AN: Wow. Seriously forgot about this story. Please pardon that.

:-)

Not sure how well this chapter connects to the last one quite honestly, but this is just what flowed, so here it is. Another chapter. Go me! WOOT!


Summery: Eames feels that Arthur lacks a healthy dose of adrenaline, but it isn't that easy to get it into his system.

Lack There Of

Chapter Three: Paris, France

Ah, beautiful Paris, France. Being here gave Arthur a warm feeling, almost like being home. Eames could almost say the same thing.

Almost.

It wasn't that he didn't like Paris, per se, but it just seemed too, what was the word—idealistic, maybe? He wasn't quite sure. Though it was a beautiful sight and easy on the eyes, it lacked certain amount of excitement.

He and Arthur were merely sitting on a quaint little bench just big enough for two. They were in the heart of a little park. People were walking and talking. Well, projections, more or less, walking and talking, being merry. It was all very nice to look at.

Eames turned his head to look at Arthur. He was merely people watching. His face looked calm as his eyes nonchalantly roamed about. Arthur felt the eyes on the side of his head. He in turn turned to look back. He then made the decision that Eames looked very handsome at the present moment. The light was hitting his face just right. And the slight smile he had on his face wasn't so much of a smirk, but the smile someone thinking would have.

"So Mr. Eames, you like what you see?"

"More than you know, darling." His smile changed and turned into its usual smirk.

Arthur almost smiled at the cheeky remark, and Eames could've sworn he saw the upturn of lips on the point man's face.

Arthur quickly got up and started walking along the narrow stone path. Eames was quick to follow him. He kept close, purposely letting their shoulders brush.

"So Arthur, what is on the schedule for today, hm?"

"I was thinking we'd take a trip to the Eiffel Tower."

Eames face fell a little. It wasn't exactly an exciting prospect, but he decided for the present moment to let Arthur lead. He wanted for him to be comfortable. But he let the sarcasm seep into his voice just a little when he voiced his opinion about it.

"Ah, the Eiffel Tower. Quite the adventure if I do say so myself."

Arthur kept his eyes in front of him.

"A little more than adventurous, wouldn't you say?"

Eames could hear something in the point man's voice. It sounded like he had a plan, and Eames very well wanted to know what it was, so he refrained from making any more sarcastic remarks. For now.

"I guess we'll just play follow the leader, than."

It was then Arthur hailed a cab. It was a rather old fashioned car, accompanied by a driver who was probably either as old as or older than the car itself.

Arthur told the old man where to go in perfect French, making Eames think of French maids, and how Arthur would look if he dressed as one. He quickly shook the thought out of his mind though because he could feel his face turning pink. He hoped desperately Arthur missed it.

Once they made it to the tower, they went straight to the elevator to ride up nearly one hundred stories. When they reached the top, Eames looked to Arthur once again. He had just a ghost of a smile on his face. It charmed Eames to no end, but it wasn't enough. He wanted to see him laughing. He wanted to see Arthur throw his head back in fits like the one time Eames witnessed in his life. It felt like it happened years ago. Though in hindsight, it probably wasn't all that long ago, though it could have been. Eames sense of time was slightly off with all the artificial dreaming he did these days.

Making their way to the ledge, Arthur casually crossed his arms, leaning them on the surface before him, crossing his legs behind him, looking beyond the fence that kept them from falling to near certain death. Eames leaned his back against the fence, hands casually in his pockets.

"Eames," said Arthur, turning to look at the man next to him.

"Yes, love?"

They merely looked at each other for a few moments. Arthur truly wanted to tell him so many things, how he liked Eames more than he knew. But he was afraid to. He'd kept up this mask he wore so well for so long; he was scared to take it off. But for Eames he almost did.

He turned his face back to the view.

"I'm glad you're here with me."

Eames turned around, mimicking Arthur's position.

"Me too, darling."

He scooted closer to Arthur until he could feel the slight pressure of the others shoulder next to him. Arthur wouldn't admit it quite yet, but he leaned into the contact just a little bit. Eames could feel it though. It was nice.

…

Eyes fluttered open.

Arthur couldn't believe that what he and Eames just dreamed wasn't real. It was just so perfect and wonderful. He never wanted to let it go. He slowly pulled the needle from his arm and rolled back down his sleeve, buttoning the cuffs.

He was still in a laying position, but when he looked up, he saw Eames standing over him, offering his hand. Arthur took it, holding on tight. Then he was standing in front of Eames. Rather closely, too. But Arthur did not move back, nor did he let go of forger's hand.

The moment felt very intimate to both Eames and Arthur. Eames then took Arthurs hand, giving the back and palm a tender kiss. Arthur's breath hitched for a moment. But he recovered himself.

"Well, I wonder when the rest of the team will get here."

Eames had completely forgotten about them. So he merely shrugged.

"I could care less, really. As long you're here, I'm content."


AN: Any spelling mistakes? Grammatical errors? Hit me up and let me know folks!

:-D