Inception does not belong to me. Apologies for the hiatus with this fic!

Arthur blinked. Fischer stood, unblinking. It was then the Point Man noticed the gun in the other man's hand. He swallowed, and met his eyes.

"You planning to use that?" he kept his voice calm, steady. Not a flicker of emotion moved across Fischer's face.

"If I have to, I will," Fischer said, his voice cold. He cocked his head, examining Arthur intently. "You've caused a lot of trouble for me, Arthur. A lot of trouble."

"Well, when someone threatens to kill my wife to be, I get a little angsty." The iciness in Arthur's voice undercut the near jocularity of the slang he used. "And when someone threatens to hurt my mentor, well, it makes it worse."

Fischer shrugged. "She's not very co-operative, I must say. Still, it doesn't matter. You're here now." He smiled.

"What do you want, Robert?" Arthur took a step forward. "What do you want?"

"You know what I want," the other man replied. "I want those security plans. If I get them, my company can begin monopolising the resources needed for national defence. It'll mean that I-"

"Have a level of control not even matched by the US Government," Arthur finished. "And for that, you were prepared to kill Ariadne and I?" he shook his head in disgust. "You're sick Robert, really."

"No, Arthur, I'm just practical." Fischer's eyes swept over him. "We live in a dangerous, unstable world. Can you blame me for wanting to get ahead of everyone else in protecting it? If it wasn't me trying to get these codes, you can guarantee that it would be someone else."

Arthur shrugged. "I have no doubt about that." He looked at him. "But, tell me this. One the extraction is performed, will you leave Ariadne and I alone?"

"It depends."

"Depends on what?"

"On how well you do this job for me."

Arthur blinked. "Robert, are you going to keep on blackmailing me?"

"Arthur. Remember. That job which went wrong? Who managed to wipe the slate clean for you?" Fischer's tone was taunting. "I'm not talking about Columbia. I'm talking about Toronto. The way the computer magnate was left...it could have revealed Extraction to everyone. I'm sure the police would have been very interested."

Arthur sucked in his breath. "So, you're going to hold that over me." He met Fischer's glacial eyes. "I should have guessed."

"Arthur. Doing this job would be an opportunity to build relations between you and the team. It was the prospect of losing nine million dollars that upset Eames. Do you really want him to be your enemy?"

Arthur looked at Fisher. "Are you offering me a choice?"

Fischer smiled. "I take it the answer is yes." He narrowed his eyes. "Where is Ariadne?"

Cassandra groaned slightly as she placed her weight on her leg. Eames winced; he couldn't bear to be reminded of how he'd hurt her.

"Can you walk?" he asked, softly.

She gritted her teeth. "I'm going to try."

Nodding, knowing that she would, he wrapped his arm around her waist. Together, they began to move down the hall. Cassandra stiffened. "Listen!"

Eames blinked. He could hear Fischer's voice. And, he realised with a jolt, Arthur's.

She looked at him. "We can't-" pain rippled across her face.

Eames nodded. "I know."

"She's outside." Arthur immediately cursed himself for his stupidity. Fischer nodded. "Good. I'll ask for her to be brought in."

"Fischer."

"Yes?" Fischer turned; he had already begun to walk towards the door. Arthur swallowed.

"Are you going to let Cass go?"

Fischer nodded. "Of course. Its called trading, Arthur. You're worth more to me than her. Ariadne is worth more to me than Eames. I don't need either of them anymore."

Arthur felt slightly sick. "So, you're just going to let them go?" He shook his head. "I don't understand you, Robert. You put people through so much pain, so much agony, and then you just let them go."

Fischer shrugged. "Well, I can." He looked at the Point Man. "Now, I'll find-"

He opened the door, his voice trailing off. Cassandra and Eames stood in front of him.

"You're not threatening Arthur, are you Robert?" Eames asked.

Fischer arched an eyebrow. "Well, its not your business if I am." He turned back to the Point Man. "We've made a deal. He and Ariadne stay here, and you two are free to go. Understand?"

Cassandra looked at Arthur. "No. We're not going anywhere." Her voice was barely a whisper.

Fischer smirked. "You can hardly stand. Do you really think you'll be any use on this job?" He shook his head. "I beg to differ."

"We're not going anywhere without Arthur." Eames looked at the Point Man.

"Well, in that case, I think the two of you will wait here." Fischer turned to Arthur. "The rules have changed, Arthur. You, and Ariadne, will be on your own for this. And if you fail..." he let his voice trail off. Arthur swallowed, understanding the hidden message.

"All right, I'll do it." Arthur locked eyes with Fischer. "But on one understanding. As soon as this is over, you never contact me, or the others, again."

Fischer nodded. "I can handle that. But Arthur...do you want to know what happened to Cobb?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Enlighten me."

Fischer smiled. "He's gone." He gave Arthur a hard look. "And if you fail in this, you'll be joining him."

Reviews always appreciated. Thank you!