It was two week from Christmas, and preparations for the Fowl Christmas Ball were going smoothly. The guests had been invited and most had sent their RSVP back, Butlers had already started arriving to secure the Manor before any threat had a chance to interfere, and the caterers had already passed background checks cleared to work at the Manor during the ball.

Artemis was in his study as usual but this time was being fitted for his new custom made Italian suit. With the increase of human activity and the Ball coming soon Artemis and Foaly created a necklace that Holly could wear that would make her look like a normal teenage girl the same age as Artemis. It was extremely useful as she was able to walk in and laugh as she watched Artemis get measured and fit for his new suit.

"Wow Arty how can you stand being fitted for so many suits?" Holly asked between her giggles.

"Well most of the time they take my measurements and every suit is based on that but I seem to have grown a bit so the tailor had to retake the measurements." That made Holly laugh again earning a scowl from Artemis. "I'm sorry that's just too funny I can't help," Holly was wiping the tears from her eyes from laughing so much.

"It's alright just means I get to pick what we do today," he smiled gaining himself back into the conversation. "Fine but it better not be another boring museum or art exhibit," she said irritated.

"I promise it is nothing of those and you will have fun, it's a good chance to spend the day out of the house. I traded Juliet a favor to watch Myles and Beckett all day so we could hang out elsewhere." Holly was a bit surprised but was happy to have a relaxing day to just hang out with her favorite Mud Boy.

"Where are we going than?" She asked.

"Nope that's a secret," he grinned the famous Fowl grin. Something no change could take from him.

About an hour later Holly and Artemis were being driven in a limo by Butler to their destination. "Come on Arty tell me where we are going?" Holly continued to pester Artemis.

"Nope, sorry Holly you just have to wait," he answered while avoiding being his from Holly.

"Butler will you tell me?"

"Sorry Holly, Artemis made me swear I couldn't tell you, he even used Juliet against me to make sure," Butler answered laughing at how Artemis and Juliet were conspiring together for once. A year ago the two would have laughed in your face if you told them they'd work together like that.

"Damn you Mud Boy," Holly said as she tackled Artemis.

"Hey Holly? As much as I like being tackled, probably not best to do so in that," he pointed out hesitatingly trying to hide his blush. Juliet had picked out Holly's outfit herself in a second conspiracy to turn the best friends' day out into a date; she dressed Holly in a tank top with a nice jacket and a skirt. At the moment while sitting on top of Artemis, her skirt had started to rise up giving Artemis a good view of the pink panties she was wearing.

Holly followed Artemis's gaze until she realized what he could see. Her face turned so red she would have given the Late Commander Root a run his money. She immediately jumped off of Artemis and hides herself in the corner as far as she could. "You better have not seen anything," she said nervously.

When Artemis's face flushed red she realized he had and she blushed even more. There was an awkward silence that filled the back of the limo till Butler broke it, "we're here." Artemis regained his composure first and opened the door and waited for Holly. She got out with his help and turned to see that they were at an amusement park. "What's this?" She asked.

"On your last visit I remember you saying you hadn't been to an amusement park since you had both your parents," Artemis said softly.

"Don't you remember our trip to 11 wonders down below that was just a total riot of fun," she answers sarcastically and laughed.

"Oh yes my favorite part was when I thought the trolls were fake and was thinking if they killed me I'd wake up," he shot back at her but she just laughed it off. "This is sweet of you Artemis, Thank you."

"No thanks necessary Holly you've done so much it is the least I could do."

"What about you big lug," she said punching Butler, "you don't seem the park type, what are you going to do."

"Not to worry Holly I'll be watching you both from a distance," with that he nodded at Artemis and entered the park first.

Holly looked to Artemis her pervious embarrassment gone, "shall we?"

"Let's go," he smiled back at her.

Fowl Manor

Angeline, Juliet, and the twins were wrapping presents they hid in the attic. "What do you think of Holly, Mrs. Fowl?" Juliet suddenly asked. To her surprise Angeline was smiling when she asked, "Mrs. Fowl?"

"I was thinking the same thing Juliet," she started, "but in answer I like her a lot I'm glad Arty found the fairy people, they've changed him a lot."

"I like big brother now he's more fun," Beckett said looking up from his toys. Angeline and Juliet laughed at the boys comment, "agreed" they said at the same time causing more laughter.

After a bit longer Juliet tried again, "I mean what do you think of her and Artemis?"

This instantly got Angeline attention, "ah, well when you put it that way," she took a moment to think about her answer. "Despite the race difference I think she is a good fit for Arty," She answered smiling. Juliet smiled back at this answer, "good cause I may have meddled and asked Butler to give them space so they could be along on their trip so it's like a date." Juliet giggled to herself at that which Angeline joined after the brief shock of Juliet's plan. "Oh Juliet leave Arty alone let them do it themselves."

Southern France

"Father did you send our reservations back to the Fowls?" Minerva called into her father's study.

"No I'm sorry dear could you call them for us I've been busy with clients."

"Oh alright, don't work to hard father Mrs. Fowl said we could go early if we wanted to spend time with them before the ball," her father didn't answer but she left to go call her favorite boy genius. I haven't seen Artemis in months! I can't wait we get to spend another Christmas together! Minerva was excited, she chickened out at last year's ball her family hosted but this year she decided she would finally make her move to claim Artemis for herself.

She went to her room to retrieve the communicator Artemis gave her so she could contact him directly. It only ringed twice before he answered, "Yes Minerva? How can I help you?" Minerva felt her heart leap a bit before she could answer, "Hey Artemis I just wanted to let you know we'd be at your party and your mom said we could come early if we like so could you let her know we'll be there at the end of the week?"

"Yeah sure no problem I'll be sure to let her know," he answered cheerfully to see his fellow human genius."Is that all?"

"Yeah, sorry are you busy?"

"Yeah I am sorry but I'll let my mom know and I'll see you this weekend."

"Okay thanks Artemis see you soon," she waited till he hung up first excitement building again at seeing Artemis. Butler had told her everything about the People after he got lost in the time stream but over the years Artemis filled her in, in whatever Butler couldn't or didn't know. Every time they saw each other or visited one another they would talk about the fairies, eventually though Minerva moved their conversations into other topics and the two became close friends. She also knew Holly was his best friend and had swapped eyes but because of the race difference she didn't see her as a threat.

Amusement Park

Artemis and Holly were having fun, and thanks to his and Foaly's invention it seemed like two young teenagers on a date enjoying themselves at the park. The pair had just gotten off a rollercoaster and Holly had to practically carry Artemis to a nearby café for him to recover. Holly could barely stop her laughter, "geez Arty why did you even get on the ride."

"It's not my fault I didn't see the free fall and ever since the first time I was in a shuttle with you free falls aren't high on my list." Artemis is refereeing to when Holly went core diving in the Goblin shuttle during the Arctic Incident.

"Sorry about that, let's take a break shall we I'm getting hungry," and with perfect timing her stomach started to growl.

Artemis laughed at her and waved down a waitress for them, "how can I help you two today?" she asked smiling.

"I'll have a tea and Holly what would you like?"

"I'll take a tea as well and a small salad please."

"Of course your tea will be right out," she left to carry out their order.

They turned back to talk to each other when Artemis phone when off. He looked at it once before he answered, "Yes Minerva? How can I help you?"

"Hey Artemis I just wanted to let you know we'd be at your party and your mom said we could come early if we like so could you let her know we'll be there at the end of the week?"

"Yeah sure no problem I'll be sure to let her know," he answered cheerfully to see his fellow human genius."Is that all?"

"Yeah, sorry are you busy?"

"Yeah I am, sorry but I'll let my mom know and I'll see you this weekend."

"Okay thanks Artemis see you soon."

Artemis hung up and turned back to Holly, "sorry Minerva was just confirming her family would be coming to the ball."

"Its okay, did she say she was coming this week? The ball is still two and a half weeks away."

"Yeah I guess my mom invited her over early so she could spend time with us before the party," Artemis just shrugged it off but Holly felt a little uneasy having Minerva stay at the mansion too.

The waitress returned with their tea and Holly's salad, "here ya go, enjoy."

"Thank you," Artemis handed her the money and expected her to walk off. "Is something the matter miss?"

The waitress blushed at her hesitation, "sorry you two just make a really sweet looking couple." She smiled at them again and walked off. Holly stopped mid-chew and Artemis didn't even know what to say. They looked at each other then burst out laughing. "I guess we do give off that kind of impression don't we," Artemis said hesitatingly.

Holly was blushing but nodded in agreement.

A few hours later: Fowl Manor

Holly and Artemis walked in while Butler parked the car, "We are home," Artemis called out.

Artemis Sr. was coming down the stairs, "Hey guys did you have fun?"

"Yes we did, after lunch Arty won us some prizes," Holly answered holding up a bag of stuffed animals.

"I won enough for everyone to have," he answered embarrassed, "where's mom Minerva called me earlier."

Artemis Sr. was picking out a stuffed animal for himself, "she's in the family room watching the boys. Here dolphins are her favorite." He handed Artemis a dolphin stuffed animal to go give to her.