Tips For When You Jump into the Deep

AN: So I'll be hitting the 20k mark soon! Yah for me!! So far we're almost a ¼ of the way through so maybe I'll hit the 100k mark? I hope so. Anyways, this one is shorter than most of the other ones, sorry, however, more is to follow it soon. Also, this chapter and some of the other ones to follow is why I bumped the rating up to T. Please let me know what you think of the story so far, I take all suggestions and tips to heart : )

Chapter 8: It's Just A Name part I

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name;

--Juliet Capulet, Romeo and Juliet

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. You have to believe me; I really though that you did like her! I thought you were just playing hard to get!" Roger whispered his plea, as he and Artemis sat in o chem. The class was supposed to be working on a book assignment, but of course, no one was actually doing any work.

"Roger, you just don't go around telling people that someone likes them and is going to agree to date them without checking facts first."

"I said that I was sorry didn't I? By God Artemis, at least the chick is a hottie! You're acting as if she was ugly or completely untreatable to you or something…"

"Who's ugly and completely untreatable?" Mrs. Burner peeped in.

"No one," Artemis said quickly.

"Just this girl named Minerva in France that Artemis likes. But she's not ugly, that's for sure!" Roger countered casually. A small grunt could be heard form the front of the class. Artemis was sure that I was coming form Xia.

"I don't like Minerva." He stated and opened his textbook and tried to work. But Burner and Roger wouldn't give up.

"Sure you don't. Just like how you don't like sky blue." Mrs. Burner said snidely.

"The only reason my lab coat is sky blue is because the only other options you gave me were pink, purple, lime green, or an ugly tan."

"Artemis, it's really okay. In all honesty, I'm just happy that you found someone you like. For a minute there, I though you might be the first asexual human!"

"Haha! Me too!" someone in the back agreed. Roger just nodded his head, and a tint of red started to fill Artemis's cheeks. Teachers weren't supposed to act that way were they? This was one of many reasons why he hated organic chemistry.

Class didn't end nearly fast enough for Artemis, but when he did, he bolted out of the class doors, ignoring his teacher's will of 'Good luck!' and dragged Roger out with him.

Once Artemis had the cover of the white noise the crowd in the hall created, he turned to Roger.

"You said that Xia and Minerva hated each other? Why is that?" Artemis asked in a hushed voice so that no one could over hear them.

Roger took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder a few times to make sure that no one was listing to them.

"Long time ago, Xia went to Saint Mary's with Minerva. From what I've heard, they use to be cool with each other, but then in their sixth year, Xia out smarted her in some science project, I dunno, and received an honorary mention from York University. Minnie was pissed cause her project was basically the same as Xia's and because Xia was only nine at the time, making her the youngest to ever win a award that big. Minnie got jealous, so she did a little snooping in to Xia's past, and you would have never guessed what she found out! Xia's original last name was McGossicc! Can you believe that? Xia is a McGossicc! Anyways, soon after Minnie got a hold of that information, Xia had to transfer out and switched to Holy Names and moved in with me and the folks."

"So she's a descendent of the Italian Columbia mob family?"

"Yup, Yup. When Xia first came to stay with us, her caseworker made sure that we would never use her real last name with anything. Saying that it would put her and maybe us in danger."

"Who's her father?"

"Minnie couldn't figure that one out and nor could we. Xia doesn't know who he was and it wasn't on the birth certificate. Aunt Isola, never told my mom, so no one know. Aunt Isola never really got the chance to tell anyone though. She was killed when Xia was four, and after she died, Xia was shipped out to Italy."

Artemis let go of the breath that he didn't realize he was holding and relaxed all the built up tension in his body.

"Well then it's safe to say that Xia's father was not apart of the mob family. Had he been, they would have kept and trained her in Columbia. No, more likely, her parents were servants to them, and when they died, they felt as if Xia would be better off without them. Apparently, the theme of 'family' is really important to the F.A.R.K's leader, so he forced all of the members, even the servants, to change their last name to McGossicc."

"I think the idea of Xia being a mobster's daughter is hella tight though! Don't you?"

"As 'tight' as that thought may be, everything makes lot of sense now. Of course Xia hates Minerva; she put her in unnecessary danger. And of course Maféia and Xia are friends; If Xia's parent's worked for the McGossicc's the they probably helped the Britva's too."

"Yah, but believing that Xia's a gangster is ten times cooler…"

"Alright, Roger. Whatever you say. Thanks you for the information." Artemis said as he began to walk away.

"Anytime!" Roger shouted out to him "Just keep what we said on the DL!"

He was excited to go to his sixth period, but dreaded it at the same time. He didn't like to admit it but, he liked being around Xia, and that's what made him dread being around her. Her personality was alluring to him, straight from the get-go, and she always managed to hook him, no matter how hard he tried to fight her off, she would weaken him down. Much like the way Holly or his Mother and even Juliet could, if the girl really tried.

The women must be a witch.

It was the only logical explanation that Artemis could think of. Because Artemis Fowl the II didn't just find himself feeling connected to people he barely knew anything about. Artemis Fowl the II didn't just open himself up to some girl just because she asked him to. Xia being a witch made perfect sense to Artemis. After all, he did believe in fairies, trolls, pixies, dwarfs and demon warlocks. So why not witches?

He made his way from his fifth period Lit. Philosophy class and down to the Recreation Hall where Xia said she would be waiting for him. As he open the door to the Rec Hall, a subtle hint of orange zest and vanilla filled his nose and the hypotonic beats of an Arabian tune danced the air. The girl certainly did know how to set a mood. He past the coat room and head straight to the billiard room, the only place the Rec Hall that would have been big enough for them both the practice. What awaited him there was a most beautiful sight. He had always known that Xia had a nice form to her, but I was always hidden under polo's and plaid skirts or sweats and printed tees. But there she seat, on her plush pink yoga mat in the lotus position. Her green camisole was modestly low, exposing just enough of her breast to make his mind wonder, and her matching yoga pants were low and tight to her hips, showing off her perfectly toned tummy and beautiful calves. All of her body was lean and toned, much like Holly's body, except for much sexier. Maybe it was because Xia was human. Part of him felt horrible for looking her over like that, but then again, Artemis was a teenaged boy, and he didn't tell her to dress that way. He greedily waited a few seconds more before he called her to attention.

"Xia?"

Ida gingerly opened an eye to see who it was then smiled widely.

"Glad to see you join me. I was wondering if you'd come. That mat over there is yours. Sit and meditate with me." She pointed to the dark green mat the was beside her, then closed her eyes once more.

Mediating was something that Artemis normally didn't have a problem with, but with his hormones rushing the way they were, he could keep his mind clear, or his eyes closed. He was only too grateful that she didn't have them meditate for long. After they (or better speaking, she) meditated, Ida re-introduced him to an array of introductory poses and movements like the Sun Salutations, Triangles, Warriors and Planks. Each pose she did showcased her body and flexibility in amazing new ways, and when it was Artemis's turn to perform them, she would place her hands on him, pushing, pulling and supporting him into the right position. This gym class was, by far, the best class he'd ever been in. He was almost sad when it was time to go.

"So why didn't you think that I would show?" Artemis asked casually as he rolled up his mat.

"Minerva doesn't like me, and seeing how you two are going out now, I just assumed that you'd take on the same perspective as she."

"I'm not going out with her, and I have no reason to not like you Xia. Sure, you've been a little too frank with me at times, but that just apart of your essence. Honestly, Minerva hasn't a right to dislike you either, she was just jealous and what she did was only out of spite."

He immediately knew that was the wrong thing to say. Ida's face became a blank slate, but her oak eyes became fiery.

"Oh really? And how do you know what she did?" She asked in a docile tone, but it was anything but.

"I have my source." He replied coolly to her.

"Of course you do. What else did your 'source' have to say, hmm?" Her tone was still relatively passives, but it was building strength, and Artemis cursed himself for being so stupid as to mention the subject at all Of course she wouldn't want anyone else to know.

"Xia, please don't get upset, I didn't mean to anger you. I was only just trying to show you that I understood and that Minerva was wrong for what she did to you. However, Minerva has changed. She's not so selfish anymore. I do believe if you talk to her, that you two can become congenial once more."

"Congenial?" Ida almost choked. She could have laughed at that idea. "She is absolutely, without a doubt, the most horrible person I've ever met!" Ida stormed in a way Artemis had never seen before. "She forced me out of my home, and jeopardized my life! All over a fucking science competition we were in when I was nine! So, Artemis, tell me; now that you 'know' me, are you afraid too?" she asked, looking at him with a cool glare.

Artemis was just able to keep his wits about him, but his eyes gave nothing away.

"Why on earth would I be afraid of you?"

A sly smile, much like the one Roger wore crept upon her face.

"Because, I'm a McGossicc. And you have no idea how lethal I can be."

She had no idea what she was doing. No idea at all what she was doing to him inside. He smiled wickedly at some of the thoughts that raced through his mind.

"I'm pretty sure I have a good clue Xia."

She raised a thin brow but showed no other emotion.

"What is McGossicc, other than the fact that it's your last name? Just because your name after something doesn't mean you have any affiliations with it. I'm willing to take my bets up and say that I have nothing to fear from you."

"Well then," Ida started dully. "I'm glad to see you're the kind of man who likes to gamble. I'll see you tomorrow." She said as she walked out the billiard hall, leaving Artemis to himself to think.

What on earth had just happened between them?

Review please ; )

Next up...

"Fair enough. What are you're plans for tonight?" Ida asked causally as they continued to walk over to where the dorm buildings where. Artemis was thrown off a bit. Why was she asking him that? He raised a pale brow.

"Are you or aren't you going to answer my question?" She asked testily.

"I really hadn't planed anything much, but I'm confident that I'll find something to occupy my time, I'm sure."
Ida nodded her head, a smile spreading across her face.