A/N

Hey everyone, this is a one-shot of holly's 87th birthday. Everything will be explained as the story goes one. However, you can change the fate of this story. Will it remain a one-shot or has it potential to blossom into a story? Review and state your opinion.

Surprise

Haven City

Holly Point of View (HPOV)

Happy Birthday. Hmpf. My eighty seventh birthday – ninetieth if you count the years that I missed when I was at Hybras. I bet the my colleagues at the LEP have prepared some sort of party. This was going to be another wonderful day.

Not.

Why? Why did I not like my birthday? Starting with the fact that I did not have any family left that actually cared for me and it only reminds me that I still am the same person, the devoted-to-my-work-female-LEP-Captain – sorry 'Major'. That is right, two and a half year ago I was promoted to Major, just a few months after I returned from the past and healed Angeline Fowl. Thirdly, it reminds me of how long it's been since I've seen my best friend.

Groggily I removed myself from my bed, missing the warmth and closure of the sheets already. After grabbing a short shower I dressed myself in the green LEPrecon uniform. Although the female uniform did change a little in these past two years – NO, it did not turn into a skirt, much to Foaly's disappointment and the majority of my male colleagues. Instead it had become 'more aerodynamic' as Foaly put it. But I know he just wanted an excuse to make the uniform hug my curves just as close that it felt like a second skin. Not for his own pleasure, but for my displeasure. The first few months after the change I had to deal with drooling officers that were coming to me with the most stupidest questions, just to drool some more over me.

I arrived at the LEP station, checked in at the reception and took the elevator to the floor where my desk was. Yes, my promotion got me a nice, big desk. Just like I always wanted. Not. I almost chuckle at myself, I didn't know I liked these 'not-jokes', but already made two of them today. My job involved going through numerous files that I didn't even know existed when I was a captain. I had to read reports from scouting missions, speak/scold officers that made mistakes and occasionally brief a strike force. Mostly it was filling in forms or checking if forms were filled in correctly. After a week of this torture I felt bad for the Majors that were in charge of me, most of the reports were about mistakes made or rules bent by the LEP officers. I am still the record holder in that department.

The worst part was that I hardly got any time above ground. The last time I went above ground was to complete the ritual three months ago. And commander Kelp went with me so I did not have the opportunity to meet Fowl. I can't even remember when the last time was that I met him face to face. I guess that it was when I told him of my promotion, almost two years ago. We kept in touch for a few months but eventually that slowly stopped. I vow never to speak my next thoughts out loud, but I missed him. Maybe a bit more than completely necessary, he was a good friend after all, my best friend even.

The elevator doors opened and I noticed something was off. For one, it was quiet, and two, the lights were off. I stepped inside and didn't even have to wait. "Surprise!" The lights went on and in the center of the room was a large birthday cake with the inscription 'Happy ninetieth birthday Holly!'. Even though I did not like celebrating my birthday and the fact that I still am eighty seven years old, it brought a smile to my face. Commander Kelp walked towards me and congratulated me. "Happy birthday, Holly." I kissed his cheek and he blushed. I knew he liked me, but I could not reincorporate the feelings.

He placed a party hat on top of my head. "You will not remove this until the end of the day. I'll have Foaly spy on you." He said semi-serious and I decided to just keep it on.

After Trouble followed the rest of my friends. Foaly had come out of his cave – command booth – and was accompanied with his wife Caballine. He congratulated me too and Caballine gave me a present. I unwrapped it and it was a beautiful strapless black dress that came till me knees. "Thank you."

"You will receive my present later." Foaly said and made way for the next person in line. I could only wonder – and fear – what he had gotten me.

Twenty minutes later I had received a lot of gifts and Commander Kelp ended the festivities. "Alright everybody. Return to your posts. Crime didn't celebrate Major Shorts birthday!"

And I went back to my desk filing reports. I knew it was unheard of to ask for a demotion and the slight raise on my pay check was welcome, but I couldn't help but miss my old job.

At the end of the day there still was a piece of the cake left and I took it home with me. I had moved from my cramped apartment to a rather big one with a guest room even. It was only used once when Caballine decided to have a sleepover at my place. I knew I would spend the rest of the evening on the couch watching Mud Man programs on the television. I dreaded the prospect.

On the streets people looked a bit funny at me. A women in a LEPrecon uniform with a badge proving that she is a Major that was carrying a bag full with presents in her left hand and in her right hand she carefully balanced a box with transparent plastic on top. They could still see the cake inside the box. Oh, and don't forget the party hat that was not place right on top of her head but had moved a little to the left. Yes, I must've been a sight to behold. Though some males probably only noticed my name tag that rested on my... chest. Well, maybe not even the name tag. You get the point.

My left arm was getting tired and I switched the objects in my arms. The the in my left and the bag of presents that I received from everyone in my right. Come to think of it, I did not receive a present from Foaly yet, but he said that I would get it later. Suddenly I dreaded coming home even more, who knows what he could have done to my home.

I stood before the door of my house, trying to open the door but failing miserably with my hands preoccupied carrying my gifts. Of course, everyone always tries to open the doors first without emptying their hands. People like to challenge themselves, see if they can do it. When you fail you can always put something down and use your empty hands, which is a lot faster and easier.

Behind the door loomed a small dark space. I flicked on the light switch and the small hallway lit up. On the door leading to the living room was a note saying 'Happy Birthday Holly, Foaly', though there was nothing else that seemed off. I opened the door slowly, preparing myself for any traps. It seemed safe and I made my way into the dark living room. Only a small ray of light from the hallway found it's way there.

When I hit the light switch a pair of hands obstructed my view. "Happy Birthday, Holly." A familiar, but unexpected voice whispered in my ear. I yelped and elbowed my attacker in the ribs, but he dodged it carefully. "You don't want to damage Foaly's present, do you?" I turned around and there he stood. Artemis Fowl. I hug him feverishly, don't caring how he got here, but just enjoying the fact that my best friend is had come to see me. "Now that is the reaction I had been waiting for." He smirked.

"I missed you," I whispered against his shirt and inhaled. He still smelled the same.

"Would it be very out of character to say that I missed you too?" He placed his hands om my back and returned the hug.

"A Fowl showing his emotions? Yes that would be out of character," he chuckled lightly.

He then pulled himself out of the hug and looked at me. "Hey, are you crying?" Was I? I didn't notice. "Did Major Short turn into an emotional wreck these few years?"

I punched his arm. "Elves are emotional creatures, you dork." I retorted, but the remark didn't held any sharpness. I used this chance to observe the change in him. And boy, did he change... He didn't grow that much in length since I last seen him, but he grew some muscles. Not too much, but he wasn't the skinny boy he was a few years ago. His Armani suit was also gone, instead he wore black trousers and a casual white button-down shirt. Lastly his hair wasn't neatly combed, instead it was a bit unruly. To say he was good-looking would be an understatement. What am I thinking, I corrected myself and my cheeks heated up slightly.

I blushed even more when I noticed that he was doing exactly the same as I was. He was taking in my appearance as well. He had never seem me outside of the LEP uniform and before the change in the uniform it wasn't that... tight. He only gave me a quick look over, but I noticed that he had trouble not to let his eyes wander too much. As he reached my face he locked his mismatched eyes with mine. It surprised me to see that he did not cover up his hazel eye with a blue contact and it made me feel a bit... happy.

"I'm sure you have many unintelligent creatures drooling over you as you walk with these changes in your outfit." Artemis said.

"Is that a compliment Artemis?" Did he really just give me a compliment? He sure has become nice.

"If you miss the fact that I said unintelligent, then yes."

Take that back. "I take it you aren't trying to let your eyes wander?"

"No, but at least I manage not to drool." And he winked. Artemis freaking Fowl winked. Okay, that caught me off guard and I started a coughing fit. He noticed my current discomfort and instead of teasing he changed the subject. "So, do you still want my gift?"

"You being here isn't my gift?" I asked incredulously.

"No, that is Foaly's gift. He smuggled me in here, even commander Kep doesn't know because he would never allow it." He smirked. "I helped him, of course, but he did most of the work."

"Well then, I would like to receive my gift." He didn't move. "Can I have it?" Still no response. "Artemis, give it to me!" He just shook his head. I was starting to get really anxious of what gift he would give to me. I had no idea what kind of present he would have brought here. "Can I please, please, please have my gift?" I almost pleaded now and threw in a pout. His resolve faltered lightly, or so it seemed to me at least. "Pwetty please?" I said while moving closing to torture Artemis.

He coughed and moved back. "Not until later this evening." Artemis said with a firm voice. The tease! First saying he brought a gift, he himself brought up the subject, and then not giving it to me. I will get my revenge later this evening!

Artemis POV

When Holly unleashed the full force of her pout I almost gave her the two gifts I had gotten for her. Well, there was one gift I would give her for sure this evening, but the other I was not so sure of. You know, a genius always reveals his plans at some stage in the story. I, however, am smarter than most genii and that is why I will keep you in the dark. But you have to know I did make a plan, it all started the moment Foaly contacted me about Holly's birthday.

He called me two days ago when I was working on a new method of energy storage, one that could grant me another Nobel Prize. When I heard that Holly's birthday was coming up and Foaly would give 'me' as his gift a plan formed in my mind. I only told Foaly bits and pieces of my plan, not because I didn't trust him, but because he probably wouldn't go through with his gift.

When Holly got her promotion I knew what it meant. We would get to see each other a lot less. Even more so, the last time I saw her was when she showed me her badge. I was proud of her, the first female LEP Major. We tried to keep in touch but even that became less over the months.

The last few years without my dearest Captain weren't the best of my life, but they made me realize I could do so much more with my life. So I changed a little. I went out more, not necessarily making friends, but I showed the face behind the genius. I attended social gatherings, spoke with fellow psychologists and other professors. When I first saw my own face on the front page, because I had made Nuclear Fusion a profitable way of creating energy, I didn't like my own appearance. It might have been the hormones that made my care about my appearance, but I wanted to look less stiff. I changed my hair a little, the comb disappeared and an unruly 'out of bed' look appeared. Then I changed to more casual clothes and people could actually see that I was working out. Butler had become quite old, especially with the events during my run in with Jon Spiro that added around 15 years, and he had to retire. Instead of protecting me, he trained me to protect myself.

I almost fell out of my chair when I was praised as the 'most eligible bachelor', shortly after my changed. My mother, who was on another honeymoon with my father during that time, called home to see if it wasn't anyone impersonating me. Artemis Fowl Senior just congratulated me and said I could start looking for a woman to share my life with. To be honest, I didn't need to look for them, they looked and – much to my dismay – found me. I turned each and everyone of them down gently, I didn't want to become known as the cold person I used to be.

Then finally Foaly calls and smuggles me into Haven. I break into Holly's apartment and that is where we are right now.

"Not until later this evening." I knew that my reply got the desired reflect when she changed her pout into a vicious glare. "But first, let's have dinner." I guided her to the dining table. The few candles that were placed on the table turned the mood towards cough... romantic... cough. Dinner was already served, but without wine because I knew that fairies weren't allowed to consume alcohol with humans.

"Smells good." She praised. "But wait, did you make this yourself?"

"What is a genius that can't take care of himself?" I smirked. "I had to use your kitchen though, it couldn't be prepared too long beforehand. I hope you don't mind..." I trailed off, giving her the opportunity to interject her opinion. She muttered something that sounded like 'Stupid genius that can do everything he tries.' I guided her to her seat and when she was seated and comfortable I went to mine.

"So, what did you brew?" Holly spoke while poking suspiciously with one fork in her food.

"This is wild mushroom ravioli, don't worry, it is vegetarian."

Now comes the expected reaction: "How did you know I liked wild mushrooms?"

"I didn't." I smirked, making my lie very unconvincing. Holly glared at me, the fire of the candles reflected in her eyes. "Okay, Foaly might have let that one slip." She started on her food, after the first bite she was completely engrossed in finishing her plate. Asking for seconds shortly thereafter.

"That was delicious, Arty! You can come cook in my kitchen everyday." I coughed when the implementation hidden in her words hit me and she turned crimson in soft candlelight. "I... um... didn't mean... you know." She had trouble speaking but I couldn't find myself to make a witty response. Instead I just brought all the dishes to the kitchen, luckily she had a big enough dishwasher and we didn't have to do them ourselves.

"So, what is on the planning now, Mr Fowl? Or do you have to get back to Foaly already." She added the last sentence with slight disappointment in her voice.

"No, I was planning on staying the night with you." Yes, it definitely was my turn to make a totally awkward comment that could be misinterpreted very easily. Holly blushed furiously and even I joined her as I felt blood rising to my cheeks. "Er... that came out wrong, didn't it?" I berated myself on using the non-word 'er'. "We... eh... could go watch a DVD I brought."

"I will go change, you can prepare the television." She motioned to the LEP uniform she was still wearing, which I didn't mind but it would be wrong to say that out loud, wouldn't it?

I smirked at my movie choice, it was difficult to find a movie I had thought she would like, but I found one she would most definitely like.

When Holly returned I was already seated at the couch and was skipping through the numerous channels she could receive here. Though when I saw here in the doorway I realized that casual Holly was way better than Holly in uniform She noticed me gawking. Very intelligent. .She wore simple skinny jeans and a tight shirt with the text 'the more I drink, the better you look'.

Her couch wasn't small, but also wasn't made for human company. This resulted in our bodies slightly touching when she sat down.

I started the movie and she gasped when she saw the opening credits. "Artemis Fowl?" I smirked. The movie was a screenplay of the first adventure between me and Holly. When I kidnapped her and held her for ransom. Not the best memory, but it was also the start of a beautiful friendship. Even when we couldn't stand each other at the moment, me being her kidnapper and all. "How did you get this, it isn't even in theaters yet!"

"It isn't?" I asked incredulously. "I found it on Foaly's hard drive so I thought it..." I stopped. "You know you could sue him know for hacking into the database of the producers." We both laughed. Foaly was busted. Well, I was busted too, but everyone I knew I always hacked into Foaly's systems, as he did with mine. It was more of a competition between the two of us, just harmless trying to see who is better. I just took the lead with this discovery.

When the movie started she snuggled close to me. I liked the feeling of her body pressed against mine. I draped one arm around her small shoulders and we sat together enjoying the movie. Which was, surprisingly, not that bad. When I first got into view I exclaimed, "Dracula?"

"That would be because of me. I said in an interview that you had this creepy vampire smile." Holly smiled.

The fight scene with the troll made me feel nauseous. I never really know what happened there and this movie was based on statements given by the police, mainly Holly's. She did fend off the troll quite well, but I winced at the fact that she and Bulter had gotten hurt.

At the end of the movie her back was against my chest and she was almost sitting in my lap with my arms around her. The credits showed on screen and I knew this was the moment for my gift. "Holly?"

"Hmm." She moved her body away from mine and looked at my face.

"Close your eyes, I will give you your gift."

"O-okay." She was surprised but shut her eyes nonetheless. I took a golden necklace, laced with a few diamonds, and brought my hands around her neck. My face got closer to hers as I did so and I could feel her breath on my lips, she could probably feel my ragged breaths too. The cold metal of the necklace made her shiver slightly. She still kept her eyes closed and her mouth was slightly opened, as if she was inviting me. It was now or never, I thought.

Then I closed the small distance between us.

Holly POV

My heart rate had increased to two hundred beats per minute, too much for my small body to handle. His breath on my skin made me go crazy and I was almost disappointed when I felt the cold accessory around my neck. However, when his lips briefly brushed mine all traces of disappointment were gone. I pushed myself forward to get closer to him and my arms found their way instinctively around his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair. Our kiss started off as slow and careful but soon changed into a heated kiss. He was both giving and taking. He pushed me on my back so he hovered above me, not once he took his mouth away from mine. One of his hands was in my short auburn hair and his other was very low on my back, but I couldn't care less as I untangled one of my hands to feel around his body.

Soon, too soon, I had to pull away for lack of oxygen. Damn my small body for less lung capacity. Artemis used his last breath to say very intelligently, "Wow..." He joined me in panting. Both our faces were flushed and our lips were swollen.

"E-even..." pant "the..." pant "A...artemis." pant... I can't even form a coherent phrase right now. Just remind me to finish this sentence later to mock Artemis.

We just stared into our eyes. Artemis had a really goofy grin on his face, he must've been planning this all evening, maybe even weeks ahead. I looked at him questionably and cocked an eyebrow.

"I admit, this was... planned. Not completely, like the intensity of the kiss," cue blush, "but the outline of this evening was planned a week ago when I got the call from Foaly. You noticed I got you two gifts..."

"Two? Oh, the necklace!" I jumped up and went to look at myself in the mirror. I heard Artemis' chuckle behind me. "It's beautiful!" I said in awe. The diamonds glistered around my neck."Thank you." I whispered.

"You know, the necklace was actually made from one of the gold bars I got from kidnapping you." He chuckled and a let out a short laugh. Even though he was not proud of that memory, and I wasn't fond of it either, the incident brought forth more good than wrong.

"I brought two gifts because..." Artemis continued explaining his master plan to takeover the world, at least, that is what it sounds like with the dramatic pause he was giving me. It was like the climax when the villain gives away his evil plans to the hero. "Because I knew I had to give you one gift at least, the necklace. That was my backup plan. The main reason was to show you my... heh..." I know he meant that if he didn't get the right signals from me he would have given the necklace and refrained from kissing me. Was I that obvious?

He smirked, the final moment before giving away the true genius about his plan. The true objective, his ultimate goal. "To show you my fairy-kissing days were far from over." And he ruined it!

If looks could kill Artemis would have died, his soul would have died before it went to heaven and then his body would be turned to ash before one could say 'LEPrecon'. Instead of dying, he just laughed. I scowled even more and before I could stop it he pulled me in for a quick kiss, wiping the scowl from my face. "You're easy to tease. It was to make you feel my love." Swoon, he sang that last line, the one from the popular song by Adele. "I love you, Holly."

"I love you too." And our lips met once again. "Remind me to thank Foaly for his gift.

"So, does this mean that you.. um.. want to be my girlfriend?" Somehow this seems awkward coming out of Artemis' mouth. Wonder why...

I laughed. "Of course, stupid Mud Boy." Calling Artemis stupid sure brought satisfaction. "We'd better not tell anyone here yet. I don't know if they will approve, we are from different species after all."

"It is great that you don't want to tell anyone here." I nodded, great, he agrees. I smiled. I knew Foaly would pester me forever and I don't know how Trouble would take it. "Because I can't wait for you to meet my mother." I nodded again and Artemis smirked.

Wait... As horror struck my face he had now his characteristic vampire smirk plastered on his face.

Meeting. His. Mother.

I hope you liked the little one shot. Please review.

Again:you can change the fate of this story. Will it remain a one-shot or has it potential to blossom into a multi-chaptered story? Review and state your opinion.