Here's a new story from me! If you know me, you know my OCs are usually dancers, so I'm keeping with tradition for this story. I already have two chapters of this written, so I hope to have the other one out soon. If you ready any of my other stories, I'm hoping to update those soon as well, so keep checking my page, or story alert! Hope you enjoy "Retention"!


Dominic Cobb sat at the small, cozy coffee shop, waiting for his guest. He fidgeted with his hands, the coffee not helping calm his nerves. All he wanted was to return home, play with his kids, put them down to sleep, and relax in his own dreams. His own personal reality. All alone with her. Mal.

Arthur walked into the coffee shop, and looked around for Dom. After locking eyes with him, he straightened his brown tie, and walked to the table. The two colleagues sat in silence while the barista brought Arthur a cup of coffee. Arthur sipped from his cup before starting conversation.

"So, are we going to talk about this?" Arthur started.

"What is there to talk about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've been visiting Mal again, haven't you?"

Cobb stared into the air. He had been visiting his dead wife, but to admit that to Arthur would show it was his weakness.

"What if I have been? It's not like before, when I was risking the team's lives."

"You're hurting yourself, Dom. Living in Retention is only going to cause you to lose your grip on what is real and what isn't."

"I can take care of myself, Arthur. I have a grasp on this."

Arthur sipped his coffee again before continuing.

"Does Avery know?"

Dom breathed deeply. "No, why would she?"

"I thought you would have told her."

"Unless you told her, Arthur, which I would not put past you, she has no idea."

"You should tell her, Dom."

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her."

Dom threw his money on the table and grabbed his coat.

"I'll see you around, Arthur." he said as her stormed out.

Eames, Arthur, Ariadne, and Yusuf all met in the house they had dedicated to meeting. It was a small house, only one level. The group decided to purchase it after they all made the decision to remain in LA. It was a mutual decision to purchase the property, as a way for them to meet in the occasion they needed to retreat to the dream world. Arthur had called them to meet on this occasion.

Arthur stood up. "Guys, we have a problem."

Eames smirked. "Arthur if you're talking about the stick that is stuck up your ass, that's only a problem for you. It's entertainment for the rest of us."

Arthur glared at him. "I'm talking about Cobb. He's getting worse. He's living through Retention."

Ariadne looked puzzled. "What's he doing?"

"He's dreaming only to dream of Mal. That has become his reality."

"So what are we supposed to do about it?"

"There's only one way to permanently get rid of her." Eames added.

"And that is…?"

"Kill Mal in Dom's subconscious" Arthur said coldly.

"How can you do that?" Ariadne questioned further.

"We would need to have Dom asleep for a long period of time. We'd have to kill her on each level of his subconscious. Ariadne, you said she's on every floor of a building in his mind, correct?"

"Yeah, his subconscious is kind of like a hotel."

"We're going to need another extractor, if Dom is going to be distracted." Eames added.

Arthur sighed. "I may have an idea of who can help us."

Eames connected the dots. "Arthur, do you think she'll come?"

"He's her brother, Eames. My guess is she will."

Ariadne looked puzzled as Arthur walked into another room. "Who is he calling?"

"Dom's sister," Eames said. "Avery."

Avery walked as the 8 year-olds danced across her studio's dance floor.

"Toes out, girls. Toes out!" she said as they continued to move to the snapping of her fingers. The girls reached their final pose and smiled brightly. Avery smiled as well.

"Great job, ladies. Grab a drink, and be back in five."

The girls ran to their water bottles, as Avery's phone began to ring.

Arthur walked into the kitchen and took out his phone. He began to search through his contacts. Did he still have her number? Did he delete it to forget her?

No, he didn't. He reached her name.

Avery Cobb.

He sighed, and called her number.

Here goes nothing, he thought.

Avery looked at the name across her phone.

Arthur.

She sighed before accepting the call.

"Hello," her voice sounded shaky as she answered.

"Avery?"

"Yes, that's my name."

"It's Arthur,"

"No shit."

"This is serious, Ave. Dom's in trouble."

"What happened?"

"He…he's living in Retention."

"With Mal?"

"Who else would it be?"

"So, what exactly am I supposed to do about this?"

"We need your help. There's a team of us that wants to fix this, but we need a fifth. You were the first person I thought of."

"Arthur, I have a life here. I can't just fly to Paris-"

"We're in Los Angeles."

"How long have you been here?"

"About six months."

"And neither you nor my brother thought to call me and let me know this?"

"Your brother probably didn't want to concern you with this. I, on the other hand, thought you wouldn't answer your phone if I called."

"I would have answered, Arthur."

"And now I know this. But, please, Avery, meet me and the team for coffee. I know you love your brother more than anything, and he really needs our help."

"Text me a time and place and I'll be there."

"And Avery?""Yes?"

There was a brief pause. "It's nice to hear your voice again."

Avery hung up her phone, and waited for an incoming text from Arthur.


R&R. Peace. Love. Lauren.