Hello again! My updates are probably going to be more spread out and not as quick (getting back into that school grind sadly) but I will still be posting. So I hope you like this! Read and review please :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inception. But I have a digital copy of it now :)

"You're not gonna tell me anything about this first?" Ariadne asked curiously as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well before I describe the job I have to make sure you can do it," the blonde man stated.

"Why?" she questioned absently.

"It's not strictly speaking legal."

Ariadne's brow furrowed slightly as she thought over her companion's statement. Burying some of her questions she let him continue. What was she getting herself into? If Miles had referred him surely there couldn't be anything dangerous about this meeting. Her acquaintance handed her a sketchpad.

"You have two minutes to design a maze that it takes one minute to solve."

Ariadne looked down at the blank page before her and then back up at the man, wind ruffling through his sandy blonde hair. He stared at her with a certain intensity in his blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cobb. Thank you for the offer but I'm not sure this is the best job for me." Ariadne closed the cover on the small sketchpad and handed it back to a surprised Cobb. She straightened her scarf and turned to walk away.

"You're not even curious?" Cobb suddenly called out, catching her off guard. She was beyond curious. Her creative, wild side was telling her to just go for it; you have no idea what he could be offering you but it could change your life. Her practical side was telling her to walk away; don't get involved in this. You could end up in serious trouble! Are you trying to throw away your career?

Ariadne stopped but didn't turn to face him again. Ignoring his question she replied, "I'm sure you'll find someone better. Goodbye Cobb."

Leaving Cobb standing on the rooftop alone, she walked away.

Ariadne walked wondrously down the street. Her head was whirling with questions. What could he have possibly needed her for that was so illegal he couldn't even explain the situation? She clutched her books tightly in her arms and looked up to spot her favorite coffee shop up ahead. Her eyes drifted down to the sidewalk before her; she had a habit of always looking at the ground as she walked, it had something to do with avoiding looking people in the eyes. As she neared, the familiar smells of hazelnut and vanilla wafted through the air, making her mouth water.

Ariadne looked up just in time to find herself colliding with a tall, lean man exiting the coffee shop and heading out to the sidewalk. The cup tray of coffees the man was carrying overturned onto her shirt and spilled across her books. Ariadne jumped back cringing and dropped some of her papers.

"Oh, Christ I'm sorry," the man apologized and bent down to help Ariadne gather her things. She cursed herself silently for being so clumsy and reached for one of her term papers. The man's hand stopped on the paper at the same time and Ariadne nervously chuckled. She looked up at her acquaintance and was momentarily stunned by his good looks. His dark hair was gelled back neatly and he wore a sharp business suit. His dark brown eyes seemed to mirror Ariadne's own and the corner of his mouth turned up into a smirk. He stood up first and held his hand out to Ariadne, helping her up.

"Thank you," she muttered as he handed back some of her spoiled papers. He looked at her a little while longer before he realized he should say something.

"Um, no problem," he cleared his throat and tossed the ruined coffees into a nearby trash bin. Ariadne, thinking it was the end of their exchange, turned to walk away.

"Hey, wait!" she felt a hand on her arm and the same smooth voice beside her. She turned around and he smiled genuinely. "I'm Arthur."

"Ariadne," she smiled back sheepishly.

Arthur looked at the ground then back up to her face. Ariadne looked at him expectantly, very aware of her disheveled appearance. "So, I guess this is where we part ways and hope to see each other again?" the words slipped out of Ariadne's mouth and she immediately wanted to slap herself in the face.

To her relief Arthur's face seemed to relax and he smiled again. "Or I guess this is the part where I get the courage to ask to see you again… Tomorrow, how about seven?"

Ariadne giggled slightly and nodded her head.

"Drinks first? There's a bar a couple blocks from here." he gestured in a general direction.

"I know the place." Ariadne replied.

"Perfect. I'll see you then." Arthur said and headed in the opposite direction, leaving Ariadne with elation coursing through her body.

Arthur headed back to the warehouse, hands shoved deep in his pockets. He was thinking over the events that had just taken place. It seemed like one of those things that happened in movies; where the guy bumps into the girl, is shocked by her beauty, they go out and fall in love. Arthur shook his head. He knew nothing about her yet, it wasn't like him to think like this. But he couldn't help but feel that there was something there already between them.

He reached the warehouse and pushed the door open. Cobb was standing at his desk, looking over some files. He looked up as Arthur approached. His brows pulled together and he wrinkled his forehead. "No coffee?"

Arthur stopped suddenly realizing the coffees he went out to get for him and Cobb. Arthur's mouth formed a tight line and a knowing smirk crept its way across Cobb's face. He complied with not saying anything and stood up straighter, stretching his back. He reached for his coat and Arthur looked at him quizzically.

"I've gotta go visit Eames." Cobb explained.

"Eames? No, he's in Mombasa. It's Cobol's backyard." Arthur objected.

"It's a necessary risk."

"There are plenty of good thieves." Arthur said and folded his arms.

"But we don't just need a thief. We need a forger."

"And the architect?" Arthur asked. He realized Cobb hadn't mentioned how the meeting with their possible architect went a couple hours prior. Cobb stopped as he reached the door.

"She objected. I'll meet with her again. Miles said she's the best but I'm not sure she thinks so."

Arthur nodded and Cobb turned to leave.

Ariadne walked back to her apartment in a daze. A mysterious job offer and a date all in one day? It seemed so surreal. Ariadne fumbled for her keys and unlocked the door. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror and flushed with embarrassment. The front of her shirt had a large brown stain on it and her scarf was ruined. Arthur must've only asked her out since he felt bad. Sighing she walked to the bedroom to get changed.

Late that night, Ariadne struggled with her first attempt to sleep. She couldn't stop thinking about Arthur and the way he looked at her with his dark brown eyes. He didn't look like he was from around here and she noticed he had an American accent like her. Maybe he was in town on business. If he was then she felt silly for getting her hopes up thinking it could develop into something more. If he was here on business, he would just leave in a matter of time. Hugging a pillow tight Ariadne shifted onto her side and closed her eyes tightly.

Ariadne woke naturally the next day with no irritating alarm clock to wake her up. She sighed sleepily and glanced at the clock on her bedside. 11:47 AM. Thankfully it was Saturday and she had no classes to attend. It wasn't like her to sleep until nearly noon but she hadn't fallen asleep until just after three. Rubbing her eyes and combing her fingers through her hair she looked towards her closet, already wondering what she'd wear on her date with Arthur.

It was five to seven and Ariadne opened the door to the bar. She wore a modest black dress that fit snug to her body and had one strap. She worked on not overdoing it. She never wanted to seem too eager on the first date. Walking over to the bar she sat on a stool and ordered a martini, glancing around for Arthur.

"Lauren? Lauren Foster? My god, it's you isn't it?" an English accent exclaimed from behind Ariadne. She turned her head to find that he was talking to her. His eyes widened and he smiled charmingly as he ran his eyes over Ariadne's body. "My mistake." he apologized as if Ariadne didn't know what he was up to.

"Is this seat taken?" the man gestured to the empty stool beside her and began to sit in it before Ariadne had the chance to respond.

"No, it's not." Ariadne pulled her eyes away from his toned chest and muscled arms and looked around the room for Arthur. "But I'm actually waiting for someone."

"Shame. You shouldn't be waiting around for anybody. In fact…"

Ariadne's attention snapped back to the man beside her. "Excuse me, but I'm really not interested."

"You're not from around here, are you?" he asked.

"I could say the same thing about you."

He chuckled. "I meant… I don't usually see your type around here. You seem different than the usual crowd of women that hang on any man that'll take them home."

Ariadne's expression softened and she propped up an elbow, resting her head on top of her closed fist.

"I'm Eames." he said in a kinder tone.

"Ariadne."

"Beautiful name." he smiled and gestured for the bartender, ordering a scotch.

Arthur was running late. How could he have not realized it was already ten to seven when he left the warehouse? He was feeling completely unlike his usual punctual self. He had gone back to his hotel, sprayed on a moderate amount of cologne, smoothed back his hair, and swallowed a couple breath mints.

He reached the bar and checked his watch. Seven minutes late. Could've been worse. He smoothed down his suit jacket and opened the door, walking confidently inside. Along the bar, he spotted Ariadne… Talking with another man. His back was to Arthur and something he said made Ariadne's face light up with laughter. Arthur strode quickly forward, raising a hand to catch Ariadne's attention. She spotted him and her face creased into a smile, mingled with relief.

"Arthur!" she said and stood from her seat to greet him.

"Am I inter—" Arthur turned to look at the other man who was rising along with Ariadne and his mouth dropped open when he realized who it was. Eames' expression matched Arthur's and Ariadne looked back and forth between their faces confusedly.

"Do you two know each other?" she asked motioning to each of them. Her question snapped them back to attention and they quickly composed themselves. Eames cleared his throat and spoke first, holding out his hand as if he had just met Arthur for the first time.

"No, I don't believe we do. You can call me Eames."

"Arthur." Arthur replied shortly, following Eames' suit. He reached out to reciprocate Eames' handshake, both of them gripping the others hand a little rougher than usual. Ariadne noticed and shifted awkwardly on her feet.

Arthur turned his attention to Ariadne and relaxed his expression. She looked amazing. "Shall we go?" he asked and offered his arm.

Ariadne nodded and turned to smile apologetically towards Eames. "It was nice meeting you."

"And you." Eames bowed his head. He lifted his glass to his lips, a large smirk forming on his face. "How on earth did you manage that, Arthur?" he muttered to himself as he watched the two of them retreat.