nn Dear Kez, The Heir and Kyr: Thanks for pointing that out – yes, you are all correct that they were paired since birth... I know that also! All will be clarified. No, Butler wasn't undergoing military training – he was training the Green Berets. But, thanks for the review! Thanks for reading Chapter II!

Madame Ko's Admonition

Let's peek into Domovoi's thoughts as he reviewed the situation. He seldom had time to daydream—to survive his work and vacations, he must constantly be on the alert. But now, in the Fowl Manor, his Uncle's bulwark, his instincts indicated that he was perfectly safe. He gave himself 10 minutes to relax, and then, back to surveillance mode.

Artemis Sr. already had a Butler to guard him. Having another would be redundant. He couldn't guard any other person as that would be a conflict of interest – their family branch was totally devoted to the Fowls. So, to prevent his skills from rusting, he volunteered his services to the US Government as Trainer/ Consultant to the elite Green Berets. Needless to say, the government was very pleased to have a Butler in their employ, albeit temporarily.

While he waited for Artemis Sr. to get married (he assumed that he will guard Artemis' wife, the newest member of the Fowl family) he became the dreaded in-camp trainer. He seldom had any contact with the outside world, except through his secure line, and the occasional snail mail.

When Artemis Sr. finally married Angeline, Domovoi was overjoyed (and so were the recruits). He was already packing his bag when his Uncle's text reached him.

YOU ARE NOW A BODYGUARD. NO NEED TO GUARD YET– WILL CONTACT YOU.

Butler was taken aback at the conflicting order. Even after confirming it, he was devastated. (Not as devastated as the troops, though.)

He suspected nothing, even when Artemis Jr. was born. He just assumed that he will guard Angeline, and Juliet will guard the next generation. It's the natural order of things.

"Butler, do not assume anything. When you assume, you make what?" asked Madame Ko during his academe days.

"An ass of you and me...," he murmured.

Round 1

Artemis Jr. watched as the giant surveyed the nursery. The younger Butler was checking the windows, doors, secret passages and taking inventory of where his personal effects (bottles, diapers) were. He was surprisingly graceful for a man his bulk.

Artemis threw his ball. If his calculation was correct –

"!!!" Butlers don't make a sound when surprised. Their expressions don't even change much. That, Artemis understood very well as he already tried this trick on the Major. Still, it was funny.

As expected, Butler automatically held on to the table. There was a huge crash as man and wood crashed together. The table broke.

CRASH!!!

"What was that?" Angeline sat up, surprised by the noise coming from her son's room. "Arty!"

"Don't worry, Angeline," Artemis Sr. answered, "they are only getting to know each other."

"Oh... okay. Nice... to hear that," Angeline reluctantly went back to sleep, lulled by her husband's gentle breathing. If Timmy said so, it must be so. After all, there was only one genius in the house, and it wasn't her.

TBC

Author's note: nn ah... ignorance is such bliss...