Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me. Yes, I know this story is long...but I enjoy writing it.

Arthur swallowed as he was pulled from the van. The drive to the facility had been long, and he felt exhausted, and dirty. Swallowing, he looked into the stony faces of the guards, who proceeded to usher him down the path to the main door.

He waited, still handcuffed, as the glass doors slid open. A man was waiting for them, his eyes sharp, and light green. He nodded. "Arthur?"

Swallowing, the Point Man nodded. The other man smiled, kindly. "Come inside."

As they entered, Arthur heard the doors swish shut. Blinking, he tried to acclimatise himself to the strangeness of this situation. I took a girl on a date, and now I'm here...but what did I do? She wanted it, I know it!

As he walked down the sterile, dreary corridors, he realised that he could hear soft murmurs, whispered snatches of sound. He tried turning his head, to listen, but the sounds were fleeting, passing as quickly as he first noticed them. His shirt crackled roughly against his skin, and he was desperate for a shower. To become clean.

"OK, Arthur, this is your room." The sound of the other man's voice jerked him back to reality. "Now, there is a bathroom - we do believe in giving the patients privacy."

Arthur turned, watching as the door swung open to reveal a small, clean room. He stepped in, also noticing a clean pair of hospital pants, and tunic were folded on the bed.

"Listen, its 8 am," the doctor said, softly. "So, please, take your time. Sleep. We will come back for you."

Arthur, unable to respond, watched as the doctor left, shutting the door.

"Coffee?"

Ariadne nodded, watching as the dark liquid streamed into the waiting cup. She reached for it, gratefully. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." Cobb spoke carefully. She was sitting in his kitchen, wearing one of his shirts. Her long dark hair was loose and slightly tangled. He poured himself a cup, and settled across from her.

"So..." she took a sip, and then looked at him, her face puzzled, and slightly sad. "What has happened?"

Cobb swallowed, and put his own cup down. His eyes lingered on a spilled drop, trying to buy himself time before he had to speak to her directly. "Well, it looks as though Arthur skipped town for a while." He looked at her, as though trying to give the impression of innocence. "Eames went over to his apartment, found some clothes missing, a few books...we think he may have just upped and left."

Ariadne leaned back in her seat, her eyes wide. Cobb looked at her, carefully guaging her reaction. "Just...gone?"

"Yes. Just gone."

"But..." she bit her lip, and looked down into the coffee cup. "There has to be a reason why he would just go. I mean, its not rational behaviour..." her voice trailed off as she realised that the Extractor was looking at her, intently. "Why would he?"

Cobb smiled at her, and reached for her hand. "My guess is he's embarrassed. Embarrassed at how he behaved towards you, embarrassed as to how he behaved towards everyone."

Ariadne blinked. "You think?"

"Yes." Cobb smiled as she allowed him to keep his hand on hers. "I think he's just embarrassed."

"You want to see who?"

"Arthur Ogilvie," Eames said, pleasantly. "Please."

"He's not here."

"What?" Eames stared at the young desk sergeant. "But-"

"He's been transferred."

"Where?"

"That's confidential. Sorry."

Eames, blinking with shock, took a step back from the desk. His mind reeling, he turned and left the station.

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