Chapter 20—What's Left—

Curtis' P.O.V….

Wren looked at those assembled at the table before her gravely. "We need to decide what to do with the remaining members of the Resisty."

"We are not going to hold them responsible for the death of your crew member," one of the Delaline Elders said frowning.

"That has already been dealt with," I said frowning myself.

"Bez had it already decided that when then they took hostages," Andy supplied, arms crossed over his chest as he blew a few of his bangs out of his face. "It didn't help them at all when they killed Thurin or hit Wren. Bez is over protective of Wren. He may have taken the same actions for only just hitting her."

The representative Ambassador for the Sharshans nodded. "I'd have to agree. The others that did not die that day obviously had n part in that what so ever and would probably be safe on that ship now."

"Maybe those that are left should try to decide for themselves what they want?" Elder Falicity suggested.

"What had been your motive for saving them to begin with?" Elder Carevft asked leaning back into their chair more.

"Honestly Elder Carevft, I just wanted to save them. A little part hoped they'd want to join us because of their diversity, but it was mostly the fact that I couldn't just let them stay there and die."

"Then maybe we should let them decide what they wish to do with themselves. They aren't prisoners or part of your crew by force."

Several around the table nodded at the sound logic that was offered. It only made sense to let them figure things out on their own. We'd saved them and we had a possible craft ready if they wished to leave immediately.

I continued to watch everything from the edge of the talks. It was good to be discreet sometimes. I could take in every little thing that they said to see if anything was behind the words spoken. And as I watched them continue about what should happen, I was the only one to notice the guard who peeked nervously in through the door. He perked up when he saw that I had noticed him.

Quietly I stood and made my way of to him. "What is it Merk?"

"Sir, I know the Captain said no disturbances but this probably is important enough to be brought to attention," he said quietly.

"Oh?"

"Tiz of the Resisty wishes to speak on behalf of them. And he'd like an audience as soon as possible."

"Well then. Can he wait?"

"Honestly, I don't think so sir. He's worked himself up to do this and I think he'd rather do it while he's got the guts to say what he needs to say."

I nodded in understanding. "I'll get their attention. You bring him in. I hope the poor kid knows what he's getting himself into with this."

"I don't think he'll expect a group this size."

"Definitely not. Let's hope he doesn't walk in and forget everything when he sees who is in attendance," I chuckled quietly as the guard cracked a grin as well.

Walking over to Wren's side I leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Tiz of the Resisty wants and audience right now. He's not going to take no for an answer."

Out of the corner of her eyes she glanced at me and murmured lowly over the din of the other's talking. "Well, we got our answer then, right?"

I chuckled. "That and then some more than likely if I know how our luck plays out."

She gave a small chuckle herself and grinned. "Bring it on then."

Wren stood and braced herself by putting her hands on the table before her. This effectively silenced everyone sitting at the table as all eyes were drawn to her.

"We seem to have the opportunity to have our dilemma righted sooner than later. An elected member of those that are left of the Resisty wishes to see us now. They're not quite willing to leave it alone so they're on their way as I speak."

"Well good! The sooner this is decided the sooner we can return to more important things," Elder Tormithy grouched.

Elder Marabelle just rolled her eyes at him and smiled at Wren. "This is good news though. I hope this goes well."

The others around the table nodded in agreement.

Our attention was brought to the doors as they opened. Tiz stood beside the guard who caught my attention in the first place. He nodded to Tiz to enter before the doors closed behind him. Tiz looked quite nervous and kept wringing his hands before him.

"Tiz, would you like a seat?" Wren asked as she herself sat.

"N-no thank you C-captain Wren," he stuttered only a little as he stood straighter to add to his height.

"Curtis said there is something you wish to discuss with us."

"Yes ma'am. But to get to the point I have to start at the beginning," he said shifting a little uneasily.

One of the Elders, the ever grouchy one snorted and rolled his eyes. The other Elders shot him a dark look and Wren rolled her eyes at him. She smiled at the even more nervous Tiz now.

"Please, start from the beginning."

With that he launched into a story of before that bastard Rarck took over the Resisty. Lard Nar had died when debris was blasted at them from the explosion of a planet they were near. It hid the ship causing severe damage to everything. Lard Nar had been in one of the Cargo bays going over the supplies of the latest load pilfered from the Irken Empire. He was sucked out into the vacuum of space before anyone could react to what had happened. Rarck had taken over command after the other Officers suffered the same fate as Lard Nar had.

Wren's eyes narrowed at that but let Tiz continue with his tale. It all seemed a little too coincidental for my liking and I knew that's what she was thinking as well.

Lard Nar was more worried about keeping the Resisty from starving. Rarck wanted nothing to do with that. He only wanted to take on the Empire, straight on. Unfortunately for him the ship was in such a damaged state they couldn't. He started to take his anger out on anyone and everyone that got in his way onboard. That's why majority of the crew didn't follow with his plan.

"And with all the information I read about the treaties with the Tallests you have, it says that anyone who signs a treaty with you will also be protected from the Tallests. Right? Even species and people who've already had been taken over."

Wren only nodded in reply. Her eyes had lit up in amusement though and she was trying hard not to let her smile show. Tiz was brilliant. He'd found a loophole that saved all the species that made up the Resisty members. He'd be good as a Captain of a ship with a little more training.

"Then every survivor of the Resisty would also be safe under said treaty from any repercussions of the Empire. Correct?"

Again, Wren only nodded. She rested her chin on her palm and tried to hide her smile behind her fingers. I didn't need to be a mind reader to know she was very pleased with how this was turning out.

"Then we propose a treaty between Bez and the Resisty. They have given full rights to me to appraise the writing and the signing of a treaty between us."

Wren finally showed her smile. "I would be happy to do so, under one condition."

Tiz looked a little crestfallen for a split second. "And what is that?"

"I want a third party to play witness to the guidelines created by us. Elder Tormithy, would you be so kind to be the witness. You have no love for me it seems and have a fair opinion for their side as well. You seem to have no love for either of us so you are the only person I know who would be a neutral party to witness the signing," Wren said as her gaze caught the surely Elder's.

If looks could kill, Wren would have died three times over and maybe a half with the tilt of how Elder Tormithy's ears were. I hid a smile as well as I could as Wren flicked her ears forward in a mock salute then back again. His glare only deepened.

"I would gladly do as such," Tormithy said stiffly with a frown. "If only to make sure your impudence is held in check long enough to keep things balanced and fair for them."

"I would expect nothing more or less," she said with a quirk of her lips

Later…

"Meetings are so boring!" Rachel whines as she flopped on top of me as I lay on the couch in our room.

I gave an 'OOF!' as she landed but chuckled as I wrapped my arms around her. She cuddled as close as she could and gave a happy sigh as she tucked her head under my chin.

"And why do you think meetings are so boring?"

"You really have to ask that?" she hissed as she sat up quickly to glare at me. She glared at me for a couple more seconds before cuddling again and grumbled, "And just because they are."

I only chuckled more at this knowing she wasn't finished.

"Talk talk talk. That's all that happens. I don't know how Wren takes it honestly. She never could stand all that talk before all this. Hell, she was complaining when we got abducted."

"I think we've all changed since then," I murmured to her quietly while running and hand soothingly up and down her back. "We've all had to grow up faster than expected. So much is on her shoulders now and ours. She's the figure head of the ship, but it's our job to help her keep it together. And she's really not too different in meetings honestly. She has the same opinion about them that you do. She only tries to hide it better."

Rachel snorted as if she didn't believe me.

"She does! Her ears and tail giver her away."

Rachel shifted to frown at me. "You have a point there. Do you think she would be like this if we'd never had been abducted? Or any of us? Would we have changed so much, so fast?"

I stayed quiet for a heartbeat or two. With all the knowledge that Bez had gleaned from the other psychiatrists and psychologists on board or anyone from that field that I'd read up on and studied, I had to admit that I wasn't so sure.

"Honestly love, I don't know. Everything we've been through before and after the abduction has changed us to who we are now. The people we've met, the things we've done, just the things we've seen. Part of me is still wondering if all of this is some sort of elaborate dream." I just couldn't bring myself to look into her eyes as I said that. I said it all while looking at a spot on the ceiling though my hand still continued to rub her back.

"I don't want it to be. I don't want to lose you," she murmured as she buried her face into my neck.

"Nor do I. You're too good to be just a dream," I murmured as well and kissed the top of her head.

I cupped her cheek with my hand as I drew her from her hiding spot in my neck. Brushing my thumb over her bottom lip my eyes searched her's. They glistened with only a few unshed tears and I felt bad that I was the one to have caused them, though inadvertently.

"I love you Rachel," I said softly.

"I love you too Curtis," she sighed with a light lift of her lips.

"Always and forever," I murmured as I drew her into a kiss.

Narrator….

Zim frowned as he looked about the room trying to figure out where his girlfriend was. She wasn't anywhere in her usual spots to unwind. Finally giving in he just asked Bez.

"I give Bez, do you know where she is? And the SIRS's for that matter?" Zim asked silently, looking about the room once again. Thinking that he needed to offer to clean this time. Wren had picked up the past couple of times. It was his room as well, might as well pitch in more.

(She's on the new observation deck that was just completely. It's not been opened to everyone else yet.)

"Well then…. Thank you Bez. I didn't expect that you'd have another level done so soon. Especially after everything that happened."

(There needed to be something to come of it. Something good and not bad.)

"I agree with you. I'll be with Wren if anyone needs us."

Bez only gave a mental rumble and a nudge as Zim walked out of the room.

He made his way to the lift and gave his verbal commands. Soon the doors opened to a breath taking view. Space and it's stars shone through a room topped with nothing but the glass shield. No walls blocked any of the view. There seemed to be no internal lights on at all at the moment, which cast the whole room in an eerie glow from the outside ship lights.

His eyes were drawn to a lone figure sitting in a dip in the center of the room. Their eyes were trained to the stars. Head tilted back just so, causing her hair to spill out behind her like a blanket or the night sky. A ship passed by, lights flashing, causing her hair to sparkle like a super nova or a spatial storm. And there for a moment, his breath caught in his throat as she glanced over her shoulder and gave a barely there smile, the stars and lights dancing in her eyes.

"Hey Zim, was wondering when you'd find me," she said quietly.

"I had a little help," he smiled at her as he walked toward her. He gently sat down beside her. "What's going through that mind or your's Grashe?"

She gave a small hum while looking to the stars again. It was a moment or two before she actually answered him.

"Just thinking that I almost miss the days it was just four of us and Bez. I don't miss the nightmares so much, but the lack of pressure that came with those days. I didn't feel as if I were losing a little part of me when someone died because they depended on me. Not gonna lie either, I miss roaming around in just my PJ's as well," she said with that barely there smile.

"You running around in your sleep cloths was a plus," he chuckled as he leaned back to rest upon his forearms and looked at the stars.

She giggled a little as she leaned back as well to rest on her elbows. "You're just saying that."

"On my word, not just saying it," he grinned looking at her.

"Oh? And why should I take the word of the Mighty Irken Invader that is Zim?" she teased.

"Because I am Zim! And the word of Zim should be law!" he grinned.

"And I'm a turnip," Wren giggled and squirmed away from Zim's grab for her as he growled playfully, narrowing his eyes.

"Zim will make sure you pay for your insolence!"

Scrambling to her feet she giggled even more as he made another grab for her, missing her tail by several inches. She blew a raspberry at him before giggling madly again and ducking another grab.

"The Mighty Zim will never catch me!" Wren declared, dancing away from him.

"Zim thinks not!" he growled as he lunged for her, pak legs springing to life.

She squealed as he grabbed her around the waist and drew her close. She wiggled and squirmed while giggling madly before placing her hands on Zim's shoulders to steady herself as he lifted her into the air.

"I believe Zim has won," he smirked as he let her down enough for their foreheads to rest together and her to look down into his eyes.

She giggled and smiled brightly at him while wrapping her arms around his neck. "I believe he has. What will the Almighty Zim do now that he's won?"

"Zim believes he will keep what he's caught. Zim will not share what is his," he growled deeply in his throat, antenna falling flat against his skull.

"I would hope no," Wren purred as Zim placed her feet back onto the floor. "I only belong to one person and I hope he knows I don't share either."

"Zim would hope so," he said as he grasped her ship with his fingers. "It would be a shame to have each of us kill someone over the other."

"Such a shame," she purred again.

Zim gave a smirk as he leaned down and captured Wren's lips in a kiss. And as she sighed, leaning against his body, placing a small hand on his chest, he was happy that this was his. This girl, this moment, this connection between them. All of this was his, at least for the time being.

As he threaded his fingers through her hair and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him, he wondered if there was anything better than the taste of her on his lips.

Elsewhere….

Tiz blinked at those that were left of the Resisty. All of them, after he had explained and showed them the treaty, confronted him.

"You have to Tiz,"

"But… I-I-I've never lead anyone like this!" he declared stuttering over his own words. "I was a lowly messenger! I c-c-can't do this!"

"Tiz, you stood up to that bastard when no one else would. That Captain Wren like you too! You have to be our Captain Tiz!"

"I don't know how though!"

"You do!" someone chirped up from the middle of the group. "You watched out for all of us when that bastard was in control. You made sure we had food."

"Medical attention."

"You took the focus off of us when he was pissed and drew it to yourself."

"You're a born leader Tiz!"

And older crew member stepped forward. "Your father would have been proud Tiz. His son taking his place as Leader of the Resisty and freeing so many of us. It's what he always wanted you to do."

Tiz looked out at all the expectant, hopeful eyes of those of the last of the Resisty. They needed someone they could trust. He'd done well so far. Could he continue to do so well? Could he keep these people alive?

Standing tall he made his decision. Nodding to the crowd he said. "I'll do it. But only if I am able to get a bit more training under a real Captain first. It will take a while for our ship to be completed so I'll have enough time to learn more. Tomorrow I'll go talk with Captain Wren to see if she has any ideas and we'll set up what to do."

Everyone in the room cheered as he blushed a darker color. Now if only he had as much faith in himself as they had in him.

Later….

"Oh come on Wren-kit! I think it's a good idea," Andy said with a grin.

"I dunno Andy…" Wren frowned as they looked at the written request from Tiz.

"I have a working ship, you're not going to be able to stay much longer than you have to to see the start of both of the ships. I could take him under my wing at least for a bit. You've already asked me to stay to watch over them."

She sighed dramatically. "Fine!" she whined. "But I also want to you help train two second in commands for him. I like the co-second in commands we have going on. It gives more opinions to important decisions."

"Yessum. Anything else?"

"You're an ass," she said flatly as she stuck her tongue out at him.

He just gave a large bought of laughter as he stood and ruffled her hair fondly. "Love you too little sister. Now I'm off to tell my seconds in command the plan. Then the rest of the group."

"And I'll do my reports that are never ending and ebil," Wren said as she made a face at the vids on her desk.

"A necessary ebil," Andy laughed again as Wren make a face at him and he walked out.

(Are we leaving?) Bez asked.

Wren smiled. "Soon. Within the next kake sadly. We still have a mission to do."

(There's something else,) Bez murred, observant as always.

"Just a feeling, dear one. A feeling something's going to come in and change this."

(Change what?)

"This sense of peace of being here."

(Everything changes though.)

"That it does beloved. No matter what we try, it all does change. The best we can do though is change it enough to let it be in our favor."

Later….

Their leaving was better than the last time. Though Wren still felt a large part of her crumble as she watched the gates close behind them. They'd be ok. They were the last time they left. And everyone would be ok till they got back.

Wren wasn't startled at all when the transmission from the Tallests came through either. She frowned as she read over the report and it only deepened as she saw the stills of the enemy that was coming closer to the Armada. Something primal and feral reared its head in the dark depths of her mind when she focused on what could only be the leader of the beasts that were taking the worlds and the Irken Invaders.

Somehow she knew them. Knew in the depths of her soul that the final confrontation between them would only end in blood shed. She'd try her damnedest to make sure it was more their blood than hers. She wasn't going to let them take down another race like they took down countless ones before them.

Blah, slow chapters are slow. Not that this chapter was soo soo slow. I just don't write as fast as I used to. Writer's block and all. And I'm worrying about getting a job and what not. Not cool.

Um….. yeah…. Don't expect the next chapter any time sooon…

And happy birthday to Feathers of Grey! *Cuddles* I haven't heard from you in a while but you're still my favorite reviewer and buddy! Happy birthday girlly! This one's for you!