Stretched above the silver table he sneers at me. He's utterly naked. No disguise, no 'invader' uniform. Nothing but slick apple-green skin, quivering under the glacial white overhead lamps. He shivers a little, pretending not to be afraid.

I grin back wide while I rub my thumb along the edge of the camera. I feel like a god, right now, in this place.

I raise the viewfinder. Plastic clicks as the camera's back taps against the lens of my glasses.

I see you, Zim...

Image is a little blurry. Gotta get a clear shot. Where's the autofocus...? Oh, there. Geez, could they make the button any SMALLER?

Hand's a little sweaty. Stop shaking! This has got to be CLEAR. CRISP. I don't want a single detail getting away.

The shot of a lifetime...

My subject grimaces. "Hurry UP."

"Why? I'm not in a hurry. Are you?"

He growls again, turns his head with a snort, away from me.

Considering the circumstances... heh. I guess I can see why he'd want this over with quickly. Well, too bad. He can suffer a little. He deserves a little discomfort for all that he's ever done to me.

I push in closer with the camera, seeking the perfect angle. Nothing's quite right. I circle the table slowly.

He fidgets, antennae flicking.

"Geez, will you settle DOWN?"

"You're a fine one to talk! This desultory nonsense about your wanting ...eh... FILMING-NESS of my amazing self all of a sudden!"

Human words elude him when he's upset. It's cute. "Photography," I correct him absent-mindedly.

"WHATEVER!" he shoots back. "Be DONE with it already! ..." A whine. "This table is cold."

"Your own fault," I retort. "You never let me get any pictures before. You always broke my cameras!"

"You were trying to expose me as the amazing alien menace to this pathetic world that I am!"

"True, but... geez, can't I just have a picture? ONE picture? I like looking at you."

That makes him preen. I knew it would. His back arches as he puffs up with egotism, and his eyes get that evil, prideful glitter. The cold table is apparently entirely forgotten. "Naturally. It's only FITTING that you should adore me."

There. THAT's what I was waiting for.

I click the shutter.

A/N: In response to the contrelamontre 'four word' challenge. Originally written November 2003.

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