Chapter 69

Home Again

Artemis's POV:

"Me too," Holly replied. As a genius, I have studied quite a bit about human and fairy personalities and behavioral conventions. Yet, Holly has a way of always managing to surprise me. Like when she stood on her toes and planted a kiss on my cheek. That was an occurrence that I was sure would never have happened. "Now go."

My face was beet red. Of course, I had kissed her hand, but her kissing me was a rarity. Or rather not like that. Interesting, I pondered as I walked out of the lobby.

The cool, gentle breeze hit my face, snapping me out of whatever trance had taken hold of me. I turned around one more time to see that Holly was already gone, though I had expected nothing less. She was one to get in the last word and disappear. Ahhh, Holly.

Thankfully, the Bentley was in sight, and of course Butler was leaning against the front waiting until I was close enough for him to help me inside.

I couldn't help but smile. It shames me to admit it, but during the trip, I hadn't thought about my family at all. My entire mind had been preoccupied with concentrating on Holly and just… enjoying a once in a lifetime experience.

Yet, as I saw the large man, waiting expectantly I realized how much I did miss him. The two of us had been through so much together. "Butler," I smiled without my usual smirk.

"Artemis," he nodded. To most his face would have seemed smooth and impassive, though anyone who knew him would notice the tightening of the corner of his mouth. And that tightening was as close to smiling as he would get until he had made sure that we were both safe and sound.

We quickly loaded my luggage into the car. Soon enough we were nestled down into the leather seats. Butler was driving and I was delighted to be the passenger of someone who did not drive so dangerously that, I would have to hold onto the seat the entire time.

"So, you're wearing jeans?" he asked with a barely restrained grin. I could feel his air of superiority radiating onto me. He was sure that he had been right about my attire.

A slight blush came to my face as I looked down at what Holly had chosen for me to wear. Somehow she had convinced me to put on black skinny jeans, black converse, spiked arm bands, a purple v-neck with black paint splatters, and the necklace that I never removed. Not to mention the fact that my hair was tousled so that it was almost falling into my eyes. Honestly, I don't know why I decided to go along with this. "I feel like I'm in a boy band," I grumbled.

"You look like a teenager for once." Obviously, he was very proud. After all of these years, he had inadvertently gotten his way. "I'm guessing that Holly picked your new ensemble?"

"Of course. If I had any choice in the matter, then I would be wearing dress pants and a dress shirt."

He chuckled dryly. "I know. That's why Holly is so good for you. She challenges every one of your preconceived notions."

"I agree. She is a wonderful friend." Though I was well aware that 'friendship' was not what he meant. No, he was implying that we were 'meant to be'. Ridiculous. We are nothing like that, besides she already has a great number of suitors, none of which are worthy enough to make me want to align myself in the same category.

My old friend's face tightened at my comment. "I take it that you didn't ask her out."

Ah, so observant. "And you would be correct."

I could feel Butler's evident disappointment, but I could not regret my decision. I whole-heartedly refuse to pledge feelings where they do not exist. We had made a promise. If either of us felt anything for the other then we would make it clear. However, that was not the case so there was nothing to think about.

He sighed. "You'll come around. I just hope that it's not too late when you do." he paused, changing the subject completely. "So, how was your trip?"

"Wonderful." The rest of the car ride was spent describing Haven and catching him up on our friends. Their antics did much to amuse him as I knew that they would.

Finally, we arrived at Fowl manor. The familiar trees, the long drive towards the beautiful, ageless, manor. As Dorothy had said, "There's no place like home."

As I entered the door, I saw the varnished pine, wood floor, the high ceilings, and the paintings that graced the walls. And standing in the doorway was my mother, Angeline Fowl. Her long blond hair, framing her wide blue eyes perfectly highlighting her beautiful smile. "Arty!" she squealed, throwing her arms around me and squeezing tightly. "I missed you so much." I couldn't help but remember the last person who had told me the same thing. A part of me wondered what she was doing at that moment.

"You too moth-mum. I missed you too." Being in my mother's embrace reminded me so much of when I was a child. There had been both happy and sad times. Yet, I had been able to find comfort in mother's loving embrace.

"You have to tell me all about it, Arty," she said, dragging me upstairs to her room.

She plopped down on the bed, her legs crossed, causing her to look very much like a teenager at a party. Not that I would know much about teens or parties. "So, how was your trip?" "It was very educational. Holly told me quite a bit about some fairy inventions, magical places, and creatures."

My mother nodded along as I gave her a basic outline of my trip. "And how is Holly?"

"Wonderful as always. She's very happy with her life."

Her warm eyes examined me. "I see she got you to change your wardrobe, which is more than I could ever do."

I chuckled nervously for once at a loss for words. It was Holly. We had been through so much together that I found it hard to deny her anything. Though, I would never reveal this weakness to anyone. Least of all her for fear of being taken advantage of. "She did."

"I like it, Arty. You look like a boy of your age should," she smiled fondly. "I must say, she does seem to have some great style. I look forward to actually meeting her."

"Someday," I promised. But I had not intention of introducing the two At least not right now. Holly was bad enough alone, but as I had seen when surrounded by females, she got even worse. Goodness only knows what would happen if she and my mother met.

She nodded. "So, did anything else happen between you and Holly?"

I could feel my face heating. Mother could always see through me so easily. "Of course not," I lied, thinking about Holly's lips in mine, the visions, not to mention the warm mouth around my finger as she sucked… all of a sudden, the air in the room seemed too thin.

Those kind blue eyes raked over me skeptically. "You're lying, but I'm not going to push you over this. Not right now at least."

I nodded. That was another thing that I love about my mother. She knows exactly how far to push a point before letting it drop. That was a valuable skill that the rest of my friends could use. "Thank you."

She beamed at me. "Your father wants to talk to you too, but first you should probably go and see the twins. They've really missed their big brother."

"As I have missed them." Mother hugged me one last time before gently sending me out of the room.

My next stop, the twins' room. As I entered, I saw that nothing had changed since my last visit. Beckett's half was still a messy heap, and Myles' half was still neat, orderly, and laid out in a scientific scenario.

"Artemis!" the blond children squeaked, each running up to hug me. I must admit that I really did miss my brothers very much. After all, for one and one half week, there had been no experiments and no finger painting. I had been so… lost.

"Hello Beckett, Myles."

The two pulled away, looking me up and down strangely. "Did you join a punk band?" Myles asked in wonder. Obviously, he had never seen me in anything like this. He most likely viewed this as some sort of experiment, and in a way it was. I was testing the water in order to find out what I truly liked.

"No Myles. I just decided to diversify my clothing."

"I like it," Beckett grinned, poking one of the spikes on my wrist bands. "It's pointy and shiny." The perfect combination in the mind of a child.

"Yes, it is," I agreed. "Though, I must admit that I prefer my more formal clothes."

"As do I," Myles grinned. In so many ways, he was just like me at that age. Clever beyond his years, aloof at times, deadly serious. Though thankfully he had Beckett to keep him grounded and help him to enjoy every moment of the ride.

"One day you'll change your mind," I promised him. No, this would not be my permanent form of dress, but if fitted correctly, then I could see the advantages of assuming the garb of those around me at times.

"Not likely."

"Artemis," Beckett demanded attention as he tugged on my pants leg. "Is it because of a girl?"

Had I been drinking something, said liquid would have been spewed out of my mouth and onto the boys. "What would make you think that?" I spluttered.

"Mummy told us that you were going to visit a girl, and that you loved her."

This was getting past the point of sense. Does everyone really believe that Holly and I love each other? As friends, of course. But anything else was out of the question. The two of us are opposites. Thief and cop. Fairy and human. But more than that, we're Artemis and Holly, a combination that could never really work. "She's right. I went to see my friend who I love very much. Just like I love you two."

"I don't understand," Myles admitted. Of course. He knew what love was, but he didn't understand that there were different types, and he probably would not get that for years.

"One day when you're a little older, I'm going to tell you two about the different types of love," I promised.

"Why not now?" Ahhh, Myles. He always need to acquire more knowledge. By the time we do have this lesson, he'll already have looked it up and know the answer, and knowing him he'll have already made a hypothesis and started collecting data.

"Because right now I have to go and see our father."

The boys nodded their curly, little heads. They understood that seeing father was a bit more important at the moment. And as for Beckett, he was glad to skip the lecture. "Okay Artemis," they said together. "Bye." The two children went back to the games that they had been playing before I entered.

I couldn't help but smile. Beckett sat with his building blocks and tinker toys. Mules was enjoying his experimentation with Professor Primate. They were happy and what more can I, as a brother, ask for?

I stood in front of my father's office, remembering how things had been when I was a child. One could only come here with permission, and only if it was important. But now whenever I knocked I was welcome. It was a refreshing change. One that often took me by surprise.

I knocked gently on the door. "Come in," my father answered promptly and cheerfully.

I entered his study, taking the seat right across from where he sat at his desk. "Hello father."

"Son," he beamed happily, hugging me tightly. This was something that I had missed out on as a child. Being hugged by my father, it was almost uncomfortable, yet at the same time it was warm and something that I had always wanted. "How was your trip?" he asked.

"It was interesting."

"That's wonderful, son. We're glad to have you back home."

"I'm glad to be back home." And it was true. I missed Holly, but it was wonderful to see my family again.

"So, you spent your time at the house of your friend, Holly Short, right?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Alone?"

"Yes, of course."

"Well son. I hope that you chose to use protection. These are dangerous times to go without."

For a second, I was frozen in shock. My father had just assumed that Holly and I were…lovers. Lovers who had engaged in…activities. Ridiculous. Preposterous. "No! Holly and I would never."

"You mean that she didn't suck…?" he began.

"Stop please!" I yelled.

"You didn't show her your family legacy?" he demanded.

"STOP!" I screamed even louder. The mental pictures that this was inspiring was more than off putting. "Nothing happened."

"Ah, I get it," he nodded. "You were too afraid to make the fist move. I had the same problem with your mother at first. It took us forever to finally…fall into bed. Though if you count couch, then things aren't as long as they seem. Or rather they are." All of a sudden, I felt sick to my stomach. I may be a genius, but I am also a teenager. One that has no wish to know about his parent's personal life whether it be past, present, or future.

"No. We are just friends. We would never go so far as to…"

"That's what you say now, but one day you'll hold her in your arms and realize that you never want to let her go."

I smirked to myself. I'd never want to let Holly go. After all of the times that we'd been so close, I couldn't let her go, but that didn't mean that I loved her. After all that we'd been through, we couldn't help but have formed an unbreakable bond. "That's not for me. I'm not the type to fall in love."

He looked at me, his bright blue eyes twinkling with barely suppressed laughter. "That's what I thought until your mother changed my mind. She broke me down and built me back up into what I am now. I owe her everything that I am, and I know that one day you'll feel the same way."

I exhaled sharply, only halfway listening to the rest of the conversation. After an eternity, we finally finished, and I was able to go to my bedroom, and for the first time in almost two weeks, I was able to relax at my desk and just think.

I couldn't help but think about my father and my future. We looked similar, and we even acted in similar ways. But our belief in love was the place where we differed the most. He was sure that everyone belonged with someone and that one only had to find them. I, on the other hand, know that some people are meant to be alone. And I am one of those people. Holly and I. Minerva and I. It could never work. Despite what the phoenixes and dragons believe. I know myself, and what I am truly capable of. Emotions such as love are not for me.

A/N:

One more chapter down. I really appreciate all of the reviews. I love you guys so much. Thanks for being the most awesome people in the world. If I could I'd give you all a big hug.

So someone wanted to know about Arty's age. At the end of the Time Paradox, he was around 18 physically. Now, this story takes place almost a year later. So, he's about 19 years old. And just for information, he's a senior in high school, because his mom really wanted him to finish. However, he's out a lot because he's technically finished all of his work and his teachers don't really care if he's there or not. In fact, they prefer him not to be.

Anyway, the next chapter should be coming up soon, but I have a lot of stuff at school coming up so no promises. In the mean time, you guys should check out my other stories. Oh, and I've started another Artemis Fowl story. Would you rather finish this one or have me type them both at the same time? Let me know what you think.

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