Usual disclaimer, I don't own Inception. If I did, there would probably be a sequel or trilogy.
—O—
Eames' house
February 2
15:01:22 hours
A small and inconspicuous blue pickup came to a gradual stop before the house with the number 4507, and shortly after the engine died the doors opened to reveal the point-man with his slicked black hair and a young redheaded woman exit the car before slamming the doors shut.
"Are you alright?" Arthur asked, his expression showing light concern. Miriam gave him a small smile of reassurance, only to wince as one of her bruises stung her in response.
"I'll be alright… a couple days' worth of rest should do the trick, unless you've got some quick-healing cream." The redhead held back a shudder at the last couple days' events, which included but weren't limited to her kidnapping, escape, and rescue. Her mentor looked her over to make sure she wasn't about to pass out or something before nodding and gesturing with his head to the house they stood in front of.
"Are you sure?" The man's dark eyes briefly flicked to her before focusing on the house that they now approached. Miriam raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to respond, only to take in a hissing breath as her adrenaline rush finally died to let the pain from her injuries seep through.
"Just… just get me inside." Arthur noticed immediately and moved closer to her side, placing one hand around her waist while the other slung her arm over his shoulder. Together, the two headed for the house, pausing at the door to knock, first three times, a pause, and then twice more.
Eames had thrown himself onto the couch and was about to relax when someone knocked on the door. "What luck…" he muttered to himself, but whatever thoughts and witty remarks he had in mind vanished when he listened to the rhythm of the knock. Three, a pause, and then two more. The Forger stood and walked to the door, his hand pausing at the handle.
"What time did you say the party started?" Eames asked through the door. If the people on the other side answered correctly, he would open it for them. He could hear someone mutter, 'you have got to be kidding me' before the reply came.
"Between half past nine and a quarter to eight." Eames quickly unlocked the door and opened it, his usual demeanor replaced by worry when he saw Miriam.
"Blimey, what happened to you, love?" Eames quickly moved out of the entrance of the door to let the two pass.
"She was kidnapped," Arthur replied as he gently lay Miriam down on the couch, the redhead groaning in response as she winced.
"Again?" Eames questioned as he headed to get medical supplies from the kitchen.
Arthur sighed, "this is the second time in two weeks…" He paused, his brow furrowing in some concern, "someone knows." Miriam, despite being in some pain, stared wide-eyed at her mentor.
"How is that possible? I've told no one," she hoarsely replied. Eames returned with a first aid kit, some crackers and a glass of water, and now looked between the two of them with a confused expression.
"You haven't told anyone what?" As he spoke, he placed the crackers and water on the coffee table before beginning to start cleaning and dressing Miriam's wounds.
"Tanager," Arthur began, using her codename while ignoring Eames, "you have to tell me. Who all knows?"
"Knows what?" Eames butted in as he finished patching up a gash on the redhead's arm. Miriam glanced at Arthur.
"The only person I've told is you," she replied, "not even my sister knows about it."
"You know how dangerous things can get if someone catches wind of it."
"Yeah, I know," the redhead replied, lifting one of her arms to show the bandage. "What I don't know is who could possibly have discovered it."
"Can someone please fill me in on this?" Eames demanded as he crossed his arms. "I'd like to help, but if you two keep on playing keep-away there isn't much I can do." Arthur sighed before opening his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. It was a different pattern, four rapid knocks, two slow ones, followed by two fast ones. Eames' head turned when the knock sounded, and looked between Miriam and Arthur before moving to the door. As he did so, the Point Man turned his gaze to Miriam.
"We have to tell the rest of the team. This has gone on far too long," the redhead stated in a low voice as Eames asked their guest a question to prove their identity.
"I know," Arthur replied in an equally quiet tone, "but it could make them just as big of a target as you."
"If we don't tell them, they can't help me, and I could end up much worse off." Miriam shook away the disturbing thought of what people could do to her out of her mind.
Arthur placed a hand on top of hers in a reassuring manner, "don't worry, Mir, we'll figure this out." The quiet conversation ended when none other than Cobb walked over to them, a small smile replaced by slight worry. "She'll be fine, Dom," Arthur replied in a normal voice.
The Extractor's body relaxed some, "that's good to hear. Ariadne's on her way, she should be here-"
Knock knock knock.
"-right about now," Dom finished. Eames moved to the door for a third time, going through the routine of asking a question to prove the knocker's identity. As he did so, Cobb knelt by the couch as Arthur stood to gaze out one of the windows with crossed arms. Something was bothering their Point Man, but Dom couldn't tell what. He briefly turned his attention to Arthur's protégé on the couch. "How are you doing?"
"Honestly, I've been better," Miriam replied as she slowly sat upright. She reached for the glass of water and took a long sip as the Architect entered the room and gave a nod to everyone.
"Would anyone like some drinks?" Eames offered.
"Water, thanks," Ariadne replied. Dom nodded his head, gesturing that he'd have water as well, and Eames turned his head to the Point Man gazing out the window.
"Arthur?" The black-haired man blinked and turned his head long enough to reply.
"Nothing for me, thank you." And with that, his head swiveled back to stoically stare out the window. Eames shrugged before exiting to get the requested drinks while his guests sat in silence. When he came back a moment later he handed the Architect and the Extractor their drinks, the two of them nodding their thanks in unison before the Forger sat on the couch next to Miriam.
"So, what's going on?" Eames casually asked, taking a sip of his coke.
"We've got a problem," came the reply from the Point Man.
