A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys :3 Becki: thanks for the continued support! I'm sorry I'm being so mean to them XD Damn you for guessing what I was gonna do next! I hope this chapter isn't too predictable haha! like please: thanks for the offer but I'm going to respectfully decline, I do a lot of proofing before I submit a chapter and often change a fair bit of stuff. I'm a bit of a perfectionist *cough*controlfreak*cough* so I just couldn't imagine anyone else doing this for me. I'd rather spend the time on it and get it right anyway, after all writing this story has been an enjoyable process and though I do appreciate people are waiting for an update I don't really want to rush through it and sacrifice enjoyment and quality. Please have faith, I promise I will finish this story, it is always on my mind :) I know myself how painful it is to have a fanfic you love become abandoned! This chapter only took so long for me to post because I got carried away with writing the next one, so at least that shouldn't be too long coming.

Chapter 11

The first thing that Dib became aware of was pain. It resonated through his whole body, drawing him out from the blissful ignorance of sleep. Shakily he pushed himself up from the cold metal ground of his cell and into an awkward sitting position, unable to prevent a pained groan escaping his mouth. This made his stay in Zim's cell seem like child's play - he doubted he was going to get any food or medical treatment in this place.

Dib wondered whether the Tallests would kill him after they'd finished using him to hurt Zim. He supposed they would, what other use would they have for him? He didn't think he'd like to find out. The thought of being aboard this ship without even Zim for company terrified him. This was of course if they didn't kill him in the process of tormenting Zim. Part of him selfishly hoped this would happen, at least that way he wouldn't have to witness Zim's execution. But he knew the guilt would have him hanging on for dear life as long as he could muster the strength, the thought of leaving Zim alone here was just as bad.

He looked across into the cell next to him. Zim sat neatly poised with his back rested against the glass and his eyes shut, but Dib couldn't tell if he was awake. His face was bruised and spattered with his own blood – he wasn't in much better shape than Dib was himself, except that Dib knew his inhibitor helped him to deal with the pain. What he wouldn't give for one of those right now. He knew it was selfish of him to plead with Zim to turn his inhibitor off but it made him feel so alone, like his Zim wasn't really here, and he was so afraid. Dib felt like such an alien surrounded by all these conditioned, heartless Irkens, and Zim wasn't much solace right now.

Of course Zim had every right to be mad at him. Dib bowed his head in anguish. Had he done the right thing by coming here? Perhaps he had only made Zim's death more agonising and shameful. Why could he never do anything right? All he had ever wanted was just a friend, was that really so much to ask? Dib felt a tear escape his eye and soon the flow was uncontrollable, rolling quicker and quicker down his bloodied cheeks. He sniffled moistly, trying to wipe his face with his sleeve but it was soon soaked through. A choked out sob escaped his throat.

"Don't cry." He heard a voice from nearby. Dib looked up to find Zim's head turned towards him, red eyes staring at him expressionlessly.

"Why not? I think I have plenty of reason." Dib replied sullenly, his voice thick with tears. He felt so immature blubbing like this whilst Zim remained so composed.

"It doesn't help anything." Zim said rationally.

"It makes me feel better."

"Does it really?" Zim pulled a face.

"Doesn't matter. I can't help it anyway. Just leave me alone." Dib grumbled sulkily.

"I don't like to see it." Zim admitted. This made Dib look up in surprise, his expression softened.

"I thought you didn't care?"

"Stop grubbing for attention. You know how I feel." Zim looked away, his voice weary. Dib was quiet for a time as his sobbing eased, feeling calmer than before.

"How long was I out for?"

"I'm not sure. Quite a long time. By human standards… maybe a day, or a bit less." Zim replied.

"Woa…"

"You needed it. Your injuries are substantial." Zim sighed heavily.

"Were you awake this whole time?" Dib asked, but Zim just remained silent. Dib continued after he saw that Zim wasn't going to respond. "Are… are you still mad at me?" Dib felt himself blush at how juvenile he sounded given the circumstances. This whole scenario made him feel like a child - he was nothing but a baby compared to these Irkens, not just in experience and knowledge but in actual years too, and that included Zim.

"I guess not." Zim conceded, though to Dib it seemed more like he had just given up caring rather than forgiven him, and it didn't make him feel much better. He'd seen Zim panic stricken and depressed, but never so defeated. The fight had completely left him and it was heart wrenching. Zim had always been so passionate and full of life before and now he was so broken, and it was all because of him. If only they could get away from this putrid place, Dib would make it up to him. He'd prove that he could stop making these mistakes and look after him.

He gritted his teeth, absent-mindedly reaching his hand towards Zim and placing it against the glass. Zim watched the boy's movements uncertainly, before slowly reaching his claws out and placing them against the glass of his own cell facing Dib's. Dib felt his pulse quicken. It was such a small action but it felt like it meant so much.

Suddenly he saw Zim's eyes go wide and he retracted his claws quickly from the glass. Dib soon understood why as the sound of footsteps reached his ears. He felt bile rise in his throat and shrank back in his cell as the guards stopped before them both. There was only two reasons they would be coming here – either to torture them or to kill them. If he had a choice he wasn't even sure which he would pick right now. He dared to glance over at Zim to find that he had risen to face the guards, and was glaring defiantly at them. Dib felt ashamed at himself for cowering but he could barely even stand for the pain he felt in his body, and the thought that he was about to sustain more was unthinkable.

He felt a sudden jolt like an electric shock ripping through his body, and the next thing he was aware of he was being dumped at the Tallests feet once more. He looked about dizzily to find that Zim was a little to his right kneeling also, looking at him worriedly. Dib wanted more than anything to smile back at him to let him know that he was okay, but he just couldn't muster one. His heart raced sickeningly.

"Now then Zim, and… human," Red said the word sneeringly, "We've been doing a bit of digging and we've found some quite interesting footage." Zim quailed at his words. Could it really be any worse than what they'd already seen? "It seems you weren't entirely honest with us earlier." Red looked down at him knowingly.

"My Tallest?" Zim asked questioningly, uncertain what Red was referring to. Dib noted that there seemed to be an edge to Zim's voice, something subtle but distinctly less fearful or respectful than previously. He was sure it didn't go unnoticed by his leaders either, and he felt nervous for the consequences. Red merely raised a brow at Zim.

"When you denied your association with this thing. When you told us the human was merely 'taking advantage' of you and that you 'felt nothing' for it." Red air quoted the words mockingly, but Zim said nothing in response. What could he say? "We've seen everything now Zim, so there's no point in denying any of it anymore. We saw you caring for it like it was your very own pet. Taking care of its injuries, feeding it, even sleeping all snuggled up with it." He scoffed.

"There was even another mouth on mouth incident, and you certainly weren't unconscious that time." Purple added, gagging.

"But that wasn't all we found out. We discovered the real root of all this was the fact that this human was actually the one who fixed your pak in the first place." Red revealed and they both began laughing jeeringly, as though it were the best joke in all the universe. Zim remained unfazed throughout, his face blank as he waited for their snickering to cease. Red wiped moisture from his eyes as he finally calmed down and continued.

"As if that joke weren't good enough on its own, it turns out that the human also managed to turn off your emotional inhibitor." At this Zim did flinch, and Dib shot him a worried glance. "Not only that but after quickly realising this you made the decision to leave it off…" Red shook his head, flabbergasted.

"Awww Zim, are you gonna cry? We know how emotional you can be. And that you like being that way." Purple mocked him derisively, giggling. Dib saw Zim's antennae twitch in aggravation, but still he kept his cool.

"I was actually surprised that you turned it back on in the end. What's the matter, did the nasty human hurt you?" Red joined in on the taunting, and Purple laughed appreciatively at his ridicule. Dib blushed profusely at this, lowering his eyes to the ground. "Any way it did give us a good idea." Red looked down at them both menacingly. He snapped his fingers and a cable came shooting from one of the walls and joined to Zim's pak roughly, jolting him forwards.

"Since you seemed to enjoy those emotions so much, we thought we'd do you a favour and give you them back." Zim's eyes widened with panic, and Dib's heart nearly burst out of his chest.

"No… please! Not that!" Zim's calm pretence was completely erased as he begged for their mercy. Dib couldn't help but feel wounded that Zim was treating it as the worst thing they could possibly do to him. Given the circumstances, perhaps it was.

Regardless it was already too late. Dib saw something change in Zim's eyes then, in his expression… even in the way he held himself. His whole body sagged as the weight of the emotions flowed back into him against his will. He choked out a sob, screwing his eyes tightly shut. The Tallests smirked in satisfaction. The cable slowly retracted from Zim's pak and he sank more into the ground, as though his spine weren't enough to hold up his body any longer. Zim cracked open his eyes then, and Dib flinched as he caught his gaze. He could feel all the heartbreak in that one tiny look, piercing like icy claws into his insides. It simply said, what have you done to me?

"Don't think you're so special any way Zim. This is a fairly standard procedure for us. There's no point in inflicting torture on an Irken who can't feel real pain or misery now is there?" Red muttered nonchalantly as Zim trembled on the ground. "So, now the real fun can begin." Red smirked, nodding to someone behind them.

Dib didn't have time to process this before he felt something wrap around his neck and yank him backwards. He landed hard on his back, knocking out what little breath was left in his body and reawakening every injury he already had. He grasped wildly at the cord that choked his throat, his eyes going blurry as he gasped desperately for air.

"Please… you don't have to do this, he's innocent…" Zim pleaded his Tallests futilely, but it only made their smiles grow wider.

"Innocent? He's hardly innocent after touching you in that disgusting way." Red smirked.

Zim cringed as he saw the human's face turn a disturbing shade, before the cord was finally released. Dib rolled over, coughing and gasping for air and clutching at his sore throat. He was totally defenceless in his disorientated state, not even noticing as the guard holding the whip like instrument stepped closer. The Irken lashed it brutally against the boys back, knocking him flat down to the ground and leaving awful gashes across his skin.

Zim couldn't stop himself any longer. His head was whirling with such powerful emotions that he felt like he was no longer even in control of his own body. He rushed forwards with the intention of throwing himself between the whip and Dib's body, but he didn't get that far. Something slammed him hard to the floor and he had to take a moment to come to his senses. Another guard stood over him menacingly, daring him to get back up. Zim had forgotten how much pain really hurt without his inhibitor, it was so totally overwhelming. He could only imagine what the Dib was feeling right now if this was what one simple blow felt like. He looked up and met the boys eyes, and was astounded to see worry in them.

"Don't… Zim," Dib choked out. How could the boy be so brave?

"Now now Zim, look but don't touch." Red lectured him sardonically.

"Please… just punish me. Leave him alone, he doesn't deserve this." Zim begged.

"Don't be silly now why would we do that? This is clearly the best torture we can apply to you."

Zim grimaced as his limbs shook with the urge to fight back, but he knew that if he did the Tallests would only make it worse for the boy. He realised all the anger he had felt for the Dib was long gone. Whatever he'd done to hurt Zim it was nothing compared to what he was going through now. Zim couldn't bear it, but he also couldn't look away for fear that they would kill him while he wasn't looking. Terror and distress raged through his body relentlessly. Were the Tallests planning on killing Dib this time? Whether they wanted to or not Zim wasn't sure how much more the boy's body could even survive.

"Mmm strange." Red muttered distractedly, observing Dib's bright red blood. "Your bodily shape is quite similar to Irken but you seem quite different on the inside. So much red. Perhaps we should open him up and see? Guards, restrain the human." Zim gasped in horror at the suggestion. Were they really going to dissect the boy alive? The worst he knew was knowing that Irkens had the tools to do such things without killing him, but the pain and the stress just might.

Dib cringed as he was rolled onto his raw back, cables gripping his wrists and ankles and pulling his limbs out so he was spread-eagled flat on the floor, his front exposed. He pulled feebly at the restraints, sweat beading on his pallid skin.

"My Tallests…" Zim choked out, barely louder than a whisper. He didn't know what to say or do anymore.

"Don't worry Zim we'll put him back together. We won't let him die, this is much too fun! After all this is only like what you did to him isn't it?" Red smirked and Zim almost retched.

"I didn't… I didn't hurt him on purpose…" Zim uttered through gritted teeth but the Tallests just ignored him, favouring instead to lean in towards their 'experiment' to observe with interest. They beckoned over an Irken scientist who stood close by with a cart of tools. They had clearly come prepared.

"Thank you for this opportunity my Tallests, this will prove most interesting. It's always invaluable to investigate a new species." The scientist said curtly as he readied a menacing looking tool and prepared for his investigations. The Irken leaned over Dib's body, removing what was left of his torn clothes before lowering a sharp blade to the boy's soft skin.

Zim's view was obscured as the Tallests and other Irken scientists crowded around Dib's body, but he couldn't escape the boy's bloodcurdling screams. They ripped darkly throughout the room, burning into Zim's soul. He heard Dib's cry break after a time as his voice wore out, and Zim was surprised to find the silence was more unsettling than his shrieking had been. Had they gone too far? Was it all over? Zim knew he was being selfish now. It would be better if the boy did die, at least then they couldn't use him anymore. His claws raked at the metal ground in frustration.

Zim could hear the Irkens muttering amongst themselves as time wore on. He listened intently as the scientists speculated over the human's different organs and what the equivalents could be in Irken bodies, just hoping for some indication that the boy was still alive.

"Fascinating," Red murmured though Purple seemed somewhat bored, favouring instead to watch Zim's mortification.

"I advise we conclude this session for now sirs. The creature has lost a lot of this red bodily fluid. It would seem they need it to survive just as we do, so if you don't want it to die we should finish up." Red nodded reluctantly to this.

When they all eventually stepped back it revealed Dib lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood, his torso covered with silvery scars where he had been opened up and sealed once more. He panted shallowly, his face wet with tears and sweat and his skin sallow. Zim couldn't tell how coherent he was, his eyes were unfocused and distant.

"I would have to have further sessions with the subject to determine whether his race has any value to us or not scientifically." The scientist said to the Tallests as he packed away.

"Of course, I'm sure that can be arranged." Red took the opportunity to shoot Zim a dark look before sending the scientist away. "Human… thing, get up." He ordered Dib, and Zim's eyes widened. How could he expect the boy to move after that? He saw Dib blink and slowly he turned his head to look toward them, his face uncomprehending. "Do you really want me to have to ask twice? I said, get up." Red added dangerously, and he saw the fear flicker in Dib's eyes with satisfaction.

Zim was shocked as Dib slowly rolled over onto his hands and knees, groaning as he did. How did he still have the strength? It took a few attempts to get to his feet but eventually he managed it, swaying unsteadily.

"Well Zim? Don't you want to go to him?" Red teased and Zim looked at his leader in bewilderment. Dib looked quickly to Zim, eyes begging him to obey. Without another thought Zim rushed over, claws grabbing onto Dib's upper arms to steady him. Dib's hands shakily clasped onto Zim's own arms, and Zim could feel the trembling that racked his whole body. The boy's skin was sickly cold and clammy, and an even worse colour up close. Zim looked mournfully over the blood-stained scars on his chest and belly.

"I'm so sorry," He whispered, knowing it didn't do the situation justice but unable to say anything else.

"Bet you want to press lips now huh?" Red jeered, and Purple looked at him in shock.

"Red you're sick! Don't make them do that in front of us!" There was a pause as Dib and Zim looked at each other sorrowfully.

"Do it."

Zim looked away unhappily, avoiding Dib's eyes. He wasn't ready for this. After everything that had happened it just felt too complicated a thing for him to add to the pile. He had decided against this kind behaviour, and had put all his hopes for such emotional engagements with the Dib behind him. He didn't want to have to say goodbye to it a second time.

Conversely he felt the Dib lean in eagerly. How could he be so quick to act like nothing had gone wrong between them and forget where they were now? He was clearly desperate to grab anything he could get while it was available, he didn't seem to care about the circumstances at all. How like a human. He knew the Tallests wouldn't be satisfied until they had humiliated him – little did they know this wasn't the reason why he hesitated – so for Dib's sake he reluctantly looked up back up into the boy's eyes.

Dib could feel Zim's unwillingness to kiss him and he tried not to feel hurt. He knew Zim's feelings must be in turmoil right now and that it was definitely too soon for him. But he'd do anything for one last kiss, for all they knew it could be their last ever chance. Finally Zim looked up at him and as their eyes met Dib could at last see his Zim was back, broken and shattered though he was. His emotions shone clearly from his deep ruby eyes and suddenly they fell into the kiss easily. He tried hard to focus on the texture of Zim's soft lips and ridged tongue as the rest of his body raged with agony.

Clumsy though it was Zim was surprised by the intensity of Dib's kiss, as though it were his last moment alive. He realised it could well be, so Zim fought to let go of his woes in that moment as their tongues intertwined. He tried to imagine they were back in Dib's room, resting on his soft warm bed in total peace and safety. The dark blues of the decoration were soothing, and a sliver of moonlight crept in through the curtains highlighting Dib's pale skin.

Zim flinched as he tasted the bitter tang of Dib's blood in his mouth, a cruel reminder of where they really were that shattered the peaceful illusion he had created around them both. Zim shrank back, breaking the contact. He opened his eyes and gazed into Dib's, those familiar amber irises surrounded by white stained with red. Dib raised a hand to Zim's cheek, cupping his face softly in his palm.

"Zim…" Dib began, but they were abruptly torn apart.

"Disgusting." Red shook his head at them. "Still, there's nothing like making the torture worse than by alleviating it with a little taste of what they want. Taunting really devastates the mind." Red's voice brought them both harshly back to reality as guards pulled them apart and cuffed their hands behind their backs once more. Purple gagged in the corner. "Back off to the cells with you now." Red waved them away.

"Wait… aren't you going to turn my inhibitor back on?" Zim panicked as he was pushed towards the doors.

"Why would we do that when you can have so much fun thinking about your upcoming execution?" Red smirked as Zim's skin went pale.

The walk back down to their cells had become a maddening, sick routine they couldn't escape. They were uncuffed yet again, and thrown into their adjacent cells.

Dib winced as he hit the ground, his body screaming with pain. He lay there for a time until the throbbing eased enough that he could think straight once more. When he tried to sit himself up his hand slipped against the floor, painfully jerking his body. He stared at his sticky hands uncomprehendingly, before realising he was covered with his own blood. Looking down at his naked torso he saw that that too was stained with red, and began frantically wiping the blood away as best he could. He was glad he couldn't see the mess his back was in - he didn't want to considering how much it hurt. The sealed up scars on his front now matched perfectly with the one that Zim had left him, he grimaced. They didn't hurt at all, but his insides felt abused where they'd been poking and prodding at him. The thought of it made him retch, but his stomach was too empty for anything to come up.

He was surprised to find a bowl of clear liquid had been left in his cell for him. Could that be water? Or some kind of horrible trick? He reasoned that they didn't want him dead yet, as they were enjoying torturing him too much. It had probably been at least a day since he'd had a drink, and now that he thought about it he was parched. He sniffed at the fluid timidly. It smelt a bit strange, but not bad.

"Hey Zim?" Dib was surprised at how much his voice rasped. He looked over into Zim's cell and the Irken looked up at him despondently. "Is this water?" Zim peered over.

"It won't be water but it'll be similar. It's a fluid a lot of organisms need to drink, easily synthesised. It should be fine for you." His voice was weary.

Dib took a tentative sip and found the fluid bearable. It tasted metallic, a bit like drinking from an old water fountain. Still it was refreshing and he gulped it down, just praying it didn't make him sick. Thirst quenched, Dib looked over into Zim's cell. He had no supplies of any kind.

"Don't you need something?" Dib asked nervously, not sure what Irkens actually needed to survive. Zim didn't respond, but just kept staring down at the ground. Dib felt guilty then. He had got his way – Zim had his inhibitor back off, and he was miserable. He tried to think of all the things he'd wanted to say to Zim before, but now they all escaped him. In the end Zim surprised him by speaking up first.

"I'm scared…" Zim's voice was tiny, and it broke Dib's heart. Zim was clutching himself, shaking quietly. "How… how do you act so brave when you feel this way?" Zim pleaded.

"I don't feel brave. I guess I'm just more used to it than you are." Dib tried to think of anything that would reassure Zim, but what could he say? It'll all be alright? It'll work out in the end? Maybe something more along the lines of, don't worry we'll both be dead soon.

"I never wanted to feel this way again. It's too much." Zim screwed his eyes tight shut. "I wish they'd just killed me." Dib flinched.

"Well I'm glad they didn't."

"You… I don't even understand why you're here." Zim's voice suddenly sparked with anger. "Why did you come after me? Why did you even come back to my base at all that night?"

"I already told you, because you're important to me!" Dib tried to shout back but his voice shook with exhaustion.

"If I'm so important than what were you doing with her?" Zim finally cracked. Dib should have known he wouldn't be able to escape this conversation, no matter what situation they were in. Zim knew how irrational it was to be hung up on this considering the position they were in, but he couldn't help it. Somehow Dib's betrayal still hurt more than everything the Tallest had done to him. "None of this would have happened if you hadn't…" Zim's voice broke with emotion, and he let out a small sob. Dib clenched his fists – he didn't need reminding of that.

"I know it's all my fault. I can't tell you enough times how sorry I am Zim." Dib spoke despairingly. There were no words he could say that could possibly fix this.

"Then tell me why?"

"I didn't do anything with her. Not really." Dib cringed at himself – that had been a bad way to start.

"I'm not a smeet Dib, I saw you 'doing things' with her." Zim snapped irritably.

"We only kissed okay? Yeah it was an intense kiss I'll admit… and she… touched me a bit," Dib winced awkwardly, "But it never went any further I swear. I sent her away when I realised I couldn't go through with it."

"You… couldn't?" Zim looked up meekly, intrigued.

"Because it made me realise that I only wanted you." Dib locked eyes with him then. "I was only using her to try and get over you in the first place Zim, because I thought that you were going to leave and hurt me."

"Dib I…" Zim gulped the lump that had formed in his throat. "That night… I was coming to tell you that I wanted to stay with you, that I was ready to try things…"

Dib's eyes widened in shock. Zim had come over to try and tell him that and instead he'd seen him sucking face with that girl? God he was such an idiot. Things… did Zim mean what he thought he meant by that? It only made everything hurt all the worse, thinking about how different things could have been. Dib felt the tears begin to prick his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Zim. I know I have no right to ask this of you, but please forgive me. I'm so so sorry." Dib wept against the glass, longing for the Irken's touch. "I can take whatever shit those fucking leaders of yours throw at me, I don't care. But I can't bear the fact that I hurt you so bad. I can't face things being so broken between us."

Zim's anger softened at the human's emotional apology, watching intently as the boy sobbed on the other side of the glass. He really did mean it, and he hadn't done those things with that human girl after all. That changed everything.

"So… you don't feel things for her? You'd rather be with Zim?" Zim asked sheepishly. Dib looked up, an intense look burning in his eyes.

"No, I feel nothing for her! Of course I'd rather be with you!" Dib said passionately, his eyes blazing fiercely into Zim's. Zim could feel himself quaking with the weight of his emotions. It was bad enough being on death row when everything had gone to shit, but now knowing that things could have worked out between them… he didn't know whether this revelation was even a good thing, it just made their fate harder to accept. He didn't want to die, he could barely even imagine how painful it would be. But more importantly he didn't want the Dib to die. He pressed his hands against the glass in desperation to be as close to the human as he could manage, his pulse quickening as Dib mirrored his actions.

"This can't be how it ends… we have to think of something. We have to get out of here!" Dib said frantically, a note of panic rising in his voice. Zim sighed heavily.

"It's just impossible… even if we managed to slip away, we'd never both get out of here alive." Zim hung his head despairingly.

"Well I don't know about you, but I'd rather die trying than die being torn apart by those bastards." Zim looked back at him – the boy had a point. He thought about it intently for a moment.

"The only opportunity we'd get is when the guards come to transport us back up to the Tallests. But even then… they'll cuff us both, they'll outnumber us, they'll be armed… and even if they weren't, look at you! You can barely even stand Dib." Zim noted the boys trembling body, a dribble of blood creeping down his arm from his flogged back. It turned his stomach. "You should rest while you can."

"We still have to try. The next time they come it could be to kill us." Dib said determinedly. "All we need is some kind of distraction, something to give us enough time to slip away. There must be escape pods on this ship?"

"Yeah… there is." Zim admitted. Dib had no idea what he was talking about. Escaping this ship? It was ludicrous to think that they could. Perhaps if he focused all his attention on getting Dib into one of those pods… he could distract the guards long enough for him to get away. That was all that mattered after all. Dib was right, it had to be worth a try. They had nothing left to lose now.

"If I could just use my damn pak," Zim clenched his teeth in frustration. The device they had attached to his pak when they had first arrested him prevented the use of the numerous tools it held within. He caught a glimpse of it in his reflection in the glass walls and tried to study it closer.

"Can you get that thing off?" Dib peered over, trying to see it.

"I've never seen one of these before. I can just about reach it… but I'm not sure how it detaches." He clawed at the device futilely, before sighing in defeat. "They'd never make something I could take off myself."

"I think I have an idea," Dib thought hard. "What if you pretended something was wrong with your pak? It's your life support right? But they'd have to take that thing off to look at your pak wouldn't they?"

"Yes, but why would they care if something was wrong with it?"

"Well they wouldn't want you dying would they, the Tallests… they want to do that themselves surely." Dib said awkwardly, though there was little need to be delicate.

"True… it could work. If we act sicker than we are… well. If I act sicker than I am." Zim looked at Dib's wounds with concern. "Dib… what if you can't keep up?"

"I will. I'll do whatever it takes." Dib wished he felt as brave as his words made him out to be. Zim was right of course, right now he could scarcely stand let alone run. He would be heavily dependent on Zim's aid. Still, his heart trilled giddily with hope at the thought of their plan. He saw Zim's face scrunch with worry and smiled determinedly at him.

"You should sleep then, so that you're as strong as you can be."

"I don't want to waste a single second I might have left with you." Dib shook his head, and Zim couldn't help but smile.

"Don't be silly. We're trying to win the rest of our lives back remember? Some sleep now could make all the difference." Dib knew he was right, and no sooner had he thought of it than his eyes suddenly felt too heavy to keep open. He knew Zim saw this and conceded defeat, settling himself more comfortably against the glass. "I'll be right here watching over you, I'm not going anywhere." Zim grinned as he leaned back too, astonished at himself for having the capacity for humour right now.

"You know I think you could be right about emotions Dib. A few moments ago I felt so horrible I could have died from it, but now… I feel sort of hopeful. It's so powerful. I feel like… maybe we could do it." After getting no response he glanced back at the Dib and found the boy was already fast asleep. He smiled warmly before turning to rest his head back against the glass once more.

His mind wandered then, back to what had happened after he had turned his inhibitor back on. He felt ashamed for how he had treated the Dib, but despite his anger and lack of emotions they had somehow still wound up lying on that bed together. He was quite amazed that he had softened to the boy even with his inhibitor on. He started then as he remembered something he had heard the boy say from the Tallests footage, something that hadn't meant anything to him before…

"Zim… I wish you knew how much I love you."

Dib… loved him? He still wasn't a hundred percent certain he understood the concept, but he knew it was big. Humans valued it so much, to love someone and be loved in return was a precious thing. He could understand why now of course. Was it how to describe how he felt about the Dib? He looked back at the sleeping boy. His poor delicate skin was littered with scars, dried blood and bruises. It was unbearable.

"I promise I'll get you out." He whispered resolutely.

Zim started as he heard someone approaching, he must have drifted off. How long had it been? He looked across and saw that the Dib was stirring too, but he was taking longer to come around. His pulse quickened as the human blinked his eyes groggily. Finally he caught the boy's gaze.

"Pretend to be unconscious and they won't shock you! Once they cuff you act weak like you can barely walk, just follow my lead!" Zim uttered urgently under his breath. He knew the human probably wouldn't need to act much at all, but there was no time to dwell on that now. His skin was pasty white and his eyes were unfocused, but he gave Zim a small nod and quickly lay back on the floor, closing his eyes. Zim just prayed it worked. He could get over the brutal jolt much quicker than Dib could. He glared determinedly at the guard approaching him.

The guard approaching Dib looked into his cell in uncertainty.

"Is it dead?" He muttered to his colleague, who shrugged.

"Dunno, it was in pretty bad shape. Just bring it anyway. It won't give you any trouble." He turned menacingly to Zim. "You on the other hand, I hope you're ready to die." He smirked as he jolted Zim.

Somehow Zim managed to not quite lose consciousness this time, he was getting used to it. He slowly felt sensations returning to his limbs after the cuffs were replaced, and they began that long march once more. Dib had managed to stumble to his feet eventually and he tottered along convincingly, though Zim wondered how real it was.

He had already calculated the best place to do it, where they would have the shortest journey to an escape pod. He had spent a long time thinking over how he was going to jeopardise anyone trying to follow Dib's pod or stop anyone that might try to shoot it down. It was the main reason he couldn't go with him, though he knew how mad Dib was going to be at him. He guessed that didn't matter. At least the boy was smart enough to pilot himself home, he had faith in him.

As the spot neared Zim shot Dib a quick look. He just hoped his acting skills were up to this. He suddenly fell to his knees and tried gasping for breath dramatically.

"What the… get up you! Stop messing around!" The guard demanded, though clearly unnerved.

"I… can't… b-breathe! It's my… my pak!" Zim wheezed.

"Huh?" The guard was unconvinced.

"My pak! It's… not… working!" At this the guards exchanged a glance.

Dib panicked, was it not going to work? He barely had to act himself, Zim's scene was distressing enough for him to witness and he was already so tense.

"Do something! Help him!"

"Silence! Why should we?" The guard snapped at him angrily.

"The Tallests sent you to fetch him so they could execute him right? What do you think they'll do to you if he dies before they can have their fun?" This succeeded in making the guards look worried and cautiously they knelt down to peer closer at Zim's pak.

"I can't see anything for the restrictor." One guard muttered.

"This guy was meant to have a defective pak right? Maybe we should take a look…" The first nodded in agreement.

"I certainly don't want to be taking his place in the execution." Dib's pulse quickened as he saw the guard tap the control on his wrist, and the device clicked free. Zim's speed was immense. The split second he felt the mechanism release his pak his spider legs shot out so fast that the guards didn't even realise what was going on before they died. He sliced through both their throats and was off the ground and on top of the others before their bodies even hit the floor. He finished the others off just as quickly before landing in front of Dib.

"Wow… you're pretty scary you know that?" Dib muttered, his heart pounding frantically in his chest. Zim didn't pause for a second, swiftly bringing a laser-like tool from his pak to sever the cuffs from his wrists, doing the same for Dib's.

"We're lucky no one's around, but someone will be here soon to look for them. We don't have long." Zim grabbed Dib's wrist and yanked him down a corridor. He scowled in frustration as Dib stumbled along behind him - they weren't going nearly quick enough. His eyes widened as he heard Irkens ahead and his spider legs quickly wooshed back out and pulled him up into the ceiling, his arms grasping around Dib's waist as he pulled the boy up with him. He could feel the Dib panting heavily against his neck as the boy clutched him tightly, and could feel his frail heart beating furiously. Dib winced as Zim's arms held against his wounded back, burying his face in the alien's chest and just trying to focus on inhaling his comforting scent.

As soon as the Irkens had passed out of sight Zim continued on, staying on his spider legs this time and carrying the boy in his arms. He knew they had less time now, as those Irkens were headed straight for where the bodies lay. Any moment they would be discovered.

Zim felt a flutter of hope as he saw the nearest escape pod deck come into view ahead of them. They were so close. Zim set Dib down in the room and ran over to a pod, quickly checking it was functional and opening the doors.

"Get in!" Zim demanded as he bent over the control panel next to the entrance, typing furiously to activate the pod and simultaneously beginning his job of disabling the Massive's weapons and tracking devices so that the boy could get away safely.

"Not without you!" Zim grimaced. He should have known the boy would be too smart for this. His heart lifted as the pod showed as ready to launch, the main button flashing readily. All he needed was for Dib to get in, but he had frustratingly positioned Zim between himself and the doorway.

"Get in now Dib," Zim growled in frustration, ignoring Dib as he continued his task. "I'll be there in a-" Zim was cut off abruptly as the boy threw himself forcibly into his side, flinging them both to the ground. He heard the sound of laser shots hitting the wall where he had just been stood moments ago.

"Stop right there!" The guard yelled at them, several more rushing in to flank him.

Stunned and winded Zim looked up just in time to catch Dib's eye. The boy smiled at him softly from where he lay on the ground just apart from Zim, his golden eyes radiating feeling.

"I love you." Dib uttered softly, as the doors closed in his face.

It took a moment for things to make sense. It wasn't until he felt the ground beneath him shift and heard the mechanics of the pod clicking and whirring, releasing it from the main ship that Zim realised what had happened. The Dib must have pressed the activation button as he fell and had managed to throw Zim into the pod.

But not himself.

A/N: Eeps. Gotta stop being so mean... nah. XP I hope their escape didn't seem too sudden/easy. Well Zim's escape I suppose. I really wanted to get to the execution scene but I figured if I got to that point there was no way they'd be able to escape. I also kind of decided Zim's inhibitor had to be turned off by someone other than him, as I'd said all along he'd never do it himself.

Thanks for reading :D