"Artemis?" Butler rapped his knuckles quietly on his employer's door. There was no response. He gently opened the door a crack, and stuck his shaven head into the room. Butler smiled. The teenager was lying on his bed, his usually neat raven hair tousled from his nap, his chest rising slowly up and down with sleep. His tie was on the floor, and his suit was crinkled and creased from sleeping atop of the covers. Artemis was peaceful.

Butler couldn't blame him. They had just stopped an underground fairy war from starting, saved an entire race and defeated Opal Koboi. There was, for once, nothing to worry about. This was a first for both Artemis and Butler. But the thing that made Butler smile was that Artemis wasn't alone. Resting her head against Artemis's chest, was a petite French girl, Ms. Paradizo, also sleeping. Her glasses were on his bedside, and her tight, blonde, corkscrew curls were splayed across his torso.

Artemis's arm was round her waist, and Minerva was limply resting her hand upon his. Butler was pleased to see his friend finally divulge himself in relationships officially and on purpose, rather than accidentally becoming too fond of a certain female elfin Recon officer.

Closing the door, Butler couldn't help feeling at ease. There was nothing to worry about. No assassins, no fairy wars, no megalomaniacs and no recent criminal affairs. Damn, Butler thought. His mind was trailing off again. I've got to start thinking about retirement.