Artemis stood in the kitchen. He had on safety gloves, goggles, and a jet black apron. He was also... terrified.

"Artemis, we're just making a cake!" Holly complained, looking at his getup, "You don't need the goggles or the gloves!"

Artemis ignored her and looked at the instructions: In a large mixing bowl stir together all purpose flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.

Artemis hesitantly grabbed the 1 ½ cup of flour and poured it in the bowl. Holly rolled her eyes as he tentatively reached for the 2/3 cup of sugar. He put the ¼ tablespoon of salt in with a shaky hand, and dumped in the 1 ½ tablespoon of backing powder.

"Very good, Artemis!" Holly said sarcastically, grabbing the directions for the Banana Chocolate Cake. "Take another bowl and mix together melted butter milk egg and meshed bananas," she read aloud. She grabbed the half cup of butter and the ¼ cup of milk and dumped them in a smaller bowl. She poured in the cup of meshed bananas and handed an egg to Artemis, "This you can handle cracking open a little egg?"

"I can try...." Artemis muttered, taking the white orb in his hands. He prepared to crack it on the bowl, but missed. The egg cracked on the counter and the yoke spilled over the marble. The yellow liquid dripped onto the floor. Holly glared at him.

"S-sorry..." Artemis said, feeling stupid. Yes, Artemis Fowl was feeling stupid. The genius couldn't cook.... Was that sad?

"Gimme that!" Holly snapped, grabbing the egg carton out of Artemis's reach, "I'll do it myself."

She cracked the egg in one move. And guess what... the yoke... went in the bowl.

Artemis looked away from the bowl, as if is lack of cooking skills was its fault. He read the instructions.

"Now add the banana mixture into the flour mixture until thoroughly blended."

"Can you do that, Genius Boy?" Holly snapped. Artemis gave her a tiered look.

He dumped the bowl into the other bowl. Holly grabbed it from his and stirred.

"Add the chocolate chips. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F to 175 degrees C."

"Woah!" Are you ready to work an oven?" Holly asked, looking horrified. She grabbed the instructions from him, "Can't we use a microwave?!"

"Id doesn't say I can...."

"I don't think I want you working with flames...."

"You have no confidence in me."

"You can't crack an egg!" Holly stepped forward, "I think I'll work the stove for now.... Ugh! It's so primitive!"

"Holly..."

"No comment from yo- whoa!" Holly slipped on the egg yoke that had dripped on the floor. She fell forward, cake mix going everywhere, knocking Artemis down. Cake mix was all over them. It matted her hair. It dripped in her eyes. It trickled down her shirt and into her girly cloths. Not that she noticed any of this. She was much too preoccupied with her lips.

They were firmly placed against Artemis's.

Neither could move. It was as if their minds shut down. There was nothing right about this. They were a fairy and a human. An officer and a criminal. Friends. A fourteen-year-old and a twenty-two-year-old. But somehow... neither cared. Holly licked Artemis's lip and pulled out of the kiss.

"Well... at least you taste good."