Chapter 15

Distractions Part 1

A/N: This chapter is in Arty's POV. It is taking place during Holly's mall outing.

Artemis' POV:

"Butler, I'm sure she's fine." I said annoyed at my old friend. He was pacing up and down in front of me while I tried to read the book in front of me.

"Artemis, we have no idea who this girl is. We don't even know what her name is." he sighed. I was sitting at the desk in my study, trying to concentrate on the book, but Butler's mind was on his sister.

"Don't you think Juliet can fend for herself?" I asked finally snapping the book blosed. Knowing, that I wouldn't get any reading done at the moment.

"Of course," he nodded. "But she's so trusting. Sees the good in everyone."

"Well, why don't you just call her?" I asked, though I knew the answer.

"Because, that would seem like I was checking up on her."

"And you're not?" I smiled briefly.

"I am, but she can't know that."

"Fine," I snapped. "Then please sit down and be still so that I can read."

"Sorry Artemis." He mumbled sitting down in the seat across from me. "I'm just ...worried."

"It's quite all right, Butler." I nodded. Just as I was about to speak more reassuring words, I was cut off by the song 'Beep'. I looked at Butler quizzically. That was definitely not his style of music.

Butler fidgeted slightly as he noticed my scrutiny, and the question in my eyes. "Juliet did it. Put some damn code on it that I can't figure out."

"Would you like me to fix it?"

"Yes please if you could."

I couldn't help but be offended. "Of course I can. It can't be that difficult."

"Sorry to offend you. You know what I meant." he said waving a large hand in the air.

"Of course." I nodded. "But why aren't you answering?"

"Not important," he grunted. About tqo minutes later, his phone rang again. He picked it up on the first ring. It must have been Juliet. He nodded a lot, but the conversation was very short.

"Juliet," he barked.

"Oh, are you leaving?" I asked innocently.

"Yes, she needs me for something. Probably to take her bags to her car." he grumbled.

"I do not envy you." I said shaking my head, thankful for having only brothers. "Enjoy yourself."

"Shall I relay your regards?" he chuckled. "Juliet's friend is a girl."

I felt my face redden. "No, that is not necessary."

"See you soon, Artemis." Butler chuckled as he left the room.

"Good-bye, Butler." I grumbled . He left my study and I heard the sound of a door shutting and a car starting. And then he was gone. I felt a sense of relief. Butler was one of my best friends, but there are times when one needs time to oneself. I pulled out my book, and tried to read it once again. As soon as I became engrossed in it, my computer chimed. I couldn't help but sigh to myself. I was never going to get to read this book. It was an IM from Foaly.

(Note: IM- Artemis=Aurumestpotestas, Foaly= Horselovin69)

Horselovin'69- What up mud boy?

Aurumestpotestas- Hello Foaly, I'm fine. Maybe you should change your name.

Horselovin'69- Why? What's wrong with it?

Wow, I felt good. I'm more in touch with modern terminology for once.

Aurumestpotestas- Just an errant thought. Now why have you decided to grace me with your conversation?

Horselovin'69- Wait, I have something to show you.

Color me curious. It must have been quite something. And knowing him, it had something to do with Holly. A window opened on my monitor. Foaly's smug face was looking out at me. The first thing I noticed was that he had lost a little more weight. Must be due to Caballine.

"Hey mud boy." he grinned.

"Foaly," I nodded cooly, not in the mood for one of his mind games. Though, I usually win them.

"Whoa, what happened to you?" he asked examining my face. I immediately know what he was talking about. I've been described as vampiric before. Right now, my skin was pale, white and my eyes had deep bruise-like circles under them from lack of sleep. The lack of sleep comes from the strange dreams I keep having. "Are you okay?" This time concern tinged his voice.

"A lack of sleep is hardly a reason for concern." I snapped a bit harsher than I had meant to.

Foaly just grinned like, I had said nothing at all. "Maybe it's from that huge book." he spun my webcam down to see the title before I could hide it. D'arvit! Foaly burst out laughing. "Oh, How to Charm Women and Social Interactions for Dummies? At least one part of that is right." he gasped as my face reddened.

"Your point?" I asked. "The reason for your call."

"Oh, I just called to see if you were excited."

"Oh, yes I'm just jumping from joy. Can't you tell?" I asked my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Have you heard from Holly recently?" he said as if he didn't already know.

"Not since she invited me down. Why?" I asked feeling worried that something bad may have happened to her.

"Just curious." Yes, and I believe that. When Mulch is innocent.

"What do you have to report?" I asked, knowing he had some sort of gossip that he wanted to share. If he were anymore excited then he would have been jumping up and down. "What did Mulch do this time?"

"Oh, surprisingly it wasn't Mulch." he grinned. Sometimes, Foaly really did bother me. Such as no when he was sitting (proverbially) back and watching me sweat. If I wasn't morbidly curious, then I would have exited the window. Unfortunately, I was morbidly curious.

"Then, who?" I asked though I already knew. "Doodah? Trouble?"

"Well, you got half of it right." he taunted.

"Could you please just tell me what you want to say?" I asked wearily. I was tired of dancing around the subject at hand. He would either tell me or he wouldn't. Though, I can't see Foaly missing out on the chance to say anything.

"Well I can show you better than I can tell you."

"Fine then," I snapped. "Show me."

"Your wish is my command." he mumbled opening another window on my monitor.

"You could just use one window." I reminded him.

"Oh, I know. I just want to see your face." At that moment I realized how bad it must be.

"Yes, yes. Now will you please just play the video?" I was angry at this point. Angry and confused. And there's nothing worse than a confused genius.

"On one condition?" he said though it came out as more of a question.

"Fine. What is your condition?" Though at this point I would have agreed to almost anything.

"You just have to answer three questions for me. After the video."

"Fine, I agree." I nodded. Surely the questions couldn't be that bad. Could it?

"Don't say I didn't warn you." he cautioned me.

"Just play the tape, Foaly." I demanded. Foaly mumbled something that sounded very much like 'no respect'. Never the less he started the video, finally.

It was a tape from the security camera. I could tell this from the date and time displayed on the screen. I could see the tile floors of a hallway, and a door. About a minute later, an woman ran through the door. She was elfish, and looked rather familiar, though I cannot place her.

"Let me just..." Foaly trailed off as he zoomed in and sharpened the image. "Do you recognize her now?"

My first observation: she was beautiful. Then I looked closer. Her uniform was unzipped very low. The curves of her breasts were evident. Her face was flushed and her hair touseled as if she had just gotten out of bed. It was strangely attractive. Then it took me about a second to realize that her hair was auburn and that she had two different colored eyes. One was hazel and then my own blue which seemed to be staring right at me. It was Holly.

"H-h-holly?" I choked out. Both riveted and embarrasse by the picture in front of me.

"Yes, it's H-h-holly." he laughed. "Keep watching, mud boy."

The video commenced playing. A minute later, a flushed man ran in. His hair was also touseled and his uniform wasn't correct. It was also partially unzipped, showing a muscular chest. He came in and stood next to Holly. The way he, Trouble, looked at her was... criminal and that was quite the statement coming from me. He was like a cat eyeing a particularly juicy mouse.

Holly looked into his face and saw his grin. She smiled back embarrasedly. Like she had just been caught doing something. "Is that it?" I asked, my voice frozen as I tried to push the words past my mouth.

"Almost done. This shot is from earlier that same morning." Foaly said as the scene changed. It was inside of an office. The door said : 'Major H. Short.' Holly's office, then. That was when I saw the two people standing near her desk. Holly was there and her uniform was in spotless order. Her hair was laid down and though her face was flushed, she didn't look the same.

Trouble was standing with his back facing me. Their arms reached out and they embraced. I felt my heart fall out through my feet. I tried to pay attention, since the video was still playing. Trouble must have whispered something in her ear, because her eyes widened. Maybe, I was imagining it, but I thought I saw a hint of distress around her eyes. But then she was drawing back. Instead of standing back straight, she leaned in and he kissed her. A long, deep passionate kiss. And then the video ended.

"Artemis? Artemis?" Foaly called, bringing me out of my stupor.

"Are they...?" I couldn't even finish the thought.

"Holly says they're not, but the website says..." he trailed off, obviously letting some thing slip. Note to self: check on website.

"Website?" I asked. "You said website."

"I don't know what you're talking about." he huffed. "Now for my questions."

"Fine, I'll answer." It's not that I truly wanted to, but Fowl's always keep their word.

"First, are you jealous? Do you wish that was you?"

"No, of course not. They are two adults who may do as they pleased." I lied. Kissing Holly. I must admit, I've thought of nothing else since our return from the past.

"The past has a way of repeating itself." I murmered to myself, hoping the old adage was true.

"What's that?" Foaly asked as I mentally slapped myself for speaking aloud.

"Just talking to myslef." I said waving my hand.

"Talking to yourself, the first sign of insanity." It's not as though I haven't considered that one before.

"Don't you have two more questions?" I snapped rather unnecessarily.

"Ah, yes I do." Foaly smiled in anticipation. "Do you love Holly? Or rather even like her?"

"I like her very much. She is one of my best friends," I said intentionally skirting the question.

"You're being intentionally vague." he complained. "You know that's not what I meant." True, I knew exactly what he meant, but I refuse to give him a solid answer.

"In that case, no, I do not lover her like that. I love her as I love all my friends." Lie, she is my friend. But to be honest, I do care for her more than my other friends. "I liker her as my dearest friend and nothing more."

"Artemis, I've known you for quite a while, right?" he asked searching my facce for something.

"Yes." I answered warily.

"And in that time we've become friends?"

"We have."

"And you know I just tease you because I care?"

"You do?" I said though it sounded more like a question.

"And in that time, we've gotten to know each other, right?"

"Right?" I asked uncertainly.

"Well enough for me to know when you're bull shitting me."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"You and Holly have the most chemistry of any two people I've ever seen. You both want each other. You know what's sad?"

"Your attempts at matchmaking?" I asked testily.

"The fact that you don't even know it." he ignored me. "I could see your face, your eyes. You were jealous and hurt."

"No, I was not."

"Look Arty" he quickly changed his use of my name as he caught my glare. "Artemis. Let me be honest. I know you love Holly, whether you know it or not. You can either believe me or repress this in your mind. But remember, while you're gettign your act together, Trouble is moving in for the kill. Just imaging him in Holly's heart. Her in his arms... not a pretty sight." he said as I winced involuntarily. "I think I've given you enough food for thought. Bye, be sure to see me sometimes during your visit." he exited the window.

I stared in shock, for I don't know how long. It could have been minutes, hours, or even days and I would not have noticed the passing of time. Holly. Trouble. Holly and Trouble. Those words played in an endless song in my mind. I don't love Holly. I can't. We're best friends and nothing more.

A/N:

Whoo-hoo! Another chapter down. Anyway, the next chapter will be one about Arty. He's getting closer and closer to Haven. Anyway, I hope to update this soon. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Remember to review.

Remember: Reviews= happy camper. Happy camper= quicker updates. Quicker updates= you reading more. It's a cycle keep it going!

Yours truly, madly, and deeply

Einstinette