Stepping into the alley, Artemis took a deep breath of the damp air. Sighing, she looked each direction of the alley before starting to walk towards the right. "Between chasing that damned thing down, running across you, and having a near death experience between the both y'all. I," she called as she walked away, "need a fucking drink. Join me if you like, but I'm done for the night."
Dean stood for a moment, watching her walk away.
"Hey, wait a minute," he said and walked briskly after her.
Artemis got to the street first and began walking away, but not before she slowed to a stop next to a beautiful and sleek Impala. "Hello, beautiful..." she whispered and stepped backwards to admire it. Quietly admiring it, she looked back at Dean. "A '67 Impala? Is she yours?" she asked as Dean caught up to her.
Smiling, Dean walked over and placed a hand on the trunk as he leaned against the car.
"That's my Baby," he said proudly and received a small smile from Artemis in reply. "You a car girl?"
"Maybe a little," she teased and leaned against the building behind her. "If you'd still like to join me for that drink, I know a good place. You can drop your things in your car; nothing will be bothered," she said and made a sharp whistle into the darkness. Dean's eyebrows shot up in surprise when there was a reply.
Stuffing his items in the trunk, he shut it and stopped to think for a moment. Artemis pushed off the wall she had been waiting near and started walking again. Not waiting for Dean, she made her way to a bar with faded neon orange letters.
The Parthenon.
Dean followed closely and entered the bar closely behind her.
"This wasn't here before..." he whispered as he removed his jacket and draped it over his arm.
The bar held a smoky purple hue and a relaxed atmosphere, the lights dimmed to a comfortable level. Low rock music played on the jukebox. "It's my best kept secret." Artemis walked up to the bar and took a seat. "Come, let's get down to those drinks."
Dean took a seat next to Artemis as she ordered a shot of vodka for herself. Glancing an inquiring look over at Dean, he smiled.
"Whiskey." The bartender appeared and poured him a shot and went back to tending to other patrons. Raising her glass to him, Artemis downed her first drink and sighed.
"So, Dean, what brings you to Philly?"
"Well..." he started and took his shot, "got some Intel that something was going down. So I popped in for a visit." Artemis gave him a sideways look, but remained quiet as she downed a double shot.
Dean took note of her silence and ordered another shot himself.
"So, other than hunting, got any other interests?" he asked and Artemis raised an eyebrow at him as she order another shot. Raising the glass to her lips, she smiled seductively.
"Do you count as an interest?"
Dean raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"And what does that mean?"
Artemis held a flirty grin on her face as she took her 5th shot. "That's for me to know and you to find out," she said and turned in her seat to look at him. "As for this most recent problem." She paused to wipe tears from her eyes. "It killed my best friend. We were soul mates. A part of me died when James did. I've been hunting it for days. I got so close tonight," she sniffled and sighed, trying to control her emotions.
James.
Dean's chest formed a tight ball as he recalled the crime scene.
"Damn..." Dean wasn't sure how to comfort her, and he also didn't want her to know that her friend's death was the reason he was in town.
Artemis took a breath as someone walked up to them. "Artemis, you okay? This dude bothering you?" the man asked, glancing at Dean.
"Its okay, Seb. They're okay. Thank you," Artemis whispered and gave the man a quick hug. The man disappeared back into the shadows and Artemis wiped her eyes again before taking another shot.
"James... God, James. He was my rock. He was my constant. We talked about everything. And one day, I wake up and someone tells me he got killed in a break in..." Artemis' voice began to crack.
"To James." Dean raised his glass and Artemis smiled softly as she raised her own.
"Salut."
Dean threw back his drink and set his glass down on the bar.
"Artemis... the thing you're hunting.. It's the reason I'm in town. Me and my brother, we're... "
Dean's mind yelled at him to shut the fuck up, but the alcohol told him to trust her.
"... Have you heard of the Men of Letters?"
It was only for a brief moment, but Dean saw Artemis pause as she went to take her next shot.
"You are definitely one of my interests now," she purred and stared at her fingers, rubbing them together as the alcohol began to take affect. "So, I'm guessing that's how you knew?" she asked, glancing over at Dean.
Her gaze made Dean balk and turn away from her, busying himself with another drink.
Artemis chuckled as she scratched her nails into her hair, sighing as she gathered her words on what she'd say next.
"How long have you been Men of Letters?" she said in an inquisitive tone. Resting her elbow on the bar, she then rested her chin in her hand as she turned in her stool to get a better view of him.
"Uh.." Dean cleared his throat. "About two years. We're still getting the hang of it," he chuckled, her piercing gaze causing him some conflicted emotions.
"I can tell." The atmosphere of the bar changed to a relaxing one, friendly conversation popping up from the masked corners.
"So, what's you're secret society?" he asked, turning toward her and matching her gaze.
"Well, if you've been doing your homework, you should have all the clues by now," Artemis turned completely around in her stool, resting her arms on the bar.
Dean blinked in confusion as he tried to put the pieces together.
James. Bouncer. Bar. Greek Mafia. Mafia..
"Ahhh fuck. Really? So what are you, some kind of Supernatural Hitman for the mafia?"
"Not just the supernatural, but yes."
Dean gulped as he put more pieces together.
"So you.. Uh.. Human..?"
"Bingo," Artemis said and downed her next drink. "And, my god, does it pay a pretty penny," she sighed satisfactorily. Glancing at Dean, she smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you. I might try to kiss you later, but not kill you," she giggled and winked.
