Chapter 8

After Artemis and Sarah went to the museum they went to grab a snack at Starbucks.

"So," Sarah drew out, "how is William?" She began putting sugars and creamers in her coffee trying to act nonchalant and doing a poor job of it.

"He is good, we are going on another date."

Sarah stopped mixing her now off-white coffee. She looked Artemis straight in the eye grinning ear to ear. "You have never gone on a second date as long as I have known you. Is he magic?"

"No, but we realized we have more in common than we thought."

"Like what?" Sarah pressed.

"Like complicated families we don't talk to."

"Oof, you guys hit hard stuff on that first date." Sarah seemed impressed.

"Yeah," Artemis replied, "it was good though. He's taking me to see a play and we may go look at Christmas lights somewhere."

Sarah was definitely struggling to stay composed about this, but Artemis rarely gave out personal details and she never gushed over anything, so Sarah was holding back. She'd never even been to her apartment.

"Well when are you guys meeting?"

"Around six, it's half past five now, so I can just leave from here and meet him. I better go." Artemis started getting up and gathering her things.

"Hey, you should invite him to my party! It's not gonna get as wild this year I'm inviting more staff, so I need it to be a little more sophisticated."

Artemis laughed, "Trying to break 's party girl impression of you?"

Sarah shrugged and grumbled, "Maybe. Just ask him okay."

"Okay, I'll see you later." Artemis was out the door.

Once Artemis was out of sight Sarah began doing a little happy dance. She didn't know Artemis's history, but she could tell the girl had trust issues and didn't open up to anyone. It could hurt sometimes, but Artemis made time for her, and she knew they could get there, so she kept trying.

Later that day Artemis couldn't stop smiling as she left the play with William. "That was a very cute Christmas play. Though I didn't realize it was going to be a children's production at a church."

"Thank you," he laughed, "My boss's granddaughter was in it and he invited everyone at the office to come see. Figured I'd earn some brownie points."

"The little one playing Mary reminded me of my niece." Artemis's thoughts stopped. She'd mentioned Lian so casually. She remembered the child's smile. It had been awhile since she remembered Lian happy. Her throat got tight, but the tears didn't come this time. It was refreshing.

"Oliver told me she was killed," William said in a low voice, "what was your favorite thing about her?"

"She was fearless. Not in the valiant, dramatic way, but in the "does dumb stuff to see what'll happen kinda way"."

"Everyone has to have one of those at some point," William chuckled, "I should head out. I have double court appearances tomorrow."

"Okay. We should get together again. I'll call you."

"Okay, cool. Have a good night Artemis." William began heading for his car.

"Oh William," Artemis called, trying not to be too loud, "Would you want to go to a New Year's Eve party?"

William lit up. "Absolutely."

As Artemis got in her car she texted Sarah to let her know she would be bringing a guest to the party. Across town Sarah began leaping for joy and patting herself on the back for her matchmaking skills.

The next two weeks were blissful. Artemis went on a few more dates with William chatting and laughing. She went to visit Dinah, Oliver, and visited with M'gann and others from the team in Happy Harbor. That was a little frustrating considering Artemis had no interest in the missions, but overall it was nice to hear about relationships and jobs. Now she was home, and getting ready to head to the New Year's Eve party Sarah was throwing. Artemis had picked out 3 dresses and was on a video call with Sarah to pick one out.

"Okay I have three dresses: blue, dark red, and black. What do you think?"

"Ooh, wait, William is still coming with you right?"

"Yeah he is, but I don't know what he's wearing."

"Hmm, okay, I would say no to black just because it's New Year's not a funeral. The blue looks kinda formal and I do want this to be more casual, so my vote is red. Try it on for me, so I get the full effect."

"Okay, one sec." Artemis flipped her phone camera down so she could change in private. The red dress she had was a cocktail dress made with satin. It had spaghetti straps, a plunging V neckline, and an open back that was snug until it hit her waist. Then it flared and hit her lower thigh. Once it was on she flipped her phone and showed Sarah.

"What do you think? Too much?"

"Girl you look hot. Since I did invite coworkers you may want to wear a jacket or something, but William will be all over it."

Artemis felt herself blush. Her and William hadn't even had a real kiss yet, so she doubted they would go that far tonight. Plus they still hadn't quite figured out how they wanted their relationship to go. Once they committed things would get complicated and they were both enjoying their current relaxed state of affairs.

"Maybe, either way it looks good and I need to go pick him up. See you in an hour."

"Bye!"

Artemis went out to her car and buckled up. William was about twenty minutes away getting ready. Artemis told him it was casual, but still a Harvard faculty casual, so he figured a little dressy would be alright.

He wore black slacks and tucked in a white shirt with small green dots on it. He put on some green suede shoes that he loved, but rarely had the occasion to wear. His short hair was lightly gelled back and he had just gotten his beard trimmed. He used a bit of concealer on some under eye bags that just would not go away and gave himself his best award winning smile in the mirror. He felt snazzy. He picked up a black leather jacket, locked his door and went to meet Artemis in the parking garage.

She stepped out of her car looking like a devil he would gladly follow to hell. He was going to tell her just that, but his mouth just opened and closed twice before he began to approach her. She was wearing a black leather jacket, a beautiful red dress, and stilettoes.

"Gorgeous."

"Well thank you," Artemis replied, laughing at his inability to speak.

At that moment William put his hands on her hips and drew her closer to him a step away from her car. He began to lean in.

"Can I let you know how I see you right now?" William whispered his eyes gravitating to her lips.

Artemis lifted her hands to his neck and face. "Tell me," she whispered.

Their lips met softly. William wrapped his arms more fully around Artemis's waist as Artemis wrapped her arms around his neck. They stood their letting themselves feel the push and pull of the kiss.

Artemis broke off first.

"We have a party to get to." She didn't move.

"We do." William made no move to let go.

"Hey kids get a room! I know he's got one." Someone hollered as they drove by. It appeared to be an elderly woman.

"And that would be my landlady. She's been trying to set me up with her son," William sighed pulling back.

Artemis laughed. "Hop in, we have places to be."

The car ride started quietly. Artemis didn't want to turn the music on. She was enjoying the moment.

"So I guess this is real." William looked at Artemis scared she would decide to walk away.

"I guess so." Artemis glanced at him. He looked like the sun had just come out on a rainy day. A mixture of content and relieved.

"How should we tell people? He asked.

"Why don't we start by going to a holiday party, and you can kiss me again when the clock strikes twelve. I think my coworkers will get the idea." Artemis grinned at the thought.

William smiled at her, "Sounds like a good start."

The party went well. When people asked who William was Artemis replied he was her significant other and current date. Sarah was wearing the most silver, sparkly dress Artemis had ever seen and she could not look more proud.

"You two are adorable!" Sarah drunkenly whispered to Artemis around eleven thirty. "You better kiss him."

Artemis snickered. "That is the plan. Who will you be kissing?"

Sarah's eyes gleamed. "I invited that cute librarian, Taylor. She is so cute."

Artemis knew just the one and was glad Sarah finally asked her out she'd been talking about doing it for a month now.

"Well it's five 'til. Better find your date." Sarah pranced away to find Taylor as William came up behind Artemis.

"Ready for the beginning of something new?" he asked.

The question felt like it should mean more to Artemis. A new year, a new relationship, and maybe the beginning of remembering loved ones with happy faces rather than their tired, pale, sick ones. Yes, she was ready for something new. She smiled at him.

The crowd began to chant, "Ten, nine, eight," Artemis turned so William was facing her and hugging her. "Seven, six, five," William touched their noses together. "Four, three, two." Artemis and William never heard the one. They were in their own new world.