sighs We have officially reached the last chapter, in which everything is, of course, resolved. You know what I mean. I'm just going nuts over my next story. It has a different style than most anything. It really needs a lot of historic and geographical research done, that I really don't want to do. :) You know what I mean. That's me. Maybe I'll rewrite everything so I don't have to do research, or can make up something that sounds fairly plausible. Anyway, it'll probably be a few weeks before the first chapter's up. I'm sorry. Anyway, it's bound to be liked, becuase I wrote it in the same style of Hitting Hard, which everyone liked.

For those of you that asked about The Spark- reread the last chapter of the second book, where Holly is saying goodbye to Artemis. For some reason everyone wants me to write A/H. Is that because all these new people who are reading are reading because of Agi, or what? Anyway, I have written A/H before, but all of them have been OOC, and I will not publish anything that is troublesome, and hard for people to follow. Perhaps someday I will put one together and publish it for you.

(The diamond mentioned in my next story hint was not the one Mulch stole in The Opal Deception. Think again, people. This next story is like Hitting Hard. ... hint, hint...think of a character like Juliet...If you haven't read Hitting Hard, go read it, and MAKE SURE YOU REVIEW!)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the things I own. The things I own are the things not owned by Colfer. Colfer owns everything except the things I own. The things Colfer own are the things I do not own. :) Try that one, all you people who think you're the next Artemis Fowl.

Trouble gave Artemis a tremendous shove, almost making him lose his balance, and dropped down beside Holly, summoning up a blaze of sparks, and letting them loose in her.

Holly jerked slightly, arching her back, and shaking violently, as the magic repaired the hole in her shoulder, and the bruise from the capsule. Then, she settled, and lay still.

"Are you alright?" Trouble leaned over her, touching her face uncertainly. "Come on… Holly?"

Artemis looked down. "She'll be fine. Give her a minute."

"With all that blood loss? It'll probably be several!" Trouble scowled up at him angrily, still not ready to forgive him for risking Holly's life, little risk as it had been.

"That was not her blood," said Artemis calmly. "It was my own. The only blood she lost was from the earlier bullet in her shoulder."

"Hey, ah—" Vein came around them, and leaned over, cuffing Sool, who was watching the end of the gun, that Artemis had left in his face. "I know you would all like to keep talking, and this is really sweet, but Holly's probably going to freeze, as is Artemis, and we need to get Sool and his men all back, and get things under control."

Trouble leaned down, scooping up Holly and turning back towards the door, motioning Artemis to follow. "Right then. Bring Sool downstairs, and lock him up wherever he was keeping Holly with five of the men watching him. Put two or three in with him, and some out in the hall. I'll take care of Holly and Artemis."

Someone from Ops interrupted. "There's another two shuttles on the way, and they have the room and equipment to take the convicts back to Haven. There are also several medics coming. And the Council wants to see you, Holly Short, and Fowl when you get back."

"Whatever." Trouble switched to the main frequency, cutting them out. "Everyone not assigned something assemble downstairs in the lounge, and help sort things out. If anyone needs medical attention, do your best, and medics are on the way. If you have some to spare, and someone needs it, give it to them. No excuses. I'll be with you shortly."

They followed the men back down the stairs, and Artemis led the way back to his room.

Trouble lay Holly down gently, on the bed, and sat down in a chair, looking at Artemis. "Well, either you're going to get mindwiped again, or a medal. I can't promise you anything."

A smile teased his mouth. Not the vampire one. "They won't be able to mindwipe me. I've made sure of that. But don't tell anyone, alright? It might make some parties feel insecure. And we wouldn't want that to happen, after all. Would we?"

"I understand."

Artemis seated himself, and studied Trouble a moment. "Are you two married?"

"No." Trouble examined his hands. "Actually, I kind of sprung things on her in the port, when she stopped, and I was supposedly negotiating with her. I don't think that was such a great idea. But I thought if I never saw her again, it would be nice to know. It surprised her a little. She hadn't thought about it. And it made her nervous."

"I would guess." He paused. "Of course, things will be different now."

"Why's that?" Trouble looked up quickly, and then back at his hands. It felt rather odd talking to Artemis Fowl and himself and Holly. After all… Artemis was a human.

"The emotional trauma of the whole thing. You heard what she said to Sool. I had to make it realistic, so I didn't let her in on it. She thought she was going to die. What did she say, Commander? She said: And tell Trouble I love him.' Being close to death, or a supposed one, brings hidden things to the surface— things she herself might not have realized until then. It brings out priorities. It tells a lot about what's important to that person." Artemis gazed down at Trouble, amused. "And that's you."

Trouble squirmed, and looked at Holly. "Maybe. But I don't think she'd marry me."

"Why not?"

"Are jobs would clash horribly. If I ever had to have her arrested— And we'd hardly see each other. Besides… I kind of want kids. And she knows. And she doesn't want them, and I know that. She doesn't want to be tied down to a home and all that."

Artemis nodded slightly. "Of course. I should have guessed as much. That's Holly. But if you love her, and if she loves you, you're both going to have to make sacrifices. You're both going to have to compromise."

"How?" Trouble stood up, and sat down on the bed beside Holly, gently running his fingers through her hair. "It seems pretty straight forwards to me. Kid, or no kid."

Artemis got to his feet, moving towards the door. "Perhaps she simply doesn't want to have one. Consider adoption, why don't you?"

Trouble blinked, and looked up quickly as Artemis shut the door. Actually, Fowl was right. Having the baby might be the problem for Holly. Except for the waiting list, adoption would be fine. Of course, it could take a lifetime. With a baby only every twenty years, and magic to fix accidents, there were less children out there. But it sounded good.

"Do you want to adopt a baby?"

He started, spinning around to look at Holly as she opened her eyes. "What— How much did you hear?"

"Most of it, I think." Holly struggled a moment, and rolled over with a wince, stretching out across the pillows. "This bed's comfortable. Rub my back, Trouble."

Cautiously, Trouble put his hands on her shoulders. It was just engrained in him not to touch Holly, or be hit. But she didn't hit him. She turned her head, pushing her hair out of her face, and shut her eyes.

For a few minutes neither said anything. Then, Holly opened her mouth. "He's right you know— Artemis. When I thought I was going to die… all I could think about was you. Your face, and your hands, and your eyes, and your lips. I really wished I'd told you I loved you. That I'd done more for you. And I really wished—"

She stopped, and he leaned over, curious as to the flush on her face. "You wished what?"

"Nothing," she muttered quickly. "Never mind!"

"Tell me! I want to know!" He poked her side. "I deserve to know."

Holly mumbled something, and shook her head.

"What?"

She turned her head away, rubbing the back of her neck, and biting her lip. "I… really wished I'd—" Her voice had dwindled to an embarrassed whisper. "I feel like such a—"

"Never mind!" He leaned down, laying his head on her back, and listening to the low thud of her heart. It sped up slightly, and then slowed back to normal. "Tell me!"

"I really wished I'd slept with you," she mumbled, and buried her face in her hands.

Trouble grinned, stretching out on the bed beside her, and wrapping his arms around her waist. "It's not too late. Just in case you want to save the world again."

"But—" Holly stopped short with a startled gasp as he pulled her closer, and kissed her.

Trouble studied her face a moment, and knew she was not angry, and she wasn't going to make him stop, so he rolled over on top of her, and kissed her again. "I love you, Holly."

"But—"

"Tell me you love me!" he commanded.

Holly turned her head away, so that his lips missed hers, and tickled the soft spot under her jaw. "Can we make it work though, Trouble? Are you sure it will? Because if not… I don't want to get hurt. I don't want you to get hurt. Are you sure we can—"

"Yes!" said Trouble impatiently. "You don't have to have a baby, and you don't have to take care of a house, and I'll quit my job and work with you if you want."

Holly stared at him. "But you're a commander!"

"So?"

She hesitated, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, dragging him down, and kissing him eagerly. "We can make it work," she whispered. "If you love me that much there's no way we can't!"

Trouble smiled, and kissed her back. "I'll turn in my resignation forms before we get married then. Now tell me you love me!"

"I love you. And you're not going to resign. I don't want you to."

"Then what—"

Holly put a finger to his lips, cutting him off. "Don't say anything. Wait and see. I have an idea about something."

Someone tried the door, startling them both. The door didn't open thankfully. Artemis must have locked it. "Hey Trouble?"

Trouble slid off the bed, and hurried to the door, as Holly hastily smoothed down the blankets, and stretched out, trying to look tired and injured, and innocent of any crime.

"Hey man, what—" Grant stopped, looking at Holly. "Are you alright, Short?"

"Great. Wonderful in fact."

Grant glanced from Trouble to Holly, and back again. Holly was trying to look innocent, and succeeding too well to be that. Trouble was just plain elated about something. "Well… Congratulations then, you two. When's the big day; or am I not invited?"

Holly scowled at him. "I don't know. You interrupted our little talk. But never mind. We'll send you an invitation after it's over."

"Yeah. Well thanks. Um, Trouble? The men are coming up from the newly arrived shuttles, and there are medics coming to check Holly. Just to make sure. Though I can tell from her cheek she's alright. They're definitely not excited. They asked me to plead for mercy for them. They heard tales about her great dislike of medics."

Trouble nodded. "Alright. I'll come out and help keep things going smoothly. Holly, you can stay here, or come with me. If you're still tired though, I want you to stay here."

"Not tired." Holly jumped off the bed, and trotted over to him. "Can I have your phone? I lost mine. Well— Sool took it."

After a moment of rifling through his suit pockets, he produced his phone, and tossed it to her. "Try and get Artemis to tell you where your suit is. You need something warm for going back to the shuttles."

Holly nodded, finished dialing, and followed him down the hall, waiting for Demon to pick up.

"How much?"

"Hey Demon."

"Oh. It's you. Are you alright, chickadee?"

"I'm not your chickadee," said Holly sourly. She shook her head at Trouble as he turned angrily.

"Then what's-his-face actually got you?"

"You mean Trouble?"

Demon sighed. "I knew I had no chance. But never mind. That's beside the point. Are you alright?"

"Perfectly, believe it or not." Holly strolled into the lounge, opened a refrigerator, and dug through, finally finding an apple. It smelled like human, but at least it didn't have that wax stuff on it.

"So ah, why'd you call?"

"To tell you two things," said Holly sweetly.

"What?"

"One." Holly bit into the apple. "You've got twenty-four hours until I make it hot for you. And two. Change your phone number."

"But I helped you!" protested Demon. "Aren't you going to let me off for that?"

"No," said Holly, fighting laughter. "You're a hit man, Demon. And it's my job to catch you. Instead, I'm giving you this: twenty-four hours, a warning, and a promise that I won't actually be the one looking for you."

"Oh. Well, that's different then." Demon sighed. "It was nice working with you, short of a time as it was. I hope you and Trouble live happily ever after. I still think you would have made an even better hit woman though. But enough. I've got to pack."

"Until we meet again," murmured Holly, and hung up, slipping the phone into her pocket.

"Miss Short!" There was a clattering sound behind her. "You shouldn't be standing up! Sit down! Sit down! You're only injuring yourself! Sit down, Miss Short!"

Warlocks and the medics that assisted them. Holly turned, raising an eyebrow, and smiling unpleasantly. "What if I don't want to be seated? I would really prefer to remain standing, if you don't mind. I assure you that I'm fine. It wasn't even a near death situation. There's nothing you need to heal. Everything's been taken care of."

The two warlocks slowed, eyeing her uncertainly. The story of the lamp and bashed heads had made its rounds of the medical community in less than two hours. This woman had almost died a few days ago. And then been severely injured. But that didn't mean she wasn't dangerous.

"Well?"

"That sounds alright to me," said one quickly. "I'll just look at your shoulder if I may?"

"Look all you want," snorted Holly, and turned, jumping back as one of the prisoners being carried over everything kicked at her.

"Sorry about that," gasped Newt, looking as if he'd like to drop his man and run very far away, where he could lie around and do nothing, and be nice and warm and comfortable.

"No problem." She stepped closer. "Here. I'll take him. You go find someone smaller."

"Miss Short— the Council has asked we—"

Holly turned around, lifting her man up so she could see them. "I know! I told you, you could look. I didn't say I was going to sit still and wait for you! What did you think I'd do? Lie down on an operating table, and let you put me under? There's work to be done. Now get out of everyone's way, or start helping, but don't stand there!"

She carried him down to the doorway, where someone else was waiting to transport him to the shuttles, and almost ran into Artemis. "Oh—" She stopped, blowing a wisp of hair out of her face. "Do you know where my suit is, Artemis? I need it."

"Down in the labs. Third table to your right as you enter the door. Look in the cabinet underneath it." He paused, twisting the ring on his finger uncertainly. "Look, I'm sorry about everything. But if I had told you, and— things wouldn't have gone how they should have."

She nodded. "I understand. And thanks for ah… smoothing things over between me and… him."

Artemis smiled, and nodded. "Good luck. In the best of ways. No sarcasm intended. Though I'm tempted when it comes to the thought of you changing a diaper."

Holly scowled at him, and hurried back down the hall to get her suit.

Three hours later, Artemis, Holly, Trouble, and Foaly found themselves sitting in front of the Council, as Cahartez read off a monstrous list of charges for Artemis, Holly, and Foaly. Trouble hadn't actually done anything wrong, but he was commander, so he was there.

Juliet was still rather woozy, and she hadn't really done anything, so she was resting in one of the lounges. She hadn't even woken up until they were landing. Sool had almost overloaded her system with the drip.

"Now," said Cahartez finally, looking up at the triad. "We'll start with Foaly. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Foaly nodded enthusiastically, excused himself from the accusations with a few forgotten laws, and proceeded to nominate himself for about sixteen different awards.

When he was done, Vinyáya stood up. "The charges have been answered, and in light of your service, you are acquitted, and the Council has agreed to fund that project you purposed last month." It was obviously something the Council had agreed on prior, knowing he would have an excuse.

Foaly grinned, and sat back, pleased with what he'd gotten.

Cahartez looked at Artemis. "Have you got anything to say Fowl?"

Artemis quoted a small passage of law, and got several blank stares and sighs in return. He was acquitted as well, and told the next time he got into trouble like that, he would be mindwiped again.

Then, it was Holly's turn. Holly looked at the room, and Trouble out of the corner of her eye. Then at Artemis. "I want a lawyer. It's my right."

Cahartez looked rather surprised. "Ah… yes. It is your right, I suppose. Who—"

Holly settled back in her chair, and closed her eyes. "Artemis is representing me. Shut up so he can talk and explain why I'm innocent, will you? I want to hear this."

After Artemis was done, which wasn't very long after, Vinyáya stood up again. "Alright, Holly. You're pardoned in full, and the LEP would like to extend an invitation to you, asking you to take up your old position here. We have talked, and decided to make you commander of the Human Relations and Service branch if you rejoin."

Holly opened her eyes, and sat up. "One question. If something like this last thing came up again, would I be able to do on the field operations with Recon?"

"That's up to Commander Kelp." Vinyáya glanced at him appraisingly. "We're moving him for temporary to permanent. Not only do you get along better with him, but he has better relations with most everyone in general."

"How I get along with him is important?"

"National security. We need someone who can convince youto remain on our side."

"Are you suggesting I have a weakness for him?" growled Holly.

"No… but you're friends." Vinyáya shrugged. "So you might listen to him, from time to time. But about the offer. If you want time to think about it, I understand."

Suddenly, she thought of Mulch. "What about Diggums?"

"He wants you to get him a lawyer."

"That would be Artemis then."

After a long moment, Cahartez waved a hand. "Fine. He's innocent. Why even give him a trial? Kelp, you can let him out when you get around to it. Do you have an answer, Short?"

"Can I talk to you about that tomorrow?" Holly got to her feet, pushing her chair in. "There are several people I need to talk to before I make a final decision on anything."

"Certainly. We'll see you tomorrow morning at nine then." Cahartez shuffled some papers, and looked at Artemis. "We'll accommodate you for the night. You can go with Foaly. He'll take care of you, I guess. Now if you'll excuse us…"

Artemis nodded, and rose, following Foaly out of the room, down to Ops. Holly and Trouble left the room together.

"So that was your idea?" Trouble pulled out an access chip, and opened a door.

"Yeah. Do you think I should take it?"

He turned around, startled at her question. "You have to ask? Why? What were you thinking? I mean, you have a job as a commander. Not active commander, but still commander. It pays well, and you would be back at the LEP, and… you know I'd give you permission for up top, field operations. Why? Was there something else…?"

Holly sighed, and shrugged. "I knew they were going to invite me back, but I didn't think they'd offer my a commander's position. Especially as head of HRS. I don't know."

"What did you want?" Trouble paused in front of a holding cell, waiting to open it.

"I— I kind of wanted my job as a major back. I know it pays less, and all, but it—" She looked up. "Do we need the money?"

"Well, no, actually, not that bad, unless you want to buy a house. But I'd think you'd at least want to be my colleague. Not under my command."

"Why?" Holly took the chip from him, pushing it into the slot, and waiting for it to process. "Why wouldn't I? I mean, you're going to be a lot better than Sool, and a lot less strict than Julius."

He shook his head. " I don't know. Never mind. Forget it."

Holly opened the door, and walked in, motioning for him to follow. "Hi Mulch. You're good to go. You and Trouble and I need to have a talk about something though."

Mulch got up, complaining about the hardness of the concrete, and followed Holly and Trouble down the hall and outside, where they all got into Trouble's car. Only then, did he stop complaining long enough to ask how things had gone, and what they were doing.

Holly glanced back at him. "I'm fine. We need to talk about me going back to the LEP, and you taking over the agency."

"Really?" asked Mulch eagerly. "Then why is Trouble with us?"

"Because he… I mean—" Holly squirmed, glancing up at Trouble for help. "Um…"

"Because we're going to get married soon," said Trouble simply.

You could almost see Mulch's wheels turning. "How much do you think the journos would pay for the basic facts and a few pictures? I mean, you're both celebrity right now. Both heroes. And it's such a sweet story. I'll bet they'd pay a whole bunch!"

Holly glared at him fiercely. "You are not telling anyone, anything, Mulch Diggums. We haven't even really had time to talk. Nothing is really worked out, so be quiet!"

Mulch made a face, and settled back, determined to find a way to make money off it. Later. When Holly was less angry.

At her house, they discussed and bargained in great detail the transfer, and the amount of interaction between the agency and the LEP, as well as money, and payments still to be made.

Finally, Mulch left for home, where he could get food, and sleep.

Trouble turned to look down at Holly, who was stretched out on the couch. "So. Are you going to ask for the major instead?"

"Unless you want me to take the other." Holly got to her feet, rubbing her eyes tiredly, and walking into the kitchen. "Want something to eat?" She opened a cupboard, taking out a glass, and filling it with water from the tap.

"I'm good." Trouble sat down on the table, watching her. "You really want the major, don't you?"

Holly said nothing. She stood there, studying the glass.

"Take it. You'll be happier. We don't have to buy a new house. I'll move in with you, alright?" He stuck his hands in his pocket. "Besides, with my new salary, things will be even better."

"Okay." Holly set down the glass in the sink, and looked at him. "Are you going to spend the night?"

He stood, moving closer. "Want me to?"

Holly went up on tiptoe, smoothing down his hair the right way. "Just in case I have to save the world tomorrow."

Trouble smiled, and pulled her against him, kissing her.

"He never kissed my mouth," said Holly suddenly, looking up at him. "I mean Demon."

"Oh." Trouble winced, and looked away. "I'm sorry I said those things, Holly. I didn't really mean them— to be so angry with you, I mean. I was just— I don't know."

She nodded, and pulled him towards the bedroom. "Come on. It's getting late."

The Council listened in amazed silence, as Holly requested a job as a major in Recon. Certainly, there was an empty space, now that Trouble had moved up, but why she'd want to be a major, when she'd been offered a commandership was beyond them.

After a long ordeal of questioning, Holly was given the job, and told she could start next week.

Holly went out, and almost ran into Artemis, who was in a deep conversation with Foaly over the nanotechnology advancement that the Mud Men had been discussing for the last few years. Fairies were pretty far along in that, and Artemis was finding out quite a bit that he would probably use to make himself even richer. Later on.

"Oh. Hi, Artemis. Um, I was wondering what you're going to tell your parents."

Artemis gave her his full attention, motioning for Foaly to go ahead into the Council room. "Actually… Well, I was going to tell them it was an experiment in parental reaction to—" He stopped at the look on Holly's face. "I know. It sounds really cruel. And I hate lying to them, but— it's not like I could ever tell them the truth."

"Try twisting it a little." Holly thought a moment. "Tell them you were kidnapped, but you managed to get out of things with your superior intellect, and you messed with the cameras, and broke codes, and whatnot, and got Juliet out, and managed to get away. You and Juliet can work out a good story. And tell Butler the truth, of course."

A hint of a smile spread across his face. "Of course. The best way to lie, is to tell the truth. Just not how it was. Alright, Holly. I'll tell them that. And be a good boy for them to make up for things." He glanced around, and then bent. "Thank you Holly. For everything. For finding my ring for me. And ah— making me stop. I would have regretted taking his life later. Even as horrible as he was. It's still a life, you know."

She looked down. "Yeah. I know. I thought— about Julius. Not killing his brother, and how it was almost a mistake. But you can't— you can't do something like that. Even if you can get away with it legally. It's not right. Life— you shouldn't take it. Even from people who deserve to have it taken. I don't think it's our place to judge that."

"You're right." He nodded, and touched her hand. "Is he going to give you a ring?"

"I guess. We are getting married soon. Things are still a little bit— chaotic, you know. With all that's been going on, we've decided to wait on all the final decisions, and telling people."

Artemis straightened. "Well, have fun. And good luck. In the best of ways. No sarcasm intended. Though I still—"

"Shut up!" hissed Holly, stomping a foot furiously. "It's not funny!"

Artemis laughed. A genuine laugh, and went into the Council room, shutting the door with a click.

The end. (yes, I did insult you) :) heh heh. We shall see… children (another insult). Perhaps some of the things I wrote will actually occur in Eoin's next book. In some of my more monstrous pieces (not published— only about fifteen to twenty percent of the ff I write is published) I have actually succeeded in predicting things!

You who do not review: Your evils will condemn you on the day of judgment. :)