Chapter 4

Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who's been reading so far! Just to clarify this is a Flashback to Artemis before he went to the warehouse the first time. Hopefully it isn't too confusing. :)

Driveway at Fowl Manor

Exactly 18 years, 2 days, and 45 minutes after the birth of Artemis Fowl Junior

As Artemis Fowl II sat in the Fowl Bentley, he began to have doubts. Although he couldn't quite put his finger on it, there was something strange, suspicious about this deal...

Last night, his parents had a large party. They had been celebrating extreme stock success in company of a friend of Artemis Fowl Seniors, whom of course the Fowl's had a large number of shares in. Angeline Fowl was wearing an elegant long black gown, and had worn the Fei Fei diamond necklace to top it all off. She had looked stunning, and Artemis had told her so.

Later, however, sometime near the beginning of the party, an elaborate distraction had been staged, in the form of a large tapestry falling off the wall, landing on top of several screaming guests. Artemis Senior and Angeline of course had been horrified, ut Artemis Junior had merely thought it was a pity the antique weave had been damaged by some rich, unintelligent business associates, who had no more damage done to them than a bit of wine spilled on their clothing. Artemis Junior had not been distracted by this for long, when he noticed that Angeline Fowl's necklace was missing. Artemis was forced by his father to stand by his side and continuously make small talk, instead of investigating who may have stolen the necklace. He could not tell his father, who must never know the true value of the necklace, monetarily or sentimentally.

A little further into the party, Angeline noticed her necklace missing. Artemis could see her smile falter and eyes glaze over as she tried to continue to make small talk with guests. She didn't know the monetary value of the necklace, only the sentimental.

Artemis had stolen that diamond from the priceless tiara of the Chinese diplomat Lady Fei Fei. The diamond was completely unique, in hue and quality. It was the exact colour of the eyes of Artemis Fowl Junior and Senior. Artemis had stolen this diamond and given it to his mother on his father's birthday, when he was still missing and presumed dead.

No one knew the true story behind this diamond, not even Mulch Diggums, who had helped him to steal it. Artemis had told Mulch he needed the diamond for a laser he was developing.

Artemis had trawled through guest lists and cross referenced everything he could when he received a message from a pay phone in Dublin. The man's voice had told him that he had the diamond and would accept no less than two million in American dollars for the safe return of the diamond.

At the time, Artemis had thought nothing strange about this. It would be a simple matter for Butler to take out the businessman with a neutrino, take the diamond and that would be that. The businessman would never tell the authorities, as he too was guilty. This businessman was obviously less intelligent than him, especially if he thought it wise to bait Artemis Fowl, and obviously had no idea of the true value or quality of the diamond. Of course, the man had thought he was speaking to Artemis Senior, but his father, though no genius was quite notorious, and not one to bait.

Unfortunately for Artemis, his mother had been in his room, speaking with him when his phone had begun ringing. Angeline had told him not to answer it, and so the message began playing aloud. Now Angeline too was coming along on their business expedition.

So, Artemis Junior sat waiting in the car while his mother and Juliet got ready, as well as Butler. While his mother and Juliet were no doubt putting on makeup and choosing outfits, (why they would carefully choose outfits for this was beyond him), Butler was no doubt packing various weapons; his Sig Sauer, a cosh, a fairy visor, sunglasses and a few different models of neutrinos, Artemis guessed.

Artemis was wondering if perhaps he was underestimating this businessman after all when Captain Holly Short materialized seemingly out of nowhere outside the window of the Bentley, opened the door and slid in the seat next to him. If Artemis was surprised, he hid it well.

"Hey Mu-Artemis!" Holly grinned at him.

"Hello Holly, here on business I presume?" Artemis replied quickly.

"Nothing is a surprise to you, is it?" Holly sulked for a moment. "I really am here on Section Eight business. We have an Elf living aboveground, somewhere in Dublin, probably involved in smuggling, know anything?"

"Holly, if you'd come back here in a few hours, I'd be happy to help you. Right now, I've got some very important business to attend to, and it must be dealt with immediately."

Holly paused to look at Artemis for a moment. For a moment she thought she saw something there, a flicker of sadness, hidden behind his irritation. She decided to answer carefully, "Artemis, is there somehow I can help?"

Artemis thought for a moment, Holly could be a great help, with her shield she could watch from the roof for any snipers or people who might see more than they should, and if needed, she could use her mesmer. She could help him with this little venture, there probably wasn't much danger anyway, and then he would help her with hers.

"Thank you Holly, I will of course immediately afterward assist you in finding that smuggler." Artemis explained the predicament to her, leaving out the true value of the diamond, and the fact that he himself had stolen it. "Stay in contact over the communicator, and scope out the area before we arrive there. And eh- thanks Holly," he muttered.

"You owe me one Mud Boy. Don't worry, we'll get your mother's necklace back." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, and stepped out of the Bentley. She turned and waved to Butler before starting up her wings, "See ya, Big Man!"

Artemis sat there for a moment, watching her go. She twirled up a few feet, spinning in graceful circles, then she shielded, and he watched until the haze faded into the distance.

Butler walked by with weapons overflowing out of his huge arms.

"Duffel in the back," he explained briefly.

Artemis smirked as he noted the items Butler was carrying; his Sig Sauer, a cosh, a fairy visor, sunglasses, and a neutrino 2000 and 3000.

Author's Notes: Please Please Review and Rate! Thank-you! Also, I am looking for a Beta, so if you know any good ones, let me know!