Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters owned by Eoin Colfer, I don't own anything I didn't create, but I own everything that I made up/created/thought of.

(A/N: sorry about the short first chapter, and the length between chapters, I'll try to make this chapter longer. And get chapters up sooner. No excuse I know but my hard-drive was replaced – I lost everything I had typed so far for this chapter. Anyway I'll get on with typing now. And sorry about the lame title and chapter names – if anyone has any better ideas please tell me.)

Chapter 2: Don't mess with me

Still Trouble's POV

Now my division's turn to be given partners.

'Vein – you're with Smith. Verbal I felt Chix tense beside me – Williams. Jones – Brown. Davis – Miller. Kelp Here it comes, my fate. Not that I would mind being paired with the girl, she looked strong – and determined, but Chix would skin me alive, but did I care about that? All the other recruits were quivering – except the girl. I definitely wanted to be paired with her, she would be the co-worker I would choose if I had to go into a fire-fight, but if I said this all the others wouldn't believe me – they would think I just wanted the girl all to myself. There was something oddly familiar about her, but what? – Short'.

I could not believe my luck. But something stirred inside me, a memory, of something long ago. A memory from before my father had turned to drugs, before he forced them on my mother - that was what had addled Grub's brain. A memory from before any of the pain, any of the hurt that I had been too scarred to report to the LEP surfaced within me. Holly. That was the memories name - Holly Short. But this couldn't be her. Not the strong minded young girl who had lived next to me, the young girl who I was friends with, her father a LEP major in Retrieval. He was always teaching her things, she was devoted to being in the LEP. He had taught me some things too, and it was those things that had saved my hide during my first year of training.

When my father had turned to drugs, started hitting us, and forcing them on my mother, Major Short had known something was wrong. When Grub was born with an addled brain he knew something was wrong. Then one day he saw the bruises. He got an entire LEP squad over to my house – they removed my brother, my mother and I, and took us to a safe house on the other side of town. My father was put in jail, and died because of the drugs only 10 years later. I never saw my best friend Holly again. She was the only one (other than my parents) who ever knew my birth name. Not even my brother knows – I only ever trusted Holly. And now I was paired with her. I always new it was possible – I just hadn't thought about her for years.

She was walking up to me. For the first time she looked fazed, like she couldn't quite put her finger on a forgotten memory.

'Hey Holly, remember me?" I said without thinking.

Recognition showed in her eyes, and then she leaned over and whispered in my ear 'Of course I remember you – Martha'.

I nearly screamed – how could she, she had always vowed not to tell anyone. I had always cursed my dad for that grammatical mix up.

He had thought my mother asked for me to be named Martha, when actually it was Martin. Elves are literate from the moment of their birth. They are aware of everything around them and can speak and interact like adults When I found out I insisted my name be changed to Trouble – and that's what everyone called me for the next 50 years. It was made official at my manhood ceremony when I was 60– more than three years ago now when I was accepted into the LEP academy.

Then I saw the laughter in her eyes and she gave me a "tap" on the back. 'Long time no see Trouble – how's your mum?

'She's alive,' I replied – 'how's your dad?' It had always been Holly and her dad; her mother had died from brain cancer about a year after Holly was born.

For the first time I could remember I saw sadness well up in her eyes, 'He's…He's… dead' she whispered, '- you know how dangerous it is in Retrieval, he passed away last year, attacked by a family of 10 trolls and about 100 goblins armed with softnoses - he defeated all ten trolls and 99 of the goblins.'

I didn't need to ask about the last goblin. I felt so sorry for her; I wanted to tell her everything would be alright. But I was interrupted by Commander Root.

'Now you are all acquainted the fourth years will show the new recruits to their barracks, you will be back here in ten minutes. No excuses.'

I suddenly realised there was something familiar about Commander Root as well, but that would have to wait. I had to show Holly to her barracks.

'Come on then Short. Follow me.' I picked up her bag.

Something hit me in the head. Holly's hand to be precise. 'You will not act like a gentleman here Trouble. I may be your friend but that does not give you the right to treat me like a lady. You will treat me like you would treat any recruit you were paired with. In case you hadn't noticed I intend to pass this year – first time. Just like my father did.' She sounded slightly hysterical; I silently passed her the bag.

'This way,' I said.

When we reached the D4LEPC94 barracks I stood aside. Holly opened the door and stepped in. I stood outside silently waiting for her to finish.

Commander Root's POV

I chuckled silently to myself as I watched Holly give Kelp a talking to. He was only trying to be nice. As a child he had always been able to stand up to Holly – one of the few that could. He hadn't been the same since the business with his father. I had always kept an eye on him. I knew he would be a fine LEP officer. But he needed Holly. It wasn't safe for him to see Holly and they had both got over the separation by the time his father died.

Holly hadn't been the same since her dad had died. He had died – yet he had survived against all the odds. Until that one little snot-faced goblin had shot him in the back. That goblin was now permanently incapacitated at the hands of the tri-barrelled blaster that lived on Julius Root's hip.

Kauri Short was my greatest friend – the LEP had never had a better officer. Although the daughter he was so devoted to could easily threaten his records.

Today he had seen a snap-shot of the Holly Short he remembered. His god-daughter, the fiery, determined female who always believed in her abilities. He had always admired Holly, but there was one problem with her – she was a girl. While he struggled with his sexist side it always won. Apart from the fact Holly was a girl she was like a daughter to him, and he cared about her deeply – it was just he could never show it.

Trouble Kelp would do wonders for Holly, and she would do wonders for him – he wouldn't be surprised if they ended up dating. But Commander Root could never show his approval for that. Although Trouble was the only man he would consider letting near Holly. He was glad Holly had got in this year. The last year of the partnerships, the last chance for her to be paired with Trouble.

(A/N: I'll leave that chapter there. Sorry if it isn't long enough. I'll be trying to write a longer chapter soon. Or a few short chapters. Sorry about all the names – I always have trouble with them (excuse bad pun – not intentional). Please review. I don't mind if you didn't like it – its just nice to know that people actually read my stories. There will be some from Holly's point of view next chapter – be patient.)