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: Um….yeah, I'm a jerk. It was weird but when writing this I couldn't figure out how to tie in the new "Rhinestone Eyes" Storyboard. It's hard but I'll either rewrite that part or leave it up to your imaginations since this story focuses on Noodle's mental stability and her relationship with the Android. This chapter is more 2D and Noodle but we get a little more Murdoc and Russel. Sorry it took so long…don't hate me, please? Hope those of you that follow enjoy this. Thanks. Off to chapter 8 now…and preparations for the Concert can commence!

'thoughts' & Flashbacks

"Talking"

Everything else

On the cloud of unknowing
My world seems open
Every satellite up here is watching
But I was here from the very start
Trying to find a way to your heartAll the days are forgetting
They've gone out with the tide
Lost at sea somewhere, waiting
Like setting suns at the rodeo
Trying to find someone you'll never know

~Plastic Beach—Gorillaz Ft. Bobby Womack

Canvas of Imperfection

No words could describe the anxiety 2D felt as he burst into his room, Noodle's limp form in his arms. Though she wasn't heavy by any means she did feel like straight dead weight as her head hung over the crook of his arm, which ached from his fight with Murdoc. His ribcage felt like it was bruised from Russel's punch but he refused to let it make him collapse for fear of waking the woman he held. He couldn't place the anger flowing through him like a river of polluted blood, the very essence of his upset infiltrating every cell of his body. He wanted to hurt Murdoc more than anything, to make him pay for what he'd done to Noodle and himself. But his compassionate nature never truly allowed this. A calmer, more rational and kinder part of him had already forgiven the man; he attributed this to Noodle. Even in her absence he'd felt like she was guiding him on the "right" path despite the fact that 2D wasn't even sure if he'd been on a path in the first place. For as empty-headed as he usually was, 2D knew he had no direction—according to society—for his life to go. His accidental, to put it mildly, christening into the band had been all at the hands of Murdoc though, to the day, the price, he felt, was a heavy one to pay in exchange for all the fame. Having blackened, abyssal eyes, missing teeth and bruises all over was not exactly how he pictured himself years later; that was just for starters. If he had to look back over the last 10 years he had to say that he never pictured his life where it was now. Not in this time, not in this moment with Noodle in his arms, not with her at all. He thought he'd be following all his crazy, spectacular ideas from his childhood. Whether it'd have been becoming a painter or an astronaut he didn't care which one. All he knew is that had he done any of that, he may never have met the beautiful woman in his arms. That she was younger than him by a good amount of years made it a little difficult to fathom, let alone commend; but he loved her, and that was what was most important.

'I need ta fink…' he mused. Noodle's form was shaking with the tell tale signs of a fever as she tossed and turned in bed. He felt helpless as shivers wracked her heat laden body, the cold compress barely keeping her body temperature at a decent level. She whimpered suddenly and he brought his hand to her cheek, running it softly up and down the expanse of that scarred olive skin. But it did not have the desired effect of soothing her; instead it caused her to thrash violently. Surprise overtook him as she kicked at him, fighting him with all her unconscious might before she bolted straight up. 2D fell back instantly.

Disoriented, Noodle rubbed her aching, sweaty temples. She could feel her hair matted to her head and looked down to see the cold washcloth lying in her lap. Uncertainty crept over her as she glanced around until her eyes met his. "2D-san…what…happened to me?"

"Sshhh," he soothed, taking the cold compress and placing it back against her head. "Yew fainted, love."

"I did." It was more of a statement than a question. She figured something had happened since she only remembered the ruckus occurring, then darting down to her room. She'd been "lucky" enough to burst in through the door in time to see Murdoc and 2D fighting. Fear had coursed through her, anxiety riding the waves transmitting through her brain, as she witnessed the vicious scene. They couldn't be doing this—she couldn't take it anymore. Sighing, Noodle slid back against the wall parallel to 2D's bed, her mind in a boggle, thoughts heavy with mood. She couldn't understand what it was that caused her more anxiety: their constant bickering or her memories of Hell. "I suppose, 2D-san, you want to know the truth of what happened to me?" The matter of fact tone of her voice coincided with the prominent nod of his head, informing her that it was time to spill her secret and all the horrors that followed. Shuddering, she beckoned him forward with her slim, olive colored finger. "I am sorry to disappoint you but…I cannot. I am sorry, really. I do not wish to relive such…things."

Her casual, nonchalant demeanor irked him and he proceeded to nod slowly though he had a million questions for her. Instead, he sat back as she brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her lithe arms around them. He burned to know what had happened but he suddenly remembered her mentioning that some things were better left unsaid. He looked at her again. She was still sitting silently and resolutely on his bed, seeming distracted. "Noodle…I fink s'ok if yew don' wanna share."

"Thank you," she replied quietly right as a yawn began to escape her throat. "I'm exhausted. I wish to go to sleep again. Do you mind if I sleep here, 2D-san?"

Again, he wanted to bombard her with questions. But he did not ask this as he left her there, lying desolately on his bed while he went to fetch Murdoc and Russel. Luckily, neither had left Noodle's soon-to-be room, both standing there, still staring at the Android in utter, dumbfounded amazement. 2D made a disgusted face at the display while the Android remained limp against the wall; eyes open wide but staring into continual nothingness, its limbs at awkward angles. He wanted nothing more than to grab the Android and feed it to the wretched whale. Once Noodle had arrived at Plastic Beach he'd been more than relieved—not just because she was back. But since they'd put the machine away he'd felt a sense of peace and he slept better knowing it wasn't stalking his room and keeping him prisoner. Now he just wanted to get rid of it in any way possible; and then he wanted the whale gone as well. He had been informed that whale would not leave since Murdoc was still feeding him in order to keep an eye on 2D. Snorting, he rolled his fractured eyes at this. Noodle had told him that she was working on this but that it was hard since being around Murdoc pissed her off and she wanted to punch his lights out no matter how much she loved him as family.

Now that she was sleeping—peacefully, he hoped—upstairs in his room, he figured it was time for them to go back up to the upper levels and try to return to some normalcy. He casually, and somewhat tentatively, cleared his throat to grab their attention. Murdoc looked greener than usual as Russel dragged the bassist with him, steps heavy as he followed suit after 2D's retreating figure. Though the singer had yet to say where they were headed, the drummer was sure of one thing. Keep Murdoc and 2D separated or else there'd be hell to pay. Upon his return Russel had been pretty surprised to see that 2D stood up to Murdoc more than he had before but was even more floored in the last half hour when he'd threatened to burn out the bassist's eyes. They weren't, by any means, spring chickens anymore and their old age was catching up to them; therefore, he wasn't sure how many more fights either man could get into without seriously harming each other, especially Murdoc. The man was pushing it age-wise. With 2D well into his middle 30s, Russel knew that none of them, save for young Noodle, was in their prime anymore. Sighing, he was somewhat thankful when they reached the common area where 2D promptly walked into the lift, took it a floor up and slammed the door to the recording studio. The drummer could feel more than hear Murdoc bitching and so took him up to the patio where he threw his drunken leader onto a lawn chair. He was thoroughly disappointed with Murdoc but knew voicing it to the drunken man was a complete waste of time.

Russel departed the patio without a word, making his way down to his own room to think. As for Murdoc, he sat there on the lawn chair, already feeling hung over and wishing he had another bottle of rum or tequila. 'And some fuckin fags,' he thought as he slumped back onto the chair. For him, everything that just occurred had been almost unreal; and he would've continued to think it such had it not been for the bubbling skin on his arm, courtesy of the dullard. He hadn't thought that, after all the years of torture and careful watch by the Android, 2D would've done something so brave. 'Or stupid. 'At dullard s'gonna pay,' Murdoc fumed, though it was half-hearted even in his alcohol-laden brain. He figured the man had only done such a thing because Noodle was here, and he had somehow found the balls to do it. Whatever the case, the older man knew that he wouldn't always be able to push around the cerulean haired man, not anymore. Being his age, the dullard was still younger and much more able-bodied even if he didn't generally have the courage to challenge anyone. If there was one thing he knew about his band mate, it was that 2D was pretty mellow most of the time, easy-going and spaced out 23 hours out of the day.

This seemed even more noticeable when they were in band practice. 2D was in the zone, as Noodle would say. 'And what 'bout Noodle?' Murdoc knew he'd be lying to himself if he thought he could continue his little charade in regards to Noodle, especially without an apology; or a formal one, at the very least. He knew Russel had been trying to get him to do it since her return but he'd adamantly refused since it "wasn't his thing" or "because he didn't feel like it." But telling Russel that, and trying to believe it himself, would only last for so long and time was wearing thin. As it was, he was lucky the large drummer hadn't beaten the shit out of him for holding off for so long. He was still pondering this when he heard 2D's voice drift out from underneath he recording studio's door, rising until it reached him at the patio level outside. The haunting lyrics of their most recent album seemed to be a constant reminder of all the wrong he'd ever done to anyone—especially them. In his older age Murdoc knew his time was running out and he knew that he would end up a sour, lonely old man without anyone if he kept the asshole routine in effect. 'But breakin 'abits is so 'ard,' he mused to himself, thoroughly agitated that things had gotten to this point. He would come around but he hoped that by the time he did, Noodle was still willing to truly forgive him.

Downstairs in his room Russel was feeling depressed and missing his best friend like never before. With Del gone he wasn't sure how to deal with his anger anymore. His friend had protected him, even in death, and Russel felt empty without his presence there. Del had been like his brother, not just a friend. And now with his adopted family in turmoil he wasn't really sure where to go or what to do. It had taken forever for him to get to Plastic Beach and be able to go inside—being a giant as a result of nuclear mutation had its major drawbacks. But when he'd managed to overcome such a feat he was disappointed to find his family in the state they were in, especially since Noodle was all together absent from the picture. That 2D was lifeless and Murdoc was even more of a raging alcoholic than before was the cherry on top of the already fantastic discovery of what his life had become—fucked up, in a nutshell. When the result of Noodle's return was standoffish behaviors coupled with nonchalance, general disconnect and debilitating discontent he knew that they were a long way from Kansas, so to speak. 'How do we get back there?' Being the brother and father figure of a young girl was hard enough; being both to a young woman was even worse, especially when—at this point Russel had no more questions—she was in love with someone 12 years older than her. And, consequently, someone who happened to be the lead singer and cover face of the famous Gorillaz, let alone someone who was considered family, was not exactly the best relationship development. The drummer already knew that Noodle had a crush but upon realizing it was their vocalist had just opened a whole new slew of problematic situations for them. Though he suspected neither 2D nor Noodle had voiced these beautifully destructive sentiments, he wasn't sure how much longer they could keep them quiet.

'This is gonna make Muds restless,' he concluded as he looked around his room with disinterest. He wasn't entirely sure Murdoc didn't have suspicions about their two other band mates but he didn't really want to see the other man's reaction to the official announcement of such a relationship. While in the past Russel adamantly refused to let Noodle and 2D even interact at a level inappropriate for a child and older mentor, he knew he was fooling himself in assuming she'd never grow up. However, he didn't quite think she'd take a liking to 2D who was so disconnected from reality that Russel couldn't fathom the blue haired man ever being with anyone for too long, especially not their Noodle. "How foolish of me, ain't it Del?" He whispered to the silence in remorse. Without Del, there was no one left to consult, no one left to really listen. Sighing, Russel hoped that Noodle was okay for now, until later when he could talk to her.

Downstairs in 2D's room Noodle was doing everything but sleeping. She was fidgeting, rolling back and forth on 2D's bed in discomfort and annoyance. She knew she should tell them what happened to her but the memories were too horrific for her to constantly relive—who would wish this upon anyone else? Rolling over back to face the window Noodle stared through it just in time to see the whale's eye fill up the view. She glared at it through the glass and when it appeared uninterested in her as its subject, it swam away. 'Probably searching for 2D-san. I am going to seriously murder Murdoc,' she thought bitterly. At the present she still very much wanted to punch the living daylights out of him but seemingly never found true energy for it. Instead she continued to lie there in the silent, lukewarm air of 2D's bedroom, her mind wandering back and forth about her decision. After everything that had taken place Noodle was determined to tell 2D that she was in love with him. She wanted the fairytale ending but was prepared not to have it come true. She recalled her vow: if she could not be with 2D, she would gladly find the person who made him happy in order to restore that smile she loved. It all seemed less of a big deal when she'd originally came up with such a plan. Only now she felt like the biggest fool. 'Noodle, you fool,' she mused bitterly. 'You know it's not that easy to let go of someone you've loved for so long,' she scolded herself. She knew she was kidding herself with such a ridiculous plan, to think that she could just walk away from the vocalist as though she hadn't been in love—not crushing—with him for the past decade. 'A decade sure is a long time…'

Flopping back onto her other side, Noodle stared over the edge of the bed in boredom as she continued to ponder her dilemma. 'And oh…what a dilemma I've got myself into, isn't it?' she muttered to herself as she heard movement above her. For all it was worth, the haunting melody of 2D's forlorn voice did soothe her despite the ache it brought to her heart. Murdoc was unusually silent and she had also heard Russel go into his own room. That Murdoc was as quiet as he'd been was irksome but she didn't bother to try and figure out the reason; as long as he was silent she was happy. The words of 2D's latest melancholy tune of choice filtered into her ears, eerily and beautiful, torturing as it soothed, too. As accustomed as she was to these dual feelings lately, it didn't change the fact that she would prefer to just experience one since both led to confusion. On occasion, even annoyance and sadness, too. Sighing, Noodle brought herself upright into a seated position. She needed to figure out what she was going to do and soon. As it was she was already frustrated with where to begin on finding this woman, or man, who had broken 2D's giving, peaceful heart. Restoration of this precious treasure was her ultimate goal in life, for now. 'Perhaps…telling 2D I love him is not what is most important now…' her thought trailed off when she heard the abrupt halt of his singing and then, seconds later, the lift making its way down. 'What the…' her thought was answered when the door to his room was thrown open, catching her mid gasp, her body still upright. 2D was glaring but she wasn't sure if it was directed at her or just the room in general. When he simply stood there silently, his fists clenched and eyes still glaring, she wasn't sure what to do. Opting for the safe approach, Noodle cleared her throat semi-loudly to get his attention. He glanced in her direction, instantly startled, seeming to suddenly remember that she'd been in there the whole time. He shook his head before offering her a small smile.

"Oh…'ello, lil love. Didn' see yew 'ere!"

He had completely forgotten, she figured. Smiling at him, Noodle patted the space next to her to signal he should come sit next to her. Outwardly she knew she appeared calm but inside her stomach was doing flip-flops and her heart was hammering madly in her chest. She was about to put her plan into action and she already knew that it was ridiculous to pretend everything was alright when, clearly, it wasn't. But luckily for her, she thanked that 2D hadn't picked up on any of it. Instead, he simply fell down next to her, a dopey smile on his face just for her. Truth be told, 2D was more than happy to join her, finding himself the mellowest around her—if not, also, slightly aroused. She seemed quiet and reserved at the moment though her innocence still shined through, even if just a little. He hummed a happy tune as they both stared out the window. He had found that, with Noodle around, he was less and less afraid of the whale. Yet he still cowered and hid when it swam by on various occasions. Dismissing that thought, 2D turned his face towards hers to find that she too was looking at him, her bangs covering half her face and her torn eye while her other remained in clear view. She gave him a crooked smile followed by a nervous laugh when she realized that their faces were inches apart, noses almost touching. It was as if time stopped when she noticed that their current position was all too familiar. Noodle suddenly recalled their previous encounter on his bed the night before, their breath intermingling and her body needing more than just a glance from her male counterpart. Sighing, she figured it was best to cut such an interlude short to curb her loss when logic won over desire. She began to backpedal when suddenly his hands were cupping her face.

Alarmed, Noodle's eyes widened when 2D hesitantly brought his lips a scant millimeter above hers, hovering for a moment. Neither moved a tensed muscle, their ragged breathing the only sign that they were still alive. 2D had no idea what had come over him or his body when he'd reached out for her retreating form. The only thing he did recognize was a need to keep her there and he'd grabbed as the need surged through him at a ridiculously fast pace, like quicksilver. She'd frozen when he'd done so but he couldn't stop himself, bringing his lips down to hers but not touching them. When she didn't reject him or push him off the bed, 2D began to wonder what it meant. He felt his heart beating rapidly as he thought of the possibilities of her returning his affections. He loved her, he loved her more than he could even say or express. And it was all that intensity and fear that was holding him back from telling her right away. She was so broken and fragile; he couldn't hurt her. His reverie was shattered when he felt trembling fingers settle on his wrists and his attention was returned to the beautifully scarred woman before him. Noodle's emerald eyes looked terrified and uncertain.

"2D-san…I….I don't understand…" she trailed.

The logical part of his brain was pleading for him to halt his actions before he ruined their friendship. But his desire was slowly but surely winning over such logical thought processes the longer she peered into his fractured eyes. He couldn't explain it and he sure as hell didn't want to think right now, not when she was there looking at him like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming big rig. When he said nothing to her she began to pull away, her small, calloused but delicate hand leaving his wrist. 2D felt the connection disappearing and in a desperate attempt to keep it he yanked her back on instinct, bringing her plummeting into his stiff form where she collided and they both fell off the bed. This simple action seemed to awaken both of them and Noodle quickly stood, stuttering apologies with a hand extended towards the blue-haired singer. He, too, seemed to have come to but simply stared at her hand as if it had grown three heads like Cerberus. When he didn't take her offer Noodle apologized again before darting out of his bedroom; he didn't go after her. Instead, he sat there trying to discern why he hadn't actually kissed her. And what had overcome him that he almost had.

Meanwhile, Noodle had escaped back into her room where the Android was still sitting. She breathed a short sigh of relief that no one else was in her room and sat down next to her new "friend." Feeling lost and hurt, she leaned her head on the Cyborg's shoulder, the cool, hard metal surface bringing her little solace but offering her somewhere to rest her weary head. She felt confused and upset all over again, disappointment coursing its way through her; but this time it was followed with animosity and self-deprecation. Was she just a toy? She'd felt as such in the past. Satan had not wanted to fuck the living daylights out of her young body but he had done his share of having other people use her. Though she'd remained pure and untouched in every physical aspect, her will had been broken repeatedly, her mind convinced she'd been there for everyone else's needs. She was no longer a person but a thing to be handled as those creatures saw fit. The horrors in her mind, the ones that lived behind her bright emerald eyes, were enough to make tears spring back and spill over her eyelids on to her scarred olive cheeks. Sobbing, Noodle curled herself into the Android, wrapping its arms around her once again as she nestled into his uncomfortable chest, tears still falling. She wouldn't ever tell them what had happened to her. All she wanted was for the pain to go away. She glanced up at the imposter's perfect, dolled up face with the utmost disgust and anger. She was supposed to be as beautiful as the monster that held her, the monster that was her constant haven when things with her family now went awry. Sniffling, she sat up evenly with the Doll, her hand cupping its face for examination. She gently touched the Cyborg's hair, then her own; its eyelids, then hers; its cheeks, then hers; and so on until she'd touched every visible part of its upper body.

At the end of such an intimate session Noodle had to come one startling conclusion: she may be scarred and broken, but the Cyborg would NEVER be real. It may have been her perfect past image but it would never be her. The fact that it possessed her amazing guitar skills was wonderful but how long would it last before breaking down again? How long would the machine be of use before Murdoc had to create another prototype? In the end she knew that if she left the band it would all fall apart again, despite Murdoc's hack of a plan to keep it together. Therefore, it'd been established that he needed her breathing and in the flesh. What she couldn't understand was why Murdoc insisted on keeping it, especially offline when she knew he liked it better when the damned thing was operating at full capacity. It'd been lifeless for a year; why hadn't he reactivated it against her request? Murdoc wasn't one to usually listen to anyone else, especially not her. Perhaps from the guilt? It must've been, she'd surmised before. But now she was beginning to doubt her own assumptions regarding such a delicate matter. Didn't they realize what they were doing to her? Didn't they? Her mind screamed that they were a bunch of insensitive pricks, each in his own way. Murdoc had made her feel so insignificant that she could've been replaced so easily by an artificial creation. Russel made her feel like she had no right to be angry about what had happened. And 2D…he had made her feel the worst, catching her heart threads then dangling her over a pit of acid with his actions. It was the second time he'd almost kissed her but then, he'd stopped. Didn't he understand how much he was hurting her, playing with her, toying with her emotions and heart? Every time he pulled her in then threw her out into the sea made her feel worse and worse, any hope she had that he might love her diminishing with each instance.

'Maybe…he doesn't love me…' she concluded, noting how he'd expressed a major physical interest in her but perhaps, nothing more than that. 'Maybe…he just wants to sleep with me.' This thought was unwelcomed and left a sour, acidic taste in her mouth as she swallowed at the lump forming there. Her heart clenched and she stared at the lifeless cyborg before her. "Maybe…do you think that…perhaps 2D only wants my body?" The machine gave no response but she could've sworn she saw it smile evilly and nod. Freaked out, she threw it to the side where it landed haphazardly, limbs bent underneath its side and behind its back. It looked wrong lying there but Noodle felt the despair and irritation growing; she didn't care about the Android's position. She was seething now, her mind focused on the thought that 2D only wanted her body, that he didn't love her, that she was just the closest he'd ever get to getting laid again. Furious, Noodle stood up and brought her foot down heavily on the Android's side. Her rage rose and she continued to beat the machine though the end result, she knew, would be the same as last time. She kicked its side, its neck, its arms, then its face. However, she was pleasantly surprised and horrified to see that her last kick to its face had knocked the faceplate straight off. She let out a shocked, uncharacteristic shriek at the true image of the Cyborg's face revealed. The lights and machinery beneath it were non-operational; it looked like a real machine now, not a girl. That seemed to knock her from her sick, deluded mindset as she fell back on her bottom, her hands flying over her mouth in true fear.

This machine, this monster is what she'd been running to for the last month or so. This is where she'd been taking solace instead of confiding in her family. She suddenly felt extremely pathetic and sick. Before she knew it she had turned to her side and vomited again, the sick realization infiltrating every rational part of her mind and frightening her. Trembling, Noodle fought the urge to vomit again but lost miserably as more liquid spewed from her mouth, past her lips. The tears continued to fall as she heaved and sobbed altogether, her weak arms barely able to hold her up. Her stomach felt like it was going to come straight up through her esophagus, organ and all. She felt awful physically. Mentally she was tired and she could careless that she was going crazy. In fact, she blamed her upheaval on the fact that it was a shocking surprise more than that she was completely losing her mind. When it was all over and she smelled like acid indigestion, Noodle slowly wiped her mouth and scrambled to find the faceplate. Once found, she quickly put it back on the android's face, marveling for an instant on how it looked just like her all over again. It was as if the incident had never happened. She gave it a twisted smile, adjusting it back into a seated position, her hand glistening with vomit smoothing its hair out again before she stood and made her way to the lift. She needed to clean up. As it was her mind was going in circles, her brain operating on auto-pilot as she stood inside the lift, eyes blank and smile eerie. When the doors opened it revealed that everyone was sitting in the common area which led to the studio and patio. They all looked at her as she stepped out, that twisted smile still on her face. She was walking by them when Murdoc called to her.

"Oiy…yew, come 'ere a minute, will ya?"

She turned to him, her smile causing the hairs on the back of his neck to rise and 2D's mouth to gape. Russel looked uncomfortable and worried as he stood, Murdoc joining him while 2D could only keep staring. She was clad in the Android's old outfit, the beret with the bullet hole fitting snuggly over her long purple hair, eyes not in view and artillery hanging from her shoulders. The Ithaca shotgun in her hand looked intimidating but she was holding it facing upwards, her stance stiff. She said nothing as they approached her, her eyes still blank and glassy from her previous tears. Russel was the next to speak. "Um…baby girl…you feelin aight? You don't look so good."

She let out a sinister chuckle as she swayed from side to side, her eyes narrowing and smile widening maniacally. Murdoc raised a brow before giving her a suspicious look. "Oiy…get me my rum, right now." Russel and 2D looked at him incredulously. They both knew Noodle would NEVER get Murdoc his rum. She hated him that much. But everyone was floored when she nodded before running off, disappearing from view. Slapping his forehead, Murdoc fell back onto the jukebox while Russel's eyes widened and 2D hopped over the couch, panting.

"Yew see tha'? Summink ain't right, Russ!"

"Yo Muds…what just happened man?"

"I'll tell yew lot; tha' 'ere is one twisted girl," he replied solemnly. "She thinks she's the Android, tha's wots goin on 'ere!"

"Damn it Muds! I told ya to get rid of that damn machine! Now I'mg onna pound yo face in!" Russel began advancing on the older man when 2D jumped between them. "Outta my way D."

"Russ, wait!" He held his ground. "I…I 'aven't been…completely 'onest wit yew…"

The drummer stopped mid-punch, having already pushed 2D out of the way ; he'd already grabbed Murdoc by the collar at this point. "What you mean you haven't been honest?"

2D looked fearful and sickened all at once. "Noodle's been…visitin' tha machine all 'is time…I saw'er but when I asked, she freaked out 'er somfink…got kinda…crazy and started yellin at meh…I knew she wosn't awright but I…" he trailed off as Russel's eyes narrowed at him. "I'm sowry Russ…"

"You mean Baby girl's been going crazy dis whole time, and you ain't said nothin, D?" Russel looked more murderous than confused, if Russel could look that way to begin with, 2D thought.

"Wull…yeh…but I swear't wos an accident!" 2D wailed pitifully as he craned his neck to look in the direction Noodle had disappeared. "Wots gonna 'appen to 'er, Russ?"

Two pairs of eye landed on Murdoc as he hung from the drummer's large hands, mismatched eyes darting from one to the other. "Wot? Yeh expect me ta fix this rubbish?"

"S'yo fault, Muds!" Russel roared in the older man's ears. Murdoc winced but the dark-skinned man did not let up. "Muds, you lousy, no-good, shit for a conscience son of a bitch…you best be fixin this, and soon, or ima break yo nose…AGAIN."

That seemed to shock the bassist into reality, especially since he didn't want to have his nose broken yet again. The numerous, previous times this had happened was plenty to last him a lifetime. And at his age who wanted a broken nose? So he decided he would fix this but he wouldn't do it quietly, not at all. It was unlike him to go quietly into anything he didn't want to do, or that didn't directly boost his needs or ego. 'Kinda does tho, doesn't it?' He mused. Having Noodle be "all-there" would definitely be a good thing should they decide to make another album in the near future, even if the Dullard was getting too old to be the face of the band. He could always switch them around for his own selfish purposes; and he probably would as Noodle would make a great replacement with her youthfulness. However, he'd have to do something about her face since her girlish features were marred by scars and she, even now, wore that ridiculous mask over her face. He hated it, mostly because, after all this time, he wasn't quite sure why she still wore it in public. At first he thought it might have to do with the fact that they still had the Android around; but then it became apparent this was not the case once he'd shoved her in the cabinet of the engineer room. Sighing, Murdoc batted Russel's hands away as he took a long swig of his alcohol. The looks his bandmates were giving him were all but comforting and definitely accusing. He didn't feel like giving them the time of day but if 2D really was as bold as he thought, then the stupid blue haired singer might burn his eyes out while he slept. 'Damn…wish me 'ah me Winnebago.' The thought died as Russel glowered at him, the scowl on his big face deepening and his all white eyes narrowing menacingly.

"Awright Lards, wot yew all standin 'round 'ere for?" Murdoc threw them a dirty look before going off.

Russel and 2D exchanged worried glances—though 2D's looked more lost than anything else—as they watched the Satanist disappear into the depths of his underground lab, his footsteps echoing as he descended the thousands of stairs. Neither really knew how to approach the issues, especially since Noodle was pretty estranged as it was. Russel could behave like the typical big brother/father figure he'd always been but he wasn't so sure that she'd be receptive since she thought she was the Android. As for 2D, he really had no clue how to go about any of it. He was afraid to death of the Android and he hated it about as much as he hated the whale. He would've just retrieved its bazooka and blew it up; but it wasn't the Android. It was Noodle parading around like the sick machine, made more obvious by the fact that the Android's clothes didn't fit her at all. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat, somewhat disgusted by the fact that, while she was in mental turmoil, he was thinking about her assets that shone through the tight, too-small clothing she now sported. With a squeak 2D made some lame excuse about going to the bathroom before darting down the lift and out of sight. Annoyed by the whole situation, Russel scratched his head while trying to figure out what their next step should be. Yes, Murdoc would have to try and convince the Real Noodle that she was human and not a machine. In the meantime, he decided he would put the android back into its cupboard; and lock it real tight so she could no longer have any interaction with it whatsoever. If he had known about her crazed obsession—granted he did, but now how deep it actually went—he would have thrown the Cyborg into the water, Murdoc fighting him inconsequential. He would've simply punched the bassist's lights out if he tried to save it.

Sighing, he too went to search for their recently crazed bandmate, hoping against hope there was something they could do for, quickly. In his room, 2D was curled up on his bed, tears burning his eyelids as he attempted to keep them from falling. It only made them burn more. He couldn't figure out how it had happened other than, he surmised, the cause being her incessant visits to the machine. Sure, he'd witness this countless times, heard her talk to it; but he didn't think she'd actually go…well, crazy. He didn't think she was crazy per say. He simply preferred the word imbalanced, as she'd taught him years before, since sometimes saying someone was crazy had an undesirable reaction. And it wasn't politically correct, apparently. At times like this, 2D really wanted nothing more than to pull every single piece of his hair out, mostly because it distracted him from everything else going on around him. This instance seemed to call for such an action but then, as he reached for a strand, he remembered something, though how he had absolutely no clue.

"2D-san…where are you going?"

He 'd mentioned that he was going to get a haircut. She'd looked aghast. He'd smiled at the young Japanese girl, her thick accent sounding funny even though she'd been speaking English for a few years now. He'd let it grow a little longer and was suddenly inspired to cut it when Noodle had shouted at him not to do it. As a result, he'd asked her to give him a reason as to why he shouldn't.

She'd simply replied, ""2D-san…I love the length and color of your hair. It makes you…unique."

Not known for the being the sharpest tool in the shed, he'd asked her what that meant. At first she'd hesitated, thinking of a way to explain it in logical terms—or so he assumed. Instead, she'd said, "It makes you…the brightest crayon in the box."

That he'd understood and a smile graced his lips.

The memory wasn't exactly painful to his drug-addled mind but 2D would be lying to himself if the memory didn't strike a chord of loss and uncertainty within his heart. So many questions swirled around his head, some more meaningful than others. Did he cause her to snap? Did he even eat breakfast that morning? Was that whale lurking behind the curtain? Would Murdoc ever fix Noodle? Did he love her? That last one made him sit up, albeit slowly and forlornly. In the grand scheme of his random thoughts, that one took the cake, in his opinion. He didn't consider himself a man of many words—that made sense anyway—nor did he consider himself a man of many romantic thoughts, or many thoughts for that matter. But this one thought stuck out like a purple crayon in a box of cerulean ones. Pausing, 2D began to ponder if, perhaps, she felt something for him too. Yes, he almost kissed her moments before she appeared posing as that wretched machine. But the look in her eyes was frightened, that he could see. "Wot if…wot if I wos wrong?" This statement, made out loud, seemed all the more true and he swung his legs over the bed, elbows to his knees and head in his hands. Had he ruined her? He blamed himself for her sudden snap, the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. He couldn't believe that the entire time she'd been with them since she'd made it back from hell and off that confounded boat, that he'd been such a fool. Now he wasn't sure they'd ever get her back. He couldn't fix it, he felt at a loss to do so. He was still pondering this when he smelled cigarette smoke drifting into his nostrils.

"Yew gonna sit there all nigh' like a dullard o'what?"

2D closed his eyes, not wanting to look at Murdoc right now. "Wot yew wont Muds?"

"She's callin our fer yew, face ache," came the quiet reply.

"Wot?"

Murdoc inhaled a deep, long breath off his cigarette, relishing in the nicotine as it hit his lungs. "Like I said, yew insufferable git, she's callin out fer yew. Righ' now. I though' I'd put'er straight, I did. Seems she's…lucid."

2D could only stare at the older man, dumbfounded. He had no clue what Lucid meant, in any context. But even more than that did he not comprehend what the older man meant when he said Noodle was calling out for him. As far as the vocalist knew she was completely mad, mental to the point where she'd never been the old Noodle again. Sighing, he glanced back at the surly man standing in his doorway. Murdoc seemed to be telling the truth, no hostility evident in his eyes despite the fact that 2D had burned a hole in his arm earlier that evening. Surely the bassist wanted to beat his brains out with a crowbar, right?

"Oiy, Dullard, don' think that I don' wanna bash yer brains in wit' a stick."

"Figures…" 2D muttered to himself as he returned his gaze to his knees, curious as to when this beating would occur.

Murdoc rolled his eyes, still smoking. "I ain't got time ta be babysittin yew, face ache. Go speak ta Noodle…she's callin yew."

With that he was gone, leaving 2D silently in his room with his irked thoughts of the young Japanese woman. He chanced a quick look at his door and the empty space Murdoc had occupied only seconds ago. Part of him really wanted to burst from the room and sweep Noodle into his arms; but this was unrealistic. Sighing again, he ignored the lift as it disappeared up, signaling that Murdoc had departed. It made no further movements and he knew no one was moving around, at the moment. Instead of going to her, defeated, 2D curled back up on his bedspread, eyes staring blankly at the wall.

Below him, Noodle was in a semi-lucid state, her eyes staring in mild disgust at the clothes she now wore. The Android was gone, nowhere in sight. But she felt like the machine was still very much with her not only in her thoughts, but its very presence seemed to be extremely close to her. She glanced around, seemingly paranoid, only to find that her room was empty. Yet she could swear she heard the Android moving around like a predator about to pounce its prey, stealthily, sneaky, like liquid quicksilver; and it irked her, making goosebumps spring up along her olive tinted skin. When she looked in the dirty, opaque mirror she saw a the Android sneering back at her, it's eyes full of malice. It was laughing at her and she could do nothing about it. Noodle wanted to punch the glass surface but knew she'd only injure herself more though this did barely anything to calm the urge as she cracked her knuckles in anticipation. And then misery. All she felt was jumbled emotions, conflicting as they fought an internal battle she didn't quite understand yet. Her mind was telling her to let go of the pain and become numb, to embrace the sinister thoughts passing through until they became whole. But her heart refused, crying out, fighting with everything she had to stay intact, to remain hopeful and positive even if she felt like she was dying inside. Her mind laughed: What do you have left, it seemed to ask.

Noodle tried to push the thought away but it seemed to become stronger and stronger. She hated the Android in that moment, thinking that, for a split second, the machine was stronger than she was, superior in ways she couldn't even begin to comprehend. Every part of her felt tired and drained from her head, to her heart, to her very limbs that supported her. She wasn't fatigued in ways she'd been after a vigorous workout or a heated recording session, nor even from a good long cry or a confusing argument with her band mates. Noodle was tired of life, most of all. And everything it had thrown at her. The fact that she'd made it back to the island and that Android had looked surprised upon her reappearance was one thing—Murdoc had reawakened the wretched machine after Noodle herself had come to—but having to see it everywhere she went was taking its toll on her. This was all granted that she'd been seeking the stupid thing out and yet this was besides the point, in her eyes. She would never have looked for it if the damn thing hadn't been invented in the first place. In a happy world she would've returned with Russel, seen the machine's surprise and killed it right then and there. She wouldn't have had to take off her mask and reveal her destroyed face to anyone, especially 2D. Sighing, Noodle turned away from the grimy refection of herself sporting army gear and a tricked out Ithaca Shotgun. Instead, she chose to look at her soon-to-be room for the thousandth time, it seemed.

"How should I decorate this place…?" She spoke to the silence. Rising to her feet, a smirk placed her lips.

Noodle went to work.

TBC

(I'm sorry the focus was not Murdoc and Noodle…I have to get around to that but I'm not sure when. I'm also not sure I will elaborate on what she went through in hell because Damon and Jamie might end up filling that in soon, so…yeah, not gonna, for now. I really want to try and do a good job of capturing her transitional stages. Anyhow…I realize that this chapter is short—and maybe not even that good—but I hope you enjoyed it. I've been really side-tracked with work, school and adoring the Gorillaz and how I can go to the Concert…so…yeah, no real fan-worthy excuses. My sincerest apologies all. Thank you to all who R & R'd. You are the best in the world! ^.^)