Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Arthur swallowed, running his hand over his hair. He was hurrying towards the Warehouse, walking as quickly as possible. His heart was pounding, and he was trying hard not to think about his actions of the previous night.

What did I do? He swallowed, and stopped in the centre of the street. A woman glared at him as she walked round, muttering under her breath. He ignored her, completely lost in a new form of mental torment.

All he remembered was going to the bar. Then being approached. She'd smiled at him, cocking her head, inviting him to have a drink. He paused, blinking. What if his drink had been spiked? Was that why he couldn't remember anything?

Shaking his head, he continued to walk. He was acutely aware of the fact he was till wearing the clothes from the previous day, his hair was mussed, and he'd been unable to take a shower. He glanced at his watch. He had not time to get back to his apartment. He had to get to work. Swallowing, aware of how uncomfortable and embarrassing his position was, he continued to walk.

As he entered the Warehouse, he paused. He could hear voices in conversation. Stiffening slightly, he realised they belonged to Cobb and Ariadne. He began to walk to his desk.

"I'm sure there's a simple solution, Ariadne," he heard Cobb say. "I'm sure there is -" the Extractor was walking out of the inner office, and he froze as he saw Arthur sitting at his desk.

"Arthur." He spoked pleasantly. "Good morning."

Arthur nodded, his feelings of guilt and shame beginning to spread. He could barely look the Extractor in the face. "Cobb."

"Arthur, did you-" Cobb stopped, and shook his head, as though unable to finish the sentence. Silently he walked to his desk, and sat down.

"Where's Eames?"

"Meeting a client," Cobb responded. "He'll be back soon."

Arthur nodded. Ariadne was walking through the Warehouse, but giving no indication that she had even noticed the Point Man. He swallowed, and began to get up. "Ariadne-"

She turned. Her eyes widened, suddenly turning into one of near disgust. "What is it, Arthur?"

"I need to-" he swallowed, his voice hoarse. "I need to talk to you."

She shook her head. "It'll have to wait." Without another word, she began to walk back downstairs to the basement. Arthur sat down, suddenly realising he must look slightly ridiculous.

"Arthur." He turned. Cobb was looking at him. "Go home. Have a shower. Get changed." The Extractor's face was grim, and Arthur knew it was not worth his while to argue. Nodding, he began to get up.

"Oh, and Arthur?"

"Yes?" he almost croaked.

"Don't come back today." Cobb turned his back, and the Point Man, his ego stinging, began to head towards the door.

Standing motionless, Arthur let the warm steaming rain pound into his face. He felt diminished. A one night stand, and suddenly, all he was facing was disgust and contempt.

He shook his head. How had this happened? He blinked, a wave of confusion spreading over him. He had been happy with Ariadne – then suddenly, he'd started to feel she wasn't good enough. Wasn't mature enough. Wasn't sophisticated enough. He didn't even think she was attractive enough – he'd begun to see her as childish, underdeveloped. He frowned, thinking of how he'd been drawn to the more model-esque figure of the woman last night. He shook his head.

As he stepped out of the shower, towelling his hair dry, he heard the intercom to his apartment buzz. Frowning, he walked towards it. "Hello?"

"Arthur? Dom."

The Point Man paused. "What is it?" he tried to speak evenly.

"Can I come in?"

Arthur pressed to let the door open. As Cobb entered the apartment, he smiled at him. "Hey."

"Hey." Cobb was smiling. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Arthur admitted. "I didn't sleep last night." He blushed. "Well, you can-"

"I can imagine," Cobb said gently. "Look, sit down."

Arthur did so, then thought. "Dom, do you want coffee?"

"I can make it," the Extractor called back. He was already half way to the kitchen. "You relax."

Arthur leaned back, wondering how he was going to explain himself. "Thanks, Dom."

"Don't mention it!" After a few minutes, Cobb re-appeared with two mugs of steaming black coffee. Arthur gratefully accepted one. "Thank you."

"Not a problem." Cobb smiled, and watched as Arthur sipped. "Is it ok?"

"Its...fine," Arthur murmured, his head lolling back. Smiling, Cobb got up and removed the tilting mug from his hand, before turning back to the closed door, in front of which was the PASIV.

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