Our story is drawing to a close... This is the penultimate chapter for this story. Artemis and Holly may have some adventures in the future, but I leave that up to you. Shall I continue this in another story? Or should I cease to beat a dead horse? (Pardon the expression of course) If I recieve enough calls from the literature-loving community, I shall do so. Even though I have officially run out of ideas.

Enjoy!

There... he'd just said it. What to do? Was there some kind of earth-shattering event still to come? Will I continue to ask myself questions I have absolutely no answer to?

His left hand clasped to his face in consignment to whatever life-changing experience he had yet to encounter.

Holly sat on his bed smiling, "What's going through your skull now?

He rolled his eyes and slumped bonelessly in his computer chair, "I don't know... I feel like I've left something undone, you know what I mean?"

"Yeah..."

Holly jumped as Artemis clapped his hands, "How would you like to come with me to the Music Room?"

She smiled, "I would."

Artemis placed his hands on the piano and asked, "What would you like to hear?"
She tapped a finger on her jaw in a mock-thinking gesture, "How about that one piece you showed me last month?"

"Ah... you mean 'First Love'?"

"Yeah... that one, you said it was japanese."

He nodded and played a c-scale, "Yes it is indeed a japanese piece... but it's actually a vocal melody, someone transcribed it into a piano piece... but I'll see what I can do."

Closing his eyes and placing his left and right thumbs on 'middle c' and 'e' respectively, he began.

(If you can, go to Playlist .com, and look up 'First Love piano version' by Utada Hikaru, and listen. You'll be glad you did!)

Artemis moved his fingers with unearthly accuracy, each of his fingers tapped the notes with perfect force. Not too light or too heavily. His eyes were closed as if he were not only playing, but feeling each note.

As he played, a soft feminine voice sang in time with the piano:

Once in a while You are in my mind I think about the days that we had
And I dream that these would all come back to me
If only you knew every moment in time Nothing goes on in my heart
Just like your memories How I want here to be with you Once more

You will always gonna be the one And you should know
How I wish I could have never let you go Come into my life again
Oh, don't say no You will always gonna be the one in my life
So true, I believe i can never find Somebody like you
My first love

Once in awhile Your are in my dreams I can feel the your warm embrace
And I pray that it will all come back to me If only you knew every moment in time
Nothing goes on in my heart Just like your memories
And how I want here to be with you Once more

You will always be inside my heart
And you should know How I wish I could have never let you go Come into my life again Please don't say no Now and forever you are still the one In my heart So true, I believe I could never find Somebody like you
My first love

You will always gonna be the one
And you should know How I wish I could have never let you go
Come into my life again Oh, don't say no You will always gonna be the one So true,
I believe I could never find Now and forever

Holly stared at the keys as the final notes rang from the bronze strings within. Artemis cracked his knuckles and smiled, "How was that?"

"How... where did that voice come from?"

Artemis frowned, "What voice?"

"I heard a voice singing that song while you were playing."

"Odd... I don't remember hearing anything." He scanned the room. He didn't see anything that could explain the voice, until her spotted the intercom.
Butler... you sly old dog... you deserve a big raise for that little stunt.

Throught the camera system, Butler watched Artemis' gaze lock on the intercom. The first genuine smile spread across his face. Artemis ought to appreciate that... after all, he could use all the help he can get.

Artemis stood and stretched, "Alright Holly... when are you planning on leaving for Haven?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, Kelp didn't specify when."

"Would you like to spend the night here? I can arrange for a guest room to be opened if you like."

"Sure, I don't think the Commander would mind if I took a breather."

Artemis turned to his computer and enunciated loudly, "Haven Cam 1." The screen flickered then showed an image of Foaly typing on his own terminal.

"Foaly... I should have known it was you."

The Centaur jumped and knocked a cup of juice onto the floor, "ARTEMIS!" He turned his gaze on the screen and huffed, "Where's Holly?"

Jumping up from the bed and loping over to the computer, "Here."

Foaly's eyes bugged out, "Where in BLAZES have you been?"

She shrugged, "Here."

"You need to get your pointy-eared butt down here now!"

"What... why?"

"Commander Kelp and I think two days is long enough to be up there!"

Artemis chuckled, causing Foaly to turn on him, "What's so funny mud boy?"

Narrowing his eyes at the screen, Artemis growled, "Nothing Donkey-Boy." Artemis wrapped his arm around Holly's waist and grinned, "Nothing that would concern you I'm afraid."

Foaly's jaw dropped open, "Wha... you... HOLLY WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS?"

She shrugged, "I don't know what you mean... but I will tell you this, if you so much as breathe a word to anyone in haven, I will personally make your life a living hell, understand?"

Foaly gulpped and gave a weak smile, "Certainly Holly..." He looked at Artemis, "You had better take good care of her mud boy, or I will make sure that everyone here in Haven knows about this little mess."

Shrugging and pulling Holly closer, "Oh you can bet on your life that I'll take care of her... I've got nothing better to do." Reaching a single finger across the keyboard, he pressed one titled 'End Message" The screen went black.

"Are you sure that was a good idea? I mean... he's not well known for breaking promises."

Artemis grinned, "Why no Holly my dear... I believe I pressed the right key." He pressed his lips to hers and pulled her closer.

What he sought... was now his. And not a soul on (Or under) the Earth, was going to take it away.

Well... that's the end of 'Pressing The Right Keys', but not the end of this story if I recieve enough messages.

(I'm not trying to solicit reviews or messages from you, but it would be nice to know that you enjoyed this!)

I apologize for the overabundance of the lovebirds thing in this chapter, but I think it's a nice little addition... I mean after all, you can't have a relationship without showing someone that you love them right?

Until Next Time My Friends!