Stone Heart

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters featured in Artemis Fowl. Eoin Colfer owns them. I do own Jennifer, but she's not worth owning.

A/N: Right. Everyone that's reading this, I need you're advice. I think people are getting bored with this series, this is reflected in my lack of reviews. After this fic is over, I don't intend on carrying on the series. This upsets me, as I enjoy writing Holly and Trouble paired fics. I want your opinions on my decision. Please review this chapter and tell me whether I should continue with the series, or not. I've said before, I don't mind flames, but if you want to flame then please explain what I've done wrong, and how I can improve it.


The Kelp Family Apartment, Haven City

Holly shut her eyes; hoping it was all some crazy nightmare. It wasn't a nightmare; the scene was the same when she opened her eyes. Trouble looked horrified. Jennifer just smiled, showing even more teeth than usual.

Holly's face paled, to a gentle shade of ivory. Her eyes glared at the pair. Trouble spoke before she had a chance to.

"Holly, it's not what it looks like. I promise you." He knew this wouldn't convince her, but it was nothing more than the truth.

She stepped into the room, not taking her eyes of Trouble. "Not what it looks like? Well what does it look like to you?" She paused, breathing deeply. "I thought you loved me. I was obviously wrong."

Trouble groaned inwardly. He could totally understand her anger, but there didn't seem much he could do about it. He walked, slowly up to her, putting one hand on her shoulder. "I do love you. I always will. Why else would I have married you?"

Holly shrugged her shoulders, making Trouble's hand slide off. The shock was beginning to take hold, and when she spoke again, her voice was laden with anger. And it wasn't really surprising. "So you could break my heart later along the line. Isn't that what all males do?" She didn't hang back for the reply; instead she strode confidently into the bedroom she shared with her husband. Although she appeared confident, she had to dig her nails into her palm to stop herself from crying.

Trouble glared at Jennifer. If looks could kill she would've been dead ten times over. She smirked. Trouble was furious. "You're enjoying this aren't you? You're desperate. You have to ruin other people's relationships because you haven't got your own. You're a trouble maker. Get out. Get out right now. And if you ever dare to come back here, I don't know what I'll do."

Jennifer laughed. "I hope you're not threatening me!" She made a point of checking her moonometer. "Anyway, I intended on leaving now. I have work tomorrow." She blew at kiss at Trouble, "By babe." She turned towards the door. "Bye Holly. Oh, and there's no need for the tears. You can't fool yourself, Trouble doesn't want you. He doesn't need you, not when he's got me."

Holly sat on her bed, holding a framed photo of her and Trouble. A solitary tear splashed onto it. She scrubbed her eye furiously. She would never let Trouble see her cry. Not anymore.

Trouble knocked, lightly on the door. "Holly?" he called quietly. "Can I come in?"

Holly didn't answer. She knew he would come in any way.

She was right. Trouble pushed open the door slowly. Waiting for Holly to object. She didn't.

He saw her sitting, stiffly on the bed. He sat down next to her. It was obvious she had been crying. He had to resist the temptation to pull her close and tell her everything was alright. But it wasn't. Nothing was alright. Everything was all wrong.

"Holly please let me explain…"

Holly stared into his eyes. "No way. No way am I giving you another chance for you to make me fall in love with you. I'm not interested in excuses." She stood up, walking to the door.

Trouble groaned inwardly. Someone up there must have it in for him. "Holly where are you going?" Concern filled his voice. He didn't want her to do anything stupid. In the state she was in now, she was capable of doing anything.

She looked back at him. "Out."

A bleary eyed Amber appeared behind her. She yawned. "What's going on?"

Holly looked at her daughter. She scooped her up into her arms. "It's alright sweetie. Your dad and I were discussing things, that's all."

Amber frowned. "What things?"

Trouble answered this time. "Nothing Amber. You'll understand when you're older."

Amber yawned again. Holly smiled at her. "Come on Amber. Let's go."

It was Trouble's turn to frown. When he spoke his words came out slowly. "Holly where are you going?"

"We're going out. If you think I'm letting my child grow up with someone like you, then you're mistaken." It broke her heart to say this to her husband. She loved him. She loved him. She loved him, but he didn't love her.

She turned her back to him. "Goodbye."

Trouble felt his heart being ripped from his chest. As if Holly was taking it with her. "Holly, don't go. Please. Look, you haven't got anywhere to go."

Holly shrugged, not turning round. "That's not your problem is it?"

"Yes. Yes it is my problem. Holly you're my wife. I love you. I can't let you take our daughter into Haven with nowhere to stay. It's not safe. Stay here. Please."

Holly shook her head. "No. I can't."


A/N: How will Trouble cope? Will he cope? Remember the future of this series lies entirely in the hands of you reviewers. Let me know what I should do with it. In fact the ending of this fic lies in your hands too. I have two possible endings, one if the series carries on, and another if it doesn't.