A/N: I really like how this chapter turned out. I hope you like it too!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

Chapter 5: The Dream

It was almost 2:00AM when Artemis finally shut down his computer, his plan complete. He was not completely satisfied with this plan; if things went wrong, someone could get seriously injured. However, it had been the best plan he had come up with, and was more likely to succeed than the other three he had considered. Artemis knew that they would eventually win, and Past Opal would be returned to her own time. Tomorrow, he would explain his plan to the others. Artemis got into bed and was asleep almost instantly.

Artemis struggled to move the heavy metal box while the battle raged around him. He could see Holly fighting demons out of the corner of his eye. But he had a job to do; he could not be sidetracked by the battle. He had to move the box.

Out of the corner of his eye, Artemis saw Abbot plunge his sword into Holly's chest. He heard the sickening sound of the sword being pulled out again. His mind was spinning. This could not be happening!

"Magic cannot save you, elf," Abbot gloated.

Artemis tried to focus on his plan, but Holly's weak voice stopped him.

"Artemis," she said. "Artemis, help me."

Artemis looked over, and saw his friend die alone on the ground.

Artemis tried to get to Holly, but something seemed to be holding him back. He struggled…

And fell to the floor. The sudden return to reality left Artemis slightly confused and disoriented. He continued to struggle for a few moments before he realized where he was.

Once he realized what had happened, Artemis attempted to calm himself, through meditation. It was just a dream, he told himself sternly. Holly is perfectly fine and is sleeping just down the hall. Despite these reassurances, he could not dispel the image of Holly dying on Hybris from his mind. Perhaps if I were to check on her, it would put my mind at ease. Artemis silently berated himself. He should not need physical reassurances about a dream! Dreams were simply the succession of images, thoughts, and emotions passing through one's mind during sleep. They did not mean anything.

After a few minutes of internal debate, Artemis found himself creeping silently down the hall toward Holly's room. He would just peek in to make sure she was alright, and then he would go back to bed. He paused before Holly's door, before silently easing it open.

The room was bathed in moonlight streaming through the open window. The emerald green curtains swayed as a gentle breeze swept through the room. Holly was lying on top of the bed, the blankets still folded at the bottom. She looked so small and vulnerable on the human sized bed. Artemis took a step into the room, intending to cover her with the blankets. He was a few feet from the bed when he felt his foot catch on something. Uh oh.

CRASH!

Artemis was once again sprawled on the floor. Stupid, he thought, why wasn't I watching my feet? He looked up to see Holly peering at him curiously from the bed.

Holly had been sleeping peacefully when she was rudely awakened by a loud crash nearby. She sat up, instantly alert. Her police training had her scanning the room for her attacker. What she saw almost made her laugh out loud. Artemis Fowl, child genius, was sprawled on the floor, having apparently just tripped over her wings. She sobered up immediately as her mind processed the sight. What was Artemis doing in her room in the middle of the night?

"Artemis?" she whispered.

Artemis tried to regain his composure and think of an intelligent response. This was difficult, as his feet were still tangled in the mechanical wings.

"Hello, Holly," he said. So much for his intelligent response. He frantically tried to think of a logical excuse for his being in her room in the early hours of the morning.

Holly was obviously thinking the same thing. "Why are you in my room?" she asked.

Artemis sighed. He decided it would probably be best to just tell Holly the truth. He did not want to lie to her, and none of the excuses he had come up with were any more plausible or logical. Perhaps he would leave out his intention to cover her with a blanket. That would be difficult to explain, even to himself.

"If you must know, I had a nightmare, and was checking to make sure you were okay," he said, rather stiffly as he picked himself up off the ground. "I must have been half asleep, because I was unable to reassure myself with logic and reason."

Holly sat up and patted the space next to her. "What was your nightmare about?" she asked.

Artemis sat beside her. "Hybris," he said without looking at her. "I dreamed that you died and I couldn't save you."

Holly took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. She didn't know what to say.

He looked down at her, his eyes serious. "I couldn't go through that again, Holly," he said in a strangled whisper.

Holly shivered. "Let's hope you never have to," she replied.

They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, before the pair realized that they were still holding hands. Holly quickly dropped Artemis's hand, glad that he couldn't see her red cheeks in the darkness.

Artemis stood. "I should get back to bed," he said awkwardly. He was grateful that Holly could not see him blushing. She nodded. He hesitated, resisting a crazy impulse to lean over and kiss her cheek. Stupid horomones, he thought. He turned and walked toward the door, carefully avoiding the wings.

He was about to close the door when Holly spoke. "Good night, Arty," she said softly.

Artemis smiled. "Good night, Holly." He gently closed the door and returned to his own room.

Holly gazed out the window and tried to fall asleep again. When she did, her dreams were about Artemis Fowl.

A/N: Please review! This chapter may seem like a random attempt to create more awkward Holly/Arty scenes, but it actually has a purpose in the story! All will be revealed...eventually. So, any tips about characters or any other constructive critism is welcome! I love reading reviews! (Hint, Hint) I probably won't post the next chapter for a while, so sorry for that! :( I will be gone for the weekend, so I expect lots of new reviews when I return!