Sneak Attacks

"Holly, we think Opal Koboi is back…"

I rolled my eyes at Trouble. "When is she not back? Seriously?"

Trouble smiled sheepishly. "I just wanted something to talk about."

Artemis shifted uncomfortably near me. "You know, we've got bigger things to worry about than Koboi."

I shot him a sharp look. "What are you getting at, Fowl?"

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "I thought we've reached a farther level in our friendship to which we used first names, Short."

"Shut-up Artemis." I muttered although I felt my cheeks flushing.

Trouble looked at both of us. "Um… so have you tried to find her?"

Artemis put his hands in his pockets. "Kelp, I highly advise you to not intervene. I'm sure Captain Short and I have it under control."

"Yeah… the Atlantis Complex was really controlled." I muttered and Trouble blushed.

"I'm going to leave you two… alone."

He walked away and I felt bad for the kid. He liked me and that was clear, but I don't think I could ever actually date him. First of all, I've got matters of my own to worry about, and secondly part of me is kind of attached to this ingenious Irish boy.

Artemis smiled a lopsided smile. "You know, I'm beginning to think Trouble has really come on to you."

I scrunched my eyebrows together. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He frowned. "Why have you been so cold toward me lately? Ever since I'd recovered from the Atlantis Complex you've been treating me like you did when we were enemies."

"Well can you blame me for treating you badly when we were enemies? You kidnapped me, drug me to the Arctic, almost got me killed so many times! You were a maniac! You're still a maniac."

"Well if you hated me that much you wouldn't have agreed to call me an ally, become my friend, help me save the world, and kiss me two years ago."

My eyes widened and I felt my face burning. "That only happened because of the time paradox! I told you that your elf kissing days are over."

"And I never disagreed did I? Never once did I disagree!" He said indignantly. I can't believe we're having this conversation.

"Artemis, what are we doing? You said it yourself, we have more important things to worry about."

Artemis took a step closer. "More important than Koboi… more important than Trouble's sad attempts to woo you…"

I was confused. "I don't get it… what's more important than Koboi? Yeah, Trouble isn't exactly a romantic."

"Neither am I." Artemis said looking away.

I sighed. "I think it's pretty clear I'm no expert in the romantic universe either."

Artemis swallowed hard and looked back at me. "Maybe I could help you if you help me."

What is going on here? Where did this come from? He was my worst enemy! I'm an elf, he's human. This can't be happening.

I didn't have time to talk considering my mouth was kind of busy doing something else.

I wanted to pull away, well the rational side of me did. The emotional side of me that I tend to shove in the corner wasn't so sure. It felt right, it seemed wrong, but it felt right.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Have I lost my mind?

When we finally parted he and I both gasped.

"I thought you made a rule of my elf kissing days being over." He smirked

"You sneak attacked me." I said bewildered.

He shrugged. "Okay, but you didn't seem too helpless…"

I looked up at him in his eyes. He owned one blue one hazel one. I smiled lightly

"Where do we go from here, Artemis?"

"How about we discuss it over dinner?"

I smirked. "You're on."