Disclaimer: Do I look like a wealthy Irishman? No? Then I guess I don't own Artemis Fowl . . .
Artemis Fowl the Second massaged his temples, internally groaning. Why was it that whenever anything important seemed to happen, Holly decided to visit? It wasn't that he didn't enjoy Holly's visits. No, he loved it when she could visit, though of course he never said anything. He bit into a thoughtfully into a salmon bagel sandwich. One of Holly's favorites.
Lately, it seemed whenever she visited, it was at the worst possible moments. Well, for Artemis, anyways.
Take last month, for example. Juliet had decided that Friday was "spa day" and that Artemis would have so much fun if he joined her. Even if Artemis hadn't found it incredibly demeaning and effeminate, he was busy re-building the plane he had crashed while being pursued by Opal Koboi during the time travel jaunts. But then Juliet had used big puppy eyes and begged Artemis to help her, because she didn't have any female company since the rest of the Fowls were in Disneyworld, because all her friends were out of town, because Butler had other important things to do then to pay attention to his little sister and help her train . . . Honestly. You would've thought the girl had been deprived of human contact altogether.
So Artemis had relented, and Juliet had lavished all of her spa skills upon him. He had drawn the line at the nail-painting, though.
Holly hadn't even knocked or anything, just slipped in through a window. That's what had irked Artemis the most. Juliet had decided that Artemis' hair needed to be washed ("Arty, it would be so much easier to style if you would let me do this!" "Juliet, I think you're taking things a little too far . . . "), and Holly had stumbled upon a very petulant-looking Artemis, an extremely happy Juliet, and Artemis' hair carefully gelled into a mohawk.
Holly still hadn't gotten over the look on Artemis' face when he realized she was watching. Oh yes, Holly, simply hilarious.
He really wished Holly wasn't wearing her helmet at that time, recording everything. He could just imagine Foaly at his computer, laughing. He ground his teeth. One of these days, he thought. One of these days I am going to get Holly back -
A knock startled him out his reverie. "Come in," he mumbled around a mouthful of sandwich, wiping the crumbs off his mouth.
"Hey, Artemis," Holly greeted him tiredly. Artemis swung his chair around to greet his friend, and was shocked. Holly looked horrible. Her helmet was tucked between her arm and waist, giving Artemis an unobstructed view of her face. Her eyes had huge purple bags under them, and her skin was sallow, as though she hadn't slept since their last meeting. She looked like she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
Holly yawned a huge, headsplitting yawn, and, without warning, toppled facedown on the carpet. Her helmet thunked on the floor as it dropped from her grip. "Holly!" Artemis cried. He ran over to her, turning her over to see if she had hurt herself. He gazed at her peaceful face, almost awed by the beauty of it. Artemis shook his head, trying to focus.
He picked Holly up, gently cradling her in his arms. He was amazed by how light she was, though she was heavier than his younger brothers. Not that he picked them often, but still. Artemis walked to the hallway outside his study, standing above the ornate staircase. Now what?
"Butler!" he called, as loud as he dared.
The large manservant jogged to the edge of the staircase, craning his neck to look at Artemis. He had seen a lot of strange things at Fowl Manor, but one of the things he did not expect to see was Artemis cradling a sleeping Holly.
"It's not what you think," the young Irish teen said quickly, blushing slightly, but keeping his head up high. "She needs help."
"Are you alright?" Butler asked, walking briskly up the staircase. Artemis nodded.
"I'm fine, she's just asleep."
Butler reached the top of the stairs. "Do you want me to . . . ?"
Artemis shook his head quickly. "No, I have her. I just . . . Where should I put her? I need to talk to Foaly."
If Butler was confused, he didn't show it. "You should probably put her in the guest room. I'll make sure the maid doesn't go in there."
Artemis nodded again, walking swiftly toward the guest room to hid the heat that was blossoming to his face.
Authoress Notes: Okay, sorry to anyone who wanted to see the ending of my other story, Well, Hello D:
But I got attacked by a plot bunny!! It was amazing!! (heh, that sounds so wrong . . . anyways) I PROMISE this story has an actual plot behind it (hence the plot bunny)!
Also, I think Artemis is acting a little OOC. And that it ended a little abruptly. I dunno. What do you think? Maybe you should tell me IN A REVIEW??!!! I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, DON'T YOU? YES? THEN REVIEW!! make my day, o beautiful reviewer:)
I haven't written a second chapter yet, so it might take a while to update for anyone who wants me to. Sorry 'bout that. 3
love, charley (and akane )