Disclaimer: These characters belong to the Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Jhonen Vasquez.
Based on the Deviantart Hanging out by Cosmixed
May God bless you all.
Gaz sighed. The game she was playing just didn't seem as enjoyable as it usually did. This as with most things was Zim's fault. He had spoiled her with all those simulation games and now regular gaming just didn't have the same flare that it used to. It was alright but it didn't truly compare to actually being able to shoot the weapons or jump the gaps like she did when playing down in his lab.
However, there was no point in starting a simulator when she had to be home soon. It was family night after all. Yeah, it was Dib's turn to choose but spending time with her father (and brother though she wouldn't admit that) was something she really enjoyed. In truth, this had been happening more often. Her father had found ways to work more often from his home lab so he was more frequently eating meals with them than he used to.
Come to think of it, she didn't really need to still be here. Her and Zim had been placed in the same Science class and had been grouped on a project together (He was the only one willing to actually work with her as the rest of her class was too afraid). It was science so she finished it rather quickly with her father's help, and had brought her half of the project on her flash drive so that Zim could download and combine them.
So, she could have just dropped it and left but… for some reason she had sat next to Zim as he used his laptop to put the finishing touches on their homework. One thing that was strange was that Zim had opted to wear his "disguise" for some reason. They were in his home and Gaz had seen him without it a number of times, so… well it was weird that he was wearing it. In truth, it did look a little better now than it did back in his early years on earth, but she…
…NO Gaz nearly said out loud as she shut off her Gameslave 2.
"You done yet?" She asked.
"Yes, this project will surely receive an A with the red cross symbol beside it." Zim assured her.
"Cool." She said.
Now, technically she should have gotten up and left, but once again for some strange reason, she didn't.
"So, tonight is the famous family night huh?" Zim asked as he closed up the laptop he was using and got off the couch to place it on the table.
"Yeah, it's Dib's year so we'll probably be eating at some futuristic space age or sci-fi-themed restaurant or something like that." Gaz said as she too got off the couch and followed Zim.
"Funny…" Replied Zim. "Sounds like he would be right at home on Foodcourtia."
"Foodcourtia?" Gaz asked.
"Yes, it is a planet dedicated to the making of different food from other Irken-owned planets." Zim told her.
"You guys designate a whole planet for that?" Asked Gaz.
"Yes, Irken's prefer to keep things simple, unlike your planet that just mix n matches everything chaotically." Zim pointed out as he grabbed a soda from the fridge and also one for Gaz.
"Sometimes you need a little chaos." She told him.
"Yes, indeed little Gaz."
"Stop calling me that." She protested after popping open her soda.
"But little Gazzzz is still the shortest." He said. "Now that Zim's growth spurt has occurred."
"Hmmmm." She grunted as she chugged down the rest of her soda.
"Well, I should be going." She said as she turned and headed for the door.
"Of course, you have family night to get to." Zim said as he walked her out.
The two sort of lingered by the door for a few moments, just looking at one another before Gaz walked out and Zim shut the door.
The walk home was short but Gaz found herself thinking about that visit. Why did she stay much longer than she needed to? Why was Zim wearing his disguise and, more importantly, why did she care?
Truth be told, the last year had really been… different. Her brother and Zim agreed to a somewhat shaky truce. Zim had now been on earth for about 4 years and had pretty much given up on invading the planet. That was mostly due to the fact that he had a sudden growth spurt. His plan now seemed to be to study and figure out what was causing him to continually grow well after his cycle should have finished. He had made sure to keep it a secret from everyone as he didn't want any other irken coming here to get taller. He had even pretty much stopped communicating with the Tallest as he had now grown so much that it was hard to hide it from the camera. In any case, Dib still was suspicious but over time seemed to finally give up his obsession over the red-eyed alien.
While Dib and Zim's relationship remained that of tolerance, over the years Gaz had found herself often spending time with him. Ever since he had taken her to Arcadikon the two had started talking. The whole I hate you and I hate you more was short-lived. Especially when the two began playing Arcadikon Online tournaments together. They were able to practice and compete in most of them from Zim's lab using his simulation machine. Over the years the two had even waited in line together at midnight sales. Despite having all the simulators, Zim seemed interested in earthian games (Zim called them that). He actually said they reminded him of the classic games he played during his smeethood.
As Gaz neared home her thoughts shifted to family night. She really looked forward to this as despite her father being more physically at home, this was the one night they could just sit, eat and have a good time without concerning himself over SCIENCE!.
As she entered the house she saw that her father was not in the living room.
"There you are Gaz." Said Dib as he rushed down the stairs. "Where have you been? It's almost time to meet dad at the restaurant."
"Chill, I'm ready." She replied not feeling the need to tell him where she had been.
"We're going to The Outer Worlds Family Diner!" Dib Exclaimed.
"No, not that place again… come on Dib."
"Oh, you're one to talk Ms. Bloaties every single time." He responded.
Gaz sighed. Technically he was right.
"Hi, kids!"
Said the Professor as a tv screen descended from the sky.
"Hey, dad…" Dib responded. "…We're on our way."
"Don't bother, apparently the dinner venue you chose son is currently closed do to some sort of strike."
"What!?" Dib exclaimed. "Strike!?"
"Yes, apparently much of the city's service staff is on strike… not because of pay mind you, but because of the city er… working conditions." Replied the Professor.
"Well… I could definitely believe that but this sucks!"
"Bloaties it is then." Said Gaz.
"I guess so, both the workers and the city gave up trying to sanitize that place long ago." The Professor chimed in.
"No! It's my night. No, Bloaties!" Shouted Dib.
"Well, where would you like to go?" Asked Their father.
"I don't know… I was really looking forward to that place. Many of the other sci-fi/space-themed restaurants are just so fake. The Outer Worlds felt so… well… Out of this world."
Just then a thought hit Gaz's mind.
"Wait, so you want out of this world huh?" She asked.
"Yeah…" Said Dib as he eyed her strangely.
"Then dad, and Dib might I have a suggestion."
"Wow!" Said Dib as he stared at the giant alien food pavilion. It looked more like a massive city but apparently, every building was some sort of restaurant.
"Where are we?" Asked the professor.
"Um…" Gaz started but Zim cut her off.
"Zim used to work here as a fry cook." Replied the irken.
"Oh, so this is where you're from?" Asked the Professor.
"No, this is where Zim was b… um well, this is where his former bosses sent Zim." He Replied.
"Yeah, well it's pretty far but I think Dib…" Gaz began to say.
"Come on let's see what they have!" Dib shouted ecstatically.
"Well, your brother seems pleased. Good suggestion Gaz." Said the Professor as he followed his son into the large city.
"So, what kind of pizza do they have here?" She asked Zim.
"One that Zim can actually eat." He told her. "Come let Zim show you."
The group looked around and explored many of the restaurants while sampling some of the delicacies. Zim was sure to inform the humans what was safe to eat and what would more than likely cause their bowels to fall out. Finally, they settled in the center and each ordered what they wanted.
"Zim!" Yelled and all too familiar voice.
"OH, hello Sizz-Lorr" Said Zim.
"You have a lot of nerve coming back after leaving right before the great…"
"Who's this?" Asked the Professor interrupting the rather large fry cook.
"This is… Zim's old boss." Replied the shorter irken.
"Yes! And this green one left right before our busiest time. Leaving me here alone to handle the massive rush." Said Sizz-Lorr.
"Really?" Asked the professor.
"Zim had much more important things to do." He reasoned.
"Wait this is where you were ban…" Was all that got out of Dib's mouth before his sister elbowed him.
"Well, you can't expect a student to work full-time." Gaz tried to reason.
"Student?" Asked Sizz-Lorr. "Didn't you graduate like 5…"
"Yes, I did but now Zim is now in High-School…" He quickly said to avoid Sizz-Lorr revealing anything else.
"Can we order now or…?" Asked The Professor.
Sizz-Lorr Growled but nonetheless provided the screens for them to place their orders.
"Fancy…" Said the professor as he used the technology to pick his meal. "Think I'll go light with the Vortian Salad and the green blob stew." He told him.
After the group had ordered their food came very quickly.
They all enjoyed it, Dib especially as he ordered a second helping before dessert. After Zim paid (and Sizz-Lorr made some more threatening comments) the group departed the pavilion and went back to the front area.
"Well, it was good to try some food from your native country Dib's foreign friend." Said the Professor.
"Not all of that was fr… oh never mind." Zim replied.
Then suddenly Zim called upon the sleep gas from his pack and using his metal arms caught the professor just before the large human hit the ground.
"Okay let's head back to earth." Said Gaz as Zim called his ship. Not the voot, the larger one that the Tallest had given.
"Okay, I'll admit, that was great." Said Dib as the four got on the ship and it took off. "So, you were banished there?"
"Yes, Zim was banished but quit once he learned another invader commissioning was going on at the Massive." Said Zim as he piloted the ship.
"You can quit banishment?" Asked Gaz as she gave her famous raised eyebrow.
"Zim did." Was all he replied.
The ride home was roughly 3 earth hours and Dib who had eaten more than everyone else fell asleep about an hour before they reached earth. Zim (who had activated the ships autopilot) had begun looking over some data which read in irken language.
"What you looking at?" Asked Gaz.
"Just some information on Zim's increased height." He replied.
"Still haven't figured out why you grew after coming to earth huh?" Gaz asked as she stood next to him and looked at the screen.
"It is of the utmost importance that Zim figures this out. Do you know how much Zim would be looked at if he revealed the secret to irken growth?"
"Pretty good, I'm guessing." Replied Gaz.
Zim nodded and went back to looking over his information.
Gaz could have pulled out her gameslave 2 to pass the time, but something was drawing her to the info. Despite not being able to understand it there were images there that kind of gave her an idea of what was going on.
"You think it has something to do with earthian food?" She asked.
"Maybe…" Replied Zim. "…It's a theory that the carb and protein high food of earth may stir up irken growth hormones."
Gaz looked at it again… It seemed like he had nearly a hundred theories on why he was growing past his growth cycle.
"So, what happens if and when you figure it out?" She asked for some reason.
Zim stopped looking at the screen and instead looked to Gaz.
"Zim figures out the best way to alert the Tallest and the rest of the irken society and goes back to irk where he is praised." He said.
Gaz sighed louder than she intended to, causing Zim to raise his eye (as he had no brow to raise).
He then walked closer to her, but she refused to look him in the face.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
"No, nothing." She told him while still trying to avoid eye contact.
"Zim can tell that something is bothering the Gaz human." He told her.
"I said it was nothing!" She shouted. However, in doing so she actually looked at his face. He was still wearing his disguise of course as the Professor though sleeping was still present.
However, despite the blocking of his lenses, Gaz couldn't help but stare at the irken. He gave her a similar stare back.
Then it happened. A slow move forward from him, followed by a slower move forward from her. Both, slowly but surely getting closer and closer and…
"Earth approaching prepare for landing." The computer said causing both Gaz and Zim to break out of whatever stupor they were in.
"Um… hurry get buckled up." Zim told her as the two quickly separated and went to their respective chairs.
As they landed Gaz almost kicked herself, over what had just almost happened. Like how could she let herself get that vulnerable? Hopefully, Zim wouldn't… no she had no chance of that happening (it was Zim after all). Nevertheless, she would just go about as if nothing happened.
Besides Zim would probably never figure out why he was getting taller. (Once again it was Zim afterall).
Thank you for all who made it to the end. Don't forget to leave a review.
This was initially supposed to be a one-shot but pretty sure now it's going to be a two parter.
May God bless you all.
