Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Ariadne blinked, and began to sit up. She stiffened, convinced she heard footsteps, then decided it was a trick of her imagination.

She pulled the IV out of her arm, and swallowed. Breaking away from the dreams was becoming harder, and harder. In her fantasies, Arthur was so subservient to her needs. He knew exactly what she wanted, and was prepared to give it to her.

She stood up, rubbed her arm, and began to gather her things to leave. She bit her lip, lost in thoughts. It was about half eight. Arthur and his "business meeting" would still be in conversation. Perhaps she would be gently caressing his foot under the table. Perhaps he would be looking into her eyes, perhaps even touching her fa-

She shook her head, trying to stop the flow of intrusive, hurtful thoughts. Arthur, she thought, would never be interested in her, it was silly to even be jealous of the woman he was with. She rubbed her forehead, feeling the stirrings of a headache. She had to go home, take a shower, eat something-

Suddenly, a rebellious feeling stirred her. It was only half eight. She still had time. The Architect smiled to herself - Yusuf had taught her how to measure out the correct dosages of sedative. She walked back over to the PASIV, and carefully re-adjusted it. Sliding the IV back into her arm, she laid on the lounger, and pressed the button.


Arthur began to walk down the street, hugging the files to his chest. He felt deflated by the evening, and at a loose end. He shifted the files, trying to ensure none of the papers inside came loose. If anyone found out the secrets within, that would be it.

He sighed inwardly. Part of the problem with the evening, he thought, was that he could not discuss his job with her. He would have to lie, wrapping himself in more guarded secrets. The Point Man bit his lip - he believed in being scrupulously honest, yet the most important area of his life was something to be kept completely closed.

A thought tugged at his mind. His honesty, he mused, was lacking in another area.

Ariadne.

A smile began to lift the corners of his mouth. She was lovely - thoughtful, intelligent, and talented at what she did. And, he thought, modest. He thought back to his date that evening. So forward, he thought with a slight shudder. He loved to surprise a woman, build the attraction. Being pulled into bed after a couple of hours was not what he wanted.

Ariadne, he thought, would be sweet. She'd allow him to wine and dine her, and then, after a short while -

He shook his head, and stopped walking. He had to get a grip on himself, he grumbled under his breath. He adjusted the file, intent on getting it home and finishing the profile on the mark. He squeezed the file, then blinked.

It was thinner than he expected. Blinking, he peeled down the top corner.

It was the wrong file.

Arthur cursed himself. He'd been pre-occupied, hence the mistake. He checked his watch. 8.35. Still time to head back, and pick up the right file. Turning, he began to hurry back to the warehouse.


"Bend over the desk."

Smiling to herself, Ariadne did so. She badly wanted this. She felt Arthur's hands fall down her back, and reach her buttocks, where they cupped them. She swallowed, and waited.

"You know why I'm doing this?" He said quietly, his voice low and deep in her ear.

"Yes." She nodded.

"You spilled my coffee this morning."

"I know." She could feel herself tensing, the excitement causing her to moisten. Suddenly, she heard the sharp rush of air as his hand was drawn back, and slapped her buttocks. She caught her breath - the impact was harder than she expected.

"I'm not sorry," she said, her tone almost defiant. She heard another rush of air, and gasped at the impact.

"Enough?" His tone was questioning, but she heard the force underneath. She turned, and smiled, impishly.

"No." She shook her head. "I'm not sorry. I just wish I'd poured it over you files."

He drew his hand back, and spanked her again. She felt the heat of his hand through the fabric of her jeans.

"Ariadne," he whispered. "All you need to do is apologise."


Arthur hurried up the stairs, and pushed open the door of the main room. He stopped, and blinked.

Ariadne. Still stretched out, attached to the PASIV. Frowning, he dropped the files on the desk. What is she doing? he wondered. As far as he was aware, Cobb hadn't asked her to undertake any research within a dream. He scratched his chin, and looked at her.

He felt his pulse beginning to rise. He had wondered recently if the Architect was all right. She'd been looking tired, and had mumbled that she wasn't sleeping. He'd also noticed that she'd been trying to do little things lately- making him coffee. He'd found it sweet.

Now, the Point Man looked down at her, feeling concerned. Sitting down on the lounger next to her, he pulled out the IV, and plugged it into his arm.


"You enjoyed that?" Arthur whispered, leaning over her. She nodded, a smile appearing on her face. "Oh, yes."

"Can you switch?" he asked, his voice throaty. She looked up at him. "Can you switch?" he asked, running his hand over her back. "Could you do it to me?"

She began to straighten up. "You want me to...?"

"Would you?" he whispered again, his voice low. She shook her head. "No," she replied, her tone honest. "I couldn't. But-" she allowed a teasing smile to play over her face. "You don't do that very well. I barely felt it."

Anger was beginning to flash in his eyes. "Excuse me?"

"You didn't do that very well," Ariadne whispered. "I barely felt it."

He put his hands on her shoulders, and turned her round, so she was bending back over the desk. "Really? Trust me, I can do better than that."

As the stinging slap was delivered, she cried out in pleasure.


Arthur blinked. He was in the warehouse, and he turned, unsure of where to go. This is all she dreams about? he thought, slightly incredulous.

Suddenly, he heard a sound. A gasp. Of near pain. He began to walk, and pushed open a door.

Ariadne. Bent over a desk, fully clothed. Being spanked. His eyes widened with shock when he saw who was delivering the blows, and widened further when he realised the look on her face was one of pure bliss. He stood stock still, watching as his own projection spanked the Architect, a sensation that was causing her to writhe beneath him.

Stunned, he took a step back, and began to hurry out of the room. He'd timed himself for two minutes, and as the ground began to shake, a sense of relief flooded through him.

He blinked, his eyes opening. As he sat up, he turned to look at the Architect, still stretched out beside him. He shook his head, not able to reconcile what he had just seen with the sweet faced young woman lying next to him. Biting his lip, his emotions surging, he ripped out the IV, and began to leave the warehouse.

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