Hey guys! Sorry for the semi long wait again. I would have had this up sooner but I haven't had the time. But it is up now, so yeah.

So you finally get to see Arthur and Eames interact with each other in this one, so get excited. =)

Anyways, hope you all enjoy! And once again, I do not own anything except for my mistakes and Gabriella. ;-)


Chapter 4: Visitor

Eames was standing in his office going over his project for the hundredth time. Some of his co-workers came up with some ideas so he was going through those and seeing if any of them really caught his eye.

He was still waiting for the budget from Arthur. But, according to Yusuf, Arthur was going through everything. Yusuf wouldn't tell him much about it, just that Arthur had been examining his project on one of his visits.

And that was something. Eames had always assumed that Arthur just came up with a number and didn't even look at the project. This made Eames a little bit happier. At least Arthur did his job.

Eames had it narrowed down the ideas to three when Gabriella came strolling in like she owned the place.

"Hello Belden." Eames rolled his eyes. Of course. She seemed to be in a chipper mood. Lately she had been in horrible moods because she was still after Arthur's job but it seemed that Saito had no inclinations to fire Arthur anytime soon.

"I told you not to call me that." He turned and saw Gabriella smirking at him.

"Why not? Does it bother you?"

"It gives off the idea that we are friendly with each other which is simply not the case. Don't want people getting the wrong ideas."

"Harsh." Gabriella replied as she sat down.

"Why are you here? Can't you see that I am quite busy? I really don't need to be disturbed by whatever petty thing you came to discuss."

"I can see that you are busy but I simply choose to ignore it."

"Gabriella…."

"Today is Friday."

"Yes," Eames replied, walking over and sitting down. He had a feeling this conversation was going to last way longer than he needed it too. She wouldn't leave until he had heard whatever she had to say to him. "I know what day it is. I am not a complete imbecile."

"Don't be a smartass." Gabriella replied, glaring over at him. Eames almost wanted to laugh. He usually humored her but today he just wasn't feeling it.

"Sorry, please, do continue."

"Well, today is Friday, and well, there is this new bar that opened not too far from here…" Eames almost laughed. She was asking him out. She finally got the nerve to fully ask him out. He really did want to laugh at her stupidity of thinking he would accept, but he didn't need her to get upset with him and cause a scene. That was the last thing he wanted.

"Gabriella…"

"Come on Eames, I am the most attractive person at the company, why the hesitation."

"I beg to differ on that particular statement." Eames replied before he really thought about what exactly he had said. Shit. He had just screwed everything up.

"Excuse me? Who else is more attractive than me? Is it Arthur? Because I am sure he is not more attractive than me, especially now."

"Don't get me wrong, Gabriella, you are quite beautiful. And I have never seen Arthur so I don't know what he even looks like."

"Then why won't you go out with me?" She was throwing a fit like a three year old. But that didn't mean Eames was going to give in.

"Looks aren't everything, Gabriella. And besides, I am quite busy. I simply don't have the time for dates and things like that even if I did want to."

"Eames, come on. We can just skip the date and go right to the sex." Eames did laugh at that. Of course. "What is so funny?"

"I just, what exactly will you accomplish by sleeping with me? It seems that is really all you want. If you want sex, I am sure there are countless men in the city that would gladly sleep with you."

"No, Eames, it isn't just sex. If we were to date, we would be the most amazing couple in this company, hell, even the whole city. It would be amazing, and everyone would be envious of us."

"So, I am just a prize to you?"

"What? No. Eames, don't over analyze this." He was definitely not overanalyzing this. He had known her for years. He knew exactly who she was and what she wanted.

"Gabriella, regardless of whatever your motives are, I cannot go out with you tonight. I am busy and have things that need to be done."

"Fine." She said as she stood up and stormed out of the room. She was just impossible. The least she could do is make it seem like she was a little bit interested in him for just him. Not just his looks. He hated people who liked him just for what he looked like. He wanted them to like who he was as well.

And she really wonders why he always refuses her advances.


"You wanted to see me?" Eames says as he walks into Yusuf's office. Yusuf's office had become quite the mess since the last time he was in here. It looked like a tornado went through it.

"Yes. Good. Come in." Yusuf said as he stood up. He looked a little frantic.

"Yusuf, is something wrong?"

"I just need a huge favor to ask of you."

"Okay."

"Well, you see, my wife is on bed rest now."

"Oh, is the baby alright?" Eames asked. He knew that Yusuf's wife was pregnant and the pregnancy had not been a very complicated one.

"Yes. Everything is fine. They just don't want her to move around too much. So, I am taking time off to be with her until the baby comes."

"Alright. So, what do you need me to do?" Yusuf was silent for a few moments before lifting up the silver briefcase.

"I need you to take Arthur his medicine."

"No." Eames said standing up. "No, Yusuf, I can't…"

"Come on, please. I can't trust anyone else. Arthur trusts me. I already told him I would be sending someone else whom I trusted. Please Eames. You are the only one I know who can do this."

"I am nowhere near qualified for this."

"Eames, come on. You can't tell me that you haven't researched stuff like this before." Eames sighed. He had. When he was younger he did a small con that involved being in the medical field. But still…

"Arthur hates me, Yusuf. He will not want me there."

"He doesn't know what you look like. Anyways, if he wants his medicine, he will deal with it." Eames let out a small sigh. He didn't want to do this, but Yusuf needed him. And this was what friends do. They help each other.

"Fine. I will do it."

"Great!" Yusuf walked over and pulled Eames into a small hug. "Okay! Let's get you caught up with what you need to do." Eames just nodded as Yusuf opened the briefcase and started explaining everything.

But all Eames could really think of was what had he gotten himself into?


As Eames pulled up the driveway of Arthur's house, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. Yusuf had explained everything to him about five times and even let him practice on a dummy that he just so happened to have in his office a few times. Eames felt confident when he left Yusuf's office, but now, that confidence just drained from him.

But something had been bugging Eames all the way here. How could Arthur trust Yusuf to just pick some random guy to give him medicine that supposedly saves his life or something? Eames would never trust someone that much. There were too many stakes involved.

But what Eames was even more nervous about was that he would get to see what happened to Arthur. What his cursed self looked like. Yusuf had explained it but it was different from actually seeing him. Eames didn't know if he could handle it.

Yusuf had given him a small lecture about being polite and not mentioning it to Arthur, and Eames could attempt to do that. He didn't make any promises. It would be hard. Eames had no idea how bad it was. He couldn't help what comes out of his mouth sometimes.

He parked his car and took a deep breath. He could do this. He had done things like this a million times. He stepped out of his car and stopped when he saw Arthur's house.

He had heard stories about it but they did not do the house justice. This place was a castle, like a real castle. It was crazy. That house was big enough to house ten families, maybe more.

And Eames really didn't know how he had never seen this house before. How do you miss a castle?

Eames took a deep breath. He could do this. He could. And hopefully it wouldn't become permanent. Yusuf said that perhaps it would be for a week. Eames could survive a week.

He grabbed the silver briefcase and made his way to the door, at least what he thought was the front door. He rang the doorbell and just waited. It wasn't long before the door opened.

Eames didn't really know what he was expecting, but it wasn't a small girl. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Hello." She said and Eames couldn't help but smile.

"Hello. My name is Mr. Eames. I am here to give Arthur his medicine. Yusuf sent me."

"Ah, right. Come in. We have been expecting you." Eames just nodded as he walked passed her inside and looked around.

Inside was just beautiful. It was just as Eames would have imagined it and more. There was antique furniture everywhere. Eames wondered how long it took Arthur to acquire all of these things. Eames felt like he stepped right into a magazine page.

"Phillipa?" Eames looked over and saw a man walk into the room. He assumed it was Dom Cobb. Yusuf had told him that Dom lived with Arthur. "Oh," The man said as he noticed Eames. "You must be the man Yusuf asked the come. I'm Dominic Cobb."

"Belden Eames." Dom paused for a second.

"Eames?"

"Yes."

"Interesting." Dom said and Eames didn't know what he meant by that. "You work with Arthur."

"Yes, although I have yet to meet the man." Eames replied with a gentle laugh even though he was nervous as hell.

"Well, you will get to meet him now. His room is up the stairs and the first one on the right. Knock before you go in." Eames just nodded and walked up the stairs.

He couldn't help the sudden feeling of dread that came over him as he walked up the stairs. He and Arthur didn't have the best relationship. He hated Arthur and Arthur hated him. And that was just through emails. Who knew what it would be like face to face?

Yet here he was, going to give medicine to him. Would Arthur even let him give him the medicine? He probably would since he needed it, but he would probably make things difficult by insulting Eames and maybe decrease his budget even more. Really nothing new, except it would be in person now.

He reached the top of the stairs and walked up to the first door to the right. He was about to knock when the door swung open.

Eames looked up and came face to face with what was now Arthur.

"Who the fuck are you?" Arthur hissed out before looking Eames right in the face. Eames' eyes widened as he looked at Arthur. It was not what he was expecting. Yusuf had mentioned scars but Eames hadn't expected them to be everywhere.

Arthur's face was completely undistinguishable. The only thing that seemed normal was his eyes, which were the most beautiful shade of brown Eames had ever seen.

Eames then remembered that Arthur had asked a question.

"Oh…um…"

"What are you doing here?" Arthur whispered out. The tone shocked Eames a bit. He looked up and realized that Arthur was just staring at him with a glazed look in his eyes. That was odd.

"Yusuf sent me." Eames finally spit out, lifting the briefcase.

"Yusuf sent you?"

"Um, yeah." Arthur just looked at him for a few moments before finally speaking again.

"Right, well, come in." Arthur said quietly before turning and walking into the room. Eames took a deep breath and walked in.

The room was dark. He saw that curtains had been draped over all the windows. The mirrors in the room were all broken and the pieces still were sprawled on the floor. Everything was dusty meaning that Arthur didn't clean in here, but it was obvious that he was in here the most. But it almost felt like time had stopped in this room.

In fact, the only thing that looked alive in the room was a single red rose that sat in a vase in the middle of the room. It was like a small picture of beauty in a world of chaos.

"Are you coming?" Eames looked over and saw that Arthur was now shirtless and looking at him. Eames was sure he stopped breathing for a second. Arthur's chest was covered in scars. But underneath all those scars Eames could see the body of a very toned man.

"Um, yes. Sorry." He said as he walked towards Arthur who was now getting on the bed. "I didn't expect this to be Arthur Callahan's bedroom." Arthur stopped and looked at him.

"You know who I am?" Eames laughed as he started setting up.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't know who you were Arthur. I don't just give medicine to strangers."

"But, I don't know who you are."

"Really?" Eames asked. He had figured that Arthur knew everyone, especially if he hated them.

"Yes. What is your name?" Arthur asked, a small smile spreading over his face. Eames laughed as he pulled out the needle. Arthur seemed really curious about Eames.

"I'm afraid if I told you that, you would yell at me."

"Why would I do that?" Arthur seemed like a completely different person at the moment. He seemed nice and very sincere. It was almost like he was trying to impress Eames. In fact, it almost seemed like it was on the verge of flirting.

"Are you ready?" Arthur looked over at him and nodded. "Alright." Eames watched as Arthur closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Eames took a long deep breath and inserted the needle into Arthur's skin. He pulled it out and let out a small breath of relief. He didn't mess up.

He then realized that something was touching him. He looked down and saw that Arthur's fingers were wrapped lighting around his other wrist.

"All done." Eames said and Arthur immediately let go of him and opened his eyes.

"Sorry. It seems that even after six months I am still not used to it yet."

"Quite understandable." Eames said, packing everything back into the silver briefcase.

"So, you will be doing this for a while then?" Arthur asked, sitting up. Arthur was attempting small talk. This was getting to be very interesting indeed.

"Until Yusuf's misses is feeling well again or the baby comes. One or the other, I suppose."

"I see." Arthur reached over and grabbed his shirt, pulling it back on. "So, can I know what your name is?"

"So inquisitive of my name." Eames said with a chuckle.

"It is the least you can do since I let you stick a needle in my arm." Eames sighed.

"Belden." Eames said, looking Arthur straight in the eyes. And Eames watched as the light left Arthur's face.

"Belden Eames?" Arthur said, standing up. "You are Eames? The Eames from the Advertising department?" Eames just laughed.

"The one and only." Arthur just stared at him.

"Get out."

"What?"

"Get the fuck out!" Arthur shouted, grabbing Eames by the shirt and pretty much throwing him out of the room. Eames turned around just as the door slammed shut right in his face.

"Alright then." Eames said, grabbing the briefcase and walking down the stairs.

When he reached the bottom, Dom was waiting for him.

"Oh, he ripped your shirt." Eames looked down and saw that his shirt was indeed ripped. Arthur must have done it when he threw him out of his room.

"It's no problem."

"I'm sorry. He has some anger issues."

"Yeah. I can see that."

"What happened?"

"Well, he seemed fine until I told him my name. Then it was like he was a completely different person."

"Yeah, he sort of doesn't like you."

"Why?" Eames asked because he really wanted to know the answer to this question. He has been wondering for long enough now. He deserved to know why someone hated him.

"I honestly have no idea. Maybe you can ask him tomorrow if you come." Eames laughed. Eames really had no plans on coming back. He didn't want to. Being thrown out of a room was enough for him.

"We shall see. Good evening Mr. Cobb."

"Good evening Mr. Eames." Eames smiled and glanced up at the stairs and saw Arthur standing there. "Good evening Mr. Callahan." Arthur just glared at him. Eames let out a small laugh before turning and leaving the house.

He needed to talk to Yusuf.


Eames walked up to Yusuf's house and knocked on the door. It wasn't long before Yusuf answered and Eames didn't even greet him properly. He just shoved right passed him, dropping the briefcase on the floor.

"I am not going over there again." Eames said, turning around to face Yusuf.

"Why not? What happened?"

"Well, everything was fine until I told him who I was. Then he kicked me out. Well, more literally, he threw me out."

"That is just Arthur being Arthur. You should know that by now."

"I know, but, I just, he hates me and I don't know the reason. I am not going to go over there and have him criticize me or demean me when I am there to help him. It just isn't happening." Yusuf sighed.

"Eames, you never give up like this."

"Well, I have had enough of it."

"What really happened Eames?"

"What do you mean?" Eames asked, taking a step forward.

"Something must have happened. You haven't been bothered by Arthur's bullshit before. Why now? Why after just one meeting?" Eames just looked at him.

He couldn't tell Yusuf that he felt sorry for Arthur. That he felt that Arthur was really in pain and that he wanted to help him. And that when Arthur grabbed his wrist it felt like everything was right in the world. That seeing Arthur smile and be nervous made Eames feel like a whole new man.

No, he couldn't tell Yusuf that. Eames couldn't even believe that he felt that way. Eames was just distracted by the curse. Arthur was still the same asshole he was before.

"I want to be treated with the respect I deserve. I didn't have to go over there and help him. Yet he still hates me for some unknown reason without knowing who I am."

"Alright, you were offended. I get it. I will go over tomorrow and talk to Arthur, but I really need you to do this for me Eames. Pricilla needs me here." Eames nodded.

"I know. Just, get him to lighten up a bit. He can still hate me but he needs to learn to deal with it because I am all he has when it comes to his medicine."

"I will go over tomorrow and sort things out."

"Okay." Eames let out a small sigh and ran a hand over his face. "I need a drink." Yusuf just laughed.

"Go have your drink and I will call you tomorrow."

"Bye." Eames replied, leaving Yusuf's house and heading towards the nearest bar. He had a lot to think about.


Well, I hope you all enjoyed it. I am trying to make Eames have some flaws as well, as we will see in other chapters and already have seen. It would just seem too weird if Eames was as perfect as Belle, to me that just isn't Eames.

Well, I will try to have the next chapter up as soon as possible. Thanks again for reading!