A/N: Thank you for taking an interest in my story! Here's chapter one. Please remember to R&R!

Chapter One: The Job

Jaclyn's pumps clacked loudly as she strolled across the marble of the office building's foyer toward the check-in desk. A few of the business men in the lobby stared at her as she strolled through. Whether they were staring because of the noise or because of the young, gorgeous blonde strolling through was unclear. Jaclyn tossed the men a smile anyway.

The building was huge. It was a headquarters for the Fischer-Morrow energy company. But that wasn't what Jaclyn was interested in. There was a man here by the name of Peter Browning. That's what she was interested in.

The woman at the check-in desk looked at Jaclyn politely before questioning her. "How may I help you?"

"I'm here to see Peter Browning. I have an appointment."

The woman nodded at her before picking up the phone and dialing a number. She talked into the phone for a few seconds before turning her attention back to her. "What is your name?"

"Jaclyn Blanc."

The woman repeated the name into the phone, and then hung up. "Go ahead. Fifteenth Floor."

Jaclyn nodded her thanks and walked past the security guards to the elevator.

She quickly pressed the button in the elevator and began the ascent to Mr. Browning's office. She had done her homework before coming here. Peter Browning was a major player in the company, being in even more power after the founder of the company, Maurice Fischer, had died only weeks ago. She understood that the son of the late Mr. Fischer had inherited the company.

Understandably, the company was on some rocky turf right now. It made sense that this Mr. Browning might attempt to get ahead now by hiring someone of Jaclyn's unique skill set. Jaclyn was capable of being both The Actress and The Extractor. Jobs essential in Extraction. She could only assume that Mr. Browning had contacted her because he needed an extraction performed. It was not uncommon. She would put together a team, and they would extract whatever information was needed.

As the elevator neared its stop, Jaclyn tucked a blonde curl behind her ear and tugged down lightly on her jacket before smoothing out her pencil skirt. Jaclyn always made sure she looked her best. After all, first impressions were essential.

The elevator opened to what looked like a waiting room. Across the room, there were large double doors in dark wood. Jaclyn assumed that beyond those doors was the office. She crossed the waiting room and was about to knock on the door when it opened abruptly.

The first thing she noticed about the man on the other side of the door was his astonishing blue eyes. He looked at her for a few moments before speaking. "Excuse me." Was all he said, rather shortly. Jaclyn quickly stepped to the side to allow him to pass. He began to walk past her, when a voice from within the office stopped the man short.

"Robert, we need to talk about this. You can't just do something this drastic without thinking it through. I understand you want to be your own man but-"

Jaclyn looked into the office to see the man who had spoken. From the photo's Jaclyn had received upon researching the client, this was undoubtedly Peter Browning. Which meant that the Robert he was speaking to must be Robert Fischer.

"No, Uncle Peter. I've scheduled a press release to announce my decision for two months from now. It's done." With that, Robert turned sharply and left the office, making his way to the elevator.

Jaclyn took it upon herself to walk into the office and shut the door behind herself. Behind the large desk sat a rather exasperated looking Peter Browning.

"I'm sorry if I've arrived at a poor time." Jaclyn said. "Would you prefer if we discussed your job offer at a later date?"

"No, no." Mr. Browning answered quickly. "Please, Ms. Blanc. Take a seat." He gestured to one of the large leather chairs in front of the desk, and Jaclyn quickly sat.

Peter Browning reached across his desk for a crystal liquor decanter, and quickly poured himself a shot. He lifted the crystal to offer her some, but she shook her head.

He drank the shot quickly, and then opened a file on his desk in front of him. Before he began to read, he slipped some glasses onto his face.

"So, Ms. Blanc. You're developing quite the reputation in your world."

"A positive reputation, I hope." Jaclyn answered simply with a smile.

"A reputation for getting results."

"I don't believe in failure."

"Good." Browning said. "There is no room for failure in this operation." He paused again to look at the file. "My research has shown you to be quite manipulative, Ms. Blanc. In your world, you've earned quite the nickname. The Femme Fatale."

Jaclyn couldn't help but smirk just slightly. "My methods for obtaining information have proven to be quite successful. I manipulate the mind in the way every extractor does. I've merely added my own unique twist."

Browning merely smiled in response.

"I'm assuming you're requesting an extraction." Jaclyn continued.

"No, not quite."

Jaclyn found herself caught off guard. "Perhaps I misunderstood your job offer. When we spoke on the phone, you said you were looking for a skilled extractor-"

"I am, Ms. Blanc. However, it's not extraction I need."

Jaclyn looked at the man for a few moments, narrowing her eyes slightly. "So then what is it you do need?"

"I need to know about inception."

Jaclyn froze immediately, caught off guard. "Inception?"

"Yes."

She was silent for a few moments as she gathered her thoughts. "Well, it is the opposite of extraction. Planting an idea in someone's mind. Most people in my line of work consider it to be an impossible task."

"Well is it impossible?"

"I don't believe so."

Browning stood and faced the window behind his desk. "I hired a point-man before I hired you." He began. "He has been feeding me the information I need about your world. He has told me of a rumor circulating. That inception has been done."

Jaclyn nodded her head. "It has been circulating recently, yes. But this is not unusual. Many people claim to have performed inception. Falsely of course."

Browning was silent for a moment.

"Do you know who the inception of this rumor was performed by?"

"No."

"Do you know whom it was done to?"

"No."

Browning took his glasses of his nose and gave an exasperated sigh. "How difficult would it be to find out this information?"

"Highly difficult." Jaclyn answered. "If the person whom it was performed on ever found out about it, they would undoubtedly be furious. The team who did it would be killed. So, I'm sure if they really did do it they would keep shut about it."

There was more silence. "Why are you also considered The Actress?" Browning asked, suddenly changing the subject.

"In a dream, projections don't recognize me as a dreamer. They recognize me as one of them for extended periods of time, even if I change the dream. Eventually they will converge on me, but I usually have about three or four times more time in the dream before they do so, when compared to a regular dreamer. However, if someone directly tells the subject I'm not a projection, they then treat me as they would a dreamer."

"How do you come by possessing this trait?"

"Our traits in the dream world are directly related to our traits in real life. In the real world, I'm a skilled actress. In the dream, I can pose as a projection."

Browning was silent again. When he finally turned around to speak, his glasses were in his hands.

"Ms. Blanc, I need you to find the people who performed inception."

"I told you, Mr. Browning, this information is more than likely false. Inception is nearly impossible."

"It was done." He said firmly. "I know it. It was performed on Robert."

Jaclyn went completely still. "How can you be sure?"

"I just know. Shortly after his father passed, he changed. He's now possessed by this idea. This idea that he wants to destroy his father's empire."

"With all due respect, Mr. Browning, it's possible that Mr. Fischer simply changed his-"

"No!" Browning suddenly yelled, slamming his fist against the desk. "This isn't the Robert I know. He never would have destroyed his whole inheritance. And on top of that, he's become completely distant from me. All he talks about now is this idea. His mind, has been infiltrated damnnit. I know it."

And just as suddenly, his fit of anger went away.

Jaclyn swallowed before continuing. "Even if this were true, and his mind had been infiltrated. Finding the team that had done so would be incredibly difficult. And if I betrayed them to you, no team would ever hire me again. I would be out of a job forever."

"Which is why I'm willing to pay you eighty million dollars to complete this assignment."

Jaclyn stared at the man across from him like he was insane. "Eighty million?"

"Yes. And I will pay you five million up front, if you accept it."

Jaclyn leaned back in her chair, her mind racing wildly. It was a lot of money. With the correct accountants, she would never have to work again. She could finally relax, and stop being on the run. She could settle down and have a family with somebody, and never have to worry about prying questions into what she was doing. The idea of having an intimate relationship with someone that lasted longer than one night was what intrigued her the most. And the idea that she could actually be a mother.

"And what if I don't succeed? I mean, there's no guarantee that his mind has even been infiltrated." Jaclyn questioned.

"Then you keep the five million and we go our separate ways."

Jaclyn paused again, thinking. It was a tempting offer. No doubt this job could take years to accomplish.

"I'll be traveling a lot in order to complete this job."

"I will cover all of your travel fees. Including hotels."

"I can't guarantee you a time period for the job to be completed in. This could take years." Jaclyn continued.

"I don't care how long it takes. I want to find the people who did this and make them pay. I will show them what happens when you tamper around with people's minds."

Jaclyn paused again, her mind still racing. He was handing her the perfect opportunity to have everything she ever wanted. She would be handing several people over to Browning, though. For him to do whatever he saw fit. Was it worth it? Was it worth the escape she had been seeking for the past several years? She let out a sigh before looking up at Browning and meeting his eyes. "Alright. I accept."

With that, she stood and shook Browning's hand.

"Excellent Ms. Blanc, excellent. I will have the money wire-transferred to you."

Jaclyn nodded, and then turned away from the man. She walked across the office towards the door, and just before she was about to leave, Browning spoke again.

"Ms. Blanc, I will be expecting updates on your progress."

"Of course, Mr. Browning." With that, she walked out of the office and closed the door behind her. She walked as quickly as she could to the elevator. When she reached it, she quickly shut the door and hit the button for the ground floor. As soon as the doors to the elevator closed, she let out a heavy sigh. What in the hell had she gotten herself into?

As soon as Jaclyn was out of sight of the building, she took out her cell phone and quickly dialed a phone number. The phone rang several times before it was answered.

"Hello?"

Jaclyn felt a breath she hadn't known she was holding be released when she heard her friend's voice. "Maya, hey. I need your help."

Jaclyn heard the point-woman on the other line let out an overly dramatic sigh. "What did you get yourself into this time?"

"It's a job." Jaclyn answered quickly. "If I complete it, I may never have to work again."

Maya was silent on the other line for a few seconds. "Alright. Well what can I do to help?"

"I need you to locate every flight, train ride, surgery, boat ride, etcetera that Robert Fischer has been on in the last six months that have lasted at least five hours. And I need to know every single person that was on that flight with him, that train, that boat, and anyone that came near him while he was out for surgery."

"Jesus, Jaclyn. You know that information isn't really easy to get, right?"

"Exactly why I called you."

Jaclyn heard her friend laugh on the other end of the line. "Alright, I'll do my best. But I want a cut."

"Of course. Do you really think I would leave you hanging?"

"You never really know in our line of business. Meet me at Plaza Athenee hotel in Paris in one month with the money, and I'll have your information."

"Alright. See you then."

Jaclyn hung up the phone and hailed a cab. As she climbed into the yellow car, the only thing she could think was, 'It's worth it. It'll all be worth it in the end.'

One month later

Jaclyn felt her heart twist in her chest as the taxi she was in passed the Eiffel Tower. The last time she had come to Paris had been several years prior. She had been much younger, and deeply in love with her at the time fiancé, Ben. She had just stepped into the world that was dream sharing, and she had been blind to all of this world's dangers. Her fiancé had been an extractor, and had been killed after failing to complete a job. Now every place that she had been with him was a sore reminder of what couldn't be.

After her fiancé had died, Jaclyn had promised herself that she wouldn't allow herself to love so long as she was in this lifestyle. It was just too dangerous. In the life, she had no romantic relationships that lasted longer than one night.

The taxi finally arrived at the hotel, and Jaclyn was quick to check in. As she was finished checking in, the clerk subtly handed her a sealed envelope. Jaclyn nodded to the man before proceeding to her room.

The room was lovely, of course. A suite, decorated very elegantly. Jaclyn couldn't help but to smile to herself. This was exactly the kind of decadence that Maya would expect while staying at a hotel. Although, Jaclyn had to admit she wasn't much different. She also appreciated the finer things in life.

As soon as she had shut the door behind herself and locked it, she opened the envelope. She recognized Maya's handwriting immediately.

Jaycee,

La Cour Jardin at six.

Maya

Jaclyn remembered the restaurant distinctly. She had been there with Ben when they had come to Paris.

She let out a sigh and placed the envelope on the end table beside her bed. There was a clock sitting there that read 4:38. She had enough time to get ready before going to dinner.

She showered as quickly as she could before blowing out her hair and changing into a simple red dress for dinner.

She made the restaurant just before six. Of course, another beautiful place. It was an outdoor restaurant, in the center of the hotel. Absolutely gorgeous.

It wasn't any surprise to her that the host took her straight to a table where Maya was sitting. Maya always did like to arrive early.

"Nice to see you again." Maya said simply as Jaclyn walked up.

Jaclyn had always thought of her friend as exceedingly pretty. She was naturally tan, and always kept her brown hair cut short. While Jaclyn had never been able to pull off the look, Maya did it exceedingly well.

Jaclyn took the seat opposite her friend and smiled. "Same to you. It's been way too long."

The two girls exchanged small talk for a while, until the main course arrived. It was then that Maya got down to business. She reached into her purse and quickly pulled out a small flash drive.

"That contains all of the information you asked me to get." Maya said simply, holding up the flash drive before sliding it to her across the table.

Jaclyn nodded. "I can't thank you enough for this."

Maya laughed in response. "I would hope so. That information wasn't easy to get."

There were a few moments of silence before Maya spoke up again. "So what's the job?"

Jaclyn shook her head. "I don't think I can tell you."

"Well, if that list has anything to do with this job, I can tell you that it won't be easy. I had to get a lot of help to get that done. You won't be able to do this alone."

Jaclyn merely crossed her arms and stared intently across the courtyard. "No. I can do this."

Maya rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying that you can't. I'm just saying, it would be a lot easier with some help. I want to get out of this life just as much as you do."

Jaclyn hoped her silence would have been answer enough for Maya, but the woman across from her was not letting up in her stare-down. "I don't want to put you in danger." Jaclyn finally stated. "Extraction jobs are dangerous enough. If anyone from our world finds out what I'm trying to do, I could get killed. If you help me, so could you."

"Jaclyn." Maya began simply. "I know after what happened with Ben," Jaclyn couldn't help but to shift uncomfortably in her seat at the mention of her late fiancé's name. "You have this overwhelming desire to protect other people. But if you try to do whatever this is alone, you're probably going to wind up getting killed. I know you don't want that, and I don't want that."

Jaclyn sat in silence, her arms crossed as she looked at her friend. "Alright, fine. But honestly I'm not even sure it can be done."

Maya immediately perked up very excitedly. "Well what's the job?"

"A major businessman thinks that his godson's mind has been infiltrated. He wants me to find out who did it."

"What, like find the people that extracted information from him?"

"Not quite. Find the people that planted an idea there."

Maya laughed out loud in response. "He thinks someone performed inception on his godson? Did you tell him that he was off his rocker?"

"I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't listen."

"Inception is nearly impossible."

"Nearly." Jaclyn repeated. "And you know the rumor that has been circulating around."

"Yeah, but people always start rumors about inception."

"But this rumor is different. I know it."

Maya was silent for a few moments. "So what exactly is your plan of action?"

"Cross reference every person we know with the people on your list and see if we get any matches." When Maya stared at her incredulously Jaclyn merely shook her head. "I know it's a long shot, but if I do this, I can stop working like this."

"How much is he paying?"

"Eighty Million."

"Jesus." Maya answered quickly. She was quiet for a moment, before she spoke up. "Do you think it's worth it? What's he going to do to these people once you find them?"

Jaclyn met eyes with Maya carefully. "You know what he will do." Torture, would be a good start. Browning seemed hell-bent on revenge. It wasn't likely that he was going to just kill them right off. Whatever happened to these people, it was more like they would endure a lot of punishment before he finally got rid of them.

Maya sat silently. "One last job." She finally stated. "Where the risks are higher than anything we've ever done before." She was quiet again before she answered. "Alright, how about this? You get fifty and I'll get thirty. And together, we finish everything."

"Sounds like a deal." Jaclyn answered.

"Well then we don't have any time to waste."

A/N: Hey guys, thanks for reading chapter one! I was originally planning on making this chapter a little bit longer, but I figured I'd save that up and wait for chapter two.

This story will be Eames/OC, so be prepared. He'll be introduced in the next chapter.

If you liked it so far, please review.

Also, for the character's I do have actresses' in mind for anyone who's curious.

Jaclyn Blanc- Scarlett Johansson

Maya Smith- Halle Berry

And of course, thank you to the Inception soundtrack, which was playing the whole time I wrote this chapter.