Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl or any of the Characters in this plot. They belong to Eoin Colfer, not me. Happy reading – there is much more to come!

The LEP Training facility, Haven City, The Lower Elements

HOLLY lashed out at a holographic target, her hand clenched into a tight fist. The hologram of a burly gnome flickered and died. She looked round in satisfaction.

Following her jaunt to the past to rescue Jayjay from Opal Koboi, she was being reassessed on her efficiency and skills when on normal Recon missions. Every test so far she had aced without a problem, and she only had one more assignment to go. She didn't know what the last assignment would be, but still felt confident she could defeat anything thrown at her.

If only I had my Neutrino with me, Holly thought. As if on cue, a panel on the holo-room slid back to reveal a Neutrino blaster. Foaly had upgraded his holograms in such a way that you could actually feel contact from them, only not as severe.

Holly picked up the gun and expertly swung it into its holster on her hip. At this prescise moment a young mud man seemed to flicker out of nowhere. His back was turned to her so she couldn't make out the facial features, only the back of a very expensive looking suit. 'You have ten minutes to defeat your opponent', said a robotic voice 'Your time starts...NOW'. Okay, thought Holly confidently. It's just a hologram. This should be a piece of dwarf cake.

But her attitude changed as soon as the human turned around. It was all too familiar. The slim pianists fingers, the unnaturally pale skin and the mismatched eyes. The eyes.

'D'Arvit!' swore Holly under her breath.

'Ah, Captain Holly Short. I'm glad you could join me.' Artemis Fowl's eyes were cold and expressionless, both blue and brown.

'You have precisely nine minutes left' said the robotic voice.

Holly just stood there and stared at the hologram.

Suddenly Artemis darted to her left and dealt a swift kick to her stomach. She fell backwards, landing squarely on her backside, looking like a complete idiot. The Artemis she knew couldn't kick a stationary beanbag without missing once or twice.

Hologram-Artemis stood over her, taunting. 'Aren't you meant to be in the LEP? Some recon officer you are!'

Holly drew out her Neutrino from its holster and aimed it at Artemis's chest. Her finger hovered over the trigger, then dropped. She couldn't do it to Artemis, hologram or not.

Where did this attitude come from? Wondered Holly. Two years ago she would have shot him, no doubt. While she was thinking this though, Artemis wasn't being so generous. He crept round to her side and whispered in her ear. 'Seeing as I don't have Butler here with me, I'll have to improvise' . He used his sharp nail to prod the pressure point on the side of Holly's neck. Unconsciousness was almost instant. The hologram of Artemis disappeared.

Do I love him? Thought Holly as consciousness slipped away. Then, I think I do.

Fowl Manor, Dublin, Ireland

The real Artemis Fowl was in his usual place – sitting at his desk in his study, surrounded by PowerBooks and computer monitors. A projector usually threw large videos of news stations all over the world on a white screen, but this time it was covered in pictures of Christmas parties. Artemis studied each one in turn, commenting.

'What are your thoughts on this one, Butler?' He pointed towards a lively scene on the computer where people danced the Irish jig.

'Don't you think its a bit...well, not your taste?'

'No, it is not', agreed Artemis. 'But it will be fun for the guests'

Butler sighed. 'Do you really expect to be able to get all those scientists dancing the Irish jig to jazzy Christmas music?'

Artemis frowned. 'No, I didn't think of that'

Butler groaned. Master Artemis normally thought of everything – But anything social was a disaster for him. So as soon as Artemis had offered to help his mother plan a Christmas party, he was completely out of his depth.

'Look Butler, I know you think this is a bad idea, but maybe it would be good for me to do something social. I'll have to start at some point'.

'I never thought I'd hear those words coming out of your mouth', grinned Butler.

'Well, there's a first for everything' Artemis replied. 'An anyway, I'm not only inviting scientists. Mother and Father are bringing a few of their friends along.' Butler raised an eyebrow. 'Not criminal friends'

'That makes it so much better' muttered Butler under his breath.

'What did you–' Artemis petered off mid-sentence. 'Butler, what about this...'

Butler strode over to his charge's side. 'No, Artemis', said Butler. 'Not that. Definitely not'

'Oh yes', said Artemis, grinning. 'That.'

Butler almost fainted. And as we all know, that's no mean feat.