This is my first piece so please I'd like as many constructive reviews as possible. I hope its ok!

CHAPTER ONE

"Artemis, its Holly."

Butler handed the fairy communicator over to Artemis. Holly had given it to him at their last meeting at the Haven, before she and Mulch and gone into the detective business and made him their honorary consultant. It had been almost a month since they had seen each other in person.

"Holly, old chum, how are you? Any crimes needing of my expertise? Famous paintings missing? I was beginning to think you had forgotten me."

"Fat chance, mudboy. After what we've gone through?"

Artemis smiled. It felt good to hear Holly's voice again.

"Artemis, don't take it personally. I haven't been keeping in touch lately. Mulch has gotten this grand idea to travel the world." She snorted. "Brilliant, right? We're solving mysteries left and right. But they're so easy. Some of the thieves we've caught are just stupid. Typical missions."

Artemis could practically see Holly's face wrinkling in disgust. "I see."

"The truth is, Artemis, that I'm bored."

Artemis snorted. "Holly, I can hardly imagine you being bored. Not with your knack for getting into trouble."

"Hey! That trouble you're talking about usually had to do with me saving the Haven from your maniacal plans!"

The boy chuckled, remembering how chaotic his life had been for the past couple years. Old memories that even Foaly had failed to brainwash away. "Yes, those were the days." Certain nostalgia lined his otherwise clear, crisp voice. Something almost dreamy. But Holly cut short his remembering.

"Were the days! That's just it. There's nothing to do, no butt-kicking, no saving the world for future generations! A girl like me needs some action. I'm sick of watching I Love Centaur reruns with Foaly. Give me something to do, please. I don't even care if its another mission to fix one of your 'genius' plans gone awry."

Artemis smiled as he heard the desperation in her voice. Yes, that was Holly Short alright. Always needing to feel useful. She was the first female Lower Elements Police Recon (LEP Recon for short) officer, after all. And one of his most respected people in the world. If you could call her a person. He smiled again. She was right, about his plans going entirely wrong, but Artemis Fowl never could resist a counter attack.

"Holly, first of all, my genius plans have not gone awry. They have simple encountered very realistic problems that I did not previously account for, but through quick calculation eventually solved." He paused, allowing time for Holly to roll her eyes.

At the other end of the line, Holly rolled her eyes.

Artemis cleared his throat. "As a matter of fact, I have a little surprise for you. I guess you could call it a birthday present."

He remembered? An awestruck Holly was touched. "OK, mudboy. I give you points for remembering my birthday. But how the heck are you going to send me my present? Even a genius like you can't get past Sool's new transportation police." She heard Artemis laugh at the other end of the line.

"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a mission. Something difficult enough for your standards. That is, if your up to it."

It was Holly's turn to smile. "Lay it on me, mudboy."