Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters owned by Eoin Colfer, I don't own anything I didn't create, but I own everything that I made up/created/thought of.

(A/N: I'm so sorry. It has taken me nearly a week to update. I've been ultra buy with schoolwork and extra curricular activities and haven't had a chance to get near my computer. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I have some individual replies below. Then on with the story.)

Review Replies:

cybergurl: Thanks, a lot.

Critizizors (1&2): Sorry, I don't have any passport whatsoever. Sorry about the cliff-hangers, but they seem the logical place to end a chapter. Thanks. It seemed like a good name at the time.

Dragon andthewerewolf: That's good. I like Holly/Trouble too. Thanks – I honestly am honoured.

normal: It was the thing most unlike Holly I could think of. She should be horrified, we will have to see. But I will not dwell on Holly being unconscious too much longer. I'm running out of things that can happen while Holly isn't involved. I don't know if Xanthe will be a main character or not yet, it does depend on how she fits in. Thanks for reviewing.

refloc: Thanks for reviewing, so many times. Thanks. Thanks. It is nice to know people read what I write. Well I didn't exactly go nuts, not compared to what you have done. Why does everyone comment on cliff-hangers? I know I do to, but everyone puts cliff-hangers. Thanks. Don't worry, thanks for reviewing. I'm trying to update sooner, but it will probably be only one or two chapters in a week, time is a very precious commodity. Thanks, first person just seems logical for this story, but there will be bits of third person. Yes you do have your own assets; I'm looking forward to reading more or Hitting Hard. Thanks again.

Sweetdeath04: You will find out how Holly is doing this chapter. I am updating. Thanks – yet again I am honoured.

Chapter Eight: Open Eyes

Holly's POV

I crack my eyes open less than a millimetre. No people running around me this time. Just one person standing over me looking at me with concern. The person looked exactly like me, just me in makeup and clothes I would never wear. I can't see them clearly; everything is a little blurry at the moment. The figure bends over me and then strokes my hair, then disappears from my line of sight. Remaining conscious is too much of a struggle at this point in time, so I stop fighting with the blackness at the corner of my vision and slump even deeper into whatever soft surface I am lying on.

Xanthe's POV

Wow. She looked so much like me it was scary. It was disturbing to see a mirror image of myself in a hospital bed with tubes and needles covering almost of every inch of bare skin. I bent down and gently brushed her hair, I thought I saw her eyes flicker open, but it must have been an illusion, for she was still unconscious. I didn't even know I had a sister until today, yet I felt an inexplicable … I'm not quite sure what the right word is… it seems like yet dislike love. I care for her, I know that.

I took a deep breath and walked away from the bed.

'How is she?'

Commander Root's POV

Agonised waiting, interrupted only by Cadet Vein coming to see Cadet Kelp. Of course Vein will be an excellent stealth Recon officer when it doesn't involve speaking to anyone but the LEP, but he does not think before he speaks.

Both Trouble and I clobbered him instantaneously when, as Xanthe walked into the room, he came out with his all time most inappropriate comment.

'Wow, I thought Holly was hurt, she looks like she's had a makeover.'

Luckily Trouble jumped in (he was always slightly better at dealing with people, even if it was only at ordering them around).

'Hi Xanthe, I'm Trouble Kelp – Holly's friend and partner at the LEP academy. Sorry about Ash, it's just no one knew Holly had a sister.'

'Oh, OK,' she commented, raising an eyebrow.

'Do you want to know how Holly is doing?' she asked me.

'Of course, what's her status?'

'You military types and your phrases,' she rolled her eyes, and almost smiled, almost, 'her "status" Commander, is badly injured. It will take the medics about three days of intensive healing every hour to put her right. She will need to not read, watch television, or exercise for ten days after she is released from hospital as, along with many other injuries, she has a concussion, to fix this with magic is risky, so it will be left to heal naturally. There should not be any permanent damage.'

'Thank you, thank you so much.'

'I also persuaded them to let you in to see her.'

'Wow, thanks, how?' I spluttered out.

'I gave my permission. That was all you needed.'

Trouble's POV

'Wow, you're amazing, let's go,' I said very quickly.

'Hang on … Trouble, wasn't it? Can you just go getting out of that hospital bed?'

'Who cares if I can, I l…… are about Holly?'

'Lare Cadet?' this comment came from Commander Root, who also obviously couldn't wait to see Holly either. I couldn't believe that I had almost said I had loved her, I had only realised it myself when I lifted her from the ground after the bear attack, but I didn't want anyone to know. No one could ever know, especially not Holly.

'Care, I pronounced it wrong sir. Of course I care about Cadet Short, I need to work with her all year after all.'

'Well let's go then. You coming Xanthe?'

'Yes, I suppose, she is my sister after all.'

Xanthe's POV

Cadet Kelp, Trouble, obviously cared about Holly. When I told them how she was he sat up immediately and walked towards the door, physically ripping his drip out of his arm.

'Hang on … Trouble, wasn't it? Can you just go getting out of that hospital bed?'

'Who cares if I can, I l…… are about Holly?'

I sighed. There was no arguing with this elf. He was obviously in love with Holly, but had issues with admitting it. I was beginning to wonder why everyone seemed to respect Holly so much. What was my sister actually like?

After a quick discussion the three of us proceeded to walk down the corridor. Trouble had had to allow a medic to heal the large bruise and hole left by him ripping out his drip before they would let him go and see Holly.

We walked slowly down the corridor. "Ash", that arrogant Cadet, had elected to stay behind, he reasoned he didn't know Holly that well.

I hate hospital corridors. Always have, always will. But for some reason I am willing to brave them to see someone who, until yesterday, I probably would have never even considered getting to know.

We entered the room, and Holly was lying there, oblivious to the world, many tubes and needles, and an oxygen mask over her face.

'Holly,' breathed Commander Root.

Trouble didn't say anything. It was impossible to discern the features of his face; they were so full of emotion. He just walked over to Holly slowly, bent down, and kissed her forehead. Then he stood up, took two steps back from Holly and whispered 'Hey Holly.'

Amazingly Holly stirred and opened her eyes.

'Th…that you Trouble?' you almost couldn't hear her voice through the mask.

Holly began trying to move your mask.

'Shhh, Hols, stay still, you'll be OK now.'

'We finish?'

'Yes, you did Holly,' spoke Commander Root, who had so far remained silent.

'Thought saw me… jeans… dreaming?'

'Shhh Holly, you need to sleep.'

Holly nodded and sank into her pillows. He eyes drifted closed. I had remained silent the entire time, standing at the back of the room as I did not wish to scare Holly. We left silently and made our way to Trouble's room.

Trouble's POV

We walked in silence back to my room. I don't know why, but as I had seen Holly lying there looking so vulnerable I had not minded declaring my love to her, not minded making it obvious.

'You OK Trouble, you look all pale and odd?' again it was Ash. Why couldn't he tell when I wanted to be left alone to worry about Holly.

'You do look pale Cadet; you want me to call a nurse?'

Commander Root's POV

I couldn't believe how pale Trouble was. It simply wasn't healthy.

Typical of Cadet Vein, as soon as Trouble entered the room he came out with 'You OK Trouble, you look all pale and odd?'

But for once I agreed with him. 'You do look pale Cadet; you want me to call a nurse?'

Trouble shook his head, but I was not going to listen to him. I turned by back to summon a nurse and heard Xanthe and Ash exclaimed in unison 'Trouble!'

I spun around, not sure what I would find.

(A/N: I'm leaving it there because I don't have any more time tonight and I want to get this chapter up. Please review and I will try to get another chapter up this weekend. Sorry if it is a cliff-hanger.)