"That meeting was worthless!" I flopped down onto our bed. "Some people are complete idiots." My voice was muffled by the bedding. I yawned and flipped over onto my back. "Although some ideas were good."

"We definitely need more strategists!" Zim's voice came from the closet.

I heard clothes hit the floor as the door opened.

Zim walked out wearing crimson pajama bottoms and no shirt.

Licking my lips at the sight of his honed flesh and got up from the bed.

He flashed me a devilish grin. "Your turn."

I shivered and walked into the closet, closing the door behind me. Now, what was I going to wear? I settled on a short, deep pink nightgown. Yanking off my uniform, I looked at myself in the full body mirror placed at the back for a moment. My body was a flat plateau of muscle and flesh, the only feminine thing on my body was my slightly curved waist and my curled antenna, which had grown over the years. I huffed when my eyes landed on my abs. White scars snaked their way over the plane of jade green skin, marring it. Zim still didn't know about them yet and I intended to keep it that way. Slipping o the gown, I walked out of the closet and saw Zim sitting in bed waiting for me. I grabbed a pink ribbon out of my Pak and fastened it into a bow around my neck.

"Care to join Zim?" He patted the spot beside him.

I giggled and crawled onto the bed and plunked myself down where he had gestured. Leaning up against him, I let my hand travel over his exposed skin.

Zim shivered and began petting my antenna, earning a soft purr from me.

I pushed into his hand just as my Squeedily Spooch growled, causing me to blush.

He chuckled. "Go grab a snack; I'll be here when you get back."

Getting up from him, I climbed off the bed. "Alright, I'll be back soon." I pulled on my boots and walked out into the hall, closing the door behind myself. Pacing own the hall, I felt someone grab my hand. I turned around and it was Cleo who gripped it, fresh tears pouring down her cheeks. Minuel was in no better shape as he clung to his sister. "Hey, what's wrong you two?" I asked in a soothing voice as I knelt down to their height.

They flung themselves into my arms and erupted into sobs and sniffles. "We… had… a bad… dream!"

"Aww… shhh, shhh… It's okay now, you're awake, all the bad stuff is gone…" I held them closely and rubbed their backs.

Cleo was the first to let up, wiping her eyes. She sniffled and huffed. "We dreamt there was, a giant Vortian chasing us… it killed you and Zim!" Cleo wiped her eyes again.

Minuel pulled away and did the same. "It was really scary!" He hugged himself and trembled.

"It's okay, look! I'm right here!" I patted both their heads. "A dream is just a dream. Just remember it's not real. Alright?"

They nodded.

I smiled. "Off to bed with you then."

"Okay…" Cleo held out her hand to Minuel. "Come on brother…"

Minuel took it and they walked off down the hallway.

I watched them go and then turned back around. "Lola?"

Lola appeared in front of me and saluted. "Yes miss?"

"Go watch the twins in case if they have anymore nightmares."

"Yes ma'am!" She disappeared.

Suddenly clapping was heard.

I whipped around and Pic was standing in a door frame.

"Very good, I would almost think you were their mother."

"Well nobody else is here to take care of them." I shrugged. "And don't sneak up on me like that, it's creepy…"

"I'm sorry; I thought I had made myself known. My mistake." She smirked and chuckled.

I cocked an invisible eyebrow. "Pic, are you feeling okay?" Suddenly I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through my spine. I screamed and fell to my hands and knees.

"Funny, I should be asking you that." I noticed she was holding a gun that wasn't there before.

"Who are you?" I demanded, shakily pushing myself to my feet.

She cackled, her voice changing into another. It was a voice I recognized. "Your worst nightmare…" She shot again and the world faded out to nothing.

Zim tapped his fingers together impatiently. "Where is she? It couldn't possibly take this log to get a snack." A growl sounded from the back of his throat. "She's going to pay for making the great Zim wait!" He pulled the sheets from around his body, freeing himself. Standing up, he tucked his pants into his boots and grabbed a white shirt. Tugging on the garment, he paced towards the door and walked out into the hallway.

A piercing scream was heard.

"Mela!" Zim raced towards where it came from hearing a chuckle follow behind it. He growled but when he came to the spot, no one was there. Scanning the area, he found a singed pink ribbon lying on the metallic floor. Sauntering over to where it lay, Zim picked it up and examined. After a moment, his eyes widened in realization. It was the ribbon from earlier. "MELAAAAA!"