A couple of important announcements:

I am going away on vacation soon. I have 24 hours to write and post another chapter. There is a good chance that won't happen. If it doesn't, I promise to write while I'm gone, and I'll post first thing next Wednesday when I get back.

As you all know, I'm relatively new here. There are a few things I still haven't figured out, even though I'm sure they should be obvious. Can anyone tell me, what are flames? What's an OOC? I have no idea.

Uhg. This chapter took a lot out of me.

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Shortly after school, Artemis sat in his room. He pulled out his cell phone to call home. With the time change, it should be evening there. When he dialed the number to Fowl Manor, Angeline picked up after the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, Mother."

"Arty, I was wondering when you would call. E-mails are nice, but it's not the same as hearing your voice."

Artemis felt the same way, but he didn't say so aloud. "How are things, Mother?"

"Oh, you know, the usual," Angeline said wistfully. "The only difference is you're not around. We all miss you. Poor Butler doesn't know what to do with himself with you so far away. He's all tense. I think he's afraid you're going to get bombed, and he won't be there to save you."

Artemis' lip twitched at the thought of Butler flying to America at a moment's notice. The bodyguard probably already had an emergency suitcase packed in case he needed to catch a last minute flight. Actually, if Artemis know his old friend as well as he thought, Butler likely had called one of his contacts in the U.S. and was having him watched twenty-four/seven.

"A bomb? That's ridiculous, Mother. Highly improbable."

"I know, Arty, but we have to worry about you. Especially me. You're my son," her voice was kind and sincere. "So, how was your first day of school?"

If Artemis had been feeling any happiness a second ago it was gone, now. He proceeded to describe his entire day, from his dirty locker to the unbearably hot walk home. "And they are making me take gym! Physical Education! It's horrid."

"I think gym would be good for you," Angeline proposed. "You barely get any exercise as it is. It makes me worry about your health."

"I am perfectly healthy."

"I understand this is a big change," she consoled. "Just give it some time. You'll adjust."

Artemis doubted he'd ever get used to this place, but for his mother's sake, he kept that to himself. Instead he asked, "Where is Father?"

"Out running a few errands. I'll tell him you called, though."

"Beckett and Myles?"

"I put them to bed just before you called. Too bad. They would have loved to come on the phone. Maybe next time."

"Yes," said Artemis. "Next time."

"Apart from school, how do you like it? The Fromes, are they treating you well?"

"They are feeding me, if that is what you are asking. I haven't been locked in the basement."

Angeline sighed. "I meant, are they nice?"

"I suppose they are all rather friendly, except for the youngest one. He keeps to himself and doesn't like to be spoken to if it isn't necessary."

"Sounds a little like you."

"He is nothing like me."

"Try finding something in common with him. You'll get along better. I'm going to let you go now, honey. Say hello to the Fromes for me. Keep thinking positive. And call again soon. I love you, Arty."

"You, too, Mother."

The line went dead. Artemis snapped shut his phone and set it on the dresser. Angeline Fowl seemed perfectly content with him staying. If he had to stick it out he would. He could handle it. What's the worst that could happen?

Two hours later, there was a knock, and the door swung open before Artemis could even turn his head. In the doorway stood Mr. Frome with his big grin.

"Artemis, my boy. Good evening. Are you enjoying your new room?"

"Immensely." There was no enthusiasm in his voice.

"Good!" He looked thrilled. "You know, I was thinking, and we've barely seen each other since you got here. I want you to feel comfortable around me, so I thought we could get to know each other better through a little bonding."

Bonding? That did not sound good.

Mr. Frome went on, "I know it's a school night, but I convinced my wife to let me take you to a basketball game tonight, just us two men. It'll be fun."

"Basketball, that sounds…"

"Get your jacket. I'll be waiting in the car."

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A/N: Just a warning, I watch the occasional basketball game, but I'm not a die-hard fan. I don't know all the rules. So, sorry about any inaccuracies that might come up. I was just told today that most basketball starts in November, so there's one inaccuracy already. But for the sake of the story, you're just going to have to live with it. Sorry.

Why do I keep getting dragged to sporting events? First bowling and now this. Artemis was feeling pretty sorry for himself as Mr. Frome pulled the car into a parking spot so far away from the arena it was barely visible.

"Why are we not parking closer?" Artemis asked.

Mr. Frome chuckled. "There aren't any spots closer. You need a season pass to get those."

Just my luck. They got out of the car and headed towards the arena. The sky was starting to get dark, as it was an 8:00 game. Most of the people around were wearing shirts and hats with their team on it, or their face was painted with appropriate colors.

"I know that you Europeans are all into soccer," Mr. Frome said. "But here in America it's a little different. We like football, hockey, and basketball."

"I do not watch any sport," Artemis spit out the word 'sport'.

"Have you ever been to a basketball game before?" he asked.

"I can't say I have."

"Then it'll be a new experience for you. I promise you'll love it." For some reason, Artemis didn't believe him.

There were workers waiting at the doors. You had to show them your tickets to get by. Once they were in the warm, lighted building, Mr. Frome felt his pants and shirt as if searching for something on his person.

He said, "Could you hold onto my ticket, Artemis? I don't have any pockets."

Artemis stuck both tickets in his pocket. It was busy enough, so that as they made their way through the crowd, Artemis kept brushing shoulders with people, which bugged him to no end.

"Want some popcorn, Artemis?" Mr. Frome offered.

Artemis scrunched up his nose. "No, thank you."

"Corn dog?"

"Really, I'm fine."

Next, they went to find their seats. They had to climb up a lot of stairs, since their seats were at the third row from the top. And Mother worries about me not getting enough exercise!

"Not too shabby," Mr. Frome commented as they sat down. "There's still ten minutes until game time. So, you said you've never watched basketball before?"

"No, I have not."

"Do you know the rules?"

"I understand the basics but not the specific aspects."

And so Mr. Frome jumped into the details of basketball. He explained all the rules, all possible fouls, and named every player. He was oblivious to the fact that Artemis had stopped listening after the first two syllables.

When the game started, it was very enthusiastic, to say the least. Everyone was yelling. They would stand up in their seats when they got excited. Clap and Boo at the right times. Artemis, on the other hand, was bored. An opera he could sit through. This? This was a cruel joke by fate.

A time out had just been called when Artemis turned to an enthralled Mr. Frome. "I am going to use the restrooms."

He frowned. "Why didn't you go before the game started?"

"I did not have to go then. I'm afraid my bowls do not revolve around the scheduling of basketball."

"Uh-huh." He was not paying attention anymore. The players were back on the court. Artemis took the stairs down and out into the hall where the food stands are located. It was much quieter out here, almost deserted now that the game was in session.

Two boys not much older than Artemis were headed in his direction. They were having an argument. When they got closer, one of them said, "We'll let him decide who's right."

He said to Artemis, "Hey, you. Was that last foul fair or was the ref totally losing his mind?"

"I honestly wasn't paying attention," was Artemis' response.

"What? Why not?" asked the boy.

"Because, I think sports in general are entirely overrated and not worth paying attention to."

"What? You're crazy!" the second boy said. "Sports are the coolest thing alive."

"Sports are not 'alive', although most people act like they are. That's my point." Artemis jumped at the opportunity to reveal one of the many idiocies of the world. " It's mindless competition created to isolate people from each other based on their team preferences, often resulting in injury, feuds, and tabloid scandals."

"You don't understand at all," said boy one defensively. "People make a big deal out of sports, because they enjoy it. They get into it. There's nothing wrong with that."

Artemis cocked his head. "Wrong? No. Idiotic? Yes. Screaming like psychopaths as if it'll actually change the outcome of the game. Acting like your own life is dependent on your favorite team winning."

"Maybe winning is important to some people," snapped boy two.

"It is only an insignificant game."

"What are you even doing here?" boy one asked, baffled. The two boys headed back toward the seating area. Boy two called over his shoulder, "F.Y.I. You talk funny!"

Did he actually think that was clever? How sad.

"Brave words for in a basketball arena," came a voice.

Tyler was leaning against a wall, arms folded. Artemis made eye contact with him. "You. Are you following me?"

"Nah, but seriously, of all the places to have that argument, you had to pick here. You are just on a roll today when it comes to offending people." He pushed himself away from the wall. "You must have a death wish."

"The only death I'm wishing for is yours."

Tyler's mouth fell open in shock, and Artemis felt himself pale. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. It is just that I am not in the best of moods and you… pushing my buttons is not helping."

There was an awkward silence that Artemis felt obligated to break. So, he did.

"Why aren't you watching the game?"

Tyler sighed. "I needed to get away from my dad. He thought this was a good idea. Don't get me wrong. I like basketball, but…my dad… Forget it. Why am I even talking to you?" he rambled.

He started to walk away, and Artemis fell in step with him. "You do not enjoy you're father's company?"

"Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't," he replied evasively. "So, what were you doing in computers today?"

"What do you think? Trying to get on the internet."

"But how did you get past the block?"

"It is not that hard if you know what you're doing."

"You're a hacker!"

"You could say that."

At that moment, a security guard came into view, heading in their direction.

"Oh, shoot." Tyler scanned the area. He pulled open the door to a storage room and hid inside. The security guard passed by Artemis, gave a polite nod, and continued on his rounds, completely unaware of the suspicious behavior. Artemis peered at the storage room door, waiting to see what Tyler would do next. When nothing happened, Artemis knocked on the door impatiently and said, "Are you planning on coming out?"

"Is he gone?" came the muffled response.

"He is."

Tyler came out, looking nervous. Artemis waited expectantly. "Well?"

"What?"

"I know I do not know you very well, but I'm assuming you didn't hide in a supply closet because you enjoy the scenery."

Tyler blushed. "No, you're right."

"I take it you're not supposed to be here."

He shook his head.

"You're father isn't really here, is he?"

"No, he's here," Tyler said quickly. "In fact, this was all his idea."

Artemis wanted to know. "What is going on?"

Tyler took a deep breath. "Okay, I guess I can't not tell you after that, but you gotta keep it a secret! Swear?"

"On my life."

He started slowly. "My dad doesn't have a lot of money. We can't afford many things. He tries to make up for that by finding ways to not have to pay. He always does it. I really hate it, but when he told me to come with him tonight, I couldn't say no."

Artemis nodded. "You sneaked in. How did you manage that?"

"It was easy. There's a window in this one deserted room that no one bothers to watch, not even a camera-" He stopped abruptly, realizing what he was saying. "I'm not proud."

"Unfortunately, your father is."

"Exactly." Tyler ran a hand through his hair. "This is embarrassing. I don't even know you. This is so bad. You probably think I'm such a loser."

Not for the reason you think. "You have no reason to be embarrassed. I have had my own share of illegal escapades that greatly overshadow yours."

Tyler's interest was peaked. "Like what?"

Artemis smiled in a way that would make you feel uncomfortable. "I cannot tell you, naturally. But you should have seen me back in my prime. I am not proud of some of the things I've done."

"You're just saying that."

"I wish I was."

Tyler smiled. "That kind of makes me feel better, in a weird way."

Artemis didn't even have time to process the fact that the two of them were actually getting along, because that's when the security guard came back. "Hello, boys."

Tyler jumped like he'd been electrocuted. It's a good thing he doesn't like breaking the rules. Total amateur. Shows all signs of guilt. The security guard sized them up. "What are you two loitering out here for?" He wasn't being intimidating. He was just doing his job.

"We were simply on our way from the restrooms," Artemis came up with quickly, not trusting Tyler to speak. "We'll just be going."

"Do you both have tickets?"

"Of course." Artemis pulled out his ticket and showed it to the security guard. Satisfied, he turned to Tyler. "And yours?"

"Uh…uh…" Tyler stuck his hands in random pockets, looking for a ticket he knew wasn't there. Artemis could see him starting to panic. The poor boy did not do well under pressure. "My dad must have it," he bought himself some time.

The security guard took the bait. People holding on to each other's tickets was probably common. But Tyler was not quite off the hook. "And where is he?"

"My dad? He's…he's over…watching the game…"

This was too much. Artemis couldn't watch. He had to do something for his own dignity. "Oh, I completely forgot. You gave your ticket to me, remember?" Artemis pulled out Mr. Frome's ticket and gave it to Tyler.

"Oh, yeah! I must have forgot!" Over exaggerated acting.

The security guard was done here. He hadn't picked up on anything Artemis had. "Run along boys. Either buy something from the concession stands or get to your seats."

As Artemis and Tyler entered the area where the court and people were, Tyler said, "Thank you," and handed back the ticket. "I owe you big time."

"Yes, you do." What? He wasn't going to deny it.

When Artemis got back to his seat, Mr. Frome was too busy cheering (One of his star players made a basket.) to ask why Artemis had been gone for so long. The boy scanned the area for Tyler, but there were too many people. There was no way to pick him out from the crowd. The time dragged on and on. To Artemis it felt like hours even though it had been less than one. The buzzer rang and the players exited the court.

"Finally, it's over," Artemis rejoiced.

Mr. Frome laughed good-naturedly. "It's not over yet. It's only half time."

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Phew! Time to take a nap. I'm beat.

Long enough? That was 9 pages typed.