AN: A short chapter.  My apologizes, but that's the way it worked out. 

ASN: And when you finish this, Lessa's going to have more death threats than she can handle. 

Chapter 35

Artemis walked down the hall to his study, deep in thought.  His confrontation with his father had been less than satisfactory, and he was inwardly fuming over the fact that he'd actually told his father about the gold.  Artemis Sr. was bound to find out as soon as he thought of checking the Swiss vault records, of course, but...  Although, now that Artemis had actually told him what happened, or at least, the results of what had happened being a half-ton of gold, his father would probably dismiss it and move on.

Artemis felt his usual smirk slide onto his face.  True, things could be better, but…Simone had left, and his father was probably going to ignore his activities for a while, which meant he could finally get some work done without anyone prying into his business.  He opened the door to his study and stopped.

There was an elf going through his computer files. 

Artemis let the door slam shut behind him.  Holly looked up.  Of course, elf hearing being what it was, he was sure she heard him come in.

"Oh, Arty!" she said with false surprise.  "Come in." 

"Since it's my study, I think I shall." he answered sarcastically.  "What are you doing?" 

"Oh, just browsing.  Trying to find that copy of the Booke you mentioned."  She had a stack of CD-Rs next to her.  "Why?" 

"Haven't you meddled in enough of my affairs today?  It was you who made that noise in the kitchen?" 

"Of course it was.  The conversation was heading in a rather dangerous direction, and besides, that vase was ugly anyway." 

Artemis resisted to urge to roll his eyes.  "That vase was one of my mother's favorites." 

"She shouldn't have placed it in the kitchen.  It's a very dangerous place, you know." Holly quipped. 

"Perhaps.  But you usually don't have to worry about rampaging elves." 

Holly looked up and blinked innocently.  "Arty, what about your family is usual?" 

"Why are you here?" Artemis asked tiredly.  He had not been able to sleep for days, and the confrontations with Badeau and then his father had left him feeling weary and unable to deal with anymore unnecessary verbal sparring.  Holly leaned back in Artemis's chair and rested her feet on his desk. 

"I thought it would be obvious.  I have to wait until the Council decides what to do with you." 

"I didn't think you'd be waiting here." Artemis replied.  "After all, you wouldn't want to be contaminated by Mud People anymore than necessary."

"That's all right." Holly chirped, an evil smile blooming on her face.  "I've come to the personal conclusion that you're not human anyway." 

Artemis sighed deeply.  "What are you doing here?" he repeated. 

Holly sighed theatrically in return.  "I though we just went over that." 

"Captain…" the teen said ominously. 

Holly sat up and took her feet off his desktop.  "Uh-oh." she muttered. 

Artemis looked at Holly, his eyes wary and suspicious.  "You have been annoying me with all your strength for the last week and a half, and I want to know why." 

Holly smiled at him.  "I told you.  Payback." 

"I cannot possibly provide that much entertainment." Artemis said coolly. 

"Oh, you'd be surprised."  Holly quipped.  Artemis just stared at her.  After a moment of strained silence, she gave in.  "All right, Artemis.  Do you really want to know that badly?" 

He nodded.  Holly fidgeted slightly.  Either he would approve of her caution or become horribly offended.  She had a feeling she knew which.  The elf finally looked at the teen. 

"I wanted to be here in case you decided to betray the People with your new-found memories.  I had to monitor you." 

Artemis stared at her for a long moment.  "Why would I betray the People?  Did you think I wanted revenge for being mindwiped?" 

Holly didn't say a word. 

"You've accused me of some unspeakable things in the time we've known each other, Holly," Artemis said in a tone devoid of all emotion.  Holly dared to look at him and could not hold back a shiver.  Many things had happened to strain the boy's temper over the past week, but she had never seen Artemis as coldly furious as he was now.  "But tell me truthfully, do you really think I would betray the People…and for such a petty reason?"  He paused and Holly could see past his mask, just for a second, and she knew how deeply her words had wounded him.  Then he said softly,

"That hurts, Holly."

Those three words threw Holly a double loop.  She began to stutter.  "I...I, well, we…I had to-"  Artemis just looked at her.  The elf pulled herself together.  "I had to prove to the Council that you could be trusted.  I had to watch you."

Artemis shook his head.  "How can you expect the Council to trust me when even you don't trust me?" he asked softly and headed for the study door.  Holly followed him, looking up sharply at that statement and noticing something strange.  Artemis's eyes, which had just been so cold, were abnormally shiny.  Maybe…with unshed tears…?    

She gawked at him for a second.  Before she could say anything else, he shut the door in her face.

"I can't believe he thinks that." she breathed softly.  "I have to show him that he's wrong." 

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Foaly interrupted over the communication system.  "I think you should let him cool down, Holly."

"What were you doing listening to my conversation, anyway?"

"You are an LEP officer in hostile territory.  It's a safety precaution."  When Holly didn't respond, he sighed.  "All right, I was eavesdropping.  I was tired of listening to Mulch and Julius argue, so I thought I'd listen to you and the Mud Boy argue.  And you really shook him this time, Holly.  I mean, he's never shown so much emotion at once. I think he's really mad.  You should leave alone; let him cool down.  Think about it." 

Holly thought about it.  Then Foaly heard the unmistakable sound of the communication system being switched off.  He sat back in his seat with a huff.  "Stupid elf." 

AN: Hee hee hee.   I can see all the looks of fury. 

ASN: And I can see the missiles headed our way.  Everyone, please keep in mind that if you kill us, we can't tell you what happened. 

AN: But here's a new piece to think about:

Artemis studied her for a moment.  "Did you tell the Council anything about what happened before I had my memories returned?" 

Holly flushed, just a little.  "No."

"So, you lied about me being perfectly harmless?" 

"I didn't lie!" Holly snapped.  "I exaggerated a little."

AN: You know, this chapter really is short.  Maybe I should update the next sooner. 

ASN: Maybe.  But that would just end the story faster. 

AN: True.  All you readers will just have to suffer.