Chapter 10: Motives Lost

Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl.

A/N: Mouth agape I can't believe that for an entire year I forgot to finish the last chapter. Where was my brain? I am so sorry for those people who were waiting but... why didn't you tell me! (Sorry again, more mad at myself tears out hair) Okay, here's the conclusion. And please read over again if you don't remember; (I can see why...) besides I edited and renovated everything making this story way easier. Thanks.

LEP Headquarters

Artemis and Holly staggered into the room leaning against another for support. Their heads hung as if too heavy to hold upright and dragged their feet along the floor. Foaly and Root were waiting impatiently, toes and hooves tapping non-stop, but when the two entered, the noise stopped and staring ensued.

Artemis was a mess, something you don't see everyday, as well as Holly. Coming in a few feet she dropped head first and Artemis, still having his shoulder hung around her, plummeted with her. Foaly could see Artemis vainly trying to catch her or slow the fall, and it impressed him. Clopping over, he extended a friendly hand to help him up but Artemis dejected the offer. So Root stomped over and forcefully heaved him into a chair. Foaly looked a bit annoyed, and Holly instead took his hand up. He cooled off some.

"Artemis, do have any understanding of what just happened?" Root asked, grabbing him by the shoulders. Artemis opened a lazy eye, took one glance at the burly officer, and slowly closed it, mumbling incomprehensive dialect. "Foaly, take the mud boy for some rest, we'll question him later. And..." Root gazed at Holly and huffed out an expressed exasperation. "Take Holly with you too. It's the least we can do." Foaly nodded but then shook his head. "What now Pony?"

"All our forces are concentrated on controlling the riot in the Haven, Julius. And if not there they are burning the warehouse which has been determined the source of the virus. AND if not there they are either grieving for their loss of family or down six more feet under. We don't have anyone available to even take these two somewhere safe and uncontaminated. Heck, the whole city is contaminated. We may have to move to a new Haven-."

"Cut it Pony. We don't even know if this place is contaminated. And if so, I know someone who can help us." He looked sideways at Artemis. "And if he doesn't he will anyway because I just realized something stupid on my part." Root mumbled. "Wake up mud boy! Getting infusions of magic doesn't make you weak, it makes you strong. UP!"

Artemis sat upright in his chair, his electric blue eyes now sparked with intellect and life as much as blue magic itself. He had been performing the little drama show to gain time to think and see what the people of his fate know. There may be a chance yet to keep his memories. But did he want them? He will decide that when he gets to be able to decide that. "Yes Commander?" Artemis said innocently.

"You know D'Arvit what, Artemis. You've been listening all along. So can you help us or not? What's going on?"

"Well Commander. It seems like there was almost an outbreak of virus in your Haven but what my information contains has some holes in it. All I can say is that it is avoided for the time being."

"We probably have some fillings for those holes so spit it out. Or tell us what the D'Arvit happened."

"Julius." Foaly interrupted. "We have most of the events following after finding Fowl. And we don't need to ask anything right now. Holly needs rest and it would be aesthetically pleasing if Artemis would clean up first. Let's make the decision when we are better later."

"No Foaly. I want to make a decision now. And don't call him Julius." Artemis said after seeing Root about to interrupt. "I need to get home."

"Why?" Foaly asked doubtfully.

Artemis was hurt emotionally and it strained him physically and mentally, making him look pathetic in his eyes. He needed to grieve and repent before he did anything. He needed to talk to his family and tell them he cared for them. And he needed to have a moment alone to think about Opal.

Great tragedies can change a person. It makes them think about what they could have done different in life. What they did wrong. Artemis had a lot he did wrong. And he needed to know them in order to not do them again. That's why he wanted his memories so badly.

"Personal reasons. Listen. If I can just get back to Fowl Manor I can work there—."

"OH NO. You ain't going nowhere mud boy until you spit out exactly everything that happened. You are held liable for all events hereafter if you don't tell the truth and nothing but the truth. You tell us now." Root stated with laced venom. Foaly gave up and walked to the other side of the room, plopping down on another chair.

"Fine, I'll make you a deal." Artemis said sharply.

They debated back and forth almost endlessly, Artemis almost tirelessly, and at the end with Root the one negotiating. Artemis's wants were his memories and a proper fairy funeral for Opal. This information he did not disclose. He more or less beat around the bush that tired the Commander out to fulfilling the easier method. Root wanted a cure to settle down the Haven, heavy explanation for everything, and getting rid of Fowl once and for all again. Though they were better friends than before, Artemis still could peeve and ignite his short fuse anytime, and Root had more steam than firepower in his words.

"This virus could have spread and destroyed the entire Haven and you still won't come up with an anti-dote? Just how cold are you Fowl?"

"I said want my memories in exchange for the anti-dote."

"Well I'm saying you can't have your memories until you tell us what happened. And the only way I can tell you aren't lying to us is by the Mesmer."

"There are some parts I would like to edit out so I want to avoid that if possible."

"No can do mud boy; no editing allowed."

In the end, they reached a mutual agreement out of necessity. For the time being, they would give the crowd a fake antidote provided there is no virus. This is Fowl's duty to make sure there isn't a virus. For the explanation it was limited down to five questions using the mesmer. Artemis didn't bother asking them to let him know the questions before hand or whether they would keep it to five for it was a promise he didn't expect them to keep. After all, why should they? Fowl also tried asking for money for the heck of it, but that was met with dead understanding there would be none. He just sighed and let the process continue.

Finally, they were near the end of their productive meeting. Artemis would be questioned the big five questions the next day after they were assured continually there was no threat. He was released and sent to another wing in the building where he could rest and wash up and think.

Lying on the uncomfortably small bed, Artemis rested his wet, finally clean head back in silent thoughts, unable to sleep. His thoughts kept trailing to what happened, what could of happened, and how useless he was and helpless to change any of the events. He could have lost the struggle if he let himself. But was everything all right now? It was hard to tell.

Holly peeked inside the doorway. Artemis caught the movement with his eye and identifying her, motioned her in. Holly sat down on the floor for there was no room on the edge of his bed, twiddling her fingers.

"You've been through a lot, haven't you?" Artemis asked softly. Holly could have very well said the same to him.

"My sister is ill. If the only way to cure her is by another acorn, I'm not sure if—."

"No, she's fine. If she isn't gone by now then she's fine." His replies were short and tired, unlike the Artemis she knew. Holly missed that Artemis and felt no need to be talking to his corpse. She rose up angrily, bristled and ready to leave. Artemis cocked his head to the side, watching her with those blue eyes. "No, please Holly. I need to say..." He struggled with his words. Holly looked amused however skeptic.

"There is no way a thank you would be heard coming from your lips and if it's all right with you—."

"Thank you." Artemis said simply, and then looked away. "I don't really know what happened and frankly I couldn't care less. But what you did is avoid one of the greatest mistakes ever made. Nothing I could say would compensate for that." His face was devoid of emotion, which creeps Holly more than his usual vampire smile. This was all too strange for her.

"I say this because I know I won't get my memories back. I have nothing to bargain on; the virus is no longer a threat. I am completely at the LEP's mercy. Sometimes I think I would have liked to explore that world Opal created." Holly's mouth gaped open.

"Opal? Opal was behind this?" Holly asked, dumbfounded.

Artemis knew he was making no sense, and this displeased him, but he no longer cared. He would be his arrogant self in the blink of an eye, unable to neither recall anything nor wonder why he couldn't. He had to make use of the final time he had with himself.

Holly was still left openmouthed, waiting for an answer, but she was shunned as if she didn't even exist. She gritted her teeth and waited coldly for an answer. Artemis still looked the other way. When Artemis did roll over and look at her, the coldness melted away. He looked... mortal.

Then and there Holly had decided. "Okay mud boy, time to get you back to your muddy above world. And don't you dare come back until you wipe that sad, humble look off your face and be as ruthless as you were before. Got it?" Holly said forcefully. Artemis looked bewildered at first, and then smiled. And he smiled his vampire smile. "Good. Now sleep." She said with her voice laced with the mesmer. Artemis was out in an instant. Holly scratched her head and wondered whether she should leave or not. Finally, she shrugged, closed her hand into a fist and knocked his shoulder twice approvingly, and left the room, the light switched off.

When the door closed shut, Artemis blinked open his eyes. Then smiling to himself, fell asleep again.