Thank you guys so much for all the reviews! I can't begin to explain the thanks I have for each of you and I'm so glad you are enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it! So the story took a turn for the more philosophical side and I ended up giving Arthur this BIG character change thingy and it ended up being a lot deeper than I had intended. So we have Day 10 and then the Epilogue on Day 11.

Day 9

Arthur, for once, did not want to go to work. He loved his job, he really did, but today was not looking so great. Yesterday was the one week anniversary of meeting Eames and it also happened to be their most passionate meeting yet. Arthur wanted nothing more than to just curl up in his bed and weep. He had never been so confused about anything before. It wasn't like his ass was gonna let him forget about yesterday. He's sore in places he didn't know could get sore.

What was he going to tell Autumn? What could he possibly say to her? Was there anything to tell?

Of course not! Arthur did not love Eames, not in that way. He refused to believe in love after Summer. Despite what he said, he cared about Autumn, he really did, but there wasn't that spark anymore. There wasn't a spark with Summer either, but Arthur believed there was no one as perfect for him as she was, spark or no spark. And she took his heart and crushed it. After that, nothing could persuade him to believe that there was a spark, a connection, when it came to love.

But Eames. Somehow Eames had managed to wiggle his way into his heart and make him feel that spark again. For once Arthur felt this powerful, burning, all encompassing passion. And it scared him. Completely on autopilot he dialed the number for the bookstore.

"I am not coming in today," he said, trying to put as much depression in his voice as possible, "Not feeling well, not coming in. Take care."

"Arthur?" Ariadne was concerned, of course, "How did things go with Eames?"

"Ask him," Arthur groaned, "I'll be in tomorrow."

With that he hung up.

Ariadne looked at the phone in confusion, then glanced up at Yusuf.

"Well?"

"He's not happy," Ariadne said, setting the phone back into its cradle, "And he's not coming in today. Whatever Eames did it must have been mind boggling."

"Arthur asked for it," Yusuf shook his head, "He went to go find Eames, so it's mostly his fault anyway."

"I don't think he knew what he was getting into," Ariadne admitted, "I'm just surprised he took the bet well."

"Proof he cares about Eames," Ariadne said, "If he didn't then he wouldn't confront him. Whether they know it or not, they're important to each other."

Cobb walked into the bookstore at that moment. It's been a while since they've seen him, but his wife was coming back in two days, it made sense that he was busy. His children weren't there, both James and Phillipa in school at the moment, leaving Cobb by himself.

"Hey," Ariadne said, "Do you know what the deal is with Eames and Arthur?"

"I wish I knew," Cobb muttered, leaning against the counter, "I got a call from Eames telling me that he wants to go out tonight. He sounded pretty desperate. Where's Arthur?"

"Said he wasn't coming in," Ariadne said, "I don't know what the hell happened between them, but it must've been big for Arthur to miss work."

"Maybe they finally realized how much they need each other," Cobb suggested, "Finally realized what idiots they have been being."

"Maybe they had that wall sex that was pending," Yusuf shrugged, "Arthur did say it nearly happened in the backroom, who knows what they could have come up with at an actual home where no one could bother them."

"Who is Arthur having sex with?"

The three turned around, embarrassment flooding their cheeks, to see Autumn standing there, one petite hand on her hip, her eyes widened with curiosity.

"No one," they replied hastily.

"I think there's someone," she said, "Arthur hasn't spoken to me all week, and I hear you say he was having sex with someone?"

"We don't know if they actually did it or not," Yusuf started.

Ariadne elbowed him, "Not helping."

"Well who is it?"

"Eames," Cobb said.

Ariadne and Yusuf gave him twin looks of I-can't-believe-you-just-told-her.

"Might as well," Cobb shrugged, "Look, Autumn. Eames and I had a bet that he could make out with Arthur in ten days starting from last Tuesday. Apparently they did so and it's looking like something major happened yesterday at Eames's place."

"Arthur and Eames?" Autumn looked skeptic, "They're friends. Even if Arthur did swing that way Eames isn't his type."

"And what's his type?"

"I am his type."

"Are you?" Yusuf asked, "Honestly, do you really think that you are what's best for Arthur? Haven't you seen the way Eames makes him feel?"

"What do you mean?"

"I have never seen Arthur so happy except for when he's with Eames," Ariadne said, "In 9 days Arthur started smiling more, started to loosen up, started to be happy instead of his normal semi-constipated self. How is that not a good thing?"

Autumn looked struck dumb. Her eyes were large and her mouth open.

"Are you saying I'm not good enough for him?" she was flabbergasted.

"No, not at all!" Yusuf said hurriedly, "We just think that Eames is better. And if you loved Arthur as much as we do, you would want what's best for him."

She closed her mouth, her arms crossed over her chest. She turned around then and left the building, leaving a waft of perfume behind.

"Well that went well," Cobb said, "I suppose it could have gone worse."

"We can only hope that she and Arthur figure things out," Yusuf said, "And hopefully Eames and Arthur will figure things out."

"Hopefully," Ariadne said, "So if you're going out with Eames tonight, are you going to need a babysitter?"

"I'll give you a call," Cobb grinned, "I hope I can persuade him to wait until Friday, but..."

"Eames will be Eames," Ariadne finished, "Good luck with that."

"I don't need your luck, Arthur does."

Arthur didn't want to answer the door. It was either Eames or Yusuf or Ari or Cobb. None of the people he wanted to see at the moment. The knocking persisted, in fact it grew louder the longer he ignored it.

"IT'S OPEN," he finally shouted from his position on the couch. The door opened, shut, and then there was the creak of the floor as someone walked over to him, shoes clicking on the hardwood floor. So it was a woman, and not Ariadne, she only wore sneakers, which meant:

"Autumn," he said.

"Hello love," she greeted, "You look lovely."

Arthur managed a moan in response.

"I heard about you and Eames," she said, standing in the doorway, fiddling with her purse, "And... I want you to know..."

"Save it," Arthur said, still prone on the cushions, "I don't need your pity. I don't need your sympathy."

"I'm not giving you either," Autumn snapped, "Your friends told me that they think Eames is good for you. That he is... best... for you."

"And what do you think?"

"I want you to be happy," she murmured, "And I don't think I can be in a relationship with someone when it's clear they are happy with someone else."

"Autumn," Arthur stood up and walked slowly to her, "I'm sorry, I truly am, but I don't know if I can be with Eames."

"Don't be silly," Autumn took his hands in hers, "Yusuf and Ariadne know you best. If they say you are happy with Eames, then you are happy with Eames. I am not going to take that away from you."

"I'm not in love with him," Arthur said.

"You don't have to be in love with someone to be happy with them," Autumn said, "I am officially ending our relationship and if you are happy with Eames... go with him."

"I can't do that," Arthur said, "I can't love him."

"Can't, or won't?" Autumn countered, "I know you. After Summer, you don't believe in love, but let me tell you, Eames will teach you. He can teach you how to love, how to believe in it again. If nothing else, let him teach you that."

Arthur took her hands and brought them to his face, pressing his lips against her knuckles, his eyes scrunched tight.

"I'm scared," he admitted.

"Love is scary," Autumn said, "But it's worth it."

Arthur looked at her deep eyes, the smile on her face, and realized she was right. Love was scary and even if he wasn't sure about his relationship with Eames, he was certain that whatever happened, Eames was going to be a big part of it.