"Artemis, Artemis Fowl the third," stated the stony faced girl as she out stretched her hand. The girl had striking features; raven hair that rested on her shoulders; her blue eyes showed her fierce determination, hazel flecks scattered through them. She was pretty, in a pointy sort of way. Her eyes were spaced slightly further than the normal person. She was wearing a suit rather like her fathers, though her chest definitely more bulgy than her father's.
"I take it this is the home of Holly Fowl?" asked Artemis. The red headed lady in the doorway nodded. Her hair had grown out and it was pulled into a high ponytail. Holly did not look a day over twenty-five.
"Are you … Artemis' daughter?" she asked slowly her blue and hazel eyes intently gazing at the fifteen year old at her door.
"Yes Madam, and I believe, your's as well. But of course you knew that, as you left Father when I was an infant." Artemis said coldly. Holly was taken aback by the sudden ferocity of this girl.
"I only wanted you to know Father is ill and has been asking for you. I will be taking my leave now Mrs Fowl," She said taking a step away from the door and striding toward a familiar black Bentley.
A young man was stood at the door of the car, his striking looks confirming him a Butler. His sandy blond hair was mussed up in a "bad boy" look. His dark eyes glinted in the Irish sunlight as he closed the door once his charge had entered the car.
"Wait!" Holly shouted running out before the Butler could enter the car.
"Please, give me a few moments to gather a few belongings and take me with you!" She cried, hammering her fists on the shatter-resistant-extra-tinted windows. It rolled down smoothly, barely making a whisper as it came to a stop.
"Mrs. Fowl I will allow you ten minutes to pack some things and then we will leave. However if you are not ready by ten minutes we will leave without you." Artemis said coldly. Holly ran inside quicker than you could say 'D'Arvit'.
"Donovan, do you think I'm doing the right thing?" asked the raven-haired girl. She peered out the window to gaze at the muscular 17 year old. He looked her directly in the eyes, a hard feat that not many could accomplish. Donovan Butler was one of the three men and two centaurs who could look her dead on and not fear a thing.
"Of course Artemis, you only wish the best for your Father, which is reasonable." He stated calmly and he took her outstretched hand.
Donovan Butler, the bodyguard of Artemis Fowl the third. They had been childhood friends and he had always protective of the younger girl. He had only recently taken up the job of being her bodyguard, but it's not like he would allow any one the safety of his childhood love.
"Here she comes, Artemis, ten minutes on the dot," he smirked opening the door for the older lady to enter the car. Holly rushed out, red faced and puffing heavily. Obviously she hadn't been out much. She turned to her godson and embraced him tightly.
"Aunt Holly, I missed you!" he whispered in her ear as he wrapped a strong arm around her.
"And I you, Donovan!" she whispered back. A sigh was heard from inside the Bentley as Artemis the third checked her Rolex watch.
"If you would kindly enter the vehicle, I wish to see my Father before his illness turns fatal," Artemis muttered coldly, buckling her seatbelt. Holly broke away from Donovan and turned to climb inside of the car. She made her way inside, and sat on the seat that faced her daughter.
"So, Artemis … what have you been up to all these years?" she asked attempting to start a conversation. The girl continued to stare out of the window, not bothering to answer her Mother's question.
"Artemis, it's rude to ignore people," smirked Donovan from the front seat.
"I haven't done anything illegal, if that's what you want to know. I got my streak for justice from you, to be honest." Artemis said staring at Holly with eyes like sapphires.
"Uncle Myles and Uncle Beckett continue to visit even though they miss you; Minerva has brought her son, Pierre, over at least once every three months for five years now. You know of him?" asked the raven-haired girl.
Holly nodded; she met Pierre when he was still a babe. No doubt he was a handsome young man by now, but sadly he hadn't inherited his Mother's intellect. Of course everyone noticed that he wasn't as near as smart as Artemis the third when he only started mumbling and garbling words at eighteen months and she was dismantling Arty's super computer.
"Uncle Foaly, Aunt Caballine, Flash and I still see each other every month when I go down to visit them for a weekend or so. Flash and I have grown closer these past few years; rather unlike we were when I was an infant."
Holly remembered like it was yesterday. Flash (Foaly and Caballine's son, born 2 ½ years older than Artemis) and her daughter were like sandpaper and silk. Flash being the silk and Artemis the sandpaper. They didn't get along at all as children, Flash preferring to play with hard drives and computer towers while Artemis would be adventuring outside.
"I am currently getting an education at a Dublin Private Highschool with Donovan, even though I've finished the curriculum already and am halfway doing an engineering apprenticeship online. I work at a local animal shelter and am at least trying to lead a normal life." Finished the annoyed Artemis Fowl III, who was scowling as the countryside rolled past her window.
They sat in silence for a while longer till they found themselves turning into a gravelled drive. The large wrought iron gates of Fowl Manor loomed into view as the rounded a corner. Donovan mumbled something into the intercom and the gates swung open.
"Welcome to Fowl Manor," muttered Artemis darkly as she adjusted her suit quickly. Holly gasped the garden beds had been filled with flowers of every colour. Hedges were in topiary shapes, one a centaur; another one a pixie. Five more in the distance resembled dwarfs.
"It looks wonderful! Who did this?" asked Holly in delight. Artemis shrugged and unbuckled her seat belt.
"I like to garden," she said simply, exiting the car as it came to a halt.
Holly scrambled out of the vehicle dragging her suitcase with her. The growing tablet she had swallowed before answering the door to Artemis was now wearing off and she was becoming more elf like. She noticed as she shrunk that Artemis the third was only about 4 ft. 5. Funny, she thought, she must have gotten a few more attributes from me than I thought.
Artemis pushed the heavy doors open after inserting a key into the lock. Holly walked inside with Donovan in front of her. It was just as she left it, the entrance hall still as beautiful and regal as it was long ago.
"This way," Artemis called from the bottom of the stairs. Holly walked with her around the corridors familiarizing herself with the Manor once more.
"You can leave your things in here and I'll take you to Father," mumbled the young girl opening one of the guest room doors.
Once Holly had her suitcase at the foot of her new bed she hurried out into the corridor once more. They walked in silence till Artemis came to a stop. She pointed to a room that Holly recognized as the one she and Artemis II shared when they were happily married.
"Just in there, if you need me I'll be in the study," Artemis III muttered walking away from the woman she was still yet to trust. Holly wandered into the room taking a glance around, nothing much had changed other than the fact that Artemis' crib was not in there. And then lying on the bed, pale and thinner than he used to be, was her husband, Artemis Fowl the second.
"Holly?" he said, his voice slightly weak. He raised an arm as she rushed to the side of the bed and climbed onto it to sit next to him. She caught hold of his hand and laid it on her cheek, tears welling in her eyes.
"Artemis! I'm so sorry," she whispered kissing his hand softly and looking into his own mix-matched eyes. He sat up and kissed her passionately on the lips, trying to get as much of her as possible.
"I missed you," he croaked, tears forming in his own eyes. He smiled a little showing that he was still as handsome as he was long ago. She pulled him into a tight embrace that he returned.
"I missed you too," she whispered in his ear as she clung to him tightly. Arty buried his head into her shoulder, tears running down his cheeks. They heard high heels clicking on the marble floors outside of the door.
"Missy! Missy, where are you?" shouted a muffled voice from outside the door. Holly looked up to see Angeline Fowl burst through the bedroom door.
"Holly!" cried the now older woman, who still did not seem to age. Her blonde hair was sat in a bun as she scurried about the Manor. Angeline threw herself onto Holly and squeezed her tightly.
"Oh, Holly my dear it is so good to see you again!" she exclaimed loudly. Holly returned the gesture by squeezing the older lady.
"Have either of you seen Missy?" Angeline asked pulling away from the small elf, looking at Arty (who shook his head) and back to Holly.
"Uh, Mum, who is Missy?" asked Holly. At that moment Artemis III ran into the room, her cheeks flushed from running.
"Yes, Grandmother, what is it?" asked the fifteen year old girl. She had changed out of the suit and was now in a turquoise long sleeve top, that rested on her shoulders and showed all of her collarbone; black leggings and coffee coloured ugg boots, which adorned her feet. Her raven-black hair was tied into a ponytail with her fringe hanging over her left eye.
"Oh, I was just getting worried about your whereabouts. You know I worry too much, your just like your Father and I had to keep an eye on him at all time," smirked Angeline as she glanced over at Arty.
"Anyway, I believe it is time for dinner!" she exclaimed in delight. Before anyone could come through the open door a loud blonde woman bounded toward Holly.
"HOLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY," Juliet shouted as she ran in, tackling Holly fiercely as they 'bear' hugged the hell out of the other.
"Mom! Please don't excite yourself anymore than you already are; you're ready to pop any day now," shouted Donovan as he raced through the door and into the crowded room. He found the small 3ft Holly curled up on top of Juliet, her elfin ears to the bulging stomach.
"Yup, baby number three!" Grinned the excited Jade Princess.
"Congrats, Julie!" Holly shouted.
"Heavens! What's going on in here?" Butler said striding through the door. His eyes fell on the elf and he scooped her up off of Juliet and hugged her tightly.
"Welcome home, Holly," he said as he set her down.
Holly looked around the room, at her family. They were all grinning broadly, well all except Artemis III who was scowling. But it didn't seem right … someone was missing.
"Hey, where's Dad," she asked innocently. Angeline smiled weakly and her cast her eyes at the ground as tears formed in them.
"He passed away, dear, three years ago," she said quietly, trying not to cry. Donovan helped Juliet up who escorted Ms Fowl out as the elf stood there, shell-shocked.
"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't know," she whispered, crumpling to the ground.
"Yes, well there's a lot you don't know," growled the pissed off Missy (Artemis III). Donovan laid a hand on her shoulder, seeing that she was about to cry as well.
"Missy! Don't talk to your Mother like that!" Arty exclaimed, climbing out of bed and helping his wife up.
"That woman is not my mother! She is the whole reason you got ill, just like Grandmother did when Grandfather was missing!" she shouted, pointing at Holly. Her whole body shook slightly, telling everyone that she was way past angry.
"How can you welcome her back into our life so easily? She broke your heart and left me without a mother! You may be able to forgive her, but I cannot! I refuse to!"
"Missy," Donovan said quietly as he pulled her hand signalling for her to follow him outside.
"And you know what else, don't think yourself apart of the family in my eyes!" Artemis the third shouted as Donovan pulled her gently out of the room, tears spilling from her eyes.
"She's just going through a rough patch," Butler mumbled as he helped the married couple up.
"No, she's right. I was never here for her and I really don't blame her for hating me, I would hate myself if I was in her shoes." Holly whispered. Butler muttered something about making a vegetarian dish for Holly as well and shuffled out of the room.
Donovan POVI sat at the table and watched as my Missy bore holes into the table with her eyes. She poked at the food on her plate but none passed her lips. Her beautiful pink lips. The silence was absolutely killing me when Artemis began to talk.
"Well, isn't this nice! A whole family dinner and everything is perfect now you're here, my love!" he said loudly, as if boasting to an unseen enemy. He reached over to his left and laid his hand over Aunt Holly's, she smiled up at him, lovingly and I was reminded of when I was younger.
"So it wasn't perfect before, despite what I did?" Missy mumbled pushing her plate away from herself. Artemis looked up a quizzical look upon his face.
"Did you say something my dear?" he asked innocently. It was no surprise that he didn't hear her seeing as we were at least five metres away from them. But for a genius, Artemis sure could be dumb.
"Nothing Father, I'm going to make a start on the dishes," she said rising from her seat. I waited until she was in the kitchen before I stood up.
"I had better help out," I said running out with my empty plate. I found Missy standing just before the sink, but something was wrong. Her body was rigid and slightly shaking. I noticed something drip to the ground, something dark in colour. A sickly sound was made as she drew something away from her body, a small silver knife, covered in blood.
She turned noticing me in the entranceway. I dropped my plate and ran to her side as she turned away from me. The plate made a fearful crush upon the flagstone floor and everyone was soon running to see what had happened.
"I-I accidentally sliced my hand," she mumbled as she ran her hand under the cold tap. I found a tea towel and wrapped it around to help staunch the bleeding. Holly came through the door first; she saw the blood on my hands and immediately turned on me.
"Donovan how could you!" she shouted. I held my hands up in surrender and explained what had happened quickly. Holly fussed over Missy as the young Fowl huffed in annoyance.
"Here, let me heal it," Holly muttered blue sparks playing at her finger tips already. Missy ripped her hand away from her biological mother. "It can heal properly by itself," she growled pushing her way out of the now crowded door way.
I cleaned everything up and loaded the dishwasher as fast as I could; I wanted to see how Missy was doing.
Missy POV
I slammed the door for the study shut. I couldn't believe her! The nerve of asking to heal me after all she had done to me. She was going to have to heal the rift between us before she could heal any of my limbs. I heard an knock on the oak door and checked the cameras to see it was only Donovan.
He had always been there for me. That sweet smile; the dark green eyes and the way he could always make me feel better. I remembered when we were children and he had saved me from a number of things, and he had also saved me from my dark decent. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him.
I opened the door and came face to face with him. A crooked smile came upon his face as he held up a bandage and antiseptic. I moved out of the way for him to enter what was now my study.
"Sit down so I can clean your cut," he snickered as I struggled closing the heavy door with my wounded hand. I sat in the large faux leather chair that was once my fathers and held out my hand. He cleaned it gently and once he had finished tying the bandage he left a trail of soft kisses on my hand. I blushed like a neon light as he looked up at me grinning.
"All better!" he cried, lifting me off of my seat and into his lap, making me taller. We had done this as children when I couldn't reach the computer keyboard. I laughed as he turned on the computer for me and burrowed his face into my shoulder. Didn't he know the things he did to me? Did he see me blush every time we would brush hands or if his face got to close to mine?
A mail icon came up on my screen and I realised it was Flash; I turned on my webcam and accepted his video call.
"What has my favourite female genius been up too?" came Flash's voice as his face came up.
"Well I just sliced my hand open and my mother is back, so otherwise, not so great," I laugh. Flash grinned, his brown eyes twinkling as though the stars had been captured inside of them.
"Ah, Missy what am I going to do with you?" smiled my pony boy. Donovan's grip tightened on my waist and his hand dug slightly into my side causing me to laugh loudly. It turned quickly into an all-out tickling war, Flash cheering me on as Donovan giggled.
"Oh hey kids!" came a voice from the computer screen. I froze, that didn't sound like Aunty Callie. Uncle Foaly's head filled the space behind his son's. I jumped up from the straddling position I was in to hold Don down.
"Hey Uncle Foaly! Got any new gadgets for me to try out?" I ask as Foaly pulls out a contact lens of sorts.
"Well I made a new iris cam, care to try it out when you come down next?" His face crinkling up as he smiled. I nodded excitedly hardly noticing that Flash was telling Donovan something.
"Well I gotta go, I have work now," Flash muttered as Foaly walked out of the room. I was confused. Flash working? Now that was a sight I was yet to see.
"Work?" Donovan asked as he put his chin on my shoulder. His breath tickled my neck as Flash explained he was working part time with Foaly in the Ops Booth at LEP Head Quarters. I nodded leaning into Donovan as Foaly bid his goodbyes and switched us off. I sighed as I felt my bodyguard's arms snake around my waist pulling me closer.
"So, what do we do now?" Donovan asked his voice muffled by my shoulder. I jumped off of his lap and looked out of the large window that led onto the balcony. I opened it to let in a little air as I heard Donovan come up behind me. I winced as he touched my hand and pulled me away.
"Well I guess I keep searching on the internet for the cure to cancer," I whisper. It was so hard to admit it, but I couldn't run from the fact that all of my father's symptoms were pointing in that direction.
"Uh, I think you should get some rest and get that hand healed before you do any strenuous typing on that computer," Donovan insisted. I felt my shoulders slump as I gave into sleep.
Donovan POV
I carried my tired charge to her large room and laid her down on the double bed. She looked so peaceful when asleep, she didn't have the constant furrowed brow, or the concentrated look in her eye. I brushed some stray hair out of her face; that beautiful raven hair of hers that framed her face perfectly.
Her chest rose and fell in her peaceful slumber. I chuckled softly, this girl, I could never get this beautiful angel out of my mind. I noticed her lips open slightly as she exhaled. How I wished to taste those lips though, I knew they were the ultimate forbidden fruit.
She could never love me. I was nothing compared to Missy. Besides her Father would never approve, Uncle would be on my case telling me it was dangerous to get too close to my charge. I had to have a detachment from her, so I wouldn't be distracted when protecting her. And Mom, what would she say? Artemis is a lovely girl, but you and her could never be together. It just doesn't fit. Yeah, like I could ever stop loving her.
I could listen to Missy breath and murmur all night, but I had to shut down her computer and hit the gym.
"Mffgn ….. Dono…van…mmm," She murmured as she rolled over her hand laying over my own.
"Shh, it's okay, time to sleep," I whispered, tucking the now messy hair behind her elfin ear she usually covered. She sighed as I trailed two fingers along her jaw, down her neck and across her exposed collarbone. A slight smile made its way on her pale face; the dim light making it even paler. I decided I should leave before the night slipped away from under me. I kissed her temple softly and leave the room shutting out all light.
After making my way back to Missy's study I turn off her super computer. I accidently knocked a small stack of papers off of the dark oak desk. I pick them all up and stack them slowly going through them. One was a drawing of a griffin and another one was a portrait of Flash. I smile at the sight of my other best friend in paper. It reminded me of what Flash had mouthed to me when Foaly and my angel were chatting. He had found a possible cure for cancer, but he didn't want to tell Missy in case he put too much pressure on her. I knew what he meant. Another few hundred stapled together was a short romance novel, she published for a quick way to get some money.
And then I found a photo, it was of me and Missy. It was last year, around Christmas time. She was on my back with her arms out like she was flying. Her face was crinkled up in laughter. It was before Artemis had gotten ill, when Mom declared herself three months pregnant and we were all happy.
I put it all back and left the dark room. Time to train.