Endurance

Chapter Six

Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl. I own the plot, and Sapphire and Robert. That's it.

A/N: I hope you like this. I'm sorry I've taken so long to update, although it might not look it, but this chapter was really hard to write. Again, there was going to be some romance, but I took it out; it just didn't fit. Sorry people but you'll just have to wait…

Thank you to EVERYONE who reviewed the last chapter, wishing me 42 reviews. I was so touched, it's untrue. I love you guys! Lol

Clearing, The middle of a wood

Sapphire was the first awake the next morning. She hurriedly dressed and thought she'd check on Holly, as her accident the previous day had really spooked the pixie. She padded across the damp grass to Holly and Trouble's tent, and whispered their names before opening the flap

"Holly, Trouble, can I come in?"

There was no reply so she stuck her head in anyway. The sight she saw shocked her slightly, after all, didn't Holly hate Trouble? Obviously not, seeing she'd fallen asleep in his arms. She looked at Trouble. His blond hair was tousled and his mouth was twitched upwards giving a hint of a smile.

Sapphire rolled her eyes; she'd seen it coming right from the start.

Trouble opened his eyes, not noticing Sapphire. He smiled at Holly who was still curled up in his arms. He'd meant it when he'd told her she was incredibly pretty, she was beautiful in a dangerous sort of way. But she really disliked him. Didn't she?

Sapphire slipped out silently, not wanting to alert either of them to her presence. She thought she'd relight the fire and cook them some breakfast.

Holly woke up about five minutes after Trouble had. She wasn't quite sure where she was. Then she remembered the Endurance thing, the hike, the storm, the accident… She felt happy to be alive, and very content. She shut her eyes briefly, and then a thought hit her, she felt really laid back but quite claustrophobic. What the hell was going on? She opened her eyes a second time and then it hit her, "Let go of me." She muttered, not really bothered if he listened or not. She kinda liked this feeling. What was thinking! Of course she didn't. It was just too early to think straight, that was it, and hitting her head the day before probably hadn't helped either.

Trouble heard Holly muttering under her breath, "Let go of me."

He smiled, "I would, but you're lying on my arm."

The four of them were sitting around the fire, having finished their breakfast and not really been bothered to move.

Trouble was examining Holly's cut, it looked like it was infected and although Holly was putting on a brave face, it seemed to be causing her quite a lot of discomfort.

He gave her another shot of blue sparks, although the magic was probably what had sealed the infection in Holly's system, as it had healed up her cut, but the infection had already spread. It was up to Holly's immune system to fight it. The magic would only act as a pain killer. "Holly, can you walk on it alright?"

She shrugged, "Haven't really tried."

Trouble stood up, reaching a hand down to her. She gripped it firmly, letting him help her get to her feet.

She stood shakily on both feet; things seemed to be ok, but the second she tried to walk pain shot through her right leg. Her face contorted in agony, she thought she was going to collapse, but Trouble grasped her round the waist, steadying her. He helped her sit down, "It's ok Holly, you don't have to put on a brave face, you're coping brilliantly."

Sapphire and Robert had so far been watching in silence, both privately glad that they weren't the ones in Holly's position, although Sapphire wouldn't have minded being the centre of Trouble's attention.

"He's right y'know Holly. If I was you I think I would've died!" Sapphire grinned at Holly from the other side of the fire. "In fact I almost died of shock when I saw you. I thought you were dead! It was SO scary." Her eyes were wide and she looked very comical.

Robert laughed, "I'm glad I wasn't there!"

Trouble wasn't listening to their conversation; he was trying to decide what to do. "We don't really have a choice, but to go back. It's too far to keep going, but it's gonna be pretty tough getting back." He looked at Holly, "No offence or anything Holly, I know you're a really strong person, but there's no way you'll be able to finish the hike, I'm not even really sure on how you're going to make it back to the complex."

Holly nodded, "None taken." She looked at Robert and Sapphire, "But I'm really sorry, I've totally messed up this week."

Sapphire could see that Trouble wanted to talk to Holly alone, so she faked a yawn, stretching, then she stood up, "I'm going to stretch my legs, anyone coming with me?" She looked meaningfully at Robert, he got the message.

"Yeah," He said nonchalantly, "I'll come with ya."

Holly watched them go.

Trouble looked into the fire, watching it crackle, "Holly," he said, turning to face her. She too was watching the fire, but her eyes flicked in his direction when she heard her name.

"Holly," He repeated, "I'm the one who should be sorry. It's my fault that you were out there. I shouldn't have sent you out alone, not in that weather."

Holly stared at him; Trouble Kelp had just admitted that he wasn't perfect! Wow! "What the hell are you on?" She asked, "You weren't to know that there was gonna be a storm, were you? It was my fault that I didn't keep my wits about me. I've been a real pain all this week, and I'm sorry, I guess I deserved all I got."

"Holly, it wasn't your fault. You didn't deserve anything. Now let's not bother about what should or shouldn't have been done. We need to get you back to the complex, and I certainly don't think you're up to walking there. There isn't much I can do, short of carrying you anyway."

Holly grinned, "Well…" She laughed at Trouble's face, "Sorry, as much as I know you'd love to carry me in your arms, it's not gonna happen!" She thought for a minute. "Hey, can you show me the map, the one we navigated by?"

Trouble nodded, "Sure." He stood up, and walked to the tent that he and Holly had shared.

Holly watched him go. She smiled to herself, he was unbelievably gorgeous… She regretted thinking that a split second later. This was Trouble Kelp. The LEP's biggest show off. Something was seriously wrong with her…

A/N: Please review, I'll update faster...