Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim

Author's Notes: Okay guys I know I've been absent for some time, and I've been doing it off and on lately, but my Dad hasn't been doing so well so I've been kind of bummed out. And my writing sucks when I'm bummed out. So, I apologies if this chapter is bumpier then the rest, hopefully he gets better real soon.

Anyway, here's the next chapter, please enjoy and please review!

(The Next Day…)

[Back with Zim…]

This was it…

Everything, all his hard work, and preparation had been building up for this one moment.

Zim shivered in the early autumn air, it was the 8th of September, and soon the leaves would change color. Zim always found the seasons so strange. For Irk did not have them. Of course, he saw the need for them, spring and summer were teaming with life. While autumn and winter were much like a fiery phoenix, burning the land so that new life could rise from the ashes and star anew. Yes, he saw the need for the cold, but that didn't mean he had to like it!

Zim shivered once more as he knocked on Dib's front door. It was 6:45, and Dark Booty had told them that he would be picking them up at 7 sharp. "Dib hurry up!" Zim demanded. "It's cold out here!"

"It's only like 63 degrees." Dib's shout came from inside, and seconds later, the door was open. Dib stiffened a laugh, Miz was dressed in a jacket and scarf, like it was snowing outside.

"I get cold really easily." Zim explained. This was true, he always got cold easily, and it was rather annoying.

"It's okay." Dib tried his best to sound convincing, but he couldn't manage to keep the laughter from coming out.

Zim scowled, pushing past the child and into the warmth of the living room.

"Lighten up Miz." Dib insisted. "I'm only teasing." He assured his friend. "Besides, who gets cold in this weather?"

"And who has a head that large?" Zim countered, a sly smile slowly slipping on his face.

Dib turns tomato red. "My head is not big!" he declared.

"And there is nothing wrong with being cold in 63-degree weather." Zim added.

Dib stops, seeing his point. "Touché."

Zim smiled smugly, obviously very proud of the fact that he had won the argument.

'If you could even call it that.' Dib thought to himself. He couldn't explain it, but their friendship felt a little well…off. It wasn't that he didn't trust Miz, no he'd trust the guy with his life. He just never thought a friendship could run so smoothly.

They had only met a little over a week ago, and already they were like a well-oiled machine.

Zim couldn't help but think the same thing.

The Irken Invader was a loner at heart, sure he had GIR, and the Tallest, but there were even times when the derange robot would get on his nerves. There were also times when Zim found Red, and Purple…well…boring. However, Dib was never boring, or annoying, and somehow, he could hold his complete attention. Yes, it was a very off situation indeed, considering no one had ever been able to do so before.

It was puzzling to say the least, at least it was to Zim; Dib, however, just shrugged it off, assuming this is how all friendships were. A true friend is just supposed to get you, they should just click; like two puzzle pieces that are just meant to be together.

"So, you nervous?" Dib asked.

"A little." Zim admitted. "You?"

"Extremely." Dib whispered.

Zim raised a brow. "Why?" he asked. "I mean isn't this what you've always wanted?"

Dib nodded, it was what he always wanted, to be a part of something greater than himself. To have influence, to change the world.

But was he ready?

Zim seemed to read his mind. "You'll do great, besides I'm right here for you."

Dib found a smile slipping on his face. 'What did I do to deserve such a good friend?' he asked himself.

There is a creek from the stairs, the boys turn to see Gaz, and Peg. "Hey guys." Peg said. "Whatcha doing hanging by the door like that?"

"Miz and I are going to a club meeting." Dib said.

"Club meeting?" Gaz asked.

"Yeah, some boring nerd club." Zim mused.

"The debate club is not boring." Dib argued. "We have a debate comp. coming up." He explained to his sister. "So, the team is going over their speeches together at Sarah's."

"Miz is already on the team?" Peg asked.

"No, Dib is trying to convince me, and so far, he's doing terrible at it." Zim teased.

Dib gave his friend a playful punch. Of course, there was no debate team meeting today, this was simply the cover story the two had cooked up incase either of their family members asked questions. Dib hated lying to his sister, sure they didn't always see eye to eye, but with dad always gone all they had was each other. Which was why he had to lie; this was the only way to keep her safe.

Gaz's eyes go soft for a minute. "Just be careful." She warned. "And text me; so, I know you guys got there okay."

Dib nodded. "I will."

There is an awkward silence as the sibling's stare at each other, finally Peg says. "Come on Gaz let's get that soda."

Gaz nodded, and soon the girls had disappeared into the kitchen.

"Okay what was that about?" Zim asked. "I mean I haven't known you long, but that was out of character, right?"

Dib sighed. "My mom disappeared when we were little." He whispered. "Ever since then Gaz has always secretly feared me, and dad would disappear too." He explained. "Usually, she's very good at hiding it, but sometimes…" he trailed off.

Zim placed a hand on his shoulder. "I get it." He assured him.

"I'm sorry it's just very hard to talk about." Dib whispered. "She went on a trip in the jungle, the Amazon I think; and she never came back…She's most likely dead, that's what everyone says, but we never found her body. It was like she just evaporated off the face of the Earth…dad was never the same after that…none of us were."

Tears spilled down his face. He could still remember the day that she left, it was a Thursday. She had promised to be back that Sunday. Gaz had been too young to remember such promises, but Dib was different He knew no one was supposed to remember things from the age 3 and younger. However, Dib had sharp memories that went as far back as his first birthday party.

And that was only the beginning of the bizarre reality that was Dib's life. At the age of 18 months, he knew the whole alphabet, and could even spell his own name with his letter blocks. And by the age of two he could form full sentences with said blocks. It didn't stop there, throughout his life Dib was always years ahead for his age. Learning multiplication in kindergarten, and long division in the first grade and so forth.

Yes, he knew he was different. How?

He was not sure, but that was not the point, the point was that his mother never came home, and when Dib asked his father where she was the only answer he received was:

"She's gone…"

Of course, the authorities got involved, and after three years of looking with no luck she was declared dead. And just like that everyone stopped looking, even his dad went back to work like nothing ever happened. Like his mother never mattered at all!

"I'm sorry." Dib rasped, he felt like he couldn't breathe. His memories of his mother were so sharp that it was like he saw her just yesterday. "I'm just not ready to-"

"It's fine." Zim assured him. "Whenever you're ready I'll be here." He really wasn't interested in the boy's sob story, but he read that friends were supposed to care about such things, so he told Dib what he wanted to hear.

There is a honk of a horn outside.

"He's here." Dib gasped, wiping the tears from his eyes.

Zim opened the door, to see Dark Booty behind the wheel of some 1980's station wagon.

"Let's go boys times a wasting." Dark Booty insisted.

"You ready?" Zim asked Dib.

Dib took one shaky breath and nodded. "Let's do this."

And with those final words the two friends entered the car and drove off to their destination.

(Back with Prof. Membrane…)

[Dib's house moments later…]

He was going to be late…yes Prof. Membrane was sure of it. However, he had to pick up his daughter first. As much as he hated getting her involved it was best to tell both Gaz and Dib at the same time.

"Dad you're home early." Gaz said, astounded to see her father standing in the kitchen before her. "Daughter it's time to tell your friend good night." Prof. Membrane advised her.

Gaz notices his nervousness. "Dad, is something wrong?"

"Where's your brother?" Prof. Membrane asked, ignoring her question.

"He's gone." Gaz said.

"Already left? Good now let's go." Prof. Membrane insisted.

Gaz could see it clearly now; her father wasn't looking for her in the eyes. He had that guilty look on his face, the one he would get when he missed a birthday, or an awards ceremony. "Dad." She said, her voice more sinister.

He still wouldn't look at her.

"Dad, what did you do?" Gaz growled.

"I'm so sorry." Prof. Membrane whispered. "I should have told you both sooner…"

"Told us what?" Gaz insisted.

" Gazoline it's your mother." Prof. Membrane said.

Gaz's eyes widen. "Mom?" She couldn't quite grasp what he had said, and what he said next made her want to collapse on the floor.

"Yes, we found her…."

-To Be Continued