Author's Note: OH MY GEEZ. I nearly had a heart attack when I realized I had forgotten to put the disclaimer on the two previous chapters. Sooo without further ado..

Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me, unfortunately. But Christopher Nolan, I could kiss you for thinking of it! :)

Chapter Three:

Arthur wearily ran his hand across his face, making his way to his car. He was tired and irritable; the meeting with their client had taken too long, in his opinion. They were just supposed to go over everything in general, to make sure that they had covered all of the loose ends. Instead, the client had made Arthur go over every single detail, down to what they would make the weather like. Arthur's job was tedious enough; he didn't need their client telling him whether to make it spring or fall on top of everything else he had to do.

Climbing into his car, he let his thoughts drift away from the job and onto Ariadne. Ariadne. This girl, woman, he mentally corrected himself, was both a blessing and a curse. She was beautiful, smart, and creative; her imagination was endless. If they were in any other situation, he would waste no time in claiming her as his. But in the field they were in, all it took was one slip-up and there was a possibility that you would never wake up.

Arthur sighed, speeding along the streets. He knew she was waiting for him to make a move, but didn't she understand the pressure he was under? He wanted her so badly, but would it be worth it in the end? Though he kept telling himself that no, they would not end up like Cobb and Mal, there was always that risk. Was he willing to put her through that?

So he had to choose between protecting her and loving her. Arthur shook his head. Why couldn't he do both? But he had asked himself this question a million different ways, and they had all had the same answer. If she ever got hurt, or worse, got stuck in Limbo, because of him and her association with him, he would never forgive himself.

His mind still turning, he parked a couple of blocks away from the warehouse, as always, when he noticed something strange: Eames's car was still there. The forger was always gone by mid-afternoon, and it was nearing 10:00. Now suspicious, Arthur quickened his pace, only to find Ariadne's and Eames's workstations both empty when he walked through the door, Confused, he did another sweep of the room, once again finding the room empty, though their things were still there.

Arthur, figuring it out, walked into the back room to find that his guesses were correct (as they usually were). Both Ariadne and Eames were hooked up the PASIV machine, their breathing even. Arthur quietly walked over to Ariadne and sat down on the lawn chair she was occupying. He watched a strand of her flutter over her mouth. Knowing he shouldn't, but unable to resist this small gesture, he reached out to tuck it behind her ear, marveling at how soft her skin was.

He mentally scolded himself, knowing that this was not at all appropriate, but allowing himself this one time to give into his urges.

I wonder what they're doing, Arthur thought, his mind starting to imagine the two of them standing and declaring their love for each other.

He pushed the idea back, knowing that whatever they were doing was strictly business. Yet, he couldn't help the streak of jealousy that surged through him.

The temptation was almost unbearable. His resolve crumbling, Arthur quickly slipped onto the lawn chair besides Ariadne's, linking his fingers through hers, hoping that when they woke up, she would see even just a glimmer of how he felt about her. He could feel the drug coursing through his veins, and Arthur slipped into the dream that would prove to be one hell of a ride.

A/N 2: I know it's another short one, but this is the last filler chapter, I PROMISE! Next chapter starts by picking up where chapter two left off. Reviews are love, as always! :)