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 am so sorry, again, I need to be more regular with updates, and it just isn't working. But worry not, I swear I will finish this story. Anyway, now on with the chapter. How can Trouble be such an idiot I ask you? Oh, review replies will be found at the end of this chapter.

Chapter Thirteen: The Relay's Begin

Holly's POV

How could he be so stupid? I mean it. I was just starting to think he liked me then he went and did this, it is just devastating. 'You have holes in your ears" how could he? He was just an idiot like all males.

I ran out and ran sobbing down the corridor. I was going to get all this stupid stuff off, especially the stuff on my face, it was just stupid of Xanthe. No, I shouldn't blame this on Xanthe, it wasn't her fault. It was Trouble's fault, he was the idiot. He won't ruin my relationship with my sister.

Typical that he can't leave it alone though. As I walked down the corridor I heard him call out my name. But I wouldn't make it that easy for him, he was just like the rest - shallow. I tried to stop the tears streaming down my face, but I couldn't. I wouldn't cry in front of him, Holly Short doesn't cry, but it wasn't working.

Trouble's POV

'Holly!' I scream, racing down the hall after her.

How on earth did I make her cry? I feel so terrible; I shouldn't have said that, now she will think that I'm just so shallow, but I'm not, I really care about her.

Holly just keeps on walking, and walking, obviously trying to keep in the sobs. I break into a run.

'Holly, please,' but still she ignore me.

What can I do?

'Holly, I'm…' but she cuts across me.

'No, don't say it. You aren't. You're just a pathetic idiot like the rest of them. I thought you were different. Obviously not.'

'Holly, but I…'

'NO I TOLD YOU GET OUT OF MY LIFE.'

'But…'

'Look, I'll finish this course with you; I worked too hard to get into the academy to let you ruin it. But I want nothing else to do with you.'

Her voice is like pure venom, and it cuts me deep how she could seem so in love with me one minute, then hate me with all her soul the next. I know it is my fault, but it doesn't make it seem any easier.

Holly's POV

I can't believe the pathetic jerk. He tries to tell me he's sorry, I'm not going to take it.

'NO I TOLD YOU GET OUT OF MY LIFE.'

I just can't take it anymore, he should stop acting like this, it's his fault, I'm not going to take apologies from him. He's stupid.

'But…'

'Look, I'll finish this course with you; I worked too hard to get into the academy to let you ruin it. But I want nothing else to do with you.'

It hurts me so much to say that to him. I know I still love him, but he hurt me so bad, why did he have to be such an idiot. It's not like he wouldn't have known how uncomfortable I was feeling, but he had to blurt that out.

'HOLLY I'M SORRY!' he screamed.

I'd never seen him react like that before. Maybe he genuinely was sorry, but I wasn't going to forgive him that easily.

'Don't.'

'I am. What can I do to make it up to you?'

'GET OUT OF MY LIFE YOU IDIOT ELF!'

I had had enough. I know I should have accepted his apology, it was so obviously genuine, but that didn't stop me wanting to hurt him. He obviously didn't know me anymore.

I bean to run down the corridor towards the exit. I have to get out of here. When I get near the exit I realise I don't want to get kicked out, so turn to hide in the girl's bathroom. Immature I know, but one way to get away from Trouble. I can hear feet pounding behind me. I didn't think that Trouble was that heavy a runner; he sure makes heaps of noise. As a turn into the appropriate corridor someone grabs my shoulder and spins me around.

Commander Root's POV

I can hear the two of them arguing in the corridor outside, Holly making a lot of noise about getting out of her life. I know how badly that the comment must have hurt her. She was always touchy about being stereotyped, or having comments made about feminine aspects of her. Not that she had a problem with being female, just when people assumed things about her because she was. I wondered briefly how Xanthe had managed to persuade her to wear them, but it didn't matter now. It wasn't Xanthe's fault; she wouldn't have known that about Holly. Maybe sisters just couldn't be put together and expected to get on properly.

I heard Holly begin running. I wasn't going to let her ruin her career because of this. As soon as she stepped out of the front door she would be expelled, and there was nothing I could do about that. But I could stop her leaving. I rocketed out of the door, leaving Xanthe looking all the more confused. I almost laughed; the look on her face would have been comical if it wasn't for the circumstances. As it was I didn't have time for her. I cared about Holly; she was my god-daughter.

I rushed out into the corridor. Trouble was just standing there. Holly was racing towards the door. That girl was really fast. It would be interesting to see her in the sprint trials tomorrow, the first thing she would be fit to participate in. No time for thinking about that that now.

'Get in their and stay with Xanthe you idiot,' I tell Trouble before running down the corridor after Holly.

I run down the corridor after her, aware of how much noise I am making. I see Holly speed up. She has obviously heard me. Just as she turns into a corridor I grab her shoulder and spin her around to face me.

'Holly,' I say, 'don't leave; don't let this ruin your career in the LEP.'

I am surprised at how worried I sound, and how much I am puffing, it was just a short sprint down a corridor for Frond's sake. There was a time I could sprint for an hour without puffing.

'I'm not going to leave, just get away from that idiot. LET ME GO!'

Normally I would take her yelling at me as an insult. But considering what she is going through I let it slide.

'Holly, don't be stupid…'

'No. You don't get it.'

'Holly, you're right, but let him explain, don't let one moment of stupidity ruin your career.'

'He's an idiot.'

'Yes he is Holly, but he still cares about you, he's still your friend. The two people standing in my office waiting for you both care about you.'

'Two?'

'Kelp and your sister. Did you think she didn't care about you?'

Holly's POV

I couldn't believe how deep Commander Root was being. He was never like this; I didn't think him capable of it. I was pretty sure that I would never see him open up this much again.

'I've only known Xanthe for one day.'

It was true, I'd only ever spent one day with her. Even though she looked like me it would take a lot more than that for me to consider her my sister. Blood ties would never make up for knowing someone your whole life. Trouble was more like a brother to me, even though I would desperately like to think of him as a lot more.

'I know, but she wants to grow to know you. Don't throw away your life for this. Let Trouble apologise.'

'Why should I?'

'Because I said so Cadet, now get in there and talk to him or get out of this academy.'

Yep, I was right, nice, caring Uncle Julius is back to being short-tempered Commander Root. I knew this would come eventually. But maybe it was what I needed. It gave me a push to get my act into gear, I wasn't about to start disobeying direct orders while still in the Academy.

Without a word I turned around and slowly walked back towards Commander Root's office at the academy. I knew it wasn't nearly as flash as his office at Police Plaza, but it was still pretty flash. Why did that pop into my head at that exact moment?

I walked into the office.

'Hey Xanthe. Trouble - we need to talk.'

Xanthe's POV

A few seconds after a very meddlesome looking Commander Root rushed out the door and very confused and lost looking Trouble came in the door.

'You idiot,' I told him.

He looked like he had heard it about fifty times that night.

'I know, OK? Just tell me what I can do to fix it, you're a girl, you should know.'

'Firstly, don't stereotype. You are right, I am a girl, but I'm nothing like Holly. Only in looks.'

'But what can I do? I stuffed up big time.'

'Apologise, let her be angry at you, make it up to her. Give her time, she will get over it. But don't try to convince her you're right. In this case she is right about everything.'

'Are you sure?'

'I don't know why I bother. You are an idiot.'

'Why do you bother? I am an idiot?'

'Good, you're learning. I bother because I care about my sister, and because I have seen you two together. You are made for each other.'

'You really mean that?'

'Of course I do. I don't know what she sees in you though. You really are an idiot. But you are hot, I'll give you that.'

'Ummm, thanks?'

'Don't let it go to you're head. Shhh, she's coming.'

A few seconds later Holly stepped through the door, looking like she would prefer anything to being here.

'Hey Xanthe. Trouble - we need to talk.'

So he had ordered her to talk to him. Interesting. It was time for me to take my leave.

'I should be going now Holly, nice seeing you.'

'Yes, um, thanks for this,' she said distractedly, gesturing at herself.

'No problem,' I replied, before I stepped out the door. I saw Commander Root about to enter the room. I put up a hand to stop him.

'Let them talk,' I hissed.

He looked like he was about to blow a gasket, but he nodded.

'I should be getting back to Police Plaza anyway.'

'OK, see you.'

With that we both took out leave. He had said that loud enough that the two elves in his office could hear it. Maybe he wasn't as dumb as he was red.

Holly's POV

I waited silently as Xanthe left the room. And I heard her tell Commander Root to leave us alone. He said, loud enough for us to hear, that he was going to Police Plaza. We took that to mean that as soon as we were done we should go to bed and be ready to report for training the next morning.

'Why do you have to be such and idiot?'

'I'm stupid Holly, I'm sorry.'

'But why? I thought you were different.'

'I care about you. Does that count?'

'Does it matter?'

'Holly, please.'

'No, listen to me. We are never going to be anything more than friends. It won't work. OK?'

I couldn't believe I was saying this, I so wanted to be more than friends, but I couldn't I wouldn't let myself, Holly Short was not weak.

'I understand Holly. Does that mean we can still be friends?'

'As long as you don't tell anyone I ever wore this.'

'Deal.'

I smiled, for some odd reason I couldn't stay mad at him for long.

Trouble's POV

I am just devastated; she just wants to be friends. I had hoped that I would never be told that by a girl that I loved, but it looks like we're friends. I still care about her though. And maybe, just maybe, she might grow to love me again.

'Deal,' I reply, when she asks me not to tell anyone about her outfit. She smiles, she actually smiles, a genuine smile. That smile on her face gives me the courage to do something I would never normally consider doing, and something that my subconscious is screaming at me not to do. I walk towards her and very briefly allow my lips to graze hers in a kiss.

She looks up at me, totally shocked, like she doesn't know what to do. I am such an idiot. We had just agreed to be friends, and I had to go and ruin it. Yet she doesn't seem to be too annoyed, maybe she isn't.

'N...night,' she stutters, then races from the room faster than I would have believed possible.

I stand there, shocked, for at least five minutes, before something clicks. I shake my head and walk slowly back to my dorm and collapse onto my bed. I allow sleep to claim me before I even bother getting changed, but find that the night is very restless and spent worrying about Holly.

Holly's POV

He kissed me. He actually kissed me. After we had agreed to be friends he just stepped forward and kissed me. I didn't know what to do, or what to say. I was just so shocked. There were so many emotions running through me I didn't know what to do. There was just a small amount of anger, shock, but overwhelming all other emotions was one that made me happy, but I don't know what it is called, I fear I may never work it out. I manage to stutter out one word, then I race out the door as fast as my feet will carry me.

I race down the corridor to my dorm, and quietly open the door before slipping into the bathroom to change into the LEP issue pyjama's, I would just collapse into the bed into what I was wearing, but considering what I was wearing, it was best if that I got changed. Having changed I collapsed into my bed. I knew sleep would not claim me however hard I tried, the emotions running around inside me were just too strong. I lay there silently for the rest of the night.

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What seemed like millenniums later, which in actual fact was probably only a couple of hours. I heard the bell ringing to signal that it was time to get up. I was so grateful I jumped straight out of the bed and grabbed my kit. I hopped into the bathroom and took a quick shower, washing my hair. I was glad I had. I found out what Xanthe had whispered into the hairdressers ear. She had told him to put sparkles in my hair, a whole heap of glitter washed out of it. I still couldn't get over how long it was. I would have to get it cut after today's activities. I quickly dried off my hair and stepped out into the dorm.

'Hey everybody, Holly's back,' stated one of the guys in the room.

Everybody in the room turned to face me, and their jaws dropped open.

'What? It doesn't look that bad does it?' I said, beginning to feel very self conscious. Answers began to come from all over the room.

'Wow Holly, it looks good!'

'You should keep it Holly!'

'I love it!'

'Nice hair!'

'Will you go on a date with me!'

'Enough! No I will not keep it. And no, I will not go on a date with you.'

I walked up to the arrogant sprite who had asked me to go on a date with him and slapped him. That shut him up.

One of the nicer guys in our group spoke up, 'Frond Holly, you look terrible, did you even sleep last night?'

'No.'

He looked slightly, alright very, taken aback at my short answer. I felt a pang of guilt, it wasn't his fault. I shouldn't take it out on him.

'Sorry, I'm just tired.'

He nodded, understanding perfectly.

In half an hour our division was due down at the track, it was speed and stamina running testing day. I knew that both Trouble and I would be at a disadvantage, because we had both been out of training for months because of my injuries. Trouble couldn't come back to training because first and fourth years had to work with their partners. I knew that Trouble and his partner had set all of the records on this day when Trouble was a first year. I had been determined to break them, but I doubted that this would be possible at this point in time.

I sighed, oh well, no time to worry about that now.

After waiting around for twenty minutes for the rest of my division I gave up, and walked down to the track myself. People say that girls take forever to get ready; they should see some of the guys in my division. I wouldn't get in trouble for coming down early without my division. You only get in trouble for coming down late without your division. I almost chuckled; I was never early for anything. Lucky Commander Root didn't run the training days, or he would be having a heart attack about now.

I entered the stadium and found a seat in the area allocated to division four members. The second, third and fifth years would get to do their testing in the afternoon.

I just sat there for about thirty seconds. I didn't even hear him come up behind me, and then I felt his hand on my shoulder. I looked up into Trouble's face, he was smiling, but he, like me, looked distinctly tired.

'Sit down?' I said, it being more of a request than an order. Not that I had the right to give him an order.

He nodded gratefully and sat down beside me.

'So, you didn't sleep well either?' He asked me.

'Not at all.'

'Here,' he said, handing me a rubber band, 'I thought you might want to keep that out of your face.'

I just looked at the rubber band stupidly. 'What do I do with it?'

'Tie your hair up.'

'How?'

'You really have never done this before?'

'Nope.'

'I'll try; I've seen my mum do it a few times before.'

'Thanks.'

Trouble's POV

I approached Holly with an offering of a rubber band (I figured that she might want to keep her hair out of her eyes) and I discover that she had never used a hair tie before. I nearly laugh, but I know that wouldn't be the best idea if I value use of my limbs. She looks like she didn't sleep at all last night; I hope this hadn't affected her that much.

I offer to try and tie her hair up for her, and she accepts, turning her back to me. I gently scrape her hair back into a rough ponytail about halfway up her head. As I tie it up her hair gets stuck to the rubber band and she winces.

'Sorry!' I apologise. She laughs.

'This is why I've never had long hair.'

I can't help it. I laugh too. I finish doing her hair and she turns to face me.

I have to discuss it with her. We can't just leave it be. I don't want to ruin the moment, but I know I will have to discuss it with her eventually, and the longer I leave it the worse it will be when the time comes.

'Holly, I'm so sorry about last night. I had no right.'

She stiffens. 'You don't have to apologise Trouble.'

'Yes I do. I had no right to kiss you.'

'I didn't try to stop you.'

'But Holly, I'm sorry.'

'Look, it's OK, let's just forget it ever happened and move on with being friends.'

'You're sure?'

'Yes, and besides, we need to concentrate on pounding your old records down into the dust.'

I grin. I swear that sometimes, even though she is three years younger than me, she is more mature than I will ever be.'

'Yes, we must do that.'

Now she was smiling too. She shifts slightly closer to me as the rest of the Cadets and the academy shuffle into the seats. I feel a slight flutter in my heart, but I quash it. You are happy that she is your friend Trouble Kelp, don't ruin it.

When all of the first and fourth year Cadet's are assembled Wing Commander Vinyáyá steps forward and begins to give instructions.

'Alright Cadets. We will be beginning with the Cadet's from Divisions One and Two. The divisions will go in pairs and have relays, first division finished wins. This is a team exercise. First and fourth years in the same teams. Get down here now.'

Division Four was in the next relay, there being a total of six relays, then the winners of the relays will have one large relay to find the fastest Division.

Holly's POV

Finally, having watched the hopeless relay by Divisions One and Two it was Division Four's turn. I hoped we would win the overall relay. And this one, of course.

We lined up for the relay, first years at one end, fourth years at the other. Trouble would be passing the baton to me. Finally it was time for the relay to begin. The start gun went off (yes, the People still use things as primitive and start guns) and the first Cadets began racing. I was pleased to see that the Cadet from Division Four easily outstripped the Cadet from Division Three.

We were winning by three lengths by the time it was Trouble's turn to run, and we were winning by three and a quarter by the time he finished, then I started to run.

I could hear Trouble cheering for me, for some reason I was able to pick out his voice. I could feel my legs moving beneath me, it seemed like a very short time before I was passing the baton to the next person in the fourth year line. I was puffing hard but I could hear them congratulating me and feel them patting me on the back.

Trouble's POV

I hand the baton to Holly and watch her shoot past me. Frond she is fast. By the time I had finished running we were ahead by three and a quarter lengths. Even as I watch she finishes and we are three and three quarter lengths ahead. I never knew how fast she was, but I know now. After than we win easily, and even our final runner has stopped breathing heavily by the time Division Three has finished. Holly used a lot of her energy in that race, you can tell, she walks over to me stumbling slightly. I grab her arm as she almost falls over.

'You OK Holly?' I ask her.

'Yea, I just need a drink,' she replies.

I don't question her. I just support her back to the stands, where she grabs her drink bottle and takes a drink. She seems better after that, exactly back to normal, so I don't push it. We watch the remaining four relays in silence.

Then it is time for the final relay.

The six winning divisions get up and walk towards the track. We are split differently this time, half fourth years and half first years at each end. I am still at the opposite end to Holly.

Again the starting gun goes off. I see Holly, an intense look of concentration on her face. I realise how badly she wants to prove herself to everyone here. This time she will be passing the baton to me. So I get a better chance to see her run.

Our division is ahead, but only by a quarter of a length. This race will be a lot closer than the last.

The baton is passed to Holly, and she begins to run. She is even faster this time than last time. She is rocketing towards us at a pace I would hardly believe possible. I look at her legs, they are just perfect, she has wonderful legs. But no time to think about that right now. She is here, and she passes the baton to me. We are now, thanks to Holly, a whole length ahead.

I begin to run, and I can hear her cheering for me, sounding somewhat breathless. I run as fast as I can, then pass the baton to the next runner, the final runner. I cheer as loud as I can as the final runner runs towards the finish line.

A/N: The end of that chapter. The longest chapter I have ever written. Just the chapter is more than 4000 words long, not including review replies or authors notes. I will, again, try to update soon. Thanks to everyone who bothers to read this. I'm taking opinions on whether they should win the relay, because I don't know whether I should be mean and make the final runner trip, or be nice and let something go right for once. What do you think?

Review Replies:

Out of touch with Reality: I know… isn't he just. I wouldn't say that all males were idiots, but at this stage Trouble is definitely the king. Thanks.

Lutefa: I can only say one word (well type it actually): ouch. I have a fro, well I used to, but then I got a hair-straigtener, the best invention ever.

sergeantstan: Thanks. I refuse to get writers block, I refuse. Not that me refusing is going to stop it coming. I wish I could update more, which is why in future I will be prewriting stories. It's not fair to keep people waiting indefinitely slaps herself

Sweetdeath04 - isn't he just? Tut, tut.

Summer Raindrop - No problem, if people give their time to review I will give my time to reply to them, except this reply is at the bottom of the chapter. AH - urgh, makes me sick. I'm still going, if slightly slowly.

hidden and forgotten - thanks.

trueholly - I hate cliff-hangers too, yet I still leave them, because otherwise no one would want to come back to see what happens next.

refloc - I'm updating as fast as I can. Have you worked out yet that I take forever to update this? Ohhh, I'm excited, honestly, as long as it isn't in Shakespearian Language. I honestly can't stand that. Um, thanks? I might just do that. Thanks for reviewing.

And thank you to any reviewers who I missed (sorry if I did). Please review. Till next time.