Hello everybody! I was quick wasn't I! Wow…only a matter of days between updates… that has to be a first… just to warn you right now, this one is really bad for the sickening factor. *wrinkles nose* It is very sloppy and fluffy and I felt slightly nauseous after writing it… ah well. I guess you can stick a bit of fluff 'cos you came back here…

TO MY REVIEWERS: Thanks to Ever (I see the second one tomorrow… hehe!), BigBanana, and TeenTypist. Only three reviews, but I'm not really bothered…

A/N: This takes place a long, long time in the future. As I didn't specifically say what age Artemis was when they ran away (though I did give a year for the day he disappeared – though that was just a random number and doesn't bear reference to how old he was – if you know what I mean) I'm not going to say exactly how far in the future this is. About 60/70 years to give you an idea.

This is done using the lyrics to the song 'My Last Breath' by Evanescence (from their album 'Fallen' – another wicked CD if I do say so myself. Lyrics in italics, I own nothing. It's track 10 on the album. You can hear it at:

W w w . e v a n e s c e n c e . c o m / m u s i c

Where if you click on the title in the blue box on the left, you should get about a minute/minute and a half of it. If that doesn't work, try going to w w w . b n . c o m and searching Evanescence under music, click on the album 'fallen' and you should get soundbites of all the tracks, including this one.

Enjoy. And get your sick bags ready. I'm seriously not kidding on this one. If you have a weak stomach, turn back right now.

*****

Artemis was dying. At the age of ninety-three he had had a long and happy life. A life spent with Holly, a life that had been so full of joy and light he could scarcely believe it still.

Hold on to me love

You know I can't stay long

Holly was by his side now, holding his hand as though she would never let go. While Artemis looked all of his nine decades, she barely seemed thirty, her fairy longevity keeping her young.

Artemis's eyes were closed, but he made an effort to open them and look her in the face. He saw the pain, the unshed tears and the fear in her expression and reached slowly up to stroke her cheek. One such tear forced itself out of her eye.

"Holly," he said gently "We knew this day would come. You have to let me go, you know that."

She turned her face away from him for a moment, emotions swamping her.

All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid

"Holly, look at me." She did so. "This won't stop me loving you. I will always love you, no matter where either of us are, whatever world we're in. You know that."

More tears followed the first down her nose. "But Artemis, please. There has to be something… a ritual, anything. At least let me use my magic until we find a way. You can't just give up."

Artemis smiled weakly. "I'm not afraid to die, Holly. I've lived quite long enough."

Can you hear me?

Can you feel me in your arms?

Neither spoke for a few minutes. Artemis couldn't even hear the sound of her breathing. He opened bleary eyes again, trying to see her.

"Holly? Holly, are you still there?"

A warm hand patted his wrist comfortingly. "I'm here, love. I'm not going anywhere."

Artemis tried to focus his eyes in the direction the sound came from. "The lenses in my eyes have gone." he remarked after some fruitless searching. "I can no longer focus my vision."

Holly reached towards him, the gift sparkling between her fingertips. Artemis caught her hand and shook his head. "No, my love. Don't prolong it."

Holding my last breath

Safe inside myself

The end was near now. They could both feel it. Holly held onto him even tighter, her grief and desperation pouring off her in waves.

Are all my thoughts of you?

Artemis's whole head was crowded with thoughts of Holly. Her face filled every corner: the first time they had ever seen each other, the first time their eyes had met, their first conversation, the first time they ran away, their first kiss. Artemis was happy with it this way. There was no one else on earth he would rather be thinking of.

Sweet raptured light

It ends here tonight

Holly was thinking the same. Everything she knew, loved, about Artemis span round her brain, each one reminding her afresh that she would lose him and everything she loved about him.

I'll miss the winter

A world of fragile things

"I must admit that I will regret not being able to watch the sunset with you again." Artemis muttered. "I will miss many things in this world."

"Don't you dare talk like that, Fowl." Holly growled, her words broken by sobs. "Don't you dare. This isn't the end. We will find a way."

Artemis sighed. "No, we won't. We both know that. Try not to worry, love. I'm not in pain."

Look for me in the white forest

Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)

Holly could no longer prevent sobs from escaping unbidden. "I can't live without you, Artemis. You mean more to me than my own life."

Artemis gripped her hand. "You won't have to live without me. I will always be here, somewhere. You won't be able to see or hear me, but I'll be here. I promise."

I know you hear me

I can taste it in your tears

She was silent again. A water droplet fell on his lips and Artemis parted them and let it trickle onto his tongue. He tasted salt and rightly guessed it was one of Holly's tears. She had heard then.

Holding my last breath

Safe inside myself

Are all my thoughts of you?

Sweet raptured light

It ends here tonight

Suddenly Artemis found he could not move his legs or arms. Only his eyes, mouth and ears seemed still to work. Holly sensed this and another sob escaped her before she could bite it back.

"Not yet." she whispered to no one. "Please give him a little more time."

Closing your eyes to disappear

You pray your dreams will leave you here

Holly shut her eyes tight, trying to block it all out. She wished and prayed as hard as she could that this wasn't real, that it was just a dream. She couldn't let this happen. It wasn't fair. It couldn't be happening, it wasn't fair.

But still you wake and know the truth

No one's there

She heard Artemis mutter her name and forced herself to open her eyes. The situation was just as she had hoped with all her strength it wouldn't be. With trembling fingers she stroked his face, the wrinkled skin so familiar to her touch.

Say goodnight

Artemis forced his eyes open again. "This is it, Holly. Time to say goodbye."

Holly shook her head, speechless in her pain.

Don't be afraid

"You have to live on without me. Live for me."

"But Artemis, I can't – "

"Yes you can. You are so strong Holly. I know you will be strong for me."

"Artemis…" she pleaded.

"You must return to your people, to your family. They will take care of you, and you won't have to hide."

"No. Artemis, please, no. You're my family, you're my people."

He wanted to touch her, but he couldn't move.

Calling me, calling me, as you fade to black

Holly lent down and kissed him gently. Artemis smiled inside and felt himself let go and drift away. In the distance, he heard Holly whisper his name, then call it urgently. In a last moment of clarity, his eyes focused on his face and his mouth split into a grin before being swallowed by blackness.

Holly watched the life die from his eyes and felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. She let the sobs fully claim her as she buried her face in his still chest. Finally, after all this time, she was alone. She called his name again and again, but he didn't respond.

"Farewell, my love." she finally whispered. "I'll never forget you."

*****

Awww, wasn't that sweet! *dodges full sick bags that are thrown* I was joking there people. No need to get violent…

*thankful sigh* ah well then. That's this fic done and dusted. *shudder* No more A/H for me, thankyouverymuch. Oh no. Hope you liked this whole little series. Sorry to Arty-lovers for killing him. Oh, yeah, and that reminds me, I know that it was a very high, feminine vocal line in that, and 'cos of that it would make more sense for Holly to die. But then, I've only ever seen one other person who had a story with him dying of old age, and there aren't enough of them, being as it is what will happen to him. Though he will not die in Holly Short's arms. *shudder* Oh no. Nonono. No pairing will ever happen. *turns around in little circles and starts shaking* Ack, no, no, it won't happen! Holly will never be with Artemis/Foaly/Trouble/Root/Juliet/Chix. *looks around in a very panicked way* do you hear them? They're coming for me! *dives for cover under computer table*

Bry: In the event of the author losing her mind, we, the alter egos have been instructed to take over.

S.F: She (slime frog) would like to wish you all happy and pleasant throwing up, tell you to have good lives and ask you not to sue her for seriously damaging your health and/or sanity.

Bry: She (the freak) would also like you to review. Flames are welcome.

Luv slime xxxx