Disclaimer: Inception belongs to Christopher Nolan. Thanks to Moviemaniac12 for letting me co-write this fic.

Trying to steady my breathing, I knocked on the door. Waited. After no sign that anyone inside had heard, I knocked more loudly.

After a couple of minutes, a light started to shine. The sound of a bolt slid back, and the door creaked open. Ariadne peered at me, her hair mussed.

"Arthur?" her voice was puzzled. "What are you-?"

"There isn't time to explain," my words came out in a rush. "I need to come in, if that's ok." I blushed at how abrupt I sounded.

She looked taken aback. "OK…Its 3am…come in." The door opened, and I walked in.

She gestured with her hand. "The lounge is over there. Anything to drink?"

"Water, please."

She nodded, and headed to the kitchen.

I sank into a chair, wondering where and how I could start with this one. Memories of the flight were flooding back.

Cobb had tried to keep his voice low, avoiding drawing attention to us. He stopped talking everytime an attendant had walked past, and it had resulted in a fragmented conversation.

"Be as subtle as you can," he'd said. "Tell her that she needs to come back with you, its –" he paused.

"A family emergency?"

Cobb frowned. "Too clichéd. I'm sure you'll think of something Arthur-"

"You could tell her its for a dirty weekend," Eames chipped in. "She might not believe the dirty part, but you never know, going away with you might be appealing."

I scowled. "Eames, stop it."

"Do I have to put up with this for the entire flight?" Cobb snapped. "Because if I do, I'm upgrading. Just cut it out. Arthur, I'm relying on you to think of something that will work. We need to, and be as low key as possible."

I nodded.

"Hey," Ariadne's voice broke into my thoughts. "Here's your water." She handed me a delicate looking glass. I took it, gratefully.

"Thank you." I sipped, and it seared down to my stomach. "How are you, Ari?"

"I'm good." She looked at her lap. "How are you?"

"Oh…same as usual. Busy."

She nodded. "Yes. I thought you were."

The conversation was going nowhere. I took another sip of water, and then carefully balanced the glass on the table.

"Ari, I'm here for a reason." I paused and swallowed. "I need you to come with me."

Her eyes widened. "Arthur, what is it?"

I paused. "Its…a possible job." I looked at her, maintaining eye contact. "We've had a tip off, and could use an Architect. As you're the best one we've ever had, Cobb thought that-"

"Oh." She looked surprised. "Its not another inception is it?"

"Um…I can't really disclose too much at this stage." The lies were beginning to roll too easily off my tongue. "But, it could be really interesting. Cobb's seem enthused about it."

She nodded. "OK, when do you want me to come?"

"Well…now."

She looked surprised. "Now?"

"Yes." I picked up the glass again. "Cobb really wants us to get onto this case as soon as possible."

"Where is it?" Her eyes were looking at me, puzzled.

"Its in…Washington." I bit my lip, beginning to think I'd said too much.

"Washington? D.C.?"

"Yes," I admitted.

"It sounds important."

"It could be," I sounded lame even to my own ears.

"Well… Cobb wouldn't ask you to come and tell me this if it weren't important," she rationalised aloud. "I guess I'd better get myself ready."

I nodded. "Please."

She got up. "I'll go and get dressed – " I suddenly realised she was in her robe and pyjamas, and blushed – "and pack a few things."

"OK. The others are at a hotel, just downtown from here. I can take you there."

She looked at me. "You expected me to say yes, didn't you?"

I nodded. "Actually, yes, I did."

Half an hour later, our cab pulled up in front of the hotel we'd booked into. I tipped and thanked the driver, and helped Ariadne with her case.

"Thank you," she said gratefully, as I took the heavy object. "How much did you pack?" I asked, teasingly.

"Well…you didn't say how long this job could be. I thought I'd better be prepared."

"Very sensible."

We walked up the steps, and entered reception. I approached the desk.

"Bonsoir."

"Bonsoir, Monsieur."

I cleared my throat. "Um, I'm with Mike Charles' party. We booked an extra room for a Miss Cassie Wyles. This is she." Ariadne looked slightly surprised but stepped forward.

"Good evening, mademoiselle." The receptionist smiled at Ariadne, and ran a plastic keycard through a swipe machine. "Your key."

"Thank you," Ariadne muttered. She pocketed it.

"Do you need help with baggage?"

"No, we're fine," I said. "I'll take her up. Come on, Cassie!"

Ari followed me, her expression darkening into one of puzzlement. She didn't speak until we were inside the elevator.

"Arthur, what is it? Whats going on?"

"Listen, I'll tell you when we-" I stopped. The elevator had paused at the third floor, the doors sliding open. A man got in, nodding at us.

"Floor?"

"Fifth, please." I spoke politely.

"Of course." He re-repressed the fifth floor, and then pressed sixth for himself. After what seemed too long, we managed to get out.

"Right, the room is this way." I turned to the left.

"Arthur."

"No its this way."

"Arthur."

I turned round. She was standing, obstinately, in the corridor.

"What is it?"

"Arthur, I am not going any further until you tell me what this is about."

I shook my head. "I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because…" I found my voice faltering. "Because its not my place to tell, I'm leaving it to Cobb. You're going to have to trust me like you did before. Please."

She nodded. "OK. But I need an explanation."

I began walking again. "Don't worry. You'll get one."