Chapter 3

Timmy Fowl's eyes were wide. "Who are you? You know, you look just like..."

"Like you." Artemis completed. "Holly looks just like you."

Holly just stood there. Artemis Fowl had left her at a loss for words before, but this?

Artemis took each of their hands. "Timothy Fowl this is Holly Short, Commander of the Lower Elements Police, the best flyboy who doesn't look like one, an officer who follows her heart, not her mind, the complete opposite of me, and overall the woman I believe, to be your mother."

Artemis didn't think this over. The words just flew out of his mouth, without giving him a chance to check them. But even so, he knew every word was true. That was how he really felt.

Holly tended to have that effect on him.

Timmy stammered, something Artemis had done once at that age, in the presence of that very same LEPrecon fairy.

"Uh-hi," was all Timmy managed.

Holly didn't seem about to say anything, so Artemis decided it was about time he continued.

"And Holly Short. This is your son, Timmy. Named after his brilliant grandfather. He may look like me, but inside, he's all you. He's got a feisty personality, he's braver than I am today, and he could fly the Lear jet through the gap in your teeth."

Holly tore her eyes away from her son's face long enough to glare at Artemis.

Then, she huffed, and tears sprung to her eyes. To Artemis' surprise, she jerked them all into an awkward group hug.

Family. It echoed in Artemis' mind.

Had he ever really felt this way before?

He couldn't answer that question.

He had loved his wife, and she still loved him. But they just didn't seem right. They hardly ever argued, but there was something off about that. There was something missing.

Holly stepped back, a blush coming to her cheeks.

None of them said anything for a moment.

Holly turned to Artemis, a hopelessly pleading look on her face.

"Arty..."

Artemis awoke suddenly, his hand clutching at his heart.

"No!" he screamed.

That couldn't be it! Holly was about to say something important.

And he might never see her again.

He suddenly realized his wife was tapping him on the shoulder, then she urgently clutched at his sleeve.

"Arty! Did you have a nightmare?" She sounded worried, and scared.

Artemis turned to her.

Her bright green eyes were wide, and she looked terrified. Her curly blonde hair glistened in the dark, and her eyebrows knitted together in worry.

"Are you alright?She asked, less urgently this time.

She slipped her hand into his, and he yanked it away.

"Fine, just fine. He sneered back at her, 笛ust as always."

He turned away, as far from her as he could manage in the king size bed.

He heard her crying, and for a moment, he wanted to reach out to her. To take her hand and tell her all his worries.

Then he came to his senses. She didn't care about him. It was an act. Just like everything else she did. Money, that's all she wants, money.

He whispered this to himself as he drifted back to sleep.

Minerva sobbed until the tears wouldn't come anymore.

There was something wrong with Artemis, something very wrong. She feared to talk to him at all anymore. The last few days, he hadn't spoken to her for more than five consecutive words.

Seven, she realized. Tonight had been the most. Seven.

Money problems, maybe? He wouldn't have told her about that. He was too proud.

Sometimes she suspected that he thought she married him for money.

That certainly wasn't the case. In fact, she had far more money to herself than he would ever suspect.

She smiled half-heartedly. Were they having money problems? She'd have to find out.

A/N: I know this chapter is a little less than action packed, but I felt I had to introduce Minerva, and straighten a few things out. The next chapter shall be quite action packed :)

Again, please review if you liked it, or if you don't :D