Ch 3: The Prince of Irkens-

"Zim…wake up…."

My head felt as if it was just hit by an 18 wheeler, so many questions swirling around inside my head and I sat up. Tak, Gaz, and Dib were sitting around my bed.

"You were all…sitting here the whole time? How long was I out?" I asked tiredly.

"About 2 hours…..Tak ran upstairs and got us when you hit the floor"

Gaz shook her head and look at me with amazement and disbelief.

"Who would have ever thought you, Zim……would be the Prince of the Irken race," she said in awe.

Even as I heard her say it to me I still couldn't believe it. Me, of all people…the ruler of the Irken race. Did the tallests know of this secret about me? Was this why they exiled me to the ends of the galaxy? So many questions……but all without answers.

My head's spinning again.

"I guess we should start calling you "Your Majesty" now huh?" Dib said jokingly.

"I need to be alone right now…."

I jumped out of bed and I stormed off and ran as fast as I could.

"Zim wait!" I heard Gaz yell after me.

I didn't stop, not even for a second. I just ran and didn't stop. All my life…people told me I was nothing….a failure….a defect….an abomination to nature. And now I find out that I'm the Heir of the Irken Race. Bullshit. It just had to be a fake story. A Hoax. This must be a trick that Tak made up to trap me. But… there was something about her eyes. I saw no hatred. No Anger. No Malice. Just… sadness and remorse.

I ran down the street to the local park and rested on the swings. I let me head hang low and gently swayed back and forth, watching my feet drag in the sand.

"Me….Emperor?" I asked myself quietly.

"No way…..it's just not possible"

Trying to ignore these thoughts of ruling my people, I let me mind wander. Trying so hard to forget the things I just heard. Then my mind rested on Gaz. I saw her face in my mind and my troubles seemed to lift off my shoulders. I felt….lightheaded. Why do I feel this way about her! I am not human! I shouldn't be having these feelings!

"I knew you'd be here," I heard a soft voice from behind.

I whirled around to see Gaz in her black coat, standing there in the bitter cold of night staring strait at me. Her eyes were filled with worry and fear. I've never seen her like this before. My brain is racing again. What the hell is going on!

"What are you doing here, Gaz?" I asked under my breath.

"I came here looking for you. I knew you'd come here. It's where we used to come when we were kids."

I sighs some and closed my eyes gently. home"

"Do you really think that I'm what Tak says I am?"

She looked surprised at this question. She look just as dumbfounded as I was about this whole situation. She didn't give me an answer right away. But then she finally told me.

"Zim…I dunno what to believe from what she said. But I do believe in you," she said sincerlly.

I felt my mind flare up with anger and confusion.

"How can you believe in me! You! The so called Queen of Darkness who harbors nothing but hatred for all living things could possible believe in anything but yourself!" I asked angrily.

As I saw the tears swell up in her eyes I saw that my words had cut deep, far more than any blade could do. She turned away from me; I could hear her sobbing silently. I felt my hear grow heavy with guilt.

"Gaz….I'm sorry. I just feel so damn lost in all of this." I said softly.

She wiped her eyes and turn to me.

"You want to know why I believe in you, Zim?" she said calmly.

Nothing could prepare me for what she said to me next. Words that would change me for the rest of my live.

"It's…….It's Because"

"I Love You"