Chapter Nine
There was something to be said about seven thousand screaming fans in one facility. Hailey took her seat at the front row, staring around her in amazement. Nobody else knew this, but she had never been to a concert before. She had always wanted to go, but usually by the time she heard about them, the tickets were sold out. She had missed out on everything from Avenged Sevenfold to Ozzy Osbourne.
The floor seats around her were filled with some of the more die hard fans of the group. Many of them were in various nautical costumes of some sort. Suddenly, she felt like the odd one out, the only one dressed normally amidst a sea of freaks. Here she was dressed in a plain sweater, jeans and her boots with her hair pinned back, and everywhere she turned she saw sailor outfits, yacht caps, pirate hats, et-cetera.
Other than the brief conversation with Alicia as she got ready for the concert, they had barely spoken. It did seem that Alicia did feel horrible for their exchange and what had followed, but Hailey didn't want to give the woman the satisfaction of her forgiveness. So what if she liked things that the blond didn't? And how dare she claim that it was due to her childhood? Hailey didn't believe that one bit. She liked it rough, end of story. Lots of people did. She was probably just one of the few that wasn't afraid to admit it.
Jason had been smart and kept out of it. He remained on the sidelines, merely watching their friendship fall apart. Good move on his part. Chances were, she would have let loose on him as well if he had tried to get involved. It was between her and Alicia.
Hailey tried to keep her mind on what was happening around her. The lights were dimming. Show was about to start. A massive roar erupted around her as 2D stumbled out, gazing out at the crowd with wide black eyes. He smiled meekly at the crowd before him, grabbing the microphone and tapping at it with his fingers. "Hullo...? Can you hear me?"
A chorus of screams broke from the crowd.
Other members of the band were coming out. Hailey recognized the two members of The Clash, along with Noodle, and some other musicians she couldn't quite place. Murdoc stood just off at the far right of the stage, pulling the strap to his guitar over his shoulders and plucking at it. Paul Simonon was adjusting some of the strings on his guitar. Noodle just stood there, her eyes hidden beneath her thick cut bangs, guitar hanging from her tiny shoulders.
They broke into their fist song, everyone working as one. Some of their older songs, some of their newer songs. Hailey felt her entire frame vibrate as both Paul and Murdoc worked their guitars hard. Now this was something to behold. She was seated so close, every note seemed to ripple through her body. It felt good. It felt fucking great. Christ, she was certain she had just creamed her friggin' panties and she didn't have to do a damned thing.
Their final song was the first song that brought them smashing through the US charts, Clint Eastwood. Hailey remembered when she had first heard that song. Yeah, listening to some random thing on the radio has nothing on a live show, that was for sure. She was hooked.
It ended too quickly. She sat there, clawing at her seat, mouth almost watering, as the arena began to light up more and the band began to trickle backstage. The crowd was on their feet, moving as one. It was time to go already? Had it really been three hours?
She got to her feet slowly, looking around. She had the backstage pass, but who exactly was she supposed to show it to anyways? She glanced around, scanning over the three stage hands and two security guards that kept the crowd from trying to slip through to the backstage area. Should she show her pass to one of them?
One of the security guards was looking her over hard. Part of her wondered if it was because she looked entirely too normal in the crowd. As she moved along, he reached out, gently grabbing her shoulder. "Are you Hailey Wilson?" he asked.
"That would be me," she said, flashing a smile.
"You've been requested backstage, sweetie," he said, smiling back.
She took in the security guards size. He was rather large. And as he gestured for her to follow, she dully noted that he walked with long strides, which seemed almost impossible given his enormous size. She realized that some of the crowd was staring at her as she was led through the maze of equipment and through and the curtain that led backstage.
"How did you know which one would be me?" she asked, panting to keep up behind him.
"I really didn't," he called back over his shoulder. "But Niccals said you would be the most normal looking person in the front." A small chuckle erupted from the large man.
Hailey found herself smirking. Of course, she thought. She trailed behind the man, trying to pay attention to the various turns and doorways they were taking. The big man finally stopped just outside a massive set of double doors, rapping against them softly.
Numerous voices came from the other side. Laughter. Footsteps. One of the doors opened, revealing the man Hailey recognized as Paul. His gaze fell onto the petite brunette who stood next to the enormous guard. "Hey, lookit you there," he chuckled. "You must be the Hailey girl that ol' Muds has mentioned."
Hailey nodded slowly, unsure how to respond. She was standing before a member of one of her favorite bands. Granted, she had been a child during their hey-day, but still. She had several of their albums. From behind Paul, Murdoc could be heard from within the room. "Where are your manners, Paul? Let her in."
Hailey stepped into the spacious room, noting that nearly all the musicians had gathered there. A big man that Hailey recognized as the drummer was seated on the far end of a sofa, flanked by 2D. The Clash's other guitarist, Mick, was sitting on the other end, Murdoc was actually perched at the top of the couch, Noodle was leaning against a wall just watching everything with what looked to be a somewhat bored expression on her face. A low haze hung in the room and Hailey recognized the smell of pot. Murdoc held the little joint in between his fingers, watching her with a smile. Hopping from his little perch, landing soundlessly, he handed the joint to Mick and made his way over to her. "You made it at last," he chuckled, throwing his arms around her shoulders.
"I told you I would," she said, trying not to think about the numerous eyes that were watching them. Motioning her forward, he led her to a smaller sofa and pulled her down to sit. His arm moved to around her waist, fingers playing with a loose thread on her sweater, every so often grazing bare skin.
Murdoc gestured around the room. "This here is the band, love," he chuckled. "The lump on the couch over there is our drummer, Cass, you probably recognize Mick and Paul, you know the face-ache, you know Noodle, an' over there at the mini-bar is Rosie Watson."
The joint came back around, Murdoc taking a small drag from it, now looking at Hailey and holding the joint out to her. It was tempting, oh so tempting. She stared at it with eager eyes, but slowly shook her head. "No thanks. I'm good."
"Suit yourself," he wheezed, smoking slowly coming out of his mouth.
Some of the other musicians were hunkered over something that Hailey realized was either coke or some other powdered drug. Was this how they relaxed after shows? Hang out in cold and windowless rooms, getting high? She wasn't unfamiliar with the drug, but it was not something she preferred.
Murdoc seemed to sense her discomfort, his arm tightening a bit around her waist. "Dun' worry, we'll be outa here soon 'nough," he whispered.
A few of the other musicians were watching them with curious looks. Hailey didn't like being the focus of everyone's attention. Occasional distraction as Murdoc pressed his head into her shoulder or gave her a squeeze with his arm.
Paul dropped down into one of the plush chairs. "So, Hailey, how did you hook up with this fool an'ways?"
"I...err...I...met him at a club that me and my roomie frequent," she muttered in a low voice. "He bought me a drink."
"You finally decided to get out an' 'bout, Niccals?" Mick laughed. Still chuckling, he looked over at Hailey. "This tosser rarely ever went out! Always hidin' in his hotel room. We were startin' t' think that maybe he and D here were a couple."
The whole room erupted into hysterical laughter. The only ones not laughing were 2D and Murdoc, who were looking just a little irritated. Hailey smirked, but was able to stifle the laughter. "I doubt that," she snickered. "Unless he's bi or something?" 2D flashed her a hard look and even Murdoc was looking at her with narrow eyes. Everyone else was laughing so hard, some even had tears in their eyes. She flashed a crooked grin, patting his leg. "I'm playing," she assured him. "Don't get your undies in a twist, alright?"
More talk, more laughter, 2D even snickering occasionally to some joke or crack. Murdoc watched everything around him with glassy and bloodshot eyes. With no clock in the room, time seemed completely lost to Hailey. The man identified as Cass was taking random pictures with his cell phone, Hailey only realizing he had taken a picture of the two of them after the flash had about blinded her. Rosie was sweet and kind, almost out of place in the room full of stoned, drunk and spun out older musicians.
Finally, Murdoc was ushering Hailey, 2D and Noodle out of the room and mentioning something about going back to the hotel. 2D clearly wanted to stay, but Noodle grabbed his arm and tugged him along without even looking at him.
2D shot Hailey a fearful look as Noodle shoved him through the door to his room, Murdoc fumbling with the little key-card to his room right next door. Hailey realized that she hadn't been in the room since the first night she had met him. Inside was messy, but there was a warm and cozy feel to it. The smell of leather, cigarettes and the faint hint of cologne lingered in the spacious suite.
Murdoc was already at the little mini-fridge, pulling out a bottle of what she recognized as rum, fixing a couple of drinks. "Did you have fun?" he asked, glancing at her over his shoulder.
"I did, actually," she said, still trying to take in the massive interior of the room.
"Good," he muttered, grabbing the drinks and gesturing for her to sit on the little two seater thing at the foot of the bed.
Hailey couldn't help but notice that he seemed a bit more anxious than before. Something working through his mind, almost distracting him. Sitting next to her, he flashing her a smile. They both sat there, sipping at their drinks in silence for a moment. "So...," she said in a low voice, "you leave tomorrow night, don't you?"
He nodded, staring at the glass in his hand. "Yeah...Pity I'm leavin'...I really had a good time here. You've been a breath of fresh air in all the chaos." A sigh escaped him, his gaze distant. "Look...I'm not good with this kinda stuff...But it's been eatin' at me for a few days now an' if I dun' ask now, I'll probably kick me-self in the arse for the rest of my days..."
She took a sip from the drink, wincing slightly at the burn. Alicia's words were echoing in her head.
What if he wants it to be something else?
No way, she thought. There's just no way. It's been – what – four days?
He tossed back about half his drink, grimacing slightly. He turned to look at her, a weird sheepish grin on his face. Everything was right there, at the tip of his tongue. Was it reason that was screaming at him to keep his trap shut or was it fear? He couldn't be certain anymore. He wasn't certain of a lot of things anymore. Telling her meant that the charade was shattered. Telling her meant that there was the very real possibility of her looking at him with fear and revulsion. "Err...I want you t' come back with me...," he muttered, trying to read her expression. It was hard to tell if what he had said was even registering with her. Her face was completely unreadable.
Hailey chewed at her lower lip, unsure of what to say. What was she supposed to say anyways? Didn't international travel take time? Not like she could leave with him tomorrow night. Passports, documentation and other crap like that took weeks, if not months, to prepare. She looked at her drink, watching the ice crack and melt against the alcohol. His hand was there, grabbing the drink and taking it from her hand and setting it down to the floor, other hand squeezing her leg. He was in front of her, pushing her back against the bed. Apparently, he wasn't waiting for a response, his mouth already on hers. She could feel him tugging at her jeans, unbuttoning them.
Burst of cool air as her jeans were pulled from her hips, down her legs and suddenly dropping to the floor. He slid down, mouth on her stomach, her hips, pausing long enough to nip at the protruding bones. Warm and wet feel of his tongue moving across her hipbones, inching downwards. She hadn't realized she was holding her breath until it escaped in a hiss when she felt the wet press of his tongue against her inner thigh.
2D looked at the wall directly behind him, frowning. Turning his attention back to the television, he grabbed the remote and clicked on it a few times, turning up the volume, hoping to eventually drown out the girl's moans. It figures, right? Whatever was going on through the walls, it was one sided. The only one he could hear was the girl.
He scooted closer to the foot of the bed, sitting cross-legged, occasionally shooting a glance over at the Cyborg, who was standing against the wall by the door, its arms folded across its chest. "Do you fink we could go t' the bar downstairs?" he asked, tugging at a loose thread on his jeans. "I dun' really feel comfortable overhearin' this."
The Cyborg's cold eyes shifted towards the wall and then back to 2D. "Master's orders were that you stay put and my orders were that I make you stay put."
2D cringed when Murdoc's voice accompanied the girl's. "I'll buy you a drink if you let us go down fere, love," he whispered.
"You know that such things are unnecessary for me," it said. "You are to stay in here and keep out of trouble. Master is occupied with the female."
"Yeah, no shit," he grumbled, flopping onto his stomach. "I can hear him." Frowning, he turned the volume up just a bit more. He figured that maybe he should consider himself fortunate. How often had he been kept awake by the man and his companions during their early years as a band? There was something a lot quieter about it this time around.
The Cyborg seemed to be taking in whatever it was hearing with a hint of curiosity. 2D knew that it had been progammed as a bodyguard for the bassist, able to detect the faintest threat. As it inched closer to the wall, he noted with a hint of panic that its hand was tensed over the gun holstered on its hip. It was studying the wall with narrow eyes.
2D yelped and scooted across the bed, falling off the edge and onto the floor. With a quickness that revealed how inhuman the thing was, it had yanked the gun from its holster and had it trained at the wall. "The female is a threat," it said in a matter of fact tone. "Master is injured!"
"No!" 2D cried out, scrambling across the bed to grab at the gun. "No, he's not injured! He's... he's..." His words trailed. What was he supposed to say? The man was getting his own? "Cyborg, he's fine!"
It stared at him, trying to register what it was hearing. "Not injured?"
2D couldn't help but bite his lip against the laughter. There was a fear at the same time. It would be his luck the damned machine decides to shoot the wall, killing the girl while the swine grunted over her, right? "Cyborg...err...Noodle, you're programmed to sense fings like body heat, pulse rate an' fings like that, right? Like you can tell if someone means to harm Murdoc?"
"That is correct," it said, still tensed by the wall, still trying to register what it was hearing.
"So, you can detect like hormones an' stuff?" He couldn't help but crack a smile. Was he really having some sort of sex-ed talk with this thing?
"That is correct," it said again. "I am programmed to detect any type of threat to Master. I can sense the threat before it happens."
"No, not freats," he said with a snicker. "Can you sense...err...pheromones?" That was the right word he was looking for, right?
"I do not understand," it said, holstering the gun finally.
Chewing his lower lip, he shot a glance at the wall again. "What do you sense when me or Murdoc are near a pretty girl?"
"I detect agitation and the desire to mate with the females," it said in a matter of fact tone.
"Yeah, summfink like fat," he snickered.
It kept glancing at the wall, most likely hearing a lot more than what 2D could hear. Its hand relaxed over the holstered weapon and it snapped it back down into place. An odd noise could be heard from within, and 2D was certain he had seen a flash of some kind in its eyes. It backed away from the wall, resuming its place by the door. "The master mates with the female," it said, crossing its arms across its chest. "He desires to reproduce with the female."
2D erupted into hysterical laughter, almost falling from the bed. "I seriously doubt that, love!" he giggled. "Especially wiff him!"
"The purpose of mating is reproduction," it said in a matter of fact tone.
"That may be so, but not wiff humans. Not all the time an'ways. An' most certainly not wiff him!" Stifling his giggles, he shot another glance over at the Cyborg. Another noise could be heard and this time it twitched slightly. "Cyborg, you a'right?" he asked. It didn't respond, still standing there. More noises could be heard. Electrical buzzing of sorts. Another twitch. "Err...Noodle?"
