Natural sunlight beamed into the abandoned and slightly dusty room, as two dark, large figures stepped inside. The usually occupied work place had been left to nature's ways and was in dire need of an intense cleaning job before a soul could even consider obtaining it for professional uses. At that moment though, it was merely in use for a conversation. A conversation that been on the edge of Arthur's mind since Saito's embarrassing interruption, and on the tip of his tongue since that morning's heart crunching banter. He shook his mind, refusing to let his wife's words resurface. He didn't need to dwell on it; not anymore. It was all he had done since she walked out, all he replayed in his usually filtered mind on his way to work. No. Enough was enough, and until they were ready to settle the overblown situation, he refused to torment himself mentally. He ached to dismiss her out of his mind all together; at least so he could focus on finding answers to every other situation circling him.

If only it were easier said than done.

He closed his eyes and could see her. Those big brown eyes sparkling, that sweet, succulent mouth just waiting…In his mind, he could hear Ariadne's throaty laughter. He could smell fresh peaches. Aw, hell.

All he could think of was her. Ariadne mischievously holding a pair of handcuffs. Ariadne laughing up at him before welcoming him home. Ariadne, Ariadne, Ariadne.

How could one person be so close yet so treacherously far away?

"What's the problem?" Eames tilted the door behind him halfway, gaining them a bit more privacy yet maintaining enough space to not spark anymore curiosity from their fellow co-workers. Although he was sure the only person that would be even remotely curious would be Ariadne. Her and her dark brown head full of questions and inquiringness; her quest and thirst for information, whether it be random or potential to her studies, she never gave up.

He gave an internal smile. There was no shock in admitting that it had been one of the qualities that had seeded his interest in her from the beginning; there weren't many people who could challenge the outstanding record he obtained regarding his obsession with gaining knowledge. But Ariadne put it all to shame, and there wasn't a fibre in him that was anything but proud.

It wasn't easy to love her, God help him, but she made it all worthwhile. That was why it drove him to the brick of insanity knowing she was upset with him, that there was a chance she wouldn't forgive him and distance her whole life away from him. His blood ran cold.

Her words that morning burned a hole in his heart; a lava hot stone had been thrust past his ribcage and punctured him so deeply that he felt the physical pain. Never had he thought words, mere letters, could affect him so deeply, but he should have known better. Ariadne's control and effect over him was far too great to underestimate.

"Are you blanking out on me?" Eames' impatient voice pulled him out his miserable thoughts and brought him back to the present. "What is it with everyone zoning out or fainting today? I'm pretty you and Ariadne picked up something in the south."

"Nothing but trouble." Arthur grimaced. "Which is why I need to talk to you. Didn't it occur to you that I would need warning that Saito would be arriving the very next day after you called me? You couldn't have bothered to give me a heads up?"

The forger tilted his head to the side, his rough and abused hand rubbing over his jaw in the process. "You really are losing your touch, Arthur dear. If a job is this important, it only makes sense to start right away, doesn't it?" He narrowed his eyes in on him. "You didn't tell Ariadne about this before Saito arrived did you?"

He merely shook his head.

Eames looked torn between laughter and annoyance. While on one hand, the idea of anything slipping from Arthur's mind was worthy of a chuckle or two, but he couldn't help but worry that Ariadne's reaction could be deemed equal as a punishment.

"How did she take it?"

He groaned. "Not well. Let's just say yesterday takes the top stop as one of the worst days of my life, and I'm pretty there are more to follow."

The forger let out a deep whistle.

"Dammit. A warning would have been sufficient. A call or even a text." Arthur continued with an accelerating voice. "The look on her face when Saito walked in was just…fuck; I've never seen her that shocked or confused."

If Eames were anyone else, he could have scolded Arthur for raising his voice and taking out the stress of the situation out on him. But with how long he had known him, losing confidence and control wasn't in the point man's dynamism. Instead, the British leaned back against the wall in silence, his legs crossed over one another in front of him. He watched as Arthur's brows curled with angst as his lips refused to stop moving.

"And than this morning she…she asked me why the hell I was even with her. How the hell do you ask someone why they're with you? I married her! It's as if she's suddenly unsure if I even love her."

He turned to Eames, his face wrinkled with pain. "I'm not putting my work in front of her; I'm doing this for her. Us."

"Does she know that?"
"I've tried telling her, I don't think my words are getting through."

"What was that old saying?" Eames paused for a moment. "Actions speak louder than words?"

Arthur scoffed. "Every single action I've taken as only added fuel to the fire. There's nothing else to do but wait. Hopefully this is just hormones talking." A flinch of hopefulness passed through his face quickly.

"Do you think you knocked her up?"
Glaring at his friend, Arthur locked his jaw. "Hopefully. At this rate, that's the only thing that could possibly get me back on her good graces."

-X—

"Are you willing to accept this offer?" Saito laid out an estimate of individual pays once the team re-assembled from their recess. Having had done ongoing research on the Japanese business heavy hitter throughout the years, it didn't surprise him the slightest that he was able to pay them so many figure digits, but the same couldn't be said to his team mates. Eames' drool nearly toppled out of his mouth, while Ariadne was struggling to contain her shock. Bright, wide eyes sparkled as she aimed to tear her gaze from the paper. The only remaining cool figure, besides himself, seemed to be Cobb. Parenthood had tamed the wild beast.

"I can provide a larger incentive. I just need a guarantee that this can be pulled off." He ran a hand over his aging face. "My son deserves the best."

Despite not having received official word that they would take on the challenge, Saito seemed utterly convinced that they would and succeed in changing his son's mind, putting it lightly. Arthur didn't agree with the logic, nor could he wrap his mind around the reality that could convince this man to change his son. Desperation was understandable; wanting the best for your offspring was also understandable, but mixing the two and altering the mind of what you created was simply crazy.

Even though he disagreed, Arthur wasn't about to let this pay check go. Nor the experience. This would be his last job for a while, a long while if he had his way. What better way to exit than with a bang? Especially since this job was the reason his wife refused to look at him, and his vacation had come to a crashing end.

There was no choice; Saito had his vote and in the middle of all of this, he would gain back his wife's good graces.

"Show of hands, who is ready to partake in this assignment?"

Eames' arm shot up in the sky, followed by Cobb and Arthur. Ariadne was the only one who kept her hands glued to her lap.

Hope rose in his chest. If she refused, there would be no logical reason for her to enter the dream world, or even work in general. She could relax, enjoy herself and what he hoped would be a pregnancy.

Saito raised an eyebrow at her. "Is there a problem?"

She nodded curtly. "I don't agree with what you're doing. I think you're wrong, on so many levels, and lazily attending to the simplest route to get what you want."

Saito was unfazed by her war words. "And how would you deal with the situation?"

"First off, I wouldn't even be in the situation. I know enough to say that love isn't about enforcing your wishes and your wants upon someone else. Sometimes you have to be selfless; you obviously haven't got around to that."

Arthur nearly grinded his teeth; his wife was on edge today.

"I'm guessing we'll have to search for a new architect." Eames piped in, obviously amused with the conversation.

She ignored him and instead turned to Cobb. "I'm surprised you're going along with this. I was pretty sure being with your children would have changed your perspective on things."

"Being a father did change my perspective but providing for my children will always come first." Their leader shrugged. "Besides, I'm not the one to tell someone else how to raise their children. I solemnly focus on my own and none else." His eyes bore into Ariadne. "I suggest you do the same."

Annoyed, defeated but still stubborn, the petite brunette folded her arms and remained quiet. It was obvious they weren't going to get anything out of her today.

"She'll come around," Cobb whispered into his ear as the day came to an end and the team parted. "Give her some time and she'll be back announcing her position."

Dom's words remained with him as he drove Ariadne home, (he was surprised at how easy she had gotten into the car with him) and as he pushed open the door to their home. Stepping inside, he pushed off his jacket and instantly unbuttoned his sleeves before rolling it up. Stress and long hours were what awaited them and he for one wanted to grasp onto this rare silent, calm moment. Or so he thought.

It took one look at the back of Ariadne head and her rigid posture to confirm she was still upset with Saito.

"I swear I will never understand that man, and to think I used to respect him. I mean, his own son? What is it with you males and making your families suffer for your work?"

His ears perked up. What did she just say?

"Must it always come before everything else? Don't you have limi-"

She froze as she turned around and came face to face with him.

He took a step forward. He was at the end of his rope here; her indirect insults were only sending fire through his veins.

Her eyes went wide, and her lips parted ever so slightly.

"What are you trying to say?" He breathed.

"Arthur." Her tone held warning, even as her expression turned to confusion and vulnerability.

His attention locked on her and her only. "Well?" he persisted.

Had she moved closer? Her nose picked up his scent, and it was sensually compelling. She swore she could feel the heat of his body through his dress shirt.

"Are you honestly convinced I don't care for you?" His breath puffed against her lips.

"Yes."

They stared at each other in silence, inhaling and exhaling for long seconds. The rumble of the outside world filled the space between them.

Something dangerous flared in Arthur's intense chocolate eyes. Instead of pain and anger, there was determination, outlined with motivation. It was darkly sensual and completely compelling.

Her body answered with a rush of heat and a flare of longing that sent a throbbing message to every corner of her being.

She struggled through the muddle of emotions clouding her brain. "You've pretty much done the unthinkable and threw my dreams to the side."

"Whatever happened to compromise? Isn't that what marriage is about?" His voice was strangled, yet the confidence was undeniable.

"I've done enough compromising to last me a lifetime," she rasped out.

Arthur nearly chuckled. This morning he had been weak with pain, and even though it still lived within him, he refused to take her words for what they were. He would prove it to her, show her how alive their love was and just how deeply his feelings for her went. His heart tugged. No matter how long it too, Ariadne would know the truth, and never again doubt him.

He refused to give up; not with so many memories behind them and even more to come.

She was here now.

And they were alone.

And he remembered. He wished he hadn't. But he remembered every time her lips had been on his, her arms wrapped around him, the emotion of her embraces, the taste of her mouth, the sensual explosions that burst along his skin.

He wanted it again, wanted it so very, very much.

Arthur gave into his desire and leaned ever so lightly forward. His mouth instantly rushed to hers. His free arms snaked around her, pressing her against the small of her back, holding her tight as he possibly could.

She pressed forward, arms twining around his neck. Her lips softened, parted. He murmured her name, and his hand splayed farther down her spine. It was only when his body began to flare warning signs of minimal oxygen that he pulled away. Ariadne's eyes remained closed as he watched, struggling to regain his lost breath. Flushed cheeks, slightly parted lips and a rising and falling chest, he had never found her so attractive.

When she did open her eyes, confusion and lack of comprehension filled them. He could read her easily. She was wondering how they had come to this situation; how they had gone from arguing over affection to attacking one another with want. Arthur grinned. Proving his feelings might be a bit simpler than expected.

He held her tight, neither spoke as they drew deep breaths.

Finally, he stroked her messy hair. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That we've both gone completely insane?"

He chuckled lowly. "That's pretty close."

"We can't do this."

"I see no reason not."

"You need to let me go."

"I never will." He didn't move.

"I'm mad you, I'm fuming with anger right now. You shouldn't be holding me, you shouldn't be kissing me. You shouldn't even be touching me."

"I'll do what I please, thanks." His lips came down onto her head, just as Ariadne pushed against his chest. Still, he refused to move.

A flutter in his stomach told him he was desperate for her touch, that even a semi aggressive push to his front had him contemplating taking on the nearby couch. He groaned internally.

"Seriously Arthur. You are not getting off this easy, you hurt me." Her voice broke and he nearly wept. "I should hate you."

"I'm sorry," he whispered against her hair. "I'm so sorry I brought you pain." He tried not to take the last four words seriously, even though the piercing in his chest proved other wise. "You're not supposed to hate me," he murmured with a forced light voice. "You're supposed to love me." He drew a deep breath, resting his chin at the top of her head. "Because I love you. God knows I love you so much, Ariadne."

He could hear her breath hitch, the flutter in her chest and he could almost see her thoughts swirling in her pretty little head. She was assessing him, determining if he was worthy of her trust. For those quite seconds Arthur prayed, harder and more purely than he had ever done so before.

But it wasn't enough, it was never enough. Ariadne pushed away from him, her face determined and her body suddenly a safe distance away from him. "You need to let me go, Arthur."

Never.

Author's Note: How amazing did JGL look at the Golden Globe's last night? Who watched? Please tell me I wasn't the only who excessively squealed and smiled when he came on stage. *Fan girl moment over* I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, I certainty had fun writing it. And I had even more fun reading your wonderful reviews. If I could give each and everyone of you a hug, I would. But since I can't, I'll resort to sending you tons of virtual love and giving you steamy Ariadne/Arthur moments. Love you guys.

Reviews are love. There can never be too much.