A/N: W00000000000! Chappy 5:proud: More of a filler really, but it has some humor and fluff type stuff. Remember to R&R darlings. :hugs to all:

Thanks to all my reviewers, your encouragement keeps my desire to write burning.

Special thanks to Lonnie-chan (Queenizzay) even though she doesn't read these, I still need to thank her for sorta being my inspiration! Go read her stuff, its amazing. AND special thanks to a very enthusiastic reviewer of mine -R0ck 4ng3l-

Fowl Manor, 2:00pm

Holly Short rolled over and fell, landing with a thud, and an undignified "oaf", on the ground; opening her eyes to stare up at the ceiling of one of the many Fowl guest rooms. For a moment Holly panicked unable to remember how she had gotten there, but the sled hammer hitting her temples was evidentially more worthy of her attention. Rubbing the sides of her head and groaning, she stood up on wobbly, jelly legs and fumbled over to the door. Just as she began to reach for the knob a tap came from the other side, followed by a slightly concerned sounding voice.

"Miss Holly…erm…Holly?" The door handle turned and a young blonde girl poked her head in. "Miss Holly…Master Artemis sent me to see if you were still breathing. Its 2:00 in the afternoon and…" she trailed off when she saw Holly standing near the door massaging her pounding temples. "Oh…so you are awake."

Holly went to make a sarcastic comment along the lines of "no I'm sleep walking you foolish mud girl" but the pain her head was experiencing prevented her from thinking clearly enough to conjure one up.

The girl at the door stepped inside and immediately could smell the alcohol hanging on Holly. "I see…" she said more to herself than Holly. "Would you like to come down to the dining hall for a cup of coffee and something for your head?"

The question swam through Holly's mind as if struggling through water and her answer was very late in coming. "…Yea…I feel like I got hit by a troll." Holly looked up, and the confused expression on the blonde's face told her she'd said something she 'ought not have. "I mean…train…I feel like I got hit by a train." Holly forced an innocent smile and the maid shrugged, passing the troll comment off as the hang-over talking.

"Follow me." Said the maid and she made her way out of the room and down the hall. "By the way, I'm Juliet." She did not turn around to look at Holly, just stated it as if no one really cared.

Running, or rather, stumbling, up to Juliet's side, Holly blinked several times in disbelief. Juliet looked very different. Though now Holly recognized her as the spunky, wrestling, teen she'd got on so well with. Holly was amused that she hadn't recognized her at first. "Holly Short." She extended her hand to Juliet a pang of sadness hitting her heart through all the pain in her cranium. 'She doesn't remember me either….' They shook hands and Juliet smiled gently.

"We'll fix that hang-over right up, Miss Short."

Fowl Manor, Dining Hall, 2:30pm

Holly Short drank deeply from the mug of strong black coffee Juliet had given her, burning her tongue as she swallowed the scalding liquid. "Thanks..." she gasped after finishing off her third cup. "My head feels much better…"

Everything from the night before was beginning to come back to Holly, and she wished it wasn't. She had practically been flirting with him, what was she thinking? But what is done is done and cannot be erased. That's what Root always told her. Holly looked up at Juliet who was busy wiping counters and cleaning the coffee pot so she could make a fresh batch for Artemis. "Holly."

Juliet looked up and lifted an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Call me Holly…none of that 'Miss Short' stuff. No need to be formal with me." Holly smiled a sweet smile and swallowed another Advil.

Juliet beamed and her blue eyes brightened significantly. "Alright Miss Sho…I mean, Holly."

Several minutes passed in silence, as Holly relished the feeling of her hang-over dissipating.

"Juliet? Did you awaken Holly as I asked?" Artemis came strolling into the dining hall, his eyes hidden behind a large book.

"Yes Master Artemis, she's right here."

Artemis looked up from his book and grinned. "Ah very good. How are you feeling this morning Holly? I thought perhaps you'd gone comatose in your sleep."

Holly caught the air of amusement in his voice and felt her temper flare up. "I'm fine, Fowl, just a tad too much to drink last night I suppose." She bit her tongue against saying any of the things she wished to say. 'I'll save them for when he remembers…if he remembers.'

"Well now, temper, temper. No need to bite my head off, I was merely concerned." He smirked, showing a single fang like tooth.

Juliet brought over a cup of coffee and a tray of assorted breakfast foods, setting the tray between them. She then scurried off, with a fleeting look of "good luck" to Holly.

Taking a bit out of a particularly delicious looking pastry, Artemis set down his book and looked over at Holly. "I believe that after breakfast, you and I should retire to my study to lay down the foundation of our partnership."

Holly thought she heard a slightly suggestive tone in Artemis' voice, but ignored it. Telling herself it was only because his voice had deepened and scolding the little voice that kept teasing her with knowledge of emotions she could not possibly harbor for the mud boy next to her. "Fine with me." She said with some difficulty and took a rather vicious bite out of a glazed donut.

Artemis' Study, 3:27pm

Artemis sat himself in one of the large squishy armchairs, his sapphire eyes fixed on Holly as she took a seat in the opposing arm chair. "I think we should start with a demonstration." He said smugly. "Do whatever tricks you think will impress me most."

Holly raised a skeptical eyebrow at him and put her finger to her lips, thinking. 'Hmmmm I could levitate him…nah that's too obviously real magic…' She pondered a tad longer before, smirking to herself. "Alright…close your eyes."

Artemis furrowed his brow, annoyed at this command but did as he was told. Holly got up and walked past him, gathering up a few books that looked important. As she returned to her seat, Holly found herself tempted to reach out and brush her fingers through the tousled raven locks. 'No.' she thought firmly.

Taking her seat, Holly squashed her fingers beneath the books as if to teach them a lesson about tempting her. "Alright." She said extracting her fingers from beneath the large novels.

Artemis opened his eyes and watched Holly with well trained eyes, trying to spot the slight of hand she was bound to use…but it never came. Holly ran her fingers over one of the many books then lifted her hand straight up, taking the book with her; it appeared to have glued itself to her hand. The next book, Holly opened and proceeded to turn the pages by snapping her fingers idly.

Artemis leaned forward slightly watching with the smallest hints of fascination in his eyes.

Several minutes later, and many more books later, Holly was yawning with exhaustion. She'd never used this much magic in one sitting on anything other than healing. Artemis nodded and stood; taking the book she was currently causing to bob up and down in the air and setting it next to a computer. "That will do Holly; you have proven yourself to be just what I am looking for."

Holly smiled and got up as well. Artemis turned toward Holly and reached behind her pointed ear, pulling out a folded piece of paper. "If you'll just sign this, we'll have a full partnership." Holly rolled her eyes at his petty trick and tried not to giggle as she signed the paper. "Very good, very good." He extended his hand to her and she took it, shaking it slowly, unable to resist a smile as his eyes met hers. A spark of blue escaped her fingers as her heart skipped a beat. She'd missed those eyes.

A/N: Next chapter is in the making, review!