2.

~ "That's the power gone." The lady said in the darkened stairwell. A beam of reassuring light cut through the darkness as the lady shone a flashlight at them. She and a tall man marched up the stairs with boxes.

"Son, I'm afraid your stuck here till the plows come through and who knows how long that will be." The lady said as she and her tall husband put boxes on the kitchen counter.

Arthur sighed.

"But don't worry, I have plenty of food stuffs for the both of you. Like I said the heat, stove and hot water are all on gas. So you'll be fine. The Mister here brought up some battery powered lanterns and you already have a fire going. You two should be fine."

"What if the wind knocks out the glass?" Ariadne asked. She could feel the fear welling up inside her as she imagined 'Day After Tomorrow' conditions.

"Don't worry. Double paned and all weather." The lady said. "Now, I got clean bedding and towels for you, soap and things to wash with. You'll both be fine."

"Thank you." Arthur said with a steadfastness Ariadne wished she possessed. "We will be fine."

The Lady and her husband nodded and left them.

Arthur pulled off his coat and turned on one of the battery powered lanterns. Chasing away the darkness.

"I'm sorry about this." Ariadne said realizing he didn't want to be here anymore then she did.

"Not your fault." He sighed. His voice nice and soothing. "Here, take this and get your shower. I'll cook dinner." He said handing her the lantern.

She nodded and grabbed her overnight bag. Like most of the team, she had learned to travel light. Only one bag for baggage claim and a small carry on. The lady had provided soap and shampoo and the Architect said a silent, thankful prayer to the woman.

The bathroom was small, but clean. There were fresh towels and the water came out of the pipes hot and comforting. By the light of the lantern, she stripped herself of her travel weary clothing and soon felt the pleasing sting of water that was almost too hot.

She gladly indulged herself in all her female trappings. She shaved her legs and washed her hair. Spending as much time in the small warm bathroom as she could. She unpacked her pajamas and was glad she had gone to Victoria Secrets before the trip. They were having a sale and she had gotten a very nice set of pink candy colored pajamas. She had been looking forward to wearing them since she got them. They were so soft and felt wonderful on her clean skin.

As she was towel drying her hair a thought struck her.

'There is only one bed. Where is Arthur going to sleep?'

~ It seemed like it took her a long time to finish her bathroom rituals. Maybe she was stalling. When she finally emerged from the bathroom, it was in her pink pajamas and no robe. Cursing herself for not packing one. The little apartment was warm however.

The Point Man had attended a now roaring fire. He had removed his coat and rolled up the sleeves to his dress shirt. Ariadne taking in the view of his fore arms that she rarely glimpsed.

Arthur looked up at her and gave her a small smile.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

"Starving." She said with a nervous smile. She looked at the mattress the Point Man had dragged off the bedframe and placed closer to the fire place. Arthur had even made the bed. It looked extremely cozy and inviting.

"I figured you would be warmer if you were near the fire." Arthur said when she looked at him. He turned his attention back to the fire. She hadn't noticed before, but he had skewed a piece of bread on a poker and was toasting it.

"I thought the stove worked." She asked sitting on the floor bed. It was very warm and comfy here so close to the fire he had capably built.

Arthur smiled and nodded.

"It does. But I've always like cooking on an open fire. Bread, hot dogs, they all taste better this way." He said pulling the toasted bread off the flames and putting some cheese on it. Back into the flames it went and she watched the cheese bubble and burn a little.

"Here you go." He said merrily as she took the hot, too hot, bread off the skewer and almost dropped it.

Arthur was right, simple bread and cheese was better this way. She gave him a happy look as she tried not to drop the gooey cheese on her new sleep clothes. An intense feeling of being protected and cared for washed over her.

"Told you." Arthur said with a smile. "Do you want a hot dog?" He asked forking two hot dogs on the poker.

"Yes, please." She said savoring the taste of the bread and cheese. Watching the Point Man cook for her.

"I got some marshmallows, gram crackers and chocolate from our land lady." Arthur said watching the fire. "I was thinking we could make s'mores."

"Wow, your quite the boy scout." Ariadne laughed. She was suddenly very happy to be snowed in at with the Point Man.

"Made it all the way to Eagle." Arthur said giving her a three finger salute.

"I could have you build me a tent here in the living room." She laughed as she nibbled on the bread and cheese.

Arthur laughed. A sincere laugh as he expertly cooked the hot dogs.

"I called Cobb and told him I was stuck in another hotel. That you were safe. I think it's best if we don't tell the team were stuck together. We don't want them... assuming things." He said formally.

Ariadne nodded. Grateful for the Point Man's infallible discretion. It would not do to have Cobb and the others knowing they were trapped together.
"Thank you." She said softly and he nodded. "You left your bags at the hotel. Your clothes" She added sadly.

"I'll be fine." He told her. "I know it's hard to believe, but I can rough it for a few days."

"I don't believe it." She said honestly. Fighting a smile. "Your always welcome to borrow something of mine."

He turned to her. She bit her lower lip and gave him a rueful look with her eyes.
"I think I'll pass." He said warmly. "But thank you."

She watched him finish cooking their hot dogs as she made some hot coco on the stove. Their little apartment was warm and comfortable at the wind howled outside.

~ "Arthur?" She asked tentatively. He looked up at her. A large dab of chocolate on his face. She smiled and wiped it off. S'mores were the messiest thing in the world but they were proving the best desert she had ever eaten.

"Um... how are we going to do the sleeping arrangements?" She asked not looking at him. She felt like she was falling into a deep well of embarrassment.
"Well, let me see..." He said scanning the room. "There is one bed, and no other furniture. There are two of us... two goes into one... let me think..." He said looking like he was solving a very complex math problem.

"Alright, very funny." Ariadne said. The warmth of the fire and her dinner making her feel very safe and content.
"I promise I'll be a gentleman." He said placing his hand on his chest.

She couldn't help but grin at him. Pulling her blanket closer to her. Liking the idea of him in the bed with her.

"Scout's honor?" She asked intending to tease him. A deep blush coming over her.

"If that's what you need." He looked sad for a moment. Then held up three fingers. "Scout's honor."