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Arthur sat down, and looked at Ariadne. The candle in the centre of the table was casting a soft glow across her face. He smiled at her, picking up his fork.
She looked at him, and reciprocated his smile. "I can't believe we're here."
"Neither can I," he said. "Away from them, away from Fischer." He forked up some salad and brought it to his mouth. Thrusting it in, he chewed and swallowed. He noticed her hand was still toying with her fork.
"Ari." He spoke firmly, softly. "You need to eat something. Please."
She flushed. "I know, its just I'm so tired and-"
"Ariadne." His voice was firmer. "Don't know if you realise this, but size zero is last year's look."
She flushed slightly, then picked up her fork. After cutting off and eating a mouthful of the chicken they'd been served, she smiled at him. Arthur was nearly halfway through.
"I need to take care of you after we get married," she said, putting her fork down and reaching for her water glass. "You've lost weight."
Arthur took a sip of wine. "You can boss me around after the wedding, I promise. Cook for me, care for me - I'll look forward to it. But until then-" he grinned at her.
Ariadne felt herself relax. She reached for his hand on top of the table, and he curled his fingers around it. "Until then, I take care of you," he said, softly. "And will forever."
She squeezed his fingers. "Thank you." She smiled at him. He put his fork down, reached out, and touched her face. She curled her fingers round his hand again.
Arthur swallowed. "Ari, I don't know where we go after we get married. I was thinking of maybe Tokyo."
"Tokyo!" She nearly dropped her fork. "Why?"
"Saito. He could offer me some work, you too. If we work for him, we'll have protection from Fischer." He put his fork into his food again.
Ariadne shivered slightly. "Arthur – do we have to keep on living like this? On the run, no stability?"
"No," he assured her. "No, not forever. Not until we put some clear water between us and them. Saito can be a buffer." He noticed the muscles in her face begin to relax. "Then, after a couple of years, we can start a family, get the life we want."
Relief was beginning to express itself in her face. "A couple of years! Arthur- I thought you meant five or ten!"
"No!" He said, more loudly than he'd intended, making him thankful that they were the only guests in the tiny hotel. "No, not at all! Ari, I don't intend for it to be difficult for any longer than a couple of years. I promise."
She nodded, curling her fingers round his and squeezing them tighter. "I know, Arthur. I trust you."
"Thank you." He got up slightly, and leaning over, gave her a kiss. "The only way we'll go through this is to trust each other."
She nodded. "I agree."
Ariadne blinked back tears. She'd allowed Eames to walk her to the car. "Don't say goodbye," he'd advised her. "You turned up here for no reason, you'll leave for no reason. They'll accept it – if you don't make a fuss."
"Where are you taking me?" She asked, quietly.
"Oh, somewhere." The Forger's tone was almost dismissive. "You'll be safe. I'll take care of you."
Ariadne blinked. "Arthur said he'd take care of-"
"And you believed him?" Eames raised his eyebrows. "Sounds familiar. He's quite the silver tongued charmer, isn't he?"
Eames turned off a main intersection. Ariadne shifted in the car. The Forger looked at her. "I'd get some sleep," he advised. "Its going to be a long drive."
The Architect burrowed down in the seat, trying to make herself comfortable. Closing her eyes, she tried hard not to think of her would-be husband.
Cobb was sitting in the hotel room. His cellphone before him on the table, the Extractor was holding a glass of scotch, taking a sip.
Eames had Ariadne. He closed his eyes, letting the amber liquid burn a path to his stomach. He was bringing her to him. He felt slightly sick, but then he remembered.
Suddenly, the phone started to vibrate. Puzzled, he leaned forward. The number was unidentifiable. He picked it up, and slid it open. "Hello?"
"Dom."
The Extractor sat bolt upright, the scotch nearly falling from his hand. "Arthur."
"Who did you think it would be?" The Point Man's voice was glacial. "Where is my wife?"
"I don't know," the Extractor said, his voice sounding hoarse. "I don't know, Arthur. Where are you?"
"You think I'm going to tell you that?" Cobb winced.
"Arthur. Listen. I know that we –"
"You don't know anything, Dom." Arthur's voice was raw with pain. "How could you do that to me? To her? To us? Doesn't my happiness count for anything?"
"I didn't have a choice." Cobb shuddered as he remembered Fischer's threat.
"Neither do I."
The phone clicked off. The Extractor looked at the sleek black object in his hand, and closed his eyes.
