Hello again. Why bother with a long explanation? There isn't anything to say here. I know my martial arts expertise is zip. And I am assuming that promises count at all times, based on Butler's code of conduct, and so forth.
AgiVega: She won't be able to. So long as it's filed, and the guy Chance knows can forge a judges signature, there's nothing she can do. (perferably an old guy who won't remember)
Ahava: Always the first to review, as always. I was glad to hear from you.
aperfectattitude: Of course not, but it will work later.
avovisto: Glad to hear from you. I'm sorry if I sounded snappish.
Elyena: Glad to hear from you too. More anyonomous reviews. (I didn't spell that right, I thin. Ah well)
Meranya: I was surprised to get your review. You don't wander much in this part of fanfic, do you? And extremely long review. I like long reviews.
notdapunkprincess: You're welcome. More, like always.
R.C.C.: Thanks for reviewing, once you get this far. I know. Shameless promotion.
The Blazing Blade: Our library has no word processing stuff. But forgive me. I updated today.
Trouble Kelp: Thanks. Yeah, but it wasn't really arguing, because they both knew he'd lose.
Disclaimer: Juliet Butler and all references to the Artemis Fowl series are in the sole possession of Eoin Colfer. I do not own anything except everything else.
Chance looked up quickly. "Did you talk with her, Justin?"
Justin set his jaw, and nodded slightly. "She wants to talk to you, and she wants to know if she can come out of that room. Move into my wing. She's bored. I think."
"You think?"
"I'm not putting any words into her mouth. Who knows what she'll do to me?"
"She was angry?"
"You think?" Justin snorted, leaning against the door. "She broke a few ribs! I am not going near her for weeks, if I can help it!"
Chance sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I'll talk to her, okay? I'll try to work something out, so that she isn't around you a lot. I'll make her understand it was me, not you."
Justin nodded, and opened the door to go out again. "Just a warning."
"What?"
"Stay out of range of her feet."
Juliet glared at Chance, sitting up again, as he opened the door. "I trust I can leave the room?"
"In a little bit."
"You damn forced me on Justin, didn't you? I have no choice."
"Correct."
She stood, moving around until they stood face to face. Kind of. She was quite a bit shorter than he was, but the anger somehow added to her height. It was a bit intimidating.
"Let me tell you something. When I get a chance, both of you will die. And if you want to pull anymore stunts like that, tell me in advance, or what will follow will not be nearly as pleasant as it was this time! I was forgiving. I expected it. I will not be so nice the next time."
I should be telling her this, thought Chance. "You will… be informed. I guess."
"Good. Now I want permission to do whatever I want."
"Whatever you want?"
"To live how I want. That includes: dressing how I want to, eating how I want to, keeping the hours I want to, exercising how I want to, and going where I want to."
"Like home?"
"I thought this was home. Maybe I made a mistake?"
Chance shifted uncomfortably. He got the feeling he was losing something here. "Well… It's not as if we trust you any more than you trust us."
"What if I promised?"
He looked at her. If she promised. If… He didn't really believe she would. "If."
"I promise then."
"Promise what?"
"Not to hurt anyone without being provoked, not to disobey rules set for the others of the house, so long as I am treated the same, not to get in the way, and not to leave the area without permission, or some form of agreement, between you, and the said person."
It took him a moment to process it all. "You'll abide by the rules so long as you're treated fairly, and not leave without permission, and then obey the rules there."
"Correct."
Chance stepped back, opening the door, and holding it wide. "Then you have my permission. One thing though."
"What's that?"
"Justin is probably your best ally right now. He's a good man. Really. I forced him, more than you. Try not to fight with him. He could prove valuable later."
"Yeah." Juliet studied Chance carefully for a few moments, and then stepped out, taking in the hall. "Where is he, anyways? And what are his standings here? He told me he was in charge under you, I know, but other than that, he was vague."
"He's my second, I suppose."
"And where is he, again?"
"Outside. Probably running drills."
Juliet nodded, and turned to go. "I think I'll wander for a bit, and talk to him later."
Justin moved his legs faster, pounding his feet against the ground, in an effort to push it away. His chest hurt more than ever now, from where she'd kicked him. He could feel a bruise puffing up.
The sound of the other men's breathing closed in, and against he picked up the pace, wanting to run alone, and be extremely sore when done, rather than in the pack. The whole thing was bothering him, and he wanted time to think. About her. About how to approach her.
He shook his head, blinking sweat out of his eyes. Approach? No. That had sounded wrong. How about getting along? No, that sounded like Barney, or something.
Oh well, forget it. With a sigh, he looked up, fixing his eyes on the manor. When he got there, he could stop.
"Hey Justin!"
Conversation was not welcome at the moment. Justin pulled into a full out sprint, pretending he hadn't heard, though he knew he'd get berated for it later. They knew he was ignoring them.
Gasping, he slowed to a stop, and leaned over, closing his eyes for a moment. Then, he straightened, and jogged up the steps to the porch. If he was still too long, he'd get a headache.
One by one, the men joined him, glancing up questioningly for directions, and possibly an explanation.
Justin ignored the explanation part, and pointed to the fields. "Warm up. Practice."
They stood a moment, waiting for more, and then realizing there was none, turned reluctantly, and trotted off towards the field. Pushups. Sit-ups. Pull-ups. Stretch. Practice your kicking and hitting with the partner assigned to you for the week.
Justin didn't participate in that. There was no one besides Chance who was as good as him, and Chance was too much better. Besides, he didn't have the time. Justin practiced alone.
Behind him, the door opened. "Justin."
He spun, startled, staring at her. "Oh. You. Chance said you could come out then?"
"Obviously." Her eyes took him in, smiling slightly in a mocking sort of way. "A good workout for you, I suppose."
"And what will you be doing?" he snapped. He didn't feel like being insulted at the moment. And though it wasn't anything outright, that he could label, it felt like one.
"My own." She sat down in the hammock, swinging her legs up. "You're dirty."
"So?"
"Go shower."
A tight silence hung in the air a moment. Then Justin pulled open the door. "Fine. I will."
Juliet watched the door shut, holding herself still. Slowly, she looked around, and sat up. The men were working. They wouldn't notice her.
Quietly, she slipped off the porch, and jogged towards the road, following the trees, so that she had somewhere to hide if she ran into anyone. She didn't though, and soon came to it.
After a moment of painful groping in her pocket, she found the cell phone. Now, she would talk to Dom.
"Hello, Dom. What's up?"
"Don't use my name!" She could hear the angry relief in his voice, and smiled slightly.
"There's no one around. It doesn't matter. I'm about a mile from the house. They don't know I have my cell phone. I took it back from Justin. When are you coming to get me?"
"Did Chance lie to me about—"
"Yes and no. He took care of things as soon as he hung up. It's Justin. Quite frankly, I don't have anything against him personally, but he's still an Anthony. And that bugs me."
"I thought as much. There wasn't enough time. Everyone's talking about it though."
"Yeah, whatever." Juliet sat down, leaning against a tree. "Come and get me Dom. I'm bored with this place, and I don't like it. It's horrid. I can't leave by myself, because of my arms. I wouldn't be able to get any farther than this. Please? When?"
"Why don't you stay a while. Find things out. So long as this Justin person doesn't…"
"I don't think he will. He's not like that."
"Good. At least he's decent."
Juliet heard footsteps. "I've got to go. Later. Someone's coming. Bye."
"Bye," squeaked Butler, half cut off as she shut the phone, jamming it into her pocket, and ignoring the pain that shot through her fingers.
"What are you doing out here?" It was one of the older men. He obviously thought he was in charge.
"Is that your business?"
"You're not supposed to leave the room. Chance will know about this, and if you don't come willingly, I'll bring you back by force!"
Juliet rolled her eyes. "Do the world a favor, and buy yourself a brain cell, will you?"
Behind him, someone else trotted up. "It's her! What's she doing out here?"
Juliet stood up. "Get lost. I'm not afraid of hurting you."
"What, with a nice punch in the face?" snickered the older man. His voice was starting to get on her nerves.
"You know? I have a lot of respect for elders, but your maturity level is younger than most toddlers. I don't think you count."
"Really?"
Juliet kicked him.
Heh heh. Good for Juliet. Anyone else? I couldn't resist the brain cell thing. It just came to me. Believe me, I will say that more than once tomorrow. Ah… the joys of writing insults.
Review, and blah, blah, blah. I was so happy to get over fifty reviews on this chapter. (total:))