DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INCEPTION.

Sorry if this is kind of an information dump, but they need an escape plan. They shall not be in here forever, that I can assure you. But who's to say that they will all get out? EH?

Anyway, please enjoy, and review if you have a spare moment. Many thanks for reading!


True to his word, Arthur did find a time to speak alone with the Extractor. He'd left Ariadne in the eye of Eames, forcing him to promise his upmost attention and energy into the young Architect's care until he returned. He later found Cobb wondering mindlessly in the gardens, the most private place they would be able to speak in the entire damn place.

He joined him in his walk, engaging in a few small words until they were completely sure that they had some security in talking together privately. Fortunately for them, the workers were scarce that aftenoon, so they were able to talk quite freely about their planning. It was cold, and the thin, grey hospital clothing offered no warmth, but Arthur would wait as long as he had to in order for them to create something, anything that would help them.

They'd been walking for a while, before Cobb turned to him and spoke quietly. "I've got a plan," he said.

Arthur was instantly intrigued. He'd been waiting for Cobb's plan for days, and the tension and need for escape was slowly burning in his veins. "Go ahead," he encouraged.

Cobb's jaw was set, an obvious anxiety growing. "I know it's risky, but it our only out. If we can get Eames' little mole-"

"John," Arthur confirmed. A Point Man always knew the details, and always, always fed them to the Extractor. A force of habit.

Cobb nodded, appricative of Arthur's perceptive nature. "Right. If we can get him to 'forget' to lock our cells one night, we can meet in one of the wards. We'd need the key for the main gate."

Arthur's mouth twisted into a thoughtful expression. "Well, one of the guards probably have that. If we find out which one, we can get Eames to-"

"No. Too dangerous," Cobb brushed off.

Arthur frowned. "Eames is a thief. He's an expert at pick-pocketing."

"But there are far too many workers around. Someone would notice."

"Perhaps we can take him down on the night. Four against one."

"...That's better," Cobb faintly approved. "And we'd need weapons, just in case we run into any trouble."

"Cobb, I doubt they'd have any guns here."

"I'm not talking about guns," Cobb replied slowly. "When I was in a session with Carter, I was drugged. Syringes, Arthur. They're everywhere."

Arthur was silent for a moment, his mind slowly processing the information. The two had spent years defining and developing plans for countless extractions, and it was almost a second nature to them now. They were able to pick up each other's ideas after seconds. After a gap, his face was graced by an impressed smirk.

"So we drug the guards. That's brilliant," he praised.

"With that in place, we might just be able to escape."

Arthur's mind suddenly clicked, reminding him of another key factor. "Wait, Cobb. There are cameras everywhere. We'll be seen."

"Not necessarily. We have a talented Architect. If we get a blueprint of the hospital, Ariadne can track a safe route."

Arthur nodded, but still looked doubtful. "How are we going to get a blueprint?"

Cobb grew silence, his mind turning. "There's one in Carter's office. I'm sure of it. Whoever gets called in there next, can get it."

Silence fell between the two, Arthur's dark eyes catching Cobb's icy ones in a tentative look. Both men understood the gravity of the situation, and the risks involved.

After a while, Arthur spoke quietly. "...This is dangerous."

Cobb shrugged. "It's our only chance."

"But once we're out...how do we actually leave? We can't walk for miles for God-knows-how-long."

Cobb's face was hesitant. He turned his attention to his shoes, lightly kicking the floor in admitted cluelessness. "...I don't know. We'll figure that out when we get there. Our priority is getting out of those gates." He looked up, catching the Point Man's attention once more. "We'll brief the others when we're next all together."

"When are we going to try this?"

"As soon as we can. As soon as we have the prints, then we can get started," Cobb assured. He broke off into a deep sigh, letting his shoulders fall.

They both walked in silence for a while, simply indulging in the company they were missing. It was almost nostalgic, reminding them of the days when they would simply walk together, lightly discussing Mal, or the children, or sharing a friendly joke against Eames. It had all changed now. So much. The buisness they had once joined for the thrill and love of the impossible, had now turned against them in horrible, frightening ways. Ways that had affected the others as much as themselves. It was a job where people changed, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worst. Taking just as many lives as it creates.

After all, for every dream that is created, one has to end.

"Promise me something, Arthur," Cobb finally said. His voice was soft, hesitant almost.

"Anything," Arthur replied, his whole being ready for any request the Extractor might make. It was his job after all, to obey any order from his superior.

Cobb didn't speak for a moment, his eyes flickering along the ground. When he opened his mouth, his voice was faulty, an unfamiliar sound to the Point Man. "Promise me that you'll get the others out. Regardless of what happens to me."

Arthur blinked, not fully understanding the meaning of what he had just heard. He quickly shook his head. "That won't be necessary. We'll all get out."

"But if-"

Arthur shook his head again, his time more furiously. In complete and utter discontempt of the idea. "No. I'm not doing that. No 'what if's'. As your Point Man, I promise that I will get everyone out..." His eyes flickered back to meet Cobb's, his expression grim. "...Even if it means that I don't."

"Arthur. I've had my chances. You're still young, still able to do brilliant things."

Arthur knew the Extractor well enough to understand that any decisions he made we final. But this one pained him more than any other. The idea of losing such a dear friend made him sick to his stomach. Swallowing, he tried to think of any way he could convince the older man otherwise. "But...James and Phi-"

A heavy sigh cut Arthur off. Cobb's lips spread into a thin, white line, the dark lines under his eyes highlighted by the stress of the subject. "I know. Believe me, it's not something I want to think about. But they have Miles and their grandmother. And you, of course. I know they'll be safe. If I have to make sure that the rest of you get out, then I will."

Arthur quickly grew annoyed by Cobb's damn persistance. "I have nothing on the outside, except a hotel room and a briefcase," he snapped. "Why do you care?" His was was bitter, close to breaking.

Cobb caught the Point Man's anger, and gave him a sympathetic, small smile. "Because, despite what we've had to go through...you're my best friend." Arthur blinked, causing Cobb to wear an amused smirk. "You're thick-skinned, and stubborn. You've gone through more as a young man than most people go through by the time they're ninety. The good and bad. And most of it's my fault. For my causes." His shoulder's straightened, the words carrying an incredible weight. "I owe you this."

"If I let you stay behind, then I wouldn't be doing my job right," Arthur retorted, a sudden bitterness in his voice as his face quickly darkened. "...Or maybe this is your way of being a coward." The words were sour, and they were meant to hurt. Meant to sting the Extractor into finding some sense in his ridiculous promise.

Cobb however, only tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes towards the younger man. "...Art. It's okay," he said gently. "I know you're scared."

Arthur's jaw tightened, a flash of anger running through his eyes. "...You don't know what I'm feeling," he replied, just short of snapping.

Cobb remained calm, his face gentle and understanding. "I do. I've known you long enough to understand how you're feeling. You're scared. Anxious. Worried. Angry. You're only trying to hide it for the others. I have so much respect and admiration for you, Arthur. The way you place the team before yourself."

Arthur felt sick. A large, digusting feeling gathered itself deep in his gut, knowing that Cobb was winning. He bit the inside of his cheek just to keep from pouncing at Cobb, trying to punch some fucking sense into his stupid mind. He realised in horror, that the back of his eyes were stinging, a feeling that he hadn't felt in years. Tears building up, as his throat started to close.

Cobb caught the movement, and knew the deep turmoil that Arthur was now drowning in. He stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on the younger man's shoulder. "But don't conceal what you're feeling, just because you're afraid. I know how much you try to hide yourself, but sometimes it's just better to let go."

Arthur quickly ducked his head, horror filling his body as he realised that tears were now free falling down his face. How childish and stupid he felt, knowing that he hadn't cried in years, only now to be torn apart by a few words.

It wasn't that he was out of control, or angry. He was completely terrified at the idea of losing such a close friend. Someone who'd saved his life at the beginning, and was once again doing it at the end. They had no idea what would happen if they tried to escape, but the thought that Cobb valued Arthur's life more than his own was overwhelming. Never had he had someone care about him this much.

"Twelve years, Cobb," he muttered, trying to fight down the remaining tears. "Twelve years of running, could all be wasted if we don't do this right. They're relying on me. Eames. Ari."

"Nobody is relying on you," Cobb replied, calmly. "You take it upon yourself to protect the team. Something that everybody is grateful for."

"What if I fail? The one time it matters?" Arthur spat, getting angrier with himself each passing second. "This isn't a dream. Nobody is going to wake up."

Cobb didn't reply to that. How could he? The realisation was staring him fat in the face. A cold wind blew past, causing both men to shiver.

"Don't think about it," he instructed. "Our main focus right now is getting the blueprints to the hospital."

Arthur nodded weakly. "Okay."

For a moment, it was silent. Neither said a word as they realised that a plan had been formulated. A chance. A slim one, but a chance none the less.

Cobb looked up, catching Arthur's eyes. A look that only those two could ever share. "God forbid that we should ever have to go our seperate ways...I'd miss you. Not just as a Point Man, but as an old friend."

Arthur nodded, knowing that he didn't have to reciprocate. Cobb already knew. Pulling back slightly, he straightened his shoulders and held out his hand firmly, his face spreading into a warm small. Never reaching his eyes, but still very much defined. Cobb smirked, letting out a dry laugh. He held his hand out, and caught Arthur's in a tight handshake. The best exchange of trust either person could think of.

"...Thank you, Dom," Arthur finally spoke.

"For what?"

Shrugging, Arthur gave him a small grin. "For everything."