A/N: welcome to my new story! This is my first Inception fanfic and so many characters may seem slightly ooc but bear with me (and review, that always helps ;) ) and this should steadily get better as I write the chapters.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inception or its characters. If I did I wouldn't be sitting here in the dark like some strange nocturnal creature writing this.

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Ariadne was lost. That was the only thing she could think at that moment. She was standing at the entrance to LAX straight after the job. She was lost because the job was done and she had no idea what to do now. She was now making her way robotically towards a taxi, suitcase dragging behind her. Without noticing what was going on she was in the back of the taxi staring ahead, lost in daydreams. The driver snapped his fingers in front of her face impatiently.

'Hey Miss, where you goin'?' he asked and she turned to him with eyes still glazed over with a distant look.

'I-uh- nicest hotel you can find please.' He nodded and pulled away from the airport. For a few fleeting seconds, as they exited the airport car park, Ariadne thought she saw Arthur but by the time she turned around it was too late. She sat back down and sighed.

As LA flashed past Ariadne found herself replaying the past ten hours, each time one particular moment was stuck on replay: the kiss. Her cheeks suddenly felt warm and she turned her attention to the buildings knowing that at any normal time she'd be transfixed by the architecture of the area. Eventually the taxi slowed to stop.

'Is this to your liking?' the driver asked, turning to look at her. Ariadne nodded and handed over more than enough money to pay for the journey. Glad to be doing something she headed up the steps to the hotel, suitcase trundling along behind.

The hotel had an old style stone exterior with a band of detailed stone carvings above the double glass paned doors. The hotels name was fashioned out of black stained iron reading 'The Black Swan' and was fixed to the wall just below the first floor windows. The hotel did not look like a five star, nor did it look posh with a target audience of the rich and powerful and Ariadne preferred it that way.

Inside the main lobby was bright and clean with a small reception desk in the centre. There were two elevators on the left and a stairwell to the right. Behind the reception desk was an open archway that appeared to lead to ground floor rooms.

Ariadne walked up to the desk, dropping the suitcase next to her.

'How can I help?' a young woman asked, a professional smile held in place from years of practice.

'Erm can I get a room please? For two nights?'

'Of course, any particular level?' Ariadne shook her head, 'just for one?' nodding this time. The woman tapped away at her computer. She then ducked her head below the desk and resurfaced holding a key with a small white piece of plastic attached. Ariadne raised her eyebrows.

'Ah, we get that reaction a lot.' The woman smiled genuinely, 'but we like tradition around here.' She handed the key over. 'You're in room 27 on third floor, have a nice stay.'

Ariadne nodded and once again grabbed her suitcase, pulling it towards the elevators. She watched as a black haired, suited man got in one of the elevators and she quickened her pace. The doors were sliding shut as she called out.

'Hey! Hold the doors!'

The man instantly stuck out his foot causing the lift doors to reopen as she ran into the lift. She doubled over panting from running with the weight of her suitcase. She could feel the man's eyes on her and she eventually managed to puff out a thanks. She felt his eyes on her a little longer before spoke.

'Ariadne?'

She froze, panic flooding through her. Was she followed? Was it Fischer or one of his men? But she knew that voice. She slowly looked up, hardly daring to believe.

'Arthur? What are you doing here? Is it safe to be talking?'

'In here, yes or in a room and funnily enough I'm also here for a place to stay.' He replied part serious part joking. Ariadne smiled.

'Right, so what now? I can't stay here, seeing you about but not able to talk, I just couldn't do that.'

'You won't. Look, meet me in the morning at nine by reception. Pretend we have never talked but as if we recognise each other from the flight. I will ask you grab a coffee with me and then we should be safe, anyone following us would think nothing of it.'

The elevator door pinged and Arthur stepped off onto fourth floor.

'I'm in room 32 by the way.' He said over his shoulder before the elevator doors slid shut and he was gone.

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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this first, although admittedly quite short, chapter. More A/A in the next chapter I promise!

Bubbles out!