Author's note: Hey guys ! Welcome back ! Last week was my birthday and I had family coming over, that's why I couldn't post or write. But I'm back !

I'll be posting a chapter every three days, so I have time to write chapter ahead.

I have already written up until chapter 35, and the story is almost over... ;)

Anyways, this is chapter 27, enjoy !

Chapter 27 - A night at the nurses' office

Uma was feeling better. She felt good even. She had spent three hours in Auradon Prep's nursery; under Fairy Godmother's care; and the fairy's spells were working. Already, her bruises had disappeared, the pain in her ribs was fading away. Her scars however, would stay there for a long time.

At first, everyone had tried to ask her what had happened. Mal, Evie and Carlos were all up in her face, bent over her hospital bed - bombarding her of questions. They wanted to know why Audrey attacked her; where all of her injuries came from; how she even sneaked in the campus; why she was there; etc. Harry was standing between her and the little group, like a guard dog - barking if they ever came too close. In the end, Fairy Godmother threw them out of the nursery. She needed silence to focus, and Uma needed calm to rest. Even Harry was forced out of the room, and the silence finally fell over the nurses' office.

Uma let out a sigh, and layed down in her bed. Fairy Godmother was agitating her wand over her, and her body was all ticklish. The girl closed her eyes and enjoyed that short moment of silence. She couldn't believe her nightmare was finally over. She had no idea how long she had been held captive in that dark room in the woods. Audrey only fed her once a day, and if Uma ever tried to scream and escape - that crazy bitch would cast horrible spells on her. Spells that would immobilize her, that would give her horrible headaches and unbearable pains in all of her body. She would even throw glasses at her, cut her, punch her.

Usually, Uma was smart, but this time she had to admit that she had made a mistake. A terrible mistake. When she sneaked into that dorm room and got surprised by Audrey, she underestimated her. She wasn't even scared. After all, she had grew up on the Isle - beat up by Ursula and street rivals - what could a pretty princess from Auradon do to her ? It was underestimating the blonde girl's despair. She was a real psycho: capable of everything to get what she wanted. And Uma had to learn that lesson the hard way.

At first, she had tried to fight back. She had her seashell necklace: she had magic in her. But far away from water, Uma was weak, and powered by the spellbook, Audrey was strong. Soon, the other girl snatched away her mother's chain, and it was the end for Uma. She threw a few punches at her but quickly lost the fight. And next thing she knew, she was tied up in a dusty room, gagged and isolated for days.

So - as coping mechanism - Uma did the only thing she knew how to do: she shut down.

And even now - finally safe and sound - she was glad to be alone, without having to talk to anybody. Harry was sweet. The best, really. But he was so worried about her that she felt like she had to play pretend around him. Once again, he had been the one to save her. Once again, he had cried for her. And it made her feel bad. It made her want to run away. She felt like she was only a weight on him, a liability - only bringing problems and worry. She didn't want to be the weak girl in need of saving or protecting. She wanted to be the one making him smile, not cry - not like that. He had been offered a second chance by Ben, a chance to start his life over - and he almost lost it by trying to bring her into the castle. Of course, if the situation had been inverted she would have done the same for him, but she didn't want him to make any more sacrifices for her. Ever since he had saved her from her mother, that night, she had been trying to repay him. At the time, he had no idea of it but he was one of the only reason she kept pushing through life. Him and Gil.

Speaking of the devil… The door of the nursery opened again - interrupting Uma's train of thought - and Gil slipped through the gap. Uma smiled when she recognized him, and he walked up to her bed. Fairy Godmother had just finished her spells, and left them alone in the room.

"How are you feeling ?"

"Better" she said.

And so he smiled too.

"I'm glad you're back."

He didn't need to say he was worried, she heard it all in his voice. She answered by a simple nod.

"Do you want talk about what happen ? Harry already told me his version of the story but I want to hear it from you. If you feel like it."

Because it was Gil, Uma agreed to tell him everything. He had that effect on people. Gil was so chill that he could calm down anybody. If Harry was complicated, Gil was simple. Everything was simple with him. So Uma talked, without even overthinking it. The words were flowing - she didn't even have to force it. She didn't even feel tired afterwards. Gil rewarded her with a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"You should talk to Harry" he then said "He's gonna die of worry for you."

"I know…" she whispered

The guy sighed.

"I thought this would finally push you guys in the arms of each other."

She gave him a surprised look and he laughed.

"What ? I know I'm not the brightest, but I'm your best friend. You really thought I didn't notice there was something going on between you two?"

He marked a pause before adding:

"He really loves you, you know. And I think you do too. Am I right ?"

She mumbled a soft yes and Gil's smile grew bigger. But then, it disappeared.

"So stop acting like children ! You're made for each other. So stop bitching and get together already. If I was in love with someone I would fight for it ! I would do everything I can to protect that relationship, okay!"

Uma gave him a suspicious look. Since when did Gil talk about "love" with such passion in his voice ?

"Gil… " she said with a sultry voice "There's something you're not telling me…"

The boy blushed but did not even try to resist.

"Okay… let's say that I've been starting to talk to someone… But, let's say that he's been spelled and that only a true love's kiss could wake him up.é

Uma's eyes opened wide. And she turned around to look at the boy deeply asleep on the hospital bed next to hers.

"JAY ?"

She couldn't help it, she bursted out of laughter. Gil became even more red, and she laughed even louder.

"Damn, you're on Mal's squad now, huh ? You're leaving the pirates for the son of Jafar !"

"Oh shut up Uma, you know damn well I'll always be a pirate."

She snickered and playfully ruffled his hair.

"Maybe you should kiss him then… Who knows…"

He shook his head.

"I don't even know if he likes boys !"

"Who cares ?"

But before she could insist more, the door of the nursery opened again and Harry entered the room. By reflex, Uma's heartbeat fastened and she bit her lips nervously. Gil rolled his eyes.

"Alright" he said "I'll give you guys some alone time."

He left and Harry took his place - sitting down on the side of her bed. His light blue eyes were agitated by emotions she couldn't decypher - just like the sea in the middle of a storm. His jaw was twitching, and she could tell just by the way he sat that he was nervous. They stared at each other a long time - captivated, hypnotized by each other's eyes. Then, he lifted a hand and caress her cheeks. But he didn't not finish his signature move. He didn't put in thumb on her lip. Instead, he said:

"I'm tired of this Uma."

And her heart broke.

"What…" she whispered weakly.

Harry let his hand fall on the bed between them. If he didn't say anything in the next two seconds, Uma was sure she would die of sudden stroke. But then, he added:

"Losing you."

He had on his lips a weak and sad - so sad - smile.

"I'm tired of losing you" he said "I can't do this anymore. I just can't. I need you. I want to be with you. But for real this time. I'm tired of the on and off. I'm tired of the disappearances. Of the fights. Of playing hard to get. Or pretending. I..."

But Harry did not finishing his sentence. Uma was kissing him. With tears in her eyes, and her heart beating so fast it hurt. They kissed like it was the end of the world. Like there was no tomorrow. Like they hadn't seen each other in years. Like they were each other's oxygen.

Then, Harry stepped back, took her face in his hand and wiped her tears away.

'So… it's a yes ?"

She laughed and her face took on a petty expression.

"I don't know" she said "We should ask that girl you danced with at the ball..."

Harry rolled his eyes with a dramatic look. He hissed between his teeth, with a strong accent:

"My God, I'm gonna kill you. Here I am, being romantic and you always have to ruin everything."

She laughed again, but then she said:

"I love you."

Harry gave her a surprised look. A big smile fell on his lips. He looked like a kid on Christmas' morning. For three years he had been waiting to hear this words. And here they were. She said it first. She was finally all his.

"I love you too, Captain."