A/N: Oh me, oh my. I DO owe you guys another update of this story, don't I? Well, I best be getting it posted then. XD Chapter 5 of TtFaF. =3 We hope you guys enjoy. ^^ And remember, feedback be very much appreciated. ^^

Through the Fire and Flames: Chapter 5

Zim: Me (For a change. XD)

Dib: LinnechaRose

Beta: CattGregory

Warnings: I hesitate to say extreme OOCness in this story because to be perfectly honest, we're trying to keep them in character this time around. I will say, however, that there might be a few minor scenes in which OOCness comes across. So yeah. Don't expect them to be perfectly in character. Just assume that we're doing our best to TRY and keep them in character.

Rating: M for later chapters

Disclaimer: We do not own Invader Zim, nor any of the characters from it. We do not make any money from the writing of this story.

"I, err, went to the Bahamas! Oh yes, it was a much needed vacation! Before I took leave, I never once took a day off since graduation from college. I figured it would do me some good, you know, to help clear my mind so I'd be better able to help these needy students!"

"Yes, that makes much sense! At any rate..."

Dib stopped listening to their conversation. His eyes and mouth wide open, he backed away a few steps. Mr. Dwicky...had returned? How? Why?

Then his mind flashed back to the night before, instantly remembering the whole Plookeshian's space ship incident. Was that Dwicky he had seen? He thought that was all just a dream, but...It had actually happened? A wide smile slowly spread across his face, making him all giddy and excited. The one person who understood him the most was back. He couldn't help but let out an excited giggle of joy.

As Dib stood waiting just outside the councilor's office, one tired-looking and very late to school Irken approached from down the hall. He was irritated. He had spent nearly the entire night scanning the Earth in search of any life forms not human. But absolutely NONE had shown up on his monitors. It was driving him insane. He knew the ship he had seen last night COULDN'T have originated from Earth. So then why hadn't he picked up anything yet?

He had decided late that morning to keep his computer on scan mode while he headed to school. He could at least keep communication with his base in the event something showed up on the scans. But he was so tired. He hadn't had a chance to recharge last night and his PAK had gone into energy conservation mode.

Yawning as he approached the almost giddy-looking boy, Zim scowled at the happy look on the other's face. Completely disregarding the fact that it wasn't normal for Dib to look so happy, he growled, remembering the other's hurtful words to him the day before and his plans of revenge on the other. It was because of the human he had been up all night! Had the boy planned the entire thing from the start? It seemed the only reasonable explanation! Perhaps that was why he was so happy. Zim just about wanted to tug at his antennae; the other's smile was so infuriating. Surely the Dib had planned this from the start.

Zim felt a rage building up inside him, as though their confrontation from yesterday had just begun to affect him. Balling his hands into fists, he grit his teeth angrily and glared daggers at the boy from his spot a few feet away. Then, in an explosion of frustration, he stomped his way up to the human. "DIB-SHIT! Just what the IRK is making you look so goddamn happy?" he exclaimed, grabbing Dib from behind so he could turn the other around and shove him against the wall outside the councilor's office.

Stunned by Zim's sudden outburst, he stared at the alien wide-eyed, not knowing what to do or say. Now was the time to apologize to him. He inhaled deeply, blurting out a rather rushed apology.

"Z-Zim! I'm so sorry for what I said yesterday! I didn't mean any of it! I was just so angry at everyone! I'm sorry, sorry, sorry! Please forgive me!" he exclaimed, placing his hands on Zim's arms, trying to unpin himself from his grasp. But it wasn't of much use. Zim's strength was definitely inhuman.

He then looked into the alien's contact-covered eyes, trying to get through to him. Why was Zim so damn proud? So ignorant? So...uncaring? Dib sighed and sunk somewhat under Zim's grasp, feeling even worse. "I'm sorry..." he muttered under his breath one last time, gazing down at the ground. He knew it. The Irken would always hate him, no matter what happened.

Scowling even more hatefully at the human's rushed apology, Zim shoved him even tighter up against the wall behind him. Did the human really think saying he was sorry would make up for what he'd said yesterday?

"Filthy human." he spat almost venomously. "Zim cares not for your putrid apology. You humans will spout out just about anything to get out of an uncomfortable situation, won't you? Well, you're not fooling anyone! You hear me, human?" he gave Dib rough jerk forward just so he could slam the other against the wall again. "Zim knows how your kind works. You think "apologizing" will make everything better. It'll make it seem like none of it ever even happened. Well, news flash, Dib! It DID happen!" he bared his teeth at the boy angrily, everything about his posture suggesting rage on his part. But somewhere inside all that rage, there stood out another emotion unfamiliar to both.

Zim's hands shook against Dib as he tried to suppress the hurt feeling that was beginning to make itself known inside of him again. He hated the feeling with a passion and refused to let it weaken his current resolve. But before he could take his anger any farther, he suddenly heard the school bell ring, signaling the start of their classes.

Fisting his hands in Dib's lapels even more, wanting nothing more than to sock the human for making him feel this way, Zim let out a frustrated growl before pushing Dib away from him and turning to head for their classroom.

With a pained expression, he stared after Zim as he began walking to class. At least that was out of the way, he figured.

He began walking to class, thinking to himself the entire way. Mr. Dwicky was finally back. He just couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with joy. He wanted so badly to talk to him, but he figured he'd wait a little while before he even confronted him. He probably didn't even remember him, anyway. He sighed sadly at the thought of Dwicky not recognizing him.

He made his way to his seat and sat down slowly, avoiding even so much as looking in Zim's direction at all costs. The guilt he felt still didn't leave. Why did he still feel this way? He didn't know.

A/N: And there you have it for Chapter 5. We leave you off with one pissed off Zim and a guilty Dib. But don't worry. Things are about to change very shortly come the next chapter or so. XD Until then, however, we leave Linnecha to respond to those of you who reviewed last chapter. ^^

To Invader Lily lee ray:

Linnecha: XD we'll be updating very soon, don't worry. And yes, there's going to be ZADR in the future. TONS of ZADR. ^^

To Pilpols:

Linnecha: XD you'll just have to keep reading and find out~!

To xxxCARxCRASHxHEARTxxx:

Linnecha: Well, that's good! Then you'll have the pleasure of reading the incredibly sexy bits of our story in the near future. XD

Until next chapter, you guys~