The Unexpected Traitor

I'm Here For You, Forever And Always...

Disclaimer: I own....NOTHING.

*******TUT*******

August 17

"Okay, just forget it for now. What we need to focus on is finding and stopping a runaway fairy with his heart set on ruling Haven, as we can deduce from this video-"

BOOM! An earth-shattering roar resonated through the Ops Booth, and Butler, who was kneeling in the open doorway, fell to the ground. "Butler!" Artemis shouted. Teagan and Rosenblade dragged him in as Foaly pounded on the "button" that closed the door and blacked out the windows. After a few minutes, Foaly lightened the windows, and they looked outside. Rosenblade gasped, and for the third time since he was three, Artemis was speechless. From their view inside the Ops Booth, they couldn't see a building that was still standing. Countless fairies searched through the rubble, looking for possessions lost in the explosion or relatives who were inside during the explosion. More were roaming the streets, calling out for family and friends, and still more had died in the massive explosion. Rosenblade walked outside and saw that the Ops Booth was the only structure left standing. Teagan looked at Foaly, and they came to the same conclusion. Foaly's eyes widened, but Teagan spoke first.

"Fowl, Trouble just demolished Haven. Which means there's a possibility that he'll go after Fowl Manor next. Which means we've gotta get you home."

Artemis nodded, too shocked to speak, and knelt over his bodyguard, looking for a pulse. He found it. After making sure Butler was alive, he turned to the three fairies. "Yes, perhaps. Foaly, are the shuttles still running?"

Foaly clicked a few keys on the keyboard. "Yep. They're working just fine."

Rosenblade looked at Butler, then at the rest of them. "How in Frond's name are we gonna gethim to the shuttle?"

"Don't worry, I'll handle it." Artemis answered. Then, he picked up the man mountain and hoisted him over his shoulder. Or so it seemed. In reality, he was using magic to lift Butler, but the fairies didn't need to know that. They gaped at him as he carried Butler out the door. "Foaly", he called, turning back, "what chute is closest to the Manor?"

"E1", came the reply. Teagan stood to escort the two humans back to the surface as Rosenblade left to count casualties and assist any way she could. Foaly followed her out and drove to his house to check on Caballine.

*******TUT*******

Holly looked at the digital clock on the nightstand. 9:15. She groaned and got out of bed, knowing that by now, breakfast was ready and she might miss it if she didn't get up now.

So she took a shower and got dressed. Before she left it for breakfast, she took a moment to admire her beautiful room for the umpteenth time. Artemis really does know me better than I thought. The carpet was soft, but not too fluffy, and a beautiful forest green, her favorite color. The bedsheets and comforter of the dark brown wooden bed were the same color, which the white pillows complemented nicely. The walls and ceiling were a deep twilight blue, making the room look like an outside field at twilight. There was a large window on the wall opposite the door, and the bed was in that corner, a nightstand made of the same wood as the bed frame sitting beside it. On the nightstand was a red lamp about a foot tall. In each of the corners by the door, there was a beige faux leather armchair. Holly sighed. This was her dream room. She smiled and trudged down the stairs for breakfast.

Juliet greeted her from the kitchen as the smell of pancakes and bacon wafted into the dining room. Angeline was already at the table. "Hi, Holly." She addressed.

"Hi, Mrs. Fowl." Holly smiled.

"For the last time, Holly, call me Angeline."

"Yes ma'am, Angeline."

Angeline grinned. "Good. Are you feeling okay?"

Holly rubbed her bulging midsection and nodded. The day the Fowls had come back, Artemis had explained the situation to them and asked them to keep an eye on her.

At that moment, Juliet walked in. "Pancakes!" She said cheerily. "Pancakes, indeed." Replied Artemis Senior, eyeing the foot-tall stack of pancakes on the plate as he strolled in from the family room. "Pancakes for today and pancakes for the rest of the month."

The girl set the plate on the table and left to get the bacon. Holly winced as one of her twins turned inside of her, but that was the extent of it. She could already tell, today was going to be a good day.

Holly looked around as she realized someone was missing. "Juliet, where's Butler? He's usually up by now."

"Oh, he and Artemis went on an errand earlier this morning." Juliet answered, setting the tray of bacon on the table.

Holly noticed she hid her face, and was immediately suspicious. "Where did they go?"

Juliet kept her face out of the elf's view as she responded. "They went to Haven." She mumbled.

Holly jumped up from the table. "I'm not very hungry anyway." She called as she raced up the stairs. She got to her room and closed the door before pressing the "call" button on her communicator. He answered on the first ring.

"Artemis, are you okay? I heard about the bombing a couple months ago. How's Foaly? Are he and Caballine doing okay? Have they got Police Plaza rebui-"

"Holly", Artemis gasped, "I am fine, Foaly is fine, but the rest of Haven is not. Are you okay? Oh thank Frond, you sound okay."

Holly's eyes widened. "W-what happened?" She was almost too afraid to ask.

"The first bomb didn't go so well. So Trouble tried again. With more bombs. And he succeeded. The Ops Booth was the only structure I saw that was still standing. Luckily, I was inside it, and if not for Butler's position at the time, Foaly, Commander Teagan, Councilwoman Rosenblade, and I would probably be dead. The door was open, and Butler was kneeling in the doorway."

The elf gasped. "Oh, Frond, is he alright? Is he alive?"

Holly hears a sigh from the other end. "Alive, yes, but unconscious."

Holly nodded, even though she knew Artemis couldn't see her. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again. "So, how are you? Are you feeling okay?"

Holly nodded again. "Yes, I'm feeling fine. One of them turned and it hurt a little, but that's all so far."

"Good. We're almost to the surface. I'll see you in twenty minutes."

"Okay. Bye, Artemis."

"Goodbye, Holly."

"Oh, and Artemis?"

"Yes, Holly?"

"Is there something you're not telling me? About my pregnancy?"

"Holly, why would I lie to you about your own pregnancy?"

"I have my suspicions. Artemis, whether it's involving me or not, I'm here for you, forever and always, through life and death. You can tell me anything."

"I know, Holly. Trust me, I know."

*******TUT*******

Underground, unknown location

"Do you want me to do Step 5?"

"No. If Lilli's estimations are correct, October 29 is the big day. We will wait until then."

"Yessir, Commander Kelp."

*******TUT*******

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