Chapter 2: I Don't Care

"You know, Zim, if we ever met under different circumstances we could've been good friends."

Zim turned to Dib, staring at him in shock. But soon after, he began to smile.

"Maybe so, Dib," Zim said as he turned back to the sky.

[Dib's POV]

I turned away from my computer as soon as Zim's leaders had left. Thanks to those spy cameras GIR put in for me about a year ago, I was about to spy on Zim more easily, despite the fact that last time I failed miserably thanks to those waffles. So Zim wasn't here to conquer Earth? He was only sent here to die?

I was mad, no; I was down-right enraged! I suddenly knew how Gaz felt when anyone, including me, ever annoyed her. But the rage I had soon mixed into worry, as I still wondered what Zim would do now. I mean, he wouldn't go suicidal…

Would he?

I lightly bit my lip. I hated the guy, but still, that conversation we had before; did that change us? How we act towards each other. I mean, I hadn't spied on Zim in over a week, at least until now. Maybe, I should go look for him…

No! I won't give into temptation. Zim's my enemy! Nothing will change that! Let him die, see if I care. I won, didn't I? I can't just help him now. We hate each other. Let him die. I don't care.

*Knock-knock*

"Why would anyone come over at," I paused as I looked at my clock, "11:45?"

I heard Gaz answer the door from my room; how I knew it was her that answered, was simply because we were the only two at the house, and because I heard her say to the visitor, "What do you want?"

"I need to see the Dib."

I recognized the voice; it was Zim's. What was he doing here?

"Dib, your stupid friend wants you!" I heard Gaz yell. I went down stairs to see a depressed looking Zim. He must've taken what his leaders said pretty badly. I mean, they said that they wanted him dead…wait a second! They gave him two choices: commit suicide, or get someone else to do it for him. He wasn't going to ask me to kill him, was he? That would be a good explanation of why he came here in the first place. I walked over to him, making a glare as to not show my true emotions. "What do you want, Zim?"

"I know you saw what happened, Dib," Zim said as roughly as he could, "GIR told me about the cameras before he-…"

He didn't finish the sentence, probably because I knew what happened to the poor guy also. I could also tell Zim was trying to glare, but was failing miserably. "I also know," Zim continued, his voice slightly breaking, "That you know why I'm here, correct?"

"…You don't mean, you…"

"You won, Dib," the alien muttered, "The mission was all a fake…"

I stared at Zim, beginning to realize that my glare was fading. How he was acting was pretty scary, even for Gaz if she was in the room right now. Either that or she would act as if she didn't care. "What are you saying?"

"Don't you get it," Zim yelled, his glare finally pulling through, only there was still a tear ruining the cold look, "I want you to kill me!"

My glare was gone now. I was in shock, that such a strong willed person such as Zim would break so easily. Maybe, he wasn't as strong as I thought.

"But, why," I asked calmly, "Why are you giving up like this?"

"It doesn't matter anymore," Zim growled softly, "Either kill me…or I'll do it myself."

I would've done it, actually; I would've done what he had asked. But then, out of the blue, I was having a moral battle of some sort.

Kill him! It's what you always wanted! Said a demonic voice, And besides, after he's dead you can send him to the Swollen Eyeball.

No, said a calm voice, Think about what you said to him before. Didn't you say that if you met differently you might've been friends? Think about this, Dib, you can help him. He doesn't need anymore pain like death, he needs a friend.

You're kidding me, right? Help the one person who tried to conquer Earth? Do you know how wrong that sounds? Kill the beast! See how better things will be.

I'm not telling you to listen to me, but you have two choices:

Either kill your enemy, and live with the guilt for the rest of your life…

Or save him from his own pain…

It's your choice, Dib.

I began to think about what my conscience told me. On one hand, I could win the battle, and then become famous through the planet…

On the other hand, I might lose the chance of saving the one person who I could relate to.

I looked at Zim, who seemed ready for the coming pain. I could've killed him…

"No, Zim," I said, "I'm not going to kill you."

He looked at me astonished. "Why not?"

"Then I would have to ask the same thing," I said as I picked him up into a hug; surprising enough, he was light. Instead of pulling away from me, he did something I thought he would never do…he began to cry on my chest. I smiled as I stroked him for his own comfort. He didn't let go; and neither did I. He never said it, but I knew he needed me. That's why I couldn't kill him.

That's why I care.

A/N

GIR: Aw, that was cute!

Zim: Shouldn't you be…you know, dead?

Actually, he's only alive in the Author's Notes.

Zim: Oh… *points his laser at me* DIE!

Oh, look at the time! Please comment and review (no flaming) *leaves*

Zim: NO! Not again! WHY?

Dib: I hate you…