Chapter 1: Holly

"I hear that you were on a date with Trouble Kelp. Are you two planning on building a bivouac any time soon?" I grin in spite of myself at the Mud Boy in front of me. Although in human terms he is a man now, I'm sticking with fairy years- even if it is just to annoy him.

"Nope, all I'm planning to do is shoot a very annoying, insane Mud Boy."

"Stay back fairy, you don't know what you're dealing with," he grins at his little joke- a pathetic one at that but he isn't in his right mind so I decide to let it slide. "But because of the aforementioned insanity, which you realize is very inconsiderate to mention," Artemis said feigning being wounded, "That shooting me would only succeed in bringing out Orion. Surely." I wince, not just because of the thought of Orion, but the realization that he was counting his words again.

"Fine, I won't shoot but just you wait until Argon gets you strapped to that electro-shock machine."

"I'm sure I can handle a bumbling gnome with a degree in spouting psyco-babble."

"Is 'psyco-babble' considered one word or two?"

"The problem is that I'm not sure, I'm not sure about anything anymore, absolutely nothing." I decide not question his speaking in fives on account to his defeated expression. It kills me to see my best friend like this. Usually when someone is hurting Artemis Butler or I can just knock the guy out, and voila problem solved. But in this case I can't protect Artemis from his own mind, and knocking him out isn't preferable because that leads to Orion. Instead of venting my frustration and anger I just grab his hand and squeeze it.

"It will be okay, Artemis," I say trying to give him reassurance and strength from the five word sentence. He squeezes my hand back.

"I know it will," he cringes slightly at the four word sentence but I understand that he, in his own way, is trying to give me faith that he will recover. "

"Thank you Artemis, though you shouldn't have to be strong for me- I should be there for you. Doing whatever I can to help not just sitting here having you comfort me."

"You are helping, psychologists have found that patients with mental issues heal faster if they carry on conversations with people close to them. And if our positions were switched and you needed help I would be doing anything I could to help you to." I give a slight smile at his, what I believe to be, heartfelt statement.

"Is that so? I assume that you have written a paper on that," I can't keep the sarcasm from creeping into my voice.

"No actually, I just made it up on the spot."

"Nice. Are you sure you're ill, you seem like regular annoying Arty to me." I purposely use his mother's pet name for him, because I can tell he doesn't like it.

"So then I am in no need for that idiotic gnome to electrocute me, correct?"

"Good try, but you're not getting out of this one. Partially because you're still speaking in fives, and we really need to get rid of Orion."

"You do realize that he is a part of me, right?"

"Trust me I know, you both get under my skin like nothing else."

"Good," he gives me his vampire grin that makes me shiver and want to punch him at the same time. Before I can respond there is a sharp knock on the door and before either of us can answer Foaly canters in, typing on his wrist computer.

"Hello Foaly, what can I do for you?" Artemis says with fake helpfulness and scorn in every syllable.

"Your mother," Foaly replies still not looking up. When he finally does and sees the expressions on our faces he adds, "She wants to come down and visit." Butler walks in, somewhat shyly- which is unusual- after him. "And thanks the Mud Mountain here, who promised her she could come, we have to. I've already gotten clearance from Commander Kelp and the Council."

"Really? I can't believe Trubs would do this for Artemis," I say in complete disbelief. "He hates him," I glance guiltily at Artemis after I say this but he just nods, the truth is the truth.

"Usually Trubs wouldn't, but Mrs. Fowl was very persuasive." Foaly said, stressing Trouble's nickname with a look at me. I hear Artemis chuckling quietly.

"I'm sure she was. What did she do threaten to tell the whole world about the People?" Artemis asked, he isn't kidding either.

"That is just one of many ways." Butler piped up.

"Yes, well the Commander did have some conditions." Foaly stated. "One was that she has to stay at the clinic with Artemis, don't worry she'll have her own room Artemis. And should she leave she has to be escorted by the LEP. The last condition is that she cannot tell any human about the People until it is discussed in more depth. But she demanded that she be picked up as soon as possible, so we are in need of a pilot to leave immediately. Someone with experience with humans, someone good at flying, and someone she'll recognize."

"Quit hinting, I was going to volunteer anyway. Although I've never met her."

"She knows what you look like, Holly," Artemis said ignoring the curious look I'm giving him.

"Okay, it settled then Captain. Here is the starter chip for your shuttle, I'm afraid you can't take a pod because it's her first time." Foaly handed me the chip and I started out the door.

"I'll be back before you know it."