The Gorillaz

My first Gorillaz story! Go easy on me, 'kay? As always in these situations, I do not own them they belong to Jamie(?) and Damon. But Nicole Swanson, Jackie, and James are mine.

Picking up the pieces

Plastic Beach was known as the "Point Zero" of the world; the farthest place known to man on Earth. It was here where Band leader and Bassist, Murdoc Niccals chose to make his new HQ. After the whole incident with Kong Studios, not to mention the whole El Manana conspiracy, it was about time to move on either way. So after Demon Days and the Apollo show in New York, the Gorillaz had split up for what seemed indefinitely. Noodles went M.I.A. after El Manana, Russel seemed to have disappeared off the face of the Earth, and 2D had moved back home. Murdoc himself went back to sell Kong Studios and proceeded to fly around, compliments of the helicopters used in their Feel Good Inc. track. And now, five years later, is where the stories take place.

Twenty-two year old Nicole Swanson sighed dejectedly after removing her last box of valuables to her car. It was still hard to believe it, she thought that she honestly was getting somewhere in her miserable life. However, she was sadly mistaken. Her boss had just fired her from her job at the Architecture Department of a firm and since she couldn't come up with any money for rent, she was mercilessly kicked out from her apartment that morning.

She had asked for help from her parents, but they had simply said that it was time for her to stand on her own two feet, and stop running to mom and dad whenever something bad blows her way. Reason got her nowhere, pleading to them to pay just this once and she would gladly reimburse them when the time came, but they seemed to have turn a deaf ear to their only daughters' plea. Now, with nowhere to go and no one to live with, Nicole honestly didn't know what to do with herself. Her only talents were flute and piano playing, and she could draw professional sketches, but no one would take her. It was mere luck that she got her job in the first place, seeing as her dad had pulled a few strings to let her work there.

"I'm doomed. I have no home. My parents kicked me out. My landlord is relentless, and I have only $200 to my name! How am I supposed to live with the way things are now?" She wailed out, carelessly laying her head on her slender arms that folded lazily on the steering wheel of her black Nissan Versa. Nicole stayed this way for a few more minutes, trying to contemplate different ways she could possibly get her job back or maybe ask her parents if she could rent out a room from them, but all in all, before anything she was a woman of pride, and wouldn't dare crawl back to her boss for a second chance or try to kiss her parents feet for them to take her in. Although on the last part she pretty much already did.

With a sigh, Nicole picked up her purse and rummaged through its contents looking for her keys. A certain jingling sound caught her attention, and when she picked it up saw that it wasn't the object she was looking for but still important none the less. It was in fact, the key to her apartments' mailbox. Seeing it suddenly brought up a reminder that she forgot to check her mail because she was late for work this morning and didn't do it later on due to the chain of events that followed not soon after.

Nicole thought it best to get her mail one last time before turning in the key and departing. Leaving her small, cramped car, she walked into the building and down the hall until she was in a small little corridor that had a silver rectangular box on the right that had small doors for various relatives' mail that lived in the facility. Looking for her former living quarters' number, she stumbled across #103. Placing the key in the lock she turned it abruptly and hearing that distinct click that verified whenever the door was open, she reached in and sorted the letters and advertisement that awaited her.

All in all it was nothing new from all the things she would normally receive in the mail; bills, bills, oh look a letter from her college friend Marcy, more bills, eviction notice (well that's a bit late!), and… a note? The last piece of mail caught her attention. She looked at the small white envelope. It was plain, no address as to where it came and at least ten different stamps on it. She attempted to hold it up to the light to see if there was anything in it readable, but the enveloped it was encased in was so thick that light couldn't shine through it.

Shrugging, Nicole gathered up the last of her things and returned her key to the front office, noticing how the clerk seemed to give her an evil look as he snatched it away. Going against her better judgment, she quietly left and got back into her car. Finding the correct set of keys this time, she put it into the ignition and put the vehicle in drive, not so much as looking into her rearview as she drove further and further from the life she used to know.

Half way to nowhere, Nicole sought it best to get things started if she were to achieve anything new in her life as of now. First, she decided to go to the bank and withdraw the rest of her savings. She drove down the familiar street of Norwind Dr., and took in the sites that she would most likely see this one last time. The town houses were neatly sided by each other and she could see children playing in the front yards.

This was where she grew up at, where her parents used to let her play before she grew up. Now, only the nostalgia was left in its place and she could only sigh as she drove past her old house. Turning down another street she saw a market, clothing store and most importantly, the Bank. She parked her car and exited the vehicle carefully so as not to damage anything. Walking in the building, she encountered a line at the front desk. This was an awkward upset to her but nonetheless she walked up behind an obviously overweight man in his forties.

The line seemed to draw on forever, and all the while Nicole's patience was beginning to run quite thin after good forty-five minutes had gone by and only three people were served. In all earnest however, she could still hardly believe that all of this was happening to her. It seemed so sudden and rushed that she was actually in a bit of a daze from it all. Yes, she was still coping with it, but it didn't really seem real. Was she truly out of a job and living expenses?

She had worked so hard up to this point; worked to the bone and strived to do her best in all things but it seemed to be in vain in the end. Nicole didn't even bother trying to buy anything lavish and expensive such as the latest phone or laptop because she was in tune with the whole 'live within your budget' mantra. When people had invited her to the movies or club, she had to decline simply because of her money. And what she had to show for it was all of this.

So caught up in her thoughts and self-pity that she didn't notice that the clerk was calling her until someone from behind had pushed her forward. Rudely driven back to reality, Nicole scurried up to the counter and asked to clerk for the money in her bank account out and close it out indefinitely. It seemed like an odd request, but she didn't need it around anymore after today. The lady behind the counter gave her a curious look as she pulled up Nicole's file.

This gave the other time to look at how abnormally long the lady's nails were and how they were painted such a grotesque green. Not only was that but her hair a fiery red with home applied bleach-blonde highlights streaked throughout her head. She couldn't even begin to see how gross it was that the lady thought that she was so robust that she had her cleavage clearly showed under a shirt two sizes to small before she received her money and was notified of how the account was now terminated.

Quickly she removed herself from the premises and went back to her car. Recounting the last of her savings she felt a pang of bitterness but diluted it under a false impression of optimism. She stared at the steering wheel again for a minute before being taken out of her thoughts by the disarrayed sound of her cell phone going off. She blinked and jumped as she looked at the phone to acknowledge who was calling her.

Picking up the lavender casing, she saw on the screen that her friend Jackie was trying to reach her. Reluctantly, she answered the phone and carefully put it to her ear. "Hello?" she asked in a monotonic voice.

"Nikki omigosh I'm so glad that I finally got a hold of you! What's been going on?" The other's voice was so high-pitched and shrill that Nicole had to withdrawal the device from her head and began to gnaw her teeth in agitation. After she was certain that the other wouldn't talk anymore, she gave a dry, "I got evicted today and lost my job."

Jackie could be heard gasping quite audibly and then she said in a much softer voice, "Nikki, I didn't know. I'm so sorry…" Nicole shook her head. "It's okay. Hey, don't feel sorry for me. I'll figure something out…" Jackie remained quiet for a minute before saying in a reassuring matter, "If there's anything I can do, then just ask."

The recipient pondered for a moment before saying in a half-amused manner, "There is one thing that you can do for me. Meet me at the diner in thirty minutes." Jackie's voice was flooded with confusion and a bit a joy. "Of course! See you in thirty," and with that the other end of the phone was disconnected. Nicole didn't even try to question what her friend could have been doing and hung up the phone herself before putting the car into reverse and backing out of the parking lot.

At the diner Nicole had chosen a secluded booth away from everyone else and looked out the window at the bystanders and the colorful people that walked by. She had already ordered a coffee (that she really didn't want to begin with but she had to order something before she got kicked out) and was now twirling a small straw around in it in sheer boredom until a chime was heard at the door.

It really bothered her that she would have to explain to her friend the chain of events that happened to her. Knowing Jackie, she would blow a fuse and take pity on her. That was something that Nicole didn't want in the least. Jackie was very overbearing and protective when it came to Nicole; they were like sisters that were separated at birth. Ever since they were little they would stick together and watch each other's backs. So when one was in a dilemma, it was only fair that the other would try everything in their power to aid and assist. But this was different. Nicole always had slumps, that were evident, but never had something this serious happened to her before. She didn't know what to do but was confident that she wouldn't go down without at least trying to rectify her situation.

But she didn't need the 'you poor thing is there anything I can do to help you dear' routine that more than likely Jackie was going to put her through.

Nicole looked up and put on a brave, reassuring smile as she saw her friend come in to view. Jackie was tan, but not as dark as Nicole was. She sported blonde hair (obviously not hers) that was to her shoulders and a simple jacket with shorts that barely reached her thigh and sneakers. Jackie waved at her as she approached ever closer to Nicole's table. When she reached her friend, Jackie immediately dived down to give her a big hug.

"Nikki, I've been worried sick about you ever since you told me the news!" Nicole mentally rolled her eyes at the response but hugged her back nonetheless. "I told you, I'm fine Jackie. Just in a slump," she tried to make the matter seem less than what it was. Jackie released the hug and sat across from her. "A slump? A slump you say? Nikki, I've seen you in slumps and this isn't it! This isn't a slump… You're in a ditch!" Nicole grimaced and looked at her cup. She hated to admit it, but Jackie was right.

Said friend flagged down a waiter and ordered a cup of tea and a muffin before turning her attention back to the person in question. "Nik, if you needed money why didn't you just ask me?" Nicole glared at her for a second before taking a bitter sip of her coffee and setting it back down. "I don't like asking for your money Jackie, you know that. And, I didn't even know how bad it was until I saw all my stuff on the street!"

Blue eyes widened at the information. "Didn't they at least give you a warning? Or an eviction notice?" Nicole rolled her hazel eyes. "Oh yeah I got it. Right in the mail this morning as I was returning my keys," she bit out bitterly and gave her friend a heated grin. Jackie sighed and slumped backwards into the seat. "Oh geez Nikki, it looks like they set you up with the way you're saying it. And your folks wouldn't help you out even a little?"

Hazel narrowed dangerously and Nicole gave out a harsh laughter. "Yeah right! They claimed that I was relying on them too much and that it was time to stand up for myself," she said in a mocking tone and she began to twirl the straw with more fervor. Jackie could only shake her head in disbelief as she looked out the window to avoid the conversation from going any further.

Even Jackie knew when it was time to just stop and consider that maybe someone didn't want to talk about their troubles right away. She changed the subject by talking about her job (which made her feel even worse because she still had hers) and how her boyfriend was starting to annoy her. When the tea and muffin came silence pursued the area as Jackie drank and ate (quite nimbly) and Nicole would take a sip of her now cold coffee. Finally, to break the tension, Jackie said, "What did you get in the mail?"

Nicole was taken aback for a little but shrugged. "Nothing much just the usual; bills, bills, bills, a letter from Marcy, my notice which again was pretty late, and a note." Jackie asked her about the letter from Marcy, asking how she was doing since she started college. Nicole had told her that she was fine; she missed them and had gotten herself a nice respectable job. She wasn't in the dorms, in fact, she was living with her boyfriend of eight years now. Nicole felt somewhat bitter; all her friends had jobs and a good romance life whilst she was left with literally nothing now.

Jackie sighed happily at the news. "It's good to hear from her again. It feels like it's been forever since we last spoke. At least we know she's doing well." Nicole couldn't help but smile and agree. Marcy was smart, smarter than Nicole was and surely smarter than Jackie. It was good to see that she went places with herself, instead of doing a dead end job where she couldn't exploit her talent to the fullest like some people (Nicole mentally sweat dropped at the last part of her thought). Now that she thought about it, was she actually unhappy with the job she had?

She couldn't explore it any more before Jackie asked her about the note. Nicole shrugged. "I don't know what's in it. The thing had no address or anything. Just, like twenty different stamps on it so I don't know where it originally came from." Jackie arched an eyebrow. "That sounds fishy. Why didn't you open it?"

"Why would I open it? I don't like opening mail that has no return address. Besides, it might not even be mine."

Jackie drank some of her tea before adding, "Well you'll never know if you don't open it, don't you think?"

"I suppose. But when if it's something really weird like… I dunno an ear or something?"

Jackie rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, Nikki. Don't be so pessimistic."

"I'm not pessimistic, I'm paranoid! There's a difference you know."

"Just open it!"

Nicole sighed and gave in. She knew that if she tried to argue with Jackie on this that it wouldn't end well (Jackie always won these arguments anyway). She got up and went to her car, looking through her bag for the small white envelope. When she retrieved it she went back into the diner and handed the object to Jackie.

"Why are you giving it to me?"

Nicole gave her a dull look. "I don't care what's in it, that's why. Unless it's a bunch of money, I don't really care."

Jackie gave her a disheartened look and sighed. Nicole didn't look at her, knowing what was going on. She was trying to get her to cave in and open it. Jackie was many things, but not imposing. She wanted Nikki to open so that she could have a clear conscious to be nosy afterwards. Nicole averted her eyes everywhere but to her friends. Then she whimpered. Nicole felt her eye twitch in response, not wanting to deal with such childish behavior, but when she looked at Jackie to tell her to stop; she looked her dead in her eyes.

And caved.

With a sigh, she snatched it away from her and tore open the letter. It was festive to say the least, colors wildly splashed on it and a funky writing that wrote:

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have been invited to the magnificent island of Plastic Beach for an all expense paid vacation! Please be at the Portland Pier on the 23rd at 10:00 a.m. and we will personally escort you to your destination.

Again, Congrats and we hope that you will take delight with this offer.

Jackie squealed at her friend as she took the letter and read it to herself. "Nikki, this is HUGE! I'm uber jealous of you right now!" Nicole looked confused and beside herself. "Okay, One, what is 'uber'? Two, I don't know why you're so excited for me because I'm not going," she said putting her cup aside and looked at the envelope. A loud squeal of disapproval was heard that made Nicole want to throw her best friend out a ten story window.

"No way Nikki, you have to go! This is a vacation! All expense paid! Is there any reason why you wouldn't want to go?"

"Uh, hello, earth to Jackie! I need to find myself another job. That's a lot more important to me right now than going to some beach."

Jackie frowned at her answer. "Nikki, you need to learn to loosen up y'know?" Nicole folded her arms across her chest and huffed out hot air. "I'm a realist Jac. I need to get a job so that I have the money to eat and live! I mean, I'll have to sleep in my car at night Jackie! Do you know how embarrassing that is? No, I'm not going!" Her friend lowered her eyes to the note. She didn't want her to be so worked up over this. Perhaps, this was just the anecdote Nikki needed.

"If you don't go for yourself, go for me okay? I think it'll do you a world of good."

Just as she was getting ready to put up a fight, Jackie grabbed her b. f.'s hands in hers. "It'll help you clear your mind. You need to relax. I'll come up with something while you're away. Until then, why don't you stay with me okay?" Nicole was honestly at a loss for words. She never saw Jackie this way before. If she was this set on her being there, then perhaps it was for the best. Besides, she had Jackie to help support her until she could get back on her feet. That one fact was enough to make her believe that maybe she was right.

"Fine, fine. So, when is it?" Jackie jumped up and down in joy before handing the note back to her. "It's on the twenty-third! And today's… Oh crap!" Nicole looked up from the note to her pal. "What's wrong?" Jackie's face seemed to pale at her realization as her happy disposition slackened. "Today's the twenty-second, Nikki. You have to be there tomorrow!" Nicole stood up in shock.

"Are you serious?" she yelled out, causing attention to turn towards them from throughout the diner. She sat back down, a bit embarrassed to cause such a distraction and attention to herself. Jackie giggled before tapping her hand against the table. "Okay, let's just think about this for a minute. We can still move the majority of your stuff to my place and get you packed and settled. Now we have to hurry and get things ready for you…" Jackie continued to travel off in her thoughts as Nicole looked on.

She was actually a little excited about all this (though it was only because Jackie got her riled up). After they finished their business in the diner, both of them left. Nicole got into her car and followed Jackie back to her place. She really was grateful for a friend like her, even though she grated her nerves most of the time. Nicole could always rely on the young woman for anything that was within the other's reach. So if that meant putting up with her lame jokes or constant nagging, she could easily deal with it. Beside's it was better than being at her parents, which she thought was much more demeaning. According to her ideas of life, when you pass the age of nineteen, you honestly had no business back at your parents' house. But that was neither here nor there.

Jackie's house was a good forty-five minute drive from where they were. She lived deeper into the city (perhaps because it was due to the fact she enjoyed the busy life-style) so it always confused the twenty-two year old as to where she needed to go. But it was good to see that she had help from said native so things went much more smoothly. The tall buildings and busy streets really wasn't anything new to her, but it was the fact that it was so cluttered that she felt like she couldn't breathe that got to her.

Nicole didn't want anyone to know but she had an acute case of slight claustrophobia.

Anyway, by the time she snapped out of it, they had arrived at the house. It was decent in size, something that a person alone could feel comfortable with. Or at least Nicole thought that was the case. But when did Jackie need two cars? She paid it no mind as she parked on the street in front of the house and Jackie parked in the garage. After they got out the cars, both made way to the entrance to the house.

Jackie messed with a few keys, jingling them around until she found the right one and let Nikki in. Nicole still couldn't get used to the color scheme that her friend had; yellows here, greens there, and red mixed with blues every with other way. The furniture was also awkward, but to Jackie she must have thought it 'artistically unique'. Nikki put her book bag down before going into the kitchen where the other went.

Grabbing a beer from the refrigerator, Nicole turned to her friend and leaned against the countertop. "So, are you going to help me move in my things or what?" Jackie sighed and grabbed herself a bottle. "As soon as my hubbie is home I'll help," she said taking a fair swig then sighing as the liquor burned at her throat pleasantly.

Nicole rolled her eyes. "So in other words, 'as soon as your hubbie is home you'll just sit on your butt while he helps me," she said taking a long gulp herself. Nicole didn't really drink on the regular but after all the stress of home and work she took up the past time to help calm her down from time to time. Jackie shrugged at the response but nodded nonetheless.

In the meantime, Nicole brought what she deemed light enough in the house by herself. After a good portion of her valuables was in a room, she sat in the living room mostly on the computer looking up a job that served her qualifications. When two and a half hours passed by, Jackie called out to her. "You've been on that thing for ages Nikki! Did you honestly not find anything yet?"

The cascade of keys being tapped at a rapid pace was heard before a groan was drawn out. "I can't find anything! I'm good at cleaning but I don't want to be taking care of a bunch of old people. I like to draw but I don't want to be trapped behind the conformity of a desk with a guy that has a stick up his butt breathing down my neck. I play instruments, but I don't want to be in a band gig… at least not yet anyway. I don't see anything that suits me…"

"Sounds like someone's being picky to me~" said her friend in a taunting tone. Nicole gave up and slammed her head on the keys of the board. "I'm not picky. I just don't want to feel trapped in my profession is all. I want to actually enjoy what I'm doing rather than feeling pressured into it. I've been reasonable all my life, why can't I just get that one thing?" she began to whine out. Jackie laughed out right at her dilemma.

Walking towards her, she wrapped a slender arm around her shoulders. "You've haven't always been easy-going Nikki. Remember when you threw a fit because your mom wouldn't give you dance lessons? And when you wanted that pony? And who could forget the singing fiasco…" Nicole shrugged her off and waved the blonde away. "Okay I get it! But still, that was years ago. I was only like, eight when all that was happening." Just then, the front door opened and Jackie squealed in excitement.

A light, fair skinned Philippine with short wavy hair entered the room. "Hey everyone," he said in a tired voice. The bleach blonde woman ran over and hugged him tightly. "I've missed you sweetie! What took you so long?" she chimed out. Nicole had to keep herself from taking the keyboard and slamming herself in the head with it. The guy nodded to the other that was currently refraining from gagging.

"What's up Nikki? Been awhile," he said catching her attention. She gave him a half-hearted, "Yeah. How's it going James?" James was Jackie's 'adorable, handsome, most perfect boyfriend' (as proclaimed by the bubbling dolt herself). Before things could get to mushy and she would end up feeling utterly ill, she called out James to help move her things out of her car.

When they were outside, James took the time to talk to Nicole about how things were going in her life. She really didn't want to tell another person about her life and how downhill it was compared to everyone else's , so instead she just lied and told him that she got a raise. "That's great! Maybe next time the gang hangs out we can rely on you to pick up the tab then?' he said elbowing her in a playful gesture. Nicole rolled her eyes mentally and smiled. "Sure, why not?" she lied out even more.

After her suitcases, television, and mini-fridge was out the vehicle, she breathed a sigh of relief (the claustrophobia was really starting to do her in). The rest of the day went on without a hitch. They settled in, cooked dinner, ate, and then sat around in the living room mostly drinking and laughing about. Nicole at this time was drowning down her third beer to numb the fact that reality just hit her at full force.

Literally, in the middle of Jackie and James were talking about one of their mutual friends, Nikki's hazel eyes shot opened in horror as she shot up from her seat and screamed out: "Oh my God I have no home and no job! I'm a dead-beat!" then proceeded to cry herself to unconsciousness only to wake up and continue drinking with more reserve. Jackie was swooning over her boyfriend, coyly nibbling on his neck when she whispered out, "hey, did you know that Nikki is going on vacation tomorrow?"

James chuckled (partly due to the booze and from her nibbling on a very ticklish spot) and said, "Really? Where?" She stopped flirting around and sat back on the armrest of the sofa and gestured for him to come closer. "She's going to a flaccid beach," she giggled. James eyes widened at her words but then Nicole butted in. "Its Plastic Beach you drunk," she said, honestly giggling herself now at how Jackie mis-said the word.

"Why would you go to a beach made of plastic?" asked James.

"How should I know? It came in the mail."

"Doesn't that seem redundant to go to a place made entirely of plastic?"

"What, did you prefer it be metal?" Nicole hiccupped before leaning back into the recliner she was in, sighing. The conversation was idiotic to say the least, but it did help with the feeling of being on air. Being drunk and stressed didn't match for her (or anyone for that matter). Suddenly, the topic came and went and they were now talking about how the man on the t.v. looked like a giant chicken.

Hours passed and Nicole found that she dozed off again in the seat (it was actually very comfortable). Looking at the nylon numbers on the nearest clock, she saw it read: 11: 45 p.m. She looked over to Jackie and James cuddled up against each other. She had her head on his chest, her small hands wrapped loosely around his waist. James' head was tilted to the right a little, his right arm slung around her friends' waist as well. Nikki smiled at the sight before quietly (at least she thought she was) and tapped on Jackie's shoulder.

"Hey, I'm going to head on to bed now," she whispered out. Jackie didn't seem to register the words at first, but then nodded slowly before placing her head back on James' chest. Nicole made her way staggering up the stairs and down the hall to the guest room. Stripping down to her nightgown, she climbed into bed and looked out the window to her left. She sighed. Tomorrow would be a long day, but at least she could start her first day of being officially dirt poor on a beach under the nice rays of the sun. The thought made her smile tiredly as she began to drift off to sleep, dreaming about what it would be like if her life was actually the way she wanted it to be; with a house, a dog, a good job, and most importantly, a loving boyfriend of her own.

A/N: I hoped you all enjoyed the first installment. Sorry that there is no official 'Gorillaz' yet, but I promise that they will be there next chapter… Well, some of them. For this one, I basically wanted the reader to get into the mindset or see where my character Nicole was coming from before anything really started. Just a heads up, this is during the beginning of the Plastic Beach phase and any added information on the member's whereabouts as of now and reviews *which are much more important mind you* is greatly needed and appreciated. Until then, ciao!

Gale signing off this next time!