CHAPTER THREE:

Her Best Man

Chapter 3 of 5

Artemis' POV.

Fowl Manor, Artemis' bedroom. Friday.

"I'm worried about him, Foaly. He is very pale, and won't even eat."

I was sneak listening to Butler's conversation with Foaly, he had asked to borrow my communicator the day before, but I had no idea he would call Foaly.

"You think Artemis is starving himself because of her?"

Foaly sounded concerned, he wasn't that wrong. I wasn't directly starving myself, it was the poison, it made me lost all appetite. But still it was all because of her. Because of Holly Short.

"I fear he does. He's becoming so reluctant. He barely speaks to anyone. And yes, I think it is because of her."

"What is he doing now?"

"I'll go check!"

Oh, damn... I hurried back to the bed. Mother had told me to stay in it, she thought I was ill, and in some ways she was right. I made it seconds before Butler entered. Communicator in hand. I found it best to pretend sleeping, then he would have no reason to believe I had been listening.

"Artemis? Are you awake?"

I didn't answer. My pretended sleep would be convincing. I had trough meditation and practise learned how to stimulate sleeping rather well, thought Butler was quite good at seen though it.

"He's sleeping. He seems so weak somehow."

"Yes, I can see so. He truly looks awful. Just look at his arms, how can they get so skinny and bony in just two mere days?"

Butler sighed. I felt a hand resting on my forehead. I kept my breathing slow and steady, thought my lungs hurt for each breath in.

"He's burning..." I heard Butler say.

I could make out Foaly's 'hmm' and him tapping a finger in his control panel.

"You think he is trying to harm himself... it seems, so unlike him..." Foaly said sounding thoughtfully.

"I hope not... last time I asked he told me it was an after affect from the treatment for the Complex, that's why I called. You know more about this than me. Mrs. Fowl would be broken if something happened to Artemis."

"It is possible... but... you said you found him in your weapon room, what else to you keep there?"

"Army Magazines, knifes, bullets, and... a box if dangerous poisons..."

Once again I could hear Foaly 'hmm'.

"He didn't take a gun, little Arty would never press the gun barrel against his own head, a genius never will."

"I take that from the expert." Chuckled Butler half hearted.

Foaly whinnied, like a horse.

"You do. As for knifes, its even les likely. If he'll ever try to kill himself."

Foaly said those two words louder, as if he knew I could hear him... like he was telling me to not... well, I'm afraid you're to late centaur.

"He'd use something that would hurt les..."

Butler sighed. I could feel his gaze on me. It almost made me open my eyes, almost. I waned to tell them both, they would understand me, at least Foaly would. He knew how I feel for Holly.

"You're right... Thank you Foaly..."

"No problem, just call again of he get's any worse."

Foaly's voice faded. Butler stayed, what was he waiting for?

"Artemis, I know you're awake..."

I didn't answer, pretend to sleep, I commanded my brain.

"Artemis, I've known you since you were born. I know if you're faking something, and I know you're awake."

Knowing Butler right, de would stay until I gave in, so why not spare some time and get over with it?

"Yes, you're correct Butler." I said, opening my eyes too look up at him, Butler held the communicator out to me. I raised a pale, skinny hand and took it.

"So it was Foaly you waned to call, then..." I said, mostly to myself.

Butler nodded, he seemed unsure as to how much of their conversation I had heard. All off it, my old friend. All off it.

"Why do you believe I'd starve myself because of Holly?" I asked, sitting up and folding my hands. Butler shrugged. He seemed very uncomfortable about this.

"Artemis, you don't eat. At all, for a day... of course anyone who is around you will get the impression of you starving youself. And who says it's because of Holly?"

"You and Foaly did, I'm sure your memory aren't failing you this much just yet, old friend." I smiled, one of the old vampire-smiles I used to give people, either to scare them or... well mostly to scare really. And it had given the affect I wished for, after all.

"Yes... you are right, as usual." Butler somehow seemed sad about his.

"Artemis, you... you would tell, right? If something was wrong?"

I gave him a neutral smile. Once I might have, at least to Butler, but now, things were different. He'd not understand, and even if he did I wasn't going back on this.

"Of course I will. I'm not as paranoid as under the Complex if you fear that, old friend. Don't worry about me. It's like you said to Foaly. It's an after affect from the treatment. It will most likely wear off within the week."

"And if it doesn't, Artemis? What then?"

This was an important question. And the answer I gave would determine whether Butler would believe that I actually tried to harm myself in any way or not. I thought. Considered my words carefully.

"Then I will contact Dr. Argon and inform him about my condition and find out if it is normal. You must remember that the Complex has another side effect on humans than elves. This might be perfectly normal for what we know."

Butler didn't seem satisfied with this, but he didn't press the issue. He walked halfway towards the door before he stopped, turned and gave me an inquiring look. I just smiled.

"I trust you, Artemis." He said. Like so many times before.

I nodded, once.

"I know, Butler." I said.

"I know."

Artemis Fowl's office. Some hours later.

I had been half asleep when my communicator rang. I'd been hacking into the German bank account of a rival of mine and felt asleep during it. I opened my eyes, my hand closing around the devise.

"Yes?"

"In Frond's name, what has happened to you?" Holly's voice was shocked. Holly was looking at me trough the screen.

"I..." How do explain this to Holly, she'd know if I lied to her. She knows me that well.

"It is an aftereffect of the treatments, Holly, nothing to worry about..."

"But you look like a living dead, Arty!"

"Don't I always?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the screen.

Holly made a face, like she was about to laugh, but she didn't.

"Some time to develop a sense of humour..." she muttered.

"Well, why not?"

She shrugged.

"But the reason I was calling was that I have a question for you."

A question? What would she want to ask me about?

"You know, my wedding is soon and I was wondering if..."

If what? If she could marry me instead? Yes, please. No, she'd not say that, it was just wishing form my brain. She didn't love me, she never did.

"If what Holly?"

"If you'd be my best man, or boy...?"

Was she blushing? It could be that I just waned her to, she always looks pretty when she did, it gave her a vulnerable look. I like that.

"Your best man, wouldn't you pick Foaly for that? Or even Caballine? I thought girls had a Maid of Honour?"

"Well, yes, we do, but I want it to be you... laugh if you like." V

I didn't laugh. Why would I? In truth, I felt a tiny spark of hope. Maybe Trouble wasn't the one she truly waned?

"No, why would I laugh?" I asked.

She just shrugged at this, looking at me with her mismatching eyes. I could look at them forever, but it would just make me feel bad, knowing she would look at Trouble with those eyes as well.

"Of course I want to, Holly, it would be an honour."

Her face light up. She was smiling, yet another thing Trouble was gonna take form me. Damn him.

"That's great! Thank you so much. Oh, Arty, please make sure to get better, I can't stand seeing you like that in my wedding."

I gave a fake smile, hoping she'd not see trough me.

"I'll try Holly." I said. Knowing I most likely would not get better, but worse. But she looked happy so the waned affect was achieved.

"Good, things are just perfect. Soon I'll see you again and be married to the prefect man for me. I couldn't be more happy. Well see you tomorrow." She said, and broke the line.

I let the communicator sink. My chest hurting. She was happy, she didn't need me in her life, not when she got Trouble.

I felt a tear running down my cheeks, it leaved a dark spot in my knee. Several other dark spots joined it soon after.

Artemis' bedroom. Later that evening.

I had locked myself in my room. I hadn't even let Butler or Juliet in with food.

I didn't want any, I had told them.

My hands were quite shaken after the conversation with Holly. Did she truly not see how much this did hurt me?

Trouble Kelp has blinding her, I was convinced off this. Somehow, she didn't really love him... foolish dreams. She did love him. Him not me. Just face the fact and live with it. Though I didn't have to live with it much longer.

I lay on my back on the bed, staring vacantly up at the ceiling. Trying to wipe all thoughts off Holly Short from my mind, without big success. Before, I would have no problems doing so, wiping out the elements that bothered me, but not anymore. And Holly didn't bother me, she wounded me, deeply.

I could feel the tried track from tears on my cheeks. I had gotten way to emotional over the years, and now it was to be my downfall.

"Arty, dear, can I come on?"

A mild, kind female voice said. I knew it very well, it was my mothers.

Of course she was worried sick for me, like any mother would, just like she'd been worrying sick during my Atlantis Complex. You'd not believe all the hugging I did go trough once I got ride of it.

"Yes, mother..."

Mother opened the door; she ran a slim, elegant hand trough her dark hair, giving me a look.

"Is it so hard to say 'mom', darling?" she asked.

I let out a weak sigh. I knew she'd say something like that. I've never said 'mom' to her, well, maybe some times. When I was very young. It just didn't seem right to say such a childish word when you're a genius, not that I felt like one anymore.

"Sorry... 'mom' I... I guess I just forgot." I said, attempting to smile. I might tell you I did only make my mother ran over to me, with a very worried look in her eyes.

"Arty, sweetheart, you look awful. Please, you know you can tell me, right? If something is wrong or brother you. That's what a mom is for. Helping her child."

Her kind, eyes eying me, waiting. For what? A confession?

"I'm fine, 'mom' truly. This is just an aftereffect of the Complexes treatment." I was lying, it felt bad doing so to my own mother, but I had to make sure nobody was suspecting me.

"Argon told me that my body might react this way, me being a 'Mudboy' and all. It should be gone soon." I gave her a comforting smile.

Angeline sat down on my bedside. Her hand covering my, pale, skinny one. She forced me to look at her. I could see it in her eyes, she did not believe me.

"Artemis." She said.

I was surprised, mother rarely uses my full name, and when she does she know I'm lying to her.

"I know there is something, even dough you don't say it, I can feel it. You're my son; I don't want to see you suffer, in any way. It's a parents the worst nightmare. Arty, please. Just tell me."

I remained silent, simply because I didn't know what to say.

"Arty, dear."

My mother ran her hand through my raven hair.

"Please, tell me what bothers you."

I still gave no reply.

"Does this have anything to do with Holly getting married?"

I jerked. She knew too? Who had told her? Butler? Foaly? Or maybe even Holly herself? Of course it could also be Juliet; she was just the type to do such a thing.

"Who told you that?" I asked.

"Oh, Holly told me, she also informed you're going..." She smiled, but I wasn't able to get any reassuring from it. Holly would still be marrying Trouble no matter how much my mother smiled.

"I see... yes I will be attending.."

"Not in that state, you aren't.."

I thought she'd say something like this, and I'd prepared a retort.

"But I have to... Mother... 'mom'. Holly would be really sad if I don't."

"I know that, darling, but you're not well."

She let a hand rest on my cheek. Her hand warm against my cold skin.

"I know..." I said, not meeting her eyes.

Angeline's hand was gone. She got up, looking down at me.

"Please be well," she said, "Please don't do anything reckless."

I could see the sadness in her eyes, it made me dough my decision. As she walked out and closed the door behind her, I got out off bed, opening my secret cabinet in the wall. The antidote resting inside the small room.

I let a finger ran over it, could I live it down? For mother's sake? For the one who cared about me? I didn't know.

I closed my hand around the small vial, taking in out. The glass didn't feel cold; I guess my skin was to cold itself for me to notice.

I sighed weakly.

Artemis' bedroom. Saturday morning.

"Arty, this is good,"

My mothers hand resting on my forehead.

"You seem to have recovered, maybe you were right and this only was a reaction to the treatment after all."

She have me a tight hug, I was still colder than her, but not as bad as last night. I had made a recovery in just some hours. Butler seemed quite satisfied as well.

"Of course I was right." I said, eying my mother.

She smiled and let go of me.

"Then, you should get ready. Butler will take you to Tara, and I guess you and Holly will meet there..." she ran a hand trough my hair.

As she walked out Butler come closer.

"Sorry I doubted you, Artemis." He said.

I gave him a short smile.

"No worry, I can understand that you might have though something was wrong, but I'm well now..."

He leaved to. Leaving me to myself. I sank down on my bed. I'd soon be off to see Holly... for the first time in a very long time.

Somehow it made my heart beat faster.

(AN: Reviews = Happy Arty (me) = Faster Updates. It's an easy drill, make it work.

Sorry the long wait for this piece of crap. I was a little out of writing an Author Block in a way. But here you go, folks. Enjoy it.

Thank you to all who review for chapter two, it's nice to know that someone like the things that pop out of my mentally challenged brain ^^)