Chapter 47

Dinner Time!

RECAP:

"Well, enough of that," Holly said. "Let's cook!" she repeated yet again. Obviously she was excited, because that last statement was said with such fervor and her eyes were sparkling so brightly.

As I looked at her face, I wondered: what in the world have I gotten myself into this time?

Holly's POV:

Artemis thinks that I can't cook. Well, I intend to show him different. I glanced over to where he was standing, just watching me. Oh no. We were going to have to do something about that. He was not just going to loaf for his whole vacation. I refuse to allow that.

I went over to the small pantry in the corner and pulled out an apron. I pulled it over my head and tied a secure knot. Then, I grabbed one of my extra hair bands nd pulled my long hair back into a ponytail. "Arty, come here please?" I asked in my sweetest tone. He probably suspected that something was up, but he complied seemingly without a thought and I could feel a grin spreading across my face.

"Yes Holly?"

"You're giong to help me, right?" I asked, chewing on my bottom lip. For some reason, men can never seem to resist that. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that it makes me look vulnerable. Honestly, if a woman wanted to rule the world, then all she needed to do was look like a dumb bimbo. Case in point, Lili Frond. Seemingly dumb but amazingly brilliant.

"Obviously. I wouldn't want you to burn your house down," he chuckled. I felt my cheeks flush, but otherwise ignored his jab.

"Great," I cheered, turning back to the pantry. I pulled out another apron and hid it behind my back. "Now, you just have to look the part."

Frond help him. He didn't cook enough to know anything about 'proper attire'. "What?" he asked, but I could slowly see the comprehension dawning on him.

I smiled even harder as I jumped forward gracefully and placed the apron over his head. "D'arvit Holly. What are you doing?"

"I'm just being as professional as possible," I replied innocently. "Besides, you wouldn't want to get anything on you clothes, would you?" Ahh, I knew that I would have him with that one. He hated to stain his clothes in any way, shape, or form.

And I did. He calmed down. I tried not to laugh out loud. Artemis was a tall mud man and wearing my apron. So, it barely went to his thighs. Nice. Not to mention that I had given him the pink lacey one that Caballine and Foaly had gotten me for Christmas. Well, at least it was useful for something. Namely, humiliating Artemis.

"In fact, you may even need a hair band," I giggled. He had grown his hair out. It was not anywhere near as long as how it had been when we had been in the past. However, he had still grown it out so that it was almost hanging in his face, and the back hung a lot lower than most would deem proper for a young man.

"Absolutely not," Artemis declared sternly because even he had his limits. "That is where I draw the line."

"Aww, come on," I begged, knowing that he was not going to let up this time. After all, every man has to have a place where he does not budge. Unfortunately, Artemis was like that in most areas of his life.

"No."

"Fine. Let's just start on this already." I went to the cabinets and pulled out the ingredients that I would need. Then, I went to the fridge and pulled out the rest of things that I would need. "Okay Arty. Please cut these up," I placed zuchinis, carrots, tomatoes, and onions in front of him. "And please try not to cut yourself."

"I think that I can handle the simple mechanics of a knife."

I couldn't help but double over laughing. Yes, Arty was smart but he was the most uncoordinated person that I knew. "Somehow I doubt that."

He grumbled and stomped off to do as I had asked. I laughed again as I went to prepare the other ingredients that were a bit more difficult to manage. And I was done in no time at all. I glanced back over to Arty and saw that he had sliced one whole zuchini. I stood there in fascination and watched him narrowly miss one of his finger.

Frond help me. He can be the dumbest genius that I know at times like this. "Arty," I sighed and went to help him. "You're doing it all wrong."

There was nothing that a genius hated more than being told that they were doing something wrong. It was a burn to the pride and to the ego, but I couldn't just let him cut himself up. "What do you mean?" he demanded.

I exhaled loudly and went over to the table where he was trying to cut the produce. "Here, like this," I said, gently taking the knife from him and quickly slicing up two of the zuchinis. "Now you try." And I gave the knife back to him.

He took it and tried to imitate my actions. Needless to say, he failed miserably. It's not like he couldn't do it. No, Arty could probably write a complicated, detailed, and needlessly esoteric book about how to slice vegetables. But when it came to the actual action... he just wasn't physically coordinated yet.

I considered letting him finish it in his own time to allow him to save his pride. But I knew how long that would take and I didn't want to be up all night doing this. "Here." I put my hand on top of his gently and carefully. I lifted his hand and the knife and pushed it back down into the produce. It chopped cleanly and evenly as I moved down its length. "Like this." And I slowly chopped up a carrot. Soon, enough we had finished at least three-fourths of what we needed to. "Arty you finish this while I finish the rest of the preparations."

"I will," he agreed.

I left him there and went to pre-heat the oven and make the sauce. I've always been the type to lose myself in cooking, and tonight was no different. I was thinking. I couldn't say what about, but something or perhaps someone was on my mind and would not leave it. I had just put the finishing touches on the sauce when there was a loud shriek from behind me.

"D'arvit!" Artemis screeched so loudly that I nearly fell over in surprise. First of all, Artemis very rarely used that word. In fact, he seemed to find it somewhat vulgar at times. Second, Artemis Fowl II is not one to scream loudly. He prefers the quiet and deadly approach. So, obviously he was hurt. For a second, my brain threw up the question: how could he have been hurt? After all, he was only cutting vegetables.

Cutting. He had a knife. In his hand. Uh-oh. I spun around quickly and ran the few steps that it took to get back to him. The first thing that I noticed was the knife that was on the table and covered in blood. Bad sign number one, but to be expected when one cuts themself.

It took me about half of a second to gather my thoughts and force myslef to look at his wound. There was a long, bleeding gash on his right hand. Thankfully, it was just long and didn't seem very deep at all. In fact, it would be easy to heal. Fortunately, Artemis was smart enough to know not to cradle his arm to his chest and impede healing. No, he held it out for me so that I could easily grab it. "Heal," I said, pushing the blue sparks into the wound and watching the skin knit back together.

It worked, just as I had known that it would. I exhaled deeply, letting loose a breath that I didn't know that I had been holding. He was safe and that's what mattered. Thank Frond that he hadn't been seriously hurt. That's just be perfect. Come to see me and on the first day, get seriously hurt. I'm sure that would make this his number one favorite vacation ever. Not that I was trying for that title.

"Thank you, Holly. Right on time as usual," he said weakly. No matter how intelligent you are, seeing blood rush out of you hand would shake you just a bit. And it seems that Arty is no exception. Good to know.

"Don't thank me," I chastised. "Explain to me, how you managed to cut your hand."

"The knife slipped. And apparently knives are sharp." Only Artemis. He's the only person that I know that would cut his hand and then make sarcastic comments to me about it.

"You're a menace," I scolded. "A danger to yourself and others. You could have done some serious harm to yourself if the knife had been sharper." Just the thought of it sent shivers up my spine. I could heal small injuries like that, but if it had been big then it could have taken a while to get the warlocks down here. And Frond knows what could have happened then.

"Well, thankfully you were here. I don't know what I would have done without you," he replied, staring into my eyes in a hypnotizing way that made my mind go blank. When I finally came back to myself, I realized that I was still clutching Arty's hand. And... I didn't mind it. In fact, it felt as natural and normal as breathing. Stop it, Holly! Get a hold of yourself! You're just happy that he's not hurt, and it's nothing more than that.

I took a deep breath before casually dropping his hand to push my hair back. Artemis' observant eyes watched me closer and I have a feeling that he knew exactly what I had done. Knowing him, he probably did. Ugh, why must most of my friends be genii?

"Bled out on the floor," I joked, knowing that I was a little late. Just a little.

"Hardly," he chuckled. "I am a certified doctor after all."

"Not legally and not in your name," I reminded him.

"Quite a few of my degrees really are, but otherwise you are correct." Wow, Artemis admitted that someone else was right? Well, half right, but that's still an improvement for him.

"And at the very least, you would have a scar and you know how humans can be about scars." Yes, I knew. Humans would completlely ostracize someone because of a scar. Not to say that fairies don't. I suppose all sentient beings are somewhat vain.

"Once again, point made," he sighed. Oooh, I made a point. Note to self: put this into my diary.

"Do me a favor," I pleaded.

"What would that be?" Artemis asked warily. Of course, he couldn't just agree to do something. That's so much like him.

"Sit here and don't move until I finish cooking," I ordered. Frond knows I didn't want him to hurt himself in my kitchen.

"So, you have wished it, and so shall it be!" Artemis. At times he can be so... like himself. And there's really no other way to describe him because he is truly an original. As Foaly says, 'they broke the mold with that one.'

I sighed again as I stood up and went to finish our dinner preparations. Thankfully, everything was now cut up (including Arty) and so it didn't take me long to finish. As I was doing so, I could feel Arty's eyes on me. It was somewhat nerve-wracking, yet... flattering at the same time. I feel like such a girl thinking that, but it's true. "Enjoying the view?" I teased as I turned to face him.

"I have no idea what your'e talking about," he bluffed. I rolled my eyes at his obvious lie. When did he become so... transparent? Is it just me or can I see through him? Instead of being off-putting, I find it rather endearing.

"Come now," I giggled grabbing his hands. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you."

"It's nice to know that you think so. I'm flattered," he smiled.

"Oh shut up," I groaned. "I'm tierd of the banter." Though anyone who knows me knows that I never get tired of the banter. It's one of the building blocks of our relationships after all.

"Tired of the banter?" he asked in shock. "Now that doesn't suit you." He decided to turn my words against me. Clever, as usual.

"You're very annoying today."

"I do apologize for that," he said and you could almost believe him. Almost. If you had never met him and had never heard of his reputation.

"Too bad you don't mean it," I pouted.

"Of course I meant it."

"Prove it!" I challenged. It took me a second to realize that this was a direct quote from one of my dreams. In fact, some small part of me was expecting him to say 'I intend to' like he always did in my dream.

So of course, he just couldn't do what I was expecting him to. No, he had to prove me wrong even when I'm not talking to him. "I do apologize and I want to spend the evening making it up to you." Hmm, I wonder if he had read those words somewhere because these emotional words could not have come from him.

"How so?" I wondered.

"I'll let you choose what you want the two of us to do," he said with his cocky smile. Ugh, this mud boy took arrogant to a new level and wore it on his sleeve so proudly.

"I was already going to do that." As if I'd let him choose our activity. We'd end up researching science and proving theories. Not the way that I want to spend my vacation.

Once again, I had expected Artemis to say something, anything sarcastic. "So, what is your heart's desire?"

My face lit up with a dark and evil grin. "Does that meant that I can do anything?"

"Anything." For someone so smart, he can be so dumb. In fact, he wasn't even the least bit suspicious.

"Fine, but promise to keep that in mind as you hear what I want to do."

He promised readily, obviously not thinking about anything. "Let's go watch some television," I smirked.

Artemis' face fell. There was nothing that he disliked more than to sit still and watch the 'idiot box' as he called it. "Please Holly. Perhaps you would like to reconsider?" he pleaded.

"Nope," I replied, popping the 'p'. "We're going to watch tv. Let's go."

He exhaled sharply as I grabbed his hand again and pulled him up. I had to practically drag him into the living room. I plopped myself down on the couch and he reluctantly sat down. "You can pick if you want to," I grinned, satisfied at how today was going.

Artemis glanced at the remote like it was poisonous. "No thank you. I'll leave the decision to you." I chuckled to myself as I picked up the remote and began channel-surfing. There was nothing really on, so I stopped at some meaningless soap opera.

We sat there watching the sexy heroine confront her cheating boyfriend. "Honestly, Holly, I don't see what you see in this idiotic soap opera." I'll be one of the first to admit that this show is stupid. However, I know that it'll bother Artemis, and that is definitely worth the time that this takes up.

For a second, I considered lying but in the end I told him the truth like I always do. "Actually, I hate this show as much as you do," I admitted.

"Why are you choosing to watch this?" he asked. But I could tell that he probably knew better than I did.

"Because, I knew that you would absolutely hate it."

"Of course I would hate it. It's unrealistic and overly dramatic."

I laughed even harder at the indignant sound of his voice. "I wouldn't let any other fairies hear you say that. Especially not Trouble."

"And why is that?" he asked smugly. He wanted nothing more than to find some other type of advantage over the commander.

"That actress is Celeste Peat, Skylar Peat's little sister." Artemis looked at me with a somewhat blank facial expression. Surprisingly, he didn't know the most famous celebrity in all of the Lower Elements. Well, it's really not all that surprising. I don't really expect Arty to keep up with our movie releases. "Skylar Peat. You remeber her? She played me in the B'wa Kell movie?"

"Ah yes. The bleached bond who looks nothing like you," he chuckled. I found myself wanting to ask him how he meant that. Did he mean that she was prettier than me? Or was he just stating the differences?

"Bingo! That's her little sister."

"They do seem to favor," he commented. And he was right. Celeste was like a younger version of her sister. she had the same blond hair, the same way of talking, and the same annoying attitude. Two peas in a pod. Unfortunately.

"Yep."

"You said something earlier about Trouble. What did you mean?" Trust Arty to pick up on that detail. He wants the advantage, and I can't say that I'm hesitant to give it to him. After all, he already has one.

"Well, she's the head of his fan club and happens to have a huge crush on him."

"Ah really?" Artemis asked. I looked up from the television and at his face. He was giving me his full, undivided attention. I couldn't help but blush as I saw how those mesmerizing eyes were regarding me. Not that they were mesmerizing or beautiful. No I would never think that.

"Yes, she's obsessed with him."

"Interesting. Though the question is: how does he feel for her?"

"He cares for someone else," I muttered, blushing at the thought of all the things that he had admitted to me.

"Ahhh, so he finally told you about the unhealty obsession that he has with you?"

I stared at him open-mouthed. How could he know that. And then it occured to me. Artemis is a genius. A perceptive one at that. "Oh please Arty. It wasn't me that I was talking about."

"Don't insult my intelligence, Holly. He's been obsessed with you since before I was born." Genii. I do wish that I could have at least one secret that I could keep to myself. Though I guess I did sort of bring it up, but that's not the point.

"No comment."

"Of course not," he smirked, feeling that he had won some sort of competition.

Just as I was about to respond, a timer went off 'ding, ding ding'. "Oh, dinners ready." I stood and returned to the kitchen.

Arty followed me into the kitchen and watched me take a larger pan out of the oven. I set that on a rack in the center of the table, and followed up by adding two bowls and a silverware. Then, I got two glasses and added some deep red cranberry juice that looked a lot like wine. "Sit down," I ordered, pointing at the table.

He looked at me strangely, but did as I asked. I knew that his eyes were following me as I got out my 'special plates'. These plates were a gift from my mother before she died. They were white with the outline of little paintings of Holly. I was smiling to myself as I placed one plate in front of Arty and the other in front of where I was going to sit.

"Holly. How ironic," he chuckled as I sat across from him.

"Yeah, my mom had quite the sense of humor," I giggled, thinking about some of the pranks that she had pulled when I was little.

"Which came first. You or the plate?"

"Me, of course."

"Obviously," he chortled.

"Shall we eat?" I aksed, drawing attention back to the food. One couldn't miss the way that he paled in worry. "It won't kill you," I teased.

"Of course not. I'm ready." Ahh, so refreshingly brave. He would even tackle my cooking. Not that I'm saying that it's not good.

"Then serve yourself." He did as I had said and got a small helping of the pasta dish, the raw vegetables, and the salad. I rolled my eyes. Either he was anorexic or very wary. I chuckled as I gathered my food. He sat down, but still seemed rather hesitant until I rolled my eyes yet again. Arty sighed and picked up some pasta with his fork.

I'll say this for Arty. He's got spunk. After all, he doesn't believe that I can cook, but he still chose to stick the fork into his mouth. Not that I would have given him any choice. I would have jabbed it down his throat if it had been necessary.

He took an agonizingly slow time for him to move the fork to his mouth. Eventually, it got there. He sat there slowly chewing it like any good mannered man would. I was getting ready to say something sarcastic when he finally swallowed. Thank Frond. "How was it?" I demanded.

"It was surprisingly edible," he remarked impassively. Honestly, he could have been talking about the weather.

"Surprisingly edible? What is that supposed to mean?"

"It was able to be eaten," he explained. Really? An explanation was necessary?

"I know what edible means," I growled. "Now, tell me. What do you think of the food?"

"Surprisingly, it was quite delicious," he chuckled.

"You just had to milk the moment didn't you?"

"Of course. Would it be me if I acted differently?" Ahh, point made. Arty has to have something to say.

"No, I suppose not," I giggled, eating some of my , it was a veritable explosion of sweet and tangy flavors. "You know that this is the first time that we've ever really had dinner together?"

"Yes, there's hardly time for dinner between our saving the world escapades."

"True," I smiled slightly. "You know this is the perfect time to cash in on a promise that you made to me before."

Artemis raised his brows as he took a bit of his salad. As if he had forgotten anything. The genius could remember even the most obscure thing about a person. "When we first got back from the past, you promised that you would explain to me why you couldn't die in that time."

"Ah that," he grinned in relief. I somehow think that he thought that I was going to bring up the gorilla cage incident. Ha, there was absolutelyu no chance of that happening. I had much more common sense than that.

"Yes that. Now would you mind explaining?"

"Of course not, Holly," he smirked. Because there was nothing that he liked more than to give a lecture. Though he usually preferred to give lectures to people who were closer to his 'intellectual' level. "This all goes back to a thing called the time paradoz. Do you know what that is?"

"Yes, Artemis. I'm not a complete idiot. It's the old debacle about if one could go back in time and change something then would it really change the present and the future. A common example, could you become your own grandfather or cause yourself to completely cease to exist."

"Yes, very good," he applauded. "Now apply that to our trip to the past."

"How?"

"It's like basic algebra," he grinned. "We have the numbers, and now we just need to find the variables."

At first I was confused. Variables? It made no sense to me, though I was never the best at math. But then it suddenly came to me. "Us. We're the variables, the constantly changing parts of the equation. And not just you and me, but everyone. Anyone."

"Precisely," he said, whipping a small notebook and pencil from seemingly no where. Strangely, I was not surprised. It was just so like Artemis.

He be gan to write in his clear, concise handwriting. 10 = x+5. "You see in this equation 'x' must be five. There is no alternative unless you add more or take some away, but that would change the overall equation. Thankfully, the time stream is not linear like this equation."

"It's more like this," he explained and wrote something else. '10 = x+y. "Do you see the difference?" he asked.

And I really did see the difference. It was right there for me to finally understand. "Yes, these variables are open-ended."

"Exactly," he smiled like he only does when he's giving a lecture. "x and y could be anything. 3 and 7, 10 and 0, 8 and 2, perhaps even negative, the possibilities are endless yet the intergers still equal ten."

"That is like the time stream. If you go back in the time stream then no matter what you do..."

"It'll always equal ten," I interjected.

"Yes, no matter what we did, it would still lead to the same outcome. A ten, if you will. So, I could not die in that time because I have not yet died in this time." He said it so calmly and matter of factly. Yet, just hearing him talk about death made my stomach clench uncomfortably.

"Wow, it actually makes sense," I said in shock. Arty's lectures usually fly right above my head, but this time I actually got what he was saying. Either I was getting smarter or he was getting better at dumbing things down for me.

"Yes, and it also proves the time paradox to be somewhat correct."\

"How so?"

"Think of it this way: If we had not gone back into the past then my mother would not have been infected and this we would not have ever gone back. And if we hadn't gone, then I never would have believed in fairies and I never would have kidnapped you. Hence, our grand adventures would never have occured."

"And the fairy world would be run by a crazy, homicidal, manic, pixie," I added.

"Yes, that."

"Thank Frond that didn't happen."

"I agree," he smiled. "Oh and by the way, I'd like to apologize for kidnapping you all of those years ago."

"You know that I forgave you a long time ago." It wasn't a question, rather a statement of fact. Artemis knows everything. Even the emotional stuff that I could never say out loud. Especially that.

"I know though it's still rather nice to hear from time to time." His words were so sentimental and kind. And so ... unlike him. I blushed at the very thought of how... considerate he could be.

"True, but after all of our adventures, it's kind of a moot point."

"Perhaps," he smirked, leading me to believe that there was more to it than what he revealed. Though there usually is.

I glanced down and realized that I had eaten all that I wanted to. From the look of Arty's plate, he had done the same. "Would you like some dessert?" I asked as I stood, gathered the plates and put them in the sink.

"No thank you," he answered in a polite and gentlemanly fashion that bugged me to no end. I would love for him to just be a normal teenager for once. To just do the things that normal people do like eat dessert and watch television or something like that.

"Why not?" I demanded.

"I'm not usually one for a lot of desserts," he shrugged. I couldn't help but feel a bit bad for him. He missed out on a lot of childhood experiences, and tailored himself into an adult much too quickly. Now, I have to do something about that. All I need is to get my special dessert out of the refriderator, and a little bit of luck along the way.

I went, grabbed the pan, and brought it back to the table. "Please try it. It takes forever and a day to make," I begged. And yes, I have resorted to begging. I love to win, and I'll fight dirty to do it.

"I'd rather not," he insisted just a bit more sternly.

"Please, I made this cheesecake from scratch."

"I'm sure that it's wonderful, but I'm not a dessert person."

Okay. I tried to be nice. Now, it was time to play dirty. I cut a slice and put it on one of my small, dessert platters. I scooped a bit up on a clean fork. "Just one bite?" I pleaded and he just shook his head. "Heeere comes the plane." And I zoomed it around his head, the way that I had seen earth mothers do a thousand times. Artemis was rather offended at the thought of me comparing him to a child.

"Will you please stop that?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"On one condition."

"Name it," he ordered.

"Just promise to eat dessert while you're here with me," I smiled.

"And if I refuse?" Aww, isn't that cute? He thinks he acutally has a choice. Who knew tha a genius could be so naive?

"The airplane will make it's triumphant return and fly around your face until you submit," I smirked. I couldn't suppress the giggle that spewed from my mouth when I saw how Arty involuntarily flinched.

"I could think of ten differnet ways to outsmart you in the next five seconds," he assured me, and I had no doubt that he really could. "But I suppose I'll actually have to follow the 'hostess' rules."

"So you're agreeing?" I was very surprised that he had submitted so easily. However, I couldn't help but feel like he had something that he wasn't telling me. Ah well, it was just a part of being best friends with Artemis Fowl the Second.

"How could I not?"

"Great. Here's your first taste."

I haelt hte fork and gently moved it towards his face so that he could see itl. He reluctantly opened his mouth and allowed the fork entry as his lips closed around it. I never really noticed how perfectly shaped and sculpted his lips are. Not that I was noticing now.

I tittered nervously to myself as I pulled the fork out and watched his throat muscles work as he swallowed. That's when I noticed how close I was to him. One hand was cupping his chin. I was so close to him that if I leanted in just a bit then my lips could meet his, and we'd be kissing like we were in my dream. No, I cut that thought off before it could even begin. I jerked up straight, and tried to play it off as nothing. Of course, Artemis raised his eyebrows, but thankfully he didn't say anything.

"So, how was it?" I asked to diffuse the awkwardness and my embarrassment.

"It was delicious," he replied. I smirked in satisfaction. Ha. I'd finally proved Artemis Fowl wrong.

"Thanks. Would you like a piece now?" I aksed, playing my part as the perfect hostess.

"I'd prefer not to," he replied, wiping invisible particles from his mouth.

"But you promised..."

"Fine," he said. "Cut me a small slice. A very small slice."

I giggled as I did what he asked and put the timy sliver on a plate. He took it and ate a bite withouht me having to force feed him again. And that was enough progress fo me. I went and sat back in my seat with a feeling of utter smugness. "See now. That wasn't so hard, was it?" I asked rhetorically. "Why don't you like to eat dessert anyway?"

"It's something that I've never really been a fan of," he shrugged. "Besides, jsut htink about what it woud do to my figure."

I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. His figure? Only Arty. "Your figure? It's not like gaining weight would kill you. In fact, it would probably do you some good."

"Ah, but think of what it would do to my thighs," he chuckled.

"All of this to get out of eating dessert?"

"For the most part."

"Fine, I'll bite. Why else did you make your witty retort?"

"To entertain you, of course."

"Have no fear," I chuckled. "You always manage to do that." And he does. Even when he doesn't mean to.

He looked at me curiously until I felt myself become uncomfortable under his scrutiny. My fidgeting led me to glance up at the clock. It was about eleven. "It's getting late," I announced, still fidgeting. "We should probably go to bed."

"Late? Really?" Arty scoffed. "I always imagined you to be the type that stayed up until the proverbial sun rose."

"Ha, good one," I chuckled. "I do have a job, you know. Besides, we have to get up early in the morning."

Arty raised his brows in curiosity. "And why are we getting up so early?"

"As your traveling director, I see that it will all be revealed tommorrow."

"Now, I'm intrigued. I supposed I will go to bed, just as soon as I've unpacked my suitcase." Unpacking, meaning that he was going to open the drawers. Oooh, I had to see that.

"Need some help?" I asked, grinning to myself in anticipation of his response.

"No," he said, and my face fell. D'arvit! I should have imagined that he wouldn't want my help. Now, I was just going to have to wait. "But I would like some company." I grinned this time. Boy, he has changed. He just wants me there to be there.

"Okay, just let me wash these."

"I'll dry," he said and that surprised me. Artemis is never the type to do manual labor, even to help a friend. In fact, he's never even helped with the dishes anywhere as far as I know. One can't help but wonder what's his angle this time?

"Oh no. You're my gurst. I couldn't let you do that." I todl him. My mom would never have let a guest do dishes.

"What's your objection to me helping you?" Well, I couldn't tell him that my only objection was due to what is polite. No, I didn't need that ribbing. So, when your'e up against the wall, then do what I do best. Turn it around on the other individual.

"Why do you want to help me?" I asked getly.

"Since I'll be staying here for the next week and a half and essentially, 'loafing' off of you. I want to assist you however I can."

"Oh please, you're never loafing. And I dn't need any assistance," I assurede him as I went back to washing the dishes.

"Regardless, I don't care," he replied. Stepping up and grabbing a drying cloth. " I do as I wish." And to prove his point, he began drying the already washed and rinsed dishes.

I just rolled my eyes. Well, at least I tried. Though with his help, we were done in less than fifteen minutes. "So," I said turning to him. "Don't we have some bags to unpack?"

"Lead the way," he smirked.

"Don't tell me that the genius doesn't remember the way," I chuckled as I led him down the hall, and into the guest room.

"So, I suppose we should start," I commented as we entered, and I saw the very large blue suitcase monogrammed with his initials. That was the biggest sutcase that I had ever seen. I bet I could fit in it rather comfortably. In fact, it amazed me that he could even drag it around with him.

"Of course," he replied, lifting it ont he bed with only a little difficulty. He unzipped it with a clear 'ziiiiip'. Three rows of clothes were neatly packed up. He removed things and set them on his bed. There wasa ton of dress shirts and pants. Not so surprisingly. "Obviously, you don't know what 'casual' means," I commented.

"These clothes, are quite casual," he protested.

"Only to you," I chuckled. "To normal people, they would fall under the dressy category."

"REgardless, I beleive all you said was to dress casually," he reminded me." D'arvit! As I thought back, I realizewd that he was right. (as always). Oh well, I'll get my way in the end.

"Moot point."

He chuckled and continued unpacking. I sat watching and it went without incident until he accidentally pulled out a pair of red, Armani boxers. I blushed profusely as I remembered the last time that I had seen a pair like that. Even though I was embarrassed, I tried to cover it be chuckling. "You really like the color red, don't you?"

"It does have a certain charm," he grinned, trying to cover his embarrassment.

"Are those the same ones that you wore to the past?"

"Perhaps," he said in a way that made me sure that they were.

"Yeah, but back to your vampire obsession," I chuckled, knowing that this would get him started.

"What are you talking about? I'm not one of those idiotic fan-girls who love vampires," he replied indignantly.

I know, but it was funny to see your face," I giggled.

"How mature," he scolded, but anyone who knew him could tell that he wasn't serious. In fact, he seemed to be actually enjoying himself. I just laughed as he finished the unpacking. Then, he stood and moved to the dresser. Ah, this is it.

He opened it and saw a pair of black jeans on top. He glanced back up at me with a glance that demanded clarification. "I knew you wouldn't dress casually," I smirked. "So, I took the liberty of finding you some."

"I see," he nodded. "What makes you think that I'll wear it?"

Here was the crux of the problem. How to get him to wear them. I already had a pretty fool-proof and proven method. "Pweeeease," I begged.

Artemis' face reddended, but he held his ground. "I don't think so."

"Pleeeease?" I begged again.

"I don't like jeans, Holly," he protested. Him protesting at all showed that he was caving slightly.

"You've never tried them," I reminded him. "C'mon. Just while you're here. I f you do it, they I'll never mention it again."

"Really?" he perked up at the good deal.

"Well, I'll only mention it in pasing," I admitted.

He sighed, knowing that it was a good deal. "Perhaps I'll try them," he submitted, looking into my 'puppy-dog' eyes.

"Good night," I grinned in satisfaction as I made my way you of the door.

"Good night, Holly" he chuckled as I left his room and made my way to mine. I quickly pulled on some pajamas, and slid in between the sheets. The last thought that I had was of Artemis who was right down the hall from me. That thought warmed me on both the inside and the outside as I slid away into the velvet darkness of slumber.

A/N:

Whoo-hoo! Another Chapter down. So, I'm so sorry about that last incident with those two chapters. I was in such a hurry to post online that I accidentally skipped chapter 44. But, it's been fixed. Oh, and I can't update all that often with my AP classes, band stuff, and lack of working computer. So, be patient, I haven't abandoned anything, and don't plan on it.

Okay, so I hoped you enjoyed that one. 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