Disclaimer: Artemis Fowl and all his associates are property of the ingenious Mr. Eoin Colfer. Therefore all characters except for my OC Katherine belong to him.

Warning: The beginning of this chapter is where Artemis is going to play his disappearing act just rehashed with Katherine injected into the story line. Then it continues with a little bit of what happened when he left. It's basically just the prologue of my story. Chapter Two is all new and all original story line of my own I just felt the need to gradually draw you in with this…

"I'm giving you a new duty, look after Minerva. Keep her safe until we can rendezvous."

Katherine didn't like this, "Artemis! There is no way Holly can carry all that weight!"

Artemis looked her in the eyes, "She has no choice, besides it is merely one building over." Katherine saw it briefly in his eyes, it was doubt, he wasn't completely confident in his plan. But before she could get another word in Butler spoke up.

"Let Holly fly out over the sea and drop the bomb, we can mount a rescue mission later."

"It will be too late. If we don't get these fairies out of here, the eyes of the world will be on Taipei. And anyway, the local seas are thronged with fishing boats. This is the only way. I will not allow humans or fairies to die when I can prevent it."

"Listen to yourself." Butler was urgent now, "You sound like a… like a good guy! There's nothing in this for you."

Butler was right, of all the times Artemis could've chosen to be a 'good guy' he picked now. Not that she objected to his willingness to be a good guy, but why now? 'Why now? Why did he decide to act like a good guy just in time to risk his life and most likely…' Katherine didn't want to think about the possible outcome of this.

But Artemis didn't seem to care, "In the words of H.P. Woodman, 'Time is ticking on, and we must be gone.' Holly tie us to your belt, all except Butler, Katherine and Minerva"

Katherine was going to kick Artemis for this, if he survived. Which he would, because he can't die; Katherine would not allow that.

Holly was instructing No. 1 on how to attach himself to her belt properly as Butler made sure Artemis was secure, "This is it, Artemis. I've had it, I swear. When we get home I am retiring. I'm older than I look, and feel older than I am. No more plotting. Promise me?"

Artemis forced a smile, "I am simply flying to the next building. If I can not defuse the bomb, then Holly can fly it out to sea and endeavor to fin a safe spot."

It was evident to Katherine that Artemis was lying; Holly wouldn't have time to do that.

Butler handed Artemis a flat leather wallet, of sorts, "Here, my picks. So you can at least get into the works."

Artemis thanked Butler then asked if everyone was ready. This brought forth a complaint from Qwan and some various descriptive words for fear from No. 1.

Butler closed the case, "One building across. That's as far as you need to go. Get that panel off and go straight for the explosive itself. Rip out the detonator if you have to."

"Understood."

"Okay. I won't say goody bye, just good luck. I will see you as soon as I can talk us out of here."

"Thirty minutes, if that."

Then that little girl, Minerva, who had been standing there, looking ashamed of herself, which Katherine believed she should be doing, decided to speak up.

"I'm sorry Artemis. I shouldn't have gone near Mr. Kong."

Katherine was glad little miss genius could see that she had acted wrongly but now was not the time for her apology. Butler told Minerva as much and then instructed her to go 'stand by the door and look innocent.'

"But I—"

"Innocent! Now!"

To be perfectly honest it gave Katherine some mild satisfaction to see Minerva be put in her place like that. But that tiny fraction of satisfaction melted away when she came back to reality. Artemis was about to tell Holly to lift off, "Artemis, wait!"

"What is it Katherine? We are slightly pressed for time."

"I want you to promise me that I'll see you again."

"Yes, Katherine, I will be back. Now Holly—"

"No, Artemis!" He looked Katherine straight in the eyes, "I—I want you to really promise me."

Artemis paused a moment then quickly pulled the necklace with the coin Holly had given him off and handed it to Katherine. "Hold that as my pledge, I promise to come for it." He gave her a small smile then told Holly to lift off.

Holly gradually did so and Katherine helped Holly steady her self. Butler nudged the group towards the window and Katherine couldn't help but follow behind Butler. He reached up and yanked on the security catch that was keeping the window shut. Suddenly they were attacked by the elements and deafened by the wind.

Katherine's eyes were watering as Butler steady the group so they wouldn't be whipped away. They were conversing and Katherine drew close enough only to catch the tail-end of the conversation.

"If something goes wrong, wait for me. No matter how it looks, I will return. I will bring them all back."

"What are you planning, Artemis? What are you going to do?"

By this time Katherine was now by Butler's side she watched them beginning to drop; faster than they should be dropping, then something happened. Holly's wings gave out; the engine couldn't take all the weight. Katherine couldn't believe what she was seeing it all seemed to go by in slow motion. She couldn't take her eyes off of them; her heart was in her throat. Then, Artemis and the others simply disappeared. Katherine's heart stopped and her stomach lurched, she would have fallen out of the window if it hadn't been for Butler pulling her back with him.

"Butler…" Katherine's eyes were wide with fear as she looked up at Butler.

"They're okay, Katherine. They're okay…" He was slightly in a daze still when they noticed Minerva crying.

"They're all dead aren't they? Because of me."

Butler placed a hand on Minerva's shoulder, "If they were all dead, it would be because of you. But they're not. Artemis has everything under control. Now, chin up, we have to talk our way out of here, daughter."

"Daughter?"

"Yes, daughter. And you," He gently pulled Katherine over towards Minerva, "are my daughter's best friend." Butler let go of Katherine's arm just in time for the Taiwanese police to burst in. Butler had about a dozen police pointing guns at him.

The museum curator directed the police to the ones they wanted, of course when he saw the destroyed exhibit he pretended to faint and when he realized no one cared he went and sulked in a corner.

One of the inspectors asked if Butler had knocked all the men out. "No, not me. We were hiding behind a crate. They blew up the sculpture then started fighting among themselves…"

Katherine didn't really hear the rest of that conversation because she was beginning to feel light headed, dizzy, and nauseous. Katherine found the nearest wall and leaned against it. Minerva walked over to Katherine and stood next to her, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just a tad tired is all." Katherine smiled, putting up a front.

Minerva sighed then spoke in hushed tones, "Do you think that Artemis and the others are alright?"

"Minerva, they'll be fine. Artemis has never made a promise he didn't keep and besides he always pulls us through no matter what." She looked over at Minerva, "So I guarantee that they'll be back."

"I see…"

Katherine could tell Minerva didn't believe her but that was Minerva's loss. A sudden wave of nausea washed over Katherine almost driving her to her knees, she put her head back against the wall and drew deep breaths to settle her stomach down, for now.

"Okay, let's go ladies."

Katherine opened her eyes to see Butler standing over them. She nodded and followed behind him silently. When they reached the lobby, where they were going to wait for Artemis, suddenly Katherine couldn't hold it in any longer. She ran to the nearest (and cleanest) trash can and vomited. A dizzy spell hit her like a brick wall and everything went black.

...

The next thing Katherine knew she was on her back and Butler was leaning over her checking her vitals.

"Katherine? Katherine?" He was trying to get her to focus.

"Unh…"

"Katherine, how do you feel?"

"Like…like my heart…has been ripped from my chest."

That answer worried Butler a tad, but he decided to disregard it knowing that she was still in a daze. He tried being more specific, "How does your head feel?"

"Fuzzy, and like a train hit it."

That's what he thought, "Can you stand?"

"I can try…" with that she sat up, a tad too fast, "Ugg…"

Butler slowly helped her to her feet; that's when Katherine noticed a small crowd gathered and was officially embarrassed. What on earth was wrong with her? Why did she suddenly feel sick like this? But what ever the reason Butler sat her down in the nearest chair as the crowd slowly dispersed.

"Butler, how long was I out?"

"About an hour."

Katherine was silent for a moment then, "Oh!" She looked around. "Did Artemis come back yet?"

Butler sighed gravely, "Not yet." Then with reaffirmed determination, "But he will be soon."

Sooner slowly turned to later, hours had past and still no Artemis. Katherine was starting to feel uneasy about this, and Minerva was slowly beginning to vex her. Katherine was worried about Butler as well, he was covering it well, but she knew he was worried sick about Artemis' fate; hoping that it wasn't…sealed. Katherine wasn't able to sit still anymore, in fact she had been pacing for the last half hour. She looked over at Minerva who looked worried and tired, and was trying to keep awake.

"Butler," Katherine was standing at his side. "Would you like me to escort Minerva home?"

Butler looked down at her, "No, Artemis asked me to take care of her."

"Yes, but some one needs to stay and wait for Artemis and I just figured you'd prefer to be here."

Butler gave her a small, exhausted-looking smile, "You're right. But make sure nothing happens to her, and swear her to secrecy about today's events—at least the parts involving…well you know the drill."

"Got-cha." Katherine walked over to Minerva, "Come on, let's go."

Minerva snapped out of her groggy state, "What?"

"Come on, Minerva, time to get you home."

"But Artemis hasn't come back yet."

"I know but he would want us to get you back home to your papa."

"But…"

"Minerva, it's for your own good and Artemis would prefer you safe at home than here. … After all he did this all for you." The last statement left a bitter, metallic taste in Katherine's mouth.

Minerva was silent for a moment, "Alright."

It was a long, drudging ride to Minerva's home. Most of the time was spent convincing Minerva to keep the fairies and the like a secret. Katherine phoned Butler the moment she left Minerva's house, figuring that since hours had passed Artemis should be back by now.

"Butler, it's Katherine… has he shown up yet? … No? … Do you want me to come back? … Alright, then what should I do? … What do you want me to tell them? … Ok, I'll wait."

...