Random question for everyone before I start this chapter: in my profile, one of the words in there keeps getting changed to a hyperlink, taking you to some random crap site. I keep changing it back, but that's never permanent. Does anyone know how to make it go away and stay away? If anyone can let me know, that would be great. : )

Disclaimer: I own this fic. I also own my really cool IZ armband and t-shirt. Sadly, that's about all I own. Jhonen Vasquez and the network-that-must-not-be-named own everything else in here. Got that?

"Zim, are you ok?"

I stare at him, unable to believe what I'm seeing. He's got some bright orange fluid dripping out of the corners of his mouth. As it hits the ground, it makes a slight sizzling noise before being absorbed into the dirt.

"ZIIIIM is perfectly alright, stink monkey. What gives your inferior brainmeats any other idea?"

-Shrug- "Maybe it's the orange crap coming out your mouth?"

"Crap? Where is there any fecal matter?"

"hahaha, Zim, I meant that there's orange…stuff coming out, and there usually isn't. Are you bleeding?"

"Nonsense. No one would DARE injure an Irken elite such as myself…wait, who am I kidding."

"That last bit was a bit mumbled, Zim, I didn't quite catch it. And what is that stuff, then, if not blood?"

"That 'stuff' is the Irken equivalent of your human tears. It's just more rational to have spit and tears coming out of the same place."

"You were crying? Why?"

"LIES! Why would I be crying?"

"You just said you were."

"I, uh, must've poked myself in the squeedely spooch. Oooh, my aching squeedely spooch." as he grabs a spot on his chest that even I know is too high to be his squeedely spooch.

"Zim, isn't your squeedely spooch down there?"

"Don't touch it. It hurts."

"Ziiiiiiimmmmm…"

"Yes, worm baby?"

"ZIM!"

"What?"

"I TOLD you, don't EVER call me that."

"Whatever."

"What were you crying for?"

"Who says I was crying?"

"ZIM, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" I can feel the dark aura surrounding me, and apparently Zim can see it, because he started babbling.

"Alright, filthy stinking worm baby, although you are not worthy to hear the mighty ZIM's problems, since you are being so forceful, I shall be forced to tell you, though I really don't want to, huh, the very idea of an Irken soldier being forced to share his problems with another is foolish, especially when that other is an inferior hyooman…" I waited for him to finish blathering on and on how I wasn't worthy to hear his issues, and finally he sort of got to it.

"…and my Tallest said that I should never have been smeeted, and that they sent me here to die, because there wasn't supposed to be a planet here, and that I'm never allowed to contact them or return to Irk, and the armada…isn't coming, because this planet wasn't worth conquering, and a COMPETENT invader would've gotten it in half the time…"

"Zim, that's terrible."

"The Tallest were wise to-"

"No, they weren't. They're pathetic excuses for leaders if they're going to treat you like that."

"You dare speak against the Allmighty Tallest? On Irk you would be executed for such foolishness."

"Good thing I'm not on Irk then, although they'd have a hard time executing me."

"I don't doubt that."

"I'll pretend that was a compliment."

"It was."

"Really? You've never said anything nicer than, 'you're not bad, for a pig smelly.'"

"For me to admit that you may be able to take out any supreme Irken guards, even if it is by luck, is very high praise, especially for a hyoooooman such as yourself."

Oh. "Thanks, Zim. And I'm really sorry about your banishment. Is there anything we can do about it?"

"WE can't do anything. I, however, may be able to, in time, change their minds. Maybe if one taller than them comes to power, I can appeal it, and maybe he/she will allow me to return to Irk. Though I doubt it."

"Why do you doubt it?"

"Impending Doom I…long story. No Irken in their right mind would allow me back."

Zim gets a look so…hurt, I can't help giving him a brief hug.

"What was that for?"

"Because I feel bad for you."

"Awwww, Master loves Gazzy!" I hear an electronic voice squeal behind us.

"GIR! I thought I ordered you to remain inside the base at all times."

"Aw, I think you're cute like that." Gir stated as though he didn't hear Zim (which he probably didn't.)
"Master loves you Gazzy. Do you love my master?"

"Uh, Gir, aren't your taquitos burning?"

"My taquitos. MY TAQUITOS!" as Gir runs screaming back inside.

"You avoided answering his question, Gaz-human."

"And you avoided confirming or denying his statement. I won't ask if you don't."

"Deal." and he held his arms out.

"Zim, what are you doing?"

"Sh-shouldn't we have to grab each other somehow?"

"Shake hands?"

"Wouldn't grabbing each other again make it more permanent?"

"…I guess so."

As Zim stepped forward to give me a brief hug, I felt…something. I think he did too, because as he pulled away, I could swear I felt his lips brush across my cheek.

Aww, wasn't that sweet? No? I didn't think so either, but it begged to be written, and it fit so well with the story line. I like it. Well, people, please R+R, and I hope to have the next chapter up soon, depending on how well I keep up with all of my work so as to get enough free time. It's been kind of light so far, but wait…just wait. >:)