A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed, and to those who didn't well, COME ON PEOPLE! It's a little button in the left hand corner at the bottom of the page! Anyway, hope you enjoy! No flames please! :)
Eva the chosen one. Wielder of the GLUE STICK...of DESSSSSSSTINYYYY!! :D
Chapter two:
"Hello Holly." It's Artemis.
"Hello." I say.
"I need your help." He says. "Come at once. It is of vital importance."
"Sure," I say. "But what-
"Later Holly." He cuts me off. I hear a beep. He's turned off on me. Wow. That's nice! It must be really important.
I stand up. Looking around my office. It's all mine. Very quiet. Too quiet. I wish I hadn't become a major. I shake my head. Why am I wasting my time?! Artemis is in trouble!...Trouble. Will he even let me go? I could just go without telling him, but I know I won't. I trust Trouble. He's my very dearest friend. I wonder if he likes me...SHUT UP HOLLY! "Ouch!" I say, at the same time as someone says "Holly, why..." I look down, I just kicked my desk. I turn around slowly. Troubles looking at me funny. I flush crimson. Come on Holly. Think of something! Nothing. "Um...well..." Nothing. And Trouble is starting to look concerned.
"Artemis called." I say, hoping to distract him.
"He says he's in trouble! No pun intended. He asked me to meet him at Fowl manor." Trouble looks strange. Like he's on the verge of saying something. Then he blurts out"Did you say yes?"
I blink. I mean, why wouldn't I?
"Yeah." I say "Is that okay?"
He sighs. "Holly," He says. "Has he even told you what he needs?"
I frown. "Noooo..." I begin. "But I trust him."
"Why?" He asks. "Why do you trust him? After all he's done to you! Don't you even want to know what he needs?!" He's almost shouting by the end. Trouble never shouts. Not at me anyway.
"Trouble," I say. "I have to go. I said I'd be there."
Contrary to the norm, I'm practically whispering.
Trouble lets out another sigh. "Alright Holly." He says.
"But I'm coming with you."
I blink.
"You want to?" I ask. Surprised.
"Of course." He says. "Every time you go on an adventure with fowl, he hurts you. I can't stand to JUST SIT BY! I'M NOT GOING THROUGH IT AGAIN! NOT KNOWING IF YOU'RE ALIVE OR DEAD, WATCHING YOU BETRAYED! SEEING YOU CRY..."
"Trouble." I say. "You're shouting again." I'm surprised. Trouble's really worried about me.
"Okay." I say. Secretly thrilled. "If you want to."
He smiles at me. And for some reason, I can't quite breath. Nor can I look away. His smile holds me captive.
"And lets get Foaly in on this." He adds.
"Sure." I say. Feeling slightly dizzy.
What in Fronds name is wrong with me?!
Artemis.
He hung up the phone before she could finish replying. Before he could fall apart and tell her everything.
"Juliet." He said. "My parents are being held hostage by unknown and hostile forces. The price for their release is a fairy. I have evaluated all the options, and there appears to be no other alternative then to betray the aforementioned fairies. These actions might endanger the Myles and Beckett, and I want you to protect them. Understood?"
Juliet breathed in slowly. Then out.
"Okay Arty." She said.
"Excellent." Said Artemis. "How much do you remember?"
"I don't know." She said quietly. "A lot."
"Magnificent!" He replied. "Take them away. Preferably out of the country."
He walked over to the wall safe, and took out a generous amount of money. He handed it to her. Juliet took it mutely.
"Where should I take them?" She asked. Finally finding her voice again.
"Where ever you choose." He replied. "But it is vital that you keep your location secret from Butler and myself."
She wanted to ask why, but decided against it. He would have a reason for his words. He always did.
"I suggest you leave today." He continued.
"While you still can."
She shivered. "Alright Arty." She whispered.
"Then go." Said Artemis.
She left.
Artemis sat with his head in his hands.
Trouble.
He couldn't believe it. Why was she so naïve?!
He had seen her hurt. Seen her cry. Seen her fall from that window in Taipei. Seen her disappear.
Artemis had put her through so much, and yet she forgave him. Who would ever want to hurt Holly for FRONDS sake?! He shook his head. Trying to clear it. But he couldn't. He just couldn't stand the idea of Holly being hurt. How could someone be so tough, yet so breakable?!
"Trouble?" Says someone. Shaking him out of his reverie.
"Are you okay?" Holly.
"He smiled softly at her. He couldn't help it. She just made him smile somehow.
"I'm fine." I say.
"Okay." she said. "Then should we maybe get going?"
"Yeah sure. Right." He said. She caught his eyes wit hers, and suddenly, the world ceased to exist. Or rather, he stopped noticing it.
"Um...Trouble?" She said timidly. "Are you with me?"
\He realized suddenly that his mouth was hanging open. He hastened to close it.
"Yeah lets go." He said and held open the door for her. She looked surprised for a second, then shrugged, and walked through.
As they walked briskly along the corridor to the OPPS booth, his only thought was What's wrong with me?