"Don't know about this Zee." the blond sighed, "I know you mean well trying to help me out like this but I'm not sure."

"Artemis," Zee spoke through the phone, "look I'm not letting one of my closest friends down like this. I know losing a job can be tough right this is what friends are for, which is why I insist you go check the club out."

Artemis groaned loudly as she lied on the couch, there were times she loved Zee to death but her roommate and best friend could often be such a pain. "Zee, look I'm thankful for what you're doing really – but my answer is still no."

"And when I said I insist you go I mean it." Zee paused, "besides it's too late for that I've already spoken to the manager she's expecting you there. Tonight."

"Zee, what the hell?" Artemis yelled.

"You'll thank me for this later. Trust me."

"What if I already had plans, huh?"

"Artemis, putting on your sweats and moping around the apartment isn't what I call plans."

"I hate you."

"Yes, I know. But you'll learn to get over it." Then she hung up, and Artemis was stuck with a job interview she never asked for.

It was chilly but the night had only just begun as she took in the scene and stepped out of her car. Music was blasting and the people were getting wild as they tried to maneuver their way in. Artemis approached the place while looking back at the whole block; it was just as insane as the whole place. There were several restaurants, bars and nightclubs setting up for the night full of demanding business. Finally she stood a few feet away, glaring at the enormous sign 'the Cave'. To make matters worse there was a line, a very long line.

"Perfect."

Up at the front the two bouncers had been rejecting pestering teens trying to sneak in, for most of the night now. That is until the redhead came over to alert the guy's attention. Their manager stood before them with news.

"Hey guys forgot to tell you to keep a look out for an – "she looked down at her hand where she had jotted down the name. "Artemis – yea she's supposed to be coming in today."

"Sure thing Angel – ah boss."

"Logan, I've told you a million times it's just Megan." She sighed.

As the two went on to discuss other matters, Conner could sense he had just become the third wheel in the conversation. His companion was still getting used to the ropes of the club, which also meant he was totally oblivious about how Megan had just recently gone through a breakup, and how that both her and the guy still had feelings for each other. And it didn't help knowing he was to blame. He must have been caught up in his own thoughts because Megan was suddenly trying to get his attention.

"Conner, did you get that?"

"Huh, what was that?"

"I said, if you could go into the back, I think Dick might need some help."

"Ah, yea sure."

They were gone and Logan was left wondering if he would ever have a chance with the red head.

By now the line had moved along and Artemis was almost in, until the girls up front started causing a scene.

"What do you mean we can't get in?"

"Sorry, seen this kinda thing before – night out to celebrate, trying to get past with fake ID's, yea I don't think so."

"Come on, you don't want to do this," the girl approached him closely; "it's just two of us."

She walked right up to him and inches away holding on tightly to one of his arms. Her friend followed her lead and grabbed the other one, as she continued with, "we just want to have a good time."

"I – ah." the bouncer was left speechless.

"Oh please." Artemis muttered loudly.

"What was that?" the girl's eyes glared back at hers.

"You really think that's going to work?" Artemis continued, "How many times have you tried that move?"

In seconds she'd managed to piss off the two girls.

"And what would you know?" the girl replied, as she whispered, "slut."

Artemis simply gave her a killer smile.

And it took just an instant for her to slap her in front of everyone. Next thing they knew they were on top of each other. There were punches exchanged, threats and swears tossed around. And Artemis was winning, or at least she would have if someone hadn't grabbed her from behind when she was in the middle of pulling the bitch's hair off.

"Logan, escort those two out of here." came the voice from behind her, who hadn't let her go.

"And you –"he turned to look at her "what the hell where you thinking?"

His blue eyes looked directly through her, "Let go!"

"Were you planning on getting yourself arrested tonight?"

"No!" she exclaimed throwing her arms up in rage, "God! I just came here for a stupid interview. But know what forget it!"

"Wait, hold on your Artemis?"

She crossed her arms, "made quite an impression, huh?"

Blue eyes looked at her bewildered, "you're a handful you know that?"

"Thanks for the compliment."

Artemis couldn't help but stare at blue eyes; compared to the guy up front he was gorgeous. This didn't help her at all though; she would probably be asked to leave the premises due to her disturbance. But blue eyes seemed to be having a hard on deciding what to do with her, as he wore this troubled expression.

"Look I'll just get out of your way then –"

"Actually my boss is waiting for you."

"What?"

"Come on I'll–"

"Actually Conner my shifts about to start, I'll show her in." came a voice from a dark skinned man as he removed his pair of headphones.

"Well you're here early Kal," answered Conner while he turned to Artemis, "try to stay out trouble got that?"

"I'll keep that in mind then." she responded as she caught up with the other guy.

"So, Kal is it?" she asked. The guy turned to look at her with a feisty smile. "Actually I prefer just Kaldur."

"Well I'm ah –"

"Artemis, I caught that. And I would say nice to meet you, but after catching the scene back there, I'm not so sure."

She complained, "Was it that bad?"

"I believe the girl was left with a huge part of hair missing."

"It'll grow back."

"She did deserve it though," Artemis looked at him, "what I mean is that she might have gotten past Logan but not Conner. He would have handled her and it wouldn't have been pretty."

"Conner – but he doesn't sound like that kind of person."
"Well that was until he met Megan. She changed a lot about him which is also how your friend Zatanna, I believe, is familiar with the club; we've had problems before with Conner. But Megan managed to bring the better part of him."

"They sound like a great couple." Artemis said.

"They were," Kaldur paused, "until their breakup."

This puzzled her, "I don't get it. If they were so great together, what happened?"

"No one actually knows, I don't think they even know themselves." Kaldur turned to look at Artemis, "do me a favor?"

She looked at him, "What's that?"

"Don't mention any of this to Megan, or Conner."

"But how could I? I don't even know her."

"You will," he said walking away leaving her at the bar chuckling, "She's the manager."

Artemis eyes widened, "wait – why would you even tell me this?"

He looked back and smiled, "I just seem to trust you."

As Kaldur walked away, Artemis was left bewildered because she had missed when they had entered the club. They had managed to move past numerous of people and making their way into the bar, where she stood alone now. Now that she really looked at the place it was great the lights were bright and the music was perfect.

"Hey what can I get ya?" said a smiling red head.

Artemis turned and faced her, "actually I'm looking for Megan."

"Ah, you must be Artemis then." She said smiling brighter.

She nodded, "Yea."

"So any chance you know anything about bar tending?"

She frowned looking worried, "Sorry to disappoint."

"That's great because neither do I, actually it's not great but hey you'll learn, right now I just need you to be fast." She explained.

"Hang on, right now?"

"Yea, hope that's not your good clothes." Megan assured her as she tossed her a beer, "you'll be serving beer, just beer. Good luck."

Artemis rushed over to the other side; she hadn't even been expecting to get the job, much less start on the spot. She pulled herself together and started taking orders here and there. It wasn't as difficult as she had anticipated this was just all new to her. She had been a waitress at her old job and handling the customer's complaints and demands grew to be all too much. While here she was tossing beers and telling drunks to go home. It was nothing she couldn't handle. But the night was still young.

"Hey!" hollered a guy to her right, "Miss Bartender care to toss me a beer over here!"

Artemis hurried over opened a bottle and slide it down as the guy caught it, got up, and began to disappear into the crowd.

"Hey wise guy!" she cried out, "HEY!"

He was moving fast but Artemis wasn't done with him. She quickly jumped over the counter and caught up to the guy and grabbed him by his collar, "Look wise guy, don't know how many times you gotten away with that one but that's not going to work on me."

She'd pushed him hard against the wall dropping his beer in the process, the guy looked down, "who do you think you are?" Artemis asked again.

He smiled pushing his shades down, revealing green eyes, "you must be new."

"Artemis!" Megan hollered from behind her, "what are you…?"

"Hey there babe," the guy called out as he pushed past Artemis, "miss me?"

"Megan?"

"Artemis um – guess you've met Mr. West." Megan uttered.

"Shit." She replied.

She'd managed to insult the guy whose family just happened to run the whole damn town. So much for the job.