Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
"Arthur?"
He blinked, and looked up. Dr Lee was standing next to the bed, smiling at him.
"Yes?" he murmured, groggily.
"You're free to leave." She took in the young man, whose face was pale. "Do you want us to call you a cab?"
"No," he mumbled, trying hard not to give into feelings of wooziness. He pushed the covers back, and began to sit up. He looked at the doctor, blinking. "What time is it, please?"
"Its 10am, the following morning." She nodded. "You had a peaceful night, no complications."
Arthur began to swing his legs round. "Ow," he complained.
"Mr Ogilvie." The doctor folded her arms. "You will be sore for a few days. I insist you let us call you a cab."
"All right." Arthur nodded.
"Is there anyone we can call?" she asked, gently. Arthur blinked, then realised. "No."
"I see." The doctor bit her lip. "Well, shall we get a cab then? For an hour from now?"
"Yes, please." Arthur began to stand up. Walking slowly to the closet, he began to retrieve his clothes.
"So, tomorrow." Adam looked at Ariadne. "You, uh, will be there, won't you?"
"Of course," Ariadne said, looking at him in surprise. "Why do you ask?"
"Its just..." Adam bit his lip. "I'm..."
Ariadne got up, and looped her arms round his waist. "You will be fine," she said, gently. "Really. You will be ok."
"I hope so." He smiled, his face lightening. "As long as I have you-"
"And Kyle, and your parents will be there." She finished, nodding. "You won't be alone, I promise."
She kissed him, and he held her close. "Listen, I've got to go. Big project on at work at the moment!"
Adam nodded. "Of course. I need to get ready for tomorrow." He smiled at her, and kissed her forehead. "See you later."
She smiled. "Yes."
He stood in the doorway, watching as she opened the door, and left the building. Smiling, he closed it, and headed into the bedroom, to begin to pack. Skeletor came up and nuzzled him. As he patted the dog, his thoughts turned briefly to the man who had just undergone surgery. Swallowing, he shook his head, and hurried into the bedroom.
Ariadne hopped on the bus, listening to the crunch of gravel as it pulled away from the curb. She lay back in the seat, rubbing her forehead.
Adam was anxious, she accepted that. But her thoughts were turning to Arthur. He had just undergone a surgical procedure...and ha no-one there. She bit her lip. She'd wanted to call him, but then realised he'd still be under aneasthetic. She pulled out her cellphone, and dialled.
"Hello?"
"Cobb? Listen, I'm going to check on Arthur, if that's ok?" Her voice sounded calmly authorative, and she decided that even if the Extractor had objected, she would still go and see him. "That's fine with you? Thank you. Yes, I'll let you know how he is."
She clicked the phone off. Settling back into her seat, she waited for it to bring her to her destination.
Arthur handed the driver a $20 bill. "Here. Keep the change."
"Thank you," the driver, said, appreciatively. As the Point Man opened the door and prepared to get out, he winced. The driver watched him in the rearview mirror. "Are you ok, son?"
Arthur smiled slightly. The driver was an older man, easily mid fifties. "Just had an operation," he admitted, realising the pain in his lower body was a low constant throb.
The man frowned. "You live in this building?"
"Yes."
"Which floor?"
"Tenth," Arthur admitted.
"Son, I am not letting you head up to the tenth floor on your own when you've had surgery." Before Arthur could even protest, he was opening the door, and walking round to the young man's side. "Let's get you upstairs."
Arthur felt exhausted, and in no position to argue. Leaning against the older, stockier man, he allowed himself to be helped into the building, and the elevator. As the door shut, and the elevator began to move up, he turned to the driver. "Thank you."
"No problem."
A few minutes later, Arthur was inside the apartment. The driver had refused an extra tip, and the young man swallowed, the pain echoing through his body. He picked up his bag, and began to walk, slowly, into the bedroom. Sighing, he collapsed on the bed, closing his eyes.
Ariadne let herself into the apartment, glad that she still had a key. As she walked through, she heard soft, rhythmic breathing. Walking in to the bedroom, she saw Arthur, sprawled out on the bed and asleep. She pulled back the covers, and made ure he was warm. Then she went into the kitchen.
Biting her lip, she realised that there was a scarcity of food in the kitchen. Putting her bag on her shoulder, she began to head to the grocery store, determined to bring Arthur back something decent. As she began to leave, she heard her cellphone beginning to ring. Pulling it out of her pocket, she examined the screen.
Adam.
She shook her head. Switching it off, she began to walk out of the apartment.
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