Dlbn: Yay, another chapter! I know you're all so excited! (Laughs maniacally)

Nbld: You…need help.

Dlbn: Yep!
Nbld: Well, maybe not everything was made clear last chapter, but it's coming soon.

Dlbn: So let's see if we can keep our promise this time!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters (Skye, TJ, Element, Karen, Mike, Boss, Skye's roommates at their squat, Mike Halen, Luke, or any of the other Halen Gang/family.) Do not use without permission, but I honestly don't think anyone in their right mind would want to do that. Giggle. I don't own Zim or Tallest Purple, or any other affiliated characters. I am not JCV, lucky for him and all of you.

Skye stood with everyone else in Miz's basement. Everyone seemed to have gotten there safely, but Miz was still doing a head count. Angel sat with Jake in her arms on a chair next to Zim.

"What's going on, Zim?" She wondered.

"I'll tell you once we get everything settled." Zim answered her.

She nodded and looked away. Skye could tell she was really worried.

"Angel?" Skye addressed her.

"Yeah?" She looked at him. "What, Skye?"

"We'll be fine." Skye stated with assurance. "We have Miz and the others here to help, don't we?"

She smiled. "Thank you, Skye."

TJ squeezed Skye's hand. "We're gonna be fine." He promised. "Zim?" He looked to his young friend. "See anything more?"

"No." Zim shook his head. "I stopped seeing things after we left. There's something about Mike and Karen's place."

"Maybe whatever it was, it was only at our place?" Mike wondered.

"Something like that." Zim muttered. He stood. "I'm gonna go see Miz."

"Alright." Element told him, watching him leave.

"He's hiding something." Angel stated.

"He just doesn't want us to worry." TJ informed. "You know how he is."

Element rolled his eyes. "TJ's got a point." He stated.

Zim walked back to them, being led by the wrist by Miz.

"Talk." Miz ordered. "What did you see?" He and Zim sat with the others.

"One, Skye and Tommy's Boss was around." Zim informed, looking to Skye. "Does he think you're involved in what he was told about?"

Skye shook his head and shrugged.

"He didn't mention or look at anyone specifically." He answered.

"What's the reason we had to leave?" Miz wondered, finally getting to what everyone was really worried about.

"We were being watched by someone." Zim answered. "Most likely one of Luke's morons. I know it was one of them, I just don't know who."

"Probably Trev." TJ informed. "Those two seemed to be attached at the hip."

Zim nodded.

"You're still not telling us something." Miz stated.

"It's…" Zim paused. "Nothing."

"Zim, don't you hide stuff from me." Miz scolded. "How else am I supposed to help you?"

"Something's gonna go down soon." Zim informed.

Skye looked around at everyone to see them hanging onto Zim's words.

"I don't know what or when or how or why, but something. We all need to be on our guard and stick together."

That didn't sound too promising.

Skye woke up late that night in TJ's arms. Miz, Angel, and Jake had fallen asleep on the futon couch together, Zim and Element slept on a futon curled together, Karen and Mike slept against each other against a wall, Jade and the strippers slept against a beanbag chair, and the others were scattered around the floor. Tommy had been shanghaied into sleeping next to Karen, but he seemed comfortable.

Skye stretched and yawned, sitting up. Everything seemed to be okay. Did Zim really see something? Or was he over-imagining things? Neither would be good, but Skye knew that something had gone down earlier. Miz's house phone rang and Zim stirred in the corner. He slid out from under Element's arms and stumbled over, half asleep. He picked up.

"Um…Hello?" The young boy wondered.

Skye watched him.

"What do you want?" Zim sneered.

Skye stood and walked over, noting the hostile tone of Zim's voice and hoping that everything was okay.

Zim hung the phone up.

"What's wrong?" Skye whispered.

Zim peeped and turned. "Don't do that, Skye! Not after tonight!" He scolded.

"Sorry. Who was it?"

"Harper."

"He's got your number?"

"We were friends, remember?" Zim wondered. "He wanted to warn me that we're in danger."

"Do you believe him?"

Zim swallowed hard. "The only danger around here are him and Luke."

"But, seriously. After earlier, I'd listen to anything we're told about this."

Zim sighed. "I know you're right, but I can't bring myself to trust Jack again."

"It's okay." Skye smiled softly. "Have you seen anything else?"

"I've been dreaming, but nothing big. Just soccer and college…and me and Element…" Zim flushed. "But I don't think it's got anything to do with what went on." Zim shook his head. "I want to go to the police station and find whoever it is that's supposed to be finding Luke. Come."

"Fine. We should let the others…"

"No. It's best if they don't." Zim shook his head. He held up Miz's keys. "I've got a license. Come with me. Please?"

Everything in Skye's body told him not to, but if this was going to help out…

"Sure." Skye nodded. "But I gotta be back by eight so I can keep up appearances at work."

"Of course. Miz and the others probably won't wake up until late anyway." Zim answered.

Jake made a noise from Miz and Angel's side. Zim looked over to see him sitting up and staring at the two of them over the back of the couch. He made another noise when he noticed they were looking at him.

"Shush." Zim ordered, putting a finger over his lips.

Jake imitated him and laughed. "Jake, stop." Zim ordered. "Quiet down."

Jake turned his head, nodding as if he understood Zim's words. Zim walked over and hugged him before turning to Skye. "Let's get outta here."

Zim turned on Miz's car as Skye plopped down in the passenger seat. He got in and shut the door before buckling up. Zim shifted into reverse before a thump hit the car. Zim put the car in park, unbuckled himself, and opened the door. Jake giggled from outside and screeched. Zim stepped out of the car.

"Jake?" He wondered.

Jake giggled and reached to Zim.

Zim picked him up. "You're going inside." He stated.

Jake pouted and held tight to Zim's shirt.

"I think he wants to go with you, Zim." Skye informed.

"Absolutely not." Zim argued with a shake of his head. "I can't drag him into this. Miz will kill me."

"I don't think he's gonna stay either, Zim." Skye argued back.

"Well, he'll have to." Zim handed Jake something from his pocket. "Stay inside, okay." He put a finger to his lips.

Jake imitated him as Zim walked him back to the house. He set Jake down inside and watched him walk away before he shut and locked the door with his house key. He walked back to the truck and hopped in, buckling up. He put the truck in reverse and drove off. He looked at Skye.

"I didn't want him to have to deal with this." Zim informed. "He don't deserve to suffer because we're a bunch of morons who got ourselves into trouble."

"I don't blame you, Zim." Skye answered. "We're going to the police station, then? Are you sure it's a good idea?"

"Yeah." Zim nodded. "I want to figure out something."

When Zim and Skye pulled into a parking space at the Seoul PD Headquarters, the parking lot was pretty much empty.

"Where is everyone?" Skye wondered.

"Who knows?" Zim responded, shutting the truck off. "Come on."

Skye followed Zim out and inside towards the front desk. An officer was sitting behind it, and he looked up with a smile when he sensed them. No one else was around. He waved.

"Hey, Zim!" He greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Pensky." Zim returned the greeting, walking with Skye to the desk. "I want to ask you something."

"Sure, shoot." Pensky smiled. "I remember you." He told Skye.

"Yeah, you too." Skye smiled. "Good to see you again."

"You too."

"Who's in charge of finding Luke?" Zim wondered.

"Me." Pensky answered. "Why?"

"I had this weird feeling at Mike and Karen's party, and I think it was because someone was watching us."

"You think Luke?"

"He…showed up at the bar when you guys were called in." Zim admitted. "We didn't report it cause we knew he'd retaliate."

Pensky's smile faded. "My Boss ain't gonna like this. We were right there and we missed him?" Pensky leaned his head on his hand. "I'm getting old."

"So's Zak." Zim stated.

"Be nice to your stepbrother." Pensky laughed.

"I am." Zim rolled his eyes. "Do you guys have any leads to where he might be now?"

"We've been…tracking his friends. None of them have led to Luke yet." Pensky shook his head.

"Well, try snooping around Mike Saug and Karen Summer's place." Zim offered.

"Someone had to have been there, or that feeling probably wouldn't have come around." Skye stated. "We're not sure if it was Luke and his friends or not, though."

"We'll…look into it." Pensky offered. "You two look terrible. You guys on the run?"

"We've gotta get back before Miz wakes up." Zim informed. "I kind of…took his truck…"

"Yeah, you'd better get back. Does he know what was wrong last night?"

Zim nodded. "He was the only one, other then Skye, who listened to me."

"Then I'd get back."

When Miz woke up, Jake was pulling on the blankets, trying to yank them from underneath his father. He sat up. "What are you doing down there, Jake?" Miz wondered.

Jake reached up towards his father. Miz picked him up and sat him on the bed.

"You didn't wake up anyone else, did you?" Miz wondered, knowing Jake wouldn't answer.

The boy shook his head no. Miz laughed. He looked around to see who was asleep and who wasn't. Everyone seemed to be there but…Zim and Skye weren't around.

"Zim?" Miz called out. "Skye?"

No response. No one else woke up either. Miz stood, swinging his legs off the side of the bed. Jake crawled to the edge, but he sat when his father didn't tell him to go with him. Miz went to Element and shook him.

"Element." Miz spoke his name. "Element, wake up!"

"Huh?" Element wondered, eyes sliding open. "What? What's the matter?"

"Where'd Zim go?" Miz questioned. "You two get into another fight?"

"No." Element shook his head. "He isn't here?"

"Skye isn't either." Miz stated.

Element shrugged. "I think I heard the phone ring earlier, but I might have been dreaming."

Miz groaned. "I hope whoever it was didn't lure Zim out of here."

Element shook his head. "Zim's too smart for that, Miz." He answered. "I'm sure he'll show up."

"He'd better." Miz stated. "Especially after last night."

Jake screeched from where he was. Miz looked to him.

"Do you know where Zim went?" He questioned Jake.

Jake put a finger over his mouth.

"That's Zim's way of telling him to keep quiet." Miz moaned. "Jake must've caught him leaving."

Element snickered.

A truck pulled up outside and the front door opened a few minutes later.

Skye and Zim walked in together, silent. Miz stood. "And just where the hell were the two of you?" he wondered.

People began to stir.

"We went to the Police Headquarters." Zim shrugged. "I wanted to see if the officer in charge of finding Luke had any idea where he was. I think it was him watching us last night."

Miz shook his head. "If something had happened to the two of you while you were out…" He paused, not wanting to think about that. "You should've told someone where you were going."

"Jake knew." Zim offered.

Jake screeched.

"He's a baby, Zim: He can't tell me where you went." Miz argued.

Jake screeched in protest again. Angel rubbed her eyes and put him on her lap.

"Relax, Miz." She ordered. "They look fine. Are you two okay?"

"Yeah." Skye muttered.

"I'm fine." Zim agreed.

"See? So what's the issue?" Angel wondered.

"After last night." Miz started. "I have to keep an eye on you." He looked to Zim. "Sides, dad would kill me."

Zim rolled his eyes, not liking being scolded by Miz again, and folded his arms. "I'm fine, Miz. You know me better then that."

"That's why he's worried." Element snickered.

Zim gave Element a look, but he was smiling. "I know."

Element smiled back and winked, making Zim giggle.

"Stop it, you two." Miz ordered. "This is serious."

"Look, it's all over now, Miz." Element offered. "Zim and Skye are fine and so are the rest of us. Just let it go."

"But…"

"Miz," TJ stated, standing and walking over to Skye. "Element's right and you know it."

"I'm just being cautious." Miz answered.

"We all are." Angel stated, standing with Jake in her arms. "Zim, why don't you go ask your woods friend if he can help you figure out what's going on, alright?" She smiled.

"Woods friend?" Skye wondered.

Zim smirked. "That's right. You haven't met him yet."

Dlbn: Alright, so not everything was clear in this chapter.

Nbld: But we've double checked our records and chapter 14 will make everything make sense. We're double sure.

Dlbn: Yep! So here's a couple bios to help ease our stupidity.

Nbld: Or enhance it…

Biographies:

Name: Baillie Hadley

Age: 18

Lives In, With: Juliana Gilsden and Diana Klein, small apartment

Hates: Luke Hartford, Miz's temper, seeing Zim sick, being hit on by perverts (So why did she choose this job?)

Likes: Hanging with her friends, working, being with Zim

Hometown: Seoul (Aw, do I even need to say it?!)
Friend-Crush: Zim-Rain Halen

Significant Other: None

Eye color: Yellow-orange

Brief biography: A student of Mike Halen, who desperately needed help with chemistry, Baillie stayed after school for his help and met his son, Zim-Rain Halen. Soon staying after school to work with Mr. Halen turned into staying after school to see Zim. He eventually caught onto her and brought her to meet his brother and their friends. After Elemental Power was made, Baillie offered her services as a stripper, since her cheerleading had made her flexible and she wanted a job. Her parents didn't approve and kicked her out, but she claims it was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

Name: Juliana Gilsden

Age: 16

Lives In, With: Baillie Hadley and Diana Klein, small apartment

Hates: Having to talk too much, being alone, being ignored

Likes: Partying, hanging with Baillie and Diana, shopping

Hometown: Seoul (Forget the comments. You know what goes here)
Friend-Crush: Element Smithers

Significant Other: None

Eye color: Purple

Brief biography: One of Mike Halen's students, Juliana wanted to have some extra help after school, though she didn't really need it. She met Zim Halen, a quiet kid like herself, and they became instant friends. When she met Baillie and Diana, they seemed determined to make her talk more. She became a stripper after being with the gang for a few years and seeing Baillie do it. When her parents found out that she had gone from a shy bookworm into a stripper, they were quick to resent her. Juliana left her house after Zim told her he and his brother could help her get a place to stay. She and Zim are close, but not as close as Juliana is with the other strippers.

Name: Diana Klein

Age: 17

Lives In, With: Baillie Hadley and Juliana Gilsden, small apartment

Hates: Juliana not talking, Juliana's crush on Element, quiet

Likes: Dancing, partying, hanging with her friends, working

Hometown: Seoul
Friend-Crush: None

Significant Other: None

Eye color: Pink

Brief biography: Diana met Baillie while they were cheerleaders for Seoul High School. Like Baillie and Juliana, Diana had Mike Halen as a chemistry teacher and desperately needed some extra help. She met Zim in the same manner, after Baillie convinced her to come and meet him. She became a stripper at Elemental Power around the same time Baillie did. When Diana's mother died, her father became distant, eventually uprooting and leaving without telling her, or anyone else, where he was going. Close to the Halen gang by that time, Miz and Zim were able to get it out of her what was going on. Though she moved into the house Miz had found for Juliana and Baillie and they all became close, Diana decided to continue going to school instead of working 24-7 like the other two did. She's the only one out of the strippers at Elemental Power, including her friends and Jade, to make it through high school.