Chapter 27

My Savior

A/n:

You guys have been wondering what Arty can do. Well, now you get to see. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

RECAP:

"Because I said so," said a voice from behind me.

Holly's POV:

Aidan and I whipped around to see who had spoken. I couldn't have been more surprised by who was standing there.

"And who the hell are you?" he demanded.

"Fowl. Artemis Fowl," Artemis smirked. Aidan looked a bit confused, which seemed to make Arty angry. "Never heard of me?"

"Never cared to."

"Regardless. Let the girl go," he ordered in a firm voice. I was hoping that Aidan would listen before I had to hurt him.

"No, she wants to go with me," he lied."Don't you?" he asked as he jerked my arm.

"She doesn't look like it," Arty argued. "Let her go and it's no hard feelings, right?" I nodded quickly though, I wasn't feeling very charitable at the moment. I looked into Aidan's eyes and could see desire. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell if it was the desire to let me go or not.

"She's just a little nervous." he lied again. "She's a professional."

"Professional what?"

"Hoe," he said.

At this point, I couldn't contain my rage anymore. "I am not a hoe, you jackass. Not let me go,asshole."

"I'd say that's her way of trying to get you off of her," Artemis said.

"Naah. She's just playing hard to get," he said and if my hand was free then I would have punched him. At that moment I realized that I had one free hand. I cocked my hand back to hit him, but Arty caught my eye and slowly and clearly shook his head at me. I trust him, so I put my hand down sulkily. Though, I was ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"Let her go," Artemis demanded in his sternest tone.

"Who's gonna make me?" Aidan demanded.

Artemis smiled his best vampire smile, but his eyes were cold. I was literally about to shiver. "Me," he said assuming a fighting stance. His stance... it was perfect. There would definitely be some power behind that strike. Good. He wasn't the weakling that I had expected. He's changed even more than I had thought. "Now let her go and I won't have to hurt you."

He still didn't let me go. Though, it was good to see that something penetrated his alcohol adled brain. He could tell that Arty wasn't playing. "Uh...uh," he stammered while his intoxicated brain tried to understand and come up with a strategy. No, he didnt' let me go, but in his confusion he accidentally loosened his grip. That was all of the opening that I needed. I jerked my hand out of his and used his own strength to send him crashing forward into the table.

It was childish,but I couldn't resist a little revenge. I placed my boot heel on his back and leant down so that I was whispering into his ear. Well, speaking loud may have been a more appropriate term than 'whispering'.

"Never-ever touch me you do, you may end up missing a few parts," I told him. "Got it?" I asked as I grabbed his hair and forced his head back.

He was too afraid to speak, so he nodded. Which of course, hurt and left some hair inbetween my fingers. "Good. Now get out of here," I ordered. He got up and ran towards the door. I watched as he stumbled and fell while trying to get out of my sight.

I stood up and shook the hair form betweent my fingers. I straightened my back, and then remembered that I had an audience. "Holinda Briefs," I said, extending my hand to Arty. It felt strange to introduce myself to my best friend, but I guess it would have seemed stranger not to.

"Artemis Fowl. It's a pleasure to meet you." and surprisingly he sounded to mean it. "I am glad you are unharmed." Yes, 'unharmed' except for my pride That was pretty much in shambles.

"So, you are okay?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. "I'm fine. But I'd just like to say: I could have taken care of that myself," I said as I bent down to pick up the table that had been knocked down.

Artemis was already there. He had set the table and chairs back up. When had he becames so... considerate. "I could have done that too," I told him.

"Of course you could have," he said submissively. "I was just being helpful.

"Whatever," I said as I crossed my arms. The new attitude was pretty catching. I may have to adopt it permanenetly. I wonder how Arty would like that.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I was really getting annoyed by the new caring Arty. If he asked me that one more time, then I may go crazy.

"I'll be fine as soon as you stop asking me if I'm fine."

"Sorry," he said biting back a laugh. "Perhaps you need a drink?"

"No, the last thing I need is a drink. I don't do alcohol."

He looked a bit surprised. He probably expected 'Holinda' to be a hard-core party girl. Dead wrong. "So, what do you usually drink at places like this?"

"I don't usually come to places like this," I admitted. "But I had cranberry juice earlier."

"Hmm, do you like cranberry juice?"

"I do," I said, feeling like a wedding cliche.

"Hmm, sit down. I'll be right back."

Haha, did he just tell me to sit down. Holinda Briefs does not take that. I put my hands on my hips. "You don't tell me what to do."

"Please?" he added. It surprised me. I've never seen Arty be... polite. Maybe he's only like this towards pretty human girls. It would be nice to know he had a human side in relation to people who aren't me or Butler.

"Fine," I huffed."But, I'm doing it because I want to. Not because you told me to."

"Of course," he shrugged, trying to be placating. "Just be here when I get back."

He took off for the bar and I must admit that I did consider leaving. But my body wouldn't cooperate. It sat down and refused to move. I guess it knew that I would regret getting up just to seem mysterious. Though, I do wonder if he would come and find me.

Artemis was back soon with two glasses filled with a pink liquid and it had a straw and umbrella in it. Strangely enough, I had always thought that was a thing for movies.

Arty sat down and slid my glass to me. "I'm surprised that you're still here."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Count yourself lucky," I giggled. "Um, what's this?"

"A nonalcoholic drink called a cranberry spritzer."

It looked tasty and I trusted Artemis, but I couldn't show him too much trust. Trusting someone you 'just met' would seem suspicious. "Are you sure it's alcohol-free?" I asked again.

"Scout's honor," he vowed, showing me his hand.

I laughed as I picked up the glass. "You don't seem like the type to be a scout." And he doesn't. I can't imagine a sour-faced child version of him tramping around in the forest in a scout's uniform. The idea is enough to make anyone die laughing.

He laughed too. "No, I suppose I was more of an insider as a child."

"Surprise, surprise,"I rolled my eyes. "You were an insider outsider?" What I said may have been convoluted, but he seemed to understand. What I meant to ask was: if he were an inside-type person, but and outsider as far as society was concerned.

"Yes, actually." Good, he seemed like he understood it. Of course, it wasn't that surprising. He is a genius after all. "Now drink."

There was no way to avoid it, and I was a bit curious. I sighed and made a big show of pulling the cup up to my lips. I sipped the frothy liquid and enjoyed a pleasantly sweet yet tangy taste. "Mmm, that's delicious," I gushed. "What's in it?"

"First of all: I told you so," he smiled. Leave it to Arty to have to gloat. Ugh, it's times like this when the old him shines through. It's hard to pick which one I like best since they're both so annoying.

"You have to gloat don't you?"

"Yes," he said sounding glad that I finally got it. In the words of human teenagers, as if. "And to answer your question, the drink contains: water, cranberry juice, frozen orange juice, frozen lemonade, sugar, some lime soft drink, and a twist of lime."

"And you know all of this because...?"

"Oh Holly, Holly. When will you learn that I know everything?"

Uh-oh. He called me Holly. Even through the disguise, he knew who I was. That's why he had been so nice to me. He knew that I was pretending and he just wanted me to confess or to have ammunition for later. Well, I wasn't going to let on until he did. I was going to call his bluff. "Whoa, who's Holly and why did you just call me by her name?"

"Oh, I am sorry," he said embarrasedly. "Holly's my best friend and I suppose you remind me of her." Hmm, I wonder why I would remind him of her.

"Really?"

"Well, yes. You're both stubborn to a point, sarcastic, funny, and strong-willed." It's nice to know what he really thinks about me, and it's all true.

"True," I laughed. "She sounds interesting. Is she here?" I asked, though, I knew the answer. I was more curious about Arty's reaction.

Artemis's eyes got a strange far-away look. "No, she lives... very far down south. We don't get to see each other very often." 'Very far down south' is such a nice way to say below the ground. But if he said that any normal girl would have him carted off to some asylum. Not to say that he doesn't need to go.

"Aww, I'm sorry," I said. I must admit that I feel the same way. No matter how much I see him, it's never enough. It's nice to know that he feels the same. He misses me, and that's enough to make me smile.

"It's fine. We still call each other," he shrugged like it was no big deal, but I could see the pain behind his eyes.

"Of course," I smiled. "Um so, I guess I should thank you."

"Thank me?" he asked looking genuinely confused. So either, he's a master manipulator (of course not) or he forgot how we 'met'. "For what?"

"For being my savior." I said it before thinking and it came out cornier than I would have thought possible.

"It's alright," he said smiling again. "You looked like you needed one."

I swallowed my drink nervously. "You have no idea."

Arty seemed to think that we were getting too emotional. He changed the subject."Well, this is a refreshing change from the snarling Holinda that wanted to rip my throat out."

"And just what do you mean by that?" I demanded.

"At first you seemed... angry at me for helping you." Artemis seemed confused. Like he couldn't possibly understand me or why I was 'angry' with him.

"I was angry," I admitted. "But not at you. I was angry at myself for letting him grab me at all."

"I understand, but there was no reason to be angry." As if anger really waits for reasons. "It wasn't yo-," he began but I cut him off.

"Do not tell me that it wasn't my fault. It was. I should have noticed that he was drunk."

"Holinda, it's okay. You did your best and got him in the end."

He's right, but feeling weak is annoying. Listen to me, I'm sounding like ten-year old Artemis. I couldn't help but laugh. "Of course. Sorry to bend your ear with my issues."

Artemis smiled a dazzling smile. "It's no problem."

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked hoping he would agree, though I'm sure I already knew the answer.

"Of course." And he did agree.

"What brings you here?" I asked him. "You don't seem like the clubbing type."

Artemis squirmed a little as if caught off guard. "Well actually, I was invited here to meet Juliet's new friend. You." Yay! That proved Juliet and thus me right. He took the bait hook, line, and sinker.

"But you didn't know who I was did you?" I asked.

"No, I did not."

"So then, why did you help me?"

He laughed in a way that was so totally and completely unfamiliar. "No, I didn't know who you were. But what I did know was that you were in trouble."

"So, what are you some kind of professional hero?" I asked. "Going around saving damsels in distress?"

I saw his mouth quirk, probably thinking of all of the times that we had saved each other. "Something like that."

At first I was going to make a smart remark, but my heart just wasn't in it. I decided to say something that I had thought for a long while. "Well, I find that and you admirable. Thank you." I smiled at him and he smiled back.

"I knew it," squealed a voice from right next to me. Grea, trust her to ruin the moment. "You're trying to steal my Arty."

End of Chapter

A/N:

Woohoo! Another chapter down. Thank my insomnia for this one. There might be some typos because it is currently 2:20 a.m. and I need to crash but can't. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this one because you get to read it again. I say that because the next chapter is this one over in Arty's POV. I hope to update this story soon. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and remember to review. Flames are welcome. They're what keep me warm and toasty at night. ;)

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