Invader Pib

What Is My Happiness?

What is my happiness? Is it Dib? Is it my mission? Is it my sister or is it Earth?

I couldn't decide. I had such a great time helping my friend that getting back to my mission almost horrified me. When we had gotten back, it turned out our suits had malfunctioned and the video never filmed.

The floor broke beneath me as I headed down to the lab. I stepped off the the platform and Dib was unknowingly standing beside me and I almost died of surprise. I screamed and fell down.

"Um... You ok?" Dib asked, holding out a hand. I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up gently.

"Thanks," I muttered as I dusted myself off, "But what are you doing here? I thought you went home."

He rubbed the back of his neck guiltily and looked away from me.

"I sorta... F-followed you in..." he stuttered somberly. Guilt built up in his eyes and I felt my whole body turn to ice. My antennae twitched once as if I were irritated, but really I was more stunned. He didn't trust me after all!

"You what?" I tried to say, but my voice was gone out of shock.

The usual light in his eyes were gone and Dib looked at the ground, "I'm sorry, I'll go if you want me to."

Pity washed over me as he stepped toward the platform. I seized his arm and pulled him away from the platform.

"No, you don't have to go!" I cried louder than I intended, "In fact, I want you here. I need the company."

"But you have Bug..." My friend pointed over to the S.I.R, who was busy working on a broken engine. She looked up from what she was doing and rested her gaze toward us.

"Well... I want you." I told him and let go of his arm, hoping that would convince him to stay; but Dib shook his head and muttered, "Sorry, but I have to get back to my house... For real this time."

Dib stepped onto the platform. He gave me a backwards glance that was a little bit more cheerful and relaxed, and his eyes sparkled with gratitude. Then he was lifted up. I let myself blush a little, then walked over to my thinking space.

What is my happiness?

The chair at my computer never seemed so welcoming. I sat down and rested my head on my arms. The sigh that came out of me was unexpectedly rattled and broken, but why? Bug jumped onto the dashboard and sat down beside me.

"Master..." she groaned in an annoyed yet worried tone, "What's wrong?"

The tiny antennae on her head lifted up as if she had just realized something, then the blue in her eyes exploded into a fiery red.

"Oh, I see now," Bug snapped, "you have feelings for the human! You know Irkens aren't supposed to know what love is!"

The tiny little S.I.R was standing up now. I was sitting upright in my chair, taken aback by the fierceness in her tone.

Bug took a deep inhale and closed her eyes. When she opened them, her eyes had reverted back to blue.

"Ok, ok. Master, you need to stop seeing him," her voice pierced as she struggled to remain calm, "If you don't, I'll deal with it." She hopped off the dashboard and a clang sounded when her metal legs hit the ground. I watched her storm off until I slammed my head down on the dashboard.

"Grrrraaaaaaaa!" I let out a sound as if I were being strangled. The tears started to come again and I fought them back.

"No tears," I said to myself in a silent, shaky voice, "Everything will be much clearer tomorrow." I let out a big gaping yawn.

That's funny, I said to myself, I really am tired. Sleep called to me when I lay down on the couch in the back of the shop, then an ominous voice at the back of my head spoke.

Invaders don't sleep, Pib.

"I don't even care if I'm doing the wrong thing anymore," I muttered allowed to the voice. Then I closed my eyes and let sleep wash over me like a warm, sweeping wind.