Alright, halfway done with this AT LAST! Sorry about not updating. Ru guessed correctly, I did fall asleep. Anyway, this is REALLY LONG! But there is a bit of fluff. No smut...yet.
God, I love my job of knowing what is going to happen first and deliciously torturing you all for it!
REVIEW! ...and I might get done with another chapter by midnight.
Anyway, this will probably be done in the next few days. My xmas was okay...how was yours?
The warm smell of cookies awakened young Holly from her bed and she tumbled out of it sleepily. "Mom!" She called, wrapping herself in her quilt and walking groggily to the kitchen.
"What, Holly?" She called back, smiling when she saw her daughter walk to her seat at the kitchen table. "Merry Christmas eve." The older woman greeted.
"Christmas eve isn't for another week, Mom." She reminded, and Coral laughed.
"Just trying to make sure you are awake….Unlike your father."
Terrence walked through the kitchen doors just then, grabbing a piece of veggie bacon from the cooling rack on the counter. "Good morning, beautiful." He beamed, kissing his wife sweetly on the cheek. "You too, Munchkin."
"Dad, I'm going to be joining the LEP academy next year." She reminded him, "I'm not a munchkin anymore."
He put up his hands defensively, mouthing "Ok." then taking a bite of the bacon.
"I'm just glad you could spend Christmas with us this year, Holly." Coral smiled at her, "It really is the most wonderful time of the year."
"I know."
Just then, a communicator rang in the other room. Coral put down her spatula. "That's probably Root." She sighed, leaving the room.
Right when she left, Terrence stuck his neck out of the room to make sure she was really gone before creeping up to the kitchen table, sitting in the chair next to his daughter. "So, what did you get me?" He asked, a big, childish grin on his face.
Holly rolled her eyes, "Dad, you know I can not divulge that information. You know the rules. Mom would flip if she knew I told you." Literally, sometimes the elf took things a bit too far when it came down to Christmas. "Anyway, you know as well as I do that Christmas is not about the presents."
Terrence ruffled her hair and smiled, "Gods, we raised you right." He chuckled, then sighed. "Alright. At least tell me what you got your mother."
"Nope." She refused, sitting back and crossing her arms over her chest defiantly.
"Why?" He pouted.
Holly cocked her head to the left, "Because, if I tell you, you will hold it over me, telling me that you will tell Mom, until I tell you what I got you." She sucked her teeth. "I know this game too well, Dad."
"I just want to make sure I don't get the same thing!" Terrence protested.
The female rolled her eyes, "You won't. I can promise you that."
"Well, what if I do!"
"Ugh!" Holly put her head on the table, covering her face with her hands. "Fine!" She looked up at her father. "You know how Mom is always complaining about losing her Book? Well, I got her a chain to put it on."
Terrence smiled at that. "Well, now I know not to get that." He shrugged, "And maybe I can get a locket with you in it to go with that."
"Hey!" She barked jokingly. "No piggybacking on my gift!"
"Too late for that now, isn't it?"
Before Holly could object anymore, Coral came into the room in a rush. "Hi, darlings. I'm sorry, but I have to run out to work."
"What?" Holly remarked, standing up from her seat. "I thought you were on vacation."
"I am." Coral slinged her work bag over her shoulder. "But this is just very important. It's a submarine job for the study of humans." She went over and kissed Holly's forehead. "I promise, I will be home tonight. If not tomorrow morning, tops. I promise."
"Whatever." Holly mumbled, putting her head back on the table childishly. Her father slapped her arm playfully.
"Hey, come on, Munchkin. We'll have lots of fun here." He stood up and kissed his wife goodbye.
"Bye, Holly. Merry Christmas eve. I love you!" she called out the door.
Holly didn't even bother to reply.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The scene changed and soon, she was in a tight, cramped, little space. Water was pouring in from what seemed to be leaks from all sides. Fairies of all types ran about, trying to stop the leaking, but nothing would fix it.
The air was stale, as though the air was running thin, and water was up to Holly's knees as she looked around. Yelling was happening all over the place and people were running about like lunatics. A red alarm was flashing throughout the submarine.
"This is 098HL Sub." She heard the familiar voice of her mother from the radio in the front. "Human's have attacked the ship as an unidentified water object and we are now losing air. Water is excreting from all areas."
"Mom!" Holly screamed, but the place was too loud. She tried to move, but it was as though she was paralyzed.
"There is no way out of this, Commander." Coral said, a helpless tone in her voice. "We are too far from help and all of our defenses are jammed."
Water must have risen to Holly's chest as the elf still tried to move.
"Just...Tell Terrence and Holls...Tell them I love them." Holly could hear the sadness trembling in her quaking voice as the water kept getting higher and higher….
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Ahh!" Holly screamed, sitting upright and clutching the blankets around her to her chest. The elf was panting and a thin layer of sweat covered her.
"H-Holly?" Artemis mumbled, waking up from the loud noise. Once he realized what Holly was doing, he was wide awake, moving over to her. "Holly! What happened?"
The elf couldn't say anything, except shake violently. Artemis wrapped her in his arms, as if it would help. He acted as though it was one of his brother's who had the nightmare, rocking her back and forth while whispering comforts in her ear.
"I...I hate myself, Artemis." She whispered finally, after a long period of time. "I just wish I could die."
"Hey." He scolded her, pushing the elf away so she could see how serious he was. "Don't ever think that. What in the name of Frond happened?"
Holly wiped her tearful eyes with the back of her hand. "I-It was the last time I saw my mother...Gods, I was so upset for her leaving...The last words I ever said to her were 'Whatever.'" She started sobbing again, "I'm a horrible daughter."
"You are not." He held her close again, starting to rock back and forth. "At least you never lied to them about falling in love with someone."
Holly sniffled, "Yeah...That is pretty terrible." She smirked, looking up at the human holding her.
"Exactly. Holly, you never know when something terrible is going to happen. You could not have predicted that something would have gone wrong with that mission. It was a one in a million chance, and I know that you know that." He looked down at her, "Anyway, you would have made her extremely proud. I mean, look at you. You are a beautiful young woman, the first Captain in the LEP. You have helped save the world a number of times. Not to mention, you are the most faithful and loyal person I know."
"More than Butler?"
Artemis chuckled. "Butler would not pretend to be my girlfriend for an entire week, I can tell you that." The genius checked his bedside clock and groaned. "Well, it's time to start the day anyway, my dear elf. Are you going to be okay?"
She wriggled out of his warm and safe embrace. "Yeah...Yeah, I think I will." She muttered, walking to the bathroom and grabbing her suitcase on the way in.
Holly came out of the room dressed in tight dark blue jeans and a red top with a dark green sweater over it. She felt better after a long, hot shower, and was ready to start the day. Artemis was dressed as well, in his usual black suit, sitting at his computer and typing away.
"So…" Holly started, "What do you think? Too tomboy?" She put her hands on her hips and stood in front of Artemis.
The genius glanced over, fully intending to tell her it was fine and then get back to his work, but he had to stop. He raised his eyebrows at her in a surprised fashion. Any boy within a hundred miles of her would do so. She looked wonderful in the jeans, showing all of her curves, and her shirt was just tight enough to look amazing on her form. "Wow…" was all he could say.
Holly had to laugh. "If that leaves you speechless now, I can't wait what that dress I have to wear later today is going to do with you." She imitated taking pictures of his shocked form.
"So, what are you going to do today? Hang out with Juliet?" He continued back to his work. PLay time over.
"Nah, I promised her a wrestling match after the dinner tonight." She sighed, lying down on the bed newly made by who had to be Butler. "I might get some more sleep."
"That would probably be a good idea." He acknowledged, yawning, "In fact, I might join you later."
Holly's stomach rumbled and she blushed. Artemis chuckled. "I believe Butler has made breakfast downstairs." The elf smiled thankfully and headed out the door.
Walking down the hallway, Holly thanked Frond that her ears could pick up low frequencies. When she reached the grand staircase, she could hear Angeline's shrill voice from all the way down the stairs in the kitchen.
"I'm going to go see if Arty and Holly want any breakfast. No, you finish your pancakes, Beckett, I can do this alone."
Quickly and quietly, Holly bolted back down to Artemis' room, thinking the entire way. Once there, Artemis gave her a confused look as Holly made sure the door was wide open. She pushed his office chair away from his desk far enough to get up and straddle his lap, putting her head on his neck. The genius, who was stunned, didn't know what to do, or what was happening for that matter. So, with a growl emitting from her throat she grabbed his hands and put his arms around her waist, splaying her own hands on his chest.
Angeline's voice could soon be heard coming down the hallway and getting nearer. "Artemis! Hol-oh!" She stopped at the door, taking in the sight of the two. The woman put her hands on her hips. "What is the door doing open if you two are going to be acting like this?" She tried to scold, but a big smile took place on her lips. "There are two young boys in this house!"
Artemis tried his best to sound breathless, as if Holly had just kissed him mercilessly. "I...I'm sorry, mother. It was…"
"Spur of the moment, really." Holly finished, looking down at him with a fake twinkle in her eye. She turned to Angeline. "After last night, I just wanted to thank Artemis for everything he had done for me." She got off of Artemis, the man groaning a bit. "I am very sorry, Mrs. Fowl."
"It's alright, dear." She assured her. "Just be more careful next time. Please." And with that, the older woman left with a turn of her heel. However, not before closing the door behind her and locking it.
Holly sighed, bowing her head. "Well...That was fun." She put so much sarcasm in the last word you could basically see it running from her mouth.
"Good call." Artemis commended.
Hours later, at the end of the long and boring day for Holly, it was time to have dinner. Smells of all kinds wafted from the kitchen, making Beckett and Myles smile at each other with a carnal hunger in their eyes. Holly had to admit, even she was excited about this. She didn't even mind wearing the dress that Artemis wanted her to wear, with..some persuading, of course.
"I am NOT wearing this Frond d'arvitting dress!" She started, holding up the clothing item.
"Holly, this is a very fancy and traditional dinner." Artemis reminded her, straightening his festive red and green tie as he looked in the mirror. He turned towards her, "Just...Please wear the dress."
The elf snarled at him, shaking her head. "No, Fowl. You can barely even call this a dress with how short it is! More like a damn shirt!"
"It is a cocktail dress, Holls. It is suppose to be short." He smirked at her discomfort. "What would you like me to do? Beg?" He got down on his knees again, "Please?"
Holly laughed, "Oh no. You already played that card with me. It's done." He just kept looking at her with intense, wide eyes. Oh, Gods. "Oh, alright!" She gave in, throwing her hands up and walking into the bathroom.
"Thanks, Love." He could hear the growl from behind the closed door.
Being the one who picked out the dress, Artemis would have figured it would be no big deal seeing her in it. Boy, was he wrong. She stepped out of the bathroom biting her lip and inching awkwardly towards him.
The dress in whole was a deep, dark green made of velvet. The only other colors were white around the edge of her chest, around the bottom, and her waist. It was sleeveless, despite the cold, and came up halfway down her thighs. The smooth caramel color of her arms and neck were visible and it made Artemis suck in a deep breath. She bit her lip, which was glossed over with dark red lipstick and a bit of blush and mascara were also applied to her face. Along with a touch of green eyeshadow on her eyelids. Flats graced her feet that were the same color of the dress as she looked shyly at Artemis.
Artemis smiled, standing up straight. "Be more confident, Holly. You look...ravishing." The elf flushed at his words.
"I'm afraid that if I stand up straight, this dress will reveal more than it should."
"I assure you, it will not." He held out his hand, which Holly took reluctantly. "Now, if I was your real boyfriend, I would tell you that I could not wait to get you back up here after all of this." He smirked suggestively.
Holly scoffed, "And if I was your real girlfriend, I would do this:" she patted the side of his face. "Too bad." And walked out of the room with that.
After a few compliments from every adult in the dining room and some small talk, the Fowls and Holly were settled down, eating a meal of vegetables and fruits.
"I can not believe that the duck actually burned." Angeline complained, then shrugged, "Oh well, this is still a very nice meal, Butler. Juliet." The siblings nodded then took cover for the kitchen, but not before Artemis and Butler exchanged a satisfying look.
"So, Holly." Artemis Sr. started, picking up a stalk of asparagus with his fork. "Besides being with Artemis, what do you do?"
Holly gulped, knowing she would have had to improvise this sooner or later. She wiped her mouth with her napkin, glancing over at Artemis right beside her. He gave her a comforting look, one that let her know he would jump right in if the elf needed any help.
"I am in the police business." She said, looking over at the former crime lord. His eyebrows raised in surprise.
"That sounds...exciting."
"Well, it is how I met Artemis." She brushed her hand on her "boyfriend's" shoulder, smiling sweetly. "I was doing my rounds when he was doing business. At first, of course, he was annoying...But after some getting to know each other, we became very good friends."
"Annoying?" Angeline's curiosity peaked.
"Oh, yes." Holly nodded, furrowing her brows. "In fact, the second time I met him, I was probably ready to lock him up for good."
Artemis' eyes widened next to her, a warning for the disguised elf. Holly chuckled, knowing she needed to explain herself further. Especially when Artemis wanted to seem like a perfect angel in front of his family.
"It was a business meeting. The people Artemis was dealing with had gotten into trouble. With his past in business, we thought it was him. Later, we realized it wasn't and actually needed Arty's help to catch the real bad guys." Holly looked at him sideways, "He's wonderful at that."
A sigh of visible relief went through Artemis and the rest of dinner went smoothly. Well, if you count Beckett trying to start a food fight smooth.
Holly could see herself getting up and leaving the room. the dishes were collected and dessert was finished. The only thing left to do was leave with Artemis and get up the stairs to his room. Then sleep and hope to Frond they weren't discovered the next day. However, as Artemis wrapped his arm around her waist and started to escort her from the room, he was stopped yet again by his mother's voice.
"Oh! Artemis, Holly...I would look up if I were you." The "couple" glanced at each other nervously before looking up like she said.
Their worst nightmare had come true. Hanging on the door frame...was mistletoe.
Artemis tried to speak up, "Mother...As I have said before, Holly and I are not into the public displays of-"
"Oh, God! It is one measly kiss. Anyway, it's a Christmas tradition. Come on, Artemis! Have some guts!" His mother was relentless.
Guts, huh? He thought. Fine, guts it is. He tried to send an apologetic glance Holly's way before grabbing her by the waist, tipping her over and capturing her lips with his with great bravado.
Holly was stunned for a moment, then upon realizing what the hell was even going on, closed her eyes and kissed back until Artemis set her back upright. Her whole body seemed to be on fire as she straightened her hair and dress frantically. She was out of breath and looked at Artemis while the others just clapped out of surprise, Myles and Beckett shouting heckles.
Artemis took ahold of the elfs hand and guided her to the stairs but Holly couldn't wait to get to his room. Oh no. She had to talk. NOW.
She dragged him into a coat closet on the first floor, closing the door behind her. "What the hell was that, Fowl?!" The elf hissed, turning on the light from the side.
The man ran a hand through his black hair. "I apologize for that, Holly. But what was I suppose to do? They would have known something was up eventually."
"You promised me that we would not kiss." Holly grumbled, leaning against the wall.
Even with the light on, it did not cover the entire cramped closet. The elf bit back her claustrophobia, but it wouldn't do much for long. Artemis wanted to pace, a defensive mechanism that he had ever since he was little. Eventually, the young man couldn't keep still and proceeded to trip over a box laying carelessly on the floor. He put his hands out to not crash into the elf in front of him, but that didn't do much. They were pitiful centimeters away from kissing eachother again and Artemis' hips had found themselves in between Holly's thighs, making the dress she was wearing come up even more and succeed into making the moment even more intimate.
Holly was trying to breathe normally, but with the close proximity and feeling Artemis' own warm breath against her cool lips, it only made her heart rate speed up faster. Suddenly, the situation now reminded her of just the other day with Trouble, but when scanning the young man's frightful wide eyes, she found no trace of lust in them at all.
"I'm sorry, Captain." Artemis whispered.
The elf licked her lips. "Just...Give me a warning next time." She looked up to his eyes, "Okay?"
For a moment, Holly wished he would kiss her again. The heat inside her burned furiously and with them being so close, it seemed to be a crime for him not to. Either that, or she would advance on him instead.
However, Artemis pulled away, "Alright. A warning. I believe I can do that." He got into the right foot and looked at the breathless elf. "Are you okay?"
Holly nodded, taking his offered hand and screaming curses at herself in her head. Partially for not kissing him and partially for almost kissing a Mud Man.
What the hell was happening to her?
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