Empire Ants

by The Hazel-Eyed Angel

O joys are us the sun has come again to hold you, sailing out the doldrums of the week. The polyphonic prayer is here, is all around you. It's all around you, out here. And if the whole world is crashing down on you, fall through space out of mind with me

40. Empire Ants

A/N

The Hazel-Eyed Angel:

I know I've been absent for quite a bit of time, and I explained what had happened on DeviantArt, so I'll post that explanation again here:

"Okay... I know I've been absent for months, but I got really caught up with life -in general.
I'm missing my family in Germany, and I'm still training to hopefully become a SERE specialist for the US Air Force.
Anyhow, that's all good, but I've been set back since I'm ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH under the 4 FOOT TEN height minimum... I know right :/
I need a waiver for that, and a couple medical records to prove it has nothing to do with my health, and after I'm all set to enter the Delayed Entry Program which is when I get to swear in for the first time X) and hopefully I'll be in BT by May of 2012 to make it for the SERE training that summer in July.
But... Right now I feel like a bum cos I need a job, which I think I may have a temporary one soon at a pumpkin patch -which is awesome cos then all the rides are free for me O.o... I'm still a child on the inside ^.^ - and then working the christmas tree... place, thing, whatever it's called… up until Christmas and then hopefully everything goes uphill from there..."

Along with that, I had started writing the next chappie months back, but when I reread it recently, I thought it atrocious, and decided to start from scratch with it. Hopefully it turned out all right.

For those of you who don't know already, I've finally done up a picture of the adorable Kazuno, and I encourage you guys to make your own art of her and my story. I lurvs 'et X) Seriously, all I've seen is really wonderful.

Here's Kazuno: the-axe-princess . deviantart . com/#/d4d6ntf

-remember to remove those spaces ;)

I also informed some on DeviantArt of this:

I'll be having my friend edit this chapter, and do whatever he wishes with it, then he'll post it for me, since I've given him my account info.
Few of you may know him. He's Mutilated Seraph from fanfiction ... or some variation of that name. M'not exactly sure.
Basically, he goes by the name "Chris" on the website, and he may make a few changes to my writing. Some of the speech may be a slight bit different, specifically 2D's when Chris gets through with it, so hopefully no one is too shocked by that, though I'm not worried about Noodle's speech.
He's a tart...

I was going to post a thank you list on this chapter for everyone who's supported me, but that would take quite a while and I know most of you are eager for what comes next. And this is the longest chapter I've written for this story so far as well. I hope you all enjoy it, since I've been holding out on you for so long. It may be longer when Chris is done though.

I'll do a list for the next chapter though :)

I love all you guys, and thank you once again.

~Hazel

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Editor's note:

Hopefully I did a good job, and nobody hates me :S

Let me know if I missed anything, would you?

–Chris

Here we go… come with me… there's a world out there that we should see –Take my hand… close your eyes… With you right here, I'm a rocketeer –Let's fly…

The cold wind blew across the island, leaving an achingly sensual scent in the air, temporarily dimming the thick smell of rot from the various undesirables that scattered about and within the dreadful island known as Plastic Beach. The daunting breath of the earth brought with it silvery wisps of fluff in the sky, undetectable to any eye in the darkness of the brazen new moon, hiding in its own lonely shadow. A beautiful night indeed, momentarily lulling the constant sense of impending doom that was associated with anyone on the malicious island. And it was also unsurprising that it caused trouble for its inhabitants. One hungover, another now asleep just minutes after one had bade farewell. The one who'd bade farewell was an insomniac, but needed to be awake and on alert anyhow, their mind set on another, the fourth inhabitant… who was dying as she prowled through the bowels of the island, flinching as the lift came to a still on her floor, granting her passage into its shaft. There was no denying the gravity of her situation, doomed should she fail. She'd never felt so helpless in a frightfully long while.

Unaware to the island, but sensed by the lurking young woman, a vehicle was slicing through the sky, nearing its destination, it would be arriving some time about the hour, and now it was about midnight, and the clouds had just parted, and the stars were glittering upon the surface of the ocean, but it went unnoticed as the lift carried it precious cargo to her destination. She could feel her time waning, the decision she'd made now forcing its consequence, unsure if this would bring her heartache or peace, but certain she could go on, as long as the one she'd left slumbering and dying was to live on because of it. They'd been as one what seemed like a short time, but also a lifetime to her, and yet, she still couldn't help but to let her fears consume her. She's been all he'd had since he'd been on the island –the one he'd waited for and dreamed of coming home, but never hoped to claim as his own because he thought it wasn't possible. But the young girl. She couldn't keep her doubts at bay. She'd been all he'd had for ages. When they were away, when they were free, would he walk away? And would she be able to look the other way as he made his choice? She was all he had, but what would happen when he had the world at his fingers once more. She knew women would melt at his feet, though he wasn't the best looking man, rugged and aged, and damaged and tired. He wasn't a sight, but he'd never needed looks since he was famous now. That was all the excuse any woman needed to find him attractive, but he was so much more than that to this girl.

Noodle loved him with all of her being, and she would die to save him- fight to her very last breath. He deserved that from her, after all the pain and frustration she'd caused him. She'd bear his children, give him her all, everything he needed, even if it meant it wasn't her he wanted any longer. It would break her, but she'd do it for him. She'd given him everything already, both body and soul. And now, he needed her to keep him alive, and she was in the midst of that battle. Of course, she thought to herself she could have always just tried a little harder to keep him alive herself, and stayed on the island. It was possible, she believed. She'd crossed this path of her thoughts many times, moments before she'd sent out the call of her ring, which beaconed to the passengers of the plane approaching Point Nemo. She could have decided not to call them, and she had considered it. By reaching for help, she could save his life, but end up losing him to the world when she freed him. That's why she'd pondered keeping them here, and trying to nurse him herself. She'd almost not called them. The darkness of her tainted mind pled and begged her not to reach out to their escape, but she'd forced the decision. She would never chance his life like that. He was too important to her. If he died, so did she. But if he lived and left, she would die still. But she was okay with that, and so she had made the decision, and the time was upon her.

Everything was in place in this dark moment. Down in the lighthouse, at an edge of the island, the singer slumbered, and unbeknownst to him, his possessions had been packed neat and tidy, save for many of his instruments which would not be able to join him on his journey. Of course, he wouldn't have wanted to take them anyway, as they would only become more unneeded things he would have to lug around with him, which is why it was decided without him to leave all his instruments but his favourite keyboard, and of course his melodica. Aside his own belongings sat another's. Noodle had packed both hers and 2D's things, but only what would fit in her luggage bags. Now she was off to tie one more end after having said her goodbyes to Russel and left him to bed. She'd put this last chore off until now, saving it for what she'd hoped to be the very last event before she joined the singer, and waited for their final moment on the island, yet he had no idea this was the case. 2D had been sleeping since Noodle had activated the little ring on her tiny finger. She was pretty certain he would not be very happy about it. She knew it would stress him out, and he would be worried and scared, but so was she. And she also realised that they didn't have the choice anymore. Destiny was shoving her cold fist into the mix and forcing her way into their lives, and one could only hope that Destiny knew what she was doing.

This was just one chance, and Noodle took just one more deep breath before she remembered where she was in this time, in this place. She was just outside the Master Bedroom, its only occupant sleeping restlessly, tossing and tumbling in his sheets among his dreadfully ridiculous hat collection, whispering dirty nothings to his pillow, which he clung to tightly against his chest. Murdoc was typically a deep sleeper, especially in his current drunken stupor, and yet, Noodle could not chance that he would awaken at the sound of a plane's engine. She opened the door to his room cautiously, but quickly to avoid any annoying squeak. She snaked through his bedroom, cursing silently when her foot jabbed into an unidentifiable object, too dark to see in the blackened room. Noodle bit onto her lip, her eyes wary of the man on the bed. She could make out his shadow, a thick hatred burning in her gut for him, and she swallowed back the acid crawling up her throat, making her slightly uncomfortable. But though she felt a strong disdain for the fool, try as she might, she could never fully hate this man, though she felt no regret in trying to kill him. He'd helped to raise her, guided her through her life, even offered her an escape when she had so desperately needed it many a year ago, but now, he was the only thing standing between her and a new, free life. She couldn't risk him awakening in this, her final hour on this godforsaken land, and so she came with a plan, and bottle in her grasp. She approached him with deliberate steps, fumbling with the cloth in her jean's pocket, pulling it free as she took up the bottle in her other hand, now almost empty from recent events she'd rather forget.

Noodle poured the last of the chloroform into the cloth, soaking it thoroughly and becoming anxious as Murdoc snorted, though his slumbering went on. She felt the need to bolt, then shook her head, a bit upset that once upon a time she would never have thought to run from any situation that frightened her. Fighting had always been her first instinct, but that was before Hell had snatched her from the mortal world. She composed herself, a familiar poker face erupting instantly as she hovered over him. If she held the cloth over his face, perhaps left it there, he would never awaken again, and she would never have to fear his wrath upon 2D again. She knew, as well as Murdoc himself, that he did care for the singer's well being, simply for the band's sake, but he was fully convinced that 2D would recover, and nothing would change his mind until 2D was dead. He was just a stubborn man, set in his ways, blind to the chaos around him, and Noodle could end him right here, right now. But though she had been tainted, her heart would never allow it. She placed the cloth over his face, clamping it over his mouth with both hands, scrunching her face, perspiration quickly building over as he struggled for breath in his sleep, but seconds later, he slumped even deeper into the abyss of what was an already frightfully deep sleep. She contemplated walking away and leaving the cloth on his face once more, but she fought it away, removing the cloth with a sigh, a tear ran free, glistening in the starlight on her damaged cheek as she looked down at the unconscious man. How she loved him so. And yet hated him fiercely. He was part of her family, and nothing could break that; she was forever tied with him as part of her, as she was with Russel. She knew Murdoc meant well, and was simply fearful of the band breaking up, of 2D running away, because it seemed like then he would have nothing. The band was everything to him, and that meant that no one, like 2D, who would flee if given the chance, could ever be allowed off the island unless it was a matter of life and death, but he was blind, and couldn't see that was the situation 2D was in right now. He was just a man.

After a moment or so to compose herself, Noodle dropped the now empty bottle, kicking it beneath Murdoc's bed and wincing when she heard the audible clank of it pummeling into the last few bottles of rum Murdoc had stowed away. She rolled the cloth into a tight ball, fisting it in her hand as she looked around, making out the shape of a trash bin, and then looking over to the piles of boxes at the corner of the room. Without another thought, she threw the cloth toward the many cardboard beasts, satisfied that it would lay hidden for some time. She looked out the large bay window, her eyes squinting as she studied the subtle flicker of the few visible stars, her being reaching out to them. The sky had always been a place of peace, of rest for her, and made her feel innocent and new once more. The very place she would be kissing as she sliced through the air in her escape. The place where she had touched many times in her childhood, with her cherished windmill… and the very place that she had died. When one last breath, she rubbed her ruined cheek, and turned, with a single glance over her shoulder, looking back to Murdoc with her eyes now adjusting to the darkness. When would he know?

With grace that only she could allure, she glided out of the bedroom, sighing a breath of relief when an obnoxious snore started up as she closed the door behind her, then slunk to the lift, grateful that it opened for her immediately and allowed her passage. She rode it silently to the beach entrance, a pallid-skinned, impassive expression on her tired face, the bruising beneath her sleep-deprived eyes darker than usual. She looked herself over as she waited for the slow trip down the depths of the island's bowels to end. Her cuts that danced upon her arms were fading, and it seemed pleasing to her. They weren't becoming new scars as she'd feared, and her old ones were fairly blended with her skin. But the few scars on her back were slightly more visible. And now, after all these years, she'd finally come to the conclusion that the bruise on her face wasn't actually a bruise at all, but a permanent abrasion, forever marking her, reminding her of what she had faced, the darkness she had endured, and the journey she had made from then to now. It was truly her badge of honour, and it was coming to light to her now, and didn't bother her as it used to. Of course, she knew she would never feel that way if 2D hadn't put it in perspective for her, and as she creeped out the beach entrance, making her way to her lighthouse slowly, she felt her heart racing, as if it knew she would be seeing his face again soon, even if he was asleep. She grinned slightly as each of her feet hit the stairs as she made her way down them, knowing that he would be safe soon, but he wouldn't be too delighted about the prospect of being admitted to a hospital.

The breeze had now grown a slight warmth, and as it showered Noodle in its breath, the initial chill of it made her shiver, but she felt grand once her skin registered the warmth that it brought to her. A few precious steps to go and Noodle froze, glancing out into the sky, wondering if they'd be arriving soon. She had everything to lose if they didn't. Another breath, she moved on, entering the lighthouse, taking in the familiarity and comfort of this place, now bathed in the scent of the man she adored. She journeyed to her bathroom, stripping her clothes as she went along, folding them neatly in her arms and closing the door behind her as she readied herself. She didn't understand why, but she felt the need to clean herself, and now seemed as good a time as any, and so she ran the water of the shower, brushing through her messy hair as she waited for the water to come to a pleasing temperature. She would need to cut it again soon, though it was still quite short, and 2D may do with a good trim for his blue mane as well, but for now, she focused on cleaning herself. She stepped into the water eagerly, lathering her hair immediately with shampoos, and her body with gentle soaps, scrubbing her pale skin clean. The feel of her stomach and ribs, now soft with flesh, made her smile. How beautiful her body was becoming. She'd never noticed before, but she could still make out the outline of her bones beneath the skin.

Once again, she focused on her hair, rinsing it out, then wringing it tightly as she shut off the water, trying to free as much of the water from her strands before she stepped out of the shower. She wrapped herself tightly in a towel, using another to dry her hair as best she could. Once satisfied, she combed through her hair again, dressing back into her previous wear, a small t-shirt and flexible jeans, being her other clothes were all packed and she didn't want to dig for them. This night seemed out of place, she sensed as she made her way out if the bathroom. Everything was ominously quiet and still, yet nothing had been done yet. She tried to shake the feeling off, knowing there was nothing to worry over but the man in her bed. She had cleaned and dressed his wounds earlier, before the sun set. Seeing his red and enflamed skin made her feel horridly guilty, and though his head was hot with fever, his skin, especially around his wound was ice-cold. He was pale and listless, his dreaming anything but peaceful.

At the top of the stairway, Noodle froze once she noticed a pair of dark eyes fixed on her. He smiled warmly, the skin around his eyes crinkling, and she grinned back halfheartedly. "What are you doing awake so late, 2D-kun?" She whispered, walking further into the dimly lit room.

"Oh, yew know… sick an' all," he answered her, his voice low and rough. After pausing to cough, his face fell, and he studied her carefully. "Did yew stick tha' IV in me arm again?" He asked quietly. Noodle swallowed, her hands making questionable movements in front of her body before she sighed, and gave him a nod. He nodded in return, letting out a breath he'd held waiting for her answer. "I figured as much… I didn' wanna look meself… buh I cou' feel ih," he explained with a slight frown.

"I hung the bag lower… so that you could move your arm more… …I'm sorry, 2D," Noodle apologised.

"No need, Love," he smiled sheepishly, "I know yo' only lookin' ou' fo' me." She grinned tiredly again, thankful for his dismissive attitude. "Come on, Love," he told her, watching her expectantly, and she looked at him questioningly. "S'cold over 'ere yeh know, yeah?" She sucked in her bottom lip, chewing on it as she inched her way over to him, moving around the bed, and then crawling onto the tops of the covers, into his open arms. He wrapped her close to him, sighing as her warmth met his cold skin, and she rested her cheek against his chest, curling against his body. "Yew smell nice," he commented, taking in her fresh scent. She wrinkled her nose, blushing softly.

"You need a bath," she whispered back. He gave a throaty chuckle, combing through her hair delicately with his rough fingers.

"S'pose so? I fink I need a lot o' fings… Like a shave… an' m'real thirsty like, too, buh m'afraid if I drink summink, me stomach won' be so 'appy tha' ih ain' food…" He rambled on. "When's fe las' time I ate, Love? B'fo I got shot? How long's ih been?" He asked her curiously. She held up her fingers, one at a time, curling the last finger up and down meaningfully. "About four days, huh?" She nodded into his chest. After a moment of silence, 2D traced his fingers along the exposed skin of Noodle's arm, content with the presence of her being with him. "How are yew feelin, Love?" She shifted against him, resting her arm over his body, reaching for his free arm, petting the tape on his skin gently, where the IV was tucked beneath his skin, then with a sigh she traced down to his hand, twining her fingers with his. He gave a small grin with this gesture, leaning forward to kiss the crown of her head.

She was quiet for another moment before her eyes shifted, locking onto his face; he was waiting patiently for her. "Better… better than you, I suppose," she spoke quietly, a faux grin meeting her lips. He sighed, gently stealing his hand back from her and placing it upon her face, rolling over to face her and cupping her cheek. He grunted quietly, mentally cursing as a pain shot through his body, but he quickly composed himself, focusing on the woman curled into him.

"Yew know tha's not whot I wos askin, Love," he admonished with a serious face, not finding humour in the situation, which was what she had feared. She avoided his gaze, staring out at nothing, a tear rolling down her cheek as she bit her lips painfully. He now moved his hand to her stomach, letting it creep beneath her shirt and rub her tenderly. "How are yew feelin, Noodle?" He pressed her gently. She shook her head, choking on a sob as she fought to hold it back, and 2D pulled her against him tightly, wincing with the pain it brought to his body, but determined to ignore it. "I know, Love… I know…" He cooed. "It'll be awright. I promise." His words were sincere and honest, and as she buried her face into his chest, trying to hold herself together, Noodle tried desperately to allow him to console her. She shivered beneath his touch when he began to run his fingers through her hair and down the nape of her neck, following the path midway down her back before drifting upwards once more in an unending cycle. As she relaxed in his arms, 2D moved his hand, wiping away the wetness from her face with loving fingers, allowing them to linger on her skin, and once she looked up to him, he bent toward her, laying a tender kiss just below her hairline. "We'll be awright," he continued quietly, speaking only to her, with his lips brushing against the skin her head. "My li'l Japanese baby," he crooned with a smirk. She couldn't help the blush that painted her cheeks a deep scarlet with this comment, and she looked up to him again, his dark eyes trapping her green ones with his. "Can I ask yew summink?" He asked abruptly.

Noodle blinked after a moment, arching her eyebrow curiously. After a minute or so of silence, she eyed him quizzically. He was looking down at her with a calm grin, and she took in a weary breath, "Were you not going to ask me a question, 2D-kun?" She asked him quietly, shifted her body to move her face closer to his so she could rest her head against his neck.

"Yew never answered me first question," he spoke with a smile in his voice.

"Which was?" She pulled back slightly to look at his face. Had she not heard it? Or had he forgotten to ask?

He took a breath, making an odd face. "I asked f'I could ask yew a question, an' yew didn' say yes o' no," he answered simply, fighting the urge to smirk. She opened her mouth to make a remark, her brow furrowing, but closed her lips again slowly, finding herself rarely dumbfounded. He chuckled at her expression. "S'awright, Love. I awready forgot me question any'ow," he told her with a grin.

"Gomen, 2D-kun," she apologised, curling against him closely once more.

"Ih wosn' impor'an anyways I'm sure, Love," he spoke with a low voice, coughing as he began to brush through her hair again. She closed her eyes for the time he caressed her hair and neck, nuzzling her face against his neck. She wondered just what exactly it was they were going to do when they were gone. Were they just supposed to hide forever, on the run until Murdoc finally gave up? She didn't think he would ever give up, honestly. But if they came to a point where they didn't need to worry about hiding, what were they supposed to do then? Their lives had always been anything but normal, and settling down some place, bunkering into society, whether she and 2D were together or not, seemed terribly dull. She didn't think she could cope with an average, domestic life, but as these strange new thoughts drifted through her currently disorganised mind, she made a sort of discovery: the past time on the island had sort of been like that, aside from all the chaos, but when it was just her and 2D, that's what it seemed to have been… Still, she didn't want to have an average life once she made a new path for herself, but her life had never been average since the moment she was born.

Noodle was suddenly drawn to the present when she felt the warm press of 2D's feverish lips pressed against the crown of her head, breathing her in deeply. "Yew still awake, Noodle?" He whispered into her hair. He felt her nod against him, and he took a moment to continue speaking to her. "…Do yew 'ear tha'?" He asked, focusing on his ears and trying to figure out which direction he was hearing the noise from.

"Hear what?" She questioned, pulling back as his head began to shift, looking in the direction he was sure he'd heard something. Maybe he was just imagining it. He was sick after all. "What is it, 2D-kun," she asked again, and hint of worry in her tone.

He licked his lips before looking back to her. "I dunno," he murmured, looking back in the direction of the noise, staring at nothing in particular. "Buh… I fink…" As the noise grew louder, so did his eyes grow wider, and he matched this noise to one he'd heard before. "S'Murdoc goin' on a trip again?" Noodle cocked her head to the side, utterly confused, but suddenly she was looking the same direction as 2D, now noticing what he did, and her eyes dilated. "Tha' noise?" He looked to her, and their eyes met, "'as a plane, isn' ih?"

Noodle began to breathe heavily, looking to 2D with worried eyes. "I… I don't know," she whispered. "But…" She sat up abruptly when the muffled roar grew louder, but 2D's yelp made her wince, and she leaned down to him, brushing her hair out of her face. She place her hand upon his face, brushing her fingers up through his hair gently and laying a tender kiss upon his cheek, "Gomen, 2D-kun." He shook his head, now grasping his side, and she heard a mumbled 'fine' but most of his words were incoherent. She looked around again, growing anxious. "2D –I'll be right back, okay?" When he gave a strained nod, she seemed to instantly disappear from his side, and moments later, he heard their door slam shut. 2D let out a heavy burst of air, rolling onto his back and biting his lip, a drop of sweat rolling down the side of his face. Just what exactly had it been that had gotten Noodle so worked up? It was just Murdoc's plane. He was certain of it.

Noodle's petite form raced toward the jetty, nearly leaping with every stride she took, her heart pounding furiously against her ribcage as she bounded closer to the noise, shielding her eyes from the blazing lights illuminating the plastic ground from which the vehicle faced. She saw one dark figure climb out from the opened hatch of the plane, hopping out and seeming to examine the now parked air-capable craft, then fasten something to the jetty. When the lights faded dramatically, especially against the deep, dark background of midnight, Noodle had to skid to a stop, nearly tripping over her own feet as her pupils tried to readjust. Slower than before, she now began walking slowly since she'd come so close, watching the rudders of the plane as they sliced through the air, though the craft was unmoving. She realised she wouldn't recognise any of the men aboard, seeing as Connor had said that he'd be waiting for her if she ever called for help, but this man she could now see didn't seem like he would be helping any. He just wandered around the jetty, checking the plane over, but he immediately moved to the hatch after a moment when he heard someone signal for him. A somewhat offended expression grew on Noodle's face when he completely ignored her, taking a leather bag from another's hand as they made their way out of the plane. Still standing just off of the wooden jetty, on the plastic ground, Noodle could see as this new man brushed his hand through his thick brown hair when he hopped onto the wood of the jetty, offering a nod to the man whom ignored Noodle, then retrieved his bag from the man as they exchanged a handshake.

Once the brown-haired man turned on his heel, he froze in shock, his bag slipping from his grasp to the ground, but his surprise instantly melted when he realised just who this young beauty was, giving her a warm smile. "Bonnie-lass," he spoke excitedly. She jumped at the sound of his voice, her mouth popping open once she realised her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. "I thought I told yeh ta promise yeh wouldn' use that ring," he chastised her with a devilish smirk.

"Connor," she gasped, tears streaming down her eyes as she ran for him, arms spread as she crashed into his chest, and he huffed upon the impact, his eyebrows furrowing as she began to shake. He immediately moved his hands to her shoulders, pulling her away from his body to have a look at her, but when he saw the smile upon her face as she looked up to him, he smiled back, realising they were seemingly happy tears, and he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I missed you," she breathed against his suit jacket.

"Oh, I missed you too, Lass," he mumbled audibly, pulling her away from him again and holding her face in his hands. He bent down, laying a chaste kiss upon her soft lips before he continued. "I know it's only been a month or so, but 'et feels like ages, huh?" She nodded, grinning again. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, studying her face carefully. She seemed different. Very different, and though her face was pale and tired, he could still see a slight glow beneath her skin. "Lass," he began, swallowing, a twinkle in his chocolate eyes shining brightly, "I know it's not exactly me place… but… are you pregnant?" The consequence of his curiosity was instant as Noodle's face melted from joy to horror, her face twisting with agony as her eyes began to sting, shameful tears erupting from her green eyes. With a choked sob, Noodle crashed into Connor's body once more, clinging to him desperately. "Oh, I'm sorry, Lass," he spoke quickly, "I didn't mean anythin'. Honest… I just…" he took a deep breath, resting his hand on the back of her neck. "So… is this why you called? Are you planning on getting rid of it?" Again, Noodle only sobbed harder, but Connor grew more confused when Noodle shook her head against his chest. "You're not expecting, then?" He asked, shifting Noodle to wipe the fallen tears from her face.

"No, Connor," she spoke with a hiccup, rubbing her cheek with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath, her eyes far away, staring at nothing. "I was pregnant…" she whispered. She could feel Connor sigh, squeezing her lightly.

"I'm sorry, Lass," he apoligised in understanding. "I shouldn' o' said anythin'…" Noodle shook her head again, taking in a shaky lungful of air. "So we need to get you to the hospital. Have yeh looked at," he concluded. She looked up at him with anxious eyes, pulling away from him. He watched her as she wiped the wetness from her face away. "What've yeh been up to, lass," Connor asked curiously, trying to get her mind off of her most recent spell. He began looking around the putrid landscape, his nose wrinkling every now and then from the unpleasant odors.

"Um…" Noodle let out a sigh, now feeling a slight bit better once more. She began looking around as well. She didn't often try and memorise anything about this place. She never wanted to remember it, and hoped it would become a memory that faded quickly, maybe even forgotten. She focused on Connor again, "Not much… there's not a whole lot to do on a landfill like this…" He nodded in agreement. "But…" He trained his eyes on her, listening carefully with her slight change in tone. "A few days ago… there was an incident… and 2D-kun got shot… he needs to get out of here, and be taken to a hospital."

"He was shot?" Connor spoke, exasperated, not bothering to remember he didn't know the man Noodle spoke of. "How's 'e still alive, lass?" He should have been dead by now, if not from blood loss, then surely infection, especially if it was days ago and he'd no proper help.

"I have done what I can… but he's still in much pain," she explained, not wanting to go into too much detail, and Connor gave a nod, reaching down to retrieve his bag he'd dropped moments ago. Noodle continued without pause, "And he's gotten an infection. I do not know how long he has until he succumbs to it… but… I need to save him, Connor," She told him, tears in her eyes as she looked up to this man, her friend, and now he would be her saviour.

After a moment, she looked back in the direction of her lighthouse, and he decided she'd waited long enough. He took her hand in his free one, and she sighed with relief, turning with him and leading him to her home in all this mess. When he saw just exactly where they were headed, he smirked, looking down to her. It seemed she still had her windmill on her mind, even years later, being that she's taken to this lighthouse as her own place of peace. He took in a deep breath, pulling Noodle into his side, then swallowed, as they walked along remembering what he was here for, and what she'd just told him. "Is he the one who got you… I mean… Is he… your someone?" The words, though tentative, didn't seem to be a question, and when Noodle remained quiet, he took it as confirmation. "How'd 'e get shot." Again, she was quiet, not wanted to relive the memories –at least, not when they were in the middle of an escape. "Long story?"

"Yes" she answered quietly. He knew it must have been hard for her –seeing someone you loved mutilated, so he decided not to press for now.

"Do I get ta hear it," he questioned, his voice taking on a childish tone, unable to reisist. Noodle grinned with a nod, looking up to him with familiar eyes. It was as though not a day had passed between them, like it had always been for them. "Good," he smiled. "Gonna be a long flight back, anyhow. It'll be a good story ta pass the time, Lass," he joked, trying to lift her spirits. And it seemed to have worked when he saw her grin partially through her sorrowful eyes.

Once they'd reached their destination, Noodle opened the door for the both of them, moving inside whilst he followed closely behind. He looked around with inquisitive eyes, taking in this homey site. It was nothing the world he'd just seen outside, though it was dark. It was quaint, and had a somewhat beauty that Noodle seemed to have passed on to it, but Connor had to shake his reverie when he realised Noodle was waiting for him at the bottom of a staircase, and he gave an impish grin, which she returned as he quickly followed after her. The shuffle of their feet caught 2D's attention, and he looked up from where he was now sitting. "Love? Issat yew?" He asked wearily.

"Yes, 2D-kun," she answered, halting once she saw 2D from where she was at the top of the stairs. "What are you doing?" she spoke exasperatedly, running over to him. He had been trying to get up off the bed, now sitting on its edge, but his eyes focused on the unfamiliar man standing just at the edge of their room. "You could have hurt yourself, you know," Noodle continued, unnoticing as 2D's eyes narrowed, studying this man who shifted in his gaze. Noodle brushed the sweat from his feverish forehead with a cloth, removing the hair that stuck to his skin on his face.

Finally, he focused on Noodle again as she continued to look him over. He gave her a sheepish smile, taking the hand she had placed upon his face in his own. "M'fine, Love," he told her, coughing after a moment, then cursing to himself as he hunched over and grasped onto his side with a grunt. "I jes' wonted ta make sure yew wos awright," he wheezed, trying to shake off the pain.

"You weren't kiddin' about 'im bein in pain then, were yeh Lass?" Connor spoke, interrupting the two, and Noodle jumped with a start, having forgotten he'd been there with them. The look she gave him, as if he was her hero, made 2D's face twist with disapproval, scrutinising the stranger as his mind began a reign of unfinished thoughts. His eyes narrowed as Connor focused on him, walking up to him boldly, a friendly expression plastered on his face, and he held his hand out to 2D. "Tha name's Connor Marston, 2D," he greeted, the same grin on his face. Cautiously, 2D took the man's hand, nodding to himself. So this was the bloke Noodle had told him of once before, eh? He didn't like him much, but only because Noodle had taken to him, like she had with 2D when they first met. Not a second later, when Connor shook his hand, 2D grunted again, wincing, and Connor pulled away. "Sorry, lad," he apologised quickly, but 2D only glared at him, breathing heavily as he clamped down onto his side. Noodle took no notice from 2D's animosity as she dried his face once more.

She continued with their earlier conversation. "I do not need you worrying over me when you could have gotten yourself hurt," she told him, sighing as she lifted his shirt to check the bandages on his stomach. He looked to her again, his brow furrowed. "That was stupid and reckless," she bantered lightly, ignoring him as he pouted his lips, "And…" She placed her hand on his face, her eyes holding nothing but tender feelings for him, and he instantly relaxed in her gaze. "And really, very sweet, Stuart." He grinned, twining her fingers in his. "But please don't hurt yourself over me. I know you meant well, but you are sick, and you need to take it easy," she spoke firmly, yet softly at once, and it always amazed 2D how she did so.

He sighed, "I'm sorry, Love. I won' do ih again." She sighed as well with his words, moving closer to him and hugging him close, kissing his cheek as she released him. He kept her against him, not wanting to let her go, and he gestured to Connor as he spoke to Noodle. "Whot's 'e doin' 'ere, Love?"

Connor looked to Noodle now, one of his eyebrows furrowed, "You didn't tell him, Lass?"

She turned slightly in 2D's embrace to address Connor as she shook her head, but 2D only looked between them, completely unaware of what was going on, and wanting answers. "I was going to, but then… I didn't know how to bring it up," she admitted, looking to 2D, an apology in her eyes, and he studied her with worry in his face. She took a breath, trying to think of how best to break it to him, and Connor decided to busy himself, now shifting his attention onto the bag in his grasp. He lowered the bag to the ground, crouching down himself as he began to dig through it. After a moment, Noodle decided to get this over with. "I did not want to cause you stress… when you were already hurt, 2D-kun," she began, and he squeezed her against him, his brow furrowed once more. "We are leaving, Stu," she whispered, an anxious excitement painted her voice. "We are leaving and never coming back, and going far away… and when you get better we can go wherever we want," she choked, a tear rolling down her face. Though he registered the tear, since he'd wiped it away with his free hand, 2D was in complete shock –dumbfounded –but the next face he made brought a thick confusion to Noodle's mind, and the words that left his lips didn't help any.

"Buh… I don' wanna leave," he spoke, his tone that of a frightened child. Noodle's mouth popped open as she sucked in a sharp breath, biting her lip painfully and looking away ashamedly. So she had made the wrong decision… "Wait," he told her, coaxing her chin up to look him in the face. "I didn' mean like tha', Love," he spoke quickly, anxiety in full bloom within his words. "I-I really do wanna leave –mo' than anyfink, really," he promised, "Buh… I jes'… I-I-I don' see 'ow i-ih's possible…" He began to stutter, trying to keep his speech lucid enough for her to understand. "I-I-I mean, Love, I-I-I… I-I'm n-not sh-sure abou' f'is, I-I mean." He froze when he felt Noodle's soft lips against his own, relaxing immediately, returning her kiss with vigor, and it left her breathless when she broke away, leaning her forehead against his own. How could anyone be so afraid looking into those green eyes? He placed his hand on her damaged cheek, running his thumb over the skin beneath her eye. "I'm scared," he finally told her.

"Me too," she spoke, hugging him around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder, facing him. "But we'll be okay… Connor is here to help us, and we will both be taken care of –"

"Noodle, I'm not worried about me," 2D cut her off, a seriousness in his expression. "Whot abou' Murdoc? 'E won' leh us leave –I'm surpised 'e ain't down 'ere righ' now tryin' ta stop us," he told her, "When 'e finds ou', he's gonna be angry. Really angry! …Please, Love, you can't be worried abou' me," he began to shake his head. "I don' wanna see yew getting 'urt tryin' ta 'elp me, Love." She watched him with tender eyes, pulling back to look into his dark voids again.

"The only one who can hurt me here is you," she breathed. 2D bit his lip as he bowed his head. He knew what she was saying. He'd always known they'd have no choice about this when he found out he was sick. He would die. "And Murdoc won't find out for at least a day or so, and by morning we'll have already been long gone," she assured him. He gave her a grin, leaning to allow their foreheads to touch one more.

"An' yeh don' have to worry about 'im huntin' yeh down," Connor cut in, and both the singer and guitarist now eyed the Irish man. Noodle's gaze grew wary when she spotted a syringe in one of his hands, and a vile of clear liquid in the other, but Connor didn't notice her apprehension as he addressed 2D. "I've made some arrangements, an' with everything I've laid out, old Murdoc'll be led on a wild goose-hunt if 'e decides ta try an' find yeh," he spoke with a smirk, throwing a wink at Noodle.

"Thank you, Connor" she told him with a polite grin, but her expression grew impassive as she eyed the items in Connor's hands again. "Um…"

"Just a bit o' morphine, lass," he explained quickly, pushing the needle into the thin fabric at the top of the vile, and measuring carefully as he filled the syringe to the amount he was sure he would need. "It'll kick in right fast, an' we won' need to worry about 'is pain while we get 'im to the plane." Noodle gave a nod, but 2D flinched as Connor approached him, watching the needle carefully. "Now then," he looked to 2D, as if he were studying the singer, "Do you've any idea how much you weigh, brother?" 2D only stared at Connor, not quite registering what exactly was about to happen. With a resigned sigh, Noodle took the items from Connor, adjusting it fluid to the correct amount, and Connor took the items back again, tossing the vile of morphine back into his bag. Next, he turned to 2D, coming towards him tentatively, and 2D's eyes grew wide in understanding.

"Keep tha' bloody fing away from me, yew daft git," he squealed, wincing as he tried to scoot away. He yelped as Noodle took his arm, apologising as she held it still as Connor quickly slipped the needle into a vein in 2D's arm, injecting the morphine. "Fuck," he spoke, pulling his arm away once Noodle released it, but he grew quiet as the narcotic quickly began to work its magic, and his tense body relaxed.

"Thank you, Connor," Noodle whispered, pushing 2D's hair out of his face as she watched him with uneasy eyes. 2D flinched when Noodle reached for him once more, and she struggled to keep herself from crying with his sudden fear of her. She looked into his eyes, revealing his uncertainty, and she placed her hand upon his tired face, stroking his stubble-covered skin tenderly. "Daijoubu da, 2D-kun," she whispered, and he nodded to her. Slowly, she reached for his arm where his IV was tucked in place. Taking great care, she removed the tape from his arm, and he seemed to grow elated when he found out what she was doing to him. Still moving slowly, Noodle reached for the IV, pinching the needle between two fingers as she slipped it out from beneath 2D's skin, and then she took the IV and its bag, hiding them away in one of her drawers close to the bed. She returned to 2D quickly, sitting at his side and hugging herself against him, resting her head against his shoulder. 2D used his now freed hand to reach up, brushing his fingers through Noodle's soft hair and laying a kiss at the crown of her head. Connor watched the couple from a distance, enjoying their closeness, and the apparent contentment of Noodle at his side. She had always seemed so lonely in the time he knew her, and he was overjoyed to see her as she was. Even if it wasn't the greatest of times, and she was still somewhat sad, 2D seemed to balance her out from what Connor had witnessed in these spare few minutes. "I'm sorry, 2D," she whispered, and she could feel him shake his head against her. "Do you feel any better yet?"

"M'fine, Love," he murmured, concentrating on her scent as his head grew somewhat foggy. "I'm jes' scared is all," he mumbled, smacking his lips together and swallowing before he then pulled back so they could make eye contact. "F'is is awl I've known fo' a really long time, Noodle," he spoke quietly. "S'ard to imagine any diff'ren… …buh m'ready to give ih a try," he offered, grinning uneasily

She gave him a sad smile, "I'm afraid, too." She rested her head against his shoulder once more as he wrapped his arms around her body, holding onto her dearly. "But it's our only chance… And I do not want to see you die here, 2D-kun," she finished. He took a deep breath, allowing her words to sink in. If this was real –if they actually left, he knew he wouldn't miss anything, but it was still an overwhelming reality he would have to face. He hadn't had to deal with the outside world in ages, it seemed. And he didn't really want any of it, when everything he needed was right here in his arms. But she wanted to leave more than anything, and she wouldn't do it without him. This was his one and only chance. His life depended on it anyhow.

"How are you feelin, brother?" Connor's voice cut into 2D's mind, his eyes now closed, but he opened them slightly, not nearly as bent with the man as he was before, but that may have just been the medication. He mumbled incomprehensibly, his dark voids closing again, and Connor looked to Noodle, confused. She gave a nod, grinning up at the man, thankful for his patience. Noodle pressed against 2D's side, encouraging him not to fall asleep just yet, and 2D did his best to comply, looking up to Connor with drug-fogged eyes. "Good then," he spoke with a chipper attitude, "Now I know we haven' known each other long, brother –an' I honestly prefer a nice dinner before I get this close to someone –but I hope yeh don' mind me gatherin yeh up to get you down onta the plane over at the jetty." His brow now scrunched, 2D looked to Noodle, absolutely befuddled, and when she shrugged, he looked to Connor again. "Come on, then. Shall we get you to yer feet, or should I just carry you?" 2D exhaled heavily, blinking slowly before he attempted an answer, which was a jumble of mixed words, and Connor leaned forward slightly, only making out the words 'rather walk'. With a grin, Connor stepped forward, linking his arm around 2D firmly and hauling him to his feet. Noodle steadied him when he wobbled dramatically, having been in bed for days, and sedated on top of that. "All right, Lass," he addressed her now, his tone uncharacteristically serious, "Gather whatever yeh've got, an' I'll get 'im stowed away right."

Noodle nodded, "Thank you, Connor," she told him, the words carrying an endless depth of gratitude for this man, when he'd only known her for less than two weeks before they spoke their first goodbyes to one another. She watched after the two men as Connor got 2D down the steps with ease, though 2D was three inches taller, and once she could no longer see the tops of their heads, she gathered rucksack, throwing that over her back, and her two large suitcases.

She struggled slightly with the weight of her items as she lugged them downstairs, and paused once she was out of the lighthouse. She locked the door swiftly, throwing the key onto the ground a few meters away, and she turned to see 2D and Connor weren't exactly far ahead of her, and another man was approaching –the one who'd ignored her when she'd first saw him –but he walked past Connor and 2D, moving on to her. "Allow me, miss," he offered, gathering her bags and carrying them for her. "The name's Henry, by the way," he told her as they began to walk.

"Thank you, Henry," she told him.

They made it to the plane shortly, and time seemed to blur together as 2D was settled onto a hospital stretcher currently fastened to the floor of the plane, then he was buckled in, and Noodle took a seat at his side, resting her head against his shoulder where he lay. Connor was just in front of them, at the front next to the pilot's chair. It seemed unreal to Noodle as the hatch was shut tightly by Henry, who made his way in the cramped space to his seat at the front of the small plane as the pilot he was. It became even more unreal when she felt the plane rev, and begin to move away from the island of which she could see though the glass of the windscreen. More unbelievable as they spun about, away from the island, the plane beginning its takeoff. But the situation became altogether impossible once they left the water, and made it into the air, flying away from Plastic Beach, never again to return to its deep sea landfill, and the haunting it cursed them with.

Noodle had to compose her mesmerising thoughts when 2D began to stir seconds later, mumbling about his fears. Noodle lulled him immediately, whispering to him in her native tongue, and it seemed to put him at ease, but she heard him whisper one last request, and she kissed his cheek with a grin, then did as he wished, now capturing Connor's own attention as her angelic voice fluttered to 2D's ears, singing to him a sweet melody he would gladly die to hear forever.

"Oh joys are us, the sun has come again to hold you, sailing out the doldrums of the week…The polyphonic prayer is here –is all around you… It's all around you… out here." As her voice lulled him, 2D couldn't help but sing with this siren, joining his voice to hers before he was too asleep to do so.

"And if the whole world is crashing down on you… fall through space out of mind with me…"

Noodle pet his hair when he grew quiet, his breath growing slower, continuing on her own to keep him at ease. "Where the emptiness we leave behind, on warm air rising… blows all the shadows far away… …The falling of the whole empire is here to hold you, rolling out and haunting 'til it sleeps…" As she grew quiet, Noodle laid a kiss to 2D's forehead, afraid for the world they were about to face, but courage laid burning brightly within her chest with the man she loved at her side, asleep and waiting for this new life to begin.

When dreaming, I'm guided to another world
Time and time again
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep
'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape
From the life I live when I'm awake
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?

Can you take me higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To a place with golden streets

Although I would like our world to change
It helps me to appreciate
Those nights and those dreams
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same
The only difference is
To let love replace all our hate
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?

Can you take me higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To a place with golden streets

So let's go there, let's go there,
Come on, lets go there
Let's ask can we stay?

Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time
Set up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine
Set up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine

Can you take me higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To a place with golden streets

Can you take me higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To a place with golden streets

Creed – Higher

---

She always leaves these songs at the end, doesn't she? :)

The Hazel-Eyed Angel is currently in the process of beginning the next chapter. May take a while, but I hope everyone's alright with that. She seemed worried, so show some love to her, would you? She's under a load of stress right now, though she's amazing at hiding it.

I hope everyone's enjoyed this bit anyhow. Until the next one guys (:

-Chris