Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Biting her lip, Ariadne spread the contents of the bag out on the bed. It looked far more inviting than it had done in the store. She swallowed, scooping up the scraps of lacy material, then, as though ashamed, dropped them back on the bed.

She sat down, breathing slightly quickly. Tonight - Arthur wanted to talk. She intended to make sure talking was the last thing he felt like doing.

"I'm sure you understand," she said, softly. "This arrangement could be very lucrative for you...if you do as I say."

Arthur blinked. "I don't take kindly to blackmail," he said, coldly. "And if you try, I will terminate this agreement now."

She swallowed. "Well, I'm sure we could-"

"No." Arthur's voice was firm. "I mean this."

Ariadne swallowed, and began to pull the silky material on. She paused, suddenly heading to the bathroom. Looking amongst the shelves, among the crowded bottles and tubes, she discovered her razor.

Smiling, she began to adjust it to slide along her legs.

"What's wrong, Arthur?"

He looked at her. There was a softness in her voice that was not matched by her eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked, quietly.

She leaned forward. "Are you...impotent?"

He blinked, shocked. "What?"

"You heard. You're turning me down...claiming that its blackmail...but are you sure its not to merely cover up your own inadequacies?"

Arthur felt himself turning scarlet. "I...you..."

"Its all right," she cooed, leaning forward, gently brushing his hand. "You can admit to it. Admit to what the expensive suits and genuine rolex and polished manners are trying to hide! The fact that if you were confronted with a woman - a real woman, who has opinions, tastes, and intelligence - you turn into a scared little boy."

The Point Man began to get to his feet. "I-"

"Oh come on," she hissed. "You really want to make a scene, right here, in this restaurant? Because you can't handle the reality of sex? You can't handle that you couldn't get it up?"

Arthur felt a flash of anger. Her face was serene, smiling. He leaned forward. "I can assure you," he said, coldly, "my girlfriend last night didn't have any complaints. Maybe its just you."

She leaned back, her face a mask.

"Or maybe she's just easily pleased." She raised an eyebrow. "And doesn't want to hurt you."

She got up, smiling. "I think I'll wait for your call. You can pay on the way out."

Stunned, Arthur watched her sashay her way out of the room. Feeling shocked, he motioned to the waiter. Checking his watch, he swallowed. He had only an hour before he had to meet Ariadne.

Ariadne studied herself in the mirror. The silky creations she had pulled on complimented her figure, and her skin tone. Her hair was glossy, and her face made-up.

I'm not going to let Arthur take control.

She stretched herself out on the bed. As the doorbell to the apartment rang, she smiled.

Arthur pressed the doorbell, almost impatiently. He swallowed, mentally rehearsing what he was planning to say.

As the doorbell opened, his eyes widened.

Ariadne leaned against the doorframe.

"Well, Arthur. Aren't you coming in?"

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