Okee. Just so everyone knows, this is probably a one time thing (updating the next day)even though I have done that in the past with some of my stories. I'm sorry! Its just that I have to sneak onto the computer when my stepdad leaves the house, and hurry and get off before he comes in the door : P

But, since it's your birthday tomorrow, and you requested it....here's the next chapter: dedicated to IceSugarHigh. Happy birthday! May you get lots of toys and money. And FOOD. : )

Chapter 3

Dib lifted himself to his elbows, eyebrows raising. The Irkens were dying? He tapped his fingers against the listening device, thinking hard. This was no small thing. An entire race about to be wiped out. Well, very near extinction if he got the gist of what the other Irken was saying. Hmph. It served them right. Arrogant things that they were, it felt kind of good to hear that they were as vulnerable as any other race when it came to disease...

Then again, it was kind of pitiful to behold. It wasn't as though he himself had never been sick. In fact, he detested it. Lying in bed with weakened limbs and a red-hot poker forehead, waiting for his body to kick back in gear. It certainly wasn't an experience he wished on innocents.

But these beings were far from innocent.

Did that mean they deserved it, though?

Shaking his head in mental turmoil, the pale boy climbed down from his bed (he had grown tired of waiting in the ship's cockpit after an hour). What should he do? The wisest choice seemed to be to plop back down upon the outer-space comforter with a big bowl of cheese popcorn and cackle at his enemy's predicament. Surely it would be the logical choice. His worst enemy finally facing a sad-cruel part of life, something he wouldn't have hesitated to unleash upon others. He was deffinitely not a candidate for a people skill prize, to say the least. But...

Was this how he wanted it to end?

Without an army, the Irkens would no longer be considered a threat to his kind, or any other prey species in the future. Shouldn't that mean this was a miracle? That he should already be racing over to his distraught nemesis' base and put an end to any attempts at finding a cure? Yes, that was what he should be doing right now. Not the most heroic of deeds, to be sure, but perhaps the most fruitful if he suceeded.

Dib pulled on his well-worn trenchcoat and walked to his door, silver box nestled in the crook of his right arm.

Yes, it had to be done. As sole protector of his race, he had to do whatever it took to ensure its future. It was the right thing to do.

"Then let us find this 'cure'! Follow me to my underground lab, its this way!"

Dib looked down at the box as Zim's voice erupted from it in a determined manner.

So why did it feel so...wrong?

No! He had to do what was necessary. Zim deserved to be ruined...

Dib felt the corners of his mouth curling upwards solemnly. Oh how he'd enjoy the look of ultimate hopelessness on the twisted little alien's face...

"NO!"

Dib jumped at the barage of sound leaking from his arm's contents. What was going on now?

"What's wrong with you now? Its just the entrance to my lab..."

"I...it...the mask! Where is it?!"

"You mean that thing that fell of on the porch?"

"WHAT?"

"Yeah. Something came off your face when GIR let you go. Why are you acting so...crazy-thing...like?"

Dib found himself wondering the same thing. Mask? There wasn't a doubt in his mind that it had been serving some purpose, however. Neither the voice nor the tone of this new Irken made him feel like laughing.

A long silence filled the earthling's bedroom. He could feel his heart drumming in his ears.

Wait! What were masks made for (besides Halloween, of course)? Who usually wore them? Suregons...Doctors...scientists. His father did sometimes...Random images sprinted through his head.

But why did they wear them?

Dib's eyes widened visibly.

"........Zim. I...I'm sorry, I..."

"What IS wrong with you? You're acting as weird as that big-headed dirt worm."

"You...WHY are you staring at me like that?"

"I was wearing the mask for your safety."

"What are you talking about?"

"The virus! It's airborne..."

Dib couldn't hear a reply from his arch nemesis. And for some elusive reason, he couldn't find his own voice.

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Zim stared at the being in front of him, speechless. He tried to say something, but his throat refused to relinquish its tight grip on his voice.

He was infected...

Perhaps there was a chance? He hadn't been exposed for longer than a few minutes...

No. The look on Sen's face told him that wasn't a possibility. He swallowed lumps.

Well, this was unexpected for sure. But then, these types of things always were, weren't they? So....random. Happening at the most inopportune of times. He scowled, raking his sharp night-black issue-gloved fingertips down the length of his arm. Why was this happening? To HIM? How dare the universe turn its back on ZIM! And the rest of the Irkens, for that matter. Why not fester with some lesser creatures, too pitiful to realize that they deserved to be decimated for their inferiority? Why...why not the humans?! If anyone deserved this, they sure did. Just for being so incredibly self-destructive and ignorant. And for being the same species as the Dib. DIB! That miserable hair monster would just love to see him now, wouldn't he? Would love to know the Irkens were on the road to destruction. To watch his most imperial enemy die...

No! There was no time for such nonsense. He had to find a cure and save his people, his Tallest. They were dependent on him! He would not let himself die like an unresourceful little rodent in a cage. Would not let the Dib-human even think he had a chance at victory! Oh no. And when it all ends, he'd show that insufferable large-headed monkey how unfortunate he was that his amazing enemy was still standing.

You just wait Dib. I'll still repay you for today's little escapade...

Zim forced his arms to stop shaking, slowly raising his head in a stoic fashion. He glanced at Sen through narrowed eyes. The latter was watching him closely, a look of anticipation of reprimand shadowing his face. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides in anger towards himself. Upon noticing the change in his disaster-made companion he tilted his head slightly, mouth unmoving.

"Well, what are you just standing there for? Let's go make this cure...thing." Zim barked, without conviction. How long did he say it took? A few weeks?

He turned and stepped onto the platform, motioning for the other to follow. He didn't inquire about how soon it would be before the symptoms would be detectable. He didn't want to know. He just hoped he'd have enough time to uncover a cure before he was rendered inept.

Before the symptoms of the virus proved irreversable.

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And thank you thank you to all of my reviewers! You make new ideas pop into my head with such support!

::wink wink::

I've got a Gaz and Tak romance one-shot behind the counter. Let me know if yer interested!

To Moojuice: Aw! ::hugs:: My fellow virus-disher-outer...: ) I think I'll sit down and cry (literally) if this story turns out to be half as beautiful as yours! You too adorn my favorites ;P

To Shikamarunomiko: I really really loved your one-shot by the way! I'm just still trying to think of a comment that does it justice...

If anyone wants me to do a little notey to them in the next chappie, just say so. I know it makes me smile when someone responds to my review in a fanfic. Like I'm part of the fun! XD