Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Daughters of Artemis ❯ Chapter 2

The Daughters of Artemis: The Date One

Jasmine paused before the full length mirror, pushing her long violet hair back from her face with a white gloved hand. Her tanned skin glowed with health, the purple dress that she wore hugging her generously proportioned body. Her eyes shone blue as she smiled, white teeth flashing in the dim light as she turned away from the mirrored glass.

The door bell rang, almost on cue, and Jasmine walked over to answer it. The young woman out in the hallway smiled, her short red hair falling into eyes that were the most vivid shade of forest green. "Jasmine," she smiled a bit shyly, "I'm Alex Conner."

"Good evening," Jasmine smiled as she took a half step forward, gently pressing her lips to the startled woman's cheek.

Alex blushed, looking down to try and recover her composure. She hesitated before offering the bouquet of flowers, "These are for you."

Jasmine took the flowers, bringing them to her nose to take in the gentle mix of scents, the different flowers arranged to look lovely. "Thank you," Jasmine said. She stepped back and waved Alex inside, "Come in while I find a vase for these."

Alex followed her inside, nervously tugging on her overcoat. The suit she had chosen had been custom tailored, a old fashioned black with white shirt. "This suite is lovely," Alex commented, looking around at the almost decadently decorated room.

"It's a loaner," Jasmine carefully set the flowers into a fine vase, "but thank you." She looked over at Alex thoughtfully, "Did you have any plans for the evening?"

"Not really," Alex admitted sheepishly. At Jasmine's questioning look she continued, "My friends kind of sprung this on me a few hours ago in honor of my promotion."

Jasmine walked back to where Alex stood, looking up at her with a impish little smile. "Your friends neglected to tell me that Alex was going to be a woman," she said to her softly, "I guess that we both had a surprise."

"I hope you don't mind...." Alex started.

Jasmine reached up and put a gentle finger to Alex's lips to silence her. She smiled warmly as she said, "I'm glad." She gently pulled Alex down and kissed her strongly, wrapping her arms around the taller woman's neck.

"wow," Alex managed softly as Jasmine drew back.

Jasmine rested against Alex, the two women standing there closely as Alex unconsciously wrapped her arms around the smaller woman. "I'd really like to just take you back to the bedroom," she cooed, "but we're both dressed up for a night on the town. And I think I'd like to be seen out with a handsome butch like you."

"Considering my friends rented me a fancy car, too," Alex said, blushing at the handsome comment, "we might as well get some use out of it." She hesitated, "And I think being seen with a gorgeous woman like you would be great."

The two walked out of the high-class apartment and down the hall, Jasmine with her hand resting on Alex's arm. They talked softly as they descended to the street, stepping out of the elevator and walking out of the front door.

Jasmine smiled as Alex led her to the black sports car. "Next time just let your date believe it's your car," she scolded gently, "it's more impressive."

"Not my style," Alex held open the door for her, receiving a sunny smile from Jasmine in return. As she went around to the driver's side she continued, "My regular car's a bit older but it works out well for my job."

"You're honest," Jasmine noted as Alex climbed in the car, giving the woman another of her warm smiles, "I like that."

"Nah," Alex answered as she started up the car, the engine producing a deep, throaty purr, "I'm just a really bad liar."

Jasmine chuckled softly. "Do you have someplace in mind," she asked curiously, "or would you accept a suggestion?"

"As I have never done this before," Alex tossed her a smile, "I'd love a suggestion."

"There's this club I know of...." Jasmine smiled.

************

Alex smoothly pulled the sleek car up to the unmarked building Jasmine directed her to, quickly going around to open the door for her companion. "You really are a gentleman," Jasmine noted, smiling as Alex gently pulled her up to her feet.

"Suppose so," Alex agreed. She looked at the Victorian style house curiously and asked, "There's a restaurant in there?"

"Private club," Jasmine answered, leading her up the walkway. They were met at the door by a tough looking blonde who nodded in recognition to Jasmine and opened a inner door.

"Bouncer?" Alex blinked.

"If you aren't a member or know a member," Jasmine answered serenely as they entered a crowded room, "you don't get in."

Alex's eyes widened as she saw the back wall, a massive mural painted on it. The woman stood in the middle of a forest, drawing a longbow back smoothly, her slim athletic body scarred and battered by many battles. Still she was beautiful, a warrior that was facing her enemies with strength and courage. Just below the image a simple line of text read, 'The Daughters of Artemis.'

"Daughters of Artemis?" Alex repeated questioningly.

"The club's name," Jasmine agreed, "it's been around for years, I've heard."

As they weaved through the tables to the bar itself Alex nearly froze as she recognized a familiar face. Jess Drake sat at a table, talking intently with another young woman. The two of them were an odd couple, the tough Jess sitting with the elegant looking lady but somehow they fit. Jess looked up at her and smiled slightly, then returned to her conversation.

"You know Jess Drake?" Jasmine asked, a bit of surprise in her voice.

"Worked with her once," Alex admitted as they reached the bar, a blonde haired woman handling orders easily.

"Jazz," the woman smiled, "haven't seen you around for a bit. Friend of yours?"

"My date," Jasmine tossed Alex a smile before saying, "Alex, I'd like you to meet Circe, she runs this place with her partner, Diana."

"Nice to meet you," Alex smiled back nervously.

"So what can I get you two?" Circe asked them warmly.

"Tonic water," Jasmine said simply, looking over at Alex curiously.

Alex blinked then ordered a soda. Circe raised an eyebrow but delivered the drinks quickly, leaving when she was hailed by a customer at the other end of the bar. "No alcohol?" Alex asked Jasmine the question softly.

"I can't," Jasmine answered simply. She looked up at Alex a moment, weighing her silently, then asked, "When you were working with Jess, was it one of her more.... unusual jobs?"

Alex blinked, then she said, "Well, yes."

Jasmine took a drink, putting her glass down with a soft thump. For the first time that evening she looked nervous as she said, "You see, I'm not quite... normal." She looked up at Alex, "Nothing bad, but I thought you should know."

Alex took a drink of her own glass, stalling for time. She was remarkably comfortable with Jasmine, more so than she had really expected. In all honesty she had been dreading this night out her friends had sprung on her, and meeting Jasmine had saved the night.

"It's all right," Alex smiled down at her, putting her hand over Jasmine's gently.

"I'm glad," Jasmine brought their lips together for another kiss. This time she opened her mouth slightly, letting her tongue slip into Alex's mouth.

'Pointed,' Alex thought in surprise as the tongue dueled with hers. Jasmine slid back, smiling up at her with a mischievous look on her face, waiting to hear what she was going to say. "I wonder how that feels," Alex found herself saying.

Jasmine cheeks colored slightly, then she laughed softly. "I think you'll be finding out personally," she answered with a purr.

Alex's face went beet red.