Chapter 4

All alone

2-D sighed heavily as he closed the door. He hated seeing Noodle so miserable, it made him feel so much worse when she couldn't tell him why. He stood, fixed out side her room, lost deep in thought.

"Ey face ache!"

2-D jumped suddenly causing him to lose his train of thought. Murdoc appeared beside him.

"Is she alright?" His tone soft.

The sound of muffled tears followed by vomit emitted through the door.

"Does it sound like she's ok?" 2-D said sarcastically, his eyes glaring at Murdoc. He blushed a vivid red.

"Sorry mate, am only worried about her. She scared the living shit out of me earlier; I just hope she's going to be alright."

He scuttled off down the corridor sheepishly without looking back. 2-D stood staring at the empty space the Satanist had occupied.

"I'm such a bastard when I'm cranky. I need some pills and a lie down."

The voice in his head was right. He'd come back and check on Noodle in an hour or so. Maybe then she'd be willing to talk to him. Without second thought, he turned and headed down to the basement.

Noodle tossed and turned in her sleep. Horrible images of the previous night invading her dreams. She awoke with a scream. Sweat dripping down her spine, tears flooding her eyes. She looked at the clock on the wall, it was quarter past four. She heard a loud grunt from outside and heavy foot steps coming up the corridor. She leapt out of bed and grabbed her scythe. She ducked down in the furthest corner in her room, scythe at hand to stab any dead guests. The door burst open causing her to scream again, she held a hand above her face and her scythe ready. Russel bounded in, frying pan in hand; ready to whack any unwanted visitors to hell and back. All he found was a rather distressed Noodle cowering in the corner of her room. Scythe in hand.

"Noodle-girl, what's wrong?"

He dropped the pan and walked slowly over to Noodle. She dropped the scythe and hung her head in her knees.

"Noods?" The big drummer's voice softened to a whisper. He wrapped his vast arms round her tiny frame and held her close. She was cold, and sweaty.

"What happened love?"

She looked up at him, big emerald eyes glistening with tears.

"Oh Russel-san, I had a really bad nightmare."

She hugged her knees and began rocking back and forth- whimpering slightly. Russel didn't know what to do. He looked down at her, she looked so miserable; he wished he could help her. He just didn't know how.

Noodle grabbed her stomach and let out a feeble moan. She crawled across the bedroom and emptied her stomach into the bucket. Shaking and weak. Russel stood behind her, holding back her hair. When she'd finished she slumped on the floor and groaned.

"Come on baby-girl, let's get you downstairs."

He helped her to her feet but her legs were frail and gave way. He caught her, surprised by his speed.

"Whoa Noods!" She was shaking and was very pale. He took off his jacket and wrapped it round the tiny figure in his arms. He picked her up and carried her out of the room.

He took her downstairs and back into the TV room. It was deserted.

"Just you and me."

He sighed and lowered Noodle onto the sofa. He went into the kitchen and began to prepare some drinks. Noodle stared at the floor. A faint mark was left from this morning, she shuddered, the memories were everywhere. Russel returned with two mugs of hot chocolate and a packet of jaffa cakes. He deposited the goods on the table and sat down next to Noodle.

"We need to talk."

He looked at Noodle, a serious expression on his face,

"I gotta ask you something, please don't be offended, it's just I've been thinking."

"Yes Russel-san?" Noodle took a large sip from the milky drink she'd been nursing in her hands.

"Well, I know you and Stu have been very close over the past two years and thought that maybe you"

"I what Russel-san?"

"I thought you might be pregnant."

Noodle dropped the mug of hot chocolate and stared at Russel.

"It's only a thought." Russel soothed. "Its just you've been all emotional this past week and you've got that crippling pain in your stomach. It all fits."

Noodle panicked. She'd never thought about that. She remembered the previous night and burst into tears. She and 2-D did get very close on Halloween- her sixteenth birthday. Maybe she was. Maybe it wasn't 2-D's though. She screamed at the thought and slumped back into the sofa.

"Man I told him to be careful. I'll get him for this."

"No russel-san! If I am pregnant we can sort it out. Please don't hurt him. It's as much my fault as it is his."

She looked up at him with big innocent eyes.

"Ok, we'd better get you down to the doctors."

"No. Don't like the doctors." Noodle pouted and stuck out her chin in a childish manner.

"You aint got a choice Noods." He said launching himself at her and tickling her ribs. She laughed and tried to stop him but he was far too strong. She sat in fits of helpless giggles begging him to stop. He eventually ceased and pulled her up into a bear hug.

"It's going to be all right Noods."