Author's Note: Hello, there! I hope you enjoy this story… be sure to let me know what you think! I'm a little unsure whether or not I will be able to complete this, but I'll definitely try.
Disclaimer: I am not Christopher Nolan, nor do I own his works. I'm just playing with his characters. :)
Ariadne drowsily stumbled off the plane, still submersed in the dream-induced haze. The team was under strict orders to act as if they were simply strangers, so the walk to the baggage claim was silent. The death-grip that Ariadne had on her totem was creating an indent in her palm, but she paid no mind. It was her anchor to reality- her lifeline.
When Arthur walked past her, he lightly bumped into her arm, startling her, and slid something into her free hand. When she looked at him and opened her mouth, he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head, while still staring straight ahead.
Right, strangers. Ariadne felt a twinge of disappointment as she thought this. She was under no impression that the group would be "BFF's" after the Job, but she knew that she would miss all of them- Cobb, with his passion, Eames, for his humor, and even Yusuf, for his kindness. The most difficult, of course, would be Arthur. The Architect felt inexplicably drawn to the Point Man, and the kiss, as she referred to it in her head, solidified that feeling… along with the confusion that went with it.
The kiss… It wasn't the best kiss that she's ever had, by any means. It was too quick, and entirely too chaste. Yet, at the same time, it felt like the most… important.
After retrieving her small bag from the baggage claim, Ariadne climbed into the nearest taxi. When the Cabbie asked for her destination, she realized- she had no idea. Ariadne truly had nowhere to be. Paris was out of the question for at least another week. Cobb had given her a plane ticket before the Job started, and informed her that the date was not negotiable. She was not to arouse suspicions in any way, which meant lying low.
"To the nearest three star hotel, I suppose, please."
It was only after the Cabbie began driving that Ariadne noticed the paper still clutched in her hand.
I'll meet you at your hotel.
-A.
She read Arthur's elegant script three more times before she realized that he would have no way of knowing which hotel that she chose. This was Los Angeles, after all.
Then again, he is the Point Man.
A/N: This is a fairly short first chapter, but it seemed like a clean place to stop. (Plus, it's late, and I have to work early in the morning. :P) Anyways, give me your thought/opinions/etc. I'll probably write the second chapter tomorrow. :)