Disclaime: Inception does not belong to me. Reviews and readers all very much appreciated!

Ariadne's fingers twitched near the phone. Taking a deep breath, she reached for it. She wanted to call home, badly. Suddenly, gentle fingers grasped it, and put the payphone back on its hook.

"Sorry, sweetheart," a nurse said, apologetically. "No calls allowed unless authorised."

She nodded, and exhaled. Slowly and unhappily, she made her way back to the day room. Several others were scattered around the room, and when she noticed Eames and Robert, she shuddered. She scanned her surroundings, and made a decision to sit away from them.

She settled into a chair, which had a few limp magazines on a table next to it. She picked one up, and started to leaf through the dog-eared pages. Suddenly, she realised someone was sitting next to her.

She turned. Dom.

"Hi," he spoke hesitantly, as though he were unsure of her. She nodded, and then looked back at the magazine.

He spoke again. "Its Ariadne, right?"

"Yes."

"So…" he paused. "How long have you been here?"

She swallowed. "A few days."

"Its hard, at first. But then you-" he broke off, noting that tears were glistening in her eyes. "I'm sorry. Here." He pulled a tissue out of his pocket, and offered it to her.

"Thank you." She blew her nose, and felt herself shudder. She checked her watch. 2.30pm. It was Thursday. She should, by rights, be sitting in her Spanish class, listening to Mrs Ray try and drill them in the finer points of grammar. She should be sitting next to Ceciley, her best friend, trying not to notice her scribbling notes to one of the boys. She should be looking forward to the Spring Fling. She should be going to band practice, not sitting in here. She wiped her eyes, and smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about." Dom's voice was gentle. "It gets to you."

"How long have you-"

"About a month. I was in another wing, then they transferred me over here."

"Does anyone come and visit you?"

He sighed. "My parents don't. My girlfriend does, though. Her father comes with her."

"Why don't your parents…?" She broke off, fearing the question too intrusive.

"They don't like having a crazy son. They took me to a psychiatrist, who told them that I was clearly delusional. But everybody dreams…so if I'm delusional, everyone else is as well."

There was a slight ripple in the room. Ariadne and Cobb looked over. Saito was leading Arthur back in. His cheek was bruised, but aside from that, he looked fine.

"OK," Saito's voice was gentle. "Just go back in, and behave as normally as possible."

Arthur's lips twisted. "Normal? Here?"

Saito's face darkened slightly. "Arthur."

"OK, I'm sorry." Arthur nodded. "I will do."

"Good." Saito let go of Arthur's arm. Dom looked over. The thin figure hunched slightly, as though he didn't want to draw attention to himself.

"Arthur!" Dom raised his hand. "Over here!"

"Do you two know each other?" Ariadne's curiousity was piqued.

"He came a few days ago. Just before you. He won't tell anyone why he's here, but I doubt its just because he beat someone up."

Arthur walked over to the others. "Hey."

"Have a seat."

"Thanks." Arthur was taciturn. Dom tried again.

"You ok?"

"Yes." He looked at Dom. "It hurts a bit, but frankly, I would have done it again."

Dom tried not to smile. "He really winds you up, huh?"

"I just don't like it when people behave that way. No-one's interested in why we're here – all anyone should be interested in is when we get out."

Dom fell silent.

"Thank you," Ariadne turned to Arthur. "Thank you for yesterday."

He shrugged. "Don't mention it."

"No, I mean-" she swallowed. "What they were saying was really hurtful, and you stuck up for me, and-"

She paused. Arthur's dark eyes had clouded. "I would have stuck up for anyone."

"Oh," she blushed. She faltered; uncertain of what she could say next, she dropped her eyes to her magazine.

"Well, isn't this cosy."

Ariadne's head snapped up. Eames was standing over them. His face was like thunder.

"You," he growled, pointing at Arthur. "How a skinny little runt like you thinks he can beat me in a fight, I don't-"

Arthur got to his feet, and calmly stared at Eames.

"I didn't just think I could beat you." His voice was frighteningly still. "I did. I got you on the floor. Or did landing on it knock the rest of your tiny brain out?"

Eames glared, and raised his hands to shove Arthur, when suddenly, another voice broke in.

"Leave it." It was Robert. "He's…not worth it, Eames, trust me."

"No," Eames' voice was sullen. "He just wanted to take a pop, because he thought I'd try it on with his girlfriend…"

Arthur bristled, but didn't say anything. Ariadne was scarlet. One of the male nurses – Ryan – was starting to hover towards the little group.

"Arthur." Cobb was tugging on his sleeve. "Come on, sit down."

Arthur did so, but he was like a coiled spring. Ariadne felt uncomfortable. She turned to him. "Look, do you-"

"Do I what?" He exploded. "Like movies? Bands? History? Yes, I do! I'm just a teenager who is here because he did something, that's all! Like you, like all of us! There's nothing wrong with any of us, but the longer you stay here, the longer you think there is!"

Ariadne fell silent. Cobb twitched. Suddenly, Saito appeared.

"OK, please make your way for therapy." His voice had a deep resonance. "May I ask that you are to behave appropriately at all times."

The group started to get up. As they shuffled into the therapy room, a dismal one decorated in magnolia, they notice an extra chair, and extra member.

"Everyone," Saito said gently, "this is Yusuf."