A/N: Holy crap, people are reading this? That's unexpected. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart; I love you, and I don't even know you!

Now, I have a confession to make… when I started this story, I had no idea what the plot was going to be. But, not to worry! I officially have a story line. It's so exciting! So, here we go…. Deep breaths!

Disclaimer: I am not Christopher Nolan, nor do I own his works. I'm just playing with his characters. :)

Ariadne sat in her hotel room, waiting for Arthur. Hoping that, against all logic, he will find the correct hotel. After a couple of minutes sitting in silence, she realized how exhausted she was. Hell, even the hotel bed looked inviting. A little catnap won't hurt, I suppose. Ariadne curled into a tight ball on top of the hotel blankets, still clutching her totem, which she had yet to let go of. She was unsure of whether or not she would actually remember how to uncurl her tightly clenched fist- it was easier to leave it as-is.

Ariadne shut her eyes and breathed deeply, attempting to relax the leftover tension in her shoulders. It's done- the Job is over. We succeeded. Even this thought, however, failed to loosen up her muscles. Suddenly, she was startled to her feet as a sharp knock resounded from her door. Arthur.

"Just a moment please!" Ariadne frantically tried to straighten her wrinkled clothes, while simultaneously smoothing her mussed hair. Realizing it was a lost cause, she hurried to the door, taking a quick peak through the peephole, confirming that it was the Point Man. She swung open the door, and ushered Arthur inside.

"Ariadne. How are you doing? Are you holding up alright?" Ariadne nodded quickly, trying to decipher the frustratingly mysterious look in his dark eyes. "I'm not going to beat around the bush, Ariadne- this is not a social visit." Trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest, the Architect remained silent. "I'm here to tell you what you can expect to result from this job."

This time, Ariadne had no trouble recognizing the look in his eyes- pure, frustrating, cold professionalism. Arthur continued, looking at her in utter seriousness.

"Your cut of the money will be wired directly to your bank account. You can expect it to become available to you within the next couple of days." Ariadne nodded, wondering when she had become so mute, entirely… un-Ariadne. "Now here's the important part- you will not see anyone from the team again. You will return to Paris, and return to your studies. It will be as if nothing ever happened, with the exception of the difference in your bank account. " Ariadne leapt to her feet, suddenly discovering her missing voice.

"Arthur, don't be ridiculous. I want to do more jobs with you guys, I want to continue dreaming; I need that pure creation! Besides, you can't just leave me like-"

"Stop, Ariadne, and listen carefully," Arthur cut her off, taking a step forward. "This was a job. Nothing more. The job is over, which means that our communication is no longer necessary. Your services are not needed- I can find a new architect."

It felt as if he had slapped her. To her humiliation, she felt her eyes fill with tears. "Arthur, did I do something wrong? I'm the best there is, and you know it! You can find another architect, but no one as good as I am."

"This is what I mean, Ariadne, why you shouldn't continue dreaming. You're too young, too emotional, and entirely too naïve." His eyes were steely cold as he spoke quietly, yet sternly. "You should not feel so involved with the team, we're coworkers. If I let you continue dreaming, all you will serve as is a distraction for all of us. Your attachment is partially my fault; I should never have pulled that distraction stunt. It was inappropriate, and I apologize- I should have looked to other means of distracting the projections-" Ariadne, finally reaching her boiling point, interrupted, rising angrily to her feet.

"Cut the bullshit, Arthur. It was a kiss. A kiss. Not a distraction. You felt something there, and you know it. So you can take your pretentious "professionalism" and shove it." Ariadne saw Arthur's cold façade crumble, for just a moment- a flash of anger, before it settled back into his expressions. The calm infuriated her; before she could continue, however, Arthur cut her off.

"Ariadne- there was no feeling behind that kiss- it was a distraction. I feel nothing for you. You were a coworker, and now that is done. You will return to your normal life, whether you like it or n-" His head snapped to the right with the force of Ariadne's slap. She was so angry that her normally calm face was a blotchy red, and her body was tensed, as if to pounce.

"How dare you try to dictate my life, Arthur? If I want to dream, I will find a way. I'm resourceful, and I can guarantee that I will return to dreaming. You have no choice in that matter. I'm an adult. Now get out." He walked towards the door, before turning back.

"As I said, Ariadne, this is the last that you'll see of me. However I promised Cobb that I would give you this," Arthur placed what appeared to be a business card on the hotel dresser. "You should know, that dreaming is a hard business to break into on your own, and I think you will be disappointed in your search for an employer. Goodbye, Ariadne." With that he was gone.

Ariadne collapsed into tears, snatching the business card off the desk. She could not quell her infuriating curiosity, and she needed to see what Arthur left. It was… a business card… Ariadne looked at it through squinted eyes, trying to read it despite her tears.

In case of Emergency, call:

(555) 278-4870

Unsure of what to do with the card, Ariadne shoved it into her wallet. If Cobb wanted her to have it, she was sure that it was important. Finally, she crumpled onto her bed, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

A/N: Man, I feel drained after that. Anyways I hope you enjoyed the chapter, please review! I'm going to attempt to update on a semi-regular basis. Hope it works out! :)