Sleeper Agent 14

"Sleeper Agent"

'Chapter Fourteen'


Getting lost in his head he didn't even realize they'd made it to the base until he was crossing the threshold to his yard, the gnomes staring blankly at him from their various positions along the lawn while he approached the front door and opened it. A wary glance inside revealed the ground floor to be the same as they had left it, with GIR on the couch watching another mindless program. Mildly assured, Zim ushered Dib into the house, closing the door behind him. "Computer!" He shouted. "Is the main database fully functional yet?"

"The request repairs have been completed over two Earth minutes and thirteen seconds ago." The base AI announced dully.

Zim straightened, eagerly ripping off his itchy disguise. "Excellent." He looked at Dib, "Set your things up quickly, Dib-pig. We're going back down to the lab."

So the repairs were done, that was great!

Dib followed the Irken into the kitchen, intent on going down to the lab so they could finally figure out what Keef was and how to defeat him. Dib seriously hoped they had data on him, but he didn't see why they wouldn't. Surely Keef wasn't a rare species, or even the last of his kind or something stupid like that.

Dib glanced around the room before he finally just opened the fridge door, "I'll just bring my stuff." He said simply since he really didn't trust Gir enough to just leave his computer in the kitchen, even leaving his food sat ill with him. It wasn't like the things took up much room or hindered him; when they settled down for the night he'd find a place for them.

Dib stepped into the fridge alongside the alien, the gentle hum expelling the silence as the clear chute transported them down into the bowels of Zim's base.

Zim tapped his foot impatiently against the metal bottom, the trip downward seeming to take forever despite it only taking a minute. It was a minute too long to the Irken. He wanted to reach the archives already, to finally have an upper hand. He wanted the security knowledge would give him.

Finally the elevator came to a halt and the doors parted, allowing them entrance. The room looked much cleaner since their previous visit, all the machinery fixed and newly polished, with smaller out-of-date screens hanging over the replaced console. A new chair was positioned in front of the main computer, with pink upholstery instead of purple, but basically the same frame-work. From the back it almost appeared to be the same chair.

Zim wasted no time, marching out of the lift and planting his hands on the keyboard, fighting the spike of uneasiness that formed by standing there. He ignored the chair, choosing to stay upright. His antennae rigidly came close around his head as he typed, a little jittery in his motions, and at last he logged in all his necessary new programs to restart the system. This wasn't the first time his lab equipment had suffered damage, though it was rather sad that he was getting used to this procedure.

"Computer, bring up the Irken Empire archive system." The AI obeyed, the main screen showing a large login page with Irken symbols littering the front. Ahh, the drudgery of having to set up his computer all over again-it tried the Invader's patience so, especially since he was already on edge. Zim was beginning to type in when he recalled that Dib was there, and he abruptly shot a look in the boy's direction. "Avert your eyes human-I don't care if you fail to understand Irken, but you have no need to know Zim's password."

Dib trailed behind the alien, his eyes taking in the sight of the nearly pristine lab. It looked like nothing had happened, everything was clean and functioning.

Dib was a foot or so from the computer console and Zim as the alien went to work on reviving the computer. He noticed that Zim pointedly didn't sit in the chair and he seemed to be on edge for some reason. Dib's brows furrowed as he watched Zim's hands, their movements jerky and lacking their usual fluid confidence.

He started to wonder if Zim was thinking about what happened, wondered if maybe the lab made those memories come back. Dib knew better than to ask Zim about what was going on, but he started to finally get the full picture. He wished he could do something, but the most they could do now was just focus on destroying Keef and hoping in time the horrible memories would fade.

Dib jolted back to attention when Zim snapped at him. "Yeah, sure." He said automatically, turning slightly to look at a darker portion of the lab. He didn't see why it really mattered, it wasn't like he'd ever be able to read Irken let alone type it. Even if he saw the password he probably wouldn't be able to remember it later; but he humored Zim none-the-less.

The Invader watched, making sure Dib followed through with the command. Once content he turned his attention back to the log in screen and typed in his password, verifying his identity.

"ACCESS GRANTED." The computer voice intoned, for once sounding serious. "IRKEN INVADER ZIM, WELCOME TO THE ARCHIVES."

The screen flashed for a second, going blank as the new page loaded. Irken symbols started to form until the entire archive search engine was visible, awaiting Zim's command. The Irken started typing furiously, adding every detail he could-regrettably-recall about what he'd seen of Keef's true form. "Zim gives you permission to look now Dib-human." He said absently as an after-thought, though the boy was probably observing anyways since the computer announced his verification. He gave one last click on the keys, waiting for the search engine to reveal what they wanted. No less than two seconds later a result popped up, filling the screen with an image Zim foolishly hoped he didn't need to see again.

"SYNAK," the computer droned. "CONQUERED RACE FROM THE PLANET PHAISYN, IN GALAXY ELEVEN UNDER STAR SEVEN-HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN. THE SYNAKS WERE DEFEATED AND ANNIHILATED BY THE IRKEN EMPIRE DURING THE RULE OF TALLEST VAS, IN THE SIXTY-SEVENTH LAUNCHING OF THE ORGANIC SWEEP CANNON."

More information was provided, mostly about their biological make-up, mentioning the ability to disrupt their molecular structure and become fluid, having similar roots to the Meekrob who, as energy beings, could alter the wavelength of their forms to visibly transform. Unlike the Meekrob, however, the Synaks hadn't evolved with the mental capabilities of their brethren, and in order to change into a form other than their original selves, they needed to ingest DNA samples of a host species to replicate their molecular structure.

The computer went on about other facts on the supposedly 'extinct' species, but Zim had ceased listening, his eyes glued to the image on the screen. It looked exactly like Keef had, the same ochre skin and white pupils…though it lacked the same wickedness, instead wearing a kind expression. The likeness still unnerved the Invader before he ripped his gaze away. "Get to the good stuff!" Zim ordered. "The weaknesses! What are its weaknesses?!"

The computer paused mid-speech, "… PROCESSING." He answered, seemingly annoyed.

Dib had indeed started to watch the information pop up on the screen; images mixed with strange text but the computer translated so he could keep up with what Zim was viewing. He tried to log it all into his memory, his bright gold eyes taking in the sight of Keef's alien species as the photo popped on screen.

Extinct?

Obviously he wasn't.

Though, Dib began to wonder if Keef knew if his species was extinct, then he also began to wonder just how long Keef had been sitting on Earth. Dib knew the current Tallest of Zim's planet to be Red and Purple, but Keef's species supposedly was killed by a Tallest Vas. That had to be a long time ago, right? So, Keef was sent way before that wasn't he?

Dib didn't know if there was a time frame, or if the talk about the sixty-seventh organic sweep was a time-line in itself. "How long ago was all that?" He asked before he could stop himself, not really knowing if Zim was paying attention to him since the Irken had barked a new order at the computer. Dib had trailed forward, standing next to the alien, his head craned up to the brightly lit computers.

Zim twisted his head to peer at the source of the question, forgetting for a moment that Dib was there. He noticed how close they were standing and took a step away, feelers pressed back along his skull. "Before Tallest Miyuki-she was Tallest before I was a smeet," the Invader answered. "And there was Tallest Hummel before her, so…perhaps, seven-hundred of your Earth years?" Zim made a shrugging gesture, though it was tense and almost unnoticed. "Not too long ago."

The computer gave a small beep, drawing the Irken's gaze to the screen. "INFORMATION LIMITED." It responded. "DUE TO THEIR MOLECULE STRUCTURE, THE SYNAKS WERE ABLE TO AVOID PHYSICAL INJURY THROUGH COMBAT. LASERS WITH A DIAMETER SMALLER THAN THE TARGET'S BODY WERE ALSO INEFFECTUAL. THE ORGANIC SWEEP CANNON IS THE ONLY KNOWN WEAPON SUCCESSFULLY USED TO KILL THE SYNAKS. IN TERMS OF NON-BATTLE WEAKNESSES, SYNAKS WERE IMMUNE TO MOST KNOWN DISEASES, AND LIVED VERY LONG LIFE SPANS. THEY PREFERRED MILD CLIMATES, AS EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD CAUSE THEIR FLUID MOLECULAR STRUCTURE TO COLLAPSE INTO A LIQUID STATE; AND EXCESSIVE COLD CLIMATES, WHICH PREVENTED MOLECULAR SHIFTING."

Not too long ago? That was certainly an understatement; seven hundred years was a very long time, at least in Dib's perspective. But then again, he didn't live for hundreds of years, he would only live to a hundred if he was super lucky, but seventy or eighty was a more probable guess.

Dib's shock had shone on his face a moment before he hid it. So Keef had to be older than that, probably sent before his race was killed off but for what purpose he was sent here Dib didn't know. Maybe he was just another invader like Zim, but the alien on the screen didn't look nearly as dark or sinister as Keef did.

Dib took in the information the computer gave, wondering if they could work with anything. "So," He mused aloud, "Just intense heat or cold affects them?" Dib glanced to Zim, "How big is an organic sweep canon?" It sounded pretty big but he decided to ask anyway since that was the only real weapon known to work, "Can we build that?"

"What?!" Zim whipped around to stare at Dib. "Idiot dirt-child, we cannot build an organic sweeper cannon! The only one in existent is on the Massive-it is a symbol of the Empire's greatness, there can be no replications!" And it's not like Zim hadn't tried either. Having his own version of the cannon would actually be useful for taking over the planet, if the only blue-prints for it weren't top-secret and well-guarded among the Tallests' advisors.

"It's not like I know that." Dib countered in a mumble, not really wanting to get Zim more riled up, but he always sprang to defend himself. It was a little disappointing though – that being the only known weapon to kill the species and they had no hopes of using it. What else could they do? They could hinder him if they made some type of weapon that used heat or cold…but, that was just a temporary help.

Zim and himself had many weaknesses, he more than the Irken. Humans were rather brittle compared to these alien races and just about anything could kill Dib if done in a lethal dose.

Zim straightened out of his surprised stance, looking away with an indignant huff. "It would also take months to build, even scaled down to a proportion we can pilot. Months we do not have. We'll need to think of something else. COMPUTER! Bring up more of the Synak's weaknesses!"

"PROCESSING." There was a pregnant pause before the computer replied again. "NO SUBSTANTIAL DATA RETRIEVED. THE SYNAKS COULD NOT BE DEFEATED IN BATTLE BY THE IRKEN EMPIRE UNTIL THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ORGANIC SWEEPER CANNON, THE FINAL VICTORY STRIKE OF THE TALLEST, ONLY USED TO WIPE ALL LIFE FORMS FROM A CONQUERED PLANET. NO MORE DATA AVAILABLE."

Pops and clicks flew harshly from Zim's mouth as he cursed. "There must be SOMETHING!" He retorted, banging his fists onto the console.

Dib frowned as the computer told them that basically Keef was invincible. He couldn't even debate that maybe they just didn't know enough since they killed the whole species because the Irkens had been fighting them prior to making the killing weapon. Dib wanted to say something, wanted to come up with some great plan but he was coming up blank.

Truly, if Keef attacked them again they couldn't do much about it. Trying to fight something that was basically a natural liquid was just sort of pointless. Even when Dib fought him before his blows really didn't do much of anything and if the alien had stayed and even attacked back Dib probably would have lost since he didn't have Zim as help at the time.

Well, the fact that Keef hadn't killed them…

"He's planning something." Dib said aloud, "Something bigger than us." It was obvious Keef could kill them if he wanted, but for some reason he didn't. He had to be biding his time for something, he had to…

Or, this could just be Dib's paranoia.

Zim had stopped attacking the console when Dib spoke, the harsh computer light reflecting against agitated crimson. "What kind of plan requires for Zim to be-" He stopped, realizing what he was about to blurt out, and his antennae practically meshed against his neck. He pulled slightly away from the computer, quiet, but it was only temporary before he spoke, once again authoritative. "Are you sure there's nothing else?!"

"Positive." The base AI said, sounding as fed up as its master did. "History on the Synaks has minimal data, not much is known. Most information regarding the race was destroyed after the launching of the organic sweep cannon."

Zim hissed, unpleased. "Incompetent piece of technology! You are missing something! You have to be! I'll find it myself if you can't!" Furiously he resumed typing, going through the search engine and scrolling up the page. All the same information that the AI provided was there.

Nothing new. Nothing useful.

A few minutes of this past before the Irken grew too frustrated to keep going, slamming a fist back down against the edge of the keyboard. His eyes bore a hole into the console-patience was certainly not his virtue today.

But he needed something. Anything. Everything.

He couldn't just sit and let Keef live after… after that.

Seeing the metal surface of the console in front of him brought back images of the yellow alien, sitting there with a grin on his face. Zim's fists curled anew and he started typing again, eyes at the screen.

He was going to keep looking. He was going to find what he needed.

Dib felt just as upset as Zim did but he didn't express it the same. He kept trying to mull things over in his head but he came up blank. If the database didn't have the information, what were they going to do about Keef? Also, what was Keef really planning?

Dib absently sat down in the unoccupied chair, his eyes still trained on the computers as Zim tried his best to pull up information that just didn't exist. He didn't know how much time had passed from then to now, but he was sure it had to be getting late.

"Zim," Dib finally spoke up, breaking the monotonous sound of clacking keys. "We just have to work with what we got, there isn't anything else." He murmured, knowing the alien wouldn't want to hear it, but they were getting nowhere with this. "He has trouble in heat and cold, we can do something with that." He said, trying to sound hopeful but that minimal knowledge of weaknesses probably wouldn't help them much.

He was still trying to put two and two together. Why did Keef keep touching Zim? Why did he rape him? What were his real motives? Or, was he really just after Zim? His brows furrowed as he tried to think, knowing there had to be a bigger picture but he just couldn't see it. When was Keef going to come back? Or, was he going to come back?

So many questions… but he had no answers.

Zim was no closer to finding them than Dib was, but hardly wanted to resign. However, his growing frustration was beginning to take its toll, and eventually the Irken pushed himself away from the console, unable to stand seeing the same information one more time.

"… fine." He finally grumbled, not looking at Dib or the screen. "Zim will find something else then. Zim will find something that'll work." He half-assured to Dib, half-assured to himself.

The search tonight was getting them nowhere though, and if it continued that way the Invader would have to command the computer to fix whatever damage he applied to it in response. Zim didn't typically have issues with long information searches-his PAK prevented him from tiring physically, and in the mental sense he usually had enough stamina to last it, though the same couldn't be said for his patience levels.

He felt too frazzled this time. The stress must have been getting to him. A phantom of yellow flashed in his mind and he frowned.

Yes, only stressed, even though it never got to him before.

With reluctance he drew himself away from the machines and headed for the elevator. "Computer, investigate any possible weapons using temperature-based ammunition. Also look into any lasers that Zim can design with a beam diameter larger than six Earth feet in length. Inform me when you've collected the information."

The screen changed, going back to the original archives search page before flashing through long data lines, all in Irken text. "Yes sir."

Dib hadn't really expected the Irken to listen, but he was glad he did anyway. He got up out of the chair and trailed after the alien as he walked towards the elevator. He heard Zim bark the order to his computer and he hoped that the machine would be able to find at least that – so maybe tomorrow they could actually work on something that would be beneficial to their mission to destroy Keef.

Dib stepped into the clear elevator, taking his place opposite the Irken. Dib didn't really know what time it was, but it had to be rather late. He was feeling a little fatigue in his body, but nothing he couldn't handle. He didn't want to end up falling asleep and then Keef popping up after all.

"We should probably stay in your room again." He said as the elevator hummed to life and began to transport them upwards. "That's the only secure area really." Even that might be a false security but as of right now that was the only place they had. It was only accessed by elevator, one door in, no windows. It was their best shot to not be ambushed by Keef.

Dib drew his eyes to Zim's expression, wondering if the alien might share his thoughts, or if Zim would snap at him and say he'd have to sleep in the hall or something in front of the room.

…since…

The last time they were in that room Dib had been a little too friendly.

Dib flushed slightly, glancing away as images flooded back into his head; knowing he shouldn't be thinking such thoughts, not when a bigger threat was looming, and also from what Zim had recently went through…

But he couldn't purge the images so he just avoided looking at the alien.

Zim failed to catch the blush or the avoidance of Dib's gaze, instead peering off at the darkness beyond the clear walls of the lift. "Yes, we will stay there tonight." The Irken agreed, though he had already considered the idea and had the elevator take them there before Dib even asked. "It should be secure enough for you to obtain your necessary sleep cycle. Is it about time for you to engage in that, correct?"

The doors to the chute revealed themselves as the two reached the second story of the false house, parting to display the long empty hall with its single entrance at the end. Zim stepped out, not even waiting for Dib as he marched down the tiny corridor.

"Eh, I'm fine for a while longer." He admitted when the Irken inquired about his sleeping cycle.

The elevator had came to a quick halt, the alien stepping out before he got a chance, so once again he was left to follow the marching Irken. Dib had stepped into the room shortly after Zim, the door closing silently behind him as he trailed over to the night table.

He set his laptop on it and emptied his pockets of his snacks before he took a seat at the edge of the bed, not intending to lie down just yet. He felt he should stay awake for as long as he could, vigilant in his want to protect Zim from the looming Keef threat.

He could last a few more hours anyway; he knew Zim didn't want him compromising his sleep since it left him a little out of it and too groggy to pay attention to most things; but a few more hours wouldn't kill him. He shifted just slightly, getting a little more comfortable but he didn't remove his coat or his shoes; not wanting to fully settle for fear his fatigue might catch up to him and he'd find himself craving to lie down. "Were you going to sleep again?" He asked absently.

Zim tentatively sat down as well, though on the opposite side of the circular bed. He shook his head. "Of course not." He replied like a tired adult trying to explain something to a child for the millionth time. Zim had plenty of practice with that from dealing with GIR. "I've had two rest cycles within the week-Zim can last for months now without it." There was also the matter of how vulnerable the process left him to a Keef attack… or a Dib attack. Neither scenario was desired so the Irken chose to remain alert, even if it bored him senseless.

Zim sighed, bringing up the back of his hand to rub his eye. Everything about the room just commanded for rest, designed only to encourage that purpose, but Zim fought off the urge as best he could. He wasn't so much tired as he was frustrated, but the mental fatigue was easy to mistake as a need for recuperation, even with his PAK fully charged from the last two rest sessions.

The alien glanced at Dib, watching him get comfy. "The same cannot be said for your puny human meat shell," He added. "Obtain your rest, Dib-thing. I have no use for you if you're too tired to be functional. Zim will guard the room." In the back of his thoughts he wondered just how effective that would be, since he was always the one needing protection from Keef, which Dib eagerly provided. But that part wasn't acknowledged by the general conscience and was left to wilt behind his over-confidence and pride.

Dib was reluctant to settle down but he knew it was pointless to fight Zim on the subject. After a moment he finally shrugged out of his coat and kicked off his shoes. He moved deeper on the bed, leaning up against the headboard, his legs stretched out before him.

He tiredly rubbed at his eyes but tried to will the sleep from them. He took off his glasses, placing them on the night table before he looked ahead again. He could see things up close though they had a fuzzy outline, but beyond that was just a mess of blended colors.

Dib tilted his head back, his throat exposed as he stared up at the ceiling, his hands resting in his lap. He didn't want to sleep, not yet.

Zim sat where he was on the edge of the bed, not making a move to get comfortable like Dib had. It was highly tempting to want to collect rest-even with the PAK's efficiency, there was no guarantee as to when the next period of recuperation would be. Keeping his energy in full was important, though Zim himself denied the need for sleep quite frequently. He was the greatest of invaders-he could sit back and relax once the planet was his. Sleep was just a waste of time.

And in this case, a burden, as it made him so very susceptible to attacks.

The Irken didn't speak, intending to let Dib have his time to recharge. Silence reigned supreme for a long time while Zim simply stared at the door, the eerie quiet only broken by their breathing.

Boredom drew in gradually, and soon Zim tired of the door, instead taking to watching Dib out of the corner of his eye. How bizarre, that he would be sitting beside his rival in hopes of thwarting a similar enemy. Well, perhaps not so bizarre, it had happened before. But this felt different.

Different…even though the human had fought beside him once or twice, he never protected Zim. They would be on the same side but it was 'every man for himself' or however that Earth saying went-they wouldn't be attacking each other, but they certainly weren't helping either; despite any truce they'd wonder if they could somehow have the other killed while getting rid of their common problem, two birds with one stone (another Earth saying, though stupider than the former).

Or at least Zim had, he couldn't speak for Dib much, and even with himself the idea faded once their rivalry had progressed further. Now he did not want Dib to die unless it was by his hand-the mighty Zim didn't battle something for THIS long without getting to right to strike the final blow.

He could only assume that Dib felt the same but…he was protecting him, in a way that just didn't seem obligatory. That and the expression of comfort back in the elevator, the hug…

His antennae twitched absently with the recollection. For some reason the act was constantly in the back of his mind, like a curious puzzle he couldn't unravel-not because he didn't comprehend Dib's motives(although that was fuzzy too, he grudgingly admitted), but because he didn't understand why it felt pleasing.

Zim's shifted where he sat, too busy thinking to realize he was staring very obviously at Dib, though the boy didn't appear to be paying attention. He remembered how safe he felt, how comfortable despite never being touched like that in his life. A filthy human ritual-Irkens didn't require such weak bodily contact, or sympathy.

Still, there was no denying the oddity of the sensations and the event in general. It was warm and soft and eased his nerves...but why? What was it about the hug that gave such an effect? Was it just something from humans, like a chemical released during the interaction, or perhaps the positioning?

Curiosity had been gnawing at Zim's brain ever since the event and now that he had a chance to think, it was simply bothersome. The fact that he couldn't discern any explanation produced a need in the Invader to figure it out. And as he usually was, Zim never failed to take an idea head-on, to conquer it and know its answers.

Thus was why he, without warning, crawled across the bed, eyes narrow as he took in Dib's expression and lax pose. Getting so close was probably against his better judgment, but perhaps the human was tired enough that he could instigate this without much resistance.

"Do not speak." He warned before Dib had a chance to question him, his tone grouchy. He didn't need to listen to the worm-pig's overly-inquisitive babble when he was still unsure about this himself. "And stay still-Zim is merely experimenting." Awkwardly the Irken drew near, right at Dib's side. Was it just the proximity that mattered in the act? He'd seen the earth-monkeys get close on the television, and they appeared content no matter what the position.

Making it clear from the look on his face that he was NOT happy with any of this, Zim slid his body down until he was lying comfortably on the bed, and leaned in against the human's form. It was very warm, he inwardly confessed, resisting the urge to squirm away as he held himself against the other figure. It wasn't nearly as nice though, as he was on the outside of Dib's arms. Perhaps that mattered? The Invader's head remained against a clothed shoulder, feeling the body heat beneath the attire.

Dib hadn't been paying too much attention, fatigue causing his thoughts to become lazy and sluggish as he continued to stare up at the ceiling. The time passed by slowly and he yawned despite his want to stay awake; the bed beneath him was just too comfortable and he found himself starting to fall victim.

The entire room emitted a cozy atmosphere that was hard to ignore and without even knowing it Dib had slid down the headboard to lay more flat on the mattress. He didn't notice Zim's blatant stare, losing his usual hyper awareness as he contemplated just giving in and letting himself rest. He would be no good if he was tired in the morning if Keef decided to show up; that aside, they had a lot of weapon planning and building tomorrow.

However, before Dib could fully entertain the notion of sleep he felt the mattress dip and he finally turned his attention to the alien crawling towards him. "Zim--?" Though Zim cut him off before he could continue, still unsure what the Irken was planning.

Experimenting?

Dib swallowed thickly, his cheeks flushing, shifting slightly to get up on his elbows to try and figure out what was going on. Surely Zim didn't--

As the Irken settled into his side he noted the stiffness of his body and his blatant irritated expression. Dib didn't understand if he didn't enjoy what he was doing, why was he doing it? Dib tried to settle down again, slowly laying back again and letting Zim fall a bit better against his side.

After a few awkward minutes Dib fell victim to the alien's warm body, the heat slowly pulling him back into a groggy state of mind. Slowly he snaked his arm around Zim's shoulders, gently pillowing the alien against him.

He tilted his head against Zim's, his lips brushing against the base of an antennae by accident. He tried to ignore the soft feeling of the stalk as he jerked his head away, resting it more casually against the alien's skull.

Zim had felt Dib move beneath him, causing him to tense. He thought he told the human to stay put-damn that disobedient dirt child. The arm hold, however, was exactly what he'd been wondering about and Zim reluctantly let himself be pulled closer, body remaining rigid and ready to flee from the unfamiliar touch.

Something soft briefly stroked against the bottom of a feeler, instantly sending a pleasurable shudder through the Irken's system. Without realizing it Zim emitted a tiny chirp at the sensation, unconsciously snuggling into Dib; the touched antenna languidly stretched to receive more interest, while its partner fell limp against the pillow.

He curled in, content and relaxed for all of a minute, but the lack of attention slowly dragged him back into his head. He vaguely understood that maybe this wasn't such a good idea, but the combined atmosphere of the bed, Dib's warmth, and the lingering trickles of sensation in his body kept him from pulling away like he should.

Dib let his eyes slip closed as Zim snuggled closer. He let himself be content in the fact that Zim didn't spring away or attack him; merely remained where he was nestled against him.

Dib gently rubbed at Zim's shoulder in a soothing gesture. His breathing was starting to even; vaguely aware of the unique scent he smelt at the base of Zim's antennae. Slowly the tension eased from his body; shifting without conscious thought to get closer to his new heat source as he scooped up the smaller male in his arms and snuggled down for the night.

Dib mumbled something incoherent as he finally caved to fatigue.

Zim was aware of the teen's gradual lack of wakefulness, listening to the steady drumming of his heart and the smooth inhales and exhales of breath. He was curled securely against Dib's chest, surrounded by the human's arms like a protective shield. The sheltered embrace should have made him nervous-edgy-panicked-but there was nothing to indicate that he was uncomfortable. It was all strangely welcome, and as much as Zim considered leaving the situation he made no move to get up or push Dib away.

The unintelligible murmur made the Irken's feelers twitch and he tilted his head up to peer at Dib. Ruby orbs studied the sleeping features, how smooth everything seemed without the suspicious brow furrowing and the constant animation of thinking always written plainly on the human's countenance. He seemed peaceful, harmless… undeniably at ease. Perhaps the hug affected both parties equally?

Zim continued to stare at Dib, thinking. The idea of touch, contact, especially with a human, just inwardly irked him… well, any other human beside Dib. He'd had so many physical brawls with the teen that they weren't strangers to closeness, but it was hardly like this.

He still did not know why he felt so protected and satisfied within his rival's grasp. The gentle intakes of breath and Dib's slow, steady heart rhythm assured the Invader that there would be no surprise attack, no danger-in fact it was the boy who put himself in harm's way, being so defenseless with Zim in his arms.

One stab with a PAK limb, one blast from a plasma beam, and he would be no more. Was he really so foolish as to trust that Zim needed him enough not to kill him just yet?

The entire matter left the Irken a little befuddled, more at his own reluctance than at Dib's unguarded self. Why was this so different? Different from what Keef did, different from their fights? When all he felt was anxiety, there was none here-the draped arms like a cocoon, blocking out everything but the warmth and stillness, all of it foreign but hardly unwanted.

Of course he really didn't WANT Dib to touch him.

He was just experimenting, testing the contents and design of the hug. And he'd remove himself once he was done.

In a minute. Maybe two.

Knowing that Dib was asleep gave Zim further reassurance that this was merely all that would take place-letting out a long sigh the alien nuzzled his head against Dib's chest, just listening to the internal mechanics, soaking up the body heat and fragrance and contact that slowly worked to drug him. Lightly his antennae stretched out, brushing along the underside of Dib's jaw, and the feel of soft, smooth skin along the stalks was enough to please the smaller male. He'd stay for a moment, just another moment, and then he'd pull away.

Just one moment. Just another moment.

And he stayed that way for several hours, eyes closed and breathing shallow, just awake enough to listen for any intruders. Instead all he heard was the rhythm of Dib's heart, the steady thumping lulling the last of his discomfort away.