Disclaimer: I do not own Gorillaz, only my characters Kate and Audrey and any other character I might think up

A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys, I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Sorry it's taken me so long to update, but I've been crazy busy and have been pooling ideas for the fic, but I promise this chapter will be worth the wait! Anyway, thanks again for all the reviews and enjoy!

Our group continues down the highway, tearing away the asphalt as these strange kids go on with the journey dictated by Fate. In light of a newly sparked friendship, our main girl will find she has more in common with the hair-brained lead singer. Soon, she will discover the Slow Country and that the Satan-loving bassist has a passion for something else than wreaking havoc…

"Why you goin' so slow-"

"Shut up, I'm driving-"

"Well, tha's all well n good, if you don' wanna get there in bloody two weeks-"

"Speaking of 'going', where in the hell are WE going?"

Murdoc cast Kate a withering look, but the girl had become accustomed to it and held her ground, throwing him back a look that could kill. He sneered, "We're tryin' to the next mall on tha list; that is, if SHE wants to get there on time-"

"Oh shut up Muds," said Audrey almost happily as she cruised down the highway steering with her right hand. Murdoc had taken his seat beside Noodle, still buried in her video game, sitting next to 2-D, who was still asleep. Russel was still in the front seat, only this time he had stopped strumming on the dashboard and was dozing slightly, having drawn the hood of his jacket. Kate was still in the backseat alone, but now she hung over the back of the middle seat, her head next to Noodle's and staring down Murdoc.

"So, what IS the next mall on the list?"

"Opry Mills, in Nashville. We've been, haven't we Kate?" answered Audrey.

Kate scowled and sat back in her seat, "Yeah…. Jeez, that's like a seventeen-hour drive! Ug, and we've only been on the road for about-"

"4 hours," piped in Noodle, not even blinking as she continued on with her game.

The girl sighed and laid her head back on the seat, "Why Opry Mills?"

"Major Malls- duh Kate. Besides, we need to get the south over with and there weren't any big ones from here to Nashville anyway. From there we go to Atlanta. We might stop off in Chattanooga- I Googled it and saw something about a big mall there. Claims to be the biggest mall in the southeast or something- anyway, we might check it out if we haven't had enough of Tennessee," said Audrey, sniggering slightly.

They drove on in silence. Kate stared up at the ceiling, her mind wondering well away from the car. She thought about many things. The girl was still dazed, still in a state of confusion and wonder. This place, this world, seemed so surreal, so far from reality. Kate was just a normal girl, a person that never had anything amazing happen to her. And here she was, on this crazy road trip with an absolutely ridiculous purpose, and her companions were the craziest and ... most endearing people in the world. Though she didn't show it, Kate was probably the happiest girl in the world. Despite the fact that everything didn't make sense anymore, that everything had been turned upside-down, Kate wouldn't have it any other way. There was no place in the world she would rather be then right there, at that very time.

Suddenly, Kate sat up, "Hey, Audrey, put on some music, this is boring."

Audrey glanced behind her, "I got nothin' Kate, you?"

Kate went down to rummage through her bag when 2-D suddenly jolted awake, knocking down the empty soda can from a few hours earlier. He looked around like he was lost, then suddenly remembered in was in the car and sighed, settling back down.

"Mornin' D," said Noodle cheerfully. He mumbled something inaudible and lit a cigarette. Kate suppressed a laugh as he took a long puff; 2-D had woken probably twice since the gas station, and every time he did there would be that strange exchange between Noodle and him. She'd tell him 'good morning', he'd mutter something, and then light a cigarette before falling back asleep. Kate thought is amusing and a bit endearing, that maybe perhaps that was their routine.

"Terrible habit," he said suddenly as he lit a second cigarette, "Don't ever let me catch you near these things," he said, looking at Kate and waving a finger, "Or I'll cuff you meself."

She laughed and stuck her tongue out as he gave her a smirk and turned back around, and plopped an arm around Noodle's shoulders. She ignored him, continuing her game, as he did her, continuing his smoke. They drove on, Kate returning to rummage through her cds, trying to pick one that everyone would like. Suddenly, ecstasy ran over Kate and her ears barely touched on a sound that was as light as clouds- 2-D was humming.

Kate stopped dead and listened, straining with all her body until it ached, trying to hear more of the music issuing from the singer's throat. Slowly she sat up, silently, so as not to disturb the vibrations of the soft tones. She seemed to be the only one, however, completely transfixed by the heavenly sound- the others were used to it, probably. Finally, she took the great effort of turning her eyes and watching. 2-D was simply staring off, his mind somewhere out of the van, maybe even this universe, the song he was humming having no real definition. He suddenly smiled to himself and his humming became stronger- sending chills through Kate's body- and he suddenly began to have sing- half mumble the words to a slightly familiar song.

Noodle suddenly gave a cheer and tossed down her game- much to the surprise of Kate- and jumped up over the seat to the back next to the transfixed girl, grabbing around in the very back and pulling out an acoustic guitar. Murdoc, upon hearing the man's strengthened song, gave a scowl, "Not that song- man, I hate that song!". 2-D smiled even bigger and began to sing louder- Kate caught a few phrases- So all you fill the streets, it's appealing to see- . When it was obvious 2-D had gotten into the stride- You wont get out the county, 'cos you're bad and free- Murdoc threw his hands up in defeat and glanced back behind him, "Get my bass Noodle before I throttle our singer…"he said menacingly. The girl tossed him a black bass from the back as well as a cord and a small practice amp.

Noodle jumped back to her seat but sat down on the floor- You've got a new horizon, it's ephemeral style- starting up a detached guitar line as Russel upfront began strumming on the dashboard again, only, in time with the music- In a melancholy town where we never smile- while Murdoc hooked up his bass, tapped a few notes, waited for a break and started up with a very familiar and famous bass line. Kate felt a smile play across her face as she witnessed this motley crew suddenly come together and began to make music right there in the very car- And all I wanna hear is the message beep-.She found this display amazing, that with the absence of so many instruments that they could create a sound so full and so close to the original- My dreams, they've got to kiss me cos I don't get sleep, no...

Maybe it was the magic infused in that world. Maybe it was the love of music inside Kate's own body. All she knew was that something came over her as the song progressed into the chorus, something so beautifully wonderful and detached, she could feel the song inside her own being, even though the presence of those instruments were absent. She could not only hear it, she felt it- Windmill, windmill for the land
Learn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is sticking falling down-

Kate didn't need to physically hear it, because she knew it. The girl couldn't explain it, as she sat transfixed, sitting among true musicians who not only knew their craft, they loved it- Love's forever Love is free
Lets turn forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?

Kate could see it in the faces of the band before her. Noodle was sitting, staring at the ground with an intense face- more intense than her game face- strumming the chords furiously in time with 2-D's singing, who was still staring off with a big grin on his face. Russel, though she could see his face, continued on strong with his continuous strumming. His stamina was starting to amaze her. But what surprised her most was Murdoc. He sat with his bass, playing the guitar expertly- almost lovingly- with his eyes closed and his fingers moving effortlessly- he knew this instrument almost intimately, for they we like lovers. He spent more time with his bass than any other thing on earth, and, though he would never admit it, loved it more than material possessions or even the touch of a woman. He'd never say it, but the thing he'd want to spend the rest of his life with was the thing in his hands right now. A small smile played across his face- a smile given to a lover after time spent together- and continued to play. Kate smiled softly, and then, from the front, she heard a voice issue from Russel- the first sound she'd heard him make since the trip-

Laughing gas these hazmats, fast cats,
Lining them up like ass cracks,
Ladies homies at the track
It's my chocolate attack.

The voice caught Kate off-guard, and she stared up at the front at Russel's back. He was rapping, as the song called for, but it didn't seem like the voice fit the man's body. He still strummed without breaking his stride, even when the voice changed- like another started rapping- but it still came form the same source- Shit, I'm stepping in the heart of this here.
Care bear bumping in the heart of this here.
Watch me as I gravitate
hahahahahaa.

This intrigued Kate, as Russel still continued on, as did the others with their guitars, 2-D bobbing his head slightly in time- Yo, we gonna go ghost town,
this Motown,
with yo sound
you in the blink
you gonna bite the dust
Cant fight with us
with yo sound
you kill the INC.
so don't stop, get it, get it
until you cheddar header.
Yo, watch the way I navigate
hahahahahahaa.

Audrey bobbed her head with the music, a stupid grin on her face. Kate, however, didn't let her sister annoy her, for she didn't care to break her mood or break the own music playing in herself. This had never happened to her before, this blissful detachment and innate understanding so intimate she could actually hear it in herself. She smiled as the first half came to an end, and something swelled inside her and the feeling grew so intense she felt like singing, but contained herself just enough- Windmill, windmill for the land, Learn forever hand in hand-


 2-D's voice began to fill her and she closed her eyes, the music growing to a deafening roar and joy filled every part of her body that had ever felt pain. She suddenly unrolled the windows in the back, letting the air form the rushing highway billow in and add to the roar of the music. She lifted her arms out from her and let her hair billow around her face, adding to the feeling of weightless falling- Take it all in on your stride, It is sticking falling down, Love's forever Love if free- How true Kate found that to be. Perhaps that was what she was feeling right now- freedom. The joyous and weightless freedom that came solely from music, the only freedom absolutely no one could take from you. Kate though the only other thing that could feel as good as this blissful detachment was the freedom of death.

Let's turn forever you and me..

She opened her eyes and stared from the ceiling to the sky above-

Windmill, Windmill for the land, is everybody in?

Kate's euphoria after that phrase was short-lived. As soon as 2-D sang that line, all hell seemed to break loose. From the front, Russel sat hunched over in his seat, a strange, white, mist-like substance radiated off his body. He was holding his head and yelling obscenities and occasional phrases of free-style rapping. Every time this happened, it was in a different voice other than his own, and in between these he would give a great shudder and start convulsing. Noodle dropped her guitar and jumped to the front and Audrey swayed menacingly but stayed on the road, casting Russel a frightened glance. "Shit," mumbled Murdoc who jumped behind the front seat and grabbed Russel by the shoulders to keep him from shaking as Noodle climbed onto his knees and grabbed the front of his hoodie.

"Russ, this is your body, this is your heart!" The young girl shouted, touching and grabbing his shirt where his heart would be. He began breathing heavily and sweating, the voices still coming out of him. She buried her face in the drummer's hoodie and began chanting loudly something in Japanese, over and over again. 2-D looked around, as if he had no idea what was going on, and then he heard Noodle and concern swept across his face. He reached out and grabbed onto Russel from behind, and started up the same chant Noodle was still continuing. The voices still came forth, but slower now, and more distorted. Murdoc kept his grip firm and dead solid, his eyes closed tightly, as if in concentration. Soon, the voices stopped and the mist abated, until all that was left was the drummer, panting and wiping the sweat from his brow.

"..What happened..?" He asked, his voice full of bewilderment at the sight of Noodle, who exhaled in relief and laid her head on his chest. He looked behind him and caught sight of Murdoc and 2-D, with just as relieved looks on their faces. When no one answered, it was Audrey, not Russel, who repeated the question,

"What happened?"

Murdoc returned to his seat, wiping his forehead and closing his eyes, "Was one o' them funkyphantoms-"

"'Funky'what'?"

"Funkyphantoms. They come out to rap when they feel it needed most."

Every head turned to look at Kate, who still remained seated in the back, her body rigid like it was when their journey had started. She looked down sheepishly, as she was the one who had answered Audrey's question.

2-D stared at her, "..Right," he said, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile.

Comprehension dawned on Russ's face, "Ohhhh…How long was I out? I didn't hurt anybody, did I?"

"No, you were only gone for a couple of minutes," replied Noodle, who had returned to her seat and began tuning her guitar. She answered the questioning look on both Audrey's and Kate's face, "Sometimes the phantom's get a little violent."

Kate nodded, and after a moment of silence, asked another burning question, "Um..what was that…chant-thing you did to calm him down?"

" 'This is your home'. Something like that- I don't think it translates literally, but the effect is just the same."

Kate nodded and grew silent- they were silent until nightfall. Noodle had taken to strumming her guitar idly, creating a soft, smooth atmosphere. Murdoc picked silently at his bass, his eyes closed as if sleeping, and 2-D was deep in thought, it seemed, and had smoked a pack and a half of cigarettes until they stopped off at a cheap hotel off the interstate, surrounded by trees in the mountain air. They had woken Russ up, who had fallen asleep immediately, as if completely exhausted, and went to go rent three rooms. After ordering a few pizzas and watching some TV, they group split up to go into their own rooms- Russel and Noodle in the first, Murdoc and 2-D in the second, and Kate and Audrey right between them.

Audrey had fallen asleep immediately, but Kate had taken her time to drift into a troubled sleep. She didn't know why, but seeing Russ like that today had disheveled her. He had seemed like such a strong person, an anchor almost, who was silent and a bit shy. But to see him reduced to a quivering heap…Perhaps it was also the gaping absence and loss of the joy that had filled Kate like no other feeling had before. It had taken all her strength to not burst into tears of complete loss and despair when the feeling was ripped from her. She had never experienced something so beautiful and so fragile at the same time. She liked it. She liked it a lot. And to think it was all triggered by his voice…

She could still hear it, even in her sleep. Light as a cloud and as smooth as satin, she wondered if nothing could be soothed by his voice. Dreams aren't bad, I had turned back She could hear a tinge of sadness there, as well. She could still hear it, and vaguely wondered why he was so sad I love the gun
But God only knows it's …Kate listened, as it seemed to drift in and envelope her in warmth she couldn't fathom. And then she woke up.

Kate could hear the voice, literally, drifting in from outside. She propped herself up sleepily on an elbow, and grabbed the clock- it was 2:30. She slipped out of bed and followed the voice out onto the balcony, silently closing the door and glancing over to the balcony on her right.

There was 2-D, bathed in moonlight, staring up at the night sky, a lit cigarette in one hand as he leaned over the railing and sang up to the sky, Getting hard to see the sun coming through..

That sadness was there, so thick Kate felt like she could cut it with a knife. She watched him, singing softly to the sky as if they were nightly vespers,

I love you...

Who did this…?

But what are we going to do?

You're in love with him
I want to see you again
I love you...
But what are we going to do?

He stopped then, his body frozen stiff, gazing up into the moon. Slowly, he began to lift the cigarette to his lips when he heard,

"Who was she?"

What monster did this to you…

He gave a start and turned, looking at this newcomer, who stood on the balcony beside his, staring at him intensely, almost angrily. He gave a soft smile and lifted the cigarette to his lips, "Terrible habit," he mumbled, "Don't ever let me catch you near these things-"

"Or you'll cuff me yourself."

He smiled, smoke curling around his face as he exhaled, "Right."

There was a long silence between them, in which Kate never broke her gaze, while 2-D, on the other hand, leaned back over the railing and stared off into the lights in the trees, and of the nearby gas station.

"Who was she?" Kate repeated gently.

2-D sighed heavily, red circles underneath his black, fathomless eyes. Kate knew the circle sonly appeared when he was tired or hadn't slept.

"It was a long time ago." He said simply, with no real tone in his voice at all, except a faint ring of finality. Kate nodded and looked down, silence falling once again.

"I…I'm sorry." She finally said after a moment.

"Don't be. No real reason to be," He said, almost cheerfully, giving her a bright smile. When this didn't seem to console her- he didn't know why she would be bothered anyway- he sighed slightly and opened his mouth to say something but reconsidered. He looked at her with a softer gaze and blinked as the silence grew thicker. For some reason, he didn't like seeing her so sad looking. She seemed joyous, almost, in the car today when he and the guys started playing Feel Good Inc. He felt something from her, a connection almost, and he was sure she was feeling and hearing something totally different then what the others felt. He had always known he had an uncanny tie to music, and could hear it when others couldn't. He knew the freedom that came with it too; like you weren't only hearing it you were feeling it. Maybe he wasn't the only one. Maybe she had felt something similar. Finally, when the silence was starting to turn awkward, he cleared his throat and said,

"You know, if you want to know what it feels like to be me, listen to the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack, number seven."

He gave her a quick smile before tossing his finished cigarette off the railing and disappearing back into his room. Kate blinked and watched him leave. She returned inside, deep in thought. She knew the soundtrack well- it was one of her favorites- and when she sat down on the bed she grabbed her bag and rummaged until she found the cd she needed.

Kate laid down as she put on her headphones to listen to the track- Ice Dance it was called- and closed her eyes. The song was at a tender moment in the movie- When Edward, the outcast man with scissors for hands if carving a sculpture out of ice and the woman he loves is with him. His carving makes flurries fall like snow, and the woman, whom had never seen snow before in her life, began to dance in it, a metaphor to her realizing that she loves Edward. The song is one of the most beautiful, sad songs in the entire soundtrack, and right now, brought tears to Kate's eyes.

She now understood, a little, why 2-D's voice sounded so sad.