Disclaimer: This man refuses to give the rights to Artemis Fowl! It's astounding!
Chapter 7
I've Kinda Stopped Being Surprised Now
Artemis opened the door, tripping a little on the steps – and couldn't believe what he saw.
Holly was sobbing – for the second time that day – and hugging a man in a U.S. Marines uniform. She was gripping him as though he was her only hope, saying his name over and over again. The man was gripping her back just as hard.
"James! Oh, James! James, oh my God! James!" Holly wailed into his shoulder. Neither of them took any notice to Artemis, who quickly recovered from his shock and decided to just go along with it. It was what he had been doing all day, and seemed to work pretty well in most of the situations he found himself in.
Artemis closed the door behind him and kicked off his boots in a pile near the door. Another man was lounging by the counter, coffee cup in hand. He turned when Artemis closed the door.
Whoa, thought Artemis, the beginnings of a smile forming on his face. That's pretty weird.
"Hey," said Foaly, waving. "What's up?" Artemis just shook his head and smiled.
"Nothing much." he said nonchalantly, but inside was dying to ask him so many questions.
James finally stood up, Holly holding tightly to his hand. Artemis noticed that his right leg was encased in a cast. Holly's face was tear streaked, but she was smiling brightly.
"You remember James, Arty, right? My cousin?" she said in a tone that said just-play-along-or-you're-going-to-get-it.
"Yeah," he said slowly, trying to act like a teenager and remember who this person was at the same time. "I remember."
James laughed. His laugh sounded just like Holly's, only deeper. "It's okay if you don't remember, Arty. It's been a while." His voice was a pleasant baritone, and something stirred in Artemis's memories. He knew that voice. He knew this person.
"No, I remember," Artemis insisted, as James took his hand and started shaking it.
"I won't hug you, because you're a man now, Arty," he said, smiling, while Artemis resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Holly, who was at the sink washing her face, laughed. Foaly nudged her.
James released Artemis's hand, and Artemis stared at him. Now that he looked closely, it was blindingly obvious that James was related to Holly. He could've passed off as her brother. His hair was the same exact shade of reddish-brown as Holly's. Their faces had the same petite (ironically) fairy – like shape, though on him it looked much more masculine.
Artemis wondered why he hadn't noticed it earlier. James turned and went to pick up two HUGE duffel bags by the hallway.
Something wet dripped on his his neck. Artemis whirled around to see Holly innocently wiping her hands on a dish towel.
"You're allowed to take your coat off, you know," she said, without turning around. Artemis rolled his eyes, but shrugged his coat off.
Holly turned around and clapped her hands. "Here!" Artemis tossed his coat over a kitchen island, and Holly caught it neatly, walking away to put it in a closet. "Oh, and make sure you get all the ice off your shirt. You're dripping on the floor." she called over her shoulder.
"Artemis!" Foaly called. "Do you want some coffee? Or hot chocolate?"
Artemis shrugged and hoisted himself onto the kitchen island, shaking the crusted ice off his sleeve and into the sink next to him. "Whatever's easiest," he said casually. "I – don't care."
"Coffee it is," Foaly said, getting the ready-made coffee pot. He filled the mug as Artemis dislodged the last clumps of ice from his shirt.
"Thanks," Artemis said gratefully as Foaly handed him the cup.
"Oh, I forgot to ask. Do you want any milk or sugar in it?" Foaly asked, opening the fridge.
"A little milk, please," he said, brushing the remaining snow off his shirt. At Fowl Manor, he usually drank his coffee straight up. But that was because his coffee was usually imported Island of St. Helena – whole bean. So he had opted out of the milk. Plus, he had never actually tried coffee with milk.
He held out his cup as Foaly poured some milk in, and nodded for him to stop. Holly came back into the kitchen, eyes widening at the drink.
"Ooh! Is that coffee? Can I have some?" she asked Foaly, who laughed.
"I thought this was your house," he said, chuckling. "But yes, you can have some." Holly put her hands on her hips, pretending to be angry.
"Well, I thought you were my legal guardian. But I guess, at what, twenty-six? Twenty-seven? You're still not mature enough, either." she said, sticking her tongue out.
Foaly pretended to look hurt as Artemis sipped his coffee, amused by their banter.
"Oh, like you're so mature, Holly. Sticking your tongue out, yeah, that's a real sign that you've grown up." he said, leaning on the counter. Holly just rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Where's Callie?" she asked, imitating his posture. Now it was Foaly's turn to roll his eyes.
"It's Caballine, Holly, not Callie. And she's in the upstairs bathroom." Foaly replied.
"Actually, she allows me, her soon-to-be-cousin, to call her so, because we have a close sisterly bond," Holly said pointedly, grinning.
"Wait, you . . . guys aren't married yet?" Artemis blurted out.
"Uh, no," Foaly said, like it should be obvious. "You were there when we got engaged at the Christmas Party, remember? We're getting married in August." Artemis was startled. Foaly and Caballine were already married in his world, having gotten "hitched" while he and Holly were stuck in the
Hydras.
You were missing for three years then, said a voice in the back of his head. You were never gone here.
"Foaly!" a woman's voice called from upstairs.
"Yes?" Foaly called back.
"Are you making coffee? I can smell it up here!"
"Yep!"
"Will you pour me a cup, honey? I'll be down in a few seconds!"
"Sure thing, darling," Foaly yelled, moving toward the coffee pot.
"Hi, Callie!" Holly called, apparently trying to carry a conversation across the house.
"Holly!" Caballine yelled, excited. There was the sound of someone running down the stairs, and then the hallway.
A pretty blonde woman with glasses flew into the room, spotted Holly, and shrieked.
"Holly! I haven't seen you in months!" she cried, hugging her tightly. Holly grinned and hugged her back just as tightly.
Artemis watched with amusement. He had never met Caballine, but he could easily imagine her as a centaur. She was a bit of a spazz, though.
"Is that Arty Fowl?" Caballine asked, delighted. Artemis hopped down from the counter to greet her.
" I haven't seen you since the Christmas party, almost two months ago!" she said, hugging him around the shoulders. Holly was in her other arm, and she grinned at Artemis. Foaly came up from behind and slung his arm around Caballine, resting his other hand on Artemis's shoulder.
"We're just one big happy family, aren't we?" Caballine said, (overly happy in Artemis's opinion) drawing them all close, and Artemis felt a strange sense of betrayal in his chest. But it died quickly, to be replaced with a sense of belonging.
Just then, there was a loud thump, and a yell. Everybody jumped.
"I think that's James!" Holly said worriedly, pulling out of Caballine's grasp and dashing out of the kitchen.
"I'd better go see what's wrong," Foaly said, following after Holly, albeit a bit more slowly, but not by much. Artemis trailed after him, leaving Caballine alone in the kitchen.
He could hear Holly pounding down the hallway, with Foaly right behind her and Artemis jogging hesitantly behind.
Holly skidded to a halt in front of a door and threw it open, slamming it against the wall. Foaly and Artemis jumped at the noise.
"There's no need to be so dramatic, Holly," Foaly muttered, peering into the door. Artemis couldn't see anything through Foaly, and tried to stand on his tiptoes, but with no avail.
A gray tabby casually wandered out of the room, brushing by Artemis's legs. Artemis stared at it, feeling he knew exactly what had just happened.
He suddenly felt a strong, unexplicable urge to pick it up and pet it. So he chased after the silly creature and gently scooped it up. The cat didn't have any complaints, and actually snuggled up against him, purring. Artemis wasn't as surprised as he thought he would be about that.
The cat's name tag jingled as he walked down the hallway, and he stopped to examine it. It was a basically a military dog tag, with some numbers on it, the sign for female (the circle with the little cross attached to the bottom) and the name RIVER in all caps.
Artemis situated River so she was sitting comfortably in his arms and hurried awkwardly down the hallway.
He stepped into the room. Foaly was leaning against flat-screen TV, which was on, but muted. He was trying to hold back a laugh, judging by his expression.
Holly was laughing hysterically on the bed, with James looking duly embarrassed.
"May I inquire . . . I mean, what's going on?" Artemis said, pretending like he was a completely normal teenager.
James scratched the back of his head. "I – we – my troop and I – rescued this cat from Iraq. She was hiding in a destroyed bomb shelter with some dead women; apparently she sensed the bomb coming, but either the women didn't listen or it was too late. She was found underneath their bodies, presumed dead." he said somberly. By this time Holly had stopped laughing, and let out a small gasp.
"We called her River because the house she was found next to was really close to one, the Tigris, I think. It was in Samarra, that I do know. We took her back to our camp – she was so friendly, and she loved our troop so much. So she could sense when the bombs or missiles or tanks – basically anything unfriendly – was approaching. She saved our lives so many times. I don't think I'd be here today if it wasn't for her. (1) Anyways, to make a long story short, she must've sneaked into my bag. She has got to be dying right now." James said forlornly, reaching out for River.
Artemis quickly handed the cat over. He hadn't realized she was so hungry, but he didn't really know how to tell when a cat is hungry – besides the obvious way, of course.
"We have some tuna in the fridge. I'll go and help you," Foaly said, hurrying after James as he left the room.
Holly got off the bed. "Wow. That was pretty kooky. But I think they're going to be okay." she said, turning around to fix the wrinkles she had made on the bed.
Artemis nodded, sitting on the wooden chest/bench that was at the end of the bed. "I didn't know you had a cousin, Holly." he said, slightly accusative.
Holly turned around and put her hand on her hips. "Actually, you kind of did." She grinned, letting him know she was joking.
Artemis shrugged, grinning back. "Let's go find Caballine. I'm kind of hungry. Then we can resume – I mean, then we we can go to wherever we're going."
Holly nodded her agreement, and both teens left the room.
.
.
.
A/N: Yeah, it took me forever. I know. All you special nuggets out there who are already out of school are so lucky. We don't get out of school till the 23rd, and we'll be taking finals the entire time. So if you wish to murder me . . . please don't . . . because I have a valid reason.
(1): True story. Didn't happen to me, but I read it. Obviously I am using my creative liscense here.
For all of y'all who live in the British Isles, I will be journeying there this summer. So be prepared! And advice would be greatly appreciated kthx:)
CinderIsNotHere: Why thank you. I'm honored:)
MayFowl: Yes, I know, I'm terrible. But I must admit I don't know what you're talking about.
RandomRandomnessRules: Well, no. It's hard to explain without giving away the entire story. Use your imagination:)
HappyHappyJoyJoy: Thank you so much! -blushes-
Holly-Rose Fowl-Casson: It pleases me that you understand:)
Ru-Doragon: -grovels at feet- I am so sorry. I know I suck at non-cliffhangers. BUT I CAN'T HELP IT:P
VinyayaMinerva: That plot bunny knocked me unconcious. And thank you:)
Gracias a :
CinderIsNotHere, MayFowl, TexasDreamer01, RandomRandomnessRules, HappyHappyJoyJoy, Holly-Rose Fowl-Casson, AliceCloneOfTheWorld, ForeverDay, Ru-Doragon, y VinyayaMinerva. (Lo fue in espanol, por la forma. Lo siento por los errores y las personas que hablan en espanol. Y yo se que se me olvido la tilda.)
By the way, if anyone could tell me how to get those little single line break thingys, that would be very appreciated. I do it on the edit thing, shift + enter, and it shoes a half-space thing, but it doesn't show up in the stories! It's really annoying:P Help?
REVIEW PLEASE:)
love, charley:)
p.s. Who do you think's gonna win the World Cup (La Copa Mundal)? DID YOU SEE ARGENTINA TODAY THEY WERE EPIC!