A/N: Ahh, I really like this chapter, it's so cute :D Gaz is so stupid XD She has no idea that Zim is so completely in love with her. Not that he necessarily knows either, since it is Zim, but whatever XD

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Chapter Three:

Dye

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[One Year Earlier]

"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday yesterday?"

She, newly fifteen, looked up, surprised at the tone of accusation. She shrugged. "I dunno, I figured you wouldn't be interested."

"Why wouldn't I be interested in your birthday?" he demanded.

"I don't know why you're getting so upset about this. What do birthdays matter to you?"

He glared at her. "I know they are of particular importance to humans, and therefore to you as well. What is important to Gaz is important to Zim."

She actually laughed. "Is it?" She looked at him, thoroughly amused. They were on the couch in Zim's house watching tv. It was about one in the morning. "How'd you find out it was my birthday?" she asked.

"The Dib-stink told me."

"Dib told you? Huh, that's weird. I wonder why."

"You still have failed to answer my original question, earth-girl."

"I have not. I told you that I didn't think you'd even give a fuck. Tell me, Zim, if you'd known it was my birthday, would you have done anything? Would you have even said anything?"

He frowned. "I do not know what I would do or say. Zim was never given the chance."

"Well, that settles it, you see? You'd've done nothing. So, let's forget about it."

He stood and faced her. "Did I say I would have done NOTHING? Do you really think so little of the amazing Zim?"

"Can we just fucking drop it? Why is this upsetting you so much?"

"You do not want Zim to be a part of your life, do you? You do not tell me things that are important like when your birthday is. I do not even know your favorite color."

"It's purple, obviously! Are you that stupid? You have no interest in being in my life, nor I in yours. You know that!"

"ZIM knew NOTHING of the SORT!"

"Well you know now!"

"Masta and Gaz havin' a fight?" asked Gir, suddenly appearing between them.

"GIR!" Zim cried. "Go away! Can't you see I am busy talking?"

"We're not talking, Zim," Gaz snapped. "And you can go fuck yourself."

"What? How did we come to this? What did I say that was so wrong?"

"Fuck you, Zim. Good night." And she stormed out.

An hour later, she was still fuming as she got into bed. Who the hell did Zim think he was, asking about personal things like her birthday? Didn't he know that talking like that would imply he meant more by their relationship?

"You do not want Zim to be a part of your life, do you?"

She wasn't sure what she wanted, concerning Zim—it used to be so simple. Burning passion and hot sex and all that—really, it was a no-brainer. But lately she'd been getting these weird… feelings in her chest. She and Zim had been hanging out more late at night after satiating their thirst, watching movies together and stuff, but they rarely talked. Why did he care anyway?

—

Two days later, he sent her a text and told her to come and see him. Severely not in the mood for any of that, she refused without a thought. Then something strange happened: he called her.

"Hello?"

"I require your presence at my home," said Zim. "It is of utmost importance."

"I'm not sleeping with you today, Zim. So you can forget it."

"Did the Gaz-human hear ANY mention of intercourse in Zim's words? No, she did not. It is something else. You must come."

Something else? What else could it possibly be? Though she wanted to just say no and hang up, her curiosity bit at her. Finally, she grumbled, "Fine, I'll be right over," and his response baffled her.

"FanTASTIC! Zim is delighted. I will expect you shortly." And he hung up.

Okay, thought Gaz, what the fuck? She hurried as quickly as she could to Zim's, swearing that if he had tricked her, she'd cut his face.

She was greeted at the door by Gir, who took her hand and led her down into the labs. She tried to pry information out of the robot, but he said nothing that made any sense. As usual.

When the doors opened and she stepped off the platform and into Zim's red laboratory, she was stopped dead by the sight. In the middle of the room was a table draped with a purple cloth and decorated with candles. Zim stood beside it, with a purple rose in his three-fingered hand.

"Happy belated birthday," he said, holding out the flower.

She was rooted to the spot, but Gir pushed her forward and she managed to somehow move again. She mechanically took the rose from him and examined it. "How did you make it purple?" she asked.

"Please, I have superior Irken technology at my disposal!" the alien exclaimed. "Do not trouble yourself with the methods."

She smelled it. It smelled just like a real rose, despite its unnatural color. Her fingers were just barely stained with the dye.

She looked up at him, suddenly suspicious. "Who are you," she asked, "and what have you done with Zim?"

He was offended. "I am throwing you a birthday dinner and you do not believe it is something that Zim would really do?"

"Well… no," she admitted. "This seems pretty out of character for you."

"Pah!" He waved his hand dismissively. "What is to be said of my character? Nothing. Now, let us engage in birthday-ly dinner-sation."

She was more shocked than moved, and the feeling of astonishment only heightened as he pulled out her chair for her and sent Gir away to get the food. It was pizza: Gaz's favorite.

"So?" he asked. "How is it? Is the Gaz pleased?"

"I—" She stopped to swallow hard, then said, her voice suddenly trembling, "Why did you do this?"

"Why? You ask why?" She expected him to smile one of his crooked, impish smiles, but he was completely serious, his pink eyes locked fully on hers. "Is it not obvious? I wish to be a part of Gaz's life."

That was the first time Zim saw her cry, and the first time she thought that, maybe, just maybe, he might truly care about her.

After she'd stopped crying—and had reassured him that he'd done nothing wrong, nothing to hurt her, that she was crying because she was happy—and she was actually smiling at him, and he at her, and they actually did look very happy, there was a flash.

Zim was unsurprised; Gaz turned and saw Gir standing there with a Polaroid camera. The picture came out and he handed it to her. When it finished developing, she smiled at Gir. "Thank you," she said, "it's beautiful."

"D'awww, Gazzy so prettyyyy," cooed the robot.

"Just a little something to remind you of what this is," Zim told her.

She never bothered to ask what he meant by that, but she smiled anyway and said, "I'll treasure it forever."

When she returned home the next day, she hid it in the battery slot of an old game she'd loved to play.