DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INCEPTION.

Greetings loyal readers. Enjoy.

When I finally opened my eyes, the flood of light overwhelmed me. Noises seemed louder, smells seemed clearer and sights were brighter. It was light everything was amplified. It kind of felt like one big hangover.

I twitched my eyes around the room expecting to see everyone, but it was empty. A deep horror sank in the bottom of my stomach. Had they left me? Was I completely alone?

I stretched out my fingers and toes, feeling the blood circulation flow. I tried to push myself up, but it was difficult. I groaned in pain and I lifted my head further up against the pillow. A blinked a few times.

Great, another hospital room. I looked at my wrists and saw a few needles sticking in my arms. Nothing that shocked me. After all, that was one thing I was used to.

I looked next to me and saw flowers on the bedside table. Obscenely bright as well. I quickly found myself becoming thirsty. The back of my throat was dry. I leaned over and pushed the help button. Soon, a nurse appeared in the doorway.

"You're up," she smiled. "Can I get you something?"

"Ye-" I stopped, shocked at how dry my voice sounded. I tried to clear my throat. "Um, can I have some water please?" I asked, still sounding hoarse. She nodded and disappeared.

She came back with the much needed refreshment. I practically chugged it down. "Thank you," I breathed. I took another drink. "Um, can I ask you something?"

"Anything," she replied, checking the monitor.

"Has anyone been here to see me?"

She looked at me. "Oh yes, lots."

I must have sounded hopeful. "Really?"

"Oh yes. Your parents, this young British man, a pretty young woman and some man who claims to be your best friend." She smiled. "Were you hoping to see them?"

No. Yes. "Sort of."

"Well, I'll tell them you're awake. They'll be so happy."

Before I could say anything, she was out of the room, leaving me alone again. I tried to make a connection between the team and my parents, but it just wasn't happening. Jesus Christ, I had created such a mess for everyone. I hated myself.

"Arthur?"

I looked up and saw everyone standing in the doorway. My first impression was shock.

Cobb looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. His face was pained with depression. Eames looked rough too, only he looked more angry. Ariadne had red eyes as if she'd been crying and she had painted worry on her expression. Same with my mom. Those fucking tear stained eyes ripped holes through me.

"…" I was blank.

"Thank fucking God," Cobb sighed. He and my mom moved in closer and stood over the bed.

"Oh, Arthur," Mom breathed. "We…we just-"

"What happened?" I asked, sounding slightly slurred. Eames moved in and took his place in a chair, as if it were part of a routine.

"You fell apparently," he said. "Hit your head hard. Good thing too," he added bitterly. "If that wasn't going to knock you out, the amount of alcohol and cocaine in your system might have."

"Eames," Cobb said sternly.

I started moving. "I need to get up-"

"No!" Cobb and Mom shouted in unison. I snapped back into the bed quickly.

"Why?"

"Arthur, you hit your head. Hard. You can't just jump out of bed, you've practically been comatose for the past week."

I froze. "…What?"

I noticed my dad twitch by the doorway. "You really fucked yourself up," he hissed.

"Dad-"

"I can't. I can't look at you," he said, moving away. "I'll see you guys later." He disappeared as quickly as he came. Leaving me to stare sadly at the space where he was.

"Arthur?" I heard Ariadne's voice appear next to me. I looked up.

"Ariadne, I-"

"What the hell, Arthur?" she asked quietly. "How…how could you do this to yourself?"

"Yes Arthur, we need an explanation," Eames sighed. "You owe us that much."

"I…I just…" I looked down, ashamed. "I don't even know how to explain."

"This must be a lot to take in. Just rest for today," Mom said, offering a broken smile.

"How long have you been here for?"

Ariadne flinched. "All day, everyday. Waiting for you to wake up, if you were ever going to," she said, sounding like poison.

"Ari, I-"

"I'm sorry," she snapped, her eyes welling up. She turned and rushed out of them room. I turned to Cobb for an explanation.

"She's just tired," he sighed. "She misses you." He rubbed his face with the palm of his hand. "We should go, we'll come back tomorrow."

"We're so glad you're ok."

I wanted them to stay, but I couldn't think of anything to say to prevent them from going.