The sleek black car sped down the lane at breakneck speed, breaching every limit twice fold. Pedestrians screamed curses, vehicles fled, and children strained their necks to see what they hoped was a woman having contractions in the back seat. Nobody was successful in retrieving the car's plate number or decent description of its occupants. Sophia didn't care. Didn't care that she had practically stolen this car, didn't care that her boyfriend (no, fiancée) would be mad, didn't care that she was breaking numerous laws (had that stopped her before?) didn't care that she was jumping into the crosshairs.

Obviously she was going. Why wouldn't she go? With the news that Sasha's life was at risk she left, not even trying to do so silently. She had heard Artemis call her, with her real name too. The news that he knew who she was, who her family was…well, shocking to put it mildly. He didn't know the plot, true, but he did know her identity. Surely it had occurred to him…the greatest thief in the world (right next to him, of course) just happens to attract the attention of one of Europe's richest men. Not to mention one of the youngest wealthy. Had he been so head-over-heels about her that he took leave of his sense? Or was she part of some grand plan of his?

Distracted, she didn't think any of this. She just drove, praying to a higher being, any higher being that her sister was safe. Maybe the "Fairies" hadn't gotten there yet, maybe she had time. The voice coming from the tiny black helmet on Artemis' desk had said she had time, hadn't it?

"Fairies". An odd name for a Secret Service, or mafia, or whatever they were. Fluffy. Was their leader an 8-year-old-girl? What could it stand for? "Federal-Association-Intelligence-Of-Righteous-Yuppies"? But she had no time to dwell on that now. Focus.

An idea came to her and she flipped out the private cell, punching 2 on speed dial. She got the lithe, perky sound of Sasha's voice mail.

"Hi, this is Sarah. I'm not here right now, probably gardening-" A charming laugh, followed with "-so please, just leave a message after the 'beep'. It's important to me. I'll return your call as soon as I can! Thanks a ton!" Another laugh, obviously fake. "Buh-bye."

Finally she pulled up to the apartment. No lights were no. It was a neutral sign. Sasha could have been out shopping, or bar hopping perhaps. Or she could be in the back of a van, bloody and beaten, still being yelled at for the whereabouts of her sister. "Artemis would never allow that. He isn't violent."

Sophia would wait until something happen, when Sasha got home, then they would flee. She settled in for the wait when it happened.

A movement on the roof caught her eye. In a flash Sophia was out of the car, and on the front steps, looking up. There it was again. And arm waving over the edge. Not necessarily at her, but it was too coincidental for Sophia's taste. The hand had a golden watch on it…similar to the one Sasha had received from her sister that Christmas. Sophia unlocked the door, stepping in, calling out "Sass?" softly. No answer. Suspecting the worst, she slammed the door behind her and raced up the she stairs leading to the roof. Sasha did go up there often... she might have been catching a smoke, saw her sister and waved, though didn't call out cause she had the cigarette in her mouth.

The door was open ajar. Cool air flowed in, causing a draft. It was an unusually cool evening for late July. No sounds, save the distant traffic could be heard. Just as silently Sophia pushed open the door, stepping through fluidly.

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"Turn left." The pale young man commanded his blonde, pretty bodyguard. Today, under these circumstances, she was a bodyguard. Wordlessly, she complied.

"Holly. Updates?" He barked into his hand phone, thumb and pinky extended, ring twisted.

"No Artemis." She sighed. "Foaly is doing his best to highjack the system, Birch seems to have it blocked. And you know how that makes him feel." She grumbled. "All we know is that they are there."

"Faster." He said shortly to the bodyguard.

The moment he realized Tara--"No, Sophia." he quietly reminded himself--had left he ordered Juliet to get the car, any car. They had to stop her. Or, as the case now appeared to be, save her. Holly had been all set to go, however, Artemis burst her bubble with a firm refusal.

"You're too close to the due date."

"I'll be fine. It's not like there'll be any violence." She argued. "I shoot a few rounds, they wet their nappies, we grab the girls and leave."

Artemis rolled his eyes, whether at her pathetic lie or the fact that he was even having this conversation it was hard to tell. A firm threatening "no" shut the major up, as did the slam of the car's door in her face.

"Artemis?" Holly asked, sounding hesitant.

"What?"

"Well, I wondered…is she the type to fight back? Or is she more submissive?" You had to be to live with Artemis Fowl the second, didn't you? The type to fight, right?

"Till the end." He thought, surging with pride at the thought. His fighter. Willing to battle with him every single step of the way. "Till the end."

"Yes." He said flatly. Judging by Holly's tone, it wasn't a good thing in this situation.

"Oh." It was not a happy word. Artemis knew that it would only give the rookie Recon agents more reason to open fire. And set the guns to a fatal setting. "If only Root were still here." Artemis inwardly groaned. His fiancé's ability to defend herself was going to be her demise tonight.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Four little creatures and four large, high tech guns were already there. But it was not a dramatic scene. In fact, it was humorous. Almost. In a sick sort of way for Sophia

The four little humanoid creatures were flapping about, several on Sasha, who was flailing her limbs, making animal sounds. Squawking, roars, growls, hisses. Her baby blues, identical to Andreaya Iver's own pale eye, were bulging, red, mad, raging, the pupils enlarged, red blood vessels swelling. They were glazed over too, like she had been hypnotized. This wasn't Sasha. Well, it was, obviously, but she was insane. Crazy, nuts, wacko, mental…what had the little creatures done to her? No episode of her sister's schizophrenia had ever done this. She'd been insane, raging, but animal sounds? That'd never happened. Sophia refused to believe it was Sasha's doing. No. These…things…must be doing it.

One of the creatures had finally caught sight of her. It squeaked out some phrase in a language Sophia doubted she could pronounce, let alone understand. The others turned to her. They wore green suits out of some slick material, though of none she knew of. Grey helmets, similar to the one she had seen on Artemis' desk merely minutes ago. The one who had spoken and another started toward her. The other two stayed, keeping eye contact with her sister. Are they…controlling her? With mind powers?

"Don't move human, and nobody gets hurt." One called out in English. It was a strange, accented with unidentifiable origins, but English nonetheless. Were these things humans? Part of a mafia hiring little people? She'd never heard of it, but it certainly was possible. And in a way, a good idea. Shunned and teased, it would give the little people of the world a sense of unity. Still, it was a mob. With mind powers too. Or something of the sort.

"Please." The human snorted. "That cliché is millennia old."

And she pounced. Years of weight lifting, kickboxing, and martial arts were all focused on this moment. Sasha was in trouble; these little men were hurting her. It was Sophia's job, duty, really to protect her. If only she would stop being stupid and focus herself!

She kicked the shorter one, pinning him firmly to the ground with one foot. Taking advantage of his weakness, she grabbed the other and forced his head down onto his chest, pressing a pressure point behind he ear, temporarily disabling him. Then she threw him at the cluster still on Sass. The lovely crack the helmets made slamming together almost made her smile but there was work at hand.

It almost made her guilty, fighting such small people. They were a little helpless. But reprimands from an old friend, a blind woman in India came forth in her head. Just because I'm different doesn't make me any less able. That was shortly before the woman had decked her. Besides, these "Fairies" had guns. Sophia didn't. Fair.

She flashed to Sasha's side, ready to give aid.

But…but Sasha didn't do anything. Well, not anything helpful. She still ran around moving her arms, screaming out noises, that glazed-dazed look still in her eyes.

This didn't make sense. They were a team. She was suppose to give her sister a certain look and mischievous grin that clearly said "Hey, no worries. We'll beat 'em! Losers. I'm ready, are you?" But the little men were out! They weren't controlling her anymore! What was going on? All logic (and Sci-fi marathon on LMC) told her their creepy mind-powers should be broken!

Maybe she was going through an episode. Shit.

"Sassy." Sophia called softly. "Calm down. We can do this."

The creatures were still out, thank God, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw one or two move, moaning.

"Sass. It's okay." She cooed. "When was the last time you took you meds, darling? Calm down, Sassy." It was like talking to an enraged horse. "Look at me, cara."

The girl turned to her sibling, eyes like that of a tiger stalking prey. Narrow, cold. Sophia had the sinking feeling that her sister did not recognize her. Well, duh! The young woman began to circle. Exactly like a tiger preparing to pounce on a wide-eyed deer. Oh dear. Sasha taunted her in every motion, ignoring the little creatures that were now getting up. She hissed a long, slow "Shsssssssss…." Keeping her gazing intently on Sophia. Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit….

"Sasha." Sophia said firmly. It had helped, on occasion, to bring her sister back to reality. Just talking. Staying with her. Massaging her forehead speaking to her in a firm, soft voice, telling her to snap out of it. Tonight, Sophia didn't dare touch her. "Calm down. Remember me. I'm your sister. Sophia. I love you. So much. Just calm down, darling." The circling continued. The hungry look remained. "Focus. Fight it."

Sasha roared in anger, falling to her knees. She was fighting! Tearing her fingers across her head, moaning, she fought.

"Easy, cara." Sophia pleaded. "You're okay. Please, come back, come back to me." She was breathless, all attention on the young blonde.

"Soph-" Sasha made a chocking sound, like she had just surfaced from under the sea, having swallowed a lungful of salty water. She was fighting battling whatever had such a hold on her sanity.

"That's right." Sophia coaxed. "Fight it, you can do it."

The expression on her sister's face was strained. "Soph."

"Yes. Yes!" Sophia begged, moving closer, sinking into a crouch close enough to clutch her sister's wrists. Sasha held Sophia's wrist as well. Sophia smiled. She noticed the two little men moving again, getting up, but she didn't make a single gesture to them. Knowing the struggle Sasha was having, not wanting her concentration broken by Sophia's sudden movement.

But in the end, it didn't work. Sasha couldn't break the walls holding her in, only slip through the cracks. She loosen her grip on Sophia's wrists, her eyes returned to the predatory gaze. She pulled back, fingers curling into claws, back slumping, teeth barred. Like an animal. Sophia didn't even try. It was too late. She knew now, there was only one thing. She had to stop the creatures. Then take out Sassy.

Swiftly, she moved to the pile of little men. They were up now, readjusting straps. So unprofessional. Some swift kicks, more pressure points put one down. The second was harder. Being smart enough to foresee her attack. He backed away from the group, weaving left and right.

"I'm not afraid to shoot, human." The creature said, supposedly in warning.

"And I'm not afraid to do this." She replied sweetly. With that she carelessly kick his legs out from under him mid weave, and the gun out of his tiny arms. Her foot rested on his throat, threatening to block air. She snatched the gun from the ground, another from his holster, pointing on down. "Why are you here?" She demanded. Behind her, Sasha had collapsed, screaming softly to herself. At least she wasn't stalking anyone.

"We were sent by our commander." The little man squeaked. Sophia raised a brow. "To retrieve a rock for the council. A t-t-tope…I forgot."

"A topaz?" That silly rock? What the…?

"Yes, that."

Pityingly, she looked down at him. "You should have just asked."

" Real-"

Seeing that Sasha was beginning to snap out of it, Sophia took the primrose path and knocked him out again. Maybe it could buy them time…or send "Fairy" reinforcements sooner. But now was time to go back to Sass. She turned back around to see her sister still wallowing, rather loudly now.

"Sassy?"

The howling girl looked up sharply. A growl escaped her lips. The mad look still wasn't gone. But the little creatures were out! It must really be a bad episode.

Before Sophia could devise any plan Sasha struck out, lunging for her sibling, rather like a viper. Sophia jumped. Crap. A decision must be made, and quickly. Fight, until she snapped out of it from sheer exhaustion or flight, with sibling in tow and out cold, to…somewhere. It all depended on Sasha.

This question was answer unconsciously by the defense stance Sophia arranged herself in, fists up. Gods, she was going to fight Sassy. Sure, as kids they "fought" to practice, but never dangerous, never to hurt one another. Still…she had to fix this. It was her fault, if she hadn't been so caught up in her dreams of romance she would have been able to regulate Sasha's medication intake. Surely, surely she could fix it. All was needed was one good it in a direct point to stop the chi flow. Then, after Sass was restrained, Sophia could break the "spell". Or give the poor girl at sedative. They kept a hearty stock in the medicine cabinet for occasions like this.

"Sass." She called in warning, raising her fists.

All she got in return was a savage sound, not unlike a dying rabbit. Lovely noise.

"Fine." The young woman murmured.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In a flurry of complicated movements Sophia proceeded to defend herself. Sasha held well. She easily kept her own. After all, she was taught by the best. One-on-one hand combat. Kickboxing. Martial Arts. Wrestling. Tai Chi. Basic pressure points. Kicks aimed at the neck and stomach, footwork to turn one's mind, eye contact when possible. Something Gavin had encouraged his girls to do when they knew their opponent, a strategy to predict moves. Since the Ivers knew each other's style better than their own, it was an even match. Sasha was actually the better, a natural fighter, but with her crazed mind the moves were blundering. With Sophia deliberately trying to not hurt her it was looking to be a long fight.

As Sasha threw another punch, Sophia barely dodged it, a black car pulled up to the curb on the street below. Neither girl noticed the pale young man step out, glance up, then jump back in shock. He slipped into the house without detection.

Sophia blacked again with the back of her arm. Sasha let out a growl, then dropped to all fours, circling. Oh dear God! Instead of laughing like she would have on normal circumstances, Sophia attempted to hit a pressure point. She successfully pressed the one at a knee. Her sibling tried to push her off, but to no avail. So she just curled up into a ball.

The door to the roof was thrown open suddenly, with a force not equaling the opener. One of the little men sat up, apparently having revived from the bump on his head. "Faker. " Sophia thought.

Artemis stood in the doorway his eyes blue fire. Quickly, he scanned the scene before him, then barked out in Gnomish to the conscious elf. "Release your mesmer now. I am Artemis Fowl, friend of the People." The name alone was more than enough for reaction, as was the dialect.

"But-"

"Now!" Artemis roared. "Or shall I have the mudgirl Butler crush you? LEP or not, you are in violation of the Book, and council orders. Take it off."

"Yessir."

Minutes passed, yet there was no change in Sasha's behavior. Sophia kept her restrained, biting her lip in frustration.

"Why is there no change? " Artemis demanded, rounding on the little elf.

"We let go, sir!" The elf cowered. "Her mind is her own now! But she seems to want it this way.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Even if Sophia couldn't understand what they were saying, she suspected Artemis had ordered the "fairy" release Sasha. She wanted to tell him that it wasn't the little people, but her sister. Her sister was in some form of control, not a sane one, true, but it was her own mind. Somehow she couldn't get the words out.

"Sassy?" She asked gently. "Sass, come back."

Artemis' gaze snapped back to her. "An episode?"

"I think so."

There was only one option, then. On the handheld cell-radio he called Juliet.

"…and bring the darts." He advised.

Sophia's eyes grew wide. "Artemis, no--"

"It's the only way, Sophie!"

With her sister's attention turned, Sasha broke free. Sophia fell with an "ooph", but jumped to her feet momentarily. Sasha stood on the brick ledge of the building facing the back garden, facing the small assembly, looking more sane then she had all night.

"Sassy." Sophia coaxed. "It's alright…Artemis isn't going to hurt you…come here. You're fine."

Though her wide blue eyes were still mad looking, there was a lot more control in the way Sasha held herself. They were no longer looking at a beast, but Sasha Iver. The fairies just watched, Sophia pleaded, and Artemis looked on them all, wondering, "Was it all an act?" He knew what was coming next, and had no way to stop it.

"Sassy. We can work this out. Calm down, darling."

"No." Sasha was illusioning calm, though her voice shuddered a little, laced with an undercurrents of rage. "We can't. You're leaving." He voice had desperation in it now. "I can too."

"Sasha, no, I won't leave you. I'll—"

"PROMISE ME!"

"I promise." Sophia whispered, edging closer. "I will stay. Just, don't. Please don't."

Mama would never forgive me.

"Stop!" Sasha fumed. "Stop lying to me!"

"No! No, I'm not." She wanted look back at Artemis, pain breaking her heart. His expression would be heart-wrenching, to be sure. "We can go away. We'll work it out. I'll stay, really. Don't do this."

Papa would be ashamed.

"I will." Sasha said simply. She jumped into a freefall toward the earth.

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