Chapter 12

Sho-dono: Hey all I'm bored and have somehow managed to slice my finger open. Shiinmaru-dono, pls do the disclaimer

Shiinmaru-dono: No. Fucking. Way. My emotions are hanging on a breaking thread; now is NOT the time to order me about.

Sho-dono: I said pls.

Shiinmaru-dono: #grumbles# Fine…we don't in anyway own Artemis Fowl and its affiliates. On with the fic!

Artemis was tired. No, not tired, exhausted. He may not have lived very far from the school but he lived far enough to have his legs hurting and his body sweating within the few miles that it took to get there. He opened the front door to his school and was immediately confronted with thousands of his own peers. There was no way in hell he was going to survive the day if he didn't find Liam within the next five minutes.

With Butler

Butler was still in shock over how a man could be so feminine and beautiful. Why would this beautiful, rich man at the orphanage? Could he want to donate money or did he want to adopt a child? What was he doing there?

"Is Mother Alanna home?" Amaya inquired, "I wish to adopt two children." That effectively answered all the questions running through Butler's mind.

"She's inside; we're working on renovating this place. The building is pretty much crumbling at the foundation," Butler was trying to induce enough guilt for Amaya to donate money. It worked.

"I can see that. I was actually here to donate as well," he said with an embarrassed grin. "My maids told me of some of the children coming by looking for donations. I felt bad because I always mean to come here, but never seem to have the time."

Butler couldn't help but smile, "Completely understandable."

At that moment, Mother Alanna walked into the front hallway, "Good Morning, Mr. Maro. What a pleasant surprise, please come in." Mother Alanna led both Butler and Amaya towards what could be considered a kitchen if there wasn't mold, broken dishes, and the all encompassing smell of death. "I'm sorry that I can't offer you much; there isn't really anything to offer. I can barely afford to keep this home running each day…" Ouch. That was one nasty guilt trip, Butler thought with a wince. Butler could see that Amaya was feeling rather guilty after that remark. "Now, what can I help you with, Mr. Maro?"

"I'm here to adopt two children and to donate. It seems that my maids forgot to inform me that your children came by for donations," Amaya replied.

"Is that so? Who, pray tell, would you like to adopt?" Mother Alanna had a bad feeling about this; not so much about Amaya, but about whom he was going to adopt.

"The young man, Liam Morgan and the young lady, Beka Boon," Amaya answered.

"Hmm… I see," she paused for a moment, "Well, I suppose that is possible, but you do realize we will have to do a complete inspection of your home and your hours for work and other things. It's not so simple as to just come here and pick a child up you know." Mother Alanna pulled some tea from the cupboard and began to make some for the three of them, "Now, Butler, I want to talk to you about the relationship that seems to have blossomed between Liam and Artemis. Sorry to say this, but, well, I'm a little concerned."

Amaya, who had been staring at Butler, shifted his gaze to Mother Alanna at those words, "A relationship? Who is Artemis?"

"Artemis is my charge," Butler answered, "he and Liam go to the same school; their schedules are also the same. Artemis recently had a concussion and Liam came over to take care of him."

"Oh, now I see. Why is that of concern?" Amaya inquired.

"Liam has, well, issues; I'm concerned that the relationship could be detrimental to both Liam and Artemis. It would seem that Liam is becoming to attached much too quickly and if Artemis grows tired or does something harmful towards Liam, I'm afraid that Liam might not be able to come back from something like that," Mother Alanna was explaining it calmly but it was infuriating Butler for some reason; and, looking towards Amaya, Butler could perceive the same anger radiating from him.

Butler would have said something in Liam and Artemis' defense if Beka hadn't beat him to it, "Habit! Just shut-up!" Beka was stark raving mad, "You don't know how good Artemis is for Liam! For the first time in years, Liam is connecting with someone outside this hell hole. For the first time, Liam cares about someone as something other than family. For the first time, Liam is truly happy. Why would you want to take that away from him, Habit?" Beka was starting to cry, "Why can't you let Liam onii-san finally enjoy being happy?"

Mother Alanna was at a loss for words but Amaya took over for her, "Well, well, well you must be Miss Boon. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Mr. Maro."

Beka turned towards him with a raised eyebrow, "So you're the rich dude who lives in that mansion down the street, eh?"

"Beka!" Mother Alanna cried in shock, "You do not talk to guests like that; especially those who are considering adoption."

That caused a dramatic change in Beka's attitude, "Oh really? Who were you thinking of adopting or were you just going to look around to see what types of kids are here?" Beka was practically growling in anger.

"What?" Amaya held his hands up in a defensive gesture; his face was puzzled, "I don't understand what you're saying. I cam here to adopt two children and donate money to help fix the place up; I know what it's like to grow up as an orphan. Trust me; I know how much it sucks to not have a parent that loves you." Amaya had stood up from his chair and walked over to the distraught and crying Beka, "I know what it's like to run from your family and escape to someplace far away; I know how you feel, Miss Beka." Amaya enfolded Beka into a firm hug; he truly knew what it was like to be so utterly alone.

Beka was crying heavily, Mother Alanna looked like she was going to have a heart attack, and Butler was just trying to wrap his head around this entire ordeal. If he was really, truly lucky, Butler may just come out of it without losing his mind. But, knowing his luck, Butler was well and thoroughly screwed.

With Artemis

THUD THUD THUD THUD "You know you're gonna hurt yourself doing that right?" Liam commented, watching Artemis bang his head against the desk in trigonometry.

"I" thud "don't" thud "care." thud.

"Well have fun with that," Liam replied tersely, turning back to the teacher. "But if you crack your head open doing that, I'm not going to help you. Now, pay attention to the teacher."

Artemis turned his head and glared at Liam, "Gee, aren't you a helpful friend." This day had to be the worst one in his life; first, Rei pushed him in front of a moving bus (he only lived because Liam had pulled Artemis out of the way), then, Rei bodily threw Artemis into the wall and threatened to "summon something that would make Artemis beg for death." To add to that list, his thoughts were all jumbled; Artemis felt that his thoughts were a hurricane. He was so confused; believe what Holly said and 'capture' Liam for her or stop resisting and just let himself feel? Should he tell Liam was the Fey were up to? Artemis couldn't decide what he was supposed to do and all it was doing was making his head hurt; not the best thing to have after a concussion. So, when all the physical pain and mental/emotional confusion became too much, Artemis snapped at Liam; now, Liam only spoke the bare minimum to him and in a strained tone. All in all, Artemis' day was not going anywhere remotely well; Artemis was waiting until lunch to try and mend bridges with Liam. But, with how this day was going, Artemis wasn't all that confident.

The bell rang and the sound of students gathering belongings and the shuffling of feet and chairs filled the room. Artemis lifted his head and groaned, he did not want to have to deal with his quantum physics teacher; Snoresville. Liam was already up and moving so Artemis grabbed his stuff and hurried after him. "Are you still pissed at me?"

Liam turned toward him slightly, "At the moment yes, but, I suppose it's not entirely your fault; Rei is to blame as well."

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, and I know that there is no excuse, but I'm just so confused, and-and I'm sorry—" Liam cut Artemis off with a finger to the lips.

"I'll forgive, if, and only if, you let me help you on the revenge plan against Rei. Does that sound good to you, Artemis?" Liam quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head cutely.

Artemis was speechless; Liam was so close, his finger felt so soft against his lips. "Uh, yeah, sure; it would be great to have your help. I was actually thinking of asking for your help in the first place."

Liam smiled and leaned even closer, "I'm glad to hear it." For a split second Artemis thought that Liam was about to kiss him, and then Liam pulled away and continued on his way to quantum physics. Artemis' face was the color of Teach's flaming red mane; and he could feel the heat in his cheeks while running after Liam. He still hadn't decided on what to do with Liam; all the thinking did was give him one killer migraine. So he just shoved to the back of his mind; he'd think on it after school. Perhaps he'd just avoid the subject and start plan his revenge on Rei.

Shiinmaru-dono: I am sooooooooooo sorry for not updating sooner! But with all this school shit and having to deal with my boyfriend and all that other annoyingly distracting stuff, I've just been so busy. #bows until head his touching floor# Please forgive this one and review; if you send me flames I will simply send you a Howler.

Sho-dono: I hold no responsibility for the long period of no update. Blame Shiinmaru-dono. See yuz

Shiinmaru-dono: #blows raspberry# You suck, slave! #cracks whip and cackles maniacally# I'll torturing Sho-dono so don't expect her to speak next chapter. Shiinmaru-dono out!