A/N: Man, how do I follow a chapter like the last? I hope you guys are still reading…
And to the reviewer who asked if this story has an actual plot or is simply about the memories and all: Well, I honestly haven't decided! ;)
LEP Headquarters, Lower Elements
Surprisingly enough, the day after Artemis regained his memories, both his and Holly's lives were pretty much back to normal. The week continued with telephone calls arranged by Foaly and a few emails a day. Artemis had to continue living his normal life so that no one would suspect anything, and Holly was very busy with planning. Planning of what, she couldn't exactly reveal yet. She had to be sure… sure that this was going to work out.
Sitting at one of the computer terminals in the LEP computer lab, Holly checked her email on her lunch hour. It was Friday and she was ecstatic. Her life in general may have been back to normal, but her life at LEP Recon was surely not normal. Foaly was constantly making remarks about her hair since he had heard the compliment that Artemis had given her, and Trouble was pouting, plotting, and behaving very unpleasantly. Root was constantly frowning at her from behind his stinking cigar, yelling at her for every misstep she took. As if she wasn't having enough trouble concentrating already!
From: Artemis@FowlManor.net
To: HShort@LEPrecon.LEP.net
11:45:15 GMT
Dear Holly,
The plans are all set for tonight. Butler doesn't suspect anything and my parents think I am going on a research trip to London for a week. I've got the dart you loaned me, and as soon as Butler and I reach the rendezvous spot, I will shoot him in the neck with it. We should be there around 6:30pm. You'll be off work by that time, correct? I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight. Perhaps while Butler is indisposed in Foaly's laboratory, we could head off to the cinema. The fairies wouldn't be too upset to see a Mud Boy in their theatre, would they?
Sincerely,
Artemis
The movies? Artemis wanted to take her to the movies? She felt giddier than she had ever felt in her short 85 years, and it was all because a Mud Man had asked her to go to the cinema. After taking a deep drink from her bottle of still water, Holly composed a reply to his email and then logged off of the computer when she had finished, running all the way to Recon so that she wouldn't be late again.
Fowl Manor, Ireland
After a light lunch of broiled trout, broccoli, and new potatoes, Artemis snuck up to his room to check for Holly's latest email. He knew that she would be on her lunch hour, and he was sure that she would check her email in the LEP labs. He also knew that she would check her email on her evening break at four thirty, ensuring that he would get at least one more email from her before he saw her. Locking the door behind him, Artemis retrieved his laptop from his dresser and sat down on his bed, reclining into the large feather pillows.
The aftermath of Foaly's "memory virus" was only apparent when the computer reached the login screen. The usual "Artemis Fowl" was replaced with "Mud Boy." Artemis was perfectly capable of fixing the problem, but he found it rather amusing. A smile crossed his lips as he typed in his password. He immediately went to his email inbox to read Holly's newest email. It had almost become an addiction for both of them, and Artemis was ready for his next fix. Seeing the name "Captain Holly Short" evoked more emotions in him than habañero peppers did, and that was really saying something. His heart pounded wildly as the message opened on his screen.
From: HShort@LEPrecon.LEP.net
To: Artemis@FowlManor.net
12:21:30 GMT
Artemis,
Yes, I will be done with my shift before 6:30, so I should be able to accompany Foaly to the rendezvous point. Make sure you bring a swimsuit with you for this weekend. We might be able to sneak up to Tara to take a swim in the ponds there. I've got your sleeping quarters all reserved for you at the hotel in downtown Haven. Mud Men have stayed there before, so you shouldn't be frowned upon too much. As for the movie theatre, I would love to go, but they are playing the most horrible movies right now. Instead, we can go to my apartment and watch one of my favorite movies. It's a little bloody and gory, but I'm sure you will enjoy it.
I'm looking forward to seeing you, too. We've got a lot of catching up to do, and I can't wait to hear all about your three "fairy-less" years.
Sorry, have to run!
Holly
A movie at Holly's apartment? His body practically shook from the nervous energy that was welling up inside of him. He would be so happy to see her again, and the thought of spending time alone with her was almost too much for him to handle. No Foaly, no Butler, just Artemis and Holly. The keys clacked as Artemis typed a reply, trying not to sound desperate.
From: Artemis@FowlManor.net
To: HShort@LEPrecon.LEP.net
12:35:08 GMT
Dear Holly,
The movie idea sounds excellent to me, and it will be nice to have some time alone to catch up on the past three years. However, I don't believe that mine were exactly "fairy-free." What's this I hear about you sneaking up to the surface to spy on me? Foaly told me that you almost got caught, but he covered for you. I know, I'm irresistible. ;) Just kidding! I hope you're enjoying your shift this afternoon. I'm sure that no one is making life easy for you at LEP headquarters since the name Artemis Fowl doesn't exactly bring about happy memories for a few of the officers. However, if I could convince you that I'm not evil, I'm sure I won't have too much trouble with the rest. Convincing you of that was only slightly more difficult than walking on water. But alas, I'm rambling. Enjoy your shift and I shall see you soon. My mobile is on, if you need to reach me.
Sincerely,
Artemis
His bags were completely packed and loaded by two thirty, including any equipment he might need for his fictitious research trip. He and Butler would need to leave by three thirty for the plan to work out correctly, and many lies were going to have to be told to get Butler to drive in the opposite direction of the airport. Artemis knew he would have no trouble explaining away the change in plans, but he wasn't sure that he would be able to shoot Butler with the dart. After all, wasn't that what Butler had been trained for? Dodging darts? Artemis tapped his fingers silently on the bar counter in the kitchen, contemplating his plan. Butler was preparing a snack of cucumber sandwiches for he and Artemis since it had been several hours since lunch.
The casually dressed Artemis Fowl followed Butler outside to the car after they had their snack, and Artemis checked his titanium Rolex watch. 3:28. Perfect. He adjusted the collar on his yellow Izod polo shirt and climbed into the back seat of the family's new, black Cadillac CTS. Butler did his typical under-car check and then climbed into the driver's seat, starting the American import and pulling out of the manor's garage. As Butler made the motions to turn left, Artemis said, "Butler, turn right. We're not going to the airport." Butler corrected the vehicle and then replied simply, "As I suspected, Artemis." Artemis handed him a sheet of directions to Tara, informing him to follow them. That was easier than I originally expected, Artemis mused, pulling his mobile phone out of his pocket.
Artemis Fowl didn't like waiting. After three years of maturation and growth, one would think that patience would have been something Artemis could have learned. On the contrary, Artemis was even more impatient. He currently felt that as every second passed, his chest got a little tighter, restricting his breathing. After twenty minutes of agony, he pressed the window switch and let in some fresh air, taking a deep breath. "Are you alright, Artemis?" Butler asked, catching his eyes in the rear view mirror. "I'm fine. It's just a bit stuffy in here," Artemis replied, wondering if Butler would be able to see the gun before he shot the dart. .
On time as always, Holly's email arrived to Artemis at four thirty-five. His mobile beeped, indicating that he had received an email, so he quickly opened his laptop which was connected to Ireland's wireless network.
To: Artemis@FowlManor.net
From: HShort@LEPrecon.LEP.net
16:33:09 GMT
Artemis,
I will be so glad when this shift is over. It seems that some goblin decided to go crazy on the streets in a small Haven neighborhood, and he started throwing fireballs at this lady's house. Well the lady comes back out with this fire extinguisher and sprays the goblin. This only made the goblin angrier, so he started throwing more fireballs. Pretty soon, the whole block was in flames. What does this have to do with Recon, you ask? Well, believe me. I asked myself the same question. But Root insisted that I go to the scene, so now I'm covered in soot and foam from the fire extinguisher. I'm leaving early to take a shower whether he likes it or not.
Well, I hope things are going alright with you. Good luck with the dart. Foaly and I will be there to meet you at 6:30. I'm sure you're already on your way now. I can't wait to see you!
See you soon,
Holly
Artemis spent the next hour reading through his and Holly's old emails from the week. He couldn't help but smile. From the second Artemis regained his memory, a strange feeling had been present in the pit of his stomach. The feeling changed with his moods, and sometimes it made him nauseous. Other times, it filled his whole body, bringing a slight tingle to his finger tips. As he relaxed into the leather seats of the Cadillac, he closed his eyes, remembering what Holly's long hair had looked like… how he had longed to reach out and touch it. What was happening to him? He had never felt this way before. It was almost as if… no, it couldn't be. But why else would he be so nervous? Artemis's eyes popped open, his vision falling on the trees outside. They were so green. Artemis smiled, leaning back into the leather seat.
To be continued…