Okay…. It has been AGES since I posted a story on here… heck, it’ s been ages since I was last on here.  🙁 Oh well, I’ll see about fixing that now… 

Anyhow, new story! For those who know my HR series, this is basically the story of Artemis and Holly’s supposed ‘fight’, and how Holly didn’t know about Artemis III being her son. Obviously, this means it happened before the first HR. And for those who don’t know HR, it is still up on here, though not on FF. You haven’t had to read it to be able to follow this story though.

Which reminds me, I want opinions on that; should I leave it up on here, or take it down too?

And as for my HR series itself, I’m so sorry for my lack of updates. I’ve just been having so many issues with it, it’s not even funny. So, as of about a week ago, my whole HR series is being re-written and will be re-posted afterward, back and better than ever.

So, long author’s note, done… now on with the story! 🙂

Chapter 1- Confessions and Joining Hearts

“Artemis! Open the window! It’s freezing out here!”

The human in question turned, looking across the room to where his elfin friend, Major Holly Short of the LEPrecon police, was hovering outside his window, her tiny fists beating on the glass with such force as to rattle it. He walked over to it, sliding it open and raising an eyebrow at her. “Is it really necessary to smack the glass so hard? You’re going to break my window one of these days, you know.”

“I am not,” she grumbled. “It’s re-enforced and bullet proof, Butler made sure of that. Now get out of the way and let me in!”

He chuckled softly and shook his head, but nevertheless moved out of her way. She slid over the sill and slammed the window shut behind her, dropping her wings and the bag on her shoulder onto the floor and stalking quickly over to go hide under the mound of blankets on his bed.

“Really, Major?” he asked. “Honestly. It’s not that cold out there.”

Her head popped out from inside the lump blankets, and she glared at him. “Glad you think so. I don’t. How about you take on the fairies’ sensitivity to cold, then go fly around outside in this weather for a while. When you come back, we’ll see if you still think so.”

Artemis raised his hands in surrender and walked over to perch on the bed beside her. “No need to be cross, Major. I was just stating the facts. I realize it probably doesn’t get this cold in Haven often, therefore you aren’t used to the coldness of the temperatures. It would be quite a shock, such a sudden switch.” He paused. “And as to your offer, I think I’ll pass. I live in Ireland; such sensitivity to cold would not be good for me, especially this time of year.”

Holly grunted. “Whatever, Mud Boy. Anyhow… I’m here for a reason. Foaly said you wanted to talk to me about something?”

“Yes, actually.” He stood and began pacing. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you ever since that little episode with my Atlantis Complex, however, with all the commotion and the problems with Opal, there was no time to. Now that she’s gone, and I’m back, I believe there are a few things we need to talk about.”

“Like what?”

“Well…” he hesitated. “Foaly has no more cameras in here, correct?”

“Artemis, all the surveillance on you has been gone for years now. I mean, we had some on you during the Opal stuff, but that was purely for protection purposes. The only kind of bugs in this manor anymore are the ones you put in here. Are you okay?” she asked, slightly suspicious yet rather more concerned.

“Fine. And you know this for sure, right?”

“Yes. Why? What is this about, that no one can hear?”

He shook his head. “Hold on.” Then, quickly, he walked over and locked the door. Holly jumped at the sound, springing to her feet.

“What are you doing?! Don’t lock us in here!” she shouted. He didn’t say anything. “Artemis! I am serious! What-”

She didn’t get to finish, because Artemis walked up and put his hand over her mouth. “Quiet,” he ordered. “Sit down, and I’ll explain.”

She stood there for a moment, watching him, then slowly nodded and sat back down. He removed his hand, then sat down beside her. “Okay… so, my Atlantis Complex,” he began. “My alter, Orion… tell me, what did you think of him?”

“He was a fool and relentless romantic,” Holly said. “Honestly, I didn’t like him. If I had to deal with him much longer than I did, I think he would have driven me completely crazy, I’m telling you…” She shuddered slightly. “I’m glad he’s gone.”

Artemis winced, trying not to let her see how much the comment stung as he continued. “Well, he was a part of me, as you well know. Even if I wanted to deny that, I couldn’t. I’ve tried, but I can’t. Now…” He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “Now, I’m done. I can’t deny it anymore. He may have been a moron, and more than a little annoying at times, but he said all the things that I should have said, and more.” He opened his eyes and looked at her. “Holly…. Orion was telling the truth.”

She blinked a few times, looking at him strangely. “What do you mean, Artemis?” she asked, though she thought she knew exactly what he meant. Her heart raced. It couldn’t be… He couldn’t mean what she thought he meant, could he?

“Holly,” Artemis sighed, grabbing her hands and pulling them onto his lap. He squeezed them gently, murmuring, “sweet, amazing, oblivious Holly.” He leaned forward, putting his lips by her ear. “Orion was right. He was telling the truth about me all along, practically screaming it at you with every word out of his mouth, and yet you stubbornly refused to recognize it. You still do. That’s why, now, I have to say it… Again.” He sighed, pulling back and looking her in the eyes. “I love you, Holly.” Then he leaned down and kissed her.

Holly froze instantaneously, shock overtaking her as she sat there, stock still. She didn’t pull away from him, or try to break the kiss, but she didn’t kiss back, either. Artemis noticed this and pulled away himself, sighing. They weren’t touching anymore, but he was still so close to her she could feel his warm breath on her face.
“Artemis,” she whispered, breathless. She looked up at him, and they’re eyes locked. “I- I-”

“Shh,” he murmured, gently stroking the hair in her eyes out of her face. “Just a moment, please.”

“B- but I-”

“Holly, please,” Artemis groaned softly. “Just… I need a moment. Give me a second to get myself in control before you do it.”

Holly realized what he meant. “Artemis,” she said quickly. “Look at me.”

“Holly, I said-”

“Look at me!” she snapped. Sighing, he looked up at the elf.

“Yes?”

“Is this what you called me up here for, what you’ve been waiting all this time for? You’re just going to say you love me, kiss me, and then cut me off and throw me out?”

“I never said anything about throwing you out. Admittedly, I did just cut you off, but only because, judging from your reaction to the kiss, I know what you’re going to say, and-”

“Oh, really? What was I going to say, then?” Holly demanded.

Artemis rubbed his temples, as if this was giving him a headache. In truth, it was. “You’re going to tell me that you don’t love me back, and I’m a fool for admitting that I loved you and thinking you could ever love me.”

Holly cocked her head, staring at him defiantly. “Funny, because that was the exact opposite of what I was going to say.”

“See, I-” he started to say, then stopped, realizing what she said. “Wait, what?”

“You heard me,” Holly said, climbing on all fours onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “I love you too, and you’re a fool for thinking that, after everything, there was even a slight chance that I didn’t love you back.” She buried her face in his neck and closed her eyes. “Got that, Mud Boy?”

Dumbfounded and speechless, Artemis just nodded.

“Good.” She kissed his neck softly, then buried her face in the soft flesh again. They sat like that in silence for a minute, and then Artemis spoke up finally.

“It’s getting late,” he murmured in her ear. “Should I go prepare the guest room for you?”

Holly sighed and shook her head, never lifting her head from his shoulder.

“Aren’t you tired?” he asked.

“Yes,” she admitted. “But I don’t want to sleep in there, all alone, tonight.” She looked up and batted her eyes at him innocently. “Couldn’t I sleep with you tonight, Arty? Pleeeease?”

He chuckled softly and nodded into her hair. “Fine, fine.” He moved up, pulling her with him, and laid them both down at the top of his bed. He pulled the blankets over both of them, then closed his eyes. Holly followed suit.

That was how they fell asleep, in that same position, wrapped in each other’s embrace. Neither moved all night.

R&R, and I will update soon! 🙂