I'm so glad you guys have enjoyed the past few chapters. When I started writing this fic, I knew exactly how I wanted one particular section...and that was the capture and rescue of Ariadne. So now that we have passed that part, I'm trying to figure out where I want this to go. I'm also happy you all enjoyed my fluff...I feel like I get a bit mushy and too fluffy with it, but I think every story deserves fluff...no matter how much it is. So this chapter has a little more fluff...but it's more of a transition into the next part of the story...the second half. Which means this story will be ending pretty soon. At least that's the plan, but we'll see. Anyways...leave a review and let me know what you think!

I get tired of reminding myself and everyone that I don't own Inception...



To Arthur's relief Ariadne slept through the whole night. He had always been a light sleeper, but especially now that Ariadne was in such a delicate condition he made it a point to sleep as light as possible in case she woke up needing something.

The sun was barely coming up when Arthur woke up. He looked around the still dark room and noticed that he was the only one awake, which wasn't abnormal. He shifted slightly, pulling away from Ariadne so he could get up and go start making some coffee and take a shower.

He managed to get Ariadne into a comfortable position without waking her and sneak out of the dark room. When he checked the time it was barely six o'clock. He debated whether or not to start the coffee now or take a shower first. Figuring that the others would sleep in at least until eight, he decided to take a jog and hop in the shower. He needed some fresh air and exercise anyways.


Cobb's eyes fluttered open when he heard Arthur close the door. He stifled a groan and rolled over, bumping into Eames. Thankfully Eames was a heavy sleeper and didn't even grunt when Cobb bumped into him. Knowing he wouldn't get back to sleep he sat up and stretched, stealing a glance at Ariadne. Her breathing was slow and she was still fast asleep. It gave him a sense of relief to know that she was resting up.

Carefully maneuvering his way around Eames and all of the pillows and blankets on the floor he quietly exited the room and looked around for Arthur. He walked into the kitchen, expecting him to be making coffee, but to his surprise Arthur wasn't there.

He heard the front door shut and knew that Arthur must be going for a run. Sighing, he started brewing the coffee, figuring if he was going to be up this early he should get some caffeine into his system.


Eames was annoyed when he felt Cobb bump into him, but he chose to ignore it and rolled over, wanting to get more sleep. He pulled the blankets over his head and fell back asleep.

Thirty minutes later he smelled coffee and wrinkled his nose. Everyone knew how much he hated coffee and would prefer tea, but they still made it anyway. He sat up hastily and looked around the room to see if anyone else was still asleep. Ariadne's small form was still in bed, her breathing steady. Everyone else was gone so Eames stood up and quietly walked out of the room, not wanting to wake the injured Architect.

When he walked into the kitchen Arthur and Cobb were talking. They stopped and took in Eames' appearance.

"You aren't a morning person are you?" Arthur asked, hiding his grin.

"Shut up. If you wouldn't make that bloody coffee it would be a good morning." Eames snapped and plopped onto the nearest chair.

"What the hell is that smell?" Colin practically shouted as he walked into the kitchen, a grumpy look similar to Eames' on his face.

"Coffee. Want some." Arthur offered playfully.

"Are you trying to poison us?" Eames asked, offended.

Arthur and Cobb chuckled and shook their heads. Chloe walked in and the room fell silent. She looked down and avoided everyone's eyes. And Yusuf waddled into the room, ignoring the tension in the room.

"Mr. Cobb sir?" Little Cameron tugged on Cobb's pants, breaking everyone out of their thoughts. Cobb smiled and knelt down so he was eye level with Cameron.

"Yes Cameron?" He asked.

"Thank you for saving me and the nice lady. Is she going to be ok?" He asked innocently.

Arthur's gaze hardened and he looked at Chloe briefly. He moved to stand next to Cobb and looked down at the little boy.

"She'll be fine." Arthur replied softly before leaving the room.

Cameron looked up at his mother puzzled, but she smiled at him and ruffled his hair. Cobb cleared his throat and stood up.

"We need to start packing up, unless you want to stay here, but we need to get Ariadne medical attention. It might be better to stay together in case something happens, but I want to leave that up to you." Cobb said and the others remained silent, thinking things over.

"Whatever you choose is fine Colin." Eames spoke up, knowing that his brother would want to split up and fall off the grid for a while.

"I can't leave Chloe and Cameron." Colin replied and looked at Chloe lovingly.

"Then we'll go with you." Chloe blurted out, catching everyone off guard. Cobb and Eames had never seen Chloe so willing to give up everything for someone.

"Wow." Eames whispered, looking at Cobb.

"It's the best. Arthur hates me right now and I don't want to cause any more trouble. Plus I know Colin can keep us safe." Chloe said.

"Alright, if that's really what you want to do." Colin looked her in the eye and she nodded.

"You should talk to Arthur. He may be upset with you, but you should talk things over." Cobb insisted and she hesitated before nodding in agreement.

"Alright. Cameron, stay with Colin ok?"

Cameron nodded at his mother and grabbed onto Colin's leg, squeezing it tight and not letting it go.

Arthur had left the room to check up on Ariadne and get away from Chloe for a little bit. He still had to sort out his feelings and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to forgive her for the betrayal she had committed towards him. Sure Ariadne was back safe, but just knowing that Chloe helped cause the injuries she had received made him angry.

He sighed and opened the door quietly. Ariadne was trying to sit up and as she moved she let out small whimpers. Arthur rushed in and helped her and she grunted.

"I don't need help." Ariadne protested, hating being so weak and useless.

"Yes you do Ari. You have extensive injuries. It's ok to need help and ask for it." Arthur replied, holding her up.

"I can handle myself." Ariadne defiantly replied and stood up, gasping she stumbled and nearly fell. Arthur moved and caught her, careful with her ribs. Ariadne sighed and frowned.

"This is stupid." She said as she allowed Arthur to help her sit down on the bed.

"I know. I'm sorry. I wish I could do something to make you better." Arthur brushed her hair out of her face and tucked a few pieces behind her ear, leaving his hand to rest on her cheek.

Ariadne leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, thankful for the one touch that didn't bring her pain.

There was a soft knock on the door and Arthur groaned as Ariadne pulled away and waited for Arthur to see who was there.

He opened the door, frustrated and annoyed. When he saw Chloe standing there looking uncertain and nervous he had to keep himself from shutting the door in her face. Instead he stepped aside and allowed her to walk in.

Ariadne eyed her angrily but softened as soon as she thought of Cameron. She still felt uncomfortable around Chloe, especially now.

"I came to talk to you. Both of you." Chloe said, turning to Arthur and Ariadne. When she didn't receive a reply from either she continued.

"Ariadne, I am so sorry. I had no right lying to you, selling you out, and being so cruel to you. I was jealous of you at first. Obviously Arthur cares a lot about you and when I saw that I became jealous because he used to look at me like that, only there was something different in the way he looked at you. That only made it easier for me to sell you out. They had wanted you because they believed that since you were young and inexperienced they would be able to break you and get the information they wanted. I am truly sorry. I just wanted to get Cameron back safe, and as Arthur told me earlier, I should have come to you guys for help instead of causing you pain. Both of you pain." She quickly added and looked Ariadne straight in the eye.

Ariadne watched her carefully and after a few moments of digesting what she said she nodded. She moved to stand up, but knowing that it would be difficult she stayed.

"I forgive you Chloe. If I were in your position I probably would have done the same." Ariadne replied.

"No you wouldn't have. You're much more rational than I am." Chloe shook her head, knowing Ariadne was much wiser than her.

"Maybe. But I couldn't say because I don't have kids. I hear it's different when you're a parent." Ariadne said.

Chloe smiled at her. "Maybe someday you will know what it's like and be able to understand." Chloe shot Arthur a knowing look and smiled at him, receiving a blush from the usually put together Point Man.

"Arthur, after all we've been through I should have known I could trust you and go to you. But after everything that happened between us I wasn't sure if you'd want to help. So I went along with their plan. If I would have known how much you loved this woman." Arthur opened his mouth to protest but Chloe cut him off. "I know you love her and she loves you. I can see it. So don't try to deny it. Either of you."

Ariadne blushed and looked at Arthur, a grin on his face as he stared at her. Despite being beaten to the point that her face was swollen and she had bruises, this woman was beautiful to him.

"I wouldn't have turned her in Arthur. As I told Ariadne, at first I was jealous, but then I started to feel sorry for myself and wanted to try to handle this on my own. Which was incredibly stupid of me. I just want to know that you forgive me. We don't have to be friends like we used to, but I'd like to try if you'd let me." Chloe shut her eyes tightly, trying to hold back the oncoming tears.

Arthur moved and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I forgive you Chloe. But our friendship won't ever be the same and I'm sure you know that. I'm not even sure we can really be friends again." Arthur walked back to Ariadne and wrapped his arm around her gently.

Chloe nodded and frowned. "We're leaving with Colin. We're going to lay low for a while. Wait for this whole thing to burn over. But when it's safe again I would like to spend time with you and Cameron would love it too. It seems he has grown quite fond of Ariadne." Chloe thoughtfully said.

Ariadne bit her lip. "I talked to him until he fell asleep when I was knocked unconscious. I didn't want him to feel like he was alone. I just didn't want him to see what they did to me." Ariadne whispered and closed the eye that wasn't swollen shut.

"Thank you for keeping an eye on him." Chloe quietly replied and turned around. "We're leaving soon. I'll leave you two alone and I'll let you know when we're ready to leave." Chloe shut the door behind her and left the two to their thoughts.


Yeah...so there you have it! What did you think? REview! :D