Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Ariadne looked at the blueprint she'd called up, trying hard to keep her emotions composed. The thought of Arthur with someone else - even if it were only briefly - had upset her more than she was prepared for.

She leaned forward, rubbing her face. It didn't seem possible. Within a short space of time, he'd gone from being attractive, intriguing, and interesting to being smug, arrogant, and controlling. She shook her head.

How could I have got him so wrong?

She sneaked a peek at him over the top of her laptop. He was talking to Eames, his back rigid. She swallowed and bowed her head, determined that he would not see her.

The words on the electronic screen swam in front of her eyes. Pushing her chair back with a harsh, scraping sound, she began to get up. Ignoring Eames and Arthur, she began to leave.

To her chagrin, Arthur did not even turn round.

Eames bit his lip as the Architect began to walk out. He could see from her pale skin that she was troubled. But, as he looked up into the stony expression of the Point Man, he realised it was not wise to mention it.

"So, we're going to...Rome?"

"Well, I am, with Cobb." Arthur nodded. "We don't need you. Or Ariadne."

Eames raised an eyebrow. "I can tell when I'm not wanted."

Arthur shrugged. "Don't take it personally." He began to walk over to his desk, and settled himself behind it. Eames followed his movements, frowning slightly.

"What is it?" Arthur asked, looking up in irritation.

"Is something wrong?" Eames asked, biting his lip. The Point Man looked at him, irritably. "No. Why?"

"Its just you're-" he fell silent, trying to think of how to phrase a question without causing offence. "You're-"

"What?" Arthur looked at him.

"You seem to be turning into a bit of a Don Juan," Eames commented, noting that Arthur's expression was metamorphing from confused to almost angry. "You and Ariadne break up - and suddenly, you're flirting with someone else?"

"I did not flirt." There was no mistaking the growing anger in Arthur's voice. "She was interested, I reciprocated."

Eames shook his head. "Arthur-"

"Enough!" the Point Man snapped, getting up. As he walked to the kitchenette, Eames decided to find Ariadne.

Ariadne was sitting in a coffee shop, staring into her cappuccino. The way Arthur had been - so disdainful - had chilled her to the bone.

"Ari?"

She looked up, blinking. Eames smiled and sat down opposite her. She nodded. "Hi."

"I'm not going to ask if I can join you-" he swallowed - "but I wanted to see if you were allright."

She nodded, again. "Yes."

"Ariadne, the way Arthur's been behaving-"

"I know!" she burst out. "But, it started a while ago!"

"Did it?" Eames asked, frowning.

"He's just a-" she swallowed, and looked into her coffee cup. "He's such a control freak. Everything has to be his way."

Eames sighed. "It is one of his traits. Not the most pleasant. But I'm surprised..." his voice trailed off, and Ariadne looked at him. "What is it?"

"He's not been like this before. Arrogant. Selfish." Eames looked up as a waitress approached. "Can I get you anything?"

"Oh, mocha, please." Eames smiled at her, and she blushed. As she left Ariadne shrugged her shoulders. "Well, maybe this is what he's really like."

"Possibly." The Forger seemed troubled. "But he's never been..."

"Well, he always interrupted my sentences, never gave me the chance to finish or voice what I wanted to say." She rubbed her face. "Maybe he just secretly thought I was never good enough for him."

Eames shook his head. "Don't think that. Please."

"Well..." she lapsed into silence, smiling sadly. "Maybe its the truth."

"Arthur?"

The Point Man looked up. "Yes, Cobb?"

"Would you mind checking something over for me? On the PASIV?" Cobb was swallowing. "I need to see if the structure will hold."

"Oh, of course." Getting up, the Point Man smoothed down his suit, and headed for the basement.

"Are you going to be allright?"

Ariadne nodded, cheered and touched by Eames' kindness. As they began to walk towards the warehouse, she felt her heart pound. Arthur was walking out, and nodded as he saw them.

"Arthur." Eames stopped, as did the Point Man. He frowned. "Yes?"

"Arthur-" Ariadne felt her voice trail off. "Arthur, can we talk, please-"

"Nothing to talk about." The Point Man glared at her, almost haughtily. "Ari, when are you going to accept that it was fun for a while, but you mean nothing to me?"

Shocked, she stared at him, her jaw dropping. Eames, his face red with anger, took a step forward. Arthur swallowed, as though re-considering his words.

He shrugged. "Look, I can't be with someone who always wants her own way."

He walked off, not looking back. Eames, in a show of kindness, put his arm round the Architect's shoulders, and pulled her close.

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