Dlbn: Hello everyone. Sorry for the long hiatus. September is a really hard month for me emotionally (aunt's birthday, her passing, my cousin's wedding I wasn't invited to because my cousin's fiancé hates me but now they've broken up so joke's on him) so I haven't had time or energy to do anything. Plus I had my implant in my arm changed out so my left arm was kind of useless for a while and I was bummed about it.

Nbld: But we're back with a vengeance and ready to roll again. Review Corner! Thank you to Invader Johnny and Zim'sMostLoyalServant for reviewing chapter 19, and Guest for reviewing chapter 3! Candy for you all!

Invader Johnny: As in my life, things always get worse before they get better. Unfortunately Zim and the others are victims of that as well. Glad you liked the reference. There's small references to episodes hidden throughout the story. I find them entertaining to see from this universe's POV.

Zim'sMostLoyalServant: I was concerned about throwing too many OCs into the story and having it cluttered/disliked because of it, but I'm glad you're liking Sila. She's my favorite Irken character to write for; especially when she and Zim are going back and forth. Dib's just trying to get his new "friends" to see him as one of them. He'll back down once he realizes he's being accepted. I feel like acceptance is all he's ever really wanted.

Guest: Actually, Dib is one of my favorite characters! This is the only story I really have where he's a total ass for a bit. But its an AU so its expected for people to be a little different here than they would be in canon. You'll see whether or not he comes around later on in the story.

Disclaimer: Jhonen C. Vasquez owns Invader Zim and everything canon to it. I do own the non-canon OC Irkens, though. Todd doesn't count, as he's from another of Jhonen's works. I make NO money off writing this.

Dedication: The 13th was my aunt's birthday and 21st was the two year anniversary of her passing, the day I lost my last living parent. Though you never knew of my passion for writing fanfics (though you did ask a lot what the hell I was writing all the time), this chapter is for you, Moo.

Dedication 2: I didn't get to post around your birthdays, but happy late birthday to my godsons Tucker and Jaiyden, and nephew Gabe. Had a ton of fun with my god-boys and their mom (my best friend) for their joint party earlier in the month. Gabe we have yet to celebrate because of reasons. So for now, though you'll likely never read this, this is my gift to all three of you.

000

As expected, she was welcomed easily into the group at the lunch table. She shared a seat with Zim for the day until they could find a way to expand their table without having to break up the group. No one questioned their closeness, but Zim did have to literally pull Lahna off her when she realized who the new girl that backtalked her brother and had the balls to share a chair with him really was.

"For god's sake, what the hell?" Sila complained, wiping off her shirt. "Have some dignity, would ya?"

"Sorry, it's just awesome you're here." She grinned. "We were just talking about you the other day."

"Oh, really?" Sila gave Zim a sideways look.

He put up his hands. "Just discussing the past."

"The past belongs in the past, Jun. leave it there."

"Yeah, yeah." He rolled his eyes.

"Why do you call him that?" Keef asked.

"Old neighborhood nickname." Zim stated. "But call me it, and I let her break your wrist."

"Noted." Keef went pale.

"I'm kidding, Keef." Zim informed. "But seriously, don't call me that."

"It's your thing. Got it." Keef winked.

"Thing?"

"He thinks you're together." Gaz informed.

"Gross." Sila complained.

"Yeah, for god's sake."

"Ladies and gentlemen, the only girl from our hometown that Zim wouldn't hook up with." Lahna introduced, making her brother and his best friend flush a deep red.

"Good to know." Gaz smirked from behind her hair as she pressed a few buttons that caused Iggins to shout at her. "Whiner."

"So…you've been friends since you were kids?" Gretchen asked. "That's nice. Most friendships don't last that long."

"This bonehead would be lost without me." Sila rolled her eyes. "I'm the only person that puts up with his shit."

"More like you're the only person that encourages my shit." Zim took a sip from his milk.

"That, too."

"Guess I pay you back since I encourage your shit, too."

"Damn straight."

"You two are terrible influences on one another." Lahna laughed.

"Clearly." Gaz smirked. "I like this one…"

"Is…is she talking about Sila or something in her game…?" Melvin wondered.

Gaz socked him on the shoulder, making him cry out.

"Whiner." She complained.

"I think I like that one, myself." Sila laughed. "Reminds me of frigging Zayena though."

"No, she…oh god, I see it now…"

"For real, though."

"So do I." Lahna laughed. "And I barely know the broad."

She was only four when Zayena and her brother got together, and almost five when they split.

"Can't unsee." Zim muttered, flushing as red as the apple on Todd's lunch tray.

"Who's that?" Screamy shouted.

Sila jumped and gripped her chest. "Shit, what the hell was that?"

"That's Screamy." Gretchen commented. "You get used to the volume."

"Well crap, warn a woman…"

"I told you what we call him." Zim informed.

"Yeah, but you didn't say why." She slugged him. "Asshole."

"You know it." He winked at her.

"So, answer him before he asks again, please?" Keef offered.

"Zayena's this girl I dated back home for a bit…"

Sila snorted. "The only one you've ever been with that was worth your time. For real, you got a winner there, and you screwed that up."

"I moved. Wasn't exactly going to do the long-distance bullshit."

"Point proven." Lahna nodded once.

"I was hoping for a better story." Keef pouted. "Oh, well. I'm sure with our new friend here, we'll hear all kinds of stories of Zim as a kid."

"Actually…"

Zim slapped a hand over her mouth. "Not the right company, Sila." He informed her.

She licked him, making him pull back.

"What is wrong with you?"

"You know better."

He did.

"Hey, glad to see you're all getting along." Ense greeted, rapping his fingers on the table between Zim and Lahna.

"What you want?" Zim wondered.

"Just thought I'd say hello to the new girl. Coach Haven." He greeted.

"I know it's you, Ense." She informed him.

He blushed, blinking in confusion. "You told her? Damn, Zim, ruin the surprise for me."

"Sorry."

He wasn't sorry.

"Well, welcome home, Sila." Ense stated, standing up straight. "Good luck. You're going to need it."

He winked as he left them alone.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

As if God himself had deemed it the proper time to intervene, Gretchen cried out as something hit her in the back of the head. She reached around to pull her fingers back covered in mashed potatoes.

"What…?"

Sila leaned back to see what was wrong. "You got something in your hair." She informed.

Gretchen stood quickly, bolting to the bathroom.

"Son of a bitch." Zim groaned, turning to glare at Torque and his friends. "Food fight."

"More like food bomb." Sila informed. "I'll go give your buddy a hand. You deal with pain in the ass."

"Yeah, sure. Right after I break my foot off in his ass."

"If you do that, you won't be able to kick Caleb's ass anymore."

"Bastard's not here."

"Yet." She walked after Gretchen.

"Does she mean what I think she does?"

"I sure hope not." Lahna sighed. "I'll go help, too. Don't beat him too hard."

"I'll try not to."

Zim stood, making his way to Dib's table. The laughter ceased once they noticed him there.

"What do you want?" Jessica asked, turning her nose up at him.

"I think you know." Zim stated. "Who did it."

"We're not telling you." Torque stated.

"Guess I'll just have to drag it out of you, then."

"Oh, really?"

Torque and Dib were on their feet instantly, Dib grabbing Torque's arm to try and make him sit.

"Don't let him get you kicked out of the game." He warned. "Come on, you can kick Zim's ass any time. Just not now, not on school grounds."

"Better listen to your master before he has to yank on your leash." Zim smirked.

Torque brushed Dib off and took a swing, which Zim easily sidestepped.

"Testy, testy." Zim commented. "Least I didn't give you a potato bath."

A few Freshman at another table were giggling, stopped when Jessica tossed the meanest glare she could muster at them.

"Looks like the Warden's got things covered." Zim nodded once. "Good."

"Why, you…" Torque swung again.

Zim ducked, standing quickly after. "Missed me."

"Stand still!" He swung another time.

"Nah, don't think so." Zim stated, stepping backwards before Torque's arm could complete its swing.

"Zim, stop." Dib ordered.

"I don't take orders from you."

"Ugh, put your pride aside for five minutes." Dib rolled his eyes. "Defending your friends, yeah, I get it. But for real, you're just trying to piss off Torque."

"And I'd say it's working." Zim dodged another swing. "I feel like I should just stand still and let you hit me."

"Shut up!" Torque lunged forward, but an adult's hand grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him away from the Irken. "Let me go!"

Zim felt a hand grab him by the collar as well and winced when he saw Ense holding him while Chase had a good grip on Torque's collar.

"Enough." The cousins chimed at once.

"You two should know better. This is the second time I've had to break you up." Ense scolded.

"I was told there was some garbage between you two, but I didn't think it would be this bad. You're both almost adults. Grow up." Chase added.

They let their respective students go. Zim rubbed his left arm out of embarrassment. Torque puffed out his chest.

"Zim's just acting tough to impress his new girlfriend." Torque accused, rolling his eyes as he smirked. "It's not going to last once she realizes what a loser he is and ditches him."

"New girlfriend?" Zim wondered. "Wait, you think Sila and I…?"

"No shit. You're sharing a damn seat."

Zim laughed. "Other than that, don't make me laugh Torque. First of all, I ain't with her. Second, I don't have to impress her. We've been friends since we were kids. If I haven't impressed her yet, I never will." He shook his head. "I don't need to show off. We got something better than a damn relationship."

"What's that?"

"Loyalty." He sent a sideways glare at Dib.

The raven didn't back down, but glared back at him.

"Enough." Ense repeated. "One more time, and you're both being tossed to the Principal's office. Understand?"

"Yes, coach." They chimed.

"Now, I saw Gretchen running out of here crying. What the hell happened?"

"She got some mashed potatoes thrown at her head. Lahna and Sila went to help her clean up."

"And that turns into you two fighting because…?"

"We all know one of them did it." Zim responded. "I just wanted to talk, and instead I got attitude."

"Yeah, like you didn't expect that coming over here." Chase tried not to smirk. "You two stay at your own tables, with your own friends, away from one another. This isn't helping anything by you two fighting. When you're ready to talk like adults, I'll sit down and monitor it. But for now, put away the drama."

"Go back to your table, Zim. You too, Torque. No more shenanigans. I mean it." Ense ordered.

"But…" Torque tried to protest.

"Should I have you pulled from the game?"

"Come up with a new threat, will you?" Zim rolled his eyes.

"Sit." Ense pointed at his lunch table.

Chase laughed, grabbing Zim by the arm. "I'll even be nice enough to help you over." He informed, dragging the younger male.

"What the hell, Chase? I let you grab me because we're cousins, but if the wrong person sees and tells the Principal, you're gonna get your ass fired."

Chase pushed him into his seat. "And you're gonna get your ass suspended." He informed, hand on his hip. "He's just some stupid kid. Don't get yourself in trouble just to prove a point. You two are both alpha males and you're fighting for dominance, I get it. It's no different than you and Caleb. Instead here, if you two lay a hand on one another, it won't be your gangs fighting out the aftermath." He sighed, hanging his head. "Drop the macho act, Zim, and remember not to stoop to their level. You're not that guy anymore, 'cos."

"I'm not trying to be." Zim sighed. "He just pushes my buttons…"

"So did your old man, but you never physically fought his ass, did you?"

"Well no…"

"So you do know how to hold back." Chase smirked. "And here I thought you didn't know any better. Proving me wrong, Zim, that's what you're doing."

"Stop being an ass." Sila ordered. "I could hear the sarcasm from the bathroom."

She sat on the chair with Zim again, almost pushing him off to make room for herself to sit.

"How's Gretchen?"

"Crying her eyes out with Lahna." Sila shrugged. "I did what I could, but comforting people ain't my strong suit."

"You shouldn't be around people, Ms. Masy." Chase flashed a smile at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Go charm someone else."

"I hope Gretch is gonna be okay." Keef bit his fingernails. "She's been really torn up about the Dib ditching us thing, and now this? He was laughing, too…I could hear him from here."

"You'll hear him bleeding from here if I get a hold of him any time soon." Gaz muttered, mashing angrily at buttons on her game system.

"How lovely." Chase deadpanned. "Looks like Ense is done with macho man over there, so I'm out. See you later, kiddos. Stay out of trouble, Zim. Keep him out of trouble, Sila."

"You got it." She agreed, waiting until he was out of earshot to speak up again. "He does realize ninety-five percent of the trouble you get into is because of me, right?"

"I think he's oblivious." Lahna stated, rejoining the table alone.

"Where's Gretchen?"

"School counselor walked in on us cleaning her hair in the bathroom. Her mom's coming to get her now. I think she's having a panic attack or something? I don't know, just that she won't stop crying and her mom wants her home to deal with it instead of making her stay here."

"Poor kid."

"Yeah…" Zim risked a glance at Dib's table, but they seemed to be back to talking and laughing about other things.

He hated who his friend became. If only he'd seen it sooner. Maybe then he would have been able to stop it.