First, a thanks to my reviewers. Sorry if I accidentally missed you!
IhateSool- Thank you, I'm glad you like it!
Refloc- I have always wondered how Artemis would act romantically. I really, desperately hope Colfer writes a fifth book. I'm worried, because I read around back when EC came out that it was the 'third of four books.' I will cry if I find out OD was indeed the last book. The ending was kinda disappointing.
AgiVega- Thanks; I thought it might be a bit cheesy lol.
DyslexicCrayon- I love your name hahah. Thanks for the awesome review!
Froggifrog- That's a relief, I wasn't sure how well I handled that part, and I hoped I had it realistic!
Aperfectattitude- Thank you! I'll try to update sooner…I had a busy weekend.
JamieLove- I promise I'll update ASAP from now on so you don't have a seizure lol
septumpopuli- Oh I can't stand Sool either. I want to include his demise in this story…but I'm not sure who would replace him. Any ideas, anyone?
Keiko- hahah thank you. See when my boyfriend and I flirt…I tickle him until he falls off the So I just had to wing it on that part. Don't worry, I'm no stranger to rambling. A few of my SoR stories reflect that…especially the Psycho Chronicles.
Kuramas Girl Angel- Glad you like it! I did like OD…just a little disappointed.
Myst- hah I knew what me gusta means! Go Spanish 1…hahah. I'm not looking forward to 3 more years of Spanish. But anyway, thanks! I assumed this storyline would be used a lot, so it's going to be hard to make it just right.
LegendaryRoxtar- cool name! Glad you like my story!
Okay. I was sick for a week and had no energy to write on here…I was better for a few days and spent the whole time doing homework…then I got sick AGAIN 3 days ago. After not being sick for like 2 years…I get it twice in two weeks. But I promise all updates after this will not take so long! Here's chapter 2. When you review, please tell me anything you'd like to see in this, I'm all open to suggestions!
Carefully placing the hand-held fairy communicator inside a drawer in his bedside table, Artemis sunk into his very comfortable, expensive black silk sheets. His mind was positively racing now. Oh, the possibilities! He couldn't help but think of the money he could plunder from the People if he was disguised as one of them even for just a short while. Artemis wrinkled his pale, perfect nose, running a hand through his jet-black hair. Foaly hadn't said how temporary- or permanent- this procedure was. As Artemis lay deep in contemplation, he was interrupted by a knock on his oak door.
"Yes?" He called. Butler strode right in.
"Your talk with Miss Short go well tonight?" The giant Eurasian asked as he handed Artemis a steaming cup of Earl Grey. The young man smiled.
"Oh yes. It seems Foaly has a new idea that I could use to my advantage if given the right oppor-"
"I don't want any more dangerous problems with the People. They've done too much for use. Most of them trust us now, with the exception of that foul LEP commander. Please, Artemis, don't jeopardize our relations with them anymore." Butler said, shaking his head slightly.
"Don't worry, old friend," Artemis said with a somewhat sad smile. "I promise I'll try to tone it down a bit this time." Butler just shook his head. There was no getting through to Artemis sometimes.
"I'm going to go swim a bit before I retire. This body is really getting in the way of things," Butler said, placing a hand on his accidentally Kevlar-reinforced chest. "Goodnight, Artemis."
"Sleep well," Artemis said, as Butler closed the door, leaving Artemis to solitude once more.
Artemis meditated for a while before going to sleep. As nice as clearing his mind was every night, he couldn't help but think about how much nicer it was to think of Holly…
Holly Short switched off the communicator, and tossed it on a beanbag chair she had one of her friends who worked for Euro Disney pick up for her. It was kind of funny, ever since she had met Artemis, she had become less and less like her fellow fairies. Not many other elves had European lip gloss, magazines, movies, and other random things scattered throughout their little home. Artemis was sure having some strange impact on her.
Yet, she thought, it was certainly a good one. Holly didn't know how she would ever survive without him. Ever since Commander Root died, Holly felt like Artemis was the only being she could really connect with, aside from Foaly sometimes, and perhaps even Mulch on rare occasion. But that was it. She was pretty much alone in this world, and it was so nice to have Artemis to fall back on.
Holly flopped down onto her water bed, another Mud Man thing. Stretching out, she thought of how nice it would be to have Artemis here to come home to…even just as a friend. It would be absolutely wonderful to have anyone to talk to down in Haven. She laughed to herself, picturing Artemis as an elf. He'd have to shrink quite a bit, and his perfectly delicate features would be ruined! She decided she'd just love to see his reaction upon looking in a mirror.
"Too bad I'm just a silly girl, nothing more than a wishful thinker," she said to no one in particular. "I need out."
Holly rose from her bed, and although it was getting quite late, slipped on a pair of elf-style blue jeans and a light red shirt. Adding some black combat boots just in case she needed to run from whatever she might meet, Holly was ready. She needed to fly again.
Tossing and turning, Artemis was having an uneasy sleep. In his dreams, he was walking with Holly, except she was very much human. It was uncanny though, how similar she was to her elf form. She had flowing auburn hair, a petite frame, full red lips, and those stunning eyes. They were walking along the grounds of his own newly finished home, holding hands.
"I love you Holly," he said, turning to face her, clutching both of her hands in his own.
"Artemis, you know I love you too," she responded lovingly, squeezing his hands a little tighter, and stepping just a little bit closer to him. He leaned in to kiss her, and suddenly their mouths gently collided in one magical moment, creating a bond that could never be broken. Artemis opened his eyes, and noticed he was staring directly into the eyes he had fallen in love with, gorgeous hazel eyes.
Artemis was unhappily awoken by a sharp tapping on the windows of the French doors leading out to his balcony. But all the grumpiness melted away as soon as he realized who had come.
"Holly!" he nearly shouted. "It's so good to see you again, in person finally."
"Yes, it definitely is," she agreed, running to shake his hand. In a moment they realized how silly it was to formally shake hands, and she threw her arms around him and squealed in a most un-Holly like manner.
"Two years has been far too long," Artemis said. Indeed, it had been two years since Holly had flown, and two years since she'd come to visit him.
"I really needed a break from all the pettiness of the People," she confessed, casting her eyes downward.
"I feel the same way about my own race," he divulged. "I needed a break from the monotony of what they call life."
The pair sat down in some comfortable chairs, stolen from a palace in Morocco about three years ago. For several hours, they talked together like they hadn't had time for in so long. Yet at the same time, it was like they'd never been apart. When the sun came up, and Holly decided she'd better get going back home, Artemis suddenly remembered Foaly's new invention.
"Holly, before you go, can I discuss something with you," he cautiously asked.
"Would it happen to be that new idea of Foaly's?"
Artemis' breath caught in his throat for a moment before he continued. "Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. What do you think of it?"
Holly chose her words carefully. "Hm. Well, I think it could be, if used properly, a most wonderful thing. It could possibly make two beings who had too many…differences, if you will, become closer."
"My thoughts exactly!" Artemis replied. "I hope Foaly has someone to test it. It would be a shame to see something with that ability go to waste."
"I agree, Artemis. The only problem is who would be willing to risk everything in order to be with someone?"
"Holly," he said, that devilish look in his icy eyes. "Are you implying you know of someone who is madly in love with me?"
She snapped immediately into a playful defense mode. "Get over yourself, Fowl!" she exclaimed. "As if anyone could ever love you that much," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Despite the obvious silly undertones, something she said made Artemis stop.
"Holly, what if you're right?" he asked, sitting down from shock. She was right.
"About what, Artemis?"
"What if no one will ever love me? What if I'm too cruel, or malicious of a person for anyone to ever possibly grow close to? Holly, I have no real friends aside from Butler, and even that's stretching it."
"Artemis, don't be so naïve," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll always be your friend. You have me."
He looked up to thank her, but in a second, she was gone, and he could see her surge off of his balcony. What Artemis couldn't see though, were the tears forming and falling from Holly's eyes as she soared off into the sunrise.
My apologies once again. Please tell me if you think this was too rushed or anything like that, constructive criticism is appreciated!