DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INCEPTION.

Arthur smiled as his two year old laughed. She was sitting on his lap, and he crossed his legs and lifted her further up.

"Are you tired Samantha? It's almost naptime."

"No!" she said, her voice defiant.

He smiled. "Ok."

He didn't really mind when she skipped her nap times, as it was more time to spend with her. Besides, he had grown rather fond of Disney Pixar films.

He heard a small laugh behind him, so he turned around to see Ariadne standing behind the couch, smiling away at them.

"What?"

She looked at the screen. "Never pinned you for a Finding Nemo kind of guy."

He smirked. "Well, it's Samantha's favourite movie, so I know it word for word."

He turned his head back to the screen.

"Hold my fin, hold my fin!"

Ariadne snorted behind him and Arthur turned his head again. "What now?"

"That's just you in a nutshell!" she laughed.

Arthur's eyebrows knitted together. "…I'm not that…neurotic."

"Yes you are! That's totally you!"

"There's nothing wrong with being protective," he said in defence, clutching onto Samantha.

Ariadne smiled. "Don't worry, I think it's cute."

"Well…it's good to be protective. Remember that time at the fair?" Arthur asked, inwardly shuddering at the memory.

It was the first time that Arthur was actually enjoying a fair. As a kid, he had hated memories of his parents dragging him to every freaking stall and booth they had. But now, he could understand why. He enjoyed seeing Ariadne and Samantha ooing and aweing at the bright colours and noises. He followed them around patiently, making sure to stick close to them at even the slightest sign of disturbance.

"Daddy! Pick up!" Samantha cried, reaching her arms up to Arthur. He instantly picked her up, slinging her under his arm.

"Where to now, Princess?"

"Cotton candy! Cotton candy!"

Arthur winced as he glanced over to the pink stand. He could see it now, Samantha bouncing off the walls, a swirl of energy and pink puffiness.

"No sweetie. You've already had a lot of candy today."

"Please!" Samantha cried. "Please, Daddy!"

"Good luck with this one," Ariadne smiled. "You field this, I'm going to the bathroom."

Ariadne disappeared, leaving Arthur with a frustrated 2 year old. "Come on sweetie, here, let's go look at some of the animals, ok?" He placed her down on the ground and grabbed her hand in his.

She was less than enthusiastic. Arthur tied to point out the pigs as happily as he could, but seeing Samantha's angry face downed his mood.

"Can you at least try and look exited?" he sighed.

Samantha grunted as she threw down her jacket. Arthur sighed as it hit the dusty ground. "Real mature," he said, bending down to retrieve it. "You know Samantha….Samantha?"

His eyes quickly scanned around him, searching desperately for a flash of the dark brown hair she had inherited, or even just a glimpse of the bright purple dress she was wearing.

"Samantha?" he called, trying to swallow down the panic arising in his throat. No sooner had he called her name had he taken off down the path, sprinting. He knew all it took was a few seconds. A few seconds for a child to go missing. A few more seconds before they could be taken by a stranger…

"Shit," he hissed to himself.

He pushed past people, ignoring the insults and curses being thrown his way. His feet pounded against the dusty path, each one quickening in pace. Every millisecond that passed made him grow more anxious.

He felt his throat grow dry. He had heard stories about kids going missing or being taken, but he always just assumed that because he was a Point Man, everything was in his control. Nothing like that would ever happen in his family. All he did was turn around for one second. What would Ariadne say? What would he tell her? Hey sweetie, did you find the bathroom? Oh by the way, I lost our daughter.

A loud giggle drew his feet to a stop. He turned around and felt his heart do a double backflip spin 360 type thing as he saw Samantha sitting on the side of the path by a pink tent. He leapt over and landed on his knees.

Within seconds, he had grabbed the fabric of her dress, pulling her towards him.

"Thank god," he sighed, wrapping his arms around the tiny girl. "Samantha, don't do that! Daddy was about to have a cardiac arrest." He pulled away and looked into her familiar brown eyes. "Do you know what could have happened? If I hadn't found you in time?"

Samantha folded her arms across her chest. "I got angry. Mommy always says that when you get angry that you should walk away."

Arthur sighed. "Samantha. You can't walk away in a place with lots of people. What if you had been taken from me?"

There was a pregnant pause between the two before Samantha let her arms fall to her sides. "…Sorry Daddy."

"That's ok." Arthur pulled her close again and wrapped her in a hug, kissing her softly on the head. "Now…you wanted cotton candy?"

Samantha nodded. "Yes please."

"Ok." Arthur stood up slowly. "Hold my hand."