2D took his painkillers and shuddered. He entered the new extension of Kong Studios. Completely unnecessary, since Murdoc only built it for the Geep he bought back online. 2D jumped on top of the hood of the car and lit a cigarette.
"That's not very healthy you know." Noodle snuck up from behind with a cigarette of her own.
"When did you start smoking?" 2D should have been more startled, but she's always had a fascination with sneaking.
Noodle jumped up and sat next to 2D. "Somewhere in between dying and shooting down a fighter jet with a tommy gun."
He chuckled, "This has been one hell of a ride, hasn't it?"
"You're telling me."
They sat there in silence until Murdoc and Russel burst in
"Come on, Russ, just one spin?"
"No, dude. Some guy was holding it hostage for however long in his basement and he probably…"
The two on the hood turned around.
"What are you two doing up here? And on my car?!"
"Just talking, Murdoc, relax."
Murdoc licked his lips and jumped in the front seat. "C'mon, Stu, you always had shotgun, eh?"
"I hate humoring you, but I am feeling nostalgic…" He opened the door and got in the passenger seat.
Russel just calmly got in the back, and so did Noodle. She stood up and held on to the bars.
"Things were a whole lot simpler back then, huh?" the driver said after a long silence.
"Yeah, no cyborgs or explosions." Russel responded after lighting a cigar.
"Look at us now. Four professional music artists sitting in a car, reflecting on old times." 2D lit up as well.
"That's not so bad, is it?"
"Face it, Murdoc, you're an old man, Russ and I are getting up there, and we ruined Noodle's chance at a normal life."
"Wait, what?"
"You came to our doorstep, and Murdoc insisted on keeping you around. We should have turned you in to the police."
"Is that really how you feel about me, 2D?"
He turned around, "How many girls you know danced with a human head, murdered an airplane pilot, disappeared underwater, died, and can call themselves 'normal'?"
"Normal is an illusion, 2D. I love my life, and I love all of you. You're the only family I've had."
"I guess you're right. We are a family. A big, fat, dysfunctional, piece of shit family."
2D lit up another cigarette. Noodle did the same, and Russ refreshed his cigar.
"You guys are the only family I've had." 2D looked to his left and saw Murdoc, the big boss, the bastard bass player that ruined his life, crying.
"You all know my Dad was a piece of shit, right? Well, I wanted to be a better Dad than mine, and I had that opportunity. I know I wasn't perfect, but…" Murdoc turned around, tears welling up.
"Noodle, you're the only person in the universe I remotely care about. Please, tell me, was I a good Dad?"
Murdoc grabbed her hands and clasped them together "I just need you to say yes. Just say yes, Noodle, and I'll…I don't know. But it will reassure me that everything I did wasn't in vain."
Noodle was so shocked that she couldn't respond.
"Please."
Noodle started crying too.
"Murdoc, you are a drunken, abusive, narcissistic piece of shit."
He looked down and started shivering.
"You were the best Dad a girl could have."
He slowly looked back up at Noodle and smiled.
"Thank you. Those were the most meaningful words anyone has ever said to me."
They hugged while Murdoc is still bawling his eyes out. 2D and Russel quietly left them to be together.