AN: An overactive imagination is what you guys need to worry about. I don't own, so don't sue. Happens BEFORE the episode "Future Dib" And the robot Dib…it may not have looked exactly like Dib in the episode, but I think Zim might have purposely messed it up AFTER he finished it, once he was going to use it so he could throw Dib off.

Warnings: SLASHY THEMES…Zim/Dib to be exact!

Nothing Special

Zim looked down at the hard work he had in front of him. It took months, but now it would be almost complete. Almost because, well, it wouldn't have the conscious of a human mind. But at least it would be functional…at least he could use it for his own purposes. Those purposes involved spying and world domination, considering this was Zim we're talking about, but the robot in front of him had another purpose.

The robot before Zim was supposed to look, act, and basically BE the Dib-human. Zim knew that it would somehow come in handy in the future…maybe sooner than he would expect, but he knew he would use it. Though, it just wouldn't be the same as the Dib-human…since, naturally, it didn't have the same mind as the Dib-human. But Zim knew that his advanced studying skills would help him get the behavior of the Dib down, so he could use it in the near future to replace Dib.

Obsession was about to take on a new meaning, and Zim knew that if he studied Dib even more than he was now, he would soon start to notice things about the human that he was not supposed to know. Like the Dib's somewhat attachment to Torque… Zim shook his head; he would NOT think of that now. Not when success was only a few button pushes away.

But did he really want a fake Dib around in his house? The thought unnerved Zim, but also thrilled him at the same time. It would almost be like as if Dib was living with him. Appalled at his on train of thought, Zim shook his head to get rid of the images stored there. No! He would not give into some stupid human emotion…

Though, the emotion wasn't just a human one. Irkens fell in love too, and Zim knew it. He just didn't want to think about it. Somehow, he'd rather be blind to his emotions and go on fighting Dib ruthlessly, without ever ruing anything he had done to human. That was the way he fought best. That was also the way he could best ignore the Dib-human…and how adorable he looked when—

"Stop it!" Zim hissed to himself, looking away from the counter, away from the robot form of Dib. Great, this was not what he wanted once he finished the robot. It was only a robot—it was not meant to trigger his emotions. It wasn't supposed to make him think about Dib in ways that he should not have been thinking about in the first place…

Ugh! Whatever he did reminded him of the stupid Dib-human! Even that robot…there was more reason behind Zim's building it, and he knew it. He knew it because it was his desire to have something that reminded him of the Dib-human, but not in ways that caused him to curse the human's name. Somehow, he was going to have to forget. Had to forget about his feelings, his stupid emotions and give up the Dib.

Zim would never have Dib, anyway, and he knew this. Knew this all too well. Maybe that was why he built the robot…so he could have something in Dib's likeness, but it just wasn't the same. It didn't provide the amusement that the real thing gave him. Sighing, Zim wondered if all his hard work was something he did to distract himself. He came to the conclusion that it wasn't. The only reason as to why he did build the spy 'bot was so that Zim could use it as a weapon…something to use against the real Dib.

Slowly, Zim walked away from the counter of his lab and over to the table where the robot lied, knowing that it couldn't react to anything just yet…since he hadn't activated it. Gingerly, he touched his handy work, almost entranced by it. It was almost perfect except…it just wasn't as beautiful as the real thing was. There was no life to it. It was just…a pile of simple machines used to build one complex one. That's all it was to Zim…and yet…

…It was also so much more to Zim. It was his testimony of love to Dib, somehow. Though, he hated himself for actually building it. He shouldn't have done so, and he knew it. All the robot would do was cause problems for him. Like now, for instance. If it weren't for the robot, he wouldn't be thinking about Dib. In fact, he would be busy planning new ways to get rid of the human.

Zim sighed. Why did Dib have to be human? It was just…wrong, to him, somehow. Dib wasn't stupid like the rest of the godforsaken human race, and he definitely did not need to be treated the way he was. If only…if only Zim could actually say that to Dib…

"No," he whispered to himself. "The Dib-human must not know…must not suspect a thing about my true feelings for him…"

And that was what Zim kept telling himself, though he couldn't control the stares he was giving his own creation. The robot was just too much. How could he do such a thing like that to himself? Why tease himself with something as lifeless as a doll? Something that would not respond to the words, "I love you," like the REAL Dib-human would.

Then again, Zim would never know how Dib would respond to such words…especially if they were to come from him, Dib's arch rival. Would never know, that is, unless Zim actually got the guts and told Dib. Zim knew it would never happen—he was too happy with trying to kill Dib…too happy with ignoring his own emotions, since they couldn't get in the way.

That was how Zim wanted to be. He wanted to be completely alone, without emotions trying to weasel their way into his life. While he was on Irk, he never needed them, so why would he want them now? And why would he have feelings for the Dib-human, anyway? Dib was just what he was! A human! There was nothing special about him! Nothing special at all…

"Nothing special," Zim grunted, snatching his hand away from the cold robot in front of him. He had been absently stroking its cheek while he was thinking. Glancing back at the image of Dib in front of him, Zim sighed and tried to think of something else. He had to convince himself once again that Dib was nothing special. That he was just a puny human…and only a tool, a stepping stone in his destruction of Earth.

Besides, these…emotions…Zim had for Dib…they had to be temporary. They just couldn't be the real. Couldn't be how Zim would feel for the human for the rest of his time here on Earth. Because once the Earth was destroyed, the Dib-human would be with the rest of the human race—gone. That was all Zim wanted when he arrived on the planet, and that was all he was going to get from it. He would not take a human back to Irk…not no way, not no how.

Forget about the Dib-human, a voice hissed in the back of Zim's mind. He'll only cause you trouble if you continue to think that you love him. Zim believed that voice—he always had. At the rate things were going for him, if Zim let the human distract him any longer, the Earth's fate would slowly slip through his fingers. That was something he definitely did not want. He had to prove himself to the Tallests, and Zim wasn't about to let some petty emotions get in his way.

His resolve hardened. Yes…he would forget about his emotions for the Dib-human. In fact, he would come up with a plan to get rid of him, once and for all! Deep down inside, though, Zim knew he would probably never be able to completely live out his threats to kill Dib. But he had to forget…had to keep on believing that he hated Dib, and that he would never, ever feel anything for the human.

At least, while in the presence of the human. He could, if he wanted, go through moments where he would actually admit what he felt for Dib…but only to himself. No one but him was to know that he was harboring feelings for a sad, pathetic Earth-monkey.

And maybe, one day, Zim would grow more comfortable with his feelings. No matter, he was still going to feel them. He could ignore them all he wanted; they would always be there. His emotions would haunt him, try to get him to see the truth, to give up his mission so he could be happy. But his life was his mission, and he couldn't give up his mission for something as simple as love. Love was stupid, and it was definitely not something that would make him happier than completing his mission.

Or would it make him happier? Zim cursed to himself as he thought that. Of course it wouldn't make him happier! He would always know that he let go of his mission, his life, for something that shouldn't exist in his world, anyway. Knowing that would make him uncomfortable…feel as if was really as incompetent as people—no, his race—made him out to be. He would not give them the satisfaction of him giving up!

So his mind came across two things…two things to make a decision over—Dib, or his mission. Dib, like Zim had decided before, was nothing special. Sure, Dib might have been the thing that Zim loved, but…his mission always won the war. It was how he was taught: The mission always came first, then personal pleasures. And Zim considered Dib to be a personal pleasure.

With that in mind, Zim looked at the robot in front of him. Yes, he would use it, but only when he needed it. Only when the robot was needed in order for him to complete his mission, he would use it. Even if it ended up backfiring. Maybe…maybe he would be able to flatter Dib somehow with how easily he had created a lifeless doll in Dib's likeness…if Dib were to see it, that is.

Slowly, Zim walked away from the table and into his own little room of his lab. Yawning, he relaxed into a chair. He could think about this tomorrow. He could think about Dib, who was nothing special. He could at least think, then, without any thought interrupting how he was supposed to view the Earth and its inhabitants.

All he would have to know tomorrow is that Dib was nothing special, just a stupid human trying to get along on his planet… Just a stupid human with bright amber eyes…a nice smile…and—Zim cut himself off from thinking anything further. Sleep was needed now, and thinking about Dib would only keep him awake. Yes…Dib was nothing special…unless Zim was alone in his lab, finally admitting otherwise to himself.

If only he could actually say anything to the Dib-human about it… If only he could actually tell Dib that he really wasn't nothing special…but that he was special… Even if Zim only thought that Dib was special when he was completely lost as to what he should really feel. Then again, right now, and probably for the rest of his life, Dib would always be nothing special, and only nothing special…until Zim could forget about his mission…

It would be nice if you were to review! It was rather late when I wrote this (and right after the new eps of IZ, too. XD), but it makes sense! At least, I hope it does! I hope you guys enjoyed it, too. ^_^