Thunk. "Atra!" Another thunk. Dib prepared to throw a third piece of gravel, but was interrupted by the window opening.

"I thought you had to take me to dinner before you threw pebbles at my window, begging me to sneak out," Atra said, her trademark gray fedora sitting on the windowsill.

The eleven-year-old boy blushed. "I was wondering if you could hang out, and your parents wouldn't answer the door."

"They're not here, and I was zoning out. I just got a great book called 'The Elementals'. It's amazing. Very supernatural and action-y." She held up a hardcover; it showed a brown-haired girl balancing a minuscule tornado on her palm. "But, to answer your question, I can come if I leave a note." She disappeared into the white house for a moment, then returned, grabbing her hat and slipping out the open window.

Dib raised an eyebrow. "There's a door." He pointed to his left.

"I know," the girl responded, now wearing the fedora. "But that takes too much time. What are we doing?"

"Uh..."

Atra grinned. "I got ten bucks. You can take me to lunch. The mall?"

Dib smiled as well. "Did you just ask me out?"

"In friendly way."

"Feel like stopping at my place so I can nab some cash and ask my sister if she wants to come?"

"Gladly."

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"... Zim took one look at him, screamed, and ran out of the cafeteria." Both children burst out laughing.

"I don't get it," Atra admitted when they calmed down. "I just seem to fit with you. It doesn't make sense, this has never happened before." She stared at the doughnut in front of her like it held the answers to everything, and if she looked at it hard enough, it would reveal them.

Dib watched, unsure of how to respond. "Don't girls shop when they're sad?" he blurted.

"A little retail therapy might help clear my head. Besides, I need new gloves; I dropped my other ones in the creek near my house."

Five minutes later, Atra had a new pair of black fingerless gloves and Dib was the proud owner of a new trench coat, the same dark gray as Atra's hat.

"I got two dollars left," the girl began. "You?"

"Three," Dib said, holding up the bills.

"Save or splurge?"

The amber-eyed child considered both options. "Splurge."

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"Xilra, can you tell me your robot arm's serial number?"

"166020269857," the yellow-eyed Irken responded. "Can I leave now? Zim needs me more than he knows, more than he'd admit. Who knows what trouble he could be in! I've got to go find him."

"I'll ask the Tallests, see what they say," the medical drone sighed, rubbing her olive eyes. The ex-engineer had been asking to assist the false Invader since the explosion two 'days' ago. The medic set off in the direction of the bridge.

"That's great, Invader Tenn. The SIRs will be destroyed upon arrival to Irk. Continue with your infiltration, and we will send aid ASAP."

"Invader Tenn, signing off."

"My Tallests, I am Medical Drone Brook, the medic in charge of Xilra."

Tallest Red looked at her anxiously. "Has there been any change?"

Brook shook her head. "Not in her mental condition. In fact, it's worsened. She continues to show psycho-obsessive behaviors: attacking doctors, hallucinating. I have two solutions: institutionalization or... let her go to Zim."

Tallest Purple massaged his temples. "Let's consider the pros and cons. Pro: Zim might add Earth to the Empire so we can help them. Con:-"

"Zim's temper. Enough said." Red added. They all shuddered. Zim called once when was angry. He screamed profanities and used his gift to destroy things. Several workers were dragged out of the room sobbing and had to receive counseling for weeks; many still had nightmares, including Purple. Brook came to his quarters many nights to sedate him so the Tallest could recharge peacefully.

"Pro: Xilra's mental heath will improve. Con: her physical well-being will most likely get worse." Brook continued. "The pros and cons are equal."

"Who we talkin' about?" A tall, green-eyed Irken joined the conversation.

"Zim," Tallest Red told her. "Taller Vivi, this is Medical Drone Brook."

"I'm in charge of the Xilra case."

Vivi looked concerned. "How's she doin' "

The shorter Irken sighed. "She worries me."

"We were talking about letting her go to Earth." Purple chimed in.

"I say let her," said Vivi. "Maybe she'll be good for Zim. She is very mellow."

"If Xilra goes, I would like to as well," Brook announced. "She knows me best right now."

Four hours later, two Irkens and a SIR unit, dubbed 'ZIR' by Xilra, hurtled through space on an updated Voot. In only a week, Zim would have several new house-guests.

Quick AN.

1)The Elementals is a novel I started once, but never finished. I may put it on FictionPress sometime.

2) I like Vivi. This is the second fanfic I decided to put her in. Yes, she will show up in The Rebel if you read that.

3) Thank you to Watchmexplode for reviewing. I love reviews, but don't usually get them.

4) THIS STORY WILL CONTAIN MUCH SWEARING ON ATRA'S PART! Thought I'd warn you.

Well, I'm gonna go read Crossed Fates now, finish my 'Battle Royale' judging, and eat birthday cake. Damn, school tomorrow. -headdesk- hgbygyb

P.S. This was written on a Sunday.