Whee! This chapter has two parts…the first is written in Zim's not-first-person-but-third-person-limited POV, while the second part is in Dib's first-person POV.

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Zim's POV

Walking home from the park

"Blech! Hugging that inferior Dib-worm sickens me so…but it is ALL part of my MAGNIFICENT plan, Gir!" Zim smirked evilly as he marched up to the front door of his weirdly glowing green house with Gir's leash clutched tightly in one black-gloved hand. "Soon, the Earth shall be MINE for the taking, and the DIB-BEAST shall be too CONFUZZLED to do ANYTHING ABOUT IT!! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…!"

Zim's trademark evil laugh was cut short as his fellow Earth neighbors looked out of their windows and doors to stare at him. Zim looked down, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, opened the door, was greeted by his Robo-parents ("Welcome home, son!"), and went inside, shutting the door after Gir.

Gir squealed happily and ran to turn on the television. Soon the image of that SCARY monkey was fixed on the television screen. Zim scowled darkly and shouted out, "Gir! I shall be down in the lab. Do not, and I repeat, do not, let anyone in!"

"Okee-dokee!"

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Zim went in the kitchen and flushed himself down the toilet. He needed to work on some very important experiments, one involving a coop of chickens and another involving a headless penguin fused with a squid. Zim crossed his arms. So much to do…

And yet…for some vexing reason, the image of Dib's blushing face kept popping up in the Irken's mind. The Dib-worm looked adorable…thought the green-skinned alien vaguely, then slapped a hand to his head in horror.

Gah! Did I just think that? Eh? Eeeeehhh?! The Dib-stink must have put some sort of…mind-control device or something on me! He is trickier than I thought! Must…analyze…

Zim stepped out of the elevator-thingy and into his lab. He marched over to a circular plate on the floor and barked out, "Computer! Analyze my body and check for foreign technological devices on or in me somewhere!" There was a beeping sound, and a bluish line of light swept itself through the Irken's tiny body.

"No foreign devices detected on body," the computer droned.

"What? Nothing? Are you sure?"

"Positive, Zim," replied the computer in a bored tone. "There is nothing." A note of interest crept into its voice. "Does this have something to do with that big-headed kid?"

Zim narrowed his eyes and replied quickly, irritated yet somewhat flustered, "No! This has nothing to do with Dib!"

"Dib…? Oh, so that's his name…"

The Irken snapped, "I don't pay you to talk idly, Computer! The great ZIM does not need distractions as he needs to work on some very important experiments!!"

Ignoring his computer's muttered reply ("You don't pay me at all…"), Zim went to work on his experiments…

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Dib's POV (first person)

Still in the park

The sensation of Zim rubbing his face against my cheek in an almost affectionate manner was still fresh, which explained my still-pinkish face. I wiped my cheek as if trying to wipe away my blush, the sensation, and the memory.

The weird, disturbing memory.

Ugh…I tried to think logically. Surely this was all a part of Zim's plan…? Though I couldn't see how Zim hugging me fit into world domination…

I walked slowly, pondering, to my house. I opened the door.

Gaz, still on the couch with her beloved Gameslave 2, paid no attention to me until I was foolish enough to say, "Gaz! It was really weird at the park! Zim came, and hugged me! I don't know what the heck he was thinking, and— " I stopped suddenly as I felt myself pinned to the wall by the neck and a fist mere inches from my face. My sister glared at me and said, "Because of your annoying voice coming in here all of a sudden, I lost the final level of my game, Dib! When are you going to learn to keep your stupid loud voice all to yourself?"

Agh! "But, Gaz…Zim! He did something! It was weird, and…" I flinched as Gaz's fist tightened.

"I am sick of hearing about your sick obsession with that boyfriend of yours! There is something wrong with you, I swear, Dib!"

"He's not my boyfriend! It all started with the box! It was the box! It made me confused, and…" Wait a second… "Confused! That's it! Zim's trying to make me confused! That way, I'll be too distracted to notice him taking over Earth!"

Gaz's eyes narrowed, if that were even possible, and she snarled, "I don't care about that freak boyfriend of yours! You made me lose the final level of my game, Dib, and you're going to pay!"

"Ack! Gaz, I can't afford to be injured now! I need to go to Zim's house and confront him about his plan!" I tore myself free from Gaz's grip and ran to the door. "Just…beat me up later!" And I ran. I'm coming, Zim!

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Wow…that last sentence sounded like he was going to rescue Zim or sumthing. I don't know… pokes at dead squirrel