Author's Note: It is my spring break now, but the first several days of it my fandom focus switched entirely over to Star Trek, hence the slight delay in finishing this chapter. Rest in Peace, Leonard Nimoy.
-SQ
Disclaimer: I claim membership in many fandoms, but ownership of none of them.
Chapter Fifty-Two: Jealousy
Trolls, though Holly vehemently, wiping mud off her visor, were not pleasant. In fact, perhaps the only thing less pleasant than a rouge troll was a rogue troll being controlled by a rouge dwarf. The troll at least, was just following its base instincts; the way the dwarf had been using fear and pain to get it to do his dirty work almost made Holly feel sorry for the troll. Either way, Mr. Clayhill was now in police custody, and a relocation team had his unwilling pet in transit to the old Eleven Wonders theme park, which had been converted into a troll preserve. Not that the trolls themselves needed preserving, but if it kept them out of the LEP's hair, Holly wasn't complaining. The only good thing about this assignment, other than the undeniable satisfaction of getting a lowlife like Buster Clayhill arrested, was the fact that it brought her within flying distance of Fowl Manor.
Holly alighted on the bank of a river and stripped off her wings and helmet. While Artemis had certainly seen her in worse states of disrepair, Fowl Manor had not, and she highly doubted that any of its residents, with the likely exception of Beckett, would appreciate her tracking troll musk and dwarf recyclings through its corridors.
When she was clean and reasonably dry, thanks to a brisk flight and the warm day, Holly landed on the front step of Artemis's family home and waved cheerily at the hidden camera she knew was pointed at her face. Of course, a normal camera would neither be that low down nor able to pick up her image while she was shielded, but Artemis's security cameras were not normal cameras. After a few moments the door unlocked and swung open seemingly of its own accord and Holly stepped into the grand foyer.
"Thanks, Big Man," Holly said to the empty room. She started toward the staircase which lead to Artemis's rooms. The Manor was quiet today, the twins must be out. The first voices Holly heard were coming from her boyfriend's study. Holly unshielded and gave the door a perfunctory knock before opening it.
Artemis, who was seated on the sofa, looked up, and Holy could have sword there was a note of guilt in the look of surprise that passed across his face. Not that Holly could blame him for that, seeing as the person sitting next to him was none other than Minerva Paradizo.
"Holly," said Artemis, standing. "I was not expecting you."
"That much is obvious," said the elf tightly, eyeing the other woman with distaste. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Nothing pressing," said Artemis. "Minerva and I were just discussing a possible collaboration. Her students could benefit from a guest lecturer and there are very few people who can appreciate certain details of my ventures."
"Fairy related details?" said Holly dangerously.
"Among others," Artemis acquiesced.
Minerva, who had been watching this exchange as though it were a tennis match, stood and extended her hand to Holly. "Captain Short, how lovely to see you again. I hope you are well?" Holly glowered and the other woman's smile faltered a fraction. "Unfortunately I must be leaving, but perhaps we can catch up another time. I look forward to sharing your company when our lives at not in danger."
The look on Holly's face said not to count on Minerva's life not being in danger if she didn't get out of there fast. The blonde nodded to Artemis and thanked him for his hospitality and then hurried from the room, saying she would show herself out. Artemis made to follow anyway, not wanting to exhibit a lack of manners, but found his way blocked by three feet of angry elf.
"Holly—"
"What was she doing here?"
"I already told you," said Artemis. "We were talking business."
"Awfully informal for a business meeting."
"A business meeting between friends," said Artemis, starting to get annoyed. "That wasn't a crime the last time I checked."
"Minerva Paradizo is your 'friend,' is she?" said Holly.
"Yes," said Artemis. "She is. And I don't see why you should have a problem with that."
Holly's eyes flashed. "And yet you didn't tell me she would be here."
"I didn't know that you would be here," Artemis protested.
"So you were going behind my back!"
"Don't be ridiculous," snapped Artemis.
"Ridiculous?" said Holly, who was thrumming so fast with anger that she was flickering in and out of sight. "I know what was between you two, and now as soon as I'm out of sight you call on her. But I'm being ridiculous?"
"You do, do you?" said Artemis icily. "Please enlighten me, because as far as I know the only woman I have ever had a relationship of that nature with is you."
"And does Minerva even know that you and I are together?"
"It never came up," said Artemis defensively.
"I'm sure it didn't."
"Just what do you mean by that?"
"I'm not blind, Artemis, I saw how you looked at each other during the Taipei mission."
"Looked," agreed Artemis, his voice dangerously close to shaking. "Past tense. If you cannot trust me out of your sight, that is your problem. Maybe you should look for a boyfriend a little closer to home."
"Looks like that's what you did," spat Holly.
"I do not have to listen to this," said Artemis, who would probably have been starting to shield himself if he had possessed the ability. "Have a nice flight home," he added, before slamming the door in her face.
*****RTR*****
Holly was so furious that she didn't see Juliet until she quite literally ran into her.
"Oof, Holly, please watch where you're going," said the blonde, rescuing the tea tray she was carrying from depositing its contents on to the floor. Then, "What's wrong?"
"Artemis," Holly choked out. "Minerva…"
"Oh," said Juliet, comprehension dawning on her face. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Holly shrugged, still scowling
"Come on," said Juliet, turning toward the kitchen.
*****RTR*****
Artemis sank down into his chair, head in his hands.
"I didn't do anything wrong," he angrily told his computer. "I don't see Minerva that way anymore. Yes, she's pretty, but I love Holly. She knows that!" The dark screen stared back at him, unresponsive. "And now I'm talking to myself," Artemis added in disgust.
Artemis's phone buzzed in his suit pocket and he pulled it out, grateful for the distraction. Or not.
Text from Minerva Paradizo:
Is everything alright?
Artemis hesitated, he knew that talking to Minerva right now might very well make the situation worse. On the other hand, he had every right to talk to his friend, one of his only friends who didn't work for him; and Minerva was a girl, maybe she would have some insight into Holly's frankly irrational behavior.
Not precisely.
Oh no. What happened?
I hope it wasn't my fault.
It certainly was not. Holly had no reason to act like that towards you. Or towards me.
Oh Artemis, she was obviously jealous. Do you want me to call you or would that make things worse?
You can call.
A moment later Artemis's phone rang.
"Hello," he said tiredly.
"Hello," said Minerva. "Are you okay?"
Artemis signed. "I am frustrated. Holly is being unreasonable."
"Like I said," said Minerva, "she's jealous."
"She has nothing to be jealous about," Artemis protested. "She hates business meetings."
Minerva tutted at him. "Artemis, she walks into find her boyfriend with a beautiful, intelligent girl he once had feelings for and came very close to dating, of course she's jealous. I would be jealous."
"But I did not date you."
"That's beside the point, Artemis. In fact, in some ways it even makes things worse."
"That doesn't make any sense," Artemis protested. And then, "How did you know she was my girlfriend?"
"After that display?" Minerva made a sound akin to a snort. "Artemis, please, I am a genius."
"Touché."
There was a moment of silence on both ends of the receiver.
"You haven't split up, have you?" asked Minerva.
Artemis felt as though he had been kicked in the stomach by a troll. "No, I don't think so. I hope not."
"Good," said Minerva with approval. "She suits you."
Artemis hesitated and then asked, "Then you don't still have romantic feelings for me?"
Minerva laughed. "No, Artemis, at least nothing serious. We are far too similar for anything to have ever worked out. You don't—?"
"No," said Artemis firmly. "No offence intended, of course."
"None taken," Minerva assured him.
*****RTR*****
Juliet brewed another pot of tea for the two of them and set a cup down in front of Holly before facing her across the kitchen table. "Alright, tell me what happened."
Holly glowered at her teacup as though it had done her a personal offence, but she had calmed down enough to at least form coherent sentences. "I walked in on Artemis with Minerva."
Juliet raised her eyebrows. "Walked in on them…doing what, exactly."
"Talking." It sounded lame even to her.
Juliet suppressed a smile.
"They'd been talking about the People," she said defensively.
Somehow Juliet didn't think that was what was truly bothering her friend. "Holly, I understand why you're upset, but do you honestly see Artemis cheating on you?"
"Well, no," Holly admitted. "But Minerva—"
"They had their chance," said Juliet. "They're just friends, trust me. Or rather, trust Artemis."
"He should have told me he was in contact with her again," said Holly.
"Perhaps," Juliet conceded. "So what are you going to do now? Fly back to Haven?"
Holly opened her mouth to say that yes, that was exactly what she was going to do, but then she hesitated. Was that what she really wanted, to go home mad at Artemis, not knowing when their next chance to talk in person would be?
"That's what I thought," said Juliet.
Just then Holly's communicator beeped.
"Captain Short speaking."
"Holly, do you have a minute to talk?"
Holly looked up and met Juliet's eyes then slid off the chair and padded back toward the staircase.
"Holly? Holly, if you would just—"
"Yes, Artemis?" said Holly, pushing open his bedroom door. "I'm listening."
Artemis head shot up. "You're still here."
"Astute observation."
A look of annoyance passed quickly over Artemis's face, but he shook off the feeling. "Holly, I apologize for the things I said, you surprised me and my temper got out of hand. It was not my intention to make you jealous. Minerva and I are colleagues and friends, but there is no longer any question of us being anything else, I assure you."
"How long have you been in contact with her again?"
"A few weeks," said Artemis. "I found that my desire for companionship had increased from what it once was, perhaps because I now know what it was I was missing. Platonic companionship," he added hastily. "I have no wish for either of us to pursue other romantic interests; your position in my life no one else can fill."
"Why didn't you tell me?" said Holly.
"I was not intentionally withholding the information," said Artemis. "I just did not deem it relevant and the opportunity never presented itself. It seems I was mistaken."
"You were."
"She called me just now to make sure everything was alright," said Artemis, in the spirit of full disclosure. "I told her that we are together. Though she had deduced as much from your reaction to her presence in my study." He hesitated. "We are still together?"
Holly had to resist to urge to roll her eyes, her anger already receeding. "Don't be an idiot, Artemis, of course we're still together." The human allowed himself a small smile of relief. "But I'm still angry with you. You know I never liked Minerva."
"She is my friend," said Artemis. "My only human friend who does not work for me."
Holly paused; she had never thought of it that way before. "She's also very pretty," she pointed out, rather lamely. "And very smart."
"A genius, in fact," agreed Artemis. "And two geniuses is one too many for one romantic relationship, don't you agree?" He motioned for Holly to sit beside him. When she didn't move, he continued, "By her own admission we are too similar for such a relationship to work out, so you have no need to worry about competition on that front. She says you suit me."
"Really?" said Holly skeptically. "Minerva said that?"
"I swear it," said Artemis. "And as for her being pretty, I can't deny that she is quite aesthetically pleasing," Holly narrowed her eyes, "but I happen to prefer auburn hair, coffee-colored skin, and a fiery temper."
Grudgingly, Holly smiled. "I'm sorry for shouting at you," she said, walking over to him. "You're right, I was jealous."
Artemis held out his hand and Holly took it. "Flattering," he told her, "but unnecessary." He kissed her palm. "I love you, Holly."
"I know," said Holly. "I love you too. Is this how you feel about my friendship with Trouble?"
"While I cannot know your exact feelings about mine with Minerva, I do imagine that the two are rather similar, yes."
"Jealousy in a relationship is natural, I guess," said Holly. "We just can't let it get the better of us. I wish I got to see you more often. In person, I mean."
"As do I," said Artemis. "But might I suggest that we don't spend the time that we do have lamenting that which we do not?"
Holly smiled elfishly. "You might. What sort of alternative did you have in mind?"
AN: Thank you for your continued patience, until next time (or your review! ;) )
-SQ
