Inception does not belong to me. All readers and reviews appreciated, thank you!

Arthur looked up as Eames wandered over. He was scowling, and holding his hand to his face.

"You ok?" Arthur commented casually. His eyes flickered over the dark bruise that was forming across Eames' jawline. The Forger grimaced and sat down opposite him.

"I'll be allright," he said, darkly. Arthur leaned forward and gently moved Eames' fingers. "No blood."

"No, thats because she only hit me once," the other man retorted. He smiled wryly at Arthur. "Its a joke. You go out, meet someone, buy them a few drinks, take them home-"

"And they spurn your advances," the younger man retorted.

"Well...she didn't spurn them. Just objected to me trying to leave in the morning. What is it with these bunny boilers?" Eames reached in his pocket for a cigarette. "I swear, Artie, every woman I encounter is either mad or clingy or needy or all three. They're a nightmare. They come on to me, they try and use me-"

"And of course a big boy like you can't defend himself," Arthur countered. He tapped the table.

"You never had woman issues?" Eames exhaled a lungful of smoke. "Really?"

Arthur shifted in his chair. "Well, there was a girl..."

"Yes, go on." Eames was interested. "Who was it?"

"Oh, a really sweet girl who I met in College. She just didn't like the fact I was away for long periods, working. So I got home one night, and found her..."

"In bed with someone else?"

"Yes," Arthur admitted. He swallowed, and rubbed his forehead. "It was a bit of a shock. I felt-"

"Like shit?" Eames supplied, helpfully. Arthur nodded.

The Forger leaned back in his chair, and sucked on his cigarette. "You and I, Arthur, don't deserve this. We're both good looking young men, at our peak – women should be begging for our attention, not treating us like this."

The Point Man raised his eyebrows. "Sounds a little egotistical, Eames."

"You have to be, Arthur. No-one gives you confidence." The Forger swung on his chair. "I've got a suggestion."

Arthur raised his eyebrows. "Which is..?"

"You and I – we need to take our revenge."

"On what?" Arthur was puzzled.

"Women." Eames smiled, almost cruelly. "You and I need to show that they can't treat us like this."

"So what do you suggest?"

"We find someone." Eames leaned forward. "We find a young woman, one of these wallflower types. Not a model. Not especially noticeable. But someone sweet and willing. Someone...innocent."

Arthur blinked. "And?"

"We both seduce her. Both of us. She'll have you to be the nice guy and me to be the bad boy." Eames watched as an expression of discomfort flitted across Arthur's face. "We both stake a claim, give her attention..."

"And then?"

"We dump her." Eames snapped his fingers. "Just like that."

Arthur looked at Eames, his eyes widening. "Eames-"

"Think about it," Eames insisted. "You and I have been badly treated. Its time for us to..." he broke off, his attention swivelling towards the door. Cobb had entered, with a petite brunette.

Arthur followed Eames' gaze. The woman was young, he estimated, early twenties. She looked taken aback, and a little overwhelmed. Arthur smiled wryly. Cobb's intensity could be overpowering.

"Arthur, Eames," Cobb said, pleasantly. "This is Ariadne, our new Architect."

A slow smile started to spread across Eames' face, he turned to Arthur and mouthed one word.

"Perfect."