Author's Note
Yet another one shot for Hartemis. This idea popped into my head out of nowhere and I NEED to write it.
Non-Compliant with TLG, but does reference some events and implies that Artemis and everyone stopped Opal after TAC.
"It would seem we are once again in the Mud Boy's debt."
The first member of the Council spoke up after hearing their tale.
Past Opal had finally turned up, willing to surrender herself to a mindwipe and a trip to her own time on the condition that her current self was set free. It had been a trap, naturally, and nearly resulted in a time paradox that razed the world, but with Artemis and Holly working together, they had once again stopped her. The last thing she saw before having her consciousness scrambled by No. 1 was Artemis grinning down at her in victory and Holly looking at her in pity.
No destruction of the timeline, no noble sacrifices - though there had been a few brushes with death - and even though Fowl Manor was partially destroyed, they had emerged from the ordeal stronger than ever before. And for the first time in a long time, it looked like things would return to normal for the People.
"In that case, ten tons of fairy gold will be my price. Fowl Manor isn't going to be cheap to rebuild, you know."
A hard punch on his shoulder wiped the grin off his face. Holly looked guilty for a second as she saw Artemis clutch his arm and look at her with genuine shock.
"I was only kidding, my good man." Artemis said more to Holly than the Council as forced a smile on his face and turned back to the Council members.
The second Council member looked at him. It was clear he wasn't happy. "Yes, of course. Although-" He cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. "In light of the circumstances, and your efforts to help us in the past, the Council have decided to grant you... A wish." He muttered the last part, looking away and frowning deeply.
It was often Artemis was at a loss for words, but he recovered quickly, eyes going from wide with surprise to calculating. "I see..."
There was a pause, and Artemis glanced at Holly for a second, an emotion his face she couldn't quite discern.
"Would you give me some time to think? I admit, I wasn't expecting this. A medal perhaps, but not this. If it's all the same, could I return to tomorrow after I've had some time for deliberation?"
None of the Council looked pleased, but there was some slight relief. "Very well. We'll reconvene tomorrow. Think carefully Fowl, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Artemis nodded, and followed Holly out of the room.
As they stepped outside, he was glad to be able to stand up straight and stretch his arms over his head.
"I can't believe you said that." Holly grumbled, looking up at him in annoyance.
He grinned down at her. "It was a joke." It was a half apology, and she bumped into him, knocking him a little off balance. He adjusted his tie as they walked down the streets of Haven.
"Not funny. I'm surprised the offer was still on the table after that." She led the way to her apartment - they drew eyes as they walked, but she ignored them. There wasn't really a place for him to stay, but she was loathe to idea of keeping him a holding cell, so for the night, he could stay at her place.
"I'm surprised it was on the table at all." He agreed with a hint of surprise in his voice. "But with how much danger Opal presented, I'm not surprised. Though they definitely aren't happy with the idea."
Holly snorted. "You've got that right. Granting a Mud Man a wish? You know, they downplay everything you do whenever we end up saving the world. You may be our friend, but they certainly don't see it that way." She sounded bitter, and Artemis returned the light bump into her shoulder.
"Well, I can hardly blame them. A handful of adventures to protect the People won't make up for my people forcing you underground." He said guiltily, his voice low, and she shook her head.
"Don't hold yourself personally responsible Artemis. It's not like you had a hand in the last war ten thousand years ago." He nodded, but she noticed how it looked like he had to force a smile. "Foolish Mud Boy." She thought with a smile. In order to switch topics back she asked, "So, what have you got in mind for your wish? I'm sure you have all sorts of plans. And don't even think about asking for gold."
He hesitated, and kept his gaze straight ahead. "I have some ideas. I'll fill you in later."
Once they arrived at Holly's apartment, he took a seat on her couch. She couldn't repress a laugh, and when he raised his brow, she gestured to him with one hand. "You're tall." He looked ridiculous sitting on the two seat couch in her living room, his legs extended underneath her coffee table and the back of the couch only supporting the lower half of his back.
Artemis rolled his eyes. "And where I come from, you're short." He grinned. "So I fail to find the humour in the situation."
"Whatever, Mud Boy. Make yourself at home. You'll have to deal with sleeping in your suit for tonight, obviously I don't have anything for you here." She went down the hall to her bedroom, and changed out of her LEPRecon uniform and hopped into the shower for a quick rinse. She was definitely going to use some stored vacation todays to get a full body massage and mud bath, but for now she felt much cleaner than she had the past few days. After putting on a pair of green short shorts and a white tank top, she went back to the living room.
"So..."
He raised a brow and turned to her as she sat beside him on the couch. "So?"
"Your wish?" She prodded. She couldn't help it, she wanted to know.
He swallowed hard and she heard the click of his throat. One brow raised as he turned to her with both hands on his folded into closed fists. "Holly..." His voice was low and soft and she leaned forward. "Do you remember how you almost died when Opal blew up the west wing of the manor?"
She grimaced - as they had been running, one of Opal's magical traps had triggered. If Artemis had been a second slower, she'd be dead. Instead, she'd spent an hour comatose as Artemis had dragged her from the rubble as the magic healed her. He'd stayed by her side, and when she'd woken up it was the first time she'd even seen him cry. He'd pulled her into her a tight hug and sobbed until she finally forced him off with a smile and light punch to the shoulder. "I'm fine. Really. Thank Frond I did the ritual the other day, otherwise things could've ended up much worse. Though I'm out of magic... again." He'd only pulled her into another hug and it wasn't until they got a call over comms that he realized he needed to pull himself together and find Butler and Mulch and his family.
"Yes, Artemis. I remember." She answered as the memory faded and she refocused on him. "What about it?"
"I was scared." He admitted, voice shaking. "I was scared that you were going to die. Scared that I wouldn't see you again." He took a deep breath to steady himself and exhaled sharply, finding his courage. "But above all, I was scared that I wouldn't be able to tell you how I felt."
She gave him a sad smile. "I know how you feel about me, Artemis. You don't-"
"I love you, Holly." He cut her off. "And I can't bear the thought of never seeing you again." His jaw tightened as he looked away, and he mumbled softly, "I know what I want to wish for tomorrow. I have two ideas."
The elf sat up, alert. This did not sound good. "What are you planning, Artemis?"
"Do you remember what you told me after I overcame the Atlantis Complex?" He asked.
"Yes." Her mouth felt dry.
"Artemis..." She had whispered as they held hands on his bed. It was the last night he would be in the clinic, and what she was about to say would change their relationship, but it had to be done. "I love you too. We became so much more than friends a long time ago." Her heart broke as she saw the despair on his face. They both knew where this was going. "But we can't. We're two different species. I'm much older than you - and you'll age faster than I will, then leave me behind one day. We belong to two different worlds. If you were an elf, or if I was human, I wouldn't hesitate." Admitting her feelings made her feel liberated like nothing else. But it was crushing to deny the idea of 'them' at the same time. A single tear fell down her cheek, and Artemis brushed it away with his free hand. "The Council will exile me. A relationship between a human and elf is forbidden. I'll lose everything. It can't go any further than this. As long as we're friends, we'll still be able to see each other." She stood up, voice shaking. "When you leave here, go and find Minerva. She'll make you happier than I could. It's for the best."
"She won't." Was his simple reply, the truth both of them knew.
She shook her head and walked out of the room.
"My first wish will be to for the Council to accept us."
Holly's eyes screwed shut. "Artemis, I told you-"
"This is our only chance, Holly." He cupped her cheek, but she didn't look at him. "If the Council keeps their word, then you won't have to lose everything. I'm not asking you to leave Haven or the LEP, I know that's too much to ask. Do you truly wish we couldn't have the chance to be together? I may only be able to give you a century, but it's yours if you accept."
She grit her teeth and looked up, seeing his mismatched eyes and the hope in them. It took a moment to find her voice. "And your second wish?"
He blinked away tears, but couldn't keep the emotion out of his voice. "I will ask the Council to mindwipe everyone who knows about you and the People. Butler, Mother, all of them. Myself as well, of course. I will invite Minerva to the manor, and as cruel as it would be to trick her, she'll be mindwiped too."
"Artemis, you can't!" She protested, rising onto her knees so she was level with his face.
"I will." His voice was hard and cold. "You told me to find her. You told me she would make me happy. Maybe she will, a little bit. But as long as I remember you, I will never be truly happy with her. You'll always be the first person my heart, and she will be playing second fiddle. And everytime I see your eye in the mirror, I'll long for you in a way that Minerva could never hope to compete with." He took one of her hands in his, lacing their fingers. "I'm sorry Holly, but friendship alone could never be enough for me, not after everything we've been through. You said you loved me. Tell me now what you want - to be with me, or not. I won't force you; after all, you told me to move on. But I know I can't keep going on this limbo."
Holly's ears slanted flat against her head. "So you intend to blackmail me?" She spat angrily. "Force me into this relationship or lose you entirely?"
He shook his head and let out a mirthless chuckle. "No. I could never force you into anything. Of course, I'll leave a memory trigger with you and Foaly, should the need arise for us to team up once more. But it hurts, Holly." His voice had become strained. "I want so much more than friendship. I want to wake up next to you for the rest of my life. But if you can't accept that, I will move on. You will too. You'll find an elf down here, and forget about me in time. You can come to the manor and look out for all of us even if we don't know you're there, but it will be my choice and my choice alone how I want to proceed. My first is to be with you."
Her free hand had clenched into a fist. "How could you?" She asked when she found her voice. "Just throw it all away like it was nothing?"
"It was everything, Holly. But you were the one who said it would be for the best. It could only truly be that way if I couldn't remember the chance I had with you in the first place."
Her shoulders started to shake, and she pulled away from his grip.
It was a long time before she spoke again.
"Goodbye, Artemis."
He leaned forward to plant one last kiss on her forehead. "Goodbye, Holly."
And with that, she stood up and walked numbly to her room.
Tears fell into her pillow as she cried silently, asking herself why she had to lose him and why things couldn't be different.
The next morning, they left the apartment in silence.
Artemis looked resolute, content - he'd made his choice, made one last attempt to be happy, and even though his heart was broken he could take some satisfaction that he'd had the courage to ask before losing the opportunity forever.
Holly's face was stone, but anyone who knew her well knew that it was a façade. Beneath the mask, she was angry and hurt and upset with Artemis.
It felt like no time at all before they were back in front of the Council.
Artemis knelt down and pulled her into one last hug before he said, "Thank you for everything. I'm a better person now because of you. I have my family because of you. I hope one day I can get my memory back, however briefly, and we can resume our friendship where it left off."
Holly said nothing, but her eyes were red and teary as she stepped into the room with Artemis, standing behind him near the door.
"Welcome back, Mud Boy." The Council greeted him. "We have a busy day ahead of us, so let's keep this short. If gold is still what you want, be prepared for it the payment to come in installations - despite your efforts, we simply can't pay it all right now."
"I have a much simpler wish. One that I'm sure you'll find all too agreeable and is entirely within your power to grant." He spoke smoothly, the emotional turmoil completely hidden from everyone. Almost everyone.
Holly saw the way his hands were clenched into fists, the slight quiver in his voice, how his shoulders were squared. "He can't." She thought to herself. "Please, anything but this."
"Very well. Let's hear your request."
He cleared his throat and lifted his chin. He would not show weakness in front of her. "My wish is thus: Please have Foaly and the LEP bring mindwipe equipment to Fowl Manor in one week. Take away our memories of the People."
"No. Please don't."
The Council members looked upon one another in surprise. "Are you sure?" A member asked.
"Quite. On one condition, however: You allow me to leave a memory trigger with Foaly and the LEP in the event of an emergency. I hope things are better for the People from here on out, but we can't rule out the possibility that things might get worse again and having a human on the surface with prior knowledge and my intellect may be of some advantage to the LEP in the future."
The Council turned to each other, evidently pleased with the unexpected turn of events. "Well, we certainly won't object to your request. If this is what you want, so be it."
He nodded, and gave one last smile to Holly - a genuine smile, with warmth that reached his eyes, a smile reserved for her and one that he had only given a few times to her before. If he was going to leave her, he would leave her with this.
"Don't!" Holly ran forward, causing the Council to look at her in surprise in confusion.
"Captain Short, I will remind you that this is the Mud Boy's wish." One reprimanded sternly.
She ignored him. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she took Artemis's hand. "Please." Her eyes were wide and she had tears forming. "Anything but this, please. I can't lose you."
He knelt down as his smile fell with a sadness in his eyes. "It's for the best."
"It's not!" She yelled, and the tears began to fall down her face. "I can't, Artemis. I thought I could, but I can't." She lunged forward and pulled him into a hug, chest shaking violently as she tried to control herself.
"Have you changed your mind?" He asked, his voice quiet and guarded and full of hope.
She couldn't speak, but nodded vigorously.
He pulled back and smiled that same genuine smile again - this time, filled with the love he held for her and despite her emotions she smiled back.
Artemis stood up, this time appearing much more confident. "I would like to change my wish. Members of the Council, I know this is an affront, but after everything Holly and I have been through, we've realized we hold feelings for each other much deeper than just friendship. I love her, and she loves me. I wish for you to allow us to pursue our relationship together, and to allow Holly to be free of the consequences of falling in love with a human."
There was a much more mixed and over negative reaction. One Council member retched, another cursed, and the rest held expressions from mixed to disgusted.
"Captain Short, explain yourself!"
She quickly rubbed her eyes dry and smiled. "It's true. Artemis and I have fallen in love. I turned him down at first - I told him things couldn't work out, that there were too many trials we couldn't overcome. But I want this. I love him." She smiled at Artemis, and he squeezed her hand. She turned back to the Council and remembered she needed to be diplomatic. "We don't need to announce this to all of Haven. Our friends will be the only one who know. And Arty will-" She had to clear her throat as it tightened, as what she said next was a painful reminder of the inevitablity of time, "He'll only be here for a century more. I beg of you, please, sanction this relationship."
"If Foaly could hear me now." She thought as she bowed her head, and Artemis did the same.
The room was silent for several moments. Then the Council members began to murmur among themselves. They didn't sound happy.
"And if we refuse?"
Artemis spoke first. "Then all I will ask for is a trip to the surface. A shuttle with room for two and space for Holly's belongings."
"And I would hope that in spite of this, the Council and LEP would know they could always ask me for help." Holly finished.
They bristled, some with anger, but a few were looking between each other warily.
More silence. It felt like the world was holding it's breath in anticipation.
"Fine." Came the response after several tense moments. "All in favour?"
Four members raised their hands, and Holly literally jumped into Artemis's arms. They had the majority, and that's all that mattered.
"This puts you on incredibly thin ice, Captain Short. I hope you understand that."
Artemis lowered her to the ground, and in spite of the warning she couldn't stop smiling. "I understand."
"Hmph. We will see."
They made a quick stop to tell Commander Kelp that Holly was cashing in every saved vacation day, another quick stop to her apartment to gather some belongings, and it wasn't long until they were at Fowl Manor.
The remains of the battle were still evident - Opal had done a real number on the place. But with the threat finally gone, they had a chance to finally be together.
Once they had retreated to Artemis's room, he finally asked, "What made you change your mind?"
Holly took a deep breath, and her answer was simple. "I love you. I couldn't just let you go. I'm so sorry for what I said last night. I was - I was scared. And I wish I didn't have to live on after you." Her eyes were sad as she banished the image of an elderly Artemis on his deathbed from her mind. "But when you said I'd always be in your heart, I realized I felt the same. I couldn't be happy knowing you had settled for someone who didn't make you happy." She swallowed down the sadness she felt and mustered up a playful smile. "So you're stuck with me."
He pulled her down onto the bed and kissed her, human lips meeting elvish ones, and they smiled against each other and broke away after a moment with a laugh. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you, Holly."
"I love you too, Artemis."