Well my amazing readers/reviews, this is the end. This is the final chapter of Within Temptation. Well...the last real chapter. There will be a short (and I mean short) epilogue that will follow this chapter very soon. This is a little longer than normal because it was two chapters until I found out that I'm moving soon and I won't have Internet connection for a while so I combined the two chapters because I didn't want to leave you guys with too evil of a cliffie (haha well that was a run-on). Anyway, I hope that you enjoy it and remember...things are not always what they seem ;) Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and please continue to do so, it makes me happy! So without further ado, I give you the last (real) chapter of Within Temptation.

Disclaimer: I don't own Artemis Fowl

"I said leave it, leave it, leave it/
It's nothing to you/
And if you hate me, hate me, hate me/
Then hate me so good that you can let me out/
Let me out of this hell when you're around" --- "Rootless Tree" by Damien Rice (the live version of this song at Abbey Road inspired the whole Arty on the piano scene)

Chapter XV

The sound of the doors opening echoed across the seemingly empty lawn. The only movement on the grass, other than the occasional breeze, was the nervous shifting of a lone figure in the very center of the grounds. The Commander stood at his full height of three feet and two inches yet still looked like a doll compared to the gargantuan manor. He stood next to a cart piled high with lustrous gold. It seemed that the LEP were going to keep up their side of the bargain. Artemis also had his bargaining chip. Holly walked slightly behind Artemis as they made their way down the marble stairs. She didn't want to do this but she didn't let it show. If she was going to convince Trouble of anything, she had to make him believe that she was not emotionally attached to the prodigy in any way. Holly snuck a glance around Artemis as they stepped off of the last step and onto the pavement of the driveway. Trouble face was easy to read, even from this distance. His eyes were gaunt and weary, as though he hadn't slept in days. His face had an all around dead look that Holly had never seen there before. He usually was the one around the office who made everyone laugh during a hard time. However, there was no trace of that man in Trouble's face, only detachedness. Trouble cleared his throat loudly, forcing Holly back to reality.

"Artemis Fowl?" Trouble called loudly, his voice echoing across the dewy grass. Nothing moved except a warm breeze (which might have actually been a hundred invisible fairies breathing at the same time).

"It is I." Artemis replied simply in his emotionless voice.

"We come here for an exchange." Trouble said as was regulation for a hostage situation involving a compliant captor. Holly knew that the conversation was being recorded for the inquiry that was bound to happen. "Caption Holly Short of the LEPrecon for one ton of unmarked ingots of 24 carat gold. Did you previously agree to these terms?"

"I did."

"Do you still agree to these terms?" There was a pause.

"This can all be different if you just say 'no' and explain. Please don't do this." Holly murmured to Artemis quietly so that even the sensitive LEP mikes couldn't pick it up.

"Yes." Artemis said loudly, ignoring Holly's plead

"Alright, this is how it's going to work." Trouble said in his 'no nonsense cop' voice. "I will send the cart to you and Holly will walk towards me. She will keep a pace slow enough that they will meet in the exact middle. After she has passed this point, she is free to flee as quickly as she chooses. The cart will not turn back, it's yours to keep along with all of the gold inside. If you should attempt to double cross us, there will be consequences. Do you understand?"

"I do." Artemis replied sounding rather bored. Trouble nodded and pushed a button on the cart, sending it into motion. Artemis turned towards Holly, giving her a small smile as he gestured towards the cart, which was now slowly making its way towards them. Holly swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. There were so many things that she could say to him, so many things that she wanted to say but she couldn't seem to speak.

"Holly, you need to move." Artemis urged gently, giving her a little nudge.

"I'm not going to let this happen." Artemis flashed her another sad smile before she whirled around and started to walk towards the cart of gold. Doing as she had been instructed, she kept pace with the gold, meeting it exactly in the middle. She didn't even pause to catch a glimpse of the radiant element, but instead broke into a dead sprint the moment that it left her peripheral vision. She kept her eyes on Trouble's relieved face, determined to talk him out of bio-bombing the Manor, but before she could reach him, she was overcome by at least forty, newly unshielded fairies who were all shouting questions at the same time. She lost sight of Trouble completely as more of them fizzled into view, either spraying her with foul smelling gel or asking her questions to see if any memory or brain damage had occurred. Many of the fairies were marveling at her fingers.

"But they're healed!" One officer exclaimed. "How is that possible? I saw Fowl cut them off myself! Is this another trick of that Mudboy's? But no, there are the scars. I swear to Frond I will shoot that Mudboy if the bio-bomb doesn't do him in first." Holly threw a desperate glace back to where Artemis had been standing seconds before only to find that he had disappeared back into the house. Holly knew that time was of the essence if she were going to save him but she also knew that the officers would not be satisfied until they confirmed that Holly was not harmed. For this reason, she put up with their inquiries for the next five minutes.

"No, I'm not hurt, yes I know what my address is, and no I do not see dancing trolls every time I close my eyes! I am fine just get off of me!" Holly put enough menace into her words that it sent the fairies scurrying. She felt a hand on her shoulder. "I said I'm fine! Oh Trouble, it's you. Sorry about that, you know how healing warlocks can-"

"Holly, you have no idea how happy I am to see you alive." Holly felt herself being lifted off the ground as Trouble gave her a bear hug. Smiling, Holly hugged him back feeling almost content.

"It was a bit iffy for a while there, but you should know that I always make it out of the situations that I shouldn't be in in the first place." Holly replied as Trouble chortled and set her back on the ground.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again Holly. I thought I had lost my best officer. When I saw all of that blood…" he shuddered. "But don't worry Holly; we're going to make Fowl pay for what he did to you. In a few moments, nothing will be alive in his house and you won't have to worry about him capturing you ever again."

"Trouble you can't kill him." Trouble's smile slowly faded, as he comprehended what Holly had said. "Please don't bio-bomb the Manor. You have me back, why can't we just forget about this?"

"Holly, you know I can't do that." Trouble said slowly. "It's against regulations. Why in Frond's name do you want to save someone who captured and tortured you? After all he's put you through, why do you think he even deserves to live?"

"He's not mentally stable. I can give you the names of countless drugs that he's been prescribed and is not taking. Think about it Trouble, it all makes sense. Why would he do any of the things that he did when he had been on such good terms with fairies?"

"I can think of a few reasons." Came Trouble's gruff reply. "He's evil Holly, pure evil. You need to get out of here. It's just a case of Stockholm Syndrome. I'm sure that if you get away from this place that you will feel differently."

"No I won't! Please Trouble, you can't do this." She didn't want to beg, but she realized that it was going to take more than what she was giving to convince Trouble. She needed someone else on her side.

No sooner had the thought formed in her brain, did she see Butler making his way towards them. He looked almost lost but not in the physical sense, it went deeper than that. "Butler!" She cried. "Help me. Tell Trouble about Artemis' state of mind. It wouldn't be humane to brutally kill someone who has no control of his actions."

"Artemis has control over his actions despite what he says." Butler said grimly once he had reached them. "He always knows exactly what he is doing. He cannot be stopped. If you give him a second chance, he'll stab you in the back and steal your gold on the way out. I thought I knew him but obviously, I was wrong. I'm not saying that killing him is right or wrong; all I'm saying is that maybe death is what Artemis deserves after all he's done."

"Butler," Holly gasped horrified, "He's your char-"

"I was fired Holly. He's my nothing. The person who I protected, bonded with, and thought I knew is gone. In his place is a monster who is willing to torture one of his best friends for gold."

Holly didn't even bother telling them the real reason that Artemis wanted the gold, she knew that they wouldn't believe her. They were both bound and determined to hate Artemis, Trouble because of everything he had done to her and Butler because Artemis had betrayed him. Holly really did feel sorry for the bodyguard. There were tears in his eyes, something never associated with a Butler. Holly could tell that Butler really did love Artemis but there was too much hurt on the surface, and right now, the surface was all he could see.

"What has to be done, has to be done." Trouble said firmly, putting a hand on Holly's sagging shoulder.

"Why Trouble? Why do you have to? Why couldn't you just ignore this one order?"

"Because this will be my last act as Commander of the LEPrecon. I was fired for refusing to bio-bomb the Manor with you in it. I have to fulfill my last order." Tears leaked from the ex-commanders eyes. Holly couldn't say anything. She was too horrified at the fact that Trouble had been fired for trying to protect her. She didn't know whether to thank him or console him. "This job was my life Holly." Continued Trouble, visibly trying not to break down. "It was the one thing worth getting up in the morning for and now it's just gone." He seemed as though he were still trying to grasp it. Holly took his hand in both of hers, trying to take some of his pain.

"Is there anything I can do?" She asked as a tear splashed onto their entwined hands. Holly didn't know whether it was hers or Trouble's.

"Yes there is Holly." He said after a moment. He brought his face down so that it was inches away from hers and looked down into her eyes with a hard, determined look in his. "I love you Holly."

And before Holly could even respond to his proclamation, Trouble had crushed his lips onto hers. His hand held her face still and his lips hungrily attacked hers. Holly's head was spinning, this wasn't right. Trouble was one of her best friends; this wasn't how their relationship was at all. There was no feeling, no passion, no love in the kiss. It was utterly lifeless. It was nothing compared to the kiss that she had shared with Artemis. The person who was going to be killed if she didn't hurry. She didn't have time for this, let alone to figure out what her feelings were for Trouble. Holly broke the kiss suddenly, causing Trouble to jump back in alarm.

"I've got to go." She said shortly before turning on her heel and running the other way, leaving Trouble standing with a stunned and bewildered look on his face. Holly didn't really know where she was going or whom she needed to find. The fairies that she ran by didn't notice her until she streaked past them, each one calling to her as she ran. She came to a small makeshift tent, out of which walked the one person who could help her.

"Foaly!" Holly said skidding to a halt in front of the centaur. He, like Trouble, looked as though he hadn't slept in days.

"Holly, it's good to see you alive and kicking!" Foaly said, a huge smile plastered across his face. "Of course I knew all along that you would make it out alive." He was lying, Holly could tell that much, but Holly didn't have time to tease him for worrying.

"I need to know what would happen if Artemis went on trail in front of the council." Holly said breathlessly.

"What? Artemis isn't going to be on trail, we're due to bio-bomb in five minutes."

"Please Foaly; just tell me what would happen."

"IfArtemis were to go on trial," Foaly started looking ruffled, "He would be treated as a fairy. Seeing as he has fairy magic he is part of our race, technically. He holds all of our same rights. However, that wouldn't help him in the least in this situation. He would be given a life's term in a high security prison, maybe Howler's Peak."

"What if Artemis didn't have complete control over his actions? What if he was majorly depressed, so much that he had medication for it?"

"It would depend on whether or not you could prove that Artemis had not taken his medication at the time when his crimes were committed." Foaly said slowly. "But if you can do that, he would be sentenced to a life's term of psychiatric treatment at a facility. Although if his doctor thinks that he has gotten better, the sentence could be changed to weekly sessions instead of a permanent residence at the clinic. Holly, do you know something that we don't?"

"Thanks Foaly." Holly said giving him quick hug before darting past him, towards the Manor.

"Holly, wait Holly! Where are you going?" Foaly was yelling behind her but Holly didn't turn. She knew what she had to do. With her eyes fixed on the Manor and thoughts of Artemis in her head, Holly, again, ran through the throng of fairies who were all preparing for the bio-bomb. She was so focused on her goal, that she didn't notice the hand that flew out of nowhere, grabbing her wrist, and stopping her in her tracks. Holly turned to slam whoever it was that was holding her in a death grip but stopped abruptly when her eyes landed on Trouble.

"Holly, where are you going?" He asked her, having to yell over the babble of voices that was surrounding them.

"I have to go back. I'm not letting this happen!" Trouble could see in her eyes that she was serious.

"Holly, this is going to happen whether you're going to 'let it' or not."

"Let me go." Holly commanded darkly, trying in vain to twist her wrist out of Trouble's grasp.

"As you commanding officer, I order you to stop this nonsense. Just get out of here Holly."

"With all due respect sir, you are no longer my commanding officer." Holly knew that this was the only thing that she could say to make Trouble let go. His hand loosed around hers, his body going weak from her blunt statement, and this was enough to allow Holly to slip her wrist out and hit the ground running. Her statement had hurt him, she was well aware of that fact, but Artemis' life was at stake. There was nothing else she could do.

She ran, ignoring the tumultuous yelling that filled her ears when the officers that she passed realized what she was doing. Arms grabbed for her but she slipped easily out of their reach. The middle of the Manor's lawn was the edge of the makeshift camp. Trouble had made it perfectly clear that no one was to cross that invisible line under any circumstances. Holly was elated to see that every single fairy obeyed this rule. She made her way to the front steps, easier now that there were no hand reaching for her, and took them two at a time on the way up. The heavy door to the manor was cracked the tiniest bit, just enough for her to slip through.

"No Jerkewitz, do not bomb the Manor, I repeat do not bomb. We have a situation." Rang Trouble's voice over the lawn, sounding outraged and terrified. Holly closed the door with a sigh, thinking about just how much she was going to need to do to make this up to him.

The Manor was seemingly empty; there was no sound but her own breathing which was echoing through the giant entrance room. Her heart was beating at least three times its normal rate and sounded four times as loud. She stopped, and was only beginning to wonder where Artemis was when she heard the sound of distant music. Piano by the sound of it, and someone singing along. Holly followed the sound of the music curiously through the confusing Manor's halls until she reached a giant brass door. Putting an ear to it, she listened to the sound of the music. It wasn't recorded or being played on some sort of Mudman device. She opened the heavy door to reveal the sight of Artemis sitting at a grand piano.

He was completely oblivious to her presence, despite her harsh breathing. It was a song that Holly didn't recognize, though the tune was familiar to her. His fingers danced across the grand piano's keys as if they were their own person. He sang with such passion that it was almost alien. His voice was not necessarily good, but it was filled with so much intoxicating emotion that, for a moment, Holly was convinced that she would sob aloud if he stopped. His fingers shook as he played the ivory keys, screaming his raw lyrics to the empty room. The lyrics were pleading; pleading that someone would hate him, that someone would let him out of whatever hell he was in. Holly thought she knew exactly to whom he was singing. The notes were angry but at the same time, they conveyed a sorrowful desire that made Holly's eyes fill up with tears. She stood there as the song progressed past the point of pleading and to the point of soft, agonized desperation. She felt herself trembling as she moved around the piano so that she could see his face. His eyes were closed so tightly that it looked painful. The thing that scared Holly the most was his expression; it was exactly the same as hers had been when he had cut off her fingers. Suddenly, she felt like she had been the one torturing him. Holly felt the music run though her physically as it turned almost violent again. The air was forced out of her lungs. Her ragged gasp was loud enough to be heard over the music, causing the notes to stop suddenly and Artemis to whirl around.

"Holly?" He said it as if he didn't believe that she was actually there. Artemis' eyes were red from crying and his face was still wet from the salty tears that had escaped his eyes. Holly didn't move any closer to him; afraid of the pain that she had caused. She could feel her breathing becoming constricted as she fought for control of her tear ducts. Artemis, sensing that something was amiss, rose from the low, black piano bench and moved towards her. "Holly what are you doing here?" Artemis asked, taking both her hands in his. "You shouldn't be here. The Commander is going to bio-bomb this place any minute"

"Artemis," Holly's voice was shaking from the musical violation that had just taken place. "I have a way."

"A way for what?" Artemis asked anxiously. He kept glancing out the nearest window, most likely worried that the manor would get bio-bombed while Holly was still inside.

"A way that you can get let off. No, listen." Holly insisted when Artemis opened his mouth to interrupt. "In court, you hold all of the right that fairies have because you possess magic. If we can prove, which will not be hard to do, that you were clinically and truly depressed, you cannot be tried as a completely sane person."

"Which I am not." Artemis pointed out.

"That's my point." Holly continued almost enthusiastically. "You can use that to your defense. You were not in the right state of mind when you committed these acts," she gestured to the two scars on her trigger fingers causing both of them to wince, "and therefore cannot be sentenced to jail. Fairy law states that if one's mental state of mind is not completely perfect, that they will be

sentenced to psychiatric therapy for however long the judge or your doctor deems."

"I see two problems with this." Artemis said after a short pause. "I have no intention of being locked up in a 'fairy funny farm' for the rest of my life."

"I already have a plan for that." Holly said patiently. "The place you would probably be getting therapy from is Dr. Argon's clinic. He owes me a couple favors so it shouldn't be a problem to have your living arrangements outside of the clinic easily arranged. And really Artemis, how long will it take you to annoy Argon to tears?"

"Not too long." Artemis said, smiling at her feeble attempt to lighten the situation. His brow furrowed as he thought. Holly was heartened to see that he was seriously thinking about it. "There's one more problem, Holly. I have no intention of leaving my house. The plan-"And that caused Holly to snap. It didn't matter how completely out of his right mind that Artemis was. There is no cause more pathetic to die for than a plan.

"I don't give a damn about the d'Arviting plan!" Snarled Holly. Her teeth were bared making her look more dangerous than Artemis had ever seen her. "I honest to Frond don't! You are coming with me and you are going to turn yourself in!"

"And how, may I inquire, are you going to stop me?" Artemis said quietly, straightening to his full height. Holly noticed suddenly just how much taller he was than her but she stood her ground. Normally she could dominate in any physically situation that presented itself, but this was different. Holly was worn out both mentally and physically, despite the recent Ritual, and Artemis was at least two feet taller than her. It didn't help her situation that she had no equipment or weapons to give her an upper hand.

"I swear to Frond that I will not leave this house unless it's with you by my side." Holly shot back. She had been ready for that and was pleased when Artemis' face turned from blank to shock and then back to emotionless. She had counted on that reaction. It was all part of her plan.

"Holly, the whole point of my plan was to make sure that you didn't get killed!"

"If you," Holly said slowly, enunciating each word carefully so there would be no way that Artemis could misunderstand, "Mention that plan one more time I swear on every Book in Haven, that I will shoot you with the first gun that I find."

"Is that a threat Miss Short?" Artemis asked, his voice dripping ice and venom. He was so close to her face that Holly could see the beads of sweat that were forming at his hairline.

"Why yes, yes it is." Holly growled, not backing away. They glared at each other, neither one daring to break the intense stare that they were giving. The tension in the air was thick and very real. It seemed that Artemis was not going to back down either, so Holly did the only thing left to do. She punched him in the gut. Artemis' breath whooshed out of his lungs as he was forced

backwards, doubled over and clutching his stomach.

"What-was-that-for?" He demanded in between gasps. His face was scarlet from the lack of air.

"You cut my fingers off with a d'Arviting kitchen knife!" Holly screeched, beyond outraged.

"It was not a kitchen knife." Artemis said still trying to breathe. He had, however, regained enough air to sound affronted.

"I don't give a damn what kind of knife it was!" Holly half yelled, very much tempted to dish out another blow. "The point is that you owe it to me Fowl; you owe it to me! You will not just give up on life."

"Holly please," He was begging now, it would have been pathetic if not for the sincerity in his voice, "Please just get out of here. There will be no purpose in your death."

"I was thinking the same thing about you." Holly replied coolly. "Artemis, I need you to do this for me. We can get you help, you can restart your life, and the world isn't going to stay safe forever. We're going to need that genius brain of yours again; it was a mistake to ever think that we wouldn't. What happens when Opal escapes from prison and ransacks Haven? Or what happens when another Zito comes across the fairy race? Haven needs you, the LEP need you, Frond, even I need you. You cannot just give up." Artemis' eyes were impassive but Holly knew that the thought of more adventure was mouthwatering to him. Nothing appealed more to him than a challenge, a chance to use his gifted intellect against someone who matched his intelligence. The temptation was sweet; the only question that remained was whether it was sweet enough. The silent minutes ticked on and were excruciating for Holly as Artemis weighed each scenario in his mind.

"If I will do this, there is a condition." Artemis said with a reluctant sigh.

"Anything." Holly breathed, hoping against hope that he actually meant to go through with it.

"My parents and my brothers get to keep the gold." Holly nodded, she had expected as much. After all the work he had put into acquiring the gold, there was no way that he was going to give it up for anything.

"You're quite the persuader." Artemis commented after a pregnant pause.

"I am when I have to be." Holly replied feeling light and relieved. "But I doubt that my powers of persuasion had anything to do with your decision. You must have figured out someway that this could benefit you. You wouldn't have agreed to it otherwise."

"Oh ye of little faith. However, as it happens, the thought of taking up a permanent residence in Haven appeals to me. What with the impending adventure, the technology to be stolen, and the other," he glanced at her surreptitiously, "Opportunities that the city provides. I think that I can find uses for my genius. Of course, I would rather have it my way and let them finish me off now but, as I said, you are an excellent persuader." Holly winced at his bluntness but her knees still went weak with relief. She smiled her first real smile since he had captured her.

"You know what this means though, right? You're going to have to turn yourself in."

"Obviously, however I don't know if I'll make it three steps out the door without being shot down by your people. I'm not their favorite person in the world as of this moment."

"They won't shoot," Holly said, taking Artemis by the hand and half dragging him towards the door. "Not if you're with me. So don't get your hopes up." He gave her a wry smile as he lead the way through the winding hallways in the direction of the front room.

"Holly," Artemis said, stopping her as they reached the front door, "If I do this, you must promise me that you won't leave me again like you did. You saw what it did to me. I'm not giving you your way against my mine just to have you leave me again."

"You won't have to worry about that, Artemis. I'm responsible for the lives I save." He rolled his eyes at her cliché and kissed her on the cheek. Her face burned where his lips had touched and a smile formed on her lips.

"We should do this before Trouble decided to kill us both for convince sake." Artemis said. Holly didn't bother to tell Artemis that Trouble wouldn't kill her seeing as he, not ten minutes ago, had proclaimed his love for her. If she was lucky, Artemis would never find that out. Instead, she opened the door, nearly blinding herself in the sunlight. When he eyes adjusted, it was to reveal a strange scene of déjà vu. Just as it had happened twenty minutes ago, Trouble was standing apparently alone in the exact middle of the lawn. However, there was one major difference this time that Holly noticed immediately. Trouble was holding a Neutrino in his right hand that was jacked up to level three, and was pointing it directly at them. He faltered when he saw that Holly was walking with Artemis but his finger stayed on the trigger.

"Trouble," called Holly as she and Artemis walked towards him, moving quickly, and expecting to be blown apart at any minute. Artemis had both palms up, showing Trouble (and the rest of the fairies) that he was unarmed. Trouble's hand tightened on his gun and Holly moved in front of Artemis, shielding the bottom half of him from Trouble's view. "Artemis is willing to peacefully give himself up."

"Holly, what are you doing protecting him?" Trouble spat, now only a few feet away from them. Artemis put a hand on Holly's elbow, conveying that he thought they were close enough; getting too close to an armed and angry LEP officer was never a thing to do.

"Trouble, according to section 8 paragraph A of the Lewis-Salveki bylaws, you cannot legally harm a convict who has willingly approached you and has offered to come quietly."

"I am no longer your commanding officer," Trouble said darkly. "The regulations don't apply to me anymore." Holly could tell that he was taking the comment she had made earlier to heart.

"Trouble, stop this madness. You must see reason." Artemis said, sounding irate. Holly reached back to put a hand on his chest, stopping him from saying anymore. This was not the time for Artemis' provoking comments.

"Shut up, Mudboy. The only 'reason' that I see right now is shooting you. Holly, stand aside. He means nothing to you. Why are you trying to save him?" When Holly did move or answer Trouble's eyes narrowed as he pondered his own question. Holly saw the pieces falling into place behind his eyes. His eyes flicked to the hand that was still on Artemis' chest that could have so easily been taken away once Artemis had stopped talking. It was as if the hand wanted to touch him…as if the owner of that hand wanted nothing more than to be with the man behind her. Realization hit Trouble so hard that he actually staggered. His gun, however, kept steadily pointing at Artemis' head, the only part that Holly couldn't cover. It was still at level three, which was deadly at this range.

"You and him." Trouble said, his voice dark and deadly. It was not a question; he knew. It all fit, it couldn't be denied. His right arm fell weakly by his side, his gun dangling loosely by his leg. He looked more agonized than Holly had ever seen him. Pity welled up inside of her as she stepped towards him, hoping that the physical closeness would be consoling. Artemis grabbed onto her hand, stopping her from moving too close, but it was close enough that Holly could see the dead look in Trouble's eyes as he came to the realization that Holly was not, and would never be his.

"Trouble," Holly said gently, "Let me explain."

"You don't need to explain." Trouble whispered as he raised the gun once more. Holly screamed but it was too late. The single shot that was fired found its mark.

Dead on.