CHAPTER 3

UNCERTAINTY

Apartment 819, Haven Housing, Southeastern Residential District, Haven City, the Lower Elements; Now

HOLLY lay in bed, eyes focused on that tear in the wallpaper she never bothered to fix. She had a lot on her mind. Well, more accurately, she only had one thing on her mind, but she was thinking about it a lot.

"Artemis…."

She closed her eyes tight, trying to shut out everything about him. When had she become so attached to him? She was an elf; he was a human. She was a soldier; he was a boy. She was a victim; he was an extortionist. Somehow, in the five years they had known each other, the grudging respect between them had grown into friendship, then into something more complicated.

Holly rolled over and groaned. Why did I have to kiss him? She knew that her emotions were exaggerated as a result of the time stream, and knew her hormone levels had risen accordingly, but why did she have to kiss him? It was as if the inflated feelings she felt in the past had followed her to the present, and now that she had opened herself up to Artemis she found it extremely hard to go back.

Holly rolled over again and sighed, begging for sleep to come. Thankfully, she was off duty for the week, but Holly Short was not a morning person and preferred sleeping in as long as possible when she could.

Why can't I fall asleep? she thought.

And then it hit her. Because I'm still scared.

Earlier, when she told Foaly about her fears of friendship versus love, she felt an enormous weight lift from her shoulders. To make things better, Foaly had devised a plan to figure out what Artemis felt. It was a simple plan, but simple plans have less to go wrong - although the centaur did feel it necessary to include Butler.

Holly's eyebrows had shot up at this. "Butler? Really?"

Foaly rubbed his hands together, his brain already working on a plan. "I love a good plot, and I happen to know Butler is a fan of romance stories. If you're willing to put up with some carefully planned ribbing, I think I have an idea."

Holly thought about it. How much does Artemis really mean to me? And then: Well...I did come to Foaly out of desperation...and I can't get him off my mind…

She drew a breath and gave her answer.

"Sure."

"That's the spirit!" Foaly clapped her on the shoulder. "Alright, here's what we're going to do. We'll somehow get Dr. Argon to release Artemis for a day - say he needs a break from all the monotony that is psychologic treatment. You have the next week off, so we've got a bit of buffer time. We'll arrange a date for you two - alright! A day out!" Foaly amended, seeing Holly's face flush a deep red. "Then you talk to Artemis, and Butler acts as mediator. If you can steer the conversation towards a certain point, then maybe you'll get the answers you want!"

Holly's eyebrows had shot up again. The unexpectedness of this plan allowed Holly to regain some of her wit. "I come down here, with a complicated love problem that would have made Chix Verbil asexual, and the best your pony brain can give me is to talk to him? Sometimes I wonder why we even keep you around."

The centaur grinned ruefully. When Holly put it that way, it did seem really stupid. "Just hear me out. You see, while you are undoubtedly Artemis's closest friend - a fact that would make him more open towards you - Butler knows him best. He also can't resist a good romance - especially between two of his closest friends - so he'll be on your side. He'll be looking for Artemis's physical hints while you try to get as much out of him as you can."

Holly's eyebrows creased with worry. "But what if something goes wrong? What if Butler can't find anything? What if I mess up our friendship? What if...what if I misjudged and he doesn't feel anything?"

Foaly rested a hand on her arm.

"Holly," he said, looking her in the eye. "Do you trust me?"

She nodded.

"Do you trust Butler?

Another nod.

"Do you trust yourself?

She hesitated, but nodded again.

Foaly smiled. "You'll be fine. Your friends will have your back. I'll give Butler a call tonight, and I'll let you know by tomorrow evening what we have planned out." He gave her a hug, knowing how much she needed one. "Artemis Fowl's expressions rarely go past scientific lectures and the occasional snarky comment, but I have a feeling he will be open to another heart."

Holly smiled, the first true smile she gave since entering Foaly's Ops Booth. "Thanks, Foaly. I'll do my best to relax."

Except she wasn't relaxed. She was scared. Not of what Fowl wouldn't say - oh, no. She was prepared if he felt nothing, as hard as it would be on her. No, she was scared for what might happen if he felt the same way. What then? There were three major barriers that would hinder the relationship: location, species, and age. If Artemis accepted her, she knew her life would become twice as hard, having to balance her job with him. Besides, the Council had had her neck on the chopping block half a dozen times now, and if she revealed that she was dating a human - and not just any human; the human that had successfully stolen gold from the People - they would have her acorns for sure.

She shivered at the thought of this. If he only saw her as a friend, she'd feel a loss but her career - and the rest of her life - would be secure. But if he accepted her - if he loved her like she loved him - then she would find fulfillment, but would live every waking day in fear of discovery and repercussion.

Eventually, after hours of tossing and turning, Holly settled into a troubled sleep, unsure of which outcome she preferred, with one thought swirling in her mind:

Is he worth it?

Exercise gym, J. Argon Institute, Haven City, the Lower Elements; Now

"Artemis", said the manservant. "What do you feel when you think of Captain Short?"

When he thought about it, Artemis felt - despite the physical impossibility - a flutter in his heart. It was accompanied by the very feeling he had described to Butler, complete with contradictory emotions.

A sudden, uneasy realization struck him. He was aware that his reaction towards the mention of Holly's name was distinctly different from his reaction towards the other females in Butler's questions. He knew he possessed an affection towards the elf - despite their polar personalities and different species - but he had been unaware of what extent this affection extended to.

Butler had noticed the hesitation immediately. He simply nodded and before Artemis could respond said, "I see." He does love her! He simply doesn't realize it yet. And then: Wow, this is so much better than The Notebook.

Artemis, for his part, flushed slightly, having come to a similar conclusion, but unsure of what it meant. To think, he thought. The great Artemis Fowl the Second, foiled by love. Five years ago such thoughts were frowned upon in the Fowl household - respected, yes, and recognized for their importance and prominence, yes, but the notions of petty love were dismissed as indications of immaturity and naiveté.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes. "I have come to a most...intriguing conclusion. Undoubtedly you have come to the same conclusion, seeing as you are attempting to nod sagely in reaction to my words. However, I ask that you reserve all judgement until I can sort this matter out for myself. If what I possess what I believe I possess, then I would like to address all doubts I may have about myself to ensure I do not give Hol - er, to…ensure I do not have doubts about myself."

Artemis flushed again. I would like to address all doubts I may have about myself to ensure I do not have doubts about myself? Really?

Evidently Butler had noticed the lame reasoning, for he had raised an eyebrow, but decided to let it slide, allowing the boy to hastily turn on his heel and exit the room. He wondered what this meant for Foaly's plan - now that he was almost certain Artemis reciprocated Holly's feelings. He could tell Foaly, who could pass the news on to Holly; surely she'd be thrilled! Butler nearly smiled at the thought. He had little time or room for love in his life at the moment, but he could see why Artemis was so drawn to Holly. For one, she was very attractive, with flawless brown skin, slim figure, and auburn hair (which she had let grow into a pageboy); for two, she completed Artemis, bringing warmth to where Artemis felt cold and able to keep up with him when trading insults; and for three, they were bonded by trauma, having gone through more adventures in the span of three years than most people could imagine in three lifetimes.

In the end, though, Butler decided to wait. If he was wrong in interpreting his charge's feelings, and if he simply ran on his partially incomplete impression, accelerating Foaly's plan might lead to catastrophic results. Artemis could determine them to mean something else, and suddenly Holly would be left in an awkward situation, with irrevocable words having been said. Artemis could feel uncomfortable around Holly (which had never been a pleasant experience in the past), distancing them. Or, in a somewhat extreme case, Artemis might close up completely, disturbed by his dependence and feeling of incompletion brought on by someone close. No, the best thing to do would be to wait.

In the coming days, more than one person would be grateful he did.