Written for gigundoly for the 2010 ArTina ficathon, the prompt was: Inspired by the new movie, Inception... Future fic! Artie and Tina take a "dream vacation," a shared dream in which Artie can do whatever he wants in a perfect body. But what happens when Artie doesn't want to leave?
This kind of took on a life of its own, and turned into a huge epic in three parts. As due warning, this isn't a happy, fluffy piece - the muses decided they wanted to go this way, and I couldn't stop them. I have to say a huge thank you to Heather, my fellow Inception-obsessed rp'er, without whom this probably wouldn't have gotten finished. Sorry it's one of the last to be published. I swear I am the world's slowest fic writer. Many thanks to Troubadette for organising the ficathon!
Disclaimer for the story: Glee isn't owned by me, but by Fox and Ryan Murphy productions. Inception is owned by Warner Bros and Christopher Nolan. I'm just playing in the sandbox.
Stars shining up above you,
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you...
She couldn't help laughing at the way he danced across the room towards her, his eyes fixed on her. Her stomach still flipped at his gaze, knowing that that particular expression was reserved only for her, that it was only ever about her. She stood up from her seat, moving swiftly over to place herself in her arms. Just that little bit taller than her, it seemed as if she fitted there perfectly, like she was always meant to be there.
He pulled her close, gently moving in time with the music, while she placed her head on his shoulder. He was singing, his voice low so that only she could hear the words. The other couples dancing around them seemed to gradually fade into the background, leaving them alone on the dance floor.
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a Little Dream of Me...
Oh the things that man's voice could do to her... She moved her head back slightly so she could look up at him. "Artie?" was all she had the chance to say, before he twirled her, and after he'd pulled her back to him, dipped her. It was as if time froze for an instant, before she was in his arms again.
"Hmmm?" he said, before softly taking up the words to the song again.
"I love you."
Tina woke with a start, gasping slightly, unsure of her surroundings. It took her a few seconds to work out where she was – sat on the sofa in her house, having fallen asleep cuddled against Artie while they were relaxing, watching television. She looked up at his face, his blue eyes looking down at her. "Hey," he said, before leaning down to press a kiss against her forehead.
"Oh hey, I'm sorry, I dozed off," she replied, almost embarrassed by it. They got such little time alone these days compared to the old days of high school, with so many more demands upon their time, that each moment alone should be treasured. Instead she'd fallen asleep.
"It's okay," he replied, smiling and gently tugging her closer. She moved, deliberately crawling into his lap, watching as his smile changed, becoming more possessive. She knew that smile only too well, and snaked a hand up to rake her nails through his hair before leaning in, kissing him, a tiny moan escaping her as he pressed her body close to him. "I take it they were good dreams?" he murmured before moving his mouth down, kissing her neck, giving a low laugh as she arched into his touch.
Almost ten years married and they could still affect each other like this. If her mind wasn't being scrambled by his kisses, his touch on her body, Tina would be smug. "Artie..." she gasped.
"Mommy?" A small voice came from the doorway to the family room. Both of them froze, as they turned to look at the source, Tina glanced at Artie, giggling quietly. Timing.
"What's up, Anna?" Tina asked, quickly moving off of Artie's lap to go and pick up their daughter.
"Monsters," Anna replied, burying her head in her mother's shoulder. "Scary ones."
"Under the bed?"
"Uh huh."
"Why don't we send Daddy to scare them away? He's the best at monster scaring." Tina turned to look at Artie, who had already moved from the sofa to his chair. Her breath caught in her throat. For a moment she'd forgotten about the chair, she was so caught up in the heat of the moment after the dream.
Say Nighty-night and kiss me,
Just hold me tight and tell me you miss me
Shaking her head slightly, she smiled at Artie as Anna climbed into his lap, throwing her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Daddy," she said.
"Let's go and chase those nasty monsters away before they wake up your brother, hmmm?" Tina heard as Artie left the room slowly. She watched him go before she mentally shook herself once again.
It was only a dream.
It took nearly thirty minutes for Artie to calm Anna down to the point where she was able to go back to sleep, time which Tina used to make them both cocoa – Artie refused to drink caffeine at night - and settled back on the sofa, curling up as she waited for him to return. She was vaguely paying attention to the television, flicking through the channel, occasionally stopping on something for a few minutes when she came across a rerun of Boy Meets World. She was chuckling away to herself when Artie arrived back in the room.
"Should I be worried that you started laughing just when I got back?" he asked, grinning at her as he transferred himself back onto the sofa. Tina gave him a small kiss, then sprawled out, her head on his lap.
"No, just your usual weird timing. I was just thinking how like Cory and Topanga we turned out to be," she said. "You know, apart from the actually getting married while at college."
"Well, we got engaged there," Artie pointed out. "And let's not forget the whole 'let's date other people' thing in junior year."
Tina laughed. "Made you think, didn't it?" she said. "About what you wanted out of this relationship."
"Mmmm," was the quiet response as he reached down, running his fingers through her hair. The programme itself had paused, and there were the usual loud mass of commercials.
'Looking for an experience like no other? Ever wondered what your loved ones, friends, family dream about?
Now is your chance to find out! Take your ultimate dream vacation today! No need to argue about where you want to go and what you want to do, we can provide the ultimate compromise, because you can have the dream you both want.
Inter Somnia Technologies are leading the way in marketing the new breakthrough in dream technology. Using the state of the art PASIV machine, our facilities can allow you to enter a shared dream state, where you can find out just what your partner dreams about. Share weeks together in the space of a few real time hours. Bring yourselves closer together.
Call today to see what we can dream up for you!'
Artie snorted. "Science fiction becomes science fact," he said. "I've heard all kinds of bad things about that technology."
Tina turned so she could look up at his face, the memory of her dream flooding back to her. "What, you wouldn't want to share a dream with me?" she asked, turning serious for a moment. "We could dance."
A flash of pain crossed Artie's face. Tina regretted mentioning dancing. On the whole, he'd accepted who he was, his limitations, and had found a decent job, married the woman he loved, coped well with bringing up two lively children. It was a very occasional wish that caught them both unawares. He smiled, focusing on Tina – not the 'hide the pain of the world being against you' smile that he'd used so often during high school, but a more genuine smile. "You know I'd love to dance with you," he said softly, stroking her hair. "To do things like walk along a sandy beach, to be able to make love to you whenever and wherever we wanted... but it's not going to happen. This is who I am, Tee. For better, for worse, and all that. No dream is going to change it." He suddenly gave a grin. "Besides, have you seen how much they charge? It's at least seven thousand a session. We'd never be able to afford it."
Tina moved upright, straddling his as she sat in his lap, kissing him. "I know. And who you are doesn't change how much I love you, Artie Abrams. It was just an idle thought."
"I know. And yes, I have thought about it – who wouldn't? But with the cost, and everything else... it's never going to happen. So we make the best of what we've got." He smirked, snaking a hand under her blouse, deftly unfastening her bra. Tina punched him in the shoulder playfully, before beginning to unfasten his shirt. "And what we've got is good."
Artie was fast asleep, one arm curled around Tina, but she couldn't sleep. She rested her head on his chest, just enjoying the sensation of skin against skin, listening to his breathing, but she can't get the memory of that dream out of her head. It was stupid, she knew, but if it gave Artie a chance to realize his dream, that was a good thing, right?
He was right, they could never afford it. They had made their decision years ago, when they decided to try for a baby. It had taken them two years, and a lot of fertility treatments (a combination of his condition, and problems with her as well), but they first had their beautiful son, Samuel, followed eighteen months later by Anna. And every time either of their children did anything, like smile up at them, expressions full of love, Tina knew every sacrifice they had made was worth it. Everything they had was tied up in their home, in the lives they cared for. It was all they'd ever wanted.
She shuffled closer to Artie, tightening her grip around him. He murmured in his sleep, before sighing and moving his other arm to lay it on hers. Tina smiled to herself, and snuggled down to sleep.
But she didn't dream.
"Tina?"
"Mom, hey. Long time no speak. How are you?"
"I'm okay, I think. How are my beautiful grandkids?"
"Too full of energy, into everything. I know, I'm sure you'll tell me I was just like that when I was younger. When are you and Dad coming to see us?"
"Soon, probably. Do you remember your Great-Aunt Emily?"
Tina frowned to herself, trying to place who her mother was talking about. "Was that the one who ran off with the toy boy forty years her junior?" she asked.
Tina mother laughed. "That's the one. Then she dumped him at the altar when she decided he was only after her money. As if we couldn't have told her that."
"Well, people who think they're in love..."
"Cute Tina. Anyway, she died three weeks ago."
"Awwww." Tina was genuinely sadden by the news. Emily was one of those fantastic relatives who are always good for a story. She'd been looking forward to introducing her kids properly to her when they were a bit older. "When's the funeral?"
"The day after tomorrow. Your dad and I are going to get a flight out to Oregon tonight."
"She settled in Oregon? I thought she was in California, something about better weather there?"
"Yeah, but that was Aunt Emily all over. Contrary. Anyway, there's something I need to talk to you about."
"Oh?"
"She left you something in her will."
"Really? Oooo that necklace of hers? The really old cameo she inherited somewhere along the line? She said she might."
Tina could hear her mother laughing. "Good to know you never change with age. Yes, she left you that and..."
"And what? Mom?"
"Are you sitting down?"
"No. Should I be?"
"Considering she just left you seventy five thousand dollars in her will, probably."
Tina paused, sitting down heavily. It took a few seconds before she could speak again. "Wh-what? And couldn't you have waited until I actually sat down?"
"I thought you were."
"No, I wasn't... Mom, that's beside the point. Why would she leave me that? And ihow/i much?"
"Seventy five thousand dollars."
"That's... that's a lot of money, Mom." Tina didn't actually know what to say.
"I know! Isn't it amazing?"
"Why me?"
"Oh, come on, Tina. You were one of the few relatives who actually took the time to get to know her. Most of your cousins just heard the word money and they started seeing dollar signs."
"I'm not sure what that says about me, Mom," Tina laughed, started to take the news in properly. There was so much she and Artie could do with that money. Redecorate the kid's bedrooms, get a new van that was more comfortable for Artie, maybe even look at extending the house slightly... "Other than I'm a soft touch."
"That caring wins the day in the end. Aunt Emily had a long memory."
"Okay, so what do I need to do now?"
"Her lawyer will be in touch soon. Other than that, figure out what you are going to do with the money!"
Tina was still staring into space when Artie came home from work. "You okay, Tee?" he said, pausing in the doorway as Anna crawled into his lap to hug him.
"Daddy! Look!" Anna said, waving a piece of paper at Artie, trying to distract him. "Look what we did today!"
"What's that?" Artie replied, turning his attention from his wife to his daughter, though he frowned at Tina.
"That's me, dancing!" Anna said, pointing at the figure in the picture she'd drawn. "I want to be a dancer when I grow up!"
Tina's head snapped up, looking fearfully at Artie. This was the first time either of the kids had mentioned dance, and she wasn't sure how he would react. She didn't expect him to suddenly start laughing.
"Oh you do, do you? You know you have to practise for hours and hours? We can't even get you to do one thing for more than five minutes," he said, kissing Anna on the forehead.
"I will!" she said, scrambling down off of his lap and doing a twirl. "Look!"
Artie glanced over to Tina, and gave her a fond smile. "Looks like someone's decided what she wants to be when she grows up," he said.
"Yup," Tina replied, relieved at his response, and heading over to the pair, putting one hand on Artie's shoulder. "I think she'll make an awesome dancer, don't you?"
"Uh huh!" Anna said, nodding her head enthusiastically. "Mommy, Sadie takes ballet lessons, can I take them too?" Her words were rushed, and she gave her parents a pleading look. "Pleeease?"
Artie looked up at Tina, smiling. "What do you think, Mom?" he asked softly.
Tina's heart caught in her throat. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Artie seemed okay with it "I think that if she promises to work at it, and pick up some of her toys after her, we'll think about it," she said. She couldn't help laugh at Anna's response, nodding so fast it must hurt her head. She skipped off, picking up the toys that she'd been playing with before Artie came home.
"Thank you," Tina said softly, bending down to kiss Artie's cheek.
"For what?"
"It's all she could talk about since she got home. I told her not to bother you as soon as you came in but..."
"Kids are kids. It's okay. If she wants to dance, give her the opportunity, right?"
Tina smiled before ruffling Artie's hair. "Yeah, but thank you."
Somehow, it didn't feel right to tell him about her phone call with her mother. Not yet. Not when Anna was calling for them. Sam had been in the family room, watching television, and a familiar song was playing, the background music to whatever he was watching, and Anna was dancing in circles, a huge smile crossing her face.
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you...
Tina shook her head. She wasn't normally someone who remembered her dreams, so she couldn't understand why this one was bothering her so much. Maybe it was the dancing, or merely a longing to do with it. Or the song. It simply wouldn't leave her.
It was late, but Tina had too much nervous energy. She was pacing, a habit she could never quite get out of. Artie was sitting up on the bed, watching her.
"Tee, whatever it is, it can't be that bad. Unless you're pregnant again. Are you pregnant again? Not that I'd mind if you were, it's just given how hard it was on you to have Sam and Anna... Or is there another man?"
"Artie, hush," Tina said, moving to the bed and putting a finger across his mouth, silencing him. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"So not pregnant? I don't mind trying..."
She couldn't help but laugh. "Down boy," she said, sitting down next to him. "Promise me you won't be mad?"
"So there is another man? I knew it." Tina knew Artie wasn't taking that comment seriously, not with the smirk that crossed his face.
"Will you be quiet for a minute?" Artie looked up at her, his eyes twinkling but he was quiet. "Do you remember my Great Aunt Emily?" At Artie's nod, she continued. "She died a few weeks ago, and left me something in her will."
"Are you okay?" Artie asked, concerned. He reached up, cupping her cheek. "You should have told me."
"Mom didn't tell me till a few days ago, and, well, until I was sure, I didn't want to say anything, but I talked to Aunt Emily's lawyer today."
"Lawyer? She left you something in her will?"
"Yeah, and it came as a bit of a shock," Tina replied, finally sitting down. "She left me some money."
"So you're buying when we go out for dinner tomorrow," Artie said, watching Tina for signs of distress. "this is a good thing, right? Well, other than your aunt dying, of course. But you'll be able to do what you want with it."
Tina smiled. "You know, thank you for not assuming that we'd spend it together, even though I know we will."
"She's your relative, not mine. I wouldn't ever presume. Just how much did she leave you?"
"A lot. More than I ever thought I would get," Tina said. "And... I did something."
"Oh?"
She looked away for a minute. "She left me seventy five thousand dollars, Artie."
Artie's eyes went wide. "Seventy five thousand? That's... wow." He squinted up at her. "So, why the nerves? That amount wouldn't have you pacing around like that."
She sighed. "I've set some of it aside for something... for us. Well, for an anniversary present for you."
"Which isn't for four months. But you shouldn't have, really." He grinned at her. "Do I get to know in advance?"
Tina chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. "I've booked us one of those shared dream experiences in New York," she said, avoiding looking at him while the words tumbled out. Artie didn't speak, and Tina eventually looked towards him. His face was a myriad of emotions, and she didn't know what to make of it. "Say something please, Artie."
"Is this what you really want?" Artie asked after another minute had passed.
"Yes," she said, sitting beside him, taking both of this hands in hers. "Artie. I know what your dream was, and how you've never really given it up, even though you're focusing on the ones that you can make come true. My research couldn't help you back in high school, no matter how much I wanted it to, but this is the closest I can come to giving you that dream. I want to do this for you, and to be able to share in it, even slightly? It would mean the world to me."
Artie watched Tina for a moment, the only sign he gave about what he was feeling was how tightly he was gripping her hands. Just when Tina was going to ask him to say something again, even if it was just no, he smiled gently. "In that case, how can I refuse?" he said. "But I'd rather you spent your money on you."
"I want this, Artie. I want it so much."
"Mr and Mrs Abrams?" Both of them looked up as a woman walked over to them, smiling. "Would you like to follow me?" Tina stood up, pushing Artie carefully through the bland offices. She had a fleeting reminder of all the times they had seen doctors when discussing their options after she had failed to fall pregnant. They went into an office, the door being discreetly shut behind them.
"Welcome to Inter Somnia Technologies. I could give you the whole sales spiel, but I see that's unnecessary. I'd rather give you basic information and answer any questions. I'm Dr Harris, and I'm one of the specialists in constructing dream scenarios. Now, Mrs Abrams, I know you forwarded me information about what you would like to be in your shared dream, but what I need to know is if there is anything you want specifically, Mr Abrams. Our architect has worked with your wife in creating the basic dream, but there are always details which can be added in. We've found the experience works better and is far more satisfying if you both contribute. The dream can easily be altered before tomorrow."
Artie looked at Tina, an eyebrow raised. "You set it all up?" he said quietly.
Tina smiled back at him. "I guess it's down to how much you trust me, Abrams," she said smirking, not letting go of his gaze.
"Like I have a choice, woman," he muttered, but Tina could tell by his smile it was half-hearted at best. Artie turned back his attention to Dr Harris. "No, whatever Tina has set up will be fine. It's not like we've kept our dreams from each other over the years."
Dr Harris nodded. "Good. The level of communication you two obviously have makes it easier all round. So, now it's down to explaining the process. We will use a mild sedative to put you under when you enter the shared dream. It's perfectly safe, has been tested thoroughly, approved by the FDA, and is based on a compound which has been used in the medical industry for years. When you're under, you will notice things might be strange at first."
"Strange how?" Tina asked, glancing at Artie.
"Think back to the dreams you can remember having. Do you ever remember the start of them?" She paused for a moment as both Tina and Artie shook their heads. "Because you are unused to the experience of sharing dreams, it will take you a few moments to orient yourselves within the dream, but that's perfectly normal. It won't take too long. Once you are in the dream, you won't notice it, but time will move differently for you. What is five minutes in the real world will be an hour within the dream. You have booked a seventy five minute session..."
"So it will be, what, fifteen hours in the dream?" Artie said, calculating rapidly. "That's impressive."
"Yes. That's the maximum time we recommend for first time users of users of our technology. We set very strict limits on how long people can use the pasiv machine, as per government proscribed guidelines."
Artie looked over at Tina for a long moment, then back to Dr Harris. "Doctor, can I ask you something... specific?" he said, almost hesitantly.
Dr Harris looked at him for a moment. "You mean about your disability?" she asked, smiling at him. Artie nodded in response. "It's entirely up to you. It's your dream, after all. Can you walk normally? The altered physics of the dream world state say that yes, you will be able to walk. The choice is up to you though. We have had a number of people with similar conditions through here. Some of them choose to stay as they are within the dream, but the vast majority don't, and we've had very complimentary comments about what they can feel in the dreams. In the end, though, we can't make that decision for you, but I can tell you that those that have chosen to be fully functional in the dreams don't regret it. I suggest that you and Mrs Abrams talk it over tonight. We can make final adjustments tomorrow before you actually go under."
Artie and Tina ate their evening meal in a nearby restaurant in relative silence. Any talk between them was of inconsequentialities - how they thought the children were coping staying with Artie's parents, work, friends, whether they should call Kurt while they were here... The topic that they knew they had to discuss was like the elephant in the room. No way they were talking about it there.
Tina softly suggested a walk after dinner, which is how they found themselves in Central Park, with the sun lowering. Tina had taken her usual place pushing Artie's wheelchair when he pointed at a bench. "How about there?" he said softly. Tina hummed in agreement, and moved over to the bench, parking Artie's chair beside it, and sitting next to him, taking his hand. "I'm sorry," she said suddenly.
"For what?" Artie frowned at her, tightening his grip on his hand.
"I should have realized this would be hard on you."
"Tee, it's ok. When we first talked about it, and agreed to do it, I knew that it was something I was going to have to face sooner or later. I just kept putting it off."
"And now?"
Artie looked at her. "You've worked too hard on this," he said, smiling, as he echoed the words he'd spoken back in high school. "I'm not going to spoil it for you, and, yeah, I want it. The chance to spend time with my wife, as close to normal as we ever get? Not that I'm saying we're normal."
"Nerd."
"Dork."
"Geek in sweater vests." The familiar banter reassured Tina. "And I love it, I know. Look, Artie. I just want to say that I'm not going to be disappointed whatever you choose. We're here in New York, away from the kids, celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary. Life's good no matter what."
"I know. And... I'm scared about it, but yeah. I'll do it."
Tina couldn't help the tiny part of her that wondered if he was doing it purely for her, but she pushed that thought to one side, leaning into him and kissing him. "There's nothing to be scared of," she murmured. "I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."