A/N: I finally have my head cleared of all those sexy thoughts that were clouding the storyline in the previous chapter. I made sure this chapter's long, to explain the things I neglected.

I don't own Gorillaz.

Noodle spent the next few hours doing nothing but curling up under her blankets and staring at her little Hello Kitty alarm clock. At about 12:45am, she crawled out of her bed, and lazily pulled out some clean clothes from her dresser. Dressing quickly, she gave herself a once-over in her mirror before shrugging. She didn't need to dress special, just decent; it was only Ben. She tied on her shoes and shoved some pillows under her blankets, hoping it would pass as her if someone were to peek in. She slowly opened her door, and peeking down the hall. No sign of life. She tip-toed out, shutting her door behind her as quietly as possible. She made her way down the hallway and down the stairs, taking them two at a time. Noodle sighed with relief when she reached the front door, making her way outside without a sound.

She ran as fast as her little legs would carry her to the front gates; she hated those damn zombies, and if any of them stirred because of her presence, they would definitely wake up 2D and Russell. If they caught her sneaking out…well, Murdoc would probably need to place an ad in the paper again for another guitarist. She cringed as the gates slowly squeaked open, running through them the second they were open enough for her to fit her little body through. Noodle scanned the area outside of Kong Studios a few times, worried. Ben had told her 1am; it was 1:15 now. She blinked hard at the sudden brightness of two headlights flashing twice. Smiling widely, she jogged her way over to the car and climbed into the passenger seat.

"You're late!" Noodle crossed her arms, staring at the figure in the driver's seat. There was no moon tonight, only Ben's silhouette visible.

"Sorry." A deep voice apologized. "It's kinda hard to drive with your headlights off."

"It's okay. This feels like a movie, the boy picking up the girl, who had to sneak out to see him."

Ben spoke again. "If this were a movie, we wouldn't need to sneak around."

Noodle leaned over and gave him a tight hug. "True. Let's get going. We don't have much time."

Ben turned on the car and backed out into the street, while Noodle poked at the radio. "All the DJ's around here suck. Why does no station play any good music at this time of night?"

Ben laughed. "Probably because no one's awake to hear them."

Noodle sighed before spinning the tuning dial once lazily. The station was a weather channel, and Noodle sat back in her seat. "It's better than any of that other crap on right now." Ben nodded slightly in agreement. "So you ready for tonight?"

Noodle beamed. "Of course! I've been looking forward to this for days!"

"Good. We still need some practice, but nothing we can't finish in a few more days."

"I gotta thank you again, Ben. I don't know how I could've done this without you."

He reached over and rustled the small girl's hair. "No problem. I really don't see why you want my help, though. You're a good enough singer as it is."

Noodle shrugged. "I want to be as good as I can. I really want to impress and surprise 2D."

Ben smiled. "Did you finally finish the song you were writing for him?"

"No, not yet. So far it's a bit cheesy and cliché, but it definitely tells my feelings for him."

"Do you think he feels the same way about you?"

Noodle blushed. "I think so. You have no idea what happened earlier."

"Fill me in! You know I like details."

They spent the rest of the ride to Ben's house with Noodle re-telling the story, and Ben making comments every other sentence.

They finally reached Ben's house, and climbed out of his car and onto the dark driveway. "Noodle, I swear if you trip again, you're going to have to walk back."

"Well, damn! Maybe you should get a porch light or something!"

They made their way into Ben's house and his living room laughing, mainly at Noodle's expense. Ben spent the next few hours teaching Noodle, giving her tips and constructive criticism here and there. Noodle leaned her head back on his couch. "What time is it?"

Ben pulled up his sleeve and checked his watch. "Almost six am."

Noodle snapped her head up, eyes wide. "Holy shit, I need to get back. Russel gets up at seven."

"Explain to me again why Russel can't know?"

Noodle rolled her eyes. "Because. Russel might snap 2D in half if he finds out how I feel about him. And you know Murdoc can't keep a secret."

"But they'll find out after you sing to 2D."

Noodle shrugged. "Maybe. I just need 2D to know."

"Then get up. We gotta get you home." He heaved himself off the couch, running a hand through his sandy blonde hair, a strand or two falling over one of his dark blue eyes. He towered over the already short Noodle, reaching nearly 6'5".

Noodle lazily slid off the couch. "Sure."

They climbed back into Ben's little car, and drove back to Kong, with Noodle poking at the radio again, still not liking any of the stations. Ben clicked off his headlights when Kong came into view, his tires crunching noisily on the gravel in front of the gates as he pulled up. He sighed and looked over at Noodle. "This is where you get off."

Noodle smiled, and reached over and hugged him. "Thanks again." He hugged her back and laughed. "Sure thing. Same time tomorrow?" Noodle released Ben and put her hand on the door handle. "Okay. But, I lost my phone. So I don't have any way to get ahold of you until then."

"You can't use someone else's phone?"

Noodle shrugged. "I'd rather not risk it. I don't want anyone to find out."

Ben rolled his eyes. "I think you're more paranoid about this than I am."

Noodle laughed and pulled on the handle, and pushed the door open. "Probably. See you tomorrow night."

"Don't get caught sneaking back in."

"You sound like a mom." Noodle teased, before getting out and shutting the door.

She stood and watched as Ben backed away, turning his headlights back on and leaving. Once he was out of sight, Noodle opened the gates and ran back to Kong, her eyes scanning the ground for any traces of zombies. She reached the front door, her hand on the knob, and glanced back over her shoulder before twisting the knob and pushing the door open. She slipped in and shut the door, and tip-toed her way to the stairs. Once safely there, she ran up them, taking them two at a time. She peeked her head around the corner of her hallway, making sure it was clear. It was dead quiet, and she jogged down it to her room. Once inside, Noodle sighed with relief and undressed, pulling on an old pair of pajamas.

Scratching her head, she climbed onto her bed, pulling back the covers and yanking out her pillows from underneath them. She re-adjusted her pillows and snuggled under her covers, which she pulled up to her chin. Noodle smiled; it wouldn't be much longer until she was ready.

Two quiet raps on her door made Noodle open her eyes, and she sighed. She was just getting comfortable. She shrugged and rolled over onto her side, closing her eyes again. Whoever it was would come back later. Three knocks came this time, louder. Noodle groaned loudly before throwing her blankets off and swinging her legs over the side of her bed. She hopped down, and trudged over to her door. She threw it open, scowling.

"What?"

It was 2D, tapping his fingers together nervously, his face full of guilt. "S-sorry if I woke yew."

Noodle's scowl melted away. "No, it's okay. You, uh, wanna come in?"

She opened her door wider and stepped back, gesturing. 2D paused, before stepping inside. Noodle shut her door, and walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. She patted a spot next to her. 2D rocked back on his heels, still looking guilty.

"'D, come sit down. You're acting like I have rabies or something."

He smiled weakly, before walking over and sitting a couple feet away from her. "Listen, Noodle. I need ta' apologize for the way I acted yesterday." He wasn't looking at her; his eyes were focused on his feet.

"At the hospital, or on my bed?"

2D shook his head slightly. "The hospital. I was jus'…I dunno."

"Just what?"

"Well…jealous, I guess."

Noodle's eyes widened. She'd never heard of him being jealous. Not even when he was with Paula. "What on earth were you jealous of?"

2D fidgeted with his hands, still not looking at her. "Uh…whoever yew were textin' earlier." He didn't want to say Ben; then she'd know he read her messages.

Her laugh caught him off guard. He was certain she'd be mad at him. "'D, you have absolutely no reason to be jealous of that!"

"B-but…yew were talkin' to…whoever it was instea' of talkin' ta' me…"

Noodle smiled and scooted closer to him, closing the gap between them. She reached over and held one of 2D's hands between both of hers. Surprised, he looked over at her. "Yer not mad?"

Noodle shrugged. "A bit irritated that you were acting like a jackass," he lowered his eyes at this comment. "but not at you. I could never be mad at you."

He looked back up at her, greeted by her emerald eyes. She'd shaken her hair out of them; she wanted him to know that she truly forgave him. 2D's heart stopped for a few seconds at the sight of her eyes. He wasn't expecting them.

Before he knew what he was doing, he leaned over slowly, watching Noodle's lips. Her breath caught, suddenly nervous. They were only inches apart when Russel's booming voice was heard on the other sound of the door. "Breakfast's ready, Noodle girl. Rise and shine!"

Noodle shut her eyes and sighed. "Okay! I'll be down in a few minutes."

She hung her head. Besides that movement, neither of them moved until Russel's footsteps faded away. 2D flopped down on the bed, and he groaned in frustration. Noodle layed down next to him, propped up on her elbow. "C'mon. I'm hungry." she smiled slightly, and 2D's heart skipped a beat.

"Yes ma'am." 2D raised his hand and saluted.

Noodle rolled off her bed and stretched, while 2D sat up and pushed himself off her bed. He half-jogged to her door, and held it open. "Ladies first." He winked at her as she passed him, and she reached up and touched her cheek to make sure she didn't need a fire extinguisher.

Downstairs, the kitchen was filled with the smells of French toast, bacon, and eggs. Russel had made close to 30, Noodle guessed. He always made sure there was more than enough to go around. Noodle and 2D took their seats, listening to Russel humming out some random tune. Noodle played with the string-tie on her pajama bottoms while 2D watched Russel scramble eggs. Soon, all three of them were seated with plates in front of them, almost over flowing with food.

"Don't you feel at least a little bad about making all this, and Murdoc not being here to enjoy any of it?" Noodle asked, poking at her eggs.

Russel laughed. "Naw. Besides, I always make big breakfasts. You know as well as I do he ain't missin' anything." Shrugging in agreement, she stuffed her mouth with a forkful of French toast.

"Oh, baby girl, I found this in the Geep earlier." Russel tossed Noodle her phone, which she failed to catch, and it flew past her and landed on the floor with a clatter.

"Hmmph erruh upppf!" She complained, voice muffled by syrup-soaked toast. She glared at him, and he just laughed.

Mentally, she sighed with relief. She hadn't lost it after all. And she didn't miss 2D's expression. She struggled to swallow, and chased the syrupy mess in her mouth with a few gulps from her glass of milk.

"Ain't yew gonna pick it up?" 2D asked, eyeing her phone on the floor.

Noodle waved her hand dismissively. "Nah. I don't need it right now."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw 2D smile slightly. He was still jealous. Russel spoke up then, excited about a new recipe he'd found. Both Noodle and 2D finished before he was done talking; he wouldn't shut up once he started talking about food.

"Russ," 2D groaned, lolling his head back. "Yew've been talkin' fer ages!"

Russel glared at him, before picking up his and Noodle's empty glasses and plates. "Fine. You can make your own damn dinner, then."

2D's mouth fell open and his eyes widened. "Yew know I can' cook! I'll eitha' burn down the kitchen or starve!"

Russel shrugged, his back to 2D as he rinsed off the dishes. "Ain't my fault."

Noodle giggled. They always fought like this. "How about I take you out, then? We haven't eaten out in forever." she suggested, while the butterflies that were dormant in 2D's stomach awoke and started attacking his stomach. "Y-yea. Sounds good."

Smiling widely, she nodded. "It's a date, then."

Finally, Ben's identity is revealed! To be honest, though, when I first started writing this it was going to be completely different with him. But at the last minute, aka this chapter, I decided to change it, which is why the text conversation and the one that Noodle and Ben had face-to-face doesn't really match up. Gist-wise, it does. I got lazy and didn't really describe Ben in much detail, but I will. What do you guys think?