DISCLAIMER - I do not own the Artemis Fowl series. Never have, never will. Annie, Shinner and Francis are allll mine though :)

Hey, sorry it's taken so long for me to put this up but it is MEGA long. I doubt any of my other planned scenes will ever be so long, but who knows?

THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS THEY WERE REALLY APPRECIATED!!!!

keep them coming :)

Now please enjoy :D

Chapter 2 - Family

'We have a job for you; a job that Mr Shinner wishes you to perform.'

'What is it you require of me Sir?'

Artemis Fowl padded along the upper floor corridor, coming to a stop before the largest oak door. He turned the brass knob as quietly as he could and crept inside the room; dodging the carpet vines, as usual. At the far side of his parent's 14th century bedroom stood his target destination. He approached with his breath held, careful not to step on any of the many toys and pastel coloured blankets strewn across the floor and soon he was beside the cot and leaning over its ruffled sides.

His smile grew. Inside the crib, flat on her back, lay a baby girl. Her eyes were closed; her chubby arms flipped back and a thumb stuck firmly in her mouth.

'Hello Evey...' whispered her brother, reaching a hand inside to stroke the whisps of black hair away from her forehead.

Three month old Evelyn Fowl kicked a chubby leg against her uninvited guest, her tiny nose wrinkling as she dreamed on in her sleep.

Artemis stared.

This was becoming very much a part of his daily routine. He'd confer with Butler for an hour or three, sat behind the Louis XII desk in the 2nd study before dressing for bed and checking in on the newest edition to the Fowl family. Every night the time he spent by her side was growing. He had missed this part in Myles and Beckett's development and had to admit that he was entirely fascinated by it. Babies had never been a part of his life before now and he was disused to the noise, the smell and all the accessories that came with caring for a miniature human being. Mobiles, teddy bears and crotched woollen blankets were always absent entities whilst he was growing up and he'd never known they could become normality.

A strip of light lit up against the back wall as the door to the bedroom was pushed open. Artemis continued to gaze down at his sister.

'Artemis?' whispered his Mother, framed in the door way 'Is that you?'

Her son turned, his mismatched eyes glinting through the dark. 'Yes, it's me.'

Angeline Fowl stepped further into the room; closing the door softly behind her and plunging them all back into darkness.

'Had she woken?' asked the Fowl mother softly. 'Did she disturb you?'

'No.' replied the teenager 'I just thought I'd... I'd look in on her before retiring.'

His mother looked down at her youngest.

'She looks a lot like you.' she murmured, reaching down into the cot, 'The same eyes...'

'Father's eyes.' corrected Artemis. 'She looks a lot like Father.'

Angeline smiled.

'I suppose... But she reminds me more of you all the same...'

They were quiet for a moment, both leaning over the crib, both very still. Angeline sighed.

'You know you'll have to look after her Arty.' she said softly, leaning over to adjust her daughter's blankets, 'Myles and Beckett also.'

'Of course Mother, Mum, but you've heard Father. It's the quiet life for us now; for all of us. I doubt she will need much lookingafter... It has been quite a while since any... unsavoury venture has taken place on our part...'

'I know.' Angeline Fowl straightened then looked up at her son. 'And for that I am so proud of you.'

Artemis stayed quiet, averting his eyes to the baby beneath him who flicked an arm before falling deeper into sleep.

'Oh Arty...' she whispered, 'I... I know your life here has never been the... the most comfortable of affairs. I always feel as though we let you down, in a very large way and...And that I must apologise.'

Her son's face had frozen, eyes fixed on his sister's face.

'There's nothing to apologise for.'

Angeline looked at him imploringly 'Artemis, please. The family business, your Father's past ventures, I know it was hard for you and I curse the way I never properly stood against it. I could have done so much better for you-'

'Mother, please-'

'No Artemis, it must be said. You must have felt so alone-'

'It is fine now.' he said firmly, taking a sharp step back from the crib and his mother.

'Artemis, please.'

The shaft of light reappeared on the wall of the room.

'Arty? Angeline?' said a voice, their figure silhouetted in the doorway, 'What's all this noise? You'll wake Evelyn.'

Artemis walked swiftly back across the bedroom, brushing by his Father.

'Good night, Father, Mother.' he said, before walking back down the corridor.

Artemis Senior turned to his wife, 'Is he alright? He looked...upset.'

Angeline wrapped her thin arms around herself.

'It was my fault.' she murmured, 'I tried to talk to him... apologise... about the past.'

The eldest Fowl sighed, sitting stiffly on his bed and beginning to unclip his prosthetic leg.

'That is never the wisest of subjects to try with him. He's sensitive. He doesn't like to dwell, especially lately.'

'I know, but I feel like we let him down. All those years Timmy, all he saw. I see the way he watches you when you play with the twins. He regrets, Artemis, he must feel like...like...'

Her husband groaned as he pulled his stump under the covers, shifting his torso in line.

'He's a strong boy Angeline.' he said, 'He just wants to move on and you must let him.'

'Yes, but-'

'No. No buts. We are a family now Angeline, with half of us under four years of age. We must look to the future. That is the only thing we have any hope of effecting. There's no point going over or apologising for things we can't change...things that were dead and buried years ago.'

Angeline Fowl released the knot of her dressing gown cord and slid beneath her silken sheets.

'Yes.' she said, without much expression, her face impossible to read, 'Yes, of course you are right...'

Reaching out an arm she touched the base of her bedside lamp, extinguishing the dim light.

'No more apologies. Just...just the future...'

Outside the door Artemis Fowl lifted his head from the oak panelling. He stood straighter in the darkness, eyes already adjusted to the gloom and turned to walk back to his room.

'Should- should we move now?'

'Entirely your decision, Corporal.'

The young sprite beside her swallowed, his Adam's apple rubbing against the strap of his camouflage helmet. Holly kept her eyes ahead, trying to stay professional and not yawn. She was bored, and since they'd been hiding in the same holo-bush for at least 20 minutes she had every right to be. Training days were a new part of the Recon academy course, meaning that all new recruits were to spend a week with real Recon officers, simulating combat situations and being assessed on their performance. Holly usually wouldn't be involved with such things but Trouble had needed a favour, so she'd agreed.

'Come on, Kenny!' hissed a voice from behind 'I'm sick of this bush!'

'You shall address me as Corporal Brook!' snapped the sprite, his voice an octave higher than usual 'And you will follow whatever instructions I decide to issue, is that clear?'

The young recruit glanced sideways at Holly to see whether his rebuke was approved of but her eyes were glazed over.

What could have caused me nightmares? She thought vaguely, was it that movie I watched last night? Or am I just around Artemis too much...?

There was a rustle from the bushes behind.

'What was that?' yelped a voice from the back.

The sprite beside her whimpered before getting a grip.

'Possible hostile force approaching the rear,' he whispered, sweating profusely 'so when I issue the order, we will move to the bank opposite and seek refuge.'

The 5 academy recruits all swallowed hard as Holly struggled not to roll her eyes; 7 trigger happy 40 year olds with low-level stun guns and training helmets hardly qualified to her as 'hostile forces'.

'Okay, go!' yelled the sprite and he launched his troops forward.

The bush behind them erupted with enemy trainees, all screeching like war-hungry demons. Panic was immediate. Holly's squadron all screamed as one, not an ounce of professionalism between them and started blasting randomly over their shoulders as they ran.

'Stop and resume a position!' screamed Holly over the chaos, 'Corporal! Control the situation!'

The sprite's head bobbed; his face stricken. Commander Kelp appeared over the crest of a mound, his visor pulled up to show his mixture of bewilderment and fury at his academy troops rampaging performance. Holly flipped up the front of her own visor, ready to call to him. It was at that point that a panicked elf running with his helmet on backwards smashed into her, managing to thrust the butt of his training gun up into her unprotected face.

She was battered backwards and Trouble Kelp yelled out, watching her roll roughly to the ground.

The first face she saw as her body settled in the dust was a human girl's.

'Come on, Holly.' said Annie, smiling 'I've got something to show you.'

She reached out a hand, grasping the one that lay at Holly's side and pulled her back to her feet.

The training ground vanished.

The electronic forestry, the screaming recruits and the agitated Trouble Kelp disappeared, to be replaced by a large, stately room. Holly was in the centre of it, stood beside an imposing four-poster bed and towering mahogany wardrobe. The wall ahead was taken up by darkened windows. Beneath the antique panes stretched a long desk, equipped with computers and various electronic instruments and monitors. Shelves and pictures bordered the left wall; huge Pre-Raphaelite canvases accompanied by the work of more modest contemporary impressionists. Row upon row of manuals, novels, atlases, all ordered and pristinely kept, lined up beneath the paintings; no dust, no dirt. The carpet was the original pattern, the walls covered with restored 18th century wall-paper. Everything was neat, smart and overtly practical and accessible. There was no sign of any unnecessary clutter, no mess, no fault, everything had a place and nothing was out of place.

Sat in the corner was a young boy.

And with his black hair, wide brow and stiff collared shirt from Hawes & Curtis, Holly could hardly fail to recognise him.

There was a sharp rap on the door behind her.

The 7 year old rose swiftly to answer it.

'Father?' he spoke, his voice clipped and formal.

Artemis Senior was framed in the doorway, his face impassive as he stared down at his only son.

'Artemis.' he said, nodding stiffly 'I hope you are well?'

'Yes, Father, I am.'

'Good. I apologise for disturbing you so late, however, I have someone here I would like you to meet.'

He stood back a step, clearing the boy's view of the man stood just behind him.

The man was squat and greasy, wearing a dusty suit at least 10 years out of style. If Artemis had glanced at him on the street he would have assumed he was homeless. But the 7 year old took a closer look. There was something in his eyes that screamed pain and murder, something in that smile that gave a subtle warning. Something in his stench that reminded Artemis of a hole he had once dug with his bare fingers, a hole his face had been forced into…

The man held out a leathery hand.

'Harold Shinner.' he said clearly, gripping Artemis' thin fingers, 'I do a lot of work with your Dad here...'

'Artemis Fowl the Second.' said Artemis, shaking the hand slowly, 'Pleased to meet your acquaintance.'

The man's smile grew and Artemis had to quell a shiver.

'We have a job for you.' snapped Artemis senior. 'a job that Mr Shinner wishes you to perform.'

The child addressed the shorter male, 'What is it you require of me Sir?'

The man's smile disappeared to be replaced with an angry grimace, 'Hey!' he barked down the corridor, 'Hey, girl! Get here now!'

There was the sound of hesitant footsteps just out of Artemis' sight and Mr Shinner turned sharply towards them. Someone yelped.

A small, dirty figure was dragged forcibly forward. It was a girl, around Artemis' own age, squealing piercingly as she was shaken roughly by one straggly pigtail. She was dressed, as far as Artemis could tell, in an old school pinafore; the grey panelling stained and faded in places. Her hair was matted in knots, probably the result of previous handlings, and tied at the ends with drooping ribbons. Her small face was pinched with pain.

'This is me' daughter.' grunted Shinner, disgust clear on his face 'I'd have left the sorry little bitch in the house but she probably would have burnt the place. Can't trust her! She's a sneaky little witch, just like her Mum.'

'You are to be charged with her care.' said Artemis Senior, staring firmly at his son, 'you are to watch and keep her with you until our business is completed. Do I make myself clear?'

The child was slightly stunned.

'Y-Yes, Father.'

The girl struggled in her Father's grip then gasped as he yanked harder on her braids.

'You hear that?!' hissed Mr Shinner into the girl's face 'He's gonna be watching you tonight so no more trying to get away!' and then to Artemis, 'Watch yer' stuff with her, boy, she'll whip it from right under yer' nose.'

'We will be back some time later tonight.' interrupted his Father, his eyes avoiding the girl at his knees 'Harold, if you please?'

The man gave his daughter one last contemptuous glance before shoving her forward and stalking his taller colleague back down the corridor.

Artemis eyed the girl, his mouth twitching, not sure whether to sneer or frown. She struggled slowly back to her feet, glaring determined at the floor and wiping an already dirty dress sleeve across her nose. The boy grimaced.

'Come inside.' he snapped, opening the door just wide enough for her to pass through, 'but don't touch anything.'

She obeyed silently, coming to a stop just beside Holly and watching as the boy closed the door carefully behind him and secured the bolt across it. He glanced at her once, scanning her thin, ragged frame before brushing past her to his desk and turning his back firmly to her.

'You may sit if you wish.' he said, not bothering to look at her again 'But not on anything that looks valuable as it would cost me to clean it.'

The girl's scowl deepened, 'That's alright.' she said 'I won't sit down.'

He didn't reply.

She glared at him for a minute more before choosing to scan the room.

'Is that Impression soleil levant?' she asked after a few minutes of silence 'The Monet painting?'

The boy raised a thin eyebrow, turning towards her 'You recognise it?'

'Yeah...' said the girl, walking forward until she was only inches from the original 'But I thought it was in the... the Musee Marmottan?'

Artemis smirked, 'That's also what the Musee Marmottan thinks...'

Their eyes met for a brief second, the abused girl and the boy, but soon Artemis' head turned firmly back to his desk. She turned away too, after letting her eyes linger briefly on the back of his dark head and reached out a hand to the painting. She traced the delicate brush strokes, her fingers moving in the air above the canvas.

'So...' she said, after another quiet minute 'You're Artemis Fowl Junior?'

'Artemis Fowl the Second. Yes.'

She waited expectantly for a question he should have asked but soon realised that he wasn't going to ask it.

'I'm Annie.' she said after a moment.

Another silence.

'Your Dad works with my Dad don't he? Y'know... doing all the... stuff...'

Artemis stiffened.

'Stuff?' he scoffed, to cover his sudden, cold discomfort 'I don't know what you're talking about.'

She frowned at his arched back and again the thin sounds of a pen scratching on paper filled the otherwise silent room. Annie folded her arms.

'It's not polite you know, ignoring your guests.'

Artemis sighed, 'Please be quiet.'

'No. You're supposed to be keeping me entertained.'

'I'm meant to be keeping you, not keeping you entertained.'

'Yeah, well, when I get bored Artemis Junior I tend to hurt stuff, so you'd better pay more attention to me.'

Artemis bristled and swivelled his chair to face her.

'I beg your pardon?'

'You heard me.'

She reached into her pocket pulling out an old scuffed zippo lighter and flicked the lid back. A small flame began to burn at the tip. Artemis stared at it.

'Now I've got your attention.' She said quietly.

The boy straightened to his full height, 'Put that out. Put that out now.'

The girl played with the lighter, dancing her fingers lazily in the flame. Artemis glared as she walked slowly towards his precious painting collection.

'I wonder how much it would cost to fix if I set this on fire…?' she murmured.

'You wouldn't…' whispered the boy, his eyes narrowed to slits.

'Is that a dare, Artemis Junior?'

Her grin grew as she brought the fire closer to the canvas, her eyes fixed on his face. Artemis took an angry step closer.

'No, no, no.' she said tauntingly, the light flickering dangerously close to the antique frame 'Don't come any closer.'

The boy was furious, 'Stop that this instant!'

'No.' replied the girl.

'Put it out now or I'll tell your Father.'

Her hand froze halfway towards the swirling oils. They both stared at each other. Artemis smiled smugly, thinking he'd finally played the top trump.

It was his smile that did it.

Annie's face contorted, 'Tell him then!' she cried and thrust the lighter straight into the canvas.

With a strangled yell the boy lurched towards her.

The girl bolted, flicking the lighter closed and sprinted for the unguarded door. While Artemis was reaching for the far wall she set to work on the bolts. Within seconds she had them open and had flung back the oak door. Artemis was so fixated on his assaulted prize he didn't even see the girl slipping swiftly from his bedroom. His fingers traced the frame, eyes darting, scrutinising the paint work. Nothing was damaged. She feinted, he realised, she has tricked me.

Eyes flashing, he turned back to the room at large. He spotted the open door.

His Father's deepened voice boomed inside his head, 'You are to be charged with her care. You are to watch and keep her with you until our business is completed. Do I make myself clear?'

Artemis sprinted from the room. Holly followed.

As the youngest Fowl skidded into the corridor his mind suggested calling for Butler. No, he thought quickly, Butler would be seen. Father would know that I have failed him in my duty. And that just couldn't happen.

He could see scuff marks in the antique carpeting where her ill-fitting shoes had struggled to retain any grip. He followed them, dark eyes downcast. On reaching the marble staircase he descended, landing at the Manor's second floor.

Artemis felt a strange tension as he tracked her scuffled footsteps. What would he do once he had caught her? Would he drag her back up the stairs? Would he be forced to yank on her pigtails just like her repulsive Father had? He shook his head sharply and continued to pad down this new corridor.

The scuffs in the carpet were growing closer and fainter, as if the girl had hesitated, not knowing which way to hide. They eventually disappeared under a doorway to the right.

'Got you…' he whispered, grinning like a shark that's just spotted a bare behind.

He quietly turned the doorknob and entered the room. The lights were off, but Artemis could still recognise his Father's old desk and high backed executive chair. This was an unused office; the space Artemis Senior had vacated in favour of a more spacious, comfortable room on the third floor. Random pieces of unwanted furniture were pushed up against the walls, things his mother had wanted to keep but not be seen.

'I know you're in here.' said Artemis clearly, his eyes resting suspiciously on each discarded fixture. He walked further into the room, shadows looming through the gloom, 'So if you come out right now, I'll consider not informing Mr Shinner of your childish misbehaviour.'

Then he heard noises. He froze, ears straining. There were voices, deep voices coming from back down the corridor, heading his way. Artemis could hear his Father's bass tones and the guttural monotone that was Mr Shinner.

He ran towards an old towering wardrobe and wrenched open the door. To his eternal surprise a pair of grubby hands reached out from the inside and grabbed his lapels, yanking him up into the wardrobe. Once he was safely hidden beside her, Annie shot out a hand and whipped the closet door shut.

The door to the office was barged open and the light flashed on.

Artemis Senior and Harold Shinner struggled inside the room. They were carrying a third man between them, who was only half conscious and bound by the hands. They dragged him the last few metres before dropping him at the foot of the desk.

'Shut the door.' Snapped Shinner and the other obeyed, closing the lock with a sharp click.

The man on the floor groaned, raising his head slightly.

Annie let out a sharp gasp and Artemis clasped a hand over her mouth. Both children froze in fear of discovery but thankfully the cry appeared to have gone unnoticed by the rest of the room.

'Are we safe here?' asked Shinner sharply.

The boy shifted, letting the girl go and tried to peer through the thin gap in the doors.

'Yes.' Replied his Father, 'I had it soundproofed many years ago so Angeline…' He stopped, looking slightly ashamed.

Shinner grunted, 'The wife upstairs?'

'Yes, on the floor above.'

'Well let's just hope she stays there.'

He turned his attention to the man on the floor. His head had sunk into the carpet again, apparently unconscious. Shinner wasn't to be fooled.

'Get up!' he spat, ramming a hard boot into the man's stomach, 'Get up now!'

Artemis heard Annie's breath quicken beside him.

'Mr Shinner…' groaned the man. 'Please…' The answer was another sharp kick.

Artemis Senior spoke softly, 'It would be wise, Mr Francis, to listen to my companion.'

The man on the floor coughed and groaned again. Harold Shinner lost patience. He stooped, grabbing at the man's lank hair and dragged him upright, much like the way he handled his own daughter. He thrust the man back into an abandoned dining chair. He sat in it, at an angle, his mouth dripping blood onto the carpet.

Artemis looked to his Father but Artemis Senior didn't appear to care.

'So.' boomed Shinner, who had pulled up a seat opposite Mr Francis, 'What went wrong Pete?'

'I…I…I don't know what you mean…' stuttered the sweating Francis.

Shinner took out a battered tin from inside his suit jacket and took out a pre-prepared roll-up, sliding it to the corner of his mouth.

'Don't lie to me Pete.' He said lazily, patting his suit for a light, 'I don't like liars.'

'Mr Shinner…'

'Please, call me Harold.'

'Harold, Sir, I really…I mean I don't-'

'Where's that bastard lighter gone?!' burst Shinner suddenly.

Artemis felt Annie suddenly grip his arm.

Francis quivered, 'Lighter?'

'Timmy, you got a light?!' barked Shinner over his shoulder.

'No Harold, I'm sorry to say...'

The squat man swore again. The boy in the closet felt for the hand tightening on his sleeve and gently prised it off.

'Well.' Continued Shinner, 'If I don't have this fag soon I just might kill something.'

Francis looked genuinely terrified, 'I have matches!' he practically screamed, 'Top Pocket! Top pocket!'

Harold Shinner reached forward, dipping his hand into the opposite man's jacket.

'Much obliged.' He nodded, cupping the cigarette and lighting it expertly.

He took a deep drag and sighed, 'Much better… Now where were we? Ah, yes…'

Quicker than Artemis would have thought possible Harold Shinner was on his feet, his free hands gripping Francis' collar.

'Where's the money?!' he bellowed into his face.

'I'll have it soon!' cried Francis 'I just need a few more days!'

'We gave you three hundred grands worth of kit, Francis! We want our results!'

'Please! Harold, Mr Shinner- '

The squat man punched him hard and Francis cried out. The man started weeping silently; his tears mingling with the blood.

'I want the truth!' spat the elder man, leering over Pete 'I want the truth Francis or you'll be getting hits all night!'

'It… It…'

'Yeah?! Where is it?!'

'It…It was taken.'

'What do you mean taken?!'

Shinner dropped the man back into his chair, his face mutinous.

Francis spat bitterly, 'We'd sold it. We'd sold it all. Got over six hundred K for it but those bastards of old Belfast's come and took it.'

'Old Belfast's?'

'Aye, ransacked the fucking lot.'

Shinner got up, turning his back on the dealer. He glared at his silent partner.

'Y'hear that? Old Belfast's lads. You'd have thought he wouldn'ta dared.'

Artemis Senior's voice was cold, 'obviously he's forgotten his place, if the man is stealing our takings.'

'That or he's lost his mind.'

'We should have foreseen this. Something will have to be done.'

'Oh, aye, I'll send a crew first thing. Teach 'em a bloody lesson in respecting their elders.'

Behind him Francis coughed, 'Mr Shinner, I just wanted to say-'

Harold Shinner swivelled, pulling a shining revolver from the depths of his moth-eaten pockets and fired one shot at the already injured man. The force of the bullet knocked Peter Francis backwards, the chair falling with him. He crashed into the space at the foot of the wardrobe; dead before he'd even hit the carpet.

Annie shoved up her hands to muffle Artemis' startled scream.

'Is your crew going to be strong enough?' asked Artemis Senior, acting as if Shinner had just swatted a vaguely irritating fly. 'If Belfast is confident enough to steal from us, he must have a strong band…'

'I'll deal with it. I'll go personally.'

Annie lowered her fingers hesitantly, feeling the boy's chest heave beside her. She felt his fingers grip her arm but didn't reach up to detach them.

'I would like to accompany you but…'

'Wife giving you trouble again? Divorce her; worked for me.'

'Indeed…'

There was a pause as all four occupants of the room stared at the corpse leaking onto the carpet.

'You got somewhere to get rid of that?' asked Shinner eventually.

The elder Fowl nodded, 'In the woods behind us. It's quite a populated graveyard. It has been used by my family for centuries…'

Harold nodded. 'I'll help you shift it.'

Both men bent towards the cooling Peter Francis, hoisting him back into their arms. They undid the lock and dragged him back out the door in much the same way they had dragged him in. Perhaps the second time they used more care as neither gentleman wanted to stain his clothes…

Eventually their staggered footsteps faded. Annie leant forward, slowly pushing open the creaking closet door.

'I think it's safe now.' She whispered, even though her Father was far out of earshot.

She tried to leave the wardrobe, to clamber down but the little boy's hand was still tight on her forearm. She paused, looking wearily into his shocked face.

'He killed him' he croaked, 'And Father he… he watched… he didn't care…'

Annie watched him silently. She reached for the hand gripping her sleeve and prised it off gently to hold it with her own, squeezing the boy's fingers tightly.

'We need to get back to your room.' She said quietly. 'They need to find us there, remember?'

The boy seemed to shake himself, 'Yes.' He said, sounding more sure, 'Yes of course. I'll lead the way.'

He jumped from the closet, swiftly dropping her hand. Annie followed, grimacing as they tiptoed around the fresh stain to the rug.

The journey back to Artemis' bedroom felt longer than the boy had ever experienced. He avoided the eyes of the many familiar Fowl portraits lining the walls, his mind full of the thought of the dozen or so ancestors who had started and frequented the family graveyard. He listened to Annie's soft steady footsteps and for some reason regretted dropping her warm fingers. There had been a definite comfort in those few seconds of contact and she had just automatically provided it.

'We should act like nothing has happened.' said Artemis, once he had locked his bedroom door behind them. 'We can't let them suspect we have seen anything… unusual.'

Annie nodded. She looked like she wanted to say something but just bit her lip instead. Artemis turned away, he wasn't sure if he wanted to talk anymore.

'I'm sorry about the painting.' She said quietly.

The boy turned back to her, 'You didn't damage it.'

'Oh… oh good…'

There was a sharp rap at the door.

Annie jumped, 'That was quick.'

Artemis frowned, 'Too quick.'

He pulled open the door.

'Good evening.' said his Father, 'I am here for the girl.'

Artemis forced himself to smile. It was a tremendous effort. Annie appeared at his shoulder.

'Sir.' She said politely

'Your Father will be meeting you outside, girl. He asks you to wait in the car and be ready to leave.'

'Has he gone on an errand Sir?' she asked innocently.

Artemis Senior's expression never wavered. 'Yes.' He replied, 'With my manservant. He will return shortly… Now come along, I will take you downstairs.'

She brushed swiftly past Artemis and he felt her press something warm and hard into his hand. His Father turned without a backwards glance and strode down the corridor. Annie followed, having to half run to keep up.

'Goodbye.' whispered the boy, his fist clenched around her gift. 'Goodbye Annie.'

He closed the door softly and slid the bolt across. Looking down, he slowly opened his hand. Sat, in the centre of his sweaty palm lay the golden lighter.

There we go :) Hopefully I should post the next one sooner but I've got my HAT test coming up and the school musical to battle with... It will depend if I get many reviews (HINT HINT)

Thanks for reading :)