A/N: griiiin I bet you guys opened your mail box, saw the message that this lazy oaf had FINALLY updated, and said "That BASTARD! I had finally gotten over my addiction…! How can she play with my emotions in such a way? Her story sucked so bad, I'll read this and laugh. a while later, typing a review for this chapter …TT sunnavabiotch…" Hah, that's how it'll go. And I'll laugh.

No, in all seriousness, I had lost my inspiration, then forgotten, then remembered, then never had time to do anything about it. But I do now, as you can see. I'll try to update more, but obviously things don't always go as I'd like . …..

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Monday. Dib felt so tired. He had, of course, stayed in his room after that awkward conversation with Gaz. What exactly was she trying to get across, anyway? Trudging down the hall, Dib heard the usually sniggers and things, yet the mood in the hall felt somewhat… different. It made him uncomfortable. Looking up and actually looking around, people were watching Dib and gossiping, but instead of the usual hateful way, it was almost… worried?

Spotting a girl he would occasionally have a science chat with, he walked over and asked "Uh, hey… what's going on here, exactly?" She watched him in surprise, her mouth slightly agape.

"Ah… you haven't heard?" She asked, the surprise very clear. Dib swallowed nervously.

"Heard what?" He said, dread beginning to fill in the pit of his stomach.

"Oh, dear, you haven't…" She drifted off, staring him in the eyes, as if unsure she should divulge this information to him.

"What is it!" Dib asked, becoming slightly irritated, but only because he was expecting the worse. Was it some sort of vicious rumor? Had something happened with his father or sister? WHAT?

"……" She stared at him for a few more moments. "…it's Zim…" In shock from the news, Dib dropped his book bag and binder. He stared at the wall, as if looking through it. Then, he ran as fast as he could out of the school building, as the girl tried calling after him.

"Dib…! Wait, Dib?"

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As Dib ran down the sidewalk, through crosswalks and not minding the traffic (most likely causing horrific accidents), the moment played through his mind again and again.

This is the beginning of a flashback

"……" The girl stared at Dib for a few more moments. "…it's Zim…" She said sullenly, averting her eyes away from Dib's.

"What? What happened with Zim?" Dib asked breathlessly. All color had suddenly drained from Dib's face, anticipating whatever news would be bestowed upon him.

"Well… he got into a fight with those jock guys… they hurt him pretty bad… so the school sent him to the hospital…" She said sadly, fidgeting. She felt very badly that she was the one to tell him, especially because Zim meant so much to him… (according to the rumors).

"No… Zim…" Dib murmured. In shock from the news, Dib dropped his book bag and binder. He stared at the wall, as if looking through it. Then, he ran as fast as he could out of the school building, as the girl tried calling after him.

This is the end of a flashback

Dib quickly reached the hospital and took it upon himself to find Zim's room through the directory. Zim was on the 8th floor. Becoming impatient with the elevator, Dib took the emergency stairs and got there quickly. Room 801… 803… 805! Trying to calm himself, Dib too a few deep breaths and wiped some sweat from his brow with the back of his coat sleeve.

Dib opened the door slowly. It was one of those group rooms, where patients in waiting would go. Usually they would be waiting for some kind of surgery… Dib quickly spotted Zim and went over to him. It appeared as if Zim was sleeping. Dib stood next to the bed, staring down at Zim. "Zim… what have you done to yourself?" Bid murmured sadly, taking in the condition of the Irken Soldier.

Zim had cuts and bruises all over his face… Zim wasn't sure whether he should look at the rest of Zim's body. Staring at the purple bruises caused an overflow of sadness in Dib, and it took all he had to hold himself together, which wasn't working. "Idiot…" Dib murmured, hot tears welling up. He dropped to his knees and stared at Zim's unconscious face. "Why do you do these things…!" Dib muttered, angrily taking a clump of the bed sheets tightly in his hands.

Continuously staring at the Irken's bruised face, the angrier Dib became. Whipping out his communicator watch, Dib was glad he had programmed Zim's main computer in his list. GIR answered the call, and luckily enough, came to his master's aid in seconds. Dib carefully wrapped his arms around Zim, making sure the bed sheet was wrapped around him tightly.

Unknown to Dib, Zim had awakened when one of Dib's tears had fallen into his face, so he witnessed this entire thing. Dib then ordered GIR to Zim's base. Once again surprising Zim, GIR obeyed.

0-0

Dib gently laid Zim on the couch in his front room, trying to make the unconscious Irken as comfortable as possible. He sighed deeply, rubbing at his aching shoulders. He was strong enough to carry Zim, but only for a certain period of time, so his muscles became sore.

"…Dib…" A very faint voice called. Dib gasped in surprise and turned to the now conscious Zim lying on the couch. His disguise was now gone and he was sitting up slightly. He wasn't wearing a shirt, which Dib didn't notice until now. The injuries were very clear and Dib visibly flinched upon the sight of them. He wondered how Zim could be holding himself up. As Dib thought this, he went over to Zim and put a hand on his back gently, trying to help the Irken in some way.

Zim looked away from Dib, perhaps in shame or embarrassment. "Why did you do that…?" Zim said softly, his voice scratchy. Dib furrowed his brows together in thought… deep down he knew why, but he wasn't quite ready to admit it. He lifted his hand and touched the opposite side of Zim's jawbone, bringing his face around to face Dib's. Dib had a stern expression as he looked into the beautiful ruby eyes. This alone cause Dib's expression to soften dramatically.

Dib tightly gripped the side of the couch, trying to will himself to look away. He was afraid he would do or say something drastic… that he couldn't take back. Zim, too, was thinking something along those lines. He felt weak, confused. He was convinced that Dib had hated him… he had chosen to take the anger out on those stupid humans, but their numbers and strength were too much for Zim. He didn't go down without a fantastic display, however.

"Just forget about it." Dib finally said, averting his eyes elsewhere. He slowly stood "You should lay and rest for at least 24 hours. I Don't know the healing rate for Irkens, so you shoul-" Dib was caught off guard and surprised as he felt the three-fingered hand grip his wrist suddenly. Dub turned to look down at Zim. "What're you-" Dib began, getting cut off once more as Zim weakly pulled Dib back down to his level.

"Stay here." Zim said in a demanding, yet still weak tone. He pulled Dib very close to his face, so he was forced to stare into Zim's ruby eyes.

"Zim…" Dib began to protest, but was interrupted by a suddenly feeling of something soft but cold against his lips.

'Zim…!'

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A/N: Whoa this took quite a while to write. I have a feeling this is also quite lame, but the FIRST version i was writing was much worse. (PM me if you want to read that nonsense... for some reason I kept it...) And oooh what's that? Zim makes the first move? Read on, my minions... >:D

Blot-of-Blood: Ah ha ha X3 I dunno what exactly I should do with "that" yet… that'll probably be a last-minute decision. And because this fic will eventually have a very sexual theme, and I am still in high school, it's easier for me to write. Once I graduate I may write a more real-life themed…? Maybe.

tha-artemisrox: I have my reasons for not enable the anonymous reviews. And… yes . Zim IS very busty… flies away

Storm Dragon Goddess: Only because you asked soo nicely D

BekllOBella: Hahaha… I HATE cliffhangers, and yet, I love making them :o the world is so unfair sometimes…

Inanimate Obsessor: Your wish has been granted

Miss Cassi: Dib's a whiney Earth baby he'll get over it XD As for the quickly part… obviously… ;;

Ukari-chan: So forceful :o! oober tankies for the compliments n.n

Mouth shut tight:

Vash Tyhp00n Storm: Yes… yes he was :D