CHAPTER FIVE

The next week Zim would walk through the halls at skool searching for Gaz- he couldn't find her anywhere. Anytime he did she was just a blur, hurrying by, or she was begrudgingly by Dib's side- staring down at her Game Slave. Gaz had not gone back to Zim's base since their fight. This concerned Zim but, nonetheless, he carried on preparing for the mission.

Zim sat in his seat at his computer staring at the design Gaz put in for her Irken form- She was so quick to give in to being Irken… He wondered. I guess she was really desperate to get off this Irk-forsaken planet.

"Computer-" Zim commanded.

"Ughhh…. What?" it groaned.

"Change Gaz's Irken form's eyes to red." Zim leaned back in his chair.

The computer let out another groan and quickly swapped out the deep purple to the vibrant red, "Can I go back to my celebrity gossip now?"

Zim leaned forward, studying the image, surprisingly he hated the red. It felt more familiar, less scary, but it felt less Gaz. For some reason that unsettled him, "Computer switch back."

Her eyes switched back to the purple they once were, and Zim leaned back studying it once again.

"Nyah!" Mini-moose floated next to him and squeaked.

"Psh! Zim does not apologize!" Mini-Moose just stared at him, "That was because of a failure on my part- Zim does not apologize for being of the superior race." He crossed his arms and let out a huff before turning his attention back to Gaz's Irken form.

"Maybe we are not so different…" Zim put a hand to his chin, "Yes! Zim knows how to earn the Gaz-human's trust back." He then stood up and ran off into another room.

Gaz felt a hollowness she had not felt for a while, except this time it felt worse. Perhaps it was because she had gotten used to feeling alive and even happy almost. But she was back at square one.

After what Zim had said to her it brought up a lot of memories and emotions Gaz didn't even know she had. She wondered if she would even still leave Earth. She didn't want to be faced with living with Zim for the rest of her life. She knew it wouldn't be pleasant, but if he was going to play dirty like that just to be on top- it wasn't worth it. Gaz is constantly battling to be on top on Earth, she was hoping Irk could be a break from that.

Well- it was nice to dream.

Walking in the hall she saw Zim, they made eye contact, he quickened his pace to get to her. Gaz quickly walked into a classroom and took a seat, it wasn't even her class- but learning about geometry when she was supposed to be in English was a better alternative than dealing with the dumb alien.

"Gaz?" She turned to face her brother sitting next to her, "What are you doing here?"

"Getting away from Zim." She slouched in her seat turning forward, his name laced with venom.

Dib leaned forward towards his sister and whispered, "Is he harassing you?"

Gaz turned to face back to her brother, "What? No he-" She stopped herself, "He just- He is trying to get me to mess with you." She lied.

"Oh." Dib sat and faced forward in class. Gaz did the same, a silence fell between them when Dib suddenly turned to her and spoke suspiciously, "You said no right?"

"Jesus Christ Dib- why don't you trust me?" Gaz rolled her eyes.

"Well it's just-" The door to the classroom was opened, Gaz turned her head and saw Zim waltz through the door, "That." Dib finished.

"Shit." Gaz mumbled, she completely forgot that the classroom she walked into could have been the one he was heading to, they made brief eye contact, Zim tried smiling at her but Gaz turned away and glared forward at the board, "I have to get out of here." Gaz whispered, teeth clenched. Not even turning to face towards Dib.

"Are you sure he's not trying to harass you? I have a water gun in my bag at all times, I haven't had to use it in a while, I've been meaning to investigate Zim more but working with Dad in the lab- wow I've been busy!" Dib smiled as he rambled, reaching down for his bag.

"Yea must be so nice." Gaz grumbled.

"I'll have to tell you all about it sometime- maybe at dinner tonight? Oh wait, damn I have work to do in the lab…" Dib searched through his bag, moving his hand back and forth.

"What a shame." Gaz rolled her eyes, her blood boiling.

"Haha, yea- but it's so cool." Dib pulled out his hand from his bag revealing a bright orange and green hand-sized water pistol, "Hey! Since I'm so busy all the time, why don't you look into Zim for me? Or since he's bothering you you could just mess with him for me."

Gaz crossed her arms and put on a fake smile, "Suuuure. I'd loove to be your little errand monkey."

"Well, you don't have to say it like that" Dib chuckled awkwardly, "Here- you can have the honors." He then placed the pistol on her desk.

Gaz eyed it carefully before picking it up for closer examination. There was a plug in the cap so there was no accidental leakage, the translucent green container attached to the back was about halfway filled with water. She watched it slosh back and forth for a while before removing the cap at the top. She then aimed it at her brother and squirted at him about five times.

"Wha-WhAT?!" Dib shook his head and raised his arms to block the water from pelting his face, "GAZ! What the hell was that for?!"

"Excuse me- what is going on here?!" The teacher demanded an answer.

"I was just on my way out," Gaz stated coldly, not giving Dib another glance. She then heard a familiar snicker and turned to see Zim laughing. She raised the pistol at him, "Zim-"

Zim's eyes snapped open and looked up to the purple-haired girl, "Uh… hehe… Yes?"

"Don't you ever- EVER- talk about my personal life again." At this point, the whole class was staring, but she couldn't care less. All she cared about was the immense amount of power she now held over Zim, "I'm still in."

Gaz then walked out of the classroom, Zim's eyes followed her.

Dib rose out of his seat, "GAZ?!"

She didn't look back. Zim couldn't help but smile, it didn't last long because Gaz then proceeded to shoot him in the face with water too.

Satisfied with the slight chaos she had created she made her swift exit as Dib and Zim looked at each other in confusion

Dib had been home for a few days now, it was almost nice to have him back around- almost.

All Dib talks about is his work with their father, but then go back and say, "Oops- I shouldn't have said that."

Gaz sat on her couch, watching TV when Dib sat next to her. After a few minutes of shared silence he spoke up, "Could I watch Mysterious Mysteries?" Gaz raised an eyebrow at him, "I'm way behind since I've been in the lab with Dad so much-"

"Yea." Gaz rolled her eyes, folding her arms against her chest, "I'm sure that must be reaaally hard for you." She started to burn with jealousy.

"Actually the work is quite taxing," He chuckled, "But I love it, it's so awesome getting to work with dad and with the lab and everything. I feel like I'm finally getting my shot."

Gaz scoffed and stood up, "And when am I gonna get my shot? Huh? You get to be all buddy-buddy with dad and his science geeks and what am I supposed to do?! Go hang out with mom?!" She was heated and angry, jealous of Dib and angry at the world. The words just came rushing out of her mouth, for the first time she wasn't thinking about what she said.

"Gaz- why would you even say that?" Dib stood up after her, looking down at her yet still seeming like the one who was small.

"All you do now is hang out with dad! Dad doesn't even know I exist! You act all high and mighty now in your dumb lab with your dumb experiments. You think you're so much better than me, throwing me at Zim because now you're too busy to even fight your own battles!" Gaz breathed heavily.

Dib stared at her coldly, "You're just jealous."

Gaz laughed, placing her hands on her hips, "You think I'm jealous?!"

"Yeah! I FINALLY have my shot to BE something, someONE to dad! To the science community! You just can't handle the fact that now you're the one left in the dust. Welcome to my childhood Gaz!" Dib got in her face, "Maybe if you didn't sit on your ass all day playing video games you would actually have an impact!"

Gaz's face was red with anger, shaking, she had never felt more rage and disdain for her brother than at this moment right now, "How would YOU know what I do all day?! HUH! You're never FUCKING HOME!" Gaz pushed her brother back, "For all you know me and Zim could be best friends!"

. Dib shook his head, "No- You aren't. I know you aren't."

"Why not?! Huh? Maybe we're even more than friends!" Gaz pushed her lie further, trying to anger her brother even more.

"You shot him with water today! You were angry with him! Besides- you're not that kind of person!" Dib gestured towards her, "You don't- You wouldn't!"

"Don't what? Wouldn't what HUH!? Have feelings? Actually have compassion for someone?! You don't think I can be nice? Or do you think I couldn't be loved?!" Dib stood back at that word, "Oh? Does that upset you?! Well maybe if you actually fucking paid attention you would see that Zim and I have been spending a LOT of time together!"

Dib took another step back, "No- please tell me you're not-"

Gaz had no control over the things she was saying, she just wanted Dib to be mad, get upset, have him feel even a fraction of what it feels like being her, "Oh we are Dib! Me and Zim hang out all the time and we kiss and make out for hours on en-"

Dib grabbed Gaz by her shoulders and pushed her back, he was stronger than Gaz thought, "SHUT UP!" Gaz could see the anger on his face but the pain of utter betrayal in his eyes, "JESUS CHRIST GAZ! HE'S AN ALIEN!"

"Yea…" Gaz got suddenly colder, "I know that. But maybe if you or dad actually paid attention to me I wouldn't have to go."

Dib pinched the bridge of his nose, "Jesus… Gaz!" He sat back down on the couch, "Would you grow up already?! I won't be here next year anyways- I'm graduating for Christ's sake!"

Gaz crossed her arms again and shifted uncomfortably, "I know that."

Dib looked up at his little sister, sighed and looked back down, "Just- ugh… Why Zim?"

Gaz didn't know how to answer that, so she just shrugged.

"Well, promise me you'll be safe?"

Gaz looked away from her brother, "Why do you even care?"

Dib groaned, "Of course I care Gaz- I just- I can't be here all the time. Like I said it's tough work working with dad."

Gaz rolled her eyes, "Poor you."

Dib scoffed, "Why do you have to be such a bitch sometimes?!"

Hearing that from her brother caused something in her to snap, she headed towards the front door.

"It's 11 at night- where are you going?" Dib sat up, turning towards the door.

"As far away from here as possible" Gaz put on her shoes and opened the door.

Dib stood up, "What does that even mean?!" Gaz walked out letting the door slam behind her, Dib ran to the door and flung it open "Gaz!" She held up her middle finger, "GAZ!"

Dib continued to call after her but she just kept walking. Gaz was tired of being on this planet, she had lied to Dib about the nature of hers and Zim's relationship, she could not imagine being any closer to the alien than she was, especially after what he said to her. But after what happened with Dib she did not care. She wanted to leave and it didn't matter how long she had to deal with Zim for it. She was ready to go.

"No Gir- I did not have the chance to give it to her." Zim laid back on his couch, in a funk that neither Mini-Moose nor Gir could get him out of.

"Awwe." Gir frowned, "Want me to give it to her?"

Zim sat up, "No! Zim delivers his own packages. Besides- she said she was still in. I was hoping that meant she would be over tonight." Zim looked over towards his front door, "I suppose Zim was wrong."

"Nyahh" Mini-Moose squeaked, nudging Zim.

Zim scoffed, "Zim has no such feelings. The Gaz-human is just a very good partner, she is perhaps the only tolerable human. It would be a shame to go to Irk without her."

Just then Gaz burst through the door, "ZIM." She commanded.

Zim was so shocked he fell off his couch before standing back up and saluting her, "Gaz!" He then realized what he was doing and lowered his arm, "You're back."

"I told you I would be." Gaz walked past him towards the kitchen, "Come on- let's get going. I want to leave Earth- tonight."

"Tonight? Zim supposes that it could be feasible. But… We still need to finish a few things up."

"Well then let's get cracking. Time to get off this dump." She then entered the kitchen and headed down into the lab.

"Huh… I guess this is happening!" Zim excitedly hurried after. Gir and Mini-Moose were also ecstatic to see the purple-haired human back.

That night they mostly worked in silence, Gaz not wanting to speak and Zim concentrating on getting everything ready. Eventually, around 3 in the morning, everything was ready- except Gaz.

"Gaz is there anything you might need to bring?" Zim asked her.

She put her hand to her chin, "There is one thing in my room I need to grab. Everything else I don't care about."

"Well, then you should grab it now before you become, ya know, Irken." Zim gestured his head towards the transformation chamber.

Gaz cringed as she looked at it, "Right… Okay, yea. But could you help? I don't feel like walking back in through the front door."

"Why not?" Zim curiously asked.

Gaz uncomfortably shifted, not wanting to talk about the fight that broke out hours prior, "Dib is home.". She stated plainly.

Zim nodded, "I see. Alright, Zim shall hoist you up to your room so you may retrieve whatever it is you need."

Gaz nodded and gave a faint smile, "Thanks."

Outside, back at the Membrane household, Zim and Gaz stood beneath her window. It was on the second floor.

Zim scanned around before letting his metal legs come forth out of his PAK. He then picked Gaz up bridal style and extended the legs, raising them level to the window. Gaz opened the window and climbed in.

Once inside Gaz went immediately to her closet and took out a small box, she put in her pocket and went back towards the window, before climbing back out she took one last look at her room, this was probably the last time she'd ever see it. She couldn't help but be a little sad.

The sadness did not last long and she was back to crawling out the window- suddenly the door to her room opened, flooding it with light.

"Gaz?" A silhouette of Dib stood in the door frame, Gaz and him made eye contact standing still as if frozen in time. Zim then grabbed Gaz once again and quickly started using his metal legs to hurry them back to the base.

Dib looked and saw Zim carry her sister off, he realized everything his sister said was true, "ZIM!" he ran towards the window sticking his head out, they were too far for him to reach, he was stuck having to witness his enemy walk away with his sister

Back in Zim's Lab, he instructed Gaz on how the transformation chamber worked, "Now- this will definitely hurt- a lot. But don't worry because at most it will be for a minute." This news made Gaz flinch but she was in too deep to turn back now.

"And this is permanent… Right?" Gaz questioned.

"Correct. Now to prepare you will probably want to strip down of everything you want to keep intact." Zim gestured to things such as her necklace.

"Yea… Well, then could you give me some privacy?" Gaz awkwardly stated, a light blush appearing on her cheeks.

"But Zim must operate the machine-" Zim confusedly explained.

"At least close your eyes! I'll tell you when I'm in!" Gaz desperately yelled.

"Sheesh!" Zim closed his eyes, "You humans are so sensitive."

Gaz glared at the alien as she stripped down, she wanted her clothes intact just in case she ever came home, she would need her human clothes. She entered the chamber, being shrouded in a bright white light, she pressed a button inside that closed the doors around her.

"I'm in Zim!" Gaz shouted.

Before she knew it more colors flashed and sounds started playing, she was surrounded by sharp pain all over her body for a solid thirty seconds before the doors opened in front of her along with a cloud of fog.

"Wow…" Zim looked at her with wide eyes.

"What?" Gaz looked down at herself, "Do I look bad?" she went to touch her hair, but there was nothing, she would have to get used to that, "Can I get a mirror?"

Zim just nodded, as if in a daze. He then ran off and grabbed a big piece of scrap metal and placed it in front of her. Gaz leaned in to get a good look at herself. She had the same reaction as Zim, "Wow…"

She reached up to touch her antenna and was surprised at how smooth they felt, and also how sensitive they were. The curved back before coming back in towards her head with a sharp point. Then she stared at her green skin, she couldn't believe her eyes. As for her eyes well, they were purple, as was her tunic. She silently thanked Zim in her head before her hand reached and touched her skull necklace. Gaz turned to the side and viewed her PAK, "Do I have metal legs too?"

Zim smiled and poked a button on her PAK that summoned them out of her, they raised her off the ground slightly, "Oh wow!" She smiled, "This is awesome!"

"You can retract them and summon them with your mind, think of them as another appendage, but if you have trouble that button will also do the trick." Zim explained.

"Oh wow…" Gaz marveled at herself in the mirror, for now, she reached back to press the button to retract them. But was excited to try it out all on her own. She surprisingly did not hate how she looked. Though she would dearly miss her hair.

"Are you ready to go Gaz-Human? I mean- Gaz." Zim shook his head trying to remember not to call her human anymore.

Gaz sighed, taking one last final glance at herself, "Ready as I'll ever be, Tez" She smiled at the alien before her, she had known him for many years now but would have never guessed that this is how they would have turned out. If you asked her even five months ago if she would ever picture herself as an Irken- she would have beat you up then and there.

But here they were. Boarding his ship with Gir and Mini-Moose bouncing in, not far behind.

Goodbye Earth! Hello Irk.

A/N: Wowza! So sorry for the long delay! College, yall already know haha. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, I'm super proud of it. And am so excited to have them be off of Earth! Finally! Also, because this chapter came out late I wanted to make it longer to make it up to you haha. Thank you all so much for being patient and reading! Don't forget to follow this story if you're not, maybe drop a review hehe (i love reading them!) and share this story with your friends. Have a good week y'all!