So…I actually had to write this twice… My computer deleted the first one! :(

Disclaimer: I own Inception… on DVD. ;)

….

Eames and Cobb were staring worriedly at the Point Man as he filled them in on the situation. All of the details added into one larger, grim, picture: Cobol had Ariadne and she was in grave danger. They had to find her, right away. The largest issue was that they couldn't agree on how to go about doing that.

Cobb wanted to wait for Cobol to contact them, Arthur wanted to tail the first Cobol employee that they stumbled across and Eames wanted to march into Cobol, guns blazing. Cobb's choice was the first option eliminated- it could take too long to wait for contact. Marching into Cobol was far too dangerous, so that choice was stricken as well. That left Arthur's choice. With a starting point in mind, they formulated a plan.

Arthur was to gather as much information on the Cobol staff members that had an involvement in dreaming as possible. Eames would then follow the most likely source for knowledge regarding Ariadne. Hopefully, that would lead them to their missing Architect. It was then, as Eames was happy to learn, that they would march into Cobol, guns blazing, to rescue Ariadne. It wasn't going to be easy, but they were the best, and they were determined as all hell. Arthur immediately commenced his research on the employees. The sooner this job was complete, the sooner he could relax. His heart wrenched at the fact that their last words exchanged were angry ones. Arthur longed to apologize to Ariadne. He loathed the fact that by attempting to push Ariadne from a dangerous job, he all but led her into Cobol's arms.

If something happened to her, Arthur would never forgive himself. God, Ariadne, be okay. Please, please, be okay when we find you.

….

Ariadne found comfort in the familiarity of the warehouse. It reminded her of happier times, filled with the company of her favorite boys. Do they know that I'm missing? Ariadne thought of the business card in her pocket of her real-life jeans. If only she could have contacted them right away, she would be safe.

Safety. The word reminded her of the reason she'd sought out the warehouse in the first place- Ariadne was in need of weaponry. She immediately spotted a small handgun on Arthur's desk. Next to it, a hunting knife and three grenades sat as if laid out specifically for her use. Grenades? What the hell will I need grenades for? Nevertheless, she placed them into a small shoulder bag that she'd seen on her way in.

Now reasonably armed against whatever was facing her out in the dream world, she needed to find the safe. Cobb had mentioned that safes were generally where the subject felt the most secure. I felt most secure here, with the team. So- where is this safe?

Ariadne looked around the room. The most likely place, of course, was her desk. She immediately walked over to it, and opened every drawer, checked every space- nothing. Glancing around the room once more, her eyes settled on Arthur's desk. The weapons had been there- a safe would make just as much sense. She was much more cautious about searching through this workspace. Although it technically wasn't Arthur's actual desk, it still felt like an invasion of privacy. Finally, after searching through almost every drawer, she found it. For the combination, she used her grandmother's birthday- the same combination that she's always used. It opened easily. Ariadne reached in and grabbed the papers from inside.

"Ah, you found it. Thank you, my dear Ariadne, for making my job so simple. Now give me those papers." Ariadne stilled as she heard Liam's smooth voice from behind her. Her heart plummeted to her feet as she slowly turned around. Her thoughts were whirling quickly as she desperately tried to come up with a plan.

"Okay. Come closer, and you can have them." Liam stepped closer, eying her suspiciously at her lack of resistance. It was unlike the stubborn Ariadne to give up so easily. With that thought, Ariadne pulled the grenade out of her bag, flipped the cap, and grabbed onto Liam tightly.

The explosion swallowed them both.

….

"We're supposed to tail Marcus bloody Blackhurst? Do you have a death wish, Darling?" Eames had a point, Arthur knew that much. Blackhurst was possibly the most dangerous employee that worked at Cobol. To tail him was almost to commit suicide.

Cobb looked at the pair, observing from across the room. He was silent, a sure sign that he was as worried about the Architect as the rest of them. He'd brought her into the dreaming business in the first place; he was the reason that she was in danger. Yusuf had been unable to leave Mombasa, and would be of little help, but he too sent his worries with Cobb. Ariadne had a team of men concerned about her, and a team of men devoted to getting her to safety.

"Eames- we don't have a choice. I'd rather have a death wish than give Ariadne a death sentence." The two men exchanged a look of grim understanding.

"At this rate, Arthur, we may not be able to choose between the two. It's likely to be both." With that, Eames rose from the table, grabbed his coat and Blackhurst's information, and started towards the door. Before leaving, he turned back and called, "You're lucky I'm the best at this, I hope you know." Arthur gave him a curt nod, and a faint smile. With that, Eames was gone, whistling as he walked.

"Arthur, can I ask you a question?" Cobb's voice startled him out of his deep thoughts. Without waiting for a response, he continued, "Why are you so concerned about Ariadne? Don't get me wrong, we're all worried, but you seem to be taking this at a deeper, more personal level." Arthur looked at him, his usually impassive face looking embarrassed.

"Let's just find her, Cobb. Please." With that, Cobb knew that the conversation was over.

….

Ariadne's eyes snapped open. Liam was standing over her, looking fiercely angry. He grabbed her shoulders, lifted her off of her chair, and slammed her against the wall. Ariadne whimpered with pain as she felt one of her ribs crack.

"Now, Ariadne, that was unkind. I wasn't done dreaming yet." Contrary to his appearance, his voice was frighteningly cold and calm.

Liam grabbed her shirt collar and forced her towards him. When she got close enough, he slapped her across her face, again and again. She remained quiet, but despite her efforts, tears rose to her eyes. Ariadne knew that fighting back wouldn't help- she was stuck there. Finally he dropped her and walked out, leaving her crumpled on the floor.

As soon as he left, Ariadne began sobbing. All of the emotions that she has been holding back, all of the sadness and crushing fear, rushed into her at once. She needed to find away out- now. The Architect reached into her pocket, searching frantically for her totem, and pulled out her cell phone instead. Obviously amateurs at kidnapping, they hadn't searched her pockets. Shakily, she pressed the on button- it sprang to life. Hope filled her as she shakily pulled out the business card and began to dial. This is too simple. Ariadne shoved the thought into the back of her mind as she lifted the phone to her ear.

She almost passed out with joy as she heard the frantic voice on the other end of the line.

….

Arthur was deeply focused on his research when his phone began to ring. Eames had collected quite a bit of data on Blackhurst, and Arthur needed to sort it out in order to formulate a proper plan. The incessant tones of non-je ne regrette rien filled the air, and snapped him out of his work. When he looked at the screen, he nearly dropped his phone, laughed and cried all at once.

Ariadne, the screen read. Arthur hurriedly snapped his phone open.

"Hello, Ariadne? Is that you?" With that, Eames and Cobb simultaneously snapped their heads up in surprise.

"Arthur? Arthur, I need your help. I don't know where I am, but they've taken me. Cobol has taken me. Arthur, please. Oh, God, Someone's coming."

"Ariadne, don't hang up. Stay on the line, please!" Arthur flinched as Ariadne began screaming. Suddenly, the screaming stopped.

"I'm sorry," A smooth voice came on the line, "Ariadne seems to be busy at this moment." A click resounded in Arthur's ear.

Cobb and Eames were on their feet and at his desk within seconds. Arthur stared at his cell phone.

"What happened, Arthur?"

"They got her. They hung up." Arthur turned to his computer, and felt Cobb's hand rest on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Arthur." Arthur, oddly, smiled widely.

"I'm not. I put a tracker in her phone ages ago. It doesn't track when it's off. But she turned it on- she called me." Cobb gave him a strange look.

"I'm afraid I don't understand." Arthur shakily pointed to his computer.

"I'm saying that I know where they're keeping her. I know where she is." His smile grew impossibly larger as realization dawned upon his team members' faces.

A/N: Wow. This chapter was much longer than the other ones… Once I started writing, I just couldn't stop. Your reviews are appreciated!