It all would have been so much easier if Eames wasn't working with them. He could have concentrated better and not worried so much. It was like the Simon job all over again. He worried that something would happen to him and he slipped into over protective mode though hid it with cold harshness towards the other man. But he did slip up a few times and showed that he cared.

After they were shot at by Fischer's militarized subconscious he was paralyzed with fear, thinking that Eames was hit.

"Are you alright?" he looked to him in the backseat, heart pounding behind his ears.

God, they were so fucked.

"Yeah, I'm ok, I'm ok. Fischer's ok unless he gets carsick."

God, what was wrong with him? His first question out of his mouth should have been if Fischer was ok. But really he didn't give two shits about him. It was the other man he was worried about.

Arthur released a very shaky breath he didn't know he was holding, his heart rate going back to semi normal.

He willed everything in him that they made it out alive and that he could keep it together.


He thought tricking Ariadne into giving him a kiss would help him not think of Eames, to gain some more control over his emotions, to be able to focus on the impossible tasks ahead. It did the very opposite and he imagined it was his lips as she pressed hers to his chastely.

He was a horrible human being.


Things just got more and more complicated as they prepped to enter the third level.

He again fucked up and let his emotions take over when he had a private moment alone with him.

"Security's going to run you down hard."

He felt a jolt run through him at the forger's warning. Was he trying to protect him too? He noticed the concern touching at the forger's eyes as they prepped the IV.

He was probably just imagining the whole thing. Eames still hated him, he was sure of it.

Could this really be the last time he saw him? The last time he touched him? He tried to push it out of his mind and put on his bravest face, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice, failing horribly. He decided to make a joke of it, to shake off the feeling that this could be goodbye…once again.

"And I will lead them on a merry chase."

Eames gave him a knowing smile, one very similar to Cobb's as if he was looking straight through him, hiding a secret. They needed to get back to reality so he could kick his ass for real for what he was making him go through, the absolute mind fuck of trying to decipher him though he knew he shouldn't be trying.

"Just be back before the kick."

He was back to being serious. Again another warning, like Arthur needed to be reminded of what to do. His condescending retort died in his throat as he looked at him lying vulnerable on the floor again looking a bit worried.

"Go to sleep, Mr. Eames." Goodbye.

He was always running away from saying goodbye to him, it was just too fucking hard.

That time he really couldn't keep the emotion out of his voice but thankfully he was all ready under and most likely didn't hear him.


To his relief and dismay the Fischer job was a success, Cobb could finally return to the States, the place he had desperately tried to go home to two years ago after the Simon job wanting some time off with his wife.

Now he was going home and leaving Arthur. Arthur felt glad for him but crushed. He was his mentor, his confidant, his partner and despite everything they went through, all the fights, arguments, holding things back about Mal and inception, even withholding information on the dangers of the Fischer job he still admired and looked up to him like an older brother.

He had never seen Cobb try to hide his excitement more as they landed at LAX and they were walking to baggage claim. He drew Arthur aside before they got there.

"I guess you know what this means?"

Arthur put on a brave face and even chanced smiling knowing it probably looked a bit forced.

"Yup. You deserve it. Don't be a stranger," he switched the heavy PASIV briefcase to his other hand and was turning to leave when Cobb put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Arthur, now that I'm retiring are you going to keep working? What do you plan to do?"

They had never discussed this before and Arthur tried hard not to think about it himself. He knew Cobb was just trying to look out for him like always but his timing was awful. They really shouldn't be pausing like this, huddled together and having a heart to heart, it wasn't safe. They needed to leave the airport as quickly as possible. He knew he would see and talk to Dom again but it wouldn't be the same. They would never experience the rush together, the thrill of extracting a secret, reveling in the dark and dangerous trade.

He inhaled deeply trying to keep the uneasiness out of his voice.

"I'm going to take a little time off, spend a little of Saito's money, recharge in New York," none of this was true, he wanted back in on another job right away to distract himself but he knew he would have to disappear for a little while before that. What he would do he had no idea.

Cobb gave him a weak, knowing smile.

"Good plan but I think you need to explore other options too," he had that tone in his voice again, one reserved for lectures or meaningful insights.

"Like what?" He was growing anxious, feeling all airport security's eyes on them.

"You know what. You don't have to worry about me anymore, Arthur. I'm releasing you of your 'obligations'. You're free to make yourself happy. We're both finally getting what we want now. I'm just sorry it took so long," he squeezed his shoulder, gave him another knowing look and disappeared into the rushing crowd of travelers.

He felt like an abandoned child. He wanted to run after him, strangle him and tell him he had no clue as to what makes him happy or what he wants but he was right-he was always right. He knew him better than he knew himself. He felt hopelessly lost but also surprisingly free. Cobb's words of understanding and dare he say "blessings" made him feel ok for wanting to get back to himself after two years. Cobb found his resolve, now he needed his.

He thought Eames would be long gone but he spied him in baggage claim when he got there, getting a cart for his luggage. Cobb had gotten his luggage all ready and was walking briskly out. He watched him go; cursing him and wishing him luck in his mind.

Arthur got his own luggage cart and elbowed his way to the front of the carousel to catch his luggage. Saito was on his cell phone, apparently leaving his luggage for the time being. He saw Ariadne on the other side keeping her eyes trained to the revolving tread, tucking her hair behind her ears, dutifully searching for her things. Yusuf had all ready gotten his and was securing it on the metal cart. Their eyes met briefly and Arthur gave him a little nod, he returned it, smiled and left. He stupidly hoped he could work with him all of them again. That only left one other. As if he knew he was thinking of him he felt a warm hand on his shoulder, his aftershave hitting his nose.

"Do you want to share a cart? Might be easier navigating through this torturous thing."

Arthur kept his eyes trained to the luggage carousel trying not to feel anything but failing miserably. He felt the same after the Simon job: incredibly happy that Eames was alive, wanting to throw his arms around him.

"You shouldn't be talking to me and no we cannot share a cart," he spied one of his bags and unsuccessfully fumbled with it, not getting a good grip. Eames caught it and they both hauled it off the carousel together, Arthur's cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"My God, you're expensive, tailored suits are heavy," Eames whistled. He really didn't understand the "go our separate ways after the job was done and we landed" rule.

Arthur rolled his eyes knowing if he positioned himself somewhere else on the carousel he would just move by him.

"Are you staying here or are you getting another flight?" Eames got one of his bags off the revolving carousel, focusing on finding his others.

"Don't know yet," he wasn't sure of anything anymore now that Cobb was gone.

Arthur met his eyes for the first time after inception, his dark mixing with his light, he was reminded again of how vulnerable, open and scared he looked when he was prepping him for the third level. They both had been scared for each other.

He had to admit that Eames had done wonderfully and he felt a surge of pride bubble inside him at how well he portrayed Browning. Cobb made a good decision with choosing him-no one else would have been able to pull it off and help them masterfully form the overall plan too.

"Can I persuade you to stay this time or are you running to meet up with Cobb again?" He was fidgety, shifting his weight from one foot to another.

There was hurt laced in his voice but it didn't come off accusingly, it was more like he was anticipating the worst. It was a lot for him to come out and say it, to position it to him and again Arthur had to admire it.

Arthur realized that despite his sometimes cruelty or indifference he showed towards him during the Fischer job that he really did care and the feelings were still there-thinking back to the way he would look at him, smile or try to warn him with his eyes. He was just trying to protect himself which was respectable given what happened between them.

Arthur smiled but it wavered. He felt huge relief and a surge of deep affection towards him but also felt immensely guilty and horrible. He left the only creature that made him happy in that way and Eames didn't hate him like he should.

Arthur found his last bag and piled it and the PASIV all neatly on the cart. Eames was watching him looking lost and trying to hide the hurt in his eyes, so much so like when Arthur turned him down all those years ago in his hotel corridor.

Arthur took a deep breath and darted his attention to any possible security in the room. After he found that they weren't being watched he whipped out his small moleskin notebook that he kept in his jacket, scribbling Eames a note, smothering his grin. Eames was hoisting another piece of luggage off the carousel and when he set it down Arthur sought the forger's hand, squeezing it, placing the note inside, giving him a little smile and winked. Eames looked shocked and intrigued but Arthur left quickly, taking his cart before the other man could seek him out or ask him anything.

He paid an elderly Indian man handsomely to watch his cart and gave him other specific instructions (he was happy he remembered to convert some money to American dollars before leaving Sydney).

He entered the bathroom and splashed water on his face never feeling more right about anything in his whole life. He smiled a smile that was purely genuine. He almost didn't recognize himself.

"What are you so happy about?" He was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, shooting him a smoldering look.

Arthur turned to face the man he summoned to the bathroom.

"You," he shot him a smoldering look right back.

He made for a stall, farthest from the door and motioned for Eames to follow. Arthur had never seen that kind of elation on his face before as he followed him. He barely got the door shut before he grasped at the older man's collar and was melting into him, their lips dissolving into one another's in a fiercely passionate kiss filled with longing. He felt just like he remembered him, like all the endless day dreams he had of him that distracted him while he should have been working and the dreams at night when he should have been thinking of someone else. There was no one else. He was amazing and smelled wonderful, he felt like he was home

Arthur couldn't repress the moans and sighs that released from his body when Eames grazed it, when his blowjob lips found his neck and sucked; he clasped at his hair and released everything that he had ever pent up feeling immensely good.

"God, Eames, I am so sorry," he murmured in between sweet kisses and caresses.

"I'm not going anywhere this time. I belong to you," Arthur grazed his earlobe, pulling and sucking, remembering that Eames loved that. Eames released a low growl.

Eames traced a finger slowly down his jaw bone, a familiar and passionate gesture. "I had thoughts of having Cobb assassinated but I figured you two were close and you would be devastated especially after losing Mal. I figured you would come back eventually. I wished it was sooner rather than later."

The elderly Indian man did a good job at keeping people out of the bathroom, telling them there was a bodily fluid accident and that it was being cleaned. Arthur knew they wouldn't have much time but would have the rest of their lives after they left the airport.

They stayed in the stall for as long as they dared, the both of them making up for lost time.


A week or so later Arthur phoned Cobb from his New York apartment, wanting to hear his voice, Eames trying to distract him by kissing his neck, trying to pull him back into bed. He enjoyed catching up with his friend and hearing the squeals of laughter from his sweet children in the background. Cobb was pleased to hear that Arthur and Eames had reconnected. Arthur gave his man a small and silent kiss as in affirmation while listening to Cobb. Eames tried to take it farther but Arthur pushed him away playfully, blushing.

Cobb became serious then and Arthur was all ears.

"Do you remember the Simon job and I told you Eames was a conflict of interest for you?"

Eames was massaging his neck; his talented thumbs deep into his flesh making Arthur melt. Arthur poked at him to stop. Arthur was a little alarmed at Cobb's sudden question as it came completely out of left field.

"Yes I remember," Eames kissed his shoulder.

"I lied Arthur. That night when I took you home from the Paris bar you never told me that you were in love with Eames. You never told me most of that stuff I said but you did tell me you thought he hated you and you did cry and have that look in your eye. I assumed all the rest. I'm sorry but I'm really not at the same time because it helped you realize you're true feelings and you've never sounded happier. Do you hate me for it?"

Arthur was confused and stunned. It was a lot to digest. Eames felt him stiffen and shot him a questioning, concerned look. He was smooth, playboy, younger looking Eames again, insisting that Arthur cut his hair and shave him again, saying he missed it terribly. Both of them loved reliving the experience. Arthur shook his head at his partner and Eames backed off.

"No, I don't," and he found he really didn't. Cobb may have lied but he was hiding his true feelings that everyone apparently knew about except him. Arthur looked into Eames' grayish blue eyes deeply as if to confirm his beliefs and the forger smiled, begging him with his eyes to get off the phone; he wanted his alone time with him.

He couldn't imagine his life without him and almost felt sick at the knowledge of what if Cobb hadn't lied? Even with Eames being taken hostage, would that have been enough to awaken him to his true feelings? He certainly wouldn't have risked his life to make a trade for him. Would he have had enough nerve to visit him in the hospital? He probably wouldn't have taken him home from the hospital either or ended up kissing him for the first time in his hotel bathtub. He most certainly wouldn't have stayed with him in his suite, wrapped up in his love. It was like a domino effect of great experiences and memories, experiences he never would have gotten to have if Cobb wouldn't have shocked him into his own feelings, rattled him and shaken him up-fueling him.

Cobb was speaking but Arthur was only half listening, staring at his lover, distracted.

"Cobb, thank you. You're right; we both got what we wanted." He sensed Cobb's confusion about being interrupted and cut off but didn't comment. They would have a longer talk about it some other time.

He said his hurried goodbyes and when he hung up Eames immediately pounced on him, telling him he had a surprise for him. Arthur hated surprises.

Eames scooped Arthur up playfully and practically bounded to the bathroom and before he could tell him to stop he dumped the younger man into the bathtub all ready full of water to his surprise. Arthur should have been angry but he wasn't. Eames laughed, stripped down and entered the tub with him.

After a long intimate, passionate time Arthur was looking absentmindedly at Eames' hand marveling that the burn scar was prominently still there. Eames noticed his fascination with his scar.

"It was bad. Sometimes they say the body won't let go of something when it goes through something traumatic."

"But your other injuries healed. Your other scars are all faded."

"I was talking about when you left Arthur. That burn reminded me of you and I thought I would never see you again after you left Paris. Maybe now it can heal."

Arthur absolutely loved him for that statement.

"Can you shag me in your current condition?"

Eames laughed and gave him his best, devilish smile. "Oh yes, let me show you."

And he did. Arthur again was never happier and he could swear that Eames' scar had faded slightly after.

-Fin-


A/N: Better ending? Worse ending? Mad/pleased with Cobb for lying? Reviews are love especially now that this story is over and I want to know what you guys think :)