Chapter Seven - Recuperation and a Duty
Zim stayed at his old base on Earth for the next few days. Dib's recovery was coming along, and Yuki longed to see him out of bed again. It was 3:00 now, and time for Dib to practice walking. He sat beside her on the couch, pretending to listen to what she said about his condition. In truth, he was staring into her eyes, which he found to be beautiful.
"...And Zim said it seems feasible that...Dib, are you paying any attention? Dib? Helloooo...Earth to Dib, Earth to Dib..." Dib took the hand she waved in front of his face, touched her cheek, and kissed her. Gaz came home from skool at that precise moment. He broke away at her sight, and turned deep red.
"Uh...hi, Gaz, um...how's it going?"
"Geez, I'm stuck at skool all day long while you two just sit there and make out? You're sick."
"I am not sick! And I wasn't making out! I just kissed her! Is there a law against kissing?"
"Uh-huh... Suuure you were." She walked out, and the two sat up straight, as though nothing had happened.
"Sooo...how's it going?"
"Fine. Perfectly...fine."
"Want to go see a movie?"
"Sure. Is there a good movie playing?"
"I don't know. Let's check the paper." He lifted up a newspaper, and began to read off the titles. "Let's see...there's the 'All My Children Movie'..."
"AHH! TAKE IT AWAY! BURN IT! BURN IT!"
"Um...'Rugrats in Paris'..."
"ALL MY CHILDREN! ALL MY CHILDREN!"
"And there's...hey, look at this one!"
She looked, and asked him, puzzled, "'The Mothman Prophecies'? What's that?" His jaw dropped in surprise.
"You don't know about the Mothman?"
"I know about Batman." Dib couldn't help but chuckle a little.
"The Mothman is a creature that was sighted numerously at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. It was-well, I don't want to give away the movie."
"I see...I think I'd like to see this movie. It'd be good for you to get out of the house again, too."
"Let's see...there's a showing for 4:00. We could probably make that one; it only takes about twenty minutes to get to the theater."
"Okay. Let's leave now." They watched the movie, and arrived home a couple hours later, discussing the movie. Gaz was on the couch, playing her Gameslave 10, as usual, and didn't blink when they walked in. However, she did twitch in anger, as they talked excessively and unnecessarily loud, and had to tell them to go away. Just as they walked back inside Dib's room, Yuki shushed Dib.
"What is it?"
"Don't want Gaz to come inside and spoil our fun. Better keep it down."
"Okay, but that was one incredible movie!"
"I enjoyed it myself...you know a lot about it don't you?"
"Yeah. How do you know?"
"You wouldn't shut up during the entire movie." They stood there, staring for a while. Then, Yuki smiled and began to howl with laughter. Dib joined in with her, only to be interrupted by Gaz, who yelled something they couldn't hear.
"What?" Dib asked.
"Zim's here to see you!" He shrugged his shoulders, and they made their way back downstairs, where Zim stood.
"Before you say anything, humans, I'm not conquering Earth."
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm not conquering Earth."
"But why?"
"The Tallest...they didn't give me a secret mission. They were...they were trying...to get rid of me."
"Then you're really not conquering Earth?"
"Of course I'm not! What else have I been saying? Dib-worm, I'm leaving Earth, for good. I don't want to waste another moment of my life on this stink-hole."
"Wait, Zim," Yuki began, "what about your instructions back at the base? Have you notified the specialists there yet?"
"No."
"Zim, they're going to destroy Earth at midnight, tonight! We've got to stop them!"
"I'm leaving. I'm going somewhere that I actually matter."
"Why don't you start your life anew here on Earth?"
"Why would I do that; it's going to be blown up in a few hours!"
"Zim, only you know all the security codes. We need to get past all the security sectors, for each holds a step in which to cancel the operation."
"Why don't we just call it off?"
"No! They're as desperate for Earth to be destroyed as you were! They're saucer nuts bent on global domination! I can't have my beloved new planet in ruins. Why don't you want to live on Earth, anyway?" Zim looked up at her and Dib, who were holding hands, and felt self-pity. "Oh. I see. So you do care for me."
"Yes. Yes, I do. Yuki, I love you!" Zim was on his hands and knees, tears at his eyes. It disturbed Dib to see his enemy get weepy over a girl...especially his girl. He'd never pictured Zim as an entity capable of love or compassion. The Irken looked up and into Yuki's eyes, gripping her hand. "Please, Yuki. I need you." Dib became increasingly uncomfortable as his nemesis spoke of adoring his girlfriend. He didn't want to appear cruel in front of Yuki, so just squeezed her hand tighter.
"I'm sorry, Zim. I don't love you."
"But Yuki-"
"No, Zim. I've had enough! You used me, you nearly KILLED Dib, and now you expect me to return your feelings of love? I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous."
"Fine, then! I'll drop your belongings outside this door tomorrow morning-that is, if there IS a tomorrow for Earth! I've decided to continue the invasion! And, as an invader again, I will begin by killing the enemy- you!"
Dib panicked. "Yuki, inside!" He yanked her inside and slammed the door behind them. "That was a close one." As soon as the words had been said, Zim was using a laser beam to get the door open. Nothing stood in between them but air. "Zim! Your battle is with me! Leave her out of it!" Zim did not respond, but shot a ray gun at them, narrowly missing. Dib pulled Yuki out of view and into a closet.
"Dib, I can handle him myself."
"No you can't. No, what I mean is, I can't have him hurt you. Stay here. I'll be right back."
"And if you aren't?"
"Then remember me at my funeral."
"Dib, wait!" Without another moment's hesitation, he darted out and faced Zim. The Irken casually pointed the ray gun to the human's forehead, as though it was something he did every day-routine work.
"Dib, you foolish creature. When you die here, I'll only come for Yuki next."
"No, Zim! You won't kill her!"
"I am not going to kill her. I can't. I'm going to take her to become my wife."
"She'll never fall in love with you, Zim, especially if you actually succeeded in killing me!"
"I could make it seem like an accident."
"No, Zim! No, you won't!"
"What can you do about it?" Zim advanced, grinning as he thought more and more of Dib's death. Then, breaking the entrancement of fear, Zim fell down to the ground with a heavy thud. A shadow emerged from the background, and Dib was stunned at the sight before him.
"Gaz? What are you-?"
"He was getting on my nerves."
"How would he be getting on your nerves when he's trying to destroy me?"
"All right, I didn't want you to die."
"Aw...how touching, little Gazzy."
"I could always revive him."
"Never mind."
"Where's Yuki?"
"I had her hide in a closet. I'll go get her." Upon turning the corner, he saw Yuki, standing there.
"I had to make sure that you'd be okay, but Gaz told me that she was going to make sure you were okay, and...I'm sorry."
"For what? Making me happy?"
"Never mind, then."
"I'm glad you're all right."
"Me too."
Gaz said, "Um, sorry to break up this mushy, romantic, sickening moment between you, but didn't you mention something about the obliteration of the world?"
"THE INVASION!" They screamed at once. Showing Yuki Tak's ship, they got in and headed for the moon colony.
"Where exactly is this place again?" he asked her as they neared the Earth's satellite.
"Around Lacus Mortis, the crater Plana."
"Okay. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"I just needed to check."
"A couple days ago, we were enemies, at each other's throats in a battle between life and death. I really want to get to know you even better. Time just doesn't allow for us yet. Hopefully soon."
"Yes. Soon."
"What do you think of all this?"
"Well, I...I worry."
"About me?"
"Yes. Your life is in danger. I want you to stay inside while I try to infiltrate."
"I have to go, Dib. I work there. I live there. I'm second only to Zim on the colony. People will listen to me. They know who you are, and it would look very suspicious if I walked into the Main Security Sector, arm- in-arm with the enemy. That would only jeopardize my life more. I must go alone."
"But-"
"I have to." He landed the craft, and looked at her with an expression of disapproval. Eventually, he gave in, but stopped her before she left the vehicle.
"I want you to have this." With a worried expression, he handed her a miniature camera that attached easily and inconspicuously to her watchband. "That way I'll be able to monitor what happens. But don't try to talk into it, or it would look suspicious."
"I'll keep that in mind." She hurried to the massive structure, but tried to look composed when she walked inside.
"Good day, Yuki," the security guard greeted. "Back from your mission, are you? Well, how was it?"
"Successful, as always. Anything new around here?"
"Not really...the Highest hasn't returned, though, which is strange."
"I think he needed to get away. This big project of his really has him stressed."
"What exactly is this 'big project', anyhow?"
"Sorry, you know the rules-top secret means I tell NO ONE, even my most trusted friends and colleagues."
"You're pretty high up now, aren't you?"
"Second in command."
"Impressive. So if something happened to Highest Zim, you'd take his place?"
"Well, I suppose so...I've never really discussed it with him yet."
"Because he was just recently attacked by one of the Earthlings."
"Was it serious?"
"Couldn't tell. Just said that someone bopped him with a frying pan when he was after a couple criminals..."
"Did he disclose the names of the criminals?"
"Nah...except one of them. There's a traitor amongst our midst."
"A traitor? Ugh! They really should do more thorough background checks before they assign people! I hope that person rots and-"
"Miss, that traitor was you."
Zim stayed at his old base on Earth for the next few days. Dib's recovery was coming along, and Yuki longed to see him out of bed again. It was 3:00 now, and time for Dib to practice walking. He sat beside her on the couch, pretending to listen to what she said about his condition. In truth, he was staring into her eyes, which he found to be beautiful.
"...And Zim said it seems feasible that...Dib, are you paying any attention? Dib? Helloooo...Earth to Dib, Earth to Dib..." Dib took the hand she waved in front of his face, touched her cheek, and kissed her. Gaz came home from skool at that precise moment. He broke away at her sight, and turned deep red.
"Uh...hi, Gaz, um...how's it going?"
"Geez, I'm stuck at skool all day long while you two just sit there and make out? You're sick."
"I am not sick! And I wasn't making out! I just kissed her! Is there a law against kissing?"
"Uh-huh... Suuure you were." She walked out, and the two sat up straight, as though nothing had happened.
"Sooo...how's it going?"
"Fine. Perfectly...fine."
"Want to go see a movie?"
"Sure. Is there a good movie playing?"
"I don't know. Let's check the paper." He lifted up a newspaper, and began to read off the titles. "Let's see...there's the 'All My Children Movie'..."
"AHH! TAKE IT AWAY! BURN IT! BURN IT!"
"Um...'Rugrats in Paris'..."
"ALL MY CHILDREN! ALL MY CHILDREN!"
"And there's...hey, look at this one!"
She looked, and asked him, puzzled, "'The Mothman Prophecies'? What's that?" His jaw dropped in surprise.
"You don't know about the Mothman?"
"I know about Batman." Dib couldn't help but chuckle a little.
"The Mothman is a creature that was sighted numerously at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. It was-well, I don't want to give away the movie."
"I see...I think I'd like to see this movie. It'd be good for you to get out of the house again, too."
"Let's see...there's a showing for 4:00. We could probably make that one; it only takes about twenty minutes to get to the theater."
"Okay. Let's leave now." They watched the movie, and arrived home a couple hours later, discussing the movie. Gaz was on the couch, playing her Gameslave 10, as usual, and didn't blink when they walked in. However, she did twitch in anger, as they talked excessively and unnecessarily loud, and had to tell them to go away. Just as they walked back inside Dib's room, Yuki shushed Dib.
"What is it?"
"Don't want Gaz to come inside and spoil our fun. Better keep it down."
"Okay, but that was one incredible movie!"
"I enjoyed it myself...you know a lot about it don't you?"
"Yeah. How do you know?"
"You wouldn't shut up during the entire movie." They stood there, staring for a while. Then, Yuki smiled and began to howl with laughter. Dib joined in with her, only to be interrupted by Gaz, who yelled something they couldn't hear.
"What?" Dib asked.
"Zim's here to see you!" He shrugged his shoulders, and they made their way back downstairs, where Zim stood.
"Before you say anything, humans, I'm not conquering Earth."
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm not conquering Earth."
"But why?"
"The Tallest...they didn't give me a secret mission. They were...they were trying...to get rid of me."
"Then you're really not conquering Earth?"
"Of course I'm not! What else have I been saying? Dib-worm, I'm leaving Earth, for good. I don't want to waste another moment of my life on this stink-hole."
"Wait, Zim," Yuki began, "what about your instructions back at the base? Have you notified the specialists there yet?"
"No."
"Zim, they're going to destroy Earth at midnight, tonight! We've got to stop them!"
"I'm leaving. I'm going somewhere that I actually matter."
"Why don't you start your life anew here on Earth?"
"Why would I do that; it's going to be blown up in a few hours!"
"Zim, only you know all the security codes. We need to get past all the security sectors, for each holds a step in which to cancel the operation."
"Why don't we just call it off?"
"No! They're as desperate for Earth to be destroyed as you were! They're saucer nuts bent on global domination! I can't have my beloved new planet in ruins. Why don't you want to live on Earth, anyway?" Zim looked up at her and Dib, who were holding hands, and felt self-pity. "Oh. I see. So you do care for me."
"Yes. Yes, I do. Yuki, I love you!" Zim was on his hands and knees, tears at his eyes. It disturbed Dib to see his enemy get weepy over a girl...especially his girl. He'd never pictured Zim as an entity capable of love or compassion. The Irken looked up and into Yuki's eyes, gripping her hand. "Please, Yuki. I need you." Dib became increasingly uncomfortable as his nemesis spoke of adoring his girlfriend. He didn't want to appear cruel in front of Yuki, so just squeezed her hand tighter.
"I'm sorry, Zim. I don't love you."
"But Yuki-"
"No, Zim. I've had enough! You used me, you nearly KILLED Dib, and now you expect me to return your feelings of love? I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous."
"Fine, then! I'll drop your belongings outside this door tomorrow morning-that is, if there IS a tomorrow for Earth! I've decided to continue the invasion! And, as an invader again, I will begin by killing the enemy- you!"
Dib panicked. "Yuki, inside!" He yanked her inside and slammed the door behind them. "That was a close one." As soon as the words had been said, Zim was using a laser beam to get the door open. Nothing stood in between them but air. "Zim! Your battle is with me! Leave her out of it!" Zim did not respond, but shot a ray gun at them, narrowly missing. Dib pulled Yuki out of view and into a closet.
"Dib, I can handle him myself."
"No you can't. No, what I mean is, I can't have him hurt you. Stay here. I'll be right back."
"And if you aren't?"
"Then remember me at my funeral."
"Dib, wait!" Without another moment's hesitation, he darted out and faced Zim. The Irken casually pointed the ray gun to the human's forehead, as though it was something he did every day-routine work.
"Dib, you foolish creature. When you die here, I'll only come for Yuki next."
"No, Zim! You won't kill her!"
"I am not going to kill her. I can't. I'm going to take her to become my wife."
"She'll never fall in love with you, Zim, especially if you actually succeeded in killing me!"
"I could make it seem like an accident."
"No, Zim! No, you won't!"
"What can you do about it?" Zim advanced, grinning as he thought more and more of Dib's death. Then, breaking the entrancement of fear, Zim fell down to the ground with a heavy thud. A shadow emerged from the background, and Dib was stunned at the sight before him.
"Gaz? What are you-?"
"He was getting on my nerves."
"How would he be getting on your nerves when he's trying to destroy me?"
"All right, I didn't want you to die."
"Aw...how touching, little Gazzy."
"I could always revive him."
"Never mind."
"Where's Yuki?"
"I had her hide in a closet. I'll go get her." Upon turning the corner, he saw Yuki, standing there.
"I had to make sure that you'd be okay, but Gaz told me that she was going to make sure you were okay, and...I'm sorry."
"For what? Making me happy?"
"Never mind, then."
"I'm glad you're all right."
"Me too."
Gaz said, "Um, sorry to break up this mushy, romantic, sickening moment between you, but didn't you mention something about the obliteration of the world?"
"THE INVASION!" They screamed at once. Showing Yuki Tak's ship, they got in and headed for the moon colony.
"Where exactly is this place again?" he asked her as they neared the Earth's satellite.
"Around Lacus Mortis, the crater Plana."
"Okay. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"I just needed to check."
"A couple days ago, we were enemies, at each other's throats in a battle between life and death. I really want to get to know you even better. Time just doesn't allow for us yet. Hopefully soon."
"Yes. Soon."
"What do you think of all this?"
"Well, I...I worry."
"About me?"
"Yes. Your life is in danger. I want you to stay inside while I try to infiltrate."
"I have to go, Dib. I work there. I live there. I'm second only to Zim on the colony. People will listen to me. They know who you are, and it would look very suspicious if I walked into the Main Security Sector, arm- in-arm with the enemy. That would only jeopardize my life more. I must go alone."
"But-"
"I have to." He landed the craft, and looked at her with an expression of disapproval. Eventually, he gave in, but stopped her before she left the vehicle.
"I want you to have this." With a worried expression, he handed her a miniature camera that attached easily and inconspicuously to her watchband. "That way I'll be able to monitor what happens. But don't try to talk into it, or it would look suspicious."
"I'll keep that in mind." She hurried to the massive structure, but tried to look composed when she walked inside.
"Good day, Yuki," the security guard greeted. "Back from your mission, are you? Well, how was it?"
"Successful, as always. Anything new around here?"
"Not really...the Highest hasn't returned, though, which is strange."
"I think he needed to get away. This big project of his really has him stressed."
"What exactly is this 'big project', anyhow?"
"Sorry, you know the rules-top secret means I tell NO ONE, even my most trusted friends and colleagues."
"You're pretty high up now, aren't you?"
"Second in command."
"Impressive. So if something happened to Highest Zim, you'd take his place?"
"Well, I suppose so...I've never really discussed it with him yet."
"Because he was just recently attacked by one of the Earthlings."
"Was it serious?"
"Couldn't tell. Just said that someone bopped him with a frying pan when he was after a couple criminals..."
"Did he disclose the names of the criminals?"
"Nah...except one of them. There's a traitor amongst our midst."
"A traitor? Ugh! They really should do more thorough background checks before they assign people! I hope that person rots and-"
"Miss, that traitor was you."