Chapter 9

Around one, Artemis and William said their good-bye's to an ecstatic Sarah and headed for Artemis's car.

"That was a good night." William buckled himself in and turned to look at Artemis.

"It was a good night. I'm glad we went." Artemis smiled over at him and got on the road.

"So, would you like to come in for a bit? We might should talk about things, or we can meet up later if you're especially tired." William was being bashful which was not a word she normally associated with Queens, but it was nice to know that he was as nervous as she was feeling.

"Sounds good to me." Artemis drove for a bit in the quiet and eventually pulled into his parking garage for the second time that night. As they got up to his apartment it started to rain.

His apartment was definitely nicer than hers. A two bedroom, two bath with new stainless steel appliances and furniture that actually coordinated.

"You like the apartment?" William jested, heading to the kitchen to pour them some drinks.

"It's nicer than mine, and most of my furniture I got gifted from different people and I'd feel bad getting rid of it. That's why I have rustic chic barstools and a flower embroidered couch." Artemis sat down on the island in his kitchen.

William looked slightly annoyed. "Speaking of furniture, I have chairs for a reason you know."

Artemis slipped off the counter and sat on one of his tall cushioned chairs. "Didn't realize you had such a good relationship with your counter." Artemis smirked at him.

William huffed. "It's not that I don't like seeing you there, but I do like to keep things in good condition. I spent a lot of time when I was younger in old, dusty safe houses with broken chairs and chipping paint. Now I have nice things, so I like to treat them well."

"Fair enough." Artemis took the tea he handed her. "What kind?"

"Chamomile. Sweet and simple."

They booth took a sip waiting for the other to start the looming conversation.

"I think-", "Who should-" Artemis and William spoke at the same time. They laughed together for a moment before Artemis spoke.

"I think Oliver should know first. He's a pretty big part of both of our lives and he knows we went on a date, but I don't know if he realizes we've continued to see each other."

"That's fair." William walked around the island to sit beside her. "People at your job already know, so that's taken care of, I guess. If people at my job ask I can say we're exclusive. People at my gym probably already got the hint."

Artemis felt warm remembering their date. She hugged her tea closer.

"I don't have social media, what about you?"

William snorted and said, "Would I have been raised a good assassin if I had social media?"

Artemis chuckled, "No, but I figured I'd ask. Another thing," Artemis paused here wanting to phrase her thoughts well, "how casual or serious is this?" Artemis liked William a lot. A lot more than she'd liked someone in a long time, but she'd only been in one relationship, so this was new territory.

William seemed unsure of himself for a moment. He had never been in an adult relationship, so he didn't know what to do either. "Honestly, I've never really had an adult relationship, so, ugh." William opened and closed his mouth a few times before continuing. "I like you, and I could see us in the future together. I guess we just have to get there."

Artemis swiveled in her chair to face him directly. The chair didn't creak at all. He really did take good care of his things. "I like that. But I have reservations. The first being your mother."

At the mention of his mother, William sighed and his shoulders sagged. "My mother will probably know about us, and show up, before I ever tell her anything. Right now I sporadically write to her at a P.O box, but she hardly ever responds. She may pop up sooner rather than later."

William really didn't know how to handle his mother in this situation. His friends would always plan a date for the partner-parent meeting, but he would not have that luxury.

Artemis interrupted his thoughts. "My sister may do the same. I haven't heard from her in well over a year, but it sounds like they have similar styles." Artemis wanted to reassure him that she knew family would be complicated for the both of them. "If you can try to handle mine I can try to handle yours. Besides, I am a full grown adult, so her approval is not important."

"Thank you. My mother barely approves of me at this point, so she probably won't like you just because she didn't pick you for me." William's shoulders relaxed rather than sagged into the chair he was currently in. "I worry that our family may force our relationship to move more quickly than we want it to."

Artemis recognized his concern. "I think they may force us to be very honest with each other, but I think we can handle our families."

William finally swiveled his chair to look directly at Artemis. "You had another reservation," William said suggesting she move forward with her list of concerns.

"When it comes to meeting friends part of my concern is how much the league knows about you and how much you want to get to know others on the league and on the team. I keep in contact with them and we're still good friends, so my concern is where you feel comfortable with people learning and knowing about you?"

William stood up at that. "Can I take your mug? We can move to the couch, because that is a long answer."

Artemis slipped off the chair and headed to the couch a few yards away. Once she was seated she slipped off her shoes and pulled her feet underneath herself. William grabbed a blanket off an ottoman and offered it to her.

"Thanks." Artemis unfolded the soft blanket as William sat down and slipped out of his shoes.

"The league knows pretty much what I have told them and what they know of my life since joining the everyday world. People have mentioned me joining or giving information, but I want nothing to do with the league. As far as meeting your friends within the hero world. I'd be open to it as long as I am not constantly hearing about missions, or league gossip. I don't want to know anything that could put me in dangerous situations, and I think that would be my main concern with meeting your friends."

"Those are fair concerns. I hear less and less about the league every time I see them. They know I don't want to be involved, and we are working on it. It can be hard to be friends with people who spend all their extra time fighting in back alleys, but we're adjusting. Slowly, but adjusting. I will say just knowing people in any capacity that work with the league can be dangerous."

"I know, just because of my parents there will always be some risk to me, but I just don't want people to start thinking I'm working with them. It will complicate my life and I am enjoying my simple life where I have time to care about beautiful women sitting on my countertops."

Artemis smiled, "You are very good at giving compliments."

William smiled back, "According to a ten minute online quiz my love language is words of affirmation. Do you know what yours is?"

"It's been a while since I've taken it, but I think quality time."

"Like right now! Speaking of, it is almost 2:30 in the morning, I am sleepy, and the rain has not stopped. Would you like to stay over? I can take the couch and I'm sure I have something you can sleep in."

Artemis glanced at her phone and he was right it was getting late. "Sure, but I can take the couch. I appreciate chivalry, but I tend to wake up early, so I may be up before you."

"Ah, the little things that never go away. I still have weapons hidden throughout the apartment."

"Me too, but if anyone asks I just keep a baseball bat in my bedroom. They'll think I'm paranoid."

"Old habits die hard." William stood. "I'll grab you a T-shirt and some shorts. I have sheets that can go on the couch, so I'll do that while you change."

As William headed to his bedroom Artemis took a moment to really look at the walls. He had a few paintings up of nature scenes, but none of himself. Nothing here really let you in on his personality. She wasn't sure if that was on purpose or not.

She lost her train of thought as William re-entered the room. "Here you go, one large Red Sox T-shirt and plaid pajama pants. The bathroom is back the way I came first door on the left.

"Thanks." Artemis stood, took the clothes, and went to get dressed. The bathroom was cozy and yellow. The shower curtain, the walls, even the hand soap. Apparently his personality came out in bathroom décor. When she was dressed and came back out he had put sheets on the couch.

William snickered as she came out. "I don't know what I'd call this look, but you remind me of a kid trying to wear her dad's clothes."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "So should I start looking to you as a father figure?"

William got the message. "No."

"I didn't think so." Artemis approached him and put her arms around his waist and he did the same.

Artemis placed a light kiss on his lips. "Good night, William."

"Good night, Artemis."