He parked his car at the head of the cul-de-sac and got out, boots crunching in the three-inch snow. The world was deathly quiet and still, only the faint buzzing of the streetlights to interrupt the silence. The closing of his car door echoed and he started walking, hands deep in the pockets of his trenchcoat. No, not the beloved one he'd lost, but this new one would do just fine. The comforting weight of his weapon holstered at his hip bounced against his thigh with each step and he wondered if his dad would be fucking proud of him now. A full-blown field agent. No, his father wouldn't care if he was president of the goddamned agency. Or just president in general.
He glanced at the empty house he'd been tied in earlier as he passed, wondering if the female is there. He could check, but that would be risky. Besides, she needed him for something. And he intended to play right into her needs.
The house at the end was silent and dark, no lights on. Caution tape was wrapped around it's perimeter and doorway. Dib stepped under it. He looked around the dark house, then moved to the kitchen. Dib ran his fingers along the wall until the wall slid open to him and he stepped into the elevator, leaning down slightly to fit. It took him down into darkness.
When the glass door opened, Dib stepped out and took a moment to let his eyes adjust. The hall was dark, only a few scattered lights on overhead. He walked quietly down the hall, through the lab, and beyond into the opposite hall where the humans were kept.
They were all dead. Some asleep forever in their beds, others shot in the head. One looked like quite the struggle, but in the end he'd lost in a violent spray of blood and flesh. Dib returned to the main room. A single light glowed dimly in a room off to the side. He moved towards it. Something shifted behind him and he started to turn but stopped when cold metal pressed against his throat.
"You are truly foolish," Zim said quietly.
Dib reached up and wrapped his fingers around the extension, moving it and turning. Zim slid it away as he looked at him.
"Why are you here? Again?"
Dib stepped closer and lifted his hand, touching the alien's jawline.
"I had to see you again."
Zim's eyes widened but the human grabbed him by the antennae and pulled him forward hard. He cried out in surprise and pain, falling to his knees. Dib drew a taser from his pocket and jammed it into the Irken's back, shocking him. Sparks leaped from his PAK and he screamed, seizing on the floor. He tried to use his extensions but Dib jabbed him again, delivering another shock. The alien curled up tightly, shaking, gasping. He looked up and Dib hit him hard across the head with the taser and he fell to the ever-waiting darkness.
Zim opened his eyes slightly, blinking. Trampled white before him, green dripping slowly from his head. He lifted his gaze and looked around. His wrists were tied, stretched out between two trees in the backyard of his own house, like an immobilized calf waiting for slaughter. He called upon his PAK extensions but found the ports wouldn't open. Some black magic stuck them shut and he turned his head to look, frowning at the silver that gleamed dully in the streetlights.
He looked about for the human but didn't see him. He was alone in the yard, a sitting prize for the taking.
Dib watched from a top-floor window of the house, just a shadow in a dark place. He didn't need the scope on his rifle, but it added a dramatic effect to the weapon. He waited, watching the Irken struggle to free himself.
Dawn crept nearer, making the human edgy as he waited. The snow had stopped at some point but he knew the melting snow beneath the bound alien would likely be burning him.
He heard a faint sound and moved his finger slowly to the trigger.
"Darling," the female was in his ear. Dib turned to strike at her with the butt of the gun but she knocked him on his back easily. He swung the muzzle around and she grabbed it, pressing the barrel of the rifle down against his throat as she perched atop him. He shoved up on the gun with both hands but Tak held firm, smiling down at him.
"Oh, tsk. Vengeful, I suppose? Sweet human." She leaned down and licked his cheek before standing, throwing the rifle across the room happily.
"Thank you for my present, gift wrapped so pretty." She looked out the window at Zim. Dib sat up on his elbows and reached slowly into his coat.
"Your kind is too easy," she sighed, touching the glass. Dib drew his handgun and took a shot at her. She dodged with unearthly swiftness and kicked the weapon from his hand. He dove for it, but she picked it up easily and turned it on him. Dib froze, staring up at her as his heart beat painfully against his ribs.
She frowned and looked at the weapon in her hand, turning it this way and that ponderously. Dib started to get up and she giggled.
"Just kidding!" She shot him in the chest and tossed the gun away. "As if I don't know how to use your silly human weaponry."
Dib shook on his arm and fell to his back, gasping. The female looked out the window again and cursed, leaving the room.
Dib stared at the dark ceiling, pressing a hand over his chest. Blood pumped between his fingers, warm and fast. He swallowed thickly, tasting the metallic creeping up his throat.
A strange laser-like sound came from downstairs, followed by the light thump of something falling to the floor. Footsteps crept up the stairs slowly, creaking. Dib's fingers twitched and he tried to move but his legs felt numb. The door to the room swung open slowly, a shadow moving towards him. It paused to pick up his handgun, then stepped into the light from the window.
Dib looked up as crimson eyes gazed down at him, unreadable and silent. He opened his mouth but blood bubbled out with each breath. Zim took a knee beside him, eyes moving to his chest briefly, then back to his face. The alien met his eye and held it a long moment. Cold fingers touched Dib's cheek, brushing his skin gently.
Zim raised the gun to Dib's temple, never breaking eye contact as he did.
He pulled the trigger.