Artemis: Welcome to chapter 6!

Marz: See how easy that was Artemis!

Daisy: Okay, stop it you two.

Marz: Fine, but Artemis is psychotic.

Artemis: Everyone thinks I'm psychotic, except for my friends deep inside the earth! :D

Daisy: Actually last time I checked I don't live deep under the earth and I didn't think that you're psychotic…

Artemis: Well then you are just strange then aren't you?

Daisy: Yup. I am. :D

Marz: edging away slowly Okaaay, I have a feeling both of you are rather loopy. But hey, we'll worry about that later. So for now on with the story!

Artemis Fowl and the Tigers Den

Chapter 13

Artemis yawned; the walk back to the palace had been brisk to put it lightly. They were currently walked through the corridors on their way to Artemis and Holly's bedroom. The Queens seemed on edge and it didn't require Artemis' genius to figure out why. The arrival of Jenney was obviously an omen of what was to come.

'Yes.' Artemis thought. 'An omen of idiotic winged crocodiles falling from the sky.'

Holly and the Queens giggled. Artemis looked at them and was met by six impossibly innocent faces which seemed to be trying to say 'No, of course we weren't listening to your thoughts, why would we be?' They all stopped walking.

"What were you giggling at?" Artemis asked them even though he already knew the answer.

Holly went to go to open her mouth to reply, but a sharp look from Daisy caused her to close her mouth tightly and shake her head. Artemis growled lightly and walked over to Holly.

"Holly." He began. "Tell me now, or else."

Holly knew that she really shouldn't say it but the temptation was too much to resist.

"Tell you or else what?" She shot at him cockily.

Artemis grabbed her and pushed her to the floor. He began to tickle her mercilessly.

"Artemis, please!" Holly begged in between screams. "Stop it! Please!"

Artemis paused in his assault and that was all that Holly needed. She swapped their positions and she was now the one torturing Artemis. Neither of them noticed the Queens leaving them to it. Hannah left a piece of paper with

Holly

written upon it neatly. They would notice that when they got tired. It took a while but eventually Holly and Artemis were completely worn out.

Holly smiled at Artemis who was panting lightly. She stood and pulled him up with her. Once again they set off towards their room. Suddenly Holly stopped after they had gone less then a metre. She turned and saw the piece of paper lying on the floor. Holly grabbed it and the two of them continued on their way.

Soon they saw the golden Holly-leaf patterned door and they headed inside. It was fabulously warm as the fire was roaring loudly and seemed to have been for some time. This made the room feel natural and somehow gave it a homey feel.

Holly sat down on the chair closest to the fire and unfolded the paper to read the message inside. It said:

Just thought that you should know

xxx

Holly ran her hand over the writing as if to try to get it to reveal more. It worked; Holly was shot into a mentally connective message stored in the paper. Lily was the one speaking.

"Holly." She said. "This is about you and Artemis. The butterflies did more than just swarm around you both; they read your hearts and souls. We know what you both need above all else."

Daisy began to speak. "Put it this way. You are very close to getting him Holly. Go for it. Oh and one more thing; we apologise in advance."

The message ended and Holly's eyes opened to the flickering of the fire. Artemis was looking at her, concern evident in his eyes.

"Is everything okay Holly?" Artemis asked her.

Holly smiled. "Yes everything's great actually. Just a little message of encouragement from the girls. Also a little bit of extra information which isn't very useful at all. Oh and an apology for something that I will probably find out about shortly."

"Oh, Holly." Artemis began. "Are you still okay with the sleeping arrangements now that you are … taller?"

"Yeah I'm fine with it." She replied sounding slightly apprehensive. "Are you okay with it though?"

"Yeah I'm fine with it too." He said quickly. "I just wanted to be sure you still were."

"Oh, okay then." Holly said sounding like she didn't completely believe him.

Holly walked over to the wardrobe and chose a black night dress. She began to walk towards the bathroom but stopped and grabbed something else from the wardrobe. Holly frowned as she put the night dress against herself. She stopped and turned to Artemis.

"In the morning remind me to kill Daisy." Holly growled.

Artemis grinned. "Okay then, I'll try to."

Holly finished her journey to the bathroom and slammed the door. A few moments later Artemis heard the shower begin to run. Deciding that he would have to wait a long time before he could nave his turn Artemis changed and got into the warm bed.

Around thirty minutes later Holly left the bathroom in her night dress with an extremely large towel wrapped around her shoulders to stop her hair from dripping. Artemis sat up and stretched.

"Holly." He began. "Just thought that I should tell you that the night dress is really short on you now."

Holly frowned. That had to be the understatement of the century. The night dress would have made her feel uncomfortable if she had been wearing it at home by herself. With Artemis present she found it a lot worse. Holly blushed and tried to pull the edges down a little.

"It wouldn't be half as bad if they actually gave me underwear!" Holly stated.

Artemis blushed and began to cough really loudly; that was not an image he needed right now.

Holly continued, smiling slightly. "I have had to borrow a pair of your boxers. I hope that you don't mind."

Amazingly that didn't help matters much as Holly was still wearing Artemis' underwear. He blushed and stood up.

Before he went into the bathroom he said quietly. "No, no of course I don't mind."

Around ten minutes later Holly's hair was almost dry and Artemis left the bathroom, a small towel wrapped around his waist.

"Holly, can I have that towel please? Mine is a little bit small." He asked politely.

Holly looked from her hair up to Artemis and back again as though trying to decide what was more worth the towel; Artemis or her long, shiny, slightly damp hair. She couldn't easily make up her mind and she liked seeing Artemis panicky.

"What are you willing to do for it?" She asked with a smirk on her face.

Artemis paused for a second while his hands kept his towel in place.

"I'm not sure really." He said quietly.

Holly frowned and went back to drying her hair. She took her time and didn't look up at Artemis. A few moments later Artemis gave up.

"Oh, Okay then." He said with an air of defeat in his normally confident voice. "I'll do anything, just give me the towel!"

Holly grinned happily. "See, I knew you would see it my way! Here's the towel."

Holly handed Artemis the wet towel and he headed back to the bathroom.

"Oh and Artemis." Holly began with an air of victory about her. "When I think of something embarrassing enough I'll let you know. If you're good I might make it better for you, or I'll give you a Lollipop."

She smirked and Artemis sent her a glare, it had no effect on the amused ex-LEPRecon officer and Artemis realised this. He frowned and slammed the bathroom door after himself; he had realised he would be paying dearly for that towel.

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White Tiger123 + Marz0