Well, I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I like it but I don't. Please tell me what you think. I'm so close to 100 reviews! Please vote in the poll on my profile page too. It pertains to this story and I need and answer before I can continue!
Holly woke before dawn even broke over Ireland. It would take at least a few hours to get back underground without being beat up by security again.
She slipped out of the gigantic guest room bed reluctantly. She had had a fantastic sleep, she assumed that the high quality bed had something to do with it, along with that fact that she had made a decision and no one could turn her from it now. She entered the en suite bathroom to fix her hair and brush her teeth with the toothbrush and toothpaste that Artemis had left for her.
After she was finished, Holly opened the door silently and slid into the hallway. She shielded and glanced around, making sure that the hall was deserted. She ran to Artemis's room, entered it quietly and closed the door behind her. He was sprawled out on the bed, his raven hair tousled. But he looked peaceful.
Holly walked over to the bed, her footsteps light. She perched on the bed side for a moment, stroking his hair, running her fingers through it. She didn't know how she had lasted for five years without the Mud Man. Her Mud Man. She smiled, kissed the side of his face, then got off the bed and ran to the window. She strapped on her wings, opened the window silently and jumped out into the crisp morning air. She would enjoy living on the surface, she thought, as she pulled the window shut again and flew off to Tara, to the shuttle port.
After battling her way through numerous security gnomes and stations filled with angry pedestrians, Holly finally got back to Police Plaza. She knew that Trouble would have an earful for her as commander for being away all night, and as a friend when she told him about Artemis, but she couldn't care less. In about twenty four hours it probably wouldn't matter anyway.
Holly entered her office at Headquarters, but was, unfortunately, spotted and reported to Commander Kelp. Holly was soon called to the Commander's office.
She entered the office with anticipation, wondering how mad the entire fairy race would be at her when she revealed her decision.
"Captain," Trouble said. "Where were you last night?" he demanded.
Holly debated whether to tell a lie, but decided against it. "Fowl Manor."
Trouble blinked. It clearly wasn't the answer he had been expecting. "As in Artemis Fowl's Manor?"
"Yes."
"Why were you there Holly?" Trouble asked, momentarily forgetting his position as commander and hers as captain.
Holly sighed. This certainly wouldn't be easy. "Trouble, I'm going to have to…to reject your proposal."
Trouble's eyes widened. "Why?"
"Because…because I love Artemis Fowl." Holly looked down at the floor. She hated that she had to do this to the elf she thought of as a brother.
"You-you love a MUD MAN?" Trouble shouted, startling Holly.
"I'm sorry Trouble."
"Commander Kelp," Trouble said steely.
"I'm sorry Commander. I-we…we had a kid. I have to help him and I don't think I could survive without him truthfully."
"A kid?" Holly didn't think Trouble could get anymore bewildered. "You SLEPT with a Mud Man? When?"
"Six years ago," Holly muttered.
"Why didn't I know about this?" Trouble asked, his face beginning to take on the same reddish complexion that had always tinged Commander Root's face.
"I didn't want to endanger Artemis or Finn."
"Or lose your job," Trouble said, a threat tainting his voice. "I can't believe it. You would let down your entire race, all your friends, for the sake of a Mud Man?"
"I can make my own decisions Commander. And my decision is to join Artemis Fowl on the surface."
"Then you can also have the satisfaction of being fired," Trouble said angrily. "You can leave now Miss Short," sneered Trouble, crossing arms and lifting his feet onto his desk. "Or should I say Mrs. Fowl?"
As sad as she was that Trouble was so angry at her, Holly couldn't help but smile at the title. "Thank you Commander," she said, giving an elegant bow and a sarcastic salute. She turned and left the office, a bittersweet cloud of emotions invading her.
She burst into Foaly's office, still confused as to whether she was happy or sad.
"I've made a decision Foaly," she stated, causing the centaur to leap three feet in the air, all four legs off the ground. And for those of you who don't know, that is a nearly impossible feat for a centaur.
"You could really try knocking sometimes Holly," he whined, inspecting his hooves to make sure they weren't cracked.
Holly shrugged. "I don't think it will matter anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I got fired," Holly said, unable to keep the laugh out of her voice.
"WHAT?" Foaly yelled. "And this funny since when?"
"Since I decided that I'm going to join Artemis on the surface."
Foaly froze. "You're leaving the Lower Elements? Haven?"
Holly nodded. "I feel kind of bad though. See, Trouble proposed to me yesterday."
Foaly blinked. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Cause I was so lost that I had to go ask Artemis. I stayed at the Manor over night."
Foaly sighed. "Are you sure this isn't a bit too rash?"
"I can't leave Artemis. If I tried now, I'd probably fall apart. Besides, I spent two days thinking about it constantly. You'll come visit, right?" Holly gave him her best puppy dog eyes.
"Of course I will, but what are you going to do about the height difference? The LIFE-SPAN difference?"
Holly shrugged. "I think I'll go ask No. 1 what he can do. He's a super powerful demon warlock. He should be able to make me taller."
Foaly sighed. "I guess you know what you want Holly."
Holly nodded with conviction. It would work, she would make sure of it.
"Foaly, I get to live on the surface. I never have to breathe recycled air again. I get to see the sun rise in the morning and the stars come out at night. Doesn't that sound worth it to you?"
Foaly nodded reluctantly. "More than worth it. I'm just sad that you're leaving."
Holly went up to him and hugged him. "I won't be that far away. You can always call me on my communicator too." She showed him the ring. "I'm not even going to ask if you can connect to it, because I know you can."
Foaly hugged her tightly. "Make sure that I get invited to your wedding, alright?"
Holly nodded. "You will." She released the centaur and started towards the door. "You know Foaly, you're probably the only one down here that I'm really going to miss, besides Qwan and No. 1, so make sure you take care of yourself."
He nodded and waved. "By Holly. I'll be checking in on you, by the way. Make sure Fowl isn't doing anything."
Holly laughed. "Bye Foaly." She stepped out of the office and closed the door. This time she actually felt more acute sadness wash over her. She would miss Foaly. He had better call her often.
Next stop, time to see No. 1 and Qwan.