So Zim is burning alive on the ground, the human children laughing loudly, pointing grimy fingers at the pained annoyance. Dib is fist pumping, mumbling "Who's the man? I'm the man!" And Keef is... Being Keef. Only one thought occurs to me in the chaos of it all.

Who the hell keeps ham in their pocket?

A shriek of giggles interrupts my train of thought, bringing my attention back to Zim. Yellowish ooze runs down his face, mixed with sweat and a dash of blood. His eyes are shut tightly, arms held over his head, as if that can protect him somehow. He is curled up into a ball, rocking back and forth. I chuckle. Yes, call me a sicko for finding amusement in my worst enemy's suffering. I know you were thinking it.

A teacher rushes forward to the scene, all laughter dying out among my classmates. He's gaping at Zim, looking a bit uncertain, like he's not sure what to do. Then, trying to appear official, he clears his throat and begins to speak.

"Who did this?" He exclaims, straightening his tie in an attempt to seem as if he is under control. No one dares to step forward, but a few students shift their gaze to Dib. He shuffles uncomfortably. I'm guessing that if you threw a ham at a kid and he started dying, you could get expelled. So Dib's being pretty smart, although I'd expect someone to rat him out.

Oh yeah. That's my job.

"It was Dib!" I cry out, pointing to the spiky haired human. A wave of gasps runs through the room. Oh please. As if they didn't already know who'd done it.

The teacher spins around in my direction. He glares at me, lips forming an angry white line across his face. "You! Take this... Green THING to the nurses' office! NOW!" I fidget. No way he thinks it's me. He can't possibly be that stupid. Can he?

"Why aren't you moving?! I said NOW!" He yells at me, raising his fist in the air out of pure anger.

I really hate humans sometimes.

-/-

"Uh huh. Hon, I think you're little green friend..."

"He's not my friend."

"Whatever floats your ferry! Anyway, I think he's... Bleeding."

Oh no way. I had no idea Zim was bleeding! You are such a genius! Tell me more, o wise one!

"Really? That's too bad. I guess I'll just go then!" I smile, starting to walk out, when suddenly the 'nurse' grabs my shoulder. I turn around, to see her clearly scared, eyes wide with panic. I raise a holographic eyebrow.

"Hon, I'm no major big top nurse, and I don't know what to do! But your green little guy is... Gross and I don't know how to help!" She starts bawling, loud, fearful sobs. I sigh. I have enough empathy for this woman (Don't ask.) to know how she feels. It's either fix Zim or loose your job. And it's not gonna be Zim. I put a hand on her shoulder supportingly.

"It'll be ok. How about I rush him to the hospital? I won't tell the school," I wink at her. She grins wildly, the waterworks completely turned off.

"Oh, you're a live saver doll! Thank you!" She squeals, giving me a quick hug. I pull out, a little disgusted from her heavy stench of perfume.

"It's fine... Why don't you go and get a sandwich?" She nods happily and leaves me to Zim.

Hesitantly, I scoop him up, groaning a bit at the weight. Zim whines quietly underneath me, his blood beginning to soak my sleeves. I wince. Gross.

Taking Zim to my medical bay should be easy with him unconscious, I think. No, not the hospital. Can't have the humans figure out aliens exist, now can we?

"You owe me Zim," I murmur to myself, feeling a bit grumpy about the whole situation.

Why can't I ever get the free ride?!

-/-

After I rush myself and Zim home, I quickly scurry down to the medical center of my labs. Strapping Zim to a glossy white table, I sigh. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't always the nice guy.

It only takes me about twenty five minutes to disinfect Zim, so I carefully undo all the straps. Zim exhales a little louder, a sure sign that he is waking up. Quickly, I remove the last strap, and take a step back.

Zim stirrs, blinking his eyes a few times. He rubs his temples, yawns, then sits up. Suddenly, he notices me. Blue contacts might make his eyes seem bigger, but I think he might've just made his eyes larger when he saw me...

"T-Tak? Wh-what have you..." He sounds baffles, gawking at me. I place a finger to his lips, in an attempt to silence him. Instead, he bites me.

"Argh! Zim! I just saved your butt A SECOND TIME and you BITE ME?! You little jerk!" I shriek, pulling my finger back rapidly. My finger throbs.

Zim inspects me, reproachful. "Well, why did you do that in the first place?!"

"I wanted you to shut up, moron!" I glare at him, hate running through my veins.

Zim breaks my gaze, letting out a sigh. "Sorry." He mutters, face burning red. I freeze. Zim doesn't apologize. To anyone. Especially not to me. Nor does he invite me to lunch. So why the HELL is he now?!

I shrug. "Whatever. Just stop getting so many cuts, ok?" I chuckle, sitting down next to him. A hint of a smirk appears on his face. He faces me.

"Can't promise that, Tak-worm." He grins, looking a bit... Happy? Why? Doesn't he... Oh, never mind. Everything here is insane. Why doubt it? Better than a cookoo Zim, anyway.

"Well, next time I won't save your butt. Got it?" I say, sticking out my tongue. Zim bares his teeth playfully. "Yeah right! I-ZIM!- am too attractive for you, Tak!" He laughs, tousling my hair. I scowl, my cheeks heating up. Zim smirks, satisfied.

"First of all, you aren't funny. Second of all, I bet you like it!" I hiss jokingly, causing Zim's eyes to widen. He frowns slightly.

"I do not..." He mumbles, sulking. His cheeks are tinted pink. I grin.

"You do. Plus, I make you blush." I laugh a little. Zim turns to me, competition set in his eyes.

"Prove it."

I run my fingers down his wig oh-so gently, making Zim smile unintentionally. His features soften. Carefully, I slide off his wig, two antennas replacing it. They flop out on either side of him, showing pleasure. I begin to pet him, slowly, in soft, calm motions. Zim's eyes drift closed, a sigh escaping his lips. And soon, red crawls onto his face, and his antennas curl around my fingers. I smirk. This means he is vulnerable to me. And that's when it happens.

I'm sure he didn't mean to, I'm sure it was an accident. But it slipped out anyway. Zim was so caught up in the moment, that three words left his lips. Three words.

"I-I love y-you."

-/-

...

Authors Notes- Go me! Finished the chapter! :)

Hope it's good!

BY:APPLEBERRYSLUPPIE12