Disclaimer: I do not own Invader Zim.
Yeah it's been a while but things kinda went crazy on my end. Don't worry, the story is coming to a close and while it's such a bittersweet experience, I can't believe how much time has passed. I hadn't planned on it taking so long, but I think I'll only have one more chapter after this one.
Summermist296 figured out where I wanted to go so keep an eye out for an Irken named "Mek"!
Thanks so much for being patient with me and for putting up with everything and staying with me :)
and thanks for the reviews XD

Panic like I've never known before formed in the pit of my squeedly spooch at the news and I felt as if a hand had closed around my throat.

She was gone; taken from me.

My mind turned to earlier, how I was so cold and cruel, wounding her with my words because I had jumped to conclusions. My pride had been stung and yet I took it out on a blameless young woman who means the universe to me.

By the Control Brains first I called her a liar then practically called… Said she deserved to be treated as such! I lead her to believe that the only reason I wanted her was because she pleased and satiated me.

The memory of the punishment I gave her came back; her face full of shock and hurt despite her efforts to hide it from me.

What have I done?

My little-Gaz with her glossy dark hair and bewitching amber eyes, her remarkable intelligence and astonishing strength… I didn't even give her a chance to explain herself and now… now it may be too late.

Dib admired Tak quietly as she prepared her presentation for their ambush on the Massive. Since the second night that Tak had visited him while he was still in prison, she'd been bringing him supplies to replicate the machine that changed Zim and improve it. The goal was that Tak would be the next 'Super Human/Irken Solider' so she could surpass Zim not only in height, but also in skill.

The night he and Tak escaped planet Vort, they had tested the machine and (once it seemed perfectly fine) they used it on Tak. It had only been a day and she was nearly as tall as Gaz! Yes she had improved, but without someone close to Zim's fighting level, they weren't sure if Tak had a good chance at beating him. Dib sighed, sure it'd be great that Zim was defeated two ways instead of one to make sure he was never a threat again, but if Tak kept growing at this rate, then he'd never even get the chance to ask for a date!

He sighed again; someone out there must've really hated him if he was falling for an alien who once wanted to destroy his planet. Not only that, but how would he expose aliens to his planet without jeopardizing everyone in the Resisty? Sure it'd only been a day, but they had helped him escape and now were helping plan their uprising to defeat Zim and the Meekrob had named him Ambassador just like Tak said and they were willing to protect his planet and they were helping save his dad and...

"Gah!" Dib threw his arms up in frustration before smacking his head on the table in front of him.

"You'll cause brain damage if you do that." Tak said impassively.

He turned slightly to look at her, "Is there any way to prove that I'm not crazy for believing in aliens after all this is over without harming you guys?"

"Maybe," She pulled out another chart, "But your people aren't the brightest species out there Dib, you should let them figure it out in a few years."

He groaned, "So much for crossing that off my "To-Do" list…"

"Come one, we have a presentation to get thru."

Because Tak had explained the plan to him earlier, Dib mostly tuned out her speech and occasionally examined the other aliens, wondering how many of them suffered from the time before Zim's rule and which ones had suffered after. He huffed (mostly because he'd been sighing too much lately) at the memory of Zim becoming a "Super Human/Irken Solider". Gaz always told him not to touch their dad's things, but the past was the past and now he had a way to stop Zim once and for all. He smiled at that, soon the universe would be free and everything would go back to normal and not only would everyone be safe, but the universe would know not to mess with Planet Earth and-

"Stop talking to yourself, Dib!"

He looked up and noticed everyone staring at him, "Sorry," He gave them a weak smile.

"Anyways," Tak placed another war-piece on a picture of the Massive, "Once Shloonktiapooxis* manages to blast a hole under the Main Chamber, I'll jump right in and Ixane**, you'll provide me with cover while I look for Zim."

"How exactly to you plan on getting rid of him?" Lard Nar*** interjected, "Zim is by farthest one of the most intelligent beings anyone has ever seen! He'd easily escape any prison we'd send him to-"

"He'll only live long enough to see his failure." Tak slammed a fist on the board, "After that, Tallest Zim will never be a threat again."

Another door was violently shoved open then just as brutally shut when Gaz didn't find who she was looking for. She'd been walking with an unnerving calm and the occasional snarl throughout the Massive since she woke up; wildly looking into each room before letting out a growl and proceeding to the next one. Zim had used her, all because he wanted to prove some stupid point: that she couldn't resist him and his skillful seduction! That even though she had practically begged for him to take her, he hadn't! That the cost of his restraint (because she had seen and felt the evidence of his desire) wasn't even close to the cost of her weakness!

A war of emotions raged within her; she felt furious and miserable and she was sick of the struggle inside herself! How dare he embarrass her! Not only would she make him pay, but she'd get answers from him! Clear answers! Just because Zim was complicated and difficult and stubborn, it didn't mean she wouldn't make him talk.

Gaz brusquely grabbed an Irken who attempted to scurry past her unnoticed, "Where's Zim?"

The Irken swallowed, sweat pouring down his face. "Where's Zim?" She asked again, her ominous tone promising pain.

"H-H-He just left for a new room close to the Main Chamber, s-said he wanted to be alone… but that was hours- AH!"

Gaz tossed him aside and began walking towards the room that held her psychotic alien, but was stunned beyond reaction when she walked in. The room was an exact replica of an outdoor park at night, only much prettier than anything she had ever seen before. The incredible smell of the pizza she loved so much filled the air when Gaz noticed a table that held a vase full of black and purple roses with absolutely mouthwatering stacks of pizza on it. And in the center of the room, was Zim.

They stared at one other, neither of them sure for how long till Zim broke the silence. "This is for you, so you'll let me explain my actions last night."

Gaz crossed her arms and waited for him to continue, her expression of contempt never leaving her face. It was then that Zim noticed she was wearing her old clothes: her black long-sleeved dress with pink leggings and favorite black boots along with her skull pendant. It cut deep knowing she was this mad at him, but he hoped she would accept his regret.

"Both of us have every right to be furious, but your lies ignited my temper. I lost control and reacted the only way I knew." Gaz scoffed; of course the only way Zim would apologize was by making himself seem innocent while looking so damn prideful.

Another heavy silence descended till Zim spoke again, "I wondered why you took so long to find me, I thought maybe you left and returned to your father. If you had, I'd have come after you."

Gas narrowed her eyes and let out a low snarl. Why was he so determined to keep her with him? Why didn't he want to let her go? Even after their argument Zim was still trying to make sure she stayed… Because he wanted to cause her brother endless hours of lost sleep, or was there a different reason? Gaz was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to punch him in the jaw and kiss him at the same time. Her fingers itched to stroke his face till he wore that stupid smirk again, yet she wanted to make Zim suffer the same way she had when he left her lonely and needing him in their bed the night before. She wasn't willing to wait till the year was over if he actually wanted her to be with him forever or if he'd just let her walk away. She opened her mouth to speak when the computer's voice interrupted.

"My Tallest, we have an emergency! One of your prisoners has escaped planet Vort!"

The Irken before her became livid, though whether if it was from the news or from the interruption, Gaz wasn't sure, but it tugged her heartstrings as she watched him react. So full of life and passion that he put in everything he did.

"WHO?" Zim demanded.

"Dib, my Tallest."

Gaz's eyes widened; her brother had escaped? How? From what she knew, Zim had some of the strongest security on Dib; there was no way he could've gotten away without outside help. Even after all the months he'd spent on the planet he never managed to even make a dent in progress. She looked over at Zim, who was staring at the ceiling in stunned silence. His face was blank with disbelief as he took in the news, then his eyes turned to her and if Gaz had believed he was furious at their interruption, it was nothing compared to the scorching outrage he felt now.

"YOU! YOU HAVE BETRAYED ME AGAIN!"

"I didn't do anything! I haven't even-"

"YOU'RE MAKING THAT UP!" Zim knocked over the table and both the flowers and pizza fell to the ground. Gaz gritted her teeth as she stared at the mess he made, such a waste…

"Stop being stupid Zim! This-"

"I TRUSTED YOU!" He screeched, "TRUSTED THAT YOU WOULD NOT BETRAY ME AGAIN!"

"Zim, shut up and-"

"AND HERE YOU ARE ONCE MORE MAKING A FOOL OF ME! AND DESPITE IT All, DAMN IT GAZ, I STILL WANT YOU!"

He grabbed her arm and ruthlessly pulled Gaz to his body, glaring into her eyes. The unspoken pain she saw in his own as she gazed back at him stunned her more than the vicious way he clutched at her. "I won't let you make a fool of me a third time…" Zim hissed thru gritted teeth, "I can't trust you, but that doesn't mean I'll let you go with your brother."

Gaz shoved him away and used her free hand to punch him with all the pain and unrestrained anger she felt towards him, "Then why are you keeping me here!" She demanded.

Zim's grip on her arm tightened as he straightened himself, staring at her with hard eyes that seemed to glow with his agony and fury. Gaz knew he would never harm her despite his anger, but then he took her mouth with savage intensity, a kiss intended to bruise and punish her. She shrieked in protest and used every technique she knew to make him to let her go while he forced her lips open and ravaged her mouth with his tongue. Then he released her and pushed from him, his chest rising and falling with his breath while his eyes burned right thru her.

"That's how you should've been treated from the beginning." Zim hissed. Gaz glared at him, using his words to fuel her resenting look so she could hide the inexplicable despair and torment his actions caused her.

"You're mine for a full 12 Earth months and I will have my years' worth of you. I expect you in my bed tonight little-Gaz, whether you want to or not."

Without another word, Zim walked out of the room leaving Gaz stunned, staring at the spot he once stood. Slowly, she became aware of the atmosphere the room held: the song of crickets, the smell of roses mixed with pizza and the glow of a moon that wasn't really there. All of it perfect for a romantic moment. Suddenly her throat ached and her sense of loss was beyond tears. Gaz couldn't even muster the energy to call the rage she'd felt this morning, because now, now Zim despised her. He hated her for something that wasn't even her fault! How could this have happened when all she'd wanted was to clear up why he wanted to keep her while beating the living daylights out of him? Yes he still desired her, but lust and love where two completely different emotions; his forceful embrace alone had been enough to show her that. But his kiss, that kiss was full of hate and bitterness and it had punished and hurt Gaz more than anything she'd ever known. And now Zim would force her to tolerate life as a despised and distrusted whore instead of living with him as a loved and cherished mistress.

She clenched her fist, anger enabling her to move. No. Gazlene Membrane was better than that and no one, not even the one she loved more than life itself would belittle her. She turned and decided to leave behind everything she had brought with her on the Massive, and that she wanted to burn her room, because now even that held a bitter memory.

Heading towards the flight deck, Gaz decided that the time to return home had come.

"You're sure they won't suspect us? I mean, sure we have a cloaking device to make us look like an Irken spaceship and it's not that I don't trust you but really-"

"Enough Dib," Tak barked, trying in vain to drown out any sound as she searched for the best way to sneak past the Armada and land on the Massive. "All we have to do is get close to the Main Chamber and I can handle the rest from there."

"What happens if we don't find Gaz in time? And what will we do with witnesses? You know, maybe I should drive for a bit so…"

Tak tuned out his voice and focused on a small humanoid speck standing on the Massive. She directed the ship closer while trying to throw off suspicion when she noticed the Guard standing a few feet behind the figure she had spotted.

"Isn't that your sister?" Dib looked out the window and saw Gaz wearing some sort of space suit while she stared at the Armada with a bored expression on her face.

"IT IS GAZ! Hurry Tak, we've got to get her first before everyone starts blowing stuff up-"

"There are guards with her," Tak interrupted, "We need a distraction before you go playing hero."

"But-"

"We only have five more minutes before everyone is in position, and the fact we don't have to go looking for her will give us a greater advantage. She may know all the Massive's weak points and maybe even be my ticket at luring out Zim instead of going to find him."

"You can't use my sister as bait!"

"She won't actually be with me when I face him, Dib. I'll just tell Zim we have her and whether or not he's willing to come after her, it'll be enough of a distraction to gain the upper hand."

"But I don't wanna use her like that!"

"Do you want to stop Zim or not?"

"… I do, but-"

"Do you trust me?"

Dib hesitated; he trusted Tak with his life, but Gaz was his sister… "You won't let her get close to the Massive?"

Tak rolled her eyes, "Of course not Dib, having her there would only complicate things. Zim wants her as revenge on you and if he won't let something like that out of his grasp. I'll just mention it to her while she handles the ship and you lead the Resisty thru the rest of the plan."

"… Well… If you say so…"

"Get ready to reach for her; we only have a small window of opportunity before all our hard work goes to waste."

Gaz stared up at the stars as she stood on the highest point of the Massive. If she wanted a chance to escape, she'd have to throw off suspicion first and having a guard around didn't help. She frowned; Zim had been serious when he said he no longer trusted her and venomous anger mixed with ferocious sadness ripped her heart every time she went back to their fight. Standing outside of the walls of the place she had come to call her home, Gaz felt just the slightest amount of bittersweet tranquility. She looked at the suit she wore; even while she tried to forget everything just for a moment, she had to be reminded of Zim.

Turning back to the stars she reviewed her plan once more but stopped when she noticed a Spittle Runner flying just a bit differently from the other ships in the Armada. She analyzed the scene before her: the Armada didn't have this many ships this morning did it?

"My Mistress?" She turned and found the Irken she had scared earlier cautiously approaching.

"What?"

"Um… Well… My Mistress, it's around the time you normally eat your 'lunch' and all is prepared-"

"Not going."

The Irken stared at her for a moment, "But My Mistress-"

"Be quiet!" She snapped, "I don't want food right now."

"Then… should I tell the cook to save it for when you are hungry?"

Gaz scoffed, "I don't care. Just make sure no one bothers me."

"I will let the kitchen know and I'll tell the rest of the ship you-"

BOOM

The Massive shook, knocking Gaz's guard to the ground and causing the Irken to fall at her feet. Suddenly, half the Irken Armada became what looked like miniature Vortian ships and began attacking the Massive and the ships surrounding it. Another ship flew close to where she stood and for a moment, Gaz thought she'd seen Dib.

"MY QUEEN," The Irken shouted as it got in front of her along with her guard with a weapon in their arms, "GET INSIDE! WE'LL PROTECT YOU!"

Gaz let out an angry huff and calmly walked towards the general area of the flight deck; it was easier to make them think they were being useful than waste the effort to knock them out now that she had the perfect distraction.

"GAZ!" She froze and looked up in disbelief, "Dib?"

Her brother sent her his widest smile and stretched out his hand while the ship got closer, "Gaz, I can't believe you're here! Come on!"

Without waiting for her answer, Dib reached for her and pulled her into the ship, "Man, am I glad to see you! You won't believe- HEY! OW! GAZ! GYA!"

The moment she had regained her balance, Gaz had grabbed her brother and began beating the living daylights out of him. Here she was suffering because of some misunderstanding because of her stupid brother while said stupid brother was busy planning his stupid revolution!

"MY QUEEN!" Gaz looked up mid-punch and saw her self-proclaimed protector jumping in to save her, "Hurry my Queen, we don't have much time!"

"Get out!"

The Irken stared at her, his eyes wide from shock, "B-but my Queen…"

"I said get out!" Gaz snapped.

"N-NO! I will not abandon you!" He puffed out his chest boldly, desperately trying to show her his concern and loyalty for her.

Gaz raised an eyebrow, "What's your name?"

"Mek, my Queen."

She shoved a disoriented Dib at him, "Tie up my brother and help me get this ship to the Massive's flight deck-"

"Shut up! All of you!"

Gaz looked from Mek to the pilot seat, her eyes widening in surprise, "Tak?" The Irken female was taller, maybe just a few inches shorter than Gaz herself, and… less green?

"Yes and I need you to take the controls while I invade the Massive since Dib is practically unconscious."

"What exactly are you doing?"

Tak scoffed, "It's a rescue mission mixed with an ambush; soon Zim's rule over the Irken Empire will end! As we speak, my allies are creating an opening for me to the Main Chamber where Zim'll most likely-AH!"

Tak found herself against the wall of the ship before a fist suddenly knocked her to the ground. Looking up she saw Gaz staring at her with pure hatred and unparalleled fury in her eyes.

"If any harm comes to Zim because of your pointless revenge…" Gaz grabbed the front of Tak's shirt and lifted her off the ground, "I'll make you wish you were suffering from-"

"MY QUEEN, LOOK OUT!" She turned, prepared for an attack when something stabbed her side and then she fell to the ground. Gaz could barely make out the voices filling the room before darkness consumed her.

Zim stood in the Main Chamber nursing his wounded pride and injured heart as he stared at the screen that showed Gaz staring at the stars. He felt his insides hardening and barriers of anger surrounding his mind; how could he have been so gullible? Let himself feel this possessiveness and care for someone who obviously felt nothing just as she claimed the night before… His fist clenched tight and he was suddenly furious at his vulnerability. Letting out a stream of curses and roars, Zim began destroying anything within his reach, desperate for any outlet that could help the agony and torment before he finally stopped and glanced at his pilots' wary expressions.

He stood straight and looked at the screen again, this time showing Gaz talking to an Irken who had approached her. Zim let out a quiet sigh. Despite everything, these feelings of gentleness were still there and he knew that no matter how hard he tried to bury them, they'd never leave. Why did he feel this way for her? His expression hardened as he thought; Gaz didn't deserve this tenderness he felt for her after he gave her so much. They had given themselves to each other in a way that they'd never even thought about giving to anyone before! And yet she treated it as if it was nothing, going behind his back and-

BOOM

The Massive shook and all the pilots fell from their seats while Zim clutched at what was left of his own as he attempted to regain his balance.

"My Tallest, it's an ambush!"

Zim glared at the pilot for stating the obvious before he turned to the sound of rupturing glass; the enemy ships were trying to destroy the windows! He pressed his hand to the back of his neck and his cape began changing; surrounding his body while molding itself to him and soon, Zim stood before the windows with his space suit as they shattered. He pulled one of his personalized laser guns from his side and began firing at the enemy, easily obliterating their weapons before terminating the ships themselves.

"Computer, activate the main cannons and destroy all enemy vessels then send out any Irken we can spare in to the flight deck! I want all these filthy swine to beg for their lives!"

Another ship exploded and a smile formed on Zim's face, enemy ships were falling faster than they were causing damage! Once this was over he'd send all of the captured filth into the deep pits of space while he and Gaz watched… His eyes widened,

"Computer, where is Gaz!?"

"Scanners show she's above the ship, my Tallest."

"Get her to her room! Protect her at all costs and don't let-"

A bright light flashed before him, momentarily stunning him and Zim had to block his face to keep his eyes from burning at hits intensity. When it finally faded, Zim glanced and saw every one of the ships gone and nowhere to be seen.

"My Tallest," The computer began, "The enemy has escaped and scanners show that Dib and Tak were behind the ambush."

"WHAT?!"

"Not only that," The computer continued, "Latest reports confirm that Dib escaped planet Vort with the help of the Meekrob and the Resisty and it seems that they've taken Mistress Gaz with them."

The chaos around him froze and the mask of absolute fury on Zim's face became one of absolute terror for the life of his Gaz. With stunning clarity, Zim realized that his fierce desire to keep her with him and never let her leave had nothing to do with revenge, but everything to do with the fact he couldn't stand to part from her. He had buried his feelings deep inside himself because he had thought of affection and reliance on someone else as a form of weakness, causing his confusion at his fondness for her. Gaz, with her extravagant beauty, sharp intelligence and independence, her fierce temper and indifferent attitude… everything about her was incredible! The truth was he needed her! More now than ever before because Zim knew he was hopelessly in love with her.

But now she'd been taken from him, and Zim feared he'd never get the chance to tell her.

*Shloonktiapooxis is that little cone guy who shot the lasers in "Backseat Drivers From Beyond the Stars"
**Ixane is the one with the cloak and hood covering her.
***Lard Nar is the leader of the Resisty.
And so the reason as to why Zim is acting like a total idiot is shown. Yup. Didn't plan on making him so angry, but love does that to you. And since I've been watching Invader Zim more often, I decided this heartbroken thing would be perfect to bring out a bit of his old character. What do you think? Too much? Did I ruin the story? Oh I hope not…
Read and Review and remember Constructive Criticism only!
Till next time!