I Could Smell The Roses

Opal Koboi

I apologise to Artemis in the morning. For once it's not his fault. Surprisingly, Artemis takes no notice of my apology and acts like its his fault. I can't help but wonder if the guilt that he didn't have before has made an appearance. But it's not just that, Artemis is unusually quiet.
"I think you have a plan forming in that brain of yours." I tell him. He laughs.
"If I had a plan I'd tell you." I leaned forward.
"But what if that plan was so dangerous that I wouldn't let you carry it out, wether it involved me or not. It's happened before and look where it landed you." Shock registers in Artemis' eyes for the shortest moment before he adopts an excellent poker face to rival mine.
"Nonsense. I have no intention of getting myself killed or anyone else for that matter." But I know he's lying. But I can't do anything about it if I don't know the plan. I decide to take steps to figure it out without him finding it out. And that takes up most of my morning. I send him out for groceries etc while I search his room. But like I expected, there's nothing. Artemis hasn't developed his plan well enough to write anything of importance down and even then, he would keep all that information in his precious brain that we've fought so hard to protect. I sigh as I perch myself on the edge of the bed. I might never find out. Then I hear shouting. I frown and open the window and peer out. The sight at first is so comical I'm inclined not to get myself involved. Artemis pressed up against a wall being completely yelled the brains out of him by an annoyed grocer. I allow myself a laugh before coming to his rescue. I explain to the grocer, who had thought Artemis was an intruder, that he is a he famed Artemis Fowl and is here to save the species. The grocer sobered up. Artemis is so disturbed that all he can say is his thanks, and I grin for the first time in a while.
"Let's get on to regaining your memory. Shall we sit in the garden?" Artemis frowns,
"You sounded like me."
"I know." I say seriously.
"I think I might have to consult Foaly." Artemis scowls as I drag him into my love seat in the garden. It's not much, but in Haven, you can't look out the window and into the sky and say,
"What a lovely day! Let's go sit in the garden!" I start on the story of our fourth adventure, but Artemis inturrupts.
"Haven't I supposed to have lost my memory?" Holy nodded.
"I emailed Argon last night. He said the wipe won't affect you now since you haven't been wiped physically, only by memory you can remember it." Artemis smiles, a genuine one that didn't exist at the time.
"I thought as much." And so without a hitch, I begin to tell our story. I get so absorbed in telling it, I don't notice that Artemis memory has been regained until the end. I look up to see him looking more comfortable,
"Where was the 'oh my head!' fit?" Artemis raised his eyebrows.
"I have adapted." I laugh.
"Okay." The rest of the day is most enjoyable, Artemis and I talk about affairs and Artemis sort of reveals something about his plan.
"It's dangerous." He admits. That night, we go to an LEP event. I see Trouble and start towards him, but he turns and walks away from me. It's obvious he doesn't want to talk. So I leave him to it. I don't like to see the commander in one of his moods. At about eleven at night, Artemis whispers,
"Can we go?" I nod,
"I wish be could see the exits." Artemis uses his extra inches to spot an exit sign and he took my hand and dragged me towards it. His hand is warm and I actually enjoy holding it. Then I shake myself. What's wrong with me. This is Artemis we're talking about. A human. I shudder. That was wrong. When we eventually get home after escaping life threatening dangers, like a obnoxious goblin who wanted to take Artemis to the police, Artemis and I collapse inside the house and stagger to outside Artemis' room. I lean against the door and sigh. Artemis puts his palms on the door and sighs too. I don't realise what an awkward position we're in until it's too late. My face is inches away from Artemis' face. I look at him, paralysed by how close we are. He frowns then the terror of realisation appears on his face.
"Sor-" before he can finish, I throw my arms round him. He's stiff and anxious not to do anything wrong.
"Nice to have you back." I say breathlessly, before slipping away. I don't look back.