Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
"Are you all right?"
Adam blinked and looked at Kathy. Her face was creased in concern, and he suddenly realised he was ignoring her, right at the very beginning of the session.
"No," he said, softly. "I'm not." He sighed and leaned back. "Last night was pretty awful."
"What happened?" she pressed, gently.
"My mother met Ariadne...and Ariadne now thinks I'm a total loser." He felt his chin quiver. "My mother is so over-protective, so smothering...and I'm pretty sure her ex's mother-"
He leaned back, and exhaled softly. "Can we talk about something else?" he asked, quietly.
Kathy nodded, her eyes betraying her worry. "Of course." Swallowing, she shifted in her chair.
"Are you all right?"
Ariadne looked up at Arthur, who was standing by he desk. Sighing, she leaned back. "I've felt better," she admitted. His face creased in consternation.
"Want to talk about it?" He reddened slightly, and then swallowed. "I mean, not if you don't want to, but-"
Ariadne blinked. Talking about Adam to her ex seemed like a betrayal, but then she remembered. Nodding, she got up. "No, I could do with a chat."
Arthur smiled at her. "OK, let's go!"
"So you don't think Ariadne and your Mom get along?" Kyle gently tugged on Skeletor's lead as the two men began walking down the road. "After just one meeting?"
"Well, I think its a case of Ariadne not realising how smothering my mother is, and my mother not realising that Ari's not a stay-at-home and back cookies all day type of girl."
"Doesn't mean anything." Kyle cast a sharp look at him. "Ari has a job, big deal! She works long hours, big deal!"
"Plus, I suggested getting in pizza rather than anyone cooking." Adam shrugged. "I think that qualifies Ariadne as non-caring, in my mother's book."
"You're being melodramatic," Kyle counselled. "It was the first time they met, there's bound to be friction!"
Adam shrugged. "Its just – I bet her ex doesn't have a mother like that."
"Why would you say that?" Kyle turned to him, looking puzzled. "What's he got to do with this?"
"Well, he's a bit of a mystery man, isn't he?" Adam buried his hands deep in his pockets. "He disappears to Colombia for months on end, doesn't explain himself to anyone, plus the clothes he wears-"
"Well, no." Kyle looked thoughtful. "But he doesn't seem to have a girlfriend, either." Awkwardly, Kyle reached out and patted Adam's shoulder. "Keep calm, dude. Your Mom is your mom, that's all."
Adam sighed. "I know. Its just-" he bit his lip. "I think I'm going to have to talk to her. Properly."
Kyle nodded as they reached the park. "That's the spirit."
"So you met his mother?" Arthur raised an eyebrow as he placed a cappuccino in front of her. "Sounds serious."
Ariadne smiled, trying to relax. She noted how smoothly Arthur had walked to the counter, how heads had turned, how the barista had blushed slightly as he'd placed his order. She also noticed the looks that were being discreetly shown her way as the two of them sat down. And, she realised with a slight jolt, that Adam did not accrue nearly as much attention. She felt herself redden, and feel guilty.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Its just..." She looked at him. "His mother - she really smothers him! She came round last night, and it was as though she was criticising everything! The house wasn't clean enough, he hadn't called her for a couple of days, and I felt she didn't like me."
Arthur's espresso froze on the way to his lips. "She doesn't like you? Why?"
"Because I'm not at home all day baking cookies and looking after him," she replied. She sank back into her seat in frustration. "But-"
"He'd hate it if you were," Arthur pointed out. He shook his head. "Ari, I've talked to Adam, and I think he finds being sick frustrating, embarrassing, and upsetting. He's aware that he's lost a bit of status - he can't work at the moment, his ex cheated on him - he's finding it hard. His mother probably doesn't help."
She sank back into her seat. "I know. I know you're right. But - I think he feels he needs to prove himself."
"To whom?" Arthur said, sharply. "Who does he feel he needs to prove himself to?"
"Well...I think he feels he isn't very-" She paused. She looked at Arthur, who looked calm, composed, and self-assured. She mentally compared him to Adam, who was tending to wear clothes that were now too loose for him, and made him look small, and shrunken. "Macho," she whispered.
Arthur leaned back. "Ari, are you saying that he doesn't feel like a man at present?" His voice was gentle. To her horror, a tear was beginning to slide down her cheek, and she nodded.
"Yes," she whispered. "And I was wondering if you - if he-"
Arthur's face hardened slightly. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting? That the best way to boost his ego is to-" he leaned forward. "Take him into a dream?" he whispered.
She cast a furtive look round. "Yes. Make him believe in himself."
Arthur swallowed, and curled his fingers tightly round his espresso cup. "OK."
"It doesn't have to be dangerous," she offered. "Just something that could, well, make him-"
Arthur got up. "I get the message, Ari." He nodded. "I think I know what he needs."
Turning, he began to leave, and getting up, she followed him. As the two of them left, she didn't notice the older woman who had entered, was standing in line, and staring at them both with an expression of shock.
"Hi?"
"Adam?"
"Oh, hi Mom." He sank back down onto the seat. "What is it?"
"Adam, have you seen Ariadne today?"
He sighed. "No, she's been at work. Why?"
"Well, I saw her in the coffee shop today, and-" He blinked. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. "Sorry, Mom, visitor. That'll be her now. Talk soon, OK?"
He clicked off, and headed for the door. As he opened it, his eyes widened in surprise. Standing in the doorway were Arthur, Ariadne, and the older British man, who Adam recognised as having assisted him in the street.
"Um, Ari -" his voice trailed off, his eyes noticing a square, silver coloured metal case in Arthur's hand. The other man smiled at him.
"Hey Adam," he said, gently. "Can we come in?"
Nodding, he stepped aside. As they entered, he looked at Arthur. "What's that?"
Arthur looked at him. "Its an opportunity." He met his eyes. "If you want it."
Adam swallowed. "What type of opportunity?"
Arthur placed the PASIV on the table. "A chance to enter a dream. And be what you want."
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