Chapter 07: The Check-Up
The Good News, 2-D is able to get the surgery needed because of what happened to his Tonsils.
The Bad News?
Well, he won't be able to sing for two weeks once he does get the surgery and Murdoc was livid at that piece of info.
Luckily he didn't find out that Harry was the one who threw the Eclair.
2-D was waiting in the Gorillaz Cafe Room with a glass of water as he held his mouth in pain, waiting for Russel to wake up before they go to the Hospital.
Sure he could go wake Russel up, but he wasn't too eager to go in for surgery.
Hearing footsteps, 2-D's head snapped up before he relaxed at seeing Harry entering with a yawn.
"Morning, Harry." 2-D greeted waving with a free hand.
"Oh, hey 2-D." Harry said feeling some guilt at the pain 2-D was in. "What are you doing?"
"Waiting fer Russ to wake up." 2-D answered taking a sip of water, wincing as his tonsils stung. "Not really lookin' forward to it."
Harry gave a nod remembering the stories of surgery that Vernon told him about.
"Sorry."
"Not yer fault." 2-D said with a grin despite the pain. "Yew didn't mean it."
Harry gave a nod and went quiet as he sat near 2-D who was tapping his glass of water in boredom.
"So, da show wos great." 2-D said to start a conversation with the quiet boy.
"Yeah, it was." Harry said smiling as he remembered it.
"I'm tellin' yew, once I heal from da surgery we'll be recording quite a few songs." 2-D said with a nod. "Da money from da contract wos given to us fer our first album."
"Really?" Harry asked in surprise with 2-D giving a nod.
"Yeah, we'll be a little behind schedule." 2-D began as Harry winced. "But we'll get it done."
"I hope so." Harry muttered before hearing heavy footsteps and both the Singer and Acoustic Guitarist turned to see Russel walking towards them with Noodle sitting on his shoulder and a grumbling Murdoc.
"Come on you two lazy arses." Murdoc muttered despite the warning look from Russel. "Let's get going."
"Wait, I fought it would just be me and Russ goin'." 2-D said in confusion standing up.
"I figured this would be a good idea to get Noodle and Harry checked by a doctor while you're in." Russel said to the singer.
2-D gave a shrug, accepting that answer.
"Checked?" Harry asked in confusion as he has never been to a doctor before.
"Rasseru, wareware ga shinakereba narimasen ka? (Russel, do we have to?)" Noodle asked tired.
"Come now Baby Girl, getting a check-up is important." Russel told her as he helped 2-D up to walk to the Geep. "And Mudz, I'm driving."
Murdoc muttered curses under his breath as he walked after them.
Harry tilted his head curiously before he followed.
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2-D was close to hyperventilating when he heard what the procedure would be and he looked towards the door where Russel was standing in front of to cut off his escape.
"For crying out loud face-ache just get it over with." Murdoc said with his arms crossed, not wanting to hear any blubbering.
"Easy fer yew to say." 2-D said as the Doctor got 2-D to lay down as he took the medicine that would knock him out. "Yew're not da one goin' threw dis."
Murdoc rolled his eyes as Russel decided to see how Harry and Noodle's check-up were going.
They should be done by now.
Much to his surprise, Noodle was in the waiting room by herself. "Baby Girl, where's Harry?"
"Hari no finished." Noodle said confusing Russel.
"Did something happen?"
Noodle gave a shrug as Murdoc came back.
"The dullard is unconscious, can we get going-?" Murdoc stopped on only seeing Noodle. "Scar in the bathroom?"
"Apparently Harry isn't done." Russel said causing Murdoc to raise a brow.
"How the bloody hell isn't he done?" Murdoc asked in annoyance. "We dropped him and Noods off first so they could get done by the time face ache was out of it."
"Russel Hobbs?" A doctor came out. "You were the ones to bring Harry and Noodle over right?"
"I am, is something wrong with Harry?"
"Can I speak with you privately?"
"Uh sure, hey Mudz you mind keeping an eye on Noodle?"
Murdoc groaned and sat down his annoyance showing.
Following the doctor, Russel saw Harry through a glass window waiting patiently.
Harry waved through the window and Russel returned it. "Can you tell me how Harry came into your care?" The doctor asked as Russel looked surprised.
"2-D found him in an alley two months ago." Russel said surprising him. "Why?"
"Has Harry tensed up whenever someone came into contact with him?" The Doctor asked as Russel frowned in confusion.
"Well for the first few days he did-." Russel's milky white eyes widened as he got what the Doctor was hinting at. "Wait, are you saying he was abused?!"
"More then that, I have a list of stuff we just checked him for." The doctor said holding it as he gestured for Russel to sit down.
In doing so, Russel listened as the Doctor went over the list.
By the end of it, Russel looked about ready to kill someone.
Malnutrition, broken bones that were healed wrong, there were some marks under his shirt that looked like he was grabbed roughly, though they were almost healed.
Hell from the other unlisted injuries, Harry should've been dead by now.
That was when Russel remembered how quickly Harry said he didn't have a family.
It all made sense now.
"Doctor, what should we do?" Russel asked looking towards him.
To his surprise, the doctor smiled. "What you have been doing." He said to the drummer. "From what I've gathered, these last two months with him being around all of you has helped him heal emotionally a little. So don't treat him any differently from what you've heard."
"That's going to be a little difficult." Russel deadpanned before looking serious. "Do you know who did it?"
"I had trouble finding where he lived before with you guys as the only record of him to be found were school papers." The Doctor said handing Russel the address. "I would recommend you take this to court though."
Russel frowned as he looked at the address. 'Number Four Privet Drive.'
Clenching a fist, Russel stuffed the paper in his pocket as Harry was let out of the room. "Sorry for making you all wait, Russel." Harry apologized looking down a bit. "They wanted me to stay in the room for some reason-."
"It's fine Harry." Russel said gently picking Harry up and placing him on his shoulder like he does to Noodle. "Come on, let's go save Murdoc from boredom."
Harry gave a chuckle at hearing that.
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"About bloody time." Murdoc muttered as they came out. "Now can we go get something to eat?"
"Mudz, we need to talk." Russel said and Murdoc grumbled.
"No we need to do something about the fact that our singer will be out of commision for two weeks-."
"Mudz, this is important." Russel said as he put Harry down to see him walking to Noodle. "It's the reason why Harry took so long."
"What, does he need surgery too?" Murdoc asked in annoyance.
Making sure the two kids weren't listening in, Russel whispered what the doctor told him and Murdoc went still.
"What?" Murdoc asked in a dangerous tone.
Forcing himself to stand up, Murdoc stomped out of the Hospital and while Russel wanted to follow the Satanist, he couldn't leave Harry and Noodle by themselves.
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On making it outside, Murdoc punched the wall, not caring that he might injure himself as memories went through his head.
As a young child he was forced by his father to participate in a Talent Show, singing 'I have no strings' while dressed like Pinocchio.
He could still remember the threat his father Sebastian Niccals gave him before he forced himself to listen.
'Start singing you little sod, or I'll smash your teeth in.'
All that for a measly prize of £2.50
It was at that moment after so many days of abuse by his own father that Murdoc swore that he would never take the stage under another person's direction.
Hearing about the stuff that Russel told him just made him think of how his father treated him before shipping him off to a boarding school.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Murdoc looked at his fist to see torn skin on his now bleeding knuckles.
But he didn't care.
"If I ever meet the bastards." Murdoc muttered as he imagined what to do with them.
No one messes with any member of the Gorillaz but him.
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Harry was confused by how awkward Russel and Murdoc acted around him as they were eating out for the moment.
They were at the Bridge Street and Lounge Grill in Essex, near the Hospital as KONG Studios was a short drive from there.
2-D was going to be staying at the Hospital overnight from what he learned and they would see him the next day.
It was certain to be quiet around KONG without the singer.
Harry looked to see Noodle doodling on the paper that the restaurants give to kids for coloring and he saw drawings of the whole band, well they were kind of stick figures with the names next to them and he chuckled a bit.
It was still better then what he could draw.
"Now." Murdoc began as he locked his fingers together, causing the remaining band members to look at him. "Just because the dullard is going to be out of commission for the next two weeks doesn't mean any of you can slack off, got it?"
"We know Mudz." Russel said sounding a little annoyed but he knew the bassist was right. "We worked hard to get where we're at."
"Hai!" Noodle agreed with a nod. "Wareware wa kaizen shite ikimasu! (We will continue to improve!)"
"Nice, very nice." Murdoc said before looking at Harry who hasn't spoken.
"Uh,,, No problem?" Harry tried with a sheepish chuckle.
Murdoc just looked at him before giving a nod.
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Later that day Harry was helping cleaning up from the party the other night along with Noodle while Russel said something about going with Murdoc to meet up with someone that would help with the band.
Russel told them that he and Murdoc would take care of the cleaning when they got back, but Harry figured it would be a good surprise for them when they came back.
Noodle was understandably a little apprehensive about spending the day cleaning, but she knew that it had to be done and she wasn't one to leave Harry to do all the work.
"Hari, look." Harry paused from where he was sweeping to see Noodle found some of 2-D's music sheets.
Harry blinked in confusion. "How did these get out here?" He asked seeing the name of the song was 'Clint Eastwood'.
"Shirimasen. (I don't know.)" Noodle answered with a shrug. "Just found."
"We should get this back to 2-D's room so it's not lost." Harry said seeing the lyrics. "This could be one of the songs we're meant to record."
"Hai." Noodle ran ahead of Harry towards 2-D's room as he looked through the music lyrics, before frowning.
It was just the same thing being repeated.
Maybe the actual music made up for the lack of lyrics?
Deciding to question that later, Harry ran to catch up with Noodle.
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"Damon Albarn?" Russel asked as he and Murdoc were walking through London. "Isn't he the singer of that band Blur?"
"He is and Whiffy suggested that he would be a big help to us, mate." Murdoc said with a chuckle. "All we have to do is convince him we are stars… You might want to hang outside while i do the talking."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Russel asked dangerously.
"Just that you look nothing like a star with those eyes." Murdoc said flippantly.
Russel glared. "Oh and having green skin does?" He asked sarcastically.
"To the ladies it does." Murdoc said with a wide grin.
"You have some serious issues Mudz." Russel deadpanned. "And I'm not leaving you alone because knowing how you act you would get yourself arrested and a restraining order from this singer."
"I would not." Murdoc said in annoyance.
"Do I really have to bring out the examples of why I think that?" Russel asked as they got to a house and knocked.
"... No you don't." Murdoc muttered as the door opened to show a blonde haired young man wearing a blue jacket as he looked at them, recognizing the two from the show as well as from Whiffy's descriptions.
Remembering what was said about Murdoc, the first thing Damon Albarn did was point to Murdoc's shoes. "Your Cuban Heels are crap." He said causing Murdoc's eyes to widen. "Look, mine are the proper sort."
Russel coughed to hide the laughter as Murdoc had a pissed look. "Listen you bloody-."
Deciding to intervene, Russel gently pushed Murdoc back before he could do worse. "Nice to meet you Mr. Albarn I'm Russel Hobbs and you just met Murdoc Niccals." He said shaking his hand as Damon was chuckling. "We're from the Gorillaz."
"I know, Whiffy told me about you guys, that's why I did that to Murdoc to see how he would react." Damon said causing Murdoc to blink in confusion. "Come on in."
He stepped to the side to allow the two cartoons into his home as he lead them to the Living Room.
"I'll get straight to the point, I like you guys." He said as Murdoc's demeanor changed to looking pleased.
"Well of course you do, we're stars in the making." Murdoc said sitting on the couch with his feet on the coffee table.
Making a mental note to burn the coffee table, Damon continued. "However you guys only did one show and had two songs out, one of them being a promo before the show." He said remembering listening to the Ghost Train track. "Don't get me wrong they're good and the idea of having four cartoons and a normal person as a band is an intriguing idea, but you guys need more than that."
"Well what do you suggest?" Russel asked curiously.
"I would suggest doing a few more shows and I saw that website you guys set up, nice work by the way." Damon said as Murdoc had a smug look. "I would suggest some games for that site so people would continue being interested."
"Already in the process of that." Murdoc said confidently.
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Harry and Noodle made it back to the main room after putting the 'Clint Eastwood' Lyrics back in 2-D's room and they were getting back to cleaning before Noodle sighed in boredom.
"Chotto hari. (Hey Harry.)" Noodle began causing Harry to look up. "Movie?"
"You want to watch a movie?" Harry asked to make sure he heard right.
"Hai."
"Alright, what movie?" Harry was curious.
"Dunno." Noodle muttered scratching her helmet.
Harry chuckled at her causing Noodle to stick her tongue out in retaliation as they made faces at each other before dissolving into laughter.
"How about we just look at the movies and find one we both agree on." Harry suggested as Noodle gave a nod.
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It was late at night by the time Murdoc and Russel came home tired.
Their meeting with Damon went on for longer then either of them had expected and while they were happy it was a complete success with the Gorillaz working alongside the singer and frontman of Blur, none of them were looking forward to cleaning up from the party.
"Come on Russ, why can't we do that tomorrow?" Murdoc asked in exhaustion, needing a beer to stave off the coming headache.
"If we don't do it tonight we'll keep putting it off." Russel said opening the door to KONG. "Like it or not we're cleani-."
He trailed off as he saw the studio was actually spotless.
Murdoc blinked before sighing in relief. "Sweet Satan." He said with a smile.
"How the hell?" Russel muttered before remembering that they did leave Harry and Noodle by themselves. "Baby Girl? Harry?"
Hearing the TV on, Russel followed the noise to see an empty bowl of popcorn alongside a pile of movies as both Harry and Noodle fell asleep after watching some of them.
Murdoc walked in to see that and he sighed, turning the TV off to keep their electric bill down as he shook his head. "At least Scar didn't unleash a demon again." He said in amusement.
Russel rolled his pupiless eyes on hearing that before he gently picked the two kids up. "I'm going to take them to their rooms." He said quietly to avoid waking them up.
Murdoc gave a nod as he sat down and lit a fag.
Taking a small puff as he blew some smoke out, Murdoc finally relaxed before seeing the picture that Noodle drew at the restaurant and he allowed a small smile before quickly shaking his head and looking away stubbornly.
"Fucking kids are getting to me." Murdoc muttered as he got up to get a beer.
To Be Continued…
… Fuck it.
I'm not going to make another promise of leaving it off for so long because obviously I suck at keeping that promise.
What I will promise is that no matter how much time is taken between chapters that I will continue this story.
I am sorry for this, I had trouble writing the chapter and my dumbass self kept putting it off due to stuff happening in life before I just plain forgot about the whole thing for the last few months before finding the file on my laptop.
I apologize for disappointing people in how long this took.
But now it's time to answer Reviews.
Ddragon21: Haha yeah that would be something they would need wouldn't it?
Xider: No he can't.
Black-Kat012: Haha, yeah I am extremely sorry for the long waits between chapters, I'm trying to be better about them.
Jh831: Yeah it was and in Rise of the Ogre it was revealed that Rachel Stevens was 2-D's girlfriend for a short while.
Imagi: Haha thank you I'm happy you like the rewrite of the story with it showing more stuff as well as having the characters 'in character'. Yeah sorry about just having him becoming a cartoon being suddenly instead of having it coming nice and slow. I figured the cake monster would fit but I was actually worried that I went a little too crazy with that chapter. Not sure if I can pull that off, but it would be funny to write if I can.
The girl who envies books: Huh that would be interesting to do, maybe later on he can learn that.
Alright please review what you read and don't kill me for taking so long.