Disclaimer: I do not own anything owned by Eoin Colfer or anything to do with the Artemis Fowl books or anything like that. I only own what I own/made up/created/ thought of. Got it?

WARNING: any part of this story from this point forwards (and probably some before it) may contain OOCness. I'm sorry, but I couldn't make it work any other way.

A/N: A great big thanks to everyone who reviewed. Updates are back to normal now, or as normal as my updates of this story ever are.

Chapter Twelve

'What is it?' asked Julius in a deceptively calm voice, ready to blow up if they suggested Verbil. He would not inflict that on Holly.

'Well sir, if you can't find anyone else and are not willing to send someone other than one of us why don't you go with her, meaning no disrespect sir.'

Julius was surprised. The suggestion wasn't actually that bad. Thinking about it there really was no other option of who to send, there was no one he would allow to go who was willing and he would never force his men to participate in this, no matter how much he cared about Holly.

'I think it is a good idea,' said Trouble.

Julius took a deep breath, it was now or never, he would have to go with Holly. Hope flickered inside him. Maybe they would hit it off. He doubted it though. It was silly to hope.

Unbeknown to him almost exactly the same thoughts were flickering inside Holly's head except hers involved "I hope he will go with me".

'Fine, I will go with Holly if she doesn't mind,' he turned to Holly, 'do you mind?'

Holly pretended to think it over, her head screaming to her "Of course I don't let's get going right now!"

Finally she opened her mouth and said, 'I do not object.'

'Well, that's settled then,' said Trouble quickly, noticing that the two of them were staring at each other and most likely were incapable of making sure that they did not make fools of themselves in front of the Captains and Majors, 'you are all dismissed.'

Everyone except Julius, Holly and Trouble exited the room. Trouble turned to Julius and Holly and cleared his throat. They both come to their senses and turn to face him.

'Thanks for that Trouble, We were a bit asleep there,' said Holly apologetically.

'It's fine.'

The discussion got no further than that because Foaly chose that exact moment to walk into the room.

'Hey, I heard you two are going on this in love young couple mission. How did you manage that Julius?'

'Don't call me Julius pony.'

'Whatever. You two do realise you can't go in your uniform.'

'Yes, we aren't stupid Foaly.'

'I don't think he meant to imply you were stupid Holly,' said Trouble, 'I think he was implying that neither of you own anything exactly suiting the modern young couple look.'

'True,' admitted Commander Root grudgingly.

'Well, I have an old friend that can set you up with the new look kit, she's an expert,' said Trouble as he left to call her.

'And you can't go as Julius and Holly,' pointed out Foaly, 'you are two of the best known people in the LEP by name.'

Again Julius grudgingly admitted that Foaly was right.

'Well I'll make up some fake ID's for you. Julius, you can be Jake. Holly you can be Tanya.' Foaly purposely chose common fairy names. They would be less conspicuous than Julius' and Holly's original names.

Holly and Julius were left for the next half hour to discuss details and get to know each other better in general and discuss what they would do. Foaly would do all the technical bits for them; they just had to be the actors.

The two were just finishing off their discussion, having made as many plans as possible in the time before they left, including, of course, "we only kiss if we have to", when Foaly entered Julius' office (they had migrated there from the Situations Room).

'Hiya you two. How's it going?'

'No time for that pony,' snapped Julius.

Foaly looked distinctly put out, but he replied simply, 'I've got concealable weapons for you. And your fake ID's, here,' and he stuffed a whole heap of electronic junk and ID cards into their hands. Holly was devastated to see her picture had her face covered with makeup and with shoulder length black hair with purple streaks.

'I DO NOT LOOK LIKE THIS!' she screeched, going absolutely ballistic.

'I know you don't sweetie, but I had to make you look different, you would be too recognisable with red hair. I know you would never look like that.'

Julius was devastated. Seeing how uncomfortable the new look made Holly feel made him feel guilty. Especially as he didn't look any different from how he currently looked.

'Why don't I look any different if that's the case?'

Holly was very relieved that he was coming to rescue, so to speak. Unfortunately she was not going to get out of the black and purple hair. Deep down she knew it.

'Because, Jake,' he emphasised the new name. Best to get them used to them. If either lapsed and called the other by their real name the entire mission would be sunk, 'you look a lot different to the last time the public saw you anyway. Since you had the ulcer removed.'

Julius had to admit Foaly was right. It was devastating, but true.

They did not have any more time to dwell on their "looks" for the mission as at that moment Trouble walked in the door accompanied by a beautiful elf Holly had never seen before.

'Hi Holly, hi Commander.'

'Jake and Tanya,' hissed Foaly.

'Oh, right, new names, got it.'

'OK, Jake and Tanya, I would like to introduce you to Cynthia, an old mate of mine. Cynthia, Jake and Tanya,' he indicated first to the girl and secondly to Julius and Holly.

'And I'm Foaly,' chimed in Foaly. He didn't much like being left out of the loop on things like this.

'Hi,' smiled Cynthia.

'Commander…Jake, Cynthia is here to get Holly ready she's going to do her hair and get her clothes that a normal chick would wear. Not that you aren't normal H…Tanya,' he added.

'Do you mind? Tanya?' queried Julius.

'I suppose I don't have a choice,' muttered Holly.

'Great,' said Cynthia. She and Holly left the room. Holly looking like she was about to go on the worst ride imaginable at a theme park.

When they had left Julius turned to Trouble.

A/N: I hate writing shopping scenes, yet they always seem to appear in my stories. Worrying. Not this chapter, but next.

Review Replies:

hidden and forgotten: ok. I enjoy updating, and I'm glad that you like that I'm updating,

-anon-anon-anon-: Was it that obvious that Root was going to go?

sergeantstan: I don't think you did. But I'm over that now. Some people seemed to find what was going to happen exceedingly obvious, so I have no idea what you were thinking, but it was probably right.

refloc: Now why would you find that amusing?

refloc: I suppose they are only reviews. I'm over that now, anyway. Was it that obvious?

potter-Dork: was it that obvious that Julius was going to go? I'm not very good at cliff hangers if so many people can work out what is going to happen.

Nia: Thanks for reviewing this chapter. I'm very grateful, naturally. I review every time I read something. I agree, it is only fair.

Stiggy: Good luck with that. I cannot believe it was that obvious to almost everyone that Julius was going to have to go. Thanks for reviewing.