Disclaimer: I don't own Gorillaz
Chapter Nine
Murdoc and Noodle sat across from each other in the hospital cafeteria. Noodle stared into her coffee cup, pretending not to be bothered by Murdoc's constant, unwavering stare. She knew he wanted to talk to her, the whole reason they were down there. Why wouldn't he just talk already?
Murdoc was having a hard time forcing the words he needed to say out of his mouth. He wasn't good at admitting he was wrong. Hell, he was downright horrible at it. It was a difficult pill to swallow to come out and say what he had always thought wouldn't happen. On top of that, the horrible smell from the kitchen was drifting to where they were sitting. It smelled like stale, rotted, damp string beans, to him. It was all he could do not to gag.
Finally, he cleared his throat, drawing Noodle's eyes up to him. "Mind if we… walk?" he asked, trying to hold his breath. Noodle shrugged and the two left the cafeteria, turning right and walking down the long hallway at a slow pace.
"Noodle…. Look… I know sorry isn't enough here, but I am." Murdoc blurted out. "It's hard for me to say that. I can't help feeling protective of you. I watched you grow up…. I still see you as an innocent ten year old."
Noodle sighed and glanced over at Murdoc. "I know. And I'm touched by that. But…. Murdoc… I'm grown up now. And there was nothing that you had to protect me from. But," she sighed. "I think maybe you beating 2D like that… might have been for the best. He might not have gotten his memory back."
"Russel explained to me what was going on. I didn't know you had had a crush on the faceache."
Noodle sighed. "Another reason I'm glad 2D got his memory back. I shouldn't have told him about it. Not when he couldn't remember anything. But it was being back at Kong…. So many nice memories." She smiled softly to herself and peacefulness took over her face. She stopped walking and turned to Murdoc, who stopped and looked at her. "Could we stay? At Kong?" she asked.
Murdoc smiled. He understood Noodle's sentiment, though he would never tell anyone that. Ever since they had left Kong all those years ago, he felt as though something was missing. Since being back, everything felt right again. It was like the good old days. Especially with 2D's memory being gone, he was like the old punching bag he used to be. Murdoc smiled and had to bite back a chuckle.
"Of course." He finally said to the expectant Noodle, and was met with a hug as Noodle leaped at him. Then, suddenly, she moved away and gave him a reproachful look.
"One more thing?"
"What?"
"Can you not beat up 2D anymore?"
"I can try." Murdoc promised, shrugging his shoulders.
Two Months Later
"NO, NO, NO! You stupid dunce! What part of three times don't you get?"
"I'm sorry, it just seems like it would sound better with four!"
Russel and Noodle exchanged a glance. Noodle rolled her eyes and Russel set down his drumsticks. Noodle took the guitar off her shoulder and placed it against the wall, leaning beside it. They watched the inevitable fight brewing between Murdoc and 2D.
"It doesn't matter what you think sounds better!" Murdoc growled, advancing toward 2D. "This is my band, my music, my song, my way!" He grabbed the front of 2D's shirt and yanked 2D almost right off his feet, his other hand balling into a fist.
2D flinched and squeezed his eyes shut, anticipating the punch, but it never came. He squinted his eyes open to see Noodle standing behind Murdoc, gripping his wrist, shaking her head.
Murdoc sighed and released 2D.
"Alright, let's take it from the stop."
Not two minutes had passed before….
"NO! YOU STUPID, USELESS DULLARD!"
2D tried to scramble away from Murdoc as he rushed toward him, arms outstretched, but hit the wall and had nowhere further to go.
Russel shook his head and Noodle crossed her arms and glared at Murdoc. However, she wasn't surprised that Murdoc hadn't kept his promise.
"Well, at least we know everything is back to normal." Russel muttered to Noodle, the old familiar sounds of 2D yelling and pleading mixed with the shouts and curses of Murdoc filling the room around them.
