Chapter Four

It had two days since Artemis had sent her an e-mail. I bet he is wondering what is taking me so long, thought Holly as she turned on her laptop. The e-mail icon on her desktop blinked several times, indicating she had mail. She double-clicked the icon, and noticing the e-mail was from Foaly:

Holly, long time no see! Life here is boring for me and if the LEP didn't need me as badly I would have retired and joined you. Bet it is nice living a lay back life:D How is Artemis and Butler doing? The arrogant little mud boy and his ape of a bodyguard never send me any e-mails. If you get any from them I am going to be super jealous!

Well just checkin' to see how you are doing I hope we can see each other sometime, all four of us.

-Foaly-

Holly couldn't help but smile at Foaly's e-mail. He was right, they needed to get together. She knew that Artemis had to miss Foaly. She wondered how big Artemis had gotten, since mud children tend to grow.

An idea popped in her head as she closed the window to Foaly's e-mail. She still had the LEP equipment so she could actually go visit Artemis. She could shield and give him a quick visit walking over to the corner where her equipment lay. She couldn't help but feel excitement run through her spine.

Butler was the first to wake as the as the sun pierced thought the window in Artemis's room. He yawned, his famous bear yawn as Juliet called it and sat up. He glanced at his sleeping master. He remembered last night's events, it their night, full of passion and love. He noticed Artemis's hair which he tried to keep neat was in a mess. Gently, he started to straighten those thin, soft bangs, smiling at his lover. It was then that Artemis woke up, yawning before looking up at Butler.

"Morning," said Butler as Artemis sat up stretching. Artemis looked at Butler before leaning on the bodyguard's chest, groaning. Butler couldn't help but laugh at this, his beloved was not a morning person.

"We should go get cleaned up," advised Butler, "Before the rest of the house decides to wake up." Artemis let out another groan, not attempting to answer let along get up. Instead he merely snuggled against the other letting out something like a purr.

Butler picked up Artemis, walking into the bathroom connected to Artemis's room. With Artemis still in his arms, he was able to start the shower adjusting the water temperature to warm. When the water was to his liking, and knew Artemis would agree, he stepped in, noticing Artemis squirm in his arms as the water hit his face.

He finally opened his eyes, taking in where he was and glared up at the shower. "I think I got water in my nose," he said as Butler let him down. He watched as his young master cleaned himself, adoring the beautiful body before him.

Artemis glanced over his shoulder at the other. "Something the matter?"

Butler blushed and looked down feeling embarrassed. Artemis walked close to the other, looking at him. He bucked allowing his member to touch Butler's. He let out a moan, Butler doing the same. Artemis took Butler's hand staring at it for a minute before pulling Butler under the shower. Butler looked back at Artemis and noticed the other wink at him and say: "Your turn." Artemis stepped out of the shower, leaving Butler to sulk.

Butler allowed the water to rush over his body, a sigh of contemptment escaping him. He enjoyed last night and was happy to know that Artemis enjoyed as well. He remembered his sensei had told him never to have a close relationship with the Principal. Even though he should be displining himself for disobeying such a rule, he didn't really care. He loved Artemis, more than he thought he would. He never thought he would fall in love, but now he was glad he had.

Artemis let out what seemed to be a squeal/yelp when he walked into his room to see Holly sitting atop his bed. He immediately put his hand over his mouth, hoping that Butler hadn't heard him because well, it would be a sight for Holly to see a naked Butler bust in, wondering what was going on. He couldn't help but smile seeing his old, dearest friend.

"Did I come at a bad, Mudboy?" asked Holly, taking her eyes to the clothes that were strown all over the floor and then taking attention to Artemis who only had a towel wrapped around his waist.

Artemis couldn't help but blush, which caused Holly to burst up laughing. Little did the Mudboy know, Holly had attached a camera to her suit, so she knew Foaly was laughing. "Excuse me then, I will just pick this up and go back in the bathroom and get dressed I wasn't aware that I was going to be getting company from you two," exclaimed Artemis as he started to pick up the clothes. Holly stopped laughing, he mouth opened a bit. How did he? But she only smiled. That was he Artemis, clever as ever. Artemis with a big pile of clothes in his hand walked back into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

Butler was drying his hair with a towel when Artemis walked in, blinking when the young master locked the door. "Is something the matter?" he asked putting the towel down and putting his black, silk robe, tying it securely.

Artemis set the dirty clothes in the corner, getting his own robe which had the same color and fabric as Butler's. "We have guests," said Artemis as he tied the robe securely. Butler blinked and Artemis answered, "Holly is in the bedroom, and I bet Foaly is watching through some kind of camera Holly has."

Butler was silent for a moment before letting a smile form on his face. "Well we shouldn't keep our guests waiting." He wrapped his arms around Artemis and kissed him deeply. Artemis returned the kiss, leaning against Butler. They broke the kiss and walked out of the bathroom.

At first Holly felt that there was something different going on. She never expected to walk into Artemis's room and find his AND Butler's clothes laying on the floor. Well certainly it wasn't a Mudmen trend to take off your clothes and dance around naked! And she also noticed that when she questioned Artemis he blushed which she thought she should roll over and die when he did this. And to top it all off, Butler and Artemis walked out of the bathroom, faces red. Foaly was still laughing, she could hear his laughter over the invisible earpiece in her ear.

"Well it is nice to you again, Holly," said Butler walking over to the bed and holding out his hand.

Holly smiled, taking his hand and shaking it firmly. "It is nice to see you again, old friend," she replied. Artemis then gave Holly a hug which once again she found to be strange behavior from the Mudboy. But she couldn't help but hug him in return.

Butler and Artemis took chairs at the corners of the room. "So do you miss the LEP?" asked Butler.

"Yes and no," she sighed before continuing, "I enjoy the simple life and I know that if I had stayed at the LEP, memories of Julius would have surfaced. Although I do miss the excitement and helping people." She then looked at the two, noticing the sympathic glances they were giving her. "So how have you two been?"

Artemis and Butler looked at one another. It was Artemis that answered, "We are both good."

Holly blinked, thinking she would get more of an answer. "And how is your father?"

"He is good," answered Artemis. Holly tilted her head to the side; even Foaly's laughter had stopped. There was something these two weren't telling her and she was determined to find out.