Chapter 42

Trouble with Trouble.

Holly's POV:

Dear Diary,

So, anyway lately I've been having a lot of trouble with Trouble. A week or so ago, he confessed his 'undying' love for me. Then, when I got back from the surface he asked me out. I've said no repeatedly. It's not that there's anything wrong with him. No, he's nice, kind, funny, handsome, and charming to say the very least. But he's not my type.

A lot of civilian women would claw my eyes out if they knew how he felt. Most girls would find that his every quality was attractive. But, thankfully, I'm not 'most girls'.

But back to my real problem. The flirting. He's always been what you would call a 'ladies man'. You know, the type to lavish a girl with gifts and such until he got her into bed. Well, until recently. Ever since he... came out, he's only lavishing them on me.

For example, my favorite flower is the rose. I love roses, but never seem to get them because, they are rather expensive down here and they only last a short while. Besides, who do I know to buy them for me. It's not like I'm dating anyone.

Well today when I went into my office, there was one long-stemmed, red rose on my desk. A tiny card was tied around it with a beautiful white ribbon. THe words on the card were in such a bold, loopy cursive that it almost made my head hurt to read.

It read: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. You've stolen my heart." There was no signature. As if there needed to be. It was obviously from Trouble. He was the only person who would do so.

Somehow, I managed to work through all of my things without getting too distracted. So, I decided that I deserved to leave Police Plaza for lunch. Lili and I ended up going to a small cafe and having sandwiches. Very good sandwiches.

Anyway, when I got back into the office, there were four bouquets with a dozen red roses each. I sighed and stamped my foot. This was getting out of hand.

I had to get him to stop. Unfortunately, there is little that I can do here and now. The only place to really confront him is outside of work, at either his home or mine. But I don't feel comfortable alone in his house or with him in mine. I know he wouldn't do anything to hurt me, but I hate how awkward each of his confessions are.

Needless to say, this put me in a bad mood. I stomped over to my desk and threw my self down irritably.; There was another card in the center of the desk. This one read: "For my angel. You're worth this and a lot more."

I rolled my eyes and scooted the card as far away from me as possible. As if on cue, there was a knock on my door. "Come in," I called.

And of course, Trouble walked in the door. Speak of the devil. "Whoa, Holly, it's like a florist's shop in here," he grinned obviously proud of his handy work.

"You shouldn't have done it, Trouble," I admonished in a stern voice that let him know that I was serious.

"Don't worry," he soothed. "No one'll find out that it was me." Because that's what bothered me. I also wanted him to stop just for my sake. I didn't need or want him to lavish me in any type of gift.

"You're playing a dangerous game." Like he didn't already know that.

"I always am. That's how I got my name in the first place."

"Hmm," I pretended to ponder. "And here, I thought that it was because you chose it to be cool."

"Hahaha. That too."

"But seriously, Trouble. You should really stop." Though, I doubt that that will have a real effect on him.

"It's just a token to show that someone really cares for you." Yeah, like I hadn't gotten that earlier.

"I know that you care, but what's going to happen when everyone else finds out?" I hissed.

"They won't."

"They'd better not Trouble Kelp," I warned.

"Oooh, whole name basis. I'm scared now," he chuckled.

"You should be."

"So, um, do you like the roses that your admirer sent you?" I just sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose to ward off the impending headache. "Because, roses are your favorite flower." Okay, so he's right. Roses are my absolute favorites, but they're expensive and I don't want to recieve them from my boss.

"Yes, they're my favorites, but whoever sent them shouldn't have," I chided. "I thank them, but they should realize that we have to keep up a professional persona at all times." There, that should be clear enough. If not, then I may just have to write it in the sky.

"Duly noted. I'll tell him when I see him," he winked.

I just rolled my eyes. "Well, I have some actual work to do now..."

"Ah," Trouble smirked. "I suppose that's my cue." Oh noooo. I want you to stay longer and just talk to me about how much you care. That's what I want.

"Obviously."

He kept on smirking as he stood fluidly. He walked slowly to the door, giving me the 'benefit'. I just rolled my eyes and turned back to the paperwork.

Going over other field officers' reports. It always makes me miss my days as a captain. The wind whipping past my stream-lined body, the first gasp of surface air, the sight of the full moon in the sky. At times like this, my heart feels heavy. But I'm following Commander Root's last bit of advice: Do what's best for the people and not yourself. It's more about the good ofthe People than my enjoyment. I accept that and plan to make the best of it.

I had finally finished going through two files when there was a timid knock on the door. Grr, at this rate, I'll never get my work done. I sighed louldly, not trying to hide my impatience. "Come in."

"Well, you sound glad to see me," she giggled, pushing her long blond hair out of her face. Ugh, Lili always came by at the most inopprotune times. Who knew that being her friend would be that difficult?

"Whoa, what's with the flowers?" she aksed, sitting down on my already crowded desk. I shrugged like I had no idea. Lili just laughed as she saw the two cards that were still on my desk. Note to self: clean up after yourself more.

She picked them up and read them. Her eyes widened in delight. "Oooh, someone has a secret admirer," she gushed. Obviously, she was living vicariously through me.

I looked up at the over-excited woman. "You're not going to let me work, are you?"

She smirked, flashing her white teeth at me. "Not until you dish the dirt."

I minimized the file that I was working on and turned to fully look at her. "Fine, you have my undivided attention."

"About time," she pouted. But her face brightened immediately. "Hmm, who do you think that it is?"

Of course, I already knew, but I wasn't going to tell her anything. Yet. Yes, she was my friend, but she was also a notorious gossip. She wouldn't do it on purpose. Things would just slip out by accident. Couldn't be helped and couldn't be taken back either.

"Chix?" she asked. "He's been into you forever."

"No way, Chix wouldn't no romance if it came up and bit him on the butt," I reminded her.

"True," she murmered. "You don't think that Artemis Fowl could have..." she began but I knew where she was going and cut her off.

"Definitely not," I huffed, as a warning to get her to change topics.

But of course, she refused to take it. "How do you know that for sure?" she demanded.

"Artemis isn't in love with me, which is what the cards would suggest. Besides, how could he get live flowers from a lower Elements florist?"

"First of all, you're insane. Artemis is head-over-heels for you. He just doesn't know it yet. And second of all, he's definitely rich and smart enough to do it."

I definitely disagree with her on the first point. He does not love me. And yes, he is smart and rich enough, but Trouble already admitted to doing it. He wouldn't lie, would he? No, there's no way that he would chance me falling for him like that.

"I seriously doubt it."

"Trouble Kelp, then?" Lili asked. I shrugged in what I thought was a nonchalant way.

Lili looked my face over and then squealed loudly enough to make my hair stand up on my neck. Seriously, I bet it could have been heard miles away.

"Aww, it is Trouble," she cooed, her eyes showing that she was very far away.

"Shh," I hissed. "Don't tell the whole office."

"I won't," she promised. Hopefully, she can keep it. "I knew that it was him. Aww too bad you don't love him back."

"Life would be sooo much easier if I did." And as I thought about it, I realized that it really would have been. We may have worked out, and been somewhat happy. But that's just not enough for me to live with.

"Yeah, but whoever said that life was easy?" she asked in a rare moment of intelligent conversation. "And if it was easy, would it even be worth waking up in the morning?" Like I said, sometimes I forget how smart Lili really is and then she says something like that.

"True," I muttered. "So what am I supposed to do Love-doctor Lili?"

"Well, have you told him how you feel?"

This was the best that she could do? I gave her a withering look and started to question her intelligence again. "What do you think?"

"Okay, okay. Geez, no need to get snippy," she pouted. "I have two other ideas, but you won't like either one of them."

If she was saying that I wouldn't like them then they were probably pretty bad. But I was somewhat desperate. "Let me hear them?" I asked as nicely as I possibly could.

"Number one, just ignore it."

I had to chuckled at that suggestion. "I've been trying to do that for the past few weeks. Unfortunately, he just gets more persistant with each rejection."

"One of his more admirable characteristics."

"Plan number two, please?" And I pinched the bridge of my nose once again.

"Fine," she pouted, angry that I had ruined her fun. "Why don't you pretend to actually date someone else."

I stared at her in open-mouthed shock. "Date someone else?" Didn't she get that I didn't want to date anyone at all.

"Yeah, or just pretend to. It'll show you-know-who that you're off limits and that you don't want him."

"And who do you suggest, Ms. know-it-all.?"

"Let's see... Foaly's married, so that's out. Chix is just... eww. Trouble's the one that you're trying to avoid and No. 1's just a child. Doodah's way to... Doodahish. That really just leaves Mulch."

Mulch? Did I hear that right? Yes, he's one of my favorite people, but my nose still scrunched up at the thought of even pretending to be close to him. He's a wonderful person, if somewhat kleptomatically inclined and aversed to personal hygiene. "Are you serious?"

"Well duh. He's your friend isn't he?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Then what's the problem?" she demanded. Obviously, she was a little hurt that I had shot down her 'great' idea.

"He's not my type," I defended.

"Holly please. You don't have a type." It might seem like that at times, but it wasn't true. I have a type. I just don't know what he is yet.

"I do too," I pouted.

"Well, you know the other person that I would suggest."

And I did. Ugh, she meant Arty. "No, to both of those."

Lili grinned wickedly. "Why not? I'm sure that he wouldn't mind."

"No thanks, Lili. You've been a big help, but I think that I'll deal with it on my own in my own way."

"Mmmkay," she shrugged. "Well, I think I know when I'm not wanted."

"Really?" I asked in my most sarcastic voice. "I don't think so, because if you did then you would have left five minutes ago."

"Oh, shut up you," she giggled, playfully slapping my arm and hopping off of the desk.

"See you later, Lili," I smiled, turning back to my work.

"Bye Holly," she said and I waved at her with my eyes still focused on the screen.

"Hey, Holly?" she called to me.

"Yes?"

"You'd better be thinking about what I said, because you're going to have to choose one of them." And with that, she left the room, closing my door with a very audible 'snap'.

So, there you have it. Trouble's in love with me and sending flowers. Lili's trying to get me to make up my mind and I just want to be single. I don't know what I'm going to do. But I need to figure it out as quickly as possible.

I don't know... Trouble can be so persistent. I'll just have to find a way to deal with it.

-Holly

A/N:

Whoo-hoo! Another Chapter down. Okay, so I hoped you enjoyed that one, because the next few chapters will be in Holly's POV and in diary form.

Anyway, I plan on updating soon. Note that this is my main focus at the moment and that I have a ton of stuff all ready written for it. Yes, the Haven parts are almost done at the moment.

So, yeah, thanks to all of my reviewers and people who added me or this story to favorites. I love you 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