2D sighed softly as he sat upright in his bed, opening his eyes to see that the room was now dark, and the only light that was there was the orange of street lamps streaking through the window, striping the blue floor, reminding 2D of a tiger. Scratching the crust from his eyes, he glanced at his watch to see that it was just after eleven. Satisfied that he had gotten a decent sleep, and that his headache was finally gone, he figured that it wouldn't hurt him to go and get a drink, and maybe watch some TV for a few hours. He smiled a little to himself as he made that decision. But he figured he should check on Noodle first. Just to be completely sure that she was ok.

Lumbering from his room, 2D stopped as he came to Noddle's door. Grasping the handle gently, he pushed the door open and peered in. He smiled in relief upon seeing her sleeping contently under her covers. Despite the bruises on her face still looking sore and tender, she seemed to be completely at peace with a tiny smile on her lips. He also noticed that she was hugging a large toy monkey. She looked content, something that 2D hadn't seen from her in some time. She must have been having a pleasant dream.

"Dreaming about Paradise." 2D said quietly to himself, "And what hers would be like." Though Noodle seemed to have heard him as she let out a gentle sigh in her slumber as her smile grew slightly larger. And with that, 2D closed the door quietly to let her sleep. Turning his heals, he headed down the stairs, avoiding the chair lift as he went. He still couldn't figure out why Murdoc felt that the chair was needed. The stairs weren't that difficult to use and the place was only three floors high. 2D shook his head and continued down the steps and onto the first floor. Wandering to the fridge, he bent down to look and, without too much trouble, found a bottle of Budweiser.

"Outta my way!" 2D yowled and leapt back as he was shoved aside by Murdoc, who was also interested in looking in the fridge for something.

"Gah!" 2D squeaked as he flinched "Sorry, Murdoc I didn't see yew!" the green skinned man just gave him another shove, which made 2D sit down, putting his hands on his knees and shaking slightly. He didn't know what to say or do, worrying that he'd just be hit again.

"Yeah, yeah whatever." The man growled, emerging from the fridge with several bottles of beer. 2D shuddered worryingly.

"Well? What was wrong wiff Noodle? Spit it out!" Murdoc growled as he opened one of the bottles. 2D took a short sip out of his own, he needed to choose his words carefully.

"Er… It was another panic attack, Muds, nuffin' bad." he answered with a yawn, "She's alright now."

"Hm. Throwin' a blooming vase at me, little bitch…" Murdoc growled, making 2D's widen.

"Yew scared 'er-!"

"I jus' wanted her to stop that bloody screaming and throwing shit around!" Murdoc sat at the table, taking a long drink of Budweiser.

"She can't 'elp it! She's 'urting!" 2D yelps, becoming upset. Why couldn't Murdoc accept that Noodle is hurt because of everything she had been through?!

"It's bin two months! Why would she still be 'urting?!" Murdoc snarled, taking another sip. 2D sighed irritably and threw his arms up, angry about this. Was this guy for real!?

"Focking 'ell!" he shrieked.

"What's your problem, you dollop?!"

"She's traumatised! I'm traumatised! It's bin two focking months and I'm still scared outta my gawd damn mind!" 2D snarled as his anger rose. Though he didn't show it, this scared him. He was hardly ever angry, and it was frightening him, since it was a very unpleasant feeling.

"Christ Almighty, yew need to calm down, mate-!"

"No! Yew listen 'ere!" 2D shrieked as he jumped onto his feet. "Yew ruined my focking life! Takin' me from my 'ome, my family, taking my stuff (even my gawd damn organs!), keeping me on that hellish island against my will! And YEW tell ME I gotta 'calm down'!? Yew only care about yer fame and the band! Well, yew know what, Murdoc?! I don't give a FOCK about YEW or the band! I wanted to make music which would make people smile and happy, but now I don't care and I just want to die!"

Murdoc had frozen when 2D started screaming at him, and was still quiet when he had finished. 2D sat back down quickly, gripping the sides of his chair, terrified. What the hell was going to happen to him now? He could only remember one other time he lashed out at Murdoc and it resulted in him getting chloroformed! Blinking, he tried to avoid eye contact.

Murdoc's eyes darkened as he suddenly launched forward, grabbing 2D by his shirt, pulling him towards him, making the young man yowl in fright. He tried to pull away, but was unable to, the man had too strong a grip. He whined worryingly like a frightened puppy.

"Listen 'ere, you wank! If it weren't for me, yew'd be nothin'!" He snarled, spitting in 2D's face, "I could take away just as easily! Yew and Noodle! So I suggest yew keep yer focking mouth shut!" And with that he shoved 2D back in his seat, before giving him one last glare and turning away.

2D's white eyes blinked worryingly at this. The fact that he wasn't threatening him, but Noodle too made him more anxious. But it also made him angry. Why did this bastard have such disregard over his happiness? All he wanted to do was make music, but why did it have to be like this? When this all began, he could never have imagined that things would turn out to be this bad! Gripping the table angrily, he tried to think of something else. But Murdoc's deeds were still fresh in his mind. From when he first crashed his car into him all the way up to what just happened. What else was he supposed to think? This was the man who took away his home, his money, his freedom, his girlfriend…

2D's heavy brows suddenly dropped harshly at that final thought, feeling his rage suddenly rising. He stood up, glaring at the green skinned man, who still had his back turned to him. It was only then that a fact that he had never thought of came into his head, even though it was probably obvious to others.

He had just realised that he was taller than Murdoc. At least seven inches taller! Why should he allow himself to be beaten up any further?

Murdoc, who was still drinking his beer, had his back towards 2D so didn't notice when the tall, blue haired man stood up, grabbed his unopened Budweiser and sneaking behind him, before hesitating for quite a while.

Nothing happened for a few minutes, until Murdoc felt a hand slap him, quite hard, on the shoulder.

"What the hell are ye-?"

"YEW BASTAAAAAAARD!" 2D shrieked as he swung the bottle like a bat, striking Murdoc on the side of his head, making him snarl and spin around. But before he could react, the taller man had leapt on him, his long fingers around the man's skinny neck. Murdoc, pinned under 2D, kicked him under the ribs, making 2D gasp but he refused to let go of his grip. His anger reaching a peak, he started slamming Murdoc's head on the floor, with the man still kicking and trying to punch him.

"YEW!" *Slam* "RUINED!" *slam* "MY LIFE!" He shrieked, still gripping the man's throat, throttling him. While he did have the upper hand, 2D felt nothing but terror. In fact, he was screaming in fear the entire time. Something inside him didn't want to hurt Murdoc, but that was under layers of hurt, frustration and bitterness towards him.

Suddenly, Murdoc gasped and his body went limp. 2D froze, his hands shaking. Slowly, he removed his hands from the man's throat and stared worryingly.

"…M-Murdoc?" he squeaked, poking the man on the cheek. What had he done? He didn't want to kill him!

"Murdoc? Murdoc, I'm sorry!" 2D cried, putting his hands to his face. He had no idea what he was supposed to do! Suddenly, 2D shrieked as something grabbed his throat, shoving him backwards onto his back. Murdoc had jumped on top of him and started beating him relentlessly. 2D –losing all of his power- could only cry out in pain with each strike, feeling completely helpless. The pain was too much for him to cope with. He could only pray that it would end soon.

This lasted for over an hour until 2D, bruised and bleeding, staggered onto his feet, shaking terribly and whimpering. Hunched over, he looked up at Murdoc, who was still angry and panting.

"Try that again and worse will happen." He grumbled before storming past 2D, slamming the kitchen door as he went, leaving the young man alone in the dark room. Sniffing, he struggled up the stairs and collapsed onto his bed, clinging to his pillow for comfort, his whole frame still shaking terribly as foul memories pulsed through his head. The whole house was dark, the only light that came were from passing cars, their headlights streaking in and casting frightening shadows like monsters leaning over him. Shutting his sore eyes, 2D clung onto his pillow and curled up into a defensive ball until he eventually cried himself into a disturbed sleep. During this time, he hadn't noticed someone watching over him the entire time until he was asleep.

After a number of hours, 2d sighed as he woke up. His head hurt terribly and his whole body ached. Rolling onto his back, he stared at the ceiling, still upset. That attack shook him terribly. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't cope with this much longer… what was there to say that the next time Murdoc decides to attack him again, it wouldn't kill him? 2D sighed miserably, almost in tears again. He just wanted someone to come and tell him that everything was going to be ok. But who would waste their time doing that? He couldn't think of anyone. 2D whimpered and stared out of his window. He had to fight every fibre in his body not to jump out of that window and run away. Far away.

Then it hit him.

"…Paradise." 2D mumbled. That was all he could think of in that second. He couldn't stay here. So he had to find it. Wherever it was. But right now, he didn't care. His brows lowered in sudden determination. Without another thought, he flicked on his light and, throwing a suitcase onto his bed, quickly packed another pair of jeans, a few t-shirts and a jacket, before sneaking to the kitchen, thankfully empty, and took the two litre bottle of cola that was there, and some food. He tucked everything into his brown bag, and slowly unlocked the front door, pausing every few seconds, listening for anything.

Finally, he was outside. The cold night air nipped his cheek and the world was dim. He glanced up at the roof, seeing that Russel was lying on the roof of the hose, fast asleep. How he got to that size in the first place was beyond 2D, and he couldn't wrap his head around it. But he was asleep, that was the only thing he really wanted right now. The last thing he wanted to do was get caught. Though he trusted Russel much more than he ever would with Murdoc, he was not willing to take that chance. Throwing the bag over his shoulder, he let out a small sigh before starting to walk down the street.

"Stuart!"

"Gah!" 2D spun around with his hands in front of him, his heart racing. His look of terror suddenly changed to one of confusion.

"…Noodle?!"

The girl was standing under the spotlight from a street light, gripping onto the strap of a pink rucksack that was on her back. 2D's black eyes blinked in confusion.

"What are yew doing, hun?" he questioned.

"I'm coming with you." She answered bluntly, showing complete determination. The male cocked his head to one side.

"But how did you-?"

"I saw everything." She cut in, glaring at him. "I saw how badly he hurt you. I saw you cry. And I saw you packing. And I know what you are looking for." She let out a sigh as she looked at him in the dark. His mouth was slightly agape, processing what he had just heard, "Stuart, I don't want you to go out there alone."

2D furrowed his brows, rather surprised. Nobody had cared about his welfare in some time so this came as a bit of a shock. Looking down at the young woman, he sighed.

"Look… luv, I appreciate it 'n all, but this isn't going to be easy. And I don't want to drag you-"

"2D…" the female sighed, looking at him seriously "I'm twenty… I had been trapped in hell since I was fourteen. I think I can handle this…"

Well… he couldn't argue with that. After all of that, what else could this world throw at her? And he didn't feel comfortable leaving her behind with Murdoc. Even though he didn't treat her badly like he did with 2D, he knew that he would worry relentlessly if he had left her.

"...if you're sure, luv-"

"I'm certain!" and she stamped her foot once, indicting her stubbornness. Seeing that h couldn't answer back, 2D just shook his head with a soft smile.

"Well… come on, then." He smiled and took a few steps back, "Let's go and look for Paradise." And with that Noodle grinned at him as they started walking down the dark road together, leaving the street empty, with just the sound of Russel snoring to be heard.