A/N: This chapter is a bit sappy and Artemis and Butler might seem OOC but remember, it's an entry written years ago and he had just suffered through the lost of his old friend. So bare with me.

Chapter 4 – Butler

2 hours later

Artemis called for Butler to enter the study and handed him a folio. In it detailed all the memories and events that took place for the three years-span. At each turn of the page, Butler's eyes twinkled. Finally he looked up and stared directly at Artemis.

"I remembered… the kidnapping of Captain Short… her healing powers… trolls… Commander Root… Foaly… getting back your father…" with each memory he recalled, Butler's face grew wider, grinning. That is until he reached the page on his very near-death:

Subject: Butler, Domovoi.

Venue: En Fin, Knightsbridge, London

Case:

§ Shot at close range by Arno Blunt

§ Bullet coated with Teflon

§ Penetrated Kevlar in the sternum area

§ Preserved by cryogenics

§ Lost him for 3 hours

§ Resurrected by Captain Short

§ Revived a week later (A/N: Does anyone know how long Butler was out?)

The list went on explaining every other details pertaining to the incident.

When Butler turns to the next page, there was an entry written in Artemis' precise handwriting. As he read it, he realised Artemis didn't write it as efficient as a computer but as the human he is. It said:

We almost lost him… I almost lost him. Holly managed to bring him back but the passing time and healing process aged him by 15 years. Despite that, I am extremely thankful for his return. Father had taught me well: aurum potestas est – 'Gold is power' but Butler… Domovoi to me is more than a butler/bodyguard; he is my one real friend, companion and guardian. He has been there since I can remember, protecting me the best that he can. I know I have not been an easy person to look after. I have lots of plans. Most would go without a hitch but there are the diminutive times when unexpected developments occur, Butler is there by my side. He had never ridiculed any of the plans no matter how silly (for the lack of a better word) it may seem. Yet this one time, I almost lost him forever. He took the bullet meant for me and I never expected the hit to be fatal. For some reason, I had subconsciously place Domovoi in the 'invincible' file. I had always imagined that we would die together – facing insurmountable odds, in some exotic location. On the lip of a reactivated Vesuvius perhaps, or on the banks of the mighty Ganges. But together, as friends. After all they had been through, Butler simply could not be defeated at the hands of some grandstanding second-rate muscleman. The irony of it all.

Domovoi -  if you're reading this, I have only one thing to say to you:

I'm sorry.

Slowly getting up, Butler walked to the nearest window and stared out. Artemis stood by the desk, eyeing him, not knowing how to respond. Butler looked so lost and a tick could be seen, twitching near his jaw. A few minutes later (and what felt like years to Artemis) Butler spoke "It is my sacred duty to protect my principal at all cause, a Butler to a Fowl, even if it means my death. Failure to do so is a disgrace to the family's name, honour and pride. A Madam Ko disciple also has to keep strict distance from their principal, to not be attached. Yet I broke that code for I care deeply for you, Artemis, as a young master and like a son. That's the reason why I took the bullet. It wasn't your fault that I took the bullet. And you saved me…"

"But…"

"Let me finish this Artemis. Holly brought me back but you, you saved me with your quick thinking. I owe you my life. Nothing can repay a life's debt."

Butler then turned and faced Artemis. Artemis had a sorrowful look and tears were flowing down his face freely. There stood not the young man we encountered but the lost boy looking at his mentor.

"I'm sorry, so, so sorry." Suddenly he ran and gave Butler a hug. They held on to each other for ages before composing themselves and stepped away.

"We still have a lot of years to go, my old friend." Artemis said deprecatingly.

"Now about our dwarf friend out there, I've got a new plan…"

A/N: Did you see something? Hah! I hope that chapter wasn't too bad (if it is, tell me). I know it's sappy (I like sappiness) for I wanted to produce a humane side to both Artemis and Domovoi (I just like his name) to prove that they are not as 2-dimensional and also now, we can get back to the one-tracked, cold, brilliant, sarcastic wit of Artemis (I love it when he's mean and has the vampirish-persona on) and Butler's steady presence. Of course, there be other times when Artemis would show his human-side but that's for another chapter. Please review.