Disclaimer: I don't own Inception or Red Riding Hood.

So to make the long story short: I've been so busy that I haven't had enough time to write. I even have two (well, 3 now) stories that are waiting. A THGxInception birthday gift, an AriArthur one-shot graduation gift and now, an epilogue to Twenty Steps. Woo. Well, now that it's summer, I may have more time. But being such a good student (lol) I decided to take up advance classes. Please, please, please forgive me!

SiSi4: Yay! I'm glad it is :D I was thinking it was getting slow, I'm glad you think so! A lot more plot mysteries in this chapter, hehe. #TeamArthur&Eames! But, you'll never know...Thank you so much for your continued support and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
JuseaPeterson: I agree. I think Mal would be such a great mother. It's such a shame, really. Hihi, you'll find out soon. Although you may get your answer at the end of this chapter. ;] And yup! It does! More about the cloak soon, too. Oh, I love how you're unsure of who to trust! I think I just reached my goal! Thank you so much for your continued support and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Kamarooka: Hi! Now it's my turn to apologize for this long wait :(( I'm so glad you liked it! :D Yup! And there will definitely be more about that soon, to make things clear. :D Oh yes! Valeria is the one person you can count on when it comes to Ari and her...future adventures, hehe. I hope so, too! Haha! But probably not too soon (don't worry, she'll get to wear it). Thank you so much for your continued support and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
D.B.: Let's go back, please!
Carameltootsieroll: Uuuy. Alam na. Hahaha! IT'S OKAY. THIS CHAPTER IS LONG OVERDUE, TOO! YOU'RE GRAD GIFT, TOO! :(( Ugh, IKR? I really thought it was long but it wasn't :(( YES! MY GOAL! My ways are inspiration from CPK...hahahaha! Thank you! Your grad gift is in my consciousness! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Ameluz: Hi, there! Thank you so much! I'm so happy that you took time to read and review this story! This actually helped me because I was ready to not update until next week but I didn't want to leave you hanging. :3 I hope you continue to enjoy this story! I hope you enjoy this chapter, too!

Thank you EisForElephant, Sprouty11 and ameluz for the favorite, Sprouty11 and ameluz for the follow! Definitely not beta'd because of my excitement to post so all mistakes are mine.

Also, there's a restaurant in my favorite mall that has a server that looks like Tom Hiddleston! :D

Red Laces

I had recently gone out with Valeria, buying boots for my red riding hood outfit (and also because I want them) as a birthday present for myself. Aunt Mal had texted me and asked if I'd like to have dinner with them since they were there, too. Once Valeria and I parted ways, I met with my parents in an Italian restaurant. Phillipa and James are at home with our grandparents. I always enjoy having meals with just the three of us because I honestly miss the times when I was their only child.

In the restaurant Uncle Dom and Aunt Mal surprises me with a box wrapped in red and a gold ribbon. "It's late, sorry, honey," Aunt Mal says, "but we only saw it yesterday and we absolutely loved it. We thought you'd like them, too."

I smile and unwrap the gift. Shoes. Opening the cover I grin at the cutest pair of white high tops I have ever laid eyes on. On the side is a small red riding hood drawing with a weaved basket about to head into the woods. Beside her are a pair of red mushrooms and a red bird. "This is so cute!" I exclaim. "Oh my God, where did you get these?"

Uncle Dom shrugs. "We can't tell you, Ari. But once we saw it we didn't hesitate to get them for you. You won't be ashamed to wear them in public, will you?" He gestures toward the other pair of shoes, the more sophisticated ones, as he calls it, beside me. "Now that you've got those young lady shoes."

I roll my eyes. "Please, these are way cuter than the ones I got. Besides, these are probably comfier."

Aunt Mal smiles. "Did you have fun with Valeria today?"

"Mm-hm. Since I'm done with all my homework I have nothing to worry about." I shrug. "But all around we can hear people talk about how there have been three Heartless Killings in just a week."

"Maybe it's the bad luck of the full moon?" Uncle Dom suggests, looking at Aunt Mal. "Isn't that what they called it before?"

"Before?" I ask. "The Heartless Killings happened before but I haven't heard anything about the full moon being involved."

"It happened a few months before we found you in our doorstep. It was the full moon, too, and someone we talked to believed that the full moon was bad luck. Right after that there weren't any more killings," Uncle Dom explains.

"What about the other full moons?"

"No news that we heard about."

Our appetizers arrive and Aunt Mal shushes us about the topic saying that she doesn't like the talking about this, especially not during dinner. "When are you going to talk to Arthur, dear? Applications are coming out in a few months." Right. After applications is going in front of a panel to show your work. "And also so we can get those contacts and references." I love how Aunt Mal is so supportive. My whole family is, really. "I'm sure you're dying to work with Arthur, right honey?"

"Mom!" I call out. Sometimes, when I'm caught off guard I revert to calling them Mom and Dad and they enjoy it. "I don't like Arthur that way."

She giggles. "I was only implying it in a professional manner since he seems like a legitimate man. I also think he's interested in helping."

I bite my bottom lip. "Oh."

"But if you like him, even better!"

Uncle Dom makes a face. "No, worse."

"Lighten up, Dom," Aunt Mal chides, "it's been awhile since Ari had a boyfriend."

"When did this turn into a talk about boyfriends?"

I stab my baked ziti with my fork. "I'll message Eames to ask him when the most convenient day is."

"Let's bake him some pastries as a thank you," Aunt Mal says. "Let's ask Eames what he likes. I'm sure I can whip up something. Maybe I can make some crème brule. Do you think he's into sweets?"

Uncle Dom pats her knee. "Let's have some dinner and we can think about that when they set a date…I mean, when they agree on a day that they'll meet up…for when he looks at her work."

"You don't have to go into so much detail, Dom." Aunt Mal sighs. "Did you really need to convince yourself?"

"You're headed the wrong way," Robert says as he lights a cigarette. "They're heading east, not north."

Browning raises an eyebrow. "And how would you know that?"

"I've checked the pattern from before," he shrugs, "they're heading east."

"Then why are they back west if they were heading east?" Browning continues. "And take out that fire, it isn't welcome in my office."

He chuckles and shakes his head. "So says the man who has a whole bin just for his cigarettes." Robert walks over to the said bin and throws in the unfinished one. "I don't know why they're back in the west. Maybe a base."

"Then why wait twenty years to kill again?"

"Isn't that why we're here to find out?" Robert raises an eyebrow. "You remember the bad luck of the full moon?"

Browning grunts. "Yeah, of course I do. How could you? You were just a toddler that time."

Robert stiffens. "I researched. Besides, I remember my grandfather becoming obsessed with that case."

"Your grandfather was the best agent this world has ever gotten and yet he couldn't solve these murders."

"He was close. He just died before he could tell anyone else."

"Keep believing in that, dream boy. This is a cold case that just doesn't want to be solved. Next thing you'll know," Browning shrugs, "we'll have to wait another twenty years."

"No," Robert shakes his head, "I don't think that's how it works."

Browning frowns. "Well if you're so smart, how does it work?"

Robert shrugs. "I don't know. But that's why I'm assigned to the case. Not you." He places the files together, carries the folder and saunters out of the room. "Unless you have something of substance, Browning, don't interrupt me again."

"You are a goddess, woman," Eames says to me.

I smile. "Thanks."

Eames had knocked on our door and brought in homemade cookies for Phillipa and James. Aunt Mal had suggested that I show him some off my works and also settle a date for me and Arthur. "I'm sorry Aunt Mal is bugging you about it," I told him. He shook his head and said it was no problem.

"I've never seen such detailed work. And the way the structures are built...don't tell me you're taking a double degree!"

I laugh. "Uncle Dom justs wants me to be sure that if questions are asked, I'll be ready to answer them. And Grandpa wants me to always be prepared."

"Arthur will have such a grand time working with you. It's people like you who gives him hope that this world isn't succumbing to unoriginality and lack of creativeness. Although that man also lacks creativity," he chuckles, "hypocritical bastard."

"What?"

He chuckles again. "It's sort of an inside joke. Don't worry. He's one of the most intelligent people in the world. You'd be lucky to have him as your advisor. And while we're at it, why don't you come over this weekend? Saturday afternoon sound good to you, love? I'll be awake by then so I can help you out as well."

"Saturday afternoon would be perfect," I nod. "Thank you, Eames."

"No problem, love. Always happy to help. I do hope you brother and sister enjoy the cookies. Arthur was feeling a little motherly today and he baked that batch specially for them."

"Oh that's so sweet of him," I say.

"Sweet and Arthur don't really work in one sentence," Eames laughs. He shrugs and begins to turn, looking around my room. His eyes linger towards my closet and the window that faces Arthur's a little too much. "This is a lovely place you've got, young lady. Have there been any boys here?"

I blush. "Not in the way that you're thinking."

"And what am I thinking?" a smirk is paired with a raised eyebrow.

Shaking my head, I pick up my blueprints, graphing paper and notes, and pack them in my folders before placing them on my desk. "So what exactly do you and Arthur do, Eames? If you two are experts in almost everything and you two have a lot of references." I turn around and shrug, "I'm curious."

He smiles. "I think I remember telling you what Arthur's jobs is," he clears his throat, "I mean, are. In fact, I made a code for him. It's a mix of a mnemonic, acronym and word. Would you like to hear it?" Before I could reply he says it, "Comfort Room Sex and Assassin."

"I see…" I am not surprised at all.

"Remember when I told you that he's a consultant, researcher, security expert and assassin?"

"Oh."

He nods. "While I work in communications and I am also a researcher and assassin."

I smile. Of course I don't really believe in the assassin part. "Sounds like a fun job."

He smirks. "You have no idea."

There's a knock on the door and I call out for the person to come in. Aunt Mal pokes her head inside and I can see Phillipa peeping in as well. "Would you like to stay for dinner, Eames? You're very welcome."

Eames shakes his head. "No thank you, Mrs. Cobb. I don't want Arthur to miss me," he chuckles. "Hello there, Phillipa."

"Hi, Mr. Eames," she says softly, waving.

"That's a really cute dress you're wearing," he continues, "you look very pretty in it."

Phillipa's eyes widen and then runs away. Aunt Mal laughs while I warn Eames that she's too young for him. He laughs and winks. "Don't worry, I have my eyes set on someone else. Although," he smirks, "I'm pretty sure she has her sights on someone else."

I roll my eyes and groan. "I don't like Arthur that way."

"I never said a name," he laughs. "You're putting words in my mouth. Words that I assume are true?"

"Are we having dinner or not?" I huff.

Aunt Mal laughs. "I'll call when dinner's ready. Oh, and Eames, does Arthur have a particular pastry he likes?"

"He really enjoyed that cake you brought for us when we moved in, Mrs. Cobb."

"Perfect! We'll bring it over on...?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Saturday afternoon," Eames replies.

Aunt Mal nods in approval. "I'll see you, then Eames. Please tell Arthur we said hello and thank you very much for the cookies he baked for us."

Once she closes the door, Eames looks back at me and says. "I think you and Arthur would have a lot to talk about on Saturday, you should probably stay for dinner." Clasping his hands together, "I have to get going. Arthur's going throw a fit when he comes home from his trip to Daddy dearest and doesn't find me at home."

"Oh, he had work today?"

"We don't exactly start until next week but he wanted to be sure of some specifics." He shrugs. "I'm going to have my ears bitten off when he starts talking about what we have to do. I'll see you soon, love."

"I'll show you out," I tell him. We both leave the room and head downstairs. Before he heads out, he shouts, "I'll see you around, Cobb family!" I shut the door behind him and walk to the kitchen. I find Aunt Mal setting the table. "Anything I can do?"

She looks up and smiles at me. "Do you mind helping me put the food?"

"Bite your ears off?" Arthur questions the man who had just arrived.

"Oh, you heard that? I love double meanings." Eames chuckles. "Anywho...what did you find out today?"

"Nothing."

"Don't fuck with me, Arthur."

"I'm not," Arthur retorts, handing him a bunch of files. "This is everything we have on them. And nothing suggests anything. All the evidences seem to have just disappeared."

"Arthur, I have big faith in Avalanche. It can't just let us down now."

The man sitting down sighs and looks at the distance. "I highly doubt he's keeping anything from us."

"Of course," Eames says as he sits on the armchair, "he basically assigned us to do this."

Arthur clears his throat. "Yes."

The Brit looks up and narrows his eyes. "What?"

"What?"

"You're lying about something."

Arthur glares at him before opening another file. "This one is about Cassandra Montgomery. It's the same stuff we know about her. Hunted by the law, ran away with a child she kidnapped, allegedly murdered her friend because she knew too much."

"The question still remains. What is her connection to Ariadne?"

"There's no date of birth. We don't even know if she's still alive."

"Or who the kidnapped baby is."

"Or was the baby even kidnapped."

"Any files about that certain baby?"

"They found Cassandra but not the baby. She never talked either. They found her hanging in her cell three days later. The thing is, when they returned to get the body...it disappeared."

"Creepy." Eames shook his head. "But poor woman."

"And what about her husband?"

"Craig Montgomery. Married another woman named Antoinette. He and his wife are still Rosenstorgh. I've heard about the story...variations, at least. Which is why I can't be sure about this Cassandra woman and the baby."

"Have you ever talked to him? Craig?"

"Sullen man. Doesn't really talk much. Although Antoinette thinks the world of him. They never bore a child. They say that's another reason why Craig is so depressed. He desperately wanted a child. He desperately wanted a boy."

Arthur scans the file, his eyes quickly reading anything of importance. "He's not a very rich man."

"No one in Rosenstorgh is rich, Arthur."

Arthur gives him a look. "Then is there anything you're sure of about him?"

Eames sighs. "That he actually still loves Cassandra."

"Cassandra Montgomery?" someone calls out.

She's been found. Thank God she's left her daughter in the care of Harper Jones. Pretending not to hear them, she continues to walk, careful to make a turn to the direction that wouldn't lead them to her daughter. "Just keep walking," she breathes. "Just keep walking."

"Cassandra Montgomery? NYPD. We need to ask you a few questions."

Stopping feets away from them, she shouts, "I don't know who you're calling out to, officer. But I am certainly not her!" Hearing the man grunt, she turns back and begins to move along. "I'm sorry, officer, but I can't help you."

The officer's pace begins to become faster. "Then I'll make sure you get home safely, ma'am."

"No need, sir." And she doesn't even hesitate to start running. "Lead them away from her."

The officer behind her calls for her. "Ma'am! Stop!" The man's radio begins to screech and she hears him calling or back-up. "Woman matching the description of Cassandra Montgomery. Virginia Street, heading towards Farmiga. Unsure if unarmed. May be heading towards kidnapped child."

After two hours of hiding from the people chasing her, Cassandra was arrested by a young, seemingly-sympathetic woman who turned out to be a police officer off-duty. In the holding cell, she kept her calm and never lost her temper despite being barked at. One detective was so fed up he nearly broke the glass.

"Where is the child you kidnapped?" Matthews, the kinder detective, questions.

"Who said I kidnapped the child?"

"The people from the village, Mrs. Montgo—"

"Miss Drew."

The detective looks at her. "I'm sorry?"

Cassandra looks at him, exasperated. "My husband and I are not together anymore. He tricked me. I go by my maiden name now, Cassandra Drew. You can put that in your files. I despise being called Mrs. Montgomery."

"Oh, well then, Miss Drew," the detective sits down across from her, "the people from your—the village of Rosenstorgh have said that you kidnapped the child."

Cassandra shakes her head slowly. "Sir, with what my husband, and maybe everyone has done to me, I advise you not to side with them."

"What do you mean by what your husband and everyone has done to you?"

"I'm not from the village. I fell in love with Craig Montgomery and he brought me to Rosenstorgh. I have always been the odd one out. Not many people accepted me. When I gave birth to my daughter, they wanted to take her away."

"That's probably bullshit," the other detective, Smith, snorts.

Cassandra tries her best not to glare at the man. "Would you like a maternity test?"

Smith raises his eyebrow. "You're willing to do that."

"Only if I have your word that you don't give her to them."

The lonely apartment makes Damian long for a happier one. Its plain, white walls don't hold pictures. The single bed is rumpled. He usually falls asleep on the scratchy, green couch with the television on and the window open.

He has a cigarette box on the coffee table, his prized possession. It holds a bunch of pictures of a young woman as she's growing up. A young, brunette who lives in Cozy Pebble in Stone Rose City. A young woman with a not-so-ironic love for Red Riding Hood. The only personal thing he has of her are the two red laces of her cloak, the one she wore when she was still a baby. It's usually wrapped around his wrist or packed inside the box.

He would think of the young lady in the comfortable household, with her red hood and two bodyguards next door. "She's safe…" he murmurs to himself. But despite the assurances and the protection, he knows it isn't enough. They don't know first hand what to do. They can't protect her the way he can protect her.

"I promise, Cassandra," he whispers as he looks at the picture of Ariadne when she was smiling up at him. "I promise, I will get her back. I will get our little girl back."

Putting the picture back inside the small box and putting that certain box in his coat pocket, he stands from his seat and moves towards the small balcony. He looks up at the moon. Luna isn't full anymore but it doesn't really matter. Looking down towards the dark, abandoned alley, he takes a few steps back and then jumps off, howling into the night.

After all, no one can protect a girl better than her family.

I've always been close to the moon. Maybe because it looks so serene. I'm always drawn to it, like it's calling me. When I was young I would tell Uncle Dom and Aunt Mal that I wanted to be an astronaut just to get to the moon.

Sighing and bending forward, careful not to dip down to low, I hold up my right hand and grab the bright half orb. Of course, I don't get it but I keep my hand closed just to savor it. "You're so beautiful." And just as I say that, I hear a howl from the distance and it startles me. "What's a wolf doing in Stone Rose…?"

At the corner of my eye I see the neighbor's bedroom lights are on. I turn sideways and see Arthur with a glass of wine. There's eye contact and he nods at me in acknowledgement. I nod back, a small smile playing by my lips. I look back at my clock and see that I have to get my rest if I want to wake up on right side of the bed tomorrow.

"Good night," I mouth to him.

I bring myself back inside and close the window. I'm just going to take that image of Arthur having bright gray eyes instead of his dark brown away from my head. Maybe.

"[...] a wolf met her." -Little Red Riding Hood (Brother's Grimm, 1697)

There are pictures in my profile of the shoes, they're so cute!

It would mean a lot to me if you tell me what you think of this chapter. I've been writing for academics lately and haven't gotten my game on for fiction or fanfiction. Comments, suggestions, violent reactions...anything to help me improve. :] I hope to see you in my other/next stories! And hopefully it won't take me too long to update this one.

Oh, and if anyone wants to check out how organized my tumblr is now, go to: .com I'm quite proud of it, haha. But if you don't want to, that's cool, haha.