So hey guys, this is the new chapter. I'm a little insecure about it. It's kind of a funnier one. I mean to say it's got some humour. This story's gonna be Humour/Drama mostly, I mean it will have its share of sad and happy moments, but I'd like to explore this side too. This chapter is going to feature a very persistent and cute Ariadne, well I find her cute. Hope you like it:) Thanks so much for the reviews and support. You rock! Please keep reading:)

4.

The fourth phone call took place one week later.

It was Ariadne who called. It was around eight in the evening and after much debating with herself and an imaginary Cobb (she pictured the way he'd react), she decided to give Arthur a call and ask him. It was worth a try. If he rejected her, she had nothing to lose. She'd just wait a year. But if she could do something about it in the mean time, there was no reason for her not to take a shot.

'Hello?' Arthur's hoarse voice answered from the other end.

'Hi, Arthur, it's Ariadne, did I wake you?'

She heard Arthur groan.

'No, it's fine, I was just...why are you calling again? Is something wrong?'

'Nope, everything is great, but I've been doing some thinking about what you said about the year thing. And after debating with Cobb too I've...'

'Wait, you've talked to Cobb?' Arthur asked surprised.

'Well, no, not to him, but to a sort of pretend-Cobb.'

'Pretend-Cobb? Are you having problems with dreams again?'

'No, no, I didn't dream it, I just imagined him – look, that's not the point. I called for a different reason. Like I said I've been doing some thinking and I think I am ready.'

'Ready for...?'

'For handling my own PASIV.'

There was a grave pause.

'Okay, I am going to pretend you did not say that,' Arthur said slowly.

'What do you mean? You heard me Arthur. I said I'm ready to handle...'

'I heard you well, but I'm still going to pretend...'

'Why is it so hard for you to grasp what I'm saying?' Ariadne asked annoyed.

'Do you have any idea what you're asking?'

'Yes, as a matter of fact. I mean I've been thinking about it for a while so yes I do have an idea. I can control it, Arthur. I know you don't trust me...'

'No, I do trust you. I just don't trust you with a PASIV,' he rectified.

'That makes no sense Arthur. Either you trust me completely or not at all. You can't just trust me based on whether I have a PASIV or not. That's not fair.'

Arthur would have laughed if this wasn't so serious.

'Actually I can, Ariadne. Because I wouldn't trust anyone with a PASIV. Because they're complex machineries that are not to be taken lightly. And giving one to an inexperienced twenty-two year old is out of the question.'

'First, I'm almost twenty-three and second, I have had my share of experiences with it. In case you've forgotten, we completed an inception on our own and that was my first job. So...'

Arthur sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

'Okay, Ariadne, what do you want to do with the PASIV?'

'I thought it was obvious, Arthur. For a Point Man you sure are a Line today. Get it? Cuz you're a point and...'

Arthur sighed. 'I got it, Ariadne.'

'Right, well, I'd like to do some dream building to practice my skills in the subconscious field. Because a year is a long time and it's very counter-productive not to exercise during this time or at least try out some new possibilities to improve the mazes...'

'Ariadne, I am 100% sure you don't need that practice now. Like you said, you've managed to get through an inception successfully. I think you're way ahead and you can afford to take this time off to study.'

'Okay, now you're twisting my words cuz what I meant by inception was that I am capable to handle a PASIV, not that I have reached my quota in dream construction.'

'So, you're telling me you're more qualified to use a PASIV than to build,' Arthur concluded, smiling to himself.

'No, no, you got it all wrong again,' she huffed.

'And pretend-Cobb was okay with this plan?' Arthur asked amused.

'Yes, well after some persuasion, at first he was quite reluctant,' Ariadne replied.

'Really? Why do you think he was reluctant?'

'Well, because he's the protective type.'

'So I'm not.'

'No, but you're more of a risk taker. And you value perfection.'

'I don't take risks. If you recall, Cobb was the one who subjected us to three layers of dreaming even though I was against it.'

'Yeah, but deep down you knew you could do it. You had faith in Cobb, even when you were angry with him. And once you were in, there was no going back for you. Well, not that you could go back, but still. If you had been given a choice, you would have stuck to the very end.'

Arthur felt a bit uneasy. How the heck did she know that?

'Plus, you're a perfectionist so I expect you'd want the best from me and how could I achieve that without constant practice?' she asked.

Arthur wondered why she had said she didn't know him. Had she meant something else by it?

'Well, real-Cobb would agree with me on this one,' he said, changing the subject. 'He would definitely not give you a PASIV.'

'You can't know that.'

'I've worked with him for 4 years. Yeah, I can.'

'Yeah, but in those 4 years did someone else ask for a personal PASIV?'

'No...?'

'Right, so you don't know how Cobb would respond to that because you've never had that request before,' she reasoned triumphantly.

Arthur shook his head and smiled. Undefeatable this one.

'Ariadne. I am not giving you a PASIV.'

'Arthur, I promise I will be extremely careful with it and I will keep you updated if anything happens and I will keep you updated anyways. I just really want to work again. And...I really miss it. Really. I miss it like crazy.'

'I know how you feel Ariadne, okay? I know you miss it, but you're just going to have to be patient.'

'Why?'

'We've gone over this.'

'Yes, but your arguments were not strong. And I feel this is a step in the right direction.'

'No, it's not. I can't let you do that, Ariadne. You'd need supervision. You know that. And I am not in Paris and no one else is. And don't suggest Miles, I knew you were going to do that.'

Ariadne swallowed her words annoyed. How the heck had he guessed?

'Fine then. Can I please have Eames' phone number?'

Arthur sighed again.

'Ariadne, Eames won't agree either.'

' I just want to call him to see what he's up to. I miss him. And I don't know how to get in touch with him.'

'Right. That's your only reason. He doesn't even have a PASIV anyway.'

'Like I said, I wasn't going to...'

'Ariadne, please. I need you to focus on school right now.'

'I can do both, Arthur. Look, I've done it before. During our mission, do you think I just skipped school?'

Arthur paused and arched an eyebrow.

'You didn't?'

'Oh my God, Arthur, is that your opinion of me? That I am a slacker who skips school? No, for your information I went just about every day and did all my assignments.'

'But how did you handle the work load? I mean I gave you a lot of assignments myself...'

'Well, it involved some serious cramming and coffee sessions, but I got through it unscathed and with excellent results on both ends too, which only goes to show that I can handle pressure very well. So really, that's not a problem...'

'Is that why you looked so tired all the time? I was beginning to worry.'

Ariadne's heart stopped for a moment. He had worried! That was so sweet of him.

'Really? You noticed that?'

'Well, the dark circles under your eyes and you kept whispering 'stay awake' to yourself.'

'Oh, I thought no one heard that.'

'Our desks were close, so I couldn't help it...'

'Yeah, of course. I know, right, I'm such an idiot. I should have known you have great hearing. Otherwise you wouldn't be the Point Man...' she babbled.

'Yeah, that's definitely why I have the job.'

An awkward silence ensued. Ariadne waited patiently for him to continue.

'Ariadne? Still there?'

'Yeah, I was just waiting for you to make your decision.'

'Decision? Ariadne, I don't have to decide. I know. I am not giving you a PASIV.'

'Okay then. Maybe I'll buy one from the black market then. I can afford it now,' she replied irritated.

'They're really hard to find. If not impossible.'

'I don't care. I'm sure money will solve this issue. You can find anything if you have enough money. I'll make sure to get one. I have good credentials, an impressive resumé, I don't have a criminal record and I've got considerable experience in this field, so I'm sure I can solve this issue.'

'That's really cute, but it doesn't work that way.'

Ariadne frowned. He made 'cute' sound like a bad word.

'Well, if money will not suffice, I do have some connections. I am sure Mr. Saito can assist me with this. We wouldn't refuse me since it would be to his benefit as well for me to get a good training, just in case...'

'Please stop being so immature.'

'I am taking this seriously, Arthur. Are you?'

'I just...'

'It doesn't matter. I'll get one. That is unless you want to help me.'

'I'd like nothing more Ariadne, but I can't give you a PASIV. Ask me anything else. I would do anything else for you. Just not this.'

Ariadne bit her lip.

'Anything?'

'Anything...' Arthur said warily.

'And if you can't do this other thing either?'

'I'll try my best to.'

'Okay. Fine. Sing me a song.'

'What...?'

'You heard me.'

'Why...?'

'Well, you said to ask for anything and since you're not giving me a PASIV, I think it's only fair for you to sing me a song.'

'I am not singing.'

'Fine, then give me a PASIV.'

'That wasn't the deal.'

'Sure it was. Either sing or give me a PASIV.'

'Ariadne, I will do neither.'

'But you said I could ask you for anything,' she insisted.

'Yeah, anything relevant.'

'Well sorry, but you didn't mention that when you said I could ask you anything.'

'Well, I am saying it now.'

'Singing me a song would be relevant though,' Ariadne persisted.

'Oh really? Please enlighten me. How is it relevant?'

'Well, music is a very important part of our work. Where would we be now without Edith Piaf's wonderful tune? So singing to me is very relevant.'

'Good night Ariadne,' Arthur said amused.

'Wait, we haven't discussed the PASIV situation!'

'I'm hanging up now. Get some rest, okay? See you in a year.'

'This isn't the end, Arthur. I will not give up on this!'

'I know, I know,' Arthur replied, smiling to himself. And I'm okay with that.

'You will have to consider my request,' she punctuated.

'Looking forward to that. Bye, Ariadne.'

He hung up.

She groaned and hung up as well, throwing the phone on the bed.

Stupid Arthur.

No matter, she would find a way to dream again. With or without him. She wouldn't back down just because he was against it.

Stuck up little weasel.

Arthur stared at the phone for a couple of moments.

He just couldn't wipe the smile off his face. She could be so persistent and crazy when she wanted to.

But that was Ariadne for you.