Hello again.

I would like to thank

Haikari

for reviewing!

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Chapter 2

Dib stood outside his house, back to the door and his fists clenched. He turned around like he was going back inside but stopped. He wasn't the one who should apologize, it was him. He also was the one who told him to get out and so Dib wasn't going back in.

So, Dib turned back toward the street, smiling to himself as he walked down the sidewalk. "Free at last." he said out loud. He no longer had to put up with Membrane and his "real" science crap. He was on his own. Dib slowed down until he came to a complete stop. He was on his own and no where to go.

It started to pour down raining. Dib looked at the black sky. "Why does it have to rain now?" He looked back down the street. "No! I'm not going back. He told me to get out and I did. I'm sure the rain will let up soon and I'll find a place to stay."

The rain didn't seem like it was going to stop any time soon. Dib wrapped his arms around himself. He was soaked to the bone and freezing. He hair was in his face and his glasses were covered in water but he couldn't wipe them off seeing how nothing on him was dry. "Of all the nights I get kicked out on the night it rains." he said bitterly.

After walking for about ten minutes, Dib arrived at a familiar freakishly green house. He stopped walking and starred at debating. Zim and him may be neutral towards each other but they weren't friends either.

"maybe he would let me in seeing how I've left him alone for all these years." Dib said. He hoped Zim would let him in, but how was he going to get up to the door past the security?

Dib decided to take his chances and cross the lawn. He made it past the gnomes without a problem. Little did he know that they had been turned off for him. He knocked on the door and waited. Slowly, the door slightly opened.

"What do you want, Dib?" Zim asked.

"Well, I was just wondering if I could uh..." Dib said as he trailed off looking at the ground.

Zim narrowed his eyes, "Say it now Dib-human."

"I was just wondering if I could stay the night." he replied still not making eye contact.

Zim stood there thinking. Dib sighed knowing he wasn't going to be able to stay.

"Come in." Dib jerked his head up at Zim. The door opened wider so Dib could enter. Once he was in, Zim closed the door completely.

"Stay were you are. I don't want you getting water all over my base." ordered Zim.

Dib froze by the door.

"Computer." Zim continued, "dry him off."

"Ok." replied the computer in a bored tone.

Dib looked up and saw a giant device point at him from the ceiling. He shielded his face as the hot air blew on him. When he was completely dry, the device went back into the house. Dib's hair was standing up in all directions. Zim couldn't hold in his laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Dib demanded.

"Your...hair..." was all he could say in between laughing.

Dib tired to flatten his hair as much as he could. Zim stopped laughing and sat down on the pink couch. Dib mimicked Zim, sitting on the other side of the couch. There was silence between.

"So..." Zim began, "why did you leave your house?"

"Membrane kicked me out."

"Membrane is your father, right?"

"No."

"Then who is your father?" Zim asked confused.

"Membrane is my father but I don't consider him my father."

"Oh! I get it. On Earth, if you dislike a family member you disown them."

"Eh, something like that."

"Why did he kick you out?"

"Why do you keep asking so many questions?" Dib asked looking over at Zim.

"I'm just trying to have a conversation. Do you have a problem with it?"

"No no. It's fine. My dad has never approved of me and my paranormal science. He wants me to study "real" science. Ever since I've left you alone, he thinks I'm not interested in it anymore. And he bothers me almost everyday! But it's stupid he thinks that way since I've been into paranormal since I was very young, way before you got here."

"From what I've gathered over the years, parents on this planet hardly ever approve of their children's interests." Zim in a matter of fact way.

"How long did it take you to figure that out?"

Zim opened his mouth to reply but closed once he realized the sarcasm.

"Oh don't take it personal Zim, I was joking." Dib explained, "where's Gir at? It's been awfully quiet."

"He's probably in one of my labs messing stuff up as usual. Stupid, useless, piece of junk."

"Why don't you upgrade him or something?"

"I've tried but nothing works. But even though I would love him to function properly and do what I say, I like him the way he is.""Really?"

"Yes, even though sometimes I can't handle him. That's when I tie to a tree outside."

Dib laughed as he remembered seeing that before. Zim laughed too.

Once the laughter died down, there was silence again. Dib adjusted his glasses and thought of something to talk about.

"Zim, what have you been up to lately? Still trying to take over Earth?"

Zim didn't reply right away, "I don't know."

Dib looked over at him, "What do you mean 'I don't know'"?

"I mean what I said. I don't know." he answered getting angry. He soon calmed, "It's getting late. Let me get you a pillow and blanket." Zim got off the couch and left the room.

Dib sat there confused. He couldn't understand why Zim got so upset about him asking about his mission. He never had a problem before talking about it. He pushed the thoughts out of his head when Zim returned. He handed him the pillow and blanket.

"I'll leave you now so you can sleep. Good night."

"Night." Zim marched out of the room, leaving Dib alone. He placed the pillow up against the arm of the couch. He took off his glasses, folded them and laid them on the arm too. He laid down rubbing his tired eyes. But as he laid there, he couldn't sleep. Neither could the Irken below.

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Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up. Probably a week or so.