I am soooo sorry for not updating in a while X_X it was one of those weeks. It wasn't that I hadn't the time to update the story. I just didn't have time to write! :o So I am sorry

So, without further a due, here's the next chapter...sorry for the lateness

Zim walked through the medical ward, holding onto Hope's hand as she licked a cherry lolly Tunica managed to hook out of a vending machine.

The ward wasn't all that advanced. Definitely lacking in terms of quality equipment. Hard hospital beds laid scattered around this huge hanger, being separated by a few blue hung up curtains. Trays of stray equipment and medical supplies were among the scattered beds. Zim gave a look, noting how many of the female nurses were giving him a cold stare, whispering insults about the poor alien to one another. Hope looked at them, wondering what they were on about. Zim simply held her hand a bit tighter and continued over to where Lee Narr stood. She looked up from her clipboard, giving him a smile, "Hello Zim. How are we feeling today?"

"Can we just get this over with? I'm already in Cook's bad books. How dare you ask to take half a day to go check your unborn child, you filthy Irken? I hope that thing he's calling lunch jumps out of that pot and eats him!"
Hope gave a small smile, thinking that was pretty funny. Lee Narr sighed, "Come this way, Zim."

Zim sat down on the metal bed, being separated from the cold steel beneath him by a flimsy piece of material. He could feel his spine shivering the longer he remained on the bed. Hope stood next to him, finishing off her lolly as Lee Narr continued, "There're a few tests I'd like to run today just to see how everything is doing. I'll get the nurse to bring you a pillow while I go fetch a few things."

Zim sighed as Lee Narr left. Hope looked at him, "What's wrong?"

He looked at her, "You know how you hated the thought of going to the dentist or doctor when you were younger and your dad and I had to find other ways to take care of your flus and such?"

"Yeah."

He looked forward, "I never really was a fan of doctors either."

"Even when you were a kid?" Hope sat next to him, feeling a bit cold as well after sitting down.

"Oh yeah. Our Irken doctors weren't what you called friendly," he said, shivering. Hope wasn't sure if it was out of creeped-outness or because the bed was so cold.

The curtain was pulled apart suddenly as a green blob of a nurse walked in, her tentacle-like arms holding a very thin looking pillow. She had big red painted lips and a look in her eyes that made Zim feel weird. It was obvious she didn't like him.

"I got you your pillow, Mr Sims, or whatever your name is," she tossed it at his face. He gave a look as it fell on his lap, "Much obliged."

"Mmm-hmm," she said, her non-existent neck giving a slight bop.

Hope looked up at her dad for a brief moment as he tried throwing the pillow behind him somehow. She looked back at the woman, something processing at the back of her eyes, the thought finally coming together.

She began whimpering, Zim and the nurse giving her a look, "Hope, what's wrong?" Zim panicked, thinking this was very sudden.

She suddenly let lose, crying hysterically. Zim jumped off the bed, getting the fright of his life as his daughter began howling. The nurse went up to her, "Sweetie, what are you crying for?"

She looked at the alien with heartbroken eyes, "I-I just…why-why is everyone so mean to my dad-ddy!" she hiccupped, shutting her eyes as tears fell.

The blob placed her squidy-like hand on the child's shoulder, stuttering, "Well…"

"I mean, my dad works hard to give me the best and since we've been here everyone is being so mean to him and I just…I love him so much! Stop being so mean to him!" she covered her face. Zim was speechless, his eyes wide in utter confusion.

The nurse started feeling awful for it now, biting her pudgy lip, "Look, sweetie. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be mean to him, alright?"

Hope sniffed looking at her, "Why-why should I believe you?"

The nurse stood, "Because I can't stand seeing cute little kids like you cry like this. Tell you what, if you stop crying now, I'll go chat with the other nurses and get them to lighten up on your daddy, okay?"

Hope sniffed again, "You-you promise?"

"I promise on my wobbly life! In fact, I will go right now!" and with that, the alien nurse was gone in a flash, out to spread the word of Zim's good name.

When the child was sure the blob was gone, Hope gave a sigh and looked over at her dad, smiling. He gave her a look, "You planned that, didn't you?"

"I may have," her smile grew.

Zim sat back down and grabbed her into a tight hug, "Ooo," He looked as though he were about to cry, "I have never been so proud of you!"

Hope gave her dad a warm giggle as she hugged him back, finally feeling as though she had accomplished something. She managed to get him to smile for the first time in months.

Victory for Hope, she proclaimed in her head.

Lee Narr walked back in, pushing a tray with various instruments on top it. Hope jumped off the bed as Zim sat back on the pillow. Lee Narr strapped on a pair of gloves, looking at the alien, "So, after three weeks on the ship, how have you been feeling, Zim?"

"Alright, I guess," Zim said, scratching his arm slightly, "The morning sickness hasn't really gotten better, to be honest."

"Sorry about that. I think the motion of the ship moving isn't really helping. Not to worry, though. After three months the sickness should die down. Anything else?"

Zim gave a look, thinking as Lee Narr helped him sit up. Hope went to sit on the chair opposite the bed, "Um…I'm getting tired really easily. And…um..." he really couldn't think of anything; he was too tired and indifferent to really want to be talking about this. He had become tired of this pregnancy now…and it hadn't even reached month three yet.

"Any strange cravings?" Lee Narr placed her hand on Zim's back under his shirt, feeling his normal breathing as he spoke.

"Nachos," he said almost immediately, "That is all I ever seem to want."

"Pity you guys don't have any on the ship, though," Hope said, playing with her apron string.

"I'll chat with the chef. See if he can whip up something similar enough for you, perhaps," Lee Narr said, moving her hand an inch lower now.

"Please don't," Zim's antennae fell in disgust, "I wouldn't trust that man to do my laundry."

Lee Narr gave a laugh, pulling her hand out. She adjusted the pillow and helped Zim lie down now.

She pulled up his shirt and held onto his sides, her thumbs feeling around his stomach. Zim didn't really enjoy the feeling as she moved her thumbs around, "Hmm, the baby seems to have grown since last time."

"I take it that's good," Zim said sarcastically.

She gave a weak smile, "Very good, actually."

She moved to the instruments on the table, Zim closing his eyes as he sighed, "I hope you know what you're doing, Lee Narr."

She gave a look, holding onto a syringe, "Why do you say that?"

"I don't know. You're not doing most of the things I remember the Irken technicians on the Massive doing. You just seem to be 'feeling things'," he looked over at her.

Lee Narr brought Zim's arm up, placing the syringe in his arm and drawing some blood, the alien giving a look of discomfort, "Sorry if we're not advanced enough for you, Zim. But I do actually know what I'm doing. I don't need a fancy piece of Irken designed metal or some computer program. I have Vortian skills and techniques."

Zim gave a look, "I suppose this is better than the torture that came with the care I got on the Massive."

Lee Narr fell silent, her original rant stopping. She nearly forgot about Skoodge mentioning that. She pulled the syringe out carefully and took the vile out.

Zim looked down at his stomach, "Do you know when I'll start showing?"

Lee Narr brought over a device with a cord attached to the bottom of it. The cord had a thin needle on the end of it, "Um. Usually, Irkens start showing at about three months. It's just a tiny little bump. Why?"

Zim looked a bit nervous, "Just curious."

Lee Narr helped Zim sit back up, "I've learnt that Irkens never ask questions like that because they're curious. What's wrong?"

He gave a sigh, "I just…"

Hope sat a bit straighter as Lee Narr gave him a look, waiting. He looked away, "I feel…"

"Yes?"

He covered his face with one hand, trying not to cry, but his face scrunching to suggest he already was, "I know the aliens are going to rag on me for it, I just know it!"
Hope stood, confused beyond words. Was her father making fun of what she had just done or was he being for real? Lee Narr placed a hand on his shoulder as he began crying properly now instead of simply whimpering. She looked up, "Hmm, I guess we can add mood swings to the list now."

You know, I did want to add more to this chapter, but just did not have the time or energy and left it as is 3( oh well

Now, I have good news and bad news. Bad news, due to not updating (or writing) in so long, I have kinda forgotten what's going on X0 So, it's going to be a LONG while till I update again (got another week of hell coming up with school!)

So, I will try as best I can to update. I really will...just, don't expect it to be soon X(

Good news! :D I am putting up a new story! It is called Love and Marriage and is more of a sentimental story :3 It's a ZADR and is really sweet and squishy (and easy to write too! So this one should be updated...I hope. Only once a week though)

I felt Zimmy and poor Tunica (who is not in this story and therefore doesn't need to help me with it) needed a break from all the trauma and drama. So yeah, go check it out :) It's being put up today :D

Leaves those reviews and I will see you all soon :) And enjoy the new book. Same rule applies with all my books: if there's an interest, I continue writing :D