I'd like to thank Blackheart Ace8, ElizabethTheWierd, fantasy-in-love, Murdoc's Mismatched Eyes (I'm glad you like it!), and the anonymous reviewer calling themselves Hi, for reviewing the last chapter.

Chapter 14

It was a night of new beginnings and celebration; the time when people made promises to themselves and others that would fall through after the first few weeks of January. The ground vibrated from the deep bass of a sound system and alcohol was free flowing all around. The original plan was to stay home and have a quiet New Year's Eve and celebrate in pajamas and drink champagne straight from the bottle. The plan had changed when the Gorillaz had booked themselves to promote a club and of course Murdoc had Missy in tow. Her plans always became twisted when it came to him, nothing stayed as she originally wanted it.

In the flashy bathroom statuesque woman primped themselves and fixed their running make up after sweating it off. The five two woman waited patiently after using the bathroom to get near a sink, but having no success from the massive amount of women checking themselves out. Left with no other choice she pushed herself through the crowd of sweaty bodies, receiving glares as she did so. Quickly lathering her hands, she risked a quick glance at the mirror. Her bangs were plastered to her forehead and she had sweat droplets on her nose. Looking back down she rinsed her hands and grabbed something to dry off with. The fiery redhead appeared from the crowd. Missy pulled her shirt down and tried to push her chest up even higher than what her push up bra did. She the tried pulling down the mini skirt she had on as she felt like she was flashing her bottom every time she quickly turned.

"How do I look?"

"You look slutty, but I'm sure Murdoc doesn't mind." Felicia grabbed a paper towel and blotted her face.

"I do appreciate your honesty." All she did was smile and apply lipstick back onto her bare lips. They left the bathroom together keeping to the buddy system that all females seem to share. The music was pumping in the air and the excitement of everyone dancing all around them was contagious. They laughed because they were happy and their feet moved to the beat because they couldn't help it. Dancing and moving towards the bar Felicia noticed her fickle friend 2D, it was too loud to talk so she just held onto Missy's arm and pulled her along.

"Where is everyone!" Felicia had to almost scream in his ear. Before the bathroom break everyone had been together, but now only one member of the group could be located.

"Russ went off with some girl and he went outside to call and check on Noodle. I can't say where Murdoc went. No idea." Missy took a seat so she could give her poor feet a break for dancing on the hard floor. She watched the pair cozy up to each other and move together.

"If you guys want to dance, go ahead! I'll wait for Murdoc here because God knows he likes to drink." The two nodded their heads and disappeared into the crowd. She sat there scanning the crowd for some time, occasionally catching glimpses of people she knew or of her dear friend making out with the blue haired singer while grinding to the music.

It took several rounds of searching the boisterous area before she caught sight of her elusive lover. It was only a moment before someone moved into her line of vision, but she saw him in a corner of the club talking to someone, a masculine figure. She jumped down from her seat and pushed people out of her path. No one really paid her any mind, she wasn't a threatening figure. Her arms wrapped around his waist but he twisted out of her grasp. He seemed irritated by her action. Frowning, Missy moved over to the side so she could see what was going on. Murdoc was handing the Hispanic man he was talking to a package and in turn the man grasped his hand and shook it. Something seemed shady about the situation.

"Pleasure doing business with you Mr. Niccals, the funds will be transferred into your account immediately." His dark eyes flickered over to Missy who was watching. "Everything will go according to plan; if not something might happen to her pretty face." Her eyes narrowed. What on Earth were they talking about? She looked over to Murdoc who looked grim. When she looked back at the unknown male he was gone.

"Who was that?"

"A business associate." He pulled at her arm trying to get her out of the shadows. He was lying and she knew it, leaving her wondering why he wouldn't tell her. Not wanting to cause a scene she went with it, but later she wanted to know the truth.

During the night Murdoc would sign autographs and pose in pictures for fans and fulfill other contractual obligations. Missy wasn't bothered when they were pressed close together and he pulled away to meet a fan, but it did bother her that the female fans would take the liberty to kiss him on the mouth or grab his butt. He was her boyfriend not Hugh Hefner nor was she a Playboy Bunny willing to share with any woman he came across. The night was more about work than it was about play. The brunette located her best friend and danced with her leaving Murdoc to his own devices. The only problem with her new plan was that 2D was a lot more attentive to her friend than Murdoc was to her that evening. Felicia kept stealing kisses from him and making flirty eyes. The night had ceased to be fun and had lost its original appeal. She lost herself in the crowd and started walking to the door every once in a while being pushed off balance by some one falling over themselves because they had too much too drink.

Missy got in her car reminding herself to send Felicia a message later that she had taken it to go home so she wouldn't think that they had been car jacked. She put the keys in the ignition and drove home, not caring that her boyfriend was still inside probably getting cozy with a fan or two. Her newest plan was to go home and sleep through the New Year. The flat was dark and quiet when she walked in, but she walked straight on to her room, kicking off her heels as she did so. Next she tore off her clothing and put on sweat pants and a tank top. It was weird to hear parties going on in other buildings while she was alone. Crawling into bed her cell phone started going off.

"Mom?" It was quiet on both ends. Missy's parents were quiet people until they were riled up.

"Happy New Year honey, how are you?" It was comforting to hear her voice, even though the last time they talked it was about her practical nudity in the gossip columns.

"I miss you." She talked quietly because if she talked in her normal tone it would've been too brash for her ears.

"I miss you too and so does your father. We wish you didn't move so far away." Missy exhaled.

"I know, but I wanted to do this and it's been good for me. This really grew me up." She huddled under her covers. "How many more hours until midnight for you guys?" Her mom laughed.

"About six hours, so we have awhile." The conversation turned somewhat serious. "Are you sad because of your boyfriend?" Picking at a thread on her shirt she contemplated her answer.

"Sort of; he's just got me upset tonight is all, but I really do miss you guys." She could hear her mom sigh through the phone. Her daughters' sadness was evident through the phone

"Missy, he's almost as old as your father. Where did you meet this guy anyway?"

"At a bar." The best place to catch a caliber man. Then she said what really was concerning her.

"What about the papers saying he's a Satanist?" She hated explaining her boyfriend to her mother.

"I think he's kind of let that go. We haven't really talked about that much." There was no harm in not telling her mother the whole truth.

"Is he a gentleman?" That was code for 'Have you had sex yet?'

"Mom, he's fine. He's nice and he treats me great." Except for tonight at least. A pause hung in the conversation.

"I just worry about you. You're still my daughter no matter where you are and how old you get." Warmth filled her heart.

"I love you too Mom." Feeling suddenly tired she started getting off the phone.

"Have a wonderful New Year Mom. Tell Dad I love him."

"I love you Missy. Be good and behave yourself." The phone went dead and she snapped her phone shut.

As much as she missed her family and wanted to go back to be smothered with love, she couldn't. There was so much that Missy had invested in her new life and to pull out now would be a big let down. Her dancing career was going well, but that wouldn't last forever. A broken foot or a snapped tendon could put her out of commission and eventually as she got older it would be harder to put her body through the same things she did when she first started. Already her joints popped and clicked when she moved, but the wear and tear of her bones and muscles hadn't started to affect her yet.

She started thinking about her relationship with Murdoc. At first it had started out as a rapturous fling, but it quickly turned into something more. The age difference didn't disturb her, but that was probably due to his virility. His past was a large mystery to her and he never divulged more than he had to. He also didn't ask much about her past, perhaps because he knew that her parents were already worried about their innocent daughter dating a rock star.

Her thoughts drifted to the club full of people that she left. There was no doubt that Murdoc would be furious with her, but she felt justified in leaving. Obviously he didn't think of her enough to fend off the preying women. Jealousy coursed through her like wildfire. Closing her eyes she pleaded with herself to sleep, but that always makes it harder to. Missy tossed and turned, tangling herself in her bed sheets. Maybe there was some truth in the old adage 'Never go to sleep angry.' She was restless so she started staring down her alarm clock. The bright numbers read two in the morning. Rolling over on her back she wondered if Murdoc had noticed if she was even gone. Perhaps they weren't as serious as she thought. Her eyelids slowly closed and her muscles relaxed. Her breathing started to get deeper indicating she had finally reached dreamland.

In the morning the suns' rays woke Missy up. Inching over she grabbed her cell phone and flipped it open. Somewhat surprised she had a list of missed phone calls from Murdoc and Felicia, but she deleted them without listening to their messages. Putting her feet onto the floor, she dragged herself out of bed and went into the kitchen to throw on a pot of coffee. Waiting on that, Missy walked to Felicia's room and poked her head in to see if she had made it home last night. The smell of vomit welcomed her as she opened the door making her clasp her close in disgust. Daring to venture further she saw 2D lying bare-chested in bed. His arm was thrown over his face covering his eyes. The sound of Felicia's toilet flushing was loud in the silent flat. The redhead walked out of her tiny bathroom wiping her mouth on the back of her hand. She looked a little worse for wear; there were dark circles under her eyes and she was standing there in her bra and panties.

"Rough Night?" Felicia just nodded at the brunette. "There's coffee in the kitchen if you want some." The hung over girl pushed past her to go to the kitchen. Missy followed her to make herself a cup for herself. The fixed their cups in silence due to Felicia looking like she might projectile vomit at any moment. They both walked to the living room and sat on the couch. Missy flipped on the television for some background noise.

"Why did you leave last night?" She sipped carefully at her hot drink.

"I wanted to leave; Murdoc was pissing me off, but I'm sure he didn't have a problem replacing me once I left." The comment was heated. There was a clinking noise coming from the cabinets. Without turning around Felicia said, "Coffee cups are on the top shelf." A soft 'thanks' came from the kitchen. 2D walked into the living room in just his jeans. He plopped down on the couch.

"Murdoc was furious when he found out you were gone." Felicia continued their discussion. "You should've picked up your phone. He was throwing shot glasses and picking fights with people, it was like he lost his mind."

Missy sat her drink down. "How is it that I'm in the wrong when he was the one being a jackass?"

"That's how Murdoc is." She was surprised when she heard the singer say that. He set his cup in his lap. "He's a selfish bloke if you haven't figured that out yet." Even though she was mad at Murdoc, she didn't want anyone else bad mouthing him.

"You have much experience with that?" She retorted. Sensing the situation was getting tense he lowered his voice.

"Yeah, I do." He got up to put his cup in the sink." I had this girlfriend about five years ago and we got on great. She was even going to be in the band with me 'cause she could play the guitar. When we all moved into Kong Studios that's when things got sticky, she was always flirting and other things I didn't like, but she swore up and down she never cheated on me. Then comes the day that I find my girlfriend in a bathroom stall with Murdoc. Tore my heart out it did. Later Murdoc kicked her out of the band and told me that she would've brought all of down. Now tell me that's not selfish." He had come back to the living room and sat next to Felicia. She was rubbing his leg comfortingly. Missy sat in shock trying to absorb all the new information. How could the man she loved be so cruel? It was unfathomable.

2D broke the silence. "I'm going to jump in the shower." He kissed Felicia's cheek and got up, leaving the girls alone. Missy looked at her friend.

"Did you know?"

"He told me when we first started hanging out. He said he didn't want to hold on to any emotional baggage, so I've known for awhile." Missy was taken aback.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"It's not my story to tell. Besides, would you have believed me if I told you what your boyfriend had done?" If she had been told she probably wouldn't have her friend. Now knowing what he was capable of made her blood run cold. Standing up she grabbed a pair of boots and a jacket and threw them on. She didn't bother to change out of her sweats.

"I'm leaving. I don't know when I'll be back." She slammed the front door shut. Her destination was Kong Studios.

Her little fists banged on the Winnebago door.

"Open this damn door or I'll break it down!" She kept pounding and making a racket until the door slammed open. Cortes flew out cawing.

"Have you gone bloody mental?" Murdoc was holding his head; Missy's banging reverberating through his skull. She got in his face.

"We need to talk." She pushed passed him. He already didn't like where this was heading. Murdoc shut the door and headed for the aspirin. He swallowed the pills dry and looked at his pissed off girlfriend.

"What is your problem? Why did you leave last night?" Her eyes got hard.

"My problem? You're the one making out with those sluts you call fans!" She shrieked. He didn't say anything. "I can forgive many things, but you're starting to push me over the edge!" Missy started stabbing him in the chest with her finger. He grabbed her wrists and held them over her head. She continued on. "Why are you keeping secrets from me? I'm starting to feel like I don't know you at all!"

Murdoc snarled in her face "I've done a lot of bad things to a lot of people and I don't regret it."

Her voice dropped dangerously low. "Like you've done to 2D?" He dropped her wrists.

"You don't know anything."

His response infuriated her. "You slept with his girlfriend and he caught you in the act! You aren't sorry for that?"

Murdoc raised his voice to match hers. "It was for his own good and if it wasn't with me then it would've been numerous others."

"So you sleep with her under the guise that you were doing a noble deed? Do you need a pat on the back for your civil service? What you did was wrong Murdoc." He gave her a look that froze her to her spot.

"I've never done you wrong and you stand there like I've killed your mum." He started puffing on a cigarette. Missy had grown tired of skirting around the real issue.

"I'm your girlfriend and yet you never tell me anything. I know next to nothing about your life before the Gorillaz and lately you've been taking calls at all hours of the night and disappearing and reappearing with no explanation. I want to know what's going on Murdoc. Don't leave me in the dark." Her voice was almost pleading with him.

He sat down. "I don't tell you a lot of things so I can keep you safe." That alarmed Missy.

"What do you have to keep me safe from?" At that moment his phone started to ring. He took the call, getting up and trying to get out of Missy's earshot. The conversation was brief, but something was said to set him off.

"Leave now." It was a command.

"Was it your friend from last night?" She inquired.

He ran his hand over his face. "Just go before I remove you myself." Missy got up feeling defeated. Without another word she walked out and slammed the door.