I kick a rock and it bounces across the sidewalk. I had to escort Gaz to the mall so she could get a new game, and she ditched me after I escaped the parking lot! After trying to find her, I lost my way and now I don't know how to get home. It's night now, and I'm freezing. It seems like it's about to rain again. God, I gotta get home. I'm tired, wet from when it rained earlier, and cold. I wrap my jacket tighter around me in an attempt to get warm. My legs finally give out and I sit on a bench. "Just a quick rest..." I mutter, "then...I can..." I fall asleep.

My eyes open slightly at the sound of a voice. I can't make out whose it is in my sleepy state, but before I fall asleep again, a strange figure lifts me off the bench.

I slowly awaken to something poking my face. I groan, thinking I'm back in my bed at home. The poking continues until it becomes a slap. My eyes shoot open, "Gaah! It wasn't me!" I yell. I blink; everything's blurry. I feel my face and can't find my glasses. "Where are my-?" I'm cut off when I see the figure of my glasses handed to me. I absently say "thank you" and put them on. When I focus again, my eyes widen at the figure in front of me and the place I'm in.

"Zim?" I ask, "what- why am I in your house?" I'm laid on the couch with a blanket sloppily laid on top of me. Zim huffs and hands me a cup. "Drink it." He says. I take the cup and look at it. "That doesn't-" I start before Zim cuts me off, "Just drink it!" He snaps. I quickly sip the drink, surprised to find that it's hot chocolate. And it's good. I take another sip of the drink and glare at Zim. "Why are you being nice to me?" Zim winces when I say the word nice. "Don't think this will be a common act, Dib-Filth!" He shouts. I smirk at the alien, "Then why'd you help me?"

There's a moment of silence. I can see sweat dripping from Zim's forehead. His red eyes dart left and right as he ponders what to say. "Because..!" He says finally, "I...want you to be in good shape for...our next duel...where I try to take over earth and you do whatever you do...for a fair fight!" I give him the most "seriously?" look I can muster. "That's pathetic." I say cooly, sipping my hot chocolate. "Be quiet and drink your earth beverage!" Zim yells. He plops down on the opposite edge of the couch and says, "Once you've finished, leave my base. I know you know your way home from here." I blink at him and look down at my drink, swirling it around in the cup.

"Zim?" I say. "Hm?" Zim grunted. "Was that the real reason you helped me?" I ask. Zim is silent for a moment. "No." He mutters. I glance at him. "Then why?" I ask. Zim refuses to look at me but he sighs heavily. "You were practically frozen solid out there. You looked more pathetic than usual. And yet, I felt mercy. Rrg! I hate the feeling of mercy!" He says, "And yet, I found no other option then to assist you. Besides, controlling the earth would be boring without you there for me to annihilate." I sit there, dumbstruck for a moment before I see that my mug is empty.

I set the cup on the side table and walk out the door. Before I leave, I look back at him and say, "Thanks...I guess." Zim glares at me. "Just get out. We shall never speak of this again." He hisses. I force back a small smile and leave. On my way home, I notice a stitch in my arm. "Of course Zim did something to me." I say to myself, "I'll have to check my DNA when I get home."