A/N: First contact.

Temporal

Chapter Eight:

Thick as Thieves

Artemis Fowl was putting the finishing touches on his presentation that he would be showing to the fairy delegation in less than a week's time. There was a knock on the door. Butler came in. "Artemis, aren't you done with that yet?"

"Just cleaning it up, old friend," the younger man murmured, staring hard at his screen. "It is a good idea, isn't it?"

"Offering the fairies a permanent base at the manor in an exchange for a joint effort on your father's new Green Machine outreach? Yes. I think they will go for it."

Artemis pressed a button on his screen. "What is that Trouble character up to? Hasn't she said yes yet?"

Foaly's voice came back, sounding amused. "She's about to. Give it another two minutes and then call her."

Artemis cut the connection with an unnecessarily vicious click and turned his attention back to Butler. "I want to do what is right by the People, Butler, I really do. And I want to do what is right by Holly as well."

"I know," his bodyguard nodded. "Let's just hope she'll be impressed."

Artemis nodded as he absently stretched. Butler suppressed a smile at the self-conscious movement. "I've waited almost too long for this. I hope that she is ready to speak with me."

Butler gave his young charge a knowing look. "You mean you hope you're ready to talk to her."

Artemis merely calmly twisted his fairy communicator into his palm. "Of course I'm ready. Although, are nerves common while doing this sort of thing?"

"Yes, Artemis," Butler sighed. "They are."

"Regardless, I will overlook the slight lightheadedness, urge to put down my communicator, and the barely noticeable tremor in my hand and call Holly," Artemis decided.

"Fantastic," Butler murmured. "You've waited long enough."

The communicator vibrated gently as Artemis waited for Holly to pick up his call.

-v-v-v-

Holly threw the door open to the women's room in disgust, clenching the communicator so tightly that it might have been in danger of breaking if Foaly hadn't made this model to withstand the pressure from even the chutes. She jabbed at it before setting it on the ledge before the mirror. She took a deep breath. "Artemis?"

"Holly," he said warmly, his voice filling the air in the room like fog. He sounds older, Holly realized, surprised. And I missed his accent. Huh. "I hope that you are well."

"I am," she said. "I have wished the same for you."

"I have been. . .busy, as usual, working on several new projects."

"Yes, I've heard," Holly said, trying to keep her voice neutral. "I'm coming with the delegation you've requested a meeting with."

"Good," Artemis told her, and she almost shuddered at his tone. "I am glad that you accepted my request."

He sounds glad, she thought, dazed. He sounds pleased, more than pleased. "It is my pleasure, Artemis. I look forward to working with you again."

"No the pleasure is all mine," he told her, and she imagined his smile curling on his lips. "I cannot wait to entertain you—and the delegation, of course."

She paused before she spoke. "This is a business call, Artemis."

She'd even missed saying his name. She hated herself.

"Of course, Captain Short. And I intend to finish our business as quickly as possible so that you might have some time for leisure before returning below the surface."

"That would be nice," Holly said slowly. What are you playing at, Artemis? "It's been too long since we were able to spend leisure time together."

"Hopefully that can change in the future," he said mysteriously. "Be well, Captain. I anxiously anticipate your arrival—we have much to discuss, especially after the negotiations are under way."

What did Artemis want to talk to her about—and in private no less? He made it sound like they were as thick as thieves- but after dealing with Artemis' underworld, she knew the falsity of that statement. So maybe they really were as thick as thieves. "I will see you soon," she said steadily. "Keep an eye on the big guy for me. And stay out of trouble until I'm there to sort it out for you."

She cut the connection and closed her eyes, leaning her head against the mirror. He'd sounded satisfied, confident, warm. Dammit.

She banged her head against the mirror. D'Arvit.