A/N: So thank you the reviews of the last chapter. I mentioned this fic a few chapters ago. This is an AU, set in an alternative Wild West ~19th century. I really want to make this into a full mult-chapter story. But this is what I'm giving you today, so enjoy.

There are a few slang terms; they'll be defined at the end of the story.

Artemis had tracked his trail for weeks, months even, and now she was sure that it was this man. He showed the usual symptoms: disheveled hair, unsightly eating habits, and exceptional height especially when compared to the others in this area.

Once confirming there was no one in sight, Artemis shimmied down the Nettletree. She started on her way to the hotel she was stopping at until her business here was finished—and the full moon wasn't for another week, so she was stuck in this burg for awhile.

A male voice just behind her started speaking and its owner laid a hand on her shoulder, but by then it was far too late for him, for she already turned around and quickly had him pinned against a tree trunk.

He whistled, "Well, chica, you just won me a bet that you weren't no normal piece of calico."

"You know me? How?"

"It's hard not to notice when a new pretty thing walks into the saloon."

"You sparrow-catchin', or just a whoremonger?"

"Neither, but I'd appreciate it if you took a shining to me."

Slowly, Artemis let him go. "Better luck next time. Now who are you, and why-"

Grinning down at her, he took of his stetson and bowed low. "Wallace West at your service, ma'am, an' I was merely welcomin' you to the neighborhood."

She watched in distaste as he rose. Her job aside, she had never been one for soft soap. "Well, Mr. West, it was nice to make your acquaintance, but I must be going."

"Now wait. I feel I at least owe ya a drink for being skeersome."

"Don't kid yourself." She paused; it was awfully hot. "What d'ya have?"

He grinned a challenge. "Normally I serve Arbuckle's, but I'd expect a dude would prefer somethin' more refined."

"Is your coffee good?" The coffee served at the saloon was sappy, and at this point she'd give anything for a good cup, even if it meant more interaction with him.

He drew himself up in indignation. "My six-shooter coffee is fine as cream gravy."

Artemis watched Wallace West as he prepared the promised coffee. His diggings were rather large for a single man, even he did have different means then the average man out west. "What's the catch? You batching it, or is this fancy place just for a left-handed wife?"

He placed a hand on his heart. "You do me wrong, chica. I'm just a gentleman trying to make his way in the world. There is nothing wrong with inheriting from one's dead parents?"

Artemis winced. Death was a universal fact of life, but reminding him of his dead parents wasn't her intention in their meeting, even if he too would meet his maker before a fortnight had passed. "No."

"What about you? Few honest women have your...talents or permission from their man to travel about so freely. Are you a California widow?"

"No man holds sway over me except the lord above*."

"Your pa's dead?"

She laughed. "I'd sooner see him in a California collar than listen to him."

"Oh? That's rough." Sitting down across from her, he handed her a mug, filled to top with coffee.

She sipped, slowly. "I must thank you, Mr. West. It's been awhile since I've had good coffee."

"Please, call me Wally."

"Artemis."

He whistled. "No man indeed. But what kinda man would name his daughter after a hunting goddess."

"Only the worst sort."

He stared at her for a few moments. "Then it's not so unlikely for him to get a California collar?"

She smirked. "Unfortunately, he's too clever to be caught by the average bull."

"No? What about you? You ever help him?"

She glared at him, narrowing her eyes. He, a beast, dare accuse her of crime. "I'd never help or harbor a criminal. Especially him."

"D'ya know who I am?"

She supposed that the locals knew that he rode out of town every morning, but she knew his type. Even though they probably thought he was riding out to the usual cowboy's job, she had tracked him and knew that he left his horse just outside the outskirts of the town. Unfortunately, due to avoiding detection, she wasn't sure where he disappeared to nor what he did. She settled for a safe answer for someone who hadn't been in town long. "No."

"I'm one of the best bulls out there. One that could probably catch your dear ol' pa." She sniffed. That was awfully presumptuous. Back home, the Bat couldn't even catch her father, and she doubted Wally West could even come close. "An' one, that despite your best efforts Artemis, discovered your hideout in my tree, and I want to know why you've been following me."

"Damn!" She cursed and tried to get up, but he had already trapped her wrists in an iron grip.

"Well, if you ain't helpin' your pa, why are ya watching me? I'm waiting Artemis."

She glared daggers at him. "Let me go, you filthy lycan!" His eyes widened, and she felt his grip loosen. To complete his state of shock, she leaned over and planted her lips on his. Her own eyes widened when he started returning the kiss, but she took advantage of his slack hold on her and brought her fists up to slam against his jaw. Palming his temple for good measure, she took off, cursing her ill luck.

Glossary:

burg- town

chica-Spanish for girl

piece of calico- girl;woman

sparrow catchin'- looking for someone to court

whoremonger- someone who often uses prostitutes

shining- fancying someone

soft soap- flattery

skeersome- frightening

Arbuckle's- coffee

dude- someone from the east; someone more refined

sappy- weak

six shooter coffee- really strong coffee

fine as cream gravy- the best; really good, etc.

diggings- dwellings

batching- to keep house without a woman

left-handed wife- mistress

California widow- a woman whose husband went out west and left her behind

California collar- hangman's noose

bull- law officer

*Christianity was more prevalent back then. Plus it fit

DFTBA good people