The wind blew my hair into my eyes blocking my view of the dark sky. I moved the hair out of my face and I watched the navy clouds move against the blackening sky. It wasn't yet night, but the sun had set and the wind was fierce. It was the calm before the storm.

I leaned against the house and searched for the moon. The clouds were thick and blocked it out, but I glimpsed it momentarily. I smiled as the wind blew fiercely through my ears, whistling as it did so. I shivered. I felt cold, inside and out.

Reaching into my purse I pulled out a cigarette and moved it to my lips. Using my hand to block the wind I lit it and inhaled strongly. As I exhaled I saw the silhouette of Zim walking towards me.

He walked up besides me and slid his back against the wall, staring at the sky with me. I didn't want to talk, and he understood.

How many nights have we done this? Sat in silence while the rest of the world passed by. I stood there smoking, he stood there with me. Being next to me was enough; talk wasn't needed.

As I finished my cigarette I tamped it out on the ground and went to take another.

"Gaz, you do know how unhealthy that habit is don't you?"

I looked over at Zim; his eyes were still focused on the sky. I smiled again, and lit another.

"You always say that Zim, but I'm not listening."

He smirked and closed his eyes. He sighed deeply and I watched his shoulders rise and fall.

The clouds shifted and the moon once again became visible.

He opened his eyes and looked into the moon. The light reflected off of his scarlet eyes and shone into the night. I felt compelled to do something, to touch him, but I didn't.

I watched as embers flew off my cigarette and into the night, the sky was jet black by now. As I gazed at the moon with Zim I thought of how we'd started this ritual.

It was three years ago when Zim first decided to talk to me.

At first it was about Dib. Was he planning anything? What was he planning?

Out of spite for my brother I gave Zim his plans and technology. Zim was overjoyed and began to depend on me.

Dib himself was shocked that I could betray him so much, and help with the destruction of earth. I simply ignored him, I never believed Zim would take over the earth.

And I was right. Three years have passed and Zim was still at square one. He had tried countless times, but failed horribly at each attempt. And every time he would come running to me, looking for help.

I gave him what information I had. I did it to piss my brother off, or so I thought.

For the last two years Zim came very night. I would stand outside smoking, and he would ask me about the information i had.

Yet, recently, we would just stand outside together, side by side. Othertimes Zim would talk and I would listen. We were friends, the only friends each of us had.

I finished my last cigarette and tamped it out on the ground. Zim looked over at me.

"Gaz?"

I looked into his eyes. He had no need for a costume at night, he stood before me as an irken. I could sense no emotion in his face.

"What is it Zim?" I asked.

He looked at me, searching my eyes as if the words were written on my face.

He turned back around and bowed his head low.

"See you at school."

I watched as the irken walked away, then turned and went inside.