chapter four~

thanks to all the people who have reviewed so far~!

I know...I feel bad for torturing Red, but I feel like he kinda deserves it...

here we go~

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Normal POV

Red was still upset when he went to go meet Purple at the Medic station, but he wasn't fuming like before. He had decided that it would be no good if he made himself sick with stress and his head was already throbbing from a massive headache. He frowned to himself, quickly reaching his destination. That damn Spork...Red knew the Taller was interested in Zim, but he hadn't thought he'd take Miyuki's place to oversee training. And here Red thought he was safe, figuring that with some distance he could either out-do Spork for Zim's attention by sticking to his plan, or-better yet-the Taller would become preoccupied with some other Irken.

In any case, Red had never been one to believe in bad luck before, but now he was seriously considering it.

"Red!" The crimson-eyed Irken was snapped from his thoughts as Purple ran out of the Medic station towards him, looking frantic. When Purple finally came in front of him, almost plowing into Red more like, Purple's eyes were unfocused, looking everywhere and his hands making all sorts of dramatic gestures as he began talking. "Red! I'm so sorry! I saw Taller Spork! And he spoke to me! And I said some stuff I shouldn't have! At least I don't think I should've said it-"

"Pur, calm down!" Red grabbed his friend by the shoulders, shaking some sense into him. Once Purple took several deep breaths to calm himself, Red continued. "Now, what happened? Did you get harrassed?"

Purple shook his head quickly. "No, nothing like that," he assured. "It's just...Taller Spork recognized me from the ceremony, right? And then I think he knew I was waving at you, because he asked if my friend was also happy I was a Medic and I said your name and let it slip that we were partners and-"

Red narrowed an eye in confusion. "Pur, that's nothing to get excited about. So what if he knows we're partners?"

Purple gnawed on his glove lightly for a moment- a nervous habit he had yet to grow out of- and finally shrugged, letting Red lead him to the cafeteria. "I dunno...It's just that...the way Spork said that it was interesting...It was like he might use the information in some way,"

"I don't see how," Red commented. He remained calm for his friend but mentally he was trying to think of how exactly Spork took the information. Just how would Red being roomed with Purple work to Spork's advantage to get Zim? Red came to the conclusion that it couldn't. It was just Spork taking a special interest in Red's life. Red would have done the same...Getting to know the enemy- the competition- it was an important part of eventually becoming victorious.

"I guess," Purple admitted. "Sorry. I guess I just got a little too freaked out. I normally wouldn't of but after what you said before..." Purple left the rest unsaid, not wanting anyone to evesdrop. The other Elites didn't need to know Red's secret after all. At least not yet.

Red nodded in understanding as they entered the cafeteria together. "He spoke to me, too," Red said. "He complimented my scores and then said it was rude to not turn to address someone when they're talking,"

Purple gawked at his friend. "Oh, Red! You didn't disrespect Taller Spork in front of everyone! Please tell me you didn't!"

Red rolled his eyes. "No one noticed. He didn't make a scene about it. Just said that and then commented that I had an attitude and it was no wonder he wasn't my lover," Red felt his cheeks heat slightly in embarrassment and anger at the memory.

Purple gave Red a sympathetic look. "Red...I think it's possible he spoke to Zim, too, then...Since he spoke to us..."

Red's eyes widened as he gazed at Purple, frightened of the idea. "You...you really think so?"

Purple patted Red's shoulder and gazed around the cafeteria. "Well, let's find him and ask. You need some face time anyway,"

Red nodded and let Purple lead him along the many tables, looking around for the small Irken in question. Red became increasingly frantic as Zim remained no where to be seen as minute after minute ticked by with no success. "Pur, I don't see him!" He whispered harshly, trying to keep control of himself.

Purple was just about to tell Red that maybe they should look somewhere else when his violet gaze fell on a fimiliar face. "Oh! Hey, there's Skooge! Maybe he's seen him!" Purple grabbed the hook of Red's arm and dragged him to the table where Skooge sat eating, putting on a smile for the small Irken. "Hey, Skooge, what's up?"

Skooge looked up, his expression one of confusion. Understandable, since Red and Purple rarely spoke to him, let alone sought him out. "Oh...hi, you guys," he greeted. "Wanna sit with me?"

Purple held back a blanche at the idea. He knew Red hated to even be seen with the small Irken, let alone be caught eating with him. The small stains on Skooge's clothes always disgusted them both. "Actually we only have a minute. We wanted to ask if you had seen Zim lately,"

Skooge eyed them both carefully. "Eh? Zim? What for?"

"Just curious," Purple shrugged.

Skooge looked to Red for a moment and noted that the crimson-eyed Taller seemed more tense than usual but not angry like Skooge had thought he would be. Figuring they didn't mean his partner any harm, Skooge decided to reply. "I haven't seen him since the last night-cycle ended," he admitted. "But he did message me earlier saying he wasn't going to eat in the cafeteria today. I didn't bother to ask him why. I thought maybe he was either working on a project in the research station still or decided to go and recharge earlier than normal. I lean more towards the research station, though. He always gets carried away with his projects,"

Purple nodded, noting the information. "I see. Well thank you, Skooge," he waved quickly and drug Red back out of the cafeteria and back into the direction of the research station.

Ooo

"I told you it was embarrassing," Zim stated, a blue flush spreading over his cheeks and neck as he refused to make eye-contact.

"I don't think so," Spork replied. "I think it's rather easy to see actually," He smiled, happy that Zim had finally relaxed with him. The shorter even began speaking out of third person. Spork had come to the quick conclusion that Zim's normal speech pattern was due to some psychological issue. "So how many awards did you win?"

Zim smiled shyly. "Seven," he replied. "I mean, it's not like it's an insult...Just a little...embarrassing..."

"Considering how vain some Irkens can be, I think it's quite an honor to be named 'cutest smeet' so many times," Spork commented. He found it rather adorable that the Irken sitting before him was so modest about something like that. It seemed that Zim had wanted to be seen more as an Irken of intelligence rather than just one of good looks. "But I suppose you aren't the vain type?"

Zim shrugged, ripping another piece of vort apart and popping the bite in his mouth. "It's just that...sometimes I feel like I grew out of it. I mean, typically the taller Irkens are the ones that are more attractive. But...I'm not tall...at least not yet,"

Spork perked at the information. "Don't tell me you don't think you're attractive?" Such an idea was astounding!

Zim looked up at Spork sadly. "I don't think I'm the worst but...yeah..." He trailed off, setting his now empty bag on the table before them. Zim had never told anyone about his lack of self-confidence before...It was kind of nice knowing the Taller wouldn't use it against him.

Spork frowned at that and leaned over quickly while Zim's hand was still on the table, resting his own larger hand over Zim's, causing the small Irken to blush, his pink eyes glued to the sight. "Zim...look at me," Spork said quietly. Hesitantly, Zim's gaze rose and his breath caught in his throat. Zim's cardiac-spooch thumped wildly in his chest as he was drawn into that gold gaze. Spork smiled gently. "Zim, I want you to listen very carefully. Don't you dare think less of yourself just because you're a little smaller than some of the Elites. You're smart, you're funny, and you are very beautiful,"

Zim's blush came back full force, almost darkening to the point of becoming purple. He could hardly believe what he had just heard. No other Irken had ever told him such things... "I...I am?" His words had to be forced out, coming out broken and quiet. Zim was beginning to expect Spork to just laugh at him. To tell him it was a joke and that he was just toying with him.

But Spork did none of these things. He just held Zim's gaze, running his hand over Zim's gloved one in a soothing gesture. "Yes. Very much so. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Trust me," He had debated the last comment, but felt it was too important not to say. No matter what happened, Spork needed Zim to know that he was lovable. He needed the small Irken to know that he had a choice to either love someone else or not. More importantly, the Taller knew that it was needed because Zim clearly didn't care for himself as much as he should.

Zim beamed up at the Taller, greatful that for once he had a friend that was willing to say such things and mean them. "I...I never knew," he forced out. He laughed softly, looking away again. He was suddenly nervous. Now that he knew Spork found him attractive, their close proximity was even more akward.

Spork had been tempted to close the space in between them, but decided against it. He knew it would be too damn tempting having Zim in his chambers, but he had been honest before when he told Zim that it was because he wanted to be alone with Zim without having to worry about the gawking and muttering they would have received in the cafeteria. Cursing himself mentally for going against his instinct to claim Zim for his own, Spork pulled back, allowing Zim to relax again. "Are you still hungry?"

Zim, greatful for the change in subject, shook his head, still smiling. "No, I'm full. Thank you again for allowing me to eat with you. It's a privlege,"

"I could say the same," Spork replied. "If you like, we could do this again tomorrow,"

"I would like that very much," Zim replied, his chest swelling with pride and happiness.

Spork stood then and offered a hand to help Zim up. "Well then, allow me to walk you to your room," He was happy when Zim didn't hesitate to take the offer and held Spork's hand as he stood, walking out with the Taller.

Oo

"He's not here, Pur," Red sighed, defeated.

Purple frowned, following Red out of the empty research station. "I guess he went to rest early...Doesn't sound like him, but if he's not here or in the cafeteria..."

"I'd rather he be in his room than anywhere else," Red admitted, horrible images coming to mind. Zim was the target of many Elites and their bullying and Red detested the idea of someone having cornered Zim in some random hallway. Supressing a shiver of fear and disgust, he stepped quicker. "Let's just make sure he is there...just to be safe,"

Purple nodded and followed Red down the many halls. After dozens of twists and turns, finally Purple recognized that they were growing close to their own room, meaning that Zim's was in the next hallway. He also noticed that the closer they got to their destination the more Red seemed to relax, even seeming like his normal composed self by the time they were making the last turn.

However, Red gaped at what he saw and pushed Purple back, startling the violet-eyed Irken. "Red, what's wrong?"

Red didn't reply vocally, just shaking his head in horror and disbelief, peeking around the corner.

Purple, curious, kneeled down to do the same and saw exactly why Red was so horrified. There in the hall was Zim talking to Spork outside of Zim's room. Purple perked his leeku to hear what they were saying, certain Red was doing the same.

"I must say, I really enjoyed your company tonight, Zim. Thank you for dining with me," Spork stood casually, smiling down at Zim.

Zim smiled back, a blush evident on his cheeks. "I had a lot of fun," he replied. "Thank you for talking to me and...telling me all those things," Zim's blush grew darker and he shyly looked away for a moment. "I'm not used to such treatment,"

"Well, we'll have to remedy that by spending more time together," Spork commented, making Red's jaw drop. Not only was Zim speaking out of third person, but Spork was pretty much saying they had a date...and were going to have another one! Zim giggled at Spork's comment before covering his mouth in embarrassment. Spork leaned down then, taking said hand in his own. "Now, don't cover up that laugh," he teased playfully, then pausing to kiss the back of Zim's gloved hand, making the small Irken turn purple, his eyes glued to Spork. The Taller looked back up at Zim, smiling again. "I do adore the sound," He then stood, nodding. "Have a peaceful rest, Zim. I'll see you tomorrow," With that, he strode off opposite from where Purple and Red were hiding and Zim retreated into his room, still glowing.

Purple couldn't believe it...He stood and turned to Red, worried. "Red, are you okay?" When the crimson-eyed Irken didn't reply, frozen with his jaw ajar, Purple nudged him gently. "R-Red?" As a result of the nudge, Red's eyes rolled back as he swayed before falling back to the ground with a loud thud. "Oh dear Irk! Red!"

ooooooooooooooooooooo

chapter five will be up either tonight or tomorrow...