Disclaimer: I do NOT own Gorillaz or anything about them—they are fabulous. But they belong to Jamie Hewlett & Damon Albarn, ladies and gents. I only play with them. Therefore, please do not sue me; you won't get a dime, trust me.

Thanks to those who reviewed—I will do a dedication page to all of you as soon as possible! My head is filled with Noodle x 2D, right now. Must write it all down!

A/N: My apologies for taking a little longer people. I was in Viva Las Vegas this past weekend…no time for actually, structured writing. Just my drunken thoughts of 2DxNoodle…lol. Anyhow, here it is, chapter 3, which explains a little bit more, got a couple twists, some predictable, in fact. Eh. It'll get better; I'm going to do my best! Also, I'm really sorry if the accent—writing wise—is way off. I'm out of the loop and don't know how to write them that well. If anyone wants to help or make suggestions for that, I'm open to it. Thanks. Please enjoy.

'thoughts'

"Talking"

Everything else

Canvas of Imperfection

Russel made a face as he shook his head in response to her demand. "Baby Girl…I don't think that's a good idea."

Throwing the can and her hands up in the air in defeat, she stomped her way past him towards the entrance, their lunch rendezvous forgotten. "Then I'll ask the source, someone who knows…and he's going to damn well tell me!" She smashed her fist into the door, denting the metal as she stalked past 2D who was smoking a cigarette. When he made to stop her she snapped at him, vehemently. "Not now, STUART!"

"But love, lemme tell ya why I ran off!"

She paused instantly, her eyes boring holes into his as she stared. "Seriously? You're not going to run?"

He nodded. In the distance he could see Russel rooted to his spot, shaking his head. Steeling himself for the onslaught he knew would follow, 2D took another long drag of his cigarette. "Look, Noodle…tha can jus' brought back some bad memories is all. Caught me by surprise, really. No need ta freak out, love, 'onestly."

"Bullshit! What memories, 2D?" Her fists were shaking.

'Fook…she ain't buyin it,' he thought. 'Gotta fink of somefink, an' quick!' He felt the panic sinking in as Noodle's nostrils flared in disbelief. He knew where she'd been headed and knew that Murdoc would be more than dead. Scratching his head to play dumb, 2D smiled at the Asian woman. "Sorry lil love…can' rememba wot I was finkin 'bout…"

"I am so sick of this!" She spat as she whirled back around to her original destination. He gaped at her in genuine shock. It took a few minutes to process what had just happened when it came crashing down on him all at once. Terrified for Murdoc's safety, he lunged for her, knocking them both into the lift, Noodle falling face first into the metal wall. The fact that it was so small inside made the impact that much worse. He heard her whine and curse at this as he rubbed his own head, feeling a migraine coming on. Noodle felt her blood boil as she rounded on the man she loved. "What the fuck was that about? I'm so sick of this, of the lies, of this place, of Murdoc…" She shook with rage. "Of-of YOU!" She pointed an accusatory finger at his chest. "Of your lies, Stuart Pot! Go to hell!"

Noodle yelped as she was shoved against the circular wall of the lift, his face so close to her she actually cringed in fright. He had snapped, she realized. He looked the angriest she'd ever seen him, black eyes murderous, his lips set in a scowl so deep that he looked all the bit as scary as he had been to outsiders. Noodle let out a fearful whimper, turning her head to the side to avoid his gaze. "G-gomen, 2D-san…" she said, weakly. "Please…you're scaring me…" Immediately his presence was gone and she hugged herself with her arms, a choked sob escaping her throat as her actions dawned on her. She chanced a look at him through tearful eyes.

He was looking down at his shoes, blue locks hiding his expression from view. "Noods, I…lil love…yew just…"

She let out another sob at the sound of his voice—it sounded so broken—as the lift stopped and the doors opened. The silence hung between them, thick and unyielding. When he finally brought his eyes to meet hers Noodle felt worse than she had since she'd returned. Giving him one last strangled cry in reply she darted out of the door, disappearing down the stairs into the darkness. 2D could hear the slamming of a door, which broke him from his stupor. 'Tha…engine room? Wot tha bloody 'ell we doin' 'ere…?' He could still hear her soft sobs, feeling his heart collapse into itself at the sound. He knew she had been part of the cause but it didn't make him feel any better, especially not with the way she'd cowered in his grasp and quivered in fear at his face. Shaking his head, which only seemed to make his migraine worsen, he began to creep out of the lift as quietly as possible, absently pressing the button to the lift for it to ascend upwards. Silence enveloped him again as the lift left, and he listened. A few moments later he could hear her voice speaking to someone. 'But 'ere ain't no one an' nofink down 'ere 'cept…' He felt himself halt at the thought. 'No…lil love would neva…' he stopped dead in his tracks at her words, leaning his ear onto the carpeted floor.

She sniffled. "I should leave…it was a mistake to come back. They have you…and you've proven yourself as good a band member as I used to be. Who needs me now? They don't even have the decency to tell me the truth…and I can't stop hurting him. You've replaced me…you were created to take my place here. None of my feelings matter." 2D wanted to grab her and shake the living daylights out of her, wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that he cared, that while lost and depressed, he had never stopped hoping. "He has you, doesn't he?" Another sniffle. "Stupid Murdoc…"

2D's mind had been a muddle mess of confusion and anxiety at first but at her words he stood up, tears burning his bruised eyelids. 'She…my lil love…loves 'im? She loves Murdoc…?' He felt his heart clench painfully as she stumbled backwards towards the lift. It didn't seem Noodle had noticed—or maybe she didn't care—as he called the lift. Suddenly feeling more tired than he'd ever felt, the vocalist trudged down the hall to his room once the lift had released him. Plopping on the bed, he reached for his painkillers as the discovery sunk in and his head began to pound ten-fold. Curling into a ball atop his cold mattress, 2D didn't bother to close the blinds that hid the whale from view.

Back in "Noodle's cupboard" the older, real Noodle was still crying, head in her hands, repeating the same phrase to the quietness. She didn't care that the Android didn't acknowledge her, not today. She only wanted to hide, hide from all of them. And she knew they wouldn't come looking for her here; she hated the android. Why would she be with it? Android Noodle's cupboard had become somewhat of a sick, twisted safe haven for her as of the last few months. While she had hated the thing with a passion in the very beginning, she was starting to realize it provided some cache for her. Truth be told she still didn't like it: in fact, she hated that she spent so much time with it. But she couldn't bring herself to stop obsessing over it. At this point she knew she was obsessed with it, possibly even harboring a sickness when it came to the metal machine that had taken her place. Yet she couldn't tear herself away, as if it was sucking all her real soul into itself, ready to awaken and replace her again at any given opportunity. Sighing, she brushed the ridiculous train of thought away, standing up and dusting herself off. Her face felt cracked and dry from the tear stains that littered her cheeks. She knew her hair was tousled, as she'd grabbed it a few times in anxiousness within the confines of her hiding spot. Her limbs and back felt sore from being slammed against the lift by 2D. She paused, her hand still in her hair from scratching, at the thought of her love. 'Why can't I stop hurting him?'

She couldn't understand why she continually abused him, mentally and verbally. "I'm no better than Murdoc, that slag…" She had fully intended to go talk to him before the interlude with 2D but now all she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep the events of the afternoon into a deep, dark oblivion. She sniffled again. "I wish I didn't have to keep sleeping on the couch…" She truly despised the fact that Plastic Beach had been made without her in mind; otherwise, she might have somewhere to sleep, somewhere to hide from all of them when she was angry or upset or hurt. Yawning loudly, Noodle made her way back to the upper reaches of Plastic Beach. After what seemed like an eternity she exited the lift only to find it dark and quiet. Too dark and too quiet. 'How long was I down there?' She was walking towards the lift again, this time to find 2D when she heard someone snicker.

"Wotcha doin lil lady?"

All the previous tension in her body returned as Noodle turned to face the bassist, her fists automatically curling. "Murdoc-san…so nice to see you back from your drunken heaven," she said, quietly.

"Yes well…love me some tequila straigh' from Mexico, ya know," he replied. Waving his hand at her, Murdoc fished around the couch for the TV remote. "Anyways...where yeh goin so late at night missy?"

"That's none of your business," she spat.

Murdoc looked like he could care less about her attitude as he took another swig of his drink. "Yeh wotever. Jus' don' die in case we need ta make a new album." Noodle's fists were shaking as she used all her strength and willpower to walk away from the green-skinned man. She was almost to the lift when Murdoc muttered something else. "By the way, love…tell face ache ta stop blubberin. S'pissin me off. Can' get me beauty sleep with him cryin' like a bitch."

Without a second thought she stalked up to him and slapped the remote control from his hand. "You leave 2D-san alone, you bastard."

Appalled but angrier than he'd been earlier, Murdoc stood up to his full height, wobbling a bit. "Wot tha fuck is yo' problem, girly? Yeh got a crush on tha' dullard? Fuckin face ache ain't neva' gonna see yeh as anythin more than a lil girl! And yew lot can' date…s'my band, an' I fo'bid it! Yeh betta' not be gettin crazy on me or I'll 'place yeh with tha' android again!"

Extremely hurt by the statement and no longer caring what the outcome was, Noodle slapped the bassist across his cheek, fresh tears spilling from her eyes. "Take it back, you bastard! Take it back! You heartless son of a bitch!"

Murdoc stared at her in surprise, coming out of his drunken haze to see his guitarist weeping before him. "Noodle? Crikey me cheek 'urts…wot the 'ell…love, yew—

"I HATE YOU!" Whipping around, Noodle fled the room, taking the lift all the way up to the roof, leaving Murdoc in a guilty stupor in the middle of the common room. She could hear shouting shortly after as she hung over the balcony, trying hard to stop her tears. They wouldn't cease. Russel's death threats towards Murdoc filtered into her ear and she clapped her hands over them to drown it out. Her body still shook with unexpressed anger and sadness. 'They don't need me…' she thought as she stared over the dark blue rippling water below, her tears making it all blur together into a mass. Hiccupping, Noodle finally found the energy to release her ears from her hand shield, glad to hear no more shouts or threats. But she heard the lift coming towards her. 'Please…not Murdoc-san, not Russel-san, not—

"2D-san…" She trailed, truly shocked to find the singer in front of her, another cigarette hanging from his lips, his bruised eyes tired and red-rimmed. She suddenly felt self-conscious, launching into apologies before he could say a word. "2D-san, gomen…my actions and words earlier were not well thought or appropriate. I'm sorry…I did not mean to yell at you…" She squeezed her eyes shut as she waited for him to get angry with her, scold her, anything. She was pleasantly surprised, and very relieved, when she felt his hands ruffling her hair. "2D-san…?"

"S'awright, I fo'give yew, love," he said, eyes dreamy. She knew he had taken his painkillers. "S'nice night ou' in'it?" She nodded; surprised he said nothing about her tears. Joining him, she sidled up to him, their shoulders touching as they had a few nights ago. Noodle suddenly realized she was cold and shivered a bit, glad that 2D's shirt against hers provided a small amount of warmth. "Yew cold, love?"

She nodded. "Hai, 2D-san…but I'll be alright."

"Yew wan' me jacket? I can' really feel tha difference," he said, handing her the coat before she could protest. She took it gratefully before leaning against him again, her tear-stained cheeks stinging but feeling nervous contentment fill her stomach as she inhaled his sweet scent. It seemed as if the events of earlier never happened. She was with the man she loved, even if he didn't know it, enjoying the evening minus Murdoc. She tensed at the thought of what has just transpired. Sighing, she tried to hold it in but 2D interrupted that effort. "Muds is a real ass'ole, yew know, but…yew know 'e didn' mean it though, Noodle."

"He didn't have to say it," she whispered, knowing he hadn't meant it but too caught up in her resentment and bitterness to care about separating the two. "Since when do you stand up for him?"

"I don't. I 'ate him, yew know." 2D took another drag of his cigarette before offering it to her. She accepted it, taking a puff and then handed it back to him. Looking out in the distance, 2D knew what he had to do. He had to tell her the truth but he didn't want her to leave—he didn't want whatever semblance of a family the Gorillaz was, to be torn apart by the horrible truth. He wasn't sure if, now at least, they could work through what had happened over the past 7 to 8 years. Being mature, to him, meant knowing what one had to do, doing it, and accepting the consequences no matter what they were. He wanted to sigh, to be upset about what he'd overheard; but right now she was with him, focused on him and the fact that their shoulders were touching helped put him at some ease. Pushing the thoughts of her words out of his head, he reached over to ruffle her hair again, and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Lil love…I fink it's time ta tell yew wot 'appened over the years yew been gone."

She looked up at him, her eyes wide, glistening with fresh, unshed tears. "You…really mean it…?" He nodded again. Noodle found herself feeling just as bad as she had earlier when she'd yelled at him. "I don't know if I want to know now."

He blinked at her. "But love…yew said yew wos needin ta know wot 'appened…s'only righ' if I tell yew." Sighing, he slumped against the railing, letting the cigarette fall to the plastic below. "Yew wos righ' from tha beginnin. Muds and I shoulda told yew tha troof. Guess…we didn' fink tha it'd be so…detrimental ta yew." She laughed as he finished, her trembling shoulders vibrating into his own lanky pair, and unbeknownst to her, filling 2D with a happiness he hadn't felt since her disappearance. "Wot's so funny?"

"You said detrimental…oh 'D-san…I've never heard you use such a big word before this," she giggled more.

2D couldn't help but smile despite the ache in his heart for the young woman he had grown to miss, and in her absence, fall head over heels for. Noodle had always been special to him, ever since she'd jumped out of that Fed-Ex crate. Even so, she'd become more special to him as time progressed. He'd be lying if he said he didn't find her attractive, even if he felt somewhat of a pervert for that. But he'd never been romantically interested in her until after she'd been gone. While he'd never thought of her as a sister in the literal sense, he had always considered the Gorillaz his family—with the exception of her. Their relationship had been defined through albums and her always running to him for everything. They'd helped each other when it came to lyrics, guitar chords and synthesizing his keyboards. She and he shared a special bond, though until a few years ago, when she would've turned 18 years old, 2D didn't quite understand. However, with her here now, in the flesh, and a beautiful young woman at that, 2D knew that things would never be the same. He'd known it the night she'd stumbled into his room, saving him from the replica he'd come to love in a twisted fashion because it was the only connection to her, it was all he had left after Murdoc kidnapped him.

She was still giggling like she had 8 years ago, carefree and happy, while he observed her finer parts. He had missed her terribly. Only now could he see the true change, the scars, and the skinny figure that was slowly becoming healthier. Her olive skin was still beautiful but now marred by faint scars running the length of her arms on both sides; legs with scratches and gashes deep enough to leave blemishes; and bruises and cuts that would never fade. Yet 2D thought she was endlessly magnificent with her shiny purple locks, now longer than he'd ever seen them; her figure more full and curvier, but not overly done as she was rather tomboyish. He didn't care that her eyelid was somewhat uneven due to it being torn when they'd been reunited. He didn't care about the scars, the difference in her personality, the change—he loved her. 'But she loves Muds…' he grunted at the image of his happiness shattered by the thought of the Satanist, hating him for everything but not enough to walk away. Even if Murdoc had paid that whale to keep him trapped, 2D was no longer a doormat when it came to their leader. He had plenty of moments where he stood up to Murdoc. But ever since Plastic Beach's release in the years past, he hadn't seen the point of ever going near the man if it wasn't necessary. All he could think about was her, hoping she'd return to them someday.

It had been a tremendous relief and joy to find Russel had made it back safe, also his normal size. He'd been so amped with hope that Noodle might be with their drummer that the disappointment put him in his room for almost a year, and bed-ridden for half of it. His legs had been practically Jell-O when he'd tried to walk again. It had taken all of Russel's strength and patience to help him out, which he was grateful for but found that he'd rather stay bed-ridden as the years ticked by until she finally found them. When she'd first walked through the door he couldn't believe it was her, he hadn't. As soon as the Android attacked he knew otherwise. Letting his mind return to the present he glanced down at her. Noodle's laughing fit had subsided and she was now resting her head on his shoulder, staring straight ahead. It felt like the perfect moment to tell her, to let her know everything that had been swirling around his supposedly empty head, everything that had been jumping in his heart trying to escape his throat. She looked so peaceful, the moonlight bouncing off the dried wetness upon her cheeks.

He couldn't do it—not because he was a coward, no, that wasn't it. He couldn't do it because he didn't know if it would end up hurting her in the long run. Contrary to popular opinion Stuart Pot was no empty headed fool, not at all. 'But I'm sho one fool in love.' The ache in his heart returned and it took everything in his power not to let it show, lest he upset the woman next to him, who was currently snuggling further into his jacket. He felt the soft nuzzle of her nose on his shoulder bones and wished that she thought of him as more than a brother or friend, as more than a band mate; as a man, would be the best option. Sadness placed his face as he leaned into her as well, returning the mutual expression of comfort, stealing whatever he could get from her. She didn't seem irked by the fact that he was returning her affection, however small it was in magnitude. She seemed to be enjoying it and he wondered if that meant she didn't actually like Murdoc, that way. 'But I doub' she finks of me tha' way.' Regardless of whether she fancied the sadistic, womanizing brit didn't mean that she liked him any better. And all he could think about was if she was attracted to him, even a little. 'I 'ope she…could be.' He was riding on that. But for now he would do what needed to be done. And that was telling her the truth. If she stuck around after that then maybe, just maybe, they could get somewhere. The important thing was not to express his undying love and pledge to be with her forever. 'Tha'd be completely unrealistic fo' me, I fink.'

Even a thought such as the one that had just gone through his head seemed ludicrous in reality just as much as it was in theory. Expressing his undying love after so many years, without any deserved explanation of events during her absence, felt like a betrayal and injustice to her brilliant, young mind. He suddenly rubbed her head affectionately, his eyes wandering back to her face, which now appeared calm as she leaned against him and hugged the coat to her fragile body. He could see the contours of her face, the smooth skin, somewhat scarred in places he hadn't noticed even after her return. It wasn't that he held her on a pedestal because that would be unfair, discrediting to her beauty and grace. But Noodle had a rugged side and when she returned, it began to show, little by little. This side had nothing to do with her being the renowned Axe Princess, the military designed, manufactured weapon of mass destruction. Those components did not cross into 2D's train of thought when he pondered the woman Noodle had become in all their absence. This woman, the one he was observing as she cuddled against him, was someone he had recognized upon her return; but someone he didn't know anymore. She was someone he still loved in spite of the changes and atrocities committed upon her. She was nothing short of a goddess in his eyes; and yet holding her to such a high standard made him feel guilty of that pedestal. She was imperfection in a glass, one he wanted to drink from for the rest of his life. Another dreamy smile placed his lips as he fell deeper into his train of thought, worshipping her in a ring-around way that made him warm inside, not from his painkillers.

"2D-san?"

Her voice pierced his thoughts so abruptly that he actually jumped away from her in surprise. She gave him a curious stare while he fumbled for an explanation. "Oh, I wos…yeh know…jus' finkin 'bout some fings, is all."

"You were awfully deep in thought, 2D-san. I'm sorry to have interrupted you. Is there…anything you'd like to talk about?" Noodle's jade eyes were open in genuine concern, one hand holding the jacket tightly about her, the other on his arm comfortingly. She was worried about him. He'd been so out of it since he'd exited the lift. As for his usual behavior, aside from it being tinged with a melancholy air, was rather disjointed. He didn't seem altogether, or even distant. He was just fragmented to her, in more than just appearance or feelings. His entire being was like a hollow shell, his soul drifting somewhere, his thoughts elsewhere, his feelings in an abyss she couldn't seem to pull him out of no matter how hard she tried. And telling him her feelings was made that much harder by the fact that he didn't seem connected to the world around them. When he said nothing further Noodle turned her gaze back to the ocean below, the moonlight bouncing off the rippling water and giving it a dark inky glow that she loved. Leaning over the rail with another sigh as 2D remained quiet, she hunched her shoulders at the thought of not being able to ever tell 2D her feelings. In a sense she knew that wasn't what was most important at the time, and it would have to wait even if there was pain as a result. "If you don't feel like it…I'll understand."

"S'not tha' love. I'm jus' tryin ta figure out 'ow ta start this story, yew know? S'hard ta jus'…jump righ' into it," he replied quietly, concentrated on her face. Noodle blushed as the scrutiny in which he stared at her caused tingles to run through her body. 2D didn't notice as he lit another cigarette. The embers burned brightly, somewhat illuminating the area around his lips as he smoked. She blushed again, this time turning her face to the side as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Wot…do yew want ta know, Noodle? I'll do me best ta' explain it betta."

She pondered this, her blush forgotten as all her thoughts refocused on her questions. She felt like it would turn into an interrogation but knew there really was no other way around it. She chewed on her lip a little as she tried to figure out the best question to ask. "What happened?"

He let out a chuckle, which turned into a cough when he forgot to exhale the smoke from his lips. "S'not really…specific now, is it? Wot happened can refer to anyfink, can' it, love?"

Biting her lip, she nodded. "Hai, 2D-san…that's true. I'm sorry. Let me rephrase that. How did Plastic Beach…come about?"

"No need ta 'pologize, love." He inhaled again, his black eyes narrowing a bit as if to signify he was thinking about her question. "I wos kidnapped by ol' Muds o'er there. Gassed me; yew saw tha bottle. Packed me up in a suitcase, 'e did, and brough' me 'ere ta sing for 'is new album."

"Why didn't you fight back?" She asked, slight aggravation mounting within her. He shrugged and she began to rub her temples. "But 2D-san…Murdoc-san has always been…mean. But you were less afraid of him the last time we were…" she paused, uncomfortable. "together. Why did you not…do something in return?"

"Well, love…tha's cos 'e tortured me this time 'round."

Aghast, Noodle couldn't control her hands as they flew up to cover her mouth, eyes horror-filled and wide as she shook her head like she couldn't believe it. No, wouldn't. Didn't want to. Tears sprang to her eyelids at the thought of what had truly happened to him. Only then did she allow her eyes to wander the length of his body, noticing slight scars on his arms and a haunted look in his eyes she didn't recall seeing before she'd asked her question. "2D-san…I didn't mean to bring it up again….please…forgive me."

"Yew said yew wanted tha' troof Noodle. I'm telling yeh cos yew deserve ta know," he answered quietly, his cigarette still burning as he inhaled again, this time scowling though not directly at her. "Wot else yew wanna know?"

Fighting back her tears, Noodle pressed on with her interrogation. "What…what was it like, working with…that thing?"

"With the android?" She nodded. He looked thoughtful again. "It wos like workin wit' a machine, lil love. Tha' fink would spark and smell up tha place wit' all its oil. And it wos downrigh' nasty, too. Obeyed everyfink Murdoc told it to do, damn fink. Kept me cooped up in me room fo' 'ours…when tha damned whale decided ta leave. I 'ate whales, I really do."

Noodle didn't have to pretend to hold back a giggle. She felt far from laughing despite the lightness 2D tried to add to the dampened mood. Her eyes were burning now, her fingers itching to punch Murdoc in the face as she listened to 2D inhale more nicotine into his already damaged lungs. She couldn't deal with it. "No more, 2D-san," she whispered quietly. He glanced down at her, curious but respectful. "No more for tonight…please. I am tired." Her slender hand wove its way through his arm, linking them together as she looked up at him, jade eyes sleepy and bloodshot from so much crying before he came to see her. Her mind was fatigued from all the information, thought little of an amount it was in actuality, as the heaviness of the past weight on her. Falling against him, Noodle felt surprisingly pathetic in that moment. She wasn't being dramatic, as her memories from hell began to resurface; but she didn't want to deal with any of it, not now. Murdoc's words came flying back to her mind and she clutched 2D's arm forcefully as he ushered them into the lift where they descended down into the darkness of 2D's solitary floor. She felt treacherous as 2D led her to his room, gently helping her into his bed while pulling the covers over her. He didn't climb in after her, though if he had, he doubted she would've noticed, so busy was her body being wracked with inexplicable sobs. He could feel her hard trembles as he let his back rest against the side, listening to her muffled sobs as she ignored him. He wasn't sure what had just transpired but he had a feeling that it involved him, Murdoc and the past. It was all he could think of as her reasons for becoming so upset, so tired as it had been all they'd discussed in the past hour. Head in his hands and stressed out from just the small amount of truth he'd revealed, 2D attempted to prepare himself for what would happen next. He already knew that there was more to tell, more that she'd eventually inquire about in the future.

"2D-san…can you tuck me in, please?"

The request would've been completely normal from the old Noodle and normal for the old Stuart Pot. However, now, as he looked at her, 2D felt disgusted as he stood up and walked away from her, his hand on the door as he paused to give her a melancholy smile before closing it behind him. Inside, Noodle's tears spilled over as she hugged her knees to her chest, hurt and confused by his actions. When she was younger she would make such a request often, and he would never disappoint her with his easy compliance. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't do it now. Her heart ached as she rolled over, head buried in the pillow as she tried to ignore the anguish coursing through her veins at his refusal. Outside the door, 2D did his best to ignore her sobs, did his best to ease the ache in his heart as it clenched angrily. Lighting up another cigarette, 2D slid down against the hardwood, shoulders hunched as he felt another migraine surfacing. Pulling at his blue spikes, the vocalist cursed himself as he heard a particularly loud pitched heave from the woman behind the door. 'Shit…this is shit…'

Inside, Noodle could feel her tired mind begin to lose focus and slowly start to enter the world of sleep. After what seemed like an hour or so 2D finally re-entered his abode to find the young woman sleeping, cheeks stained from her tears. Falling to his knees before the side of his bed, 2D stared at her. How he wanted to reach out to touch her, to claim any part of her before she could slip away from his grasp again. But he kept his hands to himself, his body tortured as he listened to her even breathing, eventually falling into an uncomfortable, fitful sleep on his own floor. Outside, the whale stared at them.

TBC

(OMG, can't believe it's updated again! One of my reviewers mentioned that Noodle's obsession with the Android is scary. Yes, it's supposed to be. She's not quite well. The Android is not helping. It's a darker side of Noodle, a sick side because later on it will have a lot to do with what happened to her in hell. And 2D is brave people, he is. But as someone who thought he lost the love of his life…yeah, he's not well adjusted. And no, I DON'T hate Murdoc. He rocks, sadistic as he is—so don't worry, this isn't a Muds hating fic. And Russel…how can you NOT love him? He is so cool, like a big brother. Well, Hope you enjoyed this chapter. 4 is on its way! Please R&R. Thanks to all who did. You rock my world!)