Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
"That was delicious." Smiling, Arthur pushed his plate away, resting his cutlery on it. He looked at Ariadne. "Thank you."
She grinned. "My pleasure. Although I think you need to watch it...have you noticed how tight your pants are?"
Blinking, Arthur looked down. "I don't know."
"Yes, you do!" Ariadne began to chuckle as she picked up their plates. "I guess my cooking is too good!"
Arthur got up to help her. "I guess it is," he admitted ruefully. "Although it could be the change from being an active single man to be a sedentary family one." He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "If being with you and our daughter means getting fat...well, fine by me."
She pulled him close. "Good. Except..."
"Except what?"
"Except...what if she doesn't exist?"
Arthur blinked, his expression becoming puzzled, and slightly alarmed. "Ariadne...what do you mean?"
"There is no daughter. No daughter...I lied...Arthur...you're so stupid..."
He blinked, his eyes opening, and a jolt of pain richoched down his neck. Opening his mouth, he let out a yowl.
"Hey!" Andy suddenly appeared, looking concerned. "Calm down man, its only 8am. Here, let's sit you up."
Arthur blinked as the nurse helped him into a sitting position. He opened his mouth. "Tha-tha-"
"Its ok," Andy said reassuringly, patting his shoulder. "Its ok, Art."
Arthur glared at him. Let me finish my damn sentence!
"Ar-" he paused. "Ari-"
Andy nodded. "I'll get the speech therapist. There is one on call. Don't go away."
Arthur sank back onto his pillows, feeling exhausted. He began to gently turn his head, ignoring the jolt of pain. He tried to felx his fingers, determined to try and regain his mobility as quickly as he could. He swallowed, and his throat felt dry.
Squinting, he saw a beaker of water lying on the side. Determined, he began to try and stretch his arm across, trying to focus to grab it. A spasm of pain caused his muscles to shake, and he began to fall.
As he hit the floor, he whimpered. His muscles were screaming, aching. Gritting his teeth, he began to try and crawl. He couldn't stay in the bed any longer. He needed to get up, walk, find his life, his fiancee - and the truth.
His arms ached, and started shaking from his placing his diminished weight upon them. He gasped, determined to continue. Tentatively, he put one knee forward, only to hear his hips complain in protest. He gasped.
"Arthur!" he heard an outraged shout, and looking up, saw the feet - and lower legs - of Eames. The Forger leaned forward. "Arthur, what in the name of sanity are you doing?!"
The Point Man ignored him, trying to focus on crawling. "I-" he choked out.
"For God's sake, you'll kill yourself!" Eames shout was loud enough to cause the door to open - a sign that oter medical staff had overheard and were coming to assist.
"What the-" Arthur recognised Andy's voice. "Arthur, Jesus, please!"
"Anything I can do?" Eames demanded.
"Yes." Andy knelt down. "On my instructions, take his other side, we have to get him back into-"
You're not putting me back in there!
"Come on, man, be co-operative," Andy said, briskly. Nodding to Eames, they counted, then lifted the squirming Point Man back into bed.
"You gave us a scare," Eames said, almost sternly, as Andy helped settle Arthur back into the bed. The Point Man narrowed his eyes, relieved that the sensation for his facial muscles had returned. Eames sat down next to him.
"What was that about?" he demanded. Arthur swallowed. "Wat- wat-"
"Water?" Eames asked, as the Point Man nodded. He reached across, picking up the beaker. "Here."
Gratefully, Arthur allowed his lips to be parted, and the water started to cascade down his throat. He sucked at the beaker's nozzle, letting the icy coolness wash inside his mouth. Eames let him drink, then, taking the cup, put it down.
"What happened?"
Arthur felt himself sigh inwardly, the frustration beginning to build. He looked at Eames. "Ari - Aria-"
"Yes?" Eames leaned forward. "What is it, Arthur?" his voice was unexpectedly gentle. "What is it?"
"Ba-" he shut his eyes, not sure he could even try and formulate the next word. Eames bit his lip, and swallowed. "Ba-"
"Arthur, please. Just nod. Are you saying baby?"
Frustrated, Arthur nodded.
"Do you think you and Ariadne have a child?"
Arthur nodded. The Forger felt a rush of anger as he saw the light of hope in the other man's eyes.
"Arthur." Eames exhaled slowly, suddenly feeling the anger directed against the Architect. Looking at Arthur, he saw a sick man, desperate to recover, who was being fed false hope. "Arthur. This may help your recovery. But...there is no baby. It was in the dream Ariadne took you into. What you see - its just a projection."
Arthur looked at him, his jaw slackening. Eames suddenly felt the anger ebb away, replaced by guilt. "Arthur, oh God, shouldn't have said it - but I know! Cobb told me what she's doing! I can't let her-"
Arthur closed his eyes, and screamed.
All reviews appreciated, thank you!
