Disclaimer: I don't own Artemis Fowl or anything about him except for my weird plot.

A/N: Hi! I'm back! After an extremely long case of writers block, I'm back! And I would like to thank all of my reviewers! I love your reviews! Thank you!

Also, I would like to especially thank Karen Shosocoa for motivating me to fight back my case of writer's block. I'm really glad that you liked the story and your review made me come back to the computer and keep trying to write another chapter. Also, if anyone does want to take over my story or write one based on it or use my first three chapters as a start to one of theirs, go ahead! Just mention me, please?

Also, I do apologize that this I haven't updated in this long.

And thanks to my awesome beta, Sig Sauer. He definitely made this story a lot better with his editing.

And now to the story after this ridiculously long review…

Right In Front of Her Nose: Chapter 4

Flashback: a day before Holly arrived

Artemis stared at the computer summary of the contents of his bank account. Usually this made him feel as warm and fuzzy as a Fowl could, but this feeling was now eluding him. Frankly, he was flummoxed. No matter how many ingenious plots he did, the numbers kept going down. It wasn't decreasing by a huge amount, but it was enough to catch his attention. It should have been going up. Artemis massaged his temples. There seemed to be no way to counteract this legally and he had no idea who or what was responsible for this.

Did Father invest in another company? He wondered. Or is there some stock of ours taking a massive nosedive?

He checked the usual issues but none of them were found guilty. Now, it seemed to the Irish boy, the only option is to do something illegal. This didn't faze the boy in the slightest. After all, dangerous times require dangerous measures. And the Fowl fortune getting smaller counted as a dangerous time.

End Flashback

So now Artemis was working on one of his most important crimes yet. This had been the project that Holly had dragged him away from. The one that Butler had thankfully changed the subject from.

While he was planning, one thought stopped him in his tracks.

Holly. She's not going to approve. But this has to be done. Just this one thing and then I can go back to being legit. Well, mainly legit. As soon as this is done, I promise to go as legit as possible for a Fowl. Artemis mentally promised to Holly. I just need to get the Fowl affairs in order and then I can focus on the Council and her. And I need to keep this a secret from the Council. I doubt it would endear me to them when I fight for Holly.

Artemis rarely allowed himself the luxury of daydreaming, especially during plotting, but he couldn't help but think of being with Holly when this was all done. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

Focus. Artemis mentally chided himself. The sooner this is done, the sooner you are with her.

-000-

After Holly left Trouble's office, she went to pay a quick visit to Foaly.

"Foaly." Holly said, making her voice sound as violent and scary as she hoped. " How many people have you told?"

"Hi, Holly! Having a good day! Uhh, I only told Trouble and Mulch." So far. " So… anything I can help you with?" Foaly was clearly slightly scared of the crazy looking elf in front of him.

"Foaly, if you tell anyone else, I will come up a ridiculously, stupendously awful punishment. Which will definitely include no carrots, no beetle juice, no hoof moisturizer, and something to do with Callabine. I'm sure there are some things you don't want her to know. And remember, I have Artemis on my side and he can hack you in a second." Holly threatened, scowling.

Foaly gaped at Holly like she had just threatened to murder his entire family. "Holly! How can you be so cruel! Fine, no carrots, juice, or moisturizer, but involving Callabine! She'll murder me! My life will be over!"

Holly scowled at Foaly. "You'll deserve it. Do you know what happens if the Council finds out about this before Artemis comes up with a plan? Best-case scenario, I am never allowed to talk to or see him again! Worst case, they could mind wipe him or execute him! Is that what you want, Foaly?"

"No. I'm insulted, Holly. You have that little confidence in me. However if you want me to keep silent, I'll need a little help." Once again, Foaly displayed his talent for not getting the gravity of a situation.

"What do you want, Foaly? It better not be ridiculous. I don't even really owe you anything, anyway."

"Oh, its simple. I just want teasing privileges. Someone's going to need to deflate that airhead's head. He already thinks too highly of himself. One of the only bad things about him was that he was clueless when it came to girls. And now he has a girlfriend! Imagine how much more annoying he will be! My computers might die from the huge amounts of vainness radiating from his head. Or from the huge amounts of spit you two will no doubt be swapping unless I'm here to keep the PDA low."

"Foaly!" Holly screeched at him for the last comment. Don't tear off the donkey's head. She kept repeating to herself. Don't tear off the donkey's head

"Listen Donkey Boy. The only reason that I am agreeing to this is because I don't have the time to argue with you right now. I have to actually work unlike the horse playing you do." Holly swiftly left before she let him see that she was loosening up and gave him an advantage. And also to escape the teasing that was doubtlessly going to start soon.

-000-

Artemis was almost done planning. All the meetings were set up, the security planned, and his deal making speech memorized. All that he had to do was go over the plan one more time and relax until he left tomorrow for his big deal.

Before he went to go check in with Butler, Artemis decided to call Holly. He hadn't talked to her in a few days.

Holly answered on the second ring.

"Hey Artemis. What's up?" She asked.

"Nothing really. I have just been working on several experiments-"

Holly cut him off before she heard one of his beloved lectures. As much as she liked Artemis, she couldn't take them. They bored her to death. "That's great Arty. Listen, I'm going to kill Foaly…"

Artemis let her vent about her day. He liked listening to her usually simple problems. The thought of her punching other people for silly things usually made him smile, except of course, when it was him who was punched.

"… I had a ridiculous amount of paperwork today! I mean, come on, is Trouble mad at me or something! Was he trying to bury me alive?" Holly chattered.

"Relax Holly. I highly doubt Trouble is trying to murder you."

"You can never be sure. Anyway, I haven't used my vacation in a while so I have a lot of time built up. I was wondering if maybe I could come visit you in a week?" Holly asked.

"Of course, Holly. That would be great. I have missed you." Artemis felt guilt rise up in his throat. I should tell her. She might understand. She deserves to know. "Holly, I-"

"Oh! Artemis, I have to go. Sorry. I'll call you back as soon as I can." Holly said and quickly dashed to go take care of something.

Artemis closed the connection and ran his hands through his hair. Honestly, he was glad Holly had closed the connection. Telling her would have been difficult.

Artemis closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. In a few days the deal would be done. After that life could go on, with the exception of Artemis doing some more in depth studying of the decrease. Everything was going to be fine.

A/N: This is kind of a filler chapter, but I guess it has to be there to introduce the problem and get it started. Please let me know what you thought!