Inspiration finally struck so I now know where I want to go with this. If anyone thinks this is similar to Because We Understand it's because I wrote both stories at the same time. Sorry for the wait, I've been on holiday enjoying the lovely sunshine in the south of France :P A huge thank you to my reviewers:
Circus Freak92- I AM GIR: Thank you, sorry for the wait, I was unable to update whilst on holiday but I did write a lot! I hope this chapter makes up for the wait.
Pit bears rock (four brindle drive): Thank you :)
Mongoose: Thank you, I tried hard to keep them in character I'm pleased to know I succeeded! I didn't think it felt like enough either so here you are; the next chapter...
Mystery Reviewer: Interesting eh? You know, many people have said that yet I still can't grasp why! Thank you!
Katca Mcadar: I know; they're just so sweet together. I adore love/hate relationships... ;)
crazy kitsune17: Thank you :) I hope that you like this fic as much as a chapter story as you did as a one shot!
Aseret Kitsune: Your wish is my command...
Little Suzi: Thank you that's exactly what I'm trying to show :)
andalitebandit-6: That's why I love Zim, he never admits he's wrong or has screwed up! I obey! I obey!
Uru Baen: There you go! Sorry for the wait!
flying metal child: Thank you :) it gets a little less subtle now though!
CHAPTER 2- WICKED GAME
It had been two weeks since the 'Final Battle.' Zim and Dib had already forgotten it, both convinced they had won and simply reverted back to petty insults. Dib lay on his bed, silently fuming. Unable to tear his mind away from the green skinned alien wondering for the millionth time why people couldn't see what was so obvious to him.
"It's simple Dib Stink," Zim had hissed after Dib had yet again screamed his frustration. "Your filthy race only sees what it wants to see and only believe what they want to believe."
But why? Dib had wondered, why? Zim had given him an answer to that too.
"No one wants to accept that aliens exist on this planet because of the panic and the disruption it would cause. Face it, you're fighting a losing battle for a race that doesn't even care."
"You're lying Zim!" He had yelled, glaring at the alien for this horribly accurate description of humanity.
"You can't deny it! How many nights have you lain awake in your bed, wondering what Zim was plotting since I arrived? How many hours do you spend trying to defeat me? You know the truth, Dib, and you're restless because of it. When doom arrives for this pitiful planet people want to be unprepared. They know that if an alien race, with technology far superior to their own," (here Zim had paused smugly for a moment as if recalling the greatness of the Irken army) "should invade, that they would lose and they would rather not know the end was coming until the last possible moment so that they don't have to admit that there is no hope. Hope is all that keeps your people going, if they lose it then they lose everything. Plus, they are afraid of what they don't know." Zim looked disgusted by the pathetic race he was describing.
"That's ridiculous," Dib had spat, finding his voice at last, "why do you think we study the universe so intently? Why do you think we have developed nuclear weapons? They aren't just for destroying humans, Zim! We are prepared for whatever may happen."
"Dib, Dib, Dib…" Zim had shaken his head in mock pity, "if they're so prepared and eager to find proof of alien existence then how come even your stupid Swollen Eyeballs don't believe you?"
"They did! They gave me a chance to present my case study on you! I just… just screwed it up." Dib cringed, he had hoped never to admit that to Zim but it was better that the alien thought him stupid that the whole human race. It backfired.
"Good example! A human has evidence and then he goes and messes it up! You and your people are pathetic Dib."
He had taken a step closer, and then another and another. Dib stumbled backwards suddenly feeling horribly vulnerable. Zim advanced, his expression unreadable but a strange mixture of anger, pity, hate, and pleasure at tormenting the Dib reflected in his eyes. Dib wanted to move backwards, run away, anything but let Zim come any closer but an inconvenient wall had prevented him. Zim was so close now that Dib's nose would have been touching his, if Zim had had one.
Dib knew he was trembling, but not with fear. His mouth went horribly dry and he knew that Zim was a) right and b) uncomfortably close. If only he would just move away… But a little treacherous part of Dib also knew that he didn't want him to. Dib tried to shake that thought but it refused to go away. He swallowed nervously. Zim had sensed his confusion but did not seem to guess the real reason since he drew back and walked away, smirking as he spoke.
"You know I'm right, Dib. Give it up, it's just crazy to continue. Yes… crazy. See you on Monday!" He added brightly and strolled out of sight, savouring the word 'crazy'.
Dib had stayed where he was for a long time, trying to push away the memory of how he had wanted to pull Zim closer. He shut his eyes against the sight of Zim's face so close to his own that it seemed to have melted permanently into his vision. And those eyes; bright, burning eyes, ruby red behind their lenses that had gazed intently into his own, causing shivers to run down his spine. He was extremely grateful that this was after Skool hours and the only reason they had not left for home was because they had been arguing for half an hour, ever since the bell had rung. Dib trudged homewards alone, Gaz having long since left.
Now Dib lay on his bed furiously trying to think of anything except Zim. The problem was that he usually never stopped thinking about him so this was now extremely hard to do. Dib glared at the ceiling and then, realising that he hadn't stopped glaring since he'd arrived home, stopped in fear of making the expression permanent. He massaged his temples trying once again to banish all thoughts of Zim. But the memory of his face, tantalisingly close to his own, his eyes burning with pent up passion and the tingling feel of Zim's body heat was driving him crazy. There. He'd even admitted it to himself, he was crazy.
Dib groaned in frustration. Then enlightenment struck. Maybe the way to deal with these unwanted thoughts was to face them and conquer them, like the way one overcomes a fear. Dib sat up excitedly and then settled back down and thought about what he needed to think about. Ok, what exactly is it that I feel? In other words, what do I want to do with Zim? When was I first conscious of these feelings? Why could I possibly be feeling this way? Using these reasons how can I overcome these feelings?
Dib ignored the little voice telling him that this was just an excuse to fantasise about Zim and let his imagination run wild.
When Zim came really close I…
…He'd felt like his blood was on fire, he was breathless, dizzy, tingling all over. Adrenaline had set his heart beating wildly so that all he could hear was the rapid violent thumps and Zim's voice echoing strangely in his head. He's felt drawn towards him, like a magnet. He'd wanted to move closer and yet his limbs had turned to lead. He wanted to touch him, hold him, savour the sensation of an Irken…
Dib sat up sharply and tried to stop himself from thinking the next word but it was too late, Dib could already imagine the feel of his lips, the taste of Zim's mouth, the sensation of his tongue probing and moving against his own... Dib tried to fight it but eventually he gave up and let denial slip away, allowing his imagination to take him ever deeper. Dib forgot all about 'why' and 'how can I stop this' and allowed himself to day dream until Gaz came in and dragged him into the kitchen to eat. Dib glowered at her over his dinner. Didn't she realise what wonderful thoughts she had interrupted? Didn't she know what beautiful sensations had been shooting along his body at the very thought of Zim's touch she had spoilt by thumping him to bring him back to reality?
Reality. Suddenly Dib was brought back down to Earth and hit it much harder than Gaz's thump. He couldn't believe he'd allowed himself to think such thoughts about the enemy! Why was he thinking about Zim in this way? It was suddenly clear; Zim had meant to distract him so that he could plan yet another attempt at world domination! Dib leapt to his feet and cried out, "Nice try, Zim! But it takes more than that to disarm me!"
Gaz glared at him and took her dinner into the living room. For a brief second the thought that Zim had intended him to think about whether the human race was worth defending flashed across his mind but was instantly dismissed. No, dib knew that Zim had wanted to drive him mad with some sort of twisted desire. Dib had half a mind to rush over to Zim's base and gloat over this revelation but he hesitated and a far more cunning idea slipped into his mind. So that was how Zim wanted to play? Well fine. Dib would fight fire with fire. Fire that burned white hot.
Dib cackled to himself for a while then had a sudden flashback. When he had laughed similarly as he had leapt into the air from a speeding train two weeks ago. Dib paused and remembered for the first time what he had forced himself to forget: those strange sensations as he had lain on top of Zim, breathing in his soft alien scent, the feel of his body pressed alongside his, listening to the sound of the alien's rapid and then calmer, more gentle breathing. Dib shivered and slouched back into his seat his fantasies suddenly feeling a lot more real. He wondered if Zim was actually playing with his mind and that he was taking subtle hints that weren't there. Dib shook his head. No, Zim was definitely up to something. He always was.
Dib smiled as he thought back to the idea of outmanoeuvring Zim by playing his own game. He'd make Zim feel exactly the way he did and then the invader would be too confused to plot the Earth's destruction. Dib smirked to himself and leaving his dinner untouched ran out of the house, heading straight to Zim's base, once again pushing away the thought that this was just an excuse to get up close to the alien and feel those wonderfully painful sensations again.
And now I turn to you, oh great Reviewers! Send me your opinions and I shall update soon...