'~*~'

"Thank you," Araidne sighed softly after her sobbing subsided.

"For what?" Arthur wondered, his lips buried in her hair.

"For not hating me,"

"Why would I hate you?"

"For putting you through all this. It isn't really fair to you or Robert. Arthur… I think I need some time. I should not be doing to either one of you so I need time to think. Right now, let's focus on the job okay?" She lifted her chin to look directly into his warm brown eyes.

"Ariadne…" He trailed off. Part of him was pleased by her mature decision, another part, the selfish part, didn't want space from her. He liked having her close to him. He opened his mouth once more to give a false praise for making the right choice when suddenly he felt himself being pulled from the dream. Next thing he knew he was awake, and on the floor?

"Wha- Eames?" He blinked at the intrusion of light.

"How did you get in here?" Ariadne wondered.

"Found one of your many extra keys, love," he smiled, waving the card she had lost. Did she really lose it? Or had Eames taken it…

"What do you want?" Arthur demanded.

"I figured she," he nodded towards the disheveled girl still on the floor, "Would want to freshen up a bit before meeting up with the very well dressed gent sitting in the lobby," Ariadne was wide awake and alert now.

"It's so early though!" She complained, climbing to her feet and running her fingers through her hair tiredly.

"Yes well, he doesn't look good so I suggest you get down there. After, however, you brush your hair,"

"Huh?" She glanced in the mirror and groaned. Arthur watched her grab one of his combs and attempt to tame the nest that sat atop her head.

"You look beautiful and I rather doubt he will look much better at this hour," Arthur reassured her. Her gaze met his and a small smile tugged on her lips.

"Okay, I guess I shouldn't keep him waiting, see you both later," she sighed, giving the Point Man one last smile before disappearing out the door.

"I heard dreams are basically the ultimate birth control," Eames winked. Arthur reached out and punched him in the arm. Eames winced slightly but his teasing grin did not falter. "Accompany me to breakfast?" He asked.

"Fine," he agreed, too tired to argue.

'~*~'

Arthur was right, Robert looked no better than Ariadne did. In fact, he looked quite a bit worse. He was wearing a simply white oxford with the top three buttons undone and jeans. She did not even know he owned someone as casual as jeans. His hair was a mess and under his eyes were dark rings. Robert's complexion was that of a ghost.

"Ariadne," he breathed when she came into sight. Without warning he rushed at her and wrapped his arms around her small frame.

"What's wrong?"

"The dream… I had it again. Right after I called you I went to bed and had it again. Oh God Ariadne it felt so real," she noticed the hoarseness of his voice and suddenly felt awful. His current state was her fault. She helped create the dream that was now tormenting his thoughts.

"Come on, let's sit," she suggested. They both settled down on the large couch in the lobby, Robert's hand clasping hers.

"I'm sorry, I feel silly for coming down here and bugging you so early, but I had the dream again and I just… I can't explain it," he shook his head.

"Tell me about it,"

"The beginning is hazy, but I was kidnapped. That's all I remember from the beginning, and then suddenly I was in this beautiful hotel. I was having a drink when this man with blonde hair approached me. I do not remember what he said but it seemed important at the time. The part I remembered most was being at this snow fort sort of place. It was really cold, and you and Arthur were there. We were trying to get somewhere, I don't remember where. We were in a hurry because people were attacking us," his brow furrowed as he explained.

"Then what?"

"Then a woman appeared and… She shot me… I could feel the pain. I thought you weren't supposed to feel pain in your dream. I was dying. You were there, trying to help. I woke up after that. I feel like something is missing though, as if I have had this dream before and that there was so much more to it. I guess it doesn't matter," he sighed apologetically.

"Of course it matters. Dreams are more important and more powerful than people want to think they are. A nightmare can mentally scar someone for years. No matter how silly it sounds, when you are living a dream it's much different. You have every right to be shaken up," she placed her hand over his, giving him a reassuring smile.

"I just… I feel like I had the dream before I met you, actually I'm sure of it. How is that possible?" He asked.

Her teeth grazed her lower lips as she searched for an answer. What could she say? His eyes scanned her face for an explanation, one he obviously desperately needed. She knew the effects a dream could have and she knew his was much worse than most. He was been shot, that was no lie. His life had been in danger, or, at least his mind was.

"Would you… Would you like to stay the night with me? You know, to try to keep the nightmare away?" She prayed internally that he would take this as a pure comforting gesture rather than a sexual offer. The light in his eyes at the moment put her worries to rest.

"Yes, actually, thank you," he gave a small smile.

"Okay, good. For now, let's grab some breakfast," she gave his hand a squeeze.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, put my story in their favorites, and put my story on alert. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, the next one will be more about Ariadne and Robert. Please review!