Okay, I've got another one for you . I feel it's too short, but hopefully you all like it. I'm still gonna stick with that ten reviews thing. It's keeping me on my toes, and I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm. It makes me happy ^.^

Don't have much to say other than that, so I guess I'll leave you to your story…

"Just a couple more days," Noodle spoke to herself as she wiped her forehead clear of sweat, then bent over the cyborg once more. She took a pair of needle-nose pliers and stuck them in the hole of the cyborg's neck, where the wires stuck out. She pried the damaged spot open, and cut the ends of each of the wires, then soldered them together. After she shoved the wires back into the cyborg's neck, Noodle removed her pliers, and then clamped the ends of the wound together, sewing it shut seamlessly. She was just about finished with this damn android; all that it needed now was to finish charging, and it didn't need any help for that. She could only hope that once it was up and running, Murdoc wouldn't be so keen to take out his frustrations on the two other men on the island. Of course, he walked around constantly shitfaced, as if that were a surprise to anyone, so he sometimes ended up having a conversation with a lamp. Noodle scrunched her eyebrows, wondering how she could have possibly ignored his behavior from when she was younger.

As Noodle's thoughts went rampant, a dark feeling winded past her, and she clutched her chest desperately as she felt a sharp stabbing sensation. She fell to her knees on the ground, taking in a sharp breath and wheezing as the pain persisted. She gasped, clamping down harder, closing her eyes as she felt the stab again, and the ground became hot, growing to become rock in her vision. Her hands snaked to her arms, scratching herself desperately, trying to make the crawling sensation disappear, her breath rasping. Though she could clearly see that everything was wide and opened around her, she felt as though she were being surrounded, and her walls were closing in on her. She whimpered, fearing that these wounds Hell had left her with would never heal. She'd felt this way before many times before, but this was the worst delusion she'd had in a while. It actually felt real, and she didn't just see Hell before her, she saw her home as Hell. She bowed her head, huddling in on herself. How had this happened so effortlessly? There was no warning, no hint that anything would pull beneath her skin, trying to take her self-control, and in this moment, it was winning. Either she was becoming weaker, or they were becoming stronger. Fear overtook everything in her mind, a blanket of insecurity assuring her that she wouldn't get out of this one easily. Everything that should have been real was confused and distorted, and she was too focused on just controlling herself to try and make it better for herself.

An almost angelic laugh could be heard as Noodle gripped her own arms tightly, battling with the urges that were being forced upon her. Her gaze flashed up, looking around to find the source of the noise, and she wailed when she saw her own reflection. She took hold of her head, closing her eyes, but she could still see herself, only now, there were two reflections. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she studied the both of them behind her eyelids. One of them was the innocent, young Noodle –the one she should still be now –and the other was her now… The other was the battle-scarred and broken Noodle, the one who had hurt her family. The older one looked at her younger self, and grimaced, and then the younger Noodle evaporated, leaving just the older one. Noodle cried, not wanting the other one to go, but she would never return. She was gone, and she couldn't find herself anymore.

Noodle sobbed her entire body shuddering as she tried to find a proper lungful of air, crying, "Nooo!" And she shook her head repetitively.

"Noodle!" 2D's voice sliced into her mind, and she gasped as she felt his presence on her shoulders. She opened her eyes, relieved to find her delusion gone. He saw the fear in her eyes, and pulled her into his chest, brushing his hands through her hair as she continued to tremble. "Noodle, whot's wrong? Whot 'appened?" He asked, his voice panicked as he thought of the possibilities, but none of what he could come up with made any sense. As she continued to shake, and didn't answer him, he sighed, becoming afraid that she was falling into the same patterns she'd had when she first arrived. He pulled her face away, looking into her eyes. He stared at her, brushing his fingers beneath her eyes as she gazed back at him. "Whot 'appened?" He asked again. Her face scrunched, and she shook her head as another sob broke from her chest, and she bared her teeth as she cried, resting her head against 2D.

"Please," she whispered. "Please do not make me tell you…" She sniveled. "Please, just… just leave me be…" She pleaded.

2D took in a sharp breath. "I… How can I? Noodle-love… Yew… yew were screamin'... Yew expect me ta jus' leave yeh?" He asked, confused. How could she ask for such a thing?

She looked up to him, her face unreadable. "Yes." He felt his heart rip, and his lips tremble. He couldn't find the will to leave her alone when she was so hurt and vulnerable… but if he refused, he knew she would only get worse. Did his presence really hurt her as much as he believed?

He held his breath, and nodded. He took her hand as they both stood to their feet. "Awright… but… jus' be careful, love," he begged quietly. She gave half a nod, and then watched as he slowly turned, constantly looking back over his shoulder at her, and then unwillingly left.

Once he had gone, and Noodle heard the lift ascend, moving far away from her, she sat on the ground roughly, bowing her head as she pulled in her knees, resting her elbows upon them. She breathed in deeply, relieved that Hell was gone. She didn't know what she would have done had it lasted any longer, but she knew she would have hurt herself. Whenever the demons came near her now, she didn't just feel them crawling in her skin, but now they actually caused her physical pain… at least it felt that way. It could have been all in her head, but it felt too real, and things were always so confused, she didn't know how to tell if it was real or not.

She rubbed her forehead, and then combed her fingers through her hair, letting it fall back over her face. She closed her eyes, doing her best to sift through her thoughts, and find something pleasant to concentrate on. It proved to be more difficult than she had wanted. Every time she would think of something, and try to focus on it, her dark thoughts would pop back into her head, and she couldn't shake them away.

After a bit of time, and much more frustration, Noodle finally gave up, but the moment she did, she began to think again, only this time, it was easier and more relaxed. She thought about Connor, seeing his face in her thoughts, and she grinned, her heart aching. She missed the man dearly, and wondered if he felt the same way too. He was her first real friend she'd made outside of her family, and not being able to even just hear his voice broke her heart. She thought about the strange places he'd taken her, the stories he'd told, and she wanted more, but she wanted to share it with 2D as well. She had the feeling Connor would want to meet the man he claimed 'was the someone she gave herself to.' She shook her head, licking her lips. How could Connor know such things, when even she didn't even know how she felt about 2D? She wondered if he could see the something she was missing, but quickly brushed the thought away.

She was sure that she definitely missed Connor, and was desperate to know how he was doing, confident that he was in a much better place than herself. Noodle could only hope that one day she would be in that place too. She knew that 2D and Connor would make fast friends, and that made her somewhat happy. She was anxious to be able to go back to the mainland, but she could never do it on her own, especially not without 2D, but even then, she was still too afraid. Maybe if she ever got to see him again, she could help Connor find the love he was looking for. She felt she at least owed it to him to do something; he'd helped her in so many ways after all. He told her the things he saw in her, the things that even she didn't know were there, and he even saw her fears, even if he didn't full understand the extent of them, or where they had materialized. She felt a strong connection with Connor, different from the one she felt with 2D. Of course, she knew that her and Connor's connection was almost nonexistent compared to the one she shared with 2D, but Connor was unquestionably more in tune with the things she needed to discover. She shook her head, unable to explain the bonds they shared clearly, even to herself.

Noodle's entire body trembled, and a sob broke through her lips again. She rubbed her face against her arm, in an attempt to wipe the tears away. All of her regret began to wash over her. Years of pain and hatred misted around her, and she saw as the hurt and emptiness had taken her over the years, leaving her as a shell. She had nothing to lose when she'd finally gotten back, because she had nothing real, nothing to show, nothing but a body. She hadn't even known who she was for a short time, desperate to find herself. Desperate to find somewhere she belonged. She had nothing to say and nothing to feel but the hollow empty life of just trying to survive and get from day to day.

Looking back, Noodle could not believe she didn't die the moment she had gotten back, and even before then. There was nothing but negativity, and shallow empty wrongs. There was nothing real, nothing she wanted, no one she cared for when she'd felt abandoned. Noodle cried, shaking violently. She could never heal, and would never heal until she could let go and break away from herself. She knew she needed to destroy what she'd become, or risk losing herself completely, when she was barely grasping onto the threads of what she used to be. She felt as though she was stuck in a dream, but she couldn't wake up, it had been there for years. She was never going to wake up, because it was really happening. She was lost inside the void of herself, and she could do nothing but let it all out through violence and not allowing her to give into herself and her heart.

Tears poured endlessly down her face, her skin becoming hot and painful, but she did her best not to react to it. It was the pain of the years of torture and confusion she had endured. She cried, staring up at the ceiling, as if it had something for her, but she bowed her head to the floor once more after a moment. She took a breath, the pain intolerable. She wanted to heal, and forget all her pain she'd held onto. She wanted to find what she'd been looking for since before she had left her family, though she still didn't know what it was. She wanted to feel something she thought would never and could never be real to her, but she couldn't even take a guess at what it would be. She wanted to just be able to let go of all of her memories, all of her hate, all of her pain and confusion, and throw it all away. It was time, and she knew that it would have to happen sooner than later. If she waited any longer to let herself go, it would be too late, but she felt she couldn't do it on her own. She would never know anything until she broke away, but she didn't know how. She didn't know how to not feel the way she had for years. She didn't know how to be able to just let her body feel anything but hurt –didn't know how to let her soul soar in freedom, but she would have to find a way. She knew that the demons were gearing up. The memories would make themselves known again.

Her breathing still unstable, Noodle slowly got to her feet, her vision blurred with salty tears. She made her way to the lift, and rode it silently to the entrance, breathing deeply when she made it outside into the dank air.

At his place of the island, 2D was sitting on the plastic grass, having a smoke and trying to think about what had occurred over the course of the past few days. He'd believed Noodle had been healing so well, but lately he could only question if things were worse now than they'd been in a while. When he happened across Noodle in the engine room, he knew she was having a fit like she did when she'd first gotten back, but this time, it seemed as though she were in pain. He shivered, unable to comprehend what she could have possibly seen in her years of torture and frustration, but he fiercely craved to even have a glimmer of what she was going through. He wanted to know how to help her.

Over the past couple of weeks 2D had noticed that whenever Noodle was close to the edge, when he touched her, she seemed to become better, but he was still convinced that maybe she was trying to hide it. He could not believe that there could be anything special about himself, about his touch that could have any effect on his sweetest friend in any way. But he thought about the way she reacted to him, such as when he kissed her, and how he could feel her heart pounding when he caressed her. The way she responded to his touch gave him a hope that he clung to with all of his heart, and 2D wanted to believe that maybe she was starting to find her place with him. Maybe she was starting to find the feelings she desperately searched for.

As he stared out into the nothingness before him, no matter how hard he tried, 2D would never be able to see the young girl that now approached him from behind. She smiled to herself, butterflies washing over her as she came to stand by his side. It made her sad that she couldn't touch him in this moment, but that's not what she was here for. She needed to get his attention, and she could only pray that what she was about to try would work. She guessed that the success of what she was about to do would depend on just how strong a connection 2D and Noodle shared, but as Kazuno thought further, she knew it would work. She was a part of 2D too, even if he would never see her standing beside him now.

Kazuno looked over the edge, to the ground below, and her eyes grew wide. It was now or never. She pointed to the lighthouse. "Look, 2D-kun!" She spoke. 2D shook his head, and squinted his eyes, looking around himself. He tilted his head to the side when he saw nothing, but he was almost sure he had heard a voice. He stood to his feet, having the sudden urge to see if he would find anything interesting below himself, and he did. He could see as Noodle moved along the ground, as if she'd been circling the island, but now she was moving towards her lighthouse. He sighed, taking another drag of his cigarette, and then taking a hold of it with the tips of his fingers. He dropped the now finished fag to the ground below, and let his gaze move upwards to stare out at the colours the sun had left in the sky as it sunk below the horizon.

When she spoke again, Kazuno's voice became a whisper in a corner of 2D's mind, but she was still strong enough to make her presence known to him. She's still in pain, Kazuno whispered. 2D blinked, and bit his lip, pushing his hands into his trouser's pockets. He sighed deeply, remembering that Noodle had asked him to leave her alone. But if she was in pain, then he would want to help her, right? Kazuno became frustrated, and began to speak once more, You promised to take care of her. 2D shook his head. Yes, he'd promised that, but she didn't want him right now. If he went to her, he was afraid that she would become upset, and he wouldn't know how to help. Get her to talk to you. You know she would tell you anything if you pressed. He sighed again, a tear crawling down his face. He didn't want to press her. He wanted to make her feel better, and take away her hurt. How was he to know what would happen if he made her talk it out?

She needs you, Stuart… Go take care of her. Be brave for her, Kazuno begged. 2D bit into his lip harder, and brushed his hands through his hair. He turned, going toward the lift. He didn't know how or why, but he needed to do something. He knew Noodle needed him, and he wouldn't leave her again, even if she demanded him to. He wouldn't back down. He wanted to figure out what was ailing her, and he couldn't allow himself to just stand by, watching as she deteriorated in front of him. Kazuno only stood in place and watched as he left.

2D hesitated once he got to the door of the lighthouse, but he forced himself to turn the doorknob, and then enter the lounge. He was slightly confused that it was empty, but he quickly remembered that she might've went upstairs, so he made his way up the steps cautiously, trying to be as unnoticeable as possible. Once he saw her in his vision, he nearly felt his heart rip in two. She buried her face in her pillow as she lay on her stomach on their bed, and he saw her shoulders shaking as she sobbed silently. She hissed, and grasped her chest tightly, wheezing as she felt the stabbing. He walked to her deliberately, and placed his hand on her shoulder, and she immediately relaxed. She turned her head, and her face scrunched when she saw him. "I told you to leave me be," she spoke brokenly, her voice soft and full of anguish.

He bent down close to her, his face somber. "M'not leavin' yew again." She clenched her teeth, trembling. "Love, please…" He began, his voice hoarse. "Please, tell me whot's wrong." She shook her head, burying her face in her pillow again. "Noodle," he voice was stern, but continued to be gentle with her. "Stop 'idin from me," he begged her.

"I don't want them to hurt you," she wailed, her voice cracking and her body shuddering.

His face became masked in confusion. "Who wants ta 'urt me?" He asked, gently shaking her shoulder, trying to get her attention.

"The demons, 2D," she admitted. "They are trying to break me… I can't get them to stop," her voice was choked, and she stared up at him, her eyes painted with fear. "I don't want them to hurt you too," she cried, closing her eyes as more cold tears crawled down her face.

He bent down, sitting on his knees so he was level with her as he stayed on the floor by the side of the bed. "Noodle, they can't 'urt me," he told her, brushing his hands through her hair. "Only yew can," he cooed. "Noodle… are they urting yew? Were they doin' tha' just now?" He asked, caressing her face with his fingertips. She nodded, chewing on her lip. He kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry…" He whispered, not knowing how to help, or what else he was supposed to say.

"2D," she choked, looking into his eyes. "They keep coming back… I don't know how to make them stop," she told him again, her voice desperate. "I try to ignore them… but then I get hurt, and sometimes I am barely able to control myself," she cried. He took hold of her hand, squeezing it tightly. "I do not want to lose myself, 2D-kun," she whispered hysterically.

"I won' let them touch yew, love," he told her, resting his forehead against hers. "Please, Noodle… can yew tell me… I don' know 'ow ta 'elp yew," he spoke calmly, but he was filled with worry. What was he to do if they tried hurting her again?

"I don't know," she answered, closing her eyes as the anguish washed over her.

He sighed, hating the fact that the both of them were so helpless. He wasn't hurting like she was –he should be able to help her. His eyes wandered over her body as she wept, studying the light scars that decorated her arms, and the ones of her neck, all were barely noticeable, but still painful to look at. He brushed his fingers over her bruise, and she opened her eyes to watch him as he looked her over. She felt the pain of each scar on her body. She could feel the pain of how it had gotten there, and it made her face twist with the agony, but 2D was too focused on his movements to notice her distress. He brushed his fingers down her neck, and followed the path down her arm, back down to the ends of her hands. Noodle closed her eyes, shivering as his warm touch seemed to make her delusion melt away.

He brushed his fingers over the exposed skin of her stomach, where lay another scar, and Noodle shivered, taking in a sharp breath as his touch continually blanketed her in comfort. He froze, looking to her face as he heard her breathing hitch. She stared at him, her eyes glistening. "Don't stop…" she whispered.

He didn't know how to respond. He only stared at her for a moment, before running his hand up her arm again, and she curled her body into his chest, careful not to let herself fall off the edge of the bed into him. He rubbed her back, resting his head atop hers. "I won't," he told her finally, kissing the skin of her shoulder.

When you were standing in the wake of devastation
When you were waiting on the edge of the unknown
And with the cataclysm raining down
Insides crying, "Save me now"
You were there, impossibly alone

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go
Let it go

And in a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace
Falling into empty space
No one there to catch you in their arms

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go
Let it go

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go
Let it go
Let it go
Let it go
Let it go

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go
Let it go

Linkin Park – Iridescent

I know what your thinking. "WTF! Why'd it end?"

Calm yourselves.

This chapter, like all the rest, is to be continued…

Don't know what's comin' with the next chapter, but I guess we'll both find out soon… Eh… I'm bored… I should go run a mile… yeah, that sounds like a good idea to me…

'Til next time

~Hazel