Chapter Four:
Artemis sat at his desk, his arms grasping the arms of the chair, gasping for breath. Alex. The image of the boy's pale, limp body lying so still- Artemis' nails dug further into the leather. He was angry.
"Woah, who stole your muffin?" Holly was perched on the edge of his desk, her head cocked to one side as her bright eyes regarded him curiously.
"MI6 has Butler."
Holly's eyes narrowed to slits instantly, and her fingers fell down to dance over her gun. "Then why are you sitting here like a lemon, rather than trying to get him back!"
Artemis swung round one of the screens to show Holly Alex's cell.
"Who's that?"
"A spy. They'll be desperate to get him back. A simple exchange." He replied shortly, not taking his eyes from where Alex was resting his head against a wall, exposing the column of his throat.
"What's wrong with his leg?" Holly asked leaning closer to get a better look.
Artemis was up again, pacing back and forth furiously. "It's broken."
"And his hands?"
"He was tortured."
"By you!" Holly asked angrily, her eyes alight with anger.
"The leg, yes. His hands and... other injuries, no. My men got a little over-excited. They've been dealt with."
Holly slid off the desk and reached up to put a cool palm against his cheek. "Artemis. No more torture."
He brushed her off and looked back at the screen. "There's no more time, anyway."
"Why?"
Artemis shot her an unreadable glance, then returned his gaze to the pale, shivering boy in the cell.
A/N: ah, i know, the length doesnt even remotely begin to make up for the wait, but exams are pretty much over now (yay! :P) and chapters will becoming so so speedily ;)