Oh! I do hope this will make up for my prolonged absences!

This took me a couple of hours to write, and it's probably the longest chapter I've ever written!

10 pages in word! WOW!

I really really REALLY hope you like this and don't hate me for writing it!

Cos I really worked hard on it, I just wanted you all to know that!

And I would really appreciate feedback!! A lot!

Thanks to those of you who have already reviewed! You're all awesome!!

And expect at least one or two more chapters on this story...perhaps more!!

Without further ado, the chapter!!!

Chapter 21: This comes as no surprise

When the newly reunited band returned to Kong, they had a surprise waiting for them.

"Russel! 2D! Murdoc!" an exuberant, fresh-looking Velvet gushed. She eyed Noodle warily.

"I'm sorry I treated you the way I did before, Velvet. I am so sorry." Noodle apologized, regret heavy in her voice. Immediately, Velvet beamed at her, flicking freshly coloured and layered, auburn hair over her shoulder and pulling Noodle in for a friendly, forgiving hug.

"It's okay, Noodle! I was just hoping you would apologize eventually!" She frowned. "No, wait, I meant, I thought you would. I thought you would. You are not the sort of person who would not apologize." She smiled charmingly. Noodle absentmindedly rested her head on Velvet's shoulder, comfortable in the warm embrace for some reason.

Velvet was magical, it seemed. The way she smiled, those strange eyes. Everything about her made one feel perfectly comfortable, and at home. She was a soothing soul.

Velvet gently drew away, and Noodle let her, her eyes closed, she felt safe and warm. The effects of the embrace still lingered on the small, Japanese woman. Noodle opened her eyes to see Velvet's amber-flecked violet orbs were fixed on her, filled with concern.

"Are you all right, dear?" she asked softly. Noodle quickly nodded.

"Yes, yes. I'm just a bit—emotionally, physically exhausted."

"Oh, of course." Velvet nodded, not seeing Robert, so she quickly made the connection in her head. "I understand. You don' need ta tell me." She said before Noodle could respond.

Velvet then went on to hug 2D, quickly, and then she slapped Murdoc on the back lightly, though he attempted a hug. She wrinkled her nose at the attempt, shaking her head. Then, she gave Russ a huge, loving hug. "I missed you." She whispered in his ear. "And I know you missed me too." Then, conscious of the others still in the room, she drew away and nodded toward the kitchen.

"We can talk in there." She stated quickly. "Well, you guys can. I'll just go to bed. I'm rather exhausted." She lied. Russ shook his head and grasped her hand before she could escape.

"No, you can stay up with us. You live here, you're a part of us, Velvet."

"Oh?" Velvet perked an eyebrow. "Well, I can't argue with that very well, now can I?" she grinned. Then, she walked with Russ and the other band members to the kitchen, dropping Russ's hand to quickly hug 2D again, tightly, before sitting down.

"I'm so glad you're all right now, 2D."

"Yeah, 'm too." He replied softly, squeezing her tight.

"And I wanted to thank you again for saving me all that time ago." She reminded.

"It wos no problem, Velvet." He told her, mussing her hair in brother-like affection. Russ chuckled at the exchange and beckoned Velvet to sit beside him. Of course, she needed no cue, and she sat in the empty seat beside him.

"So, Noodle, are you going to be all right?" Russ asked with concern.

"O' course she'll be awright, Lards! Why d'ya fink she came back? T'sob e'ry ten minutes about 'ow that asshole cheated on 'er? Course not! Righ', Noods?"

"Of course, Murdoc. I'm done with him. Oh—I'm going to put Ollie and Danny to bed. They're out in the play pen."

"I'll go with you." Velvet offered. Noodle nodded and smiled softly.

"Thank you, Velvet." Noodle nodded, and went with Velvet to the twins' playpen. Noodle quickly scooped up Danny, and Velvet took Ollie.

"Mommy?" they asked sleepily. She nodded gently, smiling.

"I love you, Mommy." Danny whispered. Ollie yawned, resting his head on Velvet's shoulder and falling asleep before they made it to their room and their beds.

Danny did not want to let go of his mother, but he was so tired that he let himself be placed in bed, the covers drawn to his chin. Noodle planted a loving kiss on his warm forehead, and he smiled happily before falling asleep. She then went to Ollie, who Velvet had already placed in bed. She kissed him on the forehead like she had done with Danny, and he too smiled in his dreams happily.

The twins were like their father in that regard. They were so quick to forgive, and accept. Noodle was grateful for that, and hoped the nature would carry on for most of their young lives. As long as it was not to the point of 2D's naivety, they would be safe, she decided. Of course, they would have their mother's good sense combined with 2D's traits.

Once the twins were safely sleeping, Velvet and Noodle began to slowly walk back to the kitchen.

"Oh, Noodle…" Velvet began, her voice soft. "You've been through so much."

Noodle looked at Velvet in surprise. A sympathetic voice? One that was for her cause?

"The others may not see it, but you have had a lot of stress. The stress that goes with being a part of this." She frowned, phrasing the words in her head. "It is so hard to go through all of the things I believe you have gone through." She sighed lightly. "Especially Robert."

"Robert? You—know? How?"

"Oh…" Velvet turned her magical, now saddened, eyes down. "I didn't want to have to tell you this, but I think you should know at least part of my story." She looked very sad at that point, as though tears might free themselves from her marvelous, shining eyes. Those eyes that had, perhaps, seen a bit too much.

"I used to be engaged to Robert, myself." She began, gauging Noodle's response before continuing. The girl was calm, her body steady. She nodded at Velvet, cuing her to continue.

"He—he ruined my life. I didn't know—I didn't know that this would happen. I thought perhaps he would change for you! But—I guess I was wrong." A tear slipped from her eye. Noodle was quick to wipe it away, stopping in the hall, grasping Velvet's hand and squeezing gently.

"Velvet, that does not matter! I do not wish to hear about what happened with me! I do not even want to know how you knew that! I would rather hear what happened to you—as long as you are comfortable…and I hope you are. Telling someone will help you to…"

"I know, Noodle. I'm sorry. I'm so overcome by this." She paused, inhaling deeply.

"It all started when I was…18." She began again.

&&&&&&&&&

I was standing outside, waiting for a taxi. It must have been two or three o' clock in the afternoon, and I had been up for over twenty-four hours. I must have looked a sight. I was trying to get home, this was after a long day of photo shoots and such—I used to do some small-scale modeling. It was good money, and easy, too.

I was standing there, and a taxi pulled up. I started to get in, but as I did, a man, Robert, also tried to get in. I looked up in surprise. My first thought was "This is romantic…" but in a scoffing sort of way.

"You can have the cab," He said. I shook my head.

"You take it." I told him. My eyelids were beginning to droop at that point. He got in, and grasped my hand, pulling me in as well.

"We'll just share this one. I hope that's all right—Miss—"

"Velvet, my name is Velvet."

"Miss Velvet." He nodded, still holding onto my hand. I blushed at that, though I'm not sure why. He was well dressed, wearing a sharp, gray suit, and a light blue tie. He was also clean-shaven, and his hair was freshly cut. I was rather impressed by all of this. I was also surprised that he had offered to share a cab with someone like me, who looked as though she had been through hell.

Well, apparently that was only my opinion, because he constantly told me how beautiful I looked. I just rolled my eyes and let it be known that I had been up so long, my appearance had to be awful.

"No." He told me. "You look absolutely ravishing, my dear."

God, he spoke so charmingly. He ended up being anything but.

He used me for my body, my devotion, loyalty, and my money.

And when he was through with me, he decided it would be right to strip me of my wealth and my status.

I called my agency, looking for work because I had been having a dry spell, and they turned me down.

"I was wondering if you had any work for me…"

"No, we're sorry, Velvet, dear. Every one is booked solid!" the receptionist told me. Every time I called, it was the same thing, until finally I weaseled an answer out of one of them.

"Velvet, please, stop calling us. We can't give you work."

"Why not?"

"I would really rather not tell you." She replied softly, meekly.

"I have to know. I can't stand this anymore! I am about to lose my house; they'll throw me in the streets! For what petty reason are you not shooting me?"

"There are rumours about you, Velvet."

Rumours? That was about the craziest thing I had ever heard.

"And we've also checked all of your bank accounts, and house funds…you're broke, Velvet. You've been broke for so long."

"How long? Tell me, I have to know!" I begged. She sighed deeply.

"Since you broke things off with Robert."

I sank to the floor. "Thanks." I said dryly, and hung up. He had been the cause. I had been so in love, or so I thought, that I had given him everything. My body, my heart, my bank account numbers, all of the important things. That was my biggest mistake.

I feel so stupid for all of that. I cannot believe how naïve I was.

The break off was what crushed me the most.

This came right after we had finished making love, and we were lying in bed, talking about how in love we were.

"I love you so much, Robert." I whispered against his chest.

"Yeah."

"Don't you love me too?" I asked softly, earnestly, looking into his eyes.

"Yeah…" he trailed off, and I pouted.

"But you never say it anymore." I sighed. "You only say it before we have sex, or during. But never after. Never any other time."

"So?"

"Well, I like to hear it other times. Not those times. It makes me feel worthless."

"You are worthless." He muttered, almost inaudibly, but I had heard. I am quite good at hearing quiet mutterings.

"Excuse me?" I was sitting up then. "I'm worthless? That's not what you were saying two years ago! That's not what you said when you asked me to marry you! How can I be worthless? You called me your everything!"

"Yeah, well, I lied. So what?"

"So what? So what?! How can you pass that off!! How can you pretend you don't care, you never cared? I know you did at one point!" I cried, angrily.

"Well, I don't care. I don't fucking care about your skanky ass."

I was so upset, I could barely talk.

"How long?"

"Since before I asked you to marry me."

"Why then? Why did you ask me?"

"Because. You told me you were pregnant."

I practically growled at him then. I was pregnant, indeed, but that was a lame reason. Just because I was pregnant did not mean I wanted a husband, and certainly not the likes of him.

"That's horrible, Robert." I managed to get out.

"Yeah? Well, you know how many fucking people do that?"

"I don't care. You should only marry someone you love! No one values that! No one ever has!" I cried, my face burning.

"Well, we're still getting married."

"No. I don't think so."

"Why not? Why the fuck not?"

"I don't love you." I lied. I did still love him, but the feeling was dying. Shriveling, lessening. I was beginning to hate him. "I don't love the person I'm suddenly learning you are." I told him, got out of the bed, and began to dress.

I pulled on my underwear.

"Please, baby, don't go." He placed a hand on my wrist. I pulled away.

"Don't touch me."

I pulled on my jeans next, fastening my bra after they were securely zipped, buttoned, and belted.

"I love you, Velvet, I want you! Only you!" he begged, trying to encircle my waist with his hands.

"It's too late, Robert." I told him dismissively, trying to find my shirt. I reached under the bed, and quickly pulled it on.

"I really do love you, Velvet. I want to grow old with you."

I pulled on my socks, tied my shoes, and pulled on my jacket.

"Shut the hell up." I demanded.

"FUCK YOU! I try to tell you I love you! I try to make you believe I'm serious, I want you back, and you come back at me with ice! What the fuck is your problem? I love you!!"

"SHUT UP!" I screamed in return. "I don't want to hear your fucking lies!!" I cried.

He was beginning to shake in fury, his face reddening.

"Bitch!" he muttered angrily.

I rolled my eyes and tried to leave.

"I'm not through with you!" he grabbed my wrist roughly, yanking me back brutally. He hit my cheek with his open hand, as hard as he could. I almost felt it crack, but luckily the cheekbone didn't give. He fell to punching me, but he only did three or four times.

I managed to knee him hard in the stomach before I fell to the ground, my eyes burning. I finally fled from the place, unfortunately he had been staying at my place, and he would not leave for two weeks. I had to stay at a friend's place while I had the police and my lawyers sort everything out for me. I had to get surgery on my nose because he broke it with his punch. That punch was such horrible pain.

After that incident, he proceeded to make my life miserable. That is why I was out on the road that day. I had no place to live, I'd been evicted, and my spirit stomped upon. I'm lucky that 2D is such a kind soul.

Not too long after that break-up, maybe a few months, he met you—wherever you were vacationed at. It may have even been before then. We're both best shot of him.

&&&&&

Velvet leaned back, sighing.

Noodle gazed at her with new eyes, admiration in them. Here was a beautiful woman who had been through so much.

"You are so brave." Noodle told her, voice soft with awe.

"I had to be. I would have died otherwise." She looked so incredibly sad that Noodle reached out and hugged her tightly, and Velvet couldn't help sobbing softly, but the tears were quickly eased by the comfort of the embrace.

"Thank you, Noodle. You are tough, and brave, also. To live the way you do—oh, I'm surprised you've kept your sanity, my dear."

"I do have a question, though."

"Yes?"

"What happened to the kid?"

"What kid?"

"You said you had been pregnant, with Robert's child."

"Oh." Velvet's face fell. "She lives with her father."

"She? Does she have a name? Why did you give her up?"

"Anne Marie. I didn't give her up. She was forced from me because of my desperate situation. Robert wanted her so badly he made sure I was pushed to the bottom of the pyramid, so to speak, and once that was assured, he grasped her easily. He even renamed her."

"What was her name to begin with?"

"Kira Raye."

"I like that better."

"I do too. And if I ever have another child, I will name her that." Velvet smiled. "We had best return to the kitchen. That was a long story, and I am sure they are worried for us." She said softly. "But we can just say we read the boys a bunch of stories because they did not want to sleep."

"Yes, that sounds right." Noodle smiled and followed Velvet. They silently took their places.

"Wot 'appened tha' took ya birds so long?" Murdoc asked.

"Uh, Daniel and Oliver wanted to hear a bunch of stories. They would not sleep until we read almost every one we own!" Noodle exclaimed in a mock-exasperated tone.

Velvet leaned back in her chair, looking utterly exhausted.

"Maybe you should go to bed, you look beat, Velvet." Russ stated, pulling her gently into his arms. She shook her head.

"No, I'll wait for you. I'm not too tired yet, Russ." She told him. He nodded.

"Noodle, you gonna be awright, then?" 2D asked softly.

"Yes, 2D. Of course I will. Velvet gave me some advice that will help me for a very long time. Thank you so very much, Velvet."

"My pleasure, Noodle, dear."

"Wot advice didja give 'er, Velvet, love?" Murdoc asked curiously.

"Strictly girl-to-girl advice. It would make you sick to think about it."

"Wot? No it wouldn'!" Murdoc protested. Velvet rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Leave it be, Murdoc." Russ stated in a decisive, knowing voice. Noodle looked from him to her, and Velvet nodded to indicate that Russ did, indeed, know the same story that Noodle had been told. Only, she had told him after everything had happened. It had been a very hard phone call for her to make.

"So, are we gonna play again?" Russ asked in a serious tone.

"I would love that!" Noodle grinned.

Velvet rolled her eyes, and Noodle caught this.

"What?" Noodle asked curiously.

"Noodle, she don' like our band." 2D informed quickly. Up until then, this had been a secret. Thrown into the open, Russ and Murdoc were shocked. It did not bother Noodle, as she had made a new friend. But Russ and Murdoc were overcome.

"WOT?" Murdoc's eyes jumped to twice their normal size.

"But ya liked the music I had you listen to." Russ was perplexed.

"Sorry, I just—don't really like your band. You're all right as people though."

Murdoc groaned. "This is terrible! We can' 'ave a girl 'oo 'ates our band livin' wif us!" he shook his head. Russ had recovered from his shock quickly.

"Murdoc, she's staying." He stated in that same decisive tone, as if to say 'End of story.'

"But—but!" Murdoc whined, his jaw flapping like a fish on a dry dock.

"Your opinion is not valid." Russ glowered at the Satanist.

"Fine. She stays."

Chii! Thanks for reading!! So much!

Review would be loved!!!

Again, thank you from the bottom of my cold heart!!