Extremely long breaks I know. I have been so busy with college and very little inspiration to work on my poor creation. I thank those that have stuck with this story. I would like to also add for everyone's pleasure, a cameo. Or at least an offer for a cameo. I was thinking of maybe trying to insert someone into a chapter or two.

So, I pose a question for anyone to answer. First place gets a cameo in two chapters and maybe a picture done by me, second gets one chap, and the third place gets half a chap or so. Also the first place may get a scene drawn for them from a chap that the cameo was in. Now, the question is within this story and on an honor system without peeking, what colors make up Wren's hair and fur? I'm looking for specifics too from the story so good luck! (This was posted in the original but I'm redoing the contest! Go me! I'm willing to give others a go!)

Also, pretty long chapter ahead, so fair warning as to why this took so long.

Now, on with the story!

Words- Regular speech

Words- Thoughts

Words- Chapters and changes

(Words)- Bez speech

Chapter 39—Let's Fast Forward Shall We?—

Wren's P.O.V….

~It's been around four months since the chute races. Another one is planned for the upcoming months. Everyone can't wait for it. Nothing has happened since then really besides the ever growing Bez. He's grown another two levels and they are doing quite well. More space for recreation and rooms thankfully. We're not so crammed into rooms now. None of this three or four people to a room any more. Thank the Keepers because people were starting to get a little homicidal.

Curtis' schedule has shrunk drastically and is getting the occasional patient rather than the huge wave of people he had in the beginning. I've yet to talk to him fully about my nightmares, but I've been so busy. At least that's what I've been telling myself.

There has been a set of twin smeets born to our wonderful crew. Oddly the first smeets it seems to be born naturally instead of the normal, mechanical Irken way. So our crew has expanded to a whopping two hundred thirty-six person crew. Several being civilian crew but I enjoy having them on board and couldn't think of Bez without them. They make life so much more interesting with all they get into and can think of to entertain not only themselves but the rest of the working crew as well.

Anyway, not much else to report so I'll end it here.~

I looked up from my vid screen I was writing on to scan the mess hall. It had changed a bit with different tables and seating arrangements. I knew everyone on the ship by now and noticed no officers were present. I also did a schedule scan to see if there were any meetings that were taking place and found none on the schedule.

"Must all be on the deck," I muttered to myself while standing and heading out of the mess hall with a few waves to some of the crew and a smile to the smeets that were giggling at a table with their parents.

Stepping on to a lift, we had three instead of two now thankfully, I spoke my destination. Halfway to the deck code yellow started. My eyes narrowed, tail flicking as I frowned. "Bez, main deck landing on the double."

(Yes ma'am,) Bez said as the lift sped up without barely any jolting.

As soon as the lift stopped and the doors opened, I stepped of the lift. Straightening my shirt I started barking out orders as I headed for my chair, "What do we have folks?"

Someone from the helm spoke up. "It's an unidentified ship in our sector ma'am. Our sensors aren't able to reach that range at the moment because the mechanics have those sensors upgrading. But waiting a little while to see if we can identify it from this range shouldn't be too much."

"Ok, keep at our current speed and heading. Ready the weapons and send an audio signal out stating the ship needs to identify itself. If they do not comply we will defend ourselves without question."

Rachel and Curtis stepped off the lift moments after I issued my order and went to their spots.

"Do I get to blow this one up?" Rachel asked grinning at me from over her shoulder.

I rolled my eyes at her, "No Rachel. You cannot blow this ship up."

"Then can I?" Zim asked while walking to his chair. One of the crew members in his seat, Quain I thought it was, got up so Zim could sit down.

"No, no one is blowing up any ships today," I sighed into my hand and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Aw…" Zim, Rachel and Curtis whined together, "But Wren…."

"No," I said with a glare.

Everyone on the deck started laughing and I couldn't help myself and joined into the merriment. Several rapid beeps alerted us to Bez's scanners.

"Ma'am, the ship is in range. Bez has identified it as… the Armada?"

I grinned and bounced in my seat, "Yay! We get to pick on Red and Purple!"

"Joy… " Zim said sarcastically rolling his eyes.

"Rachy, contact them with a visual message on my cue," I said ignoring Zim. "Everyone act serious," I added looking around the deck, "I want to scare the bajebus out of them."

The crew nodded and I gave Rachel the sign to start communications with a wave of my hand. The screen crackled and snapped to life. Apparently the Tallests didn't notice that we had contacted them and continued on with their conversation.

"And then I said, 'Well, we don't know of any treaty so bow down before me,'" Red said and both of them started laughing.

I rested my chin on my hand and smirked. "Well, well, well. So we meet again Tallest Red and Tallest Purple."

Purple turned to the screen and screamed. He leapt into Red's arms. Red rolled his eyes and dropped his brother just as quickly as he had jumped into his arms.

"What do you want?" he practically growled at me.

"To tell you that Purple screams like a banshee and sissy when scared," I replied. "And that you are in our way."

"We are in your way?" Red questioned. "You are in our way if anything." He growled glaring at me.

I gave an almost terrifying smirk showing off a very sharp canine tooth. "Oh really?"

"Uh… yes?" he squeaked worriedly.

Suddenly Red disappeared off screen with a yelp and a loud thump. I raised an eyebrow at the sudden disappearance.

"All righty then…" I said and watched as Purple stood up. He glared at the floor and then at me as he brushed himself off.

"I do not scream like a banshee and or sissy," he shouted at me.

My eyebrow rose even higher. I looked at the crew on the deck. "Buys, what do you think? Does he scream like a sissy and banshee?"

A chorus of voices agreeing with me made me smirk with satisfaction. Purple sputtered in rage and I couldn't take it anymore and broke out in a fit of giggles.

"You guys are so gullible. I just wanted to mess with you for a bit. Couldn't help myself," I said trying to hold more laughter back.

Purple glared at me harder as Red finally got up to brush himself off. He slapped Purple across the back of the head heavily. He then turned to me and glared hard.

"Yes, yes, it was wrong of me to pick on you," I said dismissively rolling my eyes and waving him off nonchalantly. "Anyway…"

"What are you doing in our part of the system?" Curtis asked.

Red blinked, "Who the hell are you?"

"Wow…." Rachel smirked. "We rubbed off on him on our last stay."

"Geez, how tall do you think he is Red?" Purple asked completely ignoring me and everyone else.

Curtis looked at me questioningly. I leaned over and whispered, "The Irken status symbol is height."

Curtis replied with a silent 'oh.'

I nodded.

"Hey! Hey! Who is he?" Red asked pointing and waving to grab my attention.

Curtis rolled his eyes, "The psychologist. Well … actually the sex psychologist also."

"Sex psychologist?" Purple asked blinking. He grinned evilly only a split second later. "Red says he has a problem…(mumble mumble)…"

Red had thrown his hand over Purple's mouth to stop him from saying anything else. "They do not need to know my sex life brother of mine," he growled warningly.

"You know sir," Klarl said popping out of no where and making me jump a bit. "You have a free spot this afternoon."

Curtis' P.O.V….

"I do, don't I…" I said rubbing my chin looking thoughtful.

Zim grinned. "And they seem like they need some off time. From what I've heard being Tallest is a demanding job."

"We do have that new gel spa system that's safe for Irkens," Wren stated.

"And we have some workers in the spa to help out too," Rachel finished.

"Screw convincing them to come over!" Wren said, "I'm heading to the spa!"

I started laughing and we all looked at the Tallests. "Well?" I asked. "I'm offering my services and we're offering the use of our spa and…"

"We do need a vacation," Purple finished. He turned to Red. "Please Red? Can we go for a vacation? Please?"

Red sighed, "Why the hell not? Go right ahead." He then turned muttering under his breath.

"See you soon!" Wren said with a grin. "Would you like a transport over?"

"No," Red growled, "we can handle it on our own."

Wren shrugged nonchalantly, "Suit yourselves then."

"We'll meet you in the air locks then," Rachel added.

"Whatever," Red muttered before the link was cut.

As soon as it was cut though, everyone on the bridge started laughing. Several members were holding their sides and crying they were laughing so hard.

"I have no clue how you did it, but this is going to be interesting," I said looking to Wren.

"Yeah, especially since you're the one they're going to talk to first," Wren added grinning mischievously.

"Blast you Wren," I hissed standing and shaking my fist mockingly at her. "I better go get ready for your guests. I'll meet you on the receiving deck."

"Okie dokie Curt!" Rachel said grinning evilly. "I need to go get a welcome party ready!"

"Why do we need a welcome party?" Wren asked stretching after standing from her seat.

"To make them so embarrassed that they'll turn red and not be able to say anything for a good while!" Rachel replied almost cackling as she made her way to the lift.

"I like that idea," Zim said with a grin evilly.

Narrator's P.O.V….

Wren yawned and leaned against Zim's side. She looked up at him, "Want to join me in the spa?" she asked.

Zim slipped an arm around her waist. He kissed her forehead, "I'm free this evening so why not."

Wren smiled up at him and surprised him by lacing her fingers through his. "Good, at least I have company and help against two SIRs if they decide to attack the spa."

The doors to the air lock beeped, signaling that a ship had docked and pressure had equalized. Rachel's head shot up from a vid screen that was in her hands. From beside her three human girls and three Irken girls grinned at each other and gathered necklaces made of flowers into their hands. Curtis leaned against one wall while Rachel stood beside him. Zim let Wren go and they both straightened their uniforms before the Tallests came onto the ship.

Both air lock doors slid open with a small 'woosh' and Red and Purple stood in the doorway a bit uneasy. The six girls in their dresses and flowers smiled and approached the two nervous leaders of the Irkens. They hung flowers around their necks and kissed them both on the cheeks. Red and Purple stood there with their jaws dropping as the girls hung onto them.

Wren lifted a vid camera. "Smile!" she squealed in a fit of giggles, almost reminiscent of GIR and CADIE, and snapped a few pictures.

"Girls, why don't you show them to Curtis' office," Rachel said. "When they're done there you can bring them to the spa to relax a bit before doing anything else."

"We can do that," they giggled in unison and started to lead the two startled leaders out of the room to the lifts.

Curtis kissed Rachel's cheek, "See you after Red and Purple's sessions."

"Ok, just don't traumatize them too horribly," Rachel said kissing his chin.

"Aw…. Damn. You just ruined my fun," Curtis teased following the path the Tallests went.

Rachel rolled her eyes then looked toward Zim and Wren. "Captain, can I have permission to take the evening off?" she asked sarcastically.

"I was going to suggest that," Wren said ignoring the sarcasm. "Just go and make sure someone has your place."

"Nope, gonna let the ship go to hell so I can scarf cheesy marshmallowy goodness," she said with a mock salute.

Curtis' office….

Curtis sat in his chair and looked at Red. "So, where do you want to start?" he asked plainly and to the point.

Red crossed his arms stubbornly and looked away. "I didn't even want to do this. So start where ever you want."

Curtis sat back steepling his fingers before his face and smirked, "You asked for it because in my line of work, and interrogator seems like a sweet, kind and gentle person."

Red snorted at this and rolled his eyes. "I'm the leader of an entire race, nothing you could say would make me say anything."

Curtis grinned evilly, "Have it your way then. Let's start at before you became a Tallest…"

Security room….

G.I.R. and C.A.D.I.E. grinned insanely as Red started to spill his guts out before Curtis. They were recording everything that was said, and by everything it was just that.

Zim's P.O.V….

In the spa….

I leaned against the back of one of the new gel pools with a sigh. I closed my eyes, resting my head against the back of the pool and sighed softly. "I needed this," I thought to myself.

I heard the sound of soft foot steps coming toward my pool and opened an eye to see who it was. Wren was walking toward me with a towel wrapped around her torso. I blinked as she walked closer and smiled at me.

"I could have snuck up and scared you," she offered sitting at the edge of the pool and dipping her toes into it.

"I'm glad you didn't," I hummed admiring the long leg that was hanging over the edge of the pool. "That would have probably killed me or something."

"Wouldn't want that, now would we?" she grinned then tilted her head lightly to the side. "Mind if I join you?"

I shook my head slowly and watched as she stood slowly allowing the towel to slide down revealing two piece black bathing suit. 'Wow, she's amazing…' I thought trying not to drool.

She gingerly stepped into the pool from the other side. I watched her for a moment before I spotted Red and Purple past her in the doorway. I scowled at them from where I was. Wren frowned only slightly in confusion before she followed my gaze and looked over her shoulder. She spotted the two quickly and smirked evilly. She turned around slowly and started to sit herself down on my lap. She slid back to rest with her back against my chest.

Their jaws dropped and I controlled my face to a smirk. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her unscarred shoulder lightly.

The two Tallests came in gingerly. They stopped close to one of the pools very nervous making sure they were completely covered by their robes. I resisted the urge to smirk more or roll my eyes at how ridiculous they were. I also resisted the urge to kill them both for even looking at what I had claimed as mine.

"Bez, would you mind raising the privacy barrier?" I asked slowly beginning to glare at the other two in the room.

(I can do that,) Bez said a little smugly and loud enough that Red and Purple could hear him which startled them.

Wren waved to them as they disappeared. She started to snicker.

I smiled to myself then joined her, chuckling. I kissed her shoulder lightly again enjoying the little shiver that shook her. "You're evil you know," I hmmed to her. "You're a tease in that two piece suit of yours."

"I like my bathing suit," she said with a small, cute pout. "And I wasn't doing anything wrong."

"You were being a damned tease," I pointed out, "a very tempting tease at that too. You should know that The Almightly Zim does not like to share what's his." I growled to prove my point.

She shivered again, "I wouldn't think of letting anyone share me."

"Good," I smiled. "And so you now, you don't have to show off just because you've begun to work out more. Just because you have nothing else to do besides that also means you don't have to tease people with the outcome."

Wren turned to sit on my knees so she could look me in the eye. She poked me in the chest. "I'm not the only one who works out Mr. I-get-my-hour-workout-before-the-sixth-kake."

"That's different," I said with a grin as I grabbed her finger. "I'm not flaunting it, you are."

She pouted, "I'm not doing that."

I took her head in my hands and brushed my thumb across one cheek. I brought her head down and kissed her nose then her forehead. "You don't try to Grashe'. People just notice you that way."

She sighed and rested her forehead against mine. "I wish I didn't though," she whispered as she closed her eyes. She smiled playfully then, "It's a little fun though."

I smiled back, "I know."

Rachel's P.O.V….

I yawned and stretched out on the couch in my room. I had gone back to my pjs and was lazing about the rest of the day. Beside me was a plate of crackers and cheese.

The door beeped. "Who is it?" I called not moving.

"It's me Rach," came the reply. I identified the voice as Curt's.

"Come in!" I called back and watched as the door opened.

Curtis walked into the room, sank into the couch beside me, and sighed heavily. "Red and Purple are way too insecure for my liking," he muttered.

I sat up. "Do I want to even know?" I asked.

"You're going to hear about it even if you don't want to," Curtis said pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I sorta guessed that," I yawned resting my head on his shoulder. "So, start spilling."

Curtis started with saying that Purple was afraid of women but loves them anyway. Red was completely gay but was afraid he couldn't find anyone because he was a Tallest. 'He also hit on me by the way,' he threw in randomly. And both are afraid of being overthrown and both have a crush on someone on this ship.

I blinked before giving him a skeptical look, "Who? Because if it's me, they are doomed. Hell, they're doomed anyway for trying to hit on you."

"It's not you," Curtis said. "If it was I would have killed them right then and there."

"Then who?" I asked.

"You can't tell anyone Rachel. If this gets out I'm so screwed," Curtis said giving me a look.

"I swear I won't tell them or anyone on this ship," I replied solemnly.

"Well…" Curtis started, "they both like Wren."

"Purple likes her manly qualities," he added.

I kept a straight face as long as I could. I burst out laughing only seconds later. "You…have got..to…be kidding…me…" I gasped in between fits of laughter.

Curtis shook his head in a negative.

It was a whole twenty minutes before I should stop laughing. I wiped the tears out of my eyes and dried my face. "My sides hurt like hell," I muttered. "I just hope that Red and Purple don't do any thing stupid and act upon their feelings."

"So do I," Curtis muttered.

Narrator…

A week later….

Red and Purple finally left and Wren sighed happily. "I never thought they would ever leave," she moaned and slumped into her chair that was on the bridge, a hand over her eyes.

A crew member gingerly walked up. "Ma'am?" Wren looked up and raised and eyebrow. "I would like to report that Bez has completed another level. The green house has expanded a level but another thirty rooms have also been finished."

"That has to be some of the best news today," Wren sighed. "Start assigning people to those rooms so that people can get comfortable. No more three or more people to a room now."

She saluted with a smile before leaving for the lifts. Wren was mobbed only seconds later by half a dozen other crew members. She sighed with utter annoyance.

With Curtis….

Curtis walked up to Rachel's door. He knocked lightly.

"Who is it?" Rachel asked from inside.

"Who do you think?" Curtis drawled.

Rachel came to the door and opened it. "You can just come in you know. You're as welcome in my rooms as myself."

"I'd prefer to ask permission first though," he shrugged before coming in.

Rachel rolled her eyes at that then turned to go sit on the couch which seemed to be a common thing these days. Curtis smiled and sat down beside her. Wrapping an arm around her waist he kissed her temple.

"I was wondering if you'd want to go to dinner with me tonight."

"We have dinner together every night though," Rachel observed, "what would make this one different?'

"Well, first, yes or no?"

"Yes!" she said quickly. "Now, why?"

"Well in the officer's dinning hall. Just the two of us. Supposedly Bez is passing close to a nebula and it's supposed to be an amazing sight," Curtis finally said.

"Ok, when did you want to go?" she asked.

"I was hoping as soon as you are ready," he said replied giving another kiss to her temple and pulled her closer.

Rachel relaxed only a brief moment enjoying this moment before she started to wiggle. "Then let me go and get ready so we can go eat."

Curtis started laughing as he released her. She scurried to her closet to grab a few clothes before heading toward the bathroom to change.

Later Rachel and Curtis were sitting in the officer's dining hall. The windows showed a view of a spectacular gold and purple nebula. Bits and flecks of a magenta color twined throughout it and became part of a wonderful pattern. The two had been eating for a while on what seemed to be a type of pasta just taking in the view and enjoying each other's presence.

Curtis slowly put his fork down and watched Rachel eat for a moment or two while sipping at his juice that came with the meal. As if sensing she was being watched Rachel looked up.

"What?" she asked wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"Nothing, just trying to think about what would have happened if we were still on Earth and we would have gotten together," he replied setting his glass down.

"We wouldn't have been able to see each other for one," Rachel stated, poking her food for a moment.

"That wouldn't matter," Curtis said. "I would have visited you as much as I could have."

"I know."

"But being here with you is so much better," Curtis added.

"Definitely."

"And, since we are together, I actually had someone do me a favor and make this," Curtis pulled out a small box. He opened it to reveal a gold and silver ring.

Rachel looked at it stunned, "But…"

"It's for you Rachel. A promise ring is all I can give you for now until we both know how well this relationship is going to work," Curtis said softly as tears welled up in Rachel's eyes. "With this ring I promise never to hurt you or leave you."

Rachel started crying now as he stood and slipped it onto her finger. "You didn't have to get me this Curt," she whispered.

"I wanted to Rachel," he whispered back and pulled her up into a hug.

Rachel pulled away and started to wipe her face. She smacked Curt in the arm but smiled. "You made me cry in front of all the other officers. Let's go back to my rooms because I don't feel like giving them any more of a show."

Curtis Kissed her forehead, "Lead the way love."

Somewhere on the ship….

Several loud crashes issued one after another as GIR and CADIE played chase within the bowels of Bez.

"Whooooooeeeeehehehehe!" GIR screamed.

"I'm going to catch you GIRy!" CADIE squealed giggling as she almost tackled GIR.

Suddenly the ship shivered. The two SIR units stopped their game. They looked at each other. "We didn't do it!" they cried and ran out of the area.

On the Bridge….

Wren was jarred from her doze on the bridge when she fell out of her seat. "What the hell?" she hissed as she stood up. "Report! What the hell is going on?!"

Another tremor ran through the ship and rocked it back and forth. A crew member, Siea, tapped her control panel. "I think it's a spatial anomaly. Bez's navigation systems are being affected badly."

"Get us out of here then!" Wren growled.

"I'll try," Siea shouted as a control panel above her exploded showering her and a few others in an arch of sparks.

"Ma'am! There are life forms that are not human or Irken on decks six and seven," Highka shouted over the hissing of sparks.

Caysha's hands were flying over her station's controls while she dodged another shower of sparks. "Injuries are reported in the mess hall Captain."

"Send some security down to decks six and seven to check those life forms out," Wren shouted over the din on the deck. "Make sure they are armed and tell them to fire if attacked and only to would. I want to know why they're on my ship."

The security officer saluted. "Ma'am, yes ma'am!" He ran out to the lift pulling another person with him.

The ship shook again and Rachel and Curtis tumbled onto the deck. Curtis stood first and pulled Rachel with him.

"What the hell is going on?" Curtis asked sitting beside Wren.

"We have unknown life forms on the ship and some spatial anomalies hitting Bez," Wren supplied holding on because of another tremor.

"Great…" Rachel muttered loudly.

The ship rocked again more violently than the last times. Bez groaned and growled. (If I continue into this anomaly any more, my wings will rip off!) he urged.

"Then get out of here any way possible Bez, take control and do what you think needs done," Wren snarled.

The coms beeped suddenly. "Ma'am," there was static, "we have found the life-shhhhh-but every time we see them they run. –shhhhhhh- wait –shhhhh- we have fire!"

"Soth, shoot to kill!" Wren shouted, "Shoot to kill!"

Soth didn't reply. Their coms seemed to be effected by what was going on. "We are returning fire!" There were several screams on the other end. "We are being hit from both sides. Retreat! Retreat!"

"Get out of there Soth! For everyone's sake. Get. Out. Now!" Rachel said.

The shaking of the ship and the sounds of the coms suddenly stopped. No sound was heard.

Rachel tapped her com badge. "Soth? Soth, are you there? Soth, answer us." She demanded and paused to look at Wren. "Soth, come in."

Wren sat down heavily and sighed. "Rachel, call a few security members and some medical people together. Send them to decks six and seven to see if anyone is alive."

Rachel nodded and relayed the message before turning back to Wren. All eyes on the deck seemed to rest on her as she stood. "Check for any damage to the ship and get a count of who's injured. I want a full report and I want this ship on high alert."

Several heads nodded and the only sounds were those of hand flying over keyboards.

"I also want engineering on all of the problems that arrived with this anomaly. Also have engineering check all systems. Even if they are small and control a toilet I want everything checked. See if any of Bez's optical arrays caught anything on those things that got on this ship. I want a composite make up to see what we may be against."

More activity arose from around the Captain.

Wren sighed and sat back down in her chair. She ran her fingers through her hair as she looked at the deck below her feet. She flexed her toes feeling the claws extend slightly and she frowned thoughtfully. Slowly she looked up to look at Rachel straight in the eye, "No, Rachel, I don't even know what this was or where to begin with it. In everything I can imagine I'm as clueless as everyone else."

Rachel looked back at her long time friend. "Wren, I know you can't have all answers," she said. "I wasn't going to ask you to come up with something."

"This is everyone's fight now," Curtis added. "I'm sure everyone will pitch in to help."

The bridge had gone quiet and Wren looked around at the faces of her the crew that was on the bridge. Irken and Human alike were working together to survive space. She smiled at them, "I wouldn't have it any other way," she said.

A nice long chapter for you folks. One more after this that's already written completely on paper that needs to be transcribed to computer. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and are craving the next.

Don't forget about the contest. I hope everyone wants to win for this will be an interesting next few chapters if you do.