"Perfect…" Dib peered over the top of a bush, to where Zim sat alone in a playground. He was sitting on a swing, staring at the grass in front of him.

"All alone… no robot dog around to help him this time…" Dib picked up the bucket he had been carrying with him and started towards Zim.

As he neared him, however, he heard a sad sigh escape the Irken. Puzzled, he said: "Zim… did you just sigh?"

"Yes, Earth-smell, I did." He replied. "Confused?"

"Well… Yeah…" Dib walked up to him, bucket still carried in one hand. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes… It is…" The alien glanced up. "I see you have a bucket."

"Yes I do."

"Filled with water I suppose?"

"Yup."

"And you mean to dump that horrible thing on me?"

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"Hmm." He looked back at the ground again.

"Um… Aren't you going to do anything about it?"

He looked at Dib again, then at the bucket, then shrugged. "Nah. Go ahead." He closed his eyes and sighed again.

There was a pause. Neither boy did anything at all, not even blink. The only sound was the crickets nearby. Eventually Zim glanced up at Dib again. "Well? Are you going to do it, or not?"

"Yeah…" Dib picked up the bucket as Zim's eyes fell to the ground once more. He was about to raise it above his head when he heard:

"I give up."

He lowered the bucket again. "What did you just say?"

"I said I give up, Dib-filth!" He snapped. "Okay?"

"Sorry, just… why?"

"Because, I'm not really an Invader after all!" Zim's eyes narrowed as he glared down into the dirt. "My leaders lied to get me away from their STOOOPID plans so that I didn't mess them up like the last time! MY OWN RACE HATES ME! DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW, HYUUUMAN?" Zim finally stopped, gasping for breath. Actual tears were coming to his eyes for the first time since he was a smeet. REAL TEARS.

"I do understand Zim." Dib finally said. "I understand perfectly."

There was the sound of a door opening, and Gaz' voice could be heard.

"Dib? We are going to Bloaty's in a few minutes!"

"I'll be right there!" He yelled back. Then he turned towards Zim. "Hey, wanna come with us? We are going to go get some Pizza."

"Thanks, but no." Zim shook his head. "Hyuuuman food makes me choke."

"Right. I forgot about that. Um, are you still trying to take over the world?"

"No. What's the point anymore?"

"Then… friends?"

"What is this thing… friends… that you Hyuuumans enjoy?" He asked.

The boy laughed. "Man, you have been here for this long, and you don't understand friendship." Dib extended his hand. "Basically, I'm calling for a truce."

Zim stared at his hand for a moment, then shook it. "Deal."

Dib nodded. "See you at school!" He ran off to where his sister stood, waiting.

Zim stood up and breathed. Then, with a laugh, he sincerely smiled. Sure, he was the most hated being in the universe. But, hey! He had a friend now!

(A/N: Attempted ZaDf complete! How did I do? But… the story does not end here! Stick around for the NEXT CHAPTER!)