(Note: I made a small update to chapter 11 after realizing a consistency flaw)
Dib shifted, moaning, and nearly fell off the cot. Lifting a hand to his aching head, he sat up slowly, blinking his eyes clear. He spotted the alien on the floor immediately.
"Hey, alien," he called, shifting his legs over the edge of the cot but waiting for the light-headed feeling to pass before getting up. "Zim?"
He rose unsteadily, feeling like he'd been hit by a truck. He couldn't quite remember what happened. They were taking the alien to the agency and now.. he was here. Here? He looked around, frowning at the foreign technology. Making his way to the table, he picking up the empty vial and turned it over carefully. Dib touched the slight sting at his throat and looked at the alien. Had he drugged him?
He set the vial down and crouched by the Irken, giving his shoulder a shake. He didn't respond, unconscious. Dib straightened and cast about for something to secure him with. He noticed the filled vial on the floor nearby and picked it up. Another dose of drugs? Two can play that game. He knelt down and stabbed it into the Irken, smiling. There, keep him nice and subdued. Dib tossed the vial away and moved about the basement, examining all the strange equipment. At some point he noticed he didn't feel sick anymore. Didn't feel like he was dying.
Dib remembered his phone and reached to his pocket, wondering if the alien had taken it. He was surprised to find that he hadn't, then assumed he just didn't realize what it was. Dib ascended the stairs and opened the door as he called Nick. The pet brushed past him and jumped down the stairs, squeeking. He glanced at it, making a face, and roamed into the house upstairs.
The pet touched her nose to Zim's face and pawed at his chin, mewling. When he didn't respond, she sat down and began grooming herself as she waited. His scent wasn't so deathly as before. Had the human helped him? Maybe he would be okay now.
Dib's friend arrived soon after the call, having stayed in the area after dropping them off. Dib let him in and he looked around the house warily, hand on his weapon.
"What happened? You alright?"
"Yeah," Dib replied, irritated. "You tell me. How did he escape? What did he do to me?"
"You collapsed at the house before we left." Nick explained what happened and Dib rubbed his hand, frowning. Venom.. That would explain how he'd felt. Had the alien helped him then? He touched his neck again and shook his head.
"He's in the basement. Just help me get him back to the agency."
Nick nodded and followed him to the stairs.
The pet alerted to the human's approach, sitting up and waving her paws. Zim pushed himself up slowly on one arm, sighing. He looked for the vial and saw it empty a few feet away. Had the human..? He wheezed as his arms were grabbed and he was pulled up roughly. His legs felt like distant strangers and he fell forward in their grasp limply.
"Stand up, alien," Dib ordered, pulling on his arm. He hung his head a moment silently and saw the glint of metal as the gun was brought into his view. Anger pulsed in his chest and he snapped his arms back, shoving both humans away. Dib stumbled into the table and Nick lost his footing altogether, falling on his ass in surprise. He raised the weapon but Zim shot out a PAK extension and struck it from his hand. It clattered and slid across the floor under the cot. The pet jumped and ran under the cot after it to hide fearfully. Dib reached for him but he shoved the human against the table, bending his back until he yelped. He threw the man to the floor and turned just as Nick was to grab him. The alien swept an extension, knocking him across the room as easily as a doll. His back hit the wall and he crumpled to the floor, stunned.
Zim turned back to Dib, crimson eyes burning. The human scrambled to his feet and backed away, arms up defensively. Zim knocked his hands aside and took him by the throat, lifting him off his feet and pinning him against the wall. The human kicked out and struggled, clawing his arm but he just stared up at him silently, crushing his airway and watching the panic and fear swim in the young man's face. It wasn't long before his struggles slowed, hands sliding away limply. Zim dropped him and backed away slowly, shaking. He bumped into the table and slid to the floor, sitting with his back against one of the legs, hand on the floor to support himself.
Dib jerked and choked, curling up as he coughed and gasped violently. He wrapped a hand around his throat and looked up at the alien. Zim stared at the floor, breathing heavily. Dib got up slowly, seeing Nick move from the corner of his eye. The man reached under the cot to find his gun but the pet growled and nipped at him. He pulled away quickly, not knowing if the furry creature was venomous too.
Dib took a step towards the quivering alien but stopped when his claws dug against the floor gratingly.
"Leave," Zim hissed breathlessly. Dib hesitated, then turned for the stairs. Nick followed him, giving the alien a wide berth.
"Call the agency, let them handle it," Nick said lowly as they stepped outside.
"No."
"No what?"
Dib slipped into the parked car and stared out the front window silently. Nick climbed in behind the wheel and glanced at the house one last time before driving away without another word.
Zim slid to the floor and rested his cheek against the cold concrete, staring at the wall. The pet crept towards him slowly and nudged under his arm before curling up against his chest, tail tucked over her nose. After a moment he laid a hand over her and closed his eyes.
