Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl (we've already discussed this and if I have to say it again I will be very sad, depressed enough not to update…)
I'll try and update soon. Hope you like this chapter. It was a lot of fun to write. *evil grin*
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Chapter 9: Goodnight
The show ended and the lights came up. Finally Alyssa looked down at her hand and saw that Artemis was still holding it. She quirked an eyebrow as if to ask Are you sure you want to be doing that?
"I don't want us to get separated in the crowd. I'm sure your mother would be most distressed if you were trampled to death," Artemis said.
"Are you sure you wouldn't be a little distressed too?"
"Perhaps I might." He shrugged.
She was almost sure that he gave the slightest smile.
She let herself be led through the crowd and outside. They didn't see Butler anywhere. Artemis didn't release her hand and she didn't say another word about it.
Artemis and Alyssa walked in the moonlight to the nearby restaurant. As Artemis and Butler had agreed, Butler was not walking with them. He would drive to the restaurant remain out of sight if he felt it necessary to stay, otherwise he would find somewhere to occupy the next couple of hours until Artemis called to be picked up.
They went inside, Artemis letting go of Alyssa's hand when he remembered Juliet's advice Be a gentleman, hold the door open for her. He held open the door and they went to the host. "Reservation for 2, Fowl."
"Right this way."
They were seated and opened their menus.
"Will Butler be joining us?" she asked.
"I don't believe so," he said. "What did you think of the show?"
"It was wonderful."
They discussed it for a while and the waiter came back to take their order.
"Have you eaten here before?" asked Artemis.
"No," Alyssa replied. Glancing at her menu.
"I'll have the lobster bisque with a house salad."
"And for the young lady?"
"She will have a Caesar salad," Artemis said, thinking about her dainty figure.
"Ignore him. I will roast chicken, with a side of fries, a bowl of clam chowder, and . . . " She pretended to look at the menu a little more. "Chicken salad."
The waiter looked at her skeptically, "That's a lot of food. Are you sure you can eat it all?"
"Oh, yeah. And I'll have room for desert." She handed him the menu and he walked away. "Junior, don't order for me. Never again, if I decide to eat with you ever again. Comprende?"
Spanish was one of the many languages Artemis was fluent in. He replied automatically, "Comprendo." He mentally shook his head. There was no way she could possibly eat all of that without getting a stomachache. Nobody but Butler could do that.
"Good." They went back to chatting and their food arrived.
Artemis was astonished to see that Alyssa ate every bite. She was a bottomless pit, wasn't she? She reached the end of the table to find the desert menu and ordered an ice cream sundae. She offered split it with Artemis. He ate a few bites, but it really didn't look like she needed help.
He paid the bill and they went outside.
"Where are we going?"
"Just walking around a bit. There's still another twenty minutes or so until Butler said he'd come." Artemis shivered, it was cold and he hated walking.
"As if he wouldn't come the second you called?" She arched an eyebrow. She had a feeling that if Artemis pushed speed dial Butler could be here in two seconds flat. She grinned. How sweet, he was stalling for more time alone with her.
"He would. But why bother him needlessly?" Artemis didn't sound quite as arrogant as he normally did. He sounded a little nervous. He reached out hesitantly and held her hand.
She didn't comment on it, but only gave a small smile. The smile turned mischievous when she said, "It's a shame you couldn't meet my dad tonight."
"Y-y-your father?"
"Yes. He was out of town visiting my grandma."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. Maybe you can meet him another time."
"Oh."
"Artemis? Miss Stone?"
They turned around and saw Butler standing behind them. "Coming, Butler," Artemis said primly.
They drove back to Alyssa's house and she got out of the car. Artemis stayed where he was until Butler looked at him in the mirror, "You might want to walk the young lady to the door, Artemis." He picked up a magazine and started reading.
"Oh! Right." Artemis hastily got out of the car and found Alyssa waiting for him just outside it. They started walking up to the door.
"I had a really nice time tonight, Artemis." Her voice seemed to have softened when she said his name. It was the first time she'd called him by name to his face since the museum.
"Me too. Maybe we can do this again sometime?"
Alyssa looked at him. There was nothing proud or snobbish about his face now. Only nervousness, a little eagerness, and sincerity. "I'd like that." She smiled, she was holding his hand again.
He was about to let go and leave, but . . .
Alyssa wasn't exactly sure what possessed her to do this. But she did it. She took her free hand and quickly placed it firmly around his neck to prevent him from going anywhere. She leaned in and kissed him. She stopped and let go of him.
Artemis was blushing most uncharacteristically, but he didn't look at all upset, only shocked.
She grinned again and went inside.
Artemis felt numb as he walked back to the car. He never noticed (and neither had Alyssa) that Mrs. Stone and Paul had been watching them out of separate windows. Never noticed that Butler had peaked at them over the top of his magazine. Artemis climbed in the front seat. Still in shock as he closed the door and Butler drove away.
They were halfway home when Artemis smiled. "That was quite an enjoyable evening, but that girl eats like a pig, Butler. I'm not sure even you could eat as much as she did when we were at the restaurant."
Butler tried to keep a straight face.
