Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

Arthur blinked. The room seemed warped, and misshapen. He frowned slightly, having no idea of where he was. Sitting up, he shivered.

He was in a little white room. Looking down at himself, he was wearing white - a tunic, and trousers. He frowned slightly, and rubbed his head. He felt woozy, and tired.

Suddenly, he heard a grating sound, and realised a key was being turned in the lock. He tried to sit up. To his surprise, Eames entered, carrying a tray. He smiled at the younger man.

"Arthur!" he said, his tone ingratiating. "Here we go - just for you!"

Arthur blinked as the tray was placed down on the small bedside table. With a flourish, Eames pulled the crisp cloth off the top of the tray.

Biting his lip, Arthur looked down at the tray.

It was completely empty. Eames smiled.

"Thats what you want, isn't it?" he said, his voice taunting. "You're so worried we're all trying to fatten you up, Arthur - how would you feel if I told you we just want you to starve to death?"

Arthur looked up, fear beginning to show on his face. "What?" He swallowed. "Eames, I-"

"You're pathetic!" The Forger jeered. "So pathetic, Arthur! You can't eat, you can't swallow - just starve to death!"

With that, he turned, letting the door clang shut behind him.

Cobb opened his eyes. To his astonishment, he was sitting in a hospital waiting room. But - it was warped. Hazy. The details didn't seem right. Swallowing, he began to wonder exactly what Greenwood had injected into Arthur's arm. A hallucinogenic, the psychiatrist had said.

Hallucinogenics can cause our fears to seem real. He remembered Yusuf commenting on that, once. Arthur's fears...The Extractor stood still for a minute, rubbing his forehead. Arthur's fears...

He began to walk down the hallway. He didn't hear voices; nothing to indicate who might be behind those doors. But then, he noticed a nurse. A female nurse. She was opening a door.

He hid back, then as the door began to close, he hurried to it. Leaning against the door, he tried to hear the conversation, his heart sinking as he heard Arthur's voice.

"You know why we're not feeding you, don't you?" Cobb blinked; it was Ariadne's voice. Swallowing, he tried to stay composed, and continued to listen.

"We're not feeding you because you're so- ungrateful! All we ever do is try and help you, and all you do is throw it back at us!"

"I know you're not Ariadne." Arthur's voice sounded calm; calmer than Cobb would have given him credit for in this situation. "You're just a projection."

She laughed. "Why are you so sure? You can't even feed yourself. What makes you think you can judge who we are?"

The door began to open. As she came out, Cobb met her eyes, and nodded.

"Thank you," he said, stiffly, hoping to assure her. "I'll see him now. You go and find Eames."

She nodded, and turned to leave. Cobb entered, and looked at Arthur.

"Arthur?"

The Point Man looked up, fear and confusion on his face. "Dom?" His voice sounded broken. "Is that you?"

The Extractor nodded. "It is, its the real me. I'm not a projection." He looked at the younger man, and winced at his appearance. Arthur seemed diminished, weaker than he had previously. Cobb opened his arms.

"Come here."

Arthur did so, and Cobb pulled him close, feeling him shudder.

"Its ok, Arthur," Cobb spoke softly. "We're going to get you out of here. Out of this place, and get you some care. Understand?"

"We have to find her." Arthur's voice was barely a whisper.

"Ariadne?"

Arthur nodded. "Yes. Dom, I think-" he swallowed, and looked away.

"Think what?" Cobb said, gently.

"I think they plan to kill her."

Cobb swallowed, trying to ignore the near hysterical note in the Point Man's voice. "I hear you. But, listen to me, Arthur. They've injected you with a hallucinogenic - its sent you into a further dream state. We need to go back to that level."

Arthur nodded. "OK." He swallowed, and his breathing, Cobb noticed with relief, became steadier. "Let's go."

The two men turned, and began to leave the room. Suddenly, Arthur turned to Cobb.

"Dom." He swallowed. "I know I've caused-"

"Arthur," Cobb said, gently. "You're sick. We've only ever wanted to help. Will you let us, please?"

The younger man nodded, slowly. Feeling a rush of relief, Cobb began to hurry them down the hallway.

Ariadne struggled. The projection had her pushed up against the wall.

"You can't help him," the voice slurred, Arthur's normally refined voice taking on a darker, uglier quality. "He's lost. Lost to you forever. Accept it."

Ariadne shook her head. "No, I won't."

"All you need to do," the projection hissed, "is walk away. Leave him."

Ariadne shook her head. "I won't."

"Then you-"

Suddenly, the projection's words were cut off, as a gunshot was fired. The Architect looked up, blinking. Eames stood in the doorway, holding a gun. Relief flooded through her, and she leaned against the wall.

"Hey, hey," the Forger said kindly, and helped her steady herself. "It'll be ok."

"But, Arthur-" Ariadne looked around, wildly. "Where-?"

"We'll find him," Eames said, gently. "And we'll bring him back."

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