Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Kyle turned, his head hitting the back of the couch. Mumbling to himself, he blinked, the world slowly coming into a clearer focus. He coughed, and grimaced. His tongue felt coated, as did the inside of his mouth.

"Water," he mumbled, getting up. As he trudged into the kitchen, he noticed the door to Adam's room was slightly ajar. As he peered into it, he smiled. Adam was fast asleep, Skeletor curled up on the bed, huddled against his master. Kyle shut the door, softly.

"Protect him," he whispered. "Poor guy needs it."

Ariadne managed to keep her face perfectly composed as she entered the warehouse. She didn't want to attract attention to herself, or get any comments. Opening her laptop, she pressed a couple of buttons, and waited. As the system booted up, she heard footsteps.

As the door opened, her heart sank. Arthur, freshly shaved, wearing an immaculate new suit, was standing in front of her. His face was inscrutable.

"Ari." His tone was kind, but firm. "We really need to talk."

She shook her head. "I don't think thats a good idea." She hunched over, focusing on her work, not meeting his eyes. She heard Arthur clearing his throat, but refused to look up at his face. After a few agonising moments, she heard his footsteps walking away.

Adam blinked, and stretched, wincing at the pain in his back. Rolling over, he came face to face with Skeletor, looking at him, hopefully.

"Hey boy," he whispered, and the dog began to gently nibble his fingers. Swallowing, Adam tried to remember what had happened the previous night, and a wave of depression hit as he remembered Ariadne. He began to sit up, wrapping the bedclothes around himself. A hollow, empty feeling threatened to consume him.

That guy. He shuddered. So cold, so composed. The type who looked as though he'd cut you down by just raising an eyebrow. Adam swallowed - he felt completely inadequate next to a man like that. Trying to shrug off the dismal thoughts, he threw the bedclothes aside, and wandered into the kitchen. Kyle was pouring coffee.

"Hey, man," he said, nodding. Adam blinked. "Hey."

A silence descended, which neither man seemed prepared to break. Finally, Adam cleared his throat. "Did, um, Ariadne come round last night?"

Kyle blinked, and looked at him. "Yes," he admitted. The temptation to lie had been erased by the look upon Adam's face.

The other man nodded. "I see. Did she, I mean, did you-"

"You were in pretty bad shape," Kyle said, kindly. "I told her to go." He bit his lip, nervously. "If I hadn't, I will-"

"No, no," Adam said tiredly, pouring himself a glass of water. "Its fine. I didn't want to see her, trust me." Taking a sip, he turned. "I'm heading back to bed."

Kyle blinked as the slender figure shuffled back to the bedroom. Feeling a sudden rush of anger, he slammed down his coffee cup. "I really want to find this guy," he muttered under his breath. Skeletor looked up and whined slowly, nudging his hand. The red head smiled down at him.

"You agree, eh?" he said, letting him nuzzle his palm. "Shall I find him and sic him?"

"Why have you come back?"

Arthur shifted in his chair, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. He hadn't expected such a hostile greeting from Cobb. The Extractor's blue eyes were virtually boring into him. He swallowed.

"Dom, look," he said, trying to sound concillatory. "I know that it was difficult-"

"Difficult?" Eames spoke up. "Leaving her without a word? Crying in the night? Wondering where you were, you selfish little g-"

"Eames." Cobb's tone held a warning note. "Arthur, you being here is difficult. You left us, no word, and now you expect to just stroll back in. You have a lot of work to do. And I mean regarding building some bridges." He eyed the Point Man. "Especially with Ariadne."

Arthur leaned back. "I think Ariadne has a new man in her life." The words tasted ashen in his mouth. "I'm not sure there's a chance to build a bridge there."

Eames looked at him. "Oh, right. I'd leave the two of them alone, if I were you."

Arthur turned his head, and narrowed his eyes. "I'm not going to stand in their way." He frowned; the man he'd encountered last night had looked so fragile. He bit his lip, and resolved that he would try and find out the truth. He nodded, and began to get up.

"Where are you going?" Cobb's voice was slightly sharp.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "To get a cup of coffee." Turning, he strode out of the office.

Adam sat opposite Kyle, listlessly looking at their surroundings. The other man had suggested they go out, take a walk, do something.

"Can't," Adam said, tonelessly. "I have therapy."

"Coffee on the way to he hospital?"

Adam shrugged. "If you like."

Kyle took a look at his friend. He was pale, and sitting with his shoulders hunched, as though he were ashamed of something. He picked up his cappuccino. "Look, if you want to talk-"

"I don't," Adam said, abruptly. Kyle swallowed, remembering his vow to be patient. Suddenly, Adam froze. "What is it?" Kyle asked.

The other man nodded. "Look. Going to the counter."

Kyle turned. Walking across the room, looking as if he'd just stepped out of a men's lifestyle magazine, was a young man clad in an expensive suit, complete with accessories. Adam slumped even further in his seat. Heads were turning to look after him.

Kyle raised his eyebrows. "So, its a guy who thinks he's a model." He shrugged. "So?"

"That's him." Adam's whisper was agonised. Kyle blinked. "You what?"

"That's the the guy Ariadne was with." A painful blush was staining Adam's face. "Sorry, I can't handle this." Getting up, he pushed back his chair and went outside, leaving Kyle to look after his retreating figure, and then stare angrily at the intrusive stranger.

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