Chapter 5:

Invitation Part 2

A/n: This is the phone call from the previous chapter, in Holly's Point of View. Hope you enjoy it. Remeber, if you submit ideas and I use them, the chapter will be dedicated to you. On and thanks to my big brother for giving me the word inferno. You rule.

Holly's POV:

I openened my eyes to the bright faux-sunlight of Haven. Today was going to be fun. Today I was calling Arty. Thet thought seemed to power me through my routine and through the rest of the day.

I took a sim-shower, and pulled on my Lep uniform. It's a black jump-suit with LEP embroidered over my left breast. Under that it says 'Major H. Short'" Next, I carefully brushed my teeth. The longest part of my morning routine is styling my long hair. It was pretty, but way too much hassle. I quickly brushed it down before giving up on it and waliking outj of the door. I ran out of the house, down the street for a few blocks, and into Police plaza.

I must admit, I was feeling pretty happy. Nothing could get me down. Not the new intern, not paperwork. Hell, I bet even Chix Verbil himself couldn't bother me today. My mood must have been pretty evident to the whole offive. It isn't that I'm usually mean, but I'm not exactly smiley, not like I was today.

Apparently, I was too smiley sinve Commander Trouble Kelp walked into my office and up to my desk. The Commander, or Trubs as her was fondly know, had been my friend since the academy. So, of course he noticed how keyed up I was.

"I must not be doing my job, if my best Major is this happy." Trouble laughed.

"Of course you're doing your job, Commander Kelp." I smiled. Even though Trouble and I are friends. I still find it necessary to treat him as professionally as possibe. To do otherwise would crank up the office rumormill, or start the complaining about how unfair the office was. And Frond knows neither of those options would be good for us. In fact they would be awful, cataclysmic.

Trouble shut the door behind him. "Just Trouble," he ordered.

"Fine. Trouble." I grinned. "You're doing a great job."

"Seriously, Holly. What's up with you?" he aked. "You're never really this perky, especially not in the morning." He was right. Generally, I'm not remotely nice until lunch time. But excitement has a way of pumping you up.

"Just two more weeks until vacation!" I enthused.

"Hmm, and two more weeks until you see Artemis Fowl again." Trouble said stroking his chin and the light stubble there. Of course as commander her knew. He had to okay the whole deal. And thankfully, he did.

"That's part of it." I admitted, blushing slightly. "But I just really need a break from paperwork."

"You are up to your ears, aren't you?" he smiled.

"You have no idea."

"Well, I hope you have a fun vacation." he said standing to leave. "You and the mud boy."

"Mud man." I corrected.

"Mud man." Trouble repeated reluctantly.

"And thanks. I'll miss you." I said hugging him. Very unprofessional, I know but he seemed very sad. He hugged me back a little longer that what was comfortable between male and female co-workers. Of course, at that point Foaly would pass by my door. D'arvit. Fate has a way of coming around and biting you in the butt. And behind Foaly was Chix Verbil and Lili Frond, the two biggest office gossips. What are the odds? You know what, maybe something could ruin my day after all.

Trouble was facing away from the door, so he didn't see the three faces pressed against the plexiglass. "You know, Holly, I really like the hair." he said twining a long lock around his finger as he finally released me from the hug. He still seemed completely oblivious to anything but me. Completely oblivious to the fact that Chix was steaming up the window with his breath.

I tried to keep my mind on the matter at hand. Getting Trouble out of my office, without any more emotional displays. It was harder than it seems. "Thank you commander." I said emotionless as I looked out the door at my friends curious and mischevious faces.

"Please, Holly, Trouble."

"Fine," I surrendered. "Thanks Trouble."

Trouble turned to leave and I waved him off. Unfortunately, he saw Foaly and the others just before they scampered off. He turned a shade of red that would have made Commander Root proud. I could see he was about to turn around and say something, but I wasn't having that.

"Good-bye, Trouble." I said pushing him out of the door and making sure to shut and lock it. Not that it would stop anyone wo was truly determined. Especially someone with Foaly on their side. And of course, he would be on their side if it came to embarrassing me.

I sat back down and sighed. I couldn't help but think of Trouble's fingers in my hair, and I can't help wish they belonged to someone else. Someone tall and thin, with long fingers. Someone with pale skin and dark hair. Someone like Artemis. Hmm, he's never seen me with long hair, i wonder how he'll react. (This is the point where I need that list, or maybe just the cold shower.)

I was interrupted by a 'ping' from my computer. It was from Foaly, asking me to come to his office for "an importatnt meeting". I ignored it. It doesn't take a genius to know that he wanted to pump me for information and then tease me about said information.

I continued with my paperwork until it was finally lunchtime. Half of the day was over and part of my good mood remained. I guess that was a plus.

I pulled my hair towards my face to cover it, and walked briskly toward the door. Before I got to the door I had to walk through the crowded central part of Police Plaza.

Everyone was staring at me. It wasn't just my imagination either. Every eye in the room was on me. The first thing that I noticed was a lull in the conversation. A moment of complete and totat silence. The th whispered murmurs that I knew were about Trouble and me.

So, I did the only thing i could. I stood up as straight and as tall as I could. Then I walked towards the door while staring down anyone foolish enough to make eye contact. Soon enough they all went back to either their work or their lunch.

I sauntered out of the door to go back to my house. I had an hour and a half for lunch break, one of the perks of being a major. Below a captain, rookies, got half an hour for lunch. Captains got one hour. If I ever became first major, I would have two hours barring important missions, of course.

A few minutes later I was walking through my front door. The first thing I did was rip off my uniform. I hate to admit it, but I wanted to try to show off a little. I opened my closet to find something appropriate. And there it was.

A light green shirt, that Juliet had bought for me. It had the word 'Dance' on it in darker green cursive. The shirt was a little tight when I slipped it on. It left a bit of my flat stomach showing. Perfect. Next, I needed a pair of pants. I hunted through the rack until I came across some black knee-length shorts. Perfect. I slipped them on and went to brush my hair again. That done, I went to my holo-phone and pressed number one on my speed dial and waited as the phone rang.

Brring... brrrrring. Once, twice it rang. Artemis picked right up after the second time. He must have been otherwise involved, because he usually picks up during the first ring. I quickly realized I needed to adjust my view, so i zoomed in to where only my face and shoulders were visible.

The next thing I knew Arty's face and chest were sitting in hologram form in front of me. He looked good,really good. His hair was tassled as though he had recently ran his hands through it. I couldn't help but think of how large his hands were, and how perfect they would feel on me. I immediately tried to got that thought out of my mind. It would never happen. His eyes were alight with curiosity and cheer. This was an all together different person from the one I had met all those years ago.

We took a moment to just look at each other. I noticed the excact moment when he took in my new hair. I looked on in delight in seeing his eye and mine widen in shock. I know it sounds stupid, but I was glad he hadn't covered it up with a contact. Of course, he could have popped it out, but Arty isn't the type to hide things, especially not from me. I also noticed that his mouth was open. Of course, he tried to close it before I saw.

Not that I minded. To be honest, I found it flattering to the umpteenth degree. I was pretty tired of sitting there, just staring. Besides, I only have an hour and a half for lunch. It would take me much longer to get my fill of Artemis' face, so I decided to get things moving.

"Hey Arty,"I smiled at him. I noticed his eyes widen slightly as he heard my nickname for him. No matter how many times he heard me say it, he still acted surprised."You may want to wipe away the drool." I had to laugh his face was just so comical. I can't believe he actually tried to wipe his mouth. Well, actually I can. Silly mud boy, he should know better.

"That was not funny, Captain." he said, purposely underanking me. He knows damn well, I'm a major. Oooh, he makes me so mad sometimes. He just want to get back at me.

"I am a major, as you well know." I said, my face frozen in mock anger.

"It must have slipped my mind." he shrugged. As if, he knows that I know better than that.

"Artemis Fowl, you never forget anything."

"I'm hurt at your accusation. I am human." Human? Who does he think he's fooling? Definitely not me. He has never forgotten anything, and I know he won't start now.

"Barely." I murmered quietley. I know it won't hurt him, but hey the truths the truth. "You know damn well, that I'm a major." I said. Still smiling at the mud boy. Who knew, he had developed an actual sense of humor. I'm so proud.

"Yes, I know." he finally admitted, smirking. "But what I don't know is why you've suddenly decided to call me." Good question.

"Can't I just call to say hi?" I huffed. To be honest,the answer was probably no. But, still that's not the point.

"Hi? Hi?" he asked increduously, like he had never even heard the word. He may not have used, it but he's definitely heard it. In fact, it was like he was spitting poison.

Hmm, I have the perfect way to let Arty see my nice outfit.

"Yes, hi Arty. You know what normal people say when talking." I shrugged. "Oh, hold on a minute."

"I await with baited breath." he said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.

"Sarcastic jerk." I said too low for Artemis to hear. Not that I cared if he did.

I stood up and stretched slightly. I turned to the back and walked to one of my coffee tables. I looked into the mirror beside me and saw him take me in. I saw him looking at my back, my stomach and ogling my butt. This was the first time he had ever seen me outside of the uniform, and he was loving it. I couldn't help, but enjoy it.

I figured I had given him enough time to stare, so I sat back at the phone.

"Sorry Arty." I smiled. He didn't seem to notice me sit down. "Let me adjust this camera." I zoomed it out until he could see my face and stomach clearly. He seemed to have trouble forming words.

"That's quite all right, Holly." He said after he had finally gathered his words again. "Now back to 'hi'"

"Arty! Oh, for Frond's sake just say it." I sighed. I was getting really sick of this topic of conversation. "Next time I call say 'hi', instead of 'hello' and 'bye' instead of 'good-bye'."

"Fine, Holly. I will." he pouted. Sticking his lips out like an unhappy child. Like a child who hadn't gotten his way.

I was pretty nervous about asking Arty to come stay with me. "Well, you know there's another reason I called you?" I said and I folded my arms across my stomach. I couldn't look him in the eyes. I know he was picking up on all of this.

"Of course, there always is." he nodded. He probably thought it was just more business. Wrong. This was strictly pleasure. On my part at his was or not, who knew? " What is it this time? Trolls? Demons or goblins? Opal Koboi finally resurfaced?"

"First of all, nothing. No, no, no, and no." I laughed. "Does there always have to be an emergency before I call?" The correct answer was probably yes.

"There doesn't have to be, but there usually is." he countered. Well, it's true. There was usually something going on when I called. But this time was different.

"True." I admitted, grinning. "But not this time."

"Holly?" he asked, calling me back from space. "You know I'm not getting any younger. You obviously want something. Spit it out. What is it?" Ugh, the nerve on that boy.

"You really know how to ruin things, Arty." Holly grunted at him.

"Yes, yes. I'm an awful person."Hey, he said it not me. Besides, honesty's the best policy. "Now back to before if you please."

"Charming." I muttered. He cleared his throat loudly, while motioning for me to get on with it.

"Well I have my vacation in a couple of weeks, and so I'll have one and a half week off..." I began before Artemis cut me off.

"So you'd like to stay here? That could work." he mulled over rubbing his chin. I've got to say, this new habit of his was rather attractive.

Frond knows, I wouldn't mind staying with Artemis. If we were alone. But there were two reasons why that couldn't work. One, Artemis was never alone. Butler, Juliet, the twins, or his parents were always there. And two, I had been through hell and high water to arrange this. There was no way, I was letting it go. Besides, Trouble and Foaly would kill me when they found out.

"No, no Artemis." I smiled. "Thanks for the offer."

"Then what do you want?" he asked confused. Confusion looked very good on his face. His mouth and eyes scrunched. His hand running through his hair.

"Well actually, I was wondering..."

"Yes, Holly?" he asked leaning forward slightly.

"Would you please be quiet so I can ask you 'do you want to come visit me?" I screeched in frustration. Oops, it was supposed to go so much smoother.

"What?" he asked.

"D'arvit, it wasn't supposed to come out like that." I swore.

"You want me to stay with you?" he asked widening his eyes and opening his mouth a bit. Of course I could see right through that. And of course, he wouldn't make this any easier for me.

"Yes, laugh all you want." I snapped embarrassed. "I, Holly Short, am cordially inviting you, Artemis Fowl to my home for a week and a half."

"I graciously accept," he answered with a regal nod of his head.

"What?" I asked dumbfounded. "No attitude? No sarcasm? What have you done with the Artemis I know?" Hmm, I don't know which Artemis I like better. This new, happier one or the old stressful one. I guess only time can tell. But, I'm leaning towards the new one.

"Oh, you'll get all of my sarcasm soon enough." he said with his best vampire smile.

"Try that on someone who doesn't know you, Arty." I smiled. Him and his games. He always has to play, and he always has to win.

"Hmmm, true." he mumbled.

"Finally a breakthrough. Artemis Fowl the Second admits that someone else is right." I said clapping slowly and loudly to emphasize each word.

"Yes, yes. Anyway what about my travel arrangements.? h snapped. "I can't well get my travel agent to book me a trip to the center of the earth. He'd think I was stark raving mad." And he's not. I wish I could see that. Besides, what teen has a travel agent?

"No, but that would be funny to see." I chuckled. "I'll e-mail them to you."

"Fine my e-mail adress is-" he began, but I cut him off like he had done to me earlier.

"It's ,"

"Foaly?" he asked.

"Foaly," I explained.

"Would you mind asking him-?" he began, but once again I cut him off.

"Oooh no." I said waggling a finger at him. "What ever hacking you or Foaly have done, will be talked about in two weeks."

"Fine," he puffed, sounding for all the world like a normal teenager. Haha, as if he could ever be described as a normal teen.

"Well Arty, I have to go. I'm on break." I hated to go, but I know I have to. Though I loved our verbal sparring, I knew I had a week and a half of it ahead of me. I could wait. Couldn't I?

"Awww, you took your lunch time to talk to little ole' me." he smirked. "How sweet."

"Cut the crap." I said unable to hold in my grin.

"Fine good, I mean bye Holly." he said spitting out the word 'bye' like it was poison.

"Bye Artemis." I said smiling even more if that's possible.

"You enjoy that too much." he grinned. "Bye." he reached out to disconnect the call, but I stopped him.

"Oh and Arty, dress casual." I enjoyed seeing the look on his face, as I disconnected. He looked like someone had shocked him. Serves him right. In fairness to me, I was in the power seat, since I'd hung up first. That's just like me. I always have to have the last word.

I smiled to myself for a few minutes before a 'ping' startled me. Crap, that was my alarm. I had fifteen minutes to get to work. I flung my clothes of ans pulled on my LEP suit. Ten minutes left. A second later I was out of the door and running towards Police Plaza. I made it through the door just in time. I was huffing and puffing, still ronning to my office. And I crashed into the person I least wanted to see, Foaly. He may have been my friend, but I wasn't in the mood to deal with him right now. Especially with memeories of this morning dancing around in my head.

"Hi, Holly." Foaly laughed, picking me up off of the floor. "Umm, you may want to take a look in the mirror."

"What?" I asked. "Why?"

"Umm, you look a little... flustered." he grinned. "And, um, Trouble hasn't came in yet." That was a surprise. Even though he got two hours for lunch, he usually only took an hour and a half.

"Hmm, I wonder where he is." I said.

"As if you didn't know." he neighed. Stupid centaur.

"I don't." I said angrily now."Why would I?" Deep breaths. Calm down.

"Uuum, yeah, you should go to the bathroom, now." Foaly insisted, pushing me towards the bathroom.

Chix chose this moment to walk past. He saw me and did a double take. Oh, Frond, this was not going to end well. What had I done to deserve this?

"H-h-hey Holly." he stammered looking me up and down. Uh-oh. I mean sure he usually looked at me, but not like this. This was more the way a dog looked at a piece of thick, juicy steak.

"Hey Chix." I said, like everything was normal. Which in my life, what is normal.

Luckily, at that moment, Trouble came in. His hair was messy and he was flushed. He walked up to me with his mouth hanging open. It must have been really bad. Worse than I thought, as if that's possible. Foaly was trying not to laugh at this predicament. Well, trying and failing.

"Holly." Trouble nodded. "Sorry, I'm late." He was talking to everyone, but his eyes stayed on me the entire time. It was beyond creepy.

"You're not late, Commander." I smiled. "Well, I have to go... to the bathroom."

I quickly turned and walked into the Lady's room. Uh-oh. I'd expected to see me in the mirror, but instead I saw someone else. The sexy, sultry vixen in the mirror couldn't be me. The first thing I noticed was my uniform. It was only partially zipped. You could see the curve of my breasts and a pale triangle of skin below it. Any lower and you could see my belly button.

My hair was tousled from pulling my shirt off, and from the run. I had sex hair. And my face ws flushed from both the run and embarrassment. Then there was the fact that I stumbled in a minute before Trouble does. And he also has tousled hair and a flushed face. D'arvit!

Life has a way of kicking you in the butt, and then dragging you through the mud. Lili Frond chose that moment to walk out of a stall behind me.

"Whoa, Holly." she said. "What happened to you?" I couldn't say anything.

"You and Trouble...?" she trailed off suggestively.

"No," I snapped. Anger having given me, my voice back. "I mean we're just friends."

"Sure Holly," she smiled as my face clouded over. "But listen, I know you like someone."

"No, I-" I began before she cut me off.

"If it's not Trouble, then it must be Artemis Fowl." she nodded. "I know we're not BFF's but I'd like to help." That statement floored me. Why did everyone except me seem so knowledgeable about my relationships?

"Thanks Lili." I said turning to leave.

"Oh and Holly. I'd like to be friends. I'd like to get to know you better." she said letting it sink in. "Talk to you later."

"Sure, Lili." I smiled. I had never really had a conversation with her. To tell you the truth, I'd always looked at her as some dumb, blond bimbo. I had always thought of her as a hinderance or a distraction. It would be both weird and maybe sort of interesting to think of her as a friend. A friend like Caballine or Trouble or anyone. Frond (no pun intended.) knows I could use some more friends.

:One more thing." she smiled as I turned to face her." I love your hair like that. You should wear it like that more often." I smiled looking down at my outfit. I zipped it up just a little. The little that meant the difference between sexy and slutty. Hopefully, I was now on the sexy side.

I smiled as I walked out of the bathroom. Of course, Foaly was still outside the door. D'arvit, I was hoping everyone had gotten bored and left. No such luck. Just then, Lili sidled around me. As she was leaving she gave me a quick little wave. The kind that was uncertain, testing the waters. I gave her an energetic wave and a big smile.

"Holly, will you come with me please?" Foaly asked.

"Sure," I said drudging up a fake smile. There was no way to get out of this one. The circumstantial evidence was overwhelming. And I say this as a cop. All arrows pointed towards Trouble and I doing the deed.

"Since when are you and Lili friends," he asked.

"Since now," I shrugged. "She's actually pretty nice."

"Hmm, I guess that's an uppage from calling her a bimbo." he said.

"Well, I didn't understand her then." I admitted.

"And you do now?" he asked disbelieving.

"I'm getting there."

I walked and he clomped into his office. The room ws filled with computers. Foaly had about ten rolling chairs set up randomly around the office. Not that Foaly could use the chairs. There were only three special centaur chairs.

"Sit down, Holly." Foaly said indicating a chair right in front of his. He sat down, or maybe bent is a better word for it.

He got right into the gossip, like I knew he would. "Oooh, so Holly. You and Trouble." he grinned.

"No, definitely not." I said. Ugh, stupid coincidences.

"Well, you coming in like you did, and him like he did coupled with this mornings hug doesn't bode well." D'arvit, he was right. Alone, both incidents were beyond bad, but together they were catastrophic, a cataclysmic blow.

"Trouble is amazing," I began and Foaly's eyebrows rose as he leaned forward, misunderstanding my meaning. "but we aren't the type." He could hear the truthfulness in my voice.

"Well, that's good." Foaly snickered. "Young Arty might go postal and kill old Trubs. And homicide has a way of quenching the romantic flames.

"Foaly, I do not have feelings for Artemis Fowl." I snarled. "There are no flames to quench."

"Oh, really no flames? No heat of passion? No burnings of desire?" he asked. "No inferno to roast you alive as you sit up at night thinking of him.?" He must be reading romances again.

"No." I said. "There are no flames, no heated passions, no burnings, and definitely no inferno."

"Me thinketh the lady doth protest too much." Foaly quoted.

"Me thinketh the centaur doth read too much into it." I yelled, a little too loudly.

"Face it, Holly, that's why you don't like Trouble." he nodded, so smug with his own self-assurance.

"Hmmm, it couldn't be the fact that he's my boss?" I asked sarcastically.

"Nope," he answered popping the 'p'. "You love one of them and I'm betting on the mud boy."

"Well, then you'd better hand over your money now." I reached out my hand.

"Oh, please, Holly." he sniggered. "By the way Caballine wants you to e-mail her."

"Speaking of e-mail, Arty is mad about you having his."

"Oh, Arty is it now?" he giggled. "How sweet. Kissy-kissy." he made loud kissing sounds, like a child.

"Foa-ly?" I asked, stretching his name into two syllables.

"Yes, Holly?" he asked nervously.

"What would you like to be buried in? Do you want a computer involved in the ceremony?"

"Now, now Holly. No need to be rough." he said trying to placate me.

"Holly, you know your temper." he stammered.

"I don't have a temper," I said getting up and walking closer and closer. I got right up into his face and whispered, "Listen, carefully. I do not like Artemis Fowl, and next time, I won't be so nice. Next time, I'm going to have to hurt you."

"Of course," he squeaked.

"Bye Foaly." I grinned as I waved at him jovially.

"Oh, and Holly, be sure to bring Arty boy down to see me." he called. I turned to let him have it, but I was already out of the door. Foaly had pushed his 'big red button'. And the doors had swished shut behind me. I keyed in my code to go back in and give him a word or two.

The door didn't open. That centaur was keeping me out. Well, he had to come out sometimes. And Frond knows, time would only make me madder.

"Foaly, you get out here, right now!" I screamed. "This is not over."

"Trying to get with Foaly, now?" Chix Verbil asked from behind me. Oh no, not this clown.

"No, I'm not trying to get anyone." I growled.

"Holly, I don't understand." he said shaking his head. "The commander over me."

"I am not seeing the commander." I screamed much louder than I had meant to.

Loud enough for everyone to hear me. Everyone in the office turned to look at me. D'arvit. Trouble was standing there, looking back and forth between me and everyone. My face was bright red, and I'm sure you could have fried an egg on it. So, I did the only thing I could.

I pushed through everyone and made it to my office. I locked the door and barreled through paperwoek. I stayed at work a little longer than the others to avoid looking at them. I saw Trouble from a distance. He tried to wave to me, but I continued home, as if I didn't see him.

Ten minutes later, I was sitting in front of my television, eating a bowl of vole curry. Hmm, let's see, I have one more call to make...

A/n:

I hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter. Come on, review. You know you want to. Remember submit your ideas, and you'll get a chapter dedicated to you.

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Einstinette