A/N: Well, here is chapter 4. Enjoy.

Chapter 4:

Artemis and Holly waited in the entrance hall for Angeline, Myles, and Beckett Fowl to return. (Artemis Senior had left earlier for a business meeting in Hong Kong.) Holly was pacing nervously in front of the door, ready to shield the moment she heard the family approaching. Artemis was sitting in a chair, nonchalantly working on his laptop. Holly stopped pacing for a moment to glare at him. How could he be so calm, while she was a nervous wreck? The elf shook her head and resumed her pacing.

Actually, Artemis was just a nervous as Holly. He just didn't show it. Holly was the first friend he had ever introduced to his mother, and she wasn't even human! He wondered how his mother would react to seeing a fairy now that she was in control of her own mind.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his mother's laugh drifting up the walkway. Holly froze and shielded, leaving only a slight haze where she had been. Artemis closed his laptop and stood up. The Holly-shaped haze moved beside him.

Angeline Fowl opened the door, her head turned, talking to the two year old twin boys behind her. "Now Beckett," she chided gently, "you know you will have to empty all the sand out of your pockets before you come inside."

Myles walked through the door, clutching his stuffed monkey, Professor Primate, to his chest. He grinned at his older brother. "Beckett simple-toon," he said, and ran up the stairs.

Beckett stood just outside the door, pouting, his jacket pockets bulging with sand. He slowly emptied his pockets, creating a small pile of sand in front of the door. Still pouting, he followed his twin brother up the stairs.

Artemis looked at his mother curiously. "Why was Beckett attempting to smuggle sand into the house?"

Angeline laughed and shook her head. "He said he wanted to make a sandbox in his room." She glanced back toward the stairs then turned back to her eldest son. "How did your meeting go?" she asked seriously.

"It went quite well, actually. I am putting the finishing touches on a plan to re-capture Opal Koboi. I am fairly confident that we shall succeed. However, my plan will most likely take several hours to complete. Would it be alright if a couple of my friends stayed here tonight?"

Angeline's eyes widened. "Of course they can, Arty," she said. She leaned closer to her son and whispered excitedly, "Could I meet one of them?"

Artemis smiled. "Of course, mother." He turned to the empty space beside him. "Holly," he said dramatically, "I'd like you to meet my mother."

Holly rolled her eyes. Of course Artemis had insisted on a grand entrance for her. She had tried to persuade him that a more conventional introduction would be better, but he had refused to 

compromise. Finally, she had given in. She would use it as an 'I told you so' later. Holly switched off her shield and shimmered into view.

Angeline Fowl gasped and took a step back as a small figure appeared next to her son. Naturally, Artemis had told her about the fairy's power to shield, but it was different to see it firsthand. The girl in front of her was small, only about three feet tall. Although she had the stature of a child, she was clearly an adult. She had short auburn hair, nut brown skin, a hazel eye and a blue eye. Her mismatched eyes were wary, yet defiant. Angeline could tell that this tiny fairy would be more than a match for most fully grown humans. And, of course, her ears were pointed.

"Mother,"

Angeline tore her gaze from the creature in front of her and looked back at her son.

"I would like you to meet LEP Recon Captain Holly Short."

Angeline looked at Holly again. From what Artemis had told her, this fairy had saved her life and the lives of her family multiple times. Now that the initial shock was over, Angeline remembered her manners.

"It's lovely to meet you, Holly. Arty has told me so much about you."

Holly looked up. "Nice to meet you, too," she said awkwardly, wondering what exactly Artemis had said about her.

Angeline smiled. "I want to thank you, Holly, for everything you have done for our family. Without you, my husband would have died in the Arctic. Twice now you have helped me, and Arty would have died countless times without you. Our family owes you their lives and I can't thank you enough. You are always welcome in our home."

"Er, thanks," said Holly uncomfortably.

Artemis saved her from continuing the increasingly awkward conversation. "Mother," he began, "Holly and one of her colleagues will be staying overnight. We may have to leave early in the morning."

Angeline sighed. "I wish you would stop being so formal with me, Arty," she said to her son.

"Very well, er mom." Artemis winced. Had he actually just said er? It wasn't even a word! "Holly and I must be going. Holly needs to rest, and I have to finish my plan."

Angeline had been smiling at Holly, but looked up when her son spoke. "Of course, Arty." She turned back to Holly. "It was wonderful to finally meet you, Holly. I'm so glad Arty has a friend like you."

Holly blushed and mumbled something. She and Artemis went up the stairs. When they reached the landing, Holly turned to glare at Artemis.

"I think that went rather well," he said smugly.



Holly rolled her eyes. "I my thought my entrance was a bit over the top. I thought your mother was going to faint when I appeared!"

Artemis sighed. "I suppose it was a bit melodramatic," he said thoughtfully.

Holly snorted. "I told you it was too much. You really should listen to me more often." She turned away from him and walked down the hall to the guest room. Artemis watched her go before turning toward his room. Time to do what he did best: plot.

A/N: Well, I hope you liked it! Please review! I love reading reviews! I think I really messed up the characters in this chapter, so sorry about that. Any character advice or other construstive critism is welcome. Also, sorry for all the boring chapters, there will be some exciting action scenes eventually(I hope).