Chapter Thirteen: Healing
[Words~]: means dialog in the Irken language ;)

The overhead lights buzzed with electricity and made the room a weird pale yellow. It wasn't very comforting. The red walls and designs gave an eerie, battle-like atmosphere. Skoodge didn't like the way it resembled impending doom. But it seemed to soothe Tak, she was calming down steadily now. She really loved violence in any way, like the sharp points and contrasts of Zim's designs. At least, Skoodge assumed Zim plotted this ship anyway, it had his distinctive touch of disaster build into every corner next to a few new elements that he couldn't quite place.

He glanced at Tak and wondered why she hadn't been paired with Zim instead. They were both great at building things and both had been known to destroy those same things. Skoodge never felt like he could match up to their levels of ingenious and mastermind abilities. Sure, he had conquered a dying planet with next to no population left, but did that really count? Tak hadn't taken over any planets, but she had injected her DNA illegally into the system without anyone's knowledge. Skoodge was always surprised that Zim hadn't done the same thing, too. At least Skoodge was legal. Then again, Skoodge was filed as away on a mission on a non-existent planet and both Tak and Zim were assumed to be dead or locked up. So really all three were fugitives of the Empire.

And yet, he didn't feel like he'd betrayed them at all. He was fine with it all.

"Where's Zim?" Tak grunted, finally awake enough to form a question. Skoodge sighed and stroked Tak's antenna while searching her squinted purple eyes. All she cared about anymore was getting revenge on Zim, even when she was so badly injured. Skoodge kept her head cradled in his lap as she stared at the ceiling.

"He's dead," Skoodge lied, knowing Tak would revel in his friend's death.

He was right, a huge victorious grin spread across Tak's face. "I killed him?" She asked.

"Yes." Tak let her eyes slip closed as she took in this fact. She smiled and laughed a little, probably imagining Zim's dead body.

Skoodge wished Tak would look at him like that. With such obvious pleasure and enjoyment. Skoodge loved Tak so much, but he was just a tool to her, a piece of trash on the street. She didn't care if he saved her life or if he pined for her. He didn't matter, he wasn't a matter. All of her life was dedicated to ending Zim. But now what? Nothing, Skoodge would let her go.

He looked at the blood on his hands then at Tak. The tradition of bonding sucked. Tak couldn't care less and Skoodge couldn't stop caring. Guess it was a glitch in his pak that made him care so much. He finally had something in common with Zim, now he knew why Zim was so depressed when Dib was supposedly dead.

Tak had her own glitch, anger. Sure, Zim had trouble with anger too, as did Skoodge. Zim had a lot and Skoodge had practically none. But Tak, Jashin, she had way too much, and she couldn't control it. She was a genius, but she always let her rage let her get carried away with small worries, like getting rid of Zim. She could do so much if she could let go of her anger, or at least set it aside for later.

What a bond this was. The three of them were all defective.

…

Zim sat on his end of the couch watching the ending of probably the worst movie ever. Dib looked equally disgusted on his end. Keef sat, delighted, in between them. It reminded Zim of when Keef exploded, he wished he could make Keef explode again.

Throughout the whole horrible experience Zim kept throwing glances across Keef at Dib, watching Dib's misery. He was so distracted by looking at Dib that he was hardly following the movie at all. He had voted for it only because he knew it to have mythical creatures in it, he had thought the Dib might like it and stop being so mad. But the damn Earth flick did nothing, if anything it made the boy even worse, thus making Zim angry as well. And an angry Zim just wouldn't do.

And it had to get worse, just as Zim thought the movie would be good and the damn creature would eat the human, he saved her instead. Zim didn't see why he would want the girl; she was so small and defenseless. She was stiff as a board and easy to trick, she had no fire, no fight in her. She wasn't Dib. Thus she deserved to be eaten. That was Zim's understanding on the matter.

…

This was the worst movie ever. Dib had seen it before. When it came out Gaz locked him in a room and forced him to watch it. Several times. He could guess why Zim had chosen it. Because of the vampires, but Dim didn't believe in vampires. At least, not real ones, he knew there was a chocolate vampire. But that guy turned out to be some fat guy in a costume. But still, the movie was completely atrocious. What made matters worse was that Zim kept staring at him every few seconds. It was really creeping Dib out.

Instead of looking at Zim, or the movie, Dib watched the androids leaning against the wall. They seemed bored, like they'd seen the movie a hundred times. With Keef around, Dib didn't doubt it. When Dib looked at the screen again it was at the only decent scene in the movie. The part where the female bitch gets thrown around into glass walls nearly dies. Every time Dib saw it, he hoped that the vamp would change the movie by biting her too hard or too deep. But then the human lives and Dib's fantasy of her death is over.

Dib let his eyes wander again, this time Rin's blonde hair shimmering with the light from the screen caught his eye. She smiled at him with warmth in her eyes, Dib smiled back. That was a bigger mistake than he realized.

…

Dib smiled at her. At that bitch! He was smiling at her and giving her hair things from his pockets! That was his Dib to smile at, his pockets to pilfer! And she was smiling back! What a whore! Zim couldn't believe the act he was seeing before him. Dib was ignoring him, purposely not noticing Zim's glances.

Zim was furious. The credits started to roll and Keef squeaked, reminding everyone of his presence. "Wasn't that an awesome movie~?" Keef asked, getting up and going over to the computer. Zim grunted as a response.

From across the couch cushions Zim heard Dib mumble, "…they don't sparkle, they eat chocolate…" Zim raised an antenna in confusion but didn't bother asking.

"So hey~! You guys wanna go to Foodcourtia?" Keef asked with excitement.

"No." Zim crossed his arms and frowned. There was probably still a bounty out for him there; he wouldn't be caught dead at that place.

Dib looked at him quizzically. "I think that'd be tons of fun, Keef. I've never been to Foodcourtia."

"Foodcourtia?" Someone behind them asked. Zim could tell from his voice that it was Skoodge, but Dib turned around and peered over the back of the couch.

"Where did you come from?" Dib asked, watching Skoodge carefully.

Skoodge shrugged. "I was just…around, I guess," He said, "So, you were talking about Foodcourtia?"

"Yeah~!" Keef informed, "We're going there for the Foodening!"

"Sounds good," Skoodge agreed. During the whole conversation Zim thought only of one thing. Blood. Zim could smell the hated scent. Sure, human blood candies were delicious, but Irken blood always meant bad things. Working as a scientist all those years made Zim wary of the smell. Too often he or another Irken lost blood and the stench was around for days. Even though it was bleached and taken care of and the smell should have been gone, Zim still smelled it for days. It never left him.

Until Earth. The Dib hardly ever played so rough that skin was broken during their fights over the years. And if it was, Zim was always too distracted to notice or care.

Skoodge smelled of blood, but not his blood, no, someone else's. It smelled sweet. "What happened?" Zim asked. He didn't really care, but he wanted a distraction from grim memories.

"N-Nothing," Skoodge said. He walked around and was about to sit next to Zim, then he caught Zim's stare. Skoodge's eyes widened with realization and he sat at the other end, near Dib. Skoodge didn't look bloody, so he must have washed himself. Though the smell remained, the dumbass should have used bleach.

[Whose blood is that?] Zim asked roughly in Irken. Skoodge seemed startle that Zim would revert to Irken so quickly.

[Tak's,] Skoodge replied, deciding to keep the conversation in Irken. Dib was pretty good at dealing with things, but he was still a smeet by Irken standards, he didn't need to hear about Tak.

[What did she do?] Zim asked, looking Skoodge over, not seeing any injuries.

[Well…it started at the Massive…] Skoodge began.

…

What the hell? Dib was mad at Zim so now he was talking in Irken? That was messed up. Dib wished he knew what they were talking about. Keef kept going on as though Skoodge had always been there and there weren't two aliens talking in a foreign language on his couch. "So, Dib," Keef said, after calling in the change of course for Foodcourtia, "Wanna play a video game?" Keef asked.

"I dunno Keef…" Dib sighed. How did Keef know about Foodcourtia? That hadn't come to mind yet. How come Keef, a fellow human, knew this place and Dib didn't? Dib glanced at Zim. He looked so serious, with his antennae erect and his eyes focused on Skoodge. For once, Dib wished those eyes were focused on him. But he blew it by ignoring Zim. But seriously, how could Zim be so calm about Earth being destroyed?

"Or maybe another movie~?" Keef asked, excited about another movie.

Dib sighed, giving in. "Fine, whatever." This was Keef's ship, so he'd do what Keef wanted. A movie would let Dib think without Keef's annoying habit of talking. Keef squealed again and went to his computer to set up another annoying movie. This time Dib let him do as he wanted, and when he sat in the chair on Dib's other side, Dib didn't even pay attention to what movie was playing. The androids seemed to recognize it. The brunette, Meiko, even rolled her eyes and pulled out a magazine. Len sat on the floor and started playing solitaire. Miku though, sat on the arm of Keef's chair and giggled at the title. Rin, too, smiled and sat on the floor between Dib's couch and Keef's chair. This piqued Dib's interest, so he looked up at the title as well.

Dib had actually never watched this movie before. He had seen all the trailers and such, but he'd never bothered with it. But the way that Miku and Rin looked excited, Dib wondered what the movie was like, so he paid a bit of attention.

…

Idiot. What had been Tak been thinking. You can't just invade the Massive. Especially not when Gaz was the head of it. Tak had been going after Zim? How did she even know Zim was on the Massive? Zim barely knew where he was. Tak had snuck aboard just as Skoodge had been leaving. Skoodge saw her and told his crew to wait for him, and he stuck around to see what Tak was doing on the Massive. When Gaz shot Tak, Skoodge took her and ran back to the loading bay to leave, but his crew had left him stranded without a way out. Two of the androids, Meiko and Miku, found him and took him to their ship, and ultimately to Keef's. Skoodge let Tak heal and now she was roaming aimlessly and unguided throughout the ship.

Even though someone who wanted extreme revenge on Zim was nearby, he wasn't the least bit afraid. He wasn't afraid of Tak the last time and he wasn't afraid this time. He would just kick her ass again…if they even met up, that is. It wasn't like Zim was going to go look for her or anything. He'd let her find her own way, or do whatever. If she wrecked the ship, that'd be fine too, it was Keef's. As long as Zim and Dib were out of the way, Tak could do as she pleased.

Zim looked coolly at Skoodge's worried and concerned face. His inner Irken Elite told him to chide Skoodge for showing weakness and caring too much for his bond mate. But something new, something Earthen, made him sympathize with Skoodge's position. Skoodge loved his bond mate, who probably didn't love anything. Didn't Zim love his bond mate? Zim chanced glancing at Dib again who seemed to be enjoying this new movie, or at least fascinated by it. All of a sudden Zim felt the need to declare what was his, to make the Earthling know what Zim felt. Maybe Skoodge wasn't as stupid as he thought.

…

Keef just had to do it. He just had to pick an awesome sci-fi romance movie that was actually accurate for once. Dib was hooked to this movie. The characters seemed so real. And the romance was between a male alien and a female human. If he compared them, Dib was the girl again, but he continued watching the movie anyway. He was so wrapped up in the drama that he forgot about Zim and Skoodge's Irken conversation. In fact, Zim could have been staring straight at him the whole time and he wouldn't have noticed.

At the climax, the alien nearly died and the human girl started to weep as she tried her best to help. Earlier she had accidentally gotten the FBI called on him and they'd hunted him down. This part brought up pained memories for Dib. As the alien seemed to be taking his last breaths, the human vowed to find his home planet and take him there, but the alien told him not to. Dib hears the girl androids begin to cry and Keef seems about to as well. Keef grabbed Dib's hand and, surprisingly, he didn't pull away. Dib himself had to keep reminding himself it was just a dumb movie to keep the tears from welling up.

The human disobeyed the alien by driving them both off with his ship and into the galaxy. The movie ended with the ship getting more and more distant and disappearing into the stars. The credits started playing and Keef let out a breath. "That is so sweet~!" Sadly, Dib agrees with him, just not out loud. The girls don't hesitate to agree and they all start chatting about how romantic the ending is. The other girl that didn't watch can be heard sighing behind them. Len appeared to have left the room entirely.

…

As the credits of the movie were rolling by, Zim had begun to fall asleep. He didn't know why he was sleeping so much lately, but he figured it had to do with the dumb movie and Skoodge making him think deeply about stupid things. Anyway, it was stupid. Zim was almost all the way asleep when he heard a shuffling by the doorway. He ignored it, figuring that they would make themselves known.

Dib couldn't just sit there and not know though, so he peered over the back of the couch again and was extremely surprised with whom he saw. She was no longer wearing her armor or fancy Irken-made clothing. She was wearing striped stockings and a black dress. Her purple hair shined softly in the dim lighting. Dib was unable to make words. It wasn't just seeing her. It was the way she looked at Dib…her essence…it was so different. Not even in a bad way, it was like she was happier. She truly was glowing.

But Keef apparently didn't have the same trouble as Dib. He go up from his chair and beamed at her. "Gazzy~! I'm so glad you made it!" Gaz regarded Keef dully for a moment before looking back at Dib.

"Yes…Kaito brought me." She turned to Dib, "Hi, Dib. Sorry I couldn't come sooner…I was busy," She said timidly. That was strange…Gaz was never timid. And she wasn't even squinting. But it wasn't all that wrong either…not the way Dib always thought it would be…it was fitting.

"Uh…" Dib still couldn't make words. So he just watched her. She strolled around the couch and plopped right down next to Zim…much closer than Zim usually liked for anyone but Dib. Even Skoodge had been stared into sitting on the other side. Zim opened one eye groggily and stared at Gaz before closing it again and seeming to ignore her.

"Hello, Zim," Gaz said quietly. Zim grunted as way of acknowledgment. "You probably don't like me much…" Gaz said, much softer than usual. Zim shrugged ever so slightly. Dib commended him for being awake enough to respond to Gaz. "I never have thanked you have I…?" She said absently. She played with the edge of her dress for a moment thinking over her words. Zim looked like he was ignoring her again. "Thank you Zim…for always saving my brother's ass and giving him somewhat of a family when I'm not."

Zim opened both eyes a slit to watch Gaz carefully. When he decided she wasn't lying or trying to trick him, he hmm-ed before closing his eyes again. Gaz turned to look at Skoodge. "Sorry about…you know, screwing with you guys all the time…" Gaz said, wanting to apologize but not knowing what exactly she was sorry for.

Skoodge shrugged. "No problem…" He mumbled before looking at Dib with eyes that said "What the hell is she talking about?". Dib wished he knew. But now it was his turn.

"Dib…thank you," Gaz said simply, looking him in the eye before looking down again.

"For what?" Dib pressed.

"…For…" She stopped and thought about that, "Thank you…for you." Dib contemplated that. It didn't make sense, but Gaz was pregnant and seemed to be a little crazy at the moment, so whatever. At least she was thanking and apologizing instead of eviscerating and maiming.

Dib watched slightly feeling pity and slightly amused as Keef stared at Gaz expectantly, probably wanting an apology for being blown up so much, but nothing came. Gaz hardly even looked at Keef again. It was a little sad, but also funny. Just because it was Keef, and Dib really hated Keef.

All of this was fine with Dib, Gaz was perfectly fine now. But what she did next was a bit creepy. She slung her arm around Zim and snuggled close to him, completely waking him up and making him shudder for a moment. He stared at her incredulously, deciding whether or not to blow her up, before she started talking. "Zim~," She cooed.

"Y-Yes…" He answered shakily.

"You know I love you right…?" Gaz asked. Zim's eyes widened and glanced back and forth between Dib and Gaz for several minutes. Dib couldn't believe what Gaz just said. Forget the total goth she always was and how she'd never loved anything before. She just said she loved his boyfriend! No, not boyfriend…fiancée! Dib wanted so badly to get up and shove her away from Zim, but something inside stopped him. It was that little part that actually used common since. It told him that Gaz was lying. So he waited, ready to pounce should Gaz make any advances on Zim.

"…y…yes…" Zim mumbled, barely getting the word out.

"Zim darling…?" Gaz cooed again. Zim made a questioning sound like he didn't want to talk, or couldn't and Gaz took that as the sign to go on. She suddenly took her arm and wrapped it tightly around Zim's neck, pulling him close against her. Her other hand went behind Zim to his back, where his pak was. Dib's heart raced as he stood abruptly. "When the fucking hell is this life-sucking demon crawling out of me?" Gaz growled, sounding much more like herself. Dib was slightly relieved, but pushed it side. He inched closer to Zim and Gaz.

Zim didn't seem too worried though, not that Dib noticed this at all, of course. He was still completely relaxed, as though he might still fall asleep. He looked Gaz in the eye and then closed his eyes in thought. "In the incubators on Irk it takes about two Earth years…" Zim answered.

"WHAT?" Gaz asked, closed her grasp on Zim ever tighter.

"Of course, the time a smeet is inside a living host is completely different. Seeing how it isn't being genetically upgraded or created artificially…I have no idea," Zim answered calmly. Gaz tightened her hold on Zim and sent her arm further up Zim's back, apparently doing something to his pak because he squeaked slightly.

"Tell me space-boy, now," Gaz demanded coldly.

"Okay, okay. I estimate a month or two, probably a month and a half," Zim replied, less calm than before.

"Two months?" She echoed, finally letting go of Zim.

"Approximately…of course, natural birth in Irkens is extremely rare…all our smeets are artificially created using genes from warriors and invaders and splicing them…which takes time. Then there's enhancing them to Irken standards…then issuing a pak, which is pretty instant actually," Zim explained, rambling on and on, regaining his calm composure.

"Wait…a pak?" Gaz asked, "Will my baby need one?" Panic formed in her eyes and she clutched Zim's arm. Again he reacted calmly and swiftly.

"No, it'll have human genes too, so it'll be able to sustain it's body on it's own. Plus the human ability to store information in the brain will be there…so only if you want it enhanced, a pak isn't necessary," Zim told her, calming down her panic quickly, but building anger.

"My child does not need enhancing," She said sternly. Zim shrugged and closed his eyes again. But Gaz had other plans that didn't include him sleeping. "Zim…I'm a month in, so I'm getting really close, I think…I feel it…and…and…" Zim glared with one eye, meaning for her to get on with it. "I need you to deliver my child."

Zim stared at Gaz with wide eyes and Dib even had to sit down. Zim…deliver Gaz's kid? That was unheard of. They pretty much hated each other. Gaz had just put him in a headlock. What was she thinking?

"I'm sure Skoodge will do fine…" Zim mumbled, looking the other way.

"No," Gaz said forcefully, "You'll do it. I'm not asking you, Zim." Zim closed his eyes and 'Humff'ed, which wasn't really agreeing, but it wasn't disagreeing either, he didn't seem to have the energy to argue with her. Dib wondered what the hell happened to Zim over the past weeks to make him so compliant. Especially with Gaz.

Gaz, now satisfied, wandered over to a chair on the other side of the room. Dib sat up and resituated himself next to Zim, who didn't seem to notice people moving around next to him. "Zim…?" Dib called, leaning into Zim's antennae. Zim mumbled something low under his breath but Dib couldn't catch it. "What Zim?" Dib whispered.

"Are you still mad at Zim?" Zim asked quietly with his eyes still closed and his antennae hanging lazily over his head.

"For what?" Dib asked, wrapped an arm around Zim's lithe body.

"For insulting your ignorant, decimated people," Zim replied. Dib thought about that. They'd both been through a lot lately. He didn't want Zim to be away from him, not after so long without him. But…Zim didn't understand why Dib was so hurt over Earth being destroyed. Zim would probably happily murder his whole planet. He'd already been told of the monsters Zim created and how he killed two of his world leaders on accident. And even that he thought was an accomplishment. But…Zim didn't know better…yet.

"I don't know…" Dib sighed. Zim shrugged as though he expected that kind of answer. He leaned into Dib's arm and rested his head on Dib's chest.

"Indecisive human," Zim mumbled before dozing off to sleep. Dib wrapped his other arm protectively around his alien. He almost started to go to sleep as well, but he remembered that there were other people in the room. Keef was talking animatedly to Miku and Rin about the movie they just watched, Skoodge was staring off into space, absolutely bored, and Gaz somehow managed to find a Game Slave and was playing with it.

"Hey Skoodge," Dib whispered, careful not to wake Zim, "What were you guys talking about?"

Skoodge seemed to wake up from some trance and looked at Dib surprised. He glanced at Zim in Dib's arms and got this sad look on his face. "Oh, you know, guy stuff…"

Was Dib not a guy too? Damn it, Dib thought, I'm the girl again. "Come on Skoodge, we both know how ridiculous Zim is sometimes…I bet it's no big deal," Dib said, trying to make Skoodge tell him.

Skoodge looked like he was trying to process that. "Well…the thing is, Dib…"

"Don't," Zim mumbled. Crap…Zim wasn't asleep after all. Skoodge suddenly looked very afraid. For some reason, Dib didn't think Zim even cared if Dib knew, he was just trying to keep interacting…keep going by denying Dib information. It sounded crazy, but that's what Dib heard in Zim's voice.

"Go on Skoodge, what is it?" Dib asked. Skoodge glanced at Dib then at Zim and back and forth, a worried expression on his face.

"…Go on…" Zim mumbled, even quieter than before. He dug himself deeper into Dib's body and went quiet again. Dib wasn't sure if he was asleep or not, but he decided to be quiet anyway. He glanced at Skoodge with expectant look.

"Um…" Skoodge looked like he couldn't decide what to say.

"Tak is aboard the ship," Zim started for him. Dib glanced down at the supposedly sleeping Irken in his arms.

"Y-Yeah…Tak came aboard the ship with me," Skoodge said, blushing.

"Oh…Shit, should we try to capture her? Shouldn't we be doing something besides sitting around?" Dib said, his voice rising as he moved to get up. Zim reached up and grabbed Dib roughly by the collar.

"Stay where you are, human. The Tak girl is of no importance," Zim mumbled, "She is of no threat…" Dib sat back down and glanced at Skoodge questioningly.

"Yeah…she's injured and doesn't even know you guys are aboard…I'd guess she's just searching for an escape pod right now," Skoodge said, looking off in the other direction sadly.

"Oh…" Dib mumbled, seeing why Zim didn't bother to clue him in. It was worthless information, Tak was aboard but not dangerous. Skoodge glanced at Gaz and sighed, she didn't seem to be paying any attention to their conversation. Keef was oblivious, talking his head off about movies and scenes and romantic stuff. It made Dib slightly squeamish.

"Uh, Keef," Dib said, a little louder.

"Yeah~!" Keef said, perking up and staring at Dib with those obnoxiously green eyes.

"How long 'til we get to Foodcourtia?" Dib asked, wincing at all the happy that was staring at him.

"Oh, another week," Keef said, happiness practically spilling out of his ears. Everyone in the room besides Keef groaned, but again Keef was oblivious and merely smiled.

"Keef," Zim mumbled tiredly, "You said you'd finished all my past plans, right?"

Keef's eyes glowed with happiness, "Yes," He chirped. His role model was finally speaking directly to him, even though he had his eyes closed and was on the brink of passing out.

"Do you have any of them on board with us?" Zim asked.

"Yes~!" Keef told him.

"I want to see them," Zim decided. He didn't ask and didn't let room for Keef to say, 'no I want those to be private'. It was a demand, and Keef was more than willing to show him.

"Of course~! Come with me," Keef said, standing up. Meiko finally looked up from where she was reading a magazine, suddenly interested. Miku and Rin looked excited too. Dib wondered why. "Come'on, Zim," Keef said, getting up and striding to the door.

Zim wearily managed to stand and make it to the door. Dib followed and was about to go with them, before Zim stopped him. "Dib…there are some things I planned that you might not want to see." As Dib began to protest, Zim added, "Things I don't want you to see." Dib tried to come up with something to say to that, but couldn't. Who knew what Zim could make.

Dib leaned in and kissed Zim's cheek. "Don't let Keef seduce you…" Dib warned, reminding them both of Jack for a moment. Zim made a face and stuck out his tongue in disgust.

"As if he could," Zim said defiantly. Dib smiled and watched Zim leave with Keef and two of his androids. Dib returned to the couch and sat where Zim had been. Rin came and sat next to him. This really seemed like a family now. Everyone was gathered together. Dib, Zim, Gaz, Rin, and Skoodge. The sounds of dying pigs coming from Gaz's came made Dib smiled. Everything seemed as it should be…except for one thing.

"Skoodge…what all happened when I wasn't around…what did you and Zim do?" Dib asked, getting more curious the longer he thought about it, Zim hadn't told him yet what happened. Dib thought back to when he last saw Zim before he thought he'd died. "Zim isn't still sick is he?" Dib asked with rising panic. Rin's bright eyes also flicked to Skoodge, obviously she was remembering as well and also wanted to know.

"W-Well…I don't know…" Skoodge said nervously, "Me and Zim escaped the ship before it exploded and…we eventually found this doctor. He did the best he could and he helped Zim a lot…but Zim left before he got all the way better. He left with Mau, which couldn't be good. I have no idea where Mau is now…" Skoodge looked worried about that fact but continued anyway, "I spoke with Jack Harkness a while before you showed up and he said he was with Zim for a day or so before he ran off, leaving without Mau, who apparently killed Jack's whole team…"

"S-So…why didn't you tell me Zim was alive when I found you?" Dib asked, getting annoyed.

"Because he wasn't with us…so we didn't know if even was still alive," Skoodge explained, "See…the kind of sickness Zim had…it was pretty bad Dib, he had to have constant treatment…and when he left he missed a lot of the treatment. He probably suffered badly from neglecting that."

Dib stared at the table with the plant in it. So Skoodge didn't tell him the truth because he, himself, didn't know if it was still true. Zim could have died… "Do you know where he was after he left Jack's?" Dib asked, still curious. How the hell did Zim end up in some corner of the Massive? Skoodge shrugged and looked away, ashamed that he couldn't keep up with Zim after all these years.

"I have no idea…but there's something you should know…" Skoodge paused, summoning the will to give bad news. "Dib, I don't know if Zim's still suffering this or not…but when I last saw him before today…he was having major hallucinations."

"Hallucinations…?" Dib echoed. What the hell would cause that?

"Yeah…He kept seeing an Irken woman named Kita," Skoodge informed, "She died long before any of you were born."

"…oh…" Dib mumbled.

"He's not," Gaz said suddenly, startling Dib and Skoodge. Rin didn't even flinch, she just looked at Gaz curiously. "My men fixed that little glitch in his system just yesterday."

"R-Really?" Dib asked, staring at Gaz. Gaz put her game down on her lap and looked Dib in the eye.

"Dib…I found Zim on the streets about to die. That's why he was in the Massive. I was fixing him. He would have died otherwise. My men saw what was wrong and cured him," Gaz told him, not once blinking when she spoke. She was completely serious.

"…Th-Thank you, Gaz…" Dib whispered, on the brink of crying now. Gaz had fixed his broken lover. Cured his sickness. Maybe Gaz was finally starting to show some heart.

Gaz looked down and away for a moment. "Though…I have no idea what set him off the last time…"

"The last time?" Dib questioned, peering at her.

"Zim had this…sort of panic attack or something…" Gaz explained, "But I have no idea what he saw to cause it…I don't think it was Kita…although she may have had some part in it. Whatever it was must have been pretty bad…" Gaz's eyes seemed to be lost in memory, gazing off into some past thought. She flinched at a remembrance. "He looked pretty bad, Dib. It was…it was scary…"

Dib observed the worry and concern that actually showed on Gaz's face and hoped he never had to see what she was seeing in her mind. "But…he's better now…right?" Dib asked. Gaz kept looking into space, not moving.

"God, I hope so…" Gaz mumbled.

"What if he's still sick? What can we do?" Dib asked, "I mean…he's just been dragging around like he's about to pass out or something."

"We only fixed him yesterday, Dib, he's probably still rebuilding himself on the inside," Gaz said quietly, "He just needs a couple more days of rest before he's completely back to normal."

Dib let Gaz's words soak in. She was probably right. Zim just needed to relax for a while, all this stuff about saving the world and death and stuff was tiring, even more so when you're as sick as Zim was. Zim would be okay…Dib tried to convince himself of that, repeating the phrase over and over in his mind as the rest of the room fell silent…Zim would be okay, Zim would be okay, Zim would be okay…He would…yes, he would.

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A/N

Okay, so kind of a boring chapter with minimal scene changes for once. Sorry it took so long! I'm lazy and well…the holidays are hectic, shopping and lights and sounds and baking and people and lights, I said that already, see what the holidays have done to me!

Oh well…I think I survived, I hope the rest of you have survived the holidays as well :D

Happy Christmas everybody! I meant to have this done yesterday…on Christmas day…but fate wouldn't have it. Hope you all had a very good Christmas filled with cookies and people and lights and shopping and sounds and baking and lights….ahhh!

Yes. ^cough cough^ Thank you for reading, it pleasures me to know people like my little story :) It would amaze and mystify me if you review as well, and the next chapter would come faster too if you do. Well, maybe. Haha.

Happy Christmas, have a good New Year too. R&R Thanks :D