Stone Heart
Chapter Five
Disclaimer: I don't own Artemis Fowl, Holly Short, Trouble and Grub Kelp, Julius Root, etc, etc. I do own Jennifer, Lissy and Amber.
A/N: Well 'tis the season to be jolly. Although this chapter is anything but. Seeing as I'm on my Christmas holiday, I decided to give all my reviewers a Christmas update. Think yourselves lucky, two updates in as many days. Actually, I'm not quite sure how I manage it, because I have been really busy with last minute Christmas shopping etc etc. Anyway, here it is:
Police Plaza, Haven City
Holly strode into the main lobby of police plaza, her teeth gritted, and her helmet tucked under her arm. She ignored everyone that attempted to communicate with her.
"SHORT! Listen to me when I'm talking to you!" Oops, it was Root. What a great start to the day.
"Sorry sir." She apologised, hurriedly.
"Where were you yesterday Short?" He questioned, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Sick sir. I phoned in." She explained.
The commander didn't really seem satisfied with her excuse, but what he couldn't really do anything about it. "Haven't you got work to do!" was all he could come up with. Snappy replies weren't his thing.
"Yessir."
He watched her take the stairs two at a time. Something was up. But he wasn't sure what. Family problems was the answer he settled on. Oh well, it wasn't any of his business. As long as it didn't interfere with her job.
Holly was glad to get to her cubical. She needed time to be alone. Trouble had once told her that she was a very private person. He was right. She kept her worries and problems to herself. And she intended keeping it like that.
The day passed uneventfully, until Holly's shift was over and she was ready to leave.
The lift doors had opened, and Holly had set foot in the lobby, when she caught sight of Jennifer sitting on the edge of her desk, chatting to what look liked, Grub Kelp.
It was then that Jennifer noticed Holly. She said something to Grub, and stepped aside.
"Ah, Holly! You look a little tense, relationship problems?" She asked, in a sugary sweet voice.
Holly glowered at her.
Jennifer smiled. "Don't look so miserable Holly. No wonder Trouble's gone off you."
Grub looked bemused, "What…"
Holly didn't give him a chance to finish his sentence. She walked up to Jennifer. "You should know. It's all your fault." She had to fight to restrain her temper.
Jennifer smirked, "Well, I can't help it if I'm more attractive than you can I?"
The anger that Holly could barely contain, broke free. She punched Jennifer straight in the jaw, sending the receptionist stumbling backwards.
"Well I can't help it if you're a husband stealing, slut."
The punch didn't seem to bother Jennifer. "Ooh, touchy touchy!"
This tipped Holly over the edge. She grasped Jennifer around the throat. "I'm going to kill you!"
Grub stood watching, gobsmacked.
"Holly!" a voice called out from behind her. "Don't kill anyone."
Trouble sprinted across the lobby, pushing his way through the booking line. He grasped her around the waist, pulling her off Jennifer.
Holly tensed up. She said "Get. Your. Hands. Off. Of. Me." Slowly, through gritted teeth.
Trouble released his grip, just as the commander strode out of the lift.
"What's all this nonsense about killing?" He asked surveying the scene. It was obvious he had just missed a fight. Jennifer's jaw was swollen. There was only one officer who could deliver punches like that. Holly Short.
She was standing in the centre of the group, looking like she was about to scream. Jennifer was smirking. She was the first to speak,
"Ah, Commander. I'm afraid one of your officers assaulted me." She rubbed her jaw, looking pointedly at Holly.
The commander followed her gaze. "Short, tell me you didn't."
Holly looked daggers at Jennifer. "Yes, I did. And commander, if you don't believe me, I'll quite happily do it again."
She clenched her fist. Trouble pulled her back. She shrugged free of his grip, turning to face him. "I said, don't touch me." Her heart thumped in her chest. She couldn't believe that everything she knew was changing, even the man whom she loved.
All the onlookers were stunned. The pair could usually been seen gazing into each others eyes romantically. No one had ever heard Holly speak like that.
She made to walk away, but Root wouldn't let her go. "SHORT, get back here!" She looked at her commanding officer. "My office. NOW." He turned his gaze to Jennifer, "And you." Then he had a thought and looked at Trouble. "Keep hold of Short. With a temper like this, there's no telling what she'll do."
And so, the group walked into the lift, Grub following, whispering to Trouble.
"Trubs, what's going on? Jennifer said you've gone off Holly!"
Holly twisted her head to stare stonily at her husband. "Go on. Tell him. Tell him how you're a liar, a cheat…" she couldn't think of anything else to describe him. "D'Arvit, how could I ever of had anything to do with you?"
A/N: Well, that's that then. The future doesn't look too rosy for the couple, does it? Well, you'll have to wait until New Year for the next update, because I'm busy over Christmas. Oh, and If you want to see a watercolour I did of Holly, please email me at: and I will send it to you.
