Author's Note: Just read all those reviews! Thank you sooooo much you guys! They were all really sweet! So Chapter 2...

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Chapter 2: Why'd you kiss me?

"Artemis?" Holly said worriedly.

Sadness thundered through Artemis's veins. His eyes filled with sudden tears. A very un-Artemis thing.

"Artemis! Okay now I know there's something wrong!"

"Holly...I..."

"Yes? What, Artemis, what?" said Holly grabbing him by the shoulders.

"I just...I just want to know!"

"K-know what?" Holly asked fear bubbling inside her. She was afraid Artemis was going crazy.

"Holly...why'd you kiss me?"

Holly froze and let go of him. No...no...please don't be asking this Artemis...please let me be dreaming...

Artemis was terrified. What had he done? Holly looked terrible...frightened even.

"Well..." the teenage elf started. "It was just...just...the heat of the moment! Yeah that's it, the heat of the moment. I saved you...and I was really happy...so...I kissed you." she finished, a blush creeping over her cheeks.

Artemis looked crestfallen. "Oh...I thought...oh never mind!" he sighed, looking so down that Holly wanted to run at him, hug him, kiss him, tell him she loved him and she always had...

Instead she stayed put, not quite knowing what to say.

"Artemis...I..." she began but Artemis held up a hand to silence her.

"Forget about it Holly. It doesn't matter now."

"But..."

"Forget it!"

"Artemis..."

"NO!"

"Just...

"It doesn't matter Holly!" Artemis snapped.

"Yes it does! For god's sake, it does, it does!" Holly screamed furiously. "It does matter, Artemis!"

Surprise flitted across Artemis's face.

"Holly, listen..."

"No, you listen Artemis. You listen!"

Her ferocity silenced him at once.

Holly took a deep breath.

"It does matter, Artemis." she said more gently. "It matters...it matters to me."

Artemis's eyes widened.

"What? I don't understa-"he began until Holly shot him a look.

"I kissed you because...because Artemis..."

"Yes? What?" Artemis asked impatiently.

"Because...oh Artemis...because..."

"Because what?" Artemis whispered, excitement shooting through him.

"Because...because...because I love you!"

What followed was one of the worst silences Artemis had ever experienced. Holly buried her face in her hands. Her body shook as she started to sob. Tears escaped from underneath her fingers, dripping gently onto the floor.

Artemis felt shock like no other. He savored those words, repeating them over and over again in his head. I love you...I love you...I love you...

Artemis hesitated before moving closer to Holly and putting a gentle arm around her. His past adventures had raised his ability to show affection better than any therapist could.

Holly raised her head in surprise.

"Holly..." Artemis began, hoping he was doing the right thing. "I...I love you too."

Holly suddenly gave a watery laugh. Artemis raised his eyebrows. Laughing was the least thing he felt like doing.

"I know you do, Mud Boy." she joked before hugging him.

Artemis stood stock still for a moment before relaxing and holding the elf close. Holly, noticing that he was pleased, threw her arms around his head and snuggled down on his chest.

So there they stood, embraced, feeling nothing but their deep love for each other. Holly saw sparks in front of her closed eyes, her heart lifting up and out of her mouth.

As for Artemis, he felt the weight of his shoulders rise up and away to the heavens.

Holly looked up at Artemis's face and smiled.

Artemis smiled back and leaned closer to her.

She closed her eyes again and tilted her head upwards...

They were almost nose to nose...

Closer and closer...

Their noses brushed past each other...

Closer...

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Yes, that is it! Chapter 2, finisheo! Yes, finisheo!

Don't worry, my dears, Chapter 3 will be on soon

I hope

Love ya'll

Laters!

DreamWriter123