Author's Note: Sorry for dropping off the face of the Earth for a while everyone. I hope my loyal readers are in for a real treat. I'm in a better headspace, and have kicked my writer's block in the face!

~Enjoy ^-^

Chapter 22: "How Clever, for a Lizard"

Gaz's PoV:

The hallways were barren, not a guard to be found. I even decided to play with fate, banging on the walls, even cursing in Irken. Nothing. "Well this is.. weird" I said softly, continuing to meander around in the labyrinth of endless corridors. The first sound I had heard in what felt like hours was loud, humming, if I were to guess, I'd say power tools. I followed, creeping quietly, finding an open, door, I peak inside, my heart swells happily. That scythe haircut that used to fill me with SUCH RAGE, now filled me with a glee I'd often get from playing old videogames. I wanted to announce myself, but I had to make sure the coast was clear.

With my superior stealth skills, acquired from so much experience in horror gaming, I crept up to the left corner behind Dib. The room, like the halls, were vacant of guards, or engineers in general. This looked to be a crafting room, with all the tools, and whatnot. "Dib!" I whispered loudly. "Not now, I have to keep working" He said, muttering under his breath "I can fix this, I can save her, if this works, I can save them all." I sighed loudly, all these years and he STILL talks to himself "Dib, it's Gaz!" At first he kept working, then froze, he must've registered my voice. He turned slowly, then with great force, embraced me. I pinched him, Hard. "Yeow! Alright point taken" he let me go, looking at me happily but with remaining disbelief. "You've taken quite a beating" He said, examining the bandaging.

This was the first time I really got a good look at my brother, in this state of being, and time. His face tired, scarred up, bloodshot eyes, I assume from stress, and.. the scare. "You're not looking so good yourself" I said smirking. He is so thin, and tall, so tall now. "Hehe, your head isn't so Big anymore" I made him smile "Just noticing this? Yeah, hehe bout time huh?" He stopped laughing. "Yes… time… take a look at this, Gaz." I realize how deep his voice had gotten, the stress audible when he spoke, but ultimately a lot like their father's. He gestured to a contraption on the work bench, he continued to adjust it as he spoke. "Zim contracted me to work on this, it's a prototype time machine. If I can get this to work, I'll be to accelerate particles faster than the speed of light, which would open a warm hole. We were going to save you, Gaz." "Dib, I'm fine, I'm here, why do you keep tinkering with that?" He looked at me, then back down, continuing his work.

"Gaz, this is the key, to fixing everything, we can go back" He looked to me, looking as though he had a question pop into his head "What happened Gaz, you were behind our walls, with Tak of all beings guarding you.. how did this happen?" he seemed shocked at my appearance, at the look in my eyes. "Gaz? No." "I didn't mean for this Dib… it just… happened." He continued working, a look of concentration, and pain.

'His sister had fallen for his mortal enemy, she had feelings for that monster, Gaz.. loved ZIM!'

Dib slammed his fists into the table, shaking the device, and causing a wrench to fall to the floor. I was unmoved, expectant even, picking up the wrench, placing it back onto the table. "Where are all the guards? It's very odd this place is so barren, not like Zim." "It's Disgusting, the way you say that thing's name!" "Dib.." "They're attending a mandatory execution." He stated quietly, continuing to work. "Execution?" "Something about boiling, but with oils, one soldier joked this unlucky fool would be like a McMeaty's medium fries" "McMeaty's?" Dib sighed "Yeah, apparently his Royal reptile-breath kept the franchise running out of... respect, or something." "What was the crime?" Dib put his tools down, clearly agitated, but not wanting to take it out on me. "Not to be rude Gaz, but I'm a prisoner here. I did not ASK the soldier anything, just listened. I've been so focused on this, pretty impressive I recalled that much." He laughed.

He looked me dead in the eyes, serious and steady. "Gaz, I need to know. Are you with me?" I looked down, grabbing my right are with my left hand, rubbing it gently. So much confusion overtook me, Dib apparently wasn't expecting hesitation. "Gaz, C'MON! This is the Earth, OUR HOME! He took EVERYTHING from us!" "I know." "How is this even a question, Gaz?!" The same childish annoyance I loathed surfaced in his voice for a moment, his heart was breaking, what could I do. "I.. I just-"

"She has fallen in love with her King" A dark voice from above cut me off. Zim descended like a spider onto a fly, his pack legs easing him behind me, before receding into his pak. His large hands clamping possesivly onto my shoulder, him leaning over to my right ear, glaring at Dib. I was too confused, too shocked to think, to move, to breathe!

"How very nice to learn you planned on betraying me Dib-worm, however, not unexpected." Dib seemed as lost for words as I was. Zim had been listening in this whole time, suddenly, Dib's ego returned and he spoke up. "Unexpected, you're covering up for your shortcomings you scum, there's no way, I was so careful, so caution, we BOTH though Gaz was doomed!" I turn slightly to see Zim's eyes glowing, from.. Pride? A devious smirk on his handsome lips. "I knew all along my precious Gaz was alive and well" he nuzzled into the crook of my neck and hair, I helplessly moaned. Dib was furious. "LIAR" Dib screeched. "She has a chip in her bloodstream Dirt-monkey." Zim said Matter-o-factly "One of my most loyal Doctors, and personal friend, took care of that for me, I've had her vitals monitored at all times, as well as location."

Now it was my turn to be pissed "You CHIPPED ME!" Zim chuckled, giving my neck a tender lick. "All those things you said to me while.. YOU KNEW I WAS ALIVE?!" "Not so loud, dear Gaz" Zim purred "How Clever, for a Lizard." Dib spat, then suddenly, Dib was white as a sheet "No.." A darker chuckle from Zim, one holding victory, yet malice. "Thaaat's right Dib-stink, I know where your precious resistance is. Once the matters here are taken care of, I'll be paying them a little.. Visit" His attention turned towards me "As for you my sweet little Gazzy, we have unfinished business." An appendage brought a device from his pack before him, after pressing something in, Dib hit the ground. I dart sticking out of his left calf. Two guards came in, dragging him out. "Don't hurt him!" I yelled up at Zim. "The Dib will be fine, my Gaz"

He looked down at me, suddenly very serious, very sad. "I had this all planned out so perfectly, I gave my precious Gaz a chance to reflect, space and a… false sense of freedom" was he SERIOUSLY monologing right now?! "She CHOSE to come back to Zim, although I would've taken her back regardless. All the while, unknowingly aiding him to finally crush his enemies" Zim looked as though he was composing himself" However, Snu's actions were… not planned. We had been very lucky" His large hand brushed a few strands of hair from my face. "So, so very lucky.." Zim leaned down, claiming my lips softly, tenderly. I melted, leaning into him, his arms eagerly wrapping around me. A million thoughts went through my head, I had been played, his pawn… or rather his Queen. Relief, knowing Zim hadn't had someone intentionally shoot me, what became of Snu? Unfinished business? I blushed hard, I tried to tell Zim to stop, his tongue quickly found it's way to mine. He and I both moaned.. I found him irresistible, his kiss was fire. This was so different from before, like I was under a spell! Was this the effects of distance, the dreams, the stupid serum… Did I really love Zim?! I heard him laugh softly, apparently, I had been moaning loudly while lost in thought "I missed you too, my Gaz" Zim purred. He then stepped back, offering me his hand.

"What is this?" "Will you come with Zim? This is your choice Gazzy, forcing you has only pushed you away." "I.. where to?" "Come with Zim, and he will make you never wish to leave again" His eyes shone bright, love, mixing with fear.

I took his hand.