I brushed the strands of light brown hair out of my face and closed the space between Zim and me for warmth. I frigid air whirled and danced around us, tousling Zim's Short, spiked, black hair and my shoulder length light brown hair. I shivered and pulled my jacket up around my neck.

"Cold?" Zim's blue irises surveyed me.

I nodded, my teeth chattering as I closed my violet eyes.

He chuckled and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, holding me close.

I was stupid to wear this skirt, so stupid. My long black, laced up boots made a clopping sound on the sidewalk we walked.

Zim wore black pants, shoes and jacket. He looked MUCH warmer than I.

Our breathes were visible in the cold air. "I don't like this weather..."

"Well, get used to it, the temperature only drops from here."

I groaned, and then I heard a bush rustle. "What was that?" I suddenly felt like I was being watched.

"What was what?" Zim looked questioningly at me.

"Never mind, it was probably nothing then..."

I leaned back in my seat uttering a cracked groan. Trying to make it though Geography class without falling asleep was a lost cause. If it wasn't for the fact that eyes were watching me from somewhere unseen, I would've dozed off already. My head lolled forward as the bell rang, making me jump. I stood up and gathered my books together. My movements were slow and sluggish, causing me to be the last one out of the class, including the teacher. However, I was pulled back in and the door slammed in my face. I gulped and staggered back. "Hello?" A chair was pushed into me and I fell over. "Who's there?"

A being manifested in front of me. It looked like an Irken Elite with the uniform, but I couldn't tell who it was because he wore a pair of tinted goggles over his eyes.

"I thought they weren't sending anybody until the end of the month?"

"They lied..." His voice was deep and husky.

I gulped, that was a voice I recognized. Glancing at his antenna I noticed it was flame-like. Hold on... FLAME-LIKE? "Dak?"

"How do you know my name?"

I pulled myself to my feet. "It's me, Mela!"

Dak lifted up his goggles, revealing his crimson eyes that were glazed with confusion.

I chuckled. "Don't tell me you've forgotten your favorite subordinate already?"

"Is that really you?"

I nodded.

"It's just that you seem..."

"Different? Yes! Much has changed in the past month."

Dak nodded.

"But I really can't take this up right now; I got to get to my next class."

I understand... I'll let Pic know to fall back."

"Wait, Pic is here too?"

"Yeah, she's watching your partner."

"Hmm, I'll let my 'partner', as you call him, know about this and we'll meet you at the tree line across the street from the school in 75 minutes."

"Alright, see you then..." He disappeared as I opened the door.

I walked out, books under my arm as I teleported to my locker. Opening it, I grabbed my gym clothes and put my books on a shelf. Then I closed my locker and teleported to the girls change room that was thankfully empty. Changing quickly, I headed out just as the bell rang. The sight that greeted me brought on anger and confusion. All the girls in our gym class, which isn't very many, were crowded around Zim, all of them were squealing and 'Oooing and 'awing'. I stalked over to them and pulled Zim out of the crowd. "Back off! He's mine!" I growled, pulling Zim behind me.

One of the blond haired girls walked out from amongst them, she appeared to be their leader. "Didn't your parents ever teach you how to share?"

"No, not really..." I smirked haughtily. "Even if they did, I still wouldn't..." I chuckled and took Zim's hand leading him away, placing a kiss on his cheek, hearing surprised gasps from the girls.

"Thanks for pulling me out of there; I thought I was going to die."

"No problem, I can't stand that they had their filthy little hands all over you." I began to dust him off and smooth out his shirt.

"It's been like this all morning." He huffed.

"Wonderful, now I've got to escort you from class to class." I sighed. "Anyway, we have something to discuss."

"And this would be?"

"Well, you know how the Tallest were going to send somebody to exterminate us in a month?"

He nodded.

"They lied. I was just attacked by my pursuer. Luckily, it was Dak and we're going to meet him in 73 minutes or so to discuss the matter."

"So we'll be skipping the rest of the day again?"

"Unfortunately, yes... Pic is also here, she was perusing you."

He nodded. "Did you get hurt?"

"Nah, the fight didn't get far enough. I tripped, that's all."

"Alright." He kissed my forehead and looked out into the gym and chuckled. "Here comes Dib."

I looked up and sure enough, Dib was headed straight towards us. "Does he know?"

"Yep!" He grinned and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I chuckled. "The human is much smarter than we give him credit for..." Looking him up and down, I noticed gauze was wrapped around his wrist and forearms and a few were arranged on his face. I covered my mouth to prevent my farther laughter.

I saw him growl as he stomped up to us.

"Hello, human..." I finished my greeting with a sadistic grin.

"Just because you look less alien and all that doesn't mean I won't prove you guilty of this!"

"Oh, really now, and who exactly is going to believe the crazy boy? For all they know, you could've gotten beaten up by a gang or something."

"Besides," Zim chimed in, "all the teachers think that we were out of town until this morning."

"You both came back different!"

Zim spoke before I could. "Lots of people come back changed after a vacation, Dib."

Dib growled and stomped off.

I giggled.

Zim kissed my neck. "I wouldn't worry about him if I was you, he can't do anything to stop us..."

"I know." I kissed him on the lips.