"... and as we can see Fitzgerald uses this device to further prove what daisy represents." Artemis puts her book down and directs her voice to the kids with the dreary, dream-like stares. "OK class. As you know spring break is a week away from Friday and I wanted to remind everyone that both the money and forums for the field trip are due tomorrow. Remember finish chapter 7 tonight. Read and Annotate Kids!", The bell rang and the students rushed out into the hallway eager to get to lunch or their next class.

Artemis sighed. She had lunch, one planing period and one more class to go until the end of the day. Then she'd spend her Thursday night alone, grading papers. Again.

She'd been working at Happy Harbor High School for about 6 years now. Her whole life basically revolved around being a teacher. She'd never have it any other way of course. It beats the alternative, crime filled ways of her childhood.

Artemis walked across the hall to Mr. West's history room. He'd started working there about a year before she did. Throughout the years they'd become best friends. They'd go to each other's room for lunch, planning periods and periods where one had a class and the other did not. Unknown to them, the faculty (and some students) have a bet going as to when they finally get together. So far only 3 people are still waiting for their bet to cash out.

She opened the door to find Wally huddled behind his desk, furiously grading papers and jamming out with his headphones on. The principal made him replace his speakers with those. Lets just say when Wally listens to music, He really listens to music.

She slyly inched closer to his desk then slammed hre hands down effectively jarring Wally out of his paper-grading-focus trance. He pulled off his headphones, gave her a quick hey and walked with her down to the faculty Caf.

"How's your day going?" He asked as they sat down at a corner table.

"It's just one of those days you know?" she sighed in reply

"I get you. Hey are you doing anything tonight? Maybe we could grade papers together?" He stuffed his face with his Chicken Sandwhich

"Yeah, Ill bring dinner too if you want" She smiled at him. Looks like she's not going to be alone tonight after all.

They finished up lunch and headed to Artemis's classroom. They started to discuss their optional joined class field trip. Artemis had the first day all planed out. They'd go to The American Writers Museum and look though all the author's she'd taught her class about throughout the year. His day involved them going to each of the American war monuments and then to The National Museuem of American History. It was the first time they were doing this trip. Wally thought of the idea to go to DC and Artemis made the power point to convince the board to allow the trip.

All in all around 50 students were going. It would last around 5 days, leaving Saturday morning and getting back Wednesday afternoon. They'd already had 1 parent meeting and 1 student meeting. They'd elected 7 students to be leaders and help both of them keep track of the kids.

They were in for a doozy, and they knew it. Really this trip would be make or break whether or not they'd be allowed to do another trip next year.

The bell rang for the last period of the day, and wally headed back to his room. He couldn't remember what time they'd agreed on. Oh wait they didn't. After telling the half class full of students to not set anything on fire he went back to artemis's room.

From the doorway he got her attention and asked if 6 would be ok. She'd grinned and agreed. Wally walked out without noticing many of the mostly full class exchange looks and raised eyebrows.

After watching his students present their projects on how how they would define the 1920's He bought the tickets for the The National Museum of American History. The bell rang and he said goodbye to many of the students, packed up and locked his door, he said goodbye to artemis, repeated the time and headed to his apartment. It was a really nice modern place above a 24 hour coffee shop, which made the best donuts. He's their best customer.

He set down his stuff and changed into shorts and a fitted T-shirt for his after school run. Wally ate his after school meal and surfed each news media website searching for a good starting point for his class. He realized that it was way later than it should have been and closed his laptop. He headed down the stairs, put in his headphones and jogged to a nearby park. After a good 10 minute stretch he ran his usual track.

He'd always been late as a kid and apparently old habits die hard. Speaking of lateness. He's got 10 minutes to get back and shower. After full on sprinting home he flung off his clothes and and got under the water. He had just finished rinsing off his hair when he heard the knock.

"Give me a minute!" He shouted. He grabbed a towel, wrapped it around his waist and ran out of his bathroom. On his way rounding the corner he tripped over his dirty running clothes and fell to the ground with a very unmanly shriek.

"Wally?" Artemis called with concern. "I'm fine" she heard him say through the muffling door.

After getting up he carefully walked to the door, and opened it to let Artemis in.

Artemis was greeted to the sight of a wet chested wally. His right hand held together the two ends of the towel, precariously positioned low on his waist. His left was gingerly holding the back of his head. And his face was mushed up into a grimace, While artemis's was forced into clear shock. Her eyes raked up his body.

"Hey sorry, my run went a little late." He said to her, jarring her out of her trance.

"Seems little you were having a little bit of trouble back there." He moved aside for her to get through. "Come on, ill get you an ice pack" She moved into his kitchen and grabbed one from underneath some chocolate ice cream. She gave it to him and told him to go dry off and change.

After he closed his bathroom door, Artemis sat down on the couch and let go of a sigh. Oh god. Oh God. What the hell. Her emotions were flying a mile a minute. No, A mile a second. Wally Fucking West, her co-worker/best friend just opened the door with barely anything on. And he looked damn fine. She didn't know what to think.

A couple of weeks ago she'd started to have some... dreams about him. And most of them would be considered unsafe for minors. But she didn't let it interfere with everyday life and she certainly didnt tell anyone. Then the dreams got more vivid and a whole lot dirtier.

She was interrupted by Wally coming out fully dressed and complete with one hand holding up the ice pack.

"Ok that hurt." Wally said, He went into the kitchen and held up a bottle of wine. "Want some" after a quick "sure" by Artemis they both had one dish of Chinese food and one glass of wine. At around 9 they called it a night.

"Ill see you bright and early tomorrow morning!" Artemis called as she walked though his doorway.

"Sure thing, Later Arty!" He answered back

AN: reeeeeally sorry for any grammar/ punctuation/ misspelling. Anyway this is pretty much the prologue to a really fluffly fun filled story. I dont want to give too much away. Potential M, if wanted. Well. Im going to give you it anyways. so yeah

Im apologizing in advance for the lack of updating. Its really only when I have time. Im still planing out the story, im thinking it's going to be maybe 6 or 7 chapters long? yeah well, We'll see. Its like 1 here and the season finale is tomorrow. Yeah im sad. Goodnight.

Reviews make the heart grow fonder.

5 bucks who can guess what book their reading! (not really, but ill give the first person a special mention?(yeah that works))