Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Adam sat in silence as Arthur continued to drive. After what seemed like an eternity, they pulled up to the front of Adam's small one-story house. Arthur parked, and the two men sat in silence.

Finally, Adam spoke. "Do you want a cup of coffee?"

Arthur turned his head, showing surprise. "Thats very gracious of you," he said, nodding. "I'd appreciate it."

Adam's mouth twisted in a smile. "Least I can do." He opened the door, and got out, Arthur following him. As he opened the front door, the two men heard a delighted bark. Skeletor poked his head out, and practically knocked the slight man down. "Whoa!"

Arthur smiled. "I take it this is the dog?" He bent down, and to Adam's astonishment, Skeletor nuzzled and licked his hand. "Unusual," Adam commented. "He doesn't usually take to strangers."

Arthur shrugged. "Guess I'm just lucky." The three of them entered, and Adam looked around the room. Arthur, standing in his three-piece suit, cut an incongrous figure amongst the second-hand furniture and residual clutter. "Um, take a seat," Adam said, hastily, clearing a space off the couch. "Please."

Arthur nodded. "Thank you."

A silence fell whilst Adam waited for the water to boil. He suddenly realised he had no idea what to say to Arthur. He poured the water into two mugs, and stirred, watching the coffee granules dissolve. Picking them up, he carried them over.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

Adam stared into the dark liquid. Suddenly, his iPhone rang, and he pulled it out. "Hello?" His face fell slightly as the caller introduced themselves.

Arthur tactfully turned away, and Skeletor wandered over. He gently stroked the dog, letting him nuzzle against his arm. Adam swallowed. "OK, tomorrow," and clicked off, staring at the phone in his hand.

"Who was it?" Adam blinked again. He'd forgotten, briefly, that the other man was there.

"The hospital." He kept on looking at the floor. "Tomorrow, I find out the results of the last tests. Whether the treatment has actually done any good."

"I see." Arthur took another sip of coffee. Adam looked at him, resentment building. "You see what?"

"Nothing." Arthur put the cup on the table, and stood up. "Forget it. I should get going."

"Yes," Adam said nodding. "You should. Back to your perfect job and perfect apartment and perfect life!"

"What?" Arthur blinked, looking slightly stunned. "What did you just say?"

"Just get out," Adam snapped, and got up, turning his back to the other man. "Tomorrow, I have to go and find out if my tumour has grown, or shrunk. Whether or not I have another three months, six months, nine months. Whether or not I'm going to be alive this time next year. But its ok. Really." He looked at Arthur directly, his voice dripping with venom. "But I don't expect you to understand, standing there in your designer suit and expensive watch, with Ariadne dangling on a string for you! I don't expect you to-"

Suddenly, he stopped. Arthur had grabbed his shoulders, and pushed him against the wall. Adam blinked; the other man's reflexes were cat-like, and his grip was strong.

"Not to understand?" Arthur's eyes flashed. "Not to understand whether you'll be alive or dead in the morning? Trust me, when you've had someone point a gun at your head, and threaten to kill you whilst you sleep, you do begin to understand."

He relaxed, and stepped away. Arthur swallowed, feeling his breathing come in a ragged gasp. Adam looked at him, slightly stunned. After a pause, Arthur looked at him.

"I'm sorry," he said, his tone calmer, and kinder. "But, trust me, the prospect of your life suddenly ending? I've been there."

"Had you done everything you wanted to do?" Adam's voice was barely a whisper.

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, there are so many things I still haven't done." Adam rubbed his forehead, and sank back down into a seat. "Never been to Canada. Never told a girl I loved her. Never."

Arthur was silent. "There's still time," he said gently. "Adam, there's still time. Until you're told its your last day, it still matters." He looked at him. "Call her," he said, softly. "Please."

"Right now?"

"Yes," Arthur said, nodding. "While I'm sitting here. So I know you can't not do it."

Swallowing, Adam picked up his iPhone, and dialled. After a pause, a female voice began to float out. "Hello?"

"Ariadne? Its Adam."

There was a pause. Adam blinked, and began to feel concerned. "Ari?"

"Hi," she said, softly. "Been a while."

"I know." He turned and looked at Arthur, who nodded. "Listen, could you come and see me? I really want to talk to you."

There was another pause, and then she spoke again. "Of course. Is this evening ok?"

"Yes," Adam said, his words coming out in a rush. "This evening is great. About 7pm?"

"Sure, see you then!"

He clicked off. "She's coming over." He looked at Arthur. "Thank you," he said quietly.

The other man shrugged. "Don't thank me - you called her." He looked at him. "See you around."

Before Adam could speak again, the other man had opened the door, and left. He swallowed, and decided to head for the shower.

Adam felt nervous. He'd decided to put on a clean pair of jeans, and a shirt. He'd also daubed himself with aftershave, which due to the skin lesions caused by the chemo, he rarely wore now. He checked his watch. Nearly 7pm.

"She will turn up," he told himself, firmly. "I know she will."

Skeletor came and rested his head in his lap. Suddenly, the door bell rang. "OK," Adam told the greyhound. "Here goes."

Nervously, he opened the door. Ariadne stood on the steps, dressed simply, in jeans, t-shirt, and neck scarf. His heart lifted at the sight of her.

"Hey," he said, slightly anxiously. "Will you come in?"

She nodded. "Of course."

As the petite brunette entered, he looked at the floor. "Um, can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you," she said, quietly. He blinked. His heart was beginning to race. "I've, um, met Arthur," he said, aware he was in danger of beginning to babble. "He's a nice guy."

Ariadne nodded. "He is," she said, almost shortly. He winced.

"He's, um-"

"Adam, what did you invite me here for?" her voice broke into his words, and momentarily silenced him. "I got the impression you never wanted to see me again, and your friend, he was really rude to me!"

Adam blushed. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "Truly. But, I panicked. I thought, he's back, what would you see in me-"

"So what?" Ariadne almost exploded. "Arthur's back, but we're not still together! Do you think I'm the type of person who'd see you, and him? I'm not like that, but if you think I am-"

She stopped. Adam had stepped forward, and tilting her chin upward, caught her in a long kiss. She relaxed, and wrapping her arms around him, pulled him close. As he reciprocated, nothing else mattered. Nothing at all.

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