A/N: Oh, the death threats… I mean, hello! This chapter should have plenty of drama –and perhaps hints of ZADR- within! So enjoy… oh, you WILL enjoy. Zim says so.
0-0
The next day, Gretchen had a particular bounce to her step. She seemed to radiate beauty… everyone noticed a difference within her. Isn't sex amazing? Dib and Gretchen were closer than ever, and she couldn't be happier. Unfortunately, Gretchen thought that she could confide in her close friends… apparently they weren't close enough, because soon word of the 'closeness' of the couple spread like wildfire throughout the skool.
One particular jock – which had effed Zim up earlier in the year – was blatantly stupid enough to tease Zim about it. "Oooh, Zim, looks like your last chance has pass-" The jock did not have a chance to finish his sentence ad Zim punched him in the stomach, making the jock fall over and clutch his abdomen in pain.
"Stink-baby." He snarled as he walked away.
0-0
The weather was getting hotter and hotter as the summer approached. As their final graduation approached. Dib and Gretchen were still a happy couple, and they became more sociable, therefore making new friends. Dib had always wondered if his mindset had changed, or if these intelligent people were just in hiding. Zim, too, had made more friends. Although he treated them more like minions, he was civil about it.
Friday night. Dib had taken Gretchen to the doctor because she was feeling ill recently. Dib sat worriedly in the waiting room, biting on his thumb nail. What could be wrong? She was always perfectly healthy. But recently she had been getting terrible nausea and dizzy spells.
Gretchen came back from the back room, a nervous smile on her face. Dib jumped out of his seat and went to her. "Are you okay, Gretchen? It's not anything serious, right?" Dib asked, clasping her hands gently but tightly.
"Well… I guess it can be considered serious, but it's not nearly as negative as you imagine." She said, her smile growing wider, her cheeks reddening and tears forming in her eyes.
"Wh.. if it's not bad, then why are you crying..? Gretchen, darling?" He asked, his expression unsure, but worried. Gretchen took a deep, shaking breath, trying to calm herself. She led the both of them to the chairs and sat.
"Dib… I'm about two months pregnant." She said, almost laughing, the tears rolling down her cheeks. Dib's eyes widened and his mouth fell agape.
"Wh… what? That must mean… that first time…" Gretchen nodded, her smile refusing to leave her.
"Aren't you happy?" She asked, her smile faltering slightly.
"I… don't know. I mean, us, parents? That's… a HUGE responsibility. Our lives are just ahead of us… this would falter, well, everything..!" He said, trying to take it all in. All his plans, everything would be halted if he had to care for a child.
"D-Dib… that isn't true-" Dib cut her off by suddenly standing. He placed his hands on her shoulders gently and stared at her intensely.
"Gretchen, go home and do not tell anyone about this. If your parents ask, just say you have a cold. Luckily you're not showing yet…" he murmured, his eyes drifting to her abdomen. "I need to go and… think… I promise I'll come to your place tonight, alright?"
"But… Dib…" Gretchen began, frowning in worry. "Don't you think we should talk about this…?"
"Not now. Here, take the car keys, drive home. I promise I'll be over later, alright?" He said, handing them to her. She reluctantly took them.
"Alright, Dib… you're going to be okay… right?" She asked hesitantly as she stood from her seat.
"I promise." Dib said, smiling slightly, kissing her on the cheek. They said their goodbyes and Dib watched Gretchen as she got into the car and drove away. Sighing heavily, Dib slumped into one of the waiting room chairs. "What to do… what to do…"
0-0
"Ah… heeeey… barkeep…! Another whuh… whiskyyyyy… please." Dib said loudly, leaning against the bar, slapping his palm against the counter to get the bartender's attention. The bartender sent him another shot and Dib took it instantly. The poor fool was drunk by this point. It was now sunset outside. Dib had used a fake ID to be able to get those drinks…
At first he convinced himself they would help him loosen up and think clearer, but soon his mind had been clouded by the alcohol and he kept drinking more and more. On the other side of the club, where minors were allowed to drink nonalcoholic beers and other drinks, was a group of Zim and his friends. They had entered long after Dib had been there, yet did not notice him. Not until he began to make a very loud ass out of himself.
"Hey… Guy… you… you know... I'ma gonna be a daddy! Ha HA!" Dib said rather loudly and obnoxiously. Some of the guys on the other side glanced over, laughing about the drunk. One noticed that the drunk looked familiar.
"Hey… isn't that Dib?" The junior asked.
"Hurm?" Zim said, glancing over as well. His eyes widened, realizing that it was Dib… and at the things that the poor drunken fool was saying.
"I… accidentally got my girl pregnant… the first time we did IT…! Isn't that funny? Now I'ma be a dadddeeeeh… I dunno what to do, though …Guuuy…. What should I dooo?" Zim growled to himself, watching the stupidity. Unable to control himself, he got up from his seat and went over to the bar angrily.
"Hey, Zim, what're you-" The Junior began, but one of his classmates cut him off.
"Let him do this. He needs to."
Zim grabbed Dib's shoulder harshly and turned him around. Dib's eyes went wide in surprise, but soon narrowed at the sight of the Irken. "Zim." Dib said.
"Dib-stick! What do you think you're doing!" Zim growled, taking the booze from Dib's hand and throwing it to the ground.
"Get away from me, Zim." Dib said, trying to be mean, but just sounded drunk.
"You! Booze-man! What do you think you are doing, giving this minor alcohol? That's against protocol!" Zim growled, keeping a tight grip on Zim's shoulder, even against his fidgeting.
"Oh… I didn't know… he had an ID, so.." the bartender decided to stay out of this, but gave Zim two pills that should help with Dibs hangover.
"Come! We're leaving!" Zim ordered Dib, pulling him to his feet. Dib muttered an objection, but slowly got up, having trouble standing. Realizing that Dib wouldn't be able to walk on his own, Zim slung his arm around Dib's shoulder. Luckily, Dib's home was not far, and Zim was strong enough to practically carry him there.
0-0
Zim pounded on the door repeatedly until finally, Gaz opened the door. Her eyes widened and her toothbrush fell out of her mouth at the sight at him. "What happened?" Gaz asked, helping Zim bring Dib into the house.
"He got drunk." Was all Zim said as they lay Dib on the couch. Dib was muttering, but grinned widely at the sight of Gaz.
"Gaz! Sister! Guess whaaat? You're going to be an auntie…! Be haaappyyyy!" Gaz cringed slightly as Dib spoke, the aroma of alcohol clear.
"What the hell is he talking about?" She asked, looking to Zim with a dark expression. Her facial features softened, noticing Zim's attitude and expression towards Dib. For a moment Zim looked compassionate towards Dib, almost pitying Dib. There was also feelings of affection there, Gaz was sure of it.
"Well… maybe you should stay, and, you know… watch after him. I was just heading out and father isn't here, so…" Zim looked up at Gaz, suspicion in his eyes, though he tried not to show it.
"I am no babysitter!" Zim began, but Gaz simply smacked him on the back of the head.
"You are when I'm gone. So shut up and watch him!" Gaz shouted at Zim with feigned anger. She stormed out of the house and smiled to herself. Things should turn out alright…
Because Zim was so afraid of Gaz (though he would never admit to it) he did not argue. Sighing, he half carried/dragged Dib into his room. Dib muttered incoherent remarks, occasionally speaking to Zim, but it was nothing worth listening to. Zim looked around the walls of Dib's room and felt shivers crawl up his spine. There were notes, pictures, clothing follicles – all of Zim, posted everywhere in the room.
"Creepy…" Zim vocalized with disgust.
0-0
A/N: OMG! Can you believe I ACTUALLY have reached the 10-chapter post? I mean, looking at my other very crappy stories which only have one or two chapters, this is a success… although the chapters are shorter than the other ones, I think more chapters are better even if they're a little short. They give you something to look forward to… and I think I have a knack for picking a place to break off into the next chapter D In this chapter I was sick of writing, and it's actually longer than most, so… yeah.
YaoiGurlForever21: Aah, yus, I haff updated… finally . I'm sorry you had to reread it! It it's any consolation, I had to reread it also XD hahaha we'll see who be da uke… .. . Hmmm
Blot-of-Blood: ah, that's fine . Perhaps that chapter was rushed, I was just trying to get the first confrontation out of the way. And PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! D! I promise you'll get your ZADR goodness… I sweeear…
