Swollen Years

A/N: Yep. New chapter. It's going slow. Sorry lol.
Btw, reviews make me happy. If you like the story, review. If you hate the story, still review.
If you have some constructive crit, review.

I JUST LIKE REVIEWS. lol

~*Chapter 16*~

-I-

The..
Hell?

"Zim, uh.." He was a loss of words, he hated to admit it, but the gun was scaring the living shit out of him. He knew full well Zim would have no second thoughts with shooting him. "Can you tell me what's going on at least?"

False green eyes narrowed. "I find no need in allowing you to speak." He pushed the gun harder against Dib's forhead. "I gave you an order." Dib winced as the gun was being forced harder upon his forhead. He needed to think, he needed TIME to think, but he had no time. Zim's patience was slim, and could break any second given. He said:
"What use of the lab do you even NEED Zim?" He pointed into the hall to his left. "MY lab is twice as good as the labs you can use there!" Disguised teeth clenched, not scared of showing their rage at the human.

Zim withdrawled his gun, turned the other way and slowely walked away, having himself bounce with each step he took. "Hmmf, figueres." Zim played with the gun at his side, tapping it slightly against his hip, fingers dances on the surface. "I guess the latter was an option.. Fine, choose the other. I don't need your help getting me there anyway!" His paced suddenly quickened, and he walked off into the hall without looking back at Dib.
A strange, unwanted feeling crept over Dib. "No! Wait!"

Zim did not hesitate. No words were spoken, his footsteps still continued along with his sly gait. Zim didn't let out any surprised sounds or noises when a hand landed on his shoulder, and forced him to turn around. That same hand holding his head in place, forcing disguised crimpson eyes to meet amber ones.
Dib sighed, staying into the other's eyes, and expression. He found himself lost in Zim's orbs. They were so evil looking now.. There was no life, or happiness inside them. Just an evil, bloud cloud of deep red. It ashamed Dib! Zim's eyes used to be so amazing- awing! He remembered how when he and Zim went into combat, those crimpson rubies were always alive. Filled with color, inspiration, determination.

But now. There was none. "Zim.." He said, still gazing into those eyes. No words came from the Irk. That horrifying gaze remained static, staring at Dib, his face leaving no expression. It looked as if he was a walking zombie. "Zim, I-" He couldn't speak."I'll take you to my father's lab. As long as you tell me whats going o-."

The alien walked along towards the front door, his gun dangling, and swinging at his hip. "Very well. It's seems we're on the same page now, so this'll be much more quicker." He swung open the front door when he reached it. He sighed, and turned to Dib before he departed. "Get your car keys, and we'll be on our way." With that, the front door slammed shut.

-II-

Dib wasn't sure if he should act upon the situation. His stomach felt empty, like a hole had appeared. His feet shook as he pressed against the gas pedals.
Zim hadn't talked to him since they left the house.

He coughed into his fist, trying to get rid of that uncomfterable silence, no responce. "Mind shedding some light to this..?"

"Not really." Zim sounded bored. His fake emerald eyes were roaming out of the window, chin resting in his fist. He looked like a teenager that was depressed and daydreamed for happiness. Perhaps this was the same kind of case?
No, Zim isn't like that. "I don't know if I should tell you this shit or not, either way, it doesn't matter..."

Dib sighed. "At least tell me what's so special at my father's lab. I mean jesus, this is a little sudden don't you think? One minute we're pillow fightin' in my living room, and the next time i see you, you got a gun to my head." His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "And WHY the hell are you in your disguise?! Is this some kind of trick?!" His tone grew angry, he was yelling now. "You think you can play me like a puppet? HUH? I want answers, NOW!" He didn't realize the car's speed was increasing.

Throughout all of Dib's outrage, Zim didn't seen to show any affect. He didn't wince, or pull away. He just sat there, bored, eyes paying no mind to him. It made Dib feel akward. "Fine Zim, be that way."

And he did act the same for the rest of the ride, with no words spoken. Zim was too busy playing with that silly watch of his. The sound of beeping buttons over and over again was grinding against Dib's ears.
Yes, he had, indeed, broke that watch earlier. His curiousity grew.

-III-

"Stay with me Dib. Move out of my sight even once or run, and I'll chase you down and kill you." Zim said as they approached the lab's entrance. His tone was hard, crushing. It was... very interesting. Dib nodded in agreement.
"Not like I'de want to stay in the lab at all. I hate this place."

Dib observed Zim's facial expressions as they walked. Zim hadn't smiled once since last night. Did something happen over night? His heart skipped a pulse.
That horrible dream. Did Zim someone find out about it? Oh god, that would be embarressing! "Zim, did something happen over night?"

Zim's gait haulted. He turned his head towards Dib, his glare penetrating through Dib's very soul. "Yeah actually." He turned away and began to walk again, almost nearly at the entrance doors.

Dib felt irritated. "And that is..?"

Zim layed his palms against the doors, preparing to exert force and push them open. Dib's heart began to race. Did Zim know about the dream, or did he not? Did he want to know the answer? He wasn't sure.
"I fixed my watch device, that's what happened." The doors flew open.

The lighting of the lab inside shown on Dib's face. He felt so... relaxed! Zim had no knowledge of that horrible, perverted dream. And that's exactly what it was going to be like until he told Zim.
Or if he ever was going to tell Zim.

As the doors closed, the lighting slowely dimmed away from Dib's face. His head snapped back into reality and he hurridly ran to Zim's side. He wasn'r sure if Zim was being serious when he said he'd kill Dib. But either way, he wouldn't take any chances. AS he returned to Zim's shoulder, he looked at his face. Zim didn't look at Dib back.

He didn't want to talk to Zim. He didn't want to risk getting punched in the face, or getting a tunnel through his head. So he just made a bunch of ideas in his head, listing them.

One. We're here because Zim wants to destroy all that information that they gathered on Tak. Humans with the clutch of Irken knowledge would be dangerous to himself, and Tak. Yes, that made sense. 'Nathan' was asking Dib where the alien information was. He also recalled him saying 'This makes my job FAR more easier..'.
Was this a job? Was sent back to Earth to make sure all Irken information was not revealed to the enemy? Who had sent him?

Zim was beginning to walk faster as he turned at hall's ends. Left, right, right,left, straight. Dib found it hard to keep up and concentrate.

Two. Weapons. There's lots of deadly weapons supplied here in the labs. Just because Zim's personality and appearance had changed, doesn't mean his will to destroy Earth hasn't.

Both found themselves stopping. They were in front of Tak's holding cell. "What the hell Zim? What're you-"

Zim ignored him and he punched the password template. Short circuiting the machine, the cell's door opened. Dib saw a shallow tint of happiness across those disguised lips. "Alright Tak-"

The disguised boy gasped and he fell to the ground, clenching his stomach. He gasped for air, trying choke it in. Tak loomed over Zim, looking unimpressed. Since Dib heard a loud smack, he was guessing Tak obviously punched Zim in the gut.

Tak made an angry remark. "Asshole. You're a day late!" Her hands were busy. Dib couldn't see what she was doing, or what was in her hands. He didn't dare to say anything.
Without a doubt, these were the two most terrifying people he'd ever met in his life.

Zim growled. "Bitch..! How the FUCK was I suppose to know if I-"

"Be quiet. I don't want to hear excuses." Tak's eyes loomed up to Dib's face. "Oh-!" She ran to Dib's chest, catching him into a warming embrace. "Good to see YOU again, Dib! So, I'm guessing your going to be help-"

Zim grabbed Tak by the collar of her clothing. "No, he's not. He doesn't have a clue what's going on." His other hand was still holding his stomach. That did sound pretty foreful.. Tak huffed.
"Why doesn't he? He could do a lot in this, you know."

Zim began to spit saliva at the floor. Liquids collected quickly into his mouth, and due to the massive pain in his stomach, he had no intention on swallowing. It was like having a stomach ache. "We don't need him Tak. Shut up and drop it."
"Whatever." Tak walked over to her bed, taking out machiney and guns from her pillowcase. "Here." She threw what seemed to be a handgun to Zim. Zim looked it over, getting that bored look again. "This is a peice of shit."

"Look who's talking."

Dib's eyes roamed around the room as Zim and Tak began an arguement. It was like old days to Dib. Him, Zim, and Tak, all fighting. Tak still proved an attraction towards him, Dib was caught between the both of them, and Zim..
Well. Zim was still an asshole.

"IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY AMMO! What are you- stupid?!" Zim screamed.

"It doesn't have ammo, why? Oh yeah-! BECAUSE I NEEDED TO USE IT!" Tak screamed back. Dib tuned away from them again, observing everything- besides the two aliens shouting and screaming.

Red... so much red. Was that red Kool-Aid? Oh god, please let it be Kool-Aid! He walked up the liquid on the walls. It was EVERYWHERE! Like someone grabbed a painting brush, dipped it in red paint and went crazy.

A loud thud, and a small 'smack'. Dib turned his attention behind him, seeing Zim and Tak brawling on the ground. Their expressions on their faces..
They looked horrifying! Eyes flaring with hatred and anger, teeth sharp and growling. Pained noises and screams flew as they threw one punch after another to the face. Tak was ontop of Zim, holding him down while trying to fight him. Zim, growling and trying to pull Tak off of him, was found strapped to the floor from Tak's arms. Both of their eyes locked, pure hatred and anger sizzling between them.

Dib didn't know what to do. Should he stop them? Or should he let them finish? Hard decision indeed. He had to admit, seeing to extremely attractive aliens fighting was VERY intertaining. The noises, grunts, screams along with squeeks that filled the human's ears..
Priceless. Arousing. Certainly addicting.

Zim growled as he held Tak away with one hand, and flew a powerful, violent punch to Tak's left cheek.

Tak let out a "Yeaah!" as she returned Zim's favor and threw a punch just as hard to Zim's face.

Dib backed away from the two, not wanting to get involved with the fight. He wanted this to last as long as possible, it was very intertaining. It was even better than seeing two naked strippers pole-dancing for him. Yes, much much better than this. What was even better was that both of their bodies moved perfectly with each push, tug, punch, and kick. Tak, shaking and failing to move up on Zim to get a better hand.
..
And Zim.. oh god..
His body would put a porn star to shame. Along with Tak, he had bruises, and blood seeping out from his face, mouth, and basically ever targeted area. His disguise was slowely wearing off at random places. His left, peirced antennae shown itself, poking out of that fake, yet gorgeous red hair. His right boot was showing, along with random patches of his Irken clothing contrating to the fake human ones. And the best of all, those amazing red rubies showing in the left eye. Zim screamed and growled with each punch he gave and recieved. His legs kicked and bucked, attempting to shove Tak off of him. Chest waving and arching as a failed attempt to apply pressure.

God.. Since when did Zim look so..so.?

'Kind of horrible for me to be enjoying this.' he thought to himself. He knew Zim and Tak never liked losing a fight. He stepped towards the two. "Alright alright. That's enough. This whole arguement is pointless, so I suggest you two stop and-"

"WHY DON'T YOU GO -FUCK OFF-?!" Both of them screamed. Four alien eyes glared at Dib with pure rage. Dib stepped away, suprised by the sudden reaction.
"Fine.." He liked this anyway. He stepped away even farther and sat on Tak's bed. Much better. What's better than seeing the two people you like having a sexy brawl? Nothing.

Dib laughed. How perfect. He could jack off right now if he wanted- after all, he WAS on a bed now.

Blood began to sprawl across the floor. Dib eye's grew wide, staring at the new, fresh blood that had appeared. Were they really going this far?

Zim knee'd Tak in the gut, letting out an aggrevated growl. "Fucking... bitch.. Why won't you DIE!?" Tak screamed, clenching her stomach, coughing out blood all over Zim. Zim turned his face away, trying to resist getting blood all over him. Small droplets of blood landed on his jaw-line, and soon started to spread out father to Zim's eyes.

Dib couldn't move. This was getting bad, and fast. He closed he eyes, and thrusted his head away. He could watch them fight and hit eachother, but that was too far. Another punch was heard, along with Zim squeeking and gasping. Dib's eyes flew open, staring. Tak was screaming, repeatedly punching Zim in the face, and gut. And with each new punch, blood sprayed out from Zim's mouth, and from his open wounds.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Dib screamed. He couldn't let that happen. Couldn't let them kill eachother. This was insane. He gripped Tak and flew hew off of Zim, only to have her fall right on the ground behind him.

Tak clawed at the ground, gasping for air. Her whole body was aching in every body part. Bruises, bloody spots, and bite marks were clearly visable over her body.

When Tak's weight dissapeared, Zim's gut felt full again with fresh air. He began to choke. He turned himself over to face the ground and began to regurgitate his own blood. His stomach clenched, his mouth choked, and blood poured. Dib slowely rubbed Zim's back, trying to ease him. "I could let you brawl on the floor, but bloodshed- I won't allow!" He patted Zim on the back several times before standing up. Oh how good it felt to touch him..

Zim stopped spewling out blood. He was gasping, and choking on air now. His eyes traveled to Tak behind him. Tak's eyes traveled behind her also. Both found themselves staring at eachother.

Dib sighed as he walked over to the bed. Well, it was good while it lasted. He sat on the bed, and rubbed the sides of his head. Was he going to have to deal with these two? He can't put up with that! He bounced up and down on the Dib, trying to make a squeeking sound to distract himself from the hard breathing of the two Irken's. They wouldn't go away, and the sound he tried to produce wouldn't come by faster. Zim began to whine and choke as his body squirmed, begging to get up.

Dib growled. "Stop making those noises over there!" It was only seconds after that that he realized how stupid it was so say that outloud. Zim's eyes grew wide, confused.

Tak dusted herself off as she slowly stood up. "That was a waste of time.." Her legs wobbled as she tried to keep herself standing. Her eyes drifted to Dib, she smiled. As she opened her mouth to say something to him- she heard a low groan. Zim slowely picked himself up, also wobbling.

"Yeah no shit." Zim stood there for several seconds, waiting for the pain to go fade away. He huffed finally. "Tak."

Tak pushed Dib to the side, making Dib squeel from suddenly being pushed. Then he realized he was sitting on some guns. He stared at them, where did those come from? Did Tak have those this whole time? "You're lucky Dib, we don't want those guns shooting you in the ass- do we?"

"Uhh.."

Tak turned to Zim with that bored face that Zim had been wearing for the past hours. "Why didn't you tell him anything? I mean- really? He can HELP us, you idiot!"

"You only want him to help us because you're giving in to your pathetic attraction to him.." Tak didn't respond. "But regardless-" he continued. "-we will need his assistance." Dib's eyebrows rose.

"Zim. Tak. Really. This whole thing is confusing. Maybe if you actually EXPLAIN TO ME WHATS HAPPENING-" he shot a glare at Zim, who only shot a glare back. "-then maybe I will."

Tak put down the weapons along the floor and she sat down. "Alrighty Zim- take your pick." Zim kneeled across from her, staring at the guns. 'Wow, these all suck' he thought. Zim pointed to one of the handguns. "This on-"

The female shot he hand away with hers. "Not that one, that's mine." She smiled. Zim huffed. "Fine, this one."

"Nope, that's mine too."

Zim's antennaes perked, peircing chiming. What the hell..? His eyes danced along the guns. "Alright, I'll do with this one then. Seems decent." Tak smiled. "Nope, that's-"

Zim grabbed Tak by her ripped shirt. "STOP PLAYING WITH ME!" He pushed her away, making her body thud against the cool ground. "If that was all just some immature way of pissing me off, then I'm taking the best gun here!" He picked up the silver coated handgun. There was a message carved into the side of it, but was unreadable. Zim twirled the gun in his hands, and began to play with it- acting as if he was ready to shoot someone. He aimed at Tak's head.
"Don't you dare." Tak hissed.

"I'm just playing." Dib's eyebrows rose once more. Playing? Since when did Zim act like this? Or TALK like this?! And when did Tak suddenly forget about the past? When Zim and Dib had teamed together to flush her off Earth. Zim stood up, looking down at the two guns had choosen. "There's barely any ammo. What the hell Tak?"

"Sorry." She spat. She didn't sound very happy at all. Why would she be happy, Dib thought. She just got into one of the most violent fights with Zim that Dib had ever seen in his life. That including on T.V. "Had no choice. It was either kill of them, or let some of them live. And along with letting some live comes with the possibiblty of one calling for help." A sadistic smile on her lips. "I wasn't going to take the chance."

Dib stood up, crossing his arms. He was so confused. "So, uh, are you to like.. Partners in crime or something?"

Zim chuckled. "Not really, but heh- we can go with that."

Voices. Sounds. They were low, as if a whisper. All threes' eyes shifted towards the open door of the cell. Waiting, and watching if anyone was about to burst in. They stayed in their positions, frozen. They all knew they couldn't afford to make a single sound. All attentions paying the expense to their hearing. Clanks, slams, crashes came. And they were getting louder. Dib shifted to Zim. " We should get out of here."

Tak nodded in agreement. "Right.." She quickly gathered her guns, and ran to Zim's side. "If this is going to work, then we better get a move on- NOW!" Without any verbal response, Zim slowely started for the cell door. Gait slow, movement slick, eyes empty. He flew two of his guns into his hands.

"Don't worry Tak. This'll be easy.." That very tone was completely evil and dull. As if it was a demon that had been talking. It would put a small child to tears from the very second it began to speak. It was..
Like the old Zim in a way.

As Zim and Tak started down the hallway with their guns locked and loaded, ready to shoot at anything at anytime, Dib stayed behind, unable to move. He couldn't register it in his head that these two maniacs really could be his old two favorite aliens. He shook his head. No, people change. He'll just have to deal with this. He stared at the red splatter on the wall and grew curious once more. He observed the mess, the shape and color. It was still red, but had a tint of brown.

This was blood. Human blood. Dib gasped at the observation, but somehow... He found himself not sickened by it. He's seeing blood of others of his own race, possibly from murder, and he wasn't disturbed in any way? He must really be watching to many gorey movies. He knelt down, following the path of blood. The red trail was on the wall, slowely dragged down to the floor, under Tak's bed. He sat there on the floor, in front of the bed, his heart pounding. Did he want to look under, or did he not?

If there was something under there, what would it be? Could he handel it? Despite his debates, he slowely bent down and looked under the bed.

Two bodies. Two bloody, horrific looking corpses had layed under the bed. One female and one male. The female was lying on her back, hand on her stomach, while the other layed on the floor. Her eyes were closed, her lips crooked into a smile. Had she really be smiling when this had happened to her?! Dib couldn't imagine how that was possible. Her long blonde hair had been tainted with the murky red color of her own blood. The male.. wasn't facing Dib. He was his side. If you didn't know he was dead, you'd think he was sleeping, or some sort. Dib slowely looked closer at the female.

The blood had been draining from the back of her head. He slowely lifted her head up, trying to get a good idea of the exact spot of the drainage. It was right in the middle of her head. Hands shaking, Dib probed the spot with his finger. His eyes slowely grew wide.

She had been shot.

A loud gunfire rang in Dib's ears, making him wince at the pain of the high sound. He completely turned his attention away from the women and ran into the hall, following that extremely large sound. As he ran, he could hear screaming and shouting grow more loud and clear.

"Where are they?"
"What do they want here?!"
"Wow guys really? This is all just silly. It's OBVIOUS someone pulling some shit on us."
"Shut the hell up Burny! This is serious! There really is a shooting going on!"
"Burny- these PEOPLE are-"

The talking stopped. They were so crisp and clear, Dib must've been close. Sounded as if it was to his right..
When Dib took his quick turn, he quickly stopped- taking in the scene before his eyes.

Zim held the scientist in his lock with great force. He was going to make sure he wasn't going anywhere. He brushed the tip of his gun to the side of the man's head, ruffling it in his hair. Zim's empty eyes glowered at the four others in front of him. He chuckled softely into the man's ear. "Five little monkeys... jumping on the bed.. One fell off, as bumped his head."
Ever so slightly, Zim's finger pulled the trigger.