DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inception.

I am sorry, but I am not happy. How did Eclipse win EVERYTHING over Inception? I thought we had this in the bag, people? It's a shame that a film as good as Inception has not won at least ONE Best Film award! Especially over Eclipse? Just because Taylor Lautner takes off his shirt? Geez, what is up with the media nowadays? Films are so past their time apart from the occasional good film, that doesn't even get recognition!

Sorry, little much needed rant. On with the story!


Arthur carried Ariadne out the back, hoping to god that the car was around the corner, waiting for them. He sighed with relief when he saw Cobb and Eames waiting for him.

Cobb sighed when he saw him. "Arthur what the-" He looked Ariadne in Arthur's arms and flicked his angry eyes back up to Arthur's. "What the fuck are you doing, leave her here!"

Arthur ignored his statement and walked over to the car. "Eames, get the door."

Eames gave Cobb a quick look. "Um, Arthur, you can't bring-"

"I'm not leaving Ariadne here, so just open the god damn door before we all get shot," Arthur snapped.

Cobb's eyes narrowed. "Ariadne? You know her?"

"Well…no…but yeah…we met a few times by accident." Arthur shook his head. "Look, I'm not leaving her here."

Eames stepped forward, clearly ready to leave. "Look Arthur, you realise what happens if she comes with us?"

Arthur nodded in return. "Yes, but I don't care. Now help me."

Cobb sighed and muttered something under his breath whilst slipping into the front seat. Eames opened the door and ran to the other side. Arthur looked at Ariadne once more, before slipping her into the car as carefully as he could.

His head snapped up when he heard yelling, and quickly pushed himself into the backseat. "Drive."

After the car pulled away, Cobb turned to face Eames. "What did you do now?"

"He slept with Saito's wife," Arthur said, rolling his eyes.

"For christ's sake, Eames. Anyone get shot?"

Eames shook his head whilst turning a corner. "No, I'm fine."

"Arthur?"

"I'm good," Arthur replied. He looked over in the seat next to him and watched Ariadne. He couldn't understand it. He just couldn't. He'd been in a situation like that before, and he'd always just run when told. So what was it about Ariadne that made him stay?

He reached forward and brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. His hand lingered on her face for a while. He couldn't help but feel slightly guilty. He had got her in that situation.

""I'm sorry," he whispered.

"What?" Eames asked from the front.

Arthur looked up. "Oh…nothing."

Cobb sighed. "You know, Arthur," his voice was softer now. "…It may have been safer to leave her there."

Arthur's brow furrowed. "I know. I just…couldn't,"

What now? Arthur's thoughts ran manically around his head, trying to find a solution to this impossible situation. You realise what happens if she comes with us? Eames had asked. Arthur knew. This girl now lying next to him would never have a normal life. At least, it would be very unlikely. The more he thought about it, he started wishing he hadn't of brought her. He shrugged that thought away, grimly thinking of all that could have happened to her if he'd left her there. He would have to watch her now, stay with her, making sure she didn't get into trouble to into a run in with someone she wasn't supposed to. He sighed heavily, knowing that most likely, someone would have seen him with her. The terrifying truth dawned over him, that if anyone knew about her and him, they would kill her at the first chance they got.

"Shit," he hissed, still sore from his run in with Nash earlier. Oh well, grow and pair and move on, as Eames would say.

He straightened himself, wondering what the rest of the team would think. She would have to be a secret. A promise between everyone to keep her safe.

Arthur blinked. What the hell is wrong with me? he thought. Why am I stressing about this so much? Promises and secrets are not what we need right now. Hell, it's not like Ariadne needed this.

At that moment, he could only pin point his behaviour down to one thing. The thing that made him obsess over Ariadne for the past few days. One very inconvenient, dangerous thing.

He liked her.