Jack moaned in pain. Everything hurt...she sat in her little tub, hugging her knees to her chest as she let hot water from the shower rain down on her. There was a knock at her door and Gaz's voice. Whe couldn't make out what she said, but that didn't matter as she came in anyway.

"Jack.. Zim was worried that you were hungry. He sent me with food. Really fucking good food...he made it himself."

She set it on the counter and followed Jacks moans into the bathroom.

"What are you doing?"

" It hurts Gaz... everything hurts."

Gaz sighed then clapped her hands together.

"Okay...look. I just listened in to Zim's call with his people. His doctor said that you two need to be close to one another for this pain to go away. Otherwise it'll drive you both crazy. And you are already in pain from literally evolving overnight."

"Gaz...I fo t want to be near him right now...its breaking my mind. none of this should be real!"

"Jack, I get it... but we're here now. We gotta figure it out. And let me tell you, Zim really cares about you. He's hurting too, and hes worried about you. You font have to do anything, just come back...at the very least you'll be warm...its fucking freezing in here."

Jacklynn looked up at her and sighed.

"Okay...you win...But...i still need space..."

" Ill talk to him, just get out of there and get dressed."

Jacklynn hurt too badly to even attempt getting dressed. she put on her bathrobe and tied it tight. Coming out of the bathroom, she saw Gaz holding a basket.

"Ready? let's go."

~~~~~~~~~~Zim

He sat in the livingroom, flipping through channels as he waited for something to happen. He had set up the kitchen for the three of them to have their meal together, and he had set up his chambers for Jack Lynn if she preferred to be alone.

He hoped that he had done it right. There was only so far his research could get him.

He had done his best with what he had...having to have the AI 3D print a few things.

The table was set, a table cloth, with a runner and centerpiece, candles, placemats. Cloth napkins with napikin rings...full dish setting...He wasn't sure why Humans insisted on so many dishes or utensils...He even whipped together a quick salad and soup to make it a full meal.

The produce was mostly irken, and the soup was made with a can of creamed corn and other earth vegetables blended together...it was a recipe found from the Gord on Ram she that the humans seemed to love so much.

He waited impatiently, shaking his foot nervously and clicking through channels without even looking...then, finally, they both came through the door. he shot up, but then took a few steps back, not wanting to overwhelm Jack Lynn.

His organs clenched at seeing her in this state. She was pale and looked miserable. She was shaking and her eyes were so swollen that it was a wonder she was keeping them open. Her antennai were drooped, even her curls at the ends were limp and hanging low. Her hair was tangled and sitting oddly on her head...

She looked at Zim with tear worn eyes and then looked away. Her boytom lip trembling, threatening more tears. Zim sighed...not great, but it was a step. Gaz gave him an encouaging look and nodded towards Jack Lynn. He cleared his throat nervously.

"I...um...set the table if you'd like to sit there...or I can get you settled in my chambers if you want to be alone."

~~~~~~~~~~~Jacklynn

She sighed and looked up at Zim through her tear streaked lashes. She could tell that he felt horrid...it wasn't exactly his fault that she was going through this...her reactions were more induced by the ammount of stress that she's been under...she just finally...broke a little.

There was something about being around him that eased the pain as well...and god was that a relief! She nodded slowly, the action hurting her aching head. Food would do her some good, it was nearly 4 o'clock. Her body was still recovering and she was hungry.

"I'll sit at the table." She said meekly.