Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl
Alyssa will not get kidnapped. What happens is actually a far, far worse fateā¦
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Artemis and Alyssa went out 3 more times over the next month, always Artemis and Butler picking Alyssa up from her house. Artemis managed to arrange every date so that it fell during the time when Alyssa's father took his weekly visit to see his mother, whose health was failing.
Before every date, Juliet would help Artemis pick out what to wear (usually having to take him shopping first so he wouldn't be overdressed). As far as Artemis's "miscellaneous" category was concerned, at the end of every date Artemis and Alyssa kissed goodnight, just a short sweet kiss (after all they were fourteen, they didn't need more than that).
It was the night after Artemis's fourth date and Artemis was eating dinner with his parents and the Butlers.
"Son, we still haven't met this Alyssa you've been seeing," remarked Fowl senior.
"Arty, your father's right. You've been seeing this girl for a month. I think it's high time your father and I finally got to meet her. You've never brought her by the house." His mother looked at him accusingly.
"Well," Artemis fumbled for words.
"We should have her over for dinner next Thursday. Better yet, we should have her whole family over. I think you mentioned she has a little brother. How's your schedule for next Thursday, Timmy?"
"I don't have any plans, and if I do, I'll cancel them. It sounds like a splendid idea. I'd love to meet the young lady who finally caught Artemis's attention."
"You would?" Artemis's heart seemed to fall into his stomach. This was bad, very bad. They'd never quite gotten around to explaining Artemis's past to Alyssa's family. As far as they knew he was Junior and his cousin Boris chaperoned all of their dates.
"Arty, be sure to give me the phone number after dinner."
"Of course, mother," he said faintly. "If you'll excuse me?" He'd lost his appetite and was having a little trouble breathing.
"By all means. Are you feeling well? You don't look quite right."
"I'm fine." He stood up slowly, he was feeling nauseous.
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As soon as he was out of sight and his footfalls out of earshot, he raced up to his room and clutched his cell phone, hitting speed dial.
One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Why wasn't she picking up? "Hello?"
"Alyssa?" he breathed.
"Yes. What's wrong?"
"I've got some bad news. The worst has happened."
"What is it? You sound like somebody died."
"Close," he said, the misery evident in his voice; his usual mask of emotionless-ness and haughtiness gone.
She repeated her question, "What's wrong, Junior?"
"My parents are inviting you and your family over to my house for dinner."
Alyssa collapsed on the sofa and her eyes gaped in horror. "No!"
"Yes. What are we going to do about this?" He really liked this girl. He didn't want his parents to ruin things. Not now. Not when things were going so well. He hadn't done any evil plotting in a month (well, hardly any anyways). He knew this girl was good for him, was a good influence on him (though he wasn't sure how much of a good influence he wanted in his life). This girl was as good an influence as the People had been for him these last few years. He couldn't lose her, he couldn't.
"We'll think of something," she promised, wondering what they could possibly do to improve the situation. If she told her parents, they might not want her to see him again. They had heard of the Fowls. But Artemis didn't seem very criminal. And from what she found online, it appeared the family was going legitimate. At last she asked, "When is Doomsday?"
"Next Thursday," he said, distracted and trying to think of something, anything.
Alyssa's eyes lit up (of course Artemis couldn't see this). She grinned as she started to tell him her idea or plan or scheme (whichever category it fit best with).
A slow smile appeared on Artemis's face as he listened. They might survive after all.
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Angeline Fowl beamed as she crawled under her covers. "That girl really has been good for him. He's smiled more in the past month than he has in years. I swear I've caught him laughing on the phone when he thinks no one is listening. She's the best thing that's happened to him in a long time."
"You know," said Artemis senior thoughtfully, "I think you're right." He squeezed her hand.
"We'll call her parents first thing in the morning."
"Of course we will."
"I do want to meet her. Do you think she's a nice girl?"
"I'm sure of it."
"Timmy, this is Arty's girlfriend we're talking about."
"Well, I'm fairly sure of it. Goodnight, love."
"Goodnight, darling."
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Artemis typed out an email and marked it URGENT. He hit send and sent it out to Holly. He fervently hoped she could and would aid him, otherwise things would get decidedly complicated. He'd need all the help he could get. He sighed, stretched his arms, and got up.
He went to go talk things over with Juliet. He knocked on the door, "Juliet?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"Sure. Come in."
He opened the door and found Juliet already snuggled under the blankets and looking very tired. "Is this a bad time?" he asked.
"No, no, no." She yawned and sat up, propping herself up on pillows. "Sit. I've actually been expecting you. I saw the look on your face when your parents said they were inviting Alyssa and her parents over. I take it, they still don't know you're a Fowl, and you still haven't told your parents that her parents don't know?"
"Exactly."
"Well what are you going to do
about it? It's not like the subject won't come up, Arty. You've got to do
something."
"Alyssa and I talked it over. And I emailed Holly. Alyssa and I have an idea."
"Okay, let's hear it then." She listened. "You know what? I think that might work."
"I hope it does. Otherwise you will very likely see me revert back to being the criminal genius I know I am. Goodnight, Juliet."
"Goodnight, Arty."
He shut the door.
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*grin* I told you she is in for a far worse fate. How will she survive? Why did I leave a cliffie? Tune in next time for "Senseless authors who leave cruel cliffhangers!" *dodges flying rotten fruit*
