Author's Notes: First of all, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! This is for everyone who said I should continue.
Yes, I actually got around to writing one of the endings. Hurray for spring break! Special thanks to Invader Tazi who wrote an ending before me and a good ending at that! Reading her version inspired me to finish my own. You should go read her ending, If only.
This is the ending that seemed to be most popular, so enjoy!

Disclaimer: Another disclaimer, same as the first, a little bit louder and a whole lot worse.

Tak blinked at the thoughts that came to mind and shook her head to get rid of them. That other universe, what might have been was not important right now. She needed to focus. "Things could have been so different. I could have been an Invader, famous, rich. My life could have been perfect. But you had to go and ruin it." She paused. "Maybe . . . maybe even you and I would be different. This is all your fault."

Zim simply looked up, terrified. He swallowed with some difficulty. "Please . . . Tak . . ."

"Don't beg!" she yelled, shoving the gun between his eyes, causing him to flinch and tremble. "Don't you darebeg! You chose this life. Now, you're going to follow it to the end." But even though her words were final, Tak couldn't stop her hands from shaking. It wasn't too late to change it . . .

No, she thought. It is too late. From the very moment he left me in that pod it was too late.

But the nagging doubt in the back of her head wouldn't leave.

"I'm . . . sorry," she said. Unsure, even then, she closed her eyes and began to pull the trigger . . .

And began again . . . and again . . . Her hand wouldn't stop trembling.

Tak opened her eyes and looked into Zim's.

In the back of her mind, her own voice echoed what she had once told him. No! It's not about revenge!

Her hand stopped trembling.

She growled at her own incompetence and fired three shots, straight into the ceiling, screaming Irken curses. Stomping out of the room, Zim watched in astonishment as Tak went raiding his refrigerator. Then he yelped as something hit him in the face with a lot of force.

"That's for your eye," Tak growled, sitting on the sofa (or what was left of it) with a soda in her hand. Inspecting her gun, she shook her head and tossed it across the room.

Zim took hold of the cold compress and looked at the female suspiciously. Then, slowly, he applied the compress to his eye. He didn't dare speak for a while and simply watched Tak drink her soda. When she had finished, Tak stretched and made herself comfortable, looking at the huge hole in the TV screen. Her expression was bored.

Clearing his throat, Zim began, "I . . . I know my persuasion skills are impressive, but . . . why . . .?"

Tak's expression turned slightly confused and slightly worried. "I'm not quite sure," she said, taking her time with each word.

"Then, you aren't going to kill Zim?"

"Not today. Look, you've learned your lesson, right?"

Zim nodded vigorously.

"You're in terrible pain?"

Zim nodded vigorously.

"You won't cross me again?"

Zim shook his head vigorously.

"You admit defeat and that I won because of my superior skills?"

Zim hesitated, then with a glare from Tak, nodded vigorously.

"Then I have won a fair victory and have no need to kill you. You're free." She sighed. "And so am I." As Zim stared in astonishment, Tak frowned in thought. That was true, she was free now. She no longer had to track Zim, plot, try to kill him or sabotage his life. She had reached her goal. Then, a chill settled in the middle of her squeedly-spooch.

She had no goal. Her life was without purpose.

Tak was not one for panic, but she began to feel very jittery. Now that Zim was defeated, what was she to do? She had spent so long focusing on that she now had nothing, nothing at all.

Something slid into her hand and Tak tensed, ready to throw a punch but found something cold pressed into her face.

"Here," Zim said, lifting Tak's hand and gently placing it on top of the compress. "Hold that there."

Several thumps and clanks emanated from the kitchen area and Tak lifted the compress from her eyes to see Zim searching for something in various cupboards. She half smiled as he had to climb up on one of the counters to reach the topmost shelf; his broken spider legs dangled behind him and he clutched his right side in pain.

He lowered himself carefully down, grimacing as his mangled right foot touched the ground. In his hand he held a small white box with the Irken medical symbol on it: a first aid kit.

Tak's initial instinct was to push him away, but something in his eyes made her hesitate, a sort of fierce determination in his eyes. "Hold still," he instructed as he gently took the cold compress away and began to smear medical gel onto a large cut on her forehead. She flinched at his touch and he grimaced as he touched her, both of them tense. Various broken wires sparked and dust fell from the cracked ceiling.

"Will it take long to repair your SIR unit?" Tak asked, glancing over to where GIR lay strewn about in several pieces.

"Ah, don't worry about it. He blows himself up at least twice a week. He'll pull himself back together soon," replied Zim, a hint of a smile on his face. "There, Zim is done with your head." He used his thumb to wipe away the excess gel but even when the gel was smooth he didn't stop. His smile faltered.

Tak felt heat rush to her face as she realized how close they were. She turned her head sharply to the side and snapped, "I think you should go now."

"Go?"

"According to Irken rules of war, the victor acquires any and all possessions of the defeated," Tak recited, her words running into each other as she practically jumped off the couch. "Your base is now mine and I ask that you leave. Now."

"Wha-you can't kick Zim out of his own base!!" Zim yelled, also getting off the couch.

"Fine; you may sleep on the couch," said Tak, turning and walking toward the kitchen.

"Half of it's gone!" He raised his fist and began to shake it. "You will regret humiliating the almighty ZIM in such a-ow!" Zim doubled over in pain.

Tak stepped into the fridge-elevator, showing no signs of concern. "The computer will fetch you anything you need. Mimi will be watching you so don't try anything stupid." As she began to descend, her expression changed as she watched Zim clutch at his side. "And take care of those wounds."

Once she was gone, Zim found some pain pills in the first aid kit, swallowed them, and began to forage in the rubble for the couch's other cushions, muttering to himself. Curling up on what was left of the sofa, he though about the repairs he would have to make to his Pak tomorrow (thank Irk the damage wasn't serious), his base (it was still his base), and possibly Gir. He felt his Pak beginning to shut non essential systems down so it could make repairs when he heard something move in the room. With some difficulty, Zim opened his eyes as saw Tak setting down some pillows and a blanket. "Tak," he whispered.

Tak looked startled but recovered. "Shut up and rest." She turned to go.

Zim sat up. "Tak, I'm s-sor-r . . ."

She turned around to look at him.

"Iiiii'mmm . . . ssssooorrrr—. Yep,that'sit,that'sallIwantedtosay,goodnight." He then quickly turned away from her and dug his face into the cushions.

Tak watched him feign sleep and then started back towards the elevator. He had been so close, if only . . . She shook her head, a small smile on her face. No, she was content with where they were for now.

A/N: Translation for Zim's last line: So ready to fight you again for controle of my base. Yep, that's it, that's all I wanted to say, goodnight.

Again, Invader Tazi's story If only is a good read. Thank you Invader Tazi!

Okay, you all know the drill: review please! Critique welcomed and all reviews appreciated.