A/N: Ok, I was watching "AFI's 100 Years – 100 Passions" last night and got all warm & fuzzy inside – so this chapter's a little mushy. I hope you like it anyway! ^_^

Chapter 16 – Midnight Reflections

"So you can see, Mistress," APU said, "The new cloaking program I've installed will give the illusion that the base is still in disrepair and vacant. I've also set up a lock-out program to jam the huntress's scanners."

"Very nice, APU," Zia said. She and Zim were standing behind APU as he displayed the schematics of the newly installed defenses.

"I could've thought of that," Zim said hotly.

APU shook his head. "Zim, if we had to survive using your brain meats alone, we'd all be dead by now," he said.

"APU!" Zia scolded.

"It's the sorry truth, Mistress," APU said, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and brief the gnomes." He marched off quickly, leaving the Irkens alone in the lab.

Zim folded his arms, "I swear – that robot of yours has it in for me – "

"He's just jealous," Zia said, but Zim didn't seem to hear her.

He continued his rant, "He's trying to tear us apart – I just know it! He –,"

"He won't," Zia said gently, putting a hand over his.

"Did I tell you?" Zim continued, still angry, "What he did the night after…you know…anyway, he tried to kill me!! If the Tallest hadn't called, he probably would have, too!! And –"

"Zim! Calm down!" Zia said, putting her hands on his shoulders, "Look at me, Zim. I love you. And nothing APU says or does is going to change that." She paused. "You do know that…don't you…?"

Zim gave her a grateful look. "…I do now," he said, "I'm sorry…but…I've never had anything as good as you before – that must sound really chauvinistic, but I don't mean it like that – and…I don't know what I'd do if someone did take you away…"

Zia pulled him close. "No one's going to take me away…and if they do, you know I'd come back."

Zim closed his eyes, letting his head rest on her shoulder. He tightened his arms around her, as if he never wanted to let go. But she pulled away from him after a moment.

"Come on," she said, "We've got a lot of work to do. This isn't over."

"Right," he nodded, "Well, let's get to it!"

* * *

That night, after what was a very tiring day, neither Zim nor Zia could sleep. Zim was lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling of their sleeping quarters. Zia was on her side, facing away from him. So, naturally, they each thought that the other was sleeping.

Zim exhaled deeply. He started letting his brain sort out all that had happened to him during the past few months – and there certainly was a lot to sort out. The moment it had all started was when Zia had come crashing back into his life. Now he was grateful for it – it was probably the one good thing that had ever really happened to him – but when it had happened (and he'd never admit this) he had been scared and confused. He thought he'd had things figured out and then…BOOM! Nothing made sense anymore. He was acting on an impulse he hadn't known he'd had before. He'd had butterflies in his Squeegily Spooch anytime she was around him. It was all new and unnerving… and wonderful at the same time. He smiled contently as he heard her breathing beside him. He turned to watch her sleep. She really was beautiful…and a whole two inches taller than he was! Now there was an accomplishment. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her…and to have her love in return…

Next to him, Zia was lost in her own thoughts. Her life and the lives of those she now loved were in danger because of her…yet she'd never been happier. Tallest Blu had known there was something between them – he'd seen it from the start. He'd seen what she hadn't been able to see up until a few months ago. Zim might not have been the model Irk that the other Diplomats said she was destined for…but it didn't really matter. She was in love was going to be a mother. And she had someone who would be there with her through it all. She smiled to her self and turned to look at Zim…only to find that he was already staring at her. He looked a little embarrassed at having gotten caught.

There were no words exchanged. She buried herself in his arms and he kissed her forehead. Then they both fell asleep, together and totally in love.

At the foot of the bed, GIR seemed to be dreaming about dancing.