Conscious Minds

A/N: Yeah I know it has been a long time and I hope you all don't completely hate me but here is the third chapter. I promise the chapters will start getting longer as I get deeper into the story. I am really excited about this one now and my writers block has disappeared.

Artemis turned to butler with distain clearly etched in his features. The aging bodyguard only shrugged his enormous shoulders and cut the engine. Stepping out of the silver Bentley, Artemis surveyed the offending building while he waited for Butler to gather his luggage.

"One more year at this ridiculous place and I can finally go to university. Four wasted years, can you believe it Butler? I could have graduated by now with honors. Alas here I am again." Artemis slid his sunglasses back up and checked on his friend's progress.

" Since when did you become so sardonic? Besides its not as if those years have been completely wasted. And don't think I haven't noticed that little gleam in your eyes. Nothing good has ever come of that." Butler pocketed the keys and gathered the luggage under his arm.

" Depends on your idea of wasted. And your imagining things old friend."

" Then why do I get that distinct feeling that I will need to locate my arms dealer sometime soon." Artemis and Butler ascended the steps into the building and walked out into the courtyard on their way to the dormitories.

"Well, if you feel it is in the best interest of my safety then there is nothing I can say to stop you." A small smirk adorned his face and they entered the sixth year boy's dorms. Artemis muttered polite greetings with a few of his fellow students but kept pace towards his room. Knocking on the door, he entered to find it empty.

"Butler could you check if they posted my roommates name outside the door?" Artemis helped relieve his bodyguard of the bags he was holding and proceeded to unpack on the left side of the room as usual.

"It says his name is Seamus Bailey." Butler responded, returning to the room.

"Seamus? Excellent. He was my roommate last year."

" Bailey…Why does that name sound familiar?" Butler asked as he inspected the view outside.

"Conner Bailey should ring a bell. Recently signed a ten year contract with father for oil drilling in Saudi Arabia." Artemis said.

"The Diamond family?" Artemis nodded, " well I see you have used this place to your full advantage. Scheming again, are we?"

" Perhaps, rest assured you will know in good time Butler. Meanwhile will you stop checking that blasted window for break-in points? I am perfectly safe here." Butler bristled at being caught, hoping that his glance had been casual enough to go unnoticed. He still remained skeptical of the schools security system and was certain that he would never be assured of Artemis' safety if he was not at his side twenty-four hours a day. Unfortunately, the school remained adamant that there would be no need for bodyguards within the premises despite the manner of students currently attending. Butler was brought out of his thoughts by the arrival of whom he assumed to be Artemis' roommate.

"Arty, my boy, it would seem those idiots have put us together for another year. Fools, the lot of them!" Seamus was a rather tall boy, though wiry in build. He possessed the charming of someone raised with the confidence of money behind him and the handsome features to back it up. He dumped his bags upon the bed and clapped Artemis on the back before turning to look at Butler behind him.

" And who is this monster of a fellow? Not that Butler you're always talking to is it? Seamus Bailey, nice to meet you." Seamu's stretched out his hand, only to be left with an awkward silence.

" I'm afraid Butler doesn't shake hands unless absolutely necessary." Artemis replied as Seamus lowered his hand and stared up at the tall, burly man currently blocking the exit to the room.

" Well mate, no harm no foul." He said, recovering. He let out a brief twittering noise, much to Artemis' dismay at the mockery of his surname and continued. " Wasn't aware you could bring bodyguards to school."

" You can't. Artemis, I think it is time for me to be leaving, I need to escort Juliet to the airport in forty- five minutes." Butler said, checking his watch to make sure he was on schedule.

" Alright. Tell her good luck for me, she is going to need it to get through training. Oh and could you call an escort, I would rather like to keep the Bentley here with me." Butler nodded briefly and made his way out the room before stopping at the door.

" Remember, keep your nose clean and if you encounter anything or finally feel like divulging that brilliant plan I know is hatching in that head of yours, call." He patted his shoulder in an uncommon gesture of affection for the normally stoic man and walked briskly down the hall. Artemis turned to face his old roommate and leaned against the now closed door.

" Well, with STATCOM on the rise I think it is time for another business venture, don't you?" Artemis asked with the Fowl smirk on his face. Seamus grinned back and pulled out a large yellow envelope from between his clothes in his luggage.

" I looked up a few things over the summer that I think will be quite beneficial."

The ocean was lit with the brilliance of early dawn, the smell of salt drifting into her nose. The bench was cold but comfortable and a sense of calm rested in the garden. The distant sound of voices could be heard from the inside of the house but she paid no mind until they grew closer.

" Celine, come in here please." Her mothers voice reached her as a cruel end to a half hours relaxation. With a look of displeasure she entered the dining room adjacent to the gardens and sat the clear glass table. The table was set with brilliant arrays of fruits and breads. Her father sat, eyes level with the front page of the newspaper and her mother gently folded a napkin into her lap.

" So, what time is our flight today?" Celine asked as she helped herself to a freshly buttered scone and some strawberries.

" Five pm. We chose the earlier plane so we could make it to Dublin with a good three hours to get ready for Angelina's party."

" Angelina Fowl? I thought we had already told them we couldn't make it." Celine inquired, curios as to why it was so important to attend this party that they leave early. After all, Tuscany was her mother's favorite place to visit and she had hoped for a few hours of extra time in the villa before leaving for the airport.

" Yes, well I called again and she was just so persuasive that I decided to re-book the flight. After all, I hear Artemis is going to be visiting from school and you have yet to meet him. And before you say anything I am not meddling in your personal affairs, I just want you to meet the boy." The words had been stolen from her very mouth and she could do nothing but sit in irritated silence as her mother smiled cheekily back at her.

Finishing her breakfast, Celine excused herself from the table to finish packing. Upon entering her room she locked the door and stepped out onto the balcony. Checking that there was no one within a safe distance she dialed. After a few minutes of waiting a distinctly sleepy voice answered.

" Yes, yes what is it? This had bloody well be important, I am losing valuable sleeping hours here." The obviously irritated voice greeted.

" Wesley, how's progress coming?" She asked, careful to keep her voice down.

" Celine, is that you darling? Well then, I suppose it was worth picking up the phone after all. How are you-

" Progress, Wesley."

" Right, right. Well, my original estimate for this baby was way, way too low. Yes, even for you darling. And as far as the mark is concerned, my sources tell me the Fowl boy has made no moves yet. Surveillance hasn't picked up anything unusual so I'm guessing he is just buying his time until he moves in. I wouldn't be too secure about it though, he's a slippery little bastard that one."

" Yes, well, keep your eye on him and we might just pull this off. Botch it up and you wont be getting compensation. Am I understood?" She would take no chances, not with a target as important as this one.

" Clear as crystal fiberglass."

Ending note: Celine is not going to be some lara croft wannabe… Ewwww (I do like the rest of tomb raider though)