Anyone who has had writers block will know what it's been like for me this week – not only have I basically been buried in homework, but I have spent hours staring at a blank word document trying to write this chapter. So please bear with me for the shortness of it – I didn't want to keep you waiting too long. So if this chapter isn't too good, blame my writers block :)

FOWL MANOR, DUBLIN, IRELAND

Artemis felt nervous as he led Holly out onto the floor. There were far fewer couples dancing - most people were standing around in groups, holding champagne flutes and talking. When he realized why his heart sank.

The lights had been dimmed to a romantic glow and the jazzy Christmas music gave way to slower songs. If Holly wanted to pull away, the time was now.

It was at that moment he felt more scared than he ever had in his life – more than when he was struggling to escape from the trolls at the Eleven Wonders of the Human World theme park, more than when his mother was dying, more than when he was on the brink of death. Holly could easily reject him – the music was a slow and romantic tune, not like all the previous songs.

But instead she pulled him out right into the centre of the floor, and they began to dance.

Perhaps now is a good time to describe what exactly was happening at the time. The Fowl Manor ballroom was a large and high-ceilinged affair, so big it would probably take up a whole two stories of an average house. Its walls were a combination of polished wooden panelling and tall, narrow windows. Large crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, but Artemis had also added theatre quality lighting around the edges of the room, all cunningly concealed above a ridge at the top of the wooden panelling. These lights in themselves could be dimmed, change colour, or become spotlights, all controlled by one person sitting in a small cupboard just off the main foyer. Artemis had actually employed someone purely to manage the lighting.

He had also arranged chairs around the edge of the dance floor, intending them to be for the guests, but remaining empty. This was partly because Beckett and Myles were racing around the room and jumping on the chairs with some of their friends, but also because most people had stood up to watch the remaining couples dance.

Artemis was in a state of pure bliss – the party was a success, Minerva didn't seem to want to be anything more than friends, and he was dancing with the person who he loved. It couldn't be more perfect.

Artemis and Holly didn't notice as the remaining couples quietly finished dancing and gathered around them to watch as both human and fairy swept across the floor.

Even if they had, they wouldn't have cared.

UNKNOWN LOCATION, HAVEN

Opal flicked the test tube with her finger, watching as the clear liquid bounced against the sides. The tiny volume of solution was her brainchild, the one thing which would grant her world fame, whether anyone wanted it or not.

A sullen-looking sprite stood in front of her, his head bowed respectfully. He was holding a tray of what appeared to be beverages, each in a brightly coloured recyclable bottle. Opal took one and examined it.

'Does it work?' she asked, not looking at him as if he carried some unsightly disease. He shuffled his feet, wings twitching.

'Well, about that...' he started, but faded off mid sentence.

'Please tell me you tested it before sending it out onto the shelves.'

'Well...'

'You didn't, did you?' she screeched, hurling the bottle at him. He struggled to catch it before it hit the ground. 'Typical sprite. You need to learn I am the great one here. Without my money Pip n' co would have disintegrated months ago. '

'B-but Miss Koboi, I am not in charge of the company- '

'Don't answer me back!' she snapped. 'You are head of production, and should have tested it first. The Pip n' co Supashakes™ have been on the shelves for months now.'

The sprite struggled to find a good excuse, but he knew arguing wasn't going to work. Once Opal Koboi had her mind set, there wasn't much you could do to change it. 'I'm sorry, Miss Koboi,' he resorted to saying. 'Would you like me to find you a test subject?'

Opal tossed the sealed test tube to Archie, who was standing dutifully in a corner, before lazing back on a brand new hover-lounger, her feet propped up on a floating pouffe. She seemed to consider his offer, before looking at him straight in the eye, making him feel the way a mouse does when he finds himself face-to-face with a snake. She smiled sweetly.

'I was debating whether to test it on you, but I have a much better idea. Still, enough on that –we have more important issues to face. Archie, come here'

'Y-yes Miss Koboi?'

'Arrange an underwater shuttle to depart immediately. We are breaking myself out of prison'

The sprite gawped at Opal. 'You're breaking yourself out of an Atlantean prison?' He asked incredulously. Opal gave another smile, showing her tiny teeth.

'Of course, my dear little subject. And you're the decoy'

The sprite immediately wished he hadn't opened his mouth. The Atlanteans were renound for their prisons – not only were they underwater, but they were surrounded by only the best security guards and policemen. If you broke out of an Atlantean prison, you were legend.

'Is there anyone else going with us?' Archie asked, sounding hopeful.

'No,' Opal replied, 'the only person who can pull this off is me.'

FOWL MANOR, IRELAND

'Do you want to go outside?' Artemis whispered in Holly's ear. They had been dancing for half an hour and Artemis's feet were beginning to hurt despite his specially-designed shiny leather dance shoes he had purchased for the occasion. Holly nodded at him and they began to make their way to the back door.

Everyone had gone back to dancing shortly after they had seen Holly and Artemis together, and now the hall was filled with couples slow dancing and waltzing along to the carefully selected music chosen by Artemis himself. He had even composed a few of the piano pieces himself under the name J Z Staccato.

The cool night air breezed around their ankles as they walked out into the faintly-lit grounds surrounding Fowl Manor. The grass held a slightly silver glow from the perfectly circular moon, which was only just poking out from behind the clouds. They sat down on the top of the grassy slope.

'Wow,' Holly breathed, looking at the landscape from where the Fowl Manor land sloped downwards. Any nearby houses were hidden by trees. 'It's perfect'

Artemis slipped his hand around hers in which he hoped was a subtle way. Holly either didn't notice or didn't care.

'I used to come here when I was younger,' he said hesitantly. 'Back in the criminal days. It helped me think. I never really appreciated the scenery though'

Holly grinned. 'Too busy plotting how to kidnap fairies in the dead of night'

'To think I lived the first twelve years of my life hurting others.' Artemis sighed sadly. 'Committing crimes, ignoring some of the most important people in my life...then I made it even worse by kidnapping you. All for gold,' he almost spat the last part. He had been disgusted when he had travelled back in time and met his past self – five years ago it was clear to see he had been obnoxious, cruel and heartless. But he had changed. Seeing his sad expression, Holly put her arm round his shoulders.

'I'm glad you kidnapped me. Imagine what would have happened if you hadn't gotten mixed up with us fairies – you would probably be trying to rule the world by now. And...' She stopped herself abruptly. Artemis looked at her curiously, but she stayed silent. 'Never mind'

'It's okay,' Artemis replied, despite the fact he knew she must be hiding something. Holly smiled at him gratefully. He knew she wasn't comfortable telling him, and he wasn't going to pressure him into something.

Artemis stood up. 'Come on, I want to show you something.'

He led her down the hill to a clump of trees which were growing at the edge of the Fowl land. Holly was surprised to see a wooden, almost Japanese style fence hidden in the thick bush. But it didn't look old and abandoned – it looked new.

'I made this for you,' he said simply, before opening the gate. Holly couldn't help gasping.

Light danced and reflected off a small stream trickling beneath an ornate bridge, making patterns on the surface of the water. Candle-like lighting was hung from the fence, illuminating the grass in a subtle glow. Holly didn't know what to say.

'Arty, its...perfect'

Artemis unpinned the rose from his jacket and gently tucked it behind Holly's ear.

'No,' he said softly. 'You're perfect'

He leant forward and kissed her, and this time Holly found herself kissing him back.

Authors note:

*Sob* Holly and Artemis are meant for each other...Ok, enough of that. Remember to review, review, review! I got a stunning 30 reviews last chapter, which helped me get over my writer's block, and I can almost guarantee you that the next chapter will come a lot sooner than this one did. If I get more reviews.

Another point to be sorted out: This is not an Artemis/Minerva fanfic. She may stir up some trouble, but Holly and Artemis are meant for each other!