Jacklynn didn't know quite what to do other than to take Zim up on his...order? For a split second, she wanted to protest. But honestly...what other options did she have? Even now, her apartment was too cold...by tonight, the October air would be freezing. The wind whistled through the hole in her wall as if to emphasize this.

Zim handed her her luggage, and she went about packing her things. A few outfits, toiletries, some other necessities. She didn't have much...she was fairly certain that she was a bit in shock seeing as she was not able to think, let alone process very well.

Zim took her luggage once she had it packed, and shouldered her backpack. She took a quick look around and sighed. She turned to Zim, who looked at her sympathetically.

"Can we...can we just sit for a moment? I just need a minute."

Zim nodded and sat on the couch beside her. She sighed and leaned over, her elbows in her lap and her face in her hands. Zim rubbed a soothing hand in circles over her back. She allowed herself to lean into him.

"I don't know what to do Zim." She said, choking back a sob.

"Did you not know what his actions were?"

"No...I knew...but I guess, without anyone else knowing it made it easier to ignore." She sniffled.

"I dealt with it because...well they're a family...if I tell the mom, the kids will have to go through a divorce....But then...the mom deserves to know...but Im afraid she'll be mad at me...and I need that job Zim. There's not a lot of people willing to hire me while I'm still in school, and I've had to save for college...I feel selfish."

"Looking out for yourself...not selfish. Not telling hurts you more Jack Lynn... hurts them more."

" I think...I think I've always known that... it's just... it's not a small thing. This is a big problem Zim."

"Zim will help. Jack Lynn is not alone. Zim will help Jack Lynn be inkimpa."

She looked up at him...not alone...God, she didn't know just how badly she needed to hear someone say that until just now...but she had only just met this guy...he literally came crashing into her life...or at least his house did. Was this really one of those "one door closes and another opens" moments? What choice did she have though? She had to take a leap of faith and trust him.

"O-okay Zim...inkimpa... I'm... I'm going to have to tell her."

Zim nodded. "You want alone Jac-"

"No. No, if it's not too much to ask...I don't want to be alone for this." She sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve, Zim handed her a paper towel and she gave him a watery smile in thanks. Wiping her eyes, she cleared her throat and dialed Mrs B.

~~~~~~~~~Zim

He didn't know why...but he knew at this point, the more he told himself that it was for the mission, he knew he was lying to himself. He felt the need to protect this female...seeing what she dealt with in just a day...she needed him. She needed someone, and he felt that should be him.

Defective...yes, this was entirely to do with why the Tallests and quietly banished him. Emotion was weak on Irk. Theyd spent a thousand years trying to clone it out of the Irken race...yet here he was, feeling compelled to help a human he'd just met not even 24 earth hours ago.

Seeing how superior to her peers she was...how much responsibility she handled...and how well she did it. She'd made quite the impression on him...and now...now he could see how deeply she felt ...how deeply she hurt.

All he could do was sit beside her and rub her back, his other hand clenched tightly in hers. He could offer a little bit of silent strength to her at least. Be there to ground her.

These humans, their culture, their world...it was all alien to Zim...But being an invader meant learning hundreds of laguages, cultures, biologies...this sort of thing was pretty uniform on every planet he'd ever been on. He didn't have to be from here to understand it.

He listened in to the call...Jack lynn held up well until the end, when both females were crying.

"I'm so sorry Mrs.B...I- I should have-"

"Jacklynn, dont you dare put any of this on yourself. Do you hear me? You're a young lady, he's a... well he's supposed to be a grown man. He's scum. You have been nothing but a blessing to our family. I'm so sorry that he did this to you. And I understand why you waited... I'm so greatful that you had your friend there tonight if thats what it took for you to realize...Listen, I went through something similar at your age. I get the reasons why you didn't say anything sooner. Im not mad at you, understand?"

Jack Lynn was full on sobbing at that. She clung to Zims hand with a deathgrip.

"Th-thank you M-Mrs B."

" Just Melody now babygirl...is your friend with you now? can you pass him the phone?"

Jack Lynn looked yo Zim...he was confused, but took the phone.

"This is Zim"

"Zim, please take care of her. I dont want her alone tonight, hut I obviously have some things I need to handle at home."

"Jack Lynn is in good hands. Zim will ensure she is safe."

"Thank you...Im happy to know she's not so alone anymore. Tell her I love her...I have to go."

The call ended, and Zim passed the device back to Jack Lynn.

"She said that she feels love for you Jack Lynn."

She nodded and sniffled. Zim pulled her into him and she wrapped her arms around his waist, hands clawing at his back as she burried her face into his middle and wept.

Zim just stroked her hair and back, letting her get it out. He rubbed soothing circles with his fingertips onto her scalp. After a while, Jack Lynn had stopped her weeping and her shuddering breaths. She was breathing slow and deep, light snores and the occasional sniffle the only sounds that she was making.

Zim sighed...the temperature was dropping...he could see his breath create vapor in the air...He needed to get Jack Lynn to his base.