Author's Note: This is my very first fanfic in English and at the same time my fist Inception one too. So, if there is anything you like/love/hate/disapprove/would like to have changed, just tell me and you're gonna make my day. Also, please please forgive any mistakes, as I learned English by the age of seven and it's only kinda my second mother tongue. If you do find mistakes though, drop a review letting me know, and I'll correct it. Ah, and I'd love you to bits if you left reviews for any other reason than my spelling :D

Author's Note 2: This Idea just popped into my head and I have it all planned out, it's gonna be 4 Chapters, plus a fifth if you like it.

Disclaimer: sadly, Inception does not belong to me, it is all Christopher Nolan's and the people who made it. I am just fiddling about with his great characters.

It was a rainy Friday night and by 9:30 pm the bar had filled well. The Rolling Stones blasted from the speakers, waitresses bustled about and the crowd (mainly students) cheered a chubby redhead how had just won the Tequila-shot-competition over three athletic guys.

Cobb, who had been watching the last round, turned back to their table, chuckling softly. Eames picked up his glass and nudged Arthur, who had only been staring at his Gin-Tonic as if wondering what to do with it. Yusuf had ordered something with a strong smell of cinnamon and exotic liquor, whilst Cobb stuck to Whisky-Soda.

The Forger raised his Black Russian in Ariadne's direction, grinning widely. She blushed and picked up her Caipirinha.

"Guys, a toast!" He called in his familiar british accent. "Ariadne, you have always been an enrichment to our team, and I personally am very, very proud to work with such a talented and beautiful woman. Happy Birthday, love!" He leaned over the table and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Cobb nodded in her direction. "May your dreams come true…" At this, Ariadne blushed even more and tried not to look at Arthur, who's expression was friendly, but professional as always. He never let his guard down, not even on a night like this.

"Happy Birthday!" Yusuf exclaimed in a drunken slur, clutching his glass like a lifeline. It clearly wasn't his first drink today. Arthur slightly inched away from him, obviously afraid of the ominous white liquid being spilled over his three-piece suit. He smiled at Ariadne. "Well, as I hate to repeat what other people said - Mes meilleurs vœux pour ton anniversaire." He gave her that genuine Arthur-smile, gone in the twinkling of an eye and as rare as a shooting star.

Ariadne stared at the table for a second before pulling herself together. "Thank you all, thanks for coming, and thanks for being such a wonderful team. In fact –" she paused, twirling the straw in her slender fingers, "in fact you're much more than a team for me. More like a family." She continued, in a lower voice than before.

"Aw, dear, how sweet of you." Eames chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Very flattered!" He patted her back softly.

Cobb cleared his throat and shot Yusuf a glance, who already had his drink half finished. "We have a little something for you." he began, but as Arthur started to pull a small package from his suit jacket, Ariadne quickly shook her head. "No, no, no. I have a better idea." Arthur's hand hovered over his pocket, and she could glimpse dark blue wrapping paper and the end of a light blue bow.

"No?" Cobb asked gobsmacked. Eames put his drink down, even Yusuf raised an eyebrow.

"Look, it took us ages to figure out what you possibly would like as a birthday present, and now you don't want it?" Eames said, looking a little hurt.

"Of course I do." Ariadne hurried to respond. " It's just, I'd like something different first." Arthur pushed the parcel back into his suitpocket. "Oh, ok. It's your birthday, you get to decide."

"What is it that you crave?" the Englishman asked with a smirk, peeping at Arthur, who was staring at her, amused and eager to hear.

Ariadne laughed. Her request was probably not very grown-up, more something a little girl would ask, but she felt she needed to do that right now.

"Everyone at this table has to tell me a secret. Something no-one knows. It doesn't have to be big, nothing grand, just a tiny little secret. For example, I'd love to know your first name, Eames." She turned to him, grinning.

"Now, that's a big secret. And by the way, my parents know. So that doesn't count." He responded, obviously enjoying the taunt.

"You know, you're being a spoil sport." Cobb remarked over the brim of his glass.

Eames sighed and put down the Black Russian. "Arthur darling, hand me your pocketbook, will you?"

"No."

"Give it to me." Eames retorted.

Cobb reached across Yusuf and snatched the booklet from its usual place, the inner pocket of Arthur's suit.

"The notes in there a confidential, if you mind." Arthur started, but was silenced by the endearing smile Ariadne gave him. He sat back and crossed his arms.

Eames flicked through the pages and tore one out when he reached the blank ones.

"Now, I am not going to make things too easy for you." He said and started to scribble on the off-white page. Ariadne leaned over the table, supporting herself by her elbows.

"Oh, come on." She muttered, a little disappointed.

The Paper read nothing but:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ EAMES JR.

"How about a little game of hangman?" Eames grinned and pushed the page to Ariadne. Cobb laughed. Yusuf closed his eyes, drink empty, and slouched back into the soft cushioning of his seat. Arthur shot a glance at the paper.

"Eames Jr.? So we are looking for old fashioned names such as Walter? Or maybe Theodosius? Or how about Gaylord? I think that one fits you perfectly." Arthur stated in a mocking tone.

"Nothing as bad as Aaaaaarthur." Eames teased.

"Shut up, the two of you!" Their architect said and cocked her head to one side, poring over the paper. Dom chuckled, sipping his Whisky.

"I shall pick the letters according to their quantity in names. So, let's start with an E." She murmured.

Eames took his pen and started to fill in the gaps.

_ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ EAMES JR.

"Oh good!" Ariadne clapped her hands and smiled. "I'm trying R next."

R _ _ ER_ _ _ R _ E _ EAMES JR.

„S!" She said excitedly. Eames shook his head, laughing. "Nope, sorry love."

Ariadne pretended to sulk. She really enjoyed this.

Arthur carefully nudged Yusuf in the side. He didn't budge. Instead, his mouth dropped open and he gave a little snore. Arthur rolled his eyes and returned to the guessing, rather amused.

Next to the JR. Eames had drawn a little hill waiting for the gallows.

"Next letter?" he asked, pen hovering over the paper.

Dom squinted and bent down over the page as if it would reveal its secret if he threatened it a little.

"Mhh…" Ariadne absentmindedly wound a curl of her hair around her right index finger. Arthur looked at her, eyes sparkling, but she didn't notice.

"How about trying all the vowels first?" Cobb suggested and took another sip of his drink.

"Maybe I should do that." Ariadne closed her eyes and upon opening them she made the next guess. "O."

Eames nodded in an appreciating way.

RO_ER_ _ _ R _ E_ EAMES JR.

„Okay, I think I've got the first one figured out. Robert?" She smiled.

"Call me Bob." Eames grinned and stretched out his hand.

"Are the B and T also in the second name?" Cobb asked, pointing at the still numerous gaps.

"Nope."

"Oh well, I'm still trying that vowel-thing. A." Ariadne demanded.

ROBERT _AR_E_ EAMES JR.

„Marloe? No, that's not correct." Ariadne uttered to herself. "Still, M."

Eames grinned silently and shook his head while drawing the second line of the gallows.

Arthur rested his head in his hands. "So no Marley?"

"I've got it!" Ariadne shouted. "It's Harvey!"

Yusuf startled and looked around, bewildered and confused.

"Look who's back." Eames teased.

"What did I miss?" Yusuf glanced at the others.

"Oh, we just found out Eame's first name. Which sadly is not Gaylord." Arthur said.

ROBERT HARVEY EAMES JR.

"Nice name." Cobb emptied his drink. "So, who is up next?"

"Yusuf, before he passes out again." Eames laughed and crumpled the paper. He put it in the ashtray and flicked his lighter open.

"And I'd like my name to stay a secret between us. It sounds like I'm a fucking estate agent." He looked at his teammates and a smile flashed over his face as the paper slowly scorched and fell into a thousand pieces with one last flame flickering high.

AN: Okay, it didn't quite turn out as nice as I wanted it to, but it still is alright, I hope.

"Mesmeilleursvœux pour ton anniversaire" → all the best for your birthday

I chose the name Robert/Bob as an homage to Tom Hardy's wonderful acting in 'RocknRolla' as Handsome Bob.

So, I hope you liked it, reviews are loved And if you have any suggestions on what Yusuf's little secret could be (or Cobb's) then please let me know, they are highly appreciated.