Hello there :)

Long time no... erm... well it's a pretty long time since I published anything.

Thought I'd put this one up because it's kinda the only multi-chaptered fic I've written that's really worth putting on.

Inspired by a quote from The Atlantis Complex so if you missed it on the summary it's got very mild spoilers for that. In fact. There's no real spoilers for any it. So forget that. No spoilers. Except the 46 word quote that doesn't tell you anything anyway because if you haven't read TAC for all you know I made it up.

Just to clear things up, I didn't.

It's from page 67 of the hard-backed version of TAC written by Mr. Eoin Colfer like the rest of the Artemis Fowl books. Remember? Not me. That was a disclaimer by the way.

There was an uneasy silence in the rented car. Rented car with blacked out bullet proof windows Butler was marginally happier to report.

The silence had been caused by a phone call, although the reason no-one was speaking was not out of politeness for the receiver of the call. Instead it was out of extreme annoyance at said receiver of call.

At least that was why Angeline Fowl was silently fuming at one side of the car whilst her husband tried to control his conscience at the other. Artemis Junior stayed quiet because his father's business was not his own and, quite honestly, he did not want to be here, somewhere on the East Coast of Africa. Neither for a holiday, nor, as it had now emerged, for a business deal, which was the real reason his father had agreed to his wife's holiday plans.

"I cannot believe you, Artemis." Angeline hissed. Oh heck, thought Butler. Or words to that effect. Things were really bad when she didn't use her husband's nickname.

"Honestly, darling." Artemis Senior placated, surprisingly meek for a European crime-lord. "It won't take more than a couple of hours and then we can have a lovely holiday together."

"It could be dangerous. I can't believe you would risk putting us all in danger. Especially the children." Angeline gestured at her son and towards Juliet.

One of 'the children' was staring out of the window, bored, the other was reading a magazine and trying not to look like they were ear-wigging. It doesn't take a genius to work out which was which.

"If it would make you feel any better dear, I'd take both bodyguards but I'm not content with leaving you by yourself. The Major informs me that the security isn't tight enough to trust in this hotel..."

"When have either of them been content with hotel security?" Angeline pointed out. "And maybe they're right. Especially after your last meeting. The one with the Krum Corporation." She reminded heatedly.

Artemis Senior winced. Perhaps that particular business deal had gone a little sour. That was putting it politely. The security team he had hired had turned out to be on Krum's side and only the quick actions and aiming of both Butler's had gotten the three of them out alive.

"I admit that in the past there have been issues. But I can assure you. This deal is completely..."

"Legitimate?"

"Well, perhaps not entirely..."

"Artemis?" Angeline's voice was colder than a blast from the 4X4's air-conditioner.

"No. I'll admit the deal is not entirely legit. But I promise you everything will be fine. And if all goes well we might be able to donate a sizeable sum to that animal sanctuary you are interested in. Maybe even buy it, if that's what you would like?"

Angeline knew her husband was attempting to wriggle his way out of trouble but she relented anyway. She had been asking for a family holiday for months and wanted this one to be perfect. So much for that, so far.

"Just be careful. I've had enough of all this shady activity. I do wish you'd just..."

"We will, I promise. One day. Just not right now. Gold is power, you know."

"Yes, dear." Angeline said, with only a hint of sarcasm. Peace returned to the car, for now at least, Juliet returned to her magazine.

They reached the luxury hotel at nightfall. The worst possible time to do so, but, unfortunately, three hour traffic jams could not be moved, even by huge, scary, bald, seven-foot-plus bodyguards. Even by two of them.

Needless to say, the Butler's were jumpy and even Juliet found herself standing between Artemis Junior and any other hotel resident. Although the thought was there, it was becoming increasingly annoying as it was exactly where his actual bodyguard would ideally stand. Still, they made it to the three rooms they had booked without any assassination attempts or explosions. Which was a good start.

"Hey, Arty. Fancy a swim?" Juliet asked, bouncing into his room once she had argued with her brother for the bed by the door and eventually relented when he'd given her a lecture on security.

"No, Juliet. I do not." Artemis Junior sat on the end of his luxury double-bed and scowled. Although he meant it to look angry, the expression simply looked funny on the eight-year-old's face.

"Aww. Why not? I know your Mum made you bring your trunks." Juliet flopped onto the quilt beside him. Her brother would probably give her another speech about professionalism between her and Artemis, but sometimes she honestly believed she was his only friend. And, although he was a little odd sometimes, you couldn't really be choosy with your friends when everyone thought you were weird just because you could bench-press twice as much as the boys in the gym at school.

Artemis sighed. Yes, his mother had forced him to bring his swimwear but that did not mean he was going to use them.

"Tomorrow, perhaps." He muttered, mostly to make Juliet leave him alone. Thankfully she did, through the adjoining door where she crashed into Butler who was unpacking some equipment and placing it strategically around the room. Artemis was left alone to wonder how he was going to survive the next week with both his mother and Juliet bothering him.

There we go. Chapter 1 done.

A shorty. I know. But so am I.

Anyway. Any good?

Next update should be soon if you're interested.

Wolfy

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