Woot! I'm updating again. I hope all of you like it :D Poor Denethor... Oh sorry, I'm watching a movie. Extra magical cookies to the person who can guess which one it is ;D

"Yes, I... I love you." D'Arvit! D'Arvit! Why did you say that!? Holly's mouth was hanging open.

"Y-you what?" She asked, completely shocked.

"I love you. I know it sounds strange, but I love you." Shut up now, you idiot! But he couldn't stop himself, "I don't know how it happened. I guess it was your determination to prove yourself. I admired you for your courage, being the only female in the LEP. I'm sorry I was so hard on you. I just wanted to see how far you could go. And then, I tried to be nice to you. Honestly, I tried so hard, but for some reason I always got nervous and ended up shouting at you and criticizing you. I wish I wasn't like that, then maybe you wouldn't have ever resented me." Root couldn't believe it, he was babbling, "I don't know when I first fell in love with you, but I realized it earlier at the restaurant. Well, I think I realized it subconsciously before that, since I've been fighting it for quite a while now, not because of you, just because I didn't think you'd take too kindly to me being in love with you. But, I just can't deny it anymore. You're so beautiful..." And finally he stopped, felling like he was going to panic. D'Arvit! What is she going to do now? Why did I say all of that? What is she going to think of me?

"Julius," Holly was blushing, he felt her grip on his shoulders, which had been tight during her nightmare and afterwards, loosen faintly, "you really feel that way about me?"

Root looked at the floor, he could feel his embarrassment creeping up his face, "Yes." he whispered, "I-I'm sorry I said all of that, it must have completely freaked you out. If you want, we can just forget about it, and I'll never say anything about it ever again."

"I can't believe you feel-"

"Don't worry, I'll never mention it again. I'm sorry." Julius quickly but gently put her down and ran out of the room.

"Julius! Wait, come back!" He wished she was going to tell him that she loved him too, but he knew she would never do that.

"Don't worry, it's forgotten." he called over his shoulder. He ran into his room and closed the door, careful not to slam it, just in case Holly got the wrong idea about his response to her rejection. He leaned his back against the door, feeling miserable. Gods, I hope this hasn't ruined our friendship. That would be so terrible, to lose her completely because of my stupid mouth. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming up to his door.

"Julius?" she knocked lightly.

"Y-yes, Holly?" he said timidly

"Please, open the door."

"You don't need to be worried about me, I'll keep control over myself. I promise."

"Julius!"

"Seriously, you don't need to worry, I've already forgotten all about it." Or I will try any time I'm near you, to make sure you'll feel comfortable around me. "You can just go back to sleep."

There was silence from the other side of the door for a moment. "But I don't want you to forget. U-unless... you d-don't love me anymore." the last part was just barely audible.

Root was stunned. He didn't know how to process what she had said. Was that sorrow I heard when she said that last bit? No... I thought she would never feel anything for me...

"Julius?" Her voice almost sounded tearful. He couldn't respond, he still felt baffled. Root felt a slight weight press against the door, and heard what sounded like a sob. It was so quiet that if he hadn't been leaning against the door, he wouldn't have heard it at all. She whispered something, he could just barely make out what she said... What?

"Seriously, don't worry, I've already forgotten everything. You can just go back to sleep." Holly felt stunned. Didn't he just say he loved me? Did he change his mind? Oh gods, please don't let it be that way!

"But I don't want you to forget. U-unless... you d-don't love me anymore." She whispered the last part. She stood facing the closed door, hoping with all of her heart that he'd open it and tell her that it wasn't true, that he did still love her. But the door still stood firm against her.

"Julius?" She was trying not to cry. More silence passed. He did change his mind. Why!? Why did he have to tell me and then take it back? She leaned her forehead and arms against the door, a sob escaping. She felt a couple tears fall down her cheeks, "I love you too, Julius, don't abandon me like this." she whispered, she hoped too quietly for him to hear. Abruptly, the door moved slightly away from her, as if some weight had been removed from it. The door opened inward, too swiftly for her to take her weight off of it. She fell forward, into Root's chest, and he grabbed her around the waist to steady her. She looked up, into his eyes; which showed suprise, hope, and something else that she was too scared to try to identify, in case she guessed wrong.

"What did you say?"

"Uh," She quickly thought back to the last thing he would have heard, "'I don't want you to forget, Julius.'"

"No, after that."

Did he hear that? "'I love you too...'" she whispered, not wanting to continue, in case he got the wrong idea.

"Really?" he asked in astonishment, "You do?"

"Yes! I realized it at the restaurant too, right after you put your hand on mine. I was too afraid that you'd see it in my expression, so I went and hid in the bathroom." Now she was the one babbling, "Then I was too scared to come back to the table, so I got the waiter to tell you that I was feeling sick... If you hadn't run away, I was going to say that I couln't believe you feel the same way. Just now, when you kept saying to forget it, and then when you stopped responding, I thought you had changed your mind about me... H-have you?" She felt herself start to tremble, she was scared that he would say that he had. Against her will, tears began to build behind her eyes again. D'Arvit! Why are you being so emotional!? This is so not like me.

"No! I could never stop loving you so quickly." He said shaking his head. She smiled, feeling so joyful. Root smiled back at her and hugged her tightly. Holly pressed her forehead against his neck happily, and Root rested his head on top of hers. I can't believe this is happening! This better not be a dream. Oh well, if it is, it's the best dream I've ever had. She sighed.

Root pulled away to look at her, Holly couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He took one of his hands off her waist and lifted it to stroke her cheek. Holly wrapped her arms around his neck. Their faces were mere inches apart. Then the gap closed, and they kissed.

Holly giggled. Root pulled back and looked at her questioningly. "I was almost afraid this was a dream, but usually you wake up right before the actual kiss. It looks like this is real."

Root smiled, "It had better be real." and he pulled her in for another kiss.

Bwahahaha! Finally! ;) I have another chapter planned, so please review and tell me if you want me to post it. Reviewers will get heaps of magical cookies (sorry, I forgot to bribe you with them in my previous updates). -nudges readers-