AN: Well, I can't believe I've taken on another story. -_-;; However, this one is of great personal interest to me. For one thing, I write differently from Gryff, so don't expect mine to be in the same exact manner of hers. For my own sake, I'm trying to keep within her canon, because otherwise I'd drive myself nuts. This starts right around the end of Gryff's chapter 2. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, check out Sydney Kiss's "Newsies Meets Redwing: Gryffin's Story." This is Artemis's story, and will follow her adventures during the time period. Wish me luck!

Disclaimer: Of all the things I own, I wish I could include this story and these characters. However, this is not the case, except for Artemis because, well, she's me. ^_^;; However, I plan on buying (read: stealing) the Golden Bed of Artemis one of these days. Just have to figure out how. ^_~

Artemis sighed. All Fire was wrapping up, and as much as she loved leading songs, teaching all of those little girls "Greentrees" for the nth time was a bit repetitive. They dismissed the units as per usual with "Kumbaya" and Artemis joined Laurel Oaks for the incredibly short trek to their unit.

"Artemis," Pixie began in a singsong voice, "what are you doing tonight?" Artemis grinned.

"I was just gonna hang out in my tent for a little while, until it's time for Taps," she responded. She looked at her Unit Leader. "Why, you need me to do anything?"

Pixie grinned in a way that made Artemis slightly nervous. "Could you tell the guys some of the rules? I gotta start getting the girls ready for bed, and you know how that is."

"Sure, Pixie." Artemis turned toward the Unit Shelter where the boys assigned to Laurel Oaks were sitting at a picnic table. She reached the table and sat on the end, providing her with a bit of a height advantage she wouldn't have had if they were standing.

"Okay boys, listen up. We've got some rules here, and you're going to have to follow them. First, you're not allowed near the camper tents unless the unit is absolutely empty of the little devils. Downtown gave us a notice that we're not even to hug campers this year." She paused. "Which kind of sucks, but anyway, back to what I was saying. Curfew for anyone under seventeen years old is eleven o'clock, seventeen and older is midnight. You guys'll be living in the Death Tent, so have fun. Jack, I believe you've got morning feed with Luna and Storm, so be sure to have them wake you up in the morning. Other than that, Wake-up bell is at seven, Hoppers at seven thirty, Flag at seven forty-five. You have to be at Flag every morning unless the unit decides to sleep in or you have been invited to a cook out breakfast." She looked up from her schpiel. "Any questions?"

Snitch, Bumlets, and Crutchy seemed to be in the sort of daze. Jack, however, raised an eyebrow. "Is dere any kind a' restrict'n on datin'?"

Artemis sighed. She'd been hoping she wouldn't have to answer that question. "Yes. Rules from Downtown state if you have a relationship at camp, make sure it's not known at camp, pretty much. No relationships between staff members while you're here, please." Jack's face had taken on a somewhat sour look, and Artemis rolled her eyes.

"Look," she said, "I don't make the rules. I just have to make sure you idiots don't screw up too bad." By this time the other boys had registered what she said. Seeing that she had better make her escape soon, she glanced at her watch hanging from the blue carabeener on her belt loops. "Well, looks like I've got to get ready for Taps. See ya!" Artemis turned and practically ran (no running in camp) to her tent. She knew it served as one of the few truly safe havens from any males in camp, and it provided her with a back way to Mary Lodge, where she kept her baritone.

Artemis grabbed her flashlight as she passed through her tent, and sigh in relief as she made her way to Mary. It wasn't that she didn't want the boys there, it was just…well, she could just see so many problems. She picked up her baritone and began walking towards the bridge. It was a nice night, the kind she usually enjoyed for playing Taps. Upon reaching her destination, Artemis sat down at the approximate middle of the structure, basking for a few moments in the soothing solitude of the Connoquenessing Creek. She knew Storm and Gryffin would not join her, they were both busy, and so the usual crowd diminished by two thirds. Sighing, Artemis played a heartfelt rendition of the traditionally military song. As she finished, she heard soft clapping coming from the end of the bridge.

"Who's there?" she asked, turning towards the sound.

"S'just me." She sighed. She really didn't want to deal with any of the new boys tonight, but it was unavoidable…

"Hi Snitch. Why'd you come here?" Artemis sat back down, setting the bulky instrument next to her. Snitch sat on her other side.

"I'se kinda followed ya." Was it just her, or did he seem a bit bashful about that? A pleasant pause filled the night. "S'nice out heah." Despite herself, Artemis smiled.

"Yeah, it is." The only sound for a long time was the water rushing over the dam upstream.

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Shitty ending, I know, but that's all I can do on opening nights except for sit in the staff houses or my tent, and the bridge is a much preferable option. Anyway, feedback is incredibly welcome. Love you all!