It's been a long time, hasn't it, Dib?" asked Dwicky, folding his hands under his chin. "My, my, haven't you grown?"
"Stop talking to him!" Dek roared. Dib barely heard him. He barely heard anything. His mind couldn't comprehend what he was seeing. Dwicky…Dwicky was Ra'ask? Dwicky had survived the attack on Plookesia? He had orchestrated this whole thing? He…destroyed Irk?
"Oh, I guess this would come as quite a shock, wouldn't it?" Dwicky nearly cooed. "Must be so strange, seeing another human completely destroy the race you used to hate so much."
"Dib, don't listen to him!" Matsuri told him.
"But I guess you don't hate them too much nowadays, do you, Dib?" The satisfied look on Dwicky's face made Dib's stomach turn. "Suddenly wanting peace and freedom? To think if your past self could see you now. I bet he would be terribly disappointed."
"Cut the communication!" Dek ordered.
"I'm trying!" Matsuri insisted.
"Not only did you help save a race of known genocidal maniacs, but you mated the very one that was sent to your planet."
"He was exiled," Dib told him. His voice was too soft. Too weak.
"He didn't know that," Dwicky reminded Dib malevolently. "And he made you stay up on countless nights, give up your weekends and nearly killed you so many times. And, yet, here you are. Wearing his blood on your neck." He chuckled darkly. "Must be one hell of a lay."
"I said stop talking to him, you son of a bitch!" Dek yelled once more, walking over to step in front of Dib.
Dwicky just laughed again. "You are such a buzz kill, Captain. But, lucky for you, I actually do have things to attend to." He tossed the submission device up into the air before catching it with great ease.
Dek gave Dwicky a look that spoke of nothing less than killing intent. "You are a fraud," he hissed. "The moment the Council gets wind of this-,"
"And tell me why they'll believe a group of wanted war criminals over the High Chancellor?" He cackled again. "You don't get it, do you? I have won."
"No. You haven't. You just managed to piss off a whole lot of people." Dek showed no anxiety. No fear. "You wanted a war, High Chancellor? You sure as hell have one!"
Dwicky just laughed again, cruel and conceited. "A centeries old broken kingdom, a rebel group with a ludicrous name, and a bunch of starry-eyed freedom fighters against what is now the most powerful entity in the known universe." He cackled even harder. "I am going to thoroughly enjoy destroying every single one of you."
Dek stood firm, his glare unwavering.
"Well, like I said, duty calls," Dwicky remarked cheerfully, reaching up and flicking the switch on his wristwatch again. His grin was beyond disturbing. "Toodles."
The room was deathly quiet after Dwicky hung up. Dib could feel everyone's eyes on him.
Why? Why was this happening?
"Mary?" Gir said softly from his spot on the floor.
Dib didn't respond, changing the Delphina to autopilot before jumping from his chair. He heard his name called several times. Heard Dek tell the others to let him go.
The Delphina had expanded exponentially over the last few months. It now had a few more rooms, including an observation room that hung toward the back of the ship. He found his way there, trying to catch his breath, to compute everything that had just happened.
If he hadn't had been such a loud, obnoxious child. If he hadn't have roped Dwicky into that stupid escapade. If he…if he….
"Dib?"
Dib almost jumped at the voice in his ear, even with the tone being soft and nonthreatening. He'd forgotten they he still had his headset on."Zim?"
0000000000
"Matsuri," Dek said. His voice was still harsh with anger, but he'd reduced his volume to a more acceptable level. "Is there a way for me to speak to Tallest Purple privately?"
Matsuri looked between the screen that held Purple's image then back to Dek, appearing hesitant. However, she eventually pulled open a small compartment beneath the console and handed him a headset. "Thank you," he said.
Matsuri gave a small nod. "We'll just…check the ship over to make sure we're good to warp."
No one argued with her, all spreading to examine the ship. Gir remained on the floor, looking completely forlorn. However, Dek was certain that the robot would behave himself.
"So what's your offer?" he asked Purple.
Purple frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I'm not going to just blindly do your dirty work," Dek told him firmly. "I'm also not going to let you go on a rampage against the entire Galactic Alliance. We need to take down one person."
"You think I don't know that?" Purple asked, sounding insulted. "You really don't think I know where your values stand at this point?"
"Then explain what you want."
"I just did! I want that bastard eradicated! And I, as much as I hate to say it – and trust me, I do – I need the son of Invader Zon to do it!"
"Don't even try to flatter me! You're not even worthy of speaking my father's name!"
"The order was given by the Control Brains! Our hands were tied!"
"And I don't care!" Dek said harshly. "The only thing I care about is making that asshole pay!"
"And for that you'll need an army!"
"I have Vort and Meekrob!"
"Vortain tech is only half as advanced as Irken and you know it!" Purple pointed out. "And good luck convincing the Meekrob to participate in an all out war!"
"They despise oppression, and that is exactly what Dwicky plans to promote!"
"Can you just accept an alliance when it's offered?" Purple complained. "I saw for myself! I know what that human is capable of! He took some of my people for the soul intention of enslaving them." His fist clenched. "Their free will was just restored and now it's going to be ripped away all over again."
Dek stared for a long time. The emotion in Purple's voice had taken him aback. "You…actually care about this?"
Purple's face scrunched up in despair. "I risked everything," he said, his voice was so quiet. "I lost everything. It's true that my intentions were mostly selfish...at first." He paused to take a breath, his hand diving into his armor. Dek's eyes widened, noticing that there were two Orok's in his hand. Both were a dark green, but had different colored stripes. The one with red stripes no longer had a sphere, and Dek knew it must have shattered some time after Red's death. The sphere of the other, the one with purple stripes, had darkened, the blood within congealed. Dek could even see a small crack in the glass.
"Irk is free," Purple continued, staring at the Oroks in his hand. "And...and I saw it in his eyes. If...If I had just told him sooner...if we'd had the chance...If he hadn't..." His jaw looked tense, almost like he was trying not to cry.
"None of this makes up for anything, Purple," Dek told him. He wanted to make that impeccably clear.
Purple met his gaze. "I know," he said. "But...for the first time in my life...I want to try."
Dek studied him. The Tallests were never good actors. They were mostly just jerks who were able to twist things around into what was "best for the Empire." They never took personal responsibility. They never admitted when they were wrong. And they sure as hell never sought out a chance to do the right thing.
Yet, in the span of about ten minutes, Purple had done all three.
Dek mentally swore. He really was growing soft. He pulled up a window on one of the other screens, and pushed a few buttons before hitting send.
Within a few seconds, Purple was squinting an eye at him in confusion. "What's this?" He asked.
"Coordinates to our rendezvous point," Dek answered. "I've already sent ones to President Brin of Vort and Sovereign Volbub of Meekrob. If you're serious about this, you'll be there." His eyes narrowed threateningly. "Don't make me regret this."
Purple eyed him for a moment before the strangest smile appear on his face. "You would make one hell of a Tallest."
"I have no desire," Dek replied. The screen suddenly beep. "I have another call."
"Yeah, yeah," Purple said dismissively.
It was like things slowed down for a moment, as Purple's hand reached up to end the call. Dek wasn't sure what came over him, but he shouted, "Purple!"
Purple froze, looking at him curiously. "What?"
Dek scowled. He didn't know why he felt compelled to do this. Maybe because if anything ever happened to Midge... "I'm sorry for your loss."
Purple's features hardened. Dek wondered for a minute if he was going to go off on him. But Purple didn't. He didn't say a word. His hand moved again, and the screen went black, signaling that he had hung up.
Dek sighed, deciding not to waste any time wondering about that. He flipped over to the second call, and immediately felt concerned. "Tenn?"
"Are you alone?" She asked. She seemed extremely flustered.
"No, but the call is private," Dek replied. "Tenn what's going on?"
Tenn hesitated, looking extremely reluctant to say anything. Immediately Dek felt his insides twist uncomfortably.
"Your mate went into in labor," she said.
"What?!" Dek exclaimed, anxiety filling his chest. "Where's Midge?! Is she alright?!"
"She's...stable," Tenn answered. "Dek, I'm going to need you to listen very carefully, understand?"
Dek did his best to shove the panic down. Obviously this was serious and he needed to keep a level head. He nodded.
"Okay," Tenn explained. "Midge went into a labor a while ago, right before a bunch of Alliance ships began attacking us. She was knocked unconscious. Now normally, this wouldn't be a problem. You'd be surprised what a birthing body is capable of. However, there's a complication."
Dek swallowed. "Tell me."
Tenn continued. "The smeet's cardiac rate is dropping. We need to perform surgery as to not exacerbate the issue. I need your consent."
Dek's hands began to shake, unable to keep the panic at bay. It was the same thing that had happened to his mother. They had to perform surgery as well. Except his mother had bled out on the table. He suddenly felt nauseous. He'd never thrown up in his entire life, and already could he feel bile rise in his throat.
"Dek," Tenn said, her tone more gentle than before. "Midge is perfectly healthy. There have been no complications thus far. I'm confident that she will pull through just fine." Her gaze was unrelenting. "Dek, I need to know now."
Dek forced himself to breath, to force the nausea away. He was usually so good at coming to logical decisions under pressure. Why was this any different?
Because it was Midge.
He never thought logically when it came to Midge.
But he trusted Tenn. He trusted her to do the right thing. He trusted her to take care of the two most important beings in his life.
"Do it," he finally said.
Tenn nodded. "Get here safe, alright?"
As soon as she was gone, Dek collapsed in this nearest chair, burying his face in his hands. He was trembling all over, and his throat felt impossibly tight. He could already feel the tears in his eyes. He had never been one for prayer, but this time, he could certainly make an exception.
If anyone out there exists, he thought silently. Please, I beg you. Let them be okay. I can't lose them, too. I can't...
And so the rest of the crew wouldn't see him cry, he took off to find somewhere to be alone.
00000000000
"Are you…alright, my Dib?" Zim asked tentatively.
Dib clenched and flexed his hands over and over. He felt like he was suffocating, like something was choking him. He still couldn't process it. Dwicky had killed Adalet. Dwicky had destroyed Irk. Dwicky was the reason they were in this war in the first place.
He remembered when he was a kid being so happy that the guidance counselor believed him. That someone believed him. That someone was willing to help him stop Zim. That someone didn't think he was insane. That they seemed to listen to him and respect him. And had even earned his admiration in return.
He had admired that sick son of a bitch...
Dib had been the reason Dwicky had been where the Plookesians landed…
He was the one who had caught Dwicky's eye in the first place…
It...it could all be traced back to him...
"This is all my fault."
"Nonsense!" Zim replied sharply. "Why would you say such filth?"
"Because it is!" Dib yelled. "I brought him there! I watched him get on that ship! If I hadn't...If I had just..." Fuck. He could feel tears in his eyes. God dammit, he didn't want to cry.
"The road to the future is not paved with 'What ifs,' my Dib," Zim told him sagely. "What truly matters is what we do now. And furthermore, you were a child. A child who had no one else to turn to. No one else to talk to. How were to ever know what would happen?"
"You didn't see him, Zim," Dib said brokenly. "His eyes... Even though he was lying to me at the time, I remember that they looked kind. Like he actually cared. That...that's all gone. He...he.."
He looks like how I used to look at you. When I hated your guts. When all I wanted was to cut you open and pull out all your organs.
"That could have been me," Dib sobbed suddenly, feeling like he was going to be sick. "If things had gone just the slightest bit different I could have become that!"
"What did I just say, Dib-stink!" Zim said severely. "'What ifs' do not matter! They will never matter! You are you! You are Dib Membrane, Paranormal Investigator, Lieutenant and Chief Hacker of Team Nebula, Earth's Sworn Protector and Defender! You are all of those things and more, and on top of it all you are mine! You chose to be mine, which to this day is still so difficult for Zim to fathom! But it's true! You are mine and I am yours! You have never been the low-life, DISGUSTING, INFERIOR pile of shit Dwicky is! Nor will you ever be! You are so far superior to him that the very notion of a comparison is LAUGHABLE!"
Dib was stunned, his mouth hanging open slightly. He'd never thought he would hear Zim say things like this to him. His heart ached...but in a good way.
He tried to think of a response, but all that came to him was, "You said paranormal investigator correctly."
Zim huffed. "If that is all you got out of that, I am going to tear your legs off and beat you with them."
Dib managed a watery laugh. "No, no, I got the rest of it." He pushed his goggles to the top of his head, wiping his face with the sleeve of his coat. However, he felt his chest only hurt more. He wished Zim was here. He wanted him to hold him...just for a moment.
"Zim, I need you," Dib said, his voice cracking.
There was a small pause before Zim answered. "And I need you, my Dib." His voice suddenly sounded raspy and forced, like he was trying not to cry himself.
Immediately, Dib felt like an asshole. "Oh my God, Zim, I'm so sorry. You...you lost your whole planet and...and I'm-,"
"This is not about whose feelings are more important," Zim told him. "We are mates. We are here for each other."
Dib gave a small chortle. "Who would have thought that you would be the one saying mature shit." He sobered instantly, sniffling. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Zim hesitated. Dib could almost see the look on his face. His brow furrowed, his jaw tight. The stubborn look he got when he didn't want to feel, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.
"Home to me is where you are," Zim told him, even as his voice was breaking. "But...Irk..."
Dib figured it must have been difficult. Especially if Tak was nearby. Zim didn't like showing other people he was sad or frightened. He only showed that side to Dib.
"How about we talk about it later, okay?" Dib suggested. This would be easier once they were alone...and together.
Zim made a noise that could have been a sniffle if he had a nose. "Yes. We are almost at the rendezvous point." He took a moment to steady his breathing and Dib felt his heart break. His poor bug. "I..I love you, my Dib."
"I love you, too, Space Boy," Dib told him. "I'll see you when we get there."
As soon as they hung up, the door to the observation room slammed open. Dib whirled around, finding Dek standing in the door. He looked...frazzled. Distraught even.
"Oh, I, uh," Dek stammered. "I forgot you would be in here. I'll...I'll just go-,"
"No, wait," Dib said, becoming seriously concerned. It took a lot to get Dek to freak out like this. "What's going on?"
Dek shooked his head. "You...you don't need to concern yourself."
"Dek," Dib said firmly. Now he was really worried.
Dek didn't look at him, staring off out the window. He was fiddling nervously with his Orok. Dib didn't like this. He was feeling nauseous again.
"Midge went into labor," Dek whispered, his eyes squeezing shut.
Dib's jaw dropped. "What?!" He exclaimed. "We have to get you there! I'll go start the warp-,"
"We won't get there in time," Dek explained. He still wasn't looking at him. "The...the smeet's cardiac rate began to drop. They...they have to conduct surgery."
Dib felt his anxiety rise. A C-section? But wasn't that...? Dib paused, remembering how Dek's mother had died. No wonder he was a mess.
"She's going to be fine," Dib reassured him, even as a flutter of nerves swarmed in his gut. "She's one of the strongest people I know. And your smeet will be fine, too. They're half you and half her. So...so they're bound to be a bad ass."
When Dek finally met his gaze, Dib couldn't read his expression. It made him shift his footing uncomfortably. After a while, Dek finally cracked a smile, reaching over and ruffling Dib's hair.
"Hey!" Dib protested.
Dek just chuckled, walking forward and looking out the window. Dib did his best to fix the damaged that Dek had caused, before coming over and standing beside him. He still looked worried, maybe even frightened.
"Are you alright?" Dek asked.
Dib took a moment to assess that question before answering. "I will be."
Dek nodded. He took his hand off his Orok to fold his arms. "You did good today."
Dib shrugged. "I don't feel like I did."
"Well, you did," Dek reassured him. "You're Chief Hacker for a reason. And not just because I like you."
Dib smiled, his face heating up slightly. "Thank you."
There was another long pause, the two of them just staring out the window. The stars twinkled against the vastness of space, lighthouses in the dark. Funny, Dib almost felt like they could tell him why this had all happened, and what it would all lead to. Then again, was that really anything new? Hadn't he always felt like the stars had the answers?
"Listen," Dek said. He sounded much calmer now, his usual self. "If you and Zim decide it's time to pack up and go I understand."
"Not happening," Dib told him, turning to face him. Dek opened his mouth to argue but Dib wasn't having it. "I'm seeing this through to the end, Dek. People like...like Dwicky need to be stopped. So, quit trying to get rid of me. We're not finished yet."
Dek studied him momentarily before he chuckled. "Glad to have on board," he said. Then, after a beat, he added, "Commander."
It took a minute for Dib to catch what Dek had just said. "C-Commander?!"
"You heard me," Dek told him. "Congratulations. You just got promoted."
"But...but don't I have to be a Lieutenant Commander first?!"
"Technically we don't belong to the Galactic Alliance anymore," Dek reminded him. "I can do whatever I want."
Dib's mouth was agape. Commander?! That meant he was the same rank as Midge and E.J.! It meant that he didn't have to take orders from anyone except Dek! "Wait, what about Zim?"
Dek shrugged. "He'll get a promotion, too," he said. The smirk that appeared on his face was almost evil. "You outrank him now."
Dib couldn't help but think about the irritated look he would receive when he told Zim the news. "He's gonna be so mad."
"And yet you're smiling," Dek said, laughing at his display. "Well, come on, Commander Membrane. We've got places to be."
"Aye aye, Captain."
000000000000
The rendezvous point was a tiny dwarf planet called Claru. If Zim remembered correctly, he'd past by this system on his way to Earth all those years ago. He had not known of a Resisty base being here. Perhaps that was why they had chosen it No one really suspects dwarf planets of much.
As soon as he exited the ship, he noticed another Irken vessel had arrived. It was smaller than the Massive, but the colors and sigil were unmistakable.
As was the Irken who exited.
Zim was not sure what to do in this moment. He had dreamed of the day he could confront Red and Purple, to give them a piece of his mind. To make them feel an ounce of the suffering and humiliation he had endured. However, he merely stood there, silently staring. Purple stared back, as if anticipating for Zim to make a move against him. It was tempting. So very, fucking tempting.
But...Zim couldn't do it. Not after seeing the two, broken Oroks that Purple was wearing.
"For Irk's sake why are you just..." Tak complained loudly. She trailed off when she saw Purple, and she stood there for a moment as well. She gave a dark growl. "If you try anything, Zim-,"
"I'm not," Zim said, turning on his heel. He gave Purple one last glare, and he hoped he got the message.
Even if we are still allies, even though I know you are hurting, don't think for a moment that I am going to forgive you.
It took a little bit longer for the Delphina to arrive. As soon as Zim saw Dib he rushed forward, crashing into his arms. Dib held him tight, leaning down and burying his face in his shoulder. "Hey, Space Boy."
"Hello, my Dib."
"Masta'!" Gir squealed, tackling Zim and interrupting the embrace.
Zim wanted to be annoyed. He really did. But, the stupid smile on his face wouldn't go away. He sighed. "Good to see you, too, Gir."
"Excuse me!" Dek yelled, pushing through the crowd of people as several more kept arriving. "Excuse me I need to get through!"
"Come on," he said, taking Zim's hand and following Dek. "Have you heard anything about Midge?"
Zim looked genuinely confused. "Why would I have?"
"No one told you she was in labor?" Krugg asked as the rest of Team Nebula caught up.
"WHAT?!" Zim shrieked. "Dib, why didn't you tell me?!"
"I didn't know until after we got off our call!" Dib said defensively.
"Anybody wanna place a bet on what the sex is going to be?" E.J. suggested.
"I think we're more concerned about the infant being alright, at this point," said Matsuri, giving E.J. a reprimanding look.
They chased Dek down all the way to what looked like the Medical Ward. Dib sighed heavily in relief when they saw Tenn coming from down the hall. If the situation wasn't so nerve-racking, he would have laughed when Dek nearly knocked her over.
"Where is she?" He asked frantically. "Is she alright? Is the smeet-?"
"Dek. Calm down before I find you a sedative," Tenn told him. She gave him a warm smile. "Everything is fine."
Dek's eyes were comically wide. "It..it is?"
"Yup," Tenn said. "The surgery went off without a hitch," she said proudly. "However, we're trying to keep her and the smeet from getting too overwhelmed. So were limiting her to three visitors at a time."
"That sounds like Daddy and the godparents," E.J. said, giving Dek a slap on the back.
"Are you finally going to admit that Zim and Dib are the favorites?" teased Milgor.
Dek didn't respond. He seemed almost in a daze. Dib reached over and snapped his fingers in front of his face, and he jumped. He gave Dib an annoyed look.
"Let's go, Papa," Dib said, jerking his head forward. Dek seemed to snap out of it and nodded.
As Zim handed Gir off the Matsuri, the robot began to complain, "But I wanna meet the baby, Masta'!"
"You can meet them, later," Zim explained.
They made their way after Tenn, coming to a dark, gray door, which had a handle and a keypad. Tenn had to enter a code, before she opened it only a tiny crack. She looked up at Dek. "Ready?"
Dek, who looked like he was the complete opposite of ready, nodded nervously.
Tenn opened the door a bit more, allowing Dek to open it the rest of the way. Dib and Zim entered right after him, trying to stay sort of quiet. Once they were all inside the room, Tenn left them to it and shut the door.
Dek was frozen. He couldn't speak. He was too busy staring.
Midge looked fine. Maybe a little tired, but otherwise she looked...wonderful, actually. Her eyes were wide with awe, and she was smiling and speaking to a small bundle in her arms. Dib couldn't be sure, but he thought he could see a bit of white hair poking out of the blankets.
Dek still hadn't moved. Zim decided to take matters into his own hands and shoved him forward. Dek stumbled, turning to glare at Zim over his shoulder. Zim only smirked in reply.
"Dek?"
Immediately, Dek turned back to Midge, their eyes meeting. Her eyes were the best damn thing he'd seen all night.
"Hi," she said. Her eyes were watery.
"Hi," Dek replied. He couldn't find the strength to move toward her.
Midge snorted at the display, biting her lip to keep from laughing. "Would you like to meet your daughter?"
"My...my daughter?" Dek asked, still in shock. "I...yes."
Midge let herself laugh this time. "Then get over here, silly."
Dek didn't have to be told twice, walking over the bed and sitting down beside Midge. Midge lifted the tiny infant toward him, and Dib took note that she was already capable of holding her head up. Still, Dek took the smeet with a gentleness Dib would never thought he was capable off. His eyes were wide with wonder and even a little teary.
"Oh..oh my," Dek said, adjusting his hold. Now that Dib had a better view, he could see what she looked like. She definitely had white hair (in fact, she had a lot), and her skin was a very pale green. She'd inherited Midge's pointed ears and little nose, along with tiny blue dots that were dusted across her face like freckles. Her eyes were large, round orbs, the same shade of emerald green as Dek's.
Dib couldn't help but smile. The scene was incredibly touching to watch. Dek couldn't stop staring at the infant, like he couldn't quite believe she was here. The smeet managed to wiggle from her blanket, reaching up and touching the center of Dek's face.
It was the first time Dib had ever seen Dek cry.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Midge asked, leaning over Dek shoulder.
"She's perfect," Dek whispered. "So she doesn't have antennae?"
"Nope," Midge replied. She reach over and brushed some the smeet's hair to the side, revealing a tiny horn on top of her head. "She does have these, though."
"Oh," Dek said. "Well, at least we know where all the Vortain genetics went."
Midge laughed, and she moved her hand to reach over and replace the blanket's wrappings. However, the smeet grabbed her finger, and attempted to bring it to her mouth. Midge wiggled it away and poked her nose. "Nuh uh, baby girl. You have sharp teeth." The infant cooed in response.
"She has teeth already?" Dib asked curiously.
"Foolish human," Zim scoffed. "She has the superior blood of an Irken Invader running through her veins. Of course, she has teeth already."
Dib was about to retort when Dek suddenly sounded like he was freaking out. "Names," he stammered. "Why did we never talk about names? She needs a name!"
"Relax, my love," Midge reassured him. "She already has a name."
Dek looked shocked and hurt and confused all at once. "You named her without me?"
Midge shrugged. "They needed a name."
Dek gave her an incredulous look but didn't look too upset. He sighed. "What did you call her?"
Midge smiled a little bit. Dib would even say she looked kind of smug. "Well, first of all, she has a different surname. Cuppari isn't exactly a common one. I know it's not likely, but...I don't want to gamble with my daughter's life."
Dek nodded. "Understandable. But you didn't answer my question."
Midge looked Dek dead in the eye. "Her name is Addie Denivar."
Dib snorted, earning him a lethal glare from Midge. Dek stil looked rather perplexed. "Addie?"
There was that look again. That smug little grin that Midge was trying to hide. Then, her eyes watered, and her voice broke as she met Dek's gaze once more. "It's short for Adalet."
Dek's entire face lit up, and Dib was certain that he would start crying again. He held his daughter a little closer, leaning forward to press his forehead to Midge's. "What did I do to deserve you?"
Midge's laugh was shaky. Dib really hoped they didn't both start crying. He was sure he would, too. "Oh, my love," Midge told Dek sweetly, "I could make you a list. But," she looked over at Dib and Zim, smiling broadly, "then Addie's godparents wouldn't get a chance to hold her."
Immediately, Dib panicked. What the hell was she saying? He'd never held a baby before!
"I'll pass, Midge-weasel," Zim said, waving his hand about. "I do not need to hold your gross offspring."
Midge smirked. "Well, I guess if you're scared-,"
"Midge," Dek said sternly.
"Oh, don't worry, Dek, it's fine."
"Scared?!" Zim snapped in outrage. "You dare call the great Zim scared!" He wasted no time walking over and holding out his arms. "I'll show you scared."
Dib started walking over, fearing the worst. "Zim-,"
"You don't worry, either, Dib," Midge said. "She's not as fragile as human offspring." She turned her gaze on Zim, her eyes glowing menacingly. "But if you drop her I will eviscerate you."
Zim only looked mildly fazed, continuing to stand there with his arms out. Dek looked extremely reluctant to stop holding Addie, but at Midge's insistence he carefully handed her over to Zim.
Dib nearly had a heart attack. The absolute tenderness and care Zim displayed as he held Addie was completely mind-blowing. In fact, Zim seemed kind of shocked by the whole thing, too.
"Well...aren't you something," Zim said. At once, Addie squealed, her hands wiggling back out of the blanket and reaching out for him. "Eh?"
"I think she remembers your voice," Midge said. "I'm telling you. She could hear you and Dib while she was in there."
"Huh." Zim grunted. He looked back at Addie, who was now looking at him with a wide-eyed grin. The most endearing smile appeared on his face. Dib had to remember to tease him about it later. "You have very good taste, little snow-weasel."
Addie simply squealed in response.
Zim looked up at Dib, walking over to him. "Your turn."
Dib shook his head. "I...I don't..."
"Dib, it's okay," Midge said. She gave him an encouraging smile. "Just hold your goddaughter."
Dib forced himself to calm down, shaking his nerves away. Delicately, he took Addie into his arms, trying to mimic the way everyone had been holding her. She felt heavier than she looked, but it wasn't enough of a shock for him to mess up. She looked even cuter up close. He felt himself smile.
"Hola, niña," Dib said sweetly. "Yo soy tu padrino."
Addie made another excited noise, reaching up for Dib's face. Dib leaned closer, and Addie's little hand grabbed at his nose. "Ow," he hissed, pulling away when her claws got involved.
"Sorry," Midge said. "She doesn't know how dangerous she is yet."
Dib chuckled. "Well, as soon as she does, I'm sure it will be hell for all of us." He carefully walked over to Midge, feeling a little more confident holding Addie than he had before. Addie reached out enthusiastically for her mother as Midge took her. She cooed at Addie in Lazurothian and kissed her nose. Addie gave a gurgle of approval, thoroughly enjoying all the attention.
Then, slowly, Midge's face fell. Dek scooted closer to her, putting his arm around her shoulders. "I heard about what happened," she said somberly, looking at each of them. "What do we do, now?"
There was brief silence. Dek's brow furrowed, his eyes never leaving Addie, now. He looked so protective, as if he would slice through anyone who dared get near his new family. "Dwicky must be stopped," Dek said. "But, regardless of being a fraud or not, he's still the High Chancellor of the Galactic Alliance. If we want to take him down. We are going to need allies."
"We have the Irken Empire," Dib mentioned. "And Vort and Meekrob."
"We're going to need more than that," Dek said. "We don't need to take down the entire Alliance, but we're going after literally the most powerful person in the known universe."
Dib sighed in defeat. Dek was right. They were going to need a lot more people to bring Dwicky down. He looked over to see Midge staring off to the side. He could almost see the gears in her head turning.
"Dib," Zim suddenly said, gaining his attention. "Perhaps it's time that Earth had a wakeup call."
Dib's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Zim?"
"Your father has a great deal of power and influence, yes?" Zim explained.
"But...what if they still don't care?" Dib said. "Or, worse, what if they think come after us instead?
"You need to stop with the 'what ifs,' my Dib," Zim told him. "The humans trust your father, and now your father trusts you." Zim reached over and took Dib's hands in his own. "What is that Earth saying? Have faith?"
Dib hesitated. When was the last time he had faith? Maybe before he and Zim got together? Before things became too real too fast? Before this war stole so many lives from them? Before he realized that literally anyone - even someone who had been stupidly kind - was suseptible to dark and evil ideals?
But...he had faith in his father, his sister. He had faith in his team and his friends. He had faith in the new alliances they were forming. And, most of all, he had faith in Zim.
And then, Dib nodded, pulling out his communicator and dialing up his father. Professor Membrane answered almost immediately. "What is it, son?"
Dib looked at Zim once more, wanting final confirmation. He also looked at Midge and Dek. All three of them gave him looks of approval and reassurance.
"Dad," Dib said, keeping his voice steady, "How soon can you schedule a press conference?"