Author's Notes: So, everyone Episode 5 is up! And for those of you interested this episode covers Chapters 9-10 of my original story, Invader Zim Renegades and is inspired by Phineas and Ferb, all rights reserved.
Thanks for reading.
Yours Truly, RoxieDivine
S01 Ep05: The Romance Of Doom
Episode Summary: Determined to prove the truth to Gaz, Dib sneaks off to Zim's house, where he inadvertently starts a Musical with Gir. Later, Zim takes Gaz go on their first date before taking dance lessons?
[Back with Gaz]
(Location: Membrane Residence)
Mondays...
She hated them. She also hated the first day at school, so of course having her first day on a Monday was just asking for trouble, but she had to get out of this house. Dib was being more annoying than ever, and her dad's over-protectiveness was driving her crazy.
She walked downstairs, half expecting to see Dib already eating breakfast, but he was nowhere in sight. Instead, her dad sat drinking coffee. "Where's Dib?" She asked.
"Oh, good morning daughter. Your brother got an early start today; you know how he is."
Gaz looked out the window and decided she'd take the bus to her new school for this week only. That way, she could learn how to get there and not end up getting lost. "See ya Dad," Gaz said, walking out the door.
"Good-bye, daughter," Prof. Membrane watched her go.
Gaz sighed as her bus came into view. This was it; her first day at a new school. She got on to the loud, crowded bus and growled in frustration as the torture began. Yep, her first day and she already hated it.
She put on her headphones to drowned out the sound. She just knew it was going to be another one of those days.
(Zim's House...)
Dib had crept off to Zim's house as quiet as a mouse with his camera in hand. He was going to get him this time; he had to! It was the only way he could save Gaz.
He knew Zim always stayed up late into the night working on his schemes, so all he had to do was catch him in the act. It shouldn't be too hard… after all, Zim was always up to something, and with this new disguise Zim would never notice him.
Zim looked out his window and froze. "That's odd; I don't remember having a bush in my yard." Zim watched in shock as the bush began to move slowly towards his window. Zim smiled as he began to realize what was going on. The Dib-Worm was here to spy on him! He laughed. "Well then, let's give him something to spy on, shall we?"
Dib crept slowly past the window and towards Zim's back door; he could hear Zim's evil laughter.
"Now, Gir, with this weapon of destruction I will destroy them all!"
Dib suddenly jumped out of his bush. This was it this was the moment of truth! He pressed the record button on his camera and burst through the door and yelled. "Ha, Zim! I caught you now! I've caught you red-handed doing... Laundry?" Dib froze to see Zim throwing his clothes into the washing machine. "But you… you said… I heard you… you-" Dib stammered.
Zim smiled as he turned on the wash. "Seriously Dib; you are making this way too easy! I mean, a bush mysteriously appears in my own yard, and you think I wouldn't notice?!"
"You won't win this. Zim! I will find proof! Then Gaz will see your lies for what they really are!" Dib vowed.
"Yeah, because you've been so good at proving to the world about my evil before, haven't you?" Zim laughed, crossing his arms. "Face it, Dib; you've got nothing. You never do."
Dib growled in frustration.
"Now, I think you should be punished for breaking and entering into my home again. Gir, do it now!" Zim ordered.
"Do what?" Dib asked. He froze as Gir pointed a laser at him.
Time seemed to slow down as the laser was fired. Zim laughed as it hit its target.
Dib screamed, expecting to feel pain, but he felt nothing. What was going on?
Zim looked at Dib; nothing happened. "Gir, you broke the laser!" He yelled.
"What was it supposed to do?" Dib asked, but… he didn't say it. He SUNG it.
Zim stared at Dib in shock.
"What the... Zim what did you do to meeee?!" Dib put his hand over his mouth in pure horror.
Zim fell on the floor, rolling around in laughter.
"This isn't funny, Ziiiiim!" Dib sang with rage. "What did you dooo?!"
"It was supposed to shrink your head to the size of a pea for a couple of hours," Zim said through laughs as he got to his knees, trying to get up. "But if you ask me, this is a much more amusing fate!" He burst into more laughter as he got to his feet.
"Change me back now; make this stop!" Dib sung.
"It will wear off soon, Dib-Worm, which is more mercy then you ever deserved."
"You won't get away with this Ziiiim!"
"Uh, yeah, I think I already have." Zim moved to go out the door, but Dib blocked his path.
"I can see the things you're doing, and you may think that I'm naive, but when I get the goods on you, she'll finally believe!" Dib sang with confidence.
Zim just rolled his eyes. "Please tell me this isn't going to turn into some musical!"
"They say it's all just drama," Dib sung, "but every bubble's got to pop! She's gonna see just what you're doing and then you're finally gonna have to stop!"
"It is! NOOOOOO!" Zim put his hand to his head in embarrassment as Gir began to dance and sing with Dib. That's it! This was the last time he let Gir hold on to any of the weapons!
"Don't think you're gonna win this time cause you better believe I'm gonna drop a dime on you!" Dib kept on singing, suddenly caught in the moment. If he had to be tortured by this, then by God he was going to torture Zim with it too! "I'll get ya! Yeah! I'll get ya!" He and Gir sang together, "and when I do, you're gonna be BUSTED!"
"Busted!" Gir echoed.
"I'm gonna put the hurt on you! Ya you better believe me when I say that I'm finally gonna get the dirt on you!"
Zim crossed his arms suddenly, amused by Dib's words. "Oh really? You think you can finally catch me in the act? As if, pathetic Human!"
"You're busted!" Dib went on as he circled around him.
"Busted!" Gir echoed as he followed Dib around the room.
"Hey, whose side are you on?!" Zim yelled at Gir.
"Yeah, she's finally gonna see the light, this is how it's gonna be when she finds out that I was always right you're busted!"
"Busted!"
Zim pushed past them and headed out the front door, walking to school, hoping to get away from them both, but Dib was determined to make Zim pay. And, well… Gir was just having too much fun to stop so he followed Dib as he continued to sing.
"There's a new cop on the beat, and I'm bringing down the heat! My eyes are wise to all your lies, cause you're not that discreet."
"Oh, but I can fool your entire planet!" Zim bragged. He wasn't about to let the Dib-Monkey see him sweat under his little song, with its rhyming words… that's all it was just words.
"I don't care what you've heard, cause there's one six letter word and it's gonna set me free!" Dib kept on singing.
"Gonna set me free!" Gir laughed; this was fun!
"It starts with a 'B'!"
"Starts with a 'B'!"
"It goes B-U-S-T-E-D, you are BUSTED!" Dib suddenly blocked his path. "I'm gonna put the hurt on yoooouuu! Ya you better believe me when I say that I'm finally gonna get the dirt on you! You're BUSTED! Yeah don't you think you're gonna win this time!"
"You're busted!" Gir screamed with joy.
"Seriously Gir! Stop singing!" Zim demanded.
"Yeah, she's finally gonna see your lies!" Dib couldn't stop himself as he and Gir began to dance around him. "Oh, I'm gonna drop a dime on you!"
"I'll get ya! Yeah! I'll get ya!" Gir chanted.
Zim felt like he was going to explode; he suddenly saw the bus come into view. It was his only chance! If he could just get to the bus, he'd be free of this extremely ridiculous madness! He began to run, but Dib and Gir ran after him, still singing.
"And when I do, you're gonna be busted!"
"Busted!"
"Yeah, she's finally gonna see the light! This is how it's gonna be when she finds out that I was always right!" Zim didn't even slow down as the bus came to a halt in front of them and opened the door. He ran on and fell down on a seat, breathing heavily. Thank the Tallest! The madness was over! He looked out his window as the bus began to pull away.
Dib stood there on the street and as he watched the bus drive off, he and Gir exclaimed one final line.
"You are BUSTED!"
Dib suddenly looked down as his watch beeped. He checked the time, which read 7:00AM, and school started at 7:30AM. And he just missed the bus… He was going to be late!
"Let's sing it again!" Gir exclaimed.
Dib suddenly looked at him with a look of disbelief, and then his look suddenly turned to horror as Gir took out the laser again. Dib ran as fast as he could, trying to get away from the crazy robot that was about to shoot him yet again.
Gir watched him go, then shrugged his shoulders. "Oh well; more for me!" He said as he pointed the laser at himself and fired. Suddenly, Gir's head shrunk to the size of a pea. "Ooooohhh… so that's what it's supposed to do!" Gir said, then he ran off screaming. "Look at my head! My head! MY HEAD!"
Back on the bus, Gaz moved to sit down beside Zim, who was still breathing heavily. "You, okay?" She asked.
"I know a thousand people tell you this a day," Zim said, gasping for air, "but your brother is really, really crazy!"
Gaz smiled. "Tell me something I don't know!"
They both got up and climbed off the bus as they arrived at their new school. Westville High School: to Zim it looked like a large brick fortress.
"Looks just like the old one," he laughed.
"Great. And here I was hoping for a change." Gaz teased.
Zim chuckled at her sarcasm as they walked into the building and went to the front office to get their class schedules.
Gaz compared hers with Zim's and saw that they had 2nd, 5th, and 7th, together.
Dib suddenly ran into the room, completely out of breath. He had made it! He picked up his own schedule and held it up to Zim's and Gaz's. "Hey, looks like we all got the same classes, Zim!" Dib sneered.
Gaz's eye twitched. As if one class wasn't bad enough; now they had three! She shivered as she imagined it; Zim screaming "I'm normal, I'm normal!" As Dib vowed "I'm gonna get me that alien!" And it would be like that for the entire class, every day, THREE TIMES A DAY!
Zim seemed to read her mind. "I know, Gaz. I feel your pain." He then stuck his tongue out at Dib. "It's nice to see you're not singing anymore, Dib. Thank goodness; your screeching was making me sick!"
"Singing?" Gaz asked, giving Zim a look.
"You don't want to know," Zim whispered in horror. "The madness! THE MADNESSSSSSSSS."
She rolled her eyes as the bell for first period rang. "See ya," she waved goodbye to Zim.
"See you in second!" Zim said boastfully as she walked away.
"I hate you," Dib growled. "I hate you so much."
"And I hate you more, Dib-Smell. See you in second period, worm!" Zim scoffed as he headed off in the opposite direction as Gaz; looking for his class.
"I'll make her see the truth, Zim! You'll see, and then you will suffer!" Dib vowed as he too began to look for his first period class. He'd get Zim yet! After all, Zim had to mess up sooner or later. He always did!
It's not like Gaz was his perfect plan or something… Dib froze at the thought.
Was she? Of course not! All he needed to do was wait for the perfect moment. 'Zim will mess up,' he told himself before gulping heavily in his throat. 'At least, I HOPE so!'
(Later in 2nd pd...)
"Alright class, everyone settle down! Find your seats!"
Dib slouched in the back of the room of his second period class in a fit of rage. He had spent his entire first period in a room full of students he didn't know, going over questions about topics he never studied. He absolutely HATED it! How was he going to pass any of his classes if he had no idea what anything was about?! He silently cursed the universe for allowing this horrible crime to take place. If it weren't for that stupid fire he wouldn't be in the back of this room, gripping the edge of his desk in rage, and Zim wouldn't be walking in while holding his sister's books!
He wanted to scream at her! Seriously, what had gotten into her?! The guy saves her life once and suddenly he's a saint! It made him want to snap Zim's neck; there they were, his sister and his greatest enemy, walking into the classroom together! Now everyone's going to think they're a thing! No, they are not. He will die before he lets that happen…
"Okay Mr. Tomato start talking," Rachel ordered as she sat down beside him.
"Look at them," Dib growled. "It's disgusting!"
Rachel laughed. "Oh, come on, Dib. I think they make a great couple."
"Don't say that! They are not a couple, and they never will be!" Dib hissed.
"Oh, come on Dib; why not?" Rachel challenged.
"He's EVIL!" Dib exclaimed.
Zim couldn't suppress the smile that spread across his face. The Dib was actually eating out of his hand. His chest swelled up with pride as he set Gaz's books down on her desk and took the seat beside her. Zim had heard the whispers in the hallway about the "Gothic Girl and Green-Skinned kid," but Zim welcomed these words. He knew that the rumors would only enrage his enemy all the more.
Gaz wasn't sure why, but Zim was waiting for her at the end of 1st period, and just took her books from her without even asking. She didn't mind though; in fact, she thought it was kind of... sweet that Zim seemed to want to carry her things for her. She could hear the voices around her as her new classmates began to wonder if they were an item or not.
'Are we?' Gaz asked herself. She looked at Zim, who was busily starting on the morning bell ringer that was written on the board. She had to admit; she did enjoy being around him. She didn't even mind that he was green, or the fact that he was from another planet. She'd never admit it to her brother, but she had always wondered what was out there. What worlds had Zim seen? What beauty had those large ruby eyes consumed with all its breath-taking wonders? Did he even get to see the beauty of the planets he destroyed? Or did he just see the evil and destruction?
Maybe if someone showed him what this world had to offer. Then maybe... She let the thought trail off as she turned around to look at her brother, who was fuming at Zim. 'Maybe if Zim saw how wonderful Earth could really be, then he'd see it as something more than a ball of filth.' He'd see it for what it really was; a home for a countless number of people; people with families and friends. People who were more like him then he realized. Then maybe, just maybe Zim, would see the flaws in the way his people think. After all, what had Dib's method done? It had been six years, and nothing had changed! Zim's mission had always been the same, he had always been the same… until now. Ever since the fire he's been kind, caring, thoughtful… Gaz shook her head, trying to focus. Maybe all Zim needed was a chance to belong to something more. Maybe that's all they both needed… was a chance.
She shook her head again, trying to push the thought away. She hadn't felt these feelings since she was young. Now, suddenly, they were all coming back to her in waves. What was going on?
Zim viewed his target from out of the corner of his eye; his plan was working perfectly! Now it was time to take it to the next level. Zim took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it, and when the teacher wasn't looking, he passed it to Gaz.
Gaz unfolded the paper and read it…
'Gaz… Want to go out?'
Her eyes widened. Was he asking her out on a date?! She knew that she should play the 'just friends' card right about now, but she stopped herself. This could be it; this could be her chance to show Zim the really amazing things Earth had to offer.
Zim waited anxiously. 'What's taking her so long to answer?!' He saw her write down something and then she handed it back to him. Zim unfolded the paper.
'Sure. There's this cool movie playing tonight at 8:00PM...'
Zim felt his Squeedlyspooch leap in his chest. He wrote back…
'Cool. I'll pick you up at 7:00 and we can get some Bloaty's, then catch the movie.'
Dib watch Zim pass the note for the third time. He'd had just about all he could take of this! His blood boiled as Gaz passed the note back to him only moments later, like good old friends. Like normal good old friends. No… he would not let his sister be another victim to Zim's lies!
'No,' he told himself as his eyes narrowed with rage. 'I think it's about time I had a talk with Zim!'
'Sounds great. See you at 7:00.'
Zim stuffed the note in his pocket. He had done it; he and Gaz were now officially out of the 'friend zone'! He couldn't wait till their date... Zim's brow furrowed at the thought. He couldn't wait!
'What has gotten into me?' Zim felt the queasy feeling in his stomach returning. He couldn't explain it… what was going on?!
Zim's mind seemed to snap back out of his state as the bell for 3rd period rang out. Zim wanted to run home and find out what was going on, but he had a role to play. He smiled sweetly as he picked up Gaz's books. "Want me to walk you to class?" he asked.
"No, I'm walking her myself," Dib pushed him away from Gaz, causing Zim and her books to fall all over the floor. "Come on Gaz, let's go." Dib moved to leave, but Gaz didn't follow. Instead, she bent down and helped Zim pick up his and her books.
"Seriously Dib, could you not be stupid just this once?!" She got up, her brown eyes blazing with anger.
"Oh, come on, Gaz! Can't you see he's playing you?!" Dib yelled.
Zim rose to his feet and Dib expected him to swing at his face, but to his surprise, Zim did nothing. "Come on Gaz, we're going to be late."
"You will be punished severely when I get home tonight!" Gaz glared intently.
"Come on Gaz! I just- wait… tonight? Where are you going?" Dib asked.
"On a date with Zim!" Gaz yelled.
Dib's world shattered around him.
A date with... ZIM?! His sister and Zim where DATING?!
"No!" He yelled as he grabbed his sister by the hand and forced her to walk with him. "I forbid this, Gaz! You are not allowed to speak to him or see him ever again!"
Gaz pulled her arm away from him. "I can see whoever I want, whenever I want!" She growled.
Zim walked up to them, his intentions masked by a pool of concern. "Gaz, why don't you head off to class? I'll see you at lunch, okay? Dib and I need to talk."
"Okay… but we're finished, you hear me, Dib?! If you try to ruin our date, I will never speak to you again!" She walked away to her class.
Zim watched her go, waiting for her to be out of sight and out of range. Once he was sure she was gone, he turned to Dib, who was fuming more than ever before. Zim's eyes narrowed.
"I win," he spoke darkly.
"Win? You've won nothing!" Dib shouted.
Zim laughed. "You swore this wouldn't get to you; that you would not let your guard down, and that your anger wouldn't be your own undoing. And yet it has!"
"You're tearing mw away from one of the only people I have left to love!" Dib yelled.
"No, you are," Zim said darkly as the tarty bell rang out. "This is all your doing, Dib. With every attempt to get rid of me you only push us closer together. Gaz is mine now, and I won't let her go. Not until you surrender, begging at my feet!"
"Never!" Dib yelled.
Zim just smiled as he began to walk away. "We will see, Dib." He laughed his evil laugh. "We will see."
Dib stood frozen as he watch him go; his worst fear was suddenly realized. Zim was right; Dib was losing, and if he didn't think of something quick, he would lose more than the freedom of this planet. He would lose Gaz, too! 'He must be stopped!' The words rang through his very soul. 'I will stop him!' Dib vowed. "I will stop you, Zim… or I will die trying!"
(Later at Lunch)
With every passing second of the day, Dib's despair increased 100 times more, and the worse part about it was that he could actually feel himself giving in, and it only got worse. Some way or another, Zim had gained the trust of Rachel, who he discovered had the same first period as Zim, and if that wasn't enough Mark, James, and Trina sat down with him and Gaz like they were all old friends. Dib had to admit, Zim was really committed to this role. Usually, Zim sat alone at lunch. Now he had more friends than Dib ever did! He made fitting in look so easy.
Dib got his tray of food and sat down beside Rachel, who was sitting by Trina who sat by Mark. Mark sat in front of James, who was beside Zim and Gaz. They were all busy laughing at one of Mark's famous jokes.
"So, guys, my party is still this weekend. You're coming right?" Rachel asked James.
"Wouldn't miss it!" James answered her.
"You know, my dad knows this great DJ who always does the first party free of charge." Mark said.
"Oh, that would be great!" Trina said. "The one we have now is so expensive!"
"Don't forget we have dance classes. You're going, aren't you Zim?" Rachel asked.
"Gaz is going." Trina said proudly.
"Really?" Zim gave Gaz a look. He had hung out with Gaz long enough now to know that dance parties really weren't her thing.
"I lost a bet," Gaz growled.
"Oh, right. Is it that same bet that caused you to dress up so beautifully that other day?" Zim asked casually.
"Awe, that's so sweet!" Rachel sighed. Gaz began to blush uncontrollably. Dib, on the other hand, wanted to barf. How could they all be buying this love act?
"If I have to go, then you're going too," Gaz tried her best to growl at Zim. It didn't work as well as she hoped.
"Sure. I'd love to go to the party with you!" Zim said sweetly as he gave Dib his famous evil smirk. This was all too easy. He should have done this years ago; who knew that by hooking up with Gaz he'd fit in so well? He laughed. If his past self, had told him that in a matter of days he'd be sitting at a table surrounded by humans and carrying on like close friends... Well, he would have punched the messenger out cold, but here he was! Zim smiled at the thought. He never had this many friends back at Irk. Zim shook his head at the thought. Friends… these humans weren't his friends! What was going on with him lately?
"So, you can dance, right?" Trina asked him, pulling him out of his thoughts like a fish on a hook.
"Zim does not need your dance. Besides, Gaz doesn't dance," he said matter-of-factually.
"She will be dancing at the party. She has too!" Trina teased.
Zim gave Gaz an even stranger look. "How badly did you lose this bet?"
Gaz gave him the evil eye. "You will dance. If I have to suffer then you have to suffer with me!"
Zim knew Gaz's evil act all too well. He smiled. "Yes, my love pig. I obey," he bowed his head submissively.
Gaz smiled. Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad. After all, if Zim was coming then at least something exciting was bound to happen, and it gave her another chance to open his eyes to how wonderful this world could really be.
"You're going, right Dib?" Rachel asked.
"You better believe I'm going!" Dib's eyes narrowed at Zim as he spoke.
Rachel's spirits fell. Why couldn't he just see the truth? Why did Dib have to be so BLIND?! Couldn't he see they were in love?!
"Well then I guess it's settled," Mark said, breaking up the awkward silence that had followed Dib's answer. "We're all going."
Zim and Dib glared each other down as the bell rang around them. They had one more class together… 7th. Dib had till the end of 7th to convince Gaz that this date was the biggest mistake of her life.
"Let's go, Zim." Gaz said, getting up from the table.
Zim got up immediately and followed her, carrying her books all the way.
"He's using you Gaz! You've got to believe me!" Dib begged.
She knew he was probably right, but she also knew that this war between him and Zim was getting nowhere. At this rate they would all be enslaved by Zim's leaders. No, they needed a new approach, and they needed one now. She had to do this. After all, didn't she owe Zim that much? She looked at Zim and took his hand in hers. 'Yes,' she decided. Zim had saved her life, and now it was her turn to save his.
Dib watched them go in defeat. How could he let this happen?! His own sister lost to the enemy!
Zim held Gaz's hand tightly. He didn't know why, but he liked the way her hand felt in his. It just felt so right. He smiled. Maybe this planet wasn't all that bad… after all, Gaz seemed nice.
Nice? Not so Bad? What was going on?! Zim suddenly pulled his hand away as his stomach started acting up again.
"Zim, are you okay?" Gaz's voice seemed to pull him out of the void.
"Yes, my little Gaz. I'm fine. I think Lunch just isn't agreeing with me," Zim lied. "I'm going to go to the restroom; you go on without me, 'kay?"
"Okay," Gaz took her books from him and watched him leave. 'I hope he's okay,' Gaz sighed as she walked on to class, never knowing of the battle that was already raging inside of him.
Zim enter the boy's bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror in pure frustration. What was going on with him lately? 'You will get a hold of yourself now!' He told himself with a growl. His mood was a mixture of a sickness that he could not explain and a blotch of a thousand other emotions he'd never felt before. 'You've worked too hard for this! You will not mess this one up; you can't mess this up. This is your last chance,' Zim shivered at the thought. He had to get a hold of himself; he knew exactly what would happen if he failed again.
In the back of his mind, he always knew he was different from the other Irken smeets that came into their world. And he learned at a very young age that different meant defective and defective meant death. It was the fact that he had learnt this that he was still alive today. In the academy, every future Invader had to take one final test. This test was designed to weed out any defective Irkens that somehow had managed to get this far. Many Irkens had no idea they were defective, so when they took the final test, they were found out by the computer brain, and they failed. Their PAKs removed and erased, but Zim had always known. Because of this he had learned to hide his flaws from the computer brain, and he passed, if only he hadn't messed up Operation Impending Doom 1 then there would be no doubt in the Tallests' minds that he was worthy. All he had to do was conquer Earth, and then all the doubt would be gone forever. 'You've got them eating out of your hands. Don't mess it up!' Zim ordered himself as he left the restroom and head off to class.
He could pull this off. He had to appear normal. The Tallest were counting on him, and he was so close to victory. Closer than he had ever been before! According to his research the last step to making their relationship final was to sweep her off her feet at Rachel's party, but how? He knew nothing about parties! Then it hit him, Rachel! She was giving dance lessons for her party; he could learn from her. Then once he had swept her off her feet in romantic bliss, all he had to do was kiss her.
A shiver ran down Zim's spine at the thought. He had read that people who are in love show their love by kissing. It was the final step of the plan. Once Zim kissed her, Gaz would be his love pig and then he would finally use her to bring the Dib to his knees. Yes, it was all coming together. All he had to do now was keep it together and not mess it up. He had to keep his head on straight, or else he'd lose a lot more than his title as an Invader. He shivered again at the thought. He had to get Dib to surrender, and soon! The fate of the mission (and his very life) depended on it.
(Later in 7th period...)
7th period came like a freight train at twice the speed, and Dib was still nowhere closer to convincing his sister to stay home, and to his disgust she was practically beaming as Zim walked in the door. Zim smiled back and took a seat beside her.
Gaz knew Dib was watching them. She could feel his eyes of disapproval, but she didn't care. After he refused to leave her alone about Zim, she decided to no longer speak to him for the rest of the day. She passed Zim a note.
'Want to walk me home? I don't want to listen to Dib's whiny self.'
Zim smiled and wrote back.
'Gir and I are going on a walk after school; we can walk you home on the way.' He passed the note back.
Gaz replied back.
'Sounds better than what Dib's got planned, which is probably a long lecture about us.'
Zim smiled. There was an 'US' now. He felt his Squeedlyspooch lurch at her words. He forced the feeling to go away as he focused on his next move. After he walked Gir and Gaz home he'd go see Rachel.
"Now class, I understand you all want to dive right into your work and get it done as soon as possible, but we have new students who need to learn this for the first time, so everyone open to the beginning of Chapter 16 in your textbooks..."
Dib let the words drown out. He decided that he'd have to follow his sister to make sure she was safe. It was the only way to protect her, but he'd have to do it in secret. Gaz was already mad enough at him; he didn't need to push her anymore. Zim was right; it wasn't having the desired effects. He hated the thought, but she might have to figure Zim out for herself, and when she did Dib would be there to protect her.
The final bell rang, and the students rushed outside to freedom. Dib followed Zim and Gaz from afar as they left the building and met up with Gir, who was waiting for them by the front gate. He was dressed in his usual doggy disguise with his purple leash around his neck; he jumped for joy when he saw his master.
Zim grabbed Gir's leash with one hand and held Gaz's hand with the other as they walked down the street towards her home.
'This was nice,' Gaz admitted to herself as they walked the crowded streets. "Isn't it beautiful?" She asked Zim.
Beautiful? Zim looked around the crowded street, but the only thing he saw that was beautiful was Gaz. 'Wait… did I just think that to myself?' He pushed the thought aside and said "Yes, my love pig. It's all very beautiful."
"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" Gaz asked.
Zim smiled nervously, knowing he had been caught. "All I see is chaos; your kind has no order, and no discipline." Zim didn't know why he was suddenly being honest, but he was, and he found he liked it. For once he could speak freely to someone without being judged.
"Trust me, there is a strategy to our madness," Gaz assured him.
"It doesn't matter. I'll never fit in around here. I mean, look at me!" Zim wasn't sure why these emotions were running wild in his mind, but once he started, he couldn't stop. "I can't even fit in with my own kind, how can I possibly manage? No one understands me… I'm just a freak."
Gaz felt her heart strings tug at his words. "You know, there's a lot of different people and creatures here and they're all happy."
Zim knew what she was doing the moment those words came out of her mouth. "Gaz, I know you want me to see your world as this amazing and wonderful place, but… it's so alien to me," he admitted. He saw a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. It was the Dib! He smiled; the worm just couldn't stay away.
"Give me a chance to prove you wrong," Gaz asked as they arrived at her house. "Let me show you how wonderful this world can really be."
"Show me?" Zim smiled. This was perfect. Not only could he use her to get to Dib, but now he could learn more of the Earth's secrets. "I highly doubt you'll change my mind, but fine, I'll give it a try for you, my little Gaz." He took both her hands in his and smiled that sweet smile that he knew she loved. "I'll see you tonight." Then he kissed her on the cheek.
Gaz blushed deeply and Dib had to grind his nails into the tree he was hiding behind to keep himself from strangling Zim. 'That Monster!'
"Bye," Zim whispered as he pulled away.
"Bye." Gaz watched him walk away; her face still deeply blushed. Zim had kissed her cheek! She touched her face on the spot where his lips had been. She didn't know if it was real between them are not, but she knew one thing; Zim had goodness in him. All she had to do was bring it out.
Dib waited behind the tree until his sister went inside the house, then he ran to his room. He needed to get ready to spy on their date! Gaz was completely vulnerable; she needed him now more than ever before, and he wouldn't fail her… not this time!
(Later That Night...)
"No, no you're doing it all wrong!" Rachel ranted at Mark for the hundredth time. "It's one step forward, two steps back!" She rolled her eyes as he did it wrong again. "Don't look at your feet!"
The doorbell rang, cutting off Mark's smart remark.
"I'll get it," Rachel said running off, She opened her door and smiled when she saw Zim.
"Hey Zim!"
Zim suddenly fell to her feet. "Please, Rachel! Please, please, PLEASE, I need your help!"
"Okay! Jeez, what is it?" She asked slowly, not sure where this was going.
"It's Gaz. I asked her out on a date!" He screamed.
"Oh! That's great!" Rachel exclaimed.
"No, it's not; she wants me to go to your party," Zim went on.
"And...?" Rachel asked, still not getting it.
"I can't dance," Zim admitted as he bowed his head in shame.
"Oh no; this will ruin everything!" Rachel exclaimed.
"Exactly!" Zim screamed. "Will you help me, pleeeeaase?!"
"Okay," Rachel said casually.
"Really?" Zim stopped suddenly. "Just like that?"
"Yeah. What, did you think I'd say no?" Rachel asked.
"Yes…" Zim admitted.
"Why would you think that?" Rachel acted confused.
"It's just, you and Dib are so tight, and I thought you wouldn't help me." Zim reasoned.
"Promise me you'll take care of Gaz, and you'll never hurt her." Rachel said.
Zim raised his right hand. "I promise."
"Great! Then let's get started."
Zim followed Rachel into her house; it was huge with a big beach view. "Is this where you're having your party?" He asked.
"Yep. Isn't it great?! My dad just bought it off the market." Rachel said proudly.
Zim smiled. Even he had to admit that this place was pretty impressive. It was like a palace that was nearly worthy of the Tallest. Of course, no Earth dwelling could ever be fully worthy of the Almighty Tallest!
"Okay guys, Zim is going to be joining us," Rachel said as she led Zim into the living room where Mark, James, and Trina were waiting for her return.
"Not you too, Zim!" Mark groaned. "Run man, run while you still have the chance!"
"Oh, shut it, Mark!" Trina snapped. "It's not that bad."
"It's torture!" James laughed. "But it's not so bad."
Zim grimaced. He was hoping this would be easy enough to learn in one afternoon, but now he wasn't so sure. "Well, I can't stay too long," he told them.
"Why not?" Trina asked.
"Cause Zim asked Gaz out on a date!" Rachel exclaimed.
"Really? So, it's official then?" Trina asked.
Zim nodded nervously. "Yup. Any uh helpful advice?"
"Don't be late; be early! Girls like that," James said.
"Open the door for her and help her when she goes to sit down at the table." Mark added.
"Those are actually good suggestions," Trina said, quite amazed. "Maybe you guys aren't completely hopeless."
"Oh, I know! Bring her flowers! Her favorites are white roses!" Rachel exclaimed.
Zim smiled. Perhaps coming here wasn't a bad idea after all. "Sounds great. Thanks guys."
"Good. Now that that's over, let's get to it!" Trina commanded.
"Okay Zim, have you ever learned steps for anything before?" Rachel asked.
Zim thought for a moment. He learnt fighting stances in the academy, but that was about it. He nodded. "My parents had me learn self-defense in grade school," Zim said.
"Okay, good. Dancing and fighting have similarities. For example, both require certain movements in order to achieve your ultimate goal. So, the first thing you want to do is move your hips."
Zim followed orders and swayed from side to side. He felt ridiculous! If his fellow soldiers saw him now, they'd surely laugh, but he didn't care. This was for the sake of the mission. He had to do this.
"Not bad, but you're too stiff. You've got to learn to relax and have fun," Trina advised.
Zim took a deep breath and tried to relax as music began to play.
"Now try getting lost in the beat. James, Mark, you are too." Trina ordered
Zim tried to drown out the moans of compliance from the other boys and focus on the music. He closed his eyes and began to move with the beat of the music around him.
"Zim, you're doing great," Rachel praised. "You're a fast learner."
Zim smiled. This wasn't all that bad. He forgot why he was so nervous about all of it in the first place.
It took most of the afternoon, but Zim soon learnt all the steps to the most popular songs playing on the radio.
"You know, I don't get why you and Dib can't seem to get along," Rachel said later as they sat on the balcony adjacent to her room. The entire dance class had retired for the day, and Mark took it upon himself to raid Rachel's fridge and pass out soda.
Zim gave a nervous smile. "I have tried in the past to meet Dib halfway, but he will not give up our childish rivalries."
"Can you blame him? That's his sister you're dating, dude. He's bitter." James smiled as he rested his hand on Rachel's and gave it a comforting squeeze. "But I think in time he'll see you mean well, and that you want to start over."
"You do want to start over, don't you?" Rachel asked.
"I do," Zim sighed, "but there are things that cannot be undone." He coughed, looking for a way to change the subject. "So, has Dib asked you to be his date for the party yet, Rachel?" Zim asked.
Mark suddenly burst out laughing. Even Trina couldn't contain herself.
"What? Was it something I said?" Zim asked.
"Zim, don't get me wrong, Dib is a great friend, but we're just friends." Rachel sighed. "Besides, James and I are dating now."
"Really?" Zim looked at the two of them, James's hand still on Rachel's. Why had he never seen it before?! Zim felt his face flush with embarrassment. "I-I… um…"
"Dude, it's okay. We all thought the same thing, even James. He took forever to ask her out because he thought Dib and Rachel were a thing," Mark said.
"Well, I feel like an idiot now." Zim gave a nervous laugh.
Rachel smiled. "It's okay. In fact, I'm glad we got that out of the way. I mean, Dib is great, but he's so…"
"Absorbed by the paranormal that sometimes it makes it hard to be around him?" Zim finished for her.
Rachel nodded. "I mean, don't get me wrong; I like Dib. In fact, we all do."
"I don't," Trina injected. "And Zim only tolerates him because he's dating his sister."
"That's true," Zim admitted. "But I am trying," he added.
"I know, we all are, but maybe if Dib would just let it go, he'd see you're not so bad." Rachel said
"You really think so?" Zim asked, not sure if she was telling the truth. After all, someone liking him was unheard of.
"Totally," Rachel exclaimed. "Right guys?"
"Yeah,'' James and Mark agreed. Then they all looked at Trina, waiting.
"Okay, fine. He's not as bad as I thought," Trina admitted.
Everyone laughed, and Zim found a smile slipping onto his face. Maybe Gaz was right; there was a sense of beauty to their chaotic world. His eyes suddenly widen. 'Gaz!' It was an hour before their date! "Sorry guys, I've got to go!" Zim raced through the house, down the stairs, and out the door.
"Don't forget the flowers!" Rachel called out to him from the balcony above.
"Got it, and thanks!" Zim called out behind him. He then ran for the nearest flower shop. 'White roses?' Zim smiled. 'Who knew?'
Author's Notes: So, Dib just turned this into a musical; good for him, and Zim seems more empowered than ever! Is Gaz, Zim's Perfect plan? Or will he screw this up like he always does? Well, there's only one way to find out! (Keep reading Duh!).
Thanks for reading and please review!
Yours Truly, RoxieDivine ;)