Author Note: Thanks everyone who have been reviewing so far, thanks for your support. To be honest I'm not sure how long this stories going to be but I think I'm nearing the end. Anyway, thanks everyone.

Chapter Ten: Slaps and Kisses

Holly turned to face Sool with her hands up. Mulch did the same while he swore under his breath. Holly's gun lay next to her on the floor and she looked again at the two fairies who had Artemis and Yetty. She gave them a quick glance and determined that they didn't have any weapons, which were visible, on them. She gave a small grin to Sool and winked at Mulch. He nodded and together they both ducked. Holly kicked Sool in the stomach and he dropped both of the blasters that he had. Holly deftly caught both of them and threw one to Mulch, which he used to stun the two elves' that had Artemis and Yetty. They fell to the floor as Holly landed a punch to Sool and he joined them on the floor, unconscious. Holly ran over to Artemis and Yetty who both looked surprisingly calm considering what had just happened. She removed their gags and unlocked their handcuffs after Mulch had handed her the key that he had retrieved from Sool's pocket.

Naturally, Artemis was first to speak to the fiery elf. 'Nice work Holly, although being seen wasn't part of the plan I had intended but no matter.'

Holly rolled her eyes and ruffled her short auburn hair. 'Your welcome Mud Boy, just ignore the fact that I just saved your hide. Who's the girl?' Holly asked pointing to Yetty, 'Your girlfriend?'

He shook his head, his normal icy composure slipping slightly. 'No, this is Yetty. Don't ask about her name, and she is not my girlfriend.'

Yetty recovered slightly so she spoke, 'No, Becky's his girlfriend not me.' At the comment Artemis blushed, which Holly made a mental note of.

'Now then, are there anymore of Sool lackeys around?'

Just at that moment, her question was answered as a laser bolt flew past her ear. Holly, Artemis, Yetty and Mulch ran as fast as they could towards the Manor, opening the doors. Before they closed them, they were just in time to spot ten fairies running towards them.

'D'Arvit,' Holly swore. This was not going to end well. She didn't know how right she was.

The four of them ran up the stairs and split up. Artemis and Holly diving to the right and Yetty and Mulch diving to the left. Artemis and Holly backed up to the wall by the staircase and peeked around the edge. Just then, the front doors opened and the ten fairies, as well as Sool and the other two, entered the building.

'D'Arvit,' said Holly and Artemis together. They quickly glanced at each other. They really knew each other too well. They were cut short however as they heard Sool's voice ring out around the hall.

'Split up, you three go that way,' he pointed left, 'You three go that way,' he pointed right, 'You three go up the stairs and go left and the rest of you go up the stairs and go right.' The soldiers followed his instructions and soon there were six soldiers making their way up the stairs, Sool not included. He thought himself better than to get involved in the fight. As the six soldiers made their way up the stairs towards the four friends, Holly handed Artemis a neutrino gun. He took it in slippery hands as he had begun to sweat. Sweat, when did Artemis Fowl the Second sweat, he thought.

'All you have to do is point at a target and push the little red button on the side. Can you do that?' Holly asked without the usual sarcasm, he nodded.

'Listen, Holly…' He was cut off suddenly as Holly pulled him close and kissed him. For a moment he was disorientated but then it was finished and Holly was her normal self. Artemis though, was still in a daze so she lightly slapped him to get him out of it. He came back to his senses and blushed slightly but then he and Holly had dived out from their hiding place and were aiming the neutrinos at the guards. Two were down before they knew what had happened and then Mulch and Yetty came out, also taking the guards out with their weapons. Artemis was surprised to see that Yetty was a surprisingly good shot considering she had never shot a neutrino before. He was shook from his thoughts as a laser clipped him on the shoulder. He was thrown backwards, panting heavily but soon the rest of the guards on the stairs were unconscious. Holly dashed over to Artemis as did Yetty and Mulch.

'Hold still,' Holly said as she healed Artemis' wound. Blue sparks danced around the cut as the skin healed and was repaired.

'Thanks,' he panted as he got to his feet but the moment was quickly gone as the rest of the six soldiers appeared. They all groaned as they dived out of the way. It was a good job that they had, other they all would have been killed because none of the soldiers were carrying neutrinos, they were all carrying plasma blasters.

'God this is going to be a long day,' Artemis said as they all got ready to attack again.

Author Note: I really love clifies as you can probably guess. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter.