Root had just gotten out of work, writing a complete statement on behalf of Holly's conflict with Opal and the Obituaries for the team the LEP had lost with the Goblins. He was tired and had a crick in his neck as he walked down the streets to his house. Turning into his yard he immediately knew something was wrong. Call it 'Officer's instinct.'

He ran the rest of the way up the dirt path to his front door. He unlocked it with the key he had stored in his uniform pocket.

The house was a grim dim-lighted environment. It was silent as Root quietly walked swiftly across the floor of his house, checking the couch to find it empty.

Root looked around frantically, knowing that Holly was too hurt to walk around and that his wife was too weak to carry the wounded elf. Speaking of his wife, a soft sob came from the bedroom down the short hallway.

Root ventured down the hallway cautiously. He knew it was his wife, but drew his neutrino just in case she wasn't alone in there. He threw open the door, searching the perimeter expertly before lowering his weapon and going over to his wife, who was in tears sitting on the bed.

He sat down next to her, his arms going around the elfin woman. He held her close as she let her tears fall down her face, landing on her husbands chest. It seemed like forever until she calmed down, but she did.

"What happened? Where's Holly?" Root said slowly, as to not upset Melissa even more.

She sniffled a few times before finally whispering, "Artemis...he came to Haven somehow. Oh, Julius, it was terrible! The desperation in his eyes and the fear in Holly's. He bound her and took her, probably back to the surface. He's even worse than how you and Holly described him, worse! He...He told me that if you wanted to talk to him that Foaly would set up a connection."

Root nodded, "I have to go, Melissa. I promise, I will be right back." He tilted her head up with his index finger and kissed her lips softly before pulling away and leaving the house.

Root ran all the way back to the LEP building, it being so close to his house. He quickly went to the Ops Booth, knowing that Foaly would still be there, even after hours.

"Foaly, Holly-" Root started right when he entered the room.

"Was taken by Artemis." Foaly finished, turning around in his specially designed chair to face The Commander. "I know, Julius."

Root gave him a confused look, "How could you possibly know?"

Foaly sighed, turning back around and typing a few keys before a video started on the main screen to the right. Root could see it was the security footage to a shuttlecraft, and at that specific time it only had two passengers. Artemis Fowl and Holly Short.

Root's heart sank as he realized what Artemis was doing to Holly. A torture technique that was simple, yet effective. He put pressure on the middle of Holly's throat, moving it slow then fast, unmoving then moving. It caused her esophagus to close up, but not so much as to suffocate her. It did cause extreme pain though.

Root slammed his fist onto a nearby metal table, causing it to rattle and leave a dent when Rott removed his fist. "How could we let this happen?!" He muttered, starting to pace the Ops Booth.

Foaly sighed again, "I'm not positive sir, it has been 10 years."

"Open a channel to Fowl Manor."

Foaly did, and under a minute passed by before Artemis picked up the connection. No greetings were passed as Root immediately demanded, "What the hell have you done with my officer, Fowl?"

The man actually had the nerve to laugh, "You really are bad with negotiating, aren't you, Commander?" He paused. "I suppose it's a good thing this negotiation is for something different than the last time."

Root was so angry that he got a fungus cigar from his pocket, lighting it and taking a long intake of it to let the cigar calm his nerves. He explained how there was no difference to the kidnapping a decade ago and the abduction taking place now. "In all honesty, that's probably less than she would say about you, you know. Do you have any idea how many times I've listened to her defend you? And then you have the nerve to come and snatch her back up and start torturing her again!" The Commander smirked when Artemis's eyes widened, "Yeah, I saw that shuttle tape, Fowl."

Artemis narrowed his eyes at Root, "I don't care what you saw; everything is not what it seems, you know. And considering this is about Holly's life, I would think you would be a little more careful of what you say."

Root knew Artemis wouldn't kill Holly, he would have already, in Haven, if that was the reason. He told Artemis this.

The crazy look in Artemis's eyes sent chills through the screen to Root's spine. "Maybe you're right. I won't kill her... But that doesn't mean I won't hurt her. Remember that if you think about doing something smart."

Root asked for an explanation, and explanation he got. Artemis cut Root off when he tried to cut into Artemis's talk. He didnt want the people-besides Holly-on his property.

Root shook his head, not speaking for a while as he thought about what to say next. Then he finally said, "I'm not going to beg for it, Fowl, but I want to ask just once: please don't hurt Holly. You want her, and you want to keep her up there with no interference from us, then I'll do my best to assure it is so. But Holly is a good person; she doesn't deserve to have to be tortured and miserable the rest of her life. Just... treat her right, alright?"

Artemis seemed to be shocked by The Commander's behavior as he steadily agreed. A few more words were swapped, including Root calling Artemis on a first-name basis, and Artemis calling Root "Sir."

In the end, Julius motioned to Foaly and he cut the connection to the Manor. Root looked at the centaur, who reflected his sad eyes. Holly was gone, taken again by Artemis Fowl.

Root was about to leave when the Ops Booth doors slid open to reveal Trouble walking in. "Hello, Commander. What are you still doing here?"

Root and Foaly swapped expressions before Root took a deep breath and started talking. "Trouble...Holly was taken this afternoon, when she was resting."

Trouble's eyes became wide and alert as it registered in his mind. "Was it Opal? I thought she was on the run again, she wouldnt go after Holly in a neighborhood. Especially at your house, Commander."

Root shook his head sadly. "I just got off the phone with Artemis Fowl." He hinted some more.

However, Trouble still didn't pick up what Julius put down. "Why? Do you think he can help us? I doubt he will be cooperative."

"Oh, for Fronds sake!" Foaly cut in, "Artemis took Holly."

Trouble's eyes widened even more when he heard this, "What?! How did he get down here?"

"We aren't sure. But she is currently at Fowl Manor with the mud man."

Trouble shook his head a few times, the light in his eyes dimming as he backed out of the Ops Booth rather quickly, a plan forming in his head.

865!

Y'all are killing us! :P