Alright guys another chapter out, this one is a little wordy, but as usual the backstory has to be thrown down some kinda way. next chapter is a lot more Eames, Army and an angry Arthur... Enjoy and review.

Ideas are dangerous. No one understood this better than Cobb and Army. Cobb understood the perseverance of an idea. He understood that it was more of an infection, except in many cases far more contagious. Army understood that ideas, especially the good ones, could get one killed. She'd been the death of many an idea and she'd shaped history accordingly.

Now, a patent applies to an invention or an idea that has come to fruition. There were no laws for taking an idea that had yet come to real. This was where dreamers such as Cobb's team came to be useful. This was where assassins were sometimes too late. Audrey Malone had discovered the cure to a very disabling disease. However, she was also keeping her theories to herself for fear of other colleagues stealing her idea. Army could feel sorry for the woman. She could understand the need to be first, especially after working so hard to complete her goal. However, Army had been held many people at gunpoint, many, many people and had learned to bury that smidgen of remorse.

Besides, when there was money involved, it was easy to pull the trigger, it was kind of an awful way to say 'fuck you, I'm running the show' but to some degree Army knew that nothing put down a problem like thinking better than a bullet between the eyes.

Audrey Malone discovered the cure for systemic lupus. She had done it in a spacious and personally owned lab, one her late-father had procured for actually, with her own personal staff. The client, in shape of no real mystery, was her husband. He was Paul Malone. He'd married the twenty-four year old not out of love, though, that was what the young woman believed. He'd seen her potential and knew that near in her future she would be easier to exploit were she his bound to him. He knew that her cure was her plan to launch her own company, under her name. He had had the prenuptials signed, of course, and knew that if she were to come up with the cure the proceeds would most likely fall to her.

And he couldn't have that.

Army looked down at the picture of the woman. She had coffee skin and long brown colored hair. She had a no-nonsense expression over her delicately heartshaped face. Her eyes were a cool grey and her mouth pulled down in a business-like frown. Army read the details of the woman's personal history, her relationships with family, past lovers, friends. Arthur had been extremely thorough, but she knew that precision was even more essential in the dream world. She would probably have to visit some of Audrey's schools, the home she'd grown up in, even the estate she and her husband lived on. She knew the husband from previous jobs, him being well situated in the mob life. She wondered if the wife knew of her husband's very illegal goings-on. That, Arthur had not mentioned. If he hadn't mentioned it he probably didn't know.

"Arthur hasn't said much about you."

Army closed the manila folder and looked up at Cobb. His hands were in the pockets of his slacks, his posture seemingly one of comfort. Army knew an interrogation when she saw one. She rested the folder on the desk of her station and turned her chair to face him.

"We haven't been in touch for a long time. I can understand if he hasn't said much."

"Yet, you and I both know that's not why Arthur hasn't said anything."

"We do. I'm not gonna bullshit you Cobb, I was very efficient at what I did."

"Did?"

Army shrugged. Perhaps, dreaming would take place of her previous profession. It was certainly entertaining enough and it kept her close to her brother. However, if jobs were few and far between she would accept hits.

"For now, I'm completely at your disposal. I told Arthur that I would try this. But that's not what you wanted to ask, is it?"

"No," Cobb said looking down at his shoes. Army saw tension, mild anger, unsurety. The man genuinely looked out for his people and when he saw her, he saw a loose end. She understood this and allowed him the chance to ask his question.

"Have you had any previous involvement with our client, anything that could endanger the team?"

"No, and I'm glad that you asked. I have killed for him but I make it a point not to mention my name or to show my face to any potential clients. If it weren't for Arthur's complete faith in you, I'd have said no to this as well."

She saw him exhale, relieved. His hands left his pockets and she eyed his expression once more. He didn't trust her just yet but he was willing to give her a chance. She understood better now why Arthur took a liking to the man.

"Well, then I have a job for you."

"Shoot," she winked and grinned. The man was simply too serious.

"Eames needs a closer look at Paul, his henchmen, his wife if possible. Is there any way to get ourselves into their circle? Do you know places that they frequent, that sort of thing?"

"Surely Arthur has a handle on that?"

"Yes, but you know these types of places better, don't you?"

"Yes...I do know them better. I also keep tabs on my regulars. Paul usually has his flunkies do close and personal matters. I do hits and extractions for him when he wants things done abroad. This makes sure that none of his guys don't fuck things up and let it lead back to him. He's bought off the court system here, but not in places, like say... Europe. However, what he doesn't know is that I can buy his men back from him. When do you need this to happen?"

"As soon as possible, sometime in the next two weeks."

"Why not go to him directly, ask for this information?"

"Some clients I don't trust to see my face either, one of the heads of the mob would be one of them."

...

"Cobb mentioned us working together," Eames dropped casually.

"Did he," Army said as flipped through a Cosmopolitan magazine. She liked to be in fashion, it made blending in easier. Though she was currently on a break it never hurt to keep tabs. She looked up from a very chic skirt to concentrate on Eames. She took stock of his cat-got-the-canary grin and his twinkling eyes. His lips, she decided were his most useful weapon, because while one watched those his eyes roved over every minute detail. She made it a point to watch his eyes.

"Yes, in fact, he said we were to go to a club, meet a few people."

"Yes, I'm gonna pose as a female escort and you are gonna pose as someone looking to score drugs, maybe befriend Paul if you can. Hopefully, in the next few weeks you can even make an acquaintance with his wife. It depends on how good you are at playing pretend."

He smiled at this and she could briefly understand why Arthur disliked him. Eames was efficient at what he did while maintaining a carefree manner. Arthur had always worked hard to be the best and though he always kept a level head, one could still see the effort it took. Eames showed no effort but probably got excellent results all the same.

"I'm very good, darling. So...when are we taking this trip together and is there any chance I can pick out your outfit?"

"We'll be taking this trip sometime in the next week. My contact is going to inform me of the exact date and I will be dressing myself, thanks."

"Shame, I would have chosen a very tasteful outfit or nothing at all."

"You'd rather it be nothing at all?"

"If only to satisfy my curiosity. I mean, where do the freckles stop exactly?"

Army grinned. She was glad that someone had a sense of humor on the team.