YAY!!! Another 3 Day weekend!!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Invader Zim or any of the songs…I am not claiming that I do.
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Chapter 10: Explanation.
Ember was still awake. She couldn't sleep.
Zim was probably asleep himself by now…She felt alone.
She knew the Tallests had already gone back to the Massive…
Gir was probably asleep on the couch, or falling asleep. Watching some weird show that is only shown late at night, having been forced to keep the volume down for her benefit.
Ember slowly closed her eyes.
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Morning came; though, the only way Ember knew that was because of the loud crashing and clanging sounds of Gir in the kitchen.
She heard Zim's shouts for Gir to be quiet.
That was the last thing she heard clearly before once again slipping into an uneasy sleep.
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"Ember?"
Zim's voice pierced through her soon-to-be nightmare of a dream.
Ember opened her eyes slightly; then, turned her head away from Zim.
Zim felt uncomfortable. He wanted to talk to Ember…but he couldn't find the nerve. Why was she so mad at him?!
"Hey…it's a nice day. Wanna go to the park?" Zim asked. He tried to sound cheerful…but it didn't work.
Ember didn't say anything.
Zim stood there. He waited for a minute. After getting no response; Zim turned and left.
Ember listened as his footsteps faded away.
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Two hours later…
Zim was now lingering in Ember's doorway.
He watched as she tossed and turned in her sleep. Muttering things that he couldn't understand…
Finally, she began to awaken.
She sat up in bed; breathing hard and trying to remember where she was. She didn't notice Zim…
He waited until she calmed down; then, walked towards her.
He sat next to her, on the edge of the bed. He felt her jump and realized that he must have surprised her.
"…Ember…Please…Tell me why you're so mad at me." He whispered. He wanted to reach out and hug her, but he knew that she would just resist and move out of his reach.
Ember hugged her knees. She kept her eyes on the bed.
Zim reached over and turned the radio on.
A song started to play…
Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
"Why?"
Zim looked at Ember. "Why what?" He asked.
"Why did you let this happen to me?!" Ember yelled. She looked up and at the wall in front of her.
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
"…Ember…I…I'm—"
"You're what? Sorry?! Of course you are…they always are…" Ember's voice was now cold and sounded almost emotionless. Her eyes stayed focused on the Japanese Dragon painted on that same wall.
Look into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice
Zim looked down at the floor. He knew why she was mad at him…he knew it all along. He just didn't want to accept it.
He could suddenly hear Embers choked sobs.
"I…I thought I would never see you again…" Ember turned her head to look at Zim.
Their eyes met for the first time since Ember's return.
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
"I thought that you didn't care about me anymore." Much needed tears were running down Ember's face.
Zim reached over and gently pulled Ember into a comforting embrace.
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
"And…I thought I had been abandoned again...I felt abandoned…" Ember hugged back.
"I'm so sorry Ember…I'll make it up to you. I promise." Zim kept his voice low. He held Ember tighter as they both listened to the song.
"…You already have Zim…" Ember smiled slightly. "Thank you for proving me wrong."
Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you
Zim smiled back.
He broke the hug and wiped the few remaining tears from Ember's cheeks.
Ember was starting to fall asleep again. Her eyes slowly closed and she leaned against Zim.
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Zim stayed with Ember.
He could tell that she was in a comfortable sleep…finally.
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Wow….this has got to be the shortest chapter I have ever done!!
Oh well…I found myself smiling as I typed it…well, at least towards the ending.
Next chapter will be much longer! Guaranteed!