(A/N: Finally, I'm updating!)

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G led Dib downstairs and into the basement where Professor Membrane's home lab was located. The smell of burnt plastic was coming from the door through which G led the boy and there, on a stool in front of a lab table, sat Professor Membrane. His ever-present blue goggles were askew over his eyes and he was shaking all over.

Dib looked from his father to the equipment in front of him. Half of the lab things on the table were melted, beakers broken, test tubes shattered, smoke rising from what used to be a bunsen burner and now resembled a small, plastic volcano.

Membrane stood up, letting the metal stool fall to the floor with a clatter. In one swift movement he'd knocked everything off the table and onto the floor, then pushed the table over, which caused Dib to step back in alarm.

"You always did find some way," Membrane said quietly to no one, "to interrupt my work.Whether it was ghosts, aliens, or vampires...you always found some way to get my attention away from my work. And now, you're still doing it, Dib." He fell to his knees, onto the floor, and looked at the broken things around him. "I'm a man of my work...and now...I can't even concentrate on that. Finally, when I've got time to listen to you...when you're the only person I want to talk to...you're not around."

"G," said Dib in a shaky voice as he watched his father break down into himself. "Why did you show me these things?"

"The main reason is because I was assigned to you," G replied. "The other reason is because I've not gotten my wings yet. The sooner I teach you this lesson, the sooner I become an angel first class and earn my wings. Why do you ask?"

"Because," Dib said. "I can't take any more of this."

"Dib, you've got the chance to see what the world would be like without you. You basically wished you were dead and here, in this world, you are dead. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I thought it was."

Just then there was a small sound of footsteps from the door and Gaz walked in, quickly wiping her cheek with her sleeve.

"Dad?" she said quietly, walking over to Membrane and tapping his shoulder.

"Yes?" he replied, turning to look at her.

"I-I heard a crash and...I just wanted to-to make sure..." Gaz stammered, looking down as her voice broke. This was very unlike her, she knew, and she was feeling rather embarrased.

"I'm alright," said Membrane, sitting up though still on his knees. His daughter nodded and crossed her arms, trying to hide the fact that her hands were trembling.

"Well!" G said, interrupting the moment. "That's about all we need to see, I think. Come on, Dib." He took Dib by the hand and had to practically drag him out of the room the boy was so shocked by what he had seen.

G kept dragging Dib until they got outside and by then Dib had started walking on his own. "Where are we going?" he asked.

"Back to the beginning, back to where we started. It's time for you to decide, Dib." said G as they reached the bridge, then turned to look at him, arms crossed over the black trench coat he wore.

"It's time for you to decide," he repeated. "Life or death?"

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(A/N: Invader Zim Christmas special: Tuesday, December 10th, 2002. 8:00/8:30 Nickelodeon.)