Chapter Nine:

Warning: Skip the chapter, shoot me now
X| (mah getting' shot face)

Jack breathed heavily in his sleep, Zim noticed. They both lay in bed, Jack flat on his back and Zim on his side, watching him. Zim had been asleep, but Jack had tried to cuddle while sleeping and woke Zim up, for the rest of the night Zim stayed on his side of the bed, not touching Jack. Zim didn't regret their actions one bit, but that didn't mean he wanted Jack near him all the time.

Zim observed the small bedroom, their clothes strewn all over the floor, Jack's blood staining the sheets. Zim hadn't been kind, he tore and bit and scratched, yet Jack still came at him. Jack had been valiant, but Zim was dominant.

"Morning," Jack mumbled, turning to Zim. He reached out to touch Zim, but a steady glare kept the unwanted hand away. "Rough night," Jack commented about the bed sheets.

Zim cuddled a deeply stained sheet to himself almost lovingly. "Yes," He agreed coldly.

Jack seemed to smile before sitting up. "You and Dib ever have so much dirty laundry?" Jack teased. Zim was instantly pulled back into his memory world.

Dib had always fought more, gone rougher. The human was good. Zim struggled to keep up most nights, so there was never any need for bloodshed. The thought had never even occurred to Zim's mind. He pulled the sheets up over his head. "…No…" He said quietly.

Stillness, then Zim felt the bed move as Jack got up. "Hey, where did I unintentionally bust you out of anyway?" Jack asked. Zim peeked out behind the covers to see jack holding up the white cotton Zim had been wearing.

Zim shrugged. "It's not important."

Jack frowned. "Zim, it is important."

"I finished getting better, so it doesn't matter," Zim said. Why wouldn't Jack drop it? He was getting irritated now.

"Because what if you're not?" Jack asked, suddenly showing some backbone. Zim simply buried himself in the bed and ignored Jack, he was so tired now. Jack continued to rant and be angry as Zim tried to go back to sleep. Then it was blissfully quiet for a moment. "If you want breakfast, you'd better get it now rather than later," Jack called before slamming the door shut.

Zim's belly made groaning noises and Zim cursed. He didn't need food, but his body was so used to it's daily meals now. To stop would cause his 'spooch to bother him all day. And the Jack did say food was only now and not later. Curse him.

…

The stench of blood and sex stained Zim as he wandered around the lonely city. He'd eaten breakfast that morning and snuck out as well as he could, stealing one of Jack's shirts as he left. Zim was worn out from the night with Jack, even though it was already the next night. He'd spent the whole day wandering around and stealing food from random places. He wondered slightly if Mau was okay with all those women, but he seemed happy enough last night, so Zim didn't worry. If worse came to worse, Mau would just murder them all. And Zim had absolutely no problem with that.

"Maybe the humans really do need you?" That persistent voice beside him asked. He turned to Kita and shook his head. The thought had already occurred to him, and he didn't really think they needed him for Red Dawn. They were grown up, they could handle it. Or they'd all die, either way Zim didn't care. "What about Skoodge and Inx? Their Irken, maybe they care about you?" Kita suggested helpfully. Again, Zim shook his head.

"They're just traitors, remember Kita?" Zim said, "I can't be around them…" Kita grinned.

"What about Jack?" Kita asked, her face forming a tight frown. "You two seemed happy last night."

Zim sighed and watched her carefully. "I'm sorry, Kita…I hate Jack…but…I don't know." Kita still looked upset and wouldn't look at Zim. "Look, I didn't know you were there, and Jack didn't tell me you were there."

"But still," Kita pouted. Zim sighed again. He already knew there was no way to sway Kita's mind, she was much more stubborn than he remembered. "And Dib?" Kita asked, her now innocent face peering at Zim's in curiosity. Zim played with his projector around his neck and thought.

"He's dead," He whispered.

"What if he's not?" Kita asked. Chills went down Zim's spine.

"I…I don't know…" Zim said.

"He's bad, Zim," Kita said. Zim, shocked, stared at Kita. She was looking straight ahead as they walked, she seemed to have made up her mind.

"W-Why do you say that?" Zim asked.

"If he's alive, Zim, this means he left you alone. He left you alone in that ship to die…he tried to assassinate you," Kita reasoned. Hate boiled in Zim. He was right from the start, Dib was just like his father, a killer. Dib was no better than the man who tortured Zim for information and tore into his pak. No better, and probably worse.

"I think you're right…" Zim said. "How dare he betray me!" Kita grinned and continued walking.

…

"So it's confirmed?" Skoodge asked the manager of the ship. The uniformed official nodded. Inx hugged herself tighter. Skoodge felt sorry for her. Things were completely crazy now. Zim escaped, but that wasn't totally uncalled for, maybe even a little expected. But this…this was madness. "Queen" Gaz was allied with the Tallest now. And they now had confirmed that it was the Massive that sent the bomb on Skoodge and Zim. Gaz was committing traitorous crimes against Earth. She even had Earth slotted for complete annihilation. Skoodge just hoped they could find Zim before they left, he would so enjoy raiding the Massive to kill Gaz and the Tallest.

"Skoodge…" Inx whispered. "What's going to happen to us?" She stared up at Skoodge with her huge innocent gray eyes.

"We'll be okay," Skoodge told her, trying to be comforting. She looked away, not believing him. After staying in the new ship for a few hours, it was already apparent that everything would not be okay. So far, Skoodge had used his contacts to past allies to his advantage. One old friend scoring him a big ship and full crew to use as he wanted. Skoodge took it gladly. Through extensive research and hacking they'd found out how horrible Gaz really was and how she was betraying everything now. Honestly, Skoodge just wanted them all to be safe, Inx, him, and Zim. He didn't care about the rest of Earth.

"Sir," one of the soldiers grunted. Skoodge glanced over. "We found a human trying to sneak aboard."

"Where is he now?" Skoodge asked.

"In the holding cell, Sir."

"Dismissed." Skoodge glanced back at Inx, she didn't seem perturbed by the announcement. But Skoodge wondered who would try and board their ship. It was an unmarked vessel, landed right outside an abandoned city. It wasn't Irken or Earth-made, so he wondered what drew the human to it.

Skoodge wondered the whole walk down to the holding cell. Inx stayed at the bridge, in the same chair she'd been curled up in the whole day. Halfway down, Skoodge ran into Dr. House. He'd let him come aboard when they got the ship, he seemed like the most competent human doctor so far.

"What's up," House greeted, limping along side Skoodge. He seemed either bored or drunk, although he always did.

"I hear we've just acquired our first prisoner," Skoodge informed. House nodded, otherwise not changing his expression.

"Who ya think it is?" He asked.

"No idea."

"Who would try to sneak on an unmarked alien vessel?" House asked.

"Still…no idea."

"Zim, do you think?" House asked.

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Zim wouldn't have gotten caught."

"Oh."

Neither spoke again the whole way down. Both were puzzled as to who would be so stupid as to come aboard. Finally they came to the holding cell. A long hallway with padded rooms, the hallways was slightly higher than the rooms, with steps leading to each door. All the rooms had a large window in the wall, letting anyone in the hall see into the room. All the walls and floors were white. Skoodge found the occupied room and stared in with shock.

The boy was definitely human. His black hair was wet from being in the rain and fell forward onto his face. His eyes were dark with hate and despair. He sat on the floor, slouched forward in anticipation. Skoodge knew this boy didn't care about whether he was captured or not, but he couldn't explain the darkness in his eyes. "So…who's this guy?" House asked uncaringly.

"…Dib…" Skoodge answered warily.

"You mean the alien's dead ex?" House asked.

"Yup."

"How's he here?"

"…no idea…" Skoodge whispered, watching Dib. He knew there was a chance Dib had survived, but in the big world they were on, he didn't think it was probable that they'd ever meet again. Apparently he was wrong. If only Zim were here to see this.

Skoodge unlocked the door and walked in. Dib's eyes lit on fire as he tried to jump at Skoodge, but a chain on his wrist tying him to the floor stopped him. "Dib…what the hell?" Skoodge asked. Dib was trying to get to Skoodge in a mad fury.

"I think he's mad at you," House whispered in a loud voice.

"I kinda got that," Skoodge mumbled.

"It's all your fault!" Dib yelled.

"What is?"

"ZIM! You killed him! You traitor!" Dib yelled. Skoodge raised an antenna.

"What?" Skoodge asked, crouching down to Dib's level. "Where'd you get that idea?"

"My sister, she told me everything, you bastard!" Dib yelled, still trying to claw at Skoodge. Skoodge sighed, so this was Gaz's doing, great. Now he had to undo more of her fabulous work.

House let out a harsh laugh. "Boy is he confused," House laughed, leaving Skoodge and Dib alone. Skoodge pulled an antenna, he had hoped House would stay to help.

…

Dib stared straight down at the white tiled floor. He couldn't believe it. Gaz…she couldn't be evil. Well…looking back, there had been a lot of signs. Gaz hated all life, and it made sense for her to want to rule the planet. But using that power to protect Earth? Dib couldn't see that. Gaz manipulating him to get what she wanted…or more likely just for her own amusement. Yeah, that was Gaz. Now all Dib was confused about was what to do about it all. Skoodge suggested assassination, and dib assumed he already had a plan set up for it. Dib reasoned that was the best plan, but his ingrained role of 'big brother' just didn't want to go for that.

What would Zim do? Dib honestly had no idea. He loved Zim, but he was just so unpredictable. Skoodge hadn't once mentioned Zim, which wasn't odd, but Zim was all Dib could think about. It was like the Irken had invaded Dib's heart and mind and taken over.

Now Zim was gone and Dib would never have the chance to figure Zim out. He would never again hear Zim's short-tempered yelling or his sweet midnight purring. He would never see Zim's boasting grin or his rare sincere smile. Hate, pain and grief boiled up inside Dib's chest. He never knew he could feel such anger like this. And it was Gaz who'd caused all this, she took Zim away. She turned against everything they'd built, all their trust and protecting Earth.

"Dib…So are you in?" Skoodge asked.

"Yeah…on one condition…" Dib thought about it a little more, Skoodge shifting nervously. "I kill Gaz." Skoodge watched him gravely, but nodded. He'd come here to kill Skoodge, now he was after his own sister. What was this world coming to?

…

It was cold…very cold. That was almost all Zim could register now. It was cold and he was in some ally. The city was abandoned…he knew that because there were no people around. How he'd gotten to the city, he had no idea. He couldn't remember now. Something about Red Dawn surfaced in his mind, but he pushed it aside.

He carefully sidestepped a puddle. Maybe he shouldn't have left the hospital, at least there was food he didn't have to steal there. Or maybe he should've stayed with Jack instead of leaving as soon as Jack was unconscious. Zim knew it would take a day or two to recharge from all the blood he lost.

Should he feel sorry that Jack got so hurt? No, Jack asked for it, begged even. Jack was a spineless git, he deserved anything he got.

Dib flashed to Zim's mind. He looked around nervously, Kita usually showed up when he thought of Dib. But she was nowhere. Zim didn't know what to think anymore. He remembered loving Dib and he remembered a lot of hate. Quite a lot of hate. But the love parts felt so good. At least…Zim thought it was love. There was definitely a great deal of want for Dib. Lust. Was that all Zim wanted from Dib? He still felt pain at thinking of Dib. Dib was his life, what held him together.

So…maybe it was love after all…

Maybe not…

…

"Piggy!" Gir yelled from the floor. Gaz had let a human pig come aboard the ship to play with Gir. Gaz sat in one of the rolling computer chairs that every tech used. She had them all leave the surveillance room for the day so she and Gir could use it. Gir was in the middle of the circular room with his pink plastic table and his pig. Gir seemed so happy now and it made Gaz actually smile. Gir was one of her only good things now, him and annoying the Tallest, but even that was getting old.

A knock at the door made Gaz sigh and Gir shriek in horror. "Gir, get the door," Gaz ordered. She expected him to get up, forget, and go back to his business, but he actually answered the door. On the inside, she was proud of Gir. On the outside, she was completely cold and unfeeling.

The prison guard walked in, red eyes showing deep respect for Gaz, despite their difference in species. Behind her was a lanky, black-haired boy who appeared to be a prisoner. But he didn't have the eyes of a prisoner. Rather than afraid he seemed bored, looking everywhere except at Gaz. Gaz was slightly impressed. Most humans and Irkens alike were feeble in her presence. But this boy…his hazel eyes showed something she hadn't seen in a long time. Something that called deeply to her, a look that she used to see everyday and what she missed greatly: Defiance. She hated this boy immediately.

"Madam, the human you requested. Prisoner 315." Gaz returned her gaze to the guard.

"Yes," She said curtly, "Dismissed." The guard forced the human into the room and left. He still gazed at the walls, even at Gir and his pig, but not at Gaz. "Prisoner 315. Human. Gypsy. Zayn," Gaz said slowly, staring him in the eyes.

Zayn looked up when Gaz spoke his name. "Yes," He said, looking right at Gaz, and somehow looking through her, seeing something else.

"Zayn," he hissed seductively. Zayn grinned happily. "I hear you can tell the future." Zayn frowned and watched Gir. Gaz didn't know if he really could or not, but one look at his face said he could. "Tell my future," She ordered softly, gesturing to a chair next to her with her hand. He looked at her hand and grinned. She intended for Zayn to sit and for them to talk. But he took her hand and stared at her palm.

Palm reading. Gaz wasn't sure if this was what she wanted, but Zayn seemed to be truly concentrating on her hand. "Your life-line is broken and disjointed, you'll die young and unhappily," Zayn reported. Gaz frowned even more but didn't take her hand away. "Your heart-line is nonexistent, you love no one and nothing can bring forth subtle emotions from you." Gaz was still unhappy with Zayn's words, but let him be for some strange reason. Zayn closed his eyes and held Gaz's hand with both of his. "Great tragedy strikes the figures of your past. Without you, their center, there is nothing to hold. Now they die…"

"Shut the hell up," Gaz ordered. "I don't want to hear about them. Your gypsies only tell me about them. What about conquest? What about my life?" Zayn opened his eyes and grinned at Gaz maliciously, staring straight through Gaz with that vacant expression.

"But Gazzy, darling," Zayn cooed, "They are your life." Gaz stood and slapped him. She noticed Zayn was short, about Zim's height.

"How dare you talk about things you don't know!" Gaz yelled Zayn started to laugh with his eyes closed. Gaz thought he might stop after a minute, but he keep laughing. He laughed so hard he doubled over clutching his stomach.

"You'll die! You'll all die! No matter what you do you'll die!" He yelled between laughs.

Gaz grew red in the face. "You're lying," She accused. Zayn stopped laughing immediately and stood straight up to look Gaz in the eye.

"Maybe I am," Zayn said with laughter in his eyes, though he wasn't smiling.

A deep guttural grow grew from inside of Gaz. Weren't any gypsies trustable anymore? She grabbed Zayn by the law and brought him within an inch of her face. "Shut the hell up, tell me the truth and tell me right now…Where is my brother?" Gaz asked gravely. It was all she wanted to know. She had expected to ask about conquest, about the fate of Earth, but for some reason…she was really worried about Dib…strange. She would have to be checked for diseases later.

Zayn smiled sweetly. "He's dead."

"Is that a lie?" Gaz asked.

"…perhaps," Zayn answered. Gaz slapped him again.

"If you don't tell me the correct answer now, I swear to Jashin I will slap the crap out of you! Where is my brother!" Gaz demanded. She heard Gir scramble behind her as the pig went across the room.

"He's aboard a ship…."

"Yeeeesss," Gaz said, she tightened her grip on Zayn, prompting more from him.

"He's in a safe place…" Zayn teased, his smile growing.

"Uh-huh." Gaz looked right into Zayn, trying to tear out the information with her eyes.

"He's perfectly fine…planning on killing you actually," Zayn said in a suddenly very talkative way. "So really, don't worry about him, not that you're worried at all, no no. It's just that it's the other one you should show worry for. The one I remind you of."

"What?" Gaz said breathlessly. Dib wanted to kill her? Well, that just meant he found out she was controlling him and that he cut the strings Gaz used to play with him. But Zim? Surely that's who he meant. "You mean Zim…why the hell should I worry about him?"

"Because he's hurt and wandering around-"

"No, I need motive to take action, idiot. It's not like I care about him," Gaz said quickly.

Zayn flashed a knowing grin, as thought he knew Gaz was lying just now. "Because, my dear, your fate is interlocked with his…you need him in your life just as much as he needs your brother…the three of you…your destinies lie together…forever intertwined, they cannot ever be separated." Gaz gazed at him levelly for a minute, decided whether to trust him on this or not.

"So to be happy…no, to be Queen, I need Zim?" Gaz asked carefully.

Zayn grinned evilly. "Yes, and if he is to be alive, I suggest you return to your birth land soon."

Gaz peered into his eyes deeply. The boy spoke the truth and she knew it. She threw him to the ground and strode out the door. She found the guard not far from the door. "Put the human into detainment until further notice," Gaz ordered.

"Yes ma'am," The soldier said, leaving to get Zayn. As Gaz left the hallway behind she could hear Zayn's insane laughter bouncing off the walls madly.

…

Jack woke up with a headache that day. Said headache was made worse by the realization that Zim had gotten away. Great. More work to do. And none of the girls were around today, great. Jack checked his e-mail to see that Rochelle, the most social one, had a party today and Jack had missed it because he was sleeping off something he did with an alien who was now gone. The day just couldn't get worse.

The party didn't seem like it would be over yet, so Jack got his jacket and rushed over to Rochelle's place. He was excited to see the girls and flirt with them. They were his world right now. He didn't imagine that anything would lift his spirits more than seeing his girls tonight.

Jack took a breath as he entered Rochelle's room with his eyes closed. "Evening Ladies," He greeted. The first thing he noticed was silence, the girls were never silent. The next thing he noticed was the smell of blood hanging in the air. He opened his eyes and was horrified. There was blood all over the room. It covered the floor, the walls, the couches. No one girl could be identified; all twenty of them were ripped apart beyond recognition now.

Jack looked around in a fury, thinking Red Dawn, hell, maybe even Zim, had done all of this. On one couch sat a blood-covered boy. Only he wasn't a boy, he was a green thing with rod-straight antennae, and cold-blooded, merciless eyes. He stared right at Jack. Jack thought it was Zim for a moment before he noticed the Irken's clothing. Mau.

Mau had done this.

Mau had killed these women.

Mau was the one pulling a bloody spork from behind him.

Mau was the second Irken to rip Jack apart with killing him.

And Mau was the one who sent shivers down Jack's spine with a simple glance.

…

A/N

…he he. I love Mau.

I hope you guys didn't shoot me too much. I can't make any promises for the next chapter :/ cuz somehow my plans never follow through.

Thank you for the comments. 1337Kitsune, you scare me, you know? Please don't murder me. It's half-way fixed now ^-^' And don't worry, I have me some plans, good evil plans, I think they shall please you in their evilness XD I like the suggestions you made on chapter 7, I'm adding them in my list of possible evil plans :)

TheAwesomeTrio'sAwesomeAmerica: You have a long username! Thanks for your comments! And lawl, yeah, I like doing crossover stuff haha. I really like your suggestion, I will add it to my list of possible evil plans :D. And Jack's always been a man-whore, he just makes it look cool XD.

Thanks, I love all sooooo much!

(By the way, mah gettin shot face actually had those little pointy things that are on the comma and period keys, but FFN doesn't let those be on here :( )