~~~2 months later~~~


   Cortez flew into the basement door and looked around, seeing Lucinda napping on 2D's bed. But where was the singer? For the last couple of months, the raven has been checking up on the two, making sure Murdoc didn't hurt them in his rage, which happened less and less as the time went by.  Speaking of the Satanist, where was he? Turning around, Cortez flew off into the direction of the Winnebago. The lights weren't on, and neither was his music. He looked over at the Geep and flew up the stairs and down the corridor. Maybe he was in the studio. On his way to the room, Cortez spotted Noodle walking down the hall, talking with 2D happily. They seemed to be having a good time. The raven ducked to the side and let them pass before continuing to the studio.

~~

"Wot about vat new movie about..uhh.." Noodle smiled softly at 2D's absentmindedness, thinking back to the new releases a while ago. "We could rent that new movie "The Devil's Rejects." She added innocently, as if that movie were the most normal thing to watch. "Wot?! Are ya sure, Noodle-luv. I mean, vat's not a very nice movie an--" She slapped his arm playfully. "You act as if I haven't seen or heard things like that before. C'mon 2D! What harm could it do?" They both kept laughing and talking about their movie night as they came around the corner, nearly bumping into a severely drunk Murdoc. "Ah!-- God! Muds!" The singer laughed quietly to himself. "Ya nearly gave me a 'eart attack." Noodle tried smiling, but couldn't. The smell of alcohol was overwhelming. "Me and Noodle were jus' talkin' about gettin' us a mo--" He was cut off by a hand to his throat. Without being given any time to react, 2D was thrown back-first against the wall. "Gnk!" The singer tried in vain to pry Murdoc's hand loose. "M-Mnk..Ghhkk..!" Growling, Noodle slammed the side of her hand into Murdoc's neck, trying to get a pressure point. "Let him go!" She tugged at his arms with force when he didn't go down.   The fear in 2D's onyx eyes were hardly readable, but from the way he was shaking, Murdoc knew just how scared he was. "Hmph." He tossed the singer to the floor with one shove, coughing. "We got a sneak peak of the video so far. They've still got kinks to fix out and shite, but- hic- it's as good as it can get right now."  The bassist looked at the two and scoffed, marching down the corridor to the next room.

Noodle helped 2D up to his feet and cursed to herself in Japanese. The singer just rubbed his stomach in silence. Finally, the older of the two spoke up. "I'll be so glad when vis is all over. Muds is so unruly lately. Maybe when vat video is put out, 'e'll calm down. Been complaining abou' my lisp and stuff. I dunno wot t'do." His eyes focused on the wedding band on his finger. "..." Noodle looked at him, trying to think. "Well...Maybe you could learn how to talk around the lisp. It's not that bad, but you can always fix it. There are lessons all over the internet and even in books." She walked down the hall as she explained. "I mean. If you truly want to fix a part of you." 2D followed her, trying to keep up with her strides. But, he was distracted by thoughts. As he caught up to her, the sound of glass breaking echoed through the hall. "Wot on-" The two turned to see Murdoc standing there in the middle of the corridor, a broken bottle of rum at his feet. "Uhm. Murdoc." Noodle took a step forward, but stopped when Cortez shot out of the room Murdoc was in, diving down to peck at his head. "For FUCK'S sake, Cort!" The bassist hissed and darted towards the stairwell, trying to leave the area. "Oh my.." The guitarist covered her mouth with her hand to hide the fact she was laughing. "Oh yeah..Cortez 'as been protectin' me lately." He shrugged his shoulders, although there was a smile on his face. "So, let's go search for a movie!"

~~Later~~

"Grr.." Murdoc hissed as he poured alcohol on a a series of gashes on his arms. "Stupid...fuckin' crow-" He looked behind him to see if Cortez was there. As far as he could remember, Cortez HATED being called a crow. It was as if that status was too low for him.  Trying to open his left eye, the bassist groaned in slight pain. Throwing the bottle of alcohol in the trash, the green tinted man moved to his cupboards to pull out a bottle of whiskey. "Fuck it. That bird can just...fly into a closed window for all I care." He grumbled as he drank to himself.

~~Meanwhile~~

As two were adjusting themselves on the bed, 2D and Noodle started chatting about the movie. "I think this might be a bit frightening and loud. Are you sure Lucinda should stay in here?" The singer sighed. "I fink she's used to it by now, but if you want, I'll take 'er to Russ's room." He stood up, hand on his swollen belly. "Oh. Nono. I will take her." Noodle hopped to her feet and swooped Lucinda into her arms. "Come on, little one."  She carried the child out of the room and up the stairs. "We'll get you something to eat too. Okay?" Lucinda clapped her hands in joy as they ascended to the second floor.  While this happened, Murdoc stepped out of his Winnebago and took long strides towards the basement stairwell. "Stupid git." He grumbled as he traveled down the stairs and pushed opened the door to 2D's room. "Noodle?" 2D called out from the corner of his bed, which was the only part of his room that was lit by his lamp. "..." Murdoc grinned and thought a moment before walking in. The boy was alone now. A perfect target for an assault. Stepping into view, Murdoc chuckled and observed his surroundings. 2D had stood up, making only his legs visible in the dim light. "C'mon, Stu...~" He flipped the switch. "...Wot."


There was the singer, trembling where he stood, his pocket knife in hand. "Leave. Get out of 'ere." Murdoc had to admit, the sight of that knife startled him. But, he didn't falter. "I would put that thing away LUV, if I were you." The bassist hissed in a dominant tone. "Now." 2D's quivering ceased and he stood his ground. "Fuck off and leave me alone. Yer not even sober. GET OUT." Murdoc took a step to taunt him, smirking.  Like the dolt would DARE start something with him. "Put it down, D. I just wanna talk." Not about to be fooled, 2D backed up, tightening his grip on the knife. "Hnn..'m warnin' you.." Finally, the bassist burst into a laugh as he walked right up to the now petrified singer. "Gh!" Swinging his knife, 2D had lightly cut Murdoc's shoulder. Looking down, the older man seemed annoyed rather than pained. "Y'know...I liked this shirt." With one mighty shove, 2D was against the nearest wall, still clutching the knife. "I warned ya!" He squealed.  A hand grabbed at the knife angrily, wanting to show the singer far more pain. Before Murdoc got ahold of it, 2D stabbed him directly this time, right into the bassist's side. "..." Pulling it back, he watched him fall down to his knees, grunting. "Wot the fuck..." Mismatched eyes met with a pair of wide open onyx ones. "Muds...I-" The younger man felt a sharp sting in his shin as Murdoc kicked him. "Ah!" He toppled over onto his own knees and hissed in slight pain. "Ow!" Murdoc scoffed and wrapped his hand around the other man's throat. "Ow?! Don't talk to me about 'Ow!' you fuckin' dipshite!" Several punches were thrown at the singer's face and chest. Once more, the knife swung, catching Murdoc's neck. "Gah!" The hand dislocated from 2D's neck and just as the other stood up, a Cuban heel crashed into his ankle, making him fall again. "Oh fuck!" 2D swore as an immense amount of pain shot through his leg.


A yell grabbed both of their attention and they directed their gaze to the door, where Noodle stood, mouth agape. "What in the name of GOD are you two doing?! Murdoc! GET O-" She froze at the sight of blood on the bassist's body. Cursing to herself, she called for an ambulance and looked over the two before helping each to their feet, 2D first though. "Keep 'im away..." 2D huffed out before backing away to the door. "2D. Stay still! You'll hurt yourself more." She went over to him after picking Murdoc up. "What happened?" Working himself into a small frenzy, 2D explained that he had warned Murdoc to go away and to leave him alone before using his weapon." Playing the good cop and the bad cop, Noodle asked Murdoc's side of the story as well. His response wasn't helpful in anyway, mostly being just grunts. "I hear the fuckin' ambulance. Let's go."  Murdoc felt slightly woozy from the experience as he stood and headed for the door. "Wait! You could make your injuries worse! You are already bleeding, stay still." He just waved her off and walked up the steps to the carpark, waiting for the ambulance to get up the hill. "Hn..." He tenderly reached for his cigarettes, lighting it quickly.
The singer got up slowly after having sat down on the bed, but he just fell to his knees. "Nh! Ow..." With swift movements,  Noodle helped him up against and guided him up the stairs. Just in time, as the flashing lights appeared at the opening of the carpark. "Good. I will help you into the back--" "I don' wanna go in vere if 'e's goin in." Noodle sighed but understood. Quickly, she walked up to the vehicle as paramedics hopped out. After having a discussion with the driver, she turned to see Murdoc being put on the stretcher in the back of the vehicle, despite his complaints. Walking over to 2D, she smiled, pushing her hair out of her eyes to assure him. "You can sit in the passenger seat next to the driver. It is okay." She watched as the two were looked over. "I'll take care of Lucinda while you are in the hospital. Russel and I will come by tomorrow to see how you two are doing."  2D nodded, smiling a little as the door closed, his vision of Noodle tinted from the window. He waved weakly and looked right in front of him as they were taken to the hospital.  The sirens wracked his brain, but that was the furthest thing bothering him, he thought as he looked behind him at the other paramedic helping get Murdoc cleaned up. "..."  He couldn't help but smile at his own handy work, seeing the cuts along the bassist's body. He deserved it.