(A/N: Hey, guys! Did you miss me? I'm sure you did. Well, I missed you too!

Before you read this, I would really appreciate it if you went to my profile and took a look at my one-shot "GIR's New Piggy". I need to show everyone that I love GIR and no one should let anybody tell them otherwise! Speaking of which, nobody has ousted for my GIR Kicked Count so far, but I'll remain open to it as long as I retain the documents, I guess. Just let me know...

I also tried to make this chapter humorous in comparison to more recent ones, so...let me know how that works out...

Good to be back to work on this story, now let's get TO IT!)

Zim wasn't going to waste any time. Giving Tak the breathing space she needed, he decided to find out was Dib was planning.

He plopped on his wig, stuck his contacts in and dashed out the door.

XXXXXXXATDIBSHOUSEXXXXXXX

Dib was just laying on the couch, facing the ceiling, and trying to think. What else could he possibly do? He had to figure this out, or mankind could be in trouble! That, and the entire Invader Zim fandom! ZaTr is NOT canon! (A/N: I had to.)

Then, what he wanted to happen least in the world happened.

No, Zim didn't show up at his front door. Yet.

The Swollen Eyeball Network contacted him.

"Oh, boy..." He managed to sit up and open his laptop.

"Agent Mothman," Agent Darkbooty (if that's how you spell it) said."We've been looking over your evidence and all the while gathering a team to infiltrate the alien base. Just say the word and we'll be ready to move in."

"Uh, yeah. About that...Hey, have you guys gotten a room for me so I can look all mysterious and shadowy when I contact people?"

"...what? No! Why would that even matter?"

"I think it looks cool!" Dib formed a cheesy smile."But anyway, before you invade the base...maybe I should scout it out for you?"

"Mothman. Is this a personal problem?"

"No! No, no, no! I'm just making sure it's safe for you!" Dib assured."Don't worry, I'll still let you guys know when the time is right."

"...alright, kid, but no games. We need to hurry this up and seal the deal."

"Of course!" Dib nodded."Thanks, Agent Darkbooty! Mothman out!"

Dib closed his laptop and sighed dreamily."I've always wanted to say that..."

DING-DONG! DING-DONG! DING-DONG! DING-DONG! DING-DONG!

"Dib, get the door!" Gaz yelled from upstairs over the ringing.

"Yeah, yeah!" Dib got up and opened the door."Yes?"

His eyes widened when he saw Zim standing there. The alien stopped ringing the bell.

"So...how's it goin'?" REALLY should have thought of a better approach.

"Zim, what are you doing here?" Dib tightened his grip on the door.

Zim cleared his throat."Is it really that unusual for me to stop by for a visit?"

"...yeah. You hate me," Dib reminded him.

Suddenly, Zim grabbed Dib by the shirt and pulled him close."LOOK, Dib-meat, you and I both know that you're planning something and you won't be able to hide it! So you may as well fess up now!"

Dib pushed Zim's hands away."I've done a pretty good job of hiding it so far. Trust me, you're going to be so surprised, you'll never see it coming."

Zim growled."Mark my words, human. I shall discover what this plan of yours is one way or another! And when I do, I'm going to...to...complain about it on my website!"

"YEAH, WELL- -Wait, you have a website?"

"...ALLHAILZIMDOTCOM!" With that, Zim rang the doorbell one more time and scurried off back down the sidewalk. (Warning: All Hail Zim dot com is made up. Please do not create an account at this website, as it does not actually exist.)

Dib closed the door and looked out the window at Zim's retreating figure.

"Man, I can't wait to cut him open..."

He smirked as he heard thunder from above.

"And he better hurry home. It's about to start raining..." The boy blinked."Who am I talking to?!"

XXXXXXXATZIMSBASEXXXXXXX

"So, what you two are saying is that if I really care about Zim, I should just embrace it, and do what I can to help him?"

"Yes!"

"Nyah!"

"Alright, then..." Tak sat up. She had been having a little "therapy session" with Skoodge and Minimoose, letting out all her problems. She really needed it."What do I do now?"

"Go to him," Skoodge told her with a smile.

"Nyah!" Minimoose added.

"...okay. Thanks, I guess. See ya," Tak stood and headed over to the elevator. On her way up to the house, she could hear thunder booming from outside. She rubbed her temples."Oh, this is just supercalafrajalisticexpealidocious. Zim has no doubt gone outside, and now he's going to get drenched!"

"Who are you talking to?" Computer asked.

"Who knows what could happen if he's out there for too long? Dangerous, dangerous...permanent skin damage..." Tak continued to ramble on as she rose out of the toilet and stepped into the living room. From there, she could see through the windows that it was raining cats and dogs outside. No, not literally, but that would be cool...

"I suppose I'll have to go and get him..." Tak sighed, turning on her disguise and pulling out a random umbrella.

"...where did you...get that umbrella?" Computer asked, only to be ignored again.

"I'm off!"

"Seriously, did you just pull that out from behind your back?"

XXXXXXXWITHZIMXXXXXXX

Zim tried to get through the pouring rain, but he hadn't done a very good job of it. He wasn't able to stand the stinging for very long, and there weren't many places to take cover. Plus, he couldn't call anyone because his communicator malfunctioned when it got wet.

So, little Zim was currently hiding in the "shade" of a tree, trying to avoid all the drops of water blowing around him. But the wind was getting stronger, and he knew that he would soon be forced to either flee or submit to death. He could practically feel his skin melting now...!

"CURSE YOU, CHANNEL NINE WEATHER CENTER!" he bellowed over the screaming winds."CURSE YOU AND EVERY SMELLY HUMAN YOU EMPLOY!"

"Zim?!"

He heard somebody call his name in the distance.

"Eh?"

"Zim, are you there?!"

"Oh, no..." Zim trembled."The Beezlebub has come to claim my non-existant soul! It was ONE time I stole from you, you bundle of sticks!"

"What? Zim, what are you talking about?!"

"Tak?!" He finally recognized the voice."Where are you?!"

"Hold on, I'm coming!"

Slowly, but steadily, Tak emerged from the storm, a purple umbrella clasped tightly in her pale hands.

"Oh, good, I found you..." she said, relieved.

Zim moved closer to her, getting beneath the umbrella, and smiled up at her. She returned the favor.

Then she slapped her.

"OW! Hey!" Tak rubbed her cheek and glared down at him.

"REVENGE!"

XXXXXXXSOONXXXXXXX

The storm had died down to mere heavy drizzling now, as Zim and Tak slowly made their way back to the base. They each had one hand on the umbrella handle, and were focused on avoiding the puddles that had formed.

"Zim...tell me something. Why did you leave the base in the first place?"

"You told me that the Dib was on your case...Naturally, I left to investigate."

"And, what did he tell you?" Tak asked, intrigued.

"NOT A THING," Zim plainly stated.

Tak's expression hardened."Well...you suck."

"Oh, but you love me," Zim said in a dismissive manner.

"Ugh..." Tak scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry, though. Once we return to the base, we shall find out everything we need to know!"

"What makes you so sure?"

"See for yourself, through this conveniently placed flashback!"

Cue ripple effect.

"You see, I tried to get the information out of the human, but he refused to tell me. So, I went with Plan B, installing a microphone into that silly shirt of his..."

Remember when Zim grabbed Dib by the shirt? Yeah, he attached a tiny microphone to his collar.

Another ripple effect, and...flashback over.

"The headset is at home. Once I get it on, I'll be able to hear Dib talking aloud to himself about his plan!" Zim explained."Quite ingenious thinking on my part, was it not?"

"Wow," Tak said, impressed."Zim, you're more cunning than I thought."

"Yes, of course. Of course!" Zim replied, blushing slightly.

"...Zim...I have something to tell you too. I want you to know that things aren't going our way right now, we're not quite sure of what to do. But when things start looking up, it will definitely be for the better. And...like I said...I'm here for you...or whatever," Tak trailed off.

"Yes," Zim nodded."Zim is here too. And I'll...look out for you...and stuff."

They awkwardly shook hands.

"Thank you...Invader Zim."

"You're welcome...Invader Tak."

Tak beamed and her purple eyes shone."You know, Zim, it stopped raining five minutes ago. You can move over now."

"Ah!" Zim scooted out from under the umbrella as Tak stepped ahead. He hadn't even noticed that they were already on his lawn.

"Hey, wait. Does this mean that you DO like me?"

Tak collapsed the umbrella and tossed it away."It's not going to be that easy!"

Zim wasn't sure what she meant by that, and he gave Tak a funny look, but he didn't say a word and followed her into his base.

(A/N: You know what? I'm actually REALLY proud of this chapter! Like, really! I can honestly say that I am completely happy with it! God, that's a great feeling!

But still, I'd like to hear thoughts! Please, review, fave, follow, check out my profile, especially the story I mentioned and all that shwiz!

Remember, I love you all, have a wonderful ding dang doopity day! I'll just be here at my house...braining out the next chapter...)