Chapter 68

Leaving Haven

Holly's POV:

"I'm gong to miss you," I said for about the thousandth time today. It was Arty's last day in Haven and we had mostly just sat around and discussed our time together. With the exception of a few things that would never be mentioned again if Arty valued his current face.

"You too, Holly. Honestly, you'd think that I was moving to another planet," he chuckled.

I thought about it for a moment. He would be on the surface, and I was going to be down here. Either of us getting to be in the actual presence of the other was going to be rare if ever. "You sort of are," I reminded him.

"It does feel like it sometimes, doesn't it?" he chuckled though there was no humor in his voice. None at all.

"You have no idea," I pouted. "I'm really going to miss you."

"Only half as much as I'm going to miss you," he replied.

I smiled. Arty's so sweet all of the time. There's not a better human anywhere in the world. I sighed, glancing up at the clock. It was 10:30. Ugh, why did time have to pass so quickly? "I guess we should leave now." Though a part of me really wanted us to miss the shuttle, so that we could have a little more time together. But I wanted Arty to have another chance to visit some day, and if he missed, Trouble would see to it that he didn't.

He nodded, gathering up his two large suitcases that were now full of his new clothes. "I'm ready."

"Here. I'll drag one," I offered. The bags looked heavy. Especially to my thin pal.

"No thank you." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Of course. It wouldn't be very chivalrous if I got his bag for him.

I rolled my eyes at his stubbornness. "Give me that." I took it from his hand and commenced dragging it out of my doorway.

"Holly!" he said in his most commanding voice. Commanding. Honestly, I've heard kittens who were more forceful. Though, if it really made him feel better…

"No! You're my guest, and I'm going to help you carry this bag." Now that was forceful. Forceful enough for him to back down just this once.

"If you must," he sighed.

The two of us walked down the street. The sunshine warmed our faces as I pointed out all of the sites that we really hadn't seen much of. Soon enough, we were in the lobby of the shuttle port. As promised, it was completely, one hundred percent empty. I led Arty through the doors that led to the shuttle. As expected, he helped me in before sitting down in the passenger seat.

This time, I drove much more slowly. My feet barely moving against the 'gas'. I really just didn't want to get him home. Though no matter how slowly I drove, I knew that we would get there eventually, and that thought did nothing to make me smile.

I switched it to autopilot, and turned my chair to my friend. We had a little less than two hours to sit and talk before we were to part. I was going to make the best of it.

"I really prefer this speed," he chuckled. "This time my jaws aren't rippling from G-force."

"Would you like me to speed up?" I teased.

"No, I would not," he shook his head to clear that thought.

"Hmmm. Arty, can I talk to you about something?" I asked. This would be our last chance to talk before being pushed back into our own worlds, and at least temporarily separated. This would be our last chance to talk before it became easy for Foaly to see and hear everything that we do.

"Always."

"I'm sorry… about what happened in the past…" I trailed off. The kiss. The kiss that had made everything so complicated for us. That had almost destroyed us.

"Holly. You were flushed with magic and we were both happy that I was alive. You don't owe me any apology. In fact, I owe you one."

"Why? Surely not the cavern again?"

"Yes. I should not have pressured you to take me there. And I shouldn't have assaulted you like that. It was my fault."

"Arty, you were under the influence of magic. Even I couldn't help myself. You didn't even stand a chance."

I could see the ideas clanging around inside of his brain, arranging themselves where they belonged. "Fair enough," he nodded. Though, I still apologize for coercing you into accompanying me in the first place."

"Hey, aren't we not supposed to talk about this anymore?" I asked, ready to close the subject. There is nothing that I hate more than seeing a sad Arty. Just the thought makes my heart hurt. "What was your favorite part of your vacation?"

"Spending time with you," he smiled. I couldn't help but grin. He hadn't even stopped to think about it. Obviously he was telling the truth. That thought made me grin. "What about you?"

"Spending time with you.

"Of course," he smirked. Ah, humble, isn't he?

"No comment, but I do have something to ask of you."

"A favor?" Needless to say, the genius' interest was peaked. He was all about the leverage. "What is it?"

"About Foaly…" I trailed off, unsure of how exactly to phrase what I wanted to say.

"Don't worry. I have a very simple scheme that should teach him a very important lesson." Scheme. Where he said the word, an impish gleam lit up behind his normally apathetic eyes. He really enjoyed crushing people and watching them squirm. Yet, somehow that didn't bother me.

"No." I shook my head. "I want to get him back. After all, he did embarrass me."

"What are you going to do?" Obviously, the genius did not believe that I was capable of handling things myself. I could understand that. He was the schemer, but the master was about to become my student.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

He stared at me for a second before I saw comprehension dawning in his eyes. "Clever. Be sure to tell me how your plan turns out." I agreed hurriedly. After all, what are friends for?

The two of us sat talking for the remaining hour and a half. We talked about friends, family, his school, my job. Everything. And that's when I realized how much I really would miss him. Talking to him relieved me of stress and the pressure that I normally had to deal with. But it would be so different without him there.

Frond knows that I didn't want to pull up to Tara. There was nothing that I dreaded more. But even my magic could not stop the inevitable. Finally, the shuttle stopped, coming to rest in its cradle.

We climbed out, making our way into the lobby. The last thing that I wanted to do was to say good-bye. As we milled around, I thought about what to say and how to do it.

Artemis. My best friend was going home and I wouldn't get to see him until Frond knows when. Probably when the world was in danger again. "Bye Arty," I mumbled.

"Good- I mean bye, Holly," he replied. I was pleasantly surprised. He had actually scrapped the formality for once.

"Well, I guess I did accomplish my mission," I teased. "I actually got you to relax."

"Of course, Holly. You have a way of changing me for the better."

I blushed. "You have a way of changing yourself."

"Only with the right influence," he winked.

I grinned, looking anywhere but at him. "It's already one. You'd better go before Butler gets antsy." And the big man antsy was not something that I wanted to see.

"Ah. You're in such a hurry to get ride of me," he pretended to pout, poking his fell lower lip out.

"Go," I ordered, pushing him away gently.

He smiled, his eyes shimmering in his head. "I'll miss you." And as a true gentleman, he grabbed my hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently.

Not to be upstaged, I replied, "Me too." before standing on my toes to kiss his cheek. He stood there for a second, and I couldn't help to beam with pride. I surprised him. "Now go."

After a few seconds, he managed to collect himself enough to walk out of the door. I watched him leave. I hate to say this, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'll miss him. Just a little bit…

A/N:

One more chapter down. The end is really not that far from here. Well…. Not relatively far. (I mean who can really quantify time?) And yes, I have actually finished the story. All in all the story will have 83 chapters. So, we really are almost there.

Just to reiterate a point: this story is a realistic development of Holly and Artemis's feelings for each other. It'll take time, but hopefully the ending will make up for it.

I just want to tell you guys how much I appreciate the reviews and favorites that you've added. I love you guys so much. Thanks again. The next chapter should be coming up soon. In the mean time, you guys should check out my other stories.

Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and to review. Flames are welcome. They're what keep me warm and toasty at night. ;)

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Yours truly, madly, and deeply,

Einstinette