Author's Note: YAAAAAY! My exams are over for the term. Guess what that means?

Yesh, if you're smiling at the screen, it means ya understood. UPDATES!

(This is actually promoting my new horror fanfic, hehe.)

This is a little one shot dedicated to all my reviewers and followers. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Artemis Fowl.

She was scared.

No, she was terrified. Beyond terrified. Who wouldn't be? It wasn't only the claustrophobia. It wasn't only the dark enclosure, nor the smell of fresh blood that dripped down her scratched elbow. He was the reason.

Artemis's breath was now calm and composed, as if they hadn't spent the previous hour and a half running for their lives around Fowl Manor. His breathing was loud, but not nearly as hers. His back pressed against hers, and a deathly silence hung in the air.

She was the first to speak.

"Arty?"

Her voice was weak, her throat was scathed and dry, and she tried not to visualize the leaking elbow that was uncomfortably resting on his thigh.

"Shh," Artemis shook his head. "Don't make any noise."

"We aren't safe?"

"Captain, safe is the last thing we are at the moment."

He sighed, running his fingers along her own, in what Holly doubted was a gesture of comfort or endearment. It wasn't—he was testing her reflexes or something, but she couldn't see it working. It only caused her to breathe a little louder.

"Arty, why did it have to be us?"

"Don't call me Arty."

Holly groaned. "Please don't tell me you've managed to get possessed."

A dry grin formed on his face. "No, that isn't the case. It's only, shall we say, distracting. Things have to be planned carefully."

"Distracting?"

"Don't ask me to elaborate on that, Holly, because you will only regret it."

Holly thought twice, shrugged, and leaned in a bit further on to him, trying to stretch her legs. She could hardly bring herself to believe that he, in his full human height, managed to appear comfortable.

"Ar—Artemis," she caught herself. "Maybe it's safe now?"

"No." The human shrugged himself, banishing all the distracting feelings he was going through. This may have been traumatic for the elf, but he found it only extremely awkward, confusing and embarrassing. Firstly, Holly was using him as some sort of armchair and there was little distance between them. Secondly, Holly was calling him Arty—that accursed nickname. It was a good thing the wardrobe didn't have much light, because she should not see the scarlet that was striving to spread on his face. It was embarrassing, and that was an understatement.

Holly shifted rigidly to a side, trying not to let their lower backs meet.

"Holly, will you promise not to make a fuss of it if I stand up?"

The elf almost blushed. True, that was what they should've done from the beginning. Avoid all this tension.

"Eh, no, go ahead."

"What about your elbow?"

"I'll try to manage," she distanced herself further, covering her face with her free hand, although it was evident he couldn't see her. Artemis stood slowly, back facing her direction.

He stretched, as much as the small space would allow, circling his shoulders, easing the ache in them. And then he did something very unexpected.

"Get up," he said, outstretching a hand towards her. "Don't use your injured arm, it doesn't need any more pressure. Be as slow as you can."

Holly realized that even if she stood, she wouldn't be saved from any embarrassment. But holding his hand, that was mortifying. That was probably going to lead to her tripping onto him or something.

Holly awkwardly placed her hand in his, and stood as carefully as she could. The pain was near unbearable, and her grip was tighter than she wanted. But her prediction did turn out somewhat correct.

The elf tripped on her own feet, the injured arm bringing about the lack of co-ordination, and she would have fallen forwards if the Mud Boy hadn't caught her— rather clumsily, granted, but he still held her...in his arms.

Holly gazed up into his deep blue eyes, the impulse irresistible...but he helped her steady herself and let go, his hands going to his shirt instead.

"Sorry," he said. "It was probably my fault. We needn't stay trapped here any longer, Captain. It's possible to contact Foaly just two rooms away. We could hardly get into any real danger so quick."

Holly wasn't aware of the baffled look she was giving him.

"Something wrong, Captain?"

His calm, cool, collected tones was the reason she snapped.

"That," she scowled. "That is why your elf kissing days are over, Mud Boy."

Author's Note: Haha. If this didn't make sense, that's because it's advertising for my new horror and supernatural fanfiction, "Deep down within". It's not all humor and romance, because it gets scary later on. Please review, and try keeping an eye on that! Also, vote on the poll on my profile. Thanks!

- Shaadia.