A/N: Tenn is taller in this fic, for various reasons. Mostly, it's just more convenient that way.

This was by far the worst day of Tenn's life.

She was so sure the Megadoomer would work in helping her conquer planet Meekrob. Actually, she's still sure it would have if it hadn't been for that 'tiny' dilemma. But how could it have happened? The Irken postal system was almost always flawless, and hardly ever failed to work properly. Almost. You can imagine her surprise when instead of an ultimate death machine she received forty-five defective SIR units, ready to cause destruction and chaos on Meekrob and Tenn.

In an instant all her hopes and dreams of becoming a successful Irken Invader were gone.

And now, here she was, at the largest Irken ship in the Armada, The Massive, ready to be sent to the Control Brain, where it would decide her punishment for her failure. She was quite sure the punishment would be death. But if she's lucky enough, she'll be put on a janitorial squad on planet Dirt, or maybe Foodcourtia. Now that she thinks about it, death almost seemed like a better option than a life of shame.

Guess you never know what you have until you lose it. Tenn thought miserably. Busy Irken's were bustling about her in the main ship department, carrying equipment and devices. Her ship was to leave shortly, right after it was prepped. She felt like a child in trouble about to be sent to the principal's office. Only this was much, much worse.

She leaned her back onto a near ship, sinking down to the hard floor, and bringing her knees up to her chest. A few tears threatened to leak out, but she refused to let them. The only thing she had left was a little bit of pride. It might be a mere ounce, but it was enough to show people she could still be strong, and face her fate. No matter how horrible it would be.

Her antenna perked at the sound of footsteps, and she sighed. That would probably be an Irken drone coming to take her to her ship. But it was the person she last expected to see.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Said a high, weedy voice above her. She inclined her head upwards, and couldn't stop the gasp from escaping her lips. Standing above her, looking taller than ever, was the Almighty Tallest Purple. He was looking down at her with a curious expression, a bag of curly fries clutched in his hand. Tenn quickly scooted backwards several inches, thinking that she had offended him in some way.

"I-I'm so sorry!" She stuttered. "I d-didn't mean to-"

"Hey!" Purple shouted again, munching on a handful of curly fries. "What's with you?"

Tenn paused, her heart pounding. "I-I'm sorry? I don't understand-"

"Why do you look so sad?" Purple asked. Tenn only blinked in bewilderment. What was she supposed to say? She couldn't possibly tell him what was bothering her. That would be like complaining! And it wasn't an invader's place to complain to the Tallest. Then again, he was asking, right? So it was different. Taking a breath, she decided to hope for the best and go with it. But before she could utter a single word, Purple beat her to it.

"Wait a second . . ." He said, placing a hand under his chin in thought, "You look familiar . . . Do I know you?"

Tenn opened her mouth to answer, but Purple interrupted her again.

"A-ha!" He snapped his fingers, recognition dawning on his face. "You're that pretty Irken girl on Meekrob, aren't you? The one who was supposed to get the Megadoomer?"

Tenn could only nod.

"My, you've grown since last time I saw you!" Purple mused. "Sorry about the whole SIR unit mishap. We wanted to send it to Zim, y'know, because it would destroy him, but the two shipments got mixed up somehow . . . Sorry about that."

Again, Tenn nodded. Then, quite unexpectedly, Purple slapped her on the back.

"Aw, buck up solider!" He said encouragingly, "I'm sure everything will turn out fine!"

Tenn only frowned, hanging her head. "I'm afraid I'm not a solider anymore, My Tallest."

Purple mirrored her frown, blinking. "Well . . . sounds kind of depressing when you say it like that . . ."

That's because it is depressing. Tenn thought, but she held her tongue.

"But is that why you're so unhappy?"

Tenn nodded, keeping her eyes to the floor.

"Well . . . don't be such a downer. I mean . . . I'm sure there's something you can still be happy about, right?"

Tenn's head snapped upwards, her ruby eyes meeting his purple orbs. "Like what?"

Purple scratched his neck uneasily. "Uh . . . maybe you're not an invader anymore, but the Control Brain will give you a new job."

"If I'm lucky." Tenn spoke silently. "Besides . . . To be honest, I think I would rather be dead than be on janitorial squad."

"Don't say that!" Purple said curtly, making Tenn jump. He quickly looked away, embarrassed by his sudden outburst.

"I . . . I'm sorry, My Tallest . . ." Tenn fumbled, confusion etching her face. "But . . . if I may ask . . ."

"Go ahead." Purple grumbled.

"Why . . . why do you care?"

Purple stared at her for the longest time, and Tenn was beginning to think he might not have heard her. Then, he spoke.

"I . . . I don't want you dead." He said carefully. "I'm not even sure I like how depressed you look. I like your smile."

Tenn blinked, a shade of red forming on her cheeks. "Um . . . th-thank you, My Tallest."

"Sure." He paused, then offered her a piece of the junk food in his hand. "Curly fry?"

Tenn mumbled a 'thank you', and accepted it with gratitude. She had to admit, she was rather shocked by the kindness her leader was showing her. Usually, the Tallest seem cruel, not really caring what happens to their army. But here he was being compassionate, and thoughtful. He gave her a weird, bubbly feeling that made her heart flutter. It almost made her want to smile again, even with the given circumstances.

She never wanted it to end.

"Well." Purple said, breaking her out of her thoughts. "I'm off. Good luck with the Control Brain. Who knows? Maybe we'll see each other again someday.Y'know . . . After the trial."

"Wait." Tenn jolted in alarm. "Where are you going?"

Purple turned around again. "Me? Oh, I'm going back to the command center. I just came down here to get my curly fries."

Tenn faltered, gaping at him, trying to find a logical excuse that would keep him from leaving her. She was about to possibly die. She needed company right now. In fact, she needed Purple to be that company.

She needed him.

"Wait. Please." Tenn begged, getting up and approaching him. "Please . . . don't go. Just . . . stay here for a little while. Please?"

"Stay?" Purple repeated, cocking an eyebrow. Tenn nodded thoroughly. He tilted his head thoughtfully. Stay? Here? With this troubled, pretty little Irken? What would everyone else think? What would Red think? Staying, and chatting with her would more than likely attract unwanted attention. What would that do to his status?

On the other hand, however, she did seem upset. And he wouldn't mind seeing her smile again. Maybe it would be worth it . . .

After several moments, Tenn hung her head again. She blew it. She'd been too forward, and now there was no chance of him staying. What was wrong with her? Her muscles tensed, and she shut her eyes, preparing for the expected slap.

But Purple did the exact opposite.

"Okay."

Tenn's head jerked up at him, astonished. "Wh-what?"

"I said, 'okay.'" Purple said. "I'll stay for a bit."

"Oh." Tenn replied, stunned. "Oh . . . thank you."

Purple nodded, sitting down. He patted the ground beside him, and Tenn gladly took her seat.

"So . . ." Purple started, propping his elbow against his knee, and resting his head on his palm. "Tell me about yourself."

"So, Tallest Red really beats you up?"

"Oh yeah, all the time!" Purple confirmed irritably, gnawing at a curly fry. "It's like I'm his own punching bag! On time he hit me with a Mars bouncy ball, he hit me in the face with puppet arms, and he even shot me in the eye with a laser! It hurt too!"

"Sorry." Tenn giggled. "He must be hard to live with."

"You're telling me!" Purple said, but then chuckled. "But that's okay. He's my best friend."

"Really? How come?"

Purple shrugged. "I dunno. I guess because we have a lot in common. And he's always there for me. I don't think I could rule Irk without him."

Tenn gave him a small smile. "I see. It must be nice having a best friend."

Purple looked at her from the corner of his eye. "You have any best friends?"

Tenn shook her head. Purple almost chocked on his fries, as he stared at her doubtfully.

"Really? No friends at all?"

Tenn twiddled with her thumbs. "Well . . . when you're an invader, you don't really have time for friendships."

"Still . . . you seem like such a nice girl. How could you not have any friends?"

Tenn shrugged. "I don't really mind." But her eyes said differently.

"Well . . . I'll be your friend." Purple proclaimed. Tenn looked up at him, skeptically.

"You will?"

"Yep."

"Oh . . . well, thank you, My Tallest. Thank you . . . very much."

"No prob. Oh, and . . . given the circumstances . . . I think you can call me Purple."

"Alright . . . P-Purple."

Tenn couldn't help but smile at him. He smiled back, making her squeedily spooch do an odd flip-flop. There was something about him that made her want to stay with him forever. He made her smile, even with the unfortunate events happening. He made her want to laugh, cry, and scream all at once with the confusing feelings she was experiencing. After all . . . Irken's weren't supposed to feel this way.

But did it really matter anymore? She was about to go and either be killed or banished, so what harm was it to hold onto these feelings for a little while longer before she had to leave?

"Hey." Purple interrupted her thoughts with a gentle voice. "You're getting that sad look again. What's wrong?"

Tenn sighed gloomily. "Nothing, I just . . ." She looked up at him. "I . . . I'm going to miss you, Purple."

Purple blinked sadly. "I think I'll miss you too."

"No." Tenn shook her head. "I'm going to really miss you."

And all of a sudden, the tears came spilling out.

Purple could only stare for an instant, watching her cry silently. Why is she crying? He thought in alarm. I mean, I know why she's crying, but why's she crying over me?

He couldn't really blame her. He almost felt like crying too. She was different than most Irken's. She was sweet, and he couldn't help but echo each smile she gave him. Suddenly, he realized he was going to miss her too. But it seemed too crazy. He just met this girl! Besides, the way he felt towards the girl was a way a Tallest should never feel.

Then why did he?

He couldn't just sit there and watch her cry anymore. He had to do something. Anything to see her smile again. Slowly, carefully, he reached forward and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Shh." He soothed. "Calm down . . . it'll be okay. You have me now."

It was a few more minutes before Tenn's quite sobs subsided into short hiccups. Purple stayed by her side, rubbing her back tenderly. He reached forward and gently wiped away a few stray tears on her stained face.

"I'm sorry." Tenn murmured.

"For what?"

"For crying in front of you. You're my leader. This behavior is just intolerable."

"Well, I'm the leader, so I can decide what's tolerable and what's not. And did you forget? We're friends now. Friends support each other, don't they?"

Tenn sniffed, giving a small nod. "Thanks My Tall-"

"Ahem."

"Um, right. Thanks, Purple."

Purple gave her a small wink, and Tenn couldn't help but giggle.

"Ex-Invader Tenn? It's time to go now."

Tenn and Purple looked up from their conversation at the Irken drone.

"What?" Purple spoke. "She has to go now? Why not later?"

The drone's eyes shifted around the room, fearing the consequences of defying his leader. "Um, sir, the prisoner is set to go to planet Judgementia, where the Control Brain will determine her fate . . . so, yes, she evidently has to go now."

Purple opened his mouth to object, but then felt a hand grab his arm. He looked down to see Tenn looking at him with a saddening expression.

"It's okay." She said quietly. She turned to the drone. "I'm ready."

Purple grabbed her hand as she stood up, standing up himself. "Give us five minutes." He told the drone. Having no choice, the drone walked off.

"Purple," She said sorrowful. "There's nothing I can do to-"

"Hold on." Purple said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a silver, oval shaped necklace, with a swirly design in the middle. He placed it in her palm, enclosing her fingers around it.

"Here, take this."

"What is it?"

"It's a good luck charm. Y'know . . . for good luck. I found it yesterday. I think it might come in handy for you."

Tenn stared at it for a second. She felt like crying all over again. Purple's kindness still astounded her. But she didn't cry. Instead, she stepped forward and gave him a quick, but meaningful, hug.

"Thank you." She sniffed, putting the necklace on. "Thank you so much. For everything. Just . . . thank you."

"You're welcome." Purple answered, a red hue spreading across his face.

It feels so good to see her smile again. He thinks. A bubbly feeling erupts in his heart, and, caught in the moment, he leans forwards and plants a kiss on Tenn's forehead. She jumps a bit at this, but her smile grew nonetheless.

"Hey!" The drone called from the ship. "I don't have all day y'know!"

"Coming!" Tenn shouted back in reply. She gave one last look at Purple. "Well . . . Good-bye."

"Good-bye, Tenn." Purple sighs, as she scampers off. "See you at the trial . . ."

A/N: Why do I always like pairings that are either unpopular, underappreciated, or just plain unheard of? I don't know. But if you like this, than what are you waiting for? Continue your adventure of reading!