(Skippity-skip if you don't wanna read my author's notes)

Thanks to Wolfy, and Nosuchthingashappilyeverafter for the reviews.

As for "aaaaarrrrrrrgggggggghhhh i hat," aka 'BOB,' I really don't know what that was, or what to say, so... um...

Review!

Love you all, TheModernChromatic.

*******

"So let me get this straight," Artemis paces about his confined area and rubs a hand over his face, "You captured me and you're the good guy?" He rests his forehead on one of his hands and then shakes his head, "You and your little group captured me, a high profile criminal and famed thief, just so that you could make the world a better place for humanity?" He lets out a short chuckle. "I'm sorry--wait, no I'm not-- but I just don't see how someone like yourself could go through so much trouble to capture me just to try and get in touch with a humanoid species that may or may not exist, and that I may or may not be able to contact."

"But, Artemis," Valor protests, using a tone he uses with me when he's trying to push me in my training, "We know that you know how to contact these people, and we know they exist. You're wasting time in here trying to convince us that they aren't there. The sooner you cooperate, the sooner we let you go."

"Right, right. If you say so." Artemis, who is probably two years older and a few inches taller (though much thinner) than Valor, seems like such a child compared to him. "Well, if you and your little girlfriend are so brilliant and have me cooped up in a 'level seven containment chamber' then you should be able to help the human race without the help of non-humans."

"Hey," I insert, "Two heads are better than one." I need a pause to think of something to add to that but Artemis grabs my silence and fills it with cynical words.

"Ah, because you're so peace-able and good-hearted. No one is that selfless or altruistic. We're human beings. We put ourselves before everyone else, even the ones we think we love. I don't care if you are genetically enhanced and what not, you're still an imperfect being like the rest of us."

"If you're so unconcerned with what we do, then why don't you just tell us what we need to know so we can go about our buisness and leave you to yours?" Valor is suddenly standing in front of me, putting an arm in front of me and behind himself as if he's trying to protect me from Artemis, despite his invisible box.

"Because what you're trying to do is a bad idea. It's a very bad idea. The People are underground for a reason. Humans and magical beings just don't get along easily."

"What about you, huh?" Valor growls, "You don't seem to care about human/magical-being minglings going on when it concerns yourself."

"Hey, kid, listen. This isn't something to be messing around with."

"You're a selfish, sad, closed-minded rich kid."

"And I suppose that makes you a well-trained monkey hippie."

"At least I care about something other than myself. You won't bother to think outside your own needs and wants."

"You have no idea who I am or what I think about."

"I know enough to know that you won't even bother to share this world of possibilities with the other beings around you who I'm sure you don't even recognize as your own species!"

"I've been a lot of places you haven't. You're just kids, both of you, rookies. Get out while you still can," he shoots us a warning glare with his blue-and-hazel eyes.

After that is nothing but a long silence that makes me feel like Valor needs his own invisible box so that he can't hurt my prisoner. I look back and forth, from one angry face to another, awkwardly. The changes are so dynamic that I want to almost smile, but they're so angry I'm afraid to. Where Valor's face is a dark golden color, Artemis is all pale. Artemis's thin face , lightning blue/mud brown eyes, and thick brows contrast the fullness of Valor's face, with his high cheekbones, blazing hazel eyes, and thin eyebrows.

"So, um..." I start, and wrap both hands around one of Valor's wrists, "Valor and I are going to be outside while you think this over a bit..." I dig my heels into the ground and pull Valor out of the room with all my might. I lock the door to the laboratory behind me.

He's still fuming when I take a hold of him and catch his gaze.

"Valor. You don't need to be getting upset over something like this. Just stay out of the negotiations and leave it to me. It's just talking right now. I'll need you more later," I promise.

"So what? You're just going to let him boss you around like a child? You need me for this," he argues and he tries to push past me. I put up a hand to stop him.

"Woah, Valor, slow down. I hate to say this to you, but no, right now I don't need you. Just calm down."

He looks at me as if he expects me to shout out something that indicates I was joking or to laugh out loud. When I do nothing but stare at him, he scoffs and walks out the back door from the kitchen. I put a hand over my face and slump down in a chair at the kitchen table. I'm upset now that Valor has gone off on me and I sit at the table for a few moments before going back into my lab, satisfied that even if Valor comes back, he can't get into my lab.

"So, you back for more of my diatribe? Or are you going to put an electric collar on me like a dog this time so you can stare at me in silence until I decide to talk?"

"Look, Artemis. I don't appreciate the sarcasm--"

"I don't appreciate being locked in an invisibe box."

"I'm trying to help you and myself and everyone else who's out there, so just cut it out." I pause and look at him somberly, "Please, just cooperate with me. It's going to be better out there! You've got the information and contacts we need, all we need is you to give them to us."

He looks at me as if I'm totally insane for the longest time, every second making my hope fade even more.

"Alright. I'll do what I can," he finally says, and at which point I've let my gaze fall away from him. I look back at him right away and he repeats it, as if to assure himself.

"I'll do what I can."