Kyaaa! Chapter 13!...I don't know why, but this chapter feels really important for some reason. Huh.

WEll, it's a super long chapter (kind of). Took me 15 pages to write. Hope you all will enjoy it! :D

[the usual witty disclaimer here]

Chapter 13 - Moonlight Waltz

Stupid, stupid, stupid Artemis, I berated myself in my head. Really now, to forget that your brother's not working today and just go ahead and leave Spot on that note? Argh! I kept muttering things to myself as I burst through the door of the lodge house.

The first thing that greeted me was the noise. All the Brooklynites were crammed into the entrance, some spilling over onto the stairs or into the kitchen. The second thing that greeted me was the smell of alcohol. Clearly, someone - many someones - was drinking. The evidence lay scattered about, in the hands of many of the newsies, on steps, and on the counter where Spot was sitting, surrounded by Pilot and various other boys. I spotted Cat in the corner with Colt, who had his arms wrapped around her waist as they watched the pandemonium that was the focus of the room.

Sparks was sulking in the corner, so I went to join her. Together we sipped water and some soda someone had most likely stolen somewhere. Everyone around us was cheering at our success, never mind the fact that now we were officially part of the strike. Sparks and I laughed as Quicksilver juggled three balls and then proceeded to drop them on his head.

"Hey! Artemis!" Pirate yelled as he made his way through the crowd. People split easily around him, then refilled the space. It was like watching someone walk through water. When he reached us I could see he held an open bottle in one hand. He grinned, flipping his hair out of his face.

"You two should be celebratin', not standin' over heah by yoahselves," he said. "C'mon, join everybody!"

"Uh, Pirate, I don't think that's such a go-" I just stopped talking as Pirate effectively pulled me through the crowd. He stopped when we had reached the front. Now what was I supposed to do? I spied Emotions sitting on the steps to my left. I waved at her. She got a worried look on her face and glanced over to Spot.

"Here, Artemis, you want a drink?" Pirate asked. "I'll go getcha one."

"Ah, no thanks," I politely declined. Too late, he was already wandering off into the crowd towards the kitchen, leaving me alone at the front of the group, facing Spot. Can you say oh bugger? Because I can. Bugger, bugger, bugger. And, for good measure, bite me.

"What's da matter?" Spot asked lazily, leaning against the front counter. The man who ran the house had already gone home, and the counter had quickly turned into a bar as well as a giant seat. "Don't drink?"

"No, Spot, I don't drink," I said calmly. "Haven't I told you this before?"

Spot tilted his head back for a second, as if thinking. He kept a firm hold on the bottle in his right had, while he ran his left through his hair. "Maybe."

"Are you drunk?" I accused. Pirate was worming his way back now. As he came up beside me, Spot gave me another one of his trademark smirks. Except this one had a trace of something else in it. Anger? Malice? No, no. Sadness? Nope. It was something that was like a mix between the three, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Regret? Eh, closer, but not quite.

"No," Spot said in response to my question. "But I have been drinking." I rolled my eyes. Pirate handed me a plain brown bottle of something. When I gave him a look he explained.

"It's root beer," he said patiently. "I know you're not exactly fond of these kind of vices." I grinned and popped the top off.

"No, not these particular vices," I grinned. "Although some of the other ones…" Which reminded me: tomorrow Ben would be working, so I could get to work on the breaking and entering vice. Which reminded me of Swiper. Which I did not want to think about.

"So you can't drink." Spot said it matter of fact, like it was set in stone. He was watching carefully again, with that no-expression expression on his face again. I hate it when he gets like this. Makes me want to knock him down and rip that look off his face. You're human too, Spot! Ya jerk! But of course I can't say that in front of a roomful of newsies.

"No…not exactly," I said carefully. "More like, y'know, I'd rather not. For health reasons."

"Health reasons." Again with the monotone and superior look! I'm going to smack this boy at some point, I swear.

"Yes. Health, you know? That thing that kind of keeps you alive?" I snapped.

"What's so bad about drinking?" Spot asked. I rolled my eyes.

"One, your brain looses function. The first thing to go is your judgment and reasoning." Yeah, and I sounded rational right now, spouting off in front of-shut up! I told that part of my brain. Spot's being a jerk, here's your chance to show him up! "Two, it affects your growth." I made a point of flicking my eyes from Pirate to Spot, who rolled his eyes.

"I'll let you know when dat becomes a problem," he drawled. "Next?"

"Next," I snapped, "is addiction. People get addicted to alcohol, which is a huge problem."

"That hasn't exactly become a problem yet."

"Has it?" Before Spot could continue I carried on. "And finally…" I bit my lip, not sure if I should go with my last reason, or just come up with a new one.

"Finally…?" Spot prodded me. I looked him square in the eye as I told him,

"And finally, you die." Pilot laughed as Spot and I stared at each other. Spot smirked slowly as Pilot started talking.

"Look, Artemis," he said, still chortling to himself. "I don't know where yoah gettin' yoah ideas, but dis isn't really a problem right now."

"I get my facts from books, Pilot," I said tersely. "Sure, you're not dead, but someone else probably is. So, no thanks."

"Maybe yoah just sayin' all dis because you can't handle it?" Pilot mused. I'm sure he didn't mean for it to sound the way it did, but boy was I ever tempted to throw a book in his face. Preferably a large and heavy dictionary. Or maybe an encyclopedia.

"No, that's not why I'm-"

"So why don't you prove it?" Spot held up a half empty bottle and swirled it around. I swallowed.

"Are you guys being serious?" I asked.

"'Course we are," Spot said. I gritted my teeth. This would hurt. A lot. And not just in the morning either. But if they couldn't leave well enough alone…

Brett, if heaven exists and you're in it - or even purgatory or hell, I don't care - please watch this and then kick their asses while they're asleep. Oh, yeah, and don't let me die either!

I snatched the bottle from Spot's hand as I thought this. For once there was surprise clearly on his face. Everyone else around us was carrying on as I sniffed the opening. Ick, beer. And not any good stuff either. I swirled it around and thought about how much I could down before it got dangerous. Hell, what had I gotten myself into? Oh, right. A drinking contest. Stupid.

I lifted the edge to my lips and tilted my head back just a smidge before looking once again right into Spot's eyes and saying, "Hope you're ready to catch me, Spot. Cuz this isn't gonna be pretty." With that, I leaned my head back and brought the bottle to my lips. The beer burned its way down my throat and into my stomach. All that pretty nonsense you've heard about beer lighting a nice warm and cozy fire in your belly? All crap, don't believe it. About half of what was left in the bottle was gone before my head started pounding: the warning sign. I stopped and brought the bottle away from my mouth. Huh, I drank almost half a bottle. This would be interesting.

As my blood started feeling like it was on fire again, I awkwardly marched forward and slammed the bottle down next to Spot. Then, before he could do anything, I backed up again.

"Satisfied now, Spot?" I asked, my vision starting to blur at the edges. "Maybe you win this bet. Either way, I'm out." He had a weird expression on his face again, from what I could tell. Something between surprise and confusion and regret. Ha. Gotcha good.

G'night.

My heart throbbed and I coughed, a hoarse and raspy sound. It wasn't so bad as the last time I'd had a drink, but it still hurt. I groaned and grabbed my head as I started to loose my balance. I tripped backwards as two strong arms caught me.

"Hey, Pirate," I said weakly.

"Yoah goin' upstairs," he growled out. With one motion he scooped my up and carried me up the stairs. I don't know what everyone else was doing, because I was nearly passed out at that point.

Damn, I really did well this time, didn't I?

Spot POV

You wouldn't know it from watching his face, but Spot watched with mild horror as Artemis proceeded to down most of the remaining contents of the bottle before slamming it back on the counter. As she spoke again, half of Spot's mind registered what she was saying.

"Either way, I'm out." It was as she said this and proceeded to close her eyes with a half a grin on her face that it clicked in Spot's mind. Another episode's about to hit. As Artemis started coughing, Spot wanted to move, had to do something, and yet was frozen in place. What was this girl doing, pulling a stunt like that? And why was he the one frozen in place?

Spot watched as Pirate easily scooped her up, glared at him, and proceeded to carry the now unconscious girl up the stairs towards the girls' room. After a minute Spot slipped up the stairs. He reached the top just as Pirate was walking out. Pirate had an expression on his face that told Spot everything he needed to know. One, that Artemis was asleep and - hopefully - okay. Two: that Pirate liked Artemis. A lot. So if anyone else was going to do something, they would have to fight damn hard. Pirate glared at Spot once he saw the other boy standing there.

"Nice move dere, Spot," he growled. "What were you tryin' ta pull back dere, anyway?" The taller boy's brown eyes were full of fury as they glared into Spot's own cool ones.

"Wasn't tryin' to pull anything, Pirate," Spot said calmly. He jerked his chin at the door. "She sleeping?"

"No thanks to you." Pirate crossed his arms. "Really, Spot, I don't get it. One minute yoah acting like she's a real person an' not just another goil who kills time, an' da next…da next yoah doin' stuff like this." Spot didn't have an answer. Truthfully, he wasn't always sure of what he was doing, either.

Pirate slammed his fist into the wall. "Dammit Spot!" he yelled. Because of all the noise downstairs, no one else heard him. "You've got to remember." He said this last piece more quietly.

"Remember what?"

Pirate swore and stalked off. Spot waited for him to go back down the stairs before slipping into the girls' room.

Luckily, Pirate had guessed correctly and placed Artemis on her bunk, and not someone else's. Spot quietly walked over to the middle bunk where she lay, her back to the door, asleep. Artemis's brown hair was swept back from her face, her green eyes closed in quiet sleep. The image was so different from the one of a few moments ago, when this same face had been twisted in pain. Hesitantly Spot reached out to brush back a small strand of hair that had fallen across her face, but then stopped. Did he really have the right to do that? Should he? Then Spot mentally chided himself. He was Spot Conlon, King of Brooklyn. What was he so afraid about? It wasn't like Artemis would break just because he touched her. Angry at himself, but still with careful and gentle movements, Spot brushed the strand back from her face. He stood there for a moment and stared, before turning and heading out the back door of the room.

Idiot, idiot, idiot! Spot berated himself. You knew she wouldn't be able to handle it, but no, you had ta go an'…He kept up the flow of mental yelling as he made his way to the docks. Maybe a nice, cold swim would help get his mind on straight. That's when he noticed the slim figure sitting on his "throne."

"Whadda ya want?" he growled out. The figure stood up and brushed back long, dark hair.

"Well, well, well," the girl laughed. "Is dat how my dear cousin greets me?" Blue eyes similar to Spot's own twinkled with mirth.

"Sher Khan, what are youse doing over here?"

Sher Khan shrugged and ran thin fingers through her hair again. "I got some time to myself, thought I'd come say hello."

"Doesn't Queens not like it when their goil goes off ta see Brooklyn?" Spot asked, smirking slightly. Sher Khan twiddled her fingers in his direction as she plopped down on a pile of crates. Carefully she spread her skirts around her.

"Well, they don't know I'm related to youse," she said thoughtfully. "Although if they ever find out - when they find out -" she amended carefully "there will definitely be some trouble." She smirked back at Spot and said, "So who dumped you this time?"

Spot rolled his eyes and groaned inwardly. If there was one annoying thing about his cousin - aside from the fact that they were the same age and practically the same height - it was her ability to see right through him. And, of course, the fact that she was currently going with Queens's second in command. But that was another story, and one that Spot still didn't fully understand.

"I didn't get dumped," Spot said sourly. "I just…messed up." With Sher Khan, it was better just to be up front about his problems. She nodded.

"Why don't you tell me about it?" Spot sighed and sat down before launching into his tale. He started with the party, and how he had caught Jackal being a jerk to some small kid. At least, he had thought it was a kid until that kid had grabbed Jackal's wrist. How Jack Kelly had somehow convinced him to take this kid - Artemis - in to Brooklyn. How the girl had proven herself to be a good fighter, if not always a good newsie. Then how one time he had run into her when she was scared witless, and saved her. How it had irked him when it was Queens who was causing trouble, but at the same time it had made him mad that this girl was the one in trouble. How, when he was in a bad mood, she had come to ask about Cowboy and the strike, and he didn't get mad at her. How Pirate seemed to have some connection with Artemis. How it had made him so mad when Jackal had pushed Artemis into the water, and they found out about her attacks. How Artemis had taken down Jackal. And then, when Artemis had asked - a simple question, really - about his girls, and he had made it sound like he didn't care about any of them. When, really, there had been a few that had been more than just something that took his mind off of running Brooklyn. And then, tonight, when Spot had challenged her to a drink…The girl was getting under Spot's skin, and he couldn't really figure out why, or whether or not he really minded.

"Well," Sher Khan said when he finished. "Sounds like you've got a lot ta deal with. But I don't think this girl hates you. All the same, you probably shouldn't push her too much farther with some of this." Sher Khan winked. "Anyway, who's comin' dis way now?" The two looked to the end of the docks, where a small figure was carefully picking its way down the path.

Artemis POV

I was pretty sure I was in my own bunk. And I was pretty sure that someone else was in the room, but I kept pretending I was asleep. There was the sound of the party continuing downstairs. A moment ago a loud bang on the wall had awoken me, and then I think I heard the door open. Ahhh! This was sounding creepy!

Cool fingers brushed back the piece of hair that had fallen across my face. I wanted to know who it was, if only so that I could say thank you for getting the pesky thing away from my nose! A moment later quiet - very quiet - footsteps headed for the back door. I cracked open my eyes to see Spot leaving.

As the door was shut quietly, I sat up on my bunk and nearly brained myself on Cat's bunk. Euch. I still felt horrible, so I walked to the sinks to splash some water on my face. A look in the mirror told me that most of my bruises were gone, and only a small cut was left on my ear, for some reason. With a sigh I vaguely wondered if Spot preferred his girls to be clean and tidy, without the traces of fights everywhere. I shook my head to dispel the thoughts. Maybe I should lie down for a few more minutes.

After a while it became clear that sitting around and thinking not-so-happy-thoughts was not going to help this situation. So I got up, left my hat and vest on the bunk, and went out after Spot.

The moonlight illuminated the steps that led down to the other side of the lodging house. The docks were in sight, just a little ways away.

Docks are confusing at night, especially when you don't know your way around to begin with, and then on top of that are slightly confused by alcohol. (Yes, yes, I'm a smart person.) Carefully I picked my way through and down to where I could see Spot and another person. Closer proximity revealed this person to be a tall-ish girl with long dark hair and light colored eyes in skirts. She waved a me before looking at Spot, who just gave her a look back.

"Sher Khan," she said, sticking her hand out. I gave it a firm shake. "Cousin to the dear Spot Conlon." I think my eyes bugged out of my head at this point.

"He has a cousin?" I gawped.

"Yup, believe it or not, he's got some family," she said lightly. "An' yoah Artemis?" I nodded. "Brooklyn's newest spitfire."

"What does that mean?"

"You've got some spark to ya," Sher Khan said easily. "Care to show me somethin' that would work well on an attacker?" She had an honestly curious look in her eyes, so I grinned. It was hard not to like someone who took an interest in the kind of fighting I did.

"Sure," I said. "I'll show you a throw. Get up and come here." As she walked over I explained that this worked best on a moving target, like I had with Jackal. She snickered.

"I wish I could have seen that," she laughed. I grinned and just kept explaining the proper grip, and how to throw. I showed her where she would grab using my arm, and mimed throwing someone to the ground. Just because we were on the topic of self defense, I pointed out a few vital points that were easy to get to. All the while, Spot watched, and I tried my best to ignore him.

"Well, it was nice ta meet you, Artemis," Sher Khan said. "Now, I've got ta go back to Queens. Be seeing you, Artemis, Spot." I waved as she left the docks.

Now I was left out here with Spot. Uh…what had I come out here for? Oh, right. I kept having bad thoughts, and for some reason thought that following Spot out here would be a good idea.

"So didja want something, Artemis?" He was good. Spot looked at me expectantly, arms folded across his chest, cane holstered.

"Um, maybe?" I hesitated, scratching my head. Spot gave me a look that made me shiver. "I mean, I think I had a reason for coming out here…nah, I didn't. I just couldn't sleep, is all." Hesitantly I smiled at Spot. "Sorry?" Spot barked out a laugh.

"First my cousin, now you…" He gave another dry laugh. I sniffed.

"Well excuse me for being obnoxious." Just to prove how obnoxious I could be, I plopped down on a pile of crates covered in fishnets. Then I stuck out my tongue at Spot Conlon. (I'm an idiot.)

"Do you ever think before you do something'?" Spot asked critically. I flinched. Something flickered in his eyes again, but it was gone before it could register in my mind.

"Sometimes I do," I said quietly. Then, just because I really wanted to take a shot at him, "But when people act like jerks all of a sudden, it kind of makes me lose my mind a little bit."

Nothing. There was nothing on Spot's face that indicated remorse, or that he felt sorry at all. He just sighed and walked to the edge of the dock, twirling his cane. Then he set it down on a nearby crate and started to take off his shirt.

"Yeah, well," he said, still facing the water. "Blame that on Pilot." I lost full control of my brain for about five seconds while it registered that Spot was now shirtless, because damn, he looked good. Like, super, super fit. I guess it's because being the King of Brooklyn requires him to be really in shape or something, because….because…..okay, time to snap out of it. I slapped myself mentally.

"Uh-uh, you don't get to pass the blame this time," I said in what I hoped was a strong voice. Merrr, Artemis, don't lose your brain…okay yes he's hot but still!

By now, Spot was only wearing those weird long john pant things. The rest of his articles of clothing - shirt, pants, shoes, socks, etc - were lying on a nearby crate. Mental note: Spot is not that self-conscious. He just looked over his shoulder at me for a second, in which I could clearly see all of the muscles in his back standing out, before taking a breath and diving into the water. I squeaked and ran to the edge.

"Spot?"

The noise of splashes a few feet out from where he had dove in answered my question. Spot swam out into the river before turning around and coming back. He didn't stop and get out at the ladder, but instead swam between the two piers. I sat and watched him move easily through the water. Out here, like this in the moonlight, he looked so much more peaceful. It was like Spot was in his own little world. Whatever it was, I didn't want to interrupt it.

After a few more laps up and down, Spot came to the ladder and climbed out. This…was not helping me keep my focus. Seriously, climbing out of the water like that, with his blond-streaked hair dripping droplets of water onto the dock, it made me think of those Greek sculptures portraying young male gods. Okay, another mental slap for Artemis. Spot slicked back his hair and rummaged around in a box. I did my best to ignore that fact that he was wearing only his undergarments as he pulled out a raggedy old towel. After drying himself for the most part, Spot pulled his pants back on - thank goodness! - and sat.

"So, you gonna get to whatevah it was, or are ya gonna sit dere starin'?" Spot asked. I blushed and looked away.

"Maybe," I said. When I looked sideways at him, Spot gave me one of his slow smirks, but this time with nothing else in it except amusement. I kicked my legs back and forth in front of the crate. Maybe it was because it was night and dark, but I wanted to ask Spot some questions. What did I really know about him? That he's a mean fighter, sure. That he can shoot his slingshot really well. And that he can flip his personality. Oh, and that girls kill time. Great.

"Was there ever a girl you really cared about?" I asked suddenly. Spot raised an eyebrow. There was a hint of danger in his eyes.

"Interesting question," he said dryly.

"Don't be a smartass, just answer it." Spot sighed.

"To answer yoah question," he said dramatically, "yes, there was."

"And how long ago was that?" Now I was really curious.

Spot thought for a minute. "A while."

"Why was she special?"

A shrug.

"She still in Brooklyn?"

"Yeah. You know her, actually." I gaped.

"What? Who?" Spot smirked again.

"Her name's Caroline," he said. Then, before I could ask - because I don't remember knowing someone here named Caroline - Spot continued, "You know her as Emotions."

My. Mind. Is. Blown.

I mean, I knew that they had been together at one point a couple years ago, but…but…but…

I just sat there and gaped and thought about it and tried to say something and just gaped some more. I'm sure Spot thought I looked like a fish, opening and closing my mouth.

"Are we done with the questions now?" My mouth snapped shut for a second before I blurted out,

"Do you know how to dance?"

Blank look. No confusion, just blank. Staring. No I am not on anything yes there is a rational explanation. Geeze.

"Excuse me?" Spot was clearly fighting to keep a level and rational tone.

"Do you know how to dance?" I repeated. Spot gave me a "excuse-me-do-you-think-I-know-how-to-dance-you-crazy-girl" look that very clearly told me that no, Spot Conlon does not know how to dance. Tsk.

"Oh, come on, you should!" Another look. It wasn't until I actually stood up and gestured for Spot to do the same that he saw that I was serious.

"Put your shirt back on, I'm gonna show you," I commanded. I didn't think he would do it, but Spot did stand up and pull his shirt on. Although that was as far as he went, because next he just stood there and stared me down. "What?"

"An' you know how ta dance?" He said it more like a statement than a question. A very sarcastic statement that was full of doubt.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do," I said as haughtily as I could. "I'll have you know that before I ran away I took dance lessons. And I was quite good, thank you very much." I put as much fake sass into the statement as I could muster. The edge of Spot's mouth twitched.

"Right."

"Well you're not gonna learn by just standing there. C'mere." I gestured for Spot to step closer, which he did, resigned. "Here." I took his right hand and placed it around my waist, and held his left in my right. My left hand rested lightly on his arm, and I noticed his hands were cool.

"What are we doin'?" Spot asked dryly. I gave him my fiercest look.

"You won't win too many more girls if you can't dance," I said resolutely, never mind the fact that we both clearly knew otherwise. Spot gave a reckless, daredevil grin that almost made me stop breathing for a second, and I was suddenly very aware of how close we were standing.

"Well, then," he said, and I started breathing normally, "Lead on." I nodded.

"Right, well, here's how you'll step." As I lead Spot through the basic steps of the waltz, it was funny to think how we'd started out. Frankly, Spot had been more than a little bit intimidating, and still was. Sometimes. But it was interesting to see all these different aspects of him. I laughed when Spot took a misstep and we almost crashed into a pile of crates. The opening measures of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata started playing in my head.

One, two, three. One, two three. One, tw-

"So then how many guys have you gone with?" Spot asked, shaking me out of my reverie. Now he was leading rather well, and I didn't have to think about my feet. Just how I was going to answer.

"Three," I answered truthfully. "And they all ran away." Spot snickered. I stuck out my tongue at him again.

"How many girls have you been with? Hmm?" Spot shrugged.

"Are you afraid of anythin'?" he asked. I rolled my eyes. It was funny for one because Spot was asking me this question, and for two because I felt safe where I was. For some reason, dancing with Spot like this felt alright.

"Um, the water, getting trampled by elephants, bee stings, people who giggle too much, and getting trampled by an elephant," I said. Spot laughed.

"Elephants."

"Hey, it could happen," I said seriously. "You have to be prepared for this kind of thing." Spot shook his head, then looked serious.

"I meant more along da lines of…," he trailed off for a second and looked at something above my head. "More along da lines of when you black out." Oh. Oh.

"Yeah, I guess," I muttered, not looking at him. "But it's no big deal, really. I'm not gonna die or anything. I just can't over exert myself. And do my best not to get any random shocks, like with Jackal and the water." Spot's eyes got a dangerous look in them again.

"Really, ya should've let me soak him," Spot said easily, like he was talking about the weather, or commenting that it was dark. I shivered a bit.

"Next question," I said lamely, trying to dodge.

"Was Cowboy really telling da truth? Or did you just hate Manhattan dat much?" Spot asked. If he hadn't been leading, I would have stopped.

"Apparently some of the Manhattaners didn't like me so much," I said casually. "Why? Should I have gone to the Bronx or something?" Spot snorted.

"Da Bronx are for weaklings and those who yell too much," he said.

"Oh, good to know I'm not a weak-yeep!" I squeaked as I tripped backwards. Spot caught me with one arm, around my waist. My hands had automatically flown up, and were now grabbing at his shirt just below his collar bones. I was acutely aware that this would probably be a kind of romantic pose, but I was hovering above the water.

Spot flashed another evil grin. He was clearly holding me up easily with his left arm, leaning over slightly.

"Spot Conlon don't you dare drop me!" I squeaked. I had meant for it to be an imposing command, but apparently my vocal chords had other plans.

"So you want me to save you?" Spot asked. I glared at him, still not letting go of his shirt. It didn't help that he had only pulled it on and not buttoned it up. Either I stared at him in the face or at his chest. Sigh. Such a hard decision.

"If you have to think about it," I started. Spot face changed again, and I couldn't continue what I was going to say. "Spot?"

Spot cocked his head to the side a little bit, like he was thinking. Moonlight reflected back in his eyes, which had gone all careful again. Spot's eyes kept flicking back and forth between mine, like he was looking for something. Then they traveled around my face. We stood like this for a moment before Spot spoke.

"I think," he said, his voice quiet and a shade deeper, "dat I want to try something."

"Try what?" I asked, wary.

Spot just gave another daredevil grin before pulling me up. As I came forward, my hands were still on his chest, but now with my palms flat out. Spot just kept watching my face as I was finally standing again. He seemed to hesitate for a second before making up his mind. And then he brought his lips to mine.

My eyes flew wide open and my hands tried to push against his chest, but couldn't find the will to do it as first panic flew through my mind. I wasn't being held in an embrace, but Spot's arm was still around my waist, and the other carefully traced my cheek before holding me at the back of my head. He wasn't being harsh, just firm and a little gentle. Then it registered what was going on.

Spot was kissing me.

Of their own accord my eyes fluttered shut as I relaxed a little bit and enjoyed the kiss. Spot hesitated for another second before he deepened the kiss…and my mind couldn't find a rational argument against this. Spot is a really good kisser. Small sparks, like embers, flicked through my system and I felt myself grow warm. Amid all of this, I could smell Spot's unique scent of the water he had just swam in, and spices, and trace bits of alcohol and something else I couldn't really identify.

This probably only lasted a short moment before Spot was stepping back and letting go of me completely. He gave a hoarse laugh, and I was glad that I wasn't the only one out of breath.

"That wasn't so bad," Spot said. Then he looked at me carefully, gauging my reaction.

"Wha-?" was all I could come up with. Did he really just…? I stared at him, confused. "Was that serious?" Spot shrugged and took a small step closer. I didn't move towards him or try and push him away. Spot's eyes were softer now than I was used to seeing them, but there was still something careful in them. Something holding him back. Carefully he traced around the edge of my face, pushing back my hair. His hands had calluses even on the fingertips, but his lips had been soft. I bet his hair was, too. So I reached up in return and brushed back part of his bangs.

"Maybe," he said finally when I brought my hand back down. Now he was playing with a strand of my hair, looking at it instead of me. "I don't…really know." Then he gave another quiet laugh. I stared at his eyes willing him to look at me.

"Can I ask you something'?" he asked, finally looking at me again.

"You just did," I quipped. Spot smirked.

"What's yoah real name?" I wrinkled my nose.

"Of all the questions, you pick that one."

"C'mon, answer it," Spot said playfully, hands in his pockets. I hedged, fidgeting. Spot just took my hands and started leading me slowly around in a slow waltz.

"Artemis," I said finally. Seeing the look he gave me, I clarified. "No really, my real name's Artemis. Artemis Blake. It's also my nickname. My brother came up with it before he knew my real name was also Artemis. It stuck." Spot raised his eyebrows.

"How could yoah brother not know yoah real name?" he asked dryly. I shrugged.

"Like I said, I ran away from home. My mom gave me this name in protest to my dad, who wanted to either name me after her - which I got anyway -, or name me Christina." I wrinkled my nose at the thought.

"Christina." Spot said this like it was a bad joke (and frankly, it would be).

"Yup."

"Huh. So your mom's name's your middle one then?" he asked. I glared at him, his eyes full of mischief.

"Yeah…"

"So what is it?" I rolled my eyes and then stared past Spot's shoulder.

"It's…" I hesitated, not quite willing to divulge this tidbit of information, yet I felt like I should. I frowned at myself. It's not like it's a big deal, it's just a name for cryin' out loud. All of a sudden, Spot spun me out and brought me back to him in a twirl. As I came back and replaced my hand in his, I looked up at him and said quietly, "It's Lianne."

"Lianne," Spot mulled it over in his mind. I watched the gears turn in his head as he watched me. Then he grinned. "Does anyone ever called you that?" Insert serious eye roll here.

"No," I said. "Why would they?" Spot shrugged.

"Dunno," he said. "But it fits you, I guess."

"Fine then, what's your real name?" I challenged. Spot visibly balked at answering the question. "Aw, c'mon, I answered your questions." Spot glared, and we stopped dancing.

"Daniel," he spat out tersely, his eyes flashing with anger and annoyance. "Jonathan Daniel Conlon. The IV. You happy now? An' no one evah calls me dat or I'll soak 'em."

"Woah, woah," I said, putting up my hands to shield me from the wrath of Spot. "Calm down." Spot smirked.

"Got ya."

"Hey!" I protested. "Not fair." Pout. Spot laughed and gave me a soft kiss. Myerrrrrrrr. How am I supposed to stay mad at him when he's like this? Although I'm pretty sure that anger was real, so I don't think I'll be calling him "Daniel" any time soon. Eep!

"You should head back soon," Spot said. "Unless you want everyone ta be talkin' in da morning…"

"Nope! I'm good! G'nite Spot!" I squeaked out. Spot caught my arm and turned me around for one last kiss.

"Good night, Artemis." Then he smirked real slow again, and I scampered off. Slipping in by the back door, it appeared that a few others were asleep, but plenty of people were still downstairs. Changing quickly I snuggled deep under my blanket. So, Spot had - in a day - gotten me back my locket, discussed his philosophy on girls with me, and finally, kissed me and maybe kind of sort of told me he liked me.

I am so confused.

ZZZZzzzzzzz…

*Jumps around the room like a giddy idiot* So? So? What did you guys think? I really, really, really want to hear what everyone thought about this from as many people as possible! So please say hi! :D I'm really not good at writing romance, so this chapter in particular was a challenge. ;_; Please let me know if you liked it. This made me rather nervous. *sweatdrop* Artemis didn't have a sudden change in attitude or anything, did she? *fidget*

And a big thank you to everyone who reviewed and told me a story they know about Artemis! I loved reading all of them! 3

Eavis: -blush- Glad you're still liking Spot! What do you think of him now? ;) Also, I don't know how you do it, but you've been the first reviewer for the past several chapters. WOAH. 3

KyoKyo-chaaan: Hello new reader! If you've got a guess as to his identity, send me a message! This chapter should have pretty much confirmed it. :)

RandomRiter: I know, not much happened in the last chapter, but it was kind of neccessary for there to be a slow chappie. There was a little bit of action in this one though, hee hee.

Austra: Thanks love! Enjoy this latest chapter? ;)

LucyofNarnia: Hello again! Hope this chapter was interesting. *grin grin*

Wicked: Hiya! I don't think I've gotten a review from you before. Welcome! And thanks for the really long review, it was fun. Please come back again and keep reading!

news to the maxx: I'm doing my best to keep the characters interesting and anti-Mary Sue. And yup, if you review, I will do my best to reply to you!

Dreamless-Mermaid: I've never tried reading fics out loud, although Artemis certainly yells her head off sometimes in my mind if I don't write her the right way. Definitely someone who would back you up in a fight (or possibly butt in and steal it from you XD )

OHMYGAWDDDD 8 REVIEWS GETTING REALLY CLOSE TO 10! :D Seriously, I feed on these things. They jazz up my day sooo much!

Love,

Saya