This is my first new fanfic in almost four years. Wow. It's been a long time since I did anything other than original writing, but I thought it was time. :) I'm excited, and if you all don't mind, leave me a review! I'd like a little feed back, ya know? I'll also take this time to say I will not be continuing my old ZaGR fanfic, "My First Kiss." It is discontinued, and actually some elements of it are being taken and used in the new fic. Think of this as the more mature, "well thought-out" version.

Enjoy!~M

The sun burned down bright, warming the spring air. Zim leaned against the wall of the school, watching from the shadows as students joked and rushed to their cars. A young couple was sitting on one of the benches in the courtyard, cooing and rubbing their noses together. The invader sneered and hissed at them, then turned to go further into the shadows. The love rituals of teenage humans sickened him, but they confused him even more. What was the meaning of these soft touches and quiet words? In the society of his people, it was all about dominance; any sign of compassion made you weak, and an unworthy mate, in the rare instances Irkens did mate. But in human society, it seemed that the more compassionate you were, the more mates you attracted. Even in their human language class, they had read a tale of two young humans ending their own lives, simply to be together.

All of this seemed ridiculous to Zim. There was, however, one gesture humans used to symbolize who their mate was that fascinated the invader.

Kissing.

It seemed so simple, yet since entering Hi Skool Zim had witnessed many different versions of the technique. Some were merely lips brushing together, while others were all out wars of lips, tongues, and teeth. As disgusting as the latter was, he was enthralled by it. When he had learned the term "make out" was used to describe the act, he had had his computer quickly research what the "making out" entailed. Somewhere along the way, Zim had ended up stumbling into the realm of human courting and mating techniques, even demonstrations of how to please females. He'd realized quickly that human and Irken reproductive habits were not dissimilar, nor were their anatomies, but that the reasoning behind them was different. Irkens mated only to produce offspring; humans did so simply "for the hell of it," as the expression went. Pleasure, pain, bonding, and the making of young were all reasons humans explored the realms of courtship.

Even with all he learned, however, there was no way Zim would ever get the chance to try these human rituals himself. He had learned quickly that humans' bodies were full of water, and most substances they secreted also contained water. He and water had never been great friends, and Zim had been scared off by this fact to dare try sticking any part of his body in a human. There was also the fact that, even though he had grown over the years, and improved his disguise to blend in much better, his personality was off putting to human females. In the time since he had resigned himself to the harsh reality that was his false mission to concur Earth, he had become dark humored, unfriendly, and rather rude to those who bothered him. He was prone to avoiding conversation, even though his vocabulary had improved immensely, and despised being touched. In the locker rooms of the Hi Skool, it was an unspoken rule to stay away from Zim, who always chose a locker in the far corner away from the showers and others. The only human who still constantly annoyed him was the Dib thing, but after six Earth years, he had grown accustom to this. Usually, the Dib things bizarre younger sibling, little Gaz, would drag him away, or snarl something that would make her brother quickly follow after her. As he walked, Zim's thought drifted to the girl, her sheer intellect and prowess. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to her presence, even if she were little more than a dark raincloud that rained on the Dib thing's parade.

Speak of the devil and she shall appear, Zim thought, as turned a corner and saw the girl lounging on a stairwell.

Her looks were much the same; angled, amber eyes trained to the screen of her minicomputer, burgundy hair falling down around her face, framing it perfectly, to her shoulders. Her body was (barely) concealed by a black, tattered looking minidress and leggings, with her standard combat boots, fingerless gloves and skull necklace to top it off. Gaz's pale pink lips sat in a small frown of concentration, like cherry blossoms on porcelain. Zim was sure he was staring, although he was unsure of the reasoning behind it. He put an arm up against the wall and stood watching her for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, she realized she was not alone. Amber met false blue, and something stirred inside of Zim.

"What do you want, alien?"

Ah, there's that harsh tone, Zim sighed inwardly. "I wanted nothing, little Gaz," he replied. "I am merely observing."

The girl harrumphed and returned to her game. As Zim had spoken the old nickname, he had realized how very untrue it was. Over the years, Zim had learned enough about humans to know the most distinguishable traits that differentiated males from females, largely due to how much they talked about them. He was aware that, among females, Gaz was well endowed in some of these traits, and his eyes travelled down to look at the prominent pair. Female Irkens possessed no breasts, at least not like those of humans. Theirs were small and only for the practicality of feeding young Smeets. Humans used them to feed young and attract males, and at the current moment, Zim's attention was fairly attracted to them. So much so that he did not notice the arrival of his greatest nuisance.

"GAZ! It's time to go!" Dib shouted from not far behind Zim, making both the girl and alien jump.

Gaz grumbled and placed her Game Slave in her large bag, while Zim turned to glare at the spike haired boy. He was now preoccupied making face at the young couple Zim had been observing, who had begun making out in full view of the campus.

"Jeez, talk about needing a room. Am I right?" he was addressing his sister, but Zim nodded in agreement, earning him a glare.

"Please, Dib, you're just mad you aren't getting any." Gaz's drawl came from just beside the alien. He glanced at her and her close proximity. At least now he had the pleasure of being a few inches taller than her instead of the same height.

Dib sputtered and blushed in outrage, only to turn and yell, "Just get to the car!" and storm away, making people stare. Zim closed his eyes and shook his head lightly. Some things never changed.

His eyes opened when he felt someone pass right against him, and a hand rub lightly against a sensitive area.

"See you 'round, Zim." Gaz chimed, as she stalked away. Zim kept staring as she went, watching the way her hips swayed and her skirt moved over her round buttocks. He knew from prior observation her breasts were bouncing in time with each step, as they did every time she moved. Many males stared at her, but her glares always drove them off. Had he imagined that she had just been so close? Or was it real? And if so, had she meant to place her hand there, or was it simply an accident. His inner questions were silenced when she looked back and smirked at him.

As usual, Gaz was well aware of what she was doing.