"Mrs Chapter 21, Naming Lab Rats
I've been getting a lot of reviews telling me my grammar and spelling suck like Indonesian candy (for any of you who have read Eat Pray Love), and I don't know how to get a beta, and besides I think it's take even longer for me to post even if I did get one…so, whatever. Just correct me. Or ignore it. I did finally stop adding that extra "s" to Arty's name, aren't you proud Ms. Feazell (LA teacher)?
Any how. Read and Review, maybe the motivation will make me post sooner. I mean, chapter 22 &23 are practically finished, it's all on you now, my readers.
DICLAIMER: Arty isn't mine
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
I can't wake up
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've becomeBring me to life
I've been living a lie
There's nothing inside
Bring me to lifeFrozen inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the deadAll of this time, I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems…
…Don't let me die here
-Evanescence, Bring Me to Life
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Mrs. Fowl?"
Angeline stood, wringing her hands, in the threshold. Her hair was down, make-up still on, and half her jewels had been removed. She must have been in the middle of undressing, Tara realized, when the idea of this midnight visit occurred to her.
"Are you alright?" Tara asked as she pulled her hostess into the Rec room hall. Angeline gave a weak smile, fiddling with her wedding band. Platinum with diamond and sapphire surrounding the biggest stone. A nice make, Sophia's keen jeweler's eye said, though worry worn through the Fowl's nearly 30 years together. The sapphire most likely to represent her husband's eyes, mirror to her son's. A romantic thought, "Timmy's" perhaps? Hopefully it was hereditary.
"I-" Angeline started, then ducked her head, embarrassed. "I need to speak with you. "
Tara fought the urge to roll her eyes. Obviously she didn't come for a goodnight kiss. Angeline didn't hate her, but there was a wariness and slight distrust that was apparent. When you're that wealthy, you have a right to be.
The older woman swallowed. "About Artemis."
Sensing this would take time, Tara led Mrs. Fowl to the sitting area, the left wall around the corner facing the media center. Angeline took the couch so Tara seated herself next to her, smoothing her pajamas to distract herself. She sat patiently waiting for the woman to gather her thoughts. Angeline seemed to search the air around her for words.
"He…I…when he was a boy, Timmy went missing for a few years." She glanced to Tara, who nodded.
"Artemis has spoken of it." She said softly. He had told her one night during a quiet dinner of how his mother lost her sense of reality, how she had been unable to recognize her own son at some points. It had been a hard time for the poor boy, almost like loosing both parents. After telling her this, Sophia had begun to have second thoughts. He was trusting her, like he should, but it didn't feel right, him telling her such personal things while she planned to take his trust and money all in one swipe. But when she confined to her sister, Sasha had just given her a sympathetic pat on the hand saying, "Don't start naming lab rats, Darling."
"And I went a little mad. I couldn't even remember who I was sometimes. Arty never told me what exactly I said or did, and I can only recall flashes, but I know…I know I must have broken his heart sometimes, with the things I'd said. " She closed her eyes in pain. "Maybe I said he wasn't good enough, that he could never replace his father, I don't know.
"But he hasn't complained, ever. When Minerva up and left, that rip him in two. They fought all the time, she threatened to leave a lot, but he just didn't expect it. He never said anything; he just had this…ache in his eyes all the time. " Angeline looked away, trying to hide the watery eyes. " I didn't know what to do. We cancelled all of our trips, tried to draw him out of his room, spent time together. Nothing worked.
"Then, one day, we came home from a trip to the grocery to find him gone. He had planned it for days. Butler didn't even know. He left a note saying he was in Italy, though he wouldn't say where. He said it was useless to try and find him; he had bought 5 plane tickets, all private. We asked Butler to get his connections to keep an eye on him. Artemis did a good job. No one saw him until three weeks after. But we didn't try to bring him home. We understood he needed some alone time. Still, we kept someone on him."
Tara nodded, understanding. She would have done the same if it were her son.
Angeline sighed. "He knew, though he didn't attempt to run. I think he was a little guilty, so he keep in sight to reassure us."
"Where did he go?"
"Venice."
Tara froze. Her city. Dear gods, he had taken her to his sulking pit!
The older woman must have recognized the expression on the girl's face, for she said soothingly, "My dear, he didn't take you there for the reasons you are thinking. He took you because he wanted to give you a good time. He mentioned that you had wanted to go there, am I right?"
Hesitantly, Tara nodded.
"To him, it's not a bad memory, it is a place of peace. He went there to make peace with Minerva."
"Did he visit her?" Tara blurted out. Angeline blinked. "No. He just meditated on the event, and came to terms. He hasn't seen Minerva for years. I think she's avoided him."
"Oh." The two women sat in silence, contemplating what had been said. Tara was appalled that she had cared that Artemis had taken her to "sulking pit". She wasn't suppose to care! Damnit. We've got to concentrate on the task at hand. Disregard the unnecessary emotions. Her father's voice was there again.
He's not important. Do not forget our real goal.
And so was her sister's.
"Why are you telling me this?" She honestly didn't know. Was it a warning? Against scamming this woman's son? Was Angeline Fowl on to them?
Mrs. Fowl looked her straight into her eyes. There was a hint of steel in the clear green-gray. "Because I care about my son. I don't know you. I cannot find any background information on you, or your family. But somehow…I know you are what he wants. What he needs. You two are so…one on one. You're average and casual enough to get him to relax, to show him he's not alone. Even if this falls through, he'll see. So I am asking you… if you ever leave, do it kindly. Make sure you're the one with the broken heart. Please."
Tara was stunned. Angeline Fowl knew she had no past, didn't trust her a lick, yet was willing to allow her into the Manor for her son. Did she think Artemis perhaps loved her? No, no, nothing like that. She just thought that Arty liked her, and would have his feelings hurt if she ever left. Pathetic rich kid.
Sophia lied. For once it was hard. But only a little.
"Alright."
Angeline misread the girl's expression. Her own softened. "Do you care about him?"
"Yes." More than I'd like to admit. He's my best friend.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A few nights later:
It was late. Past midnight. He had been working since eleven that morning, and hadn't seen her all day. Knowing her lack of coffee that morning would have since caused her to pass out he headed in the direction of her room, hoping to at least look at her before he himself went to bed. Maybe he'd even dare to kiss her.
Wearily Artemis trudged down the halls, till he got to the Monet that hung next to her door. It was a garden scene. Pretty. His mother had bought it years ago on one of her trips to France, then came home to find there was nowhere to put it. Shortly before Tara moved in, Artemis dug it up from the "Art Room", an unfinished section of attic that was to be gallery. He thought that Tara would like it best, and he was right. She had even requested to paint a copy for her sister.
While studying the art, he heard some muted, shrill sound, and then a snuffling coming from her room. The cat she had brought was outside; he'd just seen it a moment ago. What was making that sound? The television?
After listening for a few more seconds Artemis recognized it as sobbing. Crying. Tara was crying. Was she unhappy? Unhappy that she had come? She'd only been there for three days, how could…?
Ignoring his logical side, Artemis put his had on the knob.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was dark here. As usual. They were always dark. A long hallway with windows and doors aligning the walls on either side. You couldn't see anything from out the windows, nor could you open the doors. Not that she had tried. She figured that if she did ever open one, all there would be was a black pit, sucking her down into the dreams. And she would never return.
But this was different. Her mother, her father, not even Sasha was there. That was unusual. Somewhere in this place they would be here. But tonight they weren't. Not in this nightmare.
So she wandered. There was no way she could leave, or wake up. Either it would have to start or she would be walking these halls until the dawn light woke her. It really wasn't that bad, just walking. Maybe she'd learn something new about herself. Yes. That was it, this was all spiritual. Perhaps she a drifted off in meditation again. The only alternative was receiving a darker nightmare, would that be so bad? Time moved on quickly, maybe it would happen soon.
The "creeeek" of an unoiled door being opened caught her attention. Seeing as it wasn't in front of her she whipped around to face the doors to her back. There at the end of the hall (Though curiously enough, there had never been an end in sight before) white light cast a shadow along the floor. The silhouette shifted slightly. She blinked, but stood firmly in place trying her best to recognize her intruder.
A deadly rush of fear filled Sophia, but she couldn't run. Wouldn't run. The sooner she screamed the sooner this would be over. However, the scientist in her wanted to observe this strange occurrence. Ignoring the fear she took a hesitant step forward. Who was it this time? Who opened a door? No one had ever entered that way; usually they were waiting for her.
Though she wanted to call out to question the shadow the dream wouldn't let her. It was always the Confrontation that made the first move. They called out to her, called her name, accusing her from their early departure. She knew it wasn't her fault. She knew the demons haunting her were her own sub-conscious' guilt and not the truth. She hadn't killed Gavin. Her mother died of natural causes. Therefore she stood waiting.
Finally the figure moved again, speaking. It was a voice she easily remembered, but never was it used in such as cold tone. At least, not directed toward her.
"Tara."
It moved again, and she could see a face. The face was just as cold as the voice, and it sent a knife though her gut.
While she still felt scared, surprise, panicked, there was one emotion that didn't belong. Heartbreak. This was shocking. How could she feel so…broken over someone who she didn't…didn't…did not love. That emotion was not suppose to be present.
"Don't name lab rats."
Artemis' blue black eyes were on her own and they spoke hate.
"You dare betray me." Was all he whispered as he raised the pistol, taking aim.
Sophia closed her eyes, tears escaping but she didn't cry out. End it soon. She silently begged.
"Look at me." He commanded. His words forced her head up, her eyes to his blue black ones. That was odd. One of his eyes were hazel, they weren't both blue. Those dark eyes bore into hers, like hard cold iron. Something briefly flickered in them, regret maybe, then his finger-another odd thing, they were in the right place for once-touched the trigger, Sophia screamed, and-
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She thrashed around in his arms, moaning words he couldn't understand. For nearly five minutes he restrained her, whispering her name repeatedly, doing his best to wake her. After a while her eyes opened, fear very apparent. She glanced up meeting his eyes. Her own widened, seemingly in more fear. He sat on the edge of her bed. The covers and curtains had been tossed aside, seemingly to get to her. Had she been so loud?
"Artemis," Her voice was hoarse, though she's only been asleep a short time.
"Are you alright?" was all he asked quietly, acknowledging her statement.
Slowly she nodded, unsure of her answer, but at the very least able to give one. Nothing was hurt, she could speak, she wasn't dying, she was just frightened. Well, not even that. Artemis' presence was very calming, though he was the original cause of her terror.
"Can you speak?" The single word had not been enough.
She nodded again. He smiled slightly.
"Then why don't you?"
She shrugged, shivering a little.
"Nightmare?"
This time her whole body gave a huge shudder. Artemis pulled her closer, pressing his face into the waves of auburn. Tara simply sighed, partly in contentment, and partly in relief. He was just comforting. Not thinking, she snuggled closer. Sensing an invitation, Artemis pulled his legs onto the bed. There was no objection. His heart sang.
They sat like that for ages. There was nothing sexual about it. They were just comforting each other. Things were simple. For once. Artemis thought. Just two friends lending some time.
He'd give her a million if that's what took it to make her see him. Hell, he would skip around Dublin stark naked if she asked. Though, hopefully she won't He shuddered. That would be a certain nightmare, though he's do it in a heartbeat if that's she asked.
Tara shifted, murmuring something unintelligible. Artemis glanced to the left, where on the wall a mirror hung to extend the room and give more light. She was asleep, smiling a little. Maybe…
It was late and he was tired. The door was locked, he was still clothed…if anyone were to walk in…he couldn't simply leave her now, she was in a delicate state. It would be cruel. He didn't know if this was a reoccurring event or a one-night thing, but either way, he was staying. She didn't seem to want him to leave if her arms slung around his neck, or her right had still in his hair, fingers entwined in the raven locks, were any indication. He would leave in the morning, perhaps, before she woke…
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sophia woke instead three hours later, around three forty-five.
She pressed her face into the pillow, inhaling the lavender scent that greeted her every morning. The aroma that reached her nose, however, was not lavender. It was some familiar smell, one that made her shiver. Had Jewel dragged one of Mrs. Fowl's pillow back again. The last time she had handed the slightly hairy thing back to Angeline flushed and embarrassed, a little ashamed of her badly behaved pet.
From under her there was a constant up-down motion like a…
"Well that's odd." Sophia thought sleepily as she shoved the comforter off, for she was a bit warm. "Did he give me one of those high-tech relaxation beds?"
"No." A voice moaned. "That's not right. You need more carbon!"
Sophia froze, realizing now what the smell, the movement of the bed, and the extra were. Slowly she lifted her head from the "pillow" to see her host beneath her, his own head tipped back, one arm around Sophia's waist, the other had in her hair. A content little smile rested on his features. She was even more surprised to find herself in a similar position; only her left arm was over his shoulder. He murmured something else, tightening his grip on her waist. Tara gasped, checking to see if he had woken.
He hadn't. Yet.
"What is he doing here?" She was more than a little annoyed. But mostly at herself. "Or rather, what am I doing her? Did we-" She broke off, shocked. "Surely not…"
It was then that the memory flooded back. Sophia sighed, relief submerging her mind. Then she ignored her ego, concentrating only on how nice this was. It felt right, like she belonged here. Just here, her head on Artemis' chest, in the Manor. She could see her future. More mornings like this.
"Three beautiful children, all brilliant and special and talented. One like her father, one like his mother, another in between.
Morning of waking late, nights of long reading.
A Business that thieved
Never being lonely, a companion to always hear you
Years spent in joy, growing in age, learning more. Being together.
Life could be peaceful."
Sophia closed her eyes. Gods that would be great. Perfect, even. But she had responsibilities, promises, a duty to Sasha. That life, the three kids, the successful business, could never be. And it was hard to accept that. Very, very hard.
She took a deep, reassuring breath, meditating on her options. She could stay; do the opposite of what Sasha had asked. She could run away, she could flee. The obvious thing was to remind herself what a monster Artemis was. But he wasn't. Not to her. He never had been.
"Ah," The snide voice said, this time against he logic. "but he could be, couldn't he? If he knew. If he ever knew the truth. What if you stayed? Would you tell him? He'd find out one day, you know."
"Go away!" Sophia hissed. "I can do this my self."
"I am you." It replied smugly. "But if you say…still, I'll be here if in the event…"
"No, thank you." Sophia snapped. She knew what she needed, the voice did not. Reminders like that dream.
Artemis shifted again and Sophia opened her eyes. His breath moved her hair, tickling her forehead. Vaguely, Sophia wondered if he knew what her dream was about. Perhaps she had said something…
Sophia glanced in the mirror on the wall beside her. Disheveled hair, wrinkled suit, mouth slightly open, a light snore. Gods, he was perfect. And she looked like she belonged. Like they fit.
Enough dreaming, Cara.
Sighing, Sophia rolled over to lay beside, instead of on top, of Artemis, still in his arms. Artemis slept on, unknowing that the love of his life had been so distraught over his dangerous nature, and his sleeping form. Sophia tried to do the same, pretending that she truly did belong.
He was gone before she woke.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well, that's it. I'm sorry about any confusion, just ask if you're still in wonderment. Artemis' change in eye colour and fingers is showing how Sophia imagines him, as he would be had he not met the People and learned some manners, as a ruthless killer. It will crop up later in the story, as the memory of the nightmare comes back, and the nightmares continue.
This chapter is mainly about Sophia's fight to not get too emotionally attached with Artemis, but to also stay human enough to feel the loss should she have to end this the wrong way. Though she wants to stay and continue the charade, she won't for Sasha's sake.
Artemis is more openly admitting his own feelings, and is doing his best to try to find a place in Tara's heart besides the title of "BFF".
The Chapter's title "Naming Lab Rats" came to me in a dream. Pft, no, I was thinking of some Star Trek episode, and was remembering a quote. Anyhow, the basic idea of the name is don't name the lab rat, you'll become more attached, and you'll be more heart broke if/when you kill it.
We're working on it. Review, please.
-MDQ10