Invader Zim ZADR: How did we get here?

Chapter 26: Growing connection

After having had a little meetup (that was definitely not a date ;D), it was decided that Dib was allowed to come over to help with building the Tallest Tracker. The question is, how is Zim going to react to having someone stay in his home?

It was almost with a pleasant hum that Dib strutted down the street, the sun high in the sky and shining down on the dry sidewalk and road. It was a rare sight to see Dib so chipper, but it seemed his little meeting with Zim had improved his mood quite a bit.

It also helped that now Dib could help Zim without needing to break the law or put himself in bodily harm, which was a plus. Everything that was left to do was rather boring compared to what the two had been doing for a while. Not that he would really classify working with alien technology as boring. Still, it was something much more simple compared to breaking into government warehouses or exhibitions. Now all he needed to do was come over to Zim's house the next day and they would start building the tracker. Besides that, they hadn't talked too much about the subject. Dib had assumed Zim would have boasted about finally being able to leave Earth and everything behind. But instead, they just talked about random things and what they had done in the past. Not that he complained. It was that small talk that had somehow managed to make him feel so light-headed and carefree.

He continued down the street happily, until he finally reached his house. Without much thought, he opened the door and closed it behind him.

"Hello, son!" A powerful, but fatherly voice called out, which almost made Dib jump in surprise.

When he turned around, he looked down the hall and saw his very own father standing there. As always, his labcoat covered most of his face, but his eyebrows inexplicitly conveyed the joy the man felt, seeing his son again.

"D-dad! I'm...so happy to see you..." Dib muttered nervously, having hoped he could have avoided his father a little longer. He still wasn't sure how to explain what had happened at the exhibition, and all the cards were off if his father had recognized him when he and Zim came down with the elevator. But most of his fears were kept under control, as it seemed clear his father was in his usual optimistic mood.

"Me too! My, I haven't seen you since that little event! It certainly got interesting at the end, didn't it?"

"It sure did! Um...maybe a bit of a random question, but, how much do you remember, exactly?" He asked, wincing a bit at his awkward sentence.

"In truth, not much! Don't tell anyone, but I found it a bit tedious. All those magnificent works of science, and yet, not enough SCIENCE! Just a bunch of social talk and business deals. I swear if it hadn't been for that INCIDENTAL power shortage, why, I might just have left on my own accord! N-not without telling you, of course!" Dr. Membrane explained, showing a clear disinterest in the ordeal.

"But that reminds me, I got such an AWFUL scare when I couldn't find you!" He then explained, sending a cold shiver down Dib's back.

"Oh, yeah, I-I can explain-"

"BUT THEN, I remembered, that you're my crazy, but driven, son! And if anyone could take care of themself, then it would be you! So I calmed down a bit after remembering that."

"...Thanks, I guess," Dib muttered though he did genuinely feel a bit of pride hearing that.

"Still, it's a shame that those two GOOD FOR NOTHING thieves weren't caught! It's a crime how such injustice can go unpunished! Don't you think so too?"

"Yep..."

"Well, that was all I wanted to say. See you later son!"

"Wait, Dad!" Dib exclaimed, just as his father was about to turn away.