Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me. This does get a little dark, I warn you.

"Ari?" Cobb swallowed, standing outside the door to her bedroom. He exhaled, trying not to let his annoyance rise up and overpower him. He had eventually found her in the restaurant - she'd run sobbing into the ladies' restroom. He'd waited, patiently, paid and left a tip, and then escorted her outside, hailing a cab. In the cab ride, she'd fallen silent.

He walked into the lounge, and collapsed into a chair. As he waited, his mind wandered over to Arthur. Shrugging his shoulders, he waited for Ariadne.

Arthur walked into the patients' lounge. He felt slightly unsteady, and light headed. He'd been given a small tray containing two tablets and water before he'd left his room- he'd taken them, tossed back the water and then handed the tray back. He then walked into the lounge, and looked round.

A few other men were there. A couple sitting sprawled on couches; one sitting on the windowseat. Two others were hunched near a low-volume TV. Arthur, suddenly unsure of how he should act, or whether he should even approach them, made the decision to sit in a small seat. He hunched his shoulders up, trying to disappear into the background. As he did so, he realised that two of the men had noticed him, and were walking over.

He froze. One of them was large, and swarthy, with mottled skin. The other was slightly built, but had a cold steeliness. They both gazed at Arthur, somewhat dispassionately.

Arthur looked at them. "Yes?" he asked, his tone slightly guarded.

The larger man looked at him. "Fresh meat."

Arthur stiffened. "Yes?" His tone was studiously polite.

"What are you here for?" The smaller man was grinning.

Arthur shuddered slightly. "I'm here for...alleged assault."

"Alleged?" The other man's eyebrow went up. "Meaning?"

"Meaning I'm here for alleged assault." Arthur kept his tone cool. The smaller man responded by grinning more.

"Well, that's no good. If you're going to assault, you need to do it properly."

Arthur swallowed. A needle of fear was starting to penetrate his consciousness. "I don't - I mean, I'm not sure-"

"Come on man. Did you assault her, or didn't you?" The younger man was walking just a bit too close. "Did you see her, and think, I have to have that? Because that's all they're fit for, these sl-"

He was stopped abruptly. Arthur's fist shot out, punching the other man hard in the face. He choked, and staggered back. The bigger man piled in, grabbing Arthur and shoving him to the floor. Raising his fist, he tried to land a blow on the Point Man's face. His response was to turn his head, and thrust upwards with his knee. The other man gasped, as the Point Man's knee collided with his groin.

"You-"

Suddenly, a couple of uniformed guards ran in, pulling them apart. Before Arthur, could move or protest, a bag was shoved over his head, and he felt both his arms being pinned. Suddenly, he was hauled to his feet, and dragged away.

"I'm sorry." Cobb turned, as Ariadne came out into the lounge. She was wearing pyjamas, and a robe. He smiled and opened his arms, feeling a sense of relief as she curled into them.

"Its fine," he said, soothingly, brushing the top of her head with his lips. "Ari, its fine."

"Its just..." she shook her head. "Arthur - I still feel sick when I think of what could have happened. To me."

"I know," he said, gently, holding her close. "But he's getting some help. And you - you're safe."

"I'm still shocked," she continued, pulling back slightly. "I just hope that when he comes out, he takes responsiblity. Admits his motivations."

"If he remembers," Cobb said, without thinking.

Ariadne looked at him, her face creasing. "What do you mean?"

Cobb swallowed, suddenly realising he was veering dangerously close to exposure. "I mean...motivations for crimes of this type are complex."

"Dom?"

"Yes?"

"Did Arthur...ever confide in you?"

"No," Cobb said quickly, shaking his head. "Never."

Eames jumped. The shrill ring of the cellphone pierced the silence of his small, cluttered apartment. He fumbled, grabbing at the phone. "Hello?"

"Eames?"

"Arthur?" He sat upright. "What-"

"Eames. Help me. Please."

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