Changes
Chapter two, The waiting game
Disclaimer: I haven't made anything out of this fic. Why would I sell it? No one would buy it! The characters (excluding Amber and Jennifer) belong to Eoin Colfer.
A/N: I have had the best idea for a sequel to this fic. Read my profile page for more information. On paper this chapter took four and a half sides of A4. But it is probably much shorter now.
Replies (there is not many because only a few really nice people bothered to review (): If your name is not listed, then I had already submitted this chapter when your posted your review but I will post more replies in chapter three, so look out for it there.
Alixi: Thank you. I'm glad you like it. I'm not really sure how I change moods so quick, it just kind of happens. Here's your update.
Elvenwolf: I'm glad you like the series! I have had an excellent brain wave for the next fic so keep your eyes peeled. (Although I won't be posting it until I've finished this one and progressed more with This is the Start of the Rest of My Life.)
Kelly: Here's your chapter, I hope you like it as much as the last one.
VampyGenieWitch: You bet they do. I know Trouble's supposed to be tough, but as he's had a pretty major shock, I'll let him off. There might be more tears to come though.
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble was pacing up and down the waiting are. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Holly was perched on a chair, holding a snoozing (well for now anyways) Amber.
"Calm down Trouble," said Holly, she was really worried about her husband (and Grub). "Look, come and sit down. Hopefully you'll be able to see him later, but they can't let you in yet, he needs his sleep."
Trouble groaned. "Well, if he sleeps as much here, as he does at home I won't be seeing him for a day or two!" Trouble recalled all the times that he'd stood on the doorstep of Grub's apartment waiting for his slumbering sibling to let him in. He twiddled his thumbs agitatedly. He knew, deep down, that Holly was right. He didn't want to put Grub at risk even more.
"Look, Holls, could you do me a favour?" asked Trouble.
Holly nodded, "Anything to make you more at ease."
Trouble forced a weak smile. Holly was so loving, caring and just, well, Holly. That was why he had married her after all. That and the fact she was totally drop-dead gorgeous, in a determined, fiery way.
"Look, Holls," he repeated. "Can you take Amber home, contact Commander Root and tell him I won't be in today, but I'll work a double shift tomorrow. Then get into bed and catch up on your sleep. You look shattered. Grub's not the only one who needs to catch up on his kip, you do too."
Holly nodded again. "Ok, but only if you promise to give my love to Grub when you see him, and get yourself home at a reasonable time." She stood up, adjusting Amber on her hip.
Trouble too, got to his feet. He gave Holly a kiss goodbye, and pecked the top of Amber's head. Gently, so she wouldn't awaken.
"See you later," he said.
Holly returned the phrase, waved at trouble and then walked from the room. Still balancing Amber. She was headed to the entrance, where she had left Amber's stroller.
She decided to walk to Police Plaza, with Amber, before going home.
Police Plaza, Haven City
As she approached the building she regretted the idea. It took her ten minutes of pushing, shoving and muttering threats, before she managed to force her way through the double doors.
Jennifer, Police Plaza's new receptionist was shuffling papers at the main desk. She didn't look up when Holly entered. She only spoke when Holly headed into the 'Lep personnel only' lift.
"Civilians need an appointment. I'd be quite happy to make you one." called out the new comer. She obviously wasn't aware of Holly's status.
"Excuse me," said Holly, a twinge of annoyance in her voice. She turned around and wheeled Amber's stroller towards the desk.
"I take it you are not aware of my rank in this establishment." She used words that she usually wouldn't or couldn't be bothered with.
Jennifer's expression remained blank.
"I am Captain Holly Short. I need to see my commander. Let me through."
Jennifer consulted a manual on her desk. "ID please."
Holly fumed. Was she just doing this to be a pain? Probably. Everyone in the lower elements knew, and could put a face to Holly Short, the former test case of the recon squad. "I'm on maternity leave, as you jolly well know. Why would I carry ID?"
Jennifer blushed. "Sorry, I guess I'm a little eager."
Holly felt a pang of sympathy for the receptionist. She had been eager when she first started at the Lep. Technically, she still was.
"Hey, can I leave Amber's stroller with you? I don't fancy wheeling it everywhere. The corridors round here are tiny."
Jennifer nodded, gesturing behind the desk. Holly wheeled where she hoped it wouldn't be in the way and unclipped Amber. Holding the infant with one hand left her another one free to fold down the stroller. Not that it was hard. She pressed the small red button inset into the handle. The stroller immediately compressed. Useful, especially when you've only got one hand.
"Thanks." Holly replied. Edging her way out from behind the desk and back into the lift.
Haven's memorial Hospital
Trouble almost got up and followed Holly. He too, could do with sleep. Instead he walked to the vending machine and purchased a cup of...coffee? Well that's what the label said. It looked like a cup of watered down mud! Yuck. But he was thirsty, and needed the caffeine, so he gulped it down, grimacing at the taste. He placed the now empty cup into the slot on the machine's side, where it was to be washed and reused. Then he headed back to his seat. He wanted to be sitting down when the after effect of the coffee took hold.
Police Plaza, Haven City
Holly paused outside the commander's door, before knocking and entering. The commander was astonished to see the female captain and her six-month- old child in the doorway.
"Captain Short, Holly! What brings you here? You know your maternity leave doesn't end until The New Year?"
Holly groaned. How could she forget that?
"I came to tell you that Trouble won't be working tonight, but he promised to work a double shift tomorrow."
The commander nodded in response. He got up from his chair and walked over to Holly.
"How's Amber?" he asked, peering at the small baby.
"She's fine. Although I wish she'd learn to sleep at night instead of during the day!"
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble groaned; he was so worried and bored and lonely. Actually he felt sick. Sick to the stomach. He made a dash to the toilets and was sick, quite neatly, down the sink. This reminded him of Holly's terrible morning sickness, that she had suffered with before Amber's birth. He wished Holly were here now. But she needed to rest. It wasn't fair to her, staying up all night with Amber then staying up all day with him. He ran the taps, cleaning the sink. He splashed water on his face and headed back to the waiting room. Back to waiting and worrying.
Holly, Trouble and Amber's apartment, Haven City
Holly was bending over Ambers cradle. She tucked the blankets around her small daughter. Amber had her eyes shut and an expression of peacefulness covered her face. Holly assumed she was asleep and tiptoed out of the room, in the direction of her own bed.
Amber stared at the ceiling. A dangling mobile with hanging orange blobs obstructed her view. What was going on? Who was that man with the bright red face that her mother was talking to? She felt he was important, but couldn't be sure. Then tiredness got the better of her, as it usually did, and she drifted into a deep sleep.
The blobs were supposed to be carrots, as the mobile had been hand made by Foaly and her wasn't very artistic.
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble had just settled into a hard plastic chair, when a severe looking warlock approached him.
"Mr, er, Trouble?" he enquired.
"Yes, that's me." Trouble jumped from his seat.
"I take it you are waiting to visit your sibling?" asked the warlock. Warlocks are very philosophical creatures who take their profession very seriously.
"Yes, Yes of course I am!" answered Trouble. Why else would he have sat out here for over three and a half hours? For the fun of it?
"Ok," replied the warlock. "Follow me."
The Kelp family residence, Haven city. (A/N: I have decided to write the 'Kelp family residence' instead of Holly, Trouble and Amber's apartment, because it's quicker.
Amber was tossing and turning. She was dreaming, again.
Someone was running, running away from something she couldn't see. Although she couldn't see it, she felt it was there. She tried to call out, tried to scream but she couldn't. She couldn't speak or move. Just watch in fascinated horror.
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble walked along the maze of corridors that made up the hospital. The warlock led him to a door, pushing it open and standing back to let Trouble through. Amidst strings of wires and tubes lay,
"Grub?"
A/N: Ok, this wasn't too long and rambling was it? Let me know. Do you like the series so far?
Chapter two, The waiting game
Disclaimer: I haven't made anything out of this fic. Why would I sell it? No one would buy it! The characters (excluding Amber and Jennifer) belong to Eoin Colfer.
A/N: I have had the best idea for a sequel to this fic. Read my profile page for more information. On paper this chapter took four and a half sides of A4. But it is probably much shorter now.
Replies (there is not many because only a few really nice people bothered to review (): If your name is not listed, then I had already submitted this chapter when your posted your review but I will post more replies in chapter three, so look out for it there.
Alixi: Thank you. I'm glad you like it. I'm not really sure how I change moods so quick, it just kind of happens. Here's your update.
Elvenwolf: I'm glad you like the series! I have had an excellent brain wave for the next fic so keep your eyes peeled. (Although I won't be posting it until I've finished this one and progressed more with This is the Start of the Rest of My Life.)
Kelly: Here's your chapter, I hope you like it as much as the last one.
VampyGenieWitch: You bet they do. I know Trouble's supposed to be tough, but as he's had a pretty major shock, I'll let him off. There might be more tears to come though.
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble was pacing up and down the waiting are. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Holly was perched on a chair, holding a snoozing (well for now anyways) Amber.
"Calm down Trouble," said Holly, she was really worried about her husband (and Grub). "Look, come and sit down. Hopefully you'll be able to see him later, but they can't let you in yet, he needs his sleep."
Trouble groaned. "Well, if he sleeps as much here, as he does at home I won't be seeing him for a day or two!" Trouble recalled all the times that he'd stood on the doorstep of Grub's apartment waiting for his slumbering sibling to let him in. He twiddled his thumbs agitatedly. He knew, deep down, that Holly was right. He didn't want to put Grub at risk even more.
"Look, Holls, could you do me a favour?" asked Trouble.
Holly nodded, "Anything to make you more at ease."
Trouble forced a weak smile. Holly was so loving, caring and just, well, Holly. That was why he had married her after all. That and the fact she was totally drop-dead gorgeous, in a determined, fiery way.
"Look, Holls," he repeated. "Can you take Amber home, contact Commander Root and tell him I won't be in today, but I'll work a double shift tomorrow. Then get into bed and catch up on your sleep. You look shattered. Grub's not the only one who needs to catch up on his kip, you do too."
Holly nodded again. "Ok, but only if you promise to give my love to Grub when you see him, and get yourself home at a reasonable time." She stood up, adjusting Amber on her hip.
Trouble too, got to his feet. He gave Holly a kiss goodbye, and pecked the top of Amber's head. Gently, so she wouldn't awaken.
"See you later," he said.
Holly returned the phrase, waved at trouble and then walked from the room. Still balancing Amber. She was headed to the entrance, where she had left Amber's stroller.
She decided to walk to Police Plaza, with Amber, before going home.
Police Plaza, Haven City
As she approached the building she regretted the idea. It took her ten minutes of pushing, shoving and muttering threats, before she managed to force her way through the double doors.
Jennifer, Police Plaza's new receptionist was shuffling papers at the main desk. She didn't look up when Holly entered. She only spoke when Holly headed into the 'Lep personnel only' lift.
"Civilians need an appointment. I'd be quite happy to make you one." called out the new comer. She obviously wasn't aware of Holly's status.
"Excuse me," said Holly, a twinge of annoyance in her voice. She turned around and wheeled Amber's stroller towards the desk.
"I take it you are not aware of my rank in this establishment." She used words that she usually wouldn't or couldn't be bothered with.
Jennifer's expression remained blank.
"I am Captain Holly Short. I need to see my commander. Let me through."
Jennifer consulted a manual on her desk. "ID please."
Holly fumed. Was she just doing this to be a pain? Probably. Everyone in the lower elements knew, and could put a face to Holly Short, the former test case of the recon squad. "I'm on maternity leave, as you jolly well know. Why would I carry ID?"
Jennifer blushed. "Sorry, I guess I'm a little eager."
Holly felt a pang of sympathy for the receptionist. She had been eager when she first started at the Lep. Technically, she still was.
"Hey, can I leave Amber's stroller with you? I don't fancy wheeling it everywhere. The corridors round here are tiny."
Jennifer nodded, gesturing behind the desk. Holly wheeled where she hoped it wouldn't be in the way and unclipped Amber. Holding the infant with one hand left her another one free to fold down the stroller. Not that it was hard. She pressed the small red button inset into the handle. The stroller immediately compressed. Useful, especially when you've only got one hand.
"Thanks." Holly replied. Edging her way out from behind the desk and back into the lift.
Haven's memorial Hospital
Trouble almost got up and followed Holly. He too, could do with sleep. Instead he walked to the vending machine and purchased a cup of...coffee? Well that's what the label said. It looked like a cup of watered down mud! Yuck. But he was thirsty, and needed the caffeine, so he gulped it down, grimacing at the taste. He placed the now empty cup into the slot on the machine's side, where it was to be washed and reused. Then he headed back to his seat. He wanted to be sitting down when the after effect of the coffee took hold.
Police Plaza, Haven City
Holly paused outside the commander's door, before knocking and entering. The commander was astonished to see the female captain and her six-month- old child in the doorway.
"Captain Short, Holly! What brings you here? You know your maternity leave doesn't end until The New Year?"
Holly groaned. How could she forget that?
"I came to tell you that Trouble won't be working tonight, but he promised to work a double shift tomorrow."
The commander nodded in response. He got up from his chair and walked over to Holly.
"How's Amber?" he asked, peering at the small baby.
"She's fine. Although I wish she'd learn to sleep at night instead of during the day!"
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble groaned; he was so worried and bored and lonely. Actually he felt sick. Sick to the stomach. He made a dash to the toilets and was sick, quite neatly, down the sink. This reminded him of Holly's terrible morning sickness, that she had suffered with before Amber's birth. He wished Holly were here now. But she needed to rest. It wasn't fair to her, staying up all night with Amber then staying up all day with him. He ran the taps, cleaning the sink. He splashed water on his face and headed back to the waiting room. Back to waiting and worrying.
Holly, Trouble and Amber's apartment, Haven City
Holly was bending over Ambers cradle. She tucked the blankets around her small daughter. Amber had her eyes shut and an expression of peacefulness covered her face. Holly assumed she was asleep and tiptoed out of the room, in the direction of her own bed.
Amber stared at the ceiling. A dangling mobile with hanging orange blobs obstructed her view. What was going on? Who was that man with the bright red face that her mother was talking to? She felt he was important, but couldn't be sure. Then tiredness got the better of her, as it usually did, and she drifted into a deep sleep.
The blobs were supposed to be carrots, as the mobile had been hand made by Foaly and her wasn't very artistic.
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble had just settled into a hard plastic chair, when a severe looking warlock approached him.
"Mr, er, Trouble?" he enquired.
"Yes, that's me." Trouble jumped from his seat.
"I take it you are waiting to visit your sibling?" asked the warlock. Warlocks are very philosophical creatures who take their profession very seriously.
"Yes, Yes of course I am!" answered Trouble. Why else would he have sat out here for over three and a half hours? For the fun of it?
"Ok," replied the warlock. "Follow me."
The Kelp family residence, Haven city. (A/N: I have decided to write the 'Kelp family residence' instead of Holly, Trouble and Amber's apartment, because it's quicker.
Amber was tossing and turning. She was dreaming, again.
Someone was running, running away from something she couldn't see. Although she couldn't see it, she felt it was there. She tried to call out, tried to scream but she couldn't. She couldn't speak or move. Just watch in fascinated horror.
Haven's memorial hospital
Trouble walked along the maze of corridors that made up the hospital. The warlock led him to a door, pushing it open and standing back to let Trouble through. Amidst strings of wires and tubes lay,
"Grub?"
A/N: Ok, this wasn't too long and rambling was it? Let me know. Do you like the series so far?