By animeninjaNIPPON

Zim was on the floor, virtually breathless from the encounter. Now Dib had every opportunity to reach behind his bed, grab the butcher's knife, and finish Zim off, but he hesitated. He'd never seen Zim so happy – never knew anyone could be so happy, and it amazed him. Suddenly he realized that the effect wouldn't last forever, so he darted over to his bed and reached back for his knife.

"What… was that?" Zim said slowly as he stood up. "Some kind of defense tactic to render me senseless?"

Oops, too late.

"That's called 'kissing'," Dib replied, sitting up on his bed. "It's something we humans do when we… uh…" Great – what was he supposed to do now? Tell Zim it was a gesture of affection? Or admit that he just tried to kill Zim with his spit? Dib had never faced a catch-22 like this one before.

Fortunately, Zim didn't have time to listen to an explanation. "All right, Dib-monkey – give me back my data disk NOW!"

"No way, Zim. It's mine now."

"Do you honestly THINK anyone will believe that I'm an alien?"

"Well…" It was most likely that no one would believe Dib, but fortunately he was saved by the "Mysterious Mysteries" theme song and exempted from saying so. "Gotta go. Get out of my room."

"I'm not leaving without my DISK!"

Dib snatched Zim by the wrist as he went to open the door. "Then you're coming with me."

The two boys sat on the couch watching Dib's favorite show, and all the while Zim cuddled up to the unfortunate boy reborn with Irken pheromones. It wasn't all bad, though – Zim would make comments or ask questions throughout the show, and Dib would answer them to the best of his ability. Dib was actually enjoying having someone to talk to about the things he liked, and was rather disappointed when "Mysterious Mysteries" was over.

"I never knew there were so many bizarre creatures on this planet," Zim remarked, resting his green head on Dib's shoulder.

"Most people don't believe in them," Dib said sadly, "but I know they exist."

"Really? How do you – OH YES, you have yet to RETURN my data disk!" Zim stood up abruptly.

"I already told you – "

"OH NO!" Zim quickly remembered something else – Gir was still out there. "I gotta leave!" He bolted for the door and left, slamming the door behind him. Within a few minutes, someone was knocking on the door. Dib got up and opened it.

It was Zim again. "I'll be back TOMORROW!"

End of part eight