Alright, alright! Dib called down the hall. I'll clean it up in a minute!! Shouldering the door to his room open, the somewhat disheveled Dib staggered into his room under the weight of a stack of books, which he pitched onto his bed with a groan. Homework, again. Piles of it. Way too much of it. Damnit, he didn't have TIME for this! He had WORK to do! IMPORTANT work! Leaving the books where they sat, he darted over to his computer, slid into the chair at his desk, and typed away, bringing up numerous files and schematics onto the screen. They filed past his gaze, reflecting off of his glasses. Everything he'd gathered over the years on the Irken Empire. There was a lot of information but he still had no proof. No real, tangible, evidence of alien existence none that he was willing to give up yet, anyway. There was still so much to be learned from what he had pilfered, most notably Tak's alien ship. He wouldn't turn that in it had been in his garage for all this time, and he was still learning from it. And somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew it was probably the only escape he'd ever have, the only chance to get off this planet and see the things he longed to see.

Zim's elusive behavior these past years made Dib terribly suspicious, but there wasn't a lot he could do about it. They'd never found that girl who had played Christine, back when he and Zim were in fifth grade and Zim's attendance to skool had been cursory at best, and had stopped altogether after the graduation from eighth grade. That alien was up to something some huge project, something horrible. And Dib had no idea what it was. From the information he'd gathered he knew that Irkens lived a very long time something close to the equivalent of 400 Earth years. Zim could not have left, or given up, in the space of a mere five years. He was merely working steadily towards his goal. A surge of worry crossed Dib's mind depending on just how old Zim was (and despite his height he knew him to be a fully adult Irken, likely in his prime), he would very likely outlive the one person who knew enough about him to stop him. Maybe I should train a successor once I'm out of skool, Dib thought with a wry smirk.

But there was nothing to be done about the long Irken lifespan not right now. Dib called up the scanner readouts of the equipment he'd long had monitoring the greenish glowing house that Zim used as a stronghold. Nothing new, although the base kept itself easily maintained. He hadn't seen Zim leave that house in a long time, either on foot or in his Voot ship; it had been at least a few months. His stupid robot sidekick regularly trotted out in its pathetic disguise on a brainfreezy run, but Dib had captured that thing once before and had found it to be utterly worthless in terms of getting information and an extreme pain to deal with, besides. The minute bits of technology that ran the thing defied his systems, and the robot itself was anything but helpful. Besides, from what Dib could tell, it fouled up Zim's own plans more often than it assisted them. He figured it was best to just leave the malfunctioning SIR unit where it was.

his sister's irate voice hollered down the hall.

I'm coming, I'm coming!! he yelped, leaping from his chair and tripping over his own feet before tearing out into the hall.

---

For once, it was quiet. The top floor of Zim's base, the house' section built to superficially resemble a human dwelling, was usually echoing with some kind of noise GIR's screaming, the computer doing things, the clank of the robo-parents in their closets, the waves of music that now frequently spiraled up from the inner recesses of the lab. But now, GIR lay half in Jessica's lap, peacefully asleep, its metal legs kicking gently. She had one hand rested on its head as she gazed out the window. Snow was falling. To be expected, at this time of year, but snow meant little to her anymore. She had vague memories of playing out in it, memories that seemed to grow stronger as her eyes sought out details of the street and houses beyond the single plot that consisted of her home for the past five years. Something was different.. radically so. She couldn't quite place it. The robot against her leg stirred, and she looked down at it for a minute. It wasn't like GIR to be so quiet it wasn't like this whole house to be so quiet—that was it, she realized. There was no music. There was almost always music, either from the alien's voice or from the various instruments that he kept around the base. There were periods of silence, at times, but at least while she was awake there was an almost constant haunting stream of sound. Sometimes when she awoke, she was overwhelmed by images, and memories, and fears in the deafening silence around her. But then the Irken Invader was always there, and the music would return. Even now, she couldn't for the life of her remember what had frightened her so in those moments of silence and the aftermath of her dreams.

GIR giggled softly in its sleep. Jessica wondered what the robot dreamed about, if anything. She wasn't sure robots could dream, but this one acted like it did. She wished she could remember her dreams. The snatches of them that she did remember, if she didn't look quite at them, seemed to almost sharpen in the silence. Silence was something she knew only in her sleep, and somehow it was bringing her dreams to the forefront. Intrigued, she let the play of random images continue the snow, yes, she remembered playing in the snow. Her mother and father she was badly startled to think that she hadn't thought of them in months. Years. Images of structures like Zim's base, only far more impressive, open, and breath-taking. Monuments of power to some alien civilization. Those images faded quickly, and she was left wondering where they had come from. More images slowly grew in her mind, images of the desperate fifth-grader years ago that had been determined to stop Zim. No one had listened to him. Why, she thought, tears pricking at her eyes. He had been right all along he'd been right

a stormy voice broke through her thoughts and she turned to see Zim spring from the toilet in the kitchen. He was dressed in a mask and black cape, as he always was when she saw him. In all the years she'd been here, had he changed at all? He certainly hadn't gotten any taller.. As her gaze met his she felt a tinge of resentment cloud her mind. Did she have anything in her life here? How long had she been here? She had no one except the robot. She matched his burning red gaze defiantly, and his eyes widened only slightly, before he grinned.

It's been too quiet around here, hasn't it, angel? he said, and a moment later his voice melted into a song. It was in his own language, the Irken language, that Jessica didn't understand and never had been able to, although it felt oddly familiar, and comforting. The dream images in her mind disappeared, and she felt no regret at their loss, only a strange comfort and feeling of safety as her mind sank back into the music. Why would she belong anywhere else? Why would she give her loyalty to anyone other than the Phantom who brought her such comfort and took care of her? Her eyes closed as one hand absently stroked GIR's head.

---

Dib lay across his bed, glaring angrily out the window. At least he had the whole weekend to finish his homework. He shifted, uncomfortably aware of the stack of books digging into his ribs. He'd never bothered to move them from the bed. Despite the fact that all's he wanted to do was shove them under the bed and never let them see daylight again. He wondered briefly if his father would even notice if he dropped out of skool probably not, he thought bitterly. And Gaz certainly wouldn't care. She'd withdrawn even more into herself since her first hi skool year had started. No one at skool messed with her. No one dared. Dib rubbed the spreading bruise on his temple. Unfortunately, living with someone required a certain amount of messing' with them.

At least the snow would keep Zim inside but then, what would entice him to venture out? Dib had to get in there, find out what the alien was doing. He knew it was something horrible. Dib didn't want to think about the fate that had befallen the girl Zim had kidnapped. A voice from his lurking memories echoed in Dib's mind Let's see what your organs look like on the outside!!' He shuddered. If it hadn't been for Gaz but then.. who had gone to save Jessica? Nobody, Dib thought bitterly. Not even me. I was too busy trying to convince everyone else in the face of the evidence that he was an alien. I could've done better. If he'd been able to get out alive or in alive, for that matter.

He owed it to her, and to everyone else that alien had hurt, or tricked, or manipulated to stop Zim. With a sigh he shoved his homework books to one side and got off the bed. He didn't have time for the pointless drivel of math and english and geography they tried to shove down his throat. He had to save the WORLD! In a blind rush he pulled on his trenchcoat and started unpacking his backpack, flinging folders and papers haphazardly across the floor. He replaced them rapidly with examples of all his latest equipment examples he felt sure would demonstrate to Zim that the humans were not as helpless as the Irken thought.

---

What do you think of this one, stink-beast? the alien said snidely as he smoothly played a formidable composition on the upright piano that lingered conventionally in the upstairs living room, shoved to one side of the wall near the TV. Jessica did not notice his tone, she had ears only for his music. Zim sat haughtily at the piano bench, his black cape trailing majestically off its edge. His face twisted in a grin of triumph under the mask he wore as his crimson eyes lit up, boring into hers. Her gaze was demurely lowered, her arms around GIR, which giggled and squirmed in her grasp. She let the music flow through her soul and carry her with it. As Zim turned away from her again, continuing the song without another word, she found her body swaying to the powerful melody as she sat cross-legged near the piano on the floor. The chords crashed up and down the keys, pulling her with each dip and swell of sound. There was one thing in common between all of Zim's compositions; a feeling of violence and victory. It never strayed, and while each one had the power to carry her along with it indefinitely, it was only one feeling, one emotion, and she wondered, in the murky whispers of her mind, if Zim were capable of more. Could he express in his art what he didn't feel? Did he feel anything but this?

He really was amazing, she thought under the hypnotic strains of music, watching the little alien sway to his own rhythm as he played with a delighted grin on his face. GIR left its place in her arms to dance happily around the room. Its high-pitched, off-key singing split the air, jarring at Jessica's mind and causing Zim to bring his composition to an end with a crashing and definitive ending minor chord. Jessica jumped visibly at the sound as Zim spun around on the bench to glare at his robot minion. he snarled. Be silent!! He remained there, breathing heavily for a moment as he mustered his entire power of glare to focus on the little robot. It only smiled charmingly and waved to him.

Muttering under his breath about the piece needing more work, Zim leapt from the bench and stalked into the kitchen, climbing up onto the toilet and descending quickly from sight. Jessica stared at the toilet long after Zim had disappeared.

GIR said imploringly, tugging at her arm and distracting her from her lost gaze and thoughts.

she said, looking down at the robot and blinking.

Your friend's at the window! it giggled happily, before dancing into the kitchen.

My what? She quickly twisted around to look back towards the windows, only to see a quick glimpse of a relatively shocked face, framed by dark hair in an odd style and half covered by a pair of large glasses. The face was so familiar. She could not, for the life of her, place where she had seen him before but she was sure she had. Curious, Jessica got to her feet, and went over to open the door.

By then, the boy was on the sidewalk, his eyes warily on the lawn gnomes. hello? Jessica ventured. She didn't usually have answer-door duty, that was mostly the job of the robo-parents, but she'd taken care of things once or twice when they had been offline for various reasons. She wondered what this kid was doing here he wasn't any older than she was.

He was also quite obviously at a loss for words. Wha.. where who are you!? he finally managed, staring at her in undisguised astonishment.

Er.. my name's Jessica can I help you? she said uncertainly. This only seemed to make the boy grow more frantic.

he yelped. That.. it's.. you can't be.. he couldn't've that's not possible!! You mean y—HE BRAINWASHED YOU, DIDN'T HE!? The boy pointed a quavering finger at her.

excuse me? she stared at him. Brainwashed? Was he talking about Zim? No, Zim certainly hadn't brainwashed her she didn't know a lot about him, it was true, only that he played wonderful music, and he was an alien living on Earth for some some reason she didn't know.

Heedlessly the boy ran up to her, nearly tripping over his own booted feet. He reached out, his hands closing on her arms as he stared wildly into her eyes. he mumbled, wide-eyed. Jessica, after all these years no one ever had any idea where you were!! You were with HIM all this time!

She stared at him. Yes, I— she froze in mid-sentence. This was the boy. The boy. The gawky one with the too-large head, the glasses, and the freakish outfits. He'd changed, grown he was taller now, taller than her, and he was even more gawky, in a terribly adolescent way, though his head was less out of proportion than it had been. What had he wanted with Zim back then? What did he want now? Gingerly she pulled her arms from his grasp.

He HAS brainwashed you!!

No! Who ARE you?? Her gaze met his, scared. They said he was insane in skool, they always said he was insane and she still couldn't remember his name.

You don't remember me? Dib? From the play; I was Raoul? I never saw you otherwise!! You were a grade above me! Nobody's SEEN you in five years!! You've been given up for DEAD!

I have?

But why would.. Jessica stumbled back into the house, feeling her head start to swim. Dead? They thought she was dead? Nothing about her previous life was still alive to her! She couldn't even remember most of it small things, hints of images nothing more.

Dib followed her inside, taking hold of her arms again. He's brainwashed you! Forget it! Forget all the things he's done to you! You need to come back to the human world!! That's where we all are!

Jessica looked up at him slowly, painstakingly, finding it almost hard to let her gaze linger on him that long. He stared down at her with such outright worry, and righteous caring for the well-being of someone he thought oppressed she hadn't even known him in skool. Nobody had. Had they? Nobody had known Zim, either. Had they? Zim was not a student. He was not a human. She knew this, but there was no longer anything even remotely odd about it. He was an alien. A small, wonderful

You need help, Dib was whispering under his breath. You need to get away from him! Come with me!!

she said, looking away from him. No, I won't.

Dib's grip tightened on her arms. Yes! You're delusional, Jessica! You can't mean you want to STAY with this alien wretch!

I do, she said, her voice barely audible.

Dib stared at her, uncomprehending. You can't mean that. Come with me!! We've got to get you help if you'd even think of saying that!!

She twisted out of his grip, a flash of anger crossing her face. You presumptious moron!! You'd take me from my my My what? House? This wasn't her house. It was Zim's base. The robot? Zim himself? The music? she said, more quietly. I don't want to go. I can't go.

You have to! Dib reached for her again, desperately.

No! You don't understand! she snapped in reply. Just go away she pressed her fingers to her temples, brow furrowed as she backed into the kitchen.

You can't—

HIIIIIII BAGELFISH HEAD!!!! a high-pitched voice screeched behind Jessica. A moment later, GIR rushed between her legs and into the living room, headed straight for Dib. He stared for a split second before bolting and slamming the door behind him in the little robot's face. It merely giggled wildly as it crashed into the obstruction.

---

Zim snarled in answer to a polite informative from his computer. I will NOT deal with any more stink-monkey beasts invading my base! No one is home! No one!! He made little shooing motions with his hands, before stalking over to the pipe organ whose structure graced an entire two walls and ceiling of this particular underground chamber. It wouldn't do, then, to let the filth-girl's mind stray too far from his amazing music, not with a whole human world out there probably waiting to SNATCH HER AWAY the stink-human was his slave! His tool! HIS! Who had even come to his door? No one had come to his door in months! It had better not be that filthy, prying, Dib-weasel again. If it were, Zim would show him a thing or two. Show him what it was like to truly fear Zim climbed to the console of the organ, hastily pulled out every organ stop, ran his gloved claws along the keys, and started to play, perking his antennae to listen to the sounds that reverberated and soared from the pipes reaching up to the immense ceiling, infusing the entire base with glorious waves of sound. The Irken smiled. With sound, and his understanding of it as it applied to the human psyche he truly would rule the world.

---

Dib flattened against the wall of a house a few doors down from the greenish glowing alien base. He panted, but only for a moment, before slinging off his backpack and kneeling down behind a copse of bushes. He felt a tinge of nostalgia along with the unpleasant sensation of damp snow seeping through his pant legs. His fingers, numbed by the cold, fumbled out his laptop and switched it on, holding it on top of his backpack to keep it from the snow. He wore gloves, but they were fingerless to accommodate needed dexterity. He took a moment to breath heavily on his fingers before starting to set up the rest of his equipment. If he couldn't convince that poor, obviously brainwashed girl but he would save her. What else could he possibly do, when he'd so long failed to bring that horrible alien to justice?

He paused a moment, looking at the equipment set up around him, his breath frosty in the cold air. Every piece went with every other piece, fitted together with a particular exactness that left no doubt to its function. He could see, in his mental eye, how every detail came together, even the details he couldn't see with his physical eyes. Was this how his father did things? Created inventions? Understood the world? Science was a brilliant phenomenon, and something Dib found he had the ability to manipulate to the fullest. He was quite sure his understanding even surpassed his father Dib knew of things that the general public did not. His father was not the first to create free energy, and not the first to have it hidden underneath the capitalist bureaucracy to maintain the sickening flow of funds coughed up by the public for less efficient means of power Dib shook his head as his numb fingers tapped away on his laptop keys. That was nothing he wanted to focus on now. He had a life to save. Someone he'd failed to save years ago someone so innocent it hit a spot deep within his mind, seeing her under the power of something so.. twisted and deranged and horrible as that stupid little alien. He let out another sigh as the computer beeped, informing him of its remote access. Despite its complexity, the study of Irken technology had served Dib very well over the years he tapped a couple of extra keys, and smiled.