DISCLAIMER:
**Simone is my friend,
Though I don't like her a lot,
The others aren't mine,
Unless they can be bought!**
AN: Ohhh, that one's really bad…
Chapter 7: A Pleasant Breakfast for Five
Simone was up late that night getting her computer, stereo and other…equipment set up for her stay. Then she settled down in the large bed to catch a few hours of sleep. A knock woke her the next morning, along with Juliet's happy voice.
"Good morning, Simone! Breakfast is ready. Do you think you can find the way down by yourself, or do you want me to hang around?"
"Mrph." The French girl muttered as she rolled over. She glanced at the clock blearily. "Go away. You're too happy for eight in the morning."
Juliet laughed. "So I've heard. That's exactly what Ho-uh, Mister Fowl said. But Mrs. Fowl gets very upset when you're late for breakfast. And if you skip, watch out! She'll think you're anorexic."
"I'm up, I'm up." Simone lied as she snuggled deep within the warm covers. Maybe the house was little too fancy for her taste, but she could suffer though having such a comfortable bed.
"I'll believe that when I see it." Juliet said. "Prove to me you're up or I'll have to make you get up."
"Try it." Simone called. What could Juliet do, threaten to pull the covers off? She'd locked the door.
The girl's eyes flew open when she heard a jangle at the door. The jangle of keys. Juliet laughed slightly.
"I have permission to come in and do whatever is necessary to ensure you're bright-eyed and bushy tailed. I can guarantee you won't like it if I do."
Groaning, Simone sat up and tossed her covers on the floor. She stalked over to the door, unlocked it, and peeked out. "Alright, I'm up. Happy?" she growled.
"Yep." Juliet chirped. She smiled at the disgruntled look on Simone's face. "Come on, you'll get used to it. Maybe you shouldn't stay up so late."
"Hmph."
"Do you need any helping navigating?" Juliet asked again. Simone shook her head.
"I'll be fine, thanks though."
"Right." Juliet headed for the stairs. "Don't be late!"
Simone closed her door and glanced longingly at her bed. She wanted a few more minutes so badly. The girl took a step toward the bed, and then stopped. With a moan, she spun and stalked to her closet.
After dressing in black jeans, a pink V necked shirt with fuchsia flowers along the bottom, and yanking her hair into a ponytail, Simone was ready to head down. She spent a moment scanning the hallway, but she eventually figured out the direction of the staircase. As she passed Artemis's room, she heard his voice. He did not sound overly pleased.
"It's none of your business, Holly." After another moment, she heard Artemis sigh, and heard a squeak that signaled his departure from his chair. Simone spun and headed for the stairs, hoping to get enough distance between her and the door he wouldn't think she was listening to his conversation.
Halfway down the stairs, she looked back. The Irish teen said something she couldn't hear, and closed his bedroom door firmly. He seemed fairly annoyed, though he hid the expression instantly. Simone bit back a smile. Holly, huh…
**********
Artemis was awake and at his computer when Butler knocked on his door. At least, he had assumed it was Butler.
"Come in." he said as he began closing the connection to the Interpol files. He had wanted to run a background check on Simone's father, just to be careful. After all, Artemis knew from experience it paid to be cautious.
"Somehow," came Holly's voice, right near his ear, "I don't think you're supposed to be in there."
Artemis tensed and turned. "And somehow," he returned, "I don't think you're supposed to be in here."
"Why not?" Holly asked, looking much too innocent. "I don't see the problem. You said I could come in." When Artemis said nothing and returned his attention to the screen, she came a little closer. "Why are you so interested in this Mr. Badeau's file anyway?"
"Simone is his daughter." Artemis said shortly. "I don't really want her breathing down my neck the entire time she's here."
"Why? Scared some teenager will get in the way of your criminal career? I would be more worried about your parents. After all, I thought your dad wanted you to go straight." Holly was a little disappointed in Artemis's lapse back to crime. "Guess he wasn't as good a role model as I originally thought."
Artemis lifted his head to glare at the fairy, and Holly did a double take. Did he look…hurt? No, couldn't be. Not the great Artemis Fowl.
"It's none of your business, Holly." he snapped. When Holly said nothing but continued to study him, the boy sighed and left his chair. As he headed toward the door, he turned back. "Juliet will probably have some fruits and vegetables ready for you after breakfast."
"Your generosity is truly inspiring." Holly said as she settled into Artemis's vacated computer chair. Artemis started to say something, but just scowled and opened his door.
"Don't touch anything." he said firmly, and shut his door with a decisive bang. He could hear the elf's light laughter even through the solid oak of the door. Artemis started down the steps. He could see the manor's other unwelcome visitor already at the table, along with his parents. She looked slightly bleary eyed.
"Good morning, Artemis." his father said cheerily. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I did, Father. Good morning, Mother." Artemis began to sit, when he saw his mother's sharp look. Biting back a sigh, he glanced at the French girl. "Simone." he said tonelessly.
"Good morning, Arty." she responded and was rewarded with the extreme pleasure of seeing him tense.
Angeline wasn't stupid; she could see the strain between the two. If it was any thicker Butler wouldn't have been able to slice through it. She decided to take matters into her own hands. "Artemis, why don't you tell Simone about your school? After all, she'll be here for the rest of the semester and you don't want her getting lost or confused."
Artemis blinked. "The rest of the semester? Mother, the school year hasn't started yet."
"I know." Angeline said pointedly, hoping her son would drop the issue and start a conversation. Artemis just continued staring at his plate. She looked at her husband helplessly. He got the hint.
"Simone," he said gently. She looked up. "You've been here for a day; are there any questions you have for us? I'm certain Artemis will fill you in on anything about the upstairs."
"Actually," the French girl said, "I have a few questions for Artemis." The boy looked at her coolly and she put a fake smile on her face. "What do you do in your spare time?"
Artemis refused to show the slightest hint of panic. "I enjoy thinking up new inventions, and I spend a lot of my time on my computer, researching things on the Internet."
"Researching what, exactly?" Simone asked.
"Fairies." a voice whispered out of nowhere. Artemis coughed to cover his surprise and saw out of his peripheral vision a shimmer.
"What are you doing down here?" he hissed back. Faint laughter echoed in his ear.
"Arty?" Angeline pressed. "Are you okay?" When he nodded, she raised an eyebrow. "Well, Simone asked you a question."
"I take university courses, and I study psychology journals." Artemis said, filling Simone in on what he did in between his not quite legal adventures. "I also spend some time looking at art, such as paintings from the Classical Period, or from the Renaissance."
"Yeah, right." Holly said quietly. "You also study the secret writings of ancient civilizations, but only when you want to take advantage of them."
Artemis sat back in his chair and sent a quick irritated glance to his left. Holly chuckled again.
"So," Simone said, a smirk not quite hidden on her face, "What about your friends? Do they spend a lot of time on the computer, too?" She had seen the glare and assumed it had been for her annoying questions. Well, she was just getting started.
Artemis placed his fork on the table and folded his napkin. "I have no real friends, Simone. Only allies. Most people do not wish to associate with me. And I frankly have no time for them."
"Arty!" Angeline said in shock.
"It is true, Mother. I have no spare time for socializing, even if I wanted to."
"I think I believe the part about people not wanting be around you more than you not wanting to be near them." Holly whispered with laughter in her tone.
"Not now." Artemis muttered back.
"Why not?" Holly responded. "It's as good a time as any."
"So, if you don't have any friends," Simone asked in that too-sweet voice, "who's Holly?"
AN: Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Cliffhanger! I love my work.