Sleeper Agent 5

"Sleeper Agent"

'Chapter Five'


Back in the lab, Zim hadn't acknowledged Dib's leaving, instead distracting himself with making sure the computer hadn't made any mistakes with the calculations. Red-magenta orbs scrutinized the monitor. Yes, everything looked in order and ready. Perfect as always. He didn't know how he was so amazing-he just WAS.

His gaze fell onto the table where Dib had broken his beaker, the floor now completely clean and lacking any indication that there was something missing. The chemical had been one of his more common ones; it was misplaced, and shouldn't have been in that collection of flasks in the first place. That still didn't alter the fact that it was now a waste thanks to his nemesis.

His nemesis who was helping him. Again.

They seemed to be working together lately more than they were fighting, and while nothing extreme came from the happenings, there was an odd familiarity between them that was steadily growing. An understanding of sorts-the tides of their verbal spats, each other's next action… almost all were incredibly easy to read and predict now. It was typical, but hardly boring… in fact Zim had the slightest inkling to look forward to it every day he was stuck on this mud ball.

To look forward to potentially crushing Dib.

Yes. That was what he enjoyed most.

Even if it still failed to happen after all this time, he would still bring Dib to his knees. One day. Maybe soon. No, definitely soon, what was this 'maybe' business about? Certainly an Invader of his caliber could not suffer from doubts abou-

"Hi Zim! Whatcha doin'?"

Zim yelped in surprise when arms embraced him from behind, Keef's voice buzzing in his antennae. "What are yo-GET OFF OF ZIM!" Swiftly he shifted out of Keef's grasp; backing up until his lower back bumped the console harshly. He hissed and turned, glaring at the barrier before keeping his eyes on the smiling ginger. "How did you get into Zim's base… ment?!"

"Ah man, I took the cool elevator you have set up in the kitchen! You have such neat stuff, Zim! You're so awesome!" The human's eyes twinkled as he gazed all around him, drinking in the expanse of Zim's base lab. "Wow, is this all from your home country? You must be really important there, right buddy?"

Zim growled, thinking of how he planned to bury Dib and GIR under all those waffles the robot made earlier. "Yes yes, Zim is amazing, whatever I know now LEAVE KEEF!" The Invader pointed to the fridge elevator behind the boy. "You are not supposed to be down here! My, uh, parents don't want anyone in the basement! You don't want to get me in trouble now, yes?"

Keef made a dramatic gasp, hand flying to his mouth. "Oh no, of course not, buddy! That would be terrible!"

Zim smirked. Good, then considering Keef's loyalty towards him he should surely take this as a hint to go back upstairs, giving the alien some time to develop the goo and-

A pink hand grabbed hold of Zim's and tugged him toward the lift. "EH?! What do you think you're-"

"It's so dark and spooky! You shouldn't be down here by yourself, Zim!" The peppy teen replied. He gazed with a thoughtful smile at Zim and the grin slipped off his countenance when his stare met the Irken's fully. "Oh! What happened with your eyes? They look all blood-shot and painful! Did you hurt yourself?" Keef drew close, one hand coming up to touch Zim's face as he examined the other's dark-pink orbs.

Zim promptly yanked his hand and self away from the concerned and inquisitive boy, his antennae tucked around his head to hide them as best he could. "It's just part of my skin condition!" He spat. "That's why I wear contacts!" That was it. Anymore of this and he would just try and eliminate the worm-baby the manual way. One of his PAK legs finally slid out a little behind him, poised and ready to whip over and stab the human. "Now! Do as I say! Leave Zim alone and go upstairs, or else I won't hesitate to-"

"Ya know…," Keef interrupted, already invading Zim's personal bubble, a hand reaching up to find one of the antennae pressed so close to his head, "I don't think you should hide these. You should be able to be who you are in the world, Zim, not cover it up! I bet everyone would think you were so cool once they saw how nifty you are." He smiled widely, getting hold of one feeler and grasping it gently, just lightly enough that his hand easily slipped along the stalk. "Don't you think so, buddy?"

The Invader froze the moment the hand found his antenna, gasping as the digits applied pressure along the base before gliding up. His alarmed eyes lost their panic, becoming half-lidded as Keef continued to play with the stalk, unaware of how easily the actions nullified the Irken. "Aah…ah, K-Keef-huma-"

"And then, OH! It would be so cute if you tied bows along these things!" Keef's other hand came up and peeled the antenna fully away from Zim's head, inducing a slight purr as Zim unconsciously tilted forward to receive the touches. "We can get all kinds of different colors! And patterns! Polka-dot would probably look nice."

Zim weakly fisted the fabric of Keef's blue shirt, a light indigo flush forming on his face. He wanted to make the boy go away, or will his PAK leg into Keef's head, but he could barely concentrate on not making any more verbal responses, let alone much else. The extended mechanical limb he'd summoned before hung loosely from where it exited the PAK, unable to do anything as Zim's mind drifted off, too distracted to think properly as Keef continued to ramble on about all the cool things they could do as best buddies.

He also asked where Zim thought would be the best spots on his feelers to tie the party bows he'd brought with him… and any little noise Zim made was apparently taken as encouragement to add more.

Dib had waited impatiently in the lift for the elevator to get him down into the lab, his nerves already shot and he didn't even know if Zim was even in danger just yet. Finally the doors slid open and granted him passage, he could faintly hear noises – movement, voices. He heard Zim and Keef talking; then all he heard was Keef's rambling nonsense but Zim had gone silent.

That was enough to spark alarm in the human; Zim was never quiet.

Dib started into the darkness of the lab, his body tense, his fists clenched at his sides as if expecting Keef to have taken Zim captive or something as if he might've grown a brain and actually realized that the green-skinned kid was actually an alien.

Dib almost wished he had turned the corner and saw Zim strapped to a table with his guts ripped out as opposed to the scene that greeted him instead.

Keef was smiling as usual, talking, oblivious to him while his fingers once again stroked Zim's antennae. Zim's face was hidden from his current viewpoint, and he noted his claws were fisted in the front of Keef's shirt.

Dib's ears caught a foreign sound, something akin to a cat purring.

Dib was mortified by the realization that the sound had to be coming from Zim and when Keef moved just enough Dib took notice of the look of…of…pleasure on Zim's face.

Possessive rage surged hot in his veins and he marched over to the duo, stopping a mere foot from them and pointing his finger accusingly in much the dramatic fashion Zim was accustomed to using. "What the hell are you two doing?!" He yelled as if Keef wouldn't have noticed when he strode across the lab.

Dib had a mind to rip them apart like he had earlier, but then…

He recalled Zim blushing and his want to avoid the subject of what happened in the living room.

Zim wanted to destroy Keef, or so he said.

But, what if, Zim had…

No, Irken didn't feel feelings or whatever, Zim had told him that countless times.

But…

Then why was his face looking like that? Why was he gripping at Keef? Why did he allow that creepy red-head to touch him like he was? Why was he purring?!

Dib's face was flushed from anger as well as embarrassment, feeling conflicting emotions from seeing his enemy in such a vulnerable state and having a perverse wish to have been the one to make him look so weak.

Keef turned his head to face Dib, expression mixed with astonishment and general glee. He didn't seem the least bit startled by Dib's sudden entrance or loud yelling.

"Hey there, Dib~!" He greeted cheerfully. "Me 'n Zim were just talking about bows for his hair things… these things." He pulled up one of the antennae, and Zim chirped a bit despite himself at the sudden grasping. "What colors do you think would look good? I like all the colors, so can't just pick one, ya know?"

Zim didn't add a greeting, instead limply hanging off Keef's front. His eyes were hazy as he stared at nothing, lips parted ever so slightly as purrs escaped his mouth at the continued attention to his sensitive feelers. In Keef's brief lapse of touching as he talked to Dib the Invader began to reassemble his wits, the fisted hand pulling tighter at the fabric in an attempt to push away. "Naah…s-stop…."

"Hmm?" Keef turned his attention back to Zim, peering at him curiously. "Stop what, buddy?" Realization dawned in his wide eyes and he chuckled. "Oh~! You meant I stopped touching your thing-er-whatevers, didn't you? Sorry about that."

The caresses resumed anew and the Invader exhaled a breathy whimper, slumping close to Keef's frame. The human looked back at Dib again and shrugged. "I dunno why, but he really seems to like this. Doesn't he look happy? It makes me so happy to make him happy~!" The red-head drifted off with a dreamy sigh of his own that lasted a little too long, snapping back to Dib again shortly after. "So hey, did GIR get the popcorn started? I asked him if he would and he said yeah! I just can't wait to watch Finding Nemo with you guys, it'll be great!"

Dib caught the startled chirp from the invader when Keef so casually tugged on his antennae. He noticed the flush on Zim's cheeks, the way his eyes glazed, painfully aware of the purrs and whimpers that escaped him; causing a heat to flush through his body.

Dib was mildly aware of their original plan, it loomed in the back of his conscious but as Keef resumed talking; his fingers continuing to caress Zim's feelers and forcing the alien to turn into something boneless attached to the boy's shirt; Dib sort of lost sight of what he really should have done in the situation.

Screw the plan.

Dib felt a need to do something; hating how Keef had made Zim look. He didn't admit to himself that the ugly head of jealousy had reared when he closed the distance between them in a surge of movement.

Fist connected with Keef's unsuspecting cheek, sending the red-head crashing to the ground ultimately away from Zim. In the same fluid moment Dib had caught Zim's stumble by gripping his shoulder with his free hand to steady him. His body was slightly in front of Zim, his stance rigid, he towered a few inches over the alien and with his chin raised and his heated eyes glaring down at Keef he appeared that much taller and more formidable.

"He doesn't want you to touch him and he doesn't want you putting bows on him either." He spoke for Zim, not really caring if the Irken had a say on it; almost positive that whatever Keef had been saying was nonsense and despite the pleasured look Zim had when Keef touched him -- well, Dib didn't care whether Zim enjoyed that or not because he was sick of looking at it. "Got it?" He snapped, daring Keef to spring back up and try to touch the alien again.

Keef groaned from where he had crumpled to the floor, nursing the stinging ache in his cheek. He looked up and met Dib's fiery gaze, smoldering with an anger that even the toughest of men knew not to mess with. Even the Tallest would have felt the urge to back down before its intensity… but none of them were happy-go-lucky and optimistic like Keef was.

"O-Oh, he doesn't?" The ginger asked, sounding a little despondent. "Well, yeah I guess. But it didn't sound like he hated it when I asked him..." The boy stood up, dusting off his worn blue jeans. His eyes studied them for a moment, studied Dib, in a manner that was almost unnerving, like he was actually THINKING something… but then the look disappeared into a full-hearted grin as usual. "So, are we gonna watch Finding Nemo first? I also rented Speed Racer if you want to see that instead…?"

Zim clung feebly to Dib's shoulder for a tad when the teen had steadied him, forehead softly planted on the sleeve as he pulled his brain out of the clouds. It took a minute for the weakness in his limbs to dissipate, finally separating himself from Dib to shake off the lingering sensations. Once he had, and he found his voice again… well….

"AAARGH! How DARE you touch Zim like that! Your sticky earth-monkey fingers have no right to be anywhere NEAR my antennae! And to even THINK about attaching… the BOWS to them, is sick and Zim will have none of it! Uugh this is so disgusting! I will have to go through three cleanses before I can even THINK of showing my face to my Tallest! You have disgraced the incredible body of ZIIIM! Do not come near me again! EVER!" His face also flushed with embarrassment and rage, his hand shaking at he pointed it at Keef, but he refused to draw any closer, not wanting to give any new opening to the child. Killing him (or at least attempting to) seemed like a very good idea after suffering the humiliation of both having a lowly dirt child leave him THAT vulnerable, AND having his arch nemesis watch it followed by being SAVED by said arch nemesis. "Get out! Get out of my house this instant!"

Keef's smile fell at Zim's shouting, though he didn't appear to actually be upset by the remarks. He took a step forward, confusion and concern in his eyes. "I… I'm sure you don't mean that, buddy," He replied, wringing his hands nervously in front of him. "I'm sorry about making you angry-I didn't know you were that ashamed with your skin condition. But you really shouldn't be, it's so awesome and unique and YOU! Only my bestest buddy would look so cool." Another tentative step forward, hands held out harmlessly in front of him. "I promise I won't bother you about it until you're more comfortable. I wanna help you feel happy about yourself, Zim-that's what best friends are for-"

"WE ARE NOT FRIENDS!" Zim insisted, almost ready to pull out the PAK legs and just end it right there. Maybe he would just die if he stabbed him enough. "Zim has no friends! They are stupid! Now get out!"

"Awh, it's okay Zim… maybe you just need a hug." Keef held his arms out wide, waiting to receive his buddy. "Everyone does when they're sad! C'mon, it'll make you feel better!"

Dib watched the entire exchange but not really expecting anything else from the crazy happy red-head. Keef didn't seem the least bit upset about the hit, or Zim's shouting, and even now he was still trying to approach and hug the Irken.

Dib remained slightly in front of Zim and when Keef extended his arms he made sure he mainly blocked Zim from view. "Just stop it Keef." Dib grumbled, his anger having dissipated by just how stupid the situation was and how relentless Keef could be. Dib glanced over his shoulder wordlessly trying to get across that maybe Zim should just get the goo; attacking the kid manually might not work and then they'd definitely have some explaining to do if Keef managed to survive after being stabbed by Zim's metal legs.

"Uh, Keef, Zim's just not really in a good mood." For the goo to work Keef had to be happy, he was always happy, but Dib decided to coax a little and smooth the situation enough so he was assured that Keef had a chance of exploding. "The sleep over is cancelled, so..." He trailed off, trying to buy some time for the Irken to go get the substance if he had even caught on to what he was trying to do.

"SO GET OUT!" Zim finished for him, as usual unable to see past his own fury to realize Dib's intentions. He pushed himself around Dib's arm a little to glare at the red-head, though he continued to use his enemy as a shield against the happy human. "The event of sleeping has been terminated! Destroyed! DONE! You have no reason to be here so evacuate the premises like a good solider. Now."

"But I-" Keef started, but his large eyes peered into Zim's for a moment and he sighed dejectedly. "I understand. You just need some time to chill, I gotcha, no problemo. Everyone needs space." He nodded his head as if trying to convince himself of his own words, before walking towards the elevator. "Well, I guess I'll see you guys later, then. We can have the sleepover tomorrow, right? Or maybe the next day-"

"JUST GET OUT!"

"Maybe next week then!" Keef smiled faintly. "Okay, later buddies!"  Pressing a few buttons near a keypad as if the boy had lived there instead of Zim, Keef opened the door to the lift and entered it, wheeling around to smile and wave at them before the doors slide shut and the elevator hummed up the chute.

Zim watched the doors for a while, almost certain the boy would suddenly pop back in with a new attempt to befriend him, but when nothing followed but quiet he straightened his tunic and marched towards the computers.

"Thank Irk!" He muttered, typing some codes into the system. Zim turned his head towards the ceiling briefly. "Computer! I want security upgraded to maximum levels! Keep that damn worm-baby out, do you hear me?!"

The computer grumbled a confirmation, and the faint noise of buzzing machinery could be heard over their heads as dormant programs begrudgingly started up.

Huh.

Dib had watched when Keef had obeyed, though he was still chipper as always even when being kicked out and Dib severely doubted that would be the last they saw of him. After all, there was only two days to the week-end and then school would start again and Keef most likely would tail Zim as always.

Dib turned back to the Irken as Zim stomped towards his computers, feeling a little awkward in the space now; knowing he didn't belong in the alien's lab but Zim had yet to cancel the truce and Dib had yet to care enough to say he was heading home.

That aside, he still found it a little unnerving how easily Zim melted under Keef's touches. Dib logged the whole event to memory; knowing now that those antennae had to be sensitive or something to turn him into a pile of mush even under his most hated person. That could be useful in future battles and Dib found himself grinning, "So Zim," He called, wondering if the Irken even remembered him standing there, "What's our plan for Keef now then? He's not going to give up; he'll probably be right back here tomorrow morning."

"Zim is aware of that," The Invader groused darkly, punching in a few more keys with obvious irritation. Oh how painfully he was aware, if the lingering tingles running along his skin were any indication. He was aware that Irken feelers were sensitive but not THAT much so! Maybe it had something to do with his supposedly 'defective' PAK… such as a malfunction in the nervous system programs. Whatever it was, it represented a terrible weakness that he was certain Keef would take advantage of in order to bring him 'happiness'. The mere thought made his squeedily spooch twist.

"It appears the computer has found a few different concentrations for the new mixture," Zim said, reading information off of the large monitor above his head. "I can have the robots create all the compounds in less than an hour. One of them should have the potency to take the Keef-worm out. If there was more time Zim would test the mixtures out on several test subjects like with the first batch, but for now this will have to do." He groaned the last part, not liking the possibility of failure. Having to focus on Keef was taking away from his precious mission time, and working together with Dib was not helping to destroy him one bit.

And now that the human had seen him… like THAT… Zim was no fool, he knew Dib would not let that sort of knowledge slip past, nor would he be reluctant to try and use it. While it was bad enough to have Keef mollifying him, having DIB understand the potential of such actions could only bring a huge advantage to the human's battle against him. His mission was at risk because of Keef-if the exploding goo didn't kill him then Zim had no doubts that he'd try manually until the results were achieved, and make it as painful as possible.

The alien finally turned and leered at Dib, antennae flat against his head in an unconscious attempt to avoid any incidents like the previous one. "Your service is not needed for these parts, but should the Keef return to Zim's base tomorrow as you mentioned...," He inhaled stiffly, the words tasting vile on his tongue, "then your presence will be required for the next two Earth days. You will stay here until the dirt child has been eliminated and then the truce will cease."  

An hour?

Well, they seemed to have all the time they needed now with Keef missing for at least the rest of the day. Hopefully the compound wouldn't fail and then they could go back to normal. Their rivalry felt comfortable, but actually having this truce felt weird. Dib wasn't used to being on Zim's side and he had only been on it twice in the past and that had been enough.

Dib still needed to destroy Zim before he took over the world, he didn't lose sight of that, just like how he knew Zim wanted to kill him as well.

Dib wasn't really bothered by it, and actually he wished for the week-end to be over so they could go back to fighting and yelling insults at each other. It was a lot easier than all this mess and it didn't make him feel as weird.

He didn't like all the feelings that ran through him when Keef had touched Zim in that way; still seeing the Irken's pleasure pinched face and it was difficult to even look in Zim's direction without his eyes falling on the antennae and the memories rushing right back up to the surface to stab his brain.

Yup, he'd definitely be glad when this was all over.

"I'll go upstairs." He murmured, knowing Gir wasn't a very good guard but even if he did go upstairs Keef could probably find himself right back down in the lab again if they weren't careful. There was something paranormal about the strange happy kid – Dib just knew there was.

Dib didn't protest staying the rest of the week-end, it was practical and a part of him really didn't want to leave Zim alone in case Keef did return. He made his way to the elevator, slipping inside, deciding to leave Zim to his work so the concoction would get finished that much quicker. Once in the kitchen Dib stepped out, glancing here and there but finding nothing out of the ordinary before he walked into the living room. He took a place on the couch next to Gir; looking at the mindless program he was watching on TV.

It seemed to be some dramatic movie; a girl was crying over how this guy left her, very basic for some cheesy romance film. Whatever. Dib wasn't really intent on paying attention to it and he knew Gir probably wouldn't change it until it was over.

An hour passed and Dib got comfortable on the couch, still watching the stupid movie that seemed to span forever. Now it was at an intimate scene, however awkward it was to watch it; Gir seemed enthralled amidst his giggles and mindless talk. The lanky teenager was laid out on the couch, his coat having been taken off and used as a make-shift blanket as his head was pillowed against the arm rest.

Dib wondered if Zim had a bedroom, but he didn't think he did. The house only consisted of the lab, the kitchen, and the living room as far as he knew but he started to wonder. Especially since the bedroom on TV was painted a purple color and the blankets on the bed were a ruddy red color.

Purple seemed to be everywhere in the house, so Dib began to think Zim's room might look like the one on TV.

Gir was sitting on his legs but the weight wasn't unpleasant. His eyes half-lidded as his muscles finally started to relax and he started to feel drowsy.