Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

"May I help you?"

Arthur swallowed, trying hard to keep his face composed. The receptionist was smiling at him, warmly. "I'm Arthur Ogilvie," he said, his voice suddenly unsteady. "I'm here for an operation."

"One moment." She turned away, frowning slightly, as she flicked through the computer database. "Oh, yes, Mr Ogilvie. You're in for the bone marrow transplant?"

Arthur nodded, aware of how tightly pressed his lips were together. "Yes."

"Just a minute." Clinical, professional, she lifted the phone, and pressed a couple of buttons. Before too long had passed, and smiling, intelligent Asian-American had appeared. She was clad in surgical scrubs, and offered her hand.

"Mr Ogilvie? Dr. Lee. This way, please."

Ariadne sighed, and cuddled down in Adam's arms. He had looped his round her upper body, and together, under the covers, he felt the safest he had felt for a long time.

Safe and secure. As he'd felt before he'd walked into the doctor's office to receive that fateful diagnosis, that had seen his previously ordered, stable life pivot on a fulcrum and backflip into oblivion. He stroked her hair, feeling its smoothness, its warmth.

"You ok?" he whispered.

"Yes." She burrowed closer, leaning her head on his chest. "Just think...when we're married, same house. No having to work out who stays where."

Adam smiled. "Well, after the first time I met Arthur, I don't recall you inviting me back to your place."

"Oh." She fell silent, and looking down, he noticed that she was blushing slightly. "Well, I felt it was better to-"

"Keep us separate?"

"Maybe."

Both lapsed into silence. Eventually, Adam spoke again. "But what he's doing...he's saving my life."

She blinked. "Saving...oh God, the hospital!" She turned over, and grabbed her watch. "Adam, he's going into surgery this morning! Its half eight!"

She began to push back the covers, reaching for her clothes. Adam blinked, slightly uncomprehending. "Ariadne, are you going to the hospital?"

"Well, he is-"

"Ari," Adam spoke softly. "Ariadne, would you be really offended if I asked you not to?"

She blinked. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, and turned her head towards him, swinging her torso round. "Are you saying-"

"Yes." He nodded, his face downcast. "I really wanted to take you to see my parents today, to tell them the good news."

"Adam, will they really think its good news?" She bit her lip. "They - your mother - after the dreamsharing we did -"

He shook his head. "She'll see I'm happy."

"But, Adam." She looked at him, and folded her arms. "If we're going to be together, you have to realise one thing. Arthur is very important in my life. He's a friend. And I think we owe it to him to see how he's doing."

"Doesn't he have family?" Adam pressed, feeling powerless in the face of Ariadne's demand.

"Not really." She shook her head. "His mother passes away a few years ago, his father disappeared. No siblings. All he has are me, Cobb, and though he'll never admit it, Eames."

"Anyone else?"

Ariadne shook her head. "No."

Adam blinked. "You got me," he admitted. He reached for her hand. "Come on, let's go."

"Could you sign this form please?"

Arthur swallowed. He was sitting up in bed, an IV attached, and dressed in a hospital tunic. The blankets felt heavy on his legs. He checked the form. "This is...?"

"A consent form. Just in case anything goes wrong."

Arthur nodded, his mouth dry. Quickly, he scrawled a signature and handed the clipboard back. The nurse took it and hurried out of the room.

He leaned back, suddenly feeling alone. No-one was there. Not Ariadne, not Cobb, not Eames. In fact, he had not even discussed it with the Extractor or the Forger. He had suspicions they would accuse him of attention seeking, of trying to win Ariadne back through apparently being selfless. He bit his lip. He swallowed, aware of how dry his mouth was.

"Arthur?"

He looked up. A young man was standing in front of him, smiling reassuringly. "I'm Dr. Alys, your aneasthetist." He began to gently move the Point Man's IV pole. "Its time to put you under."

Arthur nodded. "Thank you. Let's do it."

"Arthur Ogilvie?" Ariadne nodded. The receptionist smiled, kindly. "He's just going into surgery. Would the two of you like to go to the waiting room?"

Ariadne nodded, and she and Adam wandered down the pale walled corridors of the hospital. After a few minutes, they arrived at the comfortable waiting room, and settled themselves into the chairs.

Adam reached for her hand, and she wrapped her fingers around it.

"Arthur?"

He blinked. He was sitting in a garden chair, the warmth of the sun falling onto his face. He turned his head. "Ari?"

"Thank you for this." She leaned down, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you."

"Well, its not over yet, but-"

"But Adam has a chance. Thank you." She began to get up. "Thank you Arthur."

"Ari?"

She blinked. She'd clearly fallen asleep, as her head had fallen onto Adam's shoulder. He smiled at her, gently. She blinked. "What time-"

Suddenly, Dr Lee appeared. "Are you two here for Arthur Ogilvie?"

Ariadne nodded. "Yes. Is he ok?"

The doctor looked at them. "He's going to be fine. He'll be sore for a couple of days, but he came through it. The aneasthetic's wearing off."

"Can I see him?" Ariadne asked, looking at Adam.

"Of course. This way please."

The two walked to Arthur's room. Ariadne swallowed when she saw him - he was lying stretched out in the bed, with an IV attached, and his eyes firmly closed. Swallowing, she walked over, and placed her hand on her arm.

"Arthur?"

His eyes flicked, and he looked at her. "Ari..."

She blinked. Leaning over, she kissed him on the forehead. "Thank you," she said softly. Quickly turning, she took Adam's hand, and hurried out of the room.

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