So, just started the new school year. Been very busy. This chapter caused me much grief- IE, I've been braindead. It's a bit shorter than the others, but I do hope you all enjoy an update!


"Hey, there's someone at the door."

"When is there not someone at the door?" Zim threw his hands in the air, flailing them a bit in frustration. The table in front of him was covered in spare parts, the lifeless form of a SIR unit stuck in the midst of the mess. Zim leaned in close to the robot, examining it's open chest plate. "All I need to do is update this thing's guidance and install my new and improved duty chip! I still have GIR's old guidance chip, and I want to make sure this thing is more countable than that little..."

"...Yea, they're in the base now."

Zim hissed, throwing down his tools. "Who? Who has dared cross into the mighty Zim's home?"

"Uh," the computer hummed, stretching it out. "It's, uh, GIR. And that pointy-haired kid."

"Dib," Zim growled, storming off to ascend up to house level. The Irken was muttering under his breath the whole while, irritably tapping his foot on the floor. When rising up the elevator, Zim called shrilly, "Unless you're here to apologize, human, go home! Zim does not want you and your big head around!"

"Screw you!"

The alien stepped out into the living room to find a grouchy Dib leaning against the wall. GIR was giggling, sitting on the sofa and watching the television. The Irken clenched his fists, antennae lowering in warning. "Get out! I don't want to deal with your filthy human-ness of... filth. Not today. Zim is very busy." Busy doing nothing, at least. He crossed his arms, claws digging into his own flesh. "Unless you know how to fix robots, of course. In which case I'd be both impressed and scared."

Dib snorted. "Right on that. I'm just here to bring GIR back."

"And to do this, you had to enter my base?"

The boy's eyes squinted to a glare. "Look, Zim. I heard my dad invited you to the science fair. I don't know how he can be so stupid sometimes, but you'd better not try anything funny."

Zim gave a shocked expression, tone heavily lined with sarcasm. "What? How can I resist doing anything funny? I'm hilarious!"

"Just watch it," Dib snapped. He turned around to leave, opening the door and hand on the knob to shut it behind him. Before he did, however, he looked back at the Irken, eyes glinting darkly. "And you'd better get rid of Tak, Zim. I don't know or care why she's here. And I can't stop Gaz from coming here. But I swear, if she gets hurt again, I will leave you to rot on the government's doorstep."

"Good to see you, too."

Zim watched as the door shut and Dib vanished from view. He stared at the wall for a moment, antennae prickling as GIR laughed madly in the background, before blinking and walking over to the SIR. Warily, the Irken gave his robot a sideways glance. "Was the Dib-monkey mean to you?"

"Nuh-uh!" GIR sucked on his thumb. "He real friendly! But I miss da Gizzy. She gonna be at the partay, can I come?" He grinned happily at Zim.

The alien frowned. "The Gaz-monster is going to go out so soon with her injuries? I suppose she is stubborn enough. Zim will never understand humans." He noticed GIR staring up at him with big eyes, and he realized he hadn't thought about taking GIR or not. He really did not think it was a good idea. But GIR seemed to like Gaz a lot. Maybe I can dump him off with her. "Very well," Zim sighed. "You may come. But stay in disguise and behave. Please." He rubbed his forehead, already regretting his decision. "I am going to go finish my project. Watch the base."

GIR clapped happily and giggled, and for a moment, the smallest of smiles slipped into Zim's expression. The Irken put his hands behind his back and headed back to the elevator, thinking about the festival he would be attending in a couple hours.

I probably shouldn't worry. How bad can it be?

x.x.x.x.x

"This... is more than I expected."

Zim's eyes widened. How could so many humans gather in such a place? And these weren't just any humans. They were science humans, from the white lab coats to gray bio-hazard suits. A large portion of the town park was covered in different exhibits, showing off new technology and prototype accessories. It was extremely crowded, and Zim's claws instinctively gripped the leash handle of GIR's. The little robot seemed quite over-stimulated, unable to take in all the sights, and was stuck sitting and drooling and watching the people pass by.

"Well, uh..." The Irken took a deep, calming breath. "No big deal. Just... people. Let's find Membrane and get this over with." He started walking, hunched down a little, a rather humble act considering he usually moved with such a high stance. After a moment, he paused and picked up GIR, carrying the disguised robot instead- he feared the SIR would get stepped on or tripped over, which would only cause a scene.

"Gizzy!" GIR blew a raspberry and flailed his arms, smacking Zim in the face as he did so.

"Yes, GIR! We'll find her. Eventually." The Irken held GIR out a little to avoid his random punches. "If we ever get through these filthy, mud-sucking a-"

"Filthy, mud-sucking what?"

Zim jumped at the voice, coming from behind one of the exhibits. It was indeed Gaz; the girl leaned against the table almost in a bored manor, out of sight from the crowd. Zim's eyes narrowed and he glanced around before hurrying over, unable to stop GIR from bounding out of his arms and hugging the girl's pants leg. "Gizzy! I missded you! You gonna be ma pocky juice!"

"...Uh, hi," was Gaz's hoarse response, voice sounding a little cracked. She put her hands in her sweater pockets, quietly watching GIR chewing on her leg cheerfully.

"...You look... alright."

Zim eyed her wounds. They did not look better at all. The ugly scabs looked like they had freshly bled, meaning the girl must have picked at them a bit. Gaz seemed to feel his stares, and she turned her head, glaring at the ground. "I know what you're going to say. Keep it to yourself. I'll pick her up tomorrow."

"Uh-huh." The scary girl is threatening me to keep Tak, but that psychotic boy is going to stalk me to hell if I do.

"...Look. Are you here for dad?"

"Uh-huh."

"I guess I'll take you there, then."

"...Uh-huh."

Gaz shot the Irken a glare before picking up GIR and putting him on her shoulder, where he giggled and rubbed his head on hers. The girl caught Zim's smirk, and she frowned. "What?"

"The Dib-sister has a soft side for lethal aliens and drooling morons. How sickeningly cute."

"Are you talking about Tak and GIR, or you and Dib?"

Zim shrugged, so Gaz just rolled her eyes and started walking, leading Zim around the back of the exhibits rather than through the crowd. He didn't mind, of course. After a few steps, however, he coughed awkwardly and glanced around before pulling something from his PAK. "I, er, did some extra research. Here."

Gaz took the folded paper he was holding, giving it a puzzled stare. She opened it to find nothing but a taped-on green and white mint.

"...Umm. Thanks?"

"...It's a, hmm, 'Get-Well Card'. You like mints, right?"

Gaz gave him a sideways glance, trying to see if he was joking or not. But he looked deadly serious, so she flushed and folded it smaller to fit in her pocket. "...Well, uh. They're alright. I wouldn't say I like them extremely well, but..."

"You always smell like mint."

The girl opened her mouth to respond, but really couldn't. Zim noticed the awkward tension and hastily added, "I mean, some humans stink filth like what they've been eating, and at the Dib's concert you were all minty smelling..." He trailed off, feeling stupid and realizing how creepy and dumb it all sounded. This is why I like to play the bad guy.

"...Oh. Yeah." Gaz stared ahead, expression darkening. She did not continue on the subject, and Zim was going to question her odd shift in tone, but was interrupted when she raised her arm to point out a booth. "There's dad and that dear brother of mine. He's in a charming mood, as always."

As Gaz predicted, Dib stared coldly at the two as they approached, sitting on a picnic chair and reading with earphones in. Membrane, however, looked to be quite upbeat, and he pounded Zim on the back when they were close enough (causing the short Irken to stumble). "Glad you could make it! If you and Gazlene would go over to the stage and sit right in that front row-" He pointed to a stage set nearby, with many rows of white lawn chairs. "-Then I will finish up here and get this fair started. I'd like to introduce our guest of honor!"

Membrane gave a booming laugh and walked off, ruffling Gaz's hair as he went by. "How are you today, Pumpkin?"

Gaz blushed, smacking a hand to her forehead as her father walked off, not waiting for an answer. Zim snorted, and she whipped her head toward him. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing." He waved his hands. "Show your hero to his seat now, Pumpkin."

The corner of Gaz's eye twitched very slightly, and she shoved Zim aside as she walked past him, GIR squealing on her shoulder. Zim smirked, following with his claws innocently entwined. Finally. Being recognized in front of a crowd! As a hero, too, though it really is different than what they think. But still! Welcomed with open arms!

Even if it's not the ceremony I've dreamed of.


So Zim is starting to feel a bit of neglect, Gaz is the minty menace and Dib is... Dib! The plot will actually be going somewhere soon, rest assured :p I'm not at all pleased with this chapter but ehn. It's late and I'm tired.

Today's Random Facts...

. I think part of my soul was lost writing this chapter

. My notes ran off again, so for now I have to wing it- let's hope my memory is kind

. Umm. Your eyes see images upside down, but your brain processes them to be right-side-up o-o

. In case anyone asks if you learned anything today, now you can say yes.

. I am thinking about starting a new story on the side. For fun. But this one shalt not be abandoned~!

Today's Question of the Day...

Crossover stories: character crossing or plot crossing? This question came to mind when thinking of my new story idea. I always thought it was a bit silly to have characters from different shows/books meet, so I think plot crossing is much more... better. But that's just me. Sorry if this seems random, I just though an opinion would be nice. So if you wish, respond in a review or mail thing! And a big THANK YOU to all my wonderful reviewers! Love ya all!