Author's Note: Hey guys! Sooo sorry I've took so long. My internet connection went bust. And when I say bust, I mean BUST. 'Cause of the pretty pretty snow!!! The cold practically froze whatever it is that connects me to the internet!

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Chapter 5: Mud People don't change!

Holly studied Commander Kelp's back as they followed him to his office. Why was he so angry?

"CLEAR OFF!" Kelp roared to the LEP operatives that were milling around inside his office. They jumped and scurried out, looking frightened.

As soon as the room had been emptied, the Commander turned to the teens. Holly looked away but Artemis stared right into Kelp's eyes.

Bring it on...do your worst, Kelp, he found himself thinking.

"So. What would you like, Commander?" Artemis said casually.

Kelp scowled heavily.

"What would I like? What would I like? I'll tell you what I'd like, Mud Boy!" he spat.

Holly sighed inwardly. Kelp was in a seriously bad mood. This wouldn't be pretty...

Kelp took a deep breath and fixed his stare on Holly.

"I'm going straight to the point, Captain, so you can't flatter me and worm your way out of this. I'm going to ask you some questions. And I want straight answers, all right? Straight answers."

Holly bit her lip.

"Okay."

"Right then. Why were you kissing the Mud Boy?"

This is a bit like the little episode with Butler and Juliet, thought Holly. Except they took this way better than the Commander will...

"Because...because we're together now." she said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"I see." Kelp breathed harshly through his nose and opened his mouth for the second question.

"Why were you kissing him outside Foaly's office?"

"Commander, you've got to hear me out, I..." began Holly, not wanting to answer this question.

"Straight answers, Captain Short!"

"Because we had a...a moment." she muttered.

Kelp narrowed his eyes.

"I see." he repeated. "So because you two had a moment you thought you could just kiss him in front of dozens of operatives and...visitors? Visitors, Captain Short, visitors!"

Holly gasped. "Of course! It's Guest Day, isn't it? The one where all the critic type people from the Council come to inspect a Sector!"

"Now she remembers!" the Commander growled. "What must they think of us now? Letting operatives go around in the day kissing Mud Boys of all species! When will you get some sense and find someone more...suitable?" Kelp shuffled slightly as he said 'suitable'.

Holly, not noticing this, pouted. "Artemis is suitable. He's helped the People loads of times!"

"He's also kidnapped you and tried to sell fairytechnology!" Kelp snapped.

"So what? He's changed now and he's stopped Opal Koboi a fair few times!"

"Changed? As if, Captain. Mud People don't change." Kelp scoffed.

"You're just remembering the old times! Anyway look at Artemis's father! He's completely changed!"

"Mud People don't change, Captain!"

"They do!" Holly cried.

"Stop kidding yourself, Holly. Have some dignity!" Kelp said loudly, rolling his eyes.

"Have some dignity? Me? What about you?" Holly said shrilly.

"Be quiet, Short! I will not allow you to speak to me like that!" Kelp hissed sharply.

"Well ha ha looks like I just did! Why are you making such a fuss anyway? Everyone else took it fine!"

"That's them, Captain. I'm different."

"Different? Different? What makes you so special, then? You think you're so great because you're Commander now! You think you're better than Julius! But you're not! You'll never take his place! You'll never be as good as him! NEVER!"

Holly's voice grew louder and louder with every word until it had risen to a high-pitched scream.

Trouble Kelp was astonished. Holly never screamed. Never.

Breathing deeply, Trouble turned away from her. Artemis, who had backed away, stepped forward and put a hand on Holly's shoulder.

The Commander sighed and waved a hand.

"You may go, Captain." he muttered miserably.

"Umm...thank you, sir." Holly said feeling quite surprised at this change of mood.

"Just...don't let it happen again." Trouble said barely keeping this new sadness out of his voice.

"Yes, sir."

Artemis and Holly made their way to the exit. As he closed the door, Artemis sneaked a quick glance at the Commander's crumpled figure. Why was he so upset? Artemis did a review of the things that had been said.

He had been almost ridiculously angry when he saw them together...he hadn't called Artemis by his name once, only by Mud Boy...he had been even more angry after Holly had answered his questions...and now, after Holly had told him that Julius was much better than him, he seemed utterly crushed...

These events swirled around Artemis's quick-witted mind. He suddenly remembered something.

Was it just me, he thought, or did Kelp shuffle a bit when he said 'suitable' after he lectured Holly about using sense?

Artemis almost gasped.

Kelp was so angry at Holly. And he was so annoyed at me. It all makes sense!

Realization swept over him.

He likes her!

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My god, that took you a while, didn't it Arty?

Not your usual standard ;)

Yeah, Trouble Kelp has a thing for Holly Short

How does this affect Artemis's and Holly's future together, you might ask?

Well...

That's for me to know...and you to read in when I get the next chapter done!

Reviews please, guys, thanks sooooo much if you do!

Laters!

DreamWriter123