You'll never know what you've got until it's gone. Zim had laughed when he'd first heard the Earthen expression, but now he understood. Clutching the cold metal of his smashed defective SIR unit in his hands, he understood perfectly. He looked up from the robot's broken optics when he heard the elevator doors hiss open, providing access to his lab. "I will fix you, GIR. I promise." The ex-invader touched a finger delicately to the side of GIR's face, and then placed him gently on the work bench in front of him. "Computer, bring up Standard-issue Information Retrieval Unit handbook, code: 856525." As the computer sourced the repair manual, Zim just stared down at mangled mechanical minion.
After hours of frustration and hard work, Zim had finally got to the point in operations where - hopefully - his android servant would activate. Holding his breath and bracing himself, Zim pressed a button on the inside of GIR's head. Standing back, staring intently, Zim waited. Slowly but surely, the new blue optics flickered to life. The silver child yawned widely, showing off his small pink tongue. Sitting up and turning his head this way and that, GIR suddenly caught sight of Zim. He immediately registered two things that were very rare:
1)Zim wasn't wearing his gloves.
2) Zim looked nervous.
Never before in his life had GIR seen the Almighty Zim truly nervous. "Master, are you ok? You look kinda... not good." As if to emphasize this statement, GIR shook his head rapidly. Zim swore he heard something rattle when GIR did this. "Never mind me. How are you feeling?" There was odd thing number three. Zim had never shown concern for his minions before, but GIR was delighted - his master did care! The mechanical boy leapt off the bench and collided with Zim, knocking them both to the ground. GIR squealed and began hugging and petting Zim everywhere he could reach - and the supposedly heartless Irken just lay on the floor and took it all in. When GIR had calmed down a little, Zim wrapped his fingers around GIR's tiny torso and held the robot at arm's length above him. "GIR, as much as I hate to admit it..." the green skinned being sighed. "I missed you, my little friend. My little GIR." The last part was breathed to himself, but he was sure the robot heard. Zim sat up, folded his legs and placed GIR in the triangle they made. The defective SIR gazed up at his master with those wide, innocent eyes. Zim, unsure of why, found himself leaning down towards GIR, his hands still wrapped protectively about the robot's waist. Slowly, carefully, and oh-so-sweetly, Zim pressed his lips to the cold metal forehead and left them there for a few moments, before pulling back slightly and resting his forehead on top of GIR's. Both were quiet, until a small voice broke the silence.
"I love you too, master."
