Zim glared in the dark, nearly tripping from getting too absorbed in watching the handheld radar he was using to find Gir. It wasn't unusual for the tiny SIR unit to go out on its own, but it was normally good about coming home by midnight. Not tonight, however. "Stupid robot, when I find Gir I'm going to tear it limb from limb," he muttered irately. He came to an abrupt halt forty-two-and-three-quarter paces later.

Gir was not alone. Nay, it had company. Rather familiar company.

Gaz sat on the curb, hidden by the shadows of some overhanging trees. Red embers glowed before her. Zim realized she was smoking a cigarette. Gir was firmly attached to the girl's back, apparently hugging her from behind. The non-touchy-feely Gaz Membrane was allowing something to be close to her? Odd.

He cleared his throat to make his presence known. Gaz jumped, almost dropping her cigarette. Gir smiled happily and waved at its master.

"Helllllloooooooo! I misseded you, master! Wanna play? I have toast!" Gir shouted, not leaving Gaz. "I found the Gazzy using the guidy chippy thingy! Is you proud of me?"

Zim was surprised. "Yes, Gir, I suppose I am. It's not every day you actually use something…useful…for a somewhat logical reason. Why were you looking for her though?" Since Gir seemed capable of actual conversation, the Irken decided to get the most out of the experience.

"Methinks that Gazzy needs a hug! So I found her and now I'm making her feel better! I have a lighter, see?" Gir held up a small, silver butane lighter that had the Irken symbol etched into it. Zim's favorite lighter! "I's gonna give it to her to borrow! Cows are my friends," it stage-whispered.

Gaz had to bite her lip to keep from giggling at how cute the robot was as it dropped the lighter in the hood of her sweatshirt. She glanced up at Zim and was surprised to see him reach into his jacket pocket to retrieve his own pack of cigarettes. He dropped down beside her, and she handed him the lighter.

"You probably shouldn't smoke, you know," she finally commented. "You'll kill your…squeedily spooch."

"Yes, and you'll kill your lungs, humanoid. The Irkens are not so weak and stupid as to be overcome by something as inferior as…tar and nicotine." With that said Zim tilted his head back and laughed as only he could laugh.

Gaz wished dearly to cause him severe bodily harm, but contented herself with punching him in the arm to get him to shut up. "What are you doing out here anyway?" He used the lighter and stuffed it in his pocket.

"I was looking for Gir. I get worried when it doesn't come back at a reasonable hour." He looked over at her. "What are you doing out here past midnight?"

"We don't have skool tomorrow. Besides, Dib is having some weird little science party." It was quiet. And slightly odd, the two of them sitting together smoking bad-for-you cancer sticks. 'That generally seems to happen when it's us,' Gaz thought. 'The silence, I mean.' She was startled when Zim responded.

"I suppose that I do talk more to the Dib-monster than I do to the Gaz-human, but the Dib-monkey and I have more of a history to start with." He caught her surprised, suspicious look and grinned. "Fear not, I am not using my advanced Irken technology to read your thoughts. You merely talk out loud to yourself more than you may think."

"Ah. I'll have to watch myself more carefully then."

"Not necessary. You seem to have formidable defenses as it is." He shifted on the pavement and caught her eye. "Zim would still like to know why little Gaz-earthling is upset though."

She felt the familiar pang in her side as her brain seemed to freeze up. It felt a lot colder all of a sudden. She shivered and felt Gir tighten its grip on her shoulders. She reached back and patted Gir on the head before standing, flicking her cigarette butt into the street. "Maybe I'll tell you…on Monday." He stood as well, and opened his mouth to speak, when a flashlight shone cruelly on them both.

"There you are, Gaz!" It was her brother. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" Dib caught sight of Zim. "What are you doing out together?"

"I was looking for Gir," Zim replied, his tone polite, but not friendly. "And apparently Gir was looking for Gaz. I just found them about a minute ago."

Dib glanced at his sister, who nodded her agreement at Zim's telling of events. "Oh. Well, we should probably get back to the house. See you on Monday, Zim," Dib said, yanking on Gaz's arm. Before she moved Zim grinned at her and pressed something into her hand.

"A gift for you," he said in a low voice and waved at Dib. He and Gir left for their base. Dib walked with Gaz to the Membrane household.

Gaz headed for her room with barely so much as a 'good night' aimed at anyone. She locked her door and looked down at the supposed gift Zim had given her: A faint smile tugged at her reluctant lips. He had given her his lighter. And a note: 'I suppose that I must grudgingly admit that a human like you may be beneficial to understand' with a phone number. She made sure to hide both the lighter and the note from prying eyes before burrowing under he covers.