The door to the men's restroom flew open with a bang, startling a bony old man who was finishing his business. Not stopping once, Dib crashed into the nearest stall and locked the door.

He sat on the edge of the toilet, staring at GIR. "What now?" He asked despairingly. "What do I do?"

He hung his head, trying to make sense of all the thoughts whirling through his head. Stupid Zim! It was so much easier when we were just enemies! He kicked the stall door dejectedly. So what now? He stretched. Can I save Zim in good conscience? His whole purpose in life while on Earth was to take it over and destroy it.

Do you really owe anything to Earth still?

Yes! It's my planet, my…

Race? You're joking, right? Wake up, you're an intergalactic mutt!

But… I've lived here all my life… that's gotta mean something!

Not really. Every last one of them already think you're off your nut, and if they found out you were part alien, how long do you think it would take them to subpoena Dad into strapping you to the autopsy table?

Not long at all. But surely they'd find out about all the times I've saved them!

Do you think they'd care? Or believe that truck? They never did before.

Dib yanked at his black sickle hair. And what could Zim do now? He's an intergalactic outlaw. The Irkin Armada would just fly here and sniff him out, me too probably. And Dad? He'd just bargain for our remains so he could figure out what makes us tick.

Good grief, I'm thinking in terms of "us" now!

His face softened. But it is, isn't it? He is my… my… brother. He gagged at the thought, but the fact was undeniable. Oh boy, this will really tick Dad off. Heck, what am I thinking? When has he cared about anything or anyone but his precious research? He'll disown me and come after me like I'm an escaped experiment! And what about… Gaz!

"She won't be safe either," he realized. "I've got to get her and Zim off-planet, then we can figure something out."

Determination hardened in him as he reached down and flipped the switch at GIR's neck.

………………………………………………………………………………………

"You! Why didn't you help? If you'd'a helped, Master would be…"

"Will you trust me?"

Blackness…

GIR blinked. "Why iiiiiiis your head so big?"

Dib's face cracked in a smile. "Hi GIR. You okay?"

GIR nodded. "I want tacos. Where's mah…"

HOLD ON MASTER!

Dib said no.

Me helping Zim? Really GIR, that's too much even for you!

GIR's eyes flamed. "You refused the rescue mission!" His hands locked around Dib's throat and tightened.

Dib's hands flew to his throat as he tried to move GIR's hands. "No… GIR, wait!" He gasped for air. "…Zim… gotta save… dissect… soon… stop!"

GIR's eyes flickered doubtfully, then he released Dib, who gulped in great draughts of air. "Big-head's got a big-plan?" he chirped hopefully.

"Yes GIR, I've got a plan." Dib rubbed his neck and winced. "But you have to listen. If even one thing goes wrong or you do something crazy, Zim will probably die. Do you understand? I can't lock you into duty mode, you're going to have to control yourself or you'll never see Zim again."

The poor little bot struggled with all his might to grasp the concept. "If I's bad this time," he said slowly, "Then Master no come back?"

"That's right, GIR. You have to listen to me to bring him back."

GIR nodded happily. "Okee-dokee, what's'a plan?"

………………………………………………………………………………………

Pain rippled up Zim's spine and he growled ferociously. The nanobots were thorough, but using them always hurt. "What idiot came up with PAKs anyways?" he mumbled.

"He's awake! Restrain the alien." Cold metal clamps seized his wrists and legs, hoisting him up and off the table. He hung about three feet from the floor, held spread-eagle by four robotic arms.

Professor and Dib Membrane strode out of the shadows. Disbelief washed through Zim as he caught sight of Dib, clothed from head to toe in white like his father. He quailed at the sight of the sharp instruments lining the pockets of their lab coats.

What did you expect? He thought harshly. This has been Dib's dream ever since he laid eyes on you.

His eyes narrowed into slits. But I will be strong. I will give them no satisfaction. Dib was weak, he had no training against pain. I will not scream, I am better than that.

Professor Membrane strode to a dark pane of glass in the wall and began making a speech to it, gesturing grandly to the captive Irkin. Zim sniffed in disdain. An audience for the execution, wonderful. So nice of them to stay behind a one-way mirror, so I have the semblance of privacy. He spat at Membrane in disgust. The Professor merely dodged the globule of saliva and continued speaking.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Dib stepped forward, withdrawing a razor-sharp scalpel.

Last chance, Dib. What you've always dreamed of, right here in your grasp! No one needs to know you're half alien, Dad will protect you!

As long as you don't get in his way.

But I deserve this! He got to rip me open.

But that's just it, isn't it? He stood face to face with Zim, staring at his reflection in those blood red eyes. I know what that's like, and nobody, not even Zim, should have to feel that kind of humiliation and pain. I never would have seen it before… He leaned forward and whispered in Zim's ear, "Operation R & R in progress."