I just realized that I forgot to put the disclaimer in this story so far.

Well, I don't own Invader Zim, nor am I the creator of such amazingness. If I was, I'd be my own personal hero. yep... :)

Chapter 4

Gaz and Dib stared at the planet in front of them with wide eyes and grim mouths, secretly wishing they had the visual capacity to scan the very surface of it. To locate their mother's slim figure poised in a graceful bow, eyes locked on their own, motioning for them to come to her. They pressed their faces against the glass. Two pairs of chocolate eyes visualizing the happiest or most devastating scene-to-be of their lives. The dusky atmosphere appeared enchantingly before them like storm clouds forming out of thin air. The swirls of copper-toned smoke so close, like mist against the glass. They blinked in union, awaiting the rancid cotton candy tendrils to dissipate, providing a clear view to the far-below land mass...

The ship came to an abrupt halt. Pulling their faces from the glass's surface, they turned around to look at their captain questioningly. He got up from his chair, and strode over to where they were standing, a resolute expression on his alien features.

"Why did we stop here?" Gaz asked, straightforwardly.

Zim had on one of the oddest expressions she had ever seen. He looked her straight in the eyes. "I'm assuming that your mother's ship did not crash on its own. Which means, something on or from this planet would have to be the cause."

Dib eyed him uncertainly. "So, what are you saying? We have to get to the planet's surface somehow..."

Zim nodded. "Yes. But it could be dangerous. And as much as you'd hate to admit it, earth-beast, I am far more capable of surviving any...misfortunes...that could occur while trying to get down there." He strode to one side of the ship, halting before a strange looking panel in the framework. He pressed an Irken symbol to it's side, stepping back as it opened.

Dib and Gaz could see a tiny chamber through the makeshift doorway. It didn't take them long to piece what Zim was planning together.

"You're going to go by yourself, first." Gaz turned to look at Zim. He gave her a lop-sided grin.

"There's no fooling you, is there?" He really loved sacrcasm...

Gaz didn't. She slammed Zim's back against the wall. "No."

Zim looked down at her face. His grin faded as he saw her jaw trembling. "Gaz, I was just trying to be funny. You are more attentive even than me at times. I didn't mean to..."

"I mean NO. You're not going!"

"What?" He gave her a questioning glance.

"What if it IS dangerous? I..." She released her grip on his arms, stepping back. "I don't want you to." She brought her hands up to her face. She had long ago accepted the fact that her mother might never come back. But she wasn't ready to lose him...

"She's right." Dib said, flatly. He crossed his arms, turning to face Zim.

Zim gave him a look of faint annoyance.

"If there's a possibility that something will happen, you can't go. We'll just have to think of something else."

"Like what? Radio down there and ask them to turn off the lasers or whatever?!"

"We'll think of something! You know, the kind of plan that doesn't involve serious risk to our health."

"There is no risk! I am an Irken invader. An elite!"

"That means absolutely nothing if you're dust!"

Zim slammed his fist against the wall. "There is no possibility of that!"

Dib glared ferociously. "Oh, because you can foretell the future, now. Another of your SUPERIOR qualities, I suppose?"

"Gir, come with me." Zim turned to walk into the chamber. Gir made to follow, but Gaz scooped him up, looking quite determined. Dib grabbed hold of Zim's arm. Zim growled, and was about to throw the human off, but refrained himself when he saw the worried expression on Dib's face. He decided upon glowering in an especially indifferent manner, instead.

"I won't let you." Dib's voice came out hard and even.

Zim was now harboring a very confused look. The Dib-monkey was actually concerned about his safety?

Gaz was giving him a pleading look, Gir wearing his usual innocent expression in her arms.

Zim looked at the floor. He puzzled at the human's necessity to make a minor situation so complicated. He'd have to reason with them logically...

"Listen. I wouldn't be going if I thought it was a suicide mission, ok? I am pretty sure that my pod will be shot down or something of the sort..." He saw Gaz's eyes widen. "But, like I have already stated, I am, by far, capable of handling anything that might occur."

Dib loosened his grip a little. "Because you're superior, right?"

"Exactly. Unlike you humans, my vitalities are not so vulnerable..."

"Because you're made of some invincible substance, right?" Dib was cueing in on the sarcasm now.

"No. But my pak IS. And if you RECALL, it contains my genetic makeup." He paused, waiting for his words to sink into their minds. Dib looked like he was beginning to catch on.

"So, what you're saying is, even if something were to happen to your body, it wouldn't be jeopardizing due to the durability of your pak...?"

Zim smiled. "Exactly."

Dib hesitated for a moment, but released Zim's arm. Gaz shot him an accusing glare. He turned to her.

"Its alright Gaz. I think he knows what he's doing, for once. And it's not like he's never crashed before..."

Gaz looked almost convinced.

"Yes, so many crashes have I....hey!" Zim shot Dib a dirty look, who just shrugged.

"It's true. You just won't die for some reason..."

"Bwahahahahah! You will never defeat Zim!" He fixed Dib with a superior look. He looked down as he felt a weight against him. Gaz wrapped him in a tight hug. Without thinking, Zim returned the gesture. No one had ever really cared what happened to him before. Well, the Tallest definitely cared, but only to the extent of his mission, he was sure. Such supreme beings didn't waste emotions on the lowly invaders themselves...He rested his chin on the top of her head.

Gir was crushed between them, but didn't seem to mind. He wrapped his arms around them both. "Awww...we're all so happy!" He began to laugh insanely. Gaz and Zim pulled apart. Zim looked down at his hyperactive robot. "Come on Gir."

"Hey Zim."

Zim turned to look at Dib. "What?"

"You better come back in one piece, or I'll consider myself the victor."

"That will never happen...Dib."

"And I will destroy you." Gaz stated matter-of-factly. She gave Zim a quick kiss on the cheek. He grinned at her.

"Now that may happen..." He entered the chamber, turning to watch her as the door sealed itself. He winked as the last crack became air-tight.

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Medea sat watching the seemingly eternal night sky, chin on her arms, leaning on the windowsill. She sighed. Tugging at her collar, she pulled out the silver-chained locket residing there. She opened it, examining the tiny pictures it held. On the right, her two babies, beneath the Christmas tree, fighting over the last candy-cane. The left: her husband with his hands over her eyes, taken on her birthday. When she received the locket...

With a tiny snap she closed the locket. Smiling, she returned her gaze to the stars.

Puzzled, she closed her eyes and reopened them. She looked at the now blatantly blinking stars incredulously. They were trying to tell her something....

She jumped at the sight of the blinding streak across the sky. The floor rumbled with a sudden, nearby impact, tossing her to the floor.

"Barry! Jack!" She raced out of her chamber, down the hall, and into the alien night.