Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Arthur gripped the wheel, noting how his knuckles were turning white from tension. He quickly glanced at Ariadne. The Architect was sitting silently, staring straight ahead.

He swallowed. "Ari-"

"What?" the sharpness of her tone surprised him. He exhaled slowly, marshalling his thoughts. "We have to go back. I can't leave her there. if I do, they will kill her, I guarantee." He gritted his teeth. "And as for Eames - if he intervenes, they'll kill him as well."

Ariadne looked at Arthur. "And what will you do?"

"Me?" Arthur stole a quick glance at her. "If they hurt Cassandra, I promise there will be repercussions."

Ariadne shifted in her seat. "Arthur..." she swallowed. "Will you kill them?"

Arthur didn't reply. Placing his foot firmly on the acceleration, he continued to drive.

"Cass," Eames whispered, urgently, "Cass, come on, you've got to-" he swallowed. She was unresponsive, her eyes flickering. "You have to-"

"There you both are," an icy voice interrupted. Eames turned. Fischer was walking in, followed by Cobb. The Forger raised an eyebrow. "Well. Both of you at once."

"Yes," Fischer said, his eyes chips of ice. "And its time for you to prove your loyalty to us."

Eames blinked. "Excuse me?"

Fischer smiled. "I want you to hurt her. Unless she agrees to be the Point for this job. You hurt her."

"Hurt her?" Eames face was a mask of confusion and near despair. "How can I-?" he swallowed. "Look at her! She can't even stand, and you want me to hurt her!"

"But you're good at it." Fischer's eyes narrowed. "You did such a good job on Arthur, time to prove how loyal you are to us. By hurting the one person I think you ever loved." He looked at Eames' white face. "You will bring her downstairs, and you will hurt her. Otherwise, she dies. Understand?"

Eames nodded, dumbly. Cassandra lifted her hand, and gently slid her fingers through it.

As they reached the city limits, Arthur pulled into a layby. Pulling out his cellphone, he punched in a number. Exhaling slowly, he waited. Eventually, a click.

Cobb's phone buzzed in his pocket. Turning, and avoiding Eames' eyes, he pulled it out. "Hello?"

"Just to let you know," Arthur's voice floated out of the phone, compressed and tight, "I'm coming back. So is Ariadne."

Cobb swallowed. "Arthur-"

Eames blinked, startled. Fischer's eyes narrowed, and he gestured to Cobb. "Give me the phone." The Extractor swallowed, handing it over. Fischer held it to his ear. "Hello, Arthur."

The Point Man heard Fischer's tones seep out from the receiver. Trying to crush his growing anger, he took a deep breath. "Fischer. Let her go."

"I'm afraid I can't." Fischer's tone was malevolent. "She needs to perform a job for me, as you're no longer here. And Eames is going to beat some sense into her. He's just a low level thug, but then you knew that. After what he did to you."

Arthur's mouth turned into a line. "Let them both go. Deal with me. Let her go, let Eames go. This is between you, me, and Cobb."

"No, Arthur," Fischer said softly. "You've taken yourself out of the game. Just let me go through with this. And you'll never hear from me again."

"I can't do that," Arthur said, calmly. "You tried to kill me. You tried to kill my future wife. And now you want to kill my mentor. Revenge is a dish best served cold, Fischer. You know that."

Arthur clicked off, leaving Fischer staring at a dead receiver.

Cassandra shifted. She felt a sharp pain in her back, and blinked. Realising she was on a chair, in a basement room, she swallowed. Eames gently caressed her cheek.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Closing her eyes, she waited for the blow.

Arthur pulled in, and looked at Ariadne. "Stay here."

She swallowed. "But, Arthur-"

"I mean it," he said, his tone almost curt. "I need to get Cassandra out of there." He looked at her, and took her chin in his hand. "You need to get into this seat. When I come down with her, drive. Simple as that. OK?"

Ariadne nodded. "Please-" she choked out.

"What?" he looked at her, her worry and tension reflected in his own dark eyes.

"Come back."

"I will." He leaned over, and shared a deep kiss. "I promise you, I will."

Eames raised his hand, ready to land a stinging blow. Then, he drew back. "I can't do this," he whispered. "I can't." He turned, noting that they were still alone. "I will get you out of here. Now."

Arthur re-entered the building, re-adjusting his jacket. He knew that everything he wore was crumpled, and he looked exhausted. He was a far cry from the sharp suited Point Man that Cobb and Eames were used to. But he didn't care about his appearance. Not anymore.

He entered the basement elevator of the dingy building, and pressed the button for the top floor. As the elevator began to move up, he started to compose himself. With a sense of determination, his fingers caressed the gun in his waist.

As it reached the top floor, he pressed the button, and stepped out. Walking down the corridor, an overwhelming sense of anger began to take hold. As he walked, he heard Fischer's voice, echoing. Swallowing, he turned and pushed the door, pulling the gun out as he did so.

Fischer was standing in the centre of the room, alone. His eyes narrowed as he saw Arthur.

"Well done, Arthur." Fischer's smile was mocking. "You've trapped yourself. Again."

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