Disclaimer: Truthfully, I never would have thought up Invader Zim. So…no, I do not own.

Summary: Zim has finally thought of the perfect way to stop Dib from interfering. But Dib may find that Zim's plans are the least of his problems…

'thought'

"speech"

-0-0- is a scene/character jump

Chapter 10

Heading through the confusing hallways, presumably towards the area where the Tallest were, Dib couldn't keep his face stoic like those he passed, too caught up in being inside such a great alien vessel.

They reached a door that was guarded by two semi-tall Irken, or at least they were taller than Zim or Dib.

They were let in with minimal hassle, and then Zim strode into the room with Dib following behind, glancing around at the grand room. It appeared to be a type of refreshment place. Large windows showed a grand view of some planet that the Irken armada was apparently invading at the moment. It was a beautiful planet, with oceans of purple and rose-and-pink clouds swirling about. Well, it was beautiful until you got to the part of the planet where the Irken ships were busy at. There, beams of energy from their weapons tore through the pastel clouds and charred the scarlet-purple earth below in ugly black lines.

Turning his gaze away from the windows, he noticed a large screen where, presumably, calls for the Tallest could be received. Tables were set up and reclining chairs around some, stools around others. There were Irkens in Invader uniforms relaxing around, sipping drinks being delivered by incredibly short Irkens with what seemed to be serving trays on their heads.

The Tallest were watching the view out the window when Zim walked up to them and saluted.

"Greetings, my Tallest!."

Dib merely inclined his head.

"Ah…Zim! Uh…how goes your ship-repairs?" Purple asked, spinning around and glancing about wildly. The lesser Irkens that were drinking around the tables were unashamedly watching the scene with obvious interest.

"Very good, my Tallest!" Zim responded, giving a wicked grin. "Soon we shall be ready to go and destroy the humans once and for all!"

"Wonderful! I hope you are ready to leave immediately. And soon." Purple flinched as Red elbowed him.

"So that you can…uh…take Earth for our Empire, as important as it is for us! Yeah…um, we need you to be underway as soon as possible!" Red said frantically, hoping Zim was still too self-absorbed to notice Purple's mistake.

It seems he was, as he strutted and preened under the attention. Dib, however, noticed, and narrowed his eyes at his 'superiors'.

"While you're here waiting, uh…why don't you get a drink or snack or something." Red suggested, and as Zim's eyes widened in happiness at the thought of snacks, Red muttered under his breath "until you can leave…"

Once again, Dib caught the mutter and the undertone of distaste and intense dislike in the words aimed at Zim's back.

Shrugging, but storing the information away for future use if needed, Dib gave one last wary look at the two taller Irkens before following Zim to one of the tables. (which emptied of others rather quickly when Zim sat down.)

The snacks and drinks were, surprisingly, quite similar to Earth's. Dib hesitantly tasted his selected drink, blinking at the odd flavor. It tasted like someone had mixed watermelon with mango and added a pinch of…vanilla? Oookay then.

At long last (for Dib, who was uncomfortable being stared at by the other Irken in the room) and none too soon (for the Tallest), a Irken dressed in the outfit of a mechanic walked in and announced that Zim's and Dib's ships were done and ready to go.

It really was surprising at the speed at which the two were hustled out of the room and into the hanger, practically thrown into their ships and pushed out the doors.

Zim whooped as he sped off, Dib's ship following close behind. Dib had to give it to the mechanics who had worked on their ships. Not only was everything in perfect working order, running smoothly and all, but the hull of the ships was shining brightly, well polished and all scratches and dents repaired. The console and buttons, levers, knobs, and all other gadgets upon them sparkled as if they were new.

Dib ran a admiring hand over his ships controls. He glanced up, looking off into the vastness of space, the stars flying by, planets, comets, asteroids, moons, and everything he's ever dreamed of, looked at on tv, read about, and wished to see, right here in front of him.

Sighing, he rested his chin on one hand, looking longingly past the stars. What would he give to be back there, to be that little boy who stared up at the sky from the roof of his house, wishing to be among them?

Now he was among them…and he was not enjoying it as much as he wished he could. Too many things weighed upon his mind and heart.

-0-0-

"Finally!" Purple cheered, and the Irkens sitting around the tables cheered along with him. "Zim is gone!"

Red laughed, taking a drink from one of the servers. "Back to Earth, and out of our way."

"He still believes that he is an Invader, and that planet of his is actually important to the Armada." Purple snickered, shaking his head.

"A moron, that is what he is." Red agreed.

"And the other one is insane." Purple put in. "One insane Invader, one moronic Invader. And what do you get?"

"You put them together, and maybe you get a actual Invader!" Red finished, and the room echoed with their laughter, the chuckles of their lackeys forming a chorus to it.

-0-0-

"There it is!" Zim cried, pointing out his windshield. "Earth! I can almost smell the humans, how disgusting they are! Soon they will bow and call me master!" Zim said, eyes narrowing and a nasty smile cutting across his face.

Dib narrowed his eyes as well, his look softening as he beheld the swirling white clouds and crystal blue oceans of his home…of Earth.

Earth…yes, home.

No matter what he said to Zim, Earth was his home.

"Home…" Dib mused aloud, and Zim's gloating stopped at the word.

"What did you say?" The Invader asked lowly, eyes darkening at the implications of what Dib was saying.

"Earth is my home. I can not destroy it." He looked up at Zim, eyes challenging. "And neither shall you."

"You foul, ungrateful, scheming little worm!" Zim screeched. "You lied! You tricked me! Well, Dib, you shall pay! Go then, go to the filthy beasts who care nothing for you! You will see that I am right, and when you do, I will make sure you pay for this treachery!"

Dib glared one last time, punching buttons and sending his ship down through the puffy clouds and into the sky above his home town.

Home…

Home and his family.

-0-0-

Sorry! Indeed, really, truly I am sorry! I have hit a writer's block on this, and I'm really trying to figure out where the story is going. I like this story, and I will finish it, no fear. It will not die! I shall not let it die: ) anyways, another, if short, chapter for your reading pleasure. Hope I can figure out where it's going soon.