Wow lot's of great reviews! I hope I don't disappoint you!


Day 2

Eames insisted that he needed to go to the bookstore again- it was the only place he could see Arthur. While Cobb wasn't necessarily forced into going, he most certainly didn't join Eames by choice.

Ariadne greeted them cheerfully, pointing out Arthur to Eames and continued on her work. Cobb brought his children this time, Phillipa and James, and the three of them went to the children's section.

"Arthur," Eames greeted, leaning against the bookshelf, "How are you today?"

"I was fine until you showed up," Arthur said dryly, "And yourself?"

"Oh, you wound me, darling," Eames dramatically placed a hand over his heart, "But do not worry, it is forgiven."

"Mr. Eames," Arthur turned, "What is it you want from me? Other than my phone number."

"I would settle for lunch," Eames responded promptly, "I won't even try anything. Consider it a friendly offer- a chance to get to know you."

Arthur considered it. Perhaps it would be best. Go out to lunch with Eames, just this once, and perhaps he'll get off his back and leave him alone.

"Very well, Mr. Eames," Arthur said, "My lunch break is at 12:45. I expect you to meet me here at that exact time or I will leave without you."

"I will be here."

"And no funny business, or I will leave," Arthur threatened.

"Wouldn't dream of it, darling," Eames winked and walked over to Cobb.

He was sitting in the children's section, James perched on his lap with Dr. Seuss opened in front of them. Phillipa was a few feet away, diligently searching in a Where's Waldo book.

"Done and done!" Eames announced, sitting next to Cobb.

"So you have a lunch date," Cobb said, "That was not part of the bet."

"Patience, my dear friend," Eames said, "A lunch date today can be sex in the alley way next week."

"Eames!" Cobb said, covering James's ears, "Watch your mouth!"

"You can't keep your kids innocent forever," Eames said, "They're going to hear about it someday."

"Not today," Cobb growled, "Why don't you go annoy someone else?"

"Uncle Eames can help me find Waldo," Phillipa spoke up, "He's good at finding people."

Eames grinned, cocky, as he slid over to help Phillipa.


"Do you think he'll show up?" Ariadne asked Arthur as they organized boxes, "Eames I meant. Do you think he's going to show up for lunch?"

"Without a doubt," Arthur muttered, "Hopefully that will be enough for him to leave me alone."

"You really believe that will work?" Ariadne leaned against a stack of boxes filled with Harry Potter, "One lunch date and Eames will leave you alone?"

"First, it's not a date, and second, yes," Arthur said.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because it's always worked before."

"Except with Summer," Nash threw in, walking through the door, "One date and BAM love-stuck idiot." he turned to face Ariadne, "And Ari, an old lady needs some help and demands that you assist her or something."

Ariadne nodded, gave Arthur a meaningful look, and left the backroom.

"I thought we'd never speak of that again," Arthur glared at Nash, "Ever."

"Look man, it's your fault for believing in all that fantasy crap," Nash popped his gum, "I don't know how you can believe there is some soul mate out there for you."

"There is," Arthur insisted, "You just have to search hard enough."

"And this new girl, Autumn, she's the one?"

Arthur looked at the box he was opening, filled with Pride and Prejudice, "I don't know yet. After Summer..."

"Yeah, I know," Nash ran a hand through his hair, "Anyway, it's near your lunch break, why not get off early? We can handle the store without you surprisingly."

Arthur rolled his eyes, "If the store has book forts again I will never forgive you."

"There's a good Arthur, now, off to lunch."

Arthur grabbed his jacket and went off to find Eames, much to his discomfort.


They ended up at a sandwich shop down the street. Eames insisted he was buying, and easily dished out the twenty for their lunch.

"So, Arthur, tell me about yourself," Eames said, sitting them down in a corner booth.

"What is there to tell?" Arthur said, "I work at a bookstore, not much else."

"You have to have hobbies and interests," Eames insisted, "Here, I'll start."

He took a sip of his soda before continuing.

"My name is William Eames," he started, "Don't laugh at my name. I enjoy painting, swimming, and casinos. Your turn."

"My name is Arthur Callahan," Arthur said, mimicking Eames, "You are not allowed to laugh at my name either. I like to run with my dog, read, and cook."

"There! Now was that so hard?"

Arthur chose to roll his eyes and take a bite of his sandwich. Eames smirked and ate his own. Minutes passed by in silence, the other patrons conversations creating a small thrum of noise.

"I have a question, Mr. Eames," Arthur started.

"First, you call me Eames," Eames said, "Or else we might start having a problem."

Arthur laughed lightly.

"Well then, Eames," Arthur continued, "I have a question."

Eames nodded his approval, taking a monstrous bite.

"Why are you so interested in me?"

Eames stopped for a moment, then looked up at Arthur with his sandwich halfway to the plate, his eyes wide. He swallowed, and thought for a moment.

"You interest me," Eames admitted, "You're so stiff and professional and I consider it a challenge to make people like you, let's say... unwind a bit."

"Please Eames," Arthur said, "You can at least humor me with the truth."

"The truth?" Eames repeated, leaning back against the wall, "What's the truth anymore?"

He hummed as he ran various reason through his mind. He couldn't come out and tell Arthur his true motive for being so interested in him- that would ruin the entire bet! He certainly couldn't tell Arthur that Ariadne suggested he needed a friend- that felt like a betrayal of her trust.

"Honestly," Eames leaned forward, his face serious, "I think we'd be friends, you and I, and what better way to figure that out than by eating lunch together?"

That was partially the truth. Eames could live with that.

"Very well Eames," Arthur said, "Consider this the beginning of a friendship."

Eames grinned.

He was so going to win this bet.