Their relationship returned to surprisingly platonic for a surprisingly long time. Days slipped into weeks and weeks accumulated at the bottom of the hourglass until a month or so had passed, and Artemis received an unexpected message.

Holly had been in the library—yes, the house had a library—when Artemis had hurried in, shattering the peaceful silence with the creaking doors, and told her to come with him. She'd followed him up to his study and took the seat he offered her before his computer terminal. He leaned over her shoulder to press several buttons and the wall above the terminal shimmered and transformed into a view of what seemed to be a messy living room. A picture hung askew on the far wall, a picture of two small… centaurs?

A moment later, Foaly's harried-looking face appeared in the way of the crooked picture. He was still looking at something else out of the camera's view, and he called out, "Just a minute, just a minute!" then turned to look at Holly and Artemis.

Holly stared up at him, happy wonder written on her face at seeing such an old friend. He hadn't changed much, really. He'd aged a little, there were a few grey hairs sprinkled in his hair and in what she could see of his coat, but it was certainly the same Foaly she'd known however long ago. He did a double take of her, gaping openly.

"Holly?" he choked.

"Yeah," she said, beaming up at his huge, projected face.

Foaly let out a whoop of joy and pranced in a small circle. "Frond, Holly! I didn't expect to see you there! What are you doing with that Mud Boy?"

"I'm uh…" her smile dimmed only slightly, and she shook her head. "Nevermind. How are things with you?"

"Oh," he grinned, tilting his head to the side a little as if abashed, "pretty good." He paused and his grin widened, "Caballine and I are expecting a foal!"

"Congratulations!" Holly's smile, if possible, grew even bigger.

"Another one," Foaly added.

Holly's grinning jaw dropped. "Another?"

Foaly nodded. "Yeah." He looked off camera again. "Hey, Sidna! Resie!" There was a light clatter of hooves and the tops of two heads of brown curly hair appeared in the camera's view. "This is Holly. She's an old friend of mine."

The two foals stretched upwards and Holly saw their faces. They were identical, adorable, twin boys, each with wide blue eyes and freckles. One, on the left, chirped a 'hi!' and then they disappeared again.

Foaly sighed. "It's this new virtual reality game I developed," he explained, "I just can't get them off it! Or rather, out of it."

Holly quirked an eyebrow but didn't comment. Artemis, still leaning over her and with a gentle hand on her shoulder, took the opportunity to speak up. "How's Caballine?"

"Oh, she's alright," said Foaly, "A little tired, but she's doing pretty well. She's out right now, though, doing some errands."

"Glad to hear it," Artemis replied, and paused briefly. "Was there a reason you called? Or were you just wanting to chat?"

"Ah, yes," said Foaly, obviously having forgotten that there was a world that did not involve his children, "Reason. I have some business in Barcelona, and thought I might stop by your place. If it's alright with you, I mean."

Holly was quite sure Artemis was also wondering what business a centaur could possibly have in the totally Human Barcelona, but he didn't seem to bat an eye. "Sure," he replied easily, "When?"

"Tomorrow, actually," Foaly looked vaguely uncomfortable as he scratched the back of his head. "Kinda forgot about it until yesterday, thought I'd better give you a call."

"I don't think we have anything planned for tomorrow," Artemis said.

Holly shook her head. "No, we're free."

"Well." Artemis smiled slightly. "We'll see you then."

"Yeah," Foaly agreed, glancing over at something off the camera. His eyes widened. "Got to go—see you then!"

The connection shut off and the wall shimmered back into being a wall again. Holly looked up at Artemis, still smiling. "I wasn't expecting that," she said bluntly, "but it certainly was good to see him again."

He nodded, "He'd been pretty busy from what I can tell. He's working for the newer version of Section 8 again, and with two foals… he and Caballine have their hands full."

"It looks like it," Holly agreed, her smile slowly fading. "Did you tell him about all of this?" She gestured vaguely at her abdomen.

Artemis looked as close to sheepish as she'd seen in a long time. "I… no. No, I didn't."

Holly raised her eyebrows ruefully, "That'll be quite the surprise."

He chuckled, "Yes. It'll be… interesting to explain."

Foaly managed, not surprisingly, to get inside Ortega Manor without being noticed. Holly was walking down a hallway when she heard a faint clatter from behind her a turned, peering suspiciously into the air. There was a sharp gasp, a louder clatter, a thud, a curse, and a horsy leg appeared.

"Foaly?" Holly questioned, mildly amused.

The entire centaur popped into existence in a rustle of cloth, and she watched as he folded up what seemed to be a new-and-improved version of camfoil. "Holly?" Foaly gaped at her belly, "You—you're—I mean—you're—"

"Pregnant, yes," she said coolly, smiling. "It's a long story, though. Put that camfoil back on and follow me. People around here wouldn't take so well to seeing a centaur walking down the hall. Not only are you not human, but you shed."

He feigned being miffed but slipped the large, nearly-invisible cloak back over himself. She headed off for Artemis's study, where he was most likely to be found. She was right, as usual, and he was seated before his computer, fingers tapping away on the desk where the keyboard was projected.

"Artemis," she called, closing the door behind Foaly. He looked up, taking the display glasses off and setting them down. Foaly pulled off the camfoil and grinned broadly as Artemis stood to greet him. They clapped each other on the back in a quick, friendly hug and shook hands.

"Business went well?" Artemis asked, motioning for Foaly to have a seat.

The centaur folded his legs daintily and lowered himself to the marble floor, nodding. "Very well. How are things here?" None too discreetly, he eyed Holly, who was easing into a chair. "You two uh… you're…? I mean, not that I would mind, but seriously, Artemis, I thought you would've told me if you were married."

"Nope," Holly replied lightly, "we're not married. As I said, it's a long story."

"Well, seeing as I am staying with you for a week…"

"A week?" Holly echoed, "I don't think so."

"Why not?" Foaly looked miffed.

"You think we can hide you for a week?" she raised an eyebrow. "Besides, why do you want to stay for so long? I thought you and Caballine were really busy."

"Yeah." He looked uncomfortable and pushed himself to his feet. "I have to use the washroom. Is there one anywhere nearby?"

"I'll show you where it is," Holly said, also standing. Artemis helped her up gallantly, an arm around her middle. She gave him a small smile in thanks and motioned for Foaly to follow. He did, after pulling the camfoil over himself again, and as soon as they were out the door, Holly rounded on him. "Is something… wrong? Between you and Caballine, I mean." It was a harsh question, but it was kindly asked.

"No," he replied, too quickly. There was a moment's pause, and then, "Sort of."

She regarded the tiny shimmer that was his face compassionately. "Want to talk about it?"

"Not particularly," he muttered, but talk about it he did. "It's just that she's been so… so… I don't know. Emotional, I suppose. She's always either busy with something else, or she's in a bad mood and doesn't want to talk or have anything to do with me."

"Hiding out up here isn't going to help matters," Holly told him factually. When he said nothing, she relented and dropped her stern expression, turning to face him with a small smile. "I know it's hard and it talking things like this over really is not enjoyable, but you have to do it. The longer you put it off, the more unpleasant it's going to get." She stopped and pushed open a door. "Here you go, a washroom."

"I don't have to go," he admitted. Holly sighed and shifted her weight to one foot.

"Foaly—" she began in annoyance.

"I know, I know," he muttered, "I just wanted to talk. I know it's selfish of me, but… I'm still not sure I want to go back."

She relented and gave him a small smile. "I know. But in this case, you don't really have a choice. Stay with us for a day, if you want, but you can't leave Caballine on her own for any longer than that. She has two kids to take care of there—she needs your help, and it's your obligation to do so."

She heard him deflate with a heavy sigh. A moment later, camfoil rustled as he lifted his head again. "You know, I'm supposed to be the smart one here," he said, the grin clear in his voice. She gave a little half-laugh. "Thanks, Holly," he said, more seriously now. "You're right."

"Of course I'm right," she joked, "Aren't I always?"

"Oh, of course, always!" he said sarcastically and she phwacked his flank in mock anger, beginning to head back to Artemis's study. After perhaps thirty seconds of silence, Foaly spoke again. "So… are you going to tell me that long story now?"

She looked at the air where he was out of the corner of her eye and gave him the abridged version, stating the facts and brushing over the bits that he didn't really need to know. By the time they stood outside the closed door to the study, she'd finished and Foaly was contemplatively silent. As she reached out to turn the doorknob, he asked, quietly, "Do you love him, Holly?"

Her hand snapped back to her side with a sharp thud. The camfoil had come off his head and shoulders, and he looked… compassionate. "I…"

"I know losing Artemis was hard for you," he said softly, stepping closer and putting a hand on her shoulder. "I want you to be happy, Hol. Is this what you want?"

She looked at him, her lips slightly parted and her brow just barely furrowed. Her eyes strayed aside to the baseboards on her right. "Yes," she said finally. "I do. I'm not sure… if this is what I want—" she looked back up at him, the heel of one hand swiftly removing any tears that might have been gathering, and smiled, "but I love him, and this will work out eventually." And, with that, she opened the door.

Okay. Sorry for the HUGE delay! I am considering ending it there, but if enough people complain, then I'll probably continue. Anyhow, I actually am very sorry. Really! I swear. Much apologies!