A snowball hit him in the back of the head and he turned to chase the child who'd thrown it.

Eve found herself staring without realizing, and it wasn't until she snapped out of it when she noticed the way the other ladies were staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing, nothing, just watching Ты daydream." Marlene teased. Eve felt the heat rush into her cheeks. "I'm sorry, it really is sweet. Skipper's a great guy."

Eve smiled. "I know.-Ah!" She turned upon a clump of snow hitting her in the back of the head. Skipper--who was casually leaning against a lamp pole--shrugged, as if he had no idea who had thrown it. She laughed and sprinted in his direction, causing him to take off in the other.

In the midst of running, Eve scooped up snow in her flipper and threw it at Skipper with a laugh, and it hit him in the small of his back, causing him to stumble. A few еще минуты of chasing and Eve doubled over, a sharp pain coursing through her side. She took a deep breath to pull herself together just before Skipper turned and saw her. He waddled over, a concerned look in his eye.

"Are Ты alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. No worries." Eve сказал(-а) through a forced smile.

Skipper looked at her side and his face fell. "Eve, you're bleeding..." Eve looked down at her side. The feathers around her scar were redding with blood. Her stitches had come loose. With the days' events, she'd forgotten all about it. Gradually, a piercing sensation drew itself into the wound and she cringed. Skipper put his flipper around her for support.

"Come on, we'll go to the zoo vet. We can close it up there." Eve didn't object; she allowed Skipper to take her to the vet. On the way, he stopped by where musical chairs was taking place.

"Kowalski! Help me out!" Kowalski turned his head at the sound of Skipper calling his name and waddled over. He was just about to ask what was wrong when he saw that Eve's wound had reopened.

"What happened?" He asked instead, following them as the continued to the vet.

"It's my fault...I forgot that her wound was still healing and the stitches came loose while she was running." Skipper explained.

"It's not your fault, Skipper. I'll be fine."

"What do Ты need my help for?" Kowalski asked before Skipper could respond.

"I just figured you'd know еще about the proper way to close up a wound than I would." Skipper answered, not really wanting to admit that he couldn't bring himself to stick his girlfriend with a needle if he could help it. Kowalski nodded.

Once they got onto the examination table, Eve cringed as she laid on her side. Blood was a slowly spreading across her side. Skipper took her flipper as Kowalski began restitching Eve's side.

"Are Ты alright?"

Eve nodded. "I'm fine. Don't worry; I've been through a hell of a lot worse." Eve сказал(-а) with slight, forced laugh. She took a deep breath to relax herself, and her mind wandered back into the jungles of Ecuador from many years ago.

Her breathing was heavy. She ached with each step. Clark tried to help her walk, but she was too weak. Clark eventually had no choice but to pick her up; supporting her back with his left flipper, the back of her knees with the right. Eve struggled to stay awake; for the first few minutes, she was unaware that Clark was even carrying her. The gunshot wound in her side throbbed with each heartbeat. Even with the ремень, пояс, пояса around her waist keeping the patch of blanket pressured to the wound, blood still made its way out and reddened her entire right side. She felt sweat collecting on her forehead and gliding down her cheek and into her eyes. Through her salty vision, which had begun to black around the edges, she looked up at Clark. He was perspiring almost as much as she was. His cheeks had turned a pinkish color from the extreme heat. A vein in his forehead stuck out and thumped quickly to each beat of his heart. His eyes and mind were heavily concentrated on the task that lie before him: finding help for Eve before it was too late. She saw the trees overhead pass by with a considerable speed.

Eve's eyes became heavier and she was unable to resist the temptation of resting her head on Clark's chest. She could hear his steady heartbeat. Pump-pump...Pump-pump...Pump-pump...Pump-pump... She was almost lulled into slumber when Clark shook her.

"Come on, Evelyn, stay with me. Ты can't sleep."

Eve slightly opened her eyes, but with great difficulty. She could only manage a mumble. "But I'm tired...and it's so hot..." She managed to say.

Clark sighed. "Alright...I'll find some shade and we can rest for a while."

A few минуты later, he found a large patch of greenery and gently laid Eve down in the shrub, causing her to moan in pain. Clark set his pack down and pulled out a water bottle, holding it to her beak.

"Here, drink. Ты need to keep your strength."

Eve, becoming dangerously dehydrated, didn't object. She gratefully let the liquid glide down her parched throat. When Clark took the bottle from her, she cleared her throat and took a few deep breaths.

"Clark?" She mumbled. Clark took her flipper and leaned in closer.

"I'm right here, Evelyn."

Eve looked into his eyes. "Promise me that if I don't make it, you'll protect my little sister."

Clark shook his head, not wanting to believe that dying was a possibility. "No, you're going to make it.-"

"Promise me." Eve insisted. Clark closed his eyes and nodded slightly.

"I promise." He replied.

"Eve?"

Eve snapped out of it at the sound of Skipper's voice.

"Huh?"

"Kowalski's done; I've been trying to get your attention for the past thirty seconds. Are Ты alright?"

Eve pushed herself into a sitting position. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a little deep in thought, I suppose. Sorry."

"It's alright." Skipper replied. He took notice of the weary gleam in her eyes. "Are Ты sure you're okay?" He asked, feeling that distance between them again.

"I'm fine. Really." She insisted forcing a smile. Skipper wasn't convinced. He turned to Kowalski.

"Kowalski, would Ты mind?"

Kowalski shook his head. "No, I don't mind. Catch ya later."

"Thanks." Skipper sat down Далее to Eve as Kowalski left the vet.

The were silent for a couple of минуты before Skipper broke it again.

"You know Ты can tell me anything, right?"

Eve kept her head down, not meeting Skipper's eye. "I know." She сказал(-а) as casually as she could manage.

Skipper sighed silently to himself; a crease formed between his eyes and a corner of his beak curled up in doubt. "Eve, ever since we left Denmark, I've felt as if...as if you're not really here."

Eve lifted her head toward him. "What do Ты mean?" She asked, surprised by his statement.

"I mean...you feel so far away. Ты act so distant...especially around me." He lifted her chin so she would look him in the eye. "Please tell me what's bothering you."

Eve looked into his worried, yet caring, eyes. She just couldn't tell him that she'd lied about everything. No matter how hard she tried. But she had to tell him something. With a sigh, she answered. "It's just that none of this feels real. I mean, nothing has ever gone this right in my life before. I just feel like...like I'm just about to wake up in the same лодка I was sinking in before. Does...that make any sense?"

Skipper smiled sympathetically. "Yeah. It does. You've had a rough life. I completely understand why Ты just keep expecting something to happen. Maybe something will happen. Maybe it won't. But if it does, I'll be here for you. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He assured her slipping his flipper around her shoulders. Eve rested her head on his chest.

Eve let a moment of silence go by before she asked: "Skipper...why are Ты so good to me? After all I've put Ты through?"

Skipper smiled. "Because. You're different. You're not like any of the women I've met. And despite anything you've put me through, it wasn't your fault. It just brought us closer together. And I don't regret any of it. It was a good way to get to know Ты better." Eve refrained from cringing. "I'm in Любовь with you, Eve."

Eve pushed off slightly and looked at him. "I'm in Любовь with you, too." She replied softly.

Skipper smiled, then brought her beak to his. He still felt as though she was holding something back, but all of that slipped his mind when he felt her tongue brush against his and they became lost, wanting the moment to last forever. Unfortunately, the sound snickering pulled them apart.

"Hey!" Skipper exclaimed when he saw a small group of children at the vet's entrance. He jumped down from the examination таблица and chased them out of the vet. Eve watched as he left, his Kiss remained in her beak.

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With Рождество coming to an end, the zoo Животные began making their way back to their habitats and those from the park returned there. When the penguins made it to their habitat, a large sign read 'EXHIBIT CLOSED'. Skipper sighed, his breath visible in the cold air.

"It really has been a while hasn't it?"

The others answered with sighs and nods. They climbed over the Стена and climbed down into the HQ.

It was just as Skipper and Eve had left it; a puddle of water remained under the chair that remained in the middle of the room. Eve laughed a little bit.

"Ah, memories. What was it Ты сказал(-а) to me? I would wish Ты had killed me?" She asked Skipper, who smiled nervously.

"Well, uh...-"

Eve giggled. "It's okay, I was only joking. It's kind of weird to remember how we met. I guess we've come a long way from trying to kill each other, haven't we?" She сказал(-а) chuckling.

Skipper joined her. "Yeah, I guess Ты could say that."

Kowalski piped up. "What exactly happened here?"

Skipper was about to answer when Eve beat him to it. "Well, your leader tied me to a chair and interrogated me with ice cold water, backhanded me, and threatened to kill me."

The team and Heather laughed as Skipper rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on! Gimme a break!" He сказал(-а) with a laugh, blushing fiercely.

Eve laughed. "I'm sorry! It's no big deal. Now, who's going to clean this up?"

After Skipper-with Rico's help-cleaned up the water, Kowalski set up a temporary sleeping area for Eve and Heather, which was a pile of blankets across the room. They started making themselves comfortable and the team settled in their bunks. After sharing their good nights', they turned in for the night.

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"Skipper, there's something I need to tell you." Eve told Skipper as they stood alone atop the penguins' island.

"What's wrong?"

Eve hesitated, then decided to just say it. "I've lied to you. About a lot."

"What do Ты mean, lied?" Skipper сказал(-а) with anger rising into his voice.

"Alastair...is...my father. My mother died when I was two and he changed. Years later, he put me to work for him. He killed a man I once loved."

Skipper was speechless, but he forced the words that were running through his mind. "Wh-why didn't Ты tell me this?! Ты сказал(-а) Ты loved me!"

"Skipper! I do! Please, understand that I was just afraid!-"

"Afraid of what?! Ты know that I would've felt the same about you! Is there anything else Ты haven't told me?!"

Eve looked down. "Private's real name is Brandon. When I was young, I had a nanny. Private was her son."

Skipper threw his head back. "I can't believe this! When were Ты planning on telling him?! или does he already know?! Considering honesty seems to be a piece of garbage in this relationship!"

"Skipper! I didn't want to hurt you! Ты have to understand!"

"I do understand! I understand that Ты never cared enough about me to tell me the truth!"

"Skipper, that's not true!"

"Is there anything else I should know?!"

Eve put her flipper on her forehead, telling him this was going to be the hardest.

"The man I loved...we...I don't know where he is, but I have-"

"Eve!" Eve awoke with a jolt. Skipper was at her side. "Eve, are Ты okay? Ты seemed to be having a nightmare."

Eve stared wide-eyed at Skipper, breathing heavily. Finally, she snapped herself out of it. "Sorry, I guess I was. Did I...say anything?"

"No, Ты were just tossing around violently. What were Ты dreaming about?"

"I...I don't remember." She replied hanging her head. Skipper sighed.

"It's alright. Come on, I have coffee." He told her with a smile.

Skipper poured himself a cup of coffee and drank in satisfaction as Private turned on the news. Their attention was immediately turned to what showed up.

When Skipper and Eve were in pursuit of Alastair, who had abducted his team, they made an encounter with Officer X, who was working as a garbage man. He took them to a place where two men worked selling drugs. A security camera caught Skipper and Eve leaping off of the counter and was now airing on live Телевидение as Chuck Charles narrated. “…the impossible truth of the Central Park penguins. No one has seen these penguins in two weeks now. Whoever turns in these penguins will receive a reward of $10000 cash. The penguins will then be sent to a government facility where they will be tested and experimented on. Now let’s hear it from the man who tried and failed to convince us before of the penguins’ actions.”

Далее shown on the screen was Officer X, he had his uniform back on and was in a live studio. “I tried to tell Ты all that those penguins were crazy! And now that I’m head of the animal control office, I will be sure that these penguins are brought to custody and never to be seen again on the streets of New York. They’re dangerous and not to be trusted.”

Now Chuck Charles was back on the screen. “You heard it here first. If Ты have seen any of these penguins, call 1-800-555-0617 immediately. Do not attempt to approach them, they are dangerous.”

The penguins looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Finally, Skipper broke the silence. “This…is bad.”