It was all so peaceful. I was standing at the edge of a magnificent lake that reflected the extravagant oranges and pinks that the sunset pulsed through the nearly-cloudless sky. A cool wind whipped through my long hair, pushing it back from my face as I took the beautiful scene in. I could hear the final songs of birds recede into the night as crickets started to warm up for their night ensemble. I smelled a soft hint of flowers in the breeze. I felt calm and an almost healing sensation rushed through me. This feeling rejuvenated me. It seemed like all of my troubles just melted away, like there wasn't a care in the world.

I then saw the amazing scene start to fade, and I knew I was starting to wake, but I didn't want to, this was too perfect to pass! All I wanted was just a few more minutes, just a few! I then felt a slight tugging sensation, and I knew I was about to wake. I let out a sigh and let myself fall into the awakening.

Break

My eyes slowly opened. My body ached all over, though it was a dull ache. My head pounded with a searing pain. I felt eyelids sag with exhaustion, but I fought to keep them open. It felt that I was laying on something hard because my whole body was stiff straight. I looked down to find I was lying on a green cot.

I felt someone's warm hand clasping mine. I looked over to my right to find Miles sitting in a chair right by my head, clasping my hand, the other hand pinching the bridge of his nose, worry was lined and etched into his face. We were in the warehouse and I saw Arthur, Eames, and Yusuf pacing about the room. I tried to speak, but it came out as a weak sigh.

"Ariadne! You're awake!" Miles said with relief and surprise.

The others turned, surprised, and their faces flooded with relief. They ran over and crowded around the cot. It wasn't until then that I noticed that they were all in different clothes. Yusuf was in some jeans and a green t-shirt and a beige jacket. Arthur was in a two piece black suit with a light blue dress shirt under that with a thin black tie. Eames was in some jeans too with a brown leather jacket zipped all the way up with only a blue and white stripped polo shirt peeking out. Miles was in his regular dark blue sweater and beige khakis.

"H-How long have I been unconscious?" I asked shakily.

"Just a day and a half or so," Arthur said reassuringly, patting my leg.

"What happened to Detric and…?" I trailed off as I started to remember what happened.

"We took care of them," Eames said bluntly.

"What did they want with Eames and me?"

"They wanted you perform an extraction on Detric's child. Arthur found out that his wife had been murdered last year and that they haven't found the killer. But, Detric suspected that his son had witnessed the murder and that he saw who killed his wife. So he wanted you to make a maze so complicated that his son wouldn't have a chance to figure it out or get out. He then wanted Eames to forge into his late wife and scare the child into telling who him the killer was. I think he went mad with the excruciating grief," Miles explained.

"So why did he put us under in the van?" I asked, confused, slowly propping myself up on my elbows.

"He was scared that you guys would fight, so the easiest way to stop you was to sedate you and trap you in someone's dream," Yusuf explained.

"But why did they go into it?" I asked, still confused.

"They did it to keep you guys from giving yourselves the kick and waking up again. So they entered the dream to keep you guys busy," Yusuf explained again.

"But…but in the dream, all of these…dead people were there. W-Why were they there?" I stuttered again in fear at the mere mention of the dead people.

"You do ask too many questions darling," Eames said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. I glared at him, silencing him.

Miles chuckled awkwardly before he said, "Well, first of all, the dream was your dream," I gaped at him in horror, "But, the reason why your subconscious was like that is because you had a bad concussion and the state you were in at the time impacted your subconscious greatly. That's why those people were dead, per say. Your subconscious was reflecting your injured state and it multiplied it by a thousand," He finished, glancing at the others before looking back at me carefully, gauging my reaction. I admit that I was a little stunned by the information.

I sat up, and I swung my legs over the side of the cot as Arthur, Eames, and Yusuf stepped back to give me space. I stood up, but too fast, so my blood rushed down and I fell back. Miles hand shot towards my back, lowering me down to the cot. The others stood there with worry on their faces once more. I thanked Miles and reassured the others that I was fine. I took two deep breaths and stood up, slowly this time. Arthur offered me his arm and I took it. Once I had all my bearings, I let go.

"You have to be careful, Ariadne. You still have that concussion and a terrible bump on your head," Miles warned, eying me over carefully, "You all need to look after her for a few weeks. Always carry a gun on you," he looked at all of them with a measured look, "Never let her out of your sight and never leave her alone! I need to go back to the college for a meeting," Miles turned to me and hugged me in a very father-like way and whispered in my ear, "Please, stay safe!" He then let go and hurriedly rushed out the door.

Yusuf was zipping up his jacket when he turned to me and said, "I'm so relieved you're okay! Though you do look a bit…rugged," he turned to Eames and Arthur and said, "I'll take the next shift tomorrow. I have to go get more chemicals for our next job," he put his hand gently on my shoulder and cautioned, "Be careful and don't do too much. You need to rest up and heal." He squeezed of my shoulder before rushing out the door.

I walked over to Eames and Arthur and said jokingly, "Well! That was an interesting few days!"

Arthur smirked and let out a sigh of relief. Eames snorted and then chuckled. It then dawned on me that I was in different clothes, a light green t-shirt with light blue skinny jeans.

"Wait…Who changed my clothes? Who freaking changed my clothes?" I almost screamed in embarrassment, anger, shock, and terror.

Eames burst out in hysterical laughter, leaning against the wall for support. Arthur let out a long chuckle before he turned to me and said, "No need to worry Ariadne. We contacted one of your friends and she stopped by your apartment to pick up some of your clothes," he gestured toward the clothes I was wearing, "And she helped change you. We couldn't leave you in soaking wet clothes," he explained levelly.

Eames's laughter died down enough for him to choke out, "But we…didn't…change your undergarments… love…" He said this between bursts of laughter.

I rolled my eyes at Eames and sighed at his foolishness. I turned toward Arthur and asked playfully, "How do you deal with him everyday?"

Arthur smirked and said, "I really do not know, Ariadne. Its amazing that Cobb even hired him," he said jokingly, "Oh speaking of that, I called him after we rescued you guys. He's so relieved that you're safe. You should call him later. I'll go call him now and tell him you're awake and functioning. I think Eames is going to take first shift! I'll see you later tonight and Yusuf will take his shift in the morning."

"What about our current job?" I asked suddenly.

"Don't worry, they understood the circumstance…we are off the job," he said awkwardly.

Arthur hugged me and before he left I asked, "Why do you have to call it a shift? It sounds like I'm a prisoner or celebrity or something! And why does Eames have watch me first? I don't think that worked out the first time…" I said the last part jokingly, casting an apologetic glance at Eames.

"Don't worry, this time he's armed," Arthur said as he waved goodbye and left. Eames even showed me the gun, which was in a holster that was expertly concealed by his jacket.

I turned back toward Eames and called, "Hey Eames! Come here!"

He walked briskly over and suspiciously asked, "Why?"

I just smiled evilly and slapped him hard across the face, the piercing sound echoed through the warehouse. Eames stood there, surprised and shocked, rubbing his cheek, which now had a burning red hand print across it.

I laughed slowly and menacingly and then said, "Payback is a bitch," I chuckled mockingly, "And I always get my revenge."

"Oh? Do you now? Well I guess you won't be needing this then!" he said this mockingly as he pulled out my totem, which was in a plastic baggie, out of his pants pocket and dangled it by the corner of the bag in front of my face.

I grabbed for the bag, but he lifted it out of my reach above his head.

"Unfair! I'm way shorter than you! Give me back my bishop!" I yelled loudly, desperately snatching at the bag that was completely out of my reach. I even resorted to clamping onto his shoulders and jumping for the bag.

"Ah-ah-ah! You have to give me something for it first!" he said mockingly, pushing me back a step.

"No way! That's my totem! How would you feel if I took your poker chip?" I asked, frustrated as he just smirked and raised the plastic bag higher.

"You have to give me a kiss first, and then you get your totem," he said evilly as he saw the horror cross my face.

I contemplated my options. This was going to be terrible!

"Fine," I said, defeated. Eames was taken aback for a second, but then he smirked playfully.

He started to lean towards me and I leaned up towards him. Our faces were only two inches apart when I suddenly swerved and pecked him on his scraggly cheek. He had lowered the bag by then and I snatched it from his hand. I ran across to the other side of the warehouse, leaving him shocked once again.

He recovered from his shock quickly and a smiled brightened his face and then playfully said, "Smart. You had me fooled there for a second, darling. A little trickster is what you are!"

Once I had put my totem into the safety of my pocket I asked, "How did you get my totem back?"

"I took it from Burick. He had it in his pocket the whole time," he said simply.

"We…we should probably go, it's getting late," I said awkwardly.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, love!" he exclaimed, striding over toward me and he took my wrist, tugging me to the front door.

So this was the little adventure in the irregular lives of the dream field workers. The team went on watching me for a few weeks, but that soon stopped. Our lives went back to normal, or as normal as working in the dream field could be. Cobb frequently called, checking up on us and giving us updates on his kids. Arthur and I still constantly bantered with Eames during work and outside of work. Though, from time to time I still check my totem twice, just to make sure that it's not a dream. All that distinguishes a dream from reality is a tilt of my bishop.

AN: I am so sorry that this took so long to finish! I have had a pretty busy couple of weeks! But I am glad that I finished this. So…tell me what you like, dislike, and things I should improve on! :D If you have any suggestions for a story feel free to tell me! Reviews are very welcomed and loved! :D Thanks to all who reviewed, story alerted, and favorited my story!