Disclaimer: Artemis does not belong to me. *sulk* He and all related characters belong to the almighty Eion Colfer.
A/N: Before starting I would like to point out there is no Artemis/Holly shipping in this fic. All references to Artemis are meant in a friend's point of view. Also my characters are very um… OUT of character.
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"No Holly… I really don't think you should have another one!" Trouble said grabbing the pint of beer away from her.
"Why in Haven not?" Holly said, making pathetic reaches for the glass.
"Because your completely drunk, not to mention we're needed early tomorrow for that 'special top secret' mission Root was on about"
"I am not drunk! Watch!" Holly stood up, climbed on to her chair and launched into song.
"Oh them farie folk in Tara!
They're the finest folk they be!
You go visit your Uncle Harold,
He'll own a golden key-"
"Ok, that's it Holly, we're taking you home" Trouble cut her off.
The entire bar was staring up at her. Chix, who was looking quite amused, swaggered over towards the group.
"I'll take her if you like mate" he said grinning.
Foaly raised an eyebrow. "That won't be necessary"
They left and walked into the street, flagging down a taxi for Holly.
"Boy is she going to regret this tomorrow" Trouble said as he and Foaly watched her go.
*
"Where's Short?" Root yelled.
It was morning and he was sitting at the head of a long conference table.
"Well-uh-she's-um…. Coming! Yes! She went to….. get coffee!" Foaly stammered.
"What is it with us and mudpeople drinks?" Root spat.
"Who said anything about drinking?" Trouble snapped.
Root turned purple, something that occurred as often as breathing.
"THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON HERE AND I DON'T LIKE IT!" he roared.
The dozen or so officers looked around, those who knew looking guilty, and everyone else confused.
"I WILL FIRE EVERY PERSON IN THIS ROOM UNLESS SOMEBODY STARTS TALKING!"
It was an empty threat. The best officers in the LEP were there, they couldn't be replaced easily.
Just then Holly burst into the room looking extremely out of breath.
"SHORT! Where have you been?" Root demanded.
She casted her eyes around the room and noticed Foaly and Trouble miming someone drinking. She raised an eyebrow at them. Surely telling Root the truth was not the best option, but the pair nodded vigorously back at her.
"I was out last night sir… I had a bit too much to drink" she said, looking confused.
Trouble slammed his head onto the table. Not a good sign.
"You WHAT?!" Root roared. "When you KNEW there was an important assignment scheduled for today?!"
Several officers winced.
"Yes sir. Sorry sir. Please continue" Holly said military style.
"No Holly…" Root sighed. "I'm afraid that's it this time. I'm suspending you for a week-"BUT-" The injustice of it slammed into her.
"NO! You missed your chance" the commander looked reluctant but serious.
Holly clenched her fists and pushed the door behind her, leaving the room.
She really had blown it this time.
Slowly, she made her way through the crowded reception and out onto the traffic filled street.
It had been the same ever since the Artemis incident. The wind-wipes had deeply affected her entire life, and although she tried her hardest to hide it, the cracks were beginning to show. They had all been a part of her… but now they didn't even know she existed.
All in all, the mornings events had not improved her now pounding headache. She was thinking so hard that she ran right into Chix Verbil.
"Hey there!" he said, trying not to fall over.
"Move Chix! Today is not my day!" Holly said angrily.
Chix frowned.
"Easy! Root given you a bad assignment?"
"No. Actually Root has suspended me" she explained, pushing him aside.
Chix's mouth fell open and he stepped in front of her again.
"You mean he actually did it?" he demanded.
"Yes! Now MOVE IT!"
"For real!?"
Holly punched him in the stomach and he crumpled. She stepped over him and angrily stormed away. It wasn't really Chix's fault but he annoyed Holly at the best of times anyway.
She didn't know where she was going as she stormed through the tourist crowded streets. Home? Maybe. The hours that followed could only be described as depressing. Holly sat on a bench in a bad area of Haven, Skrinchsrat, and thought angrily about what Root.
An old tramp next to her attempted to snatch her bag but she caught his arm before he came near. Root didn't have to do that in front of everyone she fumed. And just then the locator on her wrist beeped and flashed.
Foaly popped up on the miniature screen.
"Holly you're not going to believe this!" he said.
"What? Has Root given my position to Frond? Or is it better? Has his head finally exploded?" she said sarcastically.
"I'm not supposed to tell you this but… erm- the mission is Fowl related" Foaly whispered.