This is it, folks. The end. This has been fun, hasn't it? Lots of good times... maybe we'll see each other again in time. Maybe I'll get struck with inspiration late at night and need someone to share it with. Thanks for the ride, beauties. It's been a blast.

~77

Noodle had taken off running when she reached the outskirts of the wedding procession. She didn't stop running until she got to the top of Melancholy Hill. She settled herself on the ground and let her head fall into her hands. Yes, what she did was probably stupid, and she would have to apologize to Darren, but she couldn't bear the idea of marrying him anymore. She wiped her eyes with her hand and sighed at the mascara trail. She hated makeup...

Noodle looked out over the ocean. The sun was starting to set, it cast brilliant colors over the water and made the sea seem like it was on fire. 'Wouldn't be a bad place to die', she thought morbidly to herself. She wished that the past few weeks had never happened. She wanted to go back to the night she had told 2D that she was getting married. Everything could have gone differently. She would have kissed him then and there, leaned over the back of the sofa and just kissed him. She reckoned that it would have saved a lot of time and hurt feelings. Noodle wondered if 2D would even have her now that she put him through all this trouble...

Suddenly, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She gasped and looked up. 2D was crouching beside her, tie undone and suit rumpled.

"Noodle, love, yew lied to me… yew aren't awright." She gave him a wry smile.

"Sorry, Toochi. Sorry I startled everyone." He smiled nervously and chuckled.

"Wull, it's not like I mind too terribly. I fought it was a rather good show. Much better birthday present than yeh'r original one." He chuckled nervously. Noodle looked up in horror.

"I forgot it was your birthday, 2D! Oh my God! Please don't be upset, it's just been so crazy lately and there was that whole... mess and-" 2D cut her off by putting a finger to her lips.

"Noodle- Noods... relax. I wow kiddin'. Ih doesn' even matter. But... I wanna know... why did yew run?" Noodle looked at him for a few seconds before leaning forward and kissing him square on the mouth. He was startled as hell for a few seconds but soon smiled and kissed her back with all the force she instigated. His hand wandered up into her hair and pulled her closer, shifting so he was facing her. When they finally broke apart, her hands were on either side of his face and they both kept the other close.

"That's why… that's why I ran. I love you too, Stuart. And I can't marry him." He grinned as he tried to catch his breath.

"I rather like that reason." She giggled.

"I do, too." She leaned in and tried to kiss him again. He pulled away and held her at arm's length.

"But... why did it take yeh so long to figure it out?" She thought for a moment.

"Because... because I decided being safe and dependable is nice... but I wanted a bit more fun in life. You're fun, 2D..." She leaned back in. He inched back again.

"But... what were yeh goin' to do if yeh had realized this after yeh married 'im?" Noodle rolled her eyes.

"I probably would have snuck out every night to become your mistress. You know, secret affair and special lingerie and all that." 2D's expression was hilarious, wide-eyed and hopeful.

"Christ, really?" Noodle laughed and pulled him back in. They hadn't been at it for two minutes when he pulled away again. "But... what are we gonna tell the guests and everyone... they're awl expectin' yew to get married to that other bloke."

"Screw them... stop pulling away!" She grinned as she grabbed his collar and held him still while she kissed him thoroughly.

"But," Her grin faded, "What are we gonna do about the audience that's watchin' us now?" She looked at him inquisitively before glancing up and seeing Murdoc standing with his arms crossed, indifferent as ever, and Russel, beaming his heart out. She laughed nervously and got up. Russel spoke first, his smile only breaking to do so.

"Now, honestly, I'd rather you go for this fool than someone I don't know… but you gotta make things right with your first intended husband before you move on." 2D scratched his head uneasily at 'first intended husband'. No bloke in his right mind would be happy with 2D if that man was in Darren's position. Noodle nodded and ran off back towards the wedding where 2D could see a crowd of people still milling around. 2D turned back to Russel, who was back to smiling like an idiot.

"What?" Russel shrugged.

"I dunno. Just happy that Noodle finally woke up and realized she loved you." 2D nodded until he thought it through.

"Woke up? How do yeh mean?"

"Man, she's been in love with you forever. I just don't think she knew." 2D smiled. He liked the idea of Noodle liking him for a long time.

"But... 'ow didja know?" Russel beamed. Murdoc rolled his eyes and spoke up.

"Christ, yeh blathering idiot! Everyone knew! Even the press knew! We awl knew you two had it bad for the other... thah's why we were awl so surprised when she picked him!" (A/N: Uh... even we knew...)

"Oh... well, uh... ok, then." 2D felt the stupidest grin creep onto his face.

"C'mon, we better see if Noodle needs any backup." Murdoc swaggered off, leaving the other two men to follow him. Russel just punched 2D playfully in the arm. 2D couldn't keep the smile off his face. Down at the wedding scene, Noodle had pulled a very morose looking Darren off to the side and from the looks of things, was gently consoling him, still a sight in her wedding dress. Guests were wandering around aimlessly, taking in the strange scenery and poking the seagull and pelican that had showed up for the wedding. The three bridesmaids were torn between making googly eyes at 2D and throwing murderous looks at Noodle whenever they thought she looked over. 2D waved uneasily at them. The three girls slapped each other and motioned towards him. One of the braver ones wiggled her fingers cutely at him. A small Asian man approached 2D. He gestured for the tall singer to follow him. When they were alone, the small man introduced himself as Mr. Kyuzo. The name ring a bell in 2D's mind but he didn't altogether recognize the man.

"So, may I assume that you are a Mr. Stuart Pot? Or, as your friends call you, 2D?" 2D thought it was strange that the tiny man knew so much about him.

"Y-yeah." The man smiled.

"I took care of Noodle when she was very small." Suddenly, everything fell into place in 2D's mind.

"Yew're- yew're in charge of that government fing wiv the kids and all." The man nodded, pleased he was recognized.

"I just wanted to tell you how happy I am. Happy that Noodle is happy." 2D smiled and rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah… sorry yew came all the way out here fer a weddin' though. Sorry it was, yeh know, a waste of yeh'r time." The man shook his head and held up his hands.

"I get the feeling I may be back for another wedding in the not-too-distant future, Mr. 2D… have a nice day." The man bowed and turned. Noodle caught his attention and pulled him in for a hug. They murmured softly to each other in Japanese. 2D noticed Darren get up and he accidentally caught Darren's eye. He quickly looked away, but it was no use, the almost-groom walked up to 2D, hands in his pockets.

"She picked you, didn't she?" 2D nodded slowly, too afraid to talk. "That hickey on your neck was hers too, wasn't it?" Again, he nodded, feeling more like an asshole every minute. Darren looked down and smiled sadly at the ground. 2D wondered if he was going to get punched.

"Take care of her." 2D didn't get the chance to answer, Darren just lightly punched his arm and slumped off towards his family. Noodle appeared at his side. She slipped her hand into his.

"Well, Darren's a bit upset, obviously, but he agrees this is for the best. Besides, I always figured we were better suited as friends anyway." 2D squeezed her hand and looked down at her. A smile spread across her face.

"Happy birthday, Toochi." He could only grin at her. Happy birthday, indeed.

Review! Oh, and let me know if you want more. This thing is over, but let me know if you want me to start a new thing...