Was this shower scene at the beginning necessary? No. Did I still put it in? Yes.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Dib sighed as he let the warm cleansing fluid wash over him, relishing as it poured down his sore muscles. The bed in his and Zim's new room was nowhere near comfortable, and after sleeping on the floor of the Delphina the night before, he seriously felt like he could use a chiropractor or something. Maybe Midge knew somebody. Or maybe just had some good pain killers. Dib was pretty sure if Zim found out that anyone else touch his body, even for medical reasons, the Irken would slash them to pieces.

Though, Midge was an interesting exception to that. But, considering she had a mate of her own, Dib guessed Zim just didn't feel threatened by her.

"Move over, Dib-stink," Zim grumbled as he slid the shower door open and pushed his way in.

Dib yelped as he was shoved over, nearly slipping, grabbing the wall for support. "Zim, what the hell?" He complained.

Zim just scoffed, making his way under the stream of green liquid. He made a dramatic display of moving around under it, letting it cover his entire body. Dib scowled, annoyed at Zim's antics for several reasons. He just wanted to take a nice relaxing shower, and here Zim was being obnoxious as usual. It also didn't help that the image was pretty distracting, the cleansing liquid rolling over Zim's tantalizing curves, making his green skin shine starkly against the white walls of the shower. Dib shook his head, realizing he was staring.

"You're such a pain in ass," Dib griped, straightening himself. There was carnal sound to his voice that he had not intended.

Then Zim looked over his shoulder at him, ruby eyes burning with challenge, a seductive smirk on his face. "Problem, Dib-thing?" He asked as he turned around.

Dib hated how easily his body reacted to such gestures, to watching Zim's hands slide along his own body. The space in the shower was so small that a single step was enough to have their torsos touch, one Dib's hands coming to rest on Zim's hip.

"Yeah," Dib murmured, his voice husky. "You."

Their mouths met almost violently, hot passion easily fueling their movements. Zim's hands tangled in Dib's damp hair, as both of the human's hands clung to the Irken's wide hips. Dib's hand traveled lower, using Zim's butt as leverage to pull him closer. He couldn't help but smirk into their kiss, feeling Zim's already unsheathed member against his own rigid cock.

Zim felt the smirk and growled, biting at Dib's bottom lip in retaliation. Dib groaned in response, unable to stop his hips from thrusting forward and grinding against Zim's, their dicks sliding against each other. The Irken gave a soft cry in response.

"You know, if you wanted something," Dib said, his voice deep with desire as he trailed his tongue along Zim neck, reveling in how the Irken's breathing got heavier. Dib's smirk widened mischievously. "You could have just asked."

The hand still in Dib's hair tugged harshly, the other now scratching down his back. Dib let a throaty moan escape his lips. "Shut up," Zim ordered.

Dib continued to smirk. Zim was always so sure that he was in charge, and, Dib would admit, most of the time he was. But, every now and then, Dib like to take back some of the control, just to watch Zim struggle not to lose it. Just to watch the Irken try to act like he didn't like it.

"I don't think so," Dib taunted, and in flash he turned Zim around so the Irken's back was facing him. Zim made a noise in protest. He often struggled whenever Dib attempted to take him from behind, claiming it was an insult to his superiority. Dib usually didn't mind fighting for it, since really the fight was all for show, considering Zim did the complete opposite of complain once Dib was inside him. It was like Dib had to earn it, or something.

However, considering the small space they were in, it probably wasn't a good idea to fight at the moment.

Also, he did still owe Zim for his little display in the lab a while back.

As soon as he heard the whirring in Zim's PAK - a familiar sound to warn that he was about pull out his PAK legs - Dib pulled the Irken against him tightly. He curved his torso against the PAK, one of his arms wrapping around Zim's middle. Then, he leant down and bit the curve where Zim's shoulder met his neck, his free hand travelling down to find Zim's entrance. He hummed in approval, finding it already so slick and ready.

"I don't know why you bother fighting," Dib rumbled, tracing his fingers along the edge of the opening. Zim gasped in response. "We both know you actually like this."

"L-lies," Zim stammered, even as one of his hands reach behind him to grab at Dib's hair. " Zim...hates this – AH!" He cut off abruptly as Dib pushed two fingers inside him, made easy by Zim's abundant natural lubricant. He immediately began thrusting them in and out, setting a rough and fast pace.

"That's not what it sounds like to me," Dib taunted wickedly. There was something absolutely captivating about Zim's appearance, those ruby eyes becoming hazy and needy, a fuscia flush dusting the Irken's cheeks. How Zim's panting began to break off into small moans. How he began to move to meet Dib's fingers greedily. Irken claws tightened in human hair. Dib groaned, knowing he couldn't wait any longer.

Zim whined as Dib pulled his fingers out, quickly morphing it into a snarl of frustration. Dib began to maneuver Zim into position, but he heard another noise from Zim's PAK along with an indignant hiss. Dib gave a guttural growl, leaning forward and biting Zim's neck hard enough to leave a mark (Or, it would have if Zim couldn't regenerate.) Zim threw his head back, inhaling sharply. "You...you horrible creature!" Zim yelled, but Dib could hear the underlying need.

Dib merely readjusted them both, positioning himself at Zim's entrance. His free hand reached for the Irken's dick, lightly tracing his fingers along it. Zim gave a loud keen that echoed off the shower walls, grinding his backside against Dib, an invitation and a demand to get on with it.

"If you try your PAK legs again," Dib warned, his voice dark with desire. It sent shivers down Zim's spine, "I'll stop."

Zim gave a quiet scoff. "We both know you won't be able to stop once you start," he teased, turning his head to look Dib in the eye.

Dib's golden eyes blazed at the jeer. Even now the Irken still challenged him, still thought he was in charge. Dib leaned in and bit Zim's lip, pulling at it slightly. "Try me," he threatened. And then he held Zim in place as he shoved his cock inside him.

Zim's head fell back with a strangled cry, the hand in Dib's hair tightening once more, spurring the human to thrust hard. Zim was so tight from this angle, squeezing Dib's dick almost mercilessly. He held on to the Irken around his middle and at his hip, keeping his gaze on the Irken's profile. Zim's eyes were squeezed shut, his mouth hanging open as soft keens slipped out with every jerk of Dib's hips, steadily getting louder. Dib bit his lip at the erotic sight, trying to maintain some semblance of control.

"Dib," Zim gasped, his other hand reaching around to claw at Dib's hip and thigh. "Dib! Harder!"

Dib didn't need to be told twice, his grip on Zim tightening as he thrusted more vigorously. Zim's moans grew in volume. The Irken's hand left Dib's hip, bracing on the shower door, sliding slightly to make a trail in the fogged-up glass. The steam continued to rise from the cleansing fluid, making the air feel thicker and hotter. "Fuck," Dib breathed, beginning to lose himself to all the feelings. He wasn't going to last much longer.

In an attempt to ensure that Zim came before he did, Dib reached for the Irken's hard member once more. A simple touch had Zim gasping, moving to gain more contact. And when Dib began to stroke his member in time with his thrusts, he screamed, "Dib!"

"Ah! Zim, yes!" Dib wailed, feeling the Irken beginning to squeeze around his dick.

Then Zim completely lost it, crying out and trembling, gripping Dib's hair as if it were the only thing holding him in this world. He yelled Dib's name over and over, the last few times sounding more like desperate sobs. Dib followed soon after with an incoherent shout, cumming hard inside his Irken mate.

When it was over they continued to stand there, Zim using the glass door to keep himself standing, Dib still holding on to Zim. The human buried his face into the crook of Zim's neck, nuzzling him slightly. Zim's grip on his hair loosened, becoming a more affectionate caress. When Dib raised his head, he couldn't help but snort at the look on the Irken's face. Only Zim could look so smug after being fucked so rigorously.

"Did you have a good time," Zim asked teasingly.

Dib just shook his head incredulously before leaning over to capture Zim's mouth. They kiss lazily for bit, mostly just sliding their lips along the others. They broke away as Dib pulled out, causing Zim to sigh softly. Dib continued to hold on to him, their foreheads touching and their eyes meeting.

"I want you forever," Zim whispered in Irken against Dib's lips. Dib couldn't help but feel a crushing feeling in his chest at his mate's desperate tone.

"I love you, too," he responded. He really didn't want Zim getting angry with him right now, so he figured avoiding mention of the fact that Dib couldn't actually have Zim forever, or vice versa, was probably best.

Something flashed in Zim's eyes, and immediately Dib felt like he'd done the wrong thing. However, Zim said nothing, merely nuzzling against his face and continuing to play with his wet hair. Dib held him close and kissed his temple in an attempt to be reassuring. Ugh, why did this have to be so complicated?

Zim closed his eyes for a moment. He refused to let this moment be ruined. He loved Dib, and he hated the idea of losing him more than anything, but right now he was in no mood to push his mate away with some frivolous argument. However, he simply could not accept this. He could not accept that there was nothing he could do to keep Dib with him. That Dib's lifespan was completely set in stone. That nothing could be done to make it so Dib lived even just a little bit longer than what he would.

There had to be a way. There just had to be...

000000000000000

Fort Antares was difficult to get around the first week or so, but with Zim have a literal computer-like memory, so it didn't take long to discover all the places he needed to be. He, along with the rest of the members of Team Nebula, were all assigned jobs to work during their stay. Lard Nar said it was only fair. Every on in the fortress worked their way, and guest were treated no differently.

Zim's assignment, to his great relief, was down in the weapons lab to help with development and proper sorting. It was quite exciting, especially since he got to work with 777. It was surprising how easy was to build a new camaraderie, considering there was so much potential for bad blood. Also, they both liked to bother Krugg, who also worked in that department, and more often than not was quite the buzz kill. The Galadonian was constantly scolding them, acting like Zim and 777 were going to blow up the entire compound, or something.

Adapting became even easier when Skoodge and Tenn arrived another week later. They had both been on a recruiting mission, and appeared surprised the first time they saw Zim. They were shocked by the news of Polaris' destruction, and appalled when Zim discussed the High Chancellor's behavior during his recent call.

"He's worse kind of scum," growled Tenn as the three of them played catch up in the mess hall. "He's the reason I sincerely hope that Irk does not end up joining the Alliance."

"I don't think it will," said Skoodge, slurping his soda. "I mean, if Team Nebula even manages to get Red and Purple to sit down and talk, do you really think they'll agree to just give up all their power."

"Tch. I wouldn't be surprise if the two of them go down fighting," commented Zim idly. His hand balled up into a fist, suddenly remembering all the ways the Tallest had made his life hell. Oh, what he would give to be the one that took them down once and for all!

"Either way, they'll have a hefty price to pay," Tenn said reassuringly. "They've hurt a lot of people. Three of them are sitting at this table."

"I'm sure you could multiply that by the number of people in this entire compound and still get less than half," Skoodge grumbled, chomping into his burger.

Zim nodded, trying to shake the angry tension from his body. Regardless of how this ended, he was certain the Tallests would pay one way or another. Though, knowing Dek, execution would most likely be avoided. The hybrid was all for ruining the Tallests, but was far too soft to actually kill them. "My father believed in second chances." Such nonsense.

"Tenn!" Someone called from across the mess hall. The three Irken's looked up to see a blue alien waving at Tenn. They had half their head shaved, and what hair remained was a darker blue than their skin, and their eyes were deep indigo. Zim and Skoodge looked over at Tenn, who merely smiled.

"Well, I'll see you boys later," she said, rising from her seat. She nearly jogged around the table and strode quickly over to the blue alien, before pulling them in her arms and picking them up to swing them around. The two of them then share a loving kiss before walking off, swinging their joined hands between them.

"Who was that?" Zim asked, mildly confused.

"Oh, that was D'zilla," answered Skoodge, slathering his fries in ketchup. "Tenn's been courting her for a while now."

"Huh," Zim grunted, finishing his soda. He wasn't really surprised, per say. He hadn't really been thinking about the relationships of his comrades. But, it was clear to see that this D'zilla made Tenn happy, and Zim found himself strangely comforted for a moment.

Then he remembered his mate. His stupid, annoying, strong, beautiful mate. With his ethereal golden eyes that shined bright like Earth's sun. With his strange, soft, black hair. With his big warm hands that somehow managed to fit with his own, despite the difference in fingers. With his crooked smile a stirred the most sickening sense of affection in Zim's squeedlyspooch. His laughter that could both make Zim smile and send him into a rage. His smirk that could be a number of things, from teasing to mischievous to seductive. To…

To the human's far too short lifespan…

"Zim?" Skoodge asked, interrupting Zim raging thoughts. "You okay, bud?"

"Eh?" Zim grunted, attempting to save face. "What are you talking about? I am perfect."

Skoodge gave him a highly unimpressed look. "Uh huh. Try saying that again only this time be convincing."

Zim frowned at the other Irken, narrowing his eyes. Skoodge met his gaze with unwavering determination, obviously not fazed. Zim sighed. How did he end up surrounded by people who weren't the least bit intimidated by him? He would have to remedy that at some point.

"Is Tenn...serious about D'zilla?" Zim asked, trying to keep his tone casual. "She's Zaffrean, correct?"

Skoodge nodded. "Yeah. Though I don't know how serious she is. She really likes her. From my experience, the few Irkens I've seen with someone usually end up sticking with just one person." He shrugged. "For now they're just together. I wouldn't be surprised if Tenn gave D'zilla an Orok soon, though."

Zim tensed. He really didn't want to talk about his current conflict with Dib, but, really, if he wanted to start looking into ways to help the human live longer, he was going to have to start somewhere. "How long do Zaffreans live?"

Skoodge tapped his chin thoughtfully, accidentally smudging ketchup onto his face. Zim couldn't help but grimace in disgust. "I don't know. Several centuries I'm sure. Funny, that was actually something that scared Tenn before she finally decided to just go for it with D'zilla. But, Tenn's kind of adopted that idea for a while. 'Life's too short' and all that."

Zim scowled. "Not for us," he blurted quietly.

Skoodge stopped himself from biting into his second burger, looking at Zim with concern. Zim gave an almost silent groan. He was so used to being around people who didn't have the same hearing capabilities that he did. Skoodge then set his food down, looking at Zim sincerely. "This is about Dib, isn't it?"

Zim didn't meet his eyes, growling as he looked off to the side. Stupid Skoodge. His frown deepened when he heard Skoodge snicker. "You really haven't changed that much. You're still such an open book."

"I'm leaving," Zim grumbled, fully intending to just leave his mess on the table for Skoodge to deal with.

"No, no, come on," Skoodge insisted, gesturing for Zim to sit back down. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Zim hesitated, still unsure about revealing so much to Skoodge. Not the he worried about the other Irken betraying him in some way, he just only felt comfortable talking about deep subjects with Dib. But considering this was about Dib, well, he supposed his options were minimal.

"We…Irkens live such a long time," Zim finally admitted, unconsciously toying with his Orok. "And humans…their lifespan to us is…like a blink of an eye…" he trailed off, unsure how else to explain it.

Skoodge gave a small nod. "Okay. But…didn't you know that going into this?" he asked.

"I didn't think it would bother me, alright?!" Zim nearly shrieked. In all honesty, he hadn't really been thinking at all at the time. He just wanted Dib, and he had been so sure he would never have him. After all, when had been the last time he actually got what he wanted?

But now he had Dib. He had him all for his own, and like hell he was going to let him go without a fight.

"Okay, okay, sheesh, calm down," Skoodge said, not appearing offended in the least by Zim's outburst. "Why don't you just try making him a PAK?"

Zim couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Be serious."

"I am being serious," Skoodge insisted. "I mean, Dek was able to make a pseudo-PAK to help him infiltrate the Irken Armada. Surely making one for a different species with a regeneration factor can't be too difficult."

Zim's brow furrowed. When it was put that way, maybe it wasn't so farfetched. He tapped his chin thoughtfully. Building the PAK itself couldn't be difficult (he was sure Dek had to use some form of schematic). But, building one for a human, for Dib, that would take some fine tuning. He had a decent idea of human anatomy and physiology, but to make specifically for Dib was an entirely different matter. He would probably need a slew of samples, or a medical history, or...

A sly smirk slipped easily across Zim's face. He knew exactly where to find an extremely thorough medical record for Dib, negating any need to sneak around to get samples on his own...

"Uh, Zim?" Skoodge asked, sounding concerned. "You have you're 'evil plan' face on."

Zim didn't stop smirking as he turned to his comrade. "You just gave me a brilliant idea," he said excitedly. "Feel honored that it will put to good use!" He cackled gleefully, leaping from the table to head for his next destination.

"Wait, Zim!" Skoodge called. He wasn't the least bit surprised when he was ignored. He sighed helplessly. "He always leaves me to clean up his mess."

0000000000000000

Midge scowled hard as she looked up at the shelf, snarling under her breath. She had been trying to get the infirmary of Fort Antares some sort of organized, but it was almost impossible. The place had been a mess, and the way files had been stored was borderline barbaric. In the short time she had been her, she had managed to at least clear the chaos, but things still weren't where they were going to stay, and it made things quite irritating.

The infirmary here was also far busier than the one at Polaris Academy. Then again, that made sense. The Academy only had to deal with minor training injuries or the occasional fist fight (the latter usually involving a certain human and a certain Irken she happened to know very well). Fort Antares was an actual military base, whose enemies had larger numbers and larger guns. So, of course, there were more patients. And more serious cases.

Midge sighed, staring up at the disk she needed to grab off the top shelf. Really, everything was backed up on the mainframe of the computers. Did they really need hard copies? It wasn't like they would be able to take them along should the fortress be attacked.

However, unfortunately, she needed that disk. There was no point in updating the medical record of her current case without being able to update the copy at the same time.

Biting her lip, Midge took a quick glance around the records room. There was no one else around, everyone out running around like their heads had been cut off. It wasn't too hard to see why Lard Nar asked her get the infirmary on track. The place was a mad house.

She wondered if she could convince him to transfer everything to the computers and worry about making copies as needed. Because at the moment it was a terrible inconvience.

Assured that no one was around or that anyone would walk in, Midge crept over to where the ladder sat in the corner. Tenn had told her that climbing was too risky, and that she should ask others to get things for her, but that was stupid. It wasn't like she was clumsy. It took a great deal of finesse to use two swords. She could manage climbing a ladder. She already conceded lifting heavy objects (which, she agreed, was too much). Midge feared if she kept giving in they'd have her sitting in a bed for the entirety of her pregnancy.

"Midge-goon!"

"AH!" Midge yelped, nearly slipping off the first step of the ladder. She gave a panicked gasped as she regained her footing of solid ground, before throwing a heated glare at the person who had startled her. "Zim! What are you doing here?"

Zim squinted an eye, unfazed by her outburst. "I was told I could find you in here," he answered calmly. "Should you be climbing that ladder?"

"Shouldn't you be minding your own business?!" Midge snapped, frazzled. She was so frustrated she could punch a wall!

Zim expression changed to one of concern. Great, the one person Midge could count on not to be concerned was suddenly concern. Just great. "Er...Are you...alright?"

"I'd be better if this fucking place wasn't made for tall people!" She complained loudly. "I mean, half the people here are half my size and yet everything is twenty fucking meters up!"

Zim stared at her a moment before that obnoxious smirk appeared on her face. "Maybe you should have thought about that before you stopped growing."

Midge gaped. "Shut your whore mouth!"

Immediately, the smirk was gone. "My...whore mouth?"

"Look, just get the fuck out, okay, I don't have time for your horribleness."

"Is horribleness a word."

"It fucking is now!" Midge shouted, derailing to swearing in rapid Lazurothian. She was so irate that she considered just kicking Zim's ass. But, she wasn't supposed to be in direct combat, and also Dib probably wouldn't be happy with her if she did that. She wheeled back around to the ladder, ready to start climbing toward the disk she needed once more.

Midge heard Zim sigh behind her. "Which one do you need?" He asked in exasperation.

Midge looked over her shoulder, certain her eyes were glowing at this point. "Excuse me?"

"Shut up and stop being stupid," Zim told her. "Tell me which one you need so I get it down for you."

That...was unexpected. "Why?"

"Because I have something to discuss with you and the sooner you have what you need, the sooner you won't be this...terrible...grumpy...Midge-mess," Zim told her, throwing his hands around. "Now, tell me what disk you require."

Midge rose a brow at him, but finally gave a reluctant sigh. "Top shelf. The name is Moreska."

Zim nodded, releasing his PAK legs as he looked up. They carried him all the way to the top easily, and after a moment of searching he noticed the disk that Midge needed. He snatched it and came back down, handing it over to her. His grin was infuriating.

"Show off," she grumbled, walking past him and out of the file room. She heard him follow and remembered that he wanted something. "So, what's up."

Zim looked around for a moment. "Perhaps we should talk more...privately?"

Midge looked at him once she had the disk in her tablet, bring up the chart so she could update the records. It was extremely rare that Zim look antsy, but that was definitely what he looked like at the moment. She tilted her head slightly. "...Okay." She nodded her head toward a near exam room. "Come on."

Midge shut the door as they both entered the room, continuing to writing on the tablet. Zim was now tapping his foot impatiently. "I'm listening," she assured him. "I just have a job to do."

"What has you so grumpy today?" He asked in confusion. "You're usually the picture of disgusting positivity."

"And you usually talk more about how awesome you are," Midge pointed out. "Now, come on. You don't come see me for personally visits, so obviously it's important."

Zim growled. "I'm going to need your undivided attention," he insisted.

"Not happening," Midge replied sharply. "I have a lot to do-,"

"It has to do with Dib!"

Midge stopped midsentence, freezing and staring at the tablet unseeingly. Of course. Just when she thought Zim was messing with her, or asking her something that he thought was important but she didn't. Of course, the subject would be one of the few things that would snag her undivided attention.

Finishing her sentence, Midge took a deep breath as she sat the tablet aside. She met Zim's gaze, and could plainly see how serious he was. All at once her stomach plummeted. "Is...is Dib okay?"

"What? Oh, yes, Dib is fine," answered Zim dismissively. "Well, besides his STUPID, PITIFUL, LIFESPAN!"

Midge's guts immediately bundle into knots. She suddenly did not like where this conversation was going. "Okay...so...what's going on?"

Zim grinned, his chest puffy up proudly. "Midge-weasel! I require your assistance!"

Midge could only stare. "You...what?"

Zim frowned impatiently. "I mean to make Dib his own PAK, so I need your knowledge of human...medical thingies."

Midge blinked, trying to process what Zim was saying. She couldn't help but feel suddenly anxious. She knew what making Dib a PAK would mean. She knew why Zim wanted to do it in the first place. It wasn't hard to figure out.

However, she was suddenly reminded of a conversation she had with Dib long ago. One they had while she was patching him up after a particularly rough paranormal mission. Midge swallowed hard. "Is...is it possible?" She asked.

"Eh?" Zim grunted. "Oh, uh, I am actually not sure yet. I mean! Yes! Of course, it's possible! With your assistance I am confident it can be done!"

Midge rose a brow, thinking that Zim must have been taking a leaf out of her book. There was no other reason for him to attempt to flatter her. Though, it could also have been a distraction. There was a very good chance that Dib had no idea about this. She was certain that she would have heard about it from the human, himself.

A long debate ran around in her head. She thought about that conversation again and bit her lip.

The mission had something to do with tracking a werewolf. That was all Midge got from Dib rambling as she carefully cleaned a cut above his eye. . He seemed more fascinated and excited than shaken, and Midge had to admit she was annoyed and envious. She'd faced a couple fights in her life, but Dib just seemed so fearless. It was worrisome and admirable all at once

"You're lucky you weren't bit," Midge grumbled at him incredulously.

"Eh. Being a werewolf wouldn't be so bad," Dib said casually, earning him a severe look from Midge. "I would just have to find a place to change every month." He beamed at her. "You'd still hang out with me right?"

Midge felt all three of her hearts break at his tone. It was light, but beneath it was genuine concern. Midge couldn't blame him. No one ever seemed to stick around for him.

"Of course," she said sincerely. Though the real question was would he still be her friend. She'd read up on werewolves and they had a very keen sense of smell. There was a good chance that one would be able to tell she wasn't human.

"A vampire though," Dib mentioned, giving a noticeable shiver. "That's a life I don't think I could deal with.

Midge's gaze shot up at that, mildly surprised. It was easy to imagine Dib as a vampire. He already enjoyed the night, wasn't easily frightened, and time and time again proved how strong and resilient he was. "Why not?" She asked.

"It would be horrible!" Dib explained. "Having to live off a blood for the rest of my life? And the rest of my life would be eternity! I'd be alone and...I'd have to kill people."

MIdge shrugged. "Not necessarily," she said half-seriously (because honestly she'd already decided that no matter what she was sticking by Dib until the end). "My mom's a surgeon. They let me come and go since she's so high up. I could get you blood." Not entirely a lie. She would find a way to get him blood should the incident occur. In fact she could probably just disguise herself as part of the staff. The very fact that people still thought Zim only had a skin condition proved how blind humans really were.

Dib seemed to ponder this option, but he still shook his head. "Eh, living forever just doesn't sit well with me."

Midge found this statement odd. She knew how short human lifespans were, especially when diseases and fatel injury were taken into account. As part of species that lived far, far longer, she just didn't understand. "Why?"

"Just...what am I supposed to do with all that time? And...everyone I know would die before me. I would be all alone."

Midge desperately wanted to tell him that, no, he wouldn't. That he would have Midge for another two thousand good years, and Zim for even longer than that. But, she couldn't. She promised Dek that she would give nothing away. She hated lying to him so much.

"What if...you weren't?" Midge asked, choosing her words carefully. "What if...you had someone with you? Like someone you really care about and the two of you had all of eternity together?"

"Are you trying to talk about Twilight?" Dib asked, his tone slightly disgusted.

"No! Geez, no," Midge insisted. "I'm just...curious if there would be an exception."

Dib's brow furrowed in thought. Midge felt a tug of affection in her gut as she watched his face. She didn't know how she became so attached to this human, but at the same time she didn't care.

"It just...feels weird to think about," Dib said softly. "Like...even if I had someone else...I feel like eventually things would get boring and I would end up miserable. Does...that make sense?"

No, not really. But Midge nodded anyway, continuing to clean Dib's other cuts.

She was certain that Zim wasn't aware of this exchange, or else there was a good chance he wouldn't be here. Or he and Dib would be fighting terribly. The point was, Midge knew Dib's stance on living for an extremely long time, and Irkens basically lived forever. And, knowing Zim, there would be no halfway point on this.

Midge worried her lip. On one hand, she knew Dib's thoughts on this matter. She knew she should respect his wishes, even pass them on to Zim. But...Dib's life was so short. He would die so much longer before she did. Before Zim. Dib was so important to her. She could only imagine what Zim was feeling. She was thankful that she and Dek, having similar life expectancies, would not have this issue.

When she realized which decision she was leaning towards, she felt like the worse friend in the world. Damn, I'm selfish, she thought.

With a heavy sigh Midge pulled out her communicator from her pocket. With a few taps she was able to expand it into a tablet, tapping some buttons here and there. She had all of Team Nebula's medical records stored on here, and finding Dib's wasn't hard. "I need to go get a blank disk to make a copy."

"No need," said Zim, pulling a cable out of his PAK. Midge took in tentatively. PAKs were such weird devices. He attached the wire to a port on the tablet and, within a few minutes, Dib's file had been downloaded into Zim PAK.

"There we go," Midge said, condensing her tablet back into a communicator. "If you have any questions feel free to ask."

Zim narrowed his eye at her, looking suspicious. "You were...more cooperative than I thought you would be."

Midge thought about what to say to that. Thought about telling him the story about Dib and not wanting to be a vampire. But, she knew Zim pretty well at this point. Nothing was going to stop him now, short of lack of resources or the lab blowing up. And even still, the Irken would find a way. After all, maybe it would be alright. A lot had happened since then. Midge was certain that Dib wasn't thinking about Zim courting him at the time. There was always the chance that Dib had changed his mind.

"You're not the only one who needs him," Midge confessed quietly. "It just in a different way."

Zim stood there looking curious for a moment before he finally nodded. He turned on his heel and exited the room, looking less all over the place that he had upon entering. Midge sighed loud and slumped in her seat, looking down at her lower abdomen as she placed her hands where the smeet was developing.

"Let's hope Uncle Dib doesn't hate Mama for this, huh?"

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Yeah, Midge is having some mood swings at this point...