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.

A/N: Sorry this took a while. It took longer than I expected, too. But I think that has to do with the fact that some people were not satisfied with 2D's reaction, or the amount of darkness in this fic. I apologize, and I'm sorry if you are not pleased and do not like it. However, there will be more pleasant times but the Gorillaz need to get out all the shit, if you will. That was just the beginning. There will be more about Noodle's time in hell and 2D's memories with Murdoc. And Russel's alone time, too. Though the focus is Noodle, then Noodle x 2D, I am still going to try and incorporate all of them. They all play a vital role. So…hope that helps. If not, I'll try to do a better job…I'm still kinda bummed about Coachella and the Live Rehearsal in LA so…yeah, bear with me, thanks..

'thoughts'

"Talking"

Everything else

Waiting in my room and I lock the door
I watch the colored animals across the floor
And I'm looking from a distance
And I'm listening to the whispers
And oh it ain't the same, when your falling out of feeling and your
Falling in and caught again

~To Binge feat. Little Dragon

Canvas of Imperfection

Noodle was awakened by the sultry sound of 2D's voice as it swirled around her head, drifting in and out of her subconscious. Snuggling further into the warmth of the covers encasing her body, she ignored the other voice in her head demanding she get up. Her eyes remained closed as the lyrics wove themselves into her being, her hair, her ears, and her bloodstream, everywhere. Something about her surroundings felt familiarly delicious, the lyrics soothing her though the melody itself was anything but soft. She wasn't sure if she was dreaming or if he was really singing but regardless she knew that it calmed her, causing her to feel sleepier. Sighing to herself, she rolled over to block eyes with her arms, somewhat alarmed that no rays of warm sunlight had filtered in yet. It only took a moment for her to realize that she wasn't on the couch and the lyrics penetrating her sleep were not just a CD. He was actually singing from inside his bathroom. Bolting up, Noodle found she was not on the couch but in his bed. He was visible from the crack of his bathroom door; Noodle felt like a voyeur as she watched. She could make out slivers of skin through the crack, pale against his spiked blue hair, which looked wet. 'Uh…wet?' She blushed hard when it dawned on her that he had been showering, and was probably dressing as she stared like the drooling teenage girl that she'd never been. Not one to miss opportunities when presented to her in such as blatant fashion, Noodle took the time to further observe her band mate. Her appreciation grew as she took him all in from the superficial standpoint, mostly. Some part of her wished she knew what he'd looked like before they'd met; but she wasn't sure it would've been a good idea despite that existing desire. Stuart Pot was definitely not the most handsome men, presently. The black eyes tended to scare people, the pale skin contrasted heavily with his strange blue locks and missing teeth.

To any woman on the street who didn't know about the Gorillaz, she imagined he would have been someone they'd look past. He would, probably, not be given a chance based on looks or intelligence. Superficially, he was damaged on their first acquaintance, and Noodle could remember how she'd felt the first time she'd set her eyes upon him. But to Noodle, there was something about him that didn't faze her this way. She'd like to blame it on the fact that she knew him better than any other woman ever would. She adored the abyss his eyes had become, the pale skin that made him somewhat ghostlike, the blue spikes that made him different from everyone else. While she wasn't particularly fond of 2D's missing teeth she didn't seem too bothered by this as it made him unique in his overall appearance; it made him goofy. She loved that about him. But her appreciative observation was short lived as she noticed the burn marks, which were fading but still visible, on his arms. His side was bruised and battered a bit, making Noodle wonder what he had been doing while she slept since the injuries looked fresh—mostly yellow in color. For a second she'd thought Murdoc had done this but since they seemed too recent she figured they were either self-inflicted. Or still Murdoc. However, after last night she decided that Murdoc would probably stay away from 2D for a while, at least while she was around. He was drunk last night, she knew, which deterred her from beating his face in until it bled. 'Well, and 2D stopping me,' Her thought was interrupted when 2D poked his head from inside the bathroom, his blue spikes semi-dry but still flopping about his head in a way that made Noodle's stomach tingle.

"G'mornin, Noodle. Yew ready fo' some breakfast?"

She nodded, forcing her blush down as he walked out in a pair of pants. It wasn't like she'd never seen 2D shirtless before this. Of course, it'd been when she was younger than 22 and capable of truly admiring a grown man's body parts. Suffice it to say, Noodle stood up and turned her back to him immediately while he rummaged around for a shit to put over himself. She stayed quiet as he found one, slipped it on and returned his gaze to her back. He cringed at the sight of her shoulder blades through her tank top; the bones protruded ever so slightly, making her look like someone who hadn't eaten in some time. Scratching his head to get rid of the image of her sickly state, 2D gently pushed her towards the door. She tensed at this and he stopped, thinking he had upset her.

"Um…sorry, love. Didn' mean ta…bother yew. Jus' looked like yew migh' need some encouragement."

Again Noodle looked at him, a giggle breaking free from her lips. "Yes…thank you, 2D-san. I am hungry. What should we have?"

He squinted; his eyes narrowed in mock concentration. "I could ask Russ ta make some pancakes 'specially fo' yew. O' maybe some waffles…'ow's that sound?"

She smiled enthusiastically, the scar across her right cheek stretching faintly on her olive colored skin. He noticed it but couldn't help admire the blemish. "Hai! That would be perfect!" Yet she paused when they reached the lift, whirling around to face 2D with discomfort in her eyes. "But what about…Murdoc-san? I am angry with him but I know he didn't mean it…and Russel-san will be so concerned about it…I just cause trouble…"

He didn't give her a chance to elaborate on her terrible train of thought as he caught her chin between his fingers, shaking his head at her with a smile on his lips, teeth and all. "Love, tha's enough. Yew don' cos trouble, no matter wot yew fink, got it?" She nodded slowly, unsure. He gently kissed her forehead in reassurance and Noodle's heart leapt in her chest at the gesture. "Now, 'ow abou' we get yew them waffles from Russ?"

Again, Noodle complied, allowing 2D to lead her into the lift that would take them up to two people she wasn't quite ready to face. 'I wish that damn android was here.' Gasping, Noodle felt like smacking herself in the face at the thought. She shook it away as they exited the lift, 2D leading her the entire way to the kitchen where upon entering, they instantly found Russel cooking. Murdoc was slumped over with his head resting in his arms on the table, a glass sitting resolutely by his left elbow. His complexion looked greener than usual, which was saying something with how sick the man looked on a daily basis. Noodle felt a little sorry for him until she glanced over at 2D, who was speaking animatedly with Russel. The burn marks became visible when he turned around and stretched lazily, and Noodle suddenly hated Murdoc all over again. Remembering 2D's confession about Murdoc's torture made the anger and hate well up inside where it then threatened to spill forth from her lips into a mass of fists that would storm the bassist's face. Eye twitching, Noodle abruptly left the kitchen area, hands shaking as she made her way back towards the entrance of Plastic Beach in an attempt to not hurt their fearless leader. Once outside in the open air Noodle descended the stairs down towards the docks past the suitcase, which had not been moved even after the incident.

She couldn't understand why 2D was still hanging around after everything that had happened to him. She would've liked to deck Murdoc until tomorrow, until all his teeth were missing like 2D's, until his different colored eyes were broken and empty like 2D's, until no one wanted to screw him. She snorted. 'Like that'd ever happen. He's part of the Gorillaz. People will want to screw him until the end of time, that sick fuck.' She knew this to be true because people screwed him now. 'And women have wanted to screw 2D even though he's scary…' she cringed at that thought, upset at even thinking about the women 2D had slept with over the years. Despite the fact that she loved him, she knew he had to get satisfaction somewhere since it wasn't like she was even a thought back then, not that way. 'Not that I am now either…' Grunting in annoyance at where her thoughts were circling, Noodle figured she'd make her way towards the lighthouse. The sun was reflecting off the dark windows in a way that made it impossible to see what was actually inside, let alone to see if anyone was standing behind its darkened surface. She rather enjoyed this as she wandered up behind the tinted glass panes, her eyes staring to the outside in quiet observation. It was medium sized lighthouse, one that didn't seem to have a real light but she knew it must in order to stay out in the sea. Murdoc was an asshole but he wasn't completely incompetent or stupid. 'He managed to get 2D and the rest of us to stay a band, as much as I hate to admit it.' Sickened, she went back to her observation of Plastic Beach from the angle inside of the lighthouse. She knew that while everything was still fresh in her mind she could not stand to be around Murdoc. However, if 2D forgave the sadistic jerk, she wasn't quite sure he had, then, eventually she could and would. Just not yet. She needed to have the freedom to be angry about all that had occurred, all the wrongs done to her and her family by the very people within it.

"Lil love, yew out 'ere?" She ducked into the silence of the lighthouse as she saw 2D wandering around below, his blue spikes smashed beneath a visor she found all too familiar. The tag with the red first-aid cross flapped as he turned his head from side to side in search of the young woman. Wincing as she heard his footsteps coming closer to her haven, Noodle could only shrink further into its shadows as she listened to his boots on the ladder before his head popped into view through the opening. "Oh, 'ere yew are love. Been callin yew. Russ finished yo' pancakes an' waffles. Yew 'ungry, ain't cha?"

Not able to deny the sudden angry grumbling of her stomach she nodded and took his hand as he led her towards the entrance to their home for a hearty breakfast prepared specially for her. This time upon entering she noticed Murdoc was now awake but he wouldn't look at her. Whether it was from guilt or genuine indifference, Noodle pondered her decision to come back into the room in the first place. For his part 2D was happily clueless eating his food as Russel set her plate in front of her. She completely ignored Murdoc, choosing to eat slowly and quietly across from them while she thought about everything. It didn't seem as though the Satanist even acknowledged any of them as he drank small sips from his nasty looking beverage. It smelled like tar to the guitarist; she made a gagging face every time he took a drink. Russel shook his head, going back to serving his own massive plate to consume before the events of the day decided to unfold. They were supposed to be clearing out one of the lower rooms for Noodle to live in since she'd complained about not liking the couch too much, especially when people did not want to go to bed. It was a major inconvenience to everyone who wanted to watch television or to her when she wanted to be alone with her, lately, morbid thoughts.

Kicking the table legs underneath her with lithe feet, Noodle rested her head on her hand and stared out the windows of Plastic Beach. She knew that they were clearing out a room beneath 2D's, which confirmed her questions of whether or not there were levels below his room. She had seen the buttons on the lift, and she had wondered about the lower floors before; but she wasn't seriously sure they existed. Carefully, she maneuvered her way around the labyrinth of her thoughts in order to end up at the exit, her mind coming to a screeching halt when she realized Murdoc was looking straight at her. Feeling self conscious at the action caused her to pause in the middle of chewing, barely noticing after a few minutes that 2D and Russel were looking at her, too. Blushing red to the roots of her shining purple locks Noodle scowled, which was unlike her.

"What are you all staring at?"

2D and Russel said nothing; but Murdoc shook his head. "I'm sorry 'bout last nigh' love. Wos drunk...no real 'scuse, Noodle."

She gasped audibly at his apology. 'No, not yet, not yet dammit!' She shoved her chair back forcefully, the scraping wood on the floor startling all of them from their silent stupor. "You're not forgiven," she hissed icily, fingers clenching the chair top so hard her knuckles were white and the chair was shaking. 2D, Russel and Murdoc looked stunned back into silence while she fumed. "It is not so easy to gain my forgiveness after what you have done, Murdoc-san." Her voice was deadly quiet as she continued to her shocked audience. "After you excluded Russel from making Plastic Beach, leaving me to die on that godforsaken windmill…and kidnapping, plus torturing, 2D-san for your own selfish purposes to promote this last album…no, I cannot forgive you. If there was ever a despicable human being on the earth, that breathed and wreaked havoc over the poor people of this world, it's you!" She pointed an accusing finger at him, which Murdoc did not care to look at, instead taking another sip from his tar smelling drink. Maliciously, Noodle reached over and slapped the drink from his hand where it tipped over to spill over the edge of the table. "Enjoy your hangover, bastard."

With that said she stomped out of the kitchen, her breakfast forgotten on the table and only the soft padding of her feet heard as disappeared into the lift. All three men could hear faint whining as it moved, its destination unknown, ascending or descending also unknown.

"What, so none y'all gonna go after her?"

Murdoc shook his head. "Fuck it…ain't wasting meh breath on 'er baby ass…" The green skinned man looked up cautiously through his hangover haze when the cracking of Russel's knuckles echoed in the mostly quiet room. "Wot? I 'pologized, Lards. S'not meh fault she's blubberin."

"Damn sho s'yo fault, yew ass'ole," 2D said, his voice firm but low. He wasn't really afraid of Murdoc anymore but he didn't like confrontation.

Even through his hangover Murdoc still managed to have enough energy and strength to beat up on 2D. Grabbing the singer's collar he raised his fist in the air. "Yew, fuckin dullard, wosn't supposed to tell 'er abou' all tha' shit. Yew wos supposed to keep e'rythin tha' 'appened a secret!"

"I couldn' lie to 'er like yew, Muds! She deserved ta know wot 'appened!" 2D defended. When Murdoc made to bring his fist down 2D forcefully shoved his burning cigarette into the older man's arm, smirking nastily when Murdoc wailed in pain. "Fook yew, Muds. Noodle ain't property, and she ain't yo plaything to use and abuse when yew see fit."

"Why yew…fuckin face ache…Yeh gonna pay fo' tha!" Murdoc lunged at the vocalist, his mismatched eyes furious until a strong arm pulled him back, throwing him onto the couch before he could inflict any harm on the lanky, blue haired man. "Lards, fuck off!"

"No man, you shut up. I'm tired of dealin with this shit. Baby girl ain't no idiot. And she ain't okay. Somethin ain't right with her, aight? You two skull heads can't get yo head out yo asses to even notice!" Russel shouted. As someone strong enough to break both his band mates' necks, the drummer tended to try and keep his temper at bay. When he'd returned he wasn't surprised to find that some things hadn't changed. However, with Noodle in her current state of instability Russel knew that something had to be done. Murdoc and 2D fighting made it worse, not to mention that Murdoc drinking so heavily didn't help. It just made him into a slimy git. Shaking his head angrily, Russel pointed a finger at their bassist. "Man, you best get yo shit together fo tha sake of baby girl and this family." Murdoc grumbled. "And you," he said, pointing at 2D whose eyes were narrowed, arms crossed against his chest. "D, you best be keeping yo shit with this cracka ass from upsetting baby girl. I ain't gonna stop from breakin yo limbs next time."

2D flailed at him, his eyes suddenly widening. "I would neva 'urt 'er, Russ, yew know tha' and I know tha' and—"

His sentence was cut-off when they heard the lift again, this time ascending. All were shocked again when Noodle stomped from the lift back towards where they were all seated. However, no one had time to react as she ripped 2D away from the gathering, her grip like iron as she took him with her to the lift. The door closed quickly and it descended down, leaving Murdoc to gape while Russel could only stare after them in complete, confused surprise. There were a few more moments of silence until Russel turned his head to Murdoc, who was still fuming on the couch though quietly.

"Yo, Muds…"

"Wot is it, yew fat lard bucket?"

"You don't think that baby girl and D are…"

"Tha' lot can' date! I already told tha' girl tha' face ache won't see 'er as anything more than a lil girl. And it's my band," he answered grumpily. "So shut yer face, Lards, fo' I make yeh."

Russel rolled his eyes. "Like you could, Muds, ya skinny ass."

Meanwhile, once the creaking metal contraption hit 2D's floor Noodle dragged him down the hall, and into his room where she promptly pushed him back until his legs hit his bed. He fell, gracelessly onto his mattress, stuttering and cussing the entire way until he noticed her shadow towering above him. He flinched when he determined that Noodle was extremely upset about the entire situation even if part of him was glad that he'd burned Murdoc's arm with his cigarette as a result of the young woman's outburst.

"Lil love, wot tha 'ell wos all tha' 'bout?"

Jabbing a finger at his chest as tears threatened to spill over her swollen eyelids, Noodle began to shout at him, angrily. "The truth, 2D. Tell me the truth. How could you be so cavalier about what he did to us, to you?" She was incredulous as she began to pace back and forth before him, which made 2D's head hurt as he watched her. "He kidnapped you and tortured you. How can you be so damn casual about what he's done to you? He hurt you, betrayed our trust, used you, my god, he used you, 2D. HE FUCKING TORTURED YOU!" Her sudden outburst caused him to jump a little as she whirled around on him again, her hands on his shoulders, shaking him. The migraine that was building in his head heightened as she did this, and he suddenly felt nauseous from the movements. Pushing her away he stumbled to find his painkillers; but she did not back down. Stopping him mid-stride yanked him back, steadying him when it seemed he might fall. "Stop avoiding me. Stop holding it back. Stop trying to numb the pain. I'm here. Talk to me, please, talk to me 2D. Please, I'm…I'm begging you." When he didn't seem to fully acknowledge this, his hands still fumbling for his pills, Noodle lost it. Grabbing his face, she made him look at her with those endless eyes that made her heart melt in an instant. "Please…stop trying to protect him!"

Realizing that something was terribly wrong, which, technically, he had already known, 2D grabbed her roughly. She gasped when his arms enfolded her securely as her tears spilled over like a broken dam, one that she'd been maintaining for a few moments. But as her body shook in his arms 2D found that this trembling couldn't be the result of his confessions or the truth that had been revealed the previous night, as harsh as it had been to learn. He knew Noodle must have been crying about something else. Chancing this, he rubbed her bony shoulders affectionately, trying desperately to get a good look at her face. She was sniffling, her head bowed into his chest as she mumbled incoherently.

"Wots tha' love?" He inquired, abyssal eyes concerned. She muttered. "Lil love, I can' 'elp yew if yew don' talk ta me."

"I'm…I'm remembering…" she shivered even though the air in his room was warmer than usual. "I wish I didn't…why can't I forget that place?"

"Wot place?" He had the feeling he knew what place she was referring to but decided to ask.

Shuddering, Noodle curled her thin fingers around his t-shirt, the smell of smoke overwhelming her senses as she tried to forget the images that attacked her brain. They pursued her incessantly, battering her skull until she released a cry of anguish, shoving 2D away from her as she turned away, tremors wracking her small frame. He could only stare at her in uncertain surprise while she began a rampage of sorts. It wasn't that she didn't express herself openly, but she'd been the type to keep it together no matter what. Mostly. Nonetheless, 2D found this woman to be a wreck, one he was unfamiliar with and wasn't sure how to handle. He could only watch helplessly as she raged about his room, her fist smashing into the walls anywhere she could put them, her fingers ripping apart his things, tearing everything in her way to unrecognizable pieces. 2D stood back and leaned against his wall. In all his years of knowing her and learning about people 2D had come to one conclusion; it was healthy for people to release their anger. He'd had plenty of time, when she'd been gone, to discover these concepts, to come to terms with who he was and how he fit into Murdoc's life. He was somewhat ashamed that he hadn't abandoned Murdoc after so many years. That wasn't to say he sure as hell hadn't tried during that time—he'd done everything in his power to get away. But when Russel returned he didn't see as much of a point. Russel was family, as was Murdoc, whether he liked to admit it or not. In a way, he knew, it was similar to codependency in real families. Sighing, 2D waited until Noodle had torn his pillow to shreds before approaching her. When she didn't appear to have heard him, he stepped back again to let her continue. Until she reached for the fan against his wall. She made a grab for it, her rage blinding her.

Jumping to attention 2D grabbed her wrists, twisting them to end her furious, destructive rampage before she could destroy the one thing that kept him connected to her in her absence. "Enough, lil love."

She still hadn't appeared to have heard him this time, either, as she snarled at him, throwing him off despite the ache in her wrists. She made a dash for the fan again but as before, 2D was there, this time roughly getting hold of her shoulders and shaking them until she stopped spitting at him like a feral cat. Stopping dead in her tracks, it dawned on her that she wasn't afraid of Plastic Beach, 2D, Russel or Murdoc—she was afraid of herself. Glaring at her hands as 2D kept his on her shoulders, Noodle found that she was afraid of who she had become over the years. 'No wonder I'm obsessed with that damn Android.' Fighting back a fresh batch of tears the young woman glanced around her friend's room, appalled at what she'd done. Embarrassment was an understatement to what she felt as she looked at the warzone 2D's room had become at her hands. Only a minute later did she smell the rusty scent of blood, which caused her eyes to dart towards her fists. There was a dull throb in each of them that sprang back to life when she saw the carnelian stains that littered her cut up knuckles.

"Let's get tha' cleaned up for yew, Noods," 2D replied quietly as she stood, numbly, in place.

She heard him digging around in his bathroom in search of a first aid kit. A lone tear escaped her eyelid as her cheeks burned like red hot fire—she'd pretty much razed his room to the bloody ground with her anger and hate. 'I'm so…disgusting.' She was so wrapped up in her negative thought process that she hadn't noticed 2D return until she felt stinging on her knuckles. Hissing from the alcohol pads on her skin, Noodle shut her eyes to shield her emotions from 2D as she made to apologize for what she'd done. He was quiet as he worked, only his even breathing filling the silent room. It was times like this that Noodle wished for his boom box to work. A quick check to the left made her see that she'd destroyed it with a hammer that happened to be sitting in the room during her tirade. Flinching, though not from the gauze being applied to her hands, she hung her head in shame at what she'd done. Of all the ways to get the day started she'd never thought it would be with some blood and tears, or a tsunami of Japanese fury.

"Now I see why 'ey call yew tha Axe Princess, lil love."

"How…how can you be so…okay with this?" She whispered to him, her voice full of fright and shame.

2D shrugged. "Suppose it's cos I'm older. When yew're older, yew don' get mad 'bout much, I guess."

"Or about the things you should," she spat. If 2D was offended he hid it well. Angry that she couldn't seem to illicit any emotion from him, other than nonchalance, made her break into action. Snatching her half bandaged knuckles away from her friend, Noodle backed away from him, her stare accusatory. "Cut the bullshit, 2D. I don't want your help if you're going to pretend like none of this matter. I destroyed your room. Murdoc practically destroyed your freedom. I don't want to be a part of what's going to….destroy you. If this is how it's going to be…I'd rather disappear again." As the words left her mouth she regretted them. A look of heart wrenching pain crossed his face as he dropped the first aid kit to the ground, alcohol splashing everywhere onto his carpet. But Noodle stood her ground even when her heart felt like it was breaking, persisting in making her point clear to the man across from her. Squaring her shoulders, the young Japanese woman began to make her way back to the lift. "I don't want to be here anymore. Just…keep that stupid Android."

She lost her footing, shrieking uncharacteristically for a moment, until she noticed she was being dragged away from the lift, the doors getting further and further away from her. She didn't have time to think it through before she was shoved, albeit violently, forward until her knees connected with the ledge of 2D's bed; she fell face first into the wrinkled bedspread that smelled of butterscotch and musk. Stuttering, she turned back to see 2D glaring at her, black voids narrowed and arms crossed over his chest. He didn't look one bit happy as Noodle stared at him like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming big rig. She should've known he was going to react. 'Shouldn't I have known this?' No, she realized. How could she? This Stuart Pot, this person was not someone she knew. How could she have known that her words would cut him so deep? Or make him become so angry? 2D hardly ever got angry; it just wasn't his personality. Yelping, Noodle backed up on his bed until her back hit the wall behind her. There was nowhere else to go. Her knuckles throbbed and she felt slight wetness sliding down her fingers. 'Shit…I'm bleeding again.' With her wounds reopened and not an exit in sight, the young woman prepared herself for whatever 2D was going to do.

To say he looked angry wouldn't have been a complete lie; he was downright frightful. He looked positively murderous. She'd seen his scary face in the lift but this was different. He was shaking as she'd been earlier. His eyes had become similar to a vacuum, sucking her in with their power, keeping her rooted to her spot. His blue locks suddenly seemed to be daggers as he leaned over her, mien accusing and animosity radiating off of him in thick waves. Her intuition told her to keep her mouth shut; then her anger got the best of her.

"Hey! What the fuck is the big idea? You can't trap me in here!" She shouted at him.

"Yeh gonna stay 'ere til I'm ready ta let yeh go, Noodle," he spat back quietly. She fell back on the bed in surprise. "Yeh wan' tell me wots goin on wit yeh tha' yeh 'void me all day? Don' fink I 'aven't noticed, love! S'been a year since yeh could really look me in tha' eyes! E'rytime I wanna talk ta yeh s'like pullin' my 'air ou' cos yeh jus' turn tail and run! Wot tha fook, lil love?!"

She suddenly felt ashamed as she came to grips with it. He was right but she was angry and upset. How could she admit to him that he was right when she was angry with him for not coming to look for her? Standing up to him, which was a funny picture as he was at least a good head and a half taller than her, she jabbed a finger at his chest even though bending her damaged hands hurt. Her words spilled out like a damn being broken, much to her own horror. "Me? ME? You NEVER came to look for me, Stuart Pot! I was gone for 7 years, 7 YEARS! Not once did you, any of you, come to look for me while I rotted away in the place!" She pushed him with her all might, her eyes starting to tear as she yelled, no longer in control of the horrid words spilling forth from her like poison. "Don't come tell me about YOUR frustrations and hurt feelings! Why don't YOU go to hell!? And just you TRY and make it back!"

"But Muds did go look for yew!" He shouted back. "We jus' didn't….Muds jus' didn't…find yew…" he trailed off in obvious irritation. Noodle couldn't bring herself to say anymore, her tears never ceasing as she stared at his frustrated form. He suddenly reached for his hair, pulling at it roughly as he stepped back from her. "I wos going ta find yew, soon as I 'scaped. I swear I wos….but tha' damn whale…"

She choked back a sob as the regret seeped into her veins like a horrid, viral infection without a cure. "2D…I…"

"Yew fink it wos easy livin 'ere with tha' slimy, lousy git?" 2D rounded on her, eyes narrowed into slits. Noodle fell back on the bed as he drew closer to her shrinking form on the comforter. "Tha' prat almost killed me! 'E fookin to'tured me like yew wouldn't believe. Course I 'ate him. But 'ow was I supposed ta get away? I'm not so cavalier 'bout wot 'appened ta me. I 'ate tha' jerk. I could kill 'im fo' wot 'e did ta us, ta yew, ta me; but wot good s'gonna come of tha' Noodle?" She opened her mouth to respond but he cut her off. "I wosn't askin. How could yew fink I wos okay with all of it?"

His anger rose as he suddenly punched the wall to the side of her head, his fist making a loud thumping noise as he stared into Noodle's fearful eyes. He was torn up inside that she was afraid but the anger that she'd re-awakened within him couldn't be stopped now. In the past he never would have done this. However, life was known to impact people in strange ways, and for Stuart Pot, he'd spent so much of his life being afraid and holding everything inside; at some point it was bound to come undone. He pointed a finger at her, bitterness lacing his voice as he continued. "Yew don't 'ave any idea 'ow long I endured this to'ture cos I was waitin fo' yew, Noodle, fo' yew! I 'oped tha' knob would bring yew 'ome…I waited…" Feeling another migraine surfacing, 2D cradled his head as all his anger slowly began to dissipate, leaving only frustration and depression to fill him as he searched, frantically, for his painkillers. "Fook…me damn pills…fook!"

He was grateful, though still hurt, as Noodle's small hands found the orange bottle and assisted him. It felt like an eternity before the white pills dissolved into his bloodstream, before they began to take effect and silence the monkey playing a bongo in his head. Unfortunately when the world cleared his anger did not. Throwing Noodle a dirty look he pointed to the door, head in one hand while the other motioned for her to leave his abode. When she didn't move at his command, 2D raised his blackened, hollowed eyes to her jade pair. "Get out."

"But 2D I—

She didn't have time to finish. "I said get out. I don' wanna talk 'bout it anymo'."

Wordlessly, Noodle made her way towards the door, glancing back at him one more time as if she'd misheard what he'd asked. He'd already curled up on his bed, the curtains drawn with his back to her. Holding back tears, Noodle closed the door, entered the lift and pressed the button to the Engine Room. When the doors opened to reveal the quiet darkness she'd found so much solitude within as of the late, she could only sigh and make her way towards the rancorous haven. Her stomach did a flip-flop as she slowly opened the painted red doors to "Noodle's Cupboard" and peeked inside to find the Android facing her, unlike how she'd left it. Stiffening at the change in position, she didn't make a move to enter the cabinet. Someone had, clearly, moved it recently. 'The only one who would've…stupid Murdoc.' The young Axe Princess figured that the satanic bassist was trying to tell her something, trying to demonstrate how much she wasn't necessary to the band anymore. And yet that seemed more heartless than Murdoc could possibly be even if he was a complete inconsiderate bastard. Carefully, she kept her hand firmly on the doorknob while she debated whether she should enter the Android's territory or not. Was it wise to do so? She couldn't be too sure; but something drew her closer, almost calling to her like a demented lullaby filling her mind with a perverse sense of assurance. It was false. It had to be, right?

Despite its change in seating its eyes remained closed, every wire in place with the monitors beeping and motors humming softly in the background. Bracing herself for her next actions, Noodle shut the doors behind her as she crawled forward towards the metal machine. Whether from sleep deprivation euphoria or straight reality distortion, Noodle didn't know which, she quietly moved its arms and curled up to the Android's chest before letting its arms rest atop her prone form. Part of her, the more coherent and logically based part, was thoroughly horrified, scandalized even, at what she'd just done; the other part of her felt numb and no longer cared. All the stress of the day took its toll on her and Noodle couldn't resist the warm, welcoming silence that embraced her no matter who offered. It was, of course, at the expense of her mental perception at the moment but she no longer cared. In "Noodle's cupboard" she had found a place of twisted solace, something she hadn't been able to find in the upper reaches of Plastic Beach despite how much her band mates tried to make everything normal. And it was there she fell into a deep sleep, the Android's arms wrapping her in a protective, horrific and disturbed cocoon of warped purple, ebony and olive.

TBC

(Well, there is chapter 4. I also apologize if a lot of you are unhappy with how 2D is reacting--I'm trying. If you have suggestions, please feel free to continue giving them. I don't mind. But he is different, somewhat. He is angry and he is pent-up, just so you know. Anyhow, I'm working on Chapter 5 already but I am still trying to make it believable. It delves a lot more into Noodle's psyche from the time she was gone to now. There will be romance, eventually, promise. But unfortunately, it won't be right now. I think it'd be unrealistic. If you love it, please keep reviewing. If not…well...I think you get the point. And yes, Noodle's relationship with the Android is about to take a scary turn, just be aware. Thank you to all who reviewed, whether you like it or not. I appreciate the effort and honesty. Love you all. Thanks, until next time!)