Behind The Tube Glass

By alien freak And Xmimi89eR

story may contain gore/blood/violence/strong language

rating: T

ZaDr/ZaDf


The chapter everyone's waiting for :D

English is my second language, my apologies if there are any mistakes.

disclaimer: I do not own Invader Zim.


VOICE RECOGNITION: DONE.

LOADING...

COMPLETE.

THE AL IS BACK ONLINE SUCCESSFULLY.

999999

Just a few more, bit by bit, Zim's base was almost done. The alien couldn't help but work harder knowing he'd actually finish this, he'd actually finish his base! When that's done, then he'll be able to help the human.

What about calling the tallest?

Zim froze at the sudden voice of his PAK program, he swallowed, feeling his loyal self slip away with every passing day with the young adult.

That HUMAN helped me.

He told himself. Huffing in annoyance at the reminder that he still had voices going on in his PAK. His loyalty is confusing him, did he like his tallest more or the boy? If any irken would question their loyalty then they're considered defective.

Aren't I one already?...

Zim knew he was, he knew the truth deep down. But it still hurt, it still made him think of what he'd do when he get back to his tallest. If he wanted to fix his PAK then sure the control brains would look into it, and what would they find inside? All those messy un-irken behavior and thoughts. And then? Then they'd try to re-encode his program; re-downloading it. If that didn't work then... they'd kill him...

Zim; an irken elite, would be killed because he's a defect...

The alien sighed, he looked at the human who was cleaning a bit, Gir 'helping' him. Surely they meant something, no matter how broken Gir was, Zim still wanted him. And no matter how broke Zim is, Dib still wanted him, he is still dying for the sake of Zim's safety.

He deserves it...

Of course he deserves this sickness! The program almost laughed, it felt so sick that it sounded just like Zim in a robotic form, far away inside of his head yet audible.

No, he deserves my help. The alien said back; correcting them, which surprised the program again. He went back to work, now working even harder to finish faster, it was still eight AM, and as Dib said, his sister must've slept around 3 AM so there was no way she'd wake up early. More time for his base then.

999999

Dib got out of the shower, he shaved his face, brushed his hair, and got some of his medicine and inhaled it. All of this just so his sister would think he's in a good condition.

It would be hard to fool her, with the dark, almost red circles under his eyes. Sure he wasn't fine. But it's not like he sleeps that much anyway. Besides, it was still morning, he had time...

Dib got his jacket on and then grabbed a small red blanket to keep him warm as he walked downstairs, checking on the busy alien in the kitchen.

"How's the progress?" He asked, opening the fridge to see if anything was there. Sure he needs to go and buy something or he'd starve.

"Almost..." Mumbled the irken, not taking his eyes away from the small drill-like device in his hands. "It just needs more w-w-work and it shall be done..."

"What happens when you activate it?" Dib asked as he got some cheese out, placing it on the table as he went to get some toast.

"My base will be a-a-activated."

"No I mean, if it's gonna become a whole base then where would you set it up?" He got a knife and started applying the cream on his toast.

Zim stopped. He seemed thoughtful. "It's an underground base, I'd have either to design a home above it or I can just set it up under your house." The alien pointed out, going back to task in hand.

"There isn't any near free space to build a house in, so." He sat again on the seat, eating his sandwich. "If you build it under my house it won't ruin any basic underground metal, right?"

"Of c-c-course not." His antennae twitched at the sound of Gir chewing on... something. "You do have a basement, don't you?"

"A garage." The boy nodded.

"Alright, then the elevator should be in there." The irken turned to his robot. "Gir!"

His small SIR unite jumped on his lap. "Yes?" He asked in a childish tone.

"Open your head."

The robot did as told and Zim started looking inside, probably for a tool of some sort. He got something like a small gun out and red goggles, then tossed the SIR unit away. The gun-like device came to life with a press of a button and Dib assumed it was more like a stun gun. Zim puts on the googles and started off pulling things together, metal melting together making Dib's glasses shine.

The irken pulls the goggles at the top of his head, and puts the tool aside, then moves around and his hand goes to Gir's head again, searching there for a while till he found a connecter wire. "Stay still Gir." He told his robot before plugging the wire into the base. The small dots on the side started to shine red after a minute. "I think it's working."

Dib, who was spacing out on what to do when his sister comes, looked at the alien. "Huh?"

"I fixed it!" Zim exclaimed. A smile on his face. He disconnected the wire and stood up from the chair, running to the garage. "Come on!"

The boy did as told and went running after him.

999999

"Alright," Zim stood in front of an empty corner in the garage, a perfect place for an elevator. "Let's see..." He turns on the base and it transformed into some sort of a drill, it buzzes to life and Zim kneels down, placing the sharp tip on the ground. When he lets go, the device digs into the ground and disappears inside.

The alien takes a step back, placing a hand on the human's chest to pull him away from the hole in the floor. There was silence except for the sound of the tool that sounded like it would explode. Dib swallowed. Suddenly, the ground shook and worm-like tubes pulled out of the hole and into the walls, they sneaked and broke through going outside.

Dib was grateful his car wasn't in the garage.

"It's working!" Zim exclaimed, going even more excited. "It's looking for power, s-s-something away from its core."

Dib didn't reply, he was too frozen in place to do anything except holding the irken's shoulders so he won't fall.

Metal pulled out around the place, he saw it forming into an object before the lights went out. He could faintly see the pink lights from Zim's PAK and eyes which conformed him he didn't lose consciousness. After a moment of hearing something break or fall, the power came back and the lights were on again. The human stared into the now new closet in his garage, said closet looked old for sure, but something was clearly off about it if someone were to look closely.

"It's done." Zim informed him, straightening himself. He felt his hand sneak to Dib's and he pulled the boy towards said closet. "Come on!" He opened the doubled doors and got inside with the human. And Dib was right, inside the 'closet' was nothing compared to the outside, it felt more cold and metallic, and he swore he felt electricity running against his bare feet. The blanket forgotten on the floor.

He could barely see in the dim lights as Zim swiped his hand against the wall and the elevator came to life, lights flickered on; pink in color. Then it moved a bit before Dib felt his insides move. He yelped and held his stomach. It was going down too fast for his liking! But lucky he was, it stopped just a few seconds after and a ding was heard before the doors opened.

Dib could almost feel the excitement coming from the irken beside him. He felt a tag on his hand and the boy was pulled forward, they stepped out of the elevator into a very cold room. The irken boots made a clicking sound that somewhat echoed which proved the whole place was made of metal. Dib regretted not wearing his boots because the floor was freezing!

They walked into the hallway for a few moments before Dib found his voice. "Where are we going?" He asked in a whisper, unable to see except for the lights from Zim's PAK.

"To the main computer room." The alien answered, quickening his pace.

Dib followed, now more excited than before. When a rush of cold air and the feeling of being small, Dib knew they were in a much bigger room, and his assumes were conformed when Zim spoke.

"Computer?" He called. "COMPUTER?" His pace slowed. Zim hummed in thought then walked again, his claws making a click sound as they touched something metallic. He brushed his hand against the console and the buttons flickered. Lights turned on from the deep base then to the room they were in, a hiss was heard from the big machines and humming was heard as said machines started to work. The big screen flickered on red with the irken symbol on it.

"Wow...!" Dib squeezed Zim's hand unconsciously and took a step back. The lights shone against his glasses.

The screen began to load, it went from 2% to 44% then to 87%, when it finally settled on 100% only taking ten seconds long. A voice made Dib tense up:

"Under your command master."

The computer was back online.

Dib had a mixed features on his face that looked like disbelief and awe, his mouth hanging open.

Suddenly, the lights went red and the computer spoke again. "Intruder! Waiting for commands."

Dib couldn't help but cling close to the alien out of reflex. "Um..." He saw tubes like worms shoot from the ceiling and towards him before Zim spoke.

"STOP." He ordered. Not moving from his place. The tubes that were supposed to catch Dib fell limp and zipped back into the ceiling. "Computer, scan the intruder and list him u-u-under the allies of mine."

"Understood."

A red laser shot and Dib yet again flinched, it reminded him of his first times with the irken's ship. The light went from his head to his toes in seconds before it disappeared again.

"Complete."

Dib sighed as he tried standing straight again. He looked around him, still fantasized about all that he was seeing. "That was amazing...!"

"The computer almost frying you?" Zim joked, a proud smile on his face. It was so good to see his base working again, to see a new chance still in reach!

"All of it." Dib chuckled.

"Now," The alien looked straight at the human's eyes, growing serious. "Gimme some of your blood."

"Eh-" Dib almost chocked at the odd request. "What? Why?"

"I promised to fix your brain now, haven't I?" He looked confused, antennae moving to the side lazily.

"Oh..." Did he really- did he really wanna help me? The first thing he was gonna do after fixing his base is to help me? Dib was in awe. "Sure!" He finally spoke, feeling overwhelmed. His heart rate quickened and his cheeks flushed.

He saw Zim walk to the console, letters started to appear on the screen as the alien mumbled something under his breath. "Computer, make a list and a quick research about human biology,"

"Understood." Flashed windows of sort began to load, then disappear just for another one to load.

"Now, take us to the medical room." With that, the floor opened and a tube made out of glass took them into a deeper part of the labs.

"This is getting cooler," Dib mumbled, his stare would follow any sudden light around them.

"I'm surprised it survived the fall at all." Zim replied, glancing up at the taller human. Dib sensed the stare and looked back, his amber eyes locked with magenta but Dib could hold the stare for so long and he looked away, face flushing red. His features twisted into a frown as he bit his lips.

There was no way he'll be able to say how he truly felt...

Silence fell on them again, this time it wasn't as comforting as always.

The elevator door opened with a hiss and Dib had to blink twice because the room they were in was a bit brighter than the rest. But for human standers, it was still dark to see clearly. Irkens already have good sight and the ability to see in the dark so they saw as 'perfect'.

Zim walked out first, he looked around for a bit, wanting to see if anything was still in place. This level of the base is rarely visited by him, irkens don't get injured much, and if they did they can easily heal themselves because of their PAKs. Zim's lips twitched, he wished it was this easy to fix himself.

But did he really want to get fixed...?

The alien stood beside a medical table, it looked familiar to the one in Membrane's lab. "Sit here," Zim requested, glancing at the other.

"It won't hurt, right...?" Dib asked, slowly catching up with the alien.

"Depends." Zim shrugged, he shifted around towards a screen beside the table-like bed. "The examples may not, but actually t-t-trying to fix the damage, w-w-well... no promises." His expressions were unreadable, something Dib haven't seen in a while.

The human made himself comfortable on the table as he watched the other. He wanted to say something but found no words leaving his mouth, so his thoughts started to rush in again.

Zim fixed his base, he is a step closer to contacting his leader, and a step away from Dib. The further the irken succeeded in his attempts to get back to his planet, the more of a failure the boy felt. And just the fact his feelings would never be allowed outside of his head makes him even that depressed.

Of all people, he had to fall for an ALIEN. An alien who seemed unaware of it all despite the obvious way Dib acted around him. And no matter the many times Zim suspected anything, Dib would accuse the coffee virus of it. Whether what his 'drunken' self said or did, or his face that flushes red all the time. Zim now has a wrong idea of the difference between being sick and being in love.

Maybe those two feelings weren't so different, after all...

"Gimme."

Dib looked up when his line of thoughts was cut. "W-what?"

"Your arm," The alien moved his hand motioning to the other's wrist. "I need a b-b-blood symbol then I'll do a scan on y-y-you but first I'll need to research some things..." His words became some mumbles till they dies and he looked back at the boy.

"O-oh," Dib curled his sleeves up and shifted his arm closer, eyes daring to look at the needle Zim got from one of the drawers on the wall. He swallowed, remembering some 'not-so-happy-moments-of-needles' when he was younger. Great times with professor Membrane. It got injected into his skin smoother than he thought and in a few seconds, it was almost full of his crimson blood, making him feel a bit dizzy.

"This shall w-w-work..." Zim whispered, installing half of the blood on another tube before putting the other away safely.

"Research and list are complete, master." Came the sudden voice of the AL, making Dib flinch.

"Good," he replied. "Lay down." He said to the boy, face almost blank. Those expressions that Dib hadn't seen in a while, just hollow eyes and unreadable features. The young adult never gave it too much thought, but he guessed when Zim is too focused on something or confused it happens. Besides being creepy, it was cute.

Dib did as told, laying carefully on the metallic table underneath him. This is surely how Zim felt when he was shot by Gir, now Dib can understand the fear the alien must have gone through. Especially that his first time laying on a metallic never ended well... so Dib tried to show as much trust as he could, putting his life in an alien's hands. The difference is he DID trust this alien.

The human saw as Zim pulled in whatever there was on the console and a thing came down from the ceiling. A helmet of some sort, it reminded him of his three-year-old adventures. Dib cringed at the thought. "What's that?" He asked, curiosity eating him.

"A brain scanner," Zim answered, seeing to adjust some things on the helmet as it shifted its size and flushed a red color. "It should be painless, but I can't promise much." He walks to the human again, this time looking at his body in thought. "I need to restrain you," He tried making it sound like a question to see what the boy would say, and as he expected, Dib panicked a bit.

"R-Restrain me?" He smiled anxiously at the other. "Why? I won't run, ya know." He half joked half pleaded.

"The scan would f-f-fail or give faulty information if you moved too much, and since this might be painful then-n I need to m-m-make sure this works from first try, don't want to be hurt twice, do you." It wasn't a question this time, but concern was obvious in his tone.

Dib of course didn't want that, so he shook his head.

"Computer, restrain him." Zim didn't break their eye contact, feeling if he would he'd break something, he'd break trust.

"Understood."

Around Dib's wrists, waist, ankles, neck, and forehead came strong, leather restrains to hold him in place, he flinched at how cold it was. It took him a lot of power not to crawl in fear.

"Try not to m-m-move, okay?" Said Zim, his lips into a thin line, surely this sight only gave him bad memories, he could almost see himself crying on a metallic table, the same he cried in a tube. His gaze unconsciously broke from Dib and he stared at his feet.

He was changing too fast it scared him...

"Hey Zim," Dib broke him from his thoughts, and the alien looked up at the other. "I do trust you." He gave a hesitant smile. Still feeling anxious.

For the human.

He'd do it for the human.

Zim nodded, he walked off to get the brain-scanner as he called it, and carefully put it in the boy's head, making sure it fits. It clung to his head almost painfully with a click.

"Computer,"

"Yes, Master?"

"Start test 1: brain scanning, run a diagnose; sort a problem and a solution. Specimen: human. Subject under coalfield files." The irken answered, staring at the ceiling. Then he walked to the computer screen on the left. "Start: now."

"Understood."

For a second, Dib felt nothing but a tingling feeling around the edges of the brain-scanner. But suddenly pain shot at him, he tried his hardest not to move but a yelp in pain couldn't help but escape his lips as he arched his back, gritting his teeth together. His fingers curled in each other same as his toes. Dib can't say this is the most painful thing he'd ever experienced, he was used to the pain, and the scars in his body proved enough. But God, this hurts like hell.

Zim tried not to look at the human. "Just hold on for a s-s-second..." He mumbled as he closed his eyes.

"Scanning complete." Said the computer as it automatically unhooked the metallic helmet and zipped it up to the ceiling.

Zim wasted no time in releasing the human from the strips. The boy sat up and rubbed his forehead. "Ow... that did kinda hurt,"

"I never s-s-said it wouldn't." Zim shrugged. "Did it really hurt?" He couldn't help but ask.

"I've been through worst," Dib glanced up at him and smirked. "What? You think I won't handle this?" He gave him a funny look.

Zim frowned, annoyed. "Well, then. Mr. Strong, I'll make sure the n-n-next time will be painful." He also smirked.

"You wouldn't dare!" Dib acted as if he was offended.

"I would!"

Silence...

Then both of them fell into a fit of laughter and giggles, Dib held his stomach. "Okay, that was-... that was something," He got himself under control but still had an idiotic smug on his lips.

Zim put his hand on his hip, a small smile on his face. "No, you're right, I wouldn't dare..." He whispered to himself and quickly span around to look at the computer. "Now let's see the results!"

"Right," Dib swore he heard something but brushed it off. "I'm kinda excited but nervous," He walked next to the alien and stared at the screen. "But probably just nervous."

"Computer, do a list on the differences b-b-between Dib's brain and a healthy human's brain." He ordered.

"Right away, sir."

Zim sighed and let his tensed shoulders go limp. "A step closer into f-f-finding a cure," He looked up at the human to find him looking at him as well, Zim felt his 'spooch do a flip.

"You know, even if this didn't work, I'm... glad that you care." He felt his cheeks heat up at how pretty the irken's face was against the pink lights. His magenta-colored eyes reflecting the computer's screen as he stared at him. Dib felt a sudden wave of sadness get into him as his thoughts screamed he'll never be able to tell his feelings out, Zim is an ALIEN who probably knows nothing about 'love' or anything related. And even if he did, maybe he wouldn't accept a human... The boy's hands became tight fists beside him and he looked away from the irken.

"D-Did the brain-scanner get you sick?" Zim suddenly asked as he leaned closer to get a better look, which made him stand on his toes. Dib almost laughed at the little 'being sick' excuse he overly used. "Diiib!" He waved a hand in front of the other. "Did the c-c-computer break you or somethin-?"

Zim didn't see it coming, but he could only gasp when he found his own lips locked with Dib's. His eyes widened with shock and confusion as the boy titled his head slightly, he felt a hand sneak and held his jaw to title it the opposite way; deepening the 'kiss'.

He's seen this before on TV! He didn't get it exactly except it was a human emotion, something that they seemed to worship. And now Dib was doing it with him. Maybe Dib kissed him before on the cheeks or forehead and the irken even did the same a few times! But this one was different. And it ended as soon as it started; Dib parted away, looking embarrassed and guilty.

"I-I..." He was at the loss of words. But holy! He just did it. He just kissed his crush! -dare he say-He just kissed an alien- actually kissed him. And God did it feel good! "S-sorry...!" He looked away, feeling his hands shake.

Zim was surprised but had a blank face on if you didn't count the odd pink hue on his cheeks. He stared at him for a while as silence ate them alive. After a while, he asked: "I have... seen this on TV," He started, carefully staring at Dib's back. "What does it mean?" He titled his head.

Dib felt even more panic set at him from the question, he slowly glanced at Zim. "... It's just-"

This is your only chance...!

He told himself as he took a deep breath. Right, of course it is. The alien doesn't know exactly what kissing means, he knows some about it but not this one! So Dib has to explain the most embarrassing thing he's ever done... but still, it is his only chance -or at least he thinks it is- after all, Zim is closer to getting back to his home planet. Maybe as well just tell him his real feelings so he wouldn't regret it his whole life.

"Zim..." He sighed. "Me kissing you this way means that-... that I'm... attracted to you," He could feel eyes on him as his hands kept shaking. "I'm not sure if you have this type of relationships on your planet, but I guess- it'll be okay if you don't want to... I'm happy with anything-"

"So you're-..." The alien seemed confused more than anything which made Dib slowly glance at him. "If I'm right about h-h-humans emotions then you like me?" He looked at his hands as a realization hit him. "You liked m-m-me this whole time!"

Dib bit his lips. "Well-... yeah, I did. I didn't want to tell you... I thought that irkens didn't have such a thing,"

"They don't."

"You're closer than ever to get to your leader, to your... tallest. And I couldn't let you go before I tell you this,"

"I do understand."

"B-But, now I feel stupid and I won't blame you if you rejected me, I'm good with being friends-"

"Irkens don't have this 'love' thing, they c-c-can't feel it, they don't e-e-even have friends or anything that is in between us." He exclaimed, still with a blank face.

"But... aren't we like-"

"Friends? Only defects can feel stuff alike to this. Whether it is friendship or l-l-love or any kind of kindness at all, it's all blocked f-f-from a normal irken's head; from their PAKs." Zim's eyes narrowed and he frowned, antennae going limp on his head. "I... I was trying to d-d-deny that my PAK is broken, broken to the point where I'm considered... defective. But I knew a-a-all along-g-g after the incident with the Meekrob."

"A defect? I don't understand."

"Defectives are irkens b-b-born with a faulty in their program or no program at all. The Meekrob did this thousand of y-y-years ago to the smeets, but for me, I wasn't created with it, it w-was because of that fight..." He looked at his feet. "Defectives are killed if they couldn't fix them,"

"Killed??" Dib now looked fully at him. "Then why would you even think of coming back?!"

"..." Zim wasn't sure, he could hardly hear his programming anymore, it seems impossible to fix it now. And if he fixed it then he'll never be with Dib again... "It's my duty to come back," He answered just for the sake of replying.

"It's your duty to die?"

"No, it's my duty to c-c-come back, to show them that I'm still alive; to finish what-t-t I started."

"What's the point if you're heading straight to your death...?"

"It's worth a shot..."

silence fell on them so heavy Dib swore he can cut it with a knife.

"But..." Dib looked at the alien again when he heard him speak. "Even if I like you too, I'd have to go back to my planet,"

"Well, at least, you'd have given me a chance." Dib looked at him with a spark of hope in his eyes.

Zim broke eye contact for a moment before locking it again, finding himself staring into amber. And before he could stop himself, he nodded. Words failing him as he tried to find his voice. "I accept it,"

Dib was dumbfounded as he stared with disbelief and happiness the was too scared to show up. "Y-You do?"

Zim found himself smiling at the boy's red face. He rolled his eyes. "Yes, human. I think I do have this 'love' feeling for you. I'm not an expert-t-t nor human so you'd h-h-have to explain a lot about it to me-" The alien squeaked as he found himself in a tight hug.

"You have no idea how much this means to me," Dib exclaimed.

"More than fixing your head?"

"More than it." His smile with clear and tone full of happiness yet disbelief. "Thank you." He can't believe it, Zim actually said yes! He accepted this! He didn't reject him! Dib would explode, has he known this before he'd have said something sooner. But this moment was special, and sure he'd never forget about it. Whether this ended as a happy relationship or as tragic as it might end.

"You stink," Zim puts the tip of his claw on the boy's nose as he sneaks his tongue out playfully.

"I took a shower not an hour ago!" Dib chuckled, feeling a dumb smile on his lips as he shook the finger away.

"I know, that's why d-d-don't you dare get your wet hair-r-r near me!" He scowled But didn't pull away.

Zim's antennae twitched as he heard something-

"maaaaassSsStTTTTTTERRR!" The sound of Gir crying kept growing until a very sad-looking SIR unit landed on his head and Zim let out a hiss in pain. "MASTER! I THOUGHT THE SCARY GIRL ATE YOUUUU!" He waved his tiny arms in the air in panic.

Zim growled and snatched the robot off of his head. "GIR! What's the meaning of this??" His antennae curling with pain. Dib lowered Zim to the floor.

"Da scary sister called and said if Mary didn't pick up she'd do something BAAAD! And I thought she ate you!" Gir cried out.

"What?!" Dib yelped, feeling his body get a bit heavy. "Gaz called? When??"

Gir went quiet, shrugged, then hopped from Zim's arms and went running to who knows where. "I'm gonna go find the moose!"

The irken glanced at Dib. "That c-c-can't be good,"

"Where's the elevator??" Dib was panicking, it seems he knew pretty well not to let his sister wait.

"COMPUTER," Zim called at the ceiling. "Take us to the main household!" And just by that, the floor rose and a tube of glass build around them, not a few seconds long and they found themselves in Dib's garage again. "You sure a-a-are afraid of the Gaz-monster," Zim would be lying if he said he didn't find her... creepy. Especially after yesterday.

"Can you blame me?" He ran past the blanket on the floor and to the kitchen where he left his phone, and sure there was Gaz in a video call. She seemed distracted as she put on her makeup, the phone was about to fall- "H-Hey," he called out for her to get her attention.

"FINALLY," She snapped, sneering at him, teeth white with black lipstick. "That kid was ANNOYING! Not bad, but still annoying."

"Uhm... yeah," He bit his lips, seeing it was almost 1 PM. Damn, they spent a while down in the lab, he still gonna ask the alien for a trip in there one day.

"I'm gonna go grab something after I finish..." She talked slowly as she carefully put on her eyeliner. "And by then I'll come to visit you, brother. I'll be there around 4 or whatever."

"Y-yeah, sure!" He gave her an awkward smile.

"And as I said I might spend the night," She returned his smile with an evil one. "I have a lot of talks and plans to get finished."

Dib swallowed, this can never be good.

"Is Zim still with you?"

"Yeah, he is." Dib glanced at the alien who was sitting at the table.

"They spent the night?..." She rose an eyebrow.

Where the hell is she getting with this conversation?? Dib panicked again. "Uhm, yes?"

A slow smirk danced on the girl's lips. "Oh? I see. This is getting somewhere, you two are dumb asses that never take a hint." She snickered.

"Gaz-"

"Yeah yeah, shy, shy brother!" Gaz suddenly stood up startling the boy. "Whatever. I'll see you soon."

"Okay, bye..."

"Bye." With this, the call ended. Leaving Dib to stare at the black screen.

"This... could have gone better..." Dib sighed, sitting on the table in front of Zim.

"Now that you're d-d-done, I have a l-l-lot of questions..." Zim narrowed his eyes and straightened himself.

"W-What?"

"About what happened earlier."

Dib felt his lips twitch and a red blush painted his face. "Uh... s-sure..."

This will be awkward...


END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE!

Mary: this chapter was... HARD. But finally, these two idiots had kissed!! It's worth the wait, eh?

AF: Now that we finished this, we'll disappear...

This was Alien Freak, signing off.