Chapter Thirty Eight
A/N: I I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
So…yeah, this chapter is going to be where we start to depart a bit more from the Choosing series. Please note that anything I use regarding issues like mandatory reporting or removing children from an unsafe home, I only know cursory knowledge based off of Google or from a family member's time as a social worker. Mainly Google though as we are currently not talking to that family member though that is an author's note for another time lol :D
Katt Kiki: Yeah it is :D
OceanBlueSeaEyes: It's definitely a mystery! :D
AmeythistDragon14: I get it! And yay! :D Definitely go Harriet! This was something Harry needed and it also kinda helped show Harriet as both CJ's mom figure and Harry's as well.
CrystalKaouri: Hey I like Ursula's eels so I'm all for sounding like them lol :D That's actually a good idea, bringing CJ along. I hadn't initially considered it but when I saw your review, I knew it was something that had to be added. As for reviews, I like both sites! It might take me longer to respond on Ao3 but that's just based on my mental capacity for the day!
charmed princess imzadi: So glad you liked it!
.lance: She''s great isn't she? :D
danifan3000: Glad you liked it!
SaikoGoyangi: Oh yeah, it'll be a lot harder for Harry to blame CJ as he hangs around Ben!
miranda888: He deserves it!
Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
The next day came before Harriet was ready. Thankfully, her brother hadn't moved much during the night so there hadn't been much risk in worsening the injury. Now, she just needed to get him to the hospital to confirm there truly wasn't anything to worry about and for that, she needed Lord Hades' help.
Sliding out of bed, Harriet crept out of her room and made her way to CJ's bedroom. Their father had proven one thing last night, that reason had no place in his life when it came to his 'disciplines'. And the last thing Harriet wanted was CJ alone by herself today.
"Harri?" CJ asked, already awake as Harriet opened her door.
"Hey Ceej," Harriet said with a small smile.
"Where's Harry? Papa didn't hurt him too badly did he?" CJ asked.
Harriet paused. "How did you…?"
"I…I wanted to make sure Harry was okay," CJ said, looking down at her blanket. "I know he hates me but…he's still my brother. He's still crew. So…so I snuck out of my room to make sure he wasn't getting hurt by what was happening downstairs last night. I got back to my room before you got upstairs though."
Harriet sighed. "We'll talk about that later but for right now, I need you to go and spend the day on the ship, okay?"
"Which one?" CJ asked. "I mean, I know we spend all our time on The Lost Revenge but you've got your ship too."
"…Make sure you've got at least Ryan, Brooke, and Abby with you if you go to The Scattered Dreams. Otherwise, I want you on the Lost Revenge okay CJ?"
"Okay Harriet," CJ nodded. "Aren't…aren't you going to the ship too though?"
Harriet shook her head. "I'm going with Harry to make sure he doesn't overwork himself today and maybe get him to the hospital so he can get himself looked over and we can make sure he's okay," she said. Now that she knew her sister was aware of what happened to Harry, there was no reason to lie to her little sister.
"So papa did hurt him," CJ said.
"…Yeah," Harriet sighed. "He did."
"Is it bad?"
"If I can get our brother to go to the new hospital, they can tell us if it's bad. But right now he's being stubborn."
"Not exactly anything new there," CJ said with a small smile.
Harriet returned the smile before gently kissing CJ on the top of her head. "Listen, I'm going to be with Harry today because you and I both know he's going to try to pretend he's fine unless I don't. I need you to stay with the crew understand? I know you and Ryan especially don't like it when we 'baby' you but Harry gets the same treatment…and even Sammy and I don't get full freedom in the crew."
"It's different though," CJ said with a small sigh.
"CJ, listen to me okay?" Harriet said and looked CJ straight in the eye. "I know we always say you look exactly like mom with the exception of your hair and eyes and I know you can defend yourself with a sword if needed but you're in no way skilled enough to go against our father. That's no fault of yours, it's just a fact. No seven year old could best a pirate captain in a fight. And I know our father has never gone after one of us girls before but after last night, I need to act like I don't know what his next move will be."
CJ nodded before getting out of bed and grabbing a small bag. "Is it safe to assume we won't be coming back?"
"If Lord Hades has his way, I'd say that's a very safe assumption," Harriet nodded.
"Okay," CJ said before pausing. "I'll…I'll pack one for you and Harry too Harriet. You've spent too much time here, you know Harry's going to try to sneak out if you're not watching him."
"Right," Harriet nodded and gave her little sister a small, slightly sad smile before leaving the room and scurrying over to her bedroom. There, she had to shake her head as she saw her little brother jumping out of bed.
"Harry, move slowly If you have to get up," she groaned.
"But I have to get to work. Lord Hades said to be at the restaurant by ten and I may have a hard time with clocks but I've been around Mal long enough to know that when the sky looks like that, it's close to ten," Harry told her, pointing out the window.
"Lord Hades isn't the one with a potentially injured rib that we need to confirm has been injured before you can go jumping around," Harriet said. "Besides, when has anyone on the Isle ever been on time? Besides Benny? Haven't you said that Mal's even been late as his errand rat? And clearly he still keeps her on," Harriet countered as Harry continued to scurry around to change his clothes.
"Lord Hades is a God who made me the offer even though I'm rubbish at counting, despite Benny's attempts at teaching," Harry said. "I'm not giving Lord Hades a reason to fire me on my first day. Besides…it…barely hurts," he added, wincing as he stood up.
Harriet shook her head. "Uh huh. Well if you insist on going, I'll walk you there."
"Harriett, I'm not five. I can walk by myself, thank you very much!"
"I know. But I am still coming with you. Don't worry, I won't carry you."
"Well thank Gods for that," Harry muttered.
Harriet sighed as she heard that. "I still think you should stay put," she told him.
"You know perfectly well that the Captain wouldn't let me even if I wanted to," Harry muttered as he made his way toward the door.
"Yes, well let me handle the Captain. But for right now, let's get you to your shift," Harriet told him as she followed him out of the room. She sighed softly as she saw the bruise on her little brother's face. Lord Hades will probably give you the day off once he sees that, she thought. Even if you try to argue otherwise, that bruise looks nasty enough for anyone to know you're hurt.
They made their way down the stairs and out the door, thankfully not running into their father along the way, and the two eldest Hooklings made their way to Hades' restaurant where Harriet seriously considered leashing her brother to try to get him to slow his pace.
"Harry slow down," she said after a few minutes. "We're fine, it's not ten yet and you need to make allowances."
"Harriet, I told you. I don't want to be late and have Lord Hades decide that he'd rather not have me as part of his restaurant crew," Harry said, still not slowing his pace despite how his side smarted. Besides, if I'm there early then you can't try to appeal to Smee, he thought.
Harriet shook her head. "Harry, have you ever known Lord Hades to go back on his deals? It's either you slow down or I will have to carry you."
"You're not carrying me Harriet!"
"And why not?"
"Because if you carry me through the town square, Jay and the others are going to find out!"
"Guess your only option is to slow down then," Harriet shrugged. Besides, you know Jay, Mal, Uma, and Ben will find out sooner or later. Either from me or Lord Hades or even just rumors on the Isle. Hell if they're on the ship, they've likely already heard from CJ.
"You're not going to give up on this, are you?" Harry muttered.
"Nope."
"…Fine."
"Thank you," Harriet said with a small sigh and they continued to make their way to Hades' restaurant. Harriet saw Hades' eyes narrow slightly as he saw them come in.
"Ready to work, Lord Hades! What do you want me to do first?" Harry asked.
"Go into the back, Harry. I'll be there in a minute to give you a run-down on how things work," Hades said.
"Yes Lord Hades," Harry said with a nod and made his way into the back. Harriet sighed as she watched her brother walk into the back.
"Lord Hades? May I have a word?" Harriet asked as she went up to the counter.
"How badly is he hurt?" Hades asked and Harriet paused. "I can see the bruise but is there anything internal?"
Harriet sighed. "I don't know," she said honestly. "I think he's got at least a cracked rib but he refuses to go to the hospital to get checked out. I think I was able to step in before anything worse could happen…"
Hades nodded and resisted the urge to run a hand through his hair. Looking after Beast's sunspots was one thing, they had a deal after all. But Harry? He'd just look soft to the Isle and possibly put a target on Mal and Hadie.
But then again, Hades knew that if he didn't look after all of the Hooklings, Mal would never forgive him if anything happened to Harry. Plus the kid dove in after Mal when she fell into the Cove. At least Hades thought she fell but the kids were being cagey about the full story.
"Alright, get your sister and get Mal to let you into the Underworld," Hades told Harriet. "Persephone will help you set up your rooms while I get Harry to the hospital to check on any internal injuries."
"What about the restaurant?" Harriet asked.
"Eh, Smee can run the place for a day and if he can't, well then we make Beastie work on his day off," Hades shrugged and Harriet gave the God a grateful smile before heading out of the restaurant. She hoped Mal was on the ship and not in her clubhouse. Everyone knew she had one but no one but Mal, Uma, Jay, and Harry knew where it was and Harriet knew her little brother would never betray Mal.
She smiled slightly as she saw CJ running around with Ryan, Kristy, and Abby. Harriet wasn't going to lie, it was still weird to think of the Crown Princess without her title but that was what Abby insisted on. According to the princess, Ben wasn't greeted with his title so she shouldn't be either.
Harriet shook her head and looked around for Mal and Uma. Where…where were they?
"Something wrong?" Uma asked as she, Mal, Ben, and Jay walked up the gangplank. "You looked like you were looking for one of us Harriet."
"Uma!" Harriet exclaimed, turning around.
"That's my name," Uma said with a small chuckle but the smile faded as she saw the look on Harriet's face. Without saying a word, the five of them made their way to the captain's quarters.
"Have you seen Harry?" Harriet asked as Jay shut the door.
"Not yet, we were going to check on the crew and then see how his first shift was going. Why?" Mal asked.
Harriet sighed. "He's not going to be working today…"
"What did Hook do?" Uma growled.
"I don't know the specifics of his injuries but I think Harry's got an injured rib," Harriet said. "Mal, Lord Hades' in the process of getting him to that new hospital that Benny's mom set up. Lord Hades said that CJ and I could also have a room but I know Harry needs to come first—."
"There's five of us, we can split up for right now," Mal said and looked at everyone. "Benny, you take Harriet and CJ to the underworld and help them set up their rooms. Jay, go with them for protection."
"No way Mal!" Jay shook his head.
"Jay, the hospital is close to the docks. Uma's got enough firepower that she can at least take out anyone who tries to attack us. What if Gaston tries to get Ben again?" Mal argued, crossing her arms. "Plus, Harriet'll be with you guys but it's not fair to her to have to protect two people."
Jay sighed. "Mal, if you or Uma get hurt, Harry would never forgive me."
"And if he stays alone in the hospital, he's going to think none of us care," Uma said, her voice still at a near growl at the thought of Hook harming her first mate. "Mal's got the best plan. Besides, you won't be gone for long. Something tells me Aunt Steph will happily take you to the hospital once she hears Harry's there."
"…Fine but it goes on record that I'm not happy about this," Jay said.
"Neither am I," Ben added.
"And we will make sure that's noted but for right now, we have our marching orders," Mal said. "Let's go."
They made their way out of the Captain's Quarters and split off; Mal and Uma making their way to the hospital while Ben, Jay, and Harriet grabbed CJ before making their way to the Underworld. Though, as predicted, it wasn't long before they were all reunited at the hospital.
In fact, the girls were barely through the front doors before Persephone came rushing up; Ben, Jay, Harriet and CJ on her heels. Wait…CJ?
"I thought I told you to stay in with Beastie?" Harriet asked as she saw her little sister.
"Harry's my brother too! I want to make sure he's okay!" CJ said, crossing her arms in a stubborn stance that only a seven year old could properly pull off without looking too immature.
Harriet sighed and shook her head before giving her sister a small smile. She knew Harry likely wouldn't be happy at seeing CJ but maybe this could start to heal the divide?
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Harry Hook?" Persephone asked the nurse at the front desk.
"Oh yes, pediatric wing, fourth floor, third door on your right," the nurse nodded. "Just to inform you, my Lady, a representative from the Bureau of Isle Affairs should be on their way."
"What? Why?" Harriet asked before Persephone could say anything.
"We're mandated reporters, any sign of a child being mistreated needs to be documented," the nurse explained.
"Does…does that mean we won't see Harry anymore?" CJ asked and the nurse's eyes went wide at seeing all of the kids.
"Next time, discretion would be your friend," Persephone told the nurse, her voice low, as she escorted the kids to where they had been told Harry's room would be. Harriet didn't wait for an invitation as she rushed over to her brother's bedside.
"How is he?" Persephone asked Hades, keeping her voice low as to avoid being overheard by the Hooklings.
"The Bayamax robot was finally able to scan him about ten minutes before you lot showed up," Hades told her. "Besides the bruise on his face and arm from I presume falling to the floor after Hook hit him, Hook Jr…I mean Harry has a slightly cracked rib."
"Excuse me Uncle Hades, would it be bad form if I asked my grandfather to kill Hook?" Uma asked.
"You can't kill someone Uma," Ben shook his head.
"Oh please, like you wouldn't whack Hook over the head with a book for hurting Harry!"
"Of course not! The book didn't do anything to deserve that!"
Hades blinked as Mal and Jay and CJ snorted in amusement before looking at Persephone. "Okay, first off a warning would be nice and second of all, where's Hadie?"
"Virgil's watching him with Beast watching both of them," Persephone said. "I wasn't about to bring Hadie someplace where Harry could be seriously hurt."
"And the lack of warning?"
"Harry's their friend and brother in CJ's case. They should at least know he's hurt even if we don't know how it happened."
CJ bit her lip. "I…I know it was papa," she whispered. "I heard it."
Persephone resisted both the urge to sigh and to hug CJ, knowing the younger girl may not appreciate it but she wished there was someway she could let out her frustration.
"Hi, excuse me, I'm Sarah Hawkins with the Bureau of Isle Affairs—." '
Years from now, Persephone would regret just closing the door on Sarah's face especially when the older woman had done nothing to deserve such treatment. But in that moment, Persephone had to admit…it felt good.