Arthur stepped off the airplane feeling incredulous. Somehow, despite all the setbacks, despite Saito's excruciating foray into limbo, despite Cobb's issues with Mal, despite everything – the inception had worked. Of course, it would take some time to know whether the idea had fully implanted, but at this point, he was optimistic, regardless of his normally skeptical nature.

The point man was trying very hard not to dwell on the architect, who always seemed to be tantalizingly at the edge of his vision as they walked through the airport, but he was quickly finding it impossible. As they moved through the lines at customs, he glanced over to see her staring purposefully straight ahead, her posture indicating both fatigue and tension simultaneously. Even from this distance, Arthur could see purple shadows ringing her eyes, and he wondered worriedly how she was holding up.

I'm only concerned because she's a vital part of our team, Arthur attempted to convince himself.

You're in denial, his more passionate nature whispered.

Arthur sighed.


Ariadne had rarely before felt this mentally drained. The combination of events that comprised the last few hours – which of course felt so much longer in the dream world – had exhausted her completely. Despite having been physically asleep for the entirety of the flight, all the architect wanted was to climb into a soft bed. And, preferably, not dream again for a long time.

Unbidden, her gaze wandered to the point man standing in an adjacent customs line. How the hell did he continue to look so impeccable after everything? Not even a single strand of hair was out of place.

"Quick, give me a kiss…"

Ariadne shook her head, as if the physical act could literally dislodge her thoughts. When had she let herself fall for Arthur? Surely she was mature enough not to read into the obviously staged kiss like some lovestruck schoolgirl. And in any case, an emotional attachment to the most emotionally detached member of the team should be the last thing on her mind, especially now that the job was completed. They'd go their separate ways, and Ariadne would probably never see the point man again.

Still, when her cell phone buzzed and she saw the message from Eames – Drinks in an hour at the Radisson, darlings – she could not stop her heart from fluttering just a bit at the thought of seeing Arthur one more time.