The Sicknes

Part Seven

Thunder echoed from above as flashes of lightning ripped through the sky, lighting up everything around them. As the rain continued to fall, Zim was unresponsive to the burning sensation from the rainwater that fell upon him.

"Zim..." Dib whispered placing a hand to the young Irken's neck; relieved to find a pulse.

It was a bit weak, but it was one nonetheless.

"Don't worry, Zim," Dib whispered, removing his trench-coat and draped it around Zim before scooping him up into his arms. "Everything'll be okay."

With that said, Dib made his way through the woods as the young Irken rested limp in his arms. The young boy continued to run down the already soaked and empty streets, being careful not to drop the Irken he was carrying. The rain seemed to be falling faster and harder. Dib knew he had to find shelter and fast. After what seemed like an eternity, Dib finally reached his house. He had first thought of taking Zim back to his base, but since they had ran so far, Dib's house was closer so he decided it would be the best place to go. The twelve-year-old soon reached the front door. After moving Zim's position, Dib was able to open the door with his free hand and quickly went inside. As he did so, there sat Gaz on the couch watching something on the TV. She soon turned at the sudden noise to see her brother standing there, soaking wet like the world outside.

"Dib! There you are!" She nearly shouted, a bit annoyed as she stood from her spot. "You should've been home hours ago! Why were you..." She trailed off as her gaze landed on what Dib had been carrying, her eyes wide in shock.

"What happened to him?" She asked finally, seeing the burns on Zim's very pale and peaceful face.

Dib didn't answer as he gently set Zim down on the couch.

"I asked you a question." Gaz said, becoming a bit more annoyed by his lack of answering.

"He's really sick, Gaz." Dib replied, turning toward her. "His leaders somehow infected his PAK with a really bad virus and it's slowly making him weaker."

Gaz stared at him for a moment.

"Since when did that matter to you that he was sick or whatever?" She asked at last,placing her hands on her hips. "I thought he was here to take over everything."

Dib didn't say anything at first; but soon, finally spoke.

"No." He replied, looking back at Zim again. "He was never meant to take over the world." He paused for a moment. "His... His leaders sent him here hoping he would die." He finished, his voice dripping with guilt and concern.

Gaz didn't say anything for a few moments before whispering a soft "Oh" and Dib nodded. The twelve-year-old turned back to Zim's peaceful form on the couch.

"He needs help Gaz," Dib said finally, turning back around toward his younger sister.

"I don't know how, but we've got to do something. If we don't..." Dib was cut off as he heard a faint moan, which caused him to turn around sharply and see the young Irken beginning to stir.

"Zim?" Dib said finally.

Zim opened his eyes and looked up.

"Wha?" He rasped, his vision blurry at first. But when it was finally clear, Zim's eyes grew wide as he saw the twelve-year-old standing before him.

"GAH!" He shouted, jumping back before hissing in pain at the soreness and burning sensation in his body.

"Calm down," Dib said softly, trying to assure him that he wasn't in danger. "You fainted in the woods, so I brought you here." Dib explained.

"You brought me to your filthy stink-beast home?" Zim growled, his voice still a bit scratchy. "You pitiful little-" Zim was suddenly cut off as he began to hack again, clutching his stomach as he felt a sharp pain rake through his body.

Dib looked on with guilt and sympathy in his eyes. After a few moments, Zim stopped and tried to catch his breath as tears of pain formed in his eyes. Zim moaned as he laid back down on the couch.

"Why?" He rasped, his eyes now half shut.

"Well, I couldn't just leave you in the rain." Dib replied.

Zim began to cough roughly once again. Dib placed a hand on Zim to which Zim made a feeble attempt to smack his hand away, but didn't seem to have enough strength. Dib quickly pulled his hand away; surprised at the heat Zim's forehead had.

"Oh my God." Dib said quietly.

"Gaz, go get an icepack from the kitchen." He instructed, turning back to his sister.

Gaz reluctantly did as she was told and hurried into the other room. Dib turned back to Zim who coughed once more, sounding as though he was about to be sick again.

"Gaz, go get a bucket! I think he's gonna be sick!" Dib shouted as Gaz came in again, carrying the icepack.

Gaz scoffed.

"Do I have to do everything around here?" She asked grudgingly as she handed him the icepack.

She was somewhat shocked when Dib suddenly shot her an angry glance for her comment. Shaking off the odd feeling, Gaz soon left the room to get what Dib had asked for. As she did so, Dib's expression softened as he turned back around and placed the icepack on the young Irken's forehead.

"This should help bring the fever down." Dib said quietly, trying to keep Zim calm.

"Why... Why are you helping me-" Zim coughed. "Dib-Worm?"

Dib looked at him for a moment.

"Because... I-I'm worried that you're not feeling that great and I want to help you get better." He replied finally, his voice shaking a little as he spoke.

Zim coughed again.

"But I'm your- ugh... Enemy." He stated, his voice a bit shaky. "I thought you h...hated me."

Dib took a moment before he spoke.

"Zim," He started quietly. "I don't hate you." He paused for a moment. "And since you're not a threat to Earth and I don't need to protect the world anymore we don't need to fight each other anymore. So what good is it to be enemies?"

Zim opened his mouth to say something but shut it shortly afterwards, as he had nothing to say to that.

"See? There's no reason why we should be enemies if you're not gonna destroy the world or if I don't have to protect anyone anymore."

Just as he had said this, Gaz entered the room again, handing Dib the bucket. And just as Dib had predicted, Zim let out a harsh cough, leaning over the side of the couch and began to release everything into the bucket beside him in a somewhat thick puce colored substance as he clutched his stomach in agony. Dib cringed at the pungent smell. After it had ended, Zim feebly wiped his mouth before slumping back down on the couch again.

"I'm sorry, Zim." Dib said quietly as he replaced the icepack that had fallen on the couch back on Zim's forehead.

Zim took in a shaky breath.

"Why are you... Apologizing... Dib-Stink?" He asked suddenly feeling tired.

"Because, all this time I treated you like crap even with how sick you are." Dib replied, his voice a bit sad. "I'm really sorry."

"It's alright... Dib-Stink." Zim replied, looking ready to fall asleep. "Your request for forgiveness... Has been given."

Dib smiled a little at that. Zim did the same before his eyes closed gently and he rested himself against the soft cushions of the couch. Dib began to frown before turning toward the window, seeing that the dismal rain had become a downpour. The twelve-year-old then turned back to the peaceful Irken resting upon the couch, as a look of sadness and regret filled his eyes.

Okay... I seriously almost teared up while writing this part :( Anyways, here's part seven :) I'm really getting into this story now :D And with doing so, I've been totally forgetting about my other stories I had been working on -_-; I hope to get back to them after this story is finished :) But anyways, I hope you like this part :D Even though it kinda took me a while ^^; Please R&R. Thanks :D