Day 6/ wake up call
All night long the tremors persisted. Becoming more and more violent.
"Any time now, Boys." Eames said after each one. They were all anxious to wake up. The horrible rain was enough to drive all of them mad with its roaring noise. The intense feeling of being trapped was over powering.
Arthur had stayed on look out all night. Never seeing a breath of a projection. Ariadne had returned to the others in an attempt to sleep and look after Yuseff. The Chemist complained loudly about the rain, his gun shot wound, Cobb and 'this blasted dream'.
Arthur could not explain why he was so cold to Ariadne last night. She had told him exactly what he wanted to hear. Yet, he did not say it back. He wasn't even sure why not.
He loved her. He knew that as sure as he knew his own name. But in the waking world... would their feeling remain the same? In the dream they were sheltered. Away from the others. Away from real life. They could be lost for days in each others arms. In each others bodies. It had been a metaphorical dream, but now it was literally time to wake up.
She would fly back to Paris as soon as they landed. Assuming Cobb and Saito woke up, they would scatter in the wind.
If Cobb and Saito remained in their "sleep" then the Point Man would take the Architect with him. Arthur laid out a casual plan for the two of them on the run. He knew several safe havens. They could hide out for a few months. He could return her to Paris and keep a look out on her till he was sure they were no longer being watched. A half smiled teased at his mouth at the hope they could be together this way. On the run, only each other.
He heard it. Although with difficulty because of the rain. Music. The lazy drawl of horns, the singing. Becoming distorted as the time in the dream moved so much slower. It was almost lost in the pounding noise of the rain.
A violent tremor shook the ground beneath them as the windows in the warehouse burst from the stress. Arthur heard shouts coming from the Team and ran towards them.
"I think it's happening!" Ariadne shouted when he saw them. She and Eames were trying to get Yuseff on his feet. The Point Man helped the Forger to stand the Chemist up.
"Anything we need to know about waking up?" Arthur shouted over the intense shaking. The Chemist winced in pain and shook his head.
"Just stay calm and remember to breath." He said.
The tremors shook the warehouse fit to rip it apart. Lighting crashed dangerously on the floor as they remained in the dream. Glass was everywhere. Arthur took Ariadne in his arms and whispered
"Breath." as he could feel his body back on the plane. He could hear the noise of the plane's engines as the sound of the rain faded away.
The Point Man was the first one to be kicked out of the dream. He calmly opened his eyes and saw the bright, clean, first class cabin. He was immediately on his feet. He had only seconds. Everyone else was still asleep. He assisted the attendant in unhooking the rest of the Team. They were all stirring awake. They would remain in the collapsing dream only a few more seconds.
Eames stirred out of the dream next. His relaxed face casually opening his eyes as if nothing more ordinary then he had fallen asleep had happened. Ariadne was slouched in her seat. Her face pink from slumber. Saito was still asleep, he was stretched out lazily in his reclined chair. Cobb was still out, Fischer was stirring awake.
Arthur chanced a quick look at Yuseff as the Chemist woke up. He nodded at the Point Man that silently told him he was alright. Arthur was almost to his seat when he saw large brown eyes. Ariadne had just woken up. Her body still relaxed in her seat. Arthur gave her a quick reassuring smile before gracefully landing in his own seat.
He noticed it then. Cobb coming awake. The Extractor's eyes rolled open. Looking in wonder at the plane and it's occupants. The attendant was asking the Extractor about a hot towel and paper work. Cobb took the declaration form numbly and looked at each of his Team. Seeing them for the first time in only God knows how long.
'He made it out.' Arthur thought. He leaned over his seat and caught the Extractor's eye. He tried to hide a smile from his face. To be neutral. To be strangers on a plane. He couldn't help but be glad Ariadne had been right. For better or worse, everyone was awake.
The true test came next. Would Saito's influence be enough? Could he really deliver? Arthur had always doubted it. Had told Cobb that it was not worth the risk. But the lure of being home with his children was to much for the Extractor. As if Saito had dangled something shinny in front of him, Cobb could only focus on the reward.
Eames and Ariadne stayed close to Cobb as they went though customs. Arthur went through first along with Saito and Yuseff. He kept a careful eye on the Mark as well as the rest of the Team. Watching them intently as they each passed the test of security and made their way to the baggage carousel. It seemed like it took Cobb forever to go through.
Arthur found himself trying to look purposeful. He took a baggage trolly for his and Ariadne's things.
Why did it always seem he carried more luggage then anyone else? Strange.
Cobb walked past all of them His gate was happy but careful. As if he was afraid of shattering reality like a dream. Arthur caught his eye and gave him a smile, everyone else, ignored the Extractor.
Arthur garbed his well traveled luggage. Noting with slight irritation the scuffing on one of his bags. He spotted Ariadne's fashionable white jacket in the wash of dark clothing of the other passengers. She was trying to claim her solitary little carry all. Her petite frame made it hard to push past the other travelers to get it. Arthur maneuvered close to her and gracefully grabbed her leather bag for her. She looked up in surprise. A blush heating her face as he loaded it onto the trolly next to his.
She looked around the baggage claim area. Cobb was long gone as was Saito and Yuseff. Only Eames had remained. Keeping a careful eye on Fischer. The Young Businessman looked lost in his own thoughts. Fischer met up with his driver as Eames silently slipped away from the rest of the Team.
The Point Man had been so busy looking at the Forger, looking at the Mark, he almost didn't see the Architect take her bag and slip away. Her white coat vanishing in the crowd. He abandoned his baggage cart and took his luggage in hand. Trying to keep up with her.
'Why is she always running off?' He thought bitterly. He tried to keep up with her. A mob of French tourists slowed him down. She was taking that flight to Paris. She was wasting no time in leaving him. Without one word.
"Sir!" Came a harsh authoritative tone. Arthur turned to see a security guard at the French airline.
"Boarding pass please." He said. Arthur sighed. He shook his head and allowed the guard to show him out of the terminal.
Arthur stumbled out of the airport feeling dazed. She was gone. Most likely up in the air already. A line of available cabs was waiting and he quickly hailed one. Arthur made plans to stay in L.A. only a few nights. The cab took him to an upscale hotel. He checked in under an assumed name and went to his room.
It felt strange to be in a hotel room alone suddenly. He had enjoyed a honeymoon of sorts with Ariadne. Constantly having her for company had been wonderful. Despite all the dangers and fear for Cobb and Saito, he had enjoyed the experience. Suddenly, he was without her. Without the feel of her skin, the power of her touch. It felt like he was going through a withdrawal from a drug.
A few days later, he caught a flight back to New York. Cobb had phoned. Arthur's payment had been wired to his usual Swiss account. Cobb seemed happy. As if he had been released from some kind of horrible spell.
Arthur had spent the past few days cloistered in his hotel room. He neglected shaving and showering. Contenting himself with room service and watching adult movies. He had manged to clean himself up before check out time. He looked his normal self. Only someone who knew him well would notice the dark circles under his eyes.
He had thought about calling Ariadne in Paris. He had her contact number, but he talked himself out of it. She knew how to reach him. He had made sure she memorized all the Team's contact numbers. If she wanted to talk, he was there. Like a teenager, he constantly checked his phone for her calls. But nothing ever appeared.
His plane landed in New York.
It was raining.
