Disclaimer: I don't own this. Isn't it sad?

Author's Notes: Really short chapter and I haven't updated in ages, I know, I'm so sorry! This is basically a chapter about what Trouble is thinking and feeling. Short and sweet. Hopefully the next chapter will be better and back in the plot.

Replies:

Maiden Genisis—Thanks! Sorry I've taken so long. I like moody Holly. I think she's fun.

Sam—Are you still forgiving? I've taken ages to update again.

Neutralgal—Thanks so much! Artemis probably won't appear again in this story, but I'm writing another one in the series and it's Artemis/Alyssa centered.

Sweetdeath04—I hope you still didn't give up. I know I've taken forever again. Holly and Chix? :::gag::: I like Holly and Trouble.

Ahava—Hey! :-) As for my explanation for not updating this time: I sat in the snow abandoned for two weeks with nothing but an empty pizza box and all my fingers fell off so I had to type with my tongue. On the upside, now no one else will touch my keyboard.

Holly Rox—Thanks! I don't know what's going on with this fic I'm having trouble writing it.

Angela Dawne—Yay for forgiveness! :::gives a sticker:::

Paul—Thanks. I don't know where I'm going. I have an idea though now.

Slime frog—Ha! Sounds good to me. :::Darth Vadar voice::: Root, you are the father! Sorry it's been so long since the update.

Chapter 12: Contemplations

Trouble looked at Willow, cooing at her. She was such a sweet baby. So precious. He was starting to hope that they never found any of her relatives and he and Holly could keep her. He shifted positions on the couch and moved the baby to his shoulder.

But Holly. Holly didn't seem to be adapting well to motherhood. She seemed a little strained ever since Willow came into the house. She wouldn't quit her job to take care of a baby. She loved the police force. Her job was her life. Her job and her husband were her life; she didn't have time for much else. She didn't have many friends. Foaly was just about it; and Root, if you could count her boss as her friend. Though, now that he thought about it, the Mud Boy could probably be counted as her friend too. In an odd sort of way, that is. Not in the normal definition of a friend. Fowl was anything but normal.

Trouble sang softly to Willow and put her to sleep for the night, wrapped warmly in blankets. Then he sighed and went to a stack of papers and reports waiting to be filled out for work. He wrinkled his nose in disgust. The only part of the job that he didn't like.

He'd known since he was young that a nine to five desk job wasn't for him. That was part of the reason he'd become a member of the LEP. That and the fact that he was absolutely dismal at crunchball. No, the world of professional sports was certainly not for him. Thinking back on it, if he'd hadn't join the police force, would he have met Holly? He didn't know. If he could go back, he wouldn't change his mind. Nothing would be worth risking losing Holly. He loved her too much. Sure they argued, but what couple didn't?

Trouble knew that if he had to choose between Holly and this baby, there was only one choice he could make. But he hoped fervently not to have to make that choice. Every child deserved a good home.

Then again, how good of a home could he provide if he and Holly worked all hours of the day and night and weren't home to take care of her?

Trouble's brain ran around in circles, but one thing stood out clear above all else. One thought pierced through all the rest.

Holly was the most important thing in the world to him and he'd do anything for her. That was it, case settled. No questions asked.