Ninth Night

GRRRR Murder Frenzy! I dislike this new site. You can't place put websites that aren't fanfiction, so the last chapter had a recommendation to nothing. Ok the song for last chapter was Serenity by Godsmack. Tonight's music is People Everyday from the Trigun soundtrack, and Drifting my Andy Mckee. Oh and if those guys from fanfiction are reading this, I grow tired also of your human checks! –Partheon

Holly left her apartment, and was surprised that the reporters weren't there for once. Counting her blessings, she started the trek to Argon's clinic. Along the way she thought back to the conversation that she had with the doctor a few hours ago.

"Short speaking."

"Captain Short," Jerbal's voice sounded a little annoyed, "This is Dr. Argon."

"What did he do now," Holly asked, surmising that Artemis would be the cause of the doctor's annoyance.

"He's not to blame for once," Jerbal said, a hint of amusement in his voice, but continued when he remembered the reason for his call, "Am I to understand that you shocked the patient again?"

"No, I shocked Cerberus again."

A rush of static, more than likely the sigh of the doctor, "Captain, I know Cerberus is difficult, but you can't keep resorting to violence to silence him."

Excuses died in Holly's throat when the doctor continued, "As tempting as it is to administrate your own therapy, putting the voltage up that high might be doing more damage than good."

"Okay doctor, I'll lower the charge," Holly promised.

"That's not the point Captain Short. If you keep short circuiting," Holly glared at the phone, "Him, it damages the therapy we are trying to do. Remember that we are trying to take all the fractured personalities, and make him whole again."

Holly then remembered the conversation that lead up to her shocking Cerberus, and felt the impact of what the doctor is saying.

"So then doctor, what do you recommend? I can throttle him instead."

"No," the doctor called out exasperated, "No violence! Try talking to him instead, or try to appeal to Artemis or Orion to become the principle personalities. Cerberus is not a major personality, but he seems to be becoming stronger and more assertive. If you want the patient to come out like Cerberus, keep doing what you're doing."

"I understand," Holly said, upset at herself, "I'll try and be more patient."

"If you want, he can stay here for the night."

Holly weighed her options, before she sighed, "No, its fine. I'll be there to pick him up after his appointment."

Holly walked up to the doors of the clinic, and waited at the front desk. A pixie was there filing her nails and talking on a phone. Pixies were supposed to make people feel better, with their adorable features, round eyes, and sweet voices. Since Opal though, Holly doubted that she could care less about pixies. So when the pixie ignored her for a whole three minutes, Holly reached over, closed her cell phone, and told her to page Dr. Argon about Artemis. When the pixie tried to turn on the charm, Holly just fixed her with a look that rivaled Artemis's, and the pixie got right on contacting Dr. Argon, and started asking if she wanted a beverage or anything.

Holly said that she was fine, and waited for Dr. Argon to come with Artemis. He appeared a few minutes later, limping down the hall with Artemis in tow. Artemis looked exhausted, but his eyes looked clear and focused.

"Everything seems to be normal," Dr. Argon said as he released Artemis into Holly's care, "We have changed his medications," he handed a new satchel over, giving the elfish woman a look, "And remember what we talked about on the phone, Captain." 20 good

Holly nodded, and was about to leave when she asked the doctor, "So who's in charge." 4

Artemis gave a sour look, "I am right here, Holly."

The doctor smiled before answering, "Artemis is the controlling personality at the moment, Captain Short." 10 good

She grinned, and softly punched the teenage genius, "So are you ready to go?" 5 + 1

Artemis nodded, and they left to Holly's apartment. Along the way, Holly decided to treat the human to a smoothie. After much prodding she got him to try a smoothie. She picked her favorite, and Artemis after studying the menu went with Holly's recommendation 'Haven's Favorite'.

"How do you like it?" 5 good

There was a pause as Artemis thought of the words he should use, "It is indeed different," before giving the beverage a contemplative look, "Not bad, just different. What is the smoothie made of?"

Holly had an amused expression, which made Artemis narrow his eyes in suspicion over, before she replied, "It's made out of several different kinds of berries and fungi that are grown in Haven." 15 + 1

"I see," Artemis said trying another sip, "And the look?"

"Oh nothing," she said, taking a small drink, "I just find it funny that the great Artemis Fowl the second, is drinking a smoothie with only a little complaint, and walking in public with it too. What will the press think of this?" 35 + 2

Artemis smiled, "More than likely, it provides ample evidence that I have indeed lost my mind, and need to be committed forthwith."

They laughed, and reminisced for the entire night. It became easier for Artemis to lose himself in the conversation, but the numbers were always there. Just outside his sight, and just outside his grasp.

Four is death. Four is death. Four is death. Four is death.

He shook his head to cast the numbers away.

"Are you okay?" 5 – 2

"I apologize, my head hurts."

"No need to apologize, it's alright," 5 + 1 Holly said, smiling comforting.

Artemis held is head for five minutes, and then sighed, "I look forward to when this will all be over."

Holly nodded, "I will be too Arty." 5 good

He smiled, and wondered why he continued letting her use his mom's pet name, but ignored it for now, "I'm also a little sore."

"Oh yeah the exercises," Holly said, remembering that calisthenics was on the treatment plan, "What do they have you doing?" 10 good

Artemis shook his head, "The usual array of stretches and other techniques to release stress, but that was not what I was talking about."

Holly raised a questioning eyebrow, "What's sore then?" 5 – 2

"My chest," he said, putting a hand over it, "where you hit."

She gave him a dirty look, "I'm not going to apologize." 5 good

"Oh heaven forbid," Artemis said sarcastically, "That Captain Holly Short apologize. That isn't why I brought it up," he moved his hand to the table, and started drumming a Debussy works, "It was mostly to inform you of my well being."

"Mostly?" 1

"Also to instill feelings of guilt," Artemis said, keeping his face calm, "So that it might not become habit for you to inflict pain on me."

Holly grinned, walked over to the human, and punched him on the shoulder.

"Why did you do that?"

"Mostly to show you the consequences on what it is to try and influence my behavior with negative reinforcement."

"I suppose," Artemis said smiling, "I'll ask. Mostly?"

"Also I really like hitting you."