AN: Hey! Thanks everyone for the reviews! Especially LovelyWickedDescet, it really helped a lot. I'm going to do my best to keep Dani from being a mary-sue. Hope you guys enjoy the new chapter, let me know what you think. I don't normally write things like this so I'm a little nervous.
Disclaimer: not mine.
Dani pulled smoothly into a parking space, still humming along with the song on the radio as she turned the car off. She looked at Artemis as they got out. "So, how's my driving?"
Artemis shrugged. "I have to admit, you drive well. How much have you had to drink tonight?"
Dani grinned. "Not much, compared to what I'm going drink."
"Wonderful. And I don't suppose you're willing to give up the keys?"
"Not a chance."
Artemis sighed in defeat. Something he'd never done before; he blamed it on the alcohol.
They walked towards the building, silently enjoying one another's presence.
Dani smiled at the bouncer that guarded the doorway as they walked up.
"Hey Brad, how's it hanging this week?"
The bulky man looked up from his book; he raised an eyebrow at Artemis before answering Dani. "So, so. No idiot drunks yet, the night's been kind of boring for me so far. Who's your friend?"
She smirked. "His name's Artemis. He's Nick's roommate."
Brad nodded and opened the door for them. "All right, watch your step now, I've been looking forward to throwing a newbie out a window all week, got it?"
Artemis's eyes widened and he was suddenly unsure of whether or not to enter. Dani rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm, pulling him inside. "He's kidding. He likes to scare people who've never been here before."
Artemis exhaled sharply. "Oh."
Dani just laughed and led pulled him inside. "Welcome to El Miro."
The first floor of El Miro was a book lover's dream. It was a bohemian looking café merged with a library and music store. Shelves of books and music filled the dim, calm atmosphere. Booths and tables were scattered throughout the room, but most of them were near the café area at the west side of the room. The air was permeated the scent of coffee.
It was a peaceful atmosphere, except for the fact that the floor was vibrating. "What is that?"
Dani shot him a wicked grin. "What, the vibration? That's the sixth floor."
"How is this going to be different from the last club?" Artemis scowled at her.
"Better music. Come on." She didn't give him a chance to protest as she promptly grabbed his arm and drug him towards the elevator.
"I don't think this is a good idea."
"Why?"
"I don't dance."
Dani laughed as elevator doors closed. "Nonsense, everyone dances"
Artemis scowled again. "I'm not like everyone else."
"So I've noticed, Mr. Perfect Score. But that's not getting you out of this one. I detect a significant lack of carefree experiences in you. Plus, you're stuck in the elevator now."
"You sound too much like Nick for this to end well."
Dani happily ignored him bouncing on her feet eagerly as they arrived at the top floor.
When the doors opened, the sound hit Artemis like a solid wall. The deep beat of the current song drummed in his chest, his heartbeat melding with the music. Dani had been right, this was better music. It was a fast paced indie rock; the kind of sound that was loud, deep, and played your bones like tuning rods. It was fast paced without the head throbbing sharpness of computer altered tracks. The Irish genius begrudgingly admitted he liked it.
Dani tugged on his arm again, disrupting his daze. He let her lead him out of the elevator, smiling to match her wild grin. The entire room was one massive dance floor, with a bar lining each wall.
Artemis expected her to head straight for the dance floor after their elevator conversation; instead she led him to the nearest bar and ordered them both tequila shots. Artemis hesitated for a moment when she pushed his toward him. He wasn't the type to drink, he was with a girl he knew next to nothing about, and essentially stranded in the middle of nowhere. The smart decision would be to walk away now, and call a cab. Luckily, he'd had just enough alcohol at the first club to make the less-smart decision.
Three shots later Dani led him into the throng of people in the center of the room. His whole body stiffened. He didn't like being this close to people, and the amoeba like collection of bodies made him feel claustrophobic.
Dani had the nerve to laugh at him. She grabbed his hands and placed them on her hips, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him flush against her. The song was half way in between fast and slow, the rhythmic beat permeating the air. Dani rolled her body against his, encouraging him to move with the beat.
Artemis scanned the people around him with an observant eye, studying the way they moved and tried to imitate their moves. The tequila from the bar was catching up with him, the pleasant buzz in his head increasing. He could feel his mind slowing down and it unnerved him greatly. He was normally fine with a beer here and there, but he'd never done tequila shots.
His dance partner huffed in frustration at his awkwardness. Honestly, how hard was it to let go for a couple hours? She leaned up next to his ear, "Don't think about it, just do it. Don't look at everyone else, look at me."
So he did. The rest of the room seemed to melt away, and Artemis found himself relaxing. His body moved more fluidly, matching the roll of her hips and the rhythm of her body. It was a fantastic feeling, one he decided he needed more of. He pulled her closer, letting his hands caress her hips.
Dani smiled and ran her hands through his hair, her hands making sure his gazed stayed focus on her. The song changed, and as the beat speed up so did the crowd. There was no room for though any more, just feeling and reacting. Artemis was beginning to realize he liked it significantly more than he thought he would.
Several songs and another couple shots later, the genius was feeling the full effects of the alcohol and Dani's lips were looking increasingly inviting. The green eyed girl was grinning like the Cheshire cat, her fingers exploring his chest and shoulders before weaving themselves through his hair again.
Finally, Artemis bent his head to run his nose along her jaw line before capturing her lips with his. She kissed back eagerly, pushing her body flush against his and pulling him deeper. He let his hands wander, exploring the curve of her body and the soft skin underneath the hem of her shirt.
They separated when the song changed again, the music slower and calmer. Artemis was completely dazed. Dani leaned her head on his shoulder, her embrace keeping him close as they continued to dance.
Another scan of the room revealed that the crowd was beginning to thin. People were starting to trickle out. He wondered how late it was, and discovered he hoped the night wasn't almost over. He let his arms tighten around Dani and rested his chin on the top of her head.
When the song ended, Dani pulled away gently, and started heading towards the elevator. As soon as the doors closed the noise of the club faded almost immediately. "We should get going. I don't want to be a part of the mass exodus that's going to happen after the last song."
He nodded, but couldn't help feeling a sense of disappointment. "What time is it?"
"A little after 3:30. Why," she said, moving closer, "not having any fun?"
Artemis grinned back at her. "Well, I seem to recall warning you that dancing wasn't really my thing."
She was right up next to him now, her eyes bright with mischief. "That's a shame, you're really not so bad."
"Yeah?" He hooked his fingers through her belt loops, pulling her closer. His hands quickly moved on to wandering up and down her curves.
"Yeah," she said, tilting her head up towards him, running her hands up his chest, "you wanna know what else you're not so bad at?"
"Tell me."
The elevator doors dinged open to the first floor, ruining the mood completely, and Dani huffed and pulled away, a scowl fixed on her features. Artemis glared heatedly at the offending machine as he followed after Dani towards the front doors.
AN: Well, I hope you guys liked it. Please review and let me know how I did; comments, suggestions, you know the deal.
Please, please, please review.
~colonelZ