Murdoc felt his whole body was shaking with fear. His whole body was getting tense, the hairs all over stood up and green skin was prickling with goosebumps. All these were a clear sign that he was scared out of his mind. After he saw Alphonce's drawing, that Jacob showed to him, and seeing the image of the Boogieman everything was starting to fall into place. The unholy shadow that has hunted Murdoc, searching for his payment to the deal they made and now he wasn't going to stop until he gets what he was owned. Murdoc had fought with Boogieman for a long time, after the end of Phase 2, he noticed that he was being followed, and that it wasn't going to leave him alone. After burning his Kong Studios to the ground for the insurance money, Murdoc did some research, and made some interesting discoveries about his new stalker. Boogieman, a lesser being that claims being part of the apocalypse four member horsemen, their unwanted fifth member, and that's when it click for Murdoc that he owned him, a lot. Murdoc had promised Boogieman, a lot of other young souls in exchange that Murdoc's band stay at the top spot for all times, but now the band was on break. He knew things were going to hit the fan and escaped.
However even after leaving with the money he pocketed and scammed from a few other people, it was only time before Boogieman would find him and finish him off. Some fuzzy bits of his memory were coming back to him, but he only groaned with pain just trying to remember them. He lets out a low groaning sound, he thought was inside his mind but really it was coming out of his mouth. He hunches over, he held his head between his knees, and tries to calm down. He didn't want to cause a scene, especially not in front of his son, Jacob, who looked worrying at him. Jacob tries to talk to him, in a calm tone, 'Dad?'
'I...remembered.' His father finally stops groaning and whispers to him.
'What?' Jacob asked.
Murdoc straightens himself and looks at Jacob in the eyes and repeat, 'I remember, okay?'
'That's great, but why the attitude?' Jacob asked again.
Murdoc starts to explain, 'I remember why it was good that I forgot about it. It was before I married Kim in the states that I've been feeling bad, deep inside my gut and I knew it had to do something with Boogieman. At first I thought it was just my anxiety getting to me, lack of sleep or just being sober can do that sometimes but whenever I was near Alphonce, it got tense, the same with you too. That was because I owed him something that I rather not do, but I knew Boogieman wasn't going to drop it. He might be weak looking but he does have some powers like any other super natural being'.
'So what happened?' Jacob interrupts him.
'I'm getting there.' He answered. 'He knew just how far I went to avoid him at any cost, but he started to play dirty and I knew it was only a short time before he tried anything that was going to involve you or Alphonce. I needed to prep myself and make sure you and other were safe. I'm not a bad guy anymore. I mean sure I sold my soul for fame, but at least he didn't send anyone to chase me down. I guess that's why the Old Man Downstairs isn't trying anything to stop him since Boogieman is their version of Dullard, annoying and unwanted sometimes.'
'Dad.' Jacob scold him.
'Sorry. I mean, he's not a threat to them, but to me he is and I needed a back up plan. A plan to escape somewhere until I finally catch that rancid gas ball and stop him for good. Last thing I would want is someone to get caught in the middle, like you, Alphonce, and your mother. I was trying to spare everyone from my past mistake. I thought I had plenty of time to get everything ready or set off a chain reaction or sorts to distract Boogieman until the next plan comes to me. It was going be like clues from those mystery solving movies, like the one with the codes and secrets. I was totally going to rip that off, but that didn't happened because I didn't had the change to do that. I only got the first part which was to get everyone to moved with us into this flat, that way someone would look after you and Alphonce for a while as I hurried to the next part.'
'You marrying mom in the states, granting you a green card easily, and is that the only reason you dragged her into this?' Jacob asked.
'No! I love her. Hard to believe, but it's true I didn't use her to get a green card.' Murdoc argued. 'Also she pointed that out to me when I popped the question that night which really ruin the romance I was trying to set for her.'
'Well that answered my questions on why she said yes in the first place. She just said that you were honest and truly loves you. I mean we all knew that, but we trust her more than you.' Jacob told him.
Murdoc scowled for a bit, but kept on telling his story, 'Yeah, I know, because I was planning on telling everyone the good news and we celebrate, maybe. She would also be a plus guardian for you and Alphonce to watched over you two until things smooth out. I was planning to set a first draft will to make it clear that she and the others were all to be put in charge of everything. That's why I had to sent you to live in the dorms at your smart school and it wasn't cheap to especially with your scholarship paying for most of it.' Murdoc added that part.
'Okay, I'm not mad at you for that anymore. I mean this flat isn't that big for a lot of people to live and dorm life was an interesting, but get to the point.' Jacob asked getting annoyed.
Murdoc continues, 'I had the fancy paper ready in my room, but soon after the power went out I got that really bad feeling crawling all over me. I hurried to put Alphonce to his crib, but then he was there. He was looking over the empty crib, he was looking for something and I knew what he was trying to do. He was looking to kidnap Alphonce but when he saw me entering, he just attacks me. I nearly drop Alphonce, but I struggled to keep him away. I put Alphonce outside the room as I pushed back Boogieman, I could still hear Alphonce crying, but I was trying my best to keep Boogieman at bay. He was stronger than I thought. I mean he was short and skinny. He wasn't holding back as far as I could tell, struggling with him.'
'You thought he would be weak as mom?' Jacob commented. 'Didn't you?'
'Well. No...yeah. I mean with her, she's easily to put down since I'm bigger than her, but when anger she could be a challenge and fighting with Boogieman was close to that.' Murdoc confessed. He picks up Alphonce's drawing and stares at it some more. The memory of that fight should have been traumatic for a small child to see, but now years later he looks at Alphonce. He was busy playing Stewart on the other side of the room, not pay attention to the discussing he and Jacob were having. Alphonce was a very special child. Both of his sons were special, Jacob was a genius and Murdoc knew that seeming how much Jacob's teacher would praise that his son's grade were higher than average. Than again, he thought to himself, he was helped rebuild Cyborg, who enters the room carrying snacks for them, and leaves them behind as she left. She smiles at Jacob, who smiled back at her, and sighs, but that was a different matter he'll talk with him in the future.
Alphonce, at first looks like a smaller version of his father, but when Murdoc found him on his doorsteps, he noticed there was something more to the baby. Although it was true he wasn't there these few years to see Alphonce as he is now, but earlier, still as s growing infant strange things happened whenever Alphonce was alone. Maybe that's why late at night when Murdoc couldn't sleep, not just tired looking after a baby, but that there were nightmares where it involved his new son transforming into a monster. This kept coming to him until he had enough and just checked to see if Alphonce was his son. This wasn't the first time a mother with a child came to him claiming the baby was his and Murdoc proved it wasn't everytime. He carefully without waking the sleeping infant pricked his little finger and got a drop of blood. He took it to his study and look at it under a thrown out old microscope and what he saw was terrifying. He found proof that Alphonce was his son, but that his son's blood was mixed with something besides Paula's gene. A third member was mixed into it, but checking this type of blood in his library wasn't easy until he checked his demonic books and saw that it was a match. Demon blood, was the third parent, but how was that possible? Murdoc thought this over and after thinking this over towards morning he recalled a moment after a serious crash, he was in the hospital and in great pain. The pain meds he took weren't enough and Murdoc shouted out to anyone hearing that he try anything to make it go away. His thought turn fuzzy seeing a shadowy figure with a needle full of red stuff, but he could see the figure taking the needle to Murdoc's arm and slowly the pain he felt was going away.
That was the answer he was looking for and why he found Boogieman in Alphonce's room, searching his crib for something or someone in particular. A demonic child, who may or may not hold thousands of other souls in one body. Not only souls but great power and with a weak horseman looking for a way to get up in the dark world talking a demon child's power could be very valuable to him.
Murdoc recovers himself from his deep thoughts and tells Jacob, that Boogieman could be after Alphonce as his payment, and if they don't stop things might go from bad to worst. 'Just when I finally got that monster to back down, he pulls a dirty trick, puffs up a cloud of smoke, and last thing I could remember seeing was Alphonce fading from my sight. I think he wants Alphonce in particular.'
'Alphonce? He's just a child.' Jacob pointed out.
'No, you know your brother is special. He's part demon, even a little bit holds a lot of power and Boogieman wants that bit.' Murdoc told him. 'When he took me back to the Plastic Beach, I wasn't alone, although, I was being held down in heavy chain and a collar like some prize pig he wanted to show off., but I saw every other guy I screwed over. They were mad at me, weapons and money, stuff I screwed them over to get something I wanted to get or need, but they were ready to take a piece of me as revenge. However they didn't get to get their vengeance because a huge storm appeared and soon the entire island starts shaking and quaking all over. Most of my enemies tried to stand to ignore it but mother nature's storm, was not easy to ignore and next thing I know a huge wave was heading towards us. We were up on the top of the island, but everytime a wave hit, it only got higher with the next one. Soon every gang there were starting to think about escaping, but it was too late as a huge thunderbolt hits nearby breaking land into bits.
'What happened to them?' Jacob asked.
'They got screwed over again! Boogieman just had them all together, promising them revenge or whatever else they wanted in exchange for my head, but I knew he took their souls.' Murdoc answered in almost a panic tone. He felt his chest was getting tight from the shocking experience. Jacob handed him a glass of water and Murdoc took it all in one gulp. He sighs a bit to calm himself again, but continued his story.
'I read lots of books about this guy and I know it was him that caused that storm to happened. However the number of enemies he gather wasn't enough to pay off my debt and that's why I think he left leaving me a chance to escape. Unlucky for Boogieman, I had one last trick up my sleeve, I remember there was another sub for me, and hope it would still be there and work for me. A very small one sub, it was the one you were building when you where staying with me, but you just left it for me so thank you Jacob.' He smirked at Jacob.
Jacob, wide eyes, exclaims to him, 'But that sub was a prototype! It was hardly ready to be taking for a long drive, especially during a storm you were just describing!
'Yeah, well I got me far away as it could before it got done in by some strong current and well, the rest is history you know now.' Murdoc told him and looks again to see the boys in the other side of the room, but only at Alphonce.
He quickly changes the subject, 'Alphonce, hasn't been too keen on me lately. You didn't say anything to him about the you-know-what?' He turns his attention back to Jacob.
'Dad, what about you know who?' Jacob reminded him. 'If Boogieman is still around and is going after Alphonce don't you think we should be doing something to stop him?' He asked Murdoc.
'Later okay? Right now I want to know why Alphonce isn't happy with my company?' He suggested.
'What? I don't know.' Jacob answered. 'Did you do anything to him?' He implied.
Murdoc look shock by that question but quickly answers back, 'No and he can't be mad that his step-mother and I caught him playing with my bass late that night. I mean he was doing that trick under your nose and you didn't noticed. You're his big brother and should have been looking after him, Jacob.'
'Excuse me, but fixing someone very important to me was my first goal. You think it was easy rebuilding a new working body for Cyborg? Cyborg is also important to Alphonce, remember? He was heartbroken after what Gregory did to her and maybe that's why he was down in the basement.' Jacob tells him a scary moment of Alphonce's life.
'Well you could have checked on him. His hands were shaking but I didn't say anything, neither did Kim.' Murdoc pointed out.
'You're his teacher, 'Shamus' why didn't you tell her you noticed something odd during his lesson?' Jacob argued.
Murdoc crosses his arms and just said, 'Just go over and ask why he's mad at me? If I'm ever going to tell everyone my epic story, I want both my sons to support me in case the others don't believe me and they start attacking.'
Jacob, rolling his eyes, get up from his seat and walks over to Alphonce and Stewart. They were too busy playing a game on a tablet, Kim gave to them to be distracted while the others and her clean around the flat. Murdoc just sat on the couch, watching them whispering between each other and trying to guess what they were keeping quiet about. This irritated him, but he kept still for a moment.
While he waits, Jacob was busy talking to Alphonce, who just smiles at him answers whatever question Jacob was asking him. 'Alphonce, you feeling alright? I know mom isn't spending much time with you right now and I know she's sorry for that, but she's a busy at the moment. Okay?'
Alphonce nods his head, 'I know, mommy told me that this morning that she'll be busy cleaning and cooking, but once she'll take care of the nasty lady, we'll have ice cream.'
Jacob smiled at him. 'Okay, well, I noticed you're not happy being around Shamus.' Alphonce frowns at him and answers, 'I don't like him anymore.'
'What? You don't like him anymore? But you were so happy with him around and he likes you too. What about you bass playing lessons, isn't he a great teacher?' Jacob reminds him.
'I don't want him near mommy.' He told him.
Jacob looks at Alphonce, confuse and ask, 'Why don't you want him near her?'
Stewart, jumps into their conversation, 'He's just playing nice. He'll play nice whenever Miss Kim is around and after they get married he'll turn into a monster and he'll start being mean to Alphonce.'
'Yeah, I don't want to share my mommy with him.' Alphonce confessed.
'What makes you think Shamus is just playing nice?' Jacob turns to Stewart. 'He's a nice person.'
'Because that's what happens when moms and daddies marry someone else. Everyone know step-parents are always mean to the kids, except their own and that's what will happen if they stay together.' Stewart explained.
'You do know Miss Kim is Alphonce's step-mother? Our dad was my adopted father.' Jacob pointed out.
'My mum dropped me here after Alphonce was gone. She didn't care much for me.' Stewart argued.
'Aw, Stewart, Paula, your mother was having a hard time and thought it was best to bring you here too.' Jacob explains to him. 'But we're trying to be a good family too. In fact we could afford more time and money looking after you after mom took Alphonce under her care. We looked after you and care you as we tried to do with Alphonce.'
'I wouldn't know much on good or bad parents, but I guess Miss Kim is okay.' Stewart told him, 'But Gregory was mean. I know him because he was the man that kept bullying mum around. Then after he left things were okay, but she still gave me away.'
'Yes, Gregory was your step-father too, Stewart, but Shamus isn't like Gregory. He's different.' Jacob spoke carefully, trying not to say too much to reveal Murdoc's secret.
'Then, how can we tell if Shamus is nice or not?' Alphonce asked Jacob.
'Yeah, that's true. How can we tell? In stories, my daddy reads to me almost every step-parent is nice then mean the next day?' Stewart added.
'Gregory was bad guy, but he was bad guy before he met Paula and that's why your mum had to make a tough decision to give you both up. She gave up Alphonce to Murdoc for a better life, but that didn't end so great.' Jacob tries to explain things simple for them. 'After he was gone, Paula thought it was best to leave you here too to protect you too. 2D wasn't going to leave you behind.'
Both boys said quiet and Jacob leave them to their thoughts. The boys just turn their attention back to the game on the tablet and Jacob walks back to the couch. Murdoc turns his attention to Jacob as he sits next to him. 'Well?' He asked.
'Alphonce thinks that you're just playing nice and if you and mom get 'marry', you know again, you'll turn into a mean person, hurt her and Alphonce like what happened with Gregory and Paula and Stewart.'
'What? I would never do that.' Murdoc told him.
Jacob, rubbing the sides of his head trying to prevent a minor headache, 'I know, but they believe it. Especially Stewart and you can't blame the boy. He lived with Paula before, so I guess what he saw that happened before and he's just trying to look out for Alphonce.' He guessed.
'What?' Murdoc almost shouts, 'He thinks I'm like him? I'm nothing like him. After all I'm still technically marry to Kim, so I'm still Alphonce's father and he shouldn't listen whatever comes out from something that came out of 2D's loins.'
Jacob, looking at him, and pointed out, 'Well, technically you're also declared legally dead too, but here you are.' He sarcastically smirked.
'Well,' Murdoc tries to argue, but stops to think and re-thinks until he just frowned and spoke, 'Well it's not a fact that every step-parent turns into a monster after marrying someone with a kid.'
'It's true in some stories.' Stewart suddenly spoke. That took them by surprise and turn to see Stewart standing close to them joining their private conversation and repeats, 'Everyone knows step-parents will soon become monsters.'
'Stewart, you know that Miss Kim is Alphonce's step-mother,' Jacob reminded him.
'She's different. Gregory was Alphonce's step-father and he turned bad.' Stewart answers back.
'Well, I'm not like Gregory. I'm someone else.' Murdoc told the little blue headed boy, looking down at him from his seat and smirks.
'I know, you're Murdoc Niccals, bass player of the band Gorillaz. Daddy said you were mean to him a lots of times.' The blue hair boy smiled innocently and Murdoc's smirk turns into a jawdrop along with Jacob after hearing that comeback. Murdoc extends his arm over and brings Stewart close to him. He gives an guilty smile as he whispers to Jacob, 'And this is the dullard's kid? He seems a bit too smart to just say whatever comes out of his mouth Jacob.'
'I didn't say anything, at all I swear.' Jacob insists, but Stewart just told them, 'He didn't. I just heard you talking in Jacob's room the other say.'
They looked at him, Murdoc asked, 'What were you doing upstairs?'
'I was upside looking for my action toys to play with Alphonce. We got bored with the game and wanted to play something else. So I went to look for something in my room and that's when I overheard the whole thing before going back down.' He answers truthfully.
'Really? And you haven't said anything about what you'd heard or said anything to anyone?' Murdoc asked, but a bit in a more sweetly tone.
'Nobody asked.' The innocent blue hair boy smirked.
'I take it back, this kid is too smart be, my dear close friend Stuart's kid.' Murdoc commented.
Jacob jumps in and tries to explain simply to Stewart that what he heard was a big secret and he was not allow to tell anybody. Stewart held his hands behind his back, as he listens to him. 'I'm not saying you're in trouble, but listening to other people talk in private is being nosy. So what you heard, must remain as a secret, understand?'
'What about Alphonce?' Stewart asked.
'Well, he can't know just yet, okay? But for now until it is the right time, just continue to be a good boy and just keep this as a secret.' Murdoc shushed to him.
Stewart looks at him curiously, 'Miss Kim, said keeping secrets isn't good unless it's a good kind.'
Murdoc gave a crooked smile and pats the boy's blue hair head, 'Well, yes, that is true, but this secret is a good one. It'll make Alphonce and everyone very happy. So keep it safe from everyone else okay? Don't go babbling this to anyone, even if they ask you.'
Stewart thought about it and quickly agrees with him. Murdoc sighs with relief knowing how fortunate even though Stewart sounded smart, he was still a naive child, just like his father, Stuart, was sometimes. Truly a familiar trait they both share and Murdoc was lucky it was passed to Stewart.
'Good, now just be a good boy, zip the lips and go back playing with your brother.' Murdoc ordered the kid.
Stewart gave a big smile in return and went back to Alphonce, who was still busy playing with the tablet. He was too busy to noticed that his half-brother was gone for a minute. After that Murdoc turns to Jacob who eyed him curiously, Murdoc just said, 'Look, I'll tell them soon, but again the timing is bad. Soon as this dinner party Kim's throwing is over and quick, I'll tell the news and we'll have a bigger reason to celebrate. So stop giving me that look.'
'Or a quick funeral and re-live a bittersweet moment when you finally decide to make another day all about you.' Jacob commented.
Murdoc gave a quick fake smile and replied, 'Very funny.'
'But what about Boogieman?' Jacob asked him again.
'Jacob, he might have had the jump on me, once, but I'm smart enough to know if he's nearby. Even in disguise I would know if it's Boogieman because he ain't that smart. I'm so sure he wouldn't come here because it would be the last place he checked.' He answers so confidently.
Suddenly, the entire flat started to shake. Murdoc and Jacob froze in place, they heard 2D screaming from upstairs, 'Wat's 'appening?!'
'2D, stay calm!' Russel screamed back. He and Noodle were in the kitchen with Kim. They stood under the doorway waiting for the shaking to stop.
'Alphonce! Stewart! Just stay where you are!' Kim shouted, hoping the boys heard her over the rumble.
The boys were scared but got up and ran towards the couch. Stewart held onto Jacob and Alphonce held onto Murdoc. They both were scare by what was happening. Jacob looks at Murdoc, who was trying to act like nothing was happening, but hearing Alphonce let out a scream, he patted the scare boy's head. Everyone stood in their place and finally the shaking stops at last. A sigh of relief was released from everyone. However soon a new sound could be heard and it was a high pitch one. They covered their ears but the sound was so high that it cause a few windows to crack into pieces. Everyone waited until the sound faded away. Everyone gathered into the same room where Murdoc, Jacob, and the boys were, 'Well, that was something.' Russel commented. Everyone agreed with him that it was strange. Jacob however was glaring at Murdoc.
'Yes!' He agreed with Russel, 'Very unusual, thought land would be safer than being out on rough seas.' He laughed nervously. Jacob just shook his head in disbelief.
'Mommy, is something bad going to happen?' Alphonce asked running towards Kim.
'No, no honey. I mean it was unusual as Shamus said, but I didn't know England could get Earthquakes like that.' She told him.
'Oh, Kim, all your hard work. The windows are all broken. That's not good when that social worker would think this whole place is unsafe.' Noodle exclaim.
'There's no need to worry.' Russel told her. 'Alphonce is visiting. He doesn't live here now. However if she does notice Stewart staying with us, that might cause us some trouble.' He pointed out.
'Yew, mean t'ey could take my son away?' 2D asked nervously, picking up Stewart and hugs him.
'No, they can't take my brother.' Alphonce begged. 'They can't take him away. Mommy, can't you take him in? You marry Uncle 2D and that way they can stay.'
Murdoc flinched, but tried not to show his painful expression on his face. He hated the idea that Kim could remarry 2D. He looks at Jacob who seemed to be smiling at the idea. 'Oh, yeah. She could do that. If she isn't already involve with anyone else.'
Kim blushed at that. 'Well, no...no..no. I mean I don't know if I want to re-marry again.' She shyly spoke at first. Murdoc sighed with a hint of relief. 'However, I mean...we could do that...I mean it worked for my cousin, but he admitted that he loved his wife after being together. I mean it's not like a real marriage, I mean...' She spoke trying to pick her words carefully.
2D blushing, taps his fingers and said, 'Well, I mean...if it's too keep my son safe. It might not be that bad.'
Kim and 2D's faces were both red, but Alphonce was smiling looking at them together. Murdoc's felt his right eye twitching a bit, but Jacob jumps in again to speak. 'Alphonce, I know you and Stewart are brothers, but would you want mom marrying someone she thinks as a friend. I'm sure that after the social worker comes and hears how happier you are with mom, she won't bother us ever again.'
'I totally agree with that!' Murdoc, still under the name Shamus, agreed. 'Maybe, she wouldn't want to rush herself. After all she looks like a woman that still loves her husband very dearly and would never want to lower herself.' He watches Kim react but saw it was confused expression staring back at him.
Russel jumps in to end this awkward discussion, 'Look, we'll worry about this and maybe we won't until after she gets here. Right now,' but he was suddenly interrupted by the ringing all three cells phones. Russel, 2D, and Noodle know it was their cells and each picked up their phones. They answered it at the same time and were talking over each other in their private conversations, but soon they hung up. They all had a disappointing look on their faces and the other knew more bad news were coming their way.
'Let me guess. Something came up?' Kim guessed.
'We're sorry.' Noodle spoke first. 'Work came up, for all of us, and we're needed.'
'I thought today was your combine day off?' Jacob asked. 'How could they just tell to come back to work?'
'My boss said, there was a robbery at the music shop the other night and that it happened during my shift. I have to get to store and then talk to the cops to tell them my side and what I saw.' Russel explained. 'It's crazy! Nothing could have happened, because nothing happened on my shift.' He argued. 'Man, that boss man never liked me working there in the first place. He always had this crazy hate for me!'
'My manager said that the girl that was suppose to train her replacement suddenly got sick so I'm the only one left to help.' Noodle answered next. 'That stupid tacky girl never lifted a finger the whole time I worked there. She even tried to take credit for everything I sold or do around the store. Of course she wouldn't be 'bothered' to train her replacement. She blames anything, but it's still her fault. She was the one caught making out with her boyfriend in the storage room during inventory check.'
'My boss, said t'at someone messed up t'e schedule. So my day off is actually my working day. 'e said if I don't come back in t'e next few minutes, 'e'll fire meh.' 2D sadly confessed. He held Stewart close and apologizes to him. 'I'm sorry son. I'm sorry Kim. We'll be gone for most of t'e evening.'
Russel jumps in, 'No. You know what? I never liked working there. I'm going over to tell my side and finally tell off that boss of mine he can shove it because I'm quitting!'
'Meh, too!' 2D joined him.
Noodle smiled, 'Same. Still, it'll take a while using one car to get around to all our jobs, but we'll try to get back. If Russel and 2D let me to drive the car.' Russel and 2D looked at each other and shook their heads. Noodle just pouted. They each grab their coats and bag as they went into Russel's car and drove off.
'But, mom. They should be here to help you.' Jacob argued. 'If they were willingly to quit their jobs they could do that later. Right now, this place is messier and the windows can't be fixed or replace on time.'
'Don't worry, Jacob. I've worked twice as many house chores when I was working for your father, remember?' Kim smiled at him. 'Right now, I got to check the rest of the place and move things around. I still got to get dinner ready, prepare my files and documents, get Alphonce and Stewart both bath and dressed.'
'What? You want her to see Stewart? Is that a good idea?' Murdoc asked her.
'I think once we clear this case with Alphonce, maybe I can talk to her about Stewart and see if she can understand that right now 2D is quitting his job, but I'm willing to pay an arrangement of child payment to support them both.' She explains to him.
'What are you nuts? You're a single mom with her own kid and you're willingly to spend your money on those two?' Murdoc screamed.
'It'll only temporary until 2D finds another job.' She told him. 'It's that or I marry 2D. It's not a bad deal. I mean he's a good friend to me and loves Alphonce as much as a second father. After all isn't the best partner to marry is your best friend?'
Murdoc was ready to argued over this, but Jacob stops him and agreed, 'You're right. I mean you've done a lot even though you were an intern, you were still a big help in raising me as a kid while dad was just busy thinking of himself and the band. I mean if he was here I'm sure he would agree you are good person willingly to help your friends, but if he was around, alive, and did come back he could help end this nightmare and would hated the idea of you and 2D getting marry.'
Kim giggle and smiled, 'Yeah, he would have strangled 2D until his face matches his hair.' Jacob and Kim both laughed out loud, but Murdoc just sat down and scowls at them, being so happy.
'Alright, aren't we press for time. I'm more than happy to help out.' Murdoc told her. Kim smiled at him and hands him a mop and broom.
'Thank you, Shamus. You're a nice guy.' She told him, which felt like a sharp pain in the chest for Murdoc, as she picks up Alphonce and carries him upstairs.
Jacob still smiling, picks up Stewart, who was smiling smugly too, and told him, 'Well dad, I guess that's a clear enough sign to tell if you know who is nearby.'
'Oh, shut up. Both of you.' He warned them.
Jacob just shrugs and hands Murdoc an apron and gloves. 'Cleaning products are in the supplies closet. Also if you could cover the windows too, mom might give you a kiss on the cheek, since you're a nice guy to her.'
'Well, it might help if I get some help. Where's Cyborg?' He ask looking around for her.
'In the basement. I plug her back to double check on her new system just in case there are some bugs. Good thing too since that high pitch sound would probably have caused her some damage.' Jacob told him. 'Good luck with the chores, dad.' He went upstairs with Stewart leaving Murdoc alone to do the cleaning.
'Seriously? I know I made her do all the chores, but this is a lot for me!' He shouted.
'Stop complaining and do it for her.' Jacob shouted back.
Murdoc made a face, but Jacob told him to stop. 'If you have time making faces, you have time to clean and fix. Now get to work.'
Murdoc frowned and tried sweeping up the broken glass. It took him close to two and half hours, to wipe down the dust, collect the trash, swept up the broken glasses and was now replacing the windows with a cardboard cover. He was finishing the last one. He ripped another piece of duct tape to secure it.
'Finally, that's it. I'm done with these dumb chores. So as this thing is over and tell everyone the whole thing, we're leaving this stupid dumb for good!' He screamed.
Murdoc was stuck in his rant and didn't hear the sound of a car parking and a door shut behind him. A well-dressed woman was walking towards him climb down the ladder. Murdoc still ranting didn't pay any attention to her at all. 'I'll be glad to finally dump this dump for good. Always falling to bits, cracks on the walls, and paints chipping away. No one can stay living here too long.'
'Is that right?' The woman spoke him. Murdoc turn to see her and gulped. 'I mean it's a simple house and simple needs to work with everyone have house troubles. It was the store's fault for the cheap paint.'
'Excuse me, but is this the housing where a Ms. Niccals is staying with her son Alphonce Niccals?' The woman asked him glaring a cold look at him.
He quickly answered, 'No, I mean...yes, she's staying here. She's upstairs, inside the flat, and I was just helping. Some other bad kids broke every window. You should check their parents if they're letting their rotten kids to break the windows where innocent kids live.'
'I'll check that another time. I'm Ms. Grose, the social worker here to check on Alphonce. We agree to a dinner party although it'll take more than a free dinner to impress me.' She scoffed. 'And you are?' She asked Murdoc.
'Me? Oh, I'm...' Murdoc thought for bit, carefully choosing his words. 'I'm...her...fiance.'
The social worker widen her eyes, 'F-f-fiance?' She stammers, 'She didn't mention her that she was engaged.'
'Well, that's because she wanted to tell you over a dinner. Yes!' He eagerly told her. 'It's to show you that her son Alphonce is not going to grow up without a father figure because I'm going to be do that. You'll see how good of a family we'll be to Alphonce.'
'So you're telling me this early because?' She asked him.
'We're a private couple. I mean...if anyone heard that the wife of the late great Murdoc Niccals, is getting remarried to a fisherman, me, everyone would be coming over knocking at odd hours of the day asking how we became official.' He answered. 'My name is Shamus and being a fisherman is my profession.' He introduces his new identity to her, extending his hand to shake.
Ms. Grose took it and shook it lightly and pulls away quickly, 'Well then, is she's ready a the moment or am I eating out here?'
Murdoc smiled and leads her inside and place her in the living room. 'Can I get you something to drink? Loosen up to some Gorillaz music?' He suggested.
Ms. Grose said nothing much but asked for a glass of water. 'I hope your fiance find time in her busy schedule to greet me at least.'
'She will be here.' Murdoc left Ms. Grose who made a quick call on her phone. She waited until at last someone answered, 'Yeah. I'm here. You better show up if we want this plan to happened.' She chuckled. 'Trust me, it doesn't matter what she or her smelly boyfriend does, the minute I'm alone with that brat. We'll get a big enough ransom to set us up for life.' She covers her phone when she hears someone coming in, 'Gotta good. Yeah, I'll wait until you get here.' She hangs up.
'Alright, here you go, Ms. Grose.' Murdoc hands her the glass. 'Well, I'll get my fiance now and help set the table for dinner. Will you be patient enough to wait some more?'
'Please take as much time as you like. I'll just make some notes about how busy she seems to be around guest.' She told him.
Murdoc frowned and hurried upstairs. Ms. Grose looked around and comment everything she sees, 'For a famous band they're living pretty cruddy. My man better get here soon before I pass out from bad taste here.'