Artemis circled around the futon where Holly lay, peacefully sleeping. Pacing used to help him clear his head while he was alive, why shouldn't it work the same now that he dead?

Whoever said living was the hardest part of life itself, was a real ass-bag, Artemis thought.

Artemis sighed and shook his head.

Let's begin with the most plausible explanations, he continued, lecturing himself. Let's say that love is simply a bonding of different chemicals throughout the human system to create what is known as a "state of love," in which in the brain is overwhelmed by a barrage of chemicals designed to create passion, monogamy, mental clarity related to the bonded partner and increased sex drive. It is also proven to cause mood instability. The steroid hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone plays possibly the largest role in creating not only the state of love, but also the potential for love as displayed by humans. While the effects of DHEA are minimal in effect from the viewpoint psychological and neurological bonding the role that it plays in making the feeling possible is… undeniable. His voice faltered and died.

…Oh God, I thought feeling rather sick, I only ramble when I'm nervous…

Artemis spared a quick glance at Holly who had been mumbling in her sleep throughout his entire lecture. He sneered at her and continued to pace.

"…What's this nonsense about DHEA you keep muttering about?" Holly asked, sleep drowning her words.

"Nothing. Go back to bed."

"Mm- No. I think its something…considering you only ramble when you're nervous."

He snorted. "You don't know me"

"I know you well enough to know you don't follow instructions very well."

"You're one to talk"

Holly rolled onto her other side for comfort. "Bite me."

"Get a man."

Holly miraculously raised enough energy to raise her right hand and complete a sincere and silencing gesture to the witty boy.

"Classy. Very lady-like. Guess we know the extent of your vocabulary," He said smirking, knowing quite well that he had gotten under her skin.

"Well, mud-man," Holly said matter-of-factly, "I'd say you irking me to the point of my last nerve is your way of trying to get my attention. But like you said, I don't know you."

Artemis was enjoying the challenge. "You know…" he started grinning widely

She could tell he wanted argument- and she wasn't going to be the one to give it to him.

"Save it- you're going to need that energy for when we tell your dearly beloved parents the unfortunate news of what's become of their charming first-born son."

Artemis couldn't, for the life of him, imagine that this confrontation was going to turn out well.

And for once, in all of his life, he predicted the outcome nearly perfectly.

xxxxxxxxx

"I- I don't believe you," Angeline said firmly. Her husband stood by her side, his face twisted with grief.

Holly thought carefully on her words, which was difficult seeing as how Artemis was whining and protesting about how she wasn't conveying the point he wanted to bring across.

Artemis shook his head. "My poor mum," he said with disapproval, "having to listen to your indifference over my passing is nauseating for both her and me. Keep this up and you'll scare her into Congestive Heart Failure."

Holly bit her lip, "I'm terribly sorry about your son, Mrs. Fowl. He was a very- special child, I'm sure."

"Genius, actually."

Artemis smirked.

"What did you say your name was again?"

Holly cleared her throat and hoped that Holly was human enough for Angeline's likings. She never much paid attention in her Traditional Human Terms of Endearment/ Sociological Behavior classes. Who could blame her?

"Holly…" she said hoarsely.



"Please, come in," Angeline moved her and her husband aside, allowing Holly entrance to the enormous structure.

A castle rich in history, it was built around the XI century for defense; subsequently, it was expanded up to the XVIII century.
It still represents one of the Monferrato's most admired buildings for its architecture and its well-kept splendor,
Holly thought; only repeating the same lines Artemis used to brag about the enormous property.

The gorgeous halls adorned with frescos, the historical courtyards and gardens well-kept, and of course, the famous hall of Fowls that beckoned one's entrance. But she was rambling…

The fire in the manor did little to warm the mansion. It was the first thing she noticed, for the smoke that hung heavy in the air caused her heart to climb- it gave the same scent as the burning wreck she escaped, but two days ago.

"Please, sit." The first of the very few words spoken by Artemis Senior that evening.

Holly glanced at the chair. Well- chair wasn't the word for it…

Artemis followed her gaze. "Admiring my stuff? Mmm…" he said in mock ponder, "Taking advantage of my condition, are we? Maybe if you charm my parents enough into thinking we were close, they might just give it to you."

"Beautiful sofa," Holly said to his parents.

Angeline nodded and smiled.

Artemis did not appreciate being ignored and realizing the situation, he became rather nervous, rather quickly. Of course, he didn't show this…

"That 'sofa' is a classic Victorian sofa and has a 'finger-carved' walnut frame with graceful curves on all sides, you jerk" Artemis said scornfully "and you just lost your privilege to sit in it" he pointing to the chair.

"You're getting nervous again," she whispered. Holly gathered her belongings and took a seat exactly where he was pointing.

"I'm sorry," Angeline spoke quietly, "but you said he was simply missing, right?"

Holly shook her head and took a moment to study Angeline. She sat, spoke, and sounded like a lady, the exact opposite of Holly- who wasn't graceful by any means necessary.

"Well," said her husband sparing a moment to look at his wife, "this wouldn't be the first time."

"He's gone missing before, you see." Angeline explained, "For three years we were without him."

"I know. I swear not once on God's green earth does that child-," Holly stopped herself forgetting that the Fowls still believed their child was lost.

"You do?" Angeline said, "May I ask as to how you've come to hear of this?"

Holly's eyes widened, her frame dripping with suspicion.

"Agh!" said Artemis taking a seat next to Holly, "it's pathetic how you can't lie to save your life…"

Artemis shot her a transparent smirk. "Well, go on. Tell them you work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was hired over my absence to handle the case."

"When a boy goes missing in Dublin, Mrs. Fowl," Holly said with more courage than she actually possessed, "Everyone hears of it."

Holly scratched her temporary leg extensions surreptitiously.

"Sorry again," Angeline said, "but how did you say you knew Arty?"

Artemis suppressed a laugh. "Go on… tell her how fond you are of me. Do be a sport with me mum and make her day." He finished; rolling his eyes and crossing his arms.

"I had the misfortune of accidently bumping into your son while strolling around Maynooth. I was quickly introduced to his manservant short after," Holly said, alarmed that the lies were flowing all too smoothly now that Artemis had interfered. Holly bit the inside of her cheek as punishment. The influence that boy was having on her was annoyingly strong. She'd have to prove to him later how in control of her emotions she was.

Angeline smiled genuinely. "I really am sorry…"

Holly noticed how often Angeline apologized. "No, no. We were very good friends, Angeline. I assure you."

The room stilled at this. Artemis shifted uncomfortably next to Holly. "That's not what I meant, Holly," he said through gritted teeth hiding his severely flushed cheeks.

"Oh?" said Angeline turning to her husband, who interesting enough had bright colored cheeks as well. Holly could see where Artemis had inherited his state of mind.

Holly laughed slightly awkwardly, "Noo! Not like- not like that. Oh dear. Let me explain…"

Angeline giggled with such elegance, it sounded much more bell-like than girlish. "No need," she said not wanting to embarrass the beautiful stranger any further, "If you say you are a friend of Artemis', I know better than not to believe you. In any instance, you are a friend of mine as well."

Holly couldn't help but smile at her generosity. She was done making an ass out of herself for one night. "Your son is so much like your husband- in more ways than one." Artemis senior and Artemis junior looked up in unison, both with cheeks still slightly burning.

Angeline stared lovingly at her husband, "I like you, Holly. I really do."

"If you need anything," Holly said trying to steer the topic in a different direction…

"Actually, could you tell Ms. Paradizo? I'm assuming you know her. I just can't bring myself to do it. Break her heart, it will." Angeline looked away.

"She's really not going to like it at all, either." Angeline said without the least bit of sympathy on Minerva's part.

Holly sucked her lip, "Gotta be honest with you, Angeline. Not too fond of that one…"

Angeline laughed quietly trying not to look satisfied with her answer.

"I didn't know Mother didn't like Minerva…" Artemis shook his head, "You females are ridiculously jealous things." He tried, however not to display the fact that he was quite sick of the girl as well. As cute as she was-

Artemis lifted himself from the chair, his sudden moments blowing the raging fire out as easily as child making a wish on a candle. Artemis gently hovered close to his mother and placed a palm to her shoulder. She shuddered, unaware of the presence.

"It gets so cold in here it does," Angeline said trying to make light of the freezing air, "Like a ghost it is, always blowing out our fires. …You will tell her won't you, Holly?"

Holly was half way out of the door, a pale boy close behind her. "I will, Angeline. Whether she likes it or not."