She'd booked a room in the back, cut off from the rest of the restaurant and bar. It was a big enough group. Nice but not over crowded. Arthur looked around at Cobb, Yusaf, Eames, Chloe (whom Eames had requested specially) and Ariadne's parents. They all smiled up at them when they walked in.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARTHUR!" they called out. His face went red and his voice left him. Ariadne smiled up at him. He swallowed and smiled.

The meal went smoothly, chat was surprisingly easy between the group. Just after the main course Arthur stood up and leaned down to Ari's ear.

"Drink?" she nodded then turned to talk to her mother. He went out to the bar and took the chance to catch his breath. Social gatherings were not his strong point. He ordered two drinks and sat up on a stool. The drinks were placed in front of him.

"Gin martini. What a manly drink." A voice said from beside him. He turned to find a short dark haired woman sittin on the stool just down from him, her feet well up off the floor. She was wearing a low cut strapless red dress with her lips painted in the same deep red.

"Excuse me." Arthur said standing up.

"You really don't look like a Gin Martini kinda guy." She smiled, batting her eyelashes at him.

"That would be why I have a scotch in my other hand." He said simply.

"It was a joke darling calm down." She rolled her eyes.

"It sounded more like a very bad reason to talk to me." He said.

"Oh straight talker I like it."

"Listen I'll just stop you now. My girlfriend is in the other room. Your conversation is completely wasted on me."

"Oh are you brushing me off." Stuck out her bottom lip.

"No he's not his girlfriend was infact in the next room and she was wondering where he'd got to." Ariadne said coming up behind him and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry Ari I was…" Arthur started but she cut him off.

"It's ok. How are you Hera." She smiled at the other woman. Arthur looked back too. This is her sister! He thought

"Great Addy and you?" she grinned back. Arthur couldn't quite place what was so sinister about that smile.

"Good."

"And you must be Arthur." Hera stuck out a hand.

"Yes. Good to meet you." He replied.

"So you missed the meal." Ariadne said her hand now on her hip.

"I know I came later then I expected and decided to get a drink before facing a room full of strangers."

"You didn't have to come you know."

"What! And miss talking to the man you actually deemed worthy enough to putdown your books and introduce to our parents. Never! Happy birthday by the way."

"Thanks" Arthur muttered. "I got your drink Ari." He said.

"Great thanks. We should get back in. come in when you're ready Hera." She tried to smile.

"will do sis."

They walked back towards the private room, but just at the door Arthur stopped Ariadne.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes."

"That was pretty tense."

"I love my sister believe me, I just…" she stopped.

"Just what?"

"I didn't want her to meet you."

"Why she didn't seem too bad." Ariadne looked up at him.

"Lets just say that Hera was the goddess of fidelity and marriage. And it's a name my sisters rebels very hard against." She looked back down.

"Ari she's never taking me from you. No one will! Don't you see that."

"I really want to. But the past has thought me what Hera wants Hera gets."

/ / / / / /

"So then Ari took her sharpie and just drew on all four of her bedroom walls! Mom was so mad!" Hera laughed, and pushed Eames' shoulder lightly. She had been amusing the team with stories from their childhood. Cobb had cleverly taken Ariadne over to the other side of the room, and Arthur was trying to change the topic of conversation.

"So Hera, what do you do?" he asked.

"I'm a photographer." She smiled. "Landscape mostly. Some photoshoots."

"Wow interesting" Chloe smiled.

"Thanks."

"We like to say Ari builds them, Hera captures them." Miles laughed, and everyone politely joined in.

"Daddy when will you realise that's just not funny." Hera rolled her eyes. Arthur watched as Stella touched Ariadne's arm and she smiled down at her daughter. Arthur felt himself smile.

/ / / / /

"why are you over here by yourself birthday boy." Arthur felt a hand on his arm.

He turned expecting to find Ari standing there, but was instead was faced with red.

"Just taking a step out for a second. I'm not the best with close gatherings." He said calmly. Hera rubbed an finger up her arm.

"Then Addy shouldn't have made you come here."

"She didn't make me." Arthur moved his arm away.

"I dunno what you see in that stick in the mud." She half laughed.

"You wouldn't get it." Arthur turned and walked away.

/ / / / /

Ariadne kissed her mothers cheek and hugged her father.

"thank you for coming." She grinned.

"we had a great time darling. Thanks for having us."

Ari saw everyone else out then sat back at the table.

"So how bad a night did you have?" she asked.

"actually it was quite enjoyable." Arthur said sitting up on the table.

"Happy Birthday." Ari smiled.