Chapter IV

Butler took the stairs three at a time. He was worried about Holly, she hadn't been herself lately. He knocked on the study door politely, but when he heard no reply, he opened the door.

Holly was curled up in one of the leather chairs. Her eyes were red from crying and an open book sat on her lap, but was un-used. She looked up and tried to smile, but it was a weak attempt.

"Holly, are you all right?" Butler asked with concern, lowering himself into one of the other comfortable chairs there. She started to nod, but instead shook her head. He waited for her to speak, watching with sympathetic eyes.

She told him everything, starting with the day in the library. He was neither surprised nor expectant, but nodded slowly. "I think Artemis is very confused right now, he's never shown affection to anyone before, not even Mrs. and Mr. Fowl."

Holly nodded too, looking tired. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep within a matter of moments. Butler left her then and climbed the stairs slowly, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

He knocked on the young master's door, but got no reply. He opened the door soundlessly, and closed it behind him. Artemis was lying on his back on the bed. His eyes were closed, and a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin sat on the side table next to the bed.

Only did Artemis open his eyes when Butler sat beside him. He looked at him in surprise. "Whatever is wrong, Butler? You look terrible."

The large Eurasian man took a deep breath. "Holly told me everything." Artemis groaned and rolled over on his side, his back to him.

"I agree with her." Butler continued. He took the boy's arm and turned him so he could see his face.

Artemis glared at him.

"You really love her, don't you?" Butler queried.

He frowned. "Don't be silly."

The manservant sighed. "Artemis, please. Why is it so hard to admit?"

Surprise was evident in his dark blue eyes, as if the idea hadn't occurred to him before. They were filled with confusion and distress. "Butler, just please go away. I don't want to talk about it."

The man sighed deeply. He was about to go, when he noticed Artemis looked flushed. He felt his forehead, surprised to see how warm he was. "I'll be right back."

Butler grabbed a thermometer from the nearest bathroom and handed it to Artemis. He opened his mouth obediently and closed his eyes again when the beeper went off. Butler closed the door behind him and hurried to find Juliet. He was about to pass her room when he heard her chant, "Ring Master! Ring Master! Ring Master!" He opened the door and took the room in on one glance. Popcorn was everywhere and Juliet was jumping on the couch, obviously happy that the 'Ring Master' had won the match.

"Juliet! Artemis has a high fever; I need you to bring a bucket of ice water to his room." He shouted above the noise.

She nodded and flipped off the TV. "Be there is a sec."

Butler nodded again, and went to check on Holly. She was still asleep on the chair. He carried her to the guest room and set her gently upon the bed. She didn't stir, so Butler pulled a blanket up to her shoulders, noting she was pale and hadn't eaten for a while. He would have to coax her to eat something when she woke up.

Juliet had just reached the door of Artemis' room with the bucket of ice water when Butler approached her.

"Did you grab a washrag?"

She nodded. "Shouldn't we call Mrs. Fowl?"

Butler shook his head. "No, we would have to tell her why, and-"

"Not a good idea." She decided, and Butler nodded silently. He crossed over to the bed and dunked the rag into the bucket and washed Artemis' face, arms, and chest, not bothering to keep his clothes dry. He folded the rag and pressed it to his forehead, hoping to get the fever down quickly.

He dunked the washrag in the bucket again, and pressed it to his forehead once more. After ten minutes of this, Juliet got the thermometer to see if it had gone down any. Butler sighed when he realized that he had only managed to get the fever down three degrees.

He carried Artemis to the bathroom and placed him in the bathtub. Before he had a chance to protest, Butler poured the bucket of freezing cold water over his head. Artemis gasped with the shock and glared at them. Butler wasn't fazed.

"Do you think you could eat something?" He asked anxiously.

Juliet grinned from the bathroom door. "Chicken noodle soup coming right up." She skipped out of the room and down to the kitchen, fervently hoping she knew how to make chicken soup.

Butler helped Artemis stand up and handed him a towel. He took it and asked, "Where's Holly? Is she all right?"

Butler nodded. "She's in the guest room sleeping. She'll be fine." Eventually, he added to himself silently. "You really should talk to her though, I'm worried about her." Artemis nodded, avoiding eye contact.

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