Figuring Things Out

Haven City, Underground

Foaly sat on his customized chair in the Operations Booth. He attacked the keyboard in a rhythmic fashion, while his eyes darted across the screens. As soon as Holly entered the room, she was suddenly engulfed by an avalanche of papers.

"Foaly, what is all of this?" Holly demanded as she made her way through the disaster.

"Oh, good. Holly, you're here," Foaly said, not taking his eyes off of the screens. "I trust that Commander Root showed you the news clip?"

"Yes, he did. I can't believe that their…" Holly couldn't finish her sentence.

"I know, but don't you think that there's something suspicious going on?" Foaly asked.

"What do you mean?" Holly said, eyes narrowing as she walked over to him.

"I mean, the house suddenly catching on fire the same day and time a bio-bomb gets loose," Foaly said.

"What bio-bomb?" she asked. "No one tells me anything anymore."

"You had yesterday off remember. We wanted to tell you once you got here," he said. Holly sighed.

"So you think that there's a connection between the bio-bomb and the fire?" Holly asked. Suddenly, there was a beep as the screens pulsed a bright blue. Access Granted.

"No, I don't think there's a connection between the two," Foaly responded. "I know there is."

Fowl Manor

Annabelle Gold was sitting upright on the soft queen-sized bed. Her eyes traveled up and down the cast and sling that decorated her left arm, a scowl visible on her face. Ever since she woke up last night, she'd been thinking. Thinking about her parents, her surroundings, and of Artemis Fowl. She knew that her parents were gone, but she still couldn't believe it. Yesterday they were just laughing and having dinner, then the next second they were gone. Gone in the blink of an eye. She couldn't remember much of what happened. All she can recollect was a huge flash of light and then an explosion. Everything went black after that. Once she awoke, her body emitted pain, the manor was in ruins, and her parents were gone. She got up, no matter how it hurt physically and emotionally, and ran. She ran away from it all. She didn't know how far she ran or for how long before she passed out. The next thing she knew, she was here in Fowl Manor with the famous, or rather infamous, Artemis Fowl by her side. At first she couldn't recognize him. Maybe it was because of what she just went through. But once she recollected all her thoughts, she remembered. She remembered the boy that came for a visit with his father in the manor. Her father told her that they were going to have visitors and that she was free to come down at any time and greet them. She wanted to but instead, she stayed in her room watching the boy from the windowsill. Artemis Fowl the Second. That was his name. A very interesting boy he was with his raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes. He actually looked… cute. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," she called, straightening herself up. The door opened and in came an adolescent blonde.

"Good Morning, Miss Gold," she said. "My name is Juliet and I will be attending you."

"You don't have to act like that you know," she told her, "and you also don't have to call me Miss Gold. Just call me P… Annabelle."

"Alrighty then," Juliet said, relieved that she didn't have to act all formal and fancy like. "Artemis wants you to get dressed, and then join him for breakfast."

"But, I don't have any clothes," Annabelle protested. Juliet flashed her a smile as she walked over to her.

"Let me worry about that. I was ordered to attend to you," she said as she pulled Annabelle slowly out of bed. Juliet led her to the closet and opened it. There was probably a whole mall in there. Clothes, shoes, and jewelry adorned it. The closet looked like it got a makeover. "I did a little shopping," Juliet shrugged.

"Wow." was all that came out of Annabelle's mouth as Juliet pulled her inside.

The Fowl heir was seated at the head of the long, polished table in the grand dinning room with Butler at his side. Artemis wore a black Armani suit and his hair was brushed back from his face. Rays of sunlight came in through the windows and glittered off of the gold chandelier that hung proudly on the ceiling. Food ornamented the table elegantly. The sudden creak of the huge oak doors broke the silence. Juliet bounced in with a huge smile on her beautiful face.

"Gentleman and… gentleman," Juliet announced. "I introduce to you… Miss Annabelle Gold." She threw her hands in the air dramatically as if to flaunt something off. Silence filled the room and no one else came in. "Miss Annabelle Gold," she reintroduced. There were still no signs of movement from outside. Butler and Artemis looked at each other, one eyebrow raised. A flash of annoyance crossed Juliet's face as she brought her hands down. "Excuse me for one moment," she said as she marched out the doors. Both men heard a few muffled sounds.

"No… I'm not going in there dressed like this," Annabelle said.

"Yes you are. Now move your feet and get in there or I'll drag you in there myself," Juliet commanded.

"No…no…" Annabelle said as Juliet pushed her inside. She was clad in a blue dress that went down to her knees. It wasn't formal, but it was stunningly elegant. Her feet was adorned with black heels that looked to be only one inch high and a silver headband was sat atop her head like a tiara. Her waist-length brown hair swished gracefully as she moved. Artemis was at a loss for words.

"They're watching you," Juliet whispered in Annabelle's ear. She straightened herself up and faced them.

"Good Morning," she said as she smiled at both men and threw a glare at Juliet's direction, which she accepted with a simple grin. Artemis cleared his throat.

"Good Morning to you too, Miss Gold," he greeted. "Would you care to join me for breakfast?" Artemis gestured to the seat closest to his right. After a moment of hesitation, she sat down. "Butler, Juliet, would you be so kind as to give us some privacy." The manservant nodded while Juliet through them a mischievous smirk and left.

"Their not joining us, Artemis?" Annabelle asked.

"I'm afraid they've already eaten and are now doing their routine sweep of the manor. I wouldn't be well-mannered to your eyes if I didn't wait for my guest," he said. Annabelle watched him carefully.

"I don't get it," she said. "Why are you being nice to me? Do you need me for something?" Artemis chuckled.

"Your parents are gone and the manor you used to call home is destroyed. You have no guardians or home to go to," he said. "The way I see it, Annabelle, you need me." The girl said nothing. What Artemis said was true. She looked down at her own plate and played with her food.

"I know that," she said after a while. "What I don't understand is… why keep me here? You could've sent me to an orphanage by now." Artemis didn't answer. He hadn't even thought of shipping her off to an orphanage. Actually, he had no intention whatsoever of sending her off and letting a family she didn't know adopt her.

"I could have, but I was feeling generous," he said instead. Annabelle didn't lift her head to meet his gaze so Artemis decided to change the subject. "Can you tell me what happened last night?" This time she looked up.

"Is it that important?" she asked him quietly.

"Yes it is," Artemis responded. "After all, everyone believes you to be dead." Annabelle's gaze lingered at him for a while before looking back down on her plate. She sighed and parted her lips.

"I can't remember much. All I know is that I went for a walk around the garden after having dinner with my parents. Then, I saw a flash of light inside the manor followed by a series of fiery explosions," she said sadly, tears threatening to come out. "I guess I passed out and when I awoke, the manor was burned down and I couldn't see any signs of life. That's when I started running. I noticed that my arm was broken, but I didn't care. I just ran and somehow ended up here."

"I see," Artemis said. "And how is your arm fairing?"

"It still hurts," she said as she tried to move it, but as soon as she did, it emitted pain and she winced. "D'Arvit."

"What was that?" he asked as if he heard her say something odd.

"I tried to move it but all I got was pain," Annabelle said, scowling at her arm.

"No, I heard you say 'D'Arvit,'" Artemis said.

"Oh. Excuse me for my language," Annabelle apologized.

"Who exactly are you?" he demanded. She looked at him confused.

"She didn't tell you did she?" Annabelle asked him in a quiet tone.

"She?"

"Holly. She didn't tell you about me," she replied. "I guess she wouldn't because you did kidnap her."

"You're a fairy?" he asked incredulously.

"No, I'm not a fairy," Annabelle said. "I'm a half-fairy."