Okay, let me establish a few things because I'm sure that at least a third of you have never read one of my other fics. Anna-Maria is half-human and half-elf; was born through In Vitro fertilization to an Italian actress by a sperm from Julius Root (Foaly stole one for an experiment and lost track of it, and it ended up in the hospital where Anna-Maria's mother was.). She has all the typical fairy powers and two psychic ones (telekinesis and the ability to manipulate and create images) that she inherited from her mother's side of the family; she doesn't use them much. She has green eyes and dark brown hair, looks nothing like her mother did (died in a car accident when Anna-Maria was six) and what Julius would have looked like if he was a pretty girl. She became commander of the LEP on her fourteenth birthday; after Foaly finished DNA tests and told her Julius was her father. Okay, if you're still here, please read and review and know that I am never going to type an author's note this long again! Oh, and I'm not Eoin Colfer, therefore I don't own Artemis or any character that belongs to Eoin Colfer.

Anna-Maria sighed as she tucked her neutrino into her sheath. "Going to work on your birthday?" She spun around, arms up, legs apart; ready to fight. "Oh, Holly." She put her arms down. "What are you doing here?"

The Section Eight captain gave her a half-smile. "I believe the question is 'why are you going to work on your birthday?' And can't I just drop by to say hello and offer my congratulations?"

"I have a job to do, Holly; crime never takes a vacation. Just because I'm the commander of the LEP it doesn't mean I can play hooky. And congratulations for what?"

"You're twenty years-old today, Anna-Maria!"

"So? I've never acted like the average teenager." The dark-haired girl pointed out as she grabbed her helmet off the kitchen counter.

"Boy, you can say that again." Holly muttered under her breath. "I thought you were going to meet Artemis today. It is the sixth anniversary of the first time you met, after all."

"What made you think I was going to meet Artemis today?" Anna-Maria asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The thirty-two voice-mails he left on your answering machine."

"What thirty-two messages?" Anna-Maria asked. Her answering machine suddenly turned on and a recording of Artemis's voice filled the room.

"Those ones." Holly replied.

"Oh. I – I uh…" The twenty year-old girl's voice trailed off.

Holly rolled her eyes. "When are you meeting him?"

"At two 'o' clock." Anna-Maria reddened.

Holly looked at her watch. "It's only ten. Are you sure you can't just get Trouble to cover for you till you get back?"

"I can, but I'd rather go for now. Speaking of Trouble, how is he?"

This time Holly reddened. "How would I know? You're his commanding officer, not me."

Anna-Maria smiled, making Holly slightly uneasy. Anna-Maria didn't smile like that very often, but she reminded her of Artemis Fowl when she did. "You talk to him, don't you?"

"No, what makes you think that?"

"The several text messages and the caller ID on your cellular phone." Anna-Maria replied calmly.

"When did you see my cell-phone?"

Anna-Maria's smile widened as she lifted her right hand, showing her the phone in her palm. "Just now. Your most recent call was made fifteen minutes ago."

Holly tried to be angry, but a smile crept across her face anyway. "You have only grown to be more mischievous over the years, Anna-Maria…mischievous, intelligent, and beautiful. But you still dress like a tomboy."

Anna-Maria tossed her the cell-phone. "That's because I'm still a tomboy, you know that. Personally, I'd rather be a tomboy than a complete girly girl like Lili Frond at any rate."

"Hmmm…good point." Holly said, pocketing her cell-phone as the doorbell rang.

"Who could that be?"

"Maybe the young elf next door sent you some flowers."

"I hope not; I'd hate to throw them back in his face." Anna-Maria replied as she laid her hand on the doorknob.

Holly just rolled her eyes and smiled to herself. "Same old Anna-Maria as always."

Anna-Maria opened the door and managed not to gape. "Chix Verbil, who gave you my address?"

The sprite grinned as he replied, "Now Anna-Maria, what kind of greeting is that? Aren't you glad to see me?"

"Not particularly. And need I remind you that I am not a child living in the care of the LEP anymore; I am your commanding officer?"

"I know it, Anna-Maria. You don't look like a child, I'll tell you that much. Besides, I'm off duty."

"Oh Frond, someone tell Chix to shut his maw before he gets hurt!" Holly prayed quietly.

"Why are you here, Chix?" Anna-Maria asked him.

"To give you your birthday present, of course."

"What is it?" She asked, not really wanting to know.

Chix smiled and winked. "Just a quick kiss, Anna-Maria. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody if you don't want me to. It will be our little secret."

Anna-Maria frowned. "On second thought, I think I'll give you a present, Chix."

"Whatever floats your boat, sweetheart." Chix said, closing his eyes and leaning forward. "I'm ready for you."
Holly winced softly as Anna-Maria punched him squarely in the jaw and watched as he toppled backwards and fell on his back on the hallway floor. The half-fairy girl shook her head in annoyance and stepped over him as she left, looking over her shoulder to add, "I'll see you later, Holly."

The red-headed elf nodded and turned her attention to Chix, who was rubbing his chin with a look of disbelief on his face. "Ouch, what was that for? I thought she would have liked my present."

"Holy Frond, Verbil, don't you know Anna-Maria even remotely by now? She's knocked out guys like you for less than what you did. Lesson one of the LEP; never flirt with your commanding officer!" She said, extending an arm to help him up.

Chix took it. "Thanks Holly, I should have known I could count on you. You always did have a soft spot for me."

Holly noticed the twinkle in his eye and let go of his hand, letting him fall to the floor a second time. "Lesson two, never flirt with me either!"

Sorry for that really long author's note in the beginning; this one will be short. Please review because it will make my day and I hope you like this chapter/story!