Hello, all! Sorry that I haven't been doing much on here lately, I've been busy. High school graduation, work, family problems, work, the eleven kittens that my cats just recently had, did I mention work? Writer's block has been a pain, too. I may turn this into a two-shot once I've had the time to re-read the Atlantis Complex. It'll make more sense when I do. So, for the record, this chapter and the next one will be part of the same story. Sorry about how short it is.

Holly peered cautiously around the frame of the door to a rather drab room in a psychiatric hospital in the depths of Haven. She was extremely wary of the call that she had received from Butler only an hour before. According to the massive man servant, there was a 'matter of great importance' that Artemis needed to discuss with her

At first, she had been relieved to finally hear from the young genius. For nearly a week after his last treatment, he had sequestered himself to his room in the clinic, refusing the admittance of anyone other than Butler, who had not been able to tell anything of his charge's condition. The Irish boy had kept his every thought to himself.

For the duration of this fretful time, Holly had visited multiple times. She would do one of three things during these fruitless ventures: sit and talk to Butler's sister Juliet when she was not on the surface with the rest of the Fowl clan, or Butler himself during the few times that he was actually asked by Artemis to allow him some time alone; pester the nurses with inquiries about her friend; or simply sit in one of the sparse seats that populated the waiting area, and worry.

Needless to say, this new development lifted her spirits to a level that they had not reached since this disease had first begun its assault upon Artemis' psyche.

As she headed over to the clinic, however, the nature of his request began to bother her. What did he need to speak to her about? Was it something menial, or something monumental? Could it possibly have to do with why his mental state hadn't been improving much of late?

As she walked down the long, white-tiled corridor that led to his room, all that Holly Short could think of was how her response to the coming conversation would effect him. By the time she reached the end of her trip, she had convinced herself that a single wrong word could cause a backslide for Artemis.

This thought was running through her mind as she took in the sight of her friend. He was seated on the edge of a chair, which had been pulled up to a small, round table. He was staring down, hiding himself from her view.

"Artemis?" The boy tilted his head very slightly. This was the only indication that he had noticed her. "Butler called. Is something wrong?"

Artemis sighed heavily, then looked up. Holly's eye twitched as she recognized the changes in his expression, ones that she had hoped to never see again after the incident a few months earlier.

'Oh, no...' she thought. 'This explains... everything.'

How everyone else had missed it, she would never know, but Holly knew for certain what had happened to Artemis as soon as she took in the innocent expression upon the face of the teenager before her.

Somehow, Orion was back.

Thanks so much to my wonderful reviewers!

Constructive criticism and opinions are respected and loved! Flames are accepted!