Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim

Author's Notes: Okay you guys are going to hate me, but it just kind of happened…I don't know why, I wasn't really going for this, which is why I too so long to post on this story…but it must be done!

Please don't kill me!

[The next day]

(Location: School)

Dib was still mad at him the next day, so much so in fact; that he didn't stop when he and the girls showed up at his house this morning. Instead Dib kept walking, and while Zim would usually be annoyed by such childish antics he honestly found it adorable, at least when it came to Dib.

Peg of course was quick to apologies, while Gaz simply shrugged and said. "He's just being a whiner!" Really loud so she knew Dib could hear her as he continued to walk several feet ahead.

At the moment they were in third period, where Ms. Bitters was once again substituting. It was a small detail that had become so regular that Zim was convince she was doing it on purpose, whether the assigned teacher was absent or not. He had no doubt this was her way of keeping an eye on him. Whatever the reason she was there, and the classroom was COVERED in globs of paste that were dripping down the walls, and the ceiling, some kids were COVERED in the stuff while others... well…

Recap Kid blinked. He had been glued to the ceiling somehow. Lizard Boy was stuck to Brian's desk and Aki had accidentally stuck her head to her own desk. Spoo, who had also been stuck on the ceiling, was bouncing up and down on a bungee cord of glue.

Ms. Bitters frowned down at Melvin, who had paste on his lips. "So, young man, now you see that there's a price to pay for eating paste. Would you say that losing the use of your mouth was worth it?"

Melvin nodded, smiling stupidly. "Mmm-hmmm!"

Dib shook his head, the class had been working on group projects and Melvin had eaten the glue on a dare, and somewhere in the nonsense a glue war had broken out. He chanced a glace over at Miz while everyone's attention was focused on the front of the room. At the moment his boyfriend was sitting closest to the door, usually Dib would sit next to him, but decided to instead sit all the way across the room by the window.

He knew it was silly to be treating him this way, after all Miz was just trying to keep him safe. However, Dib couldn't help but feel betrayed. If anything, he expect this to be something Gaz would do, not MIZ! Still, not talking to him was starting to drive him crazy; so much so that it amazed him.

What amazed him was the fact that this is how his life use to be. Before Miz, Dib spent every school day alone. Back then he had gotten so used to it that it barely bothered him, but now…

Miz turned his way and their eyes met.

Dib blushed and looked away quickly.

Zim rolled his eyes, were they seriously doing this right now?

"Return to your seat!" Mrs. Bitters yelled at Melvin.

As Melvin skipped back to his desk in a mocking manner Zim decided that, no they were not playing this game and raised his hand.

"WHAT!" Mrs. Bitters yelled.

"Dib threw paper at me." He shouted.

Dib shot up to his feet at once. "I did not!" he yelled defensively.

"Did so!" Zim yelled back.

"Why you lying little…" Dib began.

"Silence!" Mrs. Bitters screamed. She then turned to Dib. "Dib since you can't seem to get along with Miz I have no choice but to force you to work on this project together!"

Dib's Partner, Taya got up at once and raced across the room, as if happy to get away.

Zim got up and let her take his seat before walking over to Dib, smirking the whole way.

"You jerk…" Dib whispered sinisterly.

"Look I just wanted to call a truce." Zim said softly.

"So, you get me in trouble?" Dib growled. "Again!"

Zim rolled his eyes. "I told you to wait for me." He reminded him. "Had you of done that you wouldn't be in trouble."

Dib sighed, he knew he had a point, but for some reason he wanted to be stubborn about this.

Zim sighed. "I miss you Dib." His words were true, Dib had refused to text him back all night, and ignored him all morning, causing a gray cloud of loneliness to loom over him. He knows it would be best to use this fight as an excuse to cut ties with the child all together, but he just can't. He has begun to depend on the boy for emotional support. And with everything going on with Tak, and Lard Nar he really needed it.

This fact alone creates a dangerous thought in his mind.

'Perhaps I should tell him the truth…'

He knew the idea was stupid the moment it entered him mind. Sure a select few of the enemy was already aware of who he really was, but that didn't mean he should just forget protocol all together and declare it to the world! Of course, that wasn't the true reason why he didn't want to tell Dib, the truth was he was afraid.

Afraid of what Dib would think when he knew the truth.

A part of him knows that the longer he waits, the worse it will be when the truth comes out. While the other half wonders why he should care. It wasn't like their relationship actually had a chance of becoming something more. Even if he wanted it to, it just wasn't possible.

They were from two different worlds…literally!

Dib sighed. "I miss you too." He admitted. "But you sold me out."

"Promise me you'll wait for me, and I'll never do it again." Zim bargained.

Dib smiled. "Yeah I can do that." He promised.

"So, we're good?" Zim asked hopefully.

"Almost." Dib smiled wickedly and balled up a piece of paper, before throwing it.

It bounced off Zim's head.

"Now we are." Dib mused.

Zim smiled. "I hate you." He lied.

"No, you loooove me." Dib teased.

Zim snickered. "Just tell me what happened last night before I strangle you." He only half joked.

Dib chuckled but nodded before pulling out some notes he had taken last night and handing them to him.

Zim skimmed them, they mentioned a giant robot that was no doubt the Megadoomer, as well as Tak's reaction to the water. He was not pleased that Tak's presence had revealed one of his people's weakness to the enemy, but doesn't let it show. "So, they can't stand the water?"

"It's like acid to them." Dib revealed. "Or at least that's what Tak acted like it was."

Zim nodded. "You're thinking of using it against them aren't you?"

"Of course." Dib admitted openly. "Look that robot was after her, this war between them is getting way too intense, and that thing was taking down everything that got in its way. If it had seen a human I have no doubt it would blow right threw them if they got in the way."

"So, you do realize the danger you put yourself in?" Zim growled. He hated how reckless the child could be sometimes; making him constantly worry about his wellbeing.

"Yes okay!" Dib admitted only slightly annoyed. "It was dangerous, but look at all the information I manage to get." He said, as if that justifies it.

"No amount of an advantage is worth your life." Zim muttered only softly enough for Dib to hear.

Dib couldn't help the surge of adoration that those words coursed through him. "Miz I…"

Zim shook his head. "Just promised me you'll think this through a bit better."

Dib nodded feeling the sudden urge to kiss him. They still hadn't done it again since Parent Teacher night.

"So, what do we do point water guns at them and demand them to leave?" Zim joked.

"I have a plan." Dib admitted.

"Let me guess, it involves the docks." Zim only half groaned.

"You know as soon as she heals she'll be back at it." Dib reasoned. "And with that thing following her, determined to kill her at any cost. No one is safe until we finish this."

Zim knew he was right, Tak was becoming an ever growing problem, if she managed to find a way to plead her case to the Tallest before the Megadoomer took her out. Then he was dead, and Zim had no doubt she could manage if determined enough.

And boy she was determined.

Zim pulled out his phone, hiding it so Mrs. Bitters couldn't see before he began to text. "We'll need reinforcements." He reasoned.

"She'll murder you if you ask." Dib warned.

Zim shrugged the threat off, after all he was already a dead Irken walking. "We can't do it without them." he conclude as he finished the text and hit send.

Dib knew he was right, still he wasn't sure Gaz would agree to help. The last time they all took on the Irken together had been a disaster. Sure, they escaped, but only because Zim had allowed it.

Mrs. Bitters stood then and began to pass out permission slips. "We will be going on a field trip to the museum next Friday, have your parents sign this and turn it back in or else you will be forced to stay here with me!"

Everyone took the slips as if they were a life line.

"What if Zim shows up?" Dib blurted out once she had past them out of hearing rage. Sure, Tak had proved to be a dangerous foe, but together the two were twice as dangerous. Mostly, because their hatred for each other caused them to lack reason.

And then of course seeing Zim would be a disaster in itself, for he still had yet to figure out his feelings for the Irken. He looked to Miz and guilt washed over his face.

Their eyes meet, and Zim sees it as plain as day, Dib's admiration for Zim had shifted into something more.

An unspoken understandment washes over the two.

Dib wasn't in love with Miz, he loved Zim.

And Dib know is it, and worse he knows Miz knows it too. How could he not? Did he really think Miz couldn't piece the truth together? They didn't spend Halloween together because Dib was with Zim! On Career Day where was Dib? WITH ZIM! When Tak attacked the school and went on an organ stealing rampage was Dib worried about his boyfriend?

No, He was more worried about Zim!

"Miz I…" Dib begins.

"He's the enemy Dib." Zim reasoned.

"We could convince him." Dib knows they already had this argument.

"I don't know what you see in him…" Miz growled.

Dib doesn't know either, he just knows there is something worth saving, but he only saw that because Zim saved him. What was crazy was the Irken didn't know why he did it…

Dib's eyes widen…oh god…could it be the reason why Zim saved him was because…Zim had feelings for him too?

"Now children I hope you brought umbrellas." Mrs. Bitter's said catching everyone's attention. She eyed Zim knowingly. "Because it will be raining all week."

Then there was a roar of thunder. Zim glanced outside as rain hit the window with a ploppa-ploppa-plop sound.

Realization hits the both of them once more, but this time their thoughts turn to Tak.

"She'll be forced to take shelter for the whole week." Dib whispered.

"Which gives us time." Zim realized. "We can stop her! Eliminate her before she finds the base."

"But how?" Dib asked. "Trust me we are no match for her."

"But Zim is…" Gaz said as she entered the room. "I got your Text."

Lightning struck the school and the lights went out for a moment, then turned back on as the rain came down harder and harder. The bell rung for an early dismissal, Zim glanced around nervously as Ms. Bitters raised her hand.

"OUT." She said. No doubt the staff wanted everyone home, including themselves before it got any worse.

Kids ran out of the school…save for Zim, Dib and Gaz, who stood under the covered patio of the front entrance. Peg had been waiting for them. Looking at the rain as the kids ran out into it.

"Did Gaz tell you her plan yet?" She asked.

"Not yet." Gaz said.

"So, what it is it?" Zim dared to ask.

"I say we let the Irkens fight this out." Gaz said. "Dib admitted it himself, we are no match for her, but Zim has stopped her twice now already."

"So, what we do nothing?" Dib asked.

"No, we make defenses and guard the HQ." Peg told him.

"She will come back to the docks eventually." Gaz reasoned.

"And Tak will not let a little rain keep her stuck in hiding for long." Zim revealed. "Irkens will stop at nothing to get the mission done."

"Even if it kills them?" Dib asked.

Zim nodded.

"So, we let them fight to the death, and just deal with whoever is left standing?" Dib asked.

Zim had to admit, it was a good plan.

"Does Zim know where the base is?" Peg asked.

Dib shook his head, yes in his panic he had revealed to Zim that he practically told Tak where to look, but he never gave Zim much detail beyond that. "I don't think so…"

"He will wonder why Tak keeps returning to the docks." Zim reasoned. "It won't be hard for him to come to that conclusion."

Nervously he held a finger out and a drop of rain hit…

It stung slightly, but he was sure he could manage it.

"So, rain…it's like poisonous to them?" Peg asked as she too reached out to feel it. "How bizarre."

"I know..." Dib laughed nervously, He had shared his notes with Gaz last night, so no doubt she had gotten Peg up to speed in class.

"It sounds so silly." Zim agreed.

"So, like what do they drink then?" Peg reasoned. "We use waster to cook, to clean, to grow food, it's even an ingredient in a lot of our foods."

"They probably have something that's like water…" Dib reasoned.

Zim smiled, the boy wasn't far from the truth, it did indeed use to rain on Irk before it became the dead rock it was now, but the rain was not water, it was liquid methane. And said liquid was used in many Irken Soda's and Irken Snacks, however thanks to his Pak's adaptation ability Zim had grown use to water, and could consume foods that were cooked in it, like noodles, but he hadn't dared drink water up right.

Mostly because he wasn't risking death to see if he could indeed survive it!

He wasn't that crazy.

"So, we'll spend the week making water based defenses?" Peg asked.

Gaz nodded.

"You girls can do that." Dib reasoned.

"Dib…" Peg began.

"No don't you see." Dib stopped her. "This could be it, Tak is a common enemy. If we can convince Zim to side with us we can surely take her down."

"He'll stab us in the back the moment she is out of the way!" Gaz argued.

"There is goodness in him!" Dib yelled back. "I know it!"

Zim couldn't help but hate himself, How could he love Zim more than Miz! How could he stand to look at that sick, evil, manipulating snake and see something more than what he was.

A lying manipulating serpent of destruction.

The self-loathing hit him hard.

"So, I guess you made up your mind." Gaz said. "Have you told him?" She looked to Miz.

Dib knew what she was talking about. She had told him to stay away so he could figure out his feelings. And he had stayed away, from Miz…that is. But Zim? He had allowed Zim to worm his way in.

What did this mean for him and Miz?

Dib looked to his boyfriend; pain visible in his eyes.

"We should give them some space." Peg realized.

Gaz shook her head, but allowed Peg to lead her out into the rain.

Silence engulfed the two.

"Miz…I."

"How long?" Miz asked the obvious question.

"I don't know." Dib said. "Since he saved me I guess."

Zim laughed, he couldn't help it. Here he was the awful person who destroyed planets, and brought down entire galaxies. And still, somehow good people like Lard Nar and Dib kept risking everything for him. He just didn't get it.

Zim hated himself more than ever before.

"Do you…love him?" it was a stupid question to ask.

They both already knew the answer.

"I love you." Dib reasoned.

And it was true, he loved Miz… Miz was everything he wanted, everything he needed, everything inside of him that he only wished he could be…he said all the right things, at all the right times, but he meant nothing to him, not when compared to Zim.

"But you love him more…" Zim stated the obvious. It was funny, he should be thrilled that Dib loved the real him, despite his flaws, despite his mistakes, despite the fact that he was a monster with blood on his hands. But he didn't want to be Zim.

He wanted to be Miz, A normal Earth child with an awesome boyfriend who obsesses over the stupidest of things but still found time to adore him. But Miz meant nothing to Dib, and Zim just couldn't figure out why.

"Miz…I'm sorry." Dib felt awful he was the one who convinced Miz to take a chance with him, and now he was the one breaking his heart.

Oh god were they breaking up right now? This isn't what he wanted, he cupped Miz's face in his hands.

Zim felt his fingertips graze his cheek, and as Dib placed his lips on his, he welcomed them. This should be what he wants, Dib was doing what needed to be done to help him refocus on the mission. Cutting ties between them, where he could not. Still he wishes to hang on. Once again he is tempted to tell him the truth.

That he didn't have to choose between one or the other, because he was secretly both.

But instead he pulls away, and turns his back on Dib.

"Miz…" Dib can barely get the name past his lips.

"I'm going to follow Gaz's plan." He told him. "I hope he makes you happy in a way I never could."

And he meant it, all he truly wanted was for Dib to be happy, he just couldn't believe that he could be happy with Zim.

"Miz…" Tears were pouring down Dib's face.

"He'll hurt you." Zim revealed. "It's all he knows how to do."

Dib knows he's probably right, that Zim will do the same to him that he did to Lard Nar, but it's too late. He's already fallen. And worse he never knew!

Zim pushes the hurt away, it must be done, breaking up Dib is for the best, and it just might save his life.

He'll get rid of Tak, and never reveal the existence of the Swollen Eyeball to his leaders. When the Tallest put him in charge of this mug ball Dib will be safe. Not that it would matter, the boy would grow to hate him after that, worse he'd see Miz for what he really was. A fake, a ploy to gain his trust, and once he learned that; he'd hate them both.

"Goodbye Dib…" He whispered.

"Miz please!" Dib reached out for him, but His boyfriend…no his Ex-boyfriend raced off into the rain…

And not once did he look back!

-To Be Continued