Hey all! How did you survive the snowfall of this year? I drove in it for work, and survived! New York got hit baaaad.

Chapter Ten, as promised, deals with several topics.

One, Dib and Membrane visiting their kinship at last, along with a little backstory to Membrane himself.

Two, Amelia is pregnant, and Gaz has the baby. The cousins will be both months and species apart. Will they be friends or enemies?

Three, Zim finds out about his mission although a change is coming about Zim. Will this result in anything good? Or will everything crumble beneath his feet?

Membrane's backstory does follow closer to the backstory of Hamilton's parents. His mother was branded a whore by her first husband, and stripped of everything she had. Hamilton's biological father stuck around until Hamilton was about 10, and it was deemed to be so due to finances.

Please continue to leave your feedback, I love it so!

Chapter Ten: Meet Me Inside/That Would Be Enough

Before General Membrane had been called to the dueling grounds at the cliff, he had stopped to read a letter he had received from Dib's wife. He studied the letter. There was no mistaking it, the letter was addressed to him and not Dib. When it came to Dib, he had his reasons why he did what he did and it seemed the young boy didn't wish to acknowledge anything outside of his work. That in itself was an admirable quality, but at some cost.

Martha pleaded with him to see light on this and shed light on the boy. He would have his regrets one day if he didn't at least try. He was under the impression his wife wished for the happy family she had always dreamed. Unable to have any of her own, John could understand. He more than understood. He experienced and felt it. To leave a family behind was the hardest decision he ever had to make.

Before he was a General, he was a scientist. He was an inventor, he buried his nose into books of medicine. Science was his first love. He admired Aristotle, Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton, and Francis Bacon with his 'scientific method of investigation' on which John Membrane dedicated his work. He wanted to become like them and make a difference in the world. His father, Marshal Membrane, saw the world differently. It was war, war, and more war. You fought like a man.

Science was how he met a very special someone. She was the daughter of a wealthy landowner, who had an eye for natures and sciences. She was never taken seriously, but John welcomed her in and showed her what he knew. Her name was Margarita, but many called her Peg, and she preferred to be called Peg, or on occasion Peggy.

Peg's father eventually died, and John had his eye on marrying her, however, she was taken into someone else's embrace. It was an arranged one upon her father's death bed, signed by a lawyer and it was notarized. She bowed her head into this loveless marriage, however, John became a man who took what he wanted. Although it didn't take much convincing, Peggy practically ran to John and the two indulged in a love affair.

They never announced it, but when Peg became pregnant with their first child, there was no mistaking that the child was John's as the babe looked exactly like him. With a son, John envisioned a world of studying sciences with that child. Testing theories, making mistakes which would lead to revolutionary inventions. John had many hopes for his son. Of course, this torrid affair caught wind when the child looked nothing like the man Peggy was married to.

He scorned her and the child. He demanded satisfaction and a divorce that branded her a harlot He prevented her from ever remarrying, stinging both John and Peggy in the process. John vowed to remain beside her, as the man milked every ounce from her and left her dry with a babe to support. John supported her conducting freelance clinical work, getting into multiple scruples with his father due to his choice in lifestyle. John had no intention of making his father aware of the family he had tucked away.

A year or so after the dust had settled, the couple was welcomed again with a daughter. A daughter that looked like her mother. To protect Peg, John lied and claimed the two were married to give his children his last name and to protect the woman he loved from being verbally stoned. In his heart, they were married. He bought Peg a ring, only for prying eyes and ears to correct them. John's father got involved, the scandal was enough to cause shame to the Membrane family. Those children were the product of sin, however, John had done something clever and notarized his last name on both of their certificates. Products of sin they may have been, but they were his children.

With his son going on two years of age, the young tot was capable of putting together his tinker toys. John took the toy apart for his son to do it again and he fashioned the toy in another way. While holding their daughter, Peggy would find John laying on his stomach with their son, piecing the toys together. If she were still alive today, she would recant how his eyes shined with so much pride.

John's father couldn't keep him away from his family. But, war could. Every capable man was to report to respond and fight for the sake of his country. Ships were being taken out to sea and being a General's son with the extensive and proper training, John was one of the more capable men for the job. Ultimately, John left a tearful Peggy and his children.

"They're better off without you," John's father said to him. "Meet another woman and do it right. Those bastard children will never be entitled to anything in this lifetime. It's best you forget. You're doing them more harm than good by being around."

For years, John wondered how Dib and Gazlene Membrane fared. They were only five when he left. The world was cruel, and the war hardened John. His father passed away and left John the battalion, he left John his fate. His father had made certain his dreams of science and Peggy were dashed away. While they were separated, he was never able to forget. But his children wouldn't recognize him now, and perhaps it was best if they forgot him. That was seemingly the first and last time John gave himself fully to anyone after that. Poor Martha, he cared for her, enough to marry her and give the good woman a life she deserved. A good woman deserved a good life.

He leaned forward into his desk and finally opened the letter. He read through the contents.

"Dear General Membrane,

May this letter find you and the troops in good health. I ask, if you can spare my husband, please send him home. I am three months along with our first child and I would like him present for a little while, at least to see his son or daughter come into the world. It came as just as much of a surprise, if you can imagine. We didn't think it would happen at all!

Please tell him his wife misses him. I would have written him personally, but what a way to find out through a letter. No, this is much better discovered in person. General, thank you for keeping my husband safe.

Best wishes, Amelia."

John Membrane leaned back in his seat, unable to help the smile that crossed his features. So, he was to be a grandfather. He had been present for the wedding, and perhaps a proper wedding present should have been an explanation as opposed to a sum of money towards a home of their own, but, Dib wouldn't allow anything to spoil his day. There was no good explanation for what he had done. He let his father's words sink into him. Now he realized, when it was too late, that there was plenty he could do for them.

"Sir, come quick. They're having a duel on the outskirts of the camp," one of the officers proclaimed as he nearly fell into the tent.

John furrowed his brows. "Who is having a duel?"

"Laurent Clemens with Dib as his second versus Dwicky Lee and Zim as his second."

John felt like he was always in a position of authority, always in a position of parentage. He looked after these boys as though they were his own. He even received the childish, 'you're not my father!' from the younger recruits. The look he gave Dib caused his face to fall, though it was quickly recovered and hardened.

"Dib, meet me inside." He turned away from the four of them, embarrassed, ashamed, and disappointed that Dib would amount to this. With a shake of his head, he walked back into the tent with Dib at his heels.

"Son-"

Dib tensed before shooting back, "Son? I am not your son." John hardened at those words and continued just the same.

"What were you thinking? I told you and your little friends to leave it be! You shot one of your commanding officers!"

"You're right. Laurent should have shot him in the mouth," Dib tensed. "And if that alien wasn't goading him along…"

"Son." He assumed Dib meant immigrant. He assumed Zim was one, as well as the friends he had made.

"I. Am. Not. Your. Son," Dib corrected again.

"I think you're well aware that we share kinship." A pregnant pause crossed the two of them. Despite the tent was only so large, the silence was thick enough to cause claustrophobia as the air tightened around father and son. Dib rationalized in his mind that this time would come, he simmered and counted to ten before taking a deep breath and releasing it.

"You left us."

"Not on my decision."

"You never bothered to look for us. You left us to fend for ourselves. I know about our illegitimacy because you and mom never married. I've conducted several interviews. But, fuck, if I ever call you my father. A father is there for his children. He doesn't just go off, disappear, reappear and call himself daddy."

John stared at him, silently, almost defeated. He couldn't argue with the young man. Had he been smarter, even more assertive than he had been, then history would have written out very differently. However, he acted in the manner he had, and therefore, these were the consequences. The past had a funny way of catching up with someone and making them choke on their mistakes, which led to regrets, and resent if someone allowed it.

"And," John began, "that is why you shall be a better father than me."

Dib quirked a brow. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Did John dare say anything further? Dib was progressing as a hostile force, worn out from the questions encircling his mind. He could try, right now, to reason like a father but, a force stopped him. He assumed the force was Peg as he lifted his gaze towards the ceiling of the tent. She and Martha warned him not to push his boundaries at this moment. So, he wouldn't.

"Go home, Dib."

Dib, exhausted, spoke and explained in the clearest voice he could manage. "You make this claim that I'm your son. You keep me here locked behind this desk and I am not a little boy. You missed out on those moments. Give me a command. You give these idiots like Dwicky a shred of power and look what happened? Entrust me. You've seen me handle the soldiers. I can handle the men."

Membrane shook his head. "War itself is too great a risk. There are many people who are counting on you. Your wife needs you alive. Son, I need you alive-"

That word was enough to set Dib off. This man had no right to address Dib the way he was. Father. Son. They were titles and none that Membrane had earned to wear.

It felt like a device that was ready to set itself off. It curdled and bubbled within him, feeling itself rise towards the back of his throat. He was either going to spew bile, or acerbic and lacerating words.

"Call me son one more time!" He stress and shouted in warning, tears pricking the corners of his eyes. He felt force fed the reality and maybe that's what Dib needed in the long run. But, not now. Now, he didn't want to hear the truth and perhaps seeing him this way would register, because it was apparent that talking was getting them nowhere.

Membrane saw this and straightened himself. One man managed to bring another to tears. He was starving for a place in this world and he himself felt responsible for it. Dib had so much untapped potential, but lacked any sound guidance. Perhaps in given time, they could make amends, but now wouldn't be then.

"Go home," John repeated, clearing his throat. "That's an order from your commander. Dib, just go home."

He realized his hands were balled into fists and he was trembling. The younger Membrane stood there, still. The moment had frozen in itself. He stopped referring to himself as his father and he was somewhat relieved. Perhaps some normalcy could return and Dib go back to being a soldier.

But first, Dib returned to The Ryder household as a husband. He walked the dirt pathway, his jacket slung over his shoulder as he looked down. He ruminated what was said back in camp, turning it over and again. His father was alive, they were brought together for the same cause. His father was a General, and he looked up to him as one. The way he was certain he looked up to his own father. This was something to tell Gaz, and he wondered how she would react.

He heard his name and slowed his walking, adjusting his eyes to see Amelia bent over at the gate, waving to him with a wide smile upon his face. He picked his feet up against the pavement, hearing the crunch of the twigs beneath his boots until he saw her up close. Something was different about her, she was glowing and that caused him to smile. Her face brought him back to what he needed to remember was important. He created a new life, and as he looked down upon her form, that meant both figuratively and literally.

She was pregnant.

It took him a moment to now process this new bit of information. He had thoughts of eventually starting a family, but now to be presented with this to his face. His family would begin sooner than he anticipated, but he wasn't disappointed. Husband and wife didn't exchange words, but Dib threw open the gate and embraced his wife. He felt her form tremble in his arms, he kissed the top of her head the way he did before they were married.

"How long have you known?"

"Oh, about a little over a month?" She sheepishly grinned. Dib lowered her, lowered his hands to rest them upon her swell.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," she replied, her sheepish grin replaced with a more confident one, placing her hands over his. "I knew you wouldn't return until the war was over and this vendetta against Zim was squashed."

Dib shook his head, knowing he would continue to fight both wars. "This is more important. Amelia, you and this baby…" She placed a finger to his lips and leaned forward to press her forehead against his. She decided to change the subject, while still remaining on the topic of babies. She knew Dib would follow her lead.

"The baby is a week late coming. Gaz has taken to bedrest, and the doctor says the babe should come any day now. I'm certain Zim will join her soon."

"If the bastard cares enough," Dib scoffed, tightening his hold to where his own child laid protected. "Besides, this alien child…"

Amelia frowned at that. "We'll handle it. Although Skoodge has been writing to Gretchen, believe it or not. He says he bears no harm towards us and to remain inside of the house for as long as we are able and to not take the babe outside until one of them comes."

"Why am I not surprised? The coward is more taken with dueling to the death than his own."

"Dueling to the death?"

Dib blinked, realizing he had said too much before thinking quickly and swept Amelia off her feet, carrying her inside of the house. "Dib, what did you mean by that?" She wasn't going to let this go.

"By what? Sweeping you off into the house? For as long as I'm here, you won't be on yours." Dib grinned.

Amelia sighed. At least he was safe, although he looked troubled. It either had something to do with Zim or General Membrane. She would speak to him after and when he was ready. A heavy groan from the house told the couple something was wrong. After asking him to put her down, Amelia was still small enough to make it up the stairs at a moderate pace. Excited cries came from the top of the stairs.

"Fetch Dr. Hooper. I think this is it," Angelica said from the top of the stairs.

"No, we leave Dr. Hooper out of this," Amelia said, giving Angelica a warning look. "We've agreed to handle this inhouse."

"Amelia, but what if the birth goes amiss?" Angelica asked cautiously.

"Something could go terribly wrong," Gretchen agreed.

Birth was a natural business. It was part of the life cycle, but one Dib was told he couldn't be part of. The men were to wait in the parlor while the women tended to business. He argued that that was his sister, especially upon hearing her painful groans and the shouting of the water breaking. Jacob placed a hand upon Dib's shoulder and motioned for him to sit.

"We need to trust in the women. Your sister naturally knows what to do," Jacob attempted to assure him.

Nancy gathered Amelia and Gretchen into the birthing chamber. Angelica, still young, was told to watch over the little ones. Nancy stationed herself between Gaz's legs, saying a prayer for the child to be delivered safely.

"Enough lip service and get this thing out of me!" Gaz wailed. Nancy patted her outer thigh gently.

"You are looking beautifully, Gazlene. Just continue to breathe like we've been practicing."

Amelia was amazed at how calm she was. Her heart was in her throat. While she had seen the births of her younger siblings, Gaz was bringing a whole other species into the world. Would the babe be healthy? Would the babe be disfigured? She and Gretchen exchanged glances, taking a deep breath and waiting it out between the fluids and the blood as the babe tore her, like the life vessel she was. Gaz hesitated at one point, too exhausted to go onward. Nancy attempted to coax the new mother, rubbing her knee gently and reinforcing how splendidly she was doing.

If she waited too long, danger could come to the child and none of the Ryder women could risk that. Gretchen stepped outside, fanning herself from the rise in temperature and Gaz's shrieks caused her to be slightly lightheaded. She found Dib leaning against the banister across from the door and made eye contact with Gretchen as she straightened.

"Dib…"

"How is she?" He asked, peering over to see if he could see anything happening. Instead, all he saw was Mrs. Ryder sitting at the edge of the bed and Amelia wiping her brow. Gaz's legs were bent as she was positioned as close to the edge as she was able in order to successfully deliver. Gretchen closed the door and looked back up at him.

"Soon enough," she replied, and tucked a stray hair from her eyes and behind her ear.

And no sooner had she said that, Gaz's cries could be heard from even behind the door.

"That's it! Just another push! I see the head!"

Dib picked his head up, wanting to offer his services, but Gretchen refused him admittance. Another few grunts and cries, a new set of cries flooded the area. The women gasped, including Gretchen who was outside and quickly went inside, closing the door behind her. Gaz fell backward onto the bed. Nancy cleaned the babe off with a warm towel and swaddled her in a plush blanket.

"We have waited quite a while for you," Nancy laughed softly. The room was darkened by the dimming candlelight. None could see the exact color of the child, but the rosy cheeks were enough for Nancy to judge the child as healthy. Perfect lungs as she wailed; all fingers and toes accounted for and wiggling for her mother.

Amelia rounded the corner to check on Gaz. She was unresponsive, though exhausted. Amelia feared that she had succumbed to childbirth as many women before her had. Bringing life into the world often exchanged for death. The steady rise and fall of her chest indicated she had fallen asleep, even though the cries of her child that wouldn't stop until the child was brought to her breast for its first nourishment.

"She's asleep."

"Just watch," Nancy whispered, rocking the babe as she approached Gaz, laying the tiny form upon her chest. Gaz's eyes opened to look down at her child and slowly began to sit upright, taking her fully into her arms. A little girl. Those eyelashes and features weren't fooling anyone. A thick head of violet hair, two thicker black stubs, assuming those would be her antennae; however, Gaz would find a way to hide them from human sight.

The baby possessed light green skin. Gaz blinked, did she see that right? Shuffling closer to the light, she eyed Amelia who lit another set of candles and settled them to Gaz. The idea of this child's existence was surreal. A harmless baby. Light green skin confirmed, to which Gaz sucked in some air. The baby opened her eyes and revealed the reddest eyes she had ever seen, her father's eyes. Eyes that would become troublesome if she didn't think quickly.

They could play off eye irritation for the time being and she was certain they would believe it. She just had to hide for a little while here in this room with her daughter. Amelia promised to care for her. Gaz wanted to believe her.

Nancy had exited the room to reveal the news to the new uncle and the remainder of the family. Amelia heard voices asking to see the baby. She rubbed Gaz's shoulder gently before exiting the room and closed the door behind her. A hybrid alien baby was born in her parent's home. How could she protect this? Her belly unsettled to which she rubbed her abdomen gently. She pushed herself away from the back of the door to the parlor where she saw the others readying to head for the room.

"Mother and child have both endured a great ordeal. Perhaps we should allow Uncle Dib to see his niece and we shall see how they are feeling to visitors in the morning," Amelia suggested as Dib quickly walked past his wife and entered the room to see this miracle for himself.

"That is more than fair enough," Nancy replied with a smile. "Amelia, why don't you rest yourself?"

"I'm still feeling quite spry, mother. I'll retire shortly. You did amazing tonight," she replied and embraced her mother before disbanding the rest of the house and returning to the birthing room. Dib increased the lighting with another few candles and caught sight of the baby. He had never seen a baby alien before. He wondered what one looked like, and now he felt he would receive the opportunity.

"She looks like you," Dib offered encouragingly as he sat down gingerly at his sister's side.

"She looks more like Zim," Gaz replied, her hair limp and disheveled around her face.

"That was to be expected. We just didn't know to what extent. We can cover this up…" Dib attempted to rattle off excuses. Gaz reached a free arm that wasn't cradling her daughter and rested it upon her brother's hand.

"We can't stop the inevitable. Zim will want to take us away from here when he finds out about her arrival," Gaz said as she adjusted the baby girl in her arms.

"I won't let him," her brother countered.

"We both know we can't stop him."

"Gaz…"

She shook her head. "This is for the best, Dib. Zim will know how to protect her."

"But, who's protecting you?" The baby yawned, which caused Dib to look down at the half alien child. Her skin was so fair, she herself was so fragile. She opened her eyes, and while Dib managed to get himself lost in the eyes of his niece, he reminded himself that this was only the beginning.

Zim knew within his stomach he should return to Gaz. The lack of her response to his letters was cause for concern, although he assumed she knew what to do in terms of birthing their child. After all, he was cracked from a tube with machines to deliver. He thought about what their child would look like, the kind of individual it would train to be. He was ready to celebrate with a round of Dib's departure, when Madge and Skoodge joined him in the tent. The two fellow invaders eyed one another, having received the word to retreat from the mission and return home for reassignment. The Tallest wasted little to no time.

"Ah, Zim, you should contact the Tallest when you're able," Skoodge muttered.

"Hm? The Tallest? Why? It isn't time yet for me to make my weekly report to them of my progress. Although, granted, I'm not prepared with any great news, but perhaps they have guidance for me. Besides, I'm too thrilled to be rid of the Dib-Beast for a while." Zim leaned back in his seat the way Madge found him that night over the letters from Dib's sister. Reluctantly, the taller invader devised a plan to help conceal the baby when she came. There was no hiding her when she arrived.

"Zim, it's important to know that whatever happens, we won't leave your side," Madge assured with his hands clasped together at his waist.

Zim could feel his antennae droop from beneath his disguise, which he began to shed. They were the only ones around. Those words from Madge were ominous and foreboding. Zim rose from the chair and crossed the tent to a patch of dirt that seemed dug and reburied. He stamped his foot for the ground to separate, enough for Zim to descend downwards and through a series of tunnels until he reached the belly of the base within the base.

Madge's words rang hollow to Zim, although haunted him. That phrase, assuring as it was meant to be wasn't. He patched the call to Irk, seeing Tallest Purple on screen instead of Red.

"Hey, stupid, get on the screen. It's Zim," Purple said in hushed tones, offering Zim a lopsided grin before pushing Red into view, who was halfway into a burrito.

"I was eating," he scowled after swallowing and tossed the food aside for a servicer to clean. He cleared his throat and looked down at him. Red took a moment to study the invader, who appeared to have grown another several inches since he had seen him. He had always thought Zim would forever remain small and unworthy. His frame was more lithe, and his antennae more sharp. Red's lips thinned.

"Zim, we have been informed by an unknown, outside source that you have killed nearly twenty of your own kin. Are you aware of that?" he asked in his domineering, deep, powerful voice meant to intimidate.

"I consider it "natural selection" as the humans call it. The weaker invaders weed themselves out," Zim explained, placing his hands behind his back. "My Tallest, why am I to contact you this evening? To explain natural selection?"

Red straightened and stared at Zim, who quirked a brow in return. Since when did Zim sound both refined and confident?

"Yes, Zim, I've heard of natural selection. Which is why, because due to your actions, we're selecting to abort this mission."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, My Tallest," Zim retorted.

"Oh, we can and we have. We have made a wide spread announcement to return to Irk. Invaders are no longer to participate in Operation Earth Shatter."

"Then Zim shall commence Operation Earth Snatch."

"You dare to be defiant, Zim?" Red countered.

"My Tallest, I'm so close to finishing the humans off. You must continue to support me in my mission." Zim rocked back and forth on his heels.

"That's asking us to back you taking down your own people," Red sneered.

Red couldn't back down. Especially not to Zim. This was dangerous. However, without resources, Zim wouldn't last long on his own. Red swallowed.

"Zim. Return to for reassigning, or face exile. You can't last without resources for long. Eventually, you'll succumb."

"I don't think I will," Zim replied simply.

"You're no invader, Zim. You were never meant to be assigned this mission. This was for Madge and Skoodge. You tagged along because, well, you need to cling onto something. You're like a Blorg Leech. No one likes Blorg Leeches, Zim. I don't even know how you got out of your first banishment."

Both Irkens stared one another down as the truth was finally released. Zim appeared unfazed by Red's speech.

"I shall prove to you that I am an Invader, My Tallest. The blood of leadership runs through my veins. Well, I have much work to do, a war to conquer. So, Invader Zim, signing off!" The Irken saluted before ending the call.

Red balked as the transmission ended. Purple frowned and glanced at his partner.

"Continue to retrieve the Invaders back home. Like I said, Zim cannot survive long without resources." He began to descend from the main chamber and head outward and to his bedchamber. Purple glanced toward the screen, quiet to take the conversation in. He was an observer, while Red was a talker. That's why they made a good team, and started that back in the academy. They balanced one another out.

Zim's increase in height was a concern. Any Taller and he would be a match for them. Perhaps he did carry the blood of an invader, a defective invader, within his veins. Purple would have to conduct more research on that in order to successfully take Zim down. Leadership was a strong word, and perhaps Zim wasn't handled properly back in the academy. If the theory Purple was brewing in his mind stood any ground, then they were in trouble. Purple glanced behind his shoulder before making a few more calls. First, Skoodge and Madge.