This takes place after the movie Inception. To be honest I don't know which type of couple I will end up with right now, so I can't quite put a label on this story yet. All I know is prepare for either Ariadne and Arthur, or Ariadne and Robert. Either way, I shall try to make it all fluffy if I can. PLEASE REVIEW
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN INCEPTION, as much as I wish I did, alas, I don't.
Their final job was over, done. As intense as it was, Ariadne felt completely at ease, happy, relaxed. Well, not completely relaxed. They were back in America, in L.A. to be exact, and the presence of a certain person had made her slightly uneasy. However, it would be a lie to deny that she was happy to be done with the mission.
She was pleased to see Cobb happy, at peace. He had been so upset, so lost in his past because of Mal, but she knew that as soon as he had his arms wrapped around his children he would truly be okay. Eames, as usual, was being, well Eames. The minute we made it past customs he informed us that he was headed towards Vegas, not surprising. As for Arthur… Her heart thudded. She couldn't, wouldn't, think about him at that moment, what she needed to focus on what the fact that she was receiving strange glances from Robert Fischer Jr. who was standing across the room waiting for his luggage.
"Be careful," A weary voice warned. She looked up to see the Point Man gazing at Robert suspiciously.
"What do you mean," she asked, though she had a fairly good idea what he was talking about.
"Sometimes, after a mission, the mark will see one of us and experience déjà vu. Most of the time they dismiss it, after all, it happens to all of us. However, sometimes the feeling is too strong and they pursue the feeling. If he comes to remember his dream to a full extent it could be dangerous for us," he informed her, giving her a sideways smile, one he often gave her when teaching her something. Little did he know that smile made her heart flutter. A teacher? Yes, he was. She always had, and would, see him as a mentor, but deep down she was beginning to see him as so much more.
"I don't think we need to worry about him. He'll have too much on his plate to pursue his suspicions," she reassured him with a slight smile.
"You're probably right," he shrugged, "Where are you staying tonight?" The question was sudden, and she realized she didn't actually know. She gave him a tight lipped smile and he immediately understood, "Care to put up with me for at least one more night?"
"Um…" She trailed off. Her rational mind was telling her that was a bad idea. Ever since that simple kiss, the kiss that was meant to mean nothing, she had felt a terribly strong connection to the man standing before her. If she stayed with him, even for the night, it could end badly for her emotional state. Unfortunately, her rational mind was not the one making decisions. "Sure," she grabbed the handle of her suitcase, tipping it until it sat comfortably on its wheels. He playfully held out his arm, being a gentleman as always, and she took it gladly. Before they reached the doors to exit the bustling airport someone caught her free arm.
"Wait," a boyish voice called to her. She whipped around, dragging Arthur with her, to see a pair of piercing blue eyes staring at her, his hand still resting on her arm. Too stunned to shrug it off she stood in silence. "I… I'm sorry, you just, you look so familiar," Robert stuttered, dropping his hand.
"Uh, well, I don't think we've met," she smiled apologetically, tightening her grip on Arthur's arm.
"Shall I go get us a taxi?" Arthur offered.
"I'll come with you,"
"Wait, please, at least let me talk to you for a minute," Fischer was practically begging at this point. He looked so confused, so child-like, Ariadne couldn't help but feel sympathetic.
"I'll be out in a minute," she told Arthur who nodded, slipping outside.
"I really am sorry, I just, I feel like I know you. It's been killing me ever since I got off the plane. I admit I don't really know what I want to talk to you about, I just, I don't know. It's so weird," he shook his head ashamedly. She had grown to know Robert in a way she didn't expect to. She knew most of his history and had seen him during his most vulnerable and emotional times. Never, however, had she seen him look so conflicted.
"It's okay," she reassured him, "I'm afraid, though, that I am sure I've never met you. I mean, I know who you are, I've seen your picture in the papers a few times, but I think you have me mistaken with someone else,"
"No, that's not it. This feels so different. When I saw your face I felt completely at ease, safe, it was the strangest thing. I felt as though some time ago, somewhere in my life, I had been in some sort of danger and you had saved me. I wanted to rush to you, hug you, thank you. The feelings I had were nearly over-powering. I honestly cannot explain them fully. I sound insane don't I," he bowed his head. The poor man looked as though he thought he was going crazy, and she could do nothing but encourage that theory. This made her feel incredibly guilty.
"Look, I wish I could help you figure this out, but I can't keep Arthur waiting out there forever. He won't be very happy with me if I do," she chuckled a little.
"Could I see you again? How long do you plan to be in town?" Robert asked with urgency.
"I don't know, a week at the most. I planned to take another plane to DC soon," she shrugged. Dammit, she thought to herself, how was she supposed to weasel her way out of this? Her feelings towards the distraught man in front of her were sympathetic; there was no way she was going to be able to live with herself if she left him like this. Against her better judgment she reached into his pocket and withdrew his phone. He was surprised by this but made no comment or any attempt to stop her.
"I put my number in your phone. I guess if you need… Call me if you want to talk some more. I really wish I could help more but I really need to go," she sighed, placing the phone back where it belonged. As she withdrew her hand it brushed against his and she felt him recoil. At first she thought it was because the short contact had made him uncomfortable, but when she looked into his eyes she saw otherwise. He had recoiled out of shock. In his deep blue eyes she saw a sudden flash of both electricity and affection. Uh-oh… She thought to herself.
There was no denying that Robert was an attractive man. It wasn't just because of his well defined features, his strong well built form, and those beautiful blue eyes that stunned her every time she looked into them, but it was also his manner. The elegant way he carried himself, with such authority and dignity, made it so that he couldn't help but be a bit of a turn on. He had the vibe of both power and an uncommon politeness that was hard to find in the male species. However, he was the last person on the earth she could ever show interest in. The stakes were high as it was, and so she was forced to put on her poker face. She quickly muttered a good-bye before yanking her suitcase harshly out the doors. The warm air hit her and she found it refreshing.
"Are you okay?" Arthur asked, joining her by her side.
"I'm fine,"
"You look as though you've seen a ghost," instead of the light tone he had adopted earlier, he sounded concerned.
"I think Robert remembers me. Well, kind of. He is completely confused and has no idea what he is talking about, but he knows he has seen me before. He wants to meet up with me before I leave town,"
"And you said no right?" Arthur raised an inquisitive eyebrow. She grimaced slightly, "You said yes. Okay, fine, we can work with this, just give me a moment to think this through," his fingers flickered to his temples.
"I'm so sorry Arthur," her brow furrowed with worry.
"It's fine, really. Okay, no it's not completely fine, but I can help fix this," he promised her. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly. Knowing Arthur it was purely a comforting friendly gesture, but the contact of their hands was sending her heart in a frenzy and a blush to her cheeks. His palm was warm and soft against hers. To her disappointment he released his grasp in order to wave down a taxi.
I thank you quite kindly for reading. I do very much hope you enjoyed it and would be so kind as to review this. So please, for the love of Inception, REVIEW MY STORY! Anyway, if I receive any sort of positive feedback I shall continue my story and add another chapter as soon as possible.