This is just a quick little oneshot that I came up with during all this free time I have over the holidays. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Artemis Fowl. I really wonder if anyone will believe me if I said I did.

Fatality

"You know," began a voice seemingly projected out of thin air, "You were probably the only mudboy who could have carried the name of a Goddess with some dignity."

It was a moonless night and to Captain Holly Short, the bitter wind was reassuring. The elf felt the sweet melody of the unforgiving howl deep in every bone of her small, vibrating frame and welcomed it like a loving mother would embrace her crippled son. After all, what better way was there to finally accept reality for what it is? He was gone and that's the end of his story. Maybe hers, as well.

.::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::.

When he had realized that he had finally been outsmarted, a surge of calm had bathed his stressed features. For the first time in many years, he looked like a boy again; jaw slack and brow unwrinkled. Holly had watched with equal frustration and horror as his gaze strayed to hers and all she could find was a docile acceptance, his mismatched eyes pleading with her own to acknowledge the event as reality. There had been no panic in him as his heart declared its last ba-bump. It was surprising, really, how his last moments were used to execute yet another plan: Convince Holly Short to move on. He had not wished for Holly to be haunted by nightmares of him writhing in pain. Therefore, even as the blood hurriedly escaped from the gaping wound, as the searing burn became unbearable across his chest, he locked his gaze with hers and meditated. This was his final plan, he had thought, and this time he would not be seeing to its success.

In her line of work, Holly had witnessed numerous tragedies. Usually, the victim died while kicking and screaming. Holly had been able to sympathize with the family, then, even if it was only for the pain of the victim. However, the serene eyes that had gazed unseeingly back at her imprinted a hollow void in her own heart. He had looked so unexpectedly peaceful that she was temporarily at a loss of how to react. Anguish had come first as she desperately shook his lifeless form, screaming at him to breathe again and choking on her own tears. Rage was close behind as she picked up the gun that his bodyguard had dropped out of shock, and fired three bullets into the figure laughing maniacally in the corner. Her Neutrino could never have planted her hatred so well into his murderer's chest.

And then had come the silence.

Emptiness had driven out all other emotion and a tidal wave of weariness washed over her exhausted limbs. She sank down beside his body and succumbed to the peaceful darkness.

.::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::..::.

Holly gazed at the elaborate monolith with a torn expression upon her beautiful face.

"This is goodbye, I suppose," sighed the elf as she traced his name one last time as a gesture of farewell. "Internal Affairs will confiscate my badge once I turn myself in. After all, I really did commit murder this time around."

She let out a short, humourless laugh and slowly rose into the brightening sky.

"I wonder…" she trailed off thoughtfully.

A true smile then graced her lips, like the rising sun breaking apart the dark, frozen sky.

"After all, it wouldn't be your first act in cheating time."

---

Reviews would be very much appreciated!