Two years had passed since the Spring Festival. Days had come and gone, some important, some not worth mentioning.
One of those important days was Gaz' birthday, something only Dib ever really cared about and even then he was usually distracted by Zim. He took her out for Bloaty's with Zim and Tak. Both Tak and Zim were thoroughly uncomfortable, but they sat through it. Gaz had actually given a genuine smile that day, a smile not born from a snarky joke or another's tragedy. The second one, Zim and Dib had chipped in for a GS5.
Another interesting thing changed in the day following the Spring Festival. Tak and Zim had been searching for their SIRs when they discovered them in a dumpster, laughing. That wasn't surprising for Gir, but for MiMi it was just unlike her. Tak also discovered Gir had altered her programming to be more 'fun' as he called it and changed her voice to an electronical mimic of Tak's to be 'prettier'. Zim agreed that it sounded better, but Tak was still upset her lethal killing machine laughed and played. She got over it within a few weeks.
Dib was hanging out with Tak while they worked on Zim's ship. As part of their debts to Zim they were ordered to give it a maintenance upgrade. Tak had taken to hanging out with Gaz as well due to their common talent and affection for technology. Tak admired her crude, yet intelligent, robotic creatures and Gaz enjoyed having someone to discuss the finer points of programming with. Irken tech and human tech wasn't far off, apparently.
Larz and Zita had begun a non-serious relationship and extended their mild popularity to the undesirables. Dib, Zim, Tak and Gaz had all gone to their first ever party together on an invitation from Zita. It was odd among all the 'normals' and no one talked to them except for Larz and occasionally Zita.
Dib's birthday came and passed with only Tak getting him anything. She had made him a very simplistic SIR out of scrap. It was named Tad (Tak and Dib). It wasn't nearly as fun as Gir or as intelligent or useful as MiMi, and it could only hold a charge for a few hours, but it was the best Tak could do without any money and loose scrap. She would've asked Gaz for help, but she wanted it to be personal. It looked like a stout trapezoidal cone with bug eyes on a bulky cylinder with twigs for arms and cones for legs, but Dib loved it. Gaz had even gotten him a birthday card. Just a plain card, but it was more than she usually got him. His next birthday Tad was upgraded.
Apparently Dib and Tak mating had not had any harmful effect on either of them, thankfully. Dib had begun studying why saliva and other bodily fluids did not irritate the other and was searching for the neutralizing chemical so they could finally do typical dating stuff without fear of killing each other. Things like drinking the same drink, or swimming, or showering even. Tak still lived in Zim's base and Dib wanted her to move in, but Zim's base had the luxuries and foods an Irken is used to.
Zim and Gaz' relationship picked up, much to Dib's chagrin. He really shouldn't have instigated it. They had gotten into the phase of holding hands. It had happened one day while Gaz was eating pizza. Zim had just risked his life in the movement, gently wrapping his gloved hand around Gaz' free hand. It was only the second time in their relationship that she had stopped from taking a bite of pizza and opened her eyes at the Irken invader. He was nervous again, half-expecting her to punch him or worse. Gaz was breathless for a moment before blushing lightly and returning to eating her pizza. She never moved her hand away.
…
But now was the present. Dib was 18, Gaz was 16. Tak was, gods only knew how many Irken years and same with Zim. They were each a little taller, but not much. They sat quietly in Zim's base, Zim having gathered them for an announcement.
"My servants, and the beautiful Gaz-human," Zim announced to them, "I have called you here to tell you of the Second Phase of my plan!" Gir and MiMi were sitting patiently next to the couch Gaz, Tak and Dib were sitting at. "We are now successfully blended in and it is time to strike! Phase Two!" Zim stated.
Gaz opened an eye slightly at her alien boyfriend. "You do have a Phase Two thought through, right?" She asked. Zim looked at her. "Of course, Gaz-human. I have several! I have called you all here for your strategic analysis of these ideas to see if they'll work." Zim stated.
Zim's first few suggestions all involved the destruction of Earth, so naturally the others voted them out (Gaz had to think about it). Finally Zim found a decent one. "Ok, so how about we get federal-science jobs and infiltrate the government and take hold of them through a puppet regime and use the puppet regime to conquer the rest of the world?" Zim suggested, actually using puppets. Everyone on the couch gave Zim weird looks. "Zim, why do you have puppets of us?" Dib asked. Zim shrugged and gave an 'I dunno'.
"What do you think?" Zim asked. Dib shrugged. He did need to get a job and he was an honour student due to his high grades. Perhaps he could become an investigator for the government? That might be promising. Tak also shrugged. "I guess I could be a robotics expert or mechanical engineer." Tak suggested. Gaz nodded agreement.
"Excellent!" Zim shouted, "Let us go and get ja-obbs!" Zim's butchery of the English language never ceased to entertain Gaz. Dib, Tak and Gaz stood and followed Zim out the door. Gir and MiMi followed their masters without pause.
…
"Are you sure you're eighteen? We can't hire you if you aren't eighteen." A broken-voiced teenager said. Gaz glared at him. "Why not? It's just a video store." She retorted. Apparently Zim was convinced by the federal warning on movies that working at a Rent-a-Flick was a federal job. Oh well, his plan had to screw up somewhere and at least this way they had money.
"Well, I don't see why you have to be eighteen." The squeaky-voiced teen admitted. He leaned in towards Gaz. "Tell you what, you can work here for just under minimum until you're eighteen, kay?" Gaz shrugged. "I guess so." She hissed.
She was handed a red vest and nametag like her brother and the two Irken invaders. They were barely trained and working a night shift on their first day after the interview. "Is Zim's plan not brilliant? Already they trust us with the night shift! It is brilliant!" Zim burst into his evil laughter.
Tak pinched the bridge of her nose. No one came to a Rent-a-Flick at midnight, even she knew that! "Well, it's not the worst plan you've come up with from what Dib's told me." Tak said in her off-English accent. She had quit using both her Jersey and 'teen' voices and simply reverted to her normal tone. "This plan is much better, isn't it?" Zim asked, oblivious of what Tak was implying.
Dib was working the counter with his sister who was playing her new Game Slave 5 under the counter. Tak was stocking shelves while Dib helped her run inventory. Zim was on janitorial duty and ordered Gir to do most of the work. "What does 'To Love a Rose' go under?" Tak asked. Dib searched the computer. "Romance-Fantasy." He answered. This was the thirtieth film he had to look up for her. Tak raised an eyebrow at the film and wrote the name on a notepad. She'd have to look into that one.
There was a crash from the bathroom and Gaz let out a sigh. "My stupid boyfriend's probably gone and blown up a toilet. Again." Gaz stated. Dib looked over at her. "I never knew you considered him your boyfriend." Dib admitted. Gaz looked back at him. "Well, we've been dating for two years. That kind of allows the use of proper titles." Gaz continued, returning her attention to her game. Dib crinkled his nose to suppress a laugh. "I suppose you use little pet names, too, huh?" Dib smirked. Gaz snarled at him. "What about you and Tak?" Gaz asked.
"Hey, Dib-bunny?" Tak called back to him. She wasn't really good with nicknames, but she thought the combination of his embarrassment and the idea of Dib in a bunny outfit both cute and entertaining so she kept it. "What is 'Star Wars'?" She asked. Dib looked at her in surprise and mock anger. "You kid me, right?" Dib asked. Tak shrugged. "It's only the most famous Scifi-fantasy epic saga ever! It's loved around the world!" Dib explained.
Tak shrugged again. Dib smiled as his brow furrowed. "We are so watching that movie. You need to be thoroughly educated in Earthling cinema of the 70's." Dib said. Tak raised an eyebrow at him. "Dib, is that more of your pillow talk? If it is we really need to talk about your take on role-playing and how you suck at it." Tak asked. Gaz snickered at this.
"Gaz, watch the register! Tak is watching the original Star Wars trilogy NOW!" Dib ordered as he grabbed three movies and dragged Tak into the back room reserved for movie screenings for employees. "I'm still confused; is this code for sex?" Tak asked. Dib let out a grunt. "It just seems odd to do in the workplace, that's all!" Tak defended her misinterpretation. "No Tak! You're going to understand the finer points of the greatest scifi, military, romance, fantasy epic saga ever!" Dib explained as the he opened the door and closed it. Tak smiled. Military and romance? She could go for that.
Gaz groaned. Sure no one would come in but that didn't keep her from hating to work the counter on the off chance someone came in. Zim exited the bathroom with a singed wig and Gir following him. "Gir! Why, why did you throw my water-activated explosive pill in the toilet?" Zim demanded of the little green dog. Gir laughed spastically before giving an 'I dunno'.
Gaz opened an eye and shifted her gaze at her alien boyfriend. "Why do you carry water-activated explosives with you when you live on a planet that's surface is over 70% water?" She asked. Zim glared at her. "Because, beautiful Gaz-human, I avoid water because it harms me and am thus my explosives are more likely to avoid water if I carry them. If only Gir hadn't thought they were deceased fishes, the current bathroom problem wouldn't be happening." Zim pointed his thumb back at the water coming from under the door.
Gaz shook her head. "Fix it before you get fired on your first day of work like at McMeaty's." Gaz ordered. Zim shuddered. He hated that place almost as much as he hated Bloaty's. "Zim intended on it." Zim explained, grabbing Gir by his leash and dragged him to the bathroom. He turned slightly back towards his beloved Gaz-human. "Gaz…" Zim began, catching her attention from his sentence lacking the suffix 'human', "You think this plan was a good one, right?" Zim asked.
Gaz looked at him with half-lidded eyes. They were softer than usual as she contemplated why he'd asked this. Zim was always so confident. Why would he be second-guessing himself now, especially on a plan that was actually realistic? Still poorly conceived, but more realistic.
Gaz constructed her answer carefully. "It's the best plan you've ever had." Gaz answered, sealing the impression with a smile. Zim smiled softly in return before entering the bathroom with the green dog.
…
Tak and Dib were sitting on a refurbished coach in a cold concrete room that smelled of bleach and grease. In front of them was a 1980's television set with a VHS/DVD player hooked up to it. The shift had barely started, so Dib knew they'd be able to watch all three movies before the next shift arrived.
Dib carefully placed the first DVD into the player before leaning back on the couch, wrapping his arm around Tak's shoulders and opening a box of Red Vines. Tak's hologram was so sophisticated that not only could a person feel her hair that was nonexistent; she could feel through it as well. She smiled warmly as Dib wrapped his arm around her. It was a simple enough gesture, his arm grazing her hair, but it had felt nice. She sort of longed to be human, if only for the sensation of the simple things like that.
The movie had begun and Tak snuggled in closer to her 'Dib-bunny', oh how his reaction to that name being called was entertaining! She grabbed a piece of licorice. It was one of the few Earth foods that didn't bother Irkens due to being almost nothing but sugar and artificial flavourings and was officially 'their snack'. She tore the licorice in two and placed a piece in Dib's mouth and the other half in her mouth.
Tak carefully read the prologue, intrigued by the story. She became more enthralled (albeit confused at moments) as the movie progressed and by the end of the first film, much to Dib's disappointment, Tak was leaning forward, tactfully watching the screen. Dib's plan to educate her on Earth's movie culture trend might have worked to well as the process continued into the third and second films. By the end of 'Return of the Jedi', Tak was sitting on the floor a mere two feet from the television, leaning forward in wonderment.
It took Tak a minute to realize she had become too enthralled in the story and she backed away in embarrassment. She sat back on the couch with Dib. "Well, that was a good series." Tak said, forcing her hologram not to translate her blushing into her disguise. Dib yawned. "Yeah. I told you it would be." Dib stuck his tongue out at her. Tak scooted closer to Dib. "So, what else do you want to do?" Tak traced an Irken symbol of love into his chest. It was an almost forgotten symbol on her homeworld.
Dib gave her a peck on cheek and got up from the couch. "Our shift will be over soon." Dib looked at a clock, "Plus we should probably do some work considering we just watched six hours worth of film while being paid." Tak made a weird face. "Well, we don't have to actually DO anything. We could just sit here, snuggle and make small-talk like the other worm-mates do." Tak suggested.
Dib smiled. That was a pretty good idea. So, he sat down once more beside Tak after finding a blanket. They curled up before MiMi curled her cat form around their legs. Dib had almost forgotten she was there. Both the paranormal investigator and his ironically alien girlfriend curled into each other's embrace and sat with eyes closed for a moment.
Finally Dib began the talking. "Tak, why are you on Earth?" Dib asked. Tak's eyes had immediately shot open but they closed as she composed a reply. "I came back because of you." She whispered. Dib wasn't quite sure he heard right. "Because of me?" He asked in disbelief. "Yeah. Weird, right?" Tak responded, "I'd mated a lot in simulators, courted a lot of other males and a few females of nearly every alien species imaginable, but not one of them matched up to your… genuine kind character." Tak admitted. Dib smiled at her admission. She'd finally stopped lying to him and the truth was actually mind-blowing.
Now it was Tak's turn. "If you couldn't be a paranormal investigator, what would you be?" Tak asked. Dib had never really thought about it. The paranormal was his life. "I guess I'd get a job defending the Earth in some other way…" Dib pondered. Tak glanced at him. "You know, not all aliens are out to destroy Earth. Look at Larz." Tak stated. Dib shrugged. "True, but… I don't know. I guess I've always wanted a united humanity working for the better of the human race." Dib explained.
Tak actually laughed at the idea. It wasn't the thought she saw humans as weak or the question of why Dib wanted to help them, just the fact it could never happen. "Dib, have you ever studied human history?" Tak asked. Dib frowned. "Yeah, yeah. It always repeats. That's why we study it now to keep it from repeating." Dib reasoned. Tak scoffed. "I've examined several history textbooks from all over the globe! They've all been altered for propaganda purposes." Tak explained, "Even American ones set certain tones about certain countries. If anything teaching history has been used to turn people against each other and repeat it!" Tak laughed again.
Dib sighed. "What about the Irkens? How do their studies go?" Dib asked. Tak raised an eyebrow. "We don't have a skool or any studies. Everything is programmed into our PAKs and only the ones who can make the most out of it when we're shmeets survive to adulthood." Tak explained, "Then we choose whether a path of honour and glory as a soldier, Elite or Invader; or a life of mediocrity and peaceful living, such as Foodcourtia or Boxvona."
Dib was shocked. "Wait, how on Earth did Zim survive?" Dib asked in wonder. Tak shrugged. "He's good at using his allies as shields." She said. "So why'd you choose a soldier's path?" Dib asked. Tak didn't answer, contemplating the question. It seemed like a stupid thing to ask, but then again, Dib lived on a world as much devoted to war and conquering but with little-to-no progress.
"When I finally reached the surface of Irk I was stunned by the beauty of it. Purple domes and ships standing against a pink sky. Large towers and all that. But what caught all of our attentions, what few shmeets were left that is, were the battalions of Irken Elite on parade with their battle tanks and maim-bots." Tak explained, "I think they put the academy next to the exit to entice us into joining. It wasn't that hard to get in, but getting out was difficult." Dib was in awe again. "But… how did Zim get out?" Dib asked. Tak giggled in response.
"So, whatever happened to your fake father?" Dib asked, referring to the Deelishous Weenies vendor. Tak's face had mixed emotions about him. "He took the leftover money he found exploring my base and split. I doubt he even noticed I existed." Tak noted. Dib let out a single, dark chuckle. "Yeah, I know how you feel." He said.
Tak raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend. "You know how I feel?" Tak asked, "But you have a father." Dib let out another dark chuckle. "A father? No. I have a parent who cloned himself, and for what purpose? Merely because it was one of his first achievements in science. His first push of the envelope on the world. His first show of brilliance." Dib explained wistfully, "Then he thought 'If I can clone myself exactly, why not clone a female version as well?'. Needless to say, Gaz was engineered. We were pinnacles of his genius and for a short time her cared for us. Then bigger projects came along and the world forgot about us. Dad forgot about us." Dib finished his sentence by tossing a Red Vine into his mouth.
Tak's antennae were lowered empathetically. It was sad enough to lack a father or a mother, but to actually have a father that ignored you… that was unbearable. "He loves you though, right?" Tak asked. Dib shrugged. "He loves Gaz. He's been there for her a few times, trying to catch her birthdays and all. But me? I don't know. I think it's out of a fear of self-gratitude that he doesn't extend that love towards me. Or it could be a genetic fault. Dad hates me. Gaz hates me. Even I hate myself sometimes." Dib admitted.
Tak was shocked and slightly angry. She grabbed Dib by the collar and leaned him close to her angered gaze. "Listen to me, Dib Membrane," Tak began harshly, "From what I've seen; Gaz adores you in her own… Gaz-ish way and I couldn't live without you." And she sealed her point with a kiss to his lips. Just a nice, caring kiss, nothing powerful or lustful. Dib smiled. "You were always good with words. And with such a smexy accent." Dib made a funny face as he stroked Tak's holographic hair, making careful sure not to knick her sensitive antennae and get her riled up.
…
Dib and Tak emerged from the break room to return to their jobs, cursing as they realized they still had shelves to stock in less than two hours. Gaz sat bored as Zim returned from the bathrooms with his robotic pup. "You know what I just realized?" Gaz asked the others as they looked at her questioningly, "We have skool tomorrow." Everyone moaned as they realized they hadn't slept for over 16 hours. "Technically, we have school today." Dib pointed to the clock that declared it was 3:50. They could get off at 5:00 and sleep at school for 3 hours, if they were lucky.
Tak and Dib finished stacking shelves as Zim, Gir and MiMi finished cleaning up the mess from the bathroom detonations. Gaz was in the security booth erasing footage of Tak and Dib in the break room for six-and-a-half hours and of Zim blowing up the toilets.
As Gaz was erasing footage she listened to snips and clips of individual scenes. She caught her name in Dib's conversation and rewound to hear the entire scene.
"But you have a father."
Dib let out another dark chuckle.
"A father? No. I have a parent who cloned himself, and for what purpose? Merely because it was one of his first achievements in science. His first push of the envelope on the world. His first show of brilliance. Then he thought 'If I can clone myself exactly, why not clone a female version as well?' Needless to say, Gaz was engineered. We were pinnacles of his genius and for a short time he cared for us. Then bigger projects came along and the world forgot about us. Dad forgot about us."
Gaz sat in astonishment over the segment. Her brother really thought that negatively? He always seemed, if anything, too chipper and positive. His tone was dark. He didn't seem to be blaming their father for any of the resentment though he said it. He blamed himself. Everyone blamed him.
Gaz sat back in her seat. Dib had such a bleak opinion of himself but such optimism for humanity. She had always thought him an idiot for that. All he ever did was try and help them, try to protect them and what did they do? They turned him into a pariah! Gaz did admire his persistence, though. Even with the people he tried to protect against him and the threat of an Invader killing Earth off he kept fighting. She'd seen him shirtless around the house a few times; he had more than enough scars as examples of his misfortunes with Zim.
But why keep fighting? Zim was a foolish opponent. She loved him, but gods was he an idiot! Sure, he had a few good plans that would have worked without interference from either Dib or herself, but most of them were ridiculous and poorly conceived. Gaz knew the answer, though she never liked to think of it.
Dib was nothing without the fight. Less than nothing. Outcast of society. Seemingly hated by even his own sister. Fatally wounded and barely saved several times with no one caring, not even Gaz at some points. She almost felt guilt over her treatment of her brother.
But she had been there for him through numerous of his rough times. Whenever he was captured by Zim, she'd bust him out eventually. If he were ever wounded, she'd take him to a hospital (although she was very annoyed each time). How could Dib think she hated him? If she truly hated him, she would've killed him or left him for dead. She guessed she could show a little positive emotion towards her brother, but it still bugged her immensely.
She sighed and finished deleting the footage and replacing it with time-altered footage of them working. Gaz exited the booth to meet up with her brother, boyfriend and Tak. Gaz looked at her brother and noticed something that made her cheeks burn with shame. She had never noticed before, but her brother always, ever so slightly, winced whenever she looked at him or moved towards him. Gaz didn't want her brother-sister relationship to be that bad, so she decided to do something un-Gaz like. Something that startled even Zim and Tak.
Dib didn't even notice until it was too late. Gaz had wrapped her arms around him in a quick embrace. It was cold and short, like Gaz herself, but there was something else in that fragment of second long hug. There was a tiny bit of… love.
And with that, Gaz dragged her boyfriend and Gir out of the Rent-a-Flick as the day shift relieved them of their duties, leaving the still-awed Dib and his girlfriend to follow them seconds later.
Chapter 12 Complete, please R&R.
Well, Gaz actually hugged Dib. What about that?
