Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me. All readers and reviews appreciated, thank you!
"Are you ready?"
Eames nodded. "Of course. Wait for me out here."
Cobb watched as Eames entered through the plate glass revolving door. He looked up at the mammoth structure, its glacial surfaces reflecting in the light. He moved towards a fountain, noting how the water was perfectly timed.
He took a deep breath. They were running out of time.
"I can't come with you." Her voice sounded pale, lifeless. Arthur knelt down, and stroked her arm.
"Of course you can," he said gently. "We're just going to walk out that door together. We can bail to South America, the States, anywhere. We have to."
"Arthur." Her eyes focused on him. "I can't come with you. If I leave, Saito will kill Dean. I can't let that happen. I have to stay here."
"Don't believe him." Arthur's voice was steady, but his heart was beginning to pound. "Saito…you can't trust him. Please. Lets just go."
"No." She looked at him. "Let me go, Arthur. I shouldn't have got involved. You need to go back to your team. To Dom. He cares about you, you're the closest thing he has to a brother. And that little brunette…she adores you."
"But-"
"You don't want me, Arthur." Her voice was calm. "You wanted me, because Cobb had me first. You wanted me because you thought I was sexy. "
"I wanted you because I thought you liked me."
"No, Arthur." She looked at him. "Please. You need to get over this. You need to get back with your team."
"They won't want me." Arthur looked at her. "They just see me as this sick, useless-"
"No they don't!" Her voice was sharp. "You know that! They see your illness – they also see you! You know your ill, Arthur! You've had this for years! Don't you remember how we went for dinner? You ploughed through three courses, and then asked for more dessert? I knew you were ill. Saito saw your weakness, and he was all over you."
"They hate me." Arthur's voice was quiet. "I told them that. I can't go back."
"Then you're even more stubborn than I thought you were." She smiled.
"Elise." Arthur got on the bed, and brushed her cheek with his hand. "Please."
She shook her head. "No. Stop trying to be the big man. Please, Arthur. Before it kills you."
The PA looked up. "May I help you?"
"I do hope so," Eames said smoothly. "I'd like to see Ichiro Saito. He and I are…" he paused. "Old friends."
She frowned. "Mr Saito is a very busy man."
"I know," the Forger said, smiling. "And so am I. Just tell him its to do with Arthur Ogilvie, and he might suddenly find space in his schedule."
The PA picked up the inter office phone, a scowl etched on her smooth, milky skin. She spoke a few sentences of rapid Japanese, then nodded.
"Mr Saito will see you now," she said, her voice curt.
Eames beamed. "Thank you." He turned, and walked into the office. The magnate was facing the window, looking out at the expanse of Tokyo. Eames walked right in, and leaned over the desk.
"Saito?"
The magnate turned round, and seeing Eames, narrowed his eyes. "Mr Eames! To what do I owe this…pleasure?"
Eames smiled. "You tell me." His voice was smooth. "Why do you think I'm here, Mr Saito? What do you think I could be looking for?"
"You want to get Arthur." The magnate's eyes glittered.
"Got it in one." Eames lowered himself into an expensive leather chair. "I do want to get Arthur. Funnily enough, being told what to think by a quack who calls himself a therapist, and fattened up like a prize turkey, is no life for a thirty year old adult male."
Saito narrowed his eyes. "He's sick, Mr Eames. He's bulimic."
"And its an eating disorder, I know." Eames leaned back. "I know he's very ill. I just don't think you're treatment is going to help him."
"What are you suggesting, Mr Eames? I will not pay for his treatment if-"
"No, that won't be a problem." Eames interrupted. "I'm just requesting that you tell me where he is, and you let me go and get him. After that, you'll never hear from any of us ever again. I promise."
Saito glared. "I can't let you. Arthur is my investment."
"He's our friend. And Mr Saito-" Eames looked at him – "friendship has its own special currency."
Arthur looked at Elise. "You're sure about this?"
She nodded. "Please Arthur. Just leave."
He swallowed, and finished re-buttoning his shirt. "Elise?"
"Yes?"
"For what its worth, I always thought you were really something."
"Ditto."
He leaned over, and kissed her, on the mouth. She put her hand on his cheek.
"Goodbye."
Arthur nodded, turned, and started to walk. He closed the door firmly after him as he left.
As the door shut, Elise reached for her cellphone, and punched in a number.
"Dean? Hi, baby. Listen…Its time. I knew this would happen. So did you. Please, just stay safe. Here is a number – 07945 334217. Call it after you hear this message. You can trust him. I love you."
As Arthur walked down the immaculate hotel corridor, he heard the gunshot.
The sound was shattering. The silence that followed was endless.
Eames approached Cobb, who was increasingly sunk in a torpor of heat and worry.
He scrambled to his feet. "Well?"
Eames looked serious. "He won't give him up. Refused to tell me where he is- but I know he's with Elise. I think they're in a hotel."
Cobb looked at Eames. "There are easily a thousand hotels in Tokyo. Where do we start?"
Eames grinned. "With the most expensive?"
"Good point."
Arthur left the Imperial. Tears were starting to blur his vision. As he approached the pavement, he paused, and spat a mouthful of bile into the gutter.
Cobb's cellphone buzzed. He pulled it out. "Hello?"
"Is this…Dom Cobb?"
"Yes." Cobb was puzzled. "Do I know you?"
"My name is Dean Yarranton. I'm Elise's boyfriend. I think something has happened." His voice was choking.
Cobb gripped the phone. "Dean, what do you know?"
"I got a call a few days ago. Told me she had to go to Tokyo. She was at the Imperial." His voice broke. "I can't believe that-"
Cobb's heart was pounding as the connection broke. He looked at Eames.
"Eames. The Imperial. Now."
