Bounce. Swerve. Jump.
Gasp!
Seconds.
Minutes.
Hours...?
"Are... we here?"
"Yes."
They landed surprisingly gracefully onto Zim's front lawn.
"Well, that was a stealthy escape." Dib noted.
"Of course, I am Zim! Why wouldn't I think of something so brilliant!"
"Of course." Dib ventured.
Swirl.
Dib jumped off of Zim.
"We should go inside. I hope they won't try to find us." He bit his lip in nervousness.
"Not to worry, Dib-toy, Zi.. I will keep us safe." He let his pak legs slip again into his pak.
"I know, but I still worry." Zim shrugged it off.
"You've always been a bit paranoid, huh."
Dib smiled wryly. "And you aren't?" Zim looked at him accusingly.
"You're lying!" Zim screamed, then turned around as though nothing happened. Dib had, for the most part, gotten used to Zim's outbursts, but it still made him wonder. He smiled.
"I'm glad they are functioning now. Everything seems to be in order." Zim said, almost to himself. He grabbed Dib's hand.
They went inside. Gir was staring blankly at the tv screen.
It wasn't even on.
"Gir?" Zim inquired, though cautiously.
Gir turned his head. "MASTER!" Gir ran hysterically to Zim, squeezing unto Zim's leg.
"Let go, RIGHT NOW GIR!"
"Oh, isn't he so cute?" Said Dib, grinning.
"NO!"
Dib just laughed and shut the door.
"Oh, Masta! I missed-ed you!"
Gir finally released Zim's leg.
"I missed.. you too..." Zim said lowly, looking upon Gir's stupid... little... face.
"YAH! Big-HEAD-Boy! I likes you! Mm-hmm!"
Dib blushed. "Yeah.." He chuckled.
"GIR!"
"Yes, my liege!"
"Go outside and play with mini-moose, The Dib and I need concentration!"
"Yes, sir! YAHHHHHHOO!!!" Gir ran, slipping and sliding out the door with a squeaking mini-moose. "Wheeeeeeee! Lets have a TEA PARTY! Piggies! Heehee!"
"We should get an elevator." Dib wondered out loud. "And get the toilet out of the.."
"SILENCE!"
Dib flinched at the high-pitched command.
Zim looked at Dib strangely, then slapped his head in his stupidity.
"Oh, sorry.." Said Zim anxiously.
"That's fine." Dib looked at Zim with concern.
"No, not really.. I just... trying to think!"
"Me too."
Zim sat at the kitchen table, his eyes in concentration.
"Got anything to eat?"
Zim looked at Dib briefly. "I don't know."
"I'll look."
"Probably stale waffles or somethin."
"Nah, I think I'll pass then."
"Good idea. Sit with Zim!"
Dib sat.
"Maybe we should get the police involved.."
"Who?" Zim's antennas perked up. "Contell?"
"Who's that?"
"Oh, he's this human.. who helped me get out of the conviction of killing you."
"Oh.." Dib looked down, almost guiltily.
"Almost killing you.. heh, he's pretty amazing for a earth-smelly." Zim tried to smile, but it faded into... pain. "Dib.. our smeebie might already be dead!"
Dib leaned over and placed chaste, loving kiss on Zim's cheek.
"I won't let it happen."
Zim leaned forward, kissing Dib square on the lips. "Me either."
Silence.
Tick, tick, tick. Tick.
"Well.." Zim spoke suddenly. "I was thinking I could track Mariko with her pak's coordinates... but.."
Dib sat in silence.
"But.. she was a natural born, so of course she wouldn't have one!"
"How.." Dib said quietly. Zim looked at him, waiting.
"How can we find her then?"
"I don't know!"
"Well... god Zim, I don't know either."
"Maybe, she's at the lab I was at... maybe.. but no, that would be too obvious."
"Maybe... the obvious is what she wants us to go after."
"Huh?"
Dib elaborated. "I think... she wants us to try and save Mariko.. so she can get to you.. or me.."
"Why you?"
"I don't know... I'm just brainstorming."
"Keep with this 'brainstorming'." Zim waved off. Its not like he was thinking of anything of use.
"Well, do you know where this lab is?"
"I could find it easily. My memory is pretty... good."
"Ok... do you want to go to Contell..."
"No.. we need to do this ourselves... we need to prepare. You know how to shoot?" Zim was getting into his tactical mode.
"Um, sure... I'm pretty good at aiming."
"Yeah, yeah... well I'll give you one of my pistols and.."
"How'd you get pistols?!"
"Never mind that.. come with me!"
Dib had no time to protest, for Zim grabbed his hand, pushing him into the trash. He went after.
Swirl.
"I remember the address... Contell told me.. all I have to do is track the exact coordinates, and we can go... now!" He downloaded the directions to his pak, grabbed Dib's pistol, and unconsciously hugged Gir goodby, much happiness ensued on Gir's part after that.
Dib was in such a rush, he barely had time to speak, much less complain about how hungry he was.
But for the moment, Mariko's safety was of the utmost importance.
They both loved Mariko, much more than Zim would admit... and either of them didn't even have the slightest idea what she looked like.
"She.. Dib... I love you." Zim spouted out, almost as if... this would be the only other chance to say it.. almost as if...
Dib smiled, and squeezed Zim's hand.
They went into Zim's Voot Cruiser. The ride was about twenty minutes by car, but with the Voot, it only took about three minutes.
Swirl.
"Be careful, Dib.." Zim whispered. "I'll have your back."
He turned around, almost to see if anyone was watching. He leaned forward and caught the other's lips with his own.
He kissed Dib with such unbridled, intense passion, sealed with a promise, a trust.
"I give my word."
Dib was a little dazed from the kiss, it made him feel all misty and relaxed, but soon straightened up.
"Same here."
Zim nodded and...
Swirl.