Tapan: oh wow. I'm so sorry about this lack of update! I know, almost two months without one! I've been very busy lately. But you know what? It doesn't matter, because things are starting to slow down and I'm getting back into my work, fanfic and otherwise! Whee! and remember: NC-17 one is at you can get it on my profile.

Disclaimer: I don't own Invader Zim, and If I did it would be full of slashy goodness, thus wouldn't be as popular cuz of them homophobic fan's. anywho, don't sue, I'm funny.

Warning: Slash! ZADR, references to rape and bondage. Flame if you wish.


"I feel stupid." Dib pulled at the greasy white apron awkwardly as he stood before Gashloog. He looked down at the red tinted goggles in his hand, observing them.

The small irken offered Dib a small smile and crossed his arms. "well, no one said uniforms were suppose to be sharp looking." Gashloog moved around the human slowly, still being a bit wary of him after being attacked.

Dib noticed this and clenched his teeth a little, looking over his shoulder slightly. "I'm sorry about before."

Gashloog chuckled a little under his breath and made his way back to the front of the paranormalist. "eh, don't worry about it. You gotta do what you gotta do." Gashloog took off his goggles, revealing his dark green eyes. The eyes narrowed as he looked up at Dib. "Although, if it happens again, don't expect me to take it so lightly. I may not be a crazy as Zim, but I could destroy if need be."

Before Dib could respond, a sound in the hall caught his attention. The sound was much like a pained moan and awkward steps that continued to come closer. He turned to look at the door just in time to see Zim, limping slightly as he made his way down the hall, goggles and apron in tow. He could almost feel Gashloog's uneasiness behind him; obviously the smaller irken wasn't looking forward to their reunion.

At first, it seemed Dib and Gashloog would go unnoticed for the moment. This was until Zim's antennae shot up in attention and his eyes closed for a minute, as if he were hoping against hope that his eyes were playing tricks on him. Slowly, he turned to look, eyes widening as he saw the human.

Dib sucked in a breath and held it as he stared. Zim looked different, almost broken. Both his eyes were swollen, almost as if he'd been crying. His left cheek was marked with a large, purple bruise. Around his neck was another bruise in the vague shape of a hand. His clothes were wrinkled and unkempt.

Coming back to reality, Zim straightened his posture, adjusted his uniform and glared at the human. "Dib! What're you doing here!"

Dib swallowed a little and looked down for a moment, knowing something was out of place. He didn't respond to his enemy, he really didn't know how.

Before any more words could be said, Sizz-lorr's deep voice bellowed. "hey! I need people out front!"

Zim shot up, flinching as the voice was heard. Gashloog, however seemed unfazed; he slipped the goggles back on his head and walked out of the room, gesturing for Dib to follow. The human hesitated at first, then walked out, brushing shoulders with Zim as he followed Gashloog. He leaned a little closer than necessary and mumbled to the taller irken. "I'm here because I followed you." He then continued to walk away, Gashloog cocking an eye at the human before continuing on his way.

Zim stood completely still for a moment, still staring into the now empty room. His body trembled a bit as his mind now filled with questions. Why would Dib do that? How was he going to get out of here? And probably the most important; what's going to happen if or when the human figures out what Sizz-lorr does to his little "slave" behind closed doors?

Closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, he pushed the thoughts to the side and pulled on his apron and goggles, before heading off in the direction the other two went. He walked noticeably slower, due to a shooting pain in his lower back.


Dib pressed a few buttons on the register, Gashloog watching on as he did his own work. He blinked as a tray flew past him and headed to a table occupied by a large, yellowish blob with one eye. "hn, it's all pretty basic, isn't it?"

Gashloog nodded and pushed his mop across the floor, cleaning a puddle that was slowly eating through the floor. Smiling as he finished up, he stood up straight and leaned against his oversized mop. "you know, I don't think I've ever asked you. What would someone be doing, following their greatest enemy halfway across the universe?"

Dib kept his eyes focused on the machine, pretending he didn't hear Gashloog.

The irken worker frowned and stepped closer to Dib, eyeing him curiously. "I won't tell, you know. It is in human culture to follow the enemy anywhere?"

Clenching his jaw, the human shook his head, still refusing to look at the irken.

Gashloog cocked an eye. "then what is it?"

"don't you have some work to do?"

Gashloog hesitated for a moment, thinking of a way to respond. After a moment, he set his jaw and turned away. "fine, I get it. You need to keep all your secrets secret. I know, I'm not exactly a Vortian bartender, who you can pour your heart out to."

Dib turned and watched as the little worker cleaned up an area. After a moment, he snorted a bit and turned back to the register. "fine. I'll tell you why I'm here if you tell me what happened to Zim."

It was Gashloog's turn to hesitate and play dumb. "w-what do you mean?"

Pressing a few last buttons, the human turned around and stared at Gashloog, arms crossed. "Zim's different from when we were on Earth, so something must've happened to him between then and now. You tell me what happened to him and I'll explain why I followed him here."

Gashloog looked away and back to the spot he was scrubbing at. "I can't tell you that."

Dib turned back to his register. "Then I won't tell you why I'm here."

Gashloog nodded. "Fair enough."


A few hours later, Dib sighed to himself and looked over the now empty shop before heading into the back. Gashloog had already headed off to wherever little gashloogs go when they're not working, Sizz-lorr was god-knows- where, and Zim already headed back for the night.

At least, that's what Dib thought.

Turning around, the human found himself looking into crimson eyes. He jumped back as Zim started at him, eyes and head slightly cocked.

After a moment, the invader crossed his arms and set his jaw, fixing Dib with a suspicious glare. "So, tell me why you followed me here, stinkbeast. I was leaving your pitiful planet; wouldn't that be enough for you?"

Dib just watched Zim warily, finding himself at a loss for words.

The irken's glare deepened at his lack of response. "what? Why won't you answer me, human? Tell me why you're here!"

Dib opened his mouth to speak, only to find nothing come out. He wanted to tell Zim why he followed Sizz-lorr, but he couldn't.

Fortunately, he didn't have to. Zim stared at Dib, arms still crossed. He looked the boy up and down before snorting and moving closer, touching the apron. "This thing really doesn't suit you, you should take it off."

Dib's breath hitched a little and he blushed as his mind wandered to dirtier thoughts.

The irken's antennae arched at the little noise and he looked up, confused for a moment. His eyes then widened in realization, finally knowing why the human followed him all the way to this planet. His expression changes as he snarled and pushed Dib back harshly, glaring hatefully as he back handed him. "You sick barbarian!" he then stormed out of the room.

Dib watched Zim leave and rubbed his cheek gingerly, a little surprised to the sudden turn of events.

"I told you not to be with Zim alone." Sizz-lorr walked out from where he was, eyes narrowed.

Dib forced himself not to jump at the frylord's sudden appearance and turned to him, glaring a little. "That was out of my control."

The large irken snorted. "obviously." He walked over to Dib, expression blank. "He really hates you, doesn't he?"

"Thank you for stating the obvious."

"You're welcome. And you can watch me do it again. You don't hate him at all, do you?"

The human swallowed and clenched his eyes shut, wishing to be somewhere else for the moment.

Sizz-lorr chuckled and moved away. "Just as I thought." He pulled off his hat and walked toward the back. "Get some rest, human. Tomorrow's another busy day."

Shaking his head with a sigh, Dib stayed where he was as the lights to the front were shut off. He didn't want to be back there, not if Zim would be screaming the entire night, as always.

So, he sat in the dark restaurant, where it was silent.


Tapan: I feel a little bad for Dib in this. The poor, confused boy. Anyway R&R. and again, sorry about the slow updating. and tell me if you want Jhkitty and Torna back for this story, because I'll put them back if anyone wants them