(A/N: So. A new story. I came up with this one as I was working on Finding Again. The strangest things happen when you're in your "typing trance".

Enjoy! I don't own Artemis Fowl. Only this awesome fanfiction.)

The boy woke up in an unfamiliar room, with no idea how he'd gotten there. All he knew was that he was not where he was supposed to be. The room was simple; White walls, grey sheets, and wooden flooring. There were two windows on the far side of the room, both with black curtains. The boy took this all in instantly, though he didn't know how he did.

The door opened, revealing a man in his forties or fifties. He had the 'average' build: Not fat, not fit. The man sat in a wicker chair next to the boy's bed, and said in a strong and oddly comforting voice:

"How are you feeling?"

At the sound of the voice, the boy suddenly knew who he was, where he was, and why he was there. He was Alfonse Lee, average American 18-year-old. He was in a suburban house in Marietta, Georgia. And he was in this room because he had been in a coma following a car accident that had killed his entire family. The boy spoke his first words since waking up:

"I'm fine. Who are you?"

The man smiled. "My name is Danny Henderson. You may call me Danny, Dan, or Dad. Whichever you prefer."

Alfonse thought. "What about 'Father'?"

Danny raised his eyebrow. "That's fine."

Alfonse nodded. "'Father' it is, then. I take it you're my new family?"

Danny nodded. "I'm sorry about the crash."

Suddenly, full realization hit Alfonse like the crash had: He would never see his family again. He was about to break down, but some iron will told him to conceal his emotions until the man had left.

"Thanks," Alfonse said around the sobs building in his throat.

The man stood up and put a hand on Alfonse's shoulder. "The rest of the family's downstairs. Feel free to come down when you're ready."

Alfonse nodded. He didn't trust his voice anymore. Danny closed the door, and Alfonse lost his composure. He cried until his eyes had no more tears to give. He never did meet the rest of his family that day.

Nearly 4,000 miles away, It was late at night, and Commander Kelp didn't expect anybody to get any work done, especially not an officer by the name of Holly Short. Artemis, not three days after regaining his memories following his resurrection, had been confiscated by the Council and goodness knows what they did with him. For all she knew, the Council could have relocated him, or killed him again. Except this time, there would be no clone for Artemis' soul to inhabit. Holly was currently in her office, staring blankly at her wall. A pile of untouched work sat on her desk, and a smaller pile of completed work sat on the other side. The completed work was for Council Chairman Cahartez, the only council member that voted against confiscating Artemis. It was for that reason Holly had completed his assignments first. That and a few others: He didn't seem to care that she was a female. He respected her as much as the male officers, possibly more. Cahartez respected Holly, therefore Holly respected Cahartez.

Commander Kelp knocked twice, then opened Holly's door. Holly snapped out of her trance. "Come in," she said.

Trouble Kelp came in and sat in a chair next to Holly's desk.

"Captain," he said gently. "I think it's time for you to get some sleep."

Holly shook her head adamantly. "I'm not sleeping until I find Artemis, or at least have some idea of where he is."

Trouble sighed. If he wasn't going to win this, he might as well help. "Fine. But you're not going to get anywhere staring at a wall." He thought for a second. "I'll get Foaly to help."

Holly smiled tiredly. "Thanks, Commander."

"Don't mention it."

A couple minutes later, Holly heard Foaly's hoofsteps outside her door. She beckoned him in, and he cantered through the door, looking nervous. Holly noticed that the tinfoil hat he had ditched ages ago was back on his head.

"Holly," he groaned. "You know I'm not supposed to help you with this. Maybe you should let him go?"

Holly's expression became hard and she said in a dangerous voice, "I'm going to tell you again, Foaly. I. Will. Not. Let. Him. Go." She punctuated each word with a jab of her finger at Foaly. "He didn't let his dad go. He didn't let me go on Hybras. He didn't let the world go when Opal was about to unleash Armageddon. So I will not let him go because of some stupid decision the Council made!"

Foaly stepped back, looking alarmed. "Okay, okay, fine. I'll help." He decided to abandon his usual snarkiness. "Our young friend is currently in America somewhere. One of the southeastern states. Probably Georgia or Florida. I didn't have much say in where he went, but the Council gave me those details."

Holly was entirely focused now. Her brain processed all this information and filed it away for later use.

"America?" Holly thought. "Let's go to the Ops booth."

"Why?" Foaly asked skeptically.

Holly stood, stretching. "Because all your computers are in there."

A few minutes later, Holly stood with Foaly, who was typing faster than she thought possible. After a few seconds, Foaly stopped and stared expectantly at the plasma screen. A map popped up with red dots spread seemingly randomly around it.

"What's that?" Holly asked. She sipped sim-coffee to keep herself awake.

"These," Foaly explained, indicating the dots. "Are recent additions to households: New babies, adoptions, et cetera. What we're looking for is an addition within the past three days," he typed a command, and several dots disappeared. "Adoptions," Again, more dots vanished. "And an age range of 15-18." Now, all the dots disappeared, leaving only four. One in Tampa, Florida, another in Athens and Marietta Georgia, and Alabama City, Alabama. Foaly whinnied in satisfaction. "Now we analyze each one of them and find out which one is Artemis."

Foaly clicked on the adoption in Tampa, Florida. A document popped up with the name Kira Gibson. 16 years old, female, and adopted into the Turner family after her parents divorced. There was no picture.

"Nope." Holly shook her head.

Foaly clicked on the one in Athens, Georgia. This time, the name was Alonso Ramsey. 18, male, adopted into a foster home after he ran away from his own. As with Kira, there was no picture attached.

Holly knit her eyebrows. "Try the one in Marietta." she instructed.

Foaly wordlessly obeyed, selecting the appropriate file.

Alfonse Lee. 18, male. Adopted into the Henderson family after his own family died in a car crash. Currently in a coma.

"That's Artemis." Holly breathed.

Foaly looked surprised. "How do you know?"

"Alfonse Lee. That's one of his aliases. He told me before he got his memories back after Julius died."

Foaly chuckled, then cackled. "That sly devil. He must have chosen the name himself. He knew it was only a matter of time before we would search for him."

Holly felt like the weight of the world had lifted off her shoulders. Artemis was in America.

(Excellent... What a way to start a new story, eh? It only gets better from here on!)