Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim

Author's Notes: Okay guys now that Zim and Dib have finally met we are going to start adding ideas from the regular Invader Zim series. All of the episodes (both aired and non-aired) will be corresponded into this series; they will just play out a little differently for obvious reasons. For example, Tak will reveal herself, and she still hates Zim! However why she hates him may alter slightly, and that is all I'm gonna give you.

PS: This Chapter is Part 1 of 3, and it is loosely based off of Invader Zim's Episode 2a: Best Friend. Only instead of Keef being obsessed with Zim, he's obsessed with Dib! So, stay tuned as we begin to explore the series in a new light! Thanks for reading and as always I hope you enjoy this next chapter and ask that you please review.

(Back with Dib the next morning…)

It had taken a lot of convincing from both Dib and Gaz to persuade their father to allow them out of his sight, but somehow, they managed.

Dib shivered in the cold autumn air, it was mid-September and already a heavy snow fall was pending, and boy was it freezing outside. "God Miz must be hating this." He whispered as he and Gaz headed towards Peg's house.

It was the same routine every morning.

The two siblings walked past both Peg's and Miz's homes on their way to school. So, every school day they would first walk to Peg's where she would join them in their walk to school. And this use to be where the stops ended. For nearly a year now Dib had been the third wheel to his sister and her girlfriend. Someone, who Dib approved of so much that he already considered her a member of the family. He was happy that Gaz had found someone who got her so well. Someone who loved her, even though she was creepy, and antisocial, and spent way too much time with her eyes glued to a game counsel. Peg knew all of this, but didn't care in the slightest, she loved Gaz for Gaz!

And now just maybe Dib had a chance to have the same thing. Miz was like the yin to his yang. So, focus, so strong, so brave! He made Dib feel special; like he finally found a place that he belonged. Miz was full of determination, excitement, and wonder.

"Speaking of, I wonder if Miz will be up to going to school today." Gaz said.

Dib nodded his agreement; he too was wondering the same thing. Miz had been so levelheaded last night. So focused, so prepared, like he had been waiting his whole life for this Zim to return and finish him off. And yet Dib knew that his whole experience with the monster had been a scaring one for his friend. How was Miz able to face him so fearlessly?

And Speaking of Zim, just his name made his hair stand on end.

The space lizard had proven to be more than enough for all of them, in fact Dib was still finding it hard to believe that they had managed to get out alive. 'We didn't manage.' He reminded himself. 'He let us go! He watched us go and smiled wickedly; like he knew we had nowhere to run!'

Dib looked over his shoulder at the thought, he knew it was pointless, but he couldn't help the paranoia. That robot had downloaded everything from his phone into the enemy's book bag device thingy.

Which meant Zim now knew his every move!

And while some activities could be rescheduled, Dib could not change his school schedule. This was his senior year! The most important year of his life, sponsors from colleges all over the world were already looking at him. If he wanted a good spot in one of the best universities in the world, then he had to stay focus.

Of course, this was easier said than done, especially when an alien has sworn to kill you! But somehow, he had to try and live his normal everyday life regardless of the current danger. Sadly, his daily obligations were only a third of his problem. Miz was obviously another, his feelings for him only grew stronger with every passing day. And last night's events only made his feelings more complicating.

Miz had told him to watch people's eyes, but his eyes were blank last night, so much so that the enemy himself had more emotions then he did. Dib was so confused; Zim was the final third piece of the problem. And the problem had nothing to do with the fact that the lizard had threatened to kill him. So, what was the problem you might ask? What was it that Dib couldn't comprehend?

Everything!

The supposedly emotionless tyrant had shown far more emotion than his friend had seemed to mustard. Dib should hate him, should want to do nothing but dissect him. But all Dib wanted to do was understand him. To comprehend why he looked at him like that, like he had just betrayed someone close to him.

He was so confused, Miz's eyes had such wonder the first time he got a good look at them, like a mystery just waiting to be solved, and yet Zim's eyes gave him the same feeling. Zim's eyes were like a complicated puzzle, a mixture of emotions that were hard to decipher. One moment they were full of excitement, and the next they were screaming murder.

He had never thought an alien from another planet could feel so much, heck he was emotional as some humans he knew, and maybe even more so. He just didn't know, and that was the thing he hated the most, Dib hated not knowing something. It ate at his insides, made him burn for the missing knowledge until he could think of nothing else.

Zim was an enigma, and Dib was determined to figure him out, as well as Miz. He had so many questions that concerned them both. For example, why did he see the same thing in both of their eyes?

Was it because they were both mysterious in their own way? Was that just the kind of person he was into? Was he drawn to mysterious people? That could be it, after all he was into the strange and hard to explain. So naturally his interest in people should mirror that.

And there was the problem, Dib was interested in Zim!

He should hate him, fear him, but all he felt was the urge to figure him out!

It was maddening, and it raised so many concerns, like was he really in love with Miz? If he could see the same thing in both their eyes did that mean Miz wasn't as special as he thought? Did it mean he wasn't the one? Did he even have feelings for Dib? Or was he just a friend to Miz?

Dib shook his head as they made it to Peg's house where she had been waiting for them at the doorstep.

"Hey guys." Peg chimed. "Lovely weather we're having hu?" She teased, poking Gaz.

Gaz gave her that famous warning growl of hers and Peg simply laughed it off, before hugging her. Dib couldn't understand how two opposites could be in a relationship, but for them it just worked.

Gaz smiled and allowed Peg to hug her to her heart's desire, and even joined in after a moment of resistance. And Peg couldn't be happier, she understood Gaz wasn't a hugger, but Gaz understood that Peg was. Peg was clingy, and even though that wasn't Gaz's thing, she accepted her for who she was, and gave her what she needed.

The two girls parted and the three left for Miz's house.

Dib wondered if he would ever find a love like that. Would he and Miz be like this one day? Did he want them too? He wish there was an easier answer, but after his first crush had gone so horribly wrong, Dib's greatest fear was that Miz would reject him too.

And Dib just could take that, Miz was the best thing that ever happened to him. He couldn't lose that.

"Hey what's up mopey?" Peg teased as she gave Dib a playful punch in the arm.

"Nothing…." Dib lied. "Just stuff…"

"That stuff include Miz?" Peg asked.

Dib sighed. "Am I really that obvious?" he asked.

"Hey I get it." Peg said. "Back when Gaz and I were just friends I was going through the same thing." She admitted.

"How did you decide?" Dib asked. "To make the first move or not?"

"I didn't." Peg said. "The moment just happened, neither of us planned it, or expected it. But when the moment was right it happened."

"So, I'm just supposed to wait for this moment that may never come?" Dib snapped.

Peg laughed. "Yeah, cause that's what love is, a waiting game."

Dib nodded, he supposed she had a point. You waited for someone to show you affection, then you wait for it to be something more. Then you wait for the perfect moment to pop the question, than you waited for the wedding. And after that…well you waited in fear for the day that fate would decide to take them away from you.

Yes, love was a waiting game.

Dib sighed as they walked up to Miz's house, the front step was empty, but that didn't mean much. Dib knew that Miz was probably just trying to stay out of the cold until absolutely necessary. He walked up to the door and knocked twice. "Miz, we need to get going or we'll be late."

For a moment there is silence, and then. "Coming!"

Dib sighed, as he heard Miz's voice along with the sound of running feet.

Finally, Miz opens the door, and Dib's breath catches in his throat. His eyes instantly fell on his, and to Dib's relief his Miz was back. The same wonder, the same mystery was there, and Dib couldn't be happier. 'I must have imagined it last night.' He thought. 'Or maybe he was just in shock of everything that happened, and he just appeared emotionless. Yes, that's it; he was just in shock.' He sighed, relieved that at least one mystery was solved.

"Eh you okay Dib?" Miz asked.

Dib was about to answer when a golden furred puppy came running up to him from inside Miz's house.

"Gir!" Miz shouted.

Dib looked down at the ball of fur that was Gir and smiled. "So, this is the famous Gir?" He asked as he picked up the puppy, who began to lick his face. "Awe I think he likes me."

Miz smiled. "Don't be deceived, he's a crafty one. This is the fifth time he's escaped my room this morning."

Dib laughed. "Awe I think he just wants some love." He said as the puppy continued to lick his face.

Miz took the pup in his arms and smiled as Gir licked his face as well. "Yes, but right now we need to go to school." He pulled a dog treat out of his pocket and threw it inside the house.

Gir dives in after it, and Miz closes the door after him. "Works every time." He bragged.

Dib laughed as he wiped the slobber from his face. "I'll have to remember that." He admitted.

"You guys coming or what?" Gaz complained.

"Sorry." Miz answered. "Gir's got separation anxiety." He explained as they began their walk.

"Poor thing." Peg said.

"Yeah, the dog is so unloved." Gaz said sarcastically.

"Gaz…" Dib warned knowing how sensitive Miz was about Gir.

"No, it's okay." Miz assured him. "I guess I have spoiled him a bit too much."

"A bit?" Peg asked.

"Okay a lot." Miz admitted. "But look how adorable he is!" Miz exclaimed, showing them a picture of him and Gir playing tug of war with a rubber piggy. "Tell me that's not cute!" He challenged. "You can't can you?"

Dib smiled; his heart fluttered; why was it so easy to love him? Why did he have to have these feelings? Had he not learned his lesson last time?

"Hey are you okay?" Miz asked him again. "Is it about last night?"

Dib sighed. "I nearly got us killed." He admitted. He felt so guilty about that, he nearly lost the one thing in his life that he truly cared about. Someone he cared for more than the paranormal, more than his own sister and dad! "You told us to wait, I should have listened."

Miz smiled. "As dangerous as it was, you were right we had to try." He told him. "Besides, it worked out in the end."

"But it could have gone horribly wrong." Peg cut in.

"Yeah." Dib agreed with a heavy heart. "If you and Gaz hadn't been there…" he trailed off.

"I never would have let anything happen to you." Miz told him. "You're my best friend Dib, and as long as I can fight I will."

Dib smiled, best friends, he liked the sound of that. "But weren't you scared?" he asked.

"I was more scared of losing you." Miz answered. "I told you that I would be here for you, and I meant it."

Dib's heart had grown wings, Miz cared that much about him? Was it possible? Did they actually have a chance to be more?

Did he even want to be more?

These were the questions that haunted him late at night, and he wasn't the only one losing sleep.

Zim bit his lip as Dib gave him that look, the one where he turned slightly red in the face and avoided eye contact. And as much as he hated to admit it, he found the expression appealing in a strange way that he couldn't quite place.

Suddenly his senses pricked, and he stopped.

"Miz?" Dib asked.

"Someone's following us." Miz said simply.

Dib goes rigged and looks around for the enemy. "Alright Zim come out you alien scourge!" There is suddenly a flash of light, almost like it came from a camera.

And just like that his defenses dropped. "Seriously Keef!" He shouted at a couple of bushes to their left.

Zim watched as a red headed kid, who he supposed was Keef peeked out of the bushes. Several twigs stuck out from his hair, and his blue eyes were wide like some crazy person.

Mostly because he was, Keef was a known stalker in their high school, who made it his business to watch everyone. His reasoning of course, was because he was looking for the object of his affection. The guy was obsessed with finding the perfect "Juliet to his Romeo" as he called it.

And once upon a time he thought that Juliet would be Dib. It had all started a month after his first crush had publicly humiliated him about his love confession. Gaz was tiered of Dib mopping around the house and decided to find him a distraction. Unfortunately, this caused her to make the mistake of introducing Keef to her brother. She had hopes that they could start off as friends, and maybe evolve into something more. And because he loved his sister and appreciated her concern about his loneliness; he gave Keef a chance.

Things started off well enough, their first day as friends panned out well. So well in fact that Dib had started thinking that maybe Keef could be the one. However, that all changed when Keef broke into their house and made Dib breakfast the next morning. He then preceded to follow Dib everywhere, school, the bathroom, even his house! He would tell everyone that they were dating, even though Dib had not told him that he was ready for that step in their relationship. He would also attack anyone who so much as looked at Dib the wrong way, or in any way for that matter. In fact, he was so obsessed that when Gretchen gave him Valentine Meat last year. He tackled her and pulled out three of her teeth with his bare hands. Finally, Dib had enough and told Keef that this just wasn't going to work out. Keef acted like he was cool with the "break up" only to call him at his house every night and ride his bike up and down his street whenever he was home.

Finally, he had to resort to getting his father involved. It was the first restraining order he was happy to see. In fact, Keef was the reason why Dib stopped chasing people and accusing them of being monsters. It made him realize just how crazy he looked.

"I have a restraining order with your name on it!" Dib reminded the boy. "You are not supposed to be within 15 feet of me." He shouted.

"Oh, come on Dib." Keef said looking at him with so much admiration that it was sickening for Zim to watch. "I don't know what I did to make you mad, but I'll make it up to you." He promised. "How about a movie?" he offered.

"NO!" Dib yelled. "Get this through your head Keef: WE ARE NOT TOGETHER!"

"You don't mean that." Keef assured him, as he came from the bushes and walked over to him. "Your sister and your dad made you hate me!" he shouted, suddenly looking like a wolf ready to go for the kill.

Zim can see the instable personality within seconds, this child was a possessive Psychopath and for some reason the way he was looking at Dib made him see red. He could see Dib's fear, and his anger grew. 'I am his enemy, only I should strike fear in him! Not this disgusting filthy worm!'

Dib cringed as Keef reached out to touch him, suddenly the memory of the last time the guy tried to touch him flashed before his mind. After Dib rejected Keef through court, he attacked him in an alley a week later. His plan was to take advantage of him, to force Dib to love him. And if Dib hadn't been as strong as he was; Keef may have gotten what he wanted that day. The experience still freaked him out though, even though it never happened. The fact that it almost did was burned in the back of his mind. Keef tried to take away something that wasn't his to take, and worse of all he didn't even see it that way. Of course, the fact that Dib never told anyone only encouraged his behavior, and now Dib made it a point to never be alone again.

Hoping that Keef would at least be civil in public, he should have known better. He went numb, waiting for the moment of impact.

It never came instead, Miz stood in front of him protectively. "That's far enough." He warned.

"Awe the new Kid right? Miz was it?" Keef asked, suddenly growing very dark. "You think you can take away my Dib, but you are wrong!" he vowed and kept right on coming.

He didn't get far….

Dib watches as Miz grabs him by the face and pushes him down to the ground, he then bends down and whispers in his ear.

"I said that's as far as you go." He reminded him. "I don't know who you are, but it's obvious that Dib doesn't want you around; so beat it!"

The sudden change of mood shocks everyone, including Keef and suddenly he seems to look at Miz differently. "Wow you're really strong." He said. "I like strong men." He admitted as his eyes fell to Dib. "And apparently Dib likes them too."

Dib goes beat red and Keef laughs.

And just like that his greatest fear is realized, ever since he came out about his feelings to his first crush; jerks like Keef have been giving him a hard time. Most of them just used the knowledge of his sexuality as a way to make fun of him, but Keef was worse. He used that knowledge to try to take advantage of him, to control him and his life.

If Dib's love for the paranormal didn't scare a potential friend away, than Keef would scare them off himself!

"You know he's gay right?" Keef asked.

Dib felt his world spin out of control; just like that it was over. Miz now knew the truth, and he would shun him forever! Just like everyone else who wasn't his family.

Gay?

The word had no meaning to Zim, he knew the human's had many definitions for it. At one time it meant to be happy, but now it meant that a male had an attraction to another male. So, Dib was attracted to males that hardly made him bat an eye. After all gender did not matter on Irk.

Both females and males had the possibility of producing young. No gender, nor race matter for the Irken people. What mattered was the way you carried yourself. For example, if two Irken males were to mate then the more dominate Irken male would be the "Male" of the relationship. While the submissive would be the "Female." It was the same way with Irken Females. And if their mate was not Irken then all they had to do is be fitted for a PAK and the same rules would apply.

This was the way of his people, or it had been before matting had been labeled Taboo! Now matting was forbidden, a distraction their race could not afford.

However, that was not the point, the point was Dib's sexuality did not concern him, nor did it make him look at him any differently.

"So, he likes guy's big deal." Zim spat. "Your just mad because he not into you." Yes, he could see what was going on. The Irken had seen enough romantic movies from the Probe the humans had sent out to space. He had watched them to get a grip on human emotions, and he had seen enough scenes of the jealous wannabe boyfriends to know what was going on.

Dib couldn't believe it, Miz didn't care? He didn't care that he was into guys.

He was okay with that?

It was too good to be true, everyone else had given him a look of disgust and ran away, calling him gross, and a sicko. But Miz defended him, protected him, and accepted him, just the way he was.

And that fact only made him like him even more.

"So, you don't care that he has a huge crush on you?" Keef asked reading his emotions like he was an open book. Keef could always read him so well and it scared him.

Zim's eyes widen, and he actually laughed. "Dib doesn't…." he turned around to look at Dib only for his eyes to get wider. Dib's face was as red as a tomato, and he looked at him with an almost pleading look.

'Oh, Irk he does!' He thought suddenly remembering what the red tint in human's skin means. It can stand for embarrassment, but also as a sign of affection.

Dib was even redder now, if that was possible, Miz's eyes were like saucers, and suddenly the fear of losing him returned. Miz was obviously weirded out by the news, and his skin had grown a pale white.

Of course, Zim's disguise reacted to his own emotions, so ghostly white was definitely the right look for this moment. 'So, the whole time I thought it was admiration it was more?' He thought. 'This whole time he's been thinking about-'

It was weird, he knew as an Irken he should be gross out, but while Zim found other humans annoying and filthy. Dib was actually the complete opposite, was he strange? Yes, but he was tolerable, and only a small list of people had made it on his tolerated list. And the odds of those people not being Irken was on an even smaller list than that one. So, while Zim wasn't sure how he felt by this newfound knowledge, he knew what he didn't feel. And he did not feel disgust, which meant his mission could go on smoothly. Dib would continue being part of his cover regardless of this 'little crush' as humans call it.

Besides once he learned the truth the feelings would fade, or at least Zim hopped so. After all Dib had not looked at him in disgust last night like he had hopped. Last night was supposed to cure Zim of his defective feelings, but Dib had ruined it by looking at him like he was the first real wonder in this world, or any world for that matter.

He shook his head, forcing himself to focus as he looked back to Keef. "Listen pest I don't care how he feels about me, Dib is my friend, and I will not tell you again!"

Keef smiles. "Wow Dib looks like you finally found the right guy, too bad I saw you first."

"You do not own him." Miz stated simply. "Therefore, it does not matter if you saw him first or not. Dib is my friend, and you are a nuisance." Miz got up and dust himself off. "It's people like you that make me sick." He spat.

Dib is completely floored.

Miz really didn't care how he felt?

Sure, he was shocked by the news, but he accepted him all the same. Just like Gaz with her all too clingy girlfriend. The Yin to his Yang, and Keef just might have ruined it forever.

'What if Miz doesn't know how he feels about guys yet?'

'What if he never gives me a chance because Keef is too much baggage?'

"Come on Dib we're going to be late." He said grabbing Dib by the arm and dragging him along.

Gaz looks ready to pounce at Keef, but Peg drags her along as well. "Come on Gaz we have a test first period." She reminded her.

"You will rue today." She vowed as Keef got to his feet.

"Oh, come on little sis." Keef teased. "You're the one that got us together remember."

"And it was obviously a mistake!" Peg shouted. "Now get lost before I call the police!" She warned, her phone at the ready.

"Fine this is me leaving." Keef assured her. "But Miz-"

Zim stopped, and looked back at Keef.

"Dib is mine, and I will eliminate you from the picture if I have to." Keef warned.

Miz smiled widely, and for a second Dib can see a familiar excitement in his eyes. "You eliminate me?" Miz scoffed. "Now that I would like to see."

"Miz?" Dib asked almost unsure, and just like that the emotion shifts back to concern.

"Come on Dib this guy is crazy." He told him, and they immediately started walking, and with every passing step Dib could feel himself feeling lightheaded. Everything that had happened in the past 24 hours was rushing back to him, and Keef was the last straw.

Zim caught him just as his legs went out. "Whoa stay with me Dib."

"I am so sorry." Dib said.

Miz looks confused. "For what?"

"Him." Dib answered. "I didn't want you to find out that way."

Miz smiled, and Dib is relieved to see that it's not a cruel one like the once he had given Keef seconds before. "Oh, I don't care about that silly." He assured him. "So, what you have a thing for me." He shrugged as he helped Dib to his feet. "In hindsight, now that I think about it; I should have known."

"So that's it?" Dib asked. "We just pretend it never happened?"

Zim sighed. "I don't like guys Dib." He admitted.

"Oh." Dib's face fell.

"And I don't like girls either." He went on.

Now Dib was confused. "So, what you just don't have a sexuality?" he asked.

"No what I'm saying is I haven't gotten to that point in my life." Zim answered. "Honestly, I don't know how I feel about you." Irk he wanted to kick himself, how this boy got him into being so honest with no effort whatsoever completely irked him. "I just know that I like hanging around you." He went on. "I like being friends, is that enough for you?"

Dib smiled. "Of course, it's enough."

Zim smiled. "Good now get your big head moving its cold out here, and I'm freezing!" He demanded.

Dib laughed as the anxiety suddenly left him completely, everything was okay, and He and Miz were okay. "Hey, I bet I'll be less late than you are." He challenged.

Zim smiled. "Last one to school buys dinner at the bowling alley tonight." He wagered.

"You're on!" Dib said, and just like that they were off, without a care in the world.

Unfortunately for them however a certain nuisance decided to make good on his promise.

Keef smiled as he emerged from the bushes that stood just behind his devoted love and his new enemy! "The bowling alley hu?" He asked himself.

"Sounds like the perfect place to win back my Dib…."

-To be Continued