Artemis was sitting at his desk.  He had been going out with Minerva for a few months now, but guilt was nagging at him.  Holly just stared at him, mouth wide open.  He had just seen a shimmer in the air, but he knew she was there.  He had just laughed, and kissed Minerva on the lips.  Holly had flown off in a hurry, trying to end the pain. 

Then, he had thought it was funny; in fact, he had thought it was hilarious.  But now he knew that he had acted like the selfish brute he used to be.  Cold, heartless, almost enjoying the pain and despair of others; he couldn’t even think about it now, but he had tried to tear Holly down from the inside out.  Now, he looked back on it, and regretted it.  He knew he would soon feel the same way about this.  He thought silently, fingertips on temples, for a few moments, and then, he picked up the phone and dialed a long-distance call to Amsterdam. 

Holly Short was sitting in the 5 room apartment she shared with Trouble, who was still out at work.  After they had gotten married, he had been working longer hours.  Sometimes she doubted if he was working, and thought that he was seeing someone else.  The thought made her feel guilty, and it felt like betrayal, but it didn’t sting as mch as she thought it would.  She knew he wouldn’t be back until about midnight, and she decided to get a little air.

Artemis took a deep breath.  He waited for the sound of helicopter blades that would announce his package was here.  Overall it had already cost him almost 200 pounds.  But to get his conscience clear, he would go to any cost.  Don’t forget Holly…. said his conscience.  Oh, Shut up… Maybe he was destined to be alone.  He had to admit he never really had worked better alone; he had always had help from Butler, Foaly, Root, all the fairies…And Holly..insisted his conscience.  It was true he owed her a lot, but what his mind was saying…It just wasn’t possible….The copter appeared and dropped a small plastic wrapped package at his feet.

Holly had managed to get a pair of wings out of Foaly, and he reminded her that she owed him a lot now; a total of about 20 carrots, and 2 cases of beetle juice.  As she flew through the crisp night air, she subconsciously headed for Dublin, where she had met refusal too many times before.  The air washed over her face and cleared her head, until she seemed almost immaterial, a part of the wind itself, free flying, and seperated from the lamentations of the humble earth. 

When she got to Fowl Manor, she looked in the window, just to make sure that Minerva wasn’t there.  It was totally dark.  She heard a creak from the door, and then she heard it shut.  As she looked down, she saw a plastic wrapped package with a note attached.  It was written in Gnommish.  The package was a bright yellow tulip, and though she hadn’t read the note, the meaning was universal.  Hopeless love…The note read simply-

I know I am foolish, for you are a fairy, and I am only human.  But please take this and remember.  All debts are repayed, just by you presence, but Trouble is your husband, and I say no more. 

“How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways………”

Ok, next part of the series, tell me what u think!!!!!!!!! R&R pleez!!!!!!

Some other stories by Holly314:

• Hi!
• A Tiny Problem...The long awaited Audition story!!!!!!
• It's Over!
• Any Late Entries????
• Auditions!