Hey everyone. Sorry about the delay. It's been pretty hectic here. I just got done with this semester's midterms. So, I honestly haven't had time to write. But today I finally pounded this chapter out although I really need to be writing my research paper on solar energy. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, despite its sad content. :P

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Saying goodbye to someone you love is always hard. Whether it's forever, or just a few days, it never gets any easier. For the first time in a long time, Artemis was recalling just how difficult it could be. The boy was only moments away from boarding his jet back to Ireland. He stood in Bishop International Airport's terminal, awaiting for his father to get the okay for them to board. Diana stood beside him, staring at her feet. Artemis knew why she was; he was admittedly feeling the same way.

Artemis decided he would break the tension. Gently taking Diana's hand, he sat them both down on a nearby bench. The boy's legs were tired, and he was sure his girlfriend's were as well. "I wish I didn't have to leave," he said quietly.

Diana didn't say anything for a few moments. "Me too."

Artemis frowned slightly, resting his hand gently on hers. "Everything will be alright, Diana. I know you're worried about the distance that's going to be between us."

The girl turned a little, just enough to watch a nearby plane take off. "It's not that I'm worried about the distance. It's just... anything could happen on both ends, you know?"

Diana had a valid point. Anything could happen, but that was a risk Artemis was willing to take. He knew long distance relationships hardly ever worked out without an issue, but the boy was hoping he and Diana could prove that theory wrong. Artemis was just willing Diana would be able to work through it too.

"I know," he answered, "but I think if anyone can make this work, it's us. This is only for a few months, Diana. Soon enough, distance will be a thing of the past. Whenever we have breaks from class, I'll fly out here, or I'll fly you to Ireland. We'll make this work somehow."

Diana looked back at Artemis, a frown still apparent on her face. "I'm sorry I'm so skeptical, Arty," she murmured. "It's just going to take some time to get used to... but I trust you."

Trust. The word danced around Artemis' mind for a few moments. So few people had said they trusted him, he was still shocked by it. One day, he hoped earning someone's trust wasn't so shocking, but for now, he was going to be glad he had Diana's. Artemis knew then he was going to do everything in his power to keep her trust.

"I trust you as well, and that's why I know we can make this work," he finally said, a small smile lingering on his face. He watched a small smile form on Diana's face before he spoke up again. Artemis thought it may be time to lighten the mood a little bit. "So what do you plan on doing while I'm gone?"

Diana thought about it for a moment before shrugging. "Probably just watch a bunch of Doctor Who, write, go to class, and wait for you to come back."

Artemis raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her response. "Wait for me to come back, eh?"

Diana nodded slowly. "Well of course. Why wouldn't I wait for the one person who keeps me sane?"

Another good point. With friends like hers, Artemis was surprised that she hadn't lost her mind yet. There was a few of them that he honestly had no idea how they became friends in the first place. A few of the girls were the complete opposite of Diana; Artemis knew that opposites attract, but at some point that hardly began to cover it. He supposed he just didn't understand the very confusing dynamics of female friendship.

His thoughts were broken when Diana spoke up again, "What are you going to do when you get home?"

It was something Artemis hadn't thought about since he had been in Flint. When he got back to Ireland, there would be another month or so of relaxation, and then he would be heading to his first semester of college. The boy wasn't unduly worried about the classes themselves, but that didn't make the transition any easier. He sighed before answering Diana, "Mostly just class. Hopefully staying out of trouble."

That caused her to smile a little bit. "You? Staying out of trouble?" she questioned. "For some reason I can't fathom that."

"Me either, honestly, but one can hope," Artemis said. "I don't think I'll have the time to be getting into any trouble, but trouble usually finds me regardless."

Diana's smile faded slightly, resting her head on Artemis' shoulder. "I know," she muttered. "I found that out the hard way."

Artemis rested his head against hers, his lips near her forehead. "I never intended for you to get involved with that... and I'm really sorry you had to be put through all that for me." He paused for a moment. "How have you been feeling? Your scar bugging you or anything?"

"I feel alright. It hurts a little sometimes, but it's expected, you know?" Diana replied. And then she asked something Artemis wasn't expecting. "How are you feeling? I mean... you did... err... get rid of that guy."

Artemis took a deep breath, debating on how he should answer her. Did he feel bad about killing Spiro? Definitely, but yet, at the same time he was relieved that the world was rid of another dastardly being. However, the boy's mind could not justify what he did, and he was admittedly at odds with himself. "I don't know," he finally responded. "Most of the time I feel fine, but every once in a while, I feel guilty. I never should've done it."

Diana attempted to put his mind at ease. "Artemis, don't feel bad. You did what you felt was right. If it weren't for what you did, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now." She stopped speaking for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice was shaky. "If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. I owe you my life, and that's something I have no idea how to thank you for."

That did make him feel a little bit better. "You don't have to do anything special to thank me, Diana," Artemis assured. "Just... be happy, and take care of yourself while I'm gone. If you can do that, that would be enough for me."

Diana didn't say anything for several moments before finally saying, "I think I can manage that."

"Good," Artemis replied quietly before placing a small kiss on her forehead.

Before Artemis could say anything else, he noticed his parents approaching the two of them. The two Fowl adults came to a stop in front of them. Artemis sat immediately sat upright, fairly sure that he was about to be told they were ready to depart.

"You ready, son?" Senior inquired. "Butler and the twins are already in the jet. We're just waiting on you."

"Give me a moment," Artemis said quietly. "I'll meet you in the jet."

"Alright, Arty," Angeline acknowledged. "Don't be too much longer."

With that, his parents walked away, back through the crowd, leaving Artemis and Diana alone. The boy stood once again. He extended his hand to Diana, helping her to her feet. Artemis glanced at his feet before looking Diana in her eyes.

"I guess this is goodbye," he whispered.

"But it's not forever, Arty," Diana reminded. "You'll see me again. I promise."

Diana, once again, had a good point. "I know, but it doesn't make it any easier," Artemis replied.

The girl pulled him into a tight hug. Artemis hugged her back, not wanting to let her go. Artemis found himself choking up a little bit, something he was not expecting. When this trip began, he had no intention of it ending like this, but now... he wouldn't change this for the world.

"You should probably head out," Diana said quietly after a few moments.

"You're right," Artemis agreed, although he really didn't want to get on the plane yet. He pulled away from her slightly, just to have Diana pull him back to her, planting a passionate kiss on his lips. It shocked Artemis a little bit, especially in a public place, but he soon relaxed and kissed her back. After a few moments, Artemis pulled away from her. "I love you, Diana," he expressed.

"I love you too, Arty," the girl said back. "Take care of yourself?"

Artemis nodded. "I'll let you know when we make it home, and I'll see you soon."

"I'll hold you to that," Diana retorted.

"Oh I know you will," Artemis stated. He removed himself from his girlfriend's grasp. "Bye for now."

"Goodbye." The girl's voice was shaky again, and it was something that damn near killed Artemis as he turned and walked away from the sole thing that had made this entire trip, and possibly his life, worth living. When he finally got into the family plane, Artemis sat away from his family, staring out the window, back towards the terminal, where he could still see Diana looking up at the plane. As the plane took off, and his girlfriend grew further and further away from him, a single tear rolled down his pale cheek as a sign of how sad he was to be heading home alone.