Hey guys. Sorry it has been so long but i haven't forgotten about you. Here is the next chapter!


He honestly never thought that he would see her again. They never did with people like her. People like her were just passing through town. The came in to drink away their problems then left. That was where all of his business came from. Why would anyone want to stay in this dump of a neighborhood anyways? Definitely not a girl like her who never had to deal with problems before and definitely never had to worry about money.

Even though he knew he was never going to see her again here was a small little part of his mind that looked for her every night and felt the twang of sadness when she never came. No, she would never come here again. She would only live in his memory.

He finally had started to let go. With that fact in mind, that night, he never noticed a young, petite, brown hair, brown eyed, woman walk into his establishment that night.

It was a slow Tuesday night. Only his regulars were in so he never noticed her sit down at his bar. No, it took a little joking at his expense by one of his regulars, Bones.

"Hey Artie old boy! Bill?"

He produced the man's check and handed it to him. "The usual Bones." After his revelation, Arthur was particularly glum tonight.

"Artie! Are just going to let this young woman sit here without a drink? Get her something before you scare her away with your downright awful mood. Really man, get a grip!"

The second Bones said young woman his head snapped up. It couldn't be her could- "Really Arthur," Bones' talking snapped him out of his thoughts, "get her a drink on the house before I do it for you."

It was her. She was here at his bar, and not drunk. She came here by choice. And she has been sitting at my bar for who knows how long and I didn't notice her. What the hell is wrong with me?

This was all happening too fast for him. Yes he had been hoping every night since she first stumbled upon his establishment that she would see her again but he never actually expected to. He wasn't prepared. Why did she suddenly mean so much to him? By all counts she was just another customer, nothing special. She had come in, already drunk, and told him her story and left, but for some reason he just couldn't let her go like he knew he should. And now, she is here again. Why is she affecting him so much?

This was too much for Arthur's mind to process in such a short amount of time. First thing that he had to do now was get Bones out.

"Bones, pay and get out," he said sourly.

"Whoa there man, chill. Here is your money," he turned to Ariadne, "and if he is anything but the best to you I am here every Tuesday so come and tell me and I will deal with him."

She laughed, "I will be sure."

"Bye Bones." An annoyed Arthur said, "see you next week."

"Be sure of it," he said before walking out of the bar. Finally, he was finally alone with her. No one to butt in on their time.

"What can I get you?"

"Anything with vodka," she demanded.

"Rough time?"

She laughed sadly. "More often than not."

"Vodka Tonic it is."

She sat quietly and watched as he mixed her drink. He didn't rush. The faster he was, the faster she left. He gave her the drink

"What made you come back here?" The words tumbling out of his mouth before even thinking about it.

She shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe other bartenders aren't as nice as the ones here." She paused, "or maybe I just wanted to see you."

His breath caught in his throat. She noticed and cleared her throat.

"I mean," she coughed, "You're nicer than everyone else. You care. Before I came to your bar last time I was at this bar down the street. The bar tender seemed to be drunk himself. Is that even legal?"

"Ah. You must have been in Eames' bar. Yes I know what you mean. He is the partying type himself. Is that where you got drunk before you came here?"

A deep red made its way up her neck and to her face. "You caught me. He does make his drinks very strong."

"Ha. Tell me about it." He sighed. "What brings you here this time?"

She brought her drink to her mouth. Uh oh. Did he over step the boundaries? Maybe she didn't come here to talk to him? And why does that hurt so much?

"Caught my boyfriend cheating on me, in my flat."

She is single. He shouldn't be so happy considering she just caught him cheating. They may not even break up but she doesn't seem like the type to stick with a guy like that. She doesn't deserve a guy like that. She deserves a guy like me.

"That's a killer."

"Tell me about it. Do you want to know that worst part?" she didn't wait for him to answer. "It was with my sister, my own bloody sister. Not the first time that's happened."

She slammed her empty glass onto the counter. "More please."

She kept talking to seemingly nobody while he mixed her another drink. "I mean, I understand John, he was a player and I was going to dump his lazy ass anyways." She took the drink he put on front of her and took turns talking and chugging. "Yusuf was clearly gay so I don't even know what happened there. But Jake, I loved him, or I thought I did. Is Ellen really that much prettier than I am? She definitely isn't smarter than I am. I'm sorry. I'm ranting again aren't I?"

"No one can be more beautiful than you."

She smiled. "Thanks for trying to make me feel better. Aw damn it!" she suddenly yelled. Arthur jumped a little, "I forgot to get his key back. Who the hell knows what he is going to do with that?"

"I can help you with him if you need it."

"Oh it doesn't matter. I'll have the realtor deal with it."

Then it hit him. She doesn't live here. What was she doing here? "What brings you here then?"

"I just graduated from grad school in Paris and after what happened I am selling my flat and moving her to find work. I want to get away from there. I used to love it there but…" she let her sentence drift off.

"Anyways I best be going. Not good to be too hung over for my job interview tomorrow. Can you get me a cab?"

"Sure." They both walked out of the bar together. She had been the only one left for the night so he didn't have to worry about leaving him liquor unattended. He flagged her a cab. He opened the door and helped her in. "You'll have to come by sometime and tell me how job hunting is going."

"I would like that."

"See you soon then."

She smiled. "Soon it is."

He closed the door and watched the cab drive away. Soon it is. Why did that make him so happy?


What did you think? I am thinking of making this a six chapter series and making the last chapter one where Arthur gets drunk but i don't know yet. The next update will definitely be sooner than this one. If you would be so kind as to hit the lovely little review button down there you would be much loved!

~Az