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Adam swallowed, and looked at the other man. Arthur's face was firm, but, he suddenly noticed, his eyes were kind. He nodded.

"OK."

Arthur got back in, reached over, and unlocked the other door. Adam slid into the seat, inhaling the scent of an expensive, well-cared for interior. He looked on the floor. Nothing. No clutter - no empty Starbucks cups, no candy bar wrappers, discarded paperback books - the interior was clean, and spotless. He swallowed, and Arthur turned the key, causing the engine to purr into life.

"Where to?"

Adam had to think for a moment. The sheer surreality of the situation was beginning to hit him. "Um...Park Street. Its a little out of town," he added, apologetically.

Arthur shrugged. "Doesn't matter." He turned the wheel, and the car began to glide out of Hospital bay, and into the main road. He leaned forward slightly, focusing on the road.

A silence began to fill the car. Adam sneaked a look at the other man. Calm, composed, expensively dressed. Genuine rolex. He looked down at his shabby clothes, that were now too large for him. He swallowed. They paused at a red light.

"So, how did you and Ariadne meet?"

The sheer bluntness of the question caused Adam to blink. He searched his mind, frantically trying to think of a coherent answer. "Um...while I was walking my dog." He looked at his hands. "She said he was cute. The dog, not me," he said, hastily.

He could have sworn he saw Arthur's mouth start to curve in a smile. "She's always like dogs." The light changed, and they began to move forward again.

"Then I saw her in the coffee shop." Adam leaned back. "With the British guy."

"Eames?" Arthur cast a quick glance at him. "He's a character." He sighed. "A real character."

Adam nodded. "I thought he was her boyfriend."

Arthur made a choking sound that Adam could have sworn was suppressed laughter. "Well, I think the thought's crossed his mind on more than one occassion. But, he's a player. But his heart's in the right place, trust me."

Adam nodded. "Yeah, he helped me once."

"Really?" There was a genuine interest in Arthur's voice, so emboldened, Adam continued. "I had a treatment, started walking, and threw up-" he winced with embarrassment - "in the street. Next thing I know, Eames is helping me up the stairs, and getting me water."

Arthur blinked. "I think you may have changed my opinion of the guy."

"You don't get on?" Adam surprised himself with the boldness of the question. Arthur's mouth twisted slightly.

"Its not that...its just, he often doesn't think things through. Jumps in first feet. Same as Ariadne, really." Arthur raised his eyebrows. "Sometimes, its like working in a kindergarten." He flushed slightly. "But, then, thats not fair, I-"

"Why did you break up?" Adam suddenly felt the need to ask the question that was burning the tip of his tongue. "You left, right?"

Arthur nodded. "I did. And couldn't tell her where I was going." He looked at Adam. "My bad."

"Where were you?"

"Columbia." Arthur steered the car out of traffic, and headed back onto the freeway. "Not something I want to repeat."

"Well, I'm sorry if you think I muscled in on her," Adam choked out. "But, she said she was single, and I-"

Arthur glanced at him. "She is single." He shrugged. "I was just surprised. Hurt pride." He looked at the road. "No-one likes to think they can be replaced."

Adam swallowed. "And I guess when your replacement has cancer, its even worse."

Arthur blinked. "Excuse me?" His features settled into a puzzled frown. Adam suddenly felt a tremendous urge to punch him, to see that smooth face redden, see those brows begin to scowl.

"Face it," Adam snapped, "I have cancer. That puts you at a disadvantage, doesn't it? You can't tell her to never see me again, because I'm sick. You can't punch me for taking her, because I'm sick. You can't tell me how much you hate me for this, because I'm sick." He looked at the other man, and saw, with a stab of delight, that Arthur's mouth was beginning to tighten in a line. "I'm sure you want to punch me. Or just push me out the car. But you can't."

"No," Arthur said, softly, "I can't. And I wouldn't." He turned to him. "You really think thats what I want to do?" His hands tightened on the wheel. "I left. I had a job to do, for some important people, and I didn't tell her. She met someone else, big deal."

"Why don't you just admit it?" Adam turned to the other man, feeling a rush of rage. "Why don't you just admit that you hate me? That she's found herself a real loser? Someone whose not even healthy?" His self-control was dissolving, and to his horror, he felt tears beginning to start. "Why don't you just say it?"

"Say what?" Arthur said. He'd pulled over, and parked on the side of the road. Unbuckling his belt, he turned to face the other man. "Say, 'wow, Ariadne's found herself a pet project? Ariadne's being a good girl scout, looking after the sick guy? Ariadne's giving you a pity party?' Is that it, Adam? Does that make you feel better?" He looked at the other man. "Because, thats not what she thinks. Ariadne likes you. She must do. She doesn't give her heart to anyone. It took me nearly a year to persuade her to go on a date - she's known you for what, a couple of months? Doesn't that tell you something?" Arthur exhaled, slowly. "Yes, you have cancer. But its not all of you, is it? Please don't tell me that you want to play the sympathy card." His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. "Its beneath you, trust me."

Adam leaned back in the chair, feeling slightly shocked. Arthur fell silent. After a pause, he spoke again.

"Ariadne is not mine, Adam. She's not yours, either. But if you want her, you have to prove to her that you're worth it."

"Sure," Adam choked out bitterly. "Look at me, look at you. No contest."

Arthur shook his head, his eyes crinkling as he smiled. "Yeah, someone who disappears to far flung corners of the world, and nearly gets himself killed is a really good bet." He started the engine again. "Why wouldn't she choose someone who at least has a normal life?"

Adam blinked. "I did have a normal life-"

"And you can have one again." Arthur turned and looked at him. "Believe it."

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