Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Arthur walked down the street, scouting out the fast food joints that loomed in the darkness. He scanned, realising, with a sinking heart, that much of it was fried, greasy, fattening. He set his jaw - he needed to find something.

He kept walking. Spotting a Wendy's up ahead, he quickened his pace. It would do. Feeling resolute, he paused, waiting to cross the street.

Ariadne paused, tidying up the motel room. She felt a weight in her pocket. Her totem. Taking it out, she placed it on the fornica covered table, and gave it a flick.

It fell with a satisfying clunk.

This was reality. Her and Arthur.

Eames faced Trent. The Point's face was impassive, causing the Forger to raise an eyebrow.

"So you think we should just leave them?" Eames' tone was neutral. Trent nodded. "Absolutely."

The Forger shifted. Trent's calmness was discerning. "Why?"

"Because if we try and find them, we'll just push Arthur further into his illness." Trent locked eyes with Eames. "Arthur feels as though he can't control anything. Thats part of it. If we pursue them, he'll feel more out of control." Trent picked up his cup, and took a swallow of black coffee. "Let's just leave them."

"But what about Ariadne?"

"She loves him." Trent said, matter of factly. "She will help him."

Eames bit his lip. "You're forgetting Fischer. You're forgetting that-"

"I'm not," the Point said. "Fischer has a plan, Eames, and Arthur's a pawn in it. A pawn to attack Dom. We remove Arthur from the equation, and Fischer no longer has a weapon. And away from Fischer, he may come back to you all. He no longer has Fischer's influence."

Eames leaned back in his seat, respect for the other man showing on his face. "You're right," he conceded. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "That inception - Jesus-"

"You did what you had to," Trent said, mildly. "But Dom has to learn he can't control people's minds. Their thoughts."

Eames nodded. An uncomfortable silence descended upon the two men, broken by Eames getting up, and leaving.

"What can I get you?"

Arthur blinked. He was standing at the front of the line, overwhelmed by the smell, and the sight. He could feel himself salivating. He raised his eyes to meet those of the young woman smiling behind the counter.

"Um...two burgers, please," he said, his mind racing.

"Of course. Anything else?"

"A large fries and two diet cokes."

"Certainly."

A few minutes passed. Arthur turned, surveying the crowd. People eating, happily, unconsciously. His stomach growled, and he noticed that someone was looking at him in the line. Another young woman. She caught his eye. He blushed, turning away.

"Here you go," the server announced.

Arthur grabbed the bag, and the cardboard tray carrying the sodas. He began to walk, determinedly, back to the motel.

The smell of the food was intoxicating. He stopped to inhale it. His stomach contracted, and he suddenly became aware of an overwhelming feeling.

Hunger.

A physical ache.

He swallowed. This was also for Ariadne. He couldn't. He wouldn't-

But one bite wouldn't hurt. It wouldn't. He needed it. Needed to feel the taste, the texture in his mouth.

He looked around. The road was deserted, aside from an occasional passing car. He realised he was exposed. He needed somewhere to hide. He could feel the burgers cooling in the bag. Turning, he noticed a few trees. Hurrying, he huddled in with them, and ripped open the greasy paper bag.

Ariadne checked her watch. Arthur had been gone for over an hour. She bit her lip.

Trust him, she chanted in her mind. Trust him, trust him.

Eames wandered into the living room. Cobb was sitting on the couch, gazing at his cell phone. The night was darkening quickly, the sky rapidly transforming from deep turquoise to indigo.

The Forger cleared his throat. "Dom-"

"Save it," Cobb said curtly. "I know what you think. I let Arthur down, I should have noticed it-"

"We all should have," Eames interrupted. "But, under the circumstances, the best method would be to let them go."

Cobb rubbed his forehead. "Why not." He looked tired, defeated. "I'm sick of arguing with him. With you. With all of you. Its finished."

To the Forger's astonishment, he got up, and walked to the main door. The sound of it slamming echoed through the apartment.

One bite. Arthur promised himself. One bite.

One bite. Two bites. Three bites.

"Stop," he muttered to himself, feeling his hands shake. "Stop-"

Four bites.

The cell phone started to vibrate. She jumped. Getting up, she looked for where it was. If it was Cobb, she wouldn't answer.

She found it lying on the side table. Unrecognised number. Picking it up, she slid the phone open. "Hello?"

"Who is this?" a man's voice demanded.

She swallowed. "Does it matter?"

"It does if you know Arthur Ogilvie."

One burger. Fries. He had to have a few...and few more...and a few more...

"So what if I do?" Ariadne's tone was defiant. The voice on the other end of the phone laughed. A throaty, menacing sound.

"He's in a contract he can't get out of." There was a pause. "I know what his problem is. I know what he's capable of. And you should know, that I will find him. And if you try and shield him, I will hurt you. Badly."

The phone went dead. Ariadne, her hand shaking, put it down.

"Dom!" Eames threw the door open and shouted down the stairs. "You can't give up! You can't!"

Cursing in frustration, he slammed the door shut.

Ariadne sat down. Her blood had turned to ice. Swallowing, she picked up the phone, hoping it would ring again. Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door. Almost jumping, she got up.

Arthur stood in the doorway. Her eyes widened. His face was smeared with juice from the burgers, and mayonnaise. Grease stains were on the shirt, and his expression was caught between intoxication and tears.

"Arthur-" she barely breathed. "Where's the food?"

He swallowed. "I ate it. All of it. And then I-" he pushed past her, and ran to the bathroom. She heard the faucet running. As she stood framed in the doorway, she saw him splashing his face. Suddenly, she knew. With a sinking, twisting feeling in her stomach, she walked forward.

"Its ok," she said softly, and pulled him into her arms, feeling his thin frame shuddering with sobs. "Its ok, Arthur. I promise it'll be ok."

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