Ariadne's P.O.V.

I glanced around to everyone. Having just woken up from a dream that had almost become a nightmare, I had to regain my grip on reality. A wave of nausea struck me, and I closed my eyes once more. Soon, I would be off the plane, in Los Angeles, and starting all over again.

After a few moments, I reached into my pocket and dug out the totem I had created before the dream world even began. Once I saw that everyone else was preoccupied, I set it on the arm of my chair and knocked it over. It hit the surface with a 'thud'. Taking a deep breath, I felt a sense of relief, yet utter disappointment. I swiped the chess piece up and placed it back into my pocket where it would safely remain the rest of the trip.

"Ariadne, you ok?" Cobb questioned, leaning sideways in his chair to get a better view of me.

"I think so, why?" my heart raced unexplainably.

"You just look a little pale, a little freaked. You look like Mal after her first trip," his eyes descended to the floor. A look of agony shown on his face, but within seconds, it had vanished and he was back looking at me as if his thoughts had never taken place.

"I'm just trying to come all the way back. I feel like a part of me was left in Limbo, ya know?"

"I know all too well," he answered.

"Here, drink this," Arthur leaned over, handing me a glass of water, "Your body is probably weak from all the sedatives."

I smiled, feeling a sense of care coming from him. Ever since that kiss in the second dream, there's been a connection between us, one neither one of us can explain.

"What's happening?"

The moment started over, like a movie reel, replaying in my mind.

"Quick, give me a kiss!"

My heart leapt. Was he serious? But in a flash, our lips met, for only a moment. And then it was over.

"They're still looking at us."

"Yeah, it was worth a shot."

He got up, a grin on his face. And soon he was headed in another direction, leaving me to sit there, stunned by what had just taken place.

"Ariadne?" his fingers snapped in front of me, bringing me back from my own world.

"Sorry," I spoke quietly, but tried to be reassuring, "just got caught up in my thoughts. I'm fine, really!"

Arthur leaned back in his chair, still keeping his eyes in my range.

Cobb's voice rang out through the plane cabin, "We're here." He jumped from his seat and got off the plane, heading inside for his baggage. We had all known what the end of this trip would lead to for him, but what about the rest of us?

I unbuckled the straps that were holding me in place and stood, grabbing the cabinets above me for balance.

"Need help?" Arthur's voice echoed in my ear. Chills ran up and down my spine, but I tried to regain my composure before replying.

"I think I can handle it," I grinned, tilting my head back to show him my joking manner.

But all I got in return was a head nod and a blank expression. He passed by me and exited the plane, heading off in the same direction as Cobb.

I, too, exited, and aimed myself for the restrooms. This was all too much. Reality was so much different from the dream world, and for some reason, I couldn't keep a firm grasp on either.

With one last glance in the direction of 'baggage claim', I whispered only loudly enough for myself to hear, "Goodbye, Arthur…"