I saw 2D come down from the submarine but Noodle was still up there. The pain in my shoulder had subsided for now so I decided to try going up to get some fresh air and spend time with Noods. 2D looked grumpy, and that made me curious. Had he tried to pull something on Noodle? I smirked as I thought of little Ache-Face trying to do something with Noods.

Wait, my Noodle. I shook the thought out of my head; he hadn't succeeded at any rate judging by the expression on his face.

I sat up and propped myself up on my good arm, wedging myself up slowly. When I got into an upright position I could feel the pain in my shoulder again but it wasn't too bad so I decided to go up top.

With great difficulty I managed to prop myself up on the ladder, Face-Ache watched my progress with great interest. "Careful Muds, don' wanna fall it'll be wet and slippery." He commented.

"Shut your face." I snarled, hauling myself out at last to collapse on top, breathing in the fresh air of the outside. Noodle turned, surprised.

"Murdoc-san!" she said, I propped myself up into a sitting position and smirked at her. The smile faded off of her face and she glared at me.

"Why're you being like that Noods?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

"That smirk makes me so mad!" she said, putting her knees to her chest and burying her head in her palms.

"What's wrong with it? And why does it matter so much?" I said, irritated. Her body shuddered.

"Because I don't want to be looked at like those stupid brainless bar maids you convince to go home with you." She said, looking at me. "If I'm going to be someone to you, I want to be something, not just another girl." I was a little dumbstruck from that spew of emotion but could see her fears.

"Noodle, luv," I said, opening my arms. "Come here." I said gently she moved got up and sat with me, I scooped her up and put her in my lap, supporting her with my good arm. This was the moment I'd been waiting for, all these daydreams of watching the sun set with her. It was finally here.

I smiled and kissed her forehead. "Noodle," I whispered. She looked up at me with her big green orbs. "When you were on the shore, they were going to take you. They were going to hurt you because of what I did. I traded with them; I said if they left you I would go with them."

She looked confused. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked, putting her hands around her neck.

I shrugged. "You were afraid of being just another soddy wench I would bang and then leave, like the rest. I wouldn't give up my life for a soddy wench. I would gladly give up my life for you Noods." I said fiercely, leaning down and kissing her gently. This appeared to take her back a little bit but she allowed it and he took this as a good sign.

I pulled away to look at her face, her cheeks were slightly flushed and her brow was furrowed. "We're moving awfully fast don't you think?" she whispered to me. I shrugged.

"Some things just work dear." I whispered, kissing her again. She frowned and nodded. We watched the last ray's fall, Noodle in my arms, and my shoulder throbbing gently. I don't know how long it took me to realize something was coming towards us. Noodle saw it too, she squinted at it and then her eyes widened.

"2D-san!" she cried, hauling herself off of my lap. "2D-san! We have to go now!" she said frantically.

"Wot? Wot's goin' on?" he said, poking his head up out of the submarine. I pointed a shaky finger at the horizon where the thing was.

"The Boogieman's coming for us." I said, feeling the color drain from my face.