Disclaimer: It bothers immensely that I should have to explain I don't own the Gorillaz (despite how much I would love to) when I'm writing blasted fan-fiction, which is fiction written by fans, who are people that do not own what they are fans of.

Now that that's been cleared up, let's begin the story.
And keep in mind, this is my first Gorillaz fanfic and any OOC-ness should be therefore excused. And for those of you who like to do this (I know you're out there, I've had run-ins with you before) I do NOT, (repeat) DO NOT appreciate your leaving lines of rude and unfriendly poetry about how terrible my stories are.

I noticed most of you actually don't have any stories posted at all, but good luck with tearing people down!

-this person here at this time writing this story.

Chapter 1

There was something unusual about Kong Studios on the night before Christmas. Not only had the zombies not yet bothered the Gorillaz once, but 2-D hadn't had a head-ache all day, and Murdoc hadn't left him in a mangled heap on the floor in one of his drunken outbursts. Russell was in an unusually sour mood and Noodle was unusually down-in-the-mouth instead of her usual bouncy and annoying-as-hell self and unusual as it seems, 2-D was the only one who actually took notice of these unusual things making him seem unusually aware of everything happening around him.

2-D yawned and laid back against the couch cushions. He was unusually tired and felt like taking it easy. His mind drifted to the Christmas gifts that he had gotten everyone for Christmas. It thrilled him to think about the looks on pure joy that would spread across everyone's faces (save Murdoc who had recently written in blood on the back window of his Winnebago "I fucking hate Christmas,") as they opened their gifts.

What had he gotten everyone again?

Russell--- er, well, at the moment, his memory was a little foggy and he couldn't exactly remember just what he'd gotten for Russell..

Murdoc--- who was Murdoc again?

And Noodle--- what had he gotten Noodle? He seemed to have forgotten, but he knew that she'd definitely be surprised when she opened it tomorrow morning.

He turned his head round and admired their Christmas tree.. He didn't recall when they had put it and hadn't in all truth realised they even had one until this very moment. He smiled softly at it and each coloured light winked back and a very strange thought came into his head. Was their Christmas tree trying to seduce him?

"Wot the hell d'ya think you're doing winking at me you ugly----"

He cut himself short and sighed. Even though he hadn't been in any pain today it had become such a familiar habit to just pop a pill every few hours that he'd taken one too many and was mildly paranoid tonight.

Coming to his senses he immediately apologised to the tree and looked down, realising he sounded like a completely loonie again. "I must be losing my edge..."

"2-D san?" a quiet voice asked from the shadows.

2-D jumped slightly. "Noodle?"

Suddenly a light switched on above him and he could clearly see Noodle standing before him, her arms hanging limply at her sides and one hand loosely clutching her blanket.

"Er, hello, love, wot are you doing up so late?"

Noodle studied 2-D's face for a very long while before answering.

"I was thirsty," she lied and slowly approached him. He leaned back and shook his head. "You need your blanket to fetch a glass of water?" He asked incredulously.

"It was..." she said and cocked her head to the side thoughtfully, "in case I got cold on the way to the kitchen..."

"Is that so?" he said, "Wot's really the matter, Noods?"

Noodle wrapped the blanket around her slim awkward figure and climbed up into 2-D's lap sitting there very stiffly.

'God,' thought 2-D to himself, 'she's freezing...' and without thinking immediately wrapped his long arms around her and pulled her close to his chest, laying his head atop hers.

"2-D-san, I do not think I can sleep."

"Too excited to see wot I gotchu? You'll have to be patient about that."

"No, 2-D-san, it is not that at all.. I'm sure your present was very thoughtful, but I cannot sleep. Can I stay with you tonight?"

2-D felt almost compelled to tell her no, (he knew she liked him but the age difference was tremendous and he would feel terrible if anything should happen, and he wanted to discourage her feelings toward him) but he couldn't. He saw how hopeful she looked and loosened his group around her suddenly feeling extremely uncomfortable. "Sure ya can," he said weakly.

Noodle was only 15 during this time and she was beginning to develop feelings toward 2-D who secretly loved her but knew it was forbidden and never wanted her to know. The bond they shared was indescribable—the connection they made whenever they were alone together could light up the darkest room—and they trust they held for one another was deeper than the deepest trust to ever be held.

But 2-D could not bring himself to admit his love for her and this was something that had bothered him more than usual as of late. He would do anything for Noodle including take a bullet for her life and safety, but he could not tell her the words she wanted to hear more than any others,

'I love you.'

These thoughts plagued him during nights like this and he wanted to prove his defiance against them. He tightened his grip around Noodle and brushed his cheek up against hers affectionately, but she was asleep.

For a very long time, 2-D did not move. He tried not to breathe so he could hear every move she made, but she was totally silent. She sank deeper in his embrace until she lay cradled in his arms and he made no effort to straighten her up.

2-D cradled the girl in his arms until early morning. The sun rose and a gentle light filtered through the blinds of the windows, but Noodle still did not stir.

2-D was now only half cognisant. His eyelids were partially closed so the world was only a blur to him. He was jolted fully awake when he heard what sounded to be the Armageddon tearing down the corridor into the room where he sat with Noodle.

He squeezed her tight and watched with wide eyes as Russell came toward him, feet pounding the ground and sounding like a severe earthquake. 2-D's mouth opened slightly and he uttered a curse in a rather high-pitched voice.