Chapter warnings: Medical discussions of eye trauma and rape. Also needles. None of it is particularly graphic, but please feel free to skip the doctor's visit scene at the end if you would prefer not to read those things.
Chapter Six
Holly yawned widely as she rolled over to turn off her alarm. The sun strips suspended above Haven were bright enough to shine around the edge of her curtains and onto her sheets, signaling that it was morning. Not that that helped her mood. Or made her feel any more awake. She lay there for another ten seconds, exhausted, muscles weak and slow to respond to her brain's signals. Then she forced herself to roll off her futon and do a few stretches to limber up. No use laying about feeling sorry for herself – if she gave in, she would only have a harder time getting up later.
But what to do about breakfast? Holly usually just grabbed an energy shake or protein bar on her way into the station to save time. Given how late she tended to cut it when it came to waking up, that was the simplest option (not to mention perfect for getting every last bit of sleep she could). Today, though, there were other things to get done, hence the fact that she'd set her alarm to go off a little bit earlier. She wanted to make sure that Artemis got settled in properly once they got there. He'd need to go through a medical examination, after all, to verify that he was healthy, and then he'd have to go learn the ropes with the commander, even if he wouldn't exactly start working today.
Frowning, she straightened up, shaking out first one leg and then the other. The commander could be overwhelming, to say the least. She hoped he had the sense to tone it down today.
The sound of footsteps in the kitchen drew her to the door. Artemis had found his way to the counter, and was currently searching for something. He found it a moment later, taking his cup from last night and filling it with water from the tap. Holly felt her shoulders relax, then blinked, surprised at herself; she hadn't even realized they were tense. And why should she be tense in the first place? There was no threat to prepare herself for. But Artemis had already begun acclimating to her apartment, which was a good sign, so she pushed her thoughts aside and focused on that instead. Who had time for negatives this early in the day?
"Hello there. You're up quick."
He finished drinking and set his cup down. "I heard your alarm. I assumed it would be better to be ready to go sooner rather than later." A smile stretched his lips perhaps half a centimeter. "You seem like the type to have an abbreviated morning ritual."
He wasn't wrong. Holly nodded absently as she joined him at the counter, noticing how well he'd managed to dress by himself. While his cuffs looked a little scruffy flopping around like that, every other button was in the correct hole. It unsettled her, actually, seeing an Artemis who now seemed so much like the thirteen year old she'd known before. Though he'd changed through the intervening years – gaining jaw definition, height, and a thin streak of grey hair above his left ear – he was still the person who had kidnapped her. And the person who helped save all of fairy society, she scolded herself. Don't be unfair. You forgave him already, remember?
"Something on your mind, Captain?"
Still just as perceptive, though. Good thing he couldn't see her wince.
"I'm thinking about what we have to do today. Root said he wanted to make sure you had a proper orientation, but the medics will want to check you over first. They always do." Holly took refuge in activity; if she was bustling around getting out ingredients for breakfast, she didn't have to stop and look at the human standing nearby. "That going to be okay? They can get a bit invasive."
"Invasive?"
That one word summed up why she avoided the medical wing as much as physically possible. "Considering the things you've been through, they'll want to do a full workup. Lots of tests."
"Ah." He sounded about as enthused as she felt. "I suppose I don't get a choice in the matter."
"They might space some things out if you ask, but..." Dumping a couple potato patties into the pan to warm, she brought out a pot that held the leftovers from last night. Nothing like curry bulked up with some potato, cheese, and sour cream, right? "I know it's not what you wanted to do with your morning. Sorry."
A humorless chuckle. "It isn't your fault."
Which was true. She had no control over what tests the medics did or did not order. But she still felt somewhat responsible, being the one who had to deliver him into their hands.
At least he had fair warning, she decided. The very first time she'd been called in for a full physical workup she'd been blindsided by more than a few of their requests. Was it really too much to ask that the academy instructors give cadets a brief word to the wise instead of sending them in blind? Well, so to speak, anyway.
"I'm sure it will be fine," mused Artemis, his tone a little bit too light to be convincing. "What's the worst that can happen? A few needles and losing the last of my dignity?"
Holly stared steadfastly into the pan, stirring the mixture inside as it started to simmer. She hoped it would be that easy, but something told her it wouldn't.
"That's the spirit."
oOoOo
When they reached Police Plaza, more protesters had shown up than the day before. Just what they needed. Holly eyed the crowds through the tinted glass of the cab she'd hired; several sprites hovered above the other fairies' heads, holding homemade signs. She winced at some of the slogans, Human go home! and Haven is for fairies! being among them. Knowing sprites they'd probably been conscripted with the promise of a few drinks afterward, a no-harm-no-foul type of deal. That was how it usually went. She could think of no real excuse for letting oneself get roped into carrying such hateful comments, though. Those drinks had better be good.
"Where'd you want to be let out, ma'am?" The cab driver, a well-groomed dwarf, called over his shoulder.
Artemis had turned his head in her direction, but offered no comment. What exactly he was focusing on Holly couldn't tell, but she had a feeling he could hear what was happening outside. Some of it, at any rate. She had to suppress a pang of guilt at the thought. These protesters were just idiots who didn't know the whole situation. Hopefully Artemis would be able to ignore them.
"Around the back please. Don't worry, I have my badge."
The cab pulled around Police Plaza as smoothly as if it hadn't been moving at all. The driver reached back to borrow Holly's badge for a moment, then handed the silver acorn back when the gates parted to allow them access. Palming the acorn thoughtfully, Holly unbuckled her seat belt with the other hand. Best to be ready to move once they came to a stop. You never knew when curious bystanders could turn out to be paparazzi in disguise.
Artemis managed to find her shoulder. He tapped it lightly for attention.
"We're here?"
Holly waited until the car had stopped. "Now we are. Better come out my side. Closer to the curb." She let him keep his hand on her shoulder to guide his movements until they were both on the pavement, then nudged him and stepped forward. "Straight in front of you."
They managed to get to the front desk without incident and stepped into line. Artemis bumped into Holly when she stopped, knocking her forward a few inches, but she recovered quickly and straightened up.
"Sorry."
"Not your fault."
Artemis, being close to six feet tall, attracted quite a few curious looks. One old elf even went pale and made a sign to ward off the evil eye. Holly made sure to glare at him; if he was shocked by the mere fact that Artemis existed, he could keep it to himself. Waiting rooms could be uncomfortable enough without someone making a scene. Especially if they tried to drag you into it for some gods forsaken reason. The staff were able to remain professional, though. The pixie behind the desk did a double take when Holly got up to the counter with her roommate in tow, but got over herself before the silence could become awkward.
"Name, please? Last and first?" The pixie asked, tapping her stylus absently on the fake marble beneath her fingers.
Artemis seemed to have trouble pinpointing where to 'look' for a moment, but answered smoothly. "I was put into the system yesterday, or so I'm told. Fowl, Artemis?"
His Gnommish seemed solid enough. Granted, his grammar was a little archaic, but it was understandable nonetheless. Holly let her attention wander, glancing around at the décor. It looked like any other waiting room in the world (or under it, for that matter), with off-white walls, a grey and brown patterned carpet, and landscape photos framed around the room. She tried not to wrinkle her nose – the antiseptic smell had gotten stronger the closer she got to the counter. Once they were done, she would be taking a little break outside to clear her sinuses.
A gnome in white scrubs came up behind the pixie. "Did I hear you say Fowl? He's scheduled with Dr. Kerry, I think." He paused to shoot a brief grin at Artemis, though it faltered slightly when he tilted his head up enough to notice the holes where the human's eyes should have been. "Sorry to interrupt. Your name is just so unusual. Stuck with me something fierce."
"Don't be modest, Al," the pixie chimed in. "You have a mind for names. I don't know how you do it."
"When exactly is the appointment, if you don't mind?"
The gnome had opened his mouth to say something else, but his eye gave a rather odd twitch as he was interrupted. The pixie appeared similarly taken aback.
"Oh, right. In about twenty minutes! But we'll call your name, of course." She rifled through a drawer in her desk and pulled out a small data pad. "If you could just fill this form out before you're called in, that would be great. Can your," she hesitated a second too long trying to work out their relationship, then forged ahead, "friend help you, or would you like me to ask a trained officer to take a look at it with you?"
Holly stopped examining the lovely picture of an Icelandic waterfall on the wall to glance at Artemis. She'd be glad to help, of course, but she was well aware that the questions might get a bit personal. If Artemis preferred to work through it with someone who couldn't tell anyone about his answers, she understood that. During her last visit, she'd felt bad enough answering some things on her own. She couldn't imagine having to get someone to read them to her.
"If the Captain doesn't mind helping, I think we'll be perfectly fine. Thank you, ma'am." He took the pad – or rather put out his hand in the pixie's general direction and waited until she handed it to him – then turned to face the rest of the room again. Holly noticed that he waited for her to nudge him on the leg before following her lead. It sent a strange warm feeling through her chest to realize that Artemis trusted her enough to guide him.
He seemed outwardly polite, but Holly noticed the subtle tension running through his body. That couldn't be a good sign, could it? But she felt a little nervous asking aloud, given that his name had caused even more of the fairies in the room to start craning their necks to catch a glimpse. Others – the smartest ones – kept their gazes averted but perked up their ears, clearly hoping to listen in. No, Holly decided as she accompanied Artemis to the nearest empty seats. She'd just have to ask once they were away from prying eyes and eavesdroppers. Besides, for all she knew Artemis might simply be nervous about having to undergo a physical, which she understood completely. Better to keep the questions to herself for now, then. If she made assumptions she might end up embarrassing them both: the human was young, but he was no child. He could speak up for himself if something bothered him.
"What is the first question, then?"
He had lowered his voice, and put his elbows on his knees so he could bend down more comfortably to hear her. Probably a good idea. Holly lowered her voice too, and began to read out the first question.
oOoOo
"Fowl, Artemis?"
It was go time. Holly nudged Artemis, suddenly realizing that she'd forgotten to ask something rather important.
"Did you want me to come in with you, or should I just wait outside? I don't want you to be, you know, uncomfortable or anything."
He stood up to acknowledge the assistant who had called his name, but turned back toward her. Holly blinked. She could only describe his expression as awkward. "I don't want to bother you if you'd prefer to wait here. But it would be..."
Right. Well, what was the worst thing that could happen?
"No problem, mud boy."
oOoOo
Doctor Kerry turned out to be a no-nonsense elf who hailed from beneath Wales. She sounded like it, too, with a thick accent, booming voice, and larger-than-life personality. The first Holly and Artemis knew of her, however, was when she swept into the room with a purposeful stride, dusting her hands off as she proceeded to the sink to wash up.
"Good morning. You're Fowl, correct? Male, human, late teens to early twenties?"
Her voice seemed to fill the room like a physical force. Artemis sat up straighter on the examination table. They were getting straight to the point, then. He didn't mind that. He even preferred it, to be honest. Now if she could just tone it down a few notches…
"Yes, ma'am. Pleasure to meet you."
"I'm sure it is." She chuckled deep in her chest. Her accent made it harder to process some words, though, as she was of course speaking in Gnommish. Artemis hoped he would regain his proficiency quickly with some exposure. It was a bit nerve-wracking, not being 100% sure what people were saying to him. "Now just you wait, young man. I have to run you through the whole gauntlet today. You'll be thanking me if I catch something in time for us to get it treated, though. Now let me hear it, and don't you go getting embarrassed because there's a pretty female in the room. Tell me what injuries you've had, and where."
Artemis found himself taken a bit aback by the comment about Holly's presence. A doctor's office was no place to fudge the truth, though.
"As far as I can tell I've received adequate nutrition, so I wouldn't expect any problems related to that. But the… man who held me captive burned out my–"
The lump in his throat made it difficult to speak for several awkward seconds. He had to get the words out, but how?
"He… damaged my eyes. Permanently."
Kerry grunted, and he heard scratching. She'd probably made a note. "And? Anything else?"
"He also r– had intercourse with me by force."
The word he hadn't said stuck painfully in his head, swimming circles through his thoughts. Artemis tried to ignore it. He also tried – with limited success – to ignore the taunting voice that whispered from the back of his mind, laughing at the attempts he made to silence it. A voice that sounded unpleasantly like Arno Blunt's, New Zealand drawl and all.
Oh listen, you can't even think about it, can you? Pathetic. What's the matter, crybaby? It's just a word. The great Artemis Fowl. Bah. I've seen females with more balls. You're exactly what the boss said you are: nothing but a whimpering bi–
A hand touched his arm, jolting him from his petrified little nightmare. "Artemis?"
How long had he been zoning out? He shouldn't do that. He'd worried Holly; he could hear it in her tone.
"I must have gotten distracted. My apologies. Could you please repeat what you were saying?"
Dr. Kerry spoke more gently than she had when she entered. "I asked if he used protection, and if you ever experienced any pain or tearing during the process."
"No to the first. Yes to the second."
Artemis placed his hands on the examination table, listening to the crinkle as the disposable covering flexed beneath his weight. It grounded him somewhat. Nothing had felt like that in the room, or in Holly's apartment. He hoped the tests wouldn't take too long, though. He apparently had less control over his own reactions than he'd thought.
The scratching went on longer than before. A good sign or a bad sign? Artemis grit his teeth behind his lips. There was no way to tell.
"Alright, young man. Were you able to take proper care of your teeth, or should I refer you to a dentist as well?"
He'd had a toothbrush and floss. Mouthwash too. Those had been about the only luxuries he had allowed him, and then only because kissing someone with a dirty mouth 'ruined the mood'.
"I brushed and flossed regularly."
Another grunt. This time it was definitely approving. "I'll still recommend a dental appointment, but that's nothing for you to be worried about. We recommend yearly cleanings for all patients." Kerry's voice moved with her as she stepped somewhere to Artemis's left. "Now I need to take a blood sample. Could you roll up one sleeve for me? It doesn't matter which side."
Artemis nodded mutely. A needle. He could handle a needle. Other children had always been scared of them, even his classmates when he'd gone to St. Bartleby's, but never Artemis. He remembered his general practitioner shaking his head, saying something along the lines of 'If only all my patients were this calm and well-behaved! I'd be able to cut my consult times in half'.
Holly undid the buttons at his cuffs so he could slide his right sleeve up to his shoulder. Her touch lingered on his hand for a moment afterward, only vanishing when Kerry came around his legs to insert the needle.
"Excellent," she boomed, now back to her loud, genial self. "Very visible vein. I bet that's not something you hear often, is it young man? It's true, though. You have good veins."
A tiny grin tugged at Artemis's lips. He could hear Holly trying to hold back laughter.
"You're right. I don't hear that very often."
oOoOo
Author's note: Finals are this week and next, so I'm updating now to make sure y'all can enjoy before the new year. May need a few weeks to recover after finals, though. In any case, thank you for being so patient with me, dear readers. Your support for this story is amazing! It truly is the reason I keep writing. Bless you, and I wish you all a happy holiday season.