Ch. 9

This was the second time she had had a nightmare since she had arrived at Kong Studios. The place seemed to trigger them more and even more violently then previously. Paige woke up in a cold sweat, her head and heart pounding. Oh, how she hated the way the human mind worked! It didn't take long for her to realize how hers and another's bodies were tangled. Lanky limbs overlapped under the pink sheets. Paige contemplated the masculinity of the magenta shade of the comfiture but never found the incentive to ask. At the moment, it really didn't matter.

The blue haired man seemed to be rudely awakened as Paige pulled away and without knowing, his arm wrapped around the cellist's thin waist and pulled her back towards the magenta sea. Shocked at the tug, Paige let out a wary "Hey!" and grasped 2D's thin wrists with her sweaty palms. Stu mumbled again; something about "Why are you doing that?" or "Where are you going?" or something along those lines but he finally came out of his dazed slumber after he felt a squeezing at his wrists.

"Err, Paige? Is that you?" 2D murmured with squinted eyes and a low yawn. The Aussie smirked, rolled her eyes, and nodded.

"Yeh, it's me. You're really too touchy-feely. Y'know that?"

"Wot do y'mean?"

"I mean you're a cuddle-er of some kind."

There was a pause before 2D responded "Is there sumefink wrong wif tha'?" Paige's cheeks pinkened at the statement.

"Well, no. Not really. I'm not much for cuddling though. I'm boney and pointy and it's just kind of strange waking up with someone right next to you. Or on top of you."

"I'm not very comfy myself. I don't mind it wreally but if y'do mind then I'll stop. An' you can always jus' go back t' the o'ver room…" The look on Paige's face as she recalled back on the bloody events in that room jotted Stu's memory and the brought about the fact that what he said was a slip-up "or I'll jus' move over if your uncomf'table."

Paige reached for her glasses on the nightstand and responded "No. No, I'm fine here. I just…" She looked at him. He looked at her. Paige could tell he was just trying to make sure she was comfortable and having a good stay in the bewitched studio. "I just need to get used to it I guess. If you want to cuddle then go right ahead. It doesn't really matter because I'm sleeping anyway."

"Wreally?"

"Really really. I need a shower. Jeez, it's only 6:50! I'm sorry I woke you up."

"It's no problem. Now that I'm up I probably won't get back t' bed."

"I'm really sorry about this."

"S'all right. Y'don't need t'xplain yourself or anyfink." Paige nodded and got her self up from the bed, gathered some things, and made her way to the shower. 2D had also gotten up and started to move around the room before Paige had left.

The cellist stood under the inactive shower head, still dry and in need of a rinse. She just stood for a second as she heard murmuring from somewhere in the building. One voice was a woman's (British and nasally) while the others was a man's (British as well but gruff and deep). The man's was familiar, too familiar to Paige but the woman's was unrecognizable. Probably someone the Satanist had brought over for the night. Not like this bothered Paige one bit; the man was Murdoc Niccals and hell knows who the woman was. That's what she has expected anyway. As Paige stopped trying to overhear the conversation, she twisted the handle which, in turn, initiated the freezing cold water to come shooting from the shower head which led to Paige's surprised and loud reaction. The female singer shrieked in shock, lost her footing, and slipped on the smooth white foundation landing with a loud thud and a string of muttered curses.

2D bolted down the hall and turned the corners swiftly towards the screech and bang. He knocked on the door and called from the other side "Paige? Dawlin', are you ok?".

"Wot?"

"Are you ok?"

Paige grunted and picked herself up off the slippery floor. On the way down, she had reflexively turned the handle to stop the flow of cold water. "Yeh, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" the melodicist knocked on the door.

"No, I'm fine. Really. Don't worry" The cellist mumbled back, embarrassed with herself.

"Are you really sure?" 2D repeated himself.

"Yes."

There was a pause before 2D responded, "Can I just check? It sounded like you fell pretty badly…" Paige grabbed for the towel outside of the shower and wrapped it around herself. It was a bit short but nothing too revealing.

"If you really have to come in…"

2D put a hand on the door knob. "Are you sure? Are y', y'know, 'presentable'?"

"Yup."

"Are you sure?"

Paige pushed the door open a crack and looked at the vacant wide eyes of the man on the other side.

"You sound like a broken record, it's annoying me." Paige pushed the door open all the way opening the bathroom to the corridor completely. The Australian gave a 360 round about saying, "See; I'm perfectly fine. My bum isn't gonna feel so good but other then that I'm fine." 2D watched as the woman turned around, noting her long lean legs, toned and lean arms, broad swimmers shoulders holding an elegant neck, tousled damp mess of golden brown hair, and all the while she was wet. Like any other man, a woman in a small towel was attractive and in his mind Paige was nothing less. "Poor bum." He thought as she turned to face towards him.

"Wot?" she questioned him, seeing his perplexed face. 2D returned to reality and looked up to her eyes and stood in a soldier-esc way.

"Nufink!" he screeched the response a bit too loud and defensively.

Paige smirked and turned to the shower. Her shoulders slumped, ands set at her waist, eye brows furrowed, and she gave an agitated sigh. "So how do I get this thing to work now?" She questioned the man next to her.

"Well," he replied as he turned the shower handle to the left "this should make the water warm I fink." 2D put his fingers under the stream of water. "See. It's warm." Paige followed the same and shook her head.

"No, I like it when it's hot." The statement sounded a bit seductive, but in an innocent way. Mostly because it was unintentional so the blue haired man ignored it.

"Even when it's muggy out like this? I've been takin' cold showers lately." The cellist snorted as she tried to suppress a laugh. 2D looked at her perplexed and questioned her sudden response. She assured him it was nothing as she continued to laugh inwardly at the Brit's last statement.

"Alright, 2D. The water's warm enough. I gotta, y'know, get in now."

As 2D walked out and started to close the door he whispered in, "Is it alwright if I stay outside the door fo' a bit?" He then closed the door all the way.

"Wot? Why would you want to do that?"

"I thought maybe we could talk."

"Woteva." The Aussie replied as she removed the towel, stepped into the shower, and closed the curtain shut in one fluid motion. She began to wet her hair and 2D began to ask some questions.

"So, how are you?"

"Good."

"How's Kong been treatin' you?"

"Good. It's a bit creepy at times, though. But I guess you're already used to that." There was silence before Paige spoke again. 'Y'know. You really don't have to ask me these kinds of questions."

"Alwright. Let's talk 'bout sumfink else. How 'bout family? Y'got any?"

"Family? That's one thing I have a hell'a lot of. I've got two loving parents and a pushover older brother. I can't really complain. How 'bout you?"

"Well, I'm an only child. I always wanted siblin's but I heard many times that they're jus' pains in th'arse. It's just my mum left now. My da' kind'o passed awhile back."

"Oh, I'm sorry. How recently?" the cellist questioned sympathetically. She could never imagine what it was like to loose a parent.

"Back last year, before Demon Days had even been finished. He wos a good guy, never did nufink wrong. I fink that's why he went in 'is sleep; no pain o' anyfink."

"Hmm. He sounds like a nice guy. How about your mum. Tell me about her."

"My mum? I'm not sure how t' describe 'er. Anyfink she does is perfect and she's pro'ly the most important woman in my life. But I fink she spoils me just a little."

Paige giggled as she finished scrubbing shampoo into her hair. "I get wot you mean. I think all mothers are like that, really. I remember trying to do everything she did because it seemed so flawless and easy and then I would try and it would turn out like shit. Kind of like cracking eggs. She could do it with one hand and I would end up getting shells in the bowl. That's probably because she worked in a bakery."

"Your mum's a baker?"

"She wos when I was younger. It was the family business and her father had her working there since she was twelve. She took the public transport bus that young every day to work. But then she realized how working there kept her away from me and my brother who were watched by our stay at home dad once she got older so she became a secretary at a local elementary school."

"So I'm guessing you can bake or cook, right?"

"Yeh. I guess; but never as well as my mum. So wot does your mum do?"

"She's a nurse. Sends me my pills for my 'eadaches an' migraines."

Paige had fully rinsed the bubbles and suds from her hair. 2D had taken a spot on the floor where he could lean against the door. His long legs lay in a V shape spread across the corridor floor.

"So, Paige, how did y' get int' music?"

"When I was young I sang for my church and learned the piano and the cello."

"Church? So you're religious?"

"Yeh? Didn't Murdoc tell you?"

2D's facial expression changed because of his confusion and misunderstanding. "No, how would he know?"

Paige paused mid-arm scrub. She hesitated to answer "I don't know. I know that he knows though. I just thought he wouldn't keep it to himself."

"But you keep it to yourself?" 2D questioned Paige, indulged by the situation and yearning to understand. Paige continued to wash over her body.

"I didn't really mean to. Sorry. Just to let you know, I'm Catholic. And aren't you Buddhist or something? How did you get into that?"

"Well. I don't wreally remember exactly how. But I liked to whole idea of letting everyfing go. You have t' have harmony wif'in yourself and the world, right? And I feel like I had been Buddhist all along; I jus' didn't have a name for it at the time." The singer chuckled a bit and continued. "Wot were we talkin' 'bout? Oh, yeh! Music. So where did y'go from there?"

"After I had gotten basic piano and voice lessons I started to learn the cello. It wasn't long after that that I had moved to the States and started my new school there. I continued to play cello in the schools orchestra but didn't sing in the chorus mostly because I was afraid and stuff. But when I did, everyone thought I was good and I started to get noticed. One person who noticed in particular was Gavin. I didn't really know him that well, even though he was one of my classmates in a generally small grade. But he asked if I wanted to sing for his band and I thought 'Heck, my not. I mean, this guy is probably the coolest kid in the class while I'm the geeky exchange student in the orchestra. It could gain me some kudos.' So that's how all that started and while in the band I learned some drums and got my first electric cello. The other instruments I know just popped up around then and during college. Especially college since I had to experiment with all different types of music and instruments."

"Wow, that's a mouth full. I always loved piano and keys and stuff. Piano, melodica, and singin' were my main fings. Didn't fink tha' they would get me famous, though."

"I can only hope the same happens for me." There was a pause for a minute before Paige asked "So, is there going to be a new CD or is it just a joke?"

2D didn't respond at first, mostly because he didn't know the answer to the question anymore than Paige did. It made him wonder why she was even there. But he couldn't deny that he enjoyed having someone else's company around the studio. 2D was sure he wasn't the only one that felt that way after seeing his band mates' reactions to the cellist. "I'm not wreally sure, luv. Sowry. I would ask Murdoc 'bout it. He seems t' be the one finkin' 'bout it. 'specially after his enthusiastic acceptance for y'."

Paige mumbled under the water "I can give you a hint why he would want me here. If you get wot I'm saying…" 2D understood what she meant. He'd witnessed the bass player's actions towards the Australian woman and saw how persistent he was in his "hunt".

"Yeh. I get it. But I wos getting kind of excited to work wif you on some music. I guess we still can, though, if you want to…"

Paige smiled a goofy wide smile. She thanked God that 2D couldn't see it. "That'd be nice."

"About you wakin' up, wos it a dream or sumfink."

"Mhm. Kind of."

"Nightmare?"

"Yeh. But nothing to worry about."

"Kong does that a lot. It messes with people's bonces a bit with all it's bad energies and wot-not. Black magic or sumfink like tha'. Some say people go mental 'cause of those fings but I hope that ain't the case here. I'd worry 'bout the demons more then the energies and shit. So wots the dream anyway?"

Paige's eyes shot open and she stopped suddenly out of shock and fear of the questions and statements. 'Demons?' 'This question again?' 'Here we go again…' 'I think this place is trying to kill me.' All these thoughts ran through her mind but had trouble translating to words. Soon enough, they did though.

"I don't want to be a burden on you, 2D."

"It's fine, you can trust me. I don't mind." Paige cringed as he said what she hoped not to hear. She sighed deeply and prepared herself for the explanation she had done many times before. By now she thought it would be easier but unfortunately it wasn't.

"Remember how I told you about my friends Greg?"

"Mhm, the bass player…"

"Well, I also mentioned that he died. That's pretty much what the nightmare has to relate to. I just imagine being at the site of his death and see or participate in it. It's usually the same every time."

"And this is every night?"

"Nah, just everyone once in a while. But being here made the last two I've had more frequent and worse to the point where they actually wake me up. It's kind of rare that that happens but I guess you were right about the 'bad energy' thing you said before. It's seems I have to worry about my inner demons more than the ones that hang around the studios, huh?"

"I guess so. Wos he your boyfriend or sumfink?"

Dead on again. What was with these Gorillaz men? Paige felt they were really good at figuring her out. Or maybe she was being too easy to figure out… either way, the notorious dull apple of the bunch had put the two together somehow.

"Yeh, only for a while before the accident. About two months to be more exact." And then she stopped. She felt the familiar restriction on her throat and the pressure behind her eyes. Why was she getting choked up over something that had happened so long ago? Why was she holding back tears when she was stating something so simple and plain that she had said numerous times before? Was it because she was tired? Was it PMS? Was it because she was telling 2D…?

Now apparently wasn't the time she wanted to talk about it and the sudden stop made the singer realize this. 2D lifted himself from the floor and faced the bathroom door, leaning in to hear any distinct sounds that resembled anything like crying. But he didn't; Paige wouldn't allow herself to do it. She was startled by the melodic voice that encompassed the bathroom and filled her ears. The sound of her name never seemed so beautiful.

"Paige… I'm sorry. Sorry that I asked and made you bring it up. I'm sorry 'bout Greg, too." Paige just bit her lip and shook her head under the water. She had finished a minute ago but hadn't turned the water off. She liked the feel of the water on her skin; it was relaxing. Just like the sound of the man's voice on the other side of the door; a feeling so soothing and comforting that she hoped wouldn't leave her.

"Actually, I should be the one that's sorry. It's really ok. I just think that I look back on those memories more then I should, especially in the way that I react to it. But I promise that I'll give you a good explanation to clear things up. Ok?"

"Ok."

The sound of the water stopped. Foot steps echoed down the corridor in the opposite direction of the bathroom.

Paige shook her damp hair with her right hand as she walked through the first floor lobby in hopes of finding the kitchen. Since the days were hot and muggy, she wore a pair of comfortable shorts and a tank top. No shoes or socks. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her of where she was going. 'Shut the hell up!' she thought at her bodily sound. She turned the corner, hoping she wasn't going the wrong way but realized she hadn't when she walked down the familiar corridor. She was glad that it wasn't the corridor that led to room 11. The Aussie shuddered at the thought of that room. Paige could see that a light was coming from the kitchen at the end of the dim lit hallway as she neared closer. She didn't hear the low voices from inside. Going through the door at her left, Paige stood frozen in her footsteps at the entrance.

Sitting in a chair was a woman; probably in her thirties. Her thick hair was a reddish color and her straight-across bangs were disheveled. Her chest size wasn't modest neither was her prominently upright nose on her round face. To top it off, she was stark naked. The only thing that could be said to be clothing was the inverted cross nestled in her bosom. Her cloths were piled on the floor near the table's leg. The Satanist turned around after hearing someone enter the room. He had been reaching up into the cupboard for some kind of painkillers when his conversation with the red-head was interrupted and his feeble attempts at getting the bottle were too.

The two women just looked at one another for a while, an eerie silence filling the kitchen. Murdoc watched to see what the two women would do. Paige stepped forward, glanced quickly towards Murdoc and unintentionally met eye contact, then looked back toward the naked woman.

"Hi?" she asked and stated at the same time.

"'ello." The British woman replied. It was definitely the same voice Paige had heard before. Even though the red-head was sitting naked in front of the cellist, she made no attempt to cover up. Her hands were folded in her lap, though, concealing most of her lower privates. Paige was about to leave when she suddenly heard the innocent and bright voice of the guitarist. The red-head stiffened in her seat at the sound, not sure of what to do. Murdoc muttered profanities under his breath as he zipped up the open fly on his jeans and walked over to where Paige was. The Australian glanced back to the woman, realizing that Noodle shouldn't have to see this stranger there. She was pretty sure that Noodle would understand it though but Paige still felt that she didn't have to a see a naked visitor sitting in her kitchen. The tall woman took a hold of the red-heads wrist and led her out the door and onto the balcony.

"Can you stay here and hide for about two minutes?" Paige asked the shorter woman who was now perpendicular to the wall that was farthest from the windows. She nodded. Paige returned the nod, smiled, and whispered, "I'll be back. Sorry 'bout this." The Aussie returned inside to find Noodle just entering.

"'ey, Noodle luv. How've y'been?" Murdoc questioned as he put an arm around her delicate shoulders. The Japanese teen shrugged him off with a smile and sat in the previously occupied seat. She noticed its warmth.

"I'm good, Murdoc-san. Good morning. 'allo Paige-san. Did you just come from outside?" Paige gulped as the teen questioned her.

"Yeh. Just… looking at the wonderful view." She laughed and Noodle smiled at the comment.

"That's good. Did you see 2D-kun anywhere? I looked for him a while but--" Noodle paused as the pile of cloths on the floor caught her eye. She reached down to get a hold of a piece of clothe and ended up picking up the smallest one; a lacy thong. "Ummm," Paige and Murdoc stared at the small fabric garment as if it were an explosive in the teenager's hand. Noodle held it delicately between her thumb nail and her middle finger trying not to touch at it too much. Before Noodle could speak, Paige grabbed the thong out of the guitarist's hands.

"This is, umm, it's mine… Yeh, it's mine. Sorry you had to see that." Paige noticed Noodle eye the bra that also lay on the floor. Paige picked it up as well saying, "Also mine." Noodle looked at her in a skeptical way. The brazier that the Aussie held was definitely a size C or larger. Compared to Paige's small chest the lingerie seemed to be a couple sizes off. Noodle also had a hard time believing the thong was Paige's.

"Doesn't that bra seem a bit big for you, Paige-san. No offence."

Murdoc cackled at Paige's failed attempt and the fact that what Noodle said was quite true. Paige thought quickly. She was good at that, thinking on her toes.

"Well, Noodle. Some times you need a little 'Puh-POW' when you're as flat as me." Paige motioned as she put the bra against her perky little chest and showing how the bra gave the illusion of larger boobs. "But don't tell anyone. It's my little secret." The Aussie winked to the giggling guitarist.

"And Murdoc's, too!" Noodle encouraged as she looked back to the Satanist with her wide smile. He nodded to Noodle but it was really intended for Paige. She saw this as he glanced up at her as if saying, "Nice cover up, kid. Now what to do with the Jap…" So Paige thought for a second, walked over to Noodle, and whispered into her ear.

"I'll give you some other tips later." Noodle giggled again and Murdoc wondered what Paige was telling her. 'Hurry up!' he thought. 'Tha' cat's still outside!'. Paige then nudged Noodle on the shoulder saying "And I also know where 2D is if you were wondering. He went to the cinema to pick out a movie for later. Can you tell him to try and find the movie "Dead Alive" for me? He probably has it and knows what I'm talking about. You're welcome to watch with us." This had gotten Noodle out of her seat and walking towards the exit. Murdoc sighed in relief as she started her way out.

"Arigato, Paige. I will. Bye-bye!" and Noodle skipped out of the kitchen and down the corridor. The two watched as she made her way to the end and made certain that she had gotten into the lift. They simultaneously sighed in relief. Murdoc looked at Paige for a second and she put a hand on his shoulder.

"Having a friend isn't so bad after all, is it?" she asked before she walked back towards the balcony and opened the door, the lingerie still in her hands. She poked her head out to the side, startling the naked broad. "You can come back in now. And put these on." She said holding out the underwear. The woman walked back in and before Paige knew it, she felt a warm embrace around her neck and large breast pressed against her.

"Thanks, Honey." The red-head murmured to Paige. The Australians face was red and hot do to the predicament she was in at the moment. Naked women didn't usually come up to hug her often. Especially not ones with jumblies three or four times bigger then her own. (Yes, I used the word "jumblies". Austin Powers anyone? I'm gonna get sued…) Paige patted the strangers back awkwardly.

"No problem." She replied as the woman pulled away and started to put on her clothing. There was enough weirdness happening at the time, Paige didn't want more. "I'm gonna jet. Bye Murdoc." Paige said as she left the kitchen, giving the bassist a pat on the arm and a look that she hadn't given him before. 'Wos that her seductive eye?' the Satanist pondered as the cellist walked with large and fast strides down the corridor and as far away from the kitchen as possible. Paige nearly had forgotten how hungry she was before but would have to wait for another opportunity.

"Who wos tha'?" the woman questioned as she pushed herself against the bassist with her large chest. She has gotten her underwear and skirt on but still hadn't gotten her shirt on yet.

He looked down to the short woman and bluntly stated, "My cousin."

The woman frowned at this but didn't respond when the bassist pushed his lips onto hers. They stood there for a moment, kissing until it became more passionate. Murdoc had set the woman on the table and hiked a hand up to the hem of her skirt. The red-head pulled at him, not caring that she would probably get caught this time around. She was entirely right about the fact. Russel knocked on the door frame and cleared his throat to get their attention. The red-head groaned at the sight of the man in the door way and glared at Murdoc.

"And who's this? Your uncle?"