Endurance

Chapter Seven

Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl, Holly Short or Trouble Kelp.

A/N: I know. I'm a lousy writer. I've neglected this fic, and this site. I'm truly sorry for that. I've had the worst case of writers block I've ever encountered, and was completely baffled by the future of this fic. I've also been snowed under with coursework, school stuff and some sucky real life issues, but that's no excuse. But here I am, 14 months later. Thanks for all the sweet reviews urging me to update, without them, I wouldn't have bothered. Also, please excuse the dodgy paragraphing in here, the ruler tool I usually use didn't seem to be doing it's job.

Clearing, the middle of a wood, unknown above ground location

Sapphire and Robert had returned to the clearing, after their walk, although Sapphire stopped in her tracks when she saw Holly and Trouble through the branches. Holly was practically sitting in his lap, examining the map, and Trouble was leaning over her.

Holly shivered; Trouble's breath was tickling her neck. "Are you okay?" He asked her, interpreting her shiver for a chill.

Holly nodded, she was fine. She contemplated telling Trouble his breath was making her shudder, but on the other hand, she didn't want him to move. It was strange, being this close to him made her feel safe. Possibly because Retrieval were supposedly the best of the best, and she was currently in a vulnerable state.

"Aww… don't you love a good splash of romance?" Sapphire grinned at Robert and indicated the pair in the clearing. Robert couldn't actually see what she was getting so worked up about, Holly was just looking at the map, and Trouble was reading over her shoulder. Where was the romance in that? He figured that girls must have some sort of six-sense to that kind of thing, or, more likely, an overactive imagination.

xXx

Trouble, Holly, Sapphire and Robert sat around the camp fire, looking defeated. Well, Sapphire and Robert looked defeated, but then, they hadn't been through the rigorous LEP training that Holly and Trouble had.

Holly's face was a picture of determination. She couldn't see what all the fuss was about; it was just a leg injury, nothing that serious. Typical Holly, she couldn't walk and would cheerfully make out it was just a splinter. Holly's face, however, didn't portray all the emotions swirling through her. She was in pain, her leg had a nasty infection apparently, and how Trouble could tell she hadn't the faintest idea, but she was willing to trust him, just this once. She was exhausted, everything seemed such an effort, and even breathing was laborious. She missed Haven, the comforts of home, Foaly and his gadgets, the surface didn't seem all it was cracked up to be. She was confused, unsure of her feelings towards Trouble. She knew he was good looking, but up until now, he'd been the enemy, the snob, someone who looked down on her. She knew her impressions had been wrong, and although she worked in the same field with him back in Haven, she didn't know much about him at all.

Trouble, on the other hand, was studying the map, trying to decide whether it was better to continue onwards, or return back the way they had come. By completing this course, they'd meet the requirements set and ensure a pass grade. Not that passing or failing mattered to Trouble, as he wasn't being graded, but he knew how much it mattered to the others, especially Holly, who spent so much time trying to prove herself. By returning, they failed. And Trouble Kelp wasn't a quitter. But it wasn't just about winning or losing anymore, not now he had Holly's physical ability to consider. The way they'd come had been relatively easy, several downhill stretches and one rock face to negotiate before they reached open moor land. But it'd be uphill on the return, and Holly could barely walk across camp, let alone climb a rock face. He glanced at Holly, who was gazing into the fire. She was being no help whatsoever, and kept insisting she was fine, when she blatantly wasn't. Trouble knew how proud Holly was, and how hard she'd had to work to get where she was. She'd learnt to conceal her feelings for the sake of her career, and Trouble respected that, but he wished she would tell him how she felt. Bottling up emotions wasn't good for anyone.

"Okay…" Trouble broke the silence that had been hanging over the group like a black cloud. "If Holly is sure she's up to it, we can continue on with the course." He sat back, to watch the groups reactions. All eyes were on Holly.

She made a face, "I told you, I can manage." She neglected to mention that all she wanted to do right now was crawl back into a tent and sleep off her headache.

Trouble dismissed her comment; it was what she'd been like all morning. He turned to Robert and Sapphire, "Even so, I'm going to need your help carrying the equipment, as Short can't even carry herself."

They nodded, "Sure."

Holly scowled. How dare Trouble undermine her like that? She shifted, uncomfortably, pain shooting through her right leg. All the same, maybe he was right…

Trouble continued, "Right, we're going to need everything condensed into three bags, two if possible."

Twenty minutes and a lot of struggling later, it became evident that this was not going to be possible. Sapphire was trying to cram as many of their belongings as possible into two of their rucksacks. A small pile of objects that were too big to fit into either of the bags was slowly building up at Sapphire's feet. "Trouble, it's no use, there's too much stuff, it's just not gonna fit." She gave up, sitting down heavily onto the bag, as if crushing the contents would help. She was sweating in the air saturated with the previous nights rain, and strands of her blonde hair stuck to her face.

"Hmmm," Trouble's brow was furrowed; he appeared to be considering the various possibilities. "Well, if you and Robert each take a bag, and then I can carry a bag as well as Holly… Okay, pack three bags."

Holly, who up until this moment, had been sulking, sitting on a fallen log, head in both hands. Her pointed ears priced up at Trouble's comment, "What?" Had her ears been deceiving her? She certainly hoped so.

He turned to face her, "Well you can't carry anything, I don't care what you say, I'm not letting you."

"Not that part." Holly interjected, shaking her head as if to emphasise her point. "I am not being carried by you. No, never." She couldn't bear to think about it, it was just so… wrong. She didn't need anyone's help, least of all Trouble's. He'd just brag about it to all the guys on his Retrieval team and she wouldn't hear the end of it.

Trouble shrugged, "Well then, you'll have to manage by yourself, won't you?" He resisted the temptation to add "Like you did in the forest last night." That was cruel. It was in Holly's nature to be stubborn and that was a quality, not something to knock her down for. He wanted to sit with her, to let Robert and Sapphire use their initiative. To talk to Holly. They'd been so physically close to each other this week and yet he hardly knew her. He didn't know, or understand what went on behind those hazel eyes. Maybe if he knew more about her, then he'd accept her fierce fighting attitude, the permanently on guard stance. But he couldn't, he couldn't forget the other members of the group; this was a challenge, not a social event. So he returned to helping Sapphire pack the rucksacks, while Robert dismantled the tents.

Holly felt like banging her head against a brick wall. She knew she should talk to someone, tell them how she felt, and for a fleeting second, she wished Trouble had taken a minute to sit beside her, so she talk to him, and explain why she was so defensive towards him, so independent. But he didn't, and even if he had, she wasn't sure she'd have told him anyway. After all, she hardly knew him.

Trouble felt awful leaving Holly there, but she was being awkward. They both knew how capable she was as an LEP operative, but she was injured. Accidents happen, responsibilities had to be compromised. She couldn't walk for a mere few minutes, let alone a few miles, until they'd found a suitable place in which to make shelter.

It was Robert who approached Holly, tentatively, as if she were an alligator, waiting to strike on the prey that dared near her. "Um Holly? Are you alright?"

Was she alright? What a stupid question. Still, he meant well. "I feel… like an extra." Holly struggled to put her emotions into words, "I can't do anything except sit here, it's frustrating."

Robert sat beside her, noticing the look she was shooting Trouble's way. All her good humour and mouthy remarks seemed to have evaporated. But he expected she was feeling pretty drained after the events of the night before. "He feels really bad you know."

Holly glanced at Robert, narrowing her eyes, "What do you mean?"

"Well, he feels responsible for you, seeing it was him that sent you out last night."

"He's got a funny way of showing it." Holly grumbled, sinking deeper into her bad mood, watching as Robert retreated, returning to the safety of Trouble and Sapphire.

xXx

"No. No. Not happening." Holly refused. If she could've stamped her foot, she would have done. So this was why they'd waited until the last possible second before telling her what they planned to do, because they knew she'd object.

Trouble ignored her, debating whether it would be easier and more comfortable for Holly if he carried her in his arms, or over his shoulder. He chose the shoulder option, if anything, it was less intimate, leaving the female Captain with less to take offence over, and proceeded to scoop her up as if she was weightless.

"D'Arvit Trouble!" She howled, more through shame than pain. "Put me down this minute!"

Robert and Sapphire tried not to pay attention to the fact Holly's face was scarlet, as it would only cause her more embarrassment.

Trouble indicated for Robert to go ahead, as he was navigating, and Sapphire to bring up the rear.

Holly muttered in Trouble's ear, "If you tell anyone back at HQ about this, I'll never forgive you!" She spat the words out, under her breath.

Trouble toyed with the idea of a witty retort, but decided against it. Angering Holly now would be like waving a red rag at an already charging bull.

Sapphire followed behind, looking at the pair of elves. They were so good together. Soul mates. Trouble was obviously infatuated with Holly, willing to carry her for miles. That wasn't just responsibility, the way he looked at her, and was so concerned for her well being, why couldn't Holly see that?

She caught Holly's eye and smiled, tracing a heart in the air with her finger tip.

Holly rolled her eyes and drew her finger across her throat in a slashing motion. No one could be in any doubt what that meant.

A/N: Chapter Eight is coming. I have it half written already. Not much romance yet, and for that I apologise, but all the stuff I wrote in was too rushed, too mushy. Please review. Did I waste my time continuing this? I sincerely hope not.

Love and Peace.