Author's Note: Just need to clear one point nagging away at my mind, and you can get on with the story without me disturbing you. :)

animefanatic07 - Holly's marriage to Trouble is mentioned in the very first chapter, so if you've forgotten, you may go back and read it again to refresh your memory. I'm sorry if I've spoiled things for you by mentioning the marriage in the Author's Notes that appear later on. [Why didn't you remember?! Grrr...:)]

Thanks to the reviewers: Hermione Weasley, Skye, Red Moon Kree, flamaria13, Pink-Cherry-Blossom, Rhapsody, Butler, Misti, Magic Girl2, Gliniel, Artemis Fowl the Second and Angel of the Storms. Keep on reviewing!

Chapter Fifteen: Slipping Away

(Trouble's point of view)

Morning

Chuckles erupted from the dark figure's mouth as his shaking fingers moved meticulously over seemingly porcelain skin, hazel eyes smiling up at him.

"It won't be long until I have you," he whispered to himself, hardly daring to contain his excitement as he whispered to the photograph, a photograph of their graduating class from the LEP Academy, his heart sinking for just a moment that he did not have the real thing just yet. How unfair it was that he could see but not feel. He could breathe her in but not have her by his side. Rage began to well up inside him like a simmering stew, threatening to spill out of him and overwhelming anyone who came near him. He tried to control it by consoling himself that soon, all he ever wanted would be his.

The figure turned around to stand under the light, and his face was illuminated just then, revealing to the world that this man was Trouble, and the picture he held in his hand was of Holly. His facial features twisted as he presented a menacing smile to anyone who was watching, as if challenging them to ask why he was so happy.

Trouble whistled to himself as he busied himself around the house, pretending all was well, that he was going about his usual routine. At that precise moment, the doorbell rang, startling Trouble. He composed himself and opened the door carefully, his brown eyes roaming the area outside like a curious child.

"Oh, it's you. Come in," Trouble said pleasantly, and gave his best smile. Everything is going according to plan, he thought gleefully, and resisted the urge to rub his hands together like a scientist who had just accomplished a feat.

The hazel-eyed auburn-haired beauty, also known as Holly, stepped in quickly, not noticing anything strange about Trouble. But of course. She wasn't meant to notice anything different about him. He prided himself on being such a good actor. Perhaps Underwood (the fairy equivalent of Hollywood) could now offer him a role.

"I just wanted to see if you were okay," Holly asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

Trouble almost laughed and thought, If only she knew. But instead, he tried a small smile, halfway between the expression of I'm-feeling-fine and semi-depression. "Everything's all right, I'm not going to fall apart."

"So you have...you have no qualms about me seeing Artemis?" Holly asked nervously.

"None at all," Trouble said lightly, then something grew in his eyes as he looked at her and he dropped his tone to a more husky one, "Although I do regret..." he stepped closer to her and brushed a strand of hair out of her eye, "not having made a faster move." Trouble almost sighed with bliss. Being this close to her made vengeance all the more sweet.

Holly stepped back, clearly alarmed, and Trouble mentally cursed himself for giving in too quickly and allowing his hidden feelings for Holly to show, therefore causing her now to be on her guard. He could almost see the defence walls around Holly build up as she regarded him cautiously, her eyes glinting with her trademark don't-mess-with-me attitude.

Trouble immediately transformed back into the Trouble everyone knew - the calm, dependable Trouble. He managed a small grin at the defensive Holly, and spoke, an even note in his voice. "I'm thinking of holding a little reunion party actually, Holly. You know, just the six of us - you and I, Commander Root, Butler, and Fowl boy."

"That's...that's great," Holly replied, visibly relaxing, but still keeping a safe distance from Trouble.

"We haven't been together like this for quite some time," Trouble went on. "So maybe we could have it this evening, at seven, since it's a holiday. Just a small one, and you could bring Artemis along."

Holly smiled just a bit, contemplating the idea in her mind. Who knows what else she's contemplating, Trouble thought, as he waited for her answer.

"Count me in," she said, smiling.

"That's good, I was hoping you would agree," Trouble said sincerely, the plan once again unfolding in his mind. "I was hoping you wouldn't forget a friend like me."

"With a face like that, of course I wouldn't forget you," Holly laughed.

Trouble frowned. Was Holly teasing, or was that a genuine insult? he pondered. I can never get Holly's sarcasm.

Holly seemed to realise his confusion, and stopped chuckling. "Relax, I was just kidding."

"Oh, I - I see," Trouble replied, trying a laugh. It sounded fake.

An awkward silence hung in the air between them, and Trouble felt like a failure again.

"I guess I should get going now," Holly said, turning around and walking towards the door.

"Holly, wait," Trouble found himself calling.

"Yes?" Holly turned around, her hazel eyes looking into his brown ones.

Unable to restrain himself, he strode forward quickly and grazed her lips lightly with his. Trouble noticed Holly's stunned hazel eyes widening, unsure of how to react. Guilt and pleasure seared through the fusion of both lips - pleasure on Trouble's side, guilt and horror on Holly's side. She pulled away, shocked, her hazel eyes searching for an answer in his brown ones. Instinctively, she ran her fingers over her lips, as if trying to erase the memory of the kiss away.

Trouble smiled in spite of Holly's astonishment. "Sweet," was all he commented, before sending Holly out of the door and closing it behind her, keeping the pleasant memory locked away in his heart.

~*~

(Holly's point of view)

Holly found herself preoccupied with the kiss Trouble had given her. What had possessed him to do that? she found herself asking, not noticing the world around her as she contemplated Trouble's motives.

I thought he said he's over me, and is getting on with life all right, Holly thought.

No, he didn't say that, you nincompoop, you assumed! her sub-conscience argued back.

While Holly tried to sort out the confused emotions ravaging her soul, she crashed into something solid, and got quite a shock when that something solid spoke back.

"I might have known it was you," someone drawled sarcastically, and Holly shifted her focus to the person. Artemis, but of course. She tried a smile.

Can he tell that I've just been kissed by someone else? Holly thought frantically.

"And why is that? Because my beauty is so mesmerising that you've got it imprinted in your head?" Holly replied back, with an equal amount of sarcasm.

"You flatter yourself so, Captain Short. Don't you realise that the only reason why you're an LEP officer is because all the other companies took a look at your face and fired you on the spot?" Artemis grinned, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. Yet, they both knew he meant otherwise. They both knew what it was exactly that he thought of her. Thoughts of Trouble lay forgotten as Holly launched herself fully into the battle of wits.

"How remarkably shallow you are!" Holly exclaimed, exaggerating for effect. "To think that a genius placed so much emphasis on looks."

"So you agree that I'm a genius, then?" Artemis challenged, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose I should be flattered by your flat-out confession, but to your misfortune, I find that a compliment coming from an intellectually-challenged being such as you is really not to my liking."

"What a show of arrogance!" Holly exclaimed, resisting the temptation to roll her eyes. "No wonder nobody likes you."

"Now, we both know that's not true, isn't it?" Artemis replied, smiling. "So now that we've come to the most enjoyable and mushy part of our conversation, I suppose I should whine and ask where you've been and complain that I've missed you like crazy."

"Oh, my pleasure. Go ahead, and when you're done, I'll give you a lollipop to cheer you up," Holly chuckled.

"But surely you must know that lollipops aren't my favourite source of comfort? I'm so disappointed in you, Captain Short. If I were to give you a test on how well you know me, you'd score a miserable zero," Artemis said.

"I agree, how unacceptable! I suppose I should ask for your forgiveness and say I love you."

"I love you too."

"Urrrrgh," Holly pretended to throw up, and Artemis grinned. Both of their faces were flushed with success at their own ability to throw each other off. Artemis' grin was infectious, and soon enough, Holly found herself smiling too. She had also realised that Artemis had managed to distract her from her thoughts for a whole minute. Amazing.

"Before you spew out any more corny comments," Holly began, "Trouble's invited us for a reunion gathering at his house tonight, at seven. He'd like us to come along."

"So there is an 'us', eh?" Artemis challenged, his blue eyes twinkling with merriment.

"Don't start that lovey-dovey stuff again, my stomach really can't take it anymore," Holly warned, but allowing a small smile to tug at her lips. They both knew she was just joking. "Has Butler gone back to Fowl Manor?"

A shadow passed over Artemis' face as he looked at his shoes and began quietly, "Yes, I neglected to tell you, he's gone back."

Immediately, Holly was reminded of the impending departure of Artemis. He couldn't stay here forever, that much she knew. "What are your parents going to say when they don't find you there?"

Artemis waved the idea off. "I've told Butler to tell my parents I've gone on a skiing trip with my school."

"But you can't use that excuse forever -"

"Holly, let's not talk about it."

"Okay."

Artemis frowned, and the magical mood of that morning had suddenly disappeared because of Holly's questions. Holly almost hated herself for ruining the mood, but all her thoughts were banished once again as Artemis spoke.

"You know...I don't quite trust Trouble," he said, his forehead creasing as he began to worry. "He's a sneaky, devious one."

"Don't say that," Holly said, an unexplained guilt throbbing away merrily in her heart as the kiss Trouble planted on her floated back to her mind and burned itself there. Although she hadn't participated in it, she still felt like she had been unfaithful to Artemis.

Don't be ridiculous. You're not married to Artemis or anything, Holly thought.

"It's just this inkling I've got," Artemis went on. "Like he's up to something."

"He's our friend, why would he harm us?" Holly said impatiently, wishing Artemis would just stop talking about Trouble and change the subject. It was making her feel very uneasy.

"I don't know, I can't quite put my finger on it either," Artemis said.

"Then stop talking about it."

"Are you all right, Holly? You've been quite jittery ever since you went out. Either that or you're lost in your own world."

Holly was thrown back by the sudden observation. "I'm fine!" she squeaked. She knew she was a very bad liar, and it showed in the way her tone would change if she tried to cover something up. Artemis seemed to know too, but he didn't pursue it.

"All right," was all he said.

~*~

(Trouble's point of view)

Night

Trouble whistled merrily to himself as he laid out the cutlery and food. Five tall wine glasses already stood silently on the table, and they gave one the impression that they seemed to watching Trouble carefully as his face was reflected in the crystal that made them. Trouble scrutinized the place, before picking up the graduation photo and placing it in his pocket for luck. He resisted the temptation to run his fingers over it once more, just to imagine the feel of Holly's porcelain skin under his fingers. At that moment, the doorbell rang, and it was Commander Root.

"Mud Boy and Holly ain't here yet?" Commander Root asked, taking a seat.

"Speak of the devil," Trouble replied, as the doorbell rang once more, and Trouble opened it up to see Holly and Artemis standing. Just meeting the cool blue of Artemis' eyes gave Trouble the urge to punch him, but he bravely restrained it for Holly's benefit. He noticed Holly avert her eyes away from him, probably because she still hadn't forgotten what he'd done to her just this morning. He directed what he hoped was a seductive leer towards her. After this, she would no longer yearn for Artemis, but stick by his side forever like someone had sealed her there with glue.

Dinner was an uneventful affair. At least, for now. Trouble watched the clock rigidly, because timing was a very important factor in his plan. Root was ever the boisterous one as usual, entertaining Holly with his animated jokes. He had certainly livened up a bit more after the ordeal, no longer being an insufferable commander who bossed everyone about like they were the dirt on the sole of his shoe.

Trouble noticed that Artemis was regarding him intently. Obviously, I haven't gained his trust yet, Trouble thought, an equal amount of animosity showing in his eyes. Trouble's eyes suddenly shifted in expression as he covered up his hatred for Artemis with a more suitably pleasant look. Don't let your hatred get in the way of your plan now, Trouble, he chided himself. After this, it'll be all over, and then you can hate Artemis all you want.

He tried to initiate polite conversation with Artemis, trying to treat him like a friend. "I assume Butler's gone home, Artemis?" Trouble said agreeably.

"I thought it would have been obvious by now," Artemis drawled sarcastically, obviously regarding him with contempt and distrust.

Holly seemed to feel the cloud of tension that hovered over the two men, and turned her attention from Commander Root. She put on a smile on her face and decidedly began stuffing Artemis with food so as to distract him. It worked, and Artemis turned his attention to Holly instead.

"Does this mean that you need your perfect desire to be overweight?" he said sarcastically.

"Were you implying that you were my perfect desire? I'm horrified," Holly replied, evoking laughs from Root and Trouble, but the laughs from Trouble were obviously hypocritical. Inside, he was seething with anger as the two showed perfect camaraderie and were able to exchange words to compliment the other's teasing.

Dinner went on, with a merrier mood now, and the evening began to grow into darkness.

Trouble's attention shifted back to the clock, which now read eight o'clock at night. Trouble smiled to himself. Time to execute my plan, he thought devilishly, as he got up from his chair and excused himself. The other three lay oblivious to the scheme that would soon unfold, instead choosing to indulge themselves in the pleasantries of this world while a bitter man hid in the shadowed depths of the kitchen, resenting their laughter and happiness which were void from his life. With shaking hands, he put his plan into action, and after getting ready, he went out again into the dining room in which hung an air of mirth and hilarity, the sweet components of life.

"Need a refill of wine, People?" Trouble asked pleasantly, and Commander Root laughed at the double meaning of his sentence - People could also stand for fairies.

"No thanks, I feel like an overblown balloon," Commander Root replied, but Holly jostled him in the side.

"Oh, come on, be a good sport, Commander! Might as well get blown up," she chuckled in a girlish manner, and Trouble realised that Holly hadn't been able to hold her liquor well. She was already half-tipsy. Only Artemis had the sense to leave his drink alone, and watch Holly with amusement.

"That's two, how about you, Artemis?"

Artemis frowned at the politeness directed towards him, but he obviously decided to forego his suspicions for once and indulge in a trust he had never been able to. "That's all right, I haven't touched mine."

Trouble insisted. "Oh, but you must drink some. Let me get a new glass for you."

"No thanks," Artemis said quietly, his blue eyes defiant.

Just then, Holly elbowed Artemis in the side, unable to keep her flailing arms in control as the alcohol drenched her brain. "Oh, Artemis, join in the fun!"

"I'd refrain, before I end up punching everyone like you are right now, Holly," Artemis said, smiling gently at her.

Commander Root laughed while Holly sulked, the alcohol having adverse effects on her common sense. "Well, if you don't like wine, you could always have a glass of water. Won't want you getting dehydrated now," Root said wisely. "Anyway! Indulge in Trouble's hospitality for a while!"

"Exactly what Root says. I wouldn't want you dying on me because you had nothing to drink," Trouble agreed, an ironical smile twisting his face. Demented thoughts began to appear in his mind.

"No, you wouldn't want that," Artemis said reluctantly, as if he knew what Trouble was thinking. "I think I'll have a glass of water, then," he said slowly, and cautiously, as if Trouble might do anything to his drink.

"No problem."

The glasses clinked together as he gathered them up, and refilled them with new drinks. The three outside were blissfully unaware of what was now happening in the kitchen. They dissolved into their own world of heavenly stupor and did not realise Trouble had come out of the kitchen with their refilled drinks until he placed them in front of them.

Trouble watched intently as Artemis drank his water. With the maniac glint in his eye, one would be assuming that any moment now, Artemis would suddenly have boils erupting all over his face and cause him a gory sort of death, or his skin would shrivel up and wilt away as a dehydration potion sucked the life out of his body. Or Artemis would suddenly lose control of his sanity and plunge a knife through his stomach, or keel over, foaming at the mouth, or suddenly cease to exist and disappear into nothingness.

But moments went by, and nothing happened. Nothing happened at all. But of course, who knew what Trouble had done except himself? Sometimes it was scarier this way, for one was left in the darkness as to whether he had tampered with the drinks at all...or if he had decided to abandon the plan he so desired to carry out.

"That was good water," Artemis said nonchalantly.

Trouble chuckled. "I'm sure it was."

~*~

(Artemis' point of view)

After dinner

Late at night

Holly murmured something incoherent as Artemis gathered the limp body up in his arms and prepared to leave Trouble's house. Halfway through dinner, her head had fallen onto her food as the alcohol overpowered her brain. Trouble had carried her over to the couch. She was fast asleep, of course, the alcohol having had a huge impact on her brain. He almost chuckled as he looked down at her slumbering form, wondering why Holly sometimes abandoned all rationality and took up a challenge she knew she couldn't overcome. She had tried to keep her alcohol in check, but eventually, it had consumed her altogether. Must be a headstrong personality trait, Artemis thought wryly as he tried to answer his own question.

He felt Trouble tapping him on the shoulder from behind, and he turned around, startled.

"I want to talk to you," was all he said. Just six words.

Artemis felt compelled to hear what he had to say, and put Holly's sleeping form down onto a couch as he stood in front of Trouble and listened.

It didn't take long. Just about a minute or two. Yet, it left Artemis with the most hollow and empty feeling in his heart ever imaginable.

~*~

(Still Artemis' point of view)

Late at night

Holly's house

Artemis shuffled into Holly's house slowly, feeling a dazed horror from within him unfold. His heart was numb without emotion, and Holly hardly weighed anything as his brain still tried to register what Trouble had told him. He couldn't feel his feet touching the floor, and felt only a slight nausea as the news came back to him. With each step he took into the house, he felt himself distancing away from the world, so much so that if he were to walk any further, he would disappear entirely.

Everything was so robotic in the way he moved now: the steps to Holly's room, the placing of her sleeping form on the bed, the blankets drawn over her to keep her warm. For a moment he watched the serenity emanate from the sleeping Holly, feeling a fierce jealousy towards her, that she could still remain so peaceful when his own brain was clouded in turmoil.

His first emotion towards what Trouble had said was disbelief. Then when he realised that Trouble had in fact been speaking the truth and there was no way to reject it, a rage had begun to stir deep down inside of him, and he had an insane urge to deck the living daylights out of Trouble, or to tear something apart, to blow something up just to release the fury within. Yet, he had held himself back, because no amount of anger could change the way things were. The third feeling, helplessness, had then set in. He was a genius, damn it, he should have a solution to this, yet, he found no answers. All he could do now was lament, regret, feel repentant.

"I know now what I must do," Artemis had said to Trouble, his head feeling dizzy from the news, and his blue eyes briefly registered the menacing, victorious glee in Trouble's brown eyes before he shut himself out from the world, preferring to dwell in his own sorrow. "I shall leave."

And leave he would. He shut his eyes, refusing to feel any more last regrets. He opened those blue eyes just once more, and the tormenting image of Holly came back to him, as he watched her; so vulnerable, so innocent, so helpless. He knew she wasn't the fearless girl everyone knew, and for that, he worried. But too late for worries now. His heart was dead, empty, lifeless, stabbed by the piercing words of Trouble.

Artemis looked at the sleeping Holly one last time before he gently ran a hand over her lightly tousled reddish-brown hair, and pressed his lips to her forehead. For a moment, he heard her stir, murmur something that vaguely sounded like "Artemis", as if trying to call him back, before he shook his head and chided himself for imagining things. His hand lingered on her forehead for a moment, a sign of affection, before it trailed off, leaving just a burning path of remembrance on her face.

It was time to let go, and only the night wind mourned Artemis' exit as Holly slept on, oblivious to everything.