Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Browning walked into the room, surveying the rumpled, confused teenagers. Ariadne was pushing herself up onto her elbows; Robert was rubbing his eyes. Eames looked around, then began pulling the IV out of his arm. Browning noticed him, and smiled.

"You." He beckoned. "Come here."

Eames looked at him, his expression surly. "No." Turning his back, he went to help Ariadne, who was struggling with the IV.

"Come here," Browning said, his voice hardening.

Eames turned, his hand still wrapped around Ariadne's IV. "I said no."

"Clearly, you're deaf as well as stupid." Browning's voice was dangerous. "As well as being a thug who was expelled from two schools-"

"Uncle Peter," Robert interrupted, "I was expelled from-"

"Yes, but you weren't arrested due to assault and battery." Browning looked at Eames, smiling smugly. "Come with me. Unless, you want more of your life spilled to everyone."

Eames swallowed, and put the IV down. "OK," he said, mutely.

Browning smiled, satisfied. "Perfect." He turned to Miles. "Get the others ready."

Miles glared at him. "You know I won't."

"Then you can take the rap." He nodded. Two male nurses grabbed Eames' arms and started pulling him roughly down a hallway.


Arthur blinked. He felt slightly dizzy, and dehydrated. He looked around. The clinic, he was beginning to realise, was in the middle of nowhere.

All he could see was grass. Trees. Just stretching onwards.

He checked his watch. The clockface read 7.30pm. It was starting to get dark, and shivering, he realised he had to find some shelter.

Without a backward glance, he began to walk away from the clinic.


Browning settled himself behind the desk, watching as Eames was wrestled into a chair. He looked at the teenager, his eyes narrowing.

"You're a bit of a problem, aren't you, Eames?" He began casually, opening a file. "Single parent family, never knew your father." He looked up again. "Left your mother for someone else, right?"

Eames reddened. "I don't know." He looked away. Browning smiled, a touch of malice at the corners.

"Its true. It says so in here." The older man tapped the file. "And then look at what happens. Eight schools in ten years. You've been out of formal education since you were fourteen. The schools claim you are 'unteachable'". He paused. Eames' eyes were downcast.

"Why were you expelled, Eames?" Browning's voice was emotionless. "You're like Arthur, aren't you? You hit people."

Eames glared. "He lied."

"But they believed him." Browning looked through the file. "Underage drinking...experimenting with drugs..." he smiled and leaned forward again. "You really are just a lowlife, aren't you Andrew?"

Eames swallowed. "I guess so."

"You are so." Browning's voice was hard. "Now, listen to me. Saito has written that in your therapy sessions, you talked about becoming different people in dreams. Thats a rare talent."

"Is it?" Eames' anger was beginning to rise. He looked at the floor.

"Yes. Now, listen to me." Browning leaned forward. "I need you to do a job for me. It involves my business partner, Robert's father. I need you to pretend to be Robert."

Eames' head jerked up. "What?"

Browning smiled. "Did you think you were in here because people cared about you? No-one cares about, you Andrew. Your mother was very happy with the cheque I gave her. You were just a problem to her. The son she didn't want and wished she'd never had."

Eames was off his chair. "Why you-"

Browning stood up, and took a step back. He pointed a warning finger at Eames. "Now, don't. You do, and I'll have you in a isolated cell." Eames sat down again, feeling a wave of anger catching him by the throat. "You're part of a team. You, Dominic, and Ariadne. Oh, and Yusuf could be useful as well."

"What do you want?" Eames asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"I want you to do something called extraction." Browning leaned back. "Its called finding people's secrets, when they're asleep." His eyes narrowed. "You can forge for me."

Eames looked at him. "For what?"

"For all the money you can imagine," Browning replied.

Eames swallowed. "And if I don't?"

"You'll stay here. For the rest of your teenage years." Browning's face darkened. "And then I'll get you moved to an adult penitentiary. No-one wants you, Eames. Accept it."

Eames slumped. His mind was reeling. He thought back over the last incredible journey inside his mind. Finally, realising he was alone in the world, he looked at Browning, and nodded.

"I'm in."

"Good." Browning smiled, satisfied. "I knew you'd see it my way." He reached under the desk, and pressed a button. "But first-"

Two orderlies appeared. Browning nodded. "Take him to the operating theatre."

"What?" A bewildered Eames found himself hauled to his feet. He looked at Browning. The older man smiled.

"Trust me. You could do with a...alteration."

Reviews are always welcome - thank you!