Dreams

Chapter Twelve, Hard Love

Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl. I do own this fic though.

A/N: All I can say is, READ IT!

Replies: Laughing Dragoness: She's not dead. She won't be. You have my word. I'm glad you like it so far!

LornaluvsHP: Hope you like this chapter as much!

Niki Pound: What would I do without you? You're a star. I hope you're coping with homework. I don't seem to be getting a lot at the moment!

Wyrdnightsister: Wait for the motive!!

Yuffie Paine: I'm hurrying. Sorry this has taken so long! This isn't my most romantic fic, but there is a little romance in this chapter.

The Kelp Family Apartment, Haven City

Amber was wrong. Holly seemed her normal self, but she wasn't. Not quite.

Only Trouble noticed this; for he knew that Holly had a tendency to bottle up her emotions.

One quiet afternoon, when Amber was at school, and he had the day off work, Trouble decided it was time to confront his wife. He was a strong believer of a problem shared is a problem halved, so he was prepared to worm Holly's worries out of her.

Holly stood in their bedroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror, with an aghast look on her face. She was appalled at the way she looked. True, the surgeons had done a good job, but still had blistered skin and raw scars.

She covered them up with long sleeved shirts and trousers, and was wearing pyjamas instead of her usual nightshirt. She couldn't let her family see the way she looked. Amber thought she was fine, and Holly wanted to keep it that way. As for Trouble, well, she was sure he would think she looked terrible. She was wrong of course, but she wasn't to know that.

Trouble pushed the bedroom door open, apprehensively. He wasn't sure what state of mind Holly would be in, but he was prepared for the worst. Or at least he thought it was. Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.

Holly was standing in her underwear, her back to him, rubbing her right arm. It was blistered red, and etched with scars.

He had to fight not to gasp. That wouldn't help boost Holly's confidence.

Holly saw her husband's reflection behind hers in the mirror. She turned round, slowly, tears trickling down her cheeks. Of course she knew she couldn't hide from Trouble forever, but she had told herself she might.

"Oh Holly!"

Trouble was unsure what to say. Saying she looked fine would be a downright lie, but saying she looked terrible wouldn't be fair. He walked up to her, gently putting his arm around her bare shoulders. He pulled her slender frame close.

"Ssh now. It's not like you to cry babes." Trouble stroked her hair, tenderly. Holly cried harder.

"I look awful!" she sobbed, into Trouble's shoulder.

"Babe, the scars will heal, and under the scars you're still my Holly." He gently pushed her onto the bed and sat down beside her. "I love you. You know I do. If the accident's changed the way you feel about me, I guess I understand."

Holly looked up at him, through her tears. "Do you really still love me?"

Trouble sighed. "Yes Holls, I do. Nothing will ever change the way I feel about you." He kissed her. Their mouths interlocked, tongues entwined. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

Holly broke off the kiss, smiling. "Ok, I believe you."

Their lips rejoined, they slipped, from a sitting position to a lying one. Holly rolled over, pulling Trouble on top of her.

He looked down at his wife, stroking her hair lightly. She smiled up at him. "I've changed Trouble. I'm not as invincible as I thought I was."

"You don't need to be invincible for me to love. Just being gorgeous makes up for that!" He smiled, and kissed her again, running her fingers through her hair. Holly rolled her eyes. Men had a one-track mind. She put her palms on his chest and pushed gently. Trouble broke off the kiss.

Holly smiled at him. "Calm down babe. I'll still be here tomorrow!" She didn't mind, she liked it that Trouble was so romantic. She brushed a lock of hair from her eyes, while Trouble watched intently. He turned, getting up.

Holly laughed, "Hey, come back."

Trouble smiled at her, and then pulled her to her feet. "Let's get you dressed hmm? Or you'll freeze." He helped her into her jeans, and a lumberjack shirt that had previously belonged to him.

"You know," he said, when he was satisfied with the way she looked, "I was terrified when I heard you'd been in an accident. I had my life flashing before my eyes. If you hadn't pulled through, I doubt very much that I'd be standing here today."

A/N: Awww, slushy and OOC I know, but hey, I think it worked! Let me know. That was probably the last chapter. But, for all those people out there who are after Verbil's motive, I will write an epilogue. Promise.