Double Crossed (Invader Zim)

Chapter 2

(Zim's P.O.V)

---

"The Dib has been acting very strange, Gir." I pace around the living room, sans disguise. "Even stranger than usual." 

Gir stares back dumbly. He blinks, with a blank smile on his face. He's most definitely not listening. I decide to give up talking to him. I swear, his "advanced technology" confuses me sometimes.

---

I'm bored.

There's nothing to do. I haven't quite recovered from Dib's absence, and nothing is coming to mind for evil plans.

Gir waddles in, his stick legs shooting in front of him with each step.

"GIR," I holler.

Gir's eyes go red and he leaps to stand in front of me. "Yes, my master," he growls. His metal hand clanks against his head as he salutes.

"I'm bored, Gir. I have no evil plan." As I'm speaking, Gir's eyes go back to their natural blue. "I need ideas for-"

"Ooh, you should go see Dib! You two could have a play date!" Gir claps and giggles at himself.

"No, Gir," I grumble, crossing my arms. "I was going to ask you to come with me in the Voot Cruiser to identify the humans' current weakness."

"I don't wanna," Gir screeches, running out the door.

"GIR," I shout angrily, "come back here and put on your disguise before you're noticed!"

Gir dashes through the door and throws on his Dog suit, almost in a single movement. I'm almost impressed. Almost.

I shut the door behind Gir, frustrated. Without Gir's advanced scanning technology, I won't be able to gather enough information to come up with an effective plan.

I pace the living room once again. I need something to do to pass the time. Gir's suggestion of going to see the Dib runs through my mind for a moment, but then I shoo it away.

No way I'm going to visit the Dib voluntarily. I would rather be exposed.

---

(Dib's P.O.V)

I pause the TV. I could have sworn I heard a knock at the door. After a few moments it comes again; seven quick raps that stop abruptly. I hop off the couch and open the door. In front of me is Zim, looking impatient, tapping his foot on the front step.

"Uh... Zim?" I ask. Why is he here? Does he need to use our lab again?

"Ah yes, the Dib. I have come to your home to study the programs on your Television in order to better learn the ways of humans." Zim's gaze zips around, almost as if he's trying to avoid eye contact with me.

"You have a TV at your house, why not use that one?" I ask. I can feel my hand slipping off the knob. I let go and wipe sweat onto my legs.

"Oh. Uh, yes. My television is... Um... Broken! Yes, it is broken and I require the use of yours."

"Zim, if you just came over to hang out, you don't need to-"

"Lies! You lie! Zim does not "hang out" with filthy human pigs!"

I stare at him skeptically for a moment and then open the door further. "I'm watching Mysterious Mysteries if you want to-"

"Yes, yes, that will do nicely," Zim interrupts me, waving his hand dismissively.

Raising an eyebrow, I walk onto the couch and jump into my usual seat. Zim hops up too, sitting at the far end opposite of me. The fact that he seems to be avoiding me makes me a little sad, but I ignore it and grab the remote to turn the show on.

---

We're about halfway through the episode when I realize that Zim has moved from his side of the couch, and is now almost sitting right next to me. I dart my eyes back to the screen, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.

"Are you cold?" I ask him. He looks at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Why would I be cold? You think I can't survive in this petty environment?" There's a challenging edge to his voice.

"Well, you moved over here, I was thinking maybe you were trying to-"

"Silence! There was a... bump on the cushion over there! Yes, that is why I moved over!"

What's with him today? I haven't been able to finish a single thought since he arrived. Almost like Zim was trying to avoid conversation. Well, what kind of enemy would I be if I didn't keep him from his goal?

"So, Zim. Got any plans for world conquest?"

"Even if I did, why would I tell you, Dib-stink?" Zim rolls his eyes. Something catches my eye as he turns his head away from me.

"Oh, you've got something on you," I say, reaching my hand towards his cheek to brush it off. Before I realize what's happened, Zim's claw-like fingers are digging into my wrist. I pull my arm back, the claws sliding across my skin, making thin cuts.

"Geez, Zim? What was that for?" I look at my wrist to see that the three slices have begun bleeding.

"Do not touch Zim," he growls, rubbing his own hand over his face. His hand comes away, but the spot is still there, a blue smudge on his cheek.

"You didn't get it," I say reluctantly, in case he lashes out again.

"What is it?" he asks, looking at me straight-on now, so that I can see it's on both of his cheeks.

"Some blue smudges on your cheeks," I answer, pointing to my own cheeks as if in demonstration.

Zim glances down at my wrist. He points to the blood. "It's that." I glance at my wrist, then to his cheeks.

"Um... what?" I ask, "I don't get it."

Zim sighs and pulls off one of his gloves revealing his green claw-hand. He uses his still gloved hand to dig into his skin like he did to mine. Pink liquid pours from the wound.

"Is that your blood?" I ask.

Zim nods. "Just how your blood is blue while in your body, though it looks red when it rushes to your enormous head. My green skin makes mine look blue."

"So... You're blushing," I say smugly. I cross my arms. "You're not cold, are you, Zim?"

"Of course not! ZIM is nothing if not truthful."

I roll my eyes, but inside, I'm confused. If he's not cold... Is he...?

I lean towards him, grabbing for his hand. He pulls it away. "Do you want your other wrist ripped to shreds or are you good?" Zim growls.

I pull my arm away. "I'd like to be able to use at least one of my hands, thanks," I snark back.We fall silent after that, the show playing in the background, though neither of us seem to be listening.