Before You Know It

by Mikki Warner

AU Story! In this universe Invader Zim really is just a TV show. This is the story of how Invader Zim came to be, through Zim's life. Starting with his birth and carries on with family drama and humor as well as tragedy and precious moments. Pairings: ZIMxTak, RedxOC, TennxPurple, plus more. Rated: K-M

10. Baseball Obsessions

I based ZIM off of me sorta and other people I know. Like, he plays baseball. I play softball. I've played since I was six so … ten years! Also some of the events in this story is based of real life events that happened to me before. (Ex. SPOILER! ZIM will get hit in the groin during a baseball game while he pitches. I got hit in the crotch when I was catching for my cousin during a game. She threw a 55 mile per hour fastball. Hurt like a bitch and I don't even have those male parts so imagine if I was a guy! Dang!)

I'm not usually this weird. But I blame the concussion I sustained when I was catching for a softball game.

One more thing. I have nothing against kids with mental disabilities. I, myself, suffer from ADD.

Enjoy yourselves while I watch the Tigers game. Yeah! I'm a Tigers fan! So what? Come at me all you (Insert baseball team of your choice) fans!

---

August 27, 1995

ZIM couldn't help but smile at his new friends. He was back on Irk doing the community service and charity he told Jalokia he'd do. His job was to talk and play with mentally challenged aliens of all kinds including, Vortians, Nhar Gh'oks, Meekrobians, Plookesians, some humans and of course Irkens. He was a mentor to five children for the week and were either the same age as him or younger. A Vortian with what humans would call Down syndrome named, Ekk. A Meekrobian with autism named Fetch. A Plookesian with ADHD named Boouy and a Irken with OCD named Quay.

As a mentor ZIM had to come up with fun games and activities to play with them. Right now they were drawing and coloring their favorite animal. ZIM was drawing a koala when he realized Ekk was staring at his leg bound in the brace and cast. "Is something wrong, Ekk?"

"Hurt." She said pointing at his leg. ZIM looked down.

"Yeah, I'm hurt." He smiled at the girl. Drool was running down her chin. He grabbed a tissue and wiped it off.

"Mama kiss it?"

"No, I don't have a mama." ZIM replied.

"Oh." She said. "I could be your mama." ZIM chuckled.

"Thanks but I'm not in the market for a new mom."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Okay guys why don't you show me what you drew?" Fetch held up a picture of a sloore beast. "Hey, good job." ZIM said. Ekk held up a picture of a flower. "Uh, that's not an animal but very pretty." Ekk laughed as ZIM smiled at her. He examined the other kids' art work then showed them his favorite animal. Not one of them knew what a koala was because they didn't grow up on earth like he did.

"Hey mate." Red poked his head throughout the door. "You ready to go?"

"Sí señor! Vamos." ZIM stood up and hobbled over to Red. "I gotta go, chicos and … niñas? Adiós."

"What up with the sudden language change? They don't understand English or Spanish."

"I don't understand Spanish either and i barely understand English. But it's fun." The five minority kids waved goodbye. ZIM took out his long distant transport device and hit the red button and locked in the coordination's for Mears, Michigan "I reprogrammed this thing to bring us to a specific address so we wouldn't have to walk or drive home. We should arrive in the front of our house in three seconds." ZIM said as he felt the weird sensation of his body being transported along with Red's. They felt themselves being beamed through space and to earth. A haze surrounded them then cleared up. When they could see again they found themselves on their house.

"What the hell?" Red exclaimed, befuddled.

"Uh. It seems as though the transporter still has a few glitches." ZIM said smacking the device as if it would fix the problem. Red rubbed his temples.

"Just … ugh. Whatever." Red walked to the edge of the roof and looked over and saw the driveway. His truck's bed was directly below. "I'm gonna jump down then I'll catch you, 'Kay?"

"Nnnyeeaahh. Okay." ZIM said also wobbling over to the side. Red hopped off the roof and landed a good five feet below on the back of his red pick up. He stood and reached for ZIM. The tiny Irken jumped down and was caught in Red's arms. The two crawled off of the truck and onto the ground only to find a very shocked Purple in the garage with a 'What The Heck!' look on his face.

"I was just minded my own business when I see a pair of Irkens fall from the sky." Purple said. "I'm not even gonna ask you why you were up there."

"You don't have to ask 'cuz I'm gonna tell you anyway." ZIM said, adjusting his brace. Purple cocked a brow. "We wanted to see Wisconsin but we couldn't see it from ground level so we crawled on the roof."

"Any luck?"

"Yeah, actually, did you know that state was made entirely of cheese?"

"Haha. Wisconsin cheese joke. Is a good one." Red muttered.

"Sorry, I should've left that joke alone. I'm gonna go take a shower." ZIM said.

"Bath. Make sure you cover your leg with that water proof shell." Red said.

"I don't want to take a bath." ZIM whined.

"I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter." ZIM rolled his eyes and went into the house to clean up. "Crazy kid." Red muttered.

"Hey, gotta call from the boss today." Purple said.

"Oh? What did he say?"

"He said we needed to start working on marine biology and aquatic animals." Purple said. "He wants a full report by the end of the week."

"End of the week? Geez!"

"That's what I said then the boss hung up on me." Red sighed.

"Well, might as well get started first thing tomorrow."

"Guess so."

December 27, 1995

"I don't wanna go!"

"Stop acting like a child and c'mon."

"No!"

"Zeiden!" Red yelled after his brother who slammed his bedroom door in his face and locked it. "Zeiden Macale open this door!"

"If I do you'd make me go!" Came ZIM's muffled response.

"You have to go if you want to heal right."

"I already went to, like, thirty of them!" Red sighed. Purple came up from behind Red and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Want me to try?" Purple asked. Red looked at him with a doubting face.

"Have at it." Purple smirked and pulled out a key and inserted it into the keyhole and twisted it till he heard a click of the door being unlocked. "Where'd you get that key?"

"I made it." Purple said opening the door and entering. The two Irkens found ZIM laying face-down on his big plush bed, cuddled up in his orange and blue, Detroit Tigers bedsheets.

"I'm not going!" He screeched, still muffled from the pillow his face was buried in. "They hurt me and last time they made me faint!" Purple walked over to the side of the bed and grabbed ZIM and threw him over his shoulder. ZIM attempted to grab on to the bed as if that would help hold him down. "Ack! No! No! Please! I don't want this! I don't need it! I'm healed! I'm okay!"

"ZIM, you're going to physical therapy whether you like it or not." Purple said. ZIM whined pounding his fists into Purple's back. The older Irken didn't flinch once. He was a hockey player afterall, a little boys weak punches didn't feel like anything to him.

"I hate you guys!"

"Untrue." Purple retorted.

"So true!"

"ZIM, calm down and take it like man." Red said.

"I don't wanna be a man!"

"You'd rather be a lady?" Purple asked. Red snickered.

"If it gets me outta this torture you make me go through every week. Yes!" Purple ignored the last comment and trotted down stairs. He got a few awkward glances from the girls in the living room but ignored those too.

"I'll bring him." Purple said. ZIM let out a weird moaning noise and attempted to bite Purple's back.

"You're only bringing him to get outta writing the report aren't you?" Red asked.

"Heh, yeah." Purple said and opened the door for the garage. "Have fun." He chirped and closed the door and made his way to the truck.

"Can you please put me down?" ZIM asked. Purple placed ZIM in the passenger seat of the truck. "Thanks." He muttered as Purple strapped him in. Purple climbed in the drivers side and started the vehicle up.

"You know you're do for another physical?"

"Aw hell no! No! No! No!" ZIM said, pulling his legs up to his chest. "No."

"What's the matter?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." Purple chuckled.

"I remember my first physical. I'm pretty sure you and I had the same kind if your reaction is any indication."

"Violated beyond the shadow of a doubt."

"Well you need another one if you wanna play baseball. Too bad you couldn't play this year." Purple said. "Hate to tell ya this but you won't be able to snowboard this winter either."

"You don't know that. I'm getting this retched cast off in a month. Just before my birthday." ZIM's Imp rung in his jean's pocket. "Ugh! It's Mevlo." He groaned and answered the phone. "Yes?"

"Are you aware that your contract with Jalokia Studios expired." Came her voice.

"Yeah, I'm gonna take some time off before renewing it."

"I see. Well the people of the clothing line you model for would like to do one more photo shoot with you before their clothes line come to an official halt."

"Okay, when?" ZIM asked.

"In four weeks. I believe your cast will be off by then?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good, and since it's the end of the year the people of Amplify would like another icon."

"One that is not me?"

"Correct."

"That's fine. I was getting sick of the boss anyway." It was true. The boss would always yell at ZIM to sit up straight and all this nit picky shit.

"One more thing."

"What?"

"Your popularity is extremely high on Irk and your fans want to see more of you. I received another movie offer this morning and wanted to see if you were interested."

"Sure, I'll consider it. Keep me updated on that. Is that all?"

"Yes, and I'll tell Jalo you'll renew your contract with him sometime next year or later this year, okay?"

"Okay, thanks, Mev." ZIM hung up. "They want me for a movie now."

"You want to do it?"

"I think I'll do this one since I passed up the first one."

"Well, good for you, ZIM. Way to make a living before your even a legal adult."

"Nnnyyyeeeeaahhh." ZIM gave Purple a wide dorky smile. "Now about that doctors appointment."

"You're going, ZIM. Can't talk your way outta it." ZIM groaned. If this doctors appointment was anything like the last one, he knew he'd hate it.

March 2, 1996

"Get back here!" ZIM crouched down as a slightly taller, older, chubby Irken threw a punch at his head.

"Ack! Hey man watch where you're throwing those pudgy fists." ZIM said cockily, and darted off down the streets of a down town area in Rous City, Irk. The other Irken chased after ZIM but stumbled a little over his own feet.

"Cut! What is wrong with you Skoodge? You got two left feet?" Someone shouted. ZIM chuckled returning back to his position.

"Yeah Skoodgey. What's the matter? A rat with no tail and only three legs would have more balance than you!" ZIM said. Skoodge grumbled and poked ZIM's spooch making him snort and kneel over. "Only messin' with ya', mate."

"Only messin' with ya', mate." Skoodge mocked with a bad interpretation of ZIM's voice and accent. "Buzz off, Z."

"You know you love me."

"Not." Skoodge said. ZIM narrowed his eyes.

"Boys, we won't fight today. This movie has a deadline you know." The director rubbed his temples.

"Since when do me and Skoodge fight?" ZIM asked crossing his arms.

"Yeah? We is friends!" Skoodge exclaimed. "By the way, Z, it's 'Skoodge and I' not 'me and Skoodge'."

"Shut up, you're grammar ain't the best either!"

"Ain't?"

"You two fight all the time!" The director bellowed then sighed. "Just, lets wrap it up for today. Come back Tuesday for another shot." ZIM sighed in relief. Finally they can go home. ZIM walked with Skoodge to their dressing rooms and changed their clothes before ZIM took out his transportation device and locked in the coordination's for earth.

"C'mon Skoodge." ZIM said then grabbed the chubby Irken's hand and zapped them to earth. ZIM put the device back in his pocket then typed something into his Imp once they landed. "What you wanna do?" He asked Skoodge.

"I dunno. I kinda need to re-learn my lines. Do you have an extra script around? Hey wait a minute … why are we on your roof?"

"Device likes to malfunction." ZIM said walking to the edge. "Might as well get used to it." He jumped off making Skoodge gasp. Skoodge ran to the edge too and saw that ZIM landed like a cat in the bed of his older brother's pick up truck.

"Dang kid, you scared me!" ZIM looked up at Skoodge smiling.

"Jump!"

"Ehh. How 'bout I slide?" Skoodge sat on the roof's edge and dropped down onto the vehicle.

"Kill joy." ZIM said hopping off the truck. He glanced at the clock built into his phone. 6:30 pm. They still had time. ZIM barged into the front door. "Zannah!" ZIM shouted.

"What do you want?" She asked calmly walking to the foyer.

"Me and Skoodge are gonna go to the diamond."

"Skoodge and I." Skoodge corrected.

"Whatever. Tell Red where we are when he gets home."

"Fine, but he won't be home till twelve tonight. So he put me in charge of watching you. Don't get hurt and be back before dark." She grabbed his arm before he bolted out the door again. "I'm serious, ZIM. No later than when the sun sets. In fact, get here before then so you don't have to walk home in the dark." ZIM teared his arm out of her grasp.

"Yeah, sure, now let me go so I can practice." Zee waved him out with his friend.

"Why do I have a gut feeling he's going to loose track of time?" Zee asked herself.

At the Diamond

10:35 PM

"Have you ever even played baseball before, Skoodge? You stink!"

"Of course I haven't! I grew up on Irk! The only major sports we have there are Hag-Lag, Quoball and Mashup ball." Skoodge shouted back at ZIM attempting to through the ball at ZIM's head but failed horrible. Instead the ball traveled five feet from where Skoodge stood and was thrown into the soft gravel like a meteor.

"Wow, that was sad." ZIM muttered on the pitchers mound. He was facing the backstop training aid that he made Skoodge haul out of the diamonds equipment shack that was always unlocked. He set it up against the chain linked fence backstop by home plate. ZIM wound up for the pitch and fired a fastball to the white square on the backstop trainer. It hit right in the middle and bounced off rolling back to the mound. ZIM picked up the ball again and fired it with his left arm. He concluded that his left arm was stronger, faster and more accurate than his right when it came to batting and throwing. As for writing he was about the same on both hands.

"You do realize that it's dark, right?" Skoodge asked. ZIM looked around. The field's bright stadium lights flooded the field whereas everything outside the field was pitch black.

"Shit. Well I'm gonna be in trouble when I get back." ZIM mumbled. "Oh well, might as well stay a little longer since I'm already in for it." ZIM wound up and fired another ball to the trainer. He didn't notice the black Cadillac waiting beside the field.

"Hey man, ain't that your sister's car?" Skoodge asked. ZIM gulped and looked to see what Skoodge was referring to.

"Damn." He whispered. Tenn got out of the drivers seat and shot ZIM a horrible glare. "Looks like I gotta go, Pudgey. See ya' around."

"Yeah, see ya Shrimp." Skoodge said pulling out his own transport device and zapping himself home to Irk. ZIM waited on the mound as Tenn approached him. Once she was close enough she took his hand in her own and yanked him to her car.

"Why the hell didn't you come back when Zee told you?" Tenn asked, angrily. "We were worried you were abducted or injured or something. It made us even more worried when you didn't answer your Imp!" ZIM cocked a brow. He dug through his pants pockets and found his Imp. Sure enough, there was seven missed calls.

"Sorry, I didn't feel it vibrate." ZIM said.

"You better be! Now you have to answer to Zee, and trust me she'll be furious when you get home." ZIM sighed. The ride couldn't have been any shorter. Not only because the diamond was only a mile away but because ZIM was in deep water. Tenn pushed her little brother to the front door and led him inside where Zee was pacing nervously. When she caught ZIM's eye her facial features when from worried sick, to relief, to an unruly anger.

"What did I say, Zeiden?" Zee asked loudly. "Don't stay out after dark! Why don't you ever listen?" ZIM looked at his feet feeling bad for making two of his siblings worry so much.

"I just wanted extra practice. I'm trying out for the team this year and I want to make it."

"You have plenty of time to practice before then!" Zee shouted, getting closer to ZIM. "I called Red. You're grounded for the rest of the week and next week." ZIM groaned.

"I'm sorry, really. I won't do it again."

"Oh I'm sure you won't!" Zee snapped. "Get in the shower and go to bed."

"Seems like I'm not the only one who needs to go to bed." ZIM grumbled. Tenn pushed him towards the stairs. He looked back at his sisters and frowned. They were whispering about him now.

He trudged to the shower room and undressed. He turned to look at himself in the mirror. A dark bruise was starting to form on his chest from where Skoodge pelted him with a ball from just three feet away. Then there was a scrape with dried blood on his left thigh where he slid into home without sliding shorts. ZIM opened the mirror to the storage compartment behind it and grabbed hydrogen peroxide to clean the abrasion with a washcloth. He gasped at the stinging sensation and pulled the clothe away and noticed that he was still bleeding profusely. There was a knock at the door. ZIM grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. "What you want?"

"Can I come in?" Came Zee's voice.

"Why?"

"I noticed quite a bit of dried blood on your shorts. I came to see if you're alright." ZIM opened the door.

"I'm still bleeding. I might need some gauze." Zee raised a brow. She still had a scowl on her face.

"Let me see." ZIM looked at her nervously. "Oh please, Zeiden. I see you naked all the time. I was the one who used to give you baths." ZIM sighed. Couldn't argue with that. He dropped his towel to the ground shamefully. He turned around so Zee could see the damage. "My gosh kid! What did you do?"

"I slid into home without any sliding pads." Zee shook her head.

"Get in the tub. I'll be back in a minute with the gauze and I'll clean you up." And with that note she left. ZIM stepped into the bathtub and filled it with water. He laid back wincing as the water touched his damaged skin, he tried to relax, closing his eyes as the warm water surrounded his body. Zee came back to the bathroom and groaned. ZIM didn't open his eyes.

"Can you hurry up? Your water is getting tinted with a bloody color already." Zee knelt down by the side of the bath and grabbed a clean cloth and put ZIM's body wash on it. "Clean up, ZIM." She threw the towel at him. It floated in front of him. He cracked an eye open and snatched it up. He used it to wipe his entire body and head. In only a few short minutes he was clean. He drained the water and was about to grab a towel before Zee took his arm. "We don't need anymore blood stained towels. You left a nice big spot in Tenn's car. Your lucky she has leather seats."

"I could have walked home." ZIM mumbled. Zee dried him off only where there wasn't blood. She crouched so she was eye level with ZIM's wound.

"Here bite this." Zee handed him a clean hand towel. He took it and shoved it into his mouth biting down hard. Zee then proceeded to use a washcloth to dab ointment on ZIM's scrap making him squirm and moan in pain. "Hold still." Zee ordered as she wrapped gauze around his leg. "There. Now get dressed and go to bed. I have a feeling Red will want to talk to you when he gets home." ZIM nodded spitting the cloth out of his mouth and walked casually to his room naked not really caring anymore.

Thursday March 21, 1996

"Happy birthday, sweetheart." Leslie said, kissing Red's cheek making him smile.

"Thanks babe."

"So what are you going to do today to celebrate?" She asked sitting on the couch of Red's living room.

"ZIM's got his first scrimmage against another team. You know his coach came up to me and said he was a terrific athlete and one of the best on the team."

"I'm not surprised. That kid has been practicing since he got his cast off in January. I saw him slip on ice a few times when he tried to pitch some balls. When is the scrimmage?"

"Two hours. He's outside practicing more." Red said looking out the big, long windows of the living room and out to the great lake. "I'm actually starting to get concerned. All he ever does is practice now. He doesn't even give me fashion tips anymore."

"He's just devoted is all. Soon he'll tire of it all."

"I hope so." Red said. He stood up to look out the windows better. ZIM was on the beach with Skoodge and Tenn tossing baseballs at each other.

"What's his position?"

"Primary pitcher and secondary catcher or shortstop. Heh, he once asked if he could pitch and catch at the same time."

"How does that work?"

"It doesn't. But he tried it anyway. Man, did it look stupid." Red said. Leslie chuckled.

"Well do you have anything special planned? Besides a baseball game?"

"No. We really don't celebrate my birthday much. And it's not like I just turned an important age."

"Twenty-eight?" Red nodded. Leslie frowned slightly. "I'm gonna take you out tonight."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise." Leslie winked at him and kissed his lips.

Two Hours Pass

ZIM got into his perfect batting stance. He took a deep breath. He was the one who was gonna lead off the game. First batter was waiting for the first pitch. Usually they put the fastest and smartest base runner at the beginning of the line-up. ZIM was kinda hoping he'd be fourth though. The fourth batter was the power hitter which he was or what he convinced himself he was.

ZIM narrowed his eyes in concentration as the pitcher of the home team wound up to throw the first pitch of the scrimmage. The ball was released. ZIM tensed and watched the ball go by without swinging. "Ball!" The umpire shouted. ZIM loosened his arms a bit more before getting back into place.

"C'mon, now." He whispered to himself. Another ball was thrown. ZIM dodged it as it almost hit his right hip. "Damn, this pitcher ain't used to lefty batters apparently."

"Ball two! Two-oh!" The pitcher was getting frustrated already. He wound up for another pitch. ZIM was prepared and watched the ball come sailing toward him. He saw it was a good one, right in his hot zone. ZIM swung his bat till it connected with the ball head on. It flew through the air and landed far in the outfield. One outfielder scrambled to retrieve it while the other base players didn't seem to know what they were doing as ZIM rounded first, then second. He got a lead off but stayed by the second base bag. Way to start off the season with a double. He heard the crowd cheer in the background. The outfielder threw the ball to the third baseman just in case ZIM decided to go for a triple. ZIM noticed the second baseman staring at him.

"Wassup?"

"What are you?" The kid asked.

"I'm an alien and if my team wins your coach agreed that I could take out all your organs and eat them." The kid seemed scared but wondered if the little Irken was serious or not.

"Are you kidding?" The kid asked. ZIM looked at him but didn't answer. He just smiled and winked before getting a good lead off after the pitcher threw another ball for the next batter. The catcher dropped the ball and it went behind him giving ZIM the chance to steal third. The catcher quickly picked up the ball and hurled it to the third baseman but ZIM was already safe. The crowd cheered again. He was now closest to his dugout. The base coach approached him and gave him a high five.

"No outs, kay? Be smart. Now if the catcher misses the ball I want you to steal home, okay? Good job, kiddo! I'm glad you're on the team!" ZIM smiled.

"Thanks coach." Four more pitches were thrown. It was now a full count. Once last pitch sealed the batters fate. The ball was thrown.

"Strike three!" The ump cried as the catcher failed to catch the ball, letting it go in between his legs and far behind him to the backstop. As the most recent batter ran to first, because the catcher dropped the ball on the third strike, all eyes were on him. ZIM saw this as a perfect opportunity to run for home.

"Hey! Mark! He's going home!" The opponent's pitcher screamed. The catcher looked up but still didn't have the ball. The pitcher ran home. Mark, the catcher, picked up the ball and threw it to the pitcher who had his foot on home plate waiting for ZIM to arrive so he could tag him out. ZIM got down and slid home before the pitcher could touch him. Unfortunately when he slid he kicked the pitcher's legs from underneath him and knocked the pitcher over, resulting in the boy to land on top of ZIM in an awkward position.

"Easy, bad boy. We just met!" ZIM said sexily and jokingly. The pitcher scrambled to get off of the much smaller Irken as ZIM snickered.

"Safe! Safe! He's safe!" The umpire shouted. The audience clapped and whistled again. The coach beamed. ZIM stood up and brushed himself off. He waved to his siblings and friends in the stands taking off his helmet. When he turned to go back into the dugout he tripped over something and fell to his knees in the dirt. He groaned and heard someone shout from the stands, 'He tripped him!' ZIM looked up and saw the catchers foot was stuck out and laughing hard as well as his fellow team mates. ZIM grumbled and got up. He could hear the ump yell at the catcher about getting expelled from the scrimmage if he continued acting in unsportsmanlike behavior. When ZIM stepped into the dugout several of his teammates high-five'd him and said, 'Good job' over and over again. ZIM sat on the bench and stretched out his legs until the coach came up to him.

"Great job, Zimmy! Now I want you to go out of the dugout and warm up with Tyler. He'll catch for you today." He said.

"Coach Johnson?"

"Yes?"

"Do I have permission to trip that bastard to get even?" His team mates snickered.

"Don't go off saying those words, little man. And no. You have to be the bigger person, figuratively, and let it go." ZIM rolled his eyes.

"Fine," ZIM replaced his black and white batting gloves with his black, Easton, pitching mitt and beckoned for Tyler to follow him. The two waited till the play was done before running out and behind the dugout to warm up. ZIM opened the gate and trotted out with Tyler.

"Hey, Z. Nice play." Red said from his seat on the stands with Leslie, Gaz, Tenn, Zee, and Purple.

"I liked the part when he tripped." Purple said.

"I liked that too." Red agreed.

"I liked it when he totally got laid by the other pitcher." Gaz said. Purple and Red burst into laughter. Leslie scowled at her daughter.

"Hah! Yeah! You guys are funny." ZIM growled. "You better not make funny faces at me while I'm pitching." Red and Purple looked at each other.

"That's a great idea!" ZIM groaned. Why'd he have to open his mouth?

Three Hours Later

"Ugh! My legs hurt!" ZIM exclaimed, flopping belly down on the couch. "I'm so stupid! Why didn't I stretch?" He asked himself. Red snickered.

"At least you guys won."

"Yeah, but it was a scrimmage! It don't count."

"It doesn't," Purple corrected. "And its got to count for something."

"Hey!" Tenn called from upstairs. She stormed down the steps and glared at Purple. She was holding something behind her back."Guess what I found on my bed!" Purple shrugged.

"What?" Tenn whipped the object from behind her and it revealed a dead ferret.

"Hey! I was gonna dissect that!" Tenn threw the lifeless animal at his head. He ducked and let it fall to the floor.

"Gross, Pur." Red said, wrinkling his nose. Purple picked it up.

"I put this in the freezer. How'd it get in Tenn's room?" Purple asked looking at ZIM who smiled innocently.

"Good question … it's like a … ghost ferret or something." He said. The front door opened and Leslie and Gaz entered the house. Gaz sat on the couch next to ZIM whereas Leslie popped a squat on Red's lap.

"Hey baby." Leslie whispered and kissed Red deeply. Purple gasped.

"Oh my goodness! You can't do that shit in front of me! It's yucky!" Purple cried. ZIM giggled.

"Oh, Purple. You make me smile and laugh at the same time." ZIM looked over to his brother. "Hey! Get a room!" He yelled throwing a pillow at the two. The couple broke off from their kiss and glared at him. "Disgusting kids."

"You wouldn't mind watching Gaz tonight would you, Pur?" Leslie asked. Purple shook his head.

"I have a date tonight." Red cocked a brow.

"With who? You didn't tell me this."

"With a dead ferret. Imma cut it open and spill it's guts." Gaz's eyes widened.

"Can I help?"

"Heck yeah!" Purple puffed his cheeks and puckered his lips making a very fake aggressive face and high five'd her. "I don't know how making that face helped …"

"Nah it … wasn't relevant at all. Maybe it makes you feel empowered." ZIM said as he listened to some music on his Imp and reading an Irken magazine. "You can't help him. I'm gonna do your hair tonight, Gaz."

"What did you have planned this time?"

"I don't know. I was thinking crimping and teasing tonight … Oh my Yahweh! That sounded nasty!"

"Yeah it did." Red said in disbelief but was very amused all at once. ZIM sniggered adjusting his ear buds.

"No what else is nasty? This song. It's like … ick. Baby, take off your clothes and come on, Turn off the lights 'cuz girl it's on! Now that we are all alone, I want you to sex me- Hey!" Red ripped the Imp outta ZIM's hand and deleted the song and smacked his little brother upside the head.

"I have a feeling you're going to grow up to be one of those horny, douche bag, jerks." Red muttered.

"You know I don't need the song to sing it." ZIM said looking at his Imp and noticing the song was gone. "So fellas grab your ladies and make it real wet-" Red slammed his hand over ZIM's mouth. Leslie burst into laughter and Purple rolled his eyes. ZIM grabbed Red's hand with his own two hands and pried the hand off singing a lot faster so he could get the words out before Red stopped him again. "Slow baby! Slow baby! Steady as we go! Up and down to a sixty-nine tempo!"

"Zeiden!" Red picked ZIM up and walked to a slider glass door on the other side of the living room. He slid it open and threw ZIM out into the back yard and quickly shut and lock the door. ZIM sat in the grass and looked toward Red with big puppy dog eyes. Red turned away, knowing he'd cave in if he saw them. "Sorry about that." He apologized. Leslie was still laughing.

"Don't apologize. That made my day!" She gasped. "Oh! What an amusing brother you have." She looked out the window to find ZIM suddenly jumping up from his sitting position screaming and running around the house to the front yard. "And now he just ran off …" The front door crashed open.

"Oh! I hate snakes! Gah! It touched me! It was so ick! Nasty! Grossness! And now I need to take a bath. Eeugh!" ZIM shook as if he'd just seen the most horrifying scene in the universe.

"You overreact so bad." Red said. ZIM sighed and tried to calm down.

"I-I left my Imp out there I think." ZIM said walking across the living room and looked out the window. Sure enough there was his Imp and the snake was about to coil itself around it. "Red, will you get it for me?"

"No! It's only a little garter snake."

"Red! You know I hate snakes!" Gaz rolled her eyes.

"I'll get it, you little wuss."

"Oh sure, let the younger girl get it for you, ZIM." Purple teased. ZIM shuddered.

"Oh my gosh. I just- ugh! I hate snakes so much!" ZIM looked close to tears. Gaz opened the slider door and walked fearlessly to the Imp and snake. Purple followed her then whispered something in her ear. She smiled and nodded. She picked up the snake and walked around the house with it as Purple retrieved the phone.

"Where is she going." ZIM asked.

"She's disposing of the snake. She'll be back." Purple handed the phone over to ZIM. Seconds later Gaz came back in and with out a word she trotted up the stairs to the bedrooms.

"Well we better get going, Red. You guys have fun and stay outta trouble. That means you Peder!" Leslie said sternly. Purple looked at her with innocence.

"I always stay outta trouble, woman!" He declared. Red rolled his eyes.

"Bull shit."

"Lets go, babe." Leslie said tugging on his arm.

"Be sure ZIM gets to bed on time. He's been loosing sleep and he's cranky." Red told Purple. Purple saluted and waved as the couple left.

Later

"Wow." Red said happily. Leslie smiled and kissed his cheek. They were sitting on top of Red's truck staring at the sunset from the tallest dune in the Silver Lake sand dunes state park. He had just received a blue 200cc Yamaha on and off road dirt bike. "But why would you spend so much on my birthday. It's a brand new bike and everything."

"My cousin works for a motocross dealership and I get top of the line bikes and buggys for reasonable prices." Red beamed. "I'm glad you like it." She said breathing on his neck.

"Love it." Red and Leslie leaned in to kiss one another. Tongues dancing in each other's mouths. "Well we better get going." Red said. He slid off the roof and let Leslie hop on his new bike and let her drive it out to the parking lot. He got in his truck and started it up and drove out. As soon as the two stepped into Red's house they were greeted by a scream coming from upstairs.

"Ahhhh!" Following was several Irken and English and even aboriginal curses and cuss words. ZIM practically flew down the steps and ran directly toward a laughing Purple and tackled the much taller Irken to the ground and screaming more profanities at him. "Why would you do that to me! My Irk! I hate you now! Damn you!" Red grabbed ZIM by the arms and pulled him off Purple.

"What's going on?" Red asked noticing ZIM was shaking really hard.

"Gaz, put that snake in my bed! In it!" ZIM shook with fear. Tears formed by the corners of his eyes. He was absolutely terrified. "I was laying in bed and it crawled in my shorts." ZIM whimpered and started sobbing, knees buckling. Red couldn't help but burst into laughter as well as Leslie and everyone else present. Red knew ZIM had an extremely unhealthy fear of snakes. "You guys are horrible!" ZIM cried and teared away from Red's grip.

"It's okay, Zimmy. You can- you can sleep with me tonight if it'd make you feel better." Red suggested. ZIM threw his arms around Red and buried his face into Red's thigh. Gaz came down the steps holding the snake by the tail and came up behind ZIM and rested the reptile on his shoulder. ZIM froze then slowly turned his head to see what was touching him. He screeched, trembling. He then wheezed a bit before his eyes rolled to the back of his head, fainting from the scare and sudden hypertension in his normally hypotension blood. Red caught him before he hit the ground.

"Oh god! Did I just kill him?" Gaz asked concerned. Red pinched a sensitive nerve on ZIM hoping that would revive him. It didn't. Red sighed.

"No, throw that snake somewhere outside. I'm gonna have to take care of him." Red picked ZIM's limp body up bridal style and placed him on the couch. Purple guffawed happily taking the snake from Gaz and did as told. "That man … has no self-control." Red shook his head, a smile still evident on his face. Leslie looked down at ZIM's face.

"Poor ZIM. Little guy is too weak of heart to take scares like that."

"Yeah, he faints like a goat when his blood pressure goes from low to high like that." Red said. Leslie put her arms around Red and kissed his neck. Red stood and turned around to embrace her.

"You my baby." Leslie said.

"I'm yo' baby." Was Red's response. The couple giggled and kissed again.

"Ew, as if I haven't seen enough gross things today." ZIM moaned finally waking up. He usually only blacked out for a few seconds before reviving himself. "Did I fall asleep here?" He asked.

"Nah. You fainted, Hun." Leslie informed. ZIM sat up.

"I'm gonna- Wait! There is a snake in my bed!"

"I'll wash your bedsheets. Purple already took care of it. Go to my bed." Red said. "Me and Leslie want to be alone."

"Leslie and I." ZIM said, sounding a lot like Purple. "And fine. But I'll warn ya' I sleep pretty rigorously."

"Rigorously. That's a new word for you." Red said. ZIM smiled and winked, tapping the side of his head before trotting upstairs. Leslie wrapped her arms around Red's neck and pressed her lips against his.

April 12, 1996

ZIM shook his head. Then again. Then nods when his catcher made a good call. ZIM readied himself on the pitchers mound and wound up and released a fiery slider into the strike zone. "Strike three! Batters out!" The ump shouted. The opponents second batter walked to the dugout miserably. The opposing team was currently loosing. Seven, oh. And ZIM was pitching a perfect game. ZIM cringed as he bit his cheek from the gum he was chewing. He adjusted the visor of his team hat to block the powerful sun outta his eyes. "Batter up!" ZIM smiled at his team mates behind him and to the side of him. The smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

"Two down!" ZIM shouted. "Plays at first!" ZIM prepared to pitch the ball. He threw the ball with fury.

"Strike!" ZIM caught the ball that was thrown back to him from the catcher. ZIM took a deep breath and pitched another. "Strike two! Oh-two!" ZIM smirked.

"Yeah baby." ZIM said.

"Go fiver!" Someone shouted from the stands referring to ZIM's jersey number. Red told ZIM that he had several fans in the crowd that came to every game. ZIM pitched the ball but made the mistake of making it a slow pitch. As the ball sailed to the strike zone the batter's bat connected with the ball spot on and hit a direct line driver straight towards ZIM's …

"Ack! Jesus!" ZIM fell to the ground in crippling pain and gasped for air. He placed his hands over his crotch in pain and curled up in a fetal position on his side. "Uuh! Why?" ZIM bit his lip and closed his eyes tightly. Before he knew it, every team mate, opponent, coach and ump was surrounding him as he rolled on the ground in complete and utter agony. ZIM whimpered in pain and embarrassment. When he opened his eyes again he saw Red and Purple looming over him with amused smirks on their faces.

"Hey. Does this mean I'm not getting any nieces or nephews from you?" Red asked. ZIM growled and weakly punched his brother's arm.

"I got 'im, Red." Coach Johnson said picking up the pained Irken and carrying him to the dugout. The coach set ZIM in a lying position on the bench. "Get your hands out from between your legs, boy, and ice it." ZIM didn't move. He bent his legs up and together and just cringed and let a few tears slip from his tightly closed eyes. The coach sighed. "Eric! You're in for ZIM. Warm up with Tyler." Red stepped into the dugout with Purple with a bag of ice. Red threw the ice at ZIM and it landed on his chest. ZIM opened his eyes and grabbed the ice removing his hands and replaced it with the frozen water.

"Ooh! Irk!" ZIM tried to relax on the hard bench but was having a hard time when the benchwarmers kept trying to talk to him. "Red! Give me drugs." Red quirked a brow and looked at Purple.

"I have acetaminophen." Purple said.

"What?"

"Tylenol, ZIM." Red clarified.

"That's for girls when they're … acting up." ZIM huffed. "Gah! It hurts so bad!"

"Calm down, ZIM. You're freakin' out your teammates." Red said.

"The pain!"

"Shh. I know. I was there once too ... But only it was a wiffle ball ... so it probably didn't hurt as bad." Red said trying to sooth his baby brother.

"Owwwwies."

"Stop being such a baby." Purple said. "Irken males have that protective sheath for a reason." ZIM glared at him.

"It still hurts like a be-yotch." Purple and Red snickered showing no sympathy. ZIM sighed. "May I trade you guys in for two more sisters?"

April 14, 1996

"It's too tight." ZIM said pulling away from Leslie. The woman rolled her eyes and grabbed the Irken's arm so he didn't go anywhere.

"Hold still, babe." Leslie said re-tying the solid dark blue tie around ZIM's neck. He looked over to Red and saw him attempt to tie it but it ended up in a knot. "Oh for crying out loud, Red. No wonder this kid doesn't know how to tie! You can't even tie your own!" Leslie said finishing up with ZIM's then went over to Red to assist him. ZIM looked down at his attire in disgust. Charcoal pants with a navy blue blazer that matched his tie and a plain white dress shirt and a pair of brown shoes.

"I look like a square." ZIM muttered adjusting the black kippah with a golden star of David on the top, on his head. They were going to church for the first time since they left Australia. In fact, they've never been to church, only messianic synagogues. But today they were going to Leslie's church. Leslie told a few members of her congregation and elders that her boyfriend's little brother was a singer and they invited ZIM to the morning service for ministry in music. In other words, he had to sing for them. ZIM hoped they fit in because he wasn't Christian Reformed like Leslie's church but rather belonged to a different faith.

"We gotta go before we're late." Leslie said. "Thank you for doing this again, ZIM." ZIM smiled.

"Pleasures all mine. I haven't sang in awhile."

"You sang yesterday for practice." Red said.

"In front of a whole bunch of people? No I haven't." ZIM added.

The car ride to the church didn't take too long. They finally pulled in to a dirt parking lot. This church actually doubled as a Christian summer camp. Grace Adventures was a big church where the sanctuary was also the gym. ZIM knew the acoustics would sound horrible but he didn't think anyone would notice but him. ZIM observed the stage then turned when someone poked his shoulder. A teenage boy.

"Greetings, space-being, where do you hail from?"

"Wha- … Well, I was born in Darwin, Australia but I moved here almost two years ago."

"You Christian?" The boy asked. ZIM furrowed his brows. This kid was no doubt bullied in school.

"No, the majority of Irken people are a type of Jew of some sort. I'm a Masonic Jew." ZIM said. 'Why is this freak talking to me?'

"What's that?"

"Uh, it's a Jewish religion but unlike the Jewish law we believe in Yeshua, or as you guys call him, Jesus Christ as the messiah and actual son of Yah- I mean, God." ZIM explained.

"That's so cool! I was always interested in the jewish faith. My name is Cam by the way."

"ZIM." ZIM smiled, trying not to gag at the older boy. 'He's just trying to be friends with a stranger ... I guess.' ZIM thought. "I have to get ready. I'm singing for you guys today. " ZIM said feeling his kippah. It was a bit scratchy. His sisters were lucky, they didn't have to where kippot.

"Well I gotta go now. See ya around." Cam darted off.

"Good riddance. Freak." ZIM mumbled. He had a lot of weird conversations with strangers before but that probably topped as number one. Red came up to ZIM.

"You ready?" ZIM nodded. Twenty minutes later ZIM stood on the stage looking out to the crowd of people. Red was playing piano for him as he strummed his acoustic guitar.

"Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away;" ZIM sang sweetly into his mic plucking the strings softly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Cam in the front row making a heart with both hands to ZIM. The Irken ignored it and continued to sing. "To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away. I'll fly away, Oh Glory I'll fly away; (in the morning) When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away (I'll fly away)." Red was singing back up and harmonized nicely with ZIM. The verses continued and eventually the congregation joined in for the choruses. After that song they sang two more songs and then were done.

"Thank you Zeiden and Red for sharing your gifts and talents with us this morning." The preacher said standing up from his chair behind the pulpit. ZIM smiled at the man as he stepped down from the stage and sat by the rest of their family. ZIM slouched in his seat and stared at the ceiling then before ZIM knew it everyone was standing to receive God's blessing then being dismissed. ZIM walked back to the stage and grabbed his guitar case and shut it.

"Hey, ZIM. Great job." Gaz said coming from behind him.

"Thanks, Chica." ZIM said sitting down on the edge of the stage. He felt the cap on his head lift up. He looked and noticed Purple putting it on his head.

"Look at me! Now I'm a Masonic Jew!" Purple said making the 'Live and long and prosper' Star Trek signal with both his hands. ZIM shook his head.

"You're so weird." Red walked up to the two.

"You guys ready to go?" He asked. Purple looked at Red's cap and yanked it off.

"I like yours better." Purple said putting Red's on his head and giving Red, ZIM's kippah.

"They are exactly the same." Red said.

"ZIM's is smaller. Let's go now to the synagogue or something to worship some more." Purple declared head held high as he left the building the kippah still on his head.

"That man." Red whispered. ZIM finished for him.

"He's odd." ZIM looked over and saw Cam again waving vigorously at him. "But not as odd as him."

June 12, 1996

"Out in the country past the city limit sign! Well there's a honky tonk near the country line!" ZIM kicked and stomped his feet to the right dance moves of the song while singing louder than necessary. "The joint starts jumpin' every night when the sun goes down! They got whiskey, women, music and smoke! It's where all the country folk go to boot scootin' boogie!"

"ZIM! Look alive! No singing and line dancing!" Coach Johnson yelled to the tiny Irken.

"You shouldn't of put me in the outfield!" ZIM shouted back. "I get no action out here!"

"I told you I wanted to try something different now pay attention! I'm gonna hit a ball your way and you gotta catch it!" ZIM huffed, crossing his arms. He hated the outfield! How dare the coach stick him out there! He had way more skill than any outfielder ever had! "Heads up! Its yours, ZIM!"

"Wha-?" ZIM was caught off guard. The next thing he knew something collided with his left eye and he fell back to the ground. "Ugghh." He moaned in pain holding his stinging face.

"Shit!" He heard the coach run over to him and several other team mates. "Okay, you in the outfield, bad idea."

Later That Day

"How did you get that?" Purple asked as soon as ZIM sat in the passenger seat of his car. Purple picked him up when baseball practice was done and ZIM now had a black and blue eye from where he got hit in the face earlier during the practice.

"Don't want to talk about it." ZIM muttered. He looked out the window so Purple wouldn't see it anymore.

"Let me look at it."

"No."

"Why not?"

"'Cuz."

"That doesn't answer my question." Purple took ZIM's face in his hands and turned it toward him. "Owies. My poor smeet! What did they do to you?" Purple exclaimed in a motherly tone.

"Just take me home! I have a headache!" ZIM pulled away from the older Irken's grasp.

"Wow, someone is cranky."

"Leave me alone!" ZIM's voice cracked.

"Did I say cranky? I meant emotional." Purple said. "ZIM, why are you crying?"

"I don't k-know. Johnson gave me some- prescription drugs to ease the pain … crap I wasn't supposed to tell you that." ZIM said calming himself down. "I think it's just a side effect." Purple quirked brow as ZIM's mood changed from sorrow and self-pity to neutral.

"Whatever." Purple drove through down town Silver Lake and past many shops. "I kinda wanna stop at Summer Strip Mall before we go home first okay?"

"Why? That place is for tourists." ZIM said.

"Um. Hello? I need Summer Strip Mall stuff. Err durr!" Purple said. ZIM rolled his eyes. Minutes later the two pulled into a small strip mall on a dock that runs along a lakes water edge. "I just need to get some surfboard wax for your brother and sunglasses for me since some how my other ones miraculously disappeared by themselves." Purple said eyeing ZIM accusingly.

"It wasn't me!" ZIM defended. Purple gave ZIM a hard look then chuckled.

"You look so stupid with your black eye." ZIM huffed and opened up the car door. He trotted to keep up with Purple when something caught his eye. He looked to his right and saw a small puppy cowering near a trash bin, shaking uncontrollably. ZIM watched as Purple entered the store. ZIM stayed out to get a closer look at the dog. The little Irken made his way to the trash can and bent down to the puppy's face. ZIM reached a hand out and let the little dog sniff his hand before petting it's head.

"Hey, you. What are you doing out here by yourself?" ZIM asked in a really dorky tone. "What are you?" ZIM evaluated the dog for a moment. It's fur was purest of whites and very, very thick. "A Samoyed? Yeah, you look like a Samoyed. Origin; west Serbia and Northwest Russia. Known for herding reindeer and pulling sleds." ZIM said as if he were filming a wild life documentary. He usually only did that when people were around to appreciate his ability to classify animals. The puppy whimpered a little and limped out from by the trash bin to get closer to ZIM. "Doh! You're so cute!" ZIM said happily. The Irken looked around to see whose dog it could be. No one was around. "Abandoned, Eh? No tags. Nothing. That's a shame. Maybe …" ZIM picked up the Samoyed in his arms holding him gently. ZIM and his new friend waited outside the door of the shop Purple went in for him to come out again. He waited for another minute before the older Irken stepped out of the store holding a single bag. He looked at ZIM and then the creature in ZIM's arms. ZIM smiled up cutely at the man.

"Aw, hell no!" ZIM's smile deflated. "Put it back where you found it." Purple said thickly.

"C'mon Pur!"

"No."

"But-"

"No!"

"I-"

"No!" ZIM sighed.

"I really didn't want to have to use this." Purple cocked a brow at the younger.

"What are you- oh gosh!" Purple shielded his eyes away from ZIM and the puppy's adorable faces. ZIM widened his eyes, or tried to with his semi-swollen black left eye, and stuck his bottom lip out slightly and made it quiver a bit making a perfect pouty face. "Zeiden, stop!" Purple said. ZIM didn't back down.

"Pweeaassseee, Purry? For da widdle poopie?" ZIM held up the dog to Purple's face. The little puppy's tongue was sticking out slightly and it's eyes were wide like ZIM's. The puppy licked Purple in between the eyes. The older Irken groaned.

"It's up to your brother."

"You are my brother."

"You're other brother."

"You are my other brother."

"You're biological brother, Zeiden! Gosh. Fine just get in the truck." ZIM smiled triumphantly. One brother down, one to go.

Later

"But I gotta keep him! I named him Tyson!" ZIM exclaimed. Red rubbed his temples.

"ZIM, remember when you had your pet wallaroo?"

"Joey roo. And this is different! It's a dog!"

"Yes. But Purple doesn't like dogs."

"So?"

"So we shouldn't torment him by-"

"You get a say in the matter you know." ZIM interrupted.

"Huh. Cuz my opinion doesn't matter." Purple huffed.

"C'mon, Red! It's not like my kangaroo. It's totally different. It's like a dog."

"I know it's a dog but-" Red was cut off.

"I wanna pet."

"I'm aware. But I really need to know if-"

"I wanna pet."

"Yes, ZIM, you said that. But I want to know if you'll-"

"I really wanna pet!"

"Zeiden! You can keep the dog just take care of it!" Red blurted out before his little brother interrupted again.

"But Red, this dog needs me! It can't live out on the streets! It'll die- wait you said I could keep him?" Red nodded slowly. "Uh. Thanks." ZIM stood up from sitting on the couch and hugged Red with Tyson in his arms.

"Yeah, welcome. Now tell me, where'd you get the shiner?" Red touched ZIM's eye gently.

"Heh. Outfield." Was all ZIM mumbled. The youngster turned on his heals and set the dog down. ZIM trotted up the stairs with the tiny white puppy on his heals.

June 15, 1996

8:30 AM

"Anything new happen while I was gone?" ZIM shook his head but realized Tak couldn't see him when he did that over the phone.

"No. Except, I gotta doggie. His name is Tyson."

"Aww. What kind?"

"Samoyed. You know. Those big white dogs."

"Never heard of a Samoyed. But nice. Can't wait to see him when we visit again."

"I'm sure he's excited to meet you too, right Ty?" The little dog yipped at the mention if his name. Tak giggled.

"Well, I'll see you next month, Zimmy. Love you, bye now."

"Bye." ZIM hung up the Imp.05 and laid back in his comfy bed with his dog curled up by his side. "She's crazy." ZIM put a hand on the dog's soft head and stroked his ears. Someone opened his bedroom door and Zee's head popped in.

"You ready for your last game?" Zee asked. ZIM frowned.

"No." Zee huffed and entered fully making her way over to ZIM's drawers. She pulled out a pair of white, long, boot cut baseball pants with a black belt around the waist and a short sleeve, red with black lettering jersey. The sleeves were black like the letters then the body of the jersey was red. On the front the number five was on the chest over the left breast along with the team name. On the back the number five was directly in the center with the name 'MACALE' above the number. Zee threw these articles to ZIM and then went to his closet and grabbed his black and white Nike cleats with metal prongs at the bottom.

"Get dressed, ZIM. We're leaving in a couple minutes." ZIM hopped out of bed and dressed himself properly for the upcoming game. Tournament actually. If his team wins the first game then he's gonna have to play another one against another team. And if they win that one then they would win the local championship and select one player from each local championship team around the county and travel all around Michigan to compete against other counties. ZIM was almost positive that if they won they'd pick him to be on the all-star county team. Once clothed in his uniform ZIM wrapped his wrists with black sweat bands and grabbed his pitchers glove and batting gloves. He trotted downstairs, Tyson following closely behind. Red and Leslie were talking in the kitchen whereas Purple and Tenn were arguing and Zee was trying to keep the peace.

"Hey, Squirt." Red said noticing ZIM. "Big day, Eh? You get any sleep last night?" ZIM nodded.

"Only five hours. But I'll be fine." Purple cocked a brow.

"Boi ya need tah sleep moar! Not good only gettin' five hours of sleep, ya know?"

"Pur, you sound like white trash when you talk that way." Tenn said. Purple shot her a glare.

"You would know."

"Shut up you two." Zee groaned rubbing the sides of her head.

"She started it." Purple said.

"Grow up." Tenn said.

"Just get in the vehicles guys." Red butted in. He set a hand on ZIM's shoulder. "C'mon mate. Lets go." ZIM smiled up at him as he smiled back down.

"Tyson, come." The little dog barked and followed ZIM to Red's truck. Leslie put her arms around Red's neck and kissed him.

"I gotta pick up Gaz from my mom's and we'll head to ZIM's game right after." Leslie kissed Red's lips and walked to her car. "See ya in a bit, babe." Red waved at her as she pulled out of the drive way. Red opened the door to his truck and saw ZIM sitting on Purple's lap and Tyson strapped in the middle seat. Red scoffed.

"Cute."

Baseball Diamond

11:25 AM

ZIM wiped the sweat off his brow. The sun beat down harshly overhead. He adjusted his team hat and wound up for another pitch. Once the ball was released ZIM stumbled a bit. "Strike!" The umpire called.

ZIM sighed and closed his eyes. He forgot to take his medication that morning and was feeling nauseous and dizzy. The little Irken was also getting tremendously painful muscle cramps. He caught the ball the catcher, Tyler, threw back at him. ZIM wiped another droplet of sweat off his forehead. When Irkens sweat, it usually isn't a good sign because they're bodies don't normally sweat unless the Irken was feeling sickly.

ZIM glanced toward the stands and saw Red staring at him closely. He must know ZIM isn't feeling too well.

"One out! Runner on third! Plays at home!" ZIM shouted to his team mates. ZIM immediately regretted shouting so loud. His head was pounding and the sun and sweat was making him uncomfortable. They won the first game and if they won this next game they'd be the local champions. ZIM stood at his regular pitching stance and wound up for another screwball to the batters strike zone. The motion of firing the pitch made ZIM wobble and fall to his hands and knees. He realized he was on the ground and quickly stood up. But a little too quickly. As soon as ZIM stood his head felt immense vertigo and his vision went white. He swayed a bit before falling back to the ground again. This time flat on his left side.

"Time! Time out!" The umpire shouted. ZIM soon regained consciousness and cracked his eyes open. His vision was blurry and the world was spinning. He turned and laid on his back for more comfort. He put his hands to his eyes.

"Ugh. I'm fine! I'm fine!" ZIM tried sitting up but collapsed back down. "Nnnnh." ZIM moaned, bending his legs up and covered his face with his hands again. It felt like there was a gerbil in his head eating his eyes and his brains away. He could feel himself start to shake vigorously. ZIM ripped his hands away from his eyes and cried out in pain. "Red!" Tears swept down ZIM's cheeks.

"ZIM! ZIM, what's wrong?" Coach Johnson asked concerned. ZIM shook hard and made a humming noise his mouth slightly agape with drool dripping from the corners of his mouth. "Red! I need ya out here!" The coach shouted to the stands. Red was already making his way over to the pitching mound with Zee. ZIM suddenly lashed out and struck the coaches cheek on accident. "Oof." Johnson grunted. He told ZIM's team mates to stand back as he grabbed ZIM by his arms.

"Don't restrain him." Red said calmly. "He's having a seizure." Zee studied her brother. She looked at the symptoms then a look of horror crossed her features.

"No. It's not a seizure, it's a heat stroke. We need an ambulance here, stat." Zee looked at the coach. Johnson nodded and pulled out his cellphone and dialed 9-1-1 then spoke to the emergency operator. "It's alright, Zei. You'll be okay." ZIM opened his eyes and instead of seeing his sister he saw a tall man in a trench coat grabbing at him. Obviously he was having bad hallucinations.

"No! Get away from me!" ZIM cried. Zee was taken aback.

"What? Zeiden, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you." ZIM's visions got worse as he saw not only just a man in a trench coat but several wasps and snakes, something he absolutely abhorred, on his body as well.

"Get 'em off me!" ZIM thrashed widely trying to rid his body of the apparent vermin. ZIM turned himself and flopped belly down to the gravel dirt pitching mound. He started clawing a the dirt ground and whimpered.

"We got to get him out of the sunlight." Zee instructed. Red nodded and picked ZIM up bridal style and carried him off the field and under a nearby shady tree. Zee crouched down and started to strip ZIM down to nothing but just his boxer shorts. "I need water and icepacks." A crowd started to gather around the sick Irken. "Someone!" A few parents ran to get her what she needed. Red sighed glad he had a sister in the medical profession. Finally Zee had received four icepacks and several bottles of ice water. The oldest Macale sister put two ice packs under each of ZIM's armpits then another one over his groin and one over his forehead. Red poured water onto ZIM as the little Irken shuddered and vomited water he drank earlier. In the distance sirens could be heard.

"You're okay, Z." Red said caressing ZIM's moist cheeks. "You'll be fine."

The Next Day

"Consider yourself lucky, kid. Strokes can be life threatening. It puts some people in a strange mental state if they survive." Purple said to ZIM who was on bed rest. Red just brought ZIM home from the hospital after an overnight stay. ZIM cuddled in his blue and orange blankets, sore from everything that has happened.

"Uhhh." ZIM moaned. "Irkens are tougher than humans."

"I know. But you still got to take it easy for the next few days." Purple sat down on the edge of ZIM's bed and smiled broadly at the boy. Purple had his hands behind his back.

"What do ya got?" ZIM asked curiously sitting up in his bed. Purple's smile got even wider when he pulled out a metal, a small trophy, and a two certificates from behind his back. ZIM's eyes widened.

"We won? How'd they win when I wasn't there to pitcher the last half of the second game?"

"Eric pitched for you. Damn does he stink. No wonder the coach never played him. But it was a good thing you guys were 5-1 before you had your spell. After Eric was done it was 9-7." Purple put the metal over ZIM's head and handed him the trophy of a golden boy hitting a ball with a bat.

"What are those?" ZIM asked eyeing the pieces of laminated paper.

"Your 'Most Valuable Player' certificate and your 'Certificate of Adoration and Achievement'." ZIM beamed.

"Well, of course I'm the MVP! But what about the player that would move on to the county's team? Was it me?" Purple's smile faded and looked at the bed sheets not meeting ZIM's eyes. "I'm sorry, ZIM."

"What? I don't understand. I played my best! Why didn't the coach or judges recommend me for the all-star county team?" ZIM asked loudly.

"I never said you didn't make it! I was gonna say, 'I'm sorry to tell you this but you're gonna be playing baseball throughout the summer because you made the all-stars team'. But certain people like to jump to conclusions!" Purple said, jokingly. ZIM stared at him for awhile before jumping up on his bed and squealing, attacking the older Irken. "Gah! Gee, ZIM! I had nothing to do with it! Why are you hugging me?" ZIM let go.

"'Cuz … more baseball." ZIM said cutely. Purple nodded and sighed.

"Yeah, more baseball."

June 19, 1996

"I'm so glad everything worked out alright." A Irken female said. Her bright sapphire eyes sparkled as ZIM and her looked off into the sunset on and pier on one of Irk's oceans.

"I am too, Mer." ZIM said facing her. They smiled at each other and leaned in closer. And closer still. ZIM and Mer's lips met. She opened her mouth as did he and let her press her lips fully onto his in a very passionate kiss. Both closed their eyes savoring the others flavor. ZIM wrapped his arms around her waist as her's went up to rub his chest and face. ZIM was glad he could reach Mer's lips unlike the other girls he kissed. She was practically the same height as him. Mer pulled away first then she spoke these words;

"Why don't we go home, Levi?" ZIM smiled and kissed her again.

"Cut, that's a wrap!" The director shouted cheerfully. ZIM sighed with relief glad that scene was over as well as the movie. ZIM originally was gonna have a small role but the original star got fired so they put ZIM on the spot and asked him if he'd do it. If he didn't the movie would be cancelled. ZIM had no choice then. He agreed to do the lead role.

The cast and crew shouted and cheered with glee. The girl who played Mer hugged ZIM. "It's been great working with you, ZIM."

"You too, Tress." ZIM said. He saw Tak behind the director glaring at him. He warned her about that scene. She didn't like it … one bit. Tak walked over to ZIM and hugged him tighter than what his co-star, Tress, did.

"Lets go home." She said. ZIM nodded and pulled his transporter out from one of his bags. "Lock in the coordinates. I gotta change." ZIM walked to his dressing room and quickly changed back into his street clothes. When he left the room Skoodge stopped him.

"Yo! I'm going home with you and staying the night. My dad will be busy tonight." Skoodge said. His dad was the producer for the film they both just starred in.

"'Kay, dude. But you're sleeping on the couch." Skoodge frowned.

"Why? Your little girly-friend sleeping with you tonight?" Skoodge asked looking at Tak who just gave him a cocky grin in return.

"No! Because last time you slept in the same bed as me my brother was almost convinced I was gay!"

"Did you tell him you just didn't want to make your guests sleep on the floor?"

"Yes! I came up with every damn excuse I could think of to get me outta that dumb assumption my bro made." Tak chuckled.

"Alright, guys. Let's just go now, 'Kay?" Tak butted in. ZIM locked in the transporter's code and beamed them to earth. Once back to earth three made their way to the roof's edge and jumped down to the bed of ZIM's brother's pick up truck. Discovering that ZIM could not fix the transporter in order for it to land them on the ground, they've grown used to the fact that they had to jump off the roof of ZIM's home.

"Wait. So your brother probably thinks I'm gay too." Skoodge said. "After all, when he walked in on us to wake us up I was kinda snuggling against you in your sleep." He admitted. ZIM looked at the chubby Irken with disgust.

"You what?" ZIM asked, switching the language back to English. Skoodge needed to get used to that fact that they spoke English when on earth.

"Nothing!" Skoodge said hastily. Tak burst into laughter as ZIM shot Skoodge a death glare.

"Know what? You can sleep on the streets tonight." ZIM mumbled opening the front door. The three walked to the living room. And saw Gaz playing a video game against Purple. Purple loosing and about to quit looked up at ZIM and his company.

"Hey! It's ZIM's gay friend!"

"I'm not gay!" Skoodge defended. Purple brushed him off. "My Irk. What's wrong with you guys?" Gaz and Purple just cackled.

"Ignore them. They feed off of other people's distress- Oof!" ZIM tripped over something soft and fuzzy and fell to the ground making Gaz and Purple laugh harder. Tyson got up from his laying position to see if his master was alright by licking his face numerous times. "You wretched ami-nal!" ZIM shouted and tackled the small dog. "You is so naughty! Why you trip me?" The puppy barked playfully and pawed at ZIM's chest. ZIM picked up the dog and snuggled it close making cooing noises. "My pooopie! Mine! My poopie, not yours! Hims my puppy-snuggle-doggie and he is mine! Puppy!" ZIM exclaimed hugging the puppy close. ZIM started to sniff and buried his face into the dogs snow white fur. "I'm sorry guys, I-I cry at cute things sometimes."

"Oh ZIM, you're so sensitive." Purple said with a chuckle.

"I know!" ZIM squealed into the puppy's fur. The little Samoyed barked and licked ZIM's head again. ZIM sat on the couch next to Gaz and watched the game. Skoodge and Tak sat around him as well. Red and Leslie descended from upstairs.

"Hey you're home! And you brought your gay friend too!" Red exclaimed.

"Okay!" Skoodge shouted getting up from the couch. He grabbed Tyson from ZIM's arms along with a cordless telephone from the stand next to the couch. "I'm leaving! And I'm taking these with me!" Skoodge said dramatically and walked towards the front door. ZIM rolled his eyes and slouched back down on the couch.

"He'll be back in a minute."

June 21, 1996

"Run! Run! Run! Run! Faster! Don't quit on me! C'mon boys! You're on the all stars now!" ZIM cringed as the coach for the Oceana county, Sandstorms continued to shout at them as they ran around the bases over and over again. "Come on boys! You only ran around the bases three times! You still have two more!" ZIM effortlessly ran the bases still not winded whereas his human colleagues seemed like they were about to pass out at any given moment. ZIM frowned as he past a particularly tired boy.

"C'mon, Derek. Don't think about how tired you are." ZIM said. "We're almost done." Derek didn't answer wanting to save the much needed breath for the last two laps. ZIM soon found himself in the lead and even lapped the group of boys. This impressed the couch. "Lets go, mate." ZIM said to another player. By the time ZIM was done with his five laps the other team mates still had one more to go. ZIM stopped in front of his coach.

"Macale! 'Mere, I wanna talk to you." ZIM looked at his coach.

"Yes, Coach Jay?"

"Are you tired?" ZIM shook his head. Coach Jay pointed out a chubby boy lagging behind the group of boys. "He still has three laps left. Go jog with him so he's not alone." ZIM smiled and nodded.

"Yes, sir." ZIM said enthusiastically. ZIM ran out to the chunky boy he knew as, Jake. "Hey, buddy! How you doing?" ZIM asked cheerfully running along side of Jake. Jake wheezed in reply. "You're doing great! Three more laps!" ZIM continued his encouragement. Tears started to slip down Jake's face.

"I … can't!" The boy slowed to a halt and fell to his knees in defeat. "I-I … I'm too … fat, man." The boy sighed. "I can't … do this!" ZIM stood by him.

"Don't say that." ZIM said noticing the other boys were done and waiting for Jake to finish. "If you couldn't do this they would have never of asked you to be on the all stars! Get on your feet, boy!" ZIM grabbed Jake's arm and heaved him up. "I'm not going on without you. Lets go." ZIM ran slowly to stay at Jake's side as the boy panted and wheezed. "We're almost done! One more lap." The boys from the sidelines started to encourage Jake.

"Lets go, Jake!"

"Yeah buddy!"

"Way to be, bro!" This seemed to fuel Jake. He started to run faster.

"Finish strong!" ZIM called to him. Jake ran even faster until he was full out sprinting to home plate. "That a boooi!" Jake stepped across the plate and raised his arms victoriously. The other boys clapped and cheered for him giving high fives and all sorts of encouragement.

"Macale!" Coach Jay shouted. ZIM snapped his head to the direction of his coach.

"Yes sir?" The coach put a brawny hand on ZIM's fragile shoulder. The big man bent down to ZIM's eye level with a proud look in his eyes.

"I'm proud of you." He said with a twinkle in his eyes. "You remind me of my son." ZIM smiled. Jay's teenage son died last year in a car accident; so ZIM, by the way he acted, reminded Jay of his son probably was an honor. "We've had three practices now and now I've decided who should be cut from the team." ZIM nodded. "The very first person I thought I should cut from the team was a young man with lots of encouragement and great attitude and terrific skills." ZIM cocked a brow.

"If he has so much skill why are you cutting him?" The coach held up a hand.

"Zeiden, you're that young man." ZIM heart skipped a beat.

"Wh-what? Why? What did I do? Whatever it was I can change it! I swear! I'll change! Please don't cut me!" ZIM said. "I'll play harder than I already have! Give me another chance!" Jay covered ZIM's mouth with his hand.

"Shh. Child, the reason why I cut you from the team was because you're too good to be playing minor league baseball."

"So? That doesn't mean you should cut me because I'm too good." ZIM said. He felt like he was going to cry … or punch the coach.

"Please, Zeiden, let me finish." ZIM quieted. "ZIM, I recommended you for the junior major league west Michigan team." ZIM's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

"You … did that?" The coach nodded. ZIM sat for a moment in silence then out of no where he squealed loudly catching the attention of the other players. ZIM jumped up and down and crushed Jay in a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! I love you! Oh my Irk! You're the best!" ZIM released Jay then turned to his team mates and tackled the first player he saw in a hug. "He recommended me! Ahahahahaha!" ZIM started to run off in all sorts of directions while shouting things like, 'Me!' and 'I love people!' making the other boys laugh at his antics until Jay finally grabbed the hyped Irken and held him up in the air, chuckling.

"I'm glad you're happy, Zimmy. But I need to talk to you seriously for a moment." ZIM tilted his head up to look at the coach who was holding him. "You're small. The boys that will be on the team are bigger, stronger and older. You must know your place on that team. You can't act as if you're the best player. You can't act as if you're never wrong. You need to learn how to except criticism. And most of all, don't bad mouth anyone from other teams. That will give you and immediate expulsion from any game. Your old coach said you had a problem with lipping off at other players." ZIM nodded. "Also, I highly recommend you hire a personal trainer to help you get started." The coach set ZIM back down on the ground. "Here a some forms you need to fill out. Recommendations for trainers. Dates of try outs and practices. Places you need to go and a whole bunch of additional information you'll need to know." Jay pulled a thick note packet out of his messenger bag and handed them to the small Irken.

"Thank you, coach. I really appreciate it." ZIM said calmly. Jay smiled and whispered.

"You know. I think you're good enough to skip the west Michigan junior major league team and go straight on for Michigan team where you play against other states." ZIM beamed.

"Or maybe even the MLB!" Jay looked at ZIM unsure of how to respond to that. "... Or what you said. That's what I'll aim for coach!" ZIM chirped. ZIM noticed Red's truck waiting for him in the parking lot near the diamond. "I'll see ya coach. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm totally gonna trick my brother into thinking I got cut from the team." Jay chuckled.

"Take care boy!" ZIM waved and trudged to Red his head hung low.

"How'd it go, bud?" Red asked nonchalantly. ZIM looked up at him with big sorrowful eyes.

"I-I … was cut from the team." ZIM gulped sliding into the truck.

"What? Why?" Red asked. ZIM started to fake sob.

"I-I was playing too good." Red cocked a brow.

"What? That doesn't even make any sense! I'm gonna go talk to that man!" Red said about to get out of the truck.

"No, Red! That'll just make it worse!"

"I don't care! I'm gonna talk to him. Maybe I'll get ya back on the team." ZIM gulped.

"I don't want to be on that team!" Red stopped and looked back at ZIM.

"Why not?" ZIM smiled hugely at Red. This confused the older Irken to no end. Why was ZIM smiling when he just got cut from the team of his most favorite sport?

"I was recommended for the west Michigan junior major league baseball team!" Red's jaw dropped.

"Shut up!" ZIM smiled and shrugged. Red playfully punched ZIM's arm. "No way!"

"Way!" Red laughed.

"My lil smeet is a pro at baseball! I personally would of thought you'd be better at footy or cricket."

"Cricket is boring. I still kinda wanna play footy. But baseball is my main priority right now! … And I need a personal trainer."

"What for?"

"Um, junior major league baseball only excepts people with lots of skills and talent. I need more." ZIM said browsing through the papers. "Mark Heckle, Jessica Merda, Philip Lee, Tommy Cack, or Sam Coi." ZIM pulled out his Imp. "I'm calling one right now." Red looked at him.

"Why now?"

"Why not? We need to start as soon as possible. The first meet for my new team starts on July 1." ZIM dialed a number into his phone. He was starting from the bottom of the list. "I wonder why they have a girl as a personal baseball trainer. Shouldn't this Jessica Merda character be doing softball?"

"Hello?" A feminine voice finally answered on the other end.

"Hi, is Sam Coi available?" ZIM asked.

"This is her." ZIM was taken back. He thought Sam was going to be a guy.

'Samantha not Samuel ... this is embarrassing.' ZIM thought to himself. "Oh. Um," Not wanting to be rude, ZIM continued to talk to her. "I hear you're a baseball trainer, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do you think you'll be able to be my personal trainer? My name is Zeiden Macale and I was just-"

"Hold up! Did you say Zeiden Macale?"

"Yes."

"I've heard of you! You're famous on Irk for singing and modeling. I'll be happy to be your trainer!" The woman exclaimed. "What days are you open?"

"Uh, Saturdays between the times 11 AM to 9 PM and Tuesdays through Thursdays anytime." He heard the lady scribble something down on the other end.

"Let's start our first meet tomorrow, Saturday at 11 and go till 1 at Shelby High School baseball diamond. Sound good?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Perfect! We'll talk about payment later! Can't wait to meet you Mister Macale. See you tomorrow."

"Same here. Ciao." ZIM hung up. After a moment of silence. ZIM turned to Red "She already knows me apparently."

"That's odd. Usually humans don't keep up on Irken news. They have their own problems here." Red said.

"Maybe that lady is one of those social butterflies who constantly needs to be updated on news everywhere."

"Or she really like Irk."

"That could be it too." ZIM said.

"So your personal trainer is a woman." Red said.

"Yeah, Samantha." ZIM stressed. "If it don't work out then I'll get someone else."

"Doesn't," Red corrected. "Well either way, Zeiden Macale Junior, you got on the West Michigan junior major league baseball team! What are you going to do now?" Red asked like an announcer.

"I'm going to Disn- actually I'm probably gonna bust my butt to make sure I stay on the team."

"Good idea." A tint of blueish-greenish-red on ZIM's leg caught Red's attention. "Are you bleeding?" ZIM looked down at his calves.

"Where?"

"Your left leg."

"Oh. I slid into second, again, no sliding shorts. It was totally rigorous." Red smirked at ZIM using the word 'rigor' again.

"Oh ZIM. What am I going to do with you?" ZIM shrugged.

"I dunno! I silly boy!"

"Yes you is." Red patted ZIM's head.

Next Day

June 22, 1996

"It's nice to meet you, ZIM." Sam Coi shook ZIM's hand.

"Feelings mutual." The lady smiled at ZIM. They were meeting at Shelby High School's auxiliary gym then they'd move to the diamonds. At first glance ZIM saw that Miss. Coi was beautiful young woman with a deep burgundy hair color cut semi-short and a medium skin color with bright vibrant brown eyes. Sam was as pretty as Leslie, ZIM thought. She played for the Florida Gators softball team and coached baseball and softball. She was like a woman baseball revolution leader.

"Well lets get straight down to business. To warm up I want you to run around the gym twice then stretch then run again three more times." ZIM saluted her.

"Oui madam! I shall run! Then stop! Then stretch! Then run again! But only for you baby-cakes!" ZIM said darting off to do his task. Sam laughed at his excitement.

"You got chutzpah, kid!" Sam called to ZIM who was already half way around the gym.

"Chutzpah: originated from the Yiddish language. I know this 'cuz I speak a little Yiddish. Anyway! Definition: Shameless audacity! Audacity: the willingness to take bold risks! What I'm trying to say is, you know me pretty well already." ZIM shouted as he ran. Sam chuckled again.

"I can tell I'm going to have fun training with you, Zeiden."

"You better! If you don't then I'll have to try harder." ZIM finished his laps then slowly stretched out his muscles.

"How you feeling, ZIM?"

"Great! I feel like I could run another mile … or ten! Do you know what steroids feel like? I feel like I'm on them." ZIM said bouncing. Sam grinned.

"Very enthusiastic, aren't we?" In response ZIM raised his fists into the air and said very calmly.

"Yes, I am." ZIM took off again running around the gym three more times. "Actually the real reason why I'm so hyped is because I forgot to take my adderall." Sam cocked a brow.

"You have ADHD?" ZIM shook his head.

"Not necessarily but I do have a hyper active disorder that doesn't mess with my attention at all! The doctor just told me … hey there is a basketball stuck up in the rafters … anyway, the doctor told me to take them so I can be normal! I'll be like this for awhile! But in an hour or two I'll probably crash! Once I fell asleep during a baseball game this past season from not taking my medications! It was when I was batting too." ZIM shouted running around the gym faster and faster. He started to run directly toward one of the walls.

"Wow. Sounds like you have a lot of energy without taking your pills!"

"I do! I still have energy even if I take my meds but I just don't show it!" ZIM ran faster to the wall.

"I see. Energy all around and- ZIM watch out!" Sam shouted. ZIM smirked and ran up the wall and flipped off it doing his ever so rare and famous backwards wall flip. He landed like a cat on the ground. "Oh my God, kid!" Sam exclaimed clutching her chest. ZIM smiled and ran back to her.

"Sorry, my brother doesn't let me do that so the only chance I get to do it is when he's not around." Sam huffed.

"Well I can understand why he doesn't let you do that! Geez, you scared me." Sam said.

"I'm pretty much a pro at everything I do … 'cuz I'm rigorous and stuff … pretty much … So what are we doing now?" Sam put a hand on his shoulder.

"We just met. So first off we are going to just play catch and talk to one another. And since we're gonna be working together for awhile, this will be a good opportunity to get to know each other better."

"Oker-dokes." ZIM grabbed his black Easton pitching glove. Sam threw the ball to ZIM and as he caught he asked her, "How long have you been a personal trainer and how many clients do you currently have?"

"I've been a personal trainer for three years and currently I have one client and that is you. But that's okay because that means I'll have more time to work with you." Sam said. "I see you're a lefty." She noticed when ZIM threw the ball at her with his left hand.

"I'm ambidextrous. I prefer my left over my right though."

"Are you really? Great in a way. But that means we're going to have to train you using both of your arms and when you're batting just in case you want to change during a game because you're sore or something." ZIM nodded in agreement with her. "Have any brothers or sisters?"

"Two older brothers. One isn't related to me, he's actually my biological brother's assistant scientist but we treat him like he's our brother. My oldest brother is Red, he's also my legal guardian. He raised me since the day I was born. Peder, we call him Purple, is my non-related brother, Zee is my oldest sister and Tenn is half a year younger than her and my other older sister. I'm the youngest." Sam nodded understanding.

"And where were you born? You have a … peculiar accent." She asked. Darn it. He could of sworn he did a nice job hiding his accent.

"Darwin, Australia." He said letting his accent take over. This shocked Sam.

"I thought so. I thought your accent was fading but-."

"I was hiding it from you."

"Are you embarrassed of it?"

"Not really. It just annoys me when people say, 'Oh my gosh! You have the cutest accent! Let me pinch your cheeks'!" ZIM exclaimed. "Of course it's not as bad as Purple. He was born in Montreal and has the dumbest Canadian accent." ZIM said. "You should meet him! He's a tard but I think you'll like him! In fact. I think he's picking me up when training is done." Sam laughed.

"He single?"

"Yeah, but he's smooth with the ladies and yet he don't gots a girly-friend!"

"He sounds nice. How much older are your siblings than you?"

"They're all at least a decade older. In fact, Red is almost exactly two decades older than me." Sam's eyes widened.

"Wow! That's crazy!"

"I kuh-no! I don't like being so young! It makes me feel … young."

"One more question before we move on."

"Shoot."

"I want to know what makes you tick and what makes you happy."

"Why?"

"Useless bits of knowledge is significant for me to learn more about you."

"Okay," ZIM said. "Well, things that make me tick are people hugging me without my consent, Olive Oyl, golf, when I attempt to play tennis and people say, 'ZIM! That's a tennis racket! Not a baseball bat!'-"

"-Olive Oyl?" ZIM shuddered.

"Well, she's ugly and her voice annoys me. I hate how everyone is fighting over her constantly. You wanna see a real cartoon babe, Miss. Boop is your girl."

"You have a crush on Betty Boop?" ZIM scoffed.

"Huh! Who doesn't?" ZIM said before continuing. "Human toddlers annoy me, the fact that volleyballs are white, I think they should be grey, and something that really bothers me is Ken … you know? Barbie's boyfriend? Like, what does he got that I don't?" Sam burst into laughter. "For the things that make me happy are, shiny things, sparkles, doing and styling girl's hair, puppies, baseball, singing and dancing, koalas, and pretty women. That reminds me! I have to make a move on you!"

"What?" Sam asked through her laughter. ZIM made her bend down to his level. He put an arm around her shoulder and stared into her eyes.

"Hey baby, hows about you and I gets tah know each udder a bit bettah, Eh?" ZIM said with a wink. Sam laughed harder. "What? That pickup line didn't work for you? How 'bout this one? Polar Bear ... huh, I just wanted to break the ice. Hahaha! That one sucked." Sam didn't know how to react with a child hitting on her but she found it both amusing and pathetic at the same time.

"Sorry, Sweetheart, but you're twenty-two years younger than me." ZIM pouted which made Sam coo. "Aww. Don't feel bad. How 'bout we get started now and get your mind off of me." ZIM sighed, rolling his eyes.

"I guess!" He said exasperatedly. ZIM thought for a moment. "One last try." He told her. "I would die a million deaths just for you!" He said dramatically. Sam raised a brow.

"How about a million and one?"

"I wouldn't go that far." Zim said shaking his head. "Okay, let's just get started."

"Good. Now get a helmet on. We're starting with the batting cage."

Two Hours Later

"Hey, Z. How'd it go?" Purple asked ZIM entering the gym. ZIM looked up at him with a happy smile. Sam was holding on to his foot pushing it forward, stretching his thighs that had gotten tight from all the practice. He sat up from his laying position.

"Great! This is Samantha Coi, my trainer!" ZIM pointed to Sam. She waved at Purple. Purple smiled big.

"Well, hello Miss. Coi." He said, winking at her. ZIM rolled his eyes,

"No use, Pur. I already tried to put a move on her. If she won't take me, there's no way she would take you." Purple shot ZIM a glare and slapped him upside the head making him yelp in pain.

"Sorry about him. We understand that he can be very annoying." Purple apologized. ZIM crossed his arms.

"Our whole race is annoying! We are Irkens, afterall!"

"Oh. He ain't so bad." Sam said.

"Yeah! In the last couple hours Sam and I have developed a beautiful life-long friendship that will soon evolve into more than friendship then we will end up getting married, having eight kids named, Do, Re, Me, Fa, Sol, La, Te, and Chuck, and moving to New Hampshire for no reason whatsoever! The best part is she's gonna be the one working and I'm gonna be the stay at home dad!" Sam and Purple stared at him for a long moment.

"... Um, yes to the first part but the second part wasn't as accurate." Sam said. Purple gave her a sly smile. She smiled back lost in his hypnotic violet eyes. She caught herself and cleared her throat. "Well then. I have to get home and get ready for work." Purple nodded.

"You have fun at work then." He said. He bent down and picked up ZIM and rested the tiny Irken on his hip. "Lets go little, hyper active, man!"

"Oker-dokes." ZIM said as Purple carried him out of the gym.

"Damn, she's hot." Purple muttered. ZIM glared at him.

"Okay when I put a move on her she rejects me! When you do she be all like, 'Oh my gosh! He be soooooooo hot!' Gah! I hate you."

"Hey you have, Tak." ZIM smacked Purple on his shoulder. The purple-eyed Irken smiled at this and dropped the youngster. ZIM landed on his butt and got up to chase Purple all the way to the parking lot.

Three Days Later

"But I saw a ... Whoa! Where am I? What happened to my fiiiinnnger! It's not where it should be!" Red snickered at ZIM who was currently confined to a hospital bed.

"Your finger is fine, Z. It's your head and arm you need to worry about."

"What's wrong wiv my bed?" ZIM slurred.

"No, ZIM, your head."

"Oh … I do like- … did you say bread?"

"Head!" Purple laughed. "My goodness. I think the doctors gave you enough anesthesia to last you a year."

"Orphans? I kinda wish I felt bad for dem. All homelesssss. Ahahahahahaa!" ZIM wiggled on the bed as he laughed insanely. "What the fff- huh? Ahaha! Who told you I was a homozygous? Andy! Was it Andy Dirks? That bastard can't keep his mouth shut." ZIM grumbled looking at Red who laughed in response. "Where is da margarine? I-I wanted to paint a butt-erfly! Butter-fry. Flutter by- Oh! Get it? Margarine? Butterfly! That's funny. Nyeah! Hahahah! Ooooh myyyy, myyyy, myyyyyyy! Ahahahah! Eh, yeah. It's funny 'cuz I'm making it funny." Red and Purple laughed with ZIM. Both were secretly glad that ZIM got hurt during his meeting with Sam again. Part of his conditioning warm up, Sam had him dive back to first arms and head first. Unfortunately he landed funny on his left arm. He also managed to smack his head pretty hard on the home plate. Good thing his arm was only dislocated. The doctors still put him on anesthetics to dull the pain and as they pushed the bone back into place.

"Hey ZIM, how ya feeling now?" Purple asked.

"Like whooooa! Oh my gaaa-sh! Hahaha! Yeahahah! Hhh. I'm- … w-will you help me?" ZIM asked Red.

"With what ZIM?"

"Everything! Dude, dude! I see elves everywhere!" ZIM said eyes wide with wonder. He cackled again. "Ahahahahahah! Wow! That needle the doctor stuck in me was magical!" Red and Purple shook their heads and chuckled.

"That's our ZIM." Purple said. The doctor walked into the room.

"He's now officially released from the hospital. Come next week for a check up and some physical therapy."

"Nooo! I gotta defend my castle! Bwahaha! Where are you, you little elves?" Red put a hand on ZIM's chest to calm him down. "C'mon man! Something is not right here …" ZIM muttered the last sentence then started to cry uncontrollably lifting his good arm up to cover his eyes. Leslie walked into the room concerned.

"Hey Red. How's ZIM?" She asked. Leslie looked down at the sobbing boy. "Um …"

"A little emotional." Red answered. "Will you comfort him? I gotta talk to the doctor about his medications." Leslie nodded, sitting down next to ZIM and caressing the small boy's face.

"Hey pretty lay-day! " ZIM giggled. Leslie looked at him odd. "Give me a kiss." Leslie smiled knowing he was high off of pain killers. She bent to his level and kissed him between his eyes making him grin dumbly. "You're soooo good to me." ZIM closed his eyes and petted Leslie's long hair.

"I'm so glad he's not my real brother." Purple murmured. ZIM looked at Purple.

"Aw. I wanna kiss from da udder lady too." Purple shook his head.

"Don't flatter yourself, kid."

"Ahahahah! I see myself. In dere! Dis closet. Wiv a-a … a moo-cow." Leslie rubbed ZIM's sore head with her hands in an attempt to calm him.

"Shhh, ZIM. You need to rest."

"What?"

"You need rest. Just lay back and relax, 'Kay?"

"Nooooo." ZIM whined. Leslie stroked his antenna. She uses this method all the time on Red if he's fed up or stressed about something. It seemed to work when ZIM closed his eyes again and took a deep breath. "I wanna play ball."

"Can't right now, sweetie. You dislocated your arm. It's not too bad so you'll be able to play soon. Just take it easy." Leslie softly petted ZIM's face. "We're gonna go home soon. Red just needs your prescription filled." ZIM groaned and sat up. "No, no! Lay down, Zeiden. Rest." ZIM huffed and flopped back down. Red and the doctor entered the room again.

"Alright, he's free to go. Make sure he doesn't do any physical activity in the mean time with his arm." The doctor said. "Nice meeting you folks." The doctor said leaving.

"Alright then." Red sighed. "Pur would you carry him to the truck?" Purple nodded and hoisted ZIM up into his arms.

"I always have to carry him."

June 26, 1996

There was a knock at the door and when no one got up to get it, Purple released a long sigh and answered. He opened the door and saw Sam standing on the front step. "Oh, hello there." Purple said in his flirty tone. "Come to visit me?" Sam chuckled a bit.

"Heh. Actually, I came to see how ZIM was doing." Purple frowned.

"What does that kid got that I don't got?"

"Talent." ZIM called from the living room. Purple pointed in the direction of where ZIM's voice came from.

"He's in there. Careful, he's being a moody little brat."

"Shut uuup!"

"See?"

"Peder …" ZIM growled.

"Oh it's fine. I deal with moody kids all the time." The two heard a long groan coming from the living room. Seconds later ZIM came to the foyer.

"What's up, Sam?" Sam crouched down to ZIM's level.

"Just came to check on you. How ya feeling?"

"I've felt better. My arm hurts." ZIM said looking at the brace on his wrist. ZIM leaned up against the wall. "I'm going to Irk for a few hours to renew a contract with my producer and agent. Then we have to discuss things about my movie's premiere."

"Really? That's great! I can't wait to see your movie." Sam said quite enthused. ZIM smiled nervously.

"Um … it's in Irken … and they're not making a english subtitles feature." Sam winked at him.

"I've always been interested in Irken culture and when I found out one of my clients was Irken I started to learn the language. It's harder to learn than Mandarin Chinese but I'm getting it."

"You are? How?"

"Rosetta Stone: Alien Addition." Sam said. ZIM nodded then perked up with an idea.

"Would you like to come with me?" ZIM asked. Sam was taken off guard.

"What?"

"To Irk. You said you were interested in our culture. Consider this trip as a learning experience." Sam thought for a moment.

"Really tempting, ZIM, but are you sure it's safe to bring a human there?" ZIM looked at Purple. He cleared his throat.

"If you're worried about the atmosphere of Irk's effect on humans then it wouldn't harm you. The gravity is much greater and the air is slightly colder than earth's because Irk is far from its' sun ... just bring a jacket."

"It doesn't really effect us since Irkens are hot blooded whereas humans are warm blooded." ZIM added.

"If you're scared for your well being then I'll have you know Irk in general is full of friendly people … except for south eastern Irk. That's like Detroit times ten." Purple said. Sam considered this.

"Well, okay. How long does it take to get there?"

"Five days in a runner. But using a long distant transporter … only a few seconds." ZIM said using his device to lock in the coordinates. "Red! We're going to Irk!" ZIM shouted.

"Ready?" Purple smirked and grabbed Sam's hand. ZIM hit the red button. Sam gasped as she felt the prickly sensation cross her body. She closed her eyes as they were beamed through space. As soon as the feeling came it left and was replaced by a cool breeze hitting her face along with the sound of a dense and busy city. She opened her eyes and her jaw nearly dropped. The city was bright and tall. Thousands of Irkens big and small hustled about in their normal day.

"Oh my God." Sam muttered.

"It's Zeiden Macale!" ZIM snapped his head to the side and saw a group of girls hurrying toward him. Sam bent down to ZIM.

"They all speak Irken here?"

"Yeah. I'll translate for you if you need it." ZIM said back. "Hey girls! Can I help you?" One tall girl stopped right in front of him.

"May I have your autograph? You're gonna be in that new movie with Skoodge Orajesh aren't you? I'm so excited!" The girl said jumping up and down. She thrusted a book in his hands along with a pen.

"Yeah, Skoodge and I are pretty tight." ZIM said while writing. "Who do I write this to?"

"Yout Dinkell."

"To my dear friend Yout Dinkell with lots of love, Zeiden Macale Jr. How's that look?"

"Great! Thanks!" Yout said hugging ZIM briefly.

"Welcome." ZIM said as she ran off with her friends, giggling. "Now lets go renew that contract." ZIM said to Sam and Purple and headed off to Jalokia's office building.

July 1, 1996

"Pick up the ball! Don't lag! C'mon boys! This is the all-stars! You! Get on base! What are you doing? Call for the ball next time! That way you guys don't run into each other! Lets go! Go! Go!" ZIM grabbed his antennas in frustration. His new coach was acting like a drill sergeant and would not stop yelling. ZIM currently was pitching to three different catchers as fast as he could and it was exhausting! He had just gotten his brace off and the doctor let him try out for the team. ZIM was happy he healed so quickly before the try outs.

The sun was beating down on him and no wind to relieve him of the heat. Heck! ZIM should be used to that heat, right? He grew up in the Outback after all. Well that didn't really matter. It was still hotter than the fiery pits of hell. Coach Jay was right when he told ZIM he'd be the smallest on the team. He was only two feet and ten inches tall and seven years old. These boys were twelve years old plus and all more than at least four and a half feet tall. The small Irken looked to the side lines and saw Sam watching him. Smiling big. He must be doing a good job. Purple was with her, trying to talk her up. "Macale! Here now!" ZIM snapped his head toward the direction of the voice. He ran over to his new coach.

"Yes, sir?" The coach glared down at him.

"It's the first day of tryouts. How do you feel you're doing?" ZIM shrugged.

"Well, I guess. It's a little hot and it's making me slower." ZIM said. "Why?" The coach looked at his clipboard with an unreadable face.

"I have your physical here." ZIM gulped. "It says you were born premature, you have epilepsy, hypotension, some form of ADHD, and a long history of injuries and concussions as well as low blood sugar. That's not good." ZIM frowned.

"I'm healthy! I just have a lot of … Uh, problems, is all." The coach got down on one knee and looked ZIM straight in the eye.

"You're also … small." ZIM frowned deeper. "And lightweight."

"That was apart of my birth defects. I may grow one day."

"You have dwarfism? A midget? What?"

"No, it's just common for premature Irkens to never grow that tall." The coach shook his head in a non-approving fashion.

"Zeiden, I hate to do this to a really good baseball player. Now don't get me wrong here, Macale, you really are a good player! A real good one! But … I'm gonna have to cut you from the team." ZIM was horrified. He didn't know what to say, or do. He just stared at the coach with wide eyes, jaw gaped.

"Wh-what?" Was all ZIM could say. The coach gave him a sorry look.

"Sorry, kid."

"Why?" ZIM asked quietly.

"Zeiden, you're just too small and fragile. These boys on the teams are tall and strong and tough. They'll treat you like a big kid because you're on a big boys team. The problem is, you're not a big boy and they could hurt you. Not only that but I heard that you've had seizures during games in the past, even a heat stroke! I'm not cutting you 'cuz you're bad. I'm cutting you because I don't want you hurt." ZIM didn't say anything. His mind was a blur. He found himself slowly turning away from the man and walking off the field in wonder. "I'm sorry." He heard the coach say. ZIM didn't look back. He kept going. Walking past the gate of the field.

"What's the matter, Z?" Sam asked. ZIM didn't answer. He kept walking, and walking, and walking. "ZIM? Zeiden!"

"Hey, Z?" ZIM felt himself being shaken roughly. He looked at Purple. "What's wrong?" ZIM still didn't speak. Purple looked at Sam then back at ZIM. The troubled and distant look in ZIM's eyes gave it away. "Stay here, ZIM." Purple said angrily. He stomped in the direction of the coach on the field. The coach looked up and saw Purple approaching him. "Why?" Purple asked loudly. "I went to everyone of this kid's games and he was perfect! Why would you cut him?" The coach looked confused.

"I'm sorry! It wasn't because he is a bad player. Really! He's a fantastic athlete! The reason why I cut him is because he's epileptic, small, and young. He's prone to injury because of those reasons."

"Is that all?" Purple asked. "That kid is fucking indestructible! I've seen him smack his head on a tree stump! Get his ankle smashed by a dirt bike! Hit in the groin by a line-driver! And a dislocated arm diving into home, as well as several other incidents that include high places and falling off of them! My point is, none of that slowed him down! He got right back up and attacked that task harder than ever! You're a fool for cutting him!" The coach was lost for words. When Purple knew the coach didn't have anything else to say he started to walk back off the field.

"I'm sorry." He heard the coach say. Purple turned. "It's just … I need all my players to be healthy and fully functioning. Zeiden, he's just- … defective." Purple's fist tightened and thought for a moment about killing the man but decided against it. Instead, he whirled around and backhanded the coach with his left hand. Which is considered a great disrespect toward the individual. "Jesus!" The coach yelled holding his cheek.

"How dare you!" Purple hissed and shot the man a horrible glare and stalked back off the field to where ZIM was now in the grasp of Sam sobbing sorrowfully. Purple snatched ZIM up possessively and cradled the boy in his arms. ZIM buried his face into the older Irken's shoulder and cried.

"Shh. It's okay, Z. You don't need that bastard. You're beyond him and his stupid league." Purple kissed ZIM's head carrying him to the truck with Sam following. Purple looked at Sam who looked pissed. She was muttering under her breath cursing the coach for being so unfair to her young client and friend. When they got to their truck in the parking lot Purple put ZIM down. The little Irken threw his glove down and cursed.

"All those long hours of practice and work! Damn him! I worked my fucking ass off to impress him! This is what I get? This is how he repays me? Bastard! All because I'm small! Small, young and fragile! Why?" ZIM continued his ranting and shouting out profanities. Sam tried to calm him but he was inconsolable. Purple shook his head at the hot tempered Irken, knowing he got that trait from Red. Purple picked ZIM up again and put him in the middle seat and told Sam to climb in the passengers seat. They drove home in silence, except for the small and adorable whining noise that emitted from ZIM's throat every once in awhile.

Once home, ZIM was fast asleep. The little guy slept good when upset or has been crying. Sam carried him inside the white beach house and to the living room where ZIM's siblings were playing a card game, Leslie and Gaz were present too. "Hey, guys, how'd it go?" Red asked. Not looking up from the game. Purple huffed and sat next to his OBFAM on the couch.

"They cut him." Purple muttered. Tenn, Zee, Les, Gaz and Red went quiet, snapping their heads up to Purple. The room was dead silent, minus ZIM's soft breathing of slumber. Red narrowed his eyes.

"Good one! ZIM pulled that same trick on me when he was moved up from the county level to the junior major league." Red said. Purple shook his head.

"I'm serious. His coach said he was too small, young and weak to play on his team." Red bit his lip.

"No bull shittin'?" Red asked.

"I know that coach personally." Sam piped up. "He is considered a jerk amongst most people and a hard coach to please. He knew ZIM was good, he was probably just looking for some lame excuse for him to not make the team because he's prejudice against Irkens. And I guess that excuse was calling ZIM a … defect." Red nearly snapped.

"He did not call Zeiden a defect!" Red shouted, startling ZIM awake. "My boy is not a defect! How dare he."

"What the hell?" Tenn said. "Who is this man? Seriously, I'm gonna kill him." Zee nodded in agreement. Sam didn't know why the Irkens were so sensitive about the word defect.

"What? I'm confused." Sam said. Leslie leaned over to her and whispered to her.

"On Irk, being called a defect is equivalent to calling someone brain dead or generally useless. It's a great disrespect and dishonor to call someone that." Leslie explained. Gaz sat next to ZIM and hugged him around his neck and kissed his cheek as his siblings fussed over the d-word ZIM's coach called him.

"I'm sorry, ZIM." She said. ZIM pouted. "I know how you feel. When I still lived in New Orleans I was cut from the basketball team because I had an abnormally large head which put me off balance often and short, stubby legs." ZIM shuddered. He reached down and peeled off his shirt and laid down on the couch.

"I'm glad you can relate to me. Sorry to tell you this but, I'll be moody for the next couple days. It's not everyday I'm called a … defect." ZIM spat the last word out as if it were poison. ZIM used his shirt to wipe dirt smeared on his face from the practice. Sam came into his view.

"I'm so sorry, Hun. I'll still be glad to be your trainer if you want." Sam said placing a hand on his forehead. ZIM nodded.

"I want to calm down a bit first before we start again, 'Kay?" Sam grinned at him understanding.

"Well, I got to work my shift now. Behave, Z." She said.

"I'll walk you out." Purple offered. He led her to the door and stepped out to the front of the house closing the door tightly. "It's a shame. All his hard work and dedication taken for granted. Not to mention yours." Sam shrugged.

"It happens. It just doesn't usually happens that one of my clients gets cut because of his stature. I swear that kid has potential to one day to be on the pro teams. But they don't except aliens, animals, or toons in MLB. Just human males." Sam said. Purple shook his head.

"If there is one thing ZIM hates more than snakes, it's being short." Purple said. The tall Irken hesitated for a moment not knowing if it was an appropriate time to ask his burning question. "Hey, I know this is a little sudden but, would you like to go out with me sometime?" He asked confidently. Sam smiled sweetly as Purple gave her a big grin. Sam chuckled.

"Yes, Peder. I kinda knew that was coming but, yes I would." She said. Purple was taken back by her definite answer.

"Great. I'll call you later then." Purple winked at her. She winked back and walked to her car.

"Bye, Pur." Sam said before getting into her car and driving off. Purple beamed and walked back into the house feeling sky high. Walking back into the living room he saw Tenn talking quietly to ZIM on the couch and Zee talking with Red about something or other. Probably about the fact that someone called their little brother a defect. That's also like calling the rest of your family defective in some way or another.

"Why are you so cheery all of a sudden?" Zee asked with a quirked brow. Purple looked at her.

"Wha-? Am I cheery? I didn't notice. Why?" Zee rolled her eyes.

"You just look happy is all." She said then looked down at Purple's left hand. "Why is the back of your hand all red?"

"What?" Red asked.

"Not you, Purple's hand is red."

"No, I'm Red." Red said childishly. Zee frowned at her older brother.

"You're acting like ZIM." Zee said. She turned her attention back to Purple who was rubbing the back of his neck, nervously. "What did'ya do?" Purple sighed.

"I- Uh, … backhanded the coach." He said quickly. Everyone present dropped their jaws.

"You did not." Red said in disbelief.

"I hope you made him cry like a little bitch." ZIM growled.

"Zeiden, watch it." Leslie warned, scolding the little Irken. "Why would you do that?" She asked Purple. He shrugged.

"Wouldn't you?" He asked. Leslie opened her mouth to respond but closed it again and thought about it. Red continued to stare at Purple. Still not believing that he would ever hit a guy for Red's little brother.

"Peder," Red frowned at the slightly younger Irken. He then smiled widely and raised his hand up. "Nice, man!" Purple smiled back and high-fived Red. The girls rolled their eyes. Leslie stood up.

"Hey, ZIM, what would you like for supper tonight?" She asked, crouching to his level and brushing his antenna back making him close his eyes and purr softly. ZIM shrugged.

"I don't know. I can't think right now." Leslie kissed his head and went to the kitchen with Zee to get supper started. Tenn came by him and scooped him up. "What are you doing?" He asked. As she sat in his place with him on her lap.

"Just wanted make sure you're alright. You're quiet. What's wrong?" ZIM shot her a glare. Tenn bit her lip and realized how stupid her question was. She just did a, 'ZIM'. "Uh, never mind. Hey, dude, I'm sorry that happened to you. It's not fair what he did to you and he should give you a chance." ZIM's eyes looked into hers. She smiled a bit and stuck her thumb in her mouth covering it with her saliva. She pulled it out and wiped a dirt smudge off his face. ZIM cringed at the moisture on his face and tried to pull away from his sister.

"Yucky." He said. Tenn chuckled and pinched his sides making ZIM snort. Tenn's eyes went wide from the noise he made.

"What was that?" She asked as ZIM clasped his hands over his mouth.

"What was what?" ZIM asked. Tenn smiled and pinched his sides again making him snort and cackle a bit.

"That!" Tenn exclaimed tickling his sides. ZIM squealed and wiggled in Tenn's grip. ZIM started to laugh uncontrollably. Tenn joined in his laughter. She pinned him to the ground and tickled him mercilessly.

"Noooo! … Sto-op!" ZIM shouted between fits of outrageous laughter. "Teeeenn!" He whined as he uselessly pawed at Tenn's chest to make her stop. She grinned as her tickling came to a stop. She hovered over her little brother's body touched his cheek.

"This is the Zeiden I like to see." She whispered, kissing his forehead. "Always happy."

July 2, 1996

"I talked to Coach Jay," Sam said. "He said he was sorry you got cut for a really dumb reason and he'll be happy to take you back on his team." ZIM smiled, somewhat sadly, mostly happily.

"I would love that." He said sitting on the edge of the couch in Sam's living room. They just got done with another training segment. ZIM spent the night at her house so they could get started early morning.

"Good. This is short notice, but you can go back to practice today, if you want." ZIM nodded. Sam smiled. "Alright then, go get dressed for baseball. I'll bring you." ZIM hoped up and went to the spare room of which he had slept the night prior. He dressed in a Tiger's T-shirt and long black athletic shorts that went to his knees along with his Nike cleats. He grabbed his ball mitt and batting gloves then trotted back to the living room.

"Lets go." ZIM said, walking toward the door that lead to the driveway.

Later

"Glad to have you back on the team, Zeiden." Coach Jay said. "I'm sorry it didn't work out. Huh! Just because you were small and young. What a joke!" Coach Jay said angrily. The man got on one knee in front of ZIM. "Actually, I'm kind of glad you came back. Our team sucks without you." The coach whispered. "We already lost two games! Guess how many games we had total." ZIM shrugged. "Two!" ZIM chuckled.

"I'm glad to be playing again, sir." The coach patted ZIM's head, then pushed the boy towards the pitching mound.

"Tommy! Let ZIM pitch for now! You go play short-stop for Isaac. Isaac, get in the dugout!" ZIM watched as the boys did as told, before walking up to the mound. "We have another game tomorrow, ZIM. Expect to be pitching." ZIM's eyes narrowed in determination. Here we go again.

July 6, 1996

ZIM was pissed. The other team was really annoying and disrespectful. Several batters he pitched for would whine and smack their bats on the ground every time they struck out. And as they walked back to the dugout, they'd shoot ZIM an evil glare. ZIM would admit, he had a pretty bad attitude too sometimes but these boys, they were horrid! "Batter up!" The umpire shouted. ZIM sighed as a new batter took his place. "Play ball!" ZIM waited till his catcher made a good call. He wound up for a fastball. He threw it at lightning speed. "Ball!" The ump shouted. ZIM groaned. He wound up for another fastball. He threw it. "Strike! One ball, one strike!" ZIM received the ball again. He motioned for a timeout, which the umpire granted him. The catcher ran up to him. ZIM whispered to him, covering their mouths with their gloves. The catcher bent over so he was closer to ZIM's level.

"Batter's a lefty. Imma throw an inside curveball. If that doesn't work, he seems to hit balls only below the strike zone, so I'm gonna throw a drop ball afterward." ZIM said. The catcher nodded. "'Kay, let's do this."

"Uh, before we start, don't let the opponents bother you. You seem to be getting annoyed by them."

"You have no idea." ZIM muttered. The catcher straightened back up and walked back behind the plate.

"Time in!" The ump shouted. ZIM waited till the batter was ready again. The young Irken looked out to the bleachers to look at his siblings, Sam, Leslie and Gaz. He caught Gaz's eye and she smiled at him, giving him a thumbs up. He smiled back and nodded. Gaz told him several times that he had a funny pitch. ZIM would admit his pitch was an odd one. It was different from the ordinary male pitch. It maybe weird but effective. ZIM got ready to throw his curveball. ZIM let out a grunt as he threw the ball that curved beautifully. The batter took a step back thinking the ball would hit him but instead curved.

"Strike two!" The ump shouted. The batter was awestruck.

"That was not a strike!" He exclaimed. ZIM rolled his eyes.

"It was too, dumb-arse." ZIM said. "Shut your mouth and let the ump make the calls." The batter shot ZIM a glare.

"What did you call me?" The batter shouted.

"Don't worry about it." ZIM said. "Just learn the difference between strikes and balls."

"Boys!" The ump said. ZIM narrowed his eyes at the batter. His patience was thinning down fast. One more retort from the opponents and he would snap.

"Stupid, alien-thing. He should leave baseball to the humans. Hey, why don't you go to your home planet, dumb-arse! You're not wanted here!" The batter screamed at ZIM, mocking his accent. ZIM threw his glove on the ground and stomped toward the boy. The batter took a few steps back as he saw the short alien approach. ZIM pulled back his fist and smashed it into the boy's face. The boy fell to on his back to the ground. ZIM growled and grabbed the front of the boys shirt sitting on the boy's stomach so he couldn't move and punched him again and again until he boy was bleeding out of his mouth and nose.

"Zeiden! Stop dude!" ZIM's catcher exclaimed in panic. A crack was heard when ZIM punched the boys nose again. He more than likely just broke the kids nose. But ZIM didn't care, he kept beating his knuckles into the boy. Suddenly, ZIM was lifted into the air by a big burly man, the umpire. The ump roughly put ZIM down and dragged him by the wrist to the dug-out where his coach was waiting angrily, arms crossed. The ump pushed ZIM to Coach Jay.

"He's expelled from the game, and suspended for two games!" The umpire declared. "Get that crazy kid under control." Coach Jay nodded and grabbed ZIM behind the neck and pinched harshly making ZIM cringe. The coach led him to the end of the bench in the dugout and sat him down. Jay turned to the benchwarmers.

"Cover your ears boys. This is for Zeiden's ears ... er ... antennas only." The boys on the bench averted their gaze from the coach and pitcher. "Zeiden Macale! I cannot believe you! What were you thinking? What was I thinking for thinking you could move on to junior major league? No wonder you didn't make the team!" ZIM bit his lip. Not making eye contact. "Zeiden, look at me." ZIM raised his head slightly. "You need to fix that attitude."

"He started-"

"No! Zeiden, listen to me. What you did was so wrong. What has gotten into you? You're my best player!" ZIM didn't answer. The coach sighed. "As for your punishment I want you to-"

"Mr. Jay?" Sam's voice came from the outside of the dugout. The coach turned to her. "I'll be glad to take him off your hands. I have the perfect punishment." Jay looked at Sam then back at ZIM.

"Alright." Jay said. He motioned for ZIM to leave the dugout and go with Sam. ZIM slowly stood up and trudged out. Sam grabbed ZIM by the antenna and walked faster than ZIM could trot. ZIM refused to meet Red's eye as they exited the field. When he did look up, everyone he knew was either glaring or looking at him with disappointed features.

"Get in my car. I gotta talk to your brother quick a minute." Sam said, tightly. ZIM frowned but nonetheless walked to her car with his head hung low. Minutes later Sam came back and slid into the drivers seat.

"Where are we going?" ZIM asked.

"My house. You're spending the night."

"Why?"

"Because you have a big day tomorrow." Sam grumbled.

July 7, 1996

"Get up, Macale! Get dressed." Sam said bursting through the door of the spare bedroom of her house, flicking on the lights. ZIM jolted up startled. ZIM closed his eyes so they would adjust to the light. When he opened them he gazed at the alarm clock on the nightstand. 3:45 AM.

"You nuts, woman? It's too early." ZIM flopped back down on the bed. He heard Sam approach the bed. She grabbed him by the arms and yanked him out of bed.

"That's part of your punishment, now get that lead out of your shorts and c'mon." ZIM was taken aback by her harsh voice and demands. Hurt, but not wanting to upset her more, he did as told. He got dressed into workout clothes Sam laid out for him and pulled on his Air Jordan's. He groggily walked out of the room where Sam was waiting in Jean shorts and a tight fit tank top. She led him outside and to her car. She drove to Shelby High School's football field. They walked on the track for a little bit. "Five laps, now, go." Sam muttered. ZIM looked at her.

"That's a mile and a quarter. It's a lot."

"I don't care. Go." ZIM frowned but took off running. As he ran he glanced at his watch. It was now 4:25 AM. He wondered how long he was going to have to do this. ZIM ran the rest of the way, only being slightly winded when he was done. "Drop down and give me a hundred. Then get up and run around the track again. ZIM groaned. Once he got to twenty pushups he was already tired. He had a lot more lower body strength then upper body. He continued anyway. Doing the hundred took him twenty minutes. ZIM stood up and took off running again. Sam sitting on the football team's bench as she watched him struggle.

"Why are you doing this?" ZIM asked, huffing, stopping in front of her.

"Why do you think? Corporal punishment."

"But it's not like you're whipping me." ZIM said.

"No, this is indirect corporal punishment. Now get down and give me a hundred sit ups." Sam said. "Believe me, soon it will be painful." ZIM pouted. "And when you're done with those sit ups, I want you to plank on your elbows until I say stop." ZIM sighed and started his sit ups, when he was done he planked for two minutes straight and kept going when Sam never told him to stop. Every now and then Sam would out her foot on his back to torture him more. ZIM was shaking hard now. After five minutes Sam finally said, 'stop'. ZIM collapsed down on the ground giving his arms a rest. He felt Sam slide her arm under his stomach and picked him up, setting him on his feet. "Run." ZIM shook his head. "Excuse me?"

"I can't Sam! I'm tired!" ZIM cried. "I'm so tired." Sam gently took his chin in her hands and made him look at her.

"Do you know why I'm punishing you?" Sam asked, calmly. ZIM nodded. "Why?"

"I had a bad attitude and got into a fight during a game, not only making me look bad, but my family and you as well." Sam stared at him shocked the he was so understanding. It usually took a bit longer for people that young to get it.

"Good boy," She said, bending down to hug her friend tightly. "One more lap, then you're done." ZIM nodded and ran his last lap. Happy that it was almost over.

One Hour Later

"Now behave, okay Zei?" ZIM nodded slightly and opened the car door and stepped onto his driveway. Sam gave him a hard look. "Promise?"

"Yes, ma'am." ZIM said. Sam smiled at him.

"Good, hey could you send Purple out here quick a minute?" ZIM nodded again, turning and opening the front door. He was greeted by Tyson yipping and jumping on him. The puppy was starting to get bigger. Pretty soon he'd be a full grown dog. ZIM bent down and petted the fuzzy creature.

"Hey, Ty-Ty, how's my pooopie?" ZIM cooed. The little Samoyed licked his face in response.

"Zeiden?" ZIM looked up and saw Red standing in the foyer just a few feet away. ZIM swallowed hard.

"Hi," ZIM squeaked. The little Irken knew he wasn't out of deep water yet. Red scowled, arms crossed. "Um … where's Purple?" Red tilted his head toward the living room.

"In there." Purple walked out of the living room.

"I heard my name."

"Sam's outside. She wants to talk to you." ZIM said, weakly. Purple beamed and left the house leaving ZIM and Red alone. ZIM looked down at his feet and shifted uncomfortably as he knew Red's gaze was still on him. The little Irken bit his bottom lip when he heard soft footsteps come toward him followed by a three-fingered hand lifting his chin up to meet the eyes of its owner. Red had a look of severe disappointment on his face.

"I'm sorry for having to do this to you." Red picked his little brother up and carried him up the stairs to his room. Red closed and locked the door behind him. Red proceeded to take off the leather belt he was wearing and folded it in half. Holding the belt in one hand. "Why?" Red asked. ZIM frowned knowing what was coming next.

"He was being prejudice." ZIM muttered. "I didn't like it." Red nodded, slowly. The older brother sat on the bed and sighed. He motioned for ZIM to come to him. The little Irken pouted and trudged to him. Red picked his brother up and laid him across his lap. Stomach down.

"You're gonna get spanked."

"I kinda figured." ZIM mumbled sadly. Red hated doing this to him but it was an effective way for ZIM to learn. Red removed ZIM's black shorts leaving only his boxers on.

"You're getting seven. Then it'll be done." ZIM closed his eyes wishing he'd just get it over with. Red raised his hand he had the belt in and brought it down hard on ZIM's backside making the little Irken yelp from the sting. "You know fighting is wrong." Red whipped him again. "I taught you better than that." Another swat was delivered.

"I'm sorry, Red." ZIM whimpered. Yet another blow to his behind. Now ZIM couldn't even feel it.

"Don't apologize to me." Red smacked him again. ZIM clawed Red's thigh in an attempt to lessen the pain. "Apologize to the kid whose face you messed up." Two more hard slaps to ZIM and finally Red stopped. ZIM was whining from the stinging sensation he had in his rear.

"I was angry, Red. I won't do it again." Red's features softened. He sat ZIM up and forced the child to look at him.

"I punished you because I love you." Red stated, throwing the belt off to the side of the room. "You hospitalized that kid." ZIM looked down. Red cupped his chin and made him look into his eyes again. "He has a broken nose and swollen eyes and a concussion. He's out for the rest of the season too." ZIM bit his lip.

"He's mad?"

"Wouldn't you be mad?" ZIM thought about it for a moment then nodded. Red shook his head and sighed heavily. ZIM bowed his head, Red couldn't help but smile. ZIM looked so innocent at the moment. The older Irken kissed the younger's face then set him down.

"I'm sorry I made you look bad." ZIM said quietly. Red frowned slightly.

"I'm over it now, Zeiden. You're grounded for a month. I guess I can't take baseball away from you considering it's the middle of the season, your team needs you and they already limited your playing time so, no friends, no leaving this planet, in fact you may not leave this house unless I say you may, and no phone or laptop usage unless it's for school work." ZIM groaned, shoulders slumping. "And no Tiger's games." ZIM's jaw dropped. He watched every single game of the season. "You brought it upon yourself." Red shrugged. He held out his hand waiting. ZIM slipped off of Red's lap, he dug his hand through the pocket of his shorts that were on the ground and pulled out his Imp and gave it to Red who put it in his own pocket.

"Jalokia is going to be asking for me." ZIM mumbled.

"Again, your fault. Go take a shower." Red said, walking back to the living room to do a report on his new findings. ZIM scowled and did as told.

December 31, 1996

Looking back on the last year and a quarter, Zeiden wasn't able to comprehend all that he has done. He landed a single, a record deal, was a local baseball star, co-starred in a movie, was a model, an icon, was in several Irken commercials, had another album released and now a new year was in his grasp. He wondered what it would bring. If it would be a good year or a bad one. He didn't care. He was about to start fresh.

Sitting in Tak's living room at her house in Paddington, London with his siblings, god-parents, and other family friends, they were all waiting for the new year to come. ZIM glanced at Tak who was playing dice with Zee, Tenn, Leslie, Sam and Gaz. He had a surprise for her once the countdown was over and everyone shouted, 'Happy New Year'.

Purple sat next to ZIM. The older Irken was getting tipsy. "One more minute." Purple reported. ZIM could feel his heart start to pound from nervousness.

"Uh-huh."

"You still gonna carry out your plan?" ZIM nodded. "Word of advice before you do, if she doesn't like it, immediately start to pretend you're drunk then she'll think it's the alcohol speaking." ZIM chuckled and pushed Purple.

"Go to bed." ZIM said. Tak stood up from the floor and stood next to ZIM.

"I'm so excited! New years always make me feel so … new. Ya know?" ZIM cocked a brow but nodded nevertheless. "Oh the countdown started!" Tak said. ZIM bit his lip watching as the TV announcer counted from ten.

"Nine, eight." ZIM got ready next to Tak. "Five, four, three." Almost there. ZIM thought as his heart continued to pound like a bass drum in a marching band. "Two, one! Happy New year!" ZIM grabbed Tak's wrist and pulled her into his body. He pressed himself against her closing his eyes tightly, wrapping one of his arms around her waist another stayed on her wrist. He leaned forward and smashed their lips together. Tak's eyes widened as she was taken completely off guard. After a moment, she smiled and started to kissed him back, even getting a little tongue action involved. Tak wrapped her arms around his neck. After what seemed like an hour ZIM pulled away from her, blushing madly. He looked around and noticed everyone was staring at the two, mouths all dropped open.

"What was that?" Red asked. ZIM cleared his throat.

"Em ... New years kiss?" ZIM said, timidly. The adults started to coo except for Red who had a look of suspicion. "Hey! I coulda kissed you instead!" ZIM snapped. Red laughed and turned to Leslie giving her his new years kiss. ZIM looked back at Tak.

"Zeiden Macale, you've changed." She said, grinning. ZIM smiled and nodded.

"That was one … Uh … rigorous kiss of friendship, wasn't it?" ZIM asked rubbing his neck. Tak's grin faded when she heard, 'friendship'. It was replaced with annoyance. She rolled her eyes and muttered something about stupid boys under her breath. ZIM was left feeling confused and embarrassed.

---

Question for you! Do you think Red is overprotective? If you answer this it'll help me a lot with future chapters.

I know I talk a lot in this portion of the chapters and most of you guys don't read it but if you do I just want to say thank you for reading my malarkey that you probably don't care about. Now I'm gonna tell you guys an event that had recently happened and it's quite sad.

One of my best friend's brother has died in a car accident. The reason this happened is because he didn't stop for a stop sign. Now again, you probably don't care but I just wanted to raise awareness for safe driving. This event has impacted me greatly. I barely knew this kid but when I went to his funeral and saw my friend there with the saddest look ever I started to cry. He meant a lot to people, and believe me, you guys mean a lot to someone too, so please, please, PLEASE! ALWAYS! Be a safe driver!

Thank you for reading! And thanks for your comments! I'll also be taking suggestions if you have any!