I AM SO, SO, SOOOO SORRY EVERYONE!

For the past few days, I have been absolutely swamped with end-of-senior-year work, and a terrible bout of depression. I know, that is no excuse at ALL to keep my faithful readers waiting, and it won't happen again. From now on, I will let you know if I have nothing to post in advance. I also think it's fair to warn you that, due to it being the last month of school and I am a senior, I will not be posting quite as often. However, I will be finishing this fic very soon! *throws confetti* as we speak, I am a busy bee planning out the rest of the plot. I hope you all don't hate me, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Irken-love,

TheWhyteRabbyt

Chapter 8

I looked at Tak. My stomach still fluttered, even though it seemed it was all for naught. She stared back at me, probably in as much shock as I was. Her lightly accented voice rang out, rousing me from my shock-induced reverie.

"Well...that was...awkward..." she drawled. I looked back over my shoulder at the alley entrance, wondering what had happened to Gaz when she had pursued Zim. He was in for a world of hurt for sure. I turned back to Tak.

"So...what happens now?" I ventured. She flipped her hair with a loose motion of her hand.

"I suppose I can just ask you to explain this all to me...civilly... Come on, human. I'll buy you a piece of floistcake."

The café was like nothing I had ever seen. It was more of a club, but Tak had explained that clubs on Floist were even more intense than this. Loud music blared throughout the dimly-lit building; a strong industrial beat with techno layering. I recalled the cybergoths that posted online from Germany, and thought this was very similar to what they were into.

Tak led me to the bar, which was a strange, smooth material that glowed neon purple. The green-skinned bartender was cast in a garish light, rendering his pale eyes electric. He studied us appraisingly, then nodded after Tak waved her hand and snapped her fingers. Almost immediately, he slid two blue plates at us. I poked the substance. It was a dense sponge-like material, and appeared to be a very dark brown. Tak broke off a piece of hers and popped into her mouth, coughing delicately. I watched her, losing myself in her richly-colored eyes.

"I suppose you're wondering if it's safe for humans." She startled me.

"Wha—I mean… Yes." She raised an eyebrow before nodding.

"As long as it's not the petrified stuff, humans can eat it. Go on; see what you think." I gulped, nodding and leaning over the strange sweet. Slowly, I pinched off the corner and raised it to my lips, inhaling the scent first. It smelled…cinnamon-y…. I placed it in my mouth…and immediately started hacking.

"What is in that stuff?" I continued choking on the heavily-spiced cake. Tak chuckled.

"I didn't know humans had such weak palates… You all really should get out more. It carries the strongest spice from each district on Meekrob; it has been known as a delicacy across the entire universe…except in your small quadrant, it seems." She continued chuckling. I choked down the dense, bread-y material and wiped my mouth.

"I thought you were going to be civil?" I mumbled sarcastically. I thought I could get away with it under the heavy music of the café, but Tak's antennae were more adept than I thought.

"I do not appreciate your sarcasm, boy. It seems my 'attempt' at civility was useless; now, straight to business." She pushed her plate away in a rough manner. I wilted. She swiveled the bar chair to face me and crossed her arms, flipping her purple hair.

"Tell me how this all began, human. Oh, and don't even think of wasting my time. I want to know how you all managed to launch yourself into one of the most dangerous cities you could." I sighed.

"Okay, Tak…"

…and I told her. I told her how Zim eventually fell for Gaz and how Gaz had been dying to leave Earth for years. I told her how I had tried to help Zim stop being an idiot (a statement which made the corners of her mouth curl ever-so-slightly). Then, I told her how Gaz couldn't take being rejected and sought revenge by beginning to date computer.

"A foolish thing to do," Tak interrupted. I cocked my head.

"Why do you say that?" She fluttered her butterfly eyelashes.

"Because…Hell hath no fury like an Irken scorned." I placed a finger to my chin.

"I thought it was 'woman', not 'Irken'…" Tak's cheeks seemed to darken, but it could have been a trick of the light. She faced her plate and pushed the crumbs around.

"Yes, well…that too…" She seemed to retreat into herself. I saw this moment as a moment of vulnerability on her part, and seized my opportunity. I reached a hand along the bar, slightly brushing fingertips with hers.

"Tak…it's been a while…" I saw her peer sidelong at me. Her cheeks darkened deeper.

"I've missed you, Tak." I took her whole hand in mine and leaned closer to her. She turned to me. Her eyes seemed to grow very shiny for a moment, and then she blinked…and all her cool, calculating self was back.

"Dib… I was never your friend… it was all a cover." She stood and jogged to the entrance, slamming her body against the doors to quicker aid her escape. I was never one to sit by and do nothing, so I jumped up and ran after her.

"Tak, wait!" She stalked away, her arms still folded in front of her. I caught up easily and grabbed her arm, swinging her around to face me.

"I'm not asking for anything huge, Tak… and I don't care if it was a cover. It was still the best friendship I have ever had. Can't things be like that now…for real? Can't we be friends?" Her thick lashes fluttered up as she stared into my eyes with her deep indigo ones.

"You're…not asking for much?" I shook my head. She eyed me suspiciously.

"And you don't hate me for lying to you?" I shook my head, beginning to smile.

"Then…" her voice grew soft as she took my hand in a firm handshake. "Friends, it is."

My heart fluttered, Thank you, Tak.

Disclaimer: I do not own Invader Zim.