VINDICATION

Chapter 36: Second Chance

The second Tak’s ship had touched down, Zim hopped out and brushed himself off, deactivating the holographic police officer’s uniform. He turned and was suddenly almost barreled over, pushed up against the wall by Dib’s weight as the human held him tightly, sucking at his mouth. Ugh! What was the little worm-beast trying to do?!

Dib pulled away, panting softly, meeting Zim’s eyes, his lip still bleeding. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I considered letting you rot there, yes.” Zim said flatly.

Dib sighed. “I’m glad you didn’t.” He wrapped his arms around Zim’s waist, resting his head against the Irken’s chest, shuddering. “I would never have betrayed you, you know.”

Zim nodded, absently stroking Dib’s hair. “Yes…I think you proved your trustworthiness.”

“So you just kicked the shit out of me for fun, then, huh?” Dib smirked, then coughed, his expression pained.

Zim grinned, an evil spark flaring in his eyes. “Let’s just say that was payback for a few of the things you’ve done to me in the past.”

“Fair enough.” Dib shrugged, then leaned up and kissed Zim again, blinking when the Invader pushed him back, his antennae twitching.

“What are you doing, Dib-worm?”

Dib smiled, blood still trailing from one side of his mouth. “Kissing you.”

Zim blinked at him. “Kissing?”

Dib laughed. “You mean you’ve watched porno but you’ve never watched humans kiss?”

Zim shrugged. “I’ve only ever caught bits and pieces of what GIR brings home.”

Dib gazed at him for a long moment, then sighed, burying his face in Zim’s chest. “Thank you.”

Zim’s antennae quirked in puzzlement. “For what?”

Dib shuddered. “For…for giving me another chance. For rescuing me.”

Zim shrugged. “I had suspicions that you may still be of use to me.”

Yawning, Dib nodded. “Just…as soon as I’ve gotten some sleep, I’ll help upload the information from the data canister onto your computer and we can start with the next phase of the mission…”

Zim grinned, looking up as the roof slammed closed, stroking Dib’s back. “Then you should sleep now. I’m almost finished repairing my pak. Once that’s done, things are going to go much, much smoother.”

“Is GIR all right? He took a few shots when he was escaping.”

Zim chuckled. “He’s fine…he’s watching television.”

Dib shook his head, grinning. At least some things never changed.

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Well, sorry for the delay in updating, my luvs, but I was at my parent's place hanging out with my dad and watching war movies...*g* kinda inspiring, I guess...we watched Top Gun, Windtalkers and Platoon (in that order, with no breaks inbetween)...heh...my brain is melting.

Anyway, I'd like to thank all of the wonderful people who review. *hugs and lurve to all*