Know what I'm thinking?
Less drugs and drinking
No cigarettes and you'd feel
A little less rough

In Denial, Pet Shop Boys ft. Kylie Minogue

"Murdoc-san, what did I always tell you!" Noodle went on berating the bassist as he lit one of his "Lucky Lung" cigarettes outside the hospital entrance. He was wearing a Heffner style silk robe and charming pink fluffy bunny slippers that Noodle gave him as a gift several years ago which he never actually got to use up until this moment.

"Heeey, sweetie, relax," he spoke apologetically and patted the girl on her head, "Now that I've been cut open like a turkey on Thanksgiving and fixed up I feel better than ever."

The Summer sun was low enough to warm the air to a comfortable level after the night. Swallows chirped gaily, zooming in the air and there were only a few people coming and going past the three Gorillaz. It was a small private clinic with a gorgeous park just outside of it.

"Sorry we couldn't visit you sooner Muds, it was my fault. 2D told me everything the night it all happened but I had some stuff to attend to so we decided not to alarm Noodle before we can come see you all together," said Russel giving the guitarist a guilty look. She stood pouting, arms crossed and glared at both men. She was fed up with being treated as a child and all of them felt it, however the paternal feelings were hard to root out. It was even harder to realize that Noodle was now nineteen years old because her petite Asian features made her look five years younger.

When Russel mentioned 2D, Murdoc's albino eye began to twitch.

"Where is the little sod, anyway?" he inquired sourly and lifted up his cigarette out of Noodle's reach as she jumped up to slap it out of his fingers.

"Heh, he's right behind you," said Russel.

"Huh?" Murdoc turned around to see 2D leaning on the hospital door, his hands behind his back and a dejected expression on his face became even more dispirited when their eyes met. Meanwhile red ashes scattered on the cement floor and the cigarette rolled down the stairs as Noodle stood victorious: she finally managed to safeguard her band-member from the harmful delight.

"Oi, my stick of life!" Murdoc stared Noodle down but at the same time fell at ease, put his hands into his pockets and assumed an 'I don't-give-a-damn' position with his back turned to 2D.

"I'm glad you feel better, man. How long you reckon they gonna keep you in here?" Russel broke the silence.

"Oh, they're not the ones keeping me in; it's me who doesn't want to go out!" Murdoc bursted out laughing, "You know what, you're right - I think it's about time I ditched this joint. The food here is worse than donkey turds anyways. Just gonna grab my stuff, keep the Geep or whatever you came here on running for me, eh?" The bassist turned around to enter the hospital just to see 2D standing in the doorway.

"Muds, ya know ya shouldn't run off just like that, dontcha think it's better to stay longer, I-I mean it's.."

"Shove off, kid," Murdoc grabbed him by the shoulders and thrust away. If not for Russel 2D would have been sent flying down the stairs.

"Yo Muds…" the drummer rebuked as the Heffner robe disappeared behind the doors, followed by loud muttering noises.

"Wait 'ere, aight, I'm gonna go talk some sense into 'im," 2D said in a hurry.

"D, it's better to leave him alone, you'll just get yourself hurt. D?" Russel wasted his breath. The singer already disappeared behind the doors. Noodle shook her head in dismay.

"Russel, do you ever get the feeling that we both are nothing but a crowd scene in the background for those two?" she asked.

Meanwhile Murdoc, in his dashing bunny slippers stormed into his room and went straight for his backpack. He took out his clothes, took off his robe and began pulling on his jeans.

"Mr. Niccals what do you think you're doing?" Dr. Ukagawa asked as he followed Murdoc into his room.

"What does it look like, doc?"

"We still have a few examinations to go through. I recommend you stay for a few more days and then you are free to go."

"What difference will it make, you've already wrote my name in the Death Note," Murdoc spoke in a grave voice as he fastened his belt.

The sun crept into the room from the half-closed louvers. The white, empty walls without anything to catch the eye were wearing Murdoc out. He felt relieved and almost happy to be leaving all this behind. Even the thought of his life being shortened to several years couldn't overshadow the desire to get out.

"A Life Note, Mr. Niccals. I know that it takes a while to find a donor, but if you change your lifestyle for the better and continue treatment at home, a donor will come around and you will be granted another chance."

"Leave your preaching for someone who needs it," Murdoc growled as he was about to go through the door. "Thanks for everything else, though. Guess I'll see you on the other side."

With a firm decision not to come back ever again Murdoc left the room and was about to step into the elevator which just opened when he bumped into 2D. The lanky man backed up to the wall, holding his hands in a defensive position, ready to block Murdoc's incoming attacks and stammered:

"M-m-murdoc, are you sure this.. it's.. uh, maybe you shouldn't leave so 'astily,"

Murdoc glared at the shivering blue-haired man and pressed the stop button. The elevator shook up and down as it stopped in between the third and fourth floor. A claustrophobic silence fell upon them.

"What's it to you?" he asked in a half-tone, coming closer to 2D. He grabbed him by the thin, cold wrists and thrust his him into the wall; 2D's head hit the metal with a thud.

"It's serious, Muds, you know it and, and it's all going to shambles if you don't stay!" he burst out.

Murdoc turned his albino eye towards 2D's face and squinted suspiciously. "Why do I get the feeling that you know something you shouldn't?" He could feel the faint pulse fluttering under his fingers and the shallow breaths on his skin. Murdoc bit his lip as he felt heat rising up inside him.

"No! No, I've no idea what you're on about!" 2D yelped in panic. "I'm, uh, I'm just worried for you, s'all."

Murdoc grinned and licked his teeth with his long, snaky tongue. He fought the urge to slip it into the 2D's mouth. The singer's body involuntarily responded towards Murdoc's vibrations and he leaned his face in for a kiss. Murdoc's breath was taken away as he noticed 2D's reaction; he scowled and punched 2D in the face with all that he had. Turning away to conceal something that resembled shame, Murdoc started the elevator again. "Faggot."

2D stood there, batting his eyes as blood trickled down from his nose. The elevator opened up with a bing and he staggered behind the-wide shouldered Murdoc. As he was about to walk out of the doors of the hospital when suddenly time began to freeze: the nurses looked at him and stopped, Russel stared at him and shook his head, Noodle's arms drooped as her head leaned to one side with a sympathetic expression, no one moved but they all seemed to be looking at 2D; he felt like he was in a humiliating feak-show that lasted a whole eternity. Only Murdoc turned around and flashed a grin at 2D that broke the spell he was under. 2D suddenly felt this otherworldly, inexorable connection between himself and the bassist that everyone else except him was aware of until this very moment.