Alright here is the next chapter. It's a little serious and a little playful...so let me know what you think. Updates might start coming farther apart, especially since I started school and will have TONS of homework...but I'll try to update when I get the chance...read and review!

I want to own Inception...maybe if I keep wishing for it I will get it...or not... :(


As they were in the taxi, both Arthur and Ariadne couldn't help but think of what Cobb would have to say. They both had a fear of what would happen and if he would approve of them.

Arthur wanted nothing more than Dom's approval. He was like a father and brother to him. They had worked together for years and he was the only person he really had to go to. He could no longer go back to his family, his father disowned him when he found out what Arthur was up to and they hadn't talked to each other since then.

Ariadne, on the other hand, knew that Cobb would be supportive. He of all people should know what it was like to love someone, to be half of a whole, as Mal put it. She wasn't worrying about what Cobb would say, but what would her parents, her family, say. She hadn't talked to them in years, she left to Paris without support or approval of her family. They wanted her to take up the family business, but she loved Architecture and wanted to pursue that. When she told her family, they ended up getting into a huge fight and ended on bad terms.

She sighed and looked at Arthur who seemed to have the same pensive look she had a few moments ago. She realized that she didn't know anything about him. She didn't even know his last name, and yet she trusted him fully. She knew she could count on him and he would be there for her.

The taxi quickly came into a small, gated community, which Ariadne assumed was Cobb's. It was cute, but she didn't picture this to be where Cobb lived. All the houses looked the same. Tall pointed roofs with a Victorian style structure. They pulled up to a house which was light brown with dark brown trim. Ariadne remembered this from Cobb's dream.

Arthur sighed, this was it, the moment of truth. Would the man he worked with and became good friends with approve of him and Ari? He knew that Cobb would have a lot to say, but he wasn't sure how he would handle the whole situation. After all, Arthur did lie and break his rule about not making contact with anyone until a week after the job. He flat out broke that rule with both Ariadne, and now Dom.

Ariadne watched Arthur carefully, she could see the nervousness and worry in his eyes, if only for a brief second.

"Here goes nothing." He mumbled as he knocked on the door.

Arthur and Ariadne heard some screaming and giggling coming from inside the house. Ariadne smiled, knowing that it must be James and Philippa. The door creaked open carefully and Dom looked out, a small smile playing on his lips as he saw the two standing awkwardly and nervously.

"Come in you two." Dom motioned for them to enter. Arthur motioned for Ariadne to go first and followed her, shutting the door behind them.

"James! Philippa! Look who's here!" Dom called for his children. They ran into the living room and squealed when they saw Arthur.

"Uncle Arthur!" They both ran to him and latched onto both of his legs. He laughed and tried walking with them still hanging on.

"Hey guys. How have you two been? James! You're getting so big!" Arthur patted his head and smiled.

"Yeah! Daddy is back! And now you are too!" James excitedly responded and clung tighter to his leg. Philippa giggled.

"Uncle Artie, where have you been? Did you bring us presents?" She asked, giving him the puppy eyes.

"Philippa. It's rude to ask for presents like that." Dom scolded her.

"No, it's ok. You think I would come without bringing you two anything?" Arthur asked, pretending to be insulted.

"Yay! Presents!" They both exclaimed and let go of Arthur's legs, running in circles and following him to the table, where he placed his bag and pulled out two stuffed animals.

"Thank you Uncle Arthur!" They gave him a hug and a kiss before turning to Dom and showing him their new toys.

"That's very nice of you." Ariadne whispered, and smiled. Arthur blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I've known them since they were born. I'm actually their godfather." He shyly replied.

"Kids, you are being rude to our new guest. Have you said hi to her?" Dom asked them, raising his eyebrow.

They both shyly looked at Ariadne and hid behind Dom. James peered out from behind Dom's leg and eyed her warily. Philippa stared at Ariadne with wide eyes.

"Go on, say hi." Dom encouraged.

"Hi." James and Philippa whispered shyly, stepping from behind Dom and walking next to Arthur, who was closer to Ariadne.

"Hi guys." Ariadne knelt down to look them in the eye. "I'm a friend of your dad and Arthur."

"You're friends with Uncle Arthur?" James asked curiously. Ariadne nodded and stood up.

"Then why are you holding his hand?" Philippa pointed to their entwined fingers and Ariadne blushed.

"Yeah. Mommy and daddy held hands." James stated matter of factly.

Dom chuckled and interrupted the awkward moment.

"Alright guys. Go play with your new toys. I'll call you later and you can come and play with Uncle Arthur and Ariadne."

"By Ari!" Philippa waved and ran to the other room.

"So…" Dom stared at them curiously.

"Yeah, well we just wanted to talk." Arthur told him, his face flushing just a little bit.

"So talk." Dom encouraged.

"Could we sit down?" Arthur nervously asked.

"No." Cobb said then grinned. "Of course you can. Jeez. Lighten up guys."

Arthur and Ariadne relaxed at Dom's joke. They followed him to the couch and sat across from him.

"So what's up?"

"Well…we just wanted advice on how to keep our personal life separate from work." Ariadne started.

"Yeah, with what happened with you and Mal, we know that we can trust your judgment and advice. We don't want to get lost in the dream world and lose each other." Arthur said, looking from Ariadne to Cobb.

"Well first off, no PDA at work. No one wants to see that." Dom's face was so serious they couldn't tell if he was joking or not. Ariadne blushed, thinking about the stolen kiss between her and Arthur in the second level of the dream.

"Let's get more serious here shall we?" Arthur rolled his eyes and Dom chuckled.

"Lighten up. But on a serious note, all I can tell you is don't go dreaming together for fun. That's how it all started with Mal and I. If you go for pleasure, then there is a high risk of losing track of reality. And seeing that you two really do care for each other, be careful. I would even suggest that if you take more jobs to not let Ariadne go in to the dream with you."

"What?" Ariadne quickly snapped.

"I'm just giving you my advice." Dom raised his hands.

Ariadne sighed and nodded, knowing he was right. She should know the most about what happens when the line between reality and dreams blurred.

"I'm sure you both knew this already." Dom asked and both nodded. "Then why did you need to talk to me?"

"I just wanted to make sure you approved." Arthur whispered and looked down, embarrassed.

Dom nodded in realization. Arthur wanted his approval and by the look on Ariadne's face, she did too.

"You guys don't need my approval…but I do give it to you. I just want you two to be careful…and safe." A small smile was forming on his face as Ariadne and Arthur's head snapped up.

"Safe?" Ariadne couldn't help but ask.

"Yes. Safe. You know, when two people love each other very much they…"

"STOP!" Ariadne's face was as red as an apple and Arthur was glaring at Cobb. Dom just laughed and stood up.

"You guys are so fun to tease." Dom patted Arthur on the back and kissed Ariadne on top of the head. "And you are always welcome here, for anything. How about some lunch?"

"Lunch would be nice, thank you." Ariadne replied for the both of them.