Wow. Sixth chapter already. Thank you so much for everyone who waited patiently for this to happen. I am now able to write faster, like I did in the hols. NO MORE EXAMS FOR THE YEAR! I decided to put some mystery in this chap, and of course, I added some drama for the H/A shippers. Oh, and another mention to youjustcrossedtheline, who gave me this chapter title. Thanks again!

The elf whistled and walked along the crowded LEP hallway. He passed a small pixie secretary who had just stacked a large pile of memo pads on her desk, only for the pile to be swept to the floor due to one of Foaly's new fans, called 'air amplifiers'. The pixie started swearing profusely, including words such as centaur, sacked and last straw.

The elf passing smiled, and thought how glad he was he wasn't a secretary. He approached the flustered fairy and pulled an envelope from his jacket, he gave it to the pixie, smiling at how effective his skin colour latex gloves were. Another invention of Foaly's of course. The elf then proceeded to smile, walked back down the corridor, and out the door.

Once he was out of the building, the elf headed towards the downtown streets of Haven and to report to someone who was paying very well for the simple things she had required. Information and small errands like delivering the letter for Captain Short. As the elf reached his destination, he rubbed his hands in glee and slid into the small apartment where Ms Opal was hiding. "The letter has been delivered." He said proudly, and smiled at Opal. Opal, who was seated at the other end of an old biodegradable table, merely frowned, "Did you remember the gloves?"

The elf sat down opposite her. "Yes."
"Then it's time for your next job. This one is the most important. You must not fail me."
The elf bowed his head. "I will not Miss Opal."
Opal pursed her lips. "Alright then elf. You need to be alone with Commander Kelp. And then." She slide an envelope across the table. "Open this."
He blinked at the mentioning of the decorated commander. "How do I do that?" He asked.
Opal sighed in annoyance. "Use your connection!"The elf nodded vigorously.
"Yes Miss Koboi." Opal grinned evilly, rubbing her hands together.
"This business will soon be at an end, and the whole world will be in my power! Now go."
The elf smiled anxiously, and hurried out the door. He tucked the envelope into his coat, and worried about what Opal would do to him if he failed.

Holly stared at Trouble in shock. If he found out about what had happened, however insignificant... Someone was going to pay, most likely Artemis. What to do? She shared a quick glance with the aforementioned human, His expression was grim. Trouble noticed the exchange. "Come on!" He said with authority, "Tell me!" Foaly didn't really want to be there either. Artemis is dead. Holly with him. The centaur thought sadly.

I need to think of something fast. Artemis realised. "Commander, when Holly and I went back in time, we went back eight years. And we think the bond might be partly made by all that time travel." Trouble looked at Artemis as if he was a particularly disgusting swear-toad. "I don't think so." He glared at everyone in the room,
"How stupid do you think I am?" Trouble roared, "Captain Short. Tell me the truth. What was missing from you report?" Holly shook her head. She had to think fast, I have to tell him the truth. Holly realised. She looked at the people surrounding her. Trouble looked dangerous, Foaly looked worried, Artemis... He bowed his head in defeat. Holly's confidence wavered.

"I... Uh... When Artemis and I went back in time. I... I." she sighed, "Succumbed to teenage hormones, and... kissed him. It... It was nothing Troub-" Holly abruptly stopped at the sight of her friend shaking his head slowly.
"I can't believe this." He rasped slowly, Artemis tried to back away from Trouble, but the elf was the elite one. Trouble caught Artemis by the shoulder, and threw him against the table. "No!" Holly screamed, Foaly jumped up in shock.
"Security!" he called, and galloped out the door. Holly shook her head. Artemis was out cold, and Foaly was gone. Just her against Trouble. Holly wanted to check Artemis, but she knew he was okay. Holly's only 'ghost' ache was from her shoulder, where Artemis was hit by the table. Nothing too serious. Holly leap up and tried to tackle Trouble. His superior strength bashed her against the door frame, and Holly cried in alarm. "Trouble; please!" Holly looked at her friend, not recognising him through the rage on his face.

"I..." Trouble backed away, Holly slid to the floor. "Holly, please. Just tell me why." The rage was gone. All that was left was sorrow. Holly couldn't trust her voice. So she sucked in a huge breath,
"I had just saved him from a gorilla, and... Trouble, I regret every single moment. I'm sorry." Trouble Kelp collapsed into a chair.

"Please. Just tell me the whole story." Holly wildly glanced around the office. Broken chairs, broken table, Artemis. Holly tried to stand up, and shakily took a step. She told Trouble everything from the kiss to the Mini. The most painful memories of her life. Regret, anger, hope diminishing like fading smoke.

"And, I asked him, if it would be so bad if I stayed like that, like an adolescent, so we could be together." At this Trouble looked up.

"That makes it sound like you loved him." Holly didn't have an answer to this, and was saved from responding when Artemis groggily sat up. She rushed to him just as Foaly burst in with a dozen black clad LEP officers.

"And.. Uh, there was a fight." He halted at the sight of the broken people and furniture. Holly slowly helped Artemis up. He looked deep into her eyes. Their eyes. "I heard what you said about the kiss." Holly knew there was a dozen other fairies in the room, but she could only see Artemis, and the pain in his eyes. She realised that he hadn't been wrought by a sudden change of age, and Orion had told her facts that Holly knew were true. Artemis loved her. Or had. If Holly hadn't just broken his heart. "Artemis..." The human took his arm from her grasp. "Please. Just let me think for a while." Artemis moved towards the door, but it was blocked by some LEP goons. One of the said officers pointed his gun at him. "Can I shoot the human?" He asked pleadingly, Foaly looked aghast, "No! Let's just clean up and uh...Holly, you okay?" Holly nodded and walked out the door after Artemis. Even though she was trying to leave him space. Space that said so much more than words.

Trouble looked up slowly. "I'm going to lunch." He then proceeded to follow the procession out of the room. The LEP officers just stared at each other and shook their heads. It had been a bizarre five minutes. "Spud's?" one suggested and the rest nodded and all walked out after the commander, leaving Foaly to sink into one chair that wasn't broken. "I swear, if it wasn't for the need for my inventions, I'd be a florist."

Trouble stalked of the building, not sure what he was doing. But knowing that he was absolutely furious inside, he had been sure that Holly was his. But no, that deranged human had to snatch her from him. Oh Argon would have a best seller that's for sure. Grub ran up to his brother. "Trubs!" He called gleefully. Trouble kept walking,

"How many times must I tell you to call me Commander Kelp?" Grub walked beside Trouble.
"But mummy said-"
"Shut up Grub." Trouble was not in the mood to be needled. Grub frowned and fidgeted nervously with his jacket. "Do you want to get lunch with me?" Trouble sighed.
"Okay." Grub visibly relaxed and walked beside his glaring brother until they reached a small alley.
"Can we go in here?" Trouble looked around,
"Why?"
"Because there's a great fast food place about a block down." The Commander nodded,
"If you say so Grub." They continued to walk, and Grub stopped abruptly.
"Wait one second Trubs." Trouble scowled,
"What game are you playing Grub?"

Grub disappeared and Trouble leaned against a wall.

As he reflected on the days events, and not really wanting to, he because aware of a small dark hitting his arm. Trouble groped at it and pulled it out, but it was too late. He blacked out, with only the ring of Grub's scream in his ears, and the one thought,

D'Arvit.