-- ONE YEAR LATER --
-- DO YA THING HOUSE --

Murdoc put the phone down. His heart was beating faster than usual.

Dear Satan... is this really happening?

He calmed himself down, trying to think straight.

I've waited... so long... and finally....

Loud music and laughter interrupted his thoughts. The bassist growled and left his pitch black room, stomping downstairs into the living room.

"Turn that bloody music off! I've got a hangover!" Noodle looked up at him disappointed as Russel turned the music off.

"What's your deal?" Russel asked the clearly irritated Murdoc. He didn't reply, just looked around.

"Why is there such a mess in here? Clean this shit up!"

"You didn't seem to mind before." Noodle pointed out. "And if you don't like the mess just clean it up yourself." Murdoc glared at her.

"How about this? If you clean up I'll give you two a surprise."

"We don't want no surprises from you. You can't bribe us like you did 2d." Russel complained. Murdoc gave him the death stare just for mentioning the name.

"But this is going to be a good one. I'm sure you'll like it." Murdoc tried to persuade them.

"Like it? Why not love it?" Noodle asked.

"Because it won't love you back and you'll get your heart broken... probably..." he said the last part quieter, thinking.

"Hmm.. is it alive then?" Noodle asked.

"Apparently so." Murdoc shrugged.

"Apparently?" Russel was confused.

"Ooh! Is it a puppy?" Noodle got excited in a childish way.

"No." Murdoc said, monotone.

"A crow?" Russel asked, the idea of having a bird in the house wasn't appealing to him.

"No." Murdoc rolled his eyes.

"A human?" Noodle asked. Murdoc didn't reply but she knew she hit jackpot. She gasped.

"Man, who did you kidnap?" The drummer was disappointed in him.

"No, no. I didn't kidnap anyone. He's coming here of his own free will."

"Really?" Russel questioned, he wasn't sure wether he wanted to trust the satanist. He knew what he was capable of.

"Really." Murdoc reassured them.

"Then who is it?" Noodle asked.

"Now, it won't be much of a surprise if I tell you, will it." The bassist showed a hint of a smirk.

"C'mon man!"

"Tell us!!" Noodle demanded.

"If I tell you do you promise to clean this mess?" Noodle and Russel exchanged looks and then nodded. Murdoc sighed, preparing himself for their reactions. "Fine. We're getting a new singer." He stated and immediately took a step back. Russel's eyes widened.

"WHAT?!" Noodle raged. "MURDOC YOU CAN'T DO THAT YOU KNOW THE BAND WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT 2D!!" She looked at him angrily thinking of more insults. Russel just stayed quiet. "I'm leaving." She stated and stood up. Murdoc blocked the door.

"No you're not. Come on, at least give him a chance. He's coming all the way here and you're already bailing?" Noodle was too angry to respond.

"All the way?" Russel asked. "Where's he coming from?"

"I dunno, he said it was somewhere near Mexico or something." Murdoc shrugged.

"Mexico?" Russel murmured. Why would Murdoc get a singer from so far away?

"I REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANYONE THAT ISN'T 2D!" Noodle yelled.

"2d's dead. Get over it. At least give him a chance, I'm telling you, you won't regret it." Murdoc was directing his words mostly to Noodle. She pouted. Russel sighed and stood up, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on Noods, we promised to clean up."

"But-!" Noodle looked up at Russel in protest.

"We can at least give him a chance.. maybe it won't be so bad."

"Great." Murdoc interrupted. "He'll get here in the evening. "

The next few hours were spent getting the place remotely tidy. Murdoc even stuck around and helped them a bit. Noodle stayed quiet as a silent protest; she refused to accept any singer that wasn't 2d. Russel didn't speak either. He was thinking. He knew it was time to move on but he wasn't sure if he was ready. Murdoc didn't bother to break the silence. He allowed the two to think whatever they wanted to think. He went on minding his business in a better mood than usual.

When they were done Russel and Murdoc sat on the couch watching tv while Noodle sat by the window, waiting.

Finally, a black cab pulled up in front of the house.

"Guys look!" Noodle yelled. They hurried over.

"Yup. That's him alright." Murdoc stated. They observed as the cabs door swung open but before they got to see who exited the curtains were pulled shut.

"HEY!" Both of them yelled at Murdoc.

"Why did you do that?!" Noodle complained.

"If you want to meet him go downstairs and greet him." Murdoc said casually yet sternly.

"Fine." Noodle pouted and walked down the stairs. Russel followed but stopped half way, observing Murdoc.

The bassist, unaware of the fact that he was being watched pulled the curtains open a bit and looked at the person standing in front of their house, hesitating to go in. He smiled. It was a warm smile.

What the hell?! Russel thought. Murdoc smiled?! Warmly?! What kind of person did he invite over?! He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard a scream. It was Noodles scream. He rushed downstairs ready to beat up whoever hurt her but wasn't prepared for what he was going to see.

He saw Noodle crying and hugging... 2d?

Let part 2... BEGIN!