Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me. Apologies for the near month long hiatus!

Arthur swallowed as he belted himself into his plane seat. For reasons of privacy, Cobb had ensured a first class cabin. He was sitting just behind Ariadne, with Trent behind him. Cobb was sitting directly across, with Eames,

As the plane began to gallop down the runway, he steeled himself. Flying back to France felt exhilarating and terrifying. As he looked out the window, he felt his stomach contract. He still could not believe how they'd got out of the States. A late night flight, done so covertly that they were all travelling under assumed passports. He rubbed his face, knowing that it was only a matter of time before Fischer came after them.

He swallowed. The take-off had made him feel nauseous, and he tried to contain it. Cobb, glancing across, noticed his sudden paleness.

"Art? You ok?"

Arthur swallowed with effort. "I-"

Cobb blinked. "Excuse me! Miss!"

The Attendant, crisp and trim in her light blue uniform, sashayed up the aisle. "Yes, sir?" she cooed. Cobb nodded, and pointed at Arthur. "I think he-"

She turned, and blinked as she saw his colour. "Oh, no. Please, sir, just hold tight."

Trent, annoyed, unbuckled his belt despite her protests, and came out of his seat. Going up to Arthur, he held up a paper bag, that he'd found stuffed in the back of the seat. "Art, it'll be ok," he said, encouragingly, as the Point Man gave in, and retched.

Ariadne blinked, and to her shock, felt tears spring to her eyes. The unpleasant occurance was a sharp reminder of how ill the Point Man was. She heard the Flight Attendant.

"Oh, sir, I'm so sorry, I didn't realise." She sounded distressed. "Please, let me take that. I'll get some water and some tissues."

Trent patted Arthur on the arm. "It'll be allright, Arthur, really."

He choked, and gratefully took the small bottle of water he was offered. As he uncapped it, a bowl appeared. He tipped the water into his mouth, rinsed it, then spat it out. The Attendant nodded, and removed the bowl to wash it.

"Sorry," he choked out. Cobb nodded, and Ariadne unbuckled and came round to him. "It'll be ok, Arthur."

He smiled, weakly. "I hope so."

Cobb blinked. He'd come prepared to assist Arthur through the flight. He discreetly pulled a small bottle of pills out of his pocket, and unscrewed the cap. Quietly, he got up and walked over to the Point Man.

"Arthur, here." With a small movement of his wrist, he dropped one of the pills into the bottle of water. Trent, who noticed, shifted his gaze to the Extractor. Arthur took a swallow.

"Dom? He looked puzzled. "What was that?"

"Just something to settle your stomach," Cobb assured him. "Just so you get through the flight."

Arthur nodded, and shifted down in his seat. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Cobb reassured him.

Suddenly, Arthur's eyes began to close. Ariadne blinked. "What did you give him?" she hissed. Cobb swallowed, ready to mollify the angry Architect.

"Relax. Its just a mild sedative." Leaning over, Cobb carefully moved Arthur's arm to make him more comfortable. Ariadne bit her lip, nervously.

"I hope you-" suddenly, she stood in shock. Cobb nodded to the Attendant, who moved to the small kitchen area. To her astonishment, she brought out the sleek silver case.

The PASIV.

"Cobb, what are you-" Ariadne fought hard to fight back her feelings of shock and disbelief. "You can't be serious about doing this now?"

"Just the first stage." Cobb's tone sounded soothing. "Its just the first stage in the process. Eames?"

The Forger nodded. "Ready."

"Wait." Trent's voice cut in. "You didn't mention any of this to us."

"That's because the first step only needs Eames and myself," Cobb replied. "I'm sorry, but the fact is that I need to extract our idea, and the best step to take is to simply go in and do it."

"But what if you damage his mind?" Ariadne could hardly believe it.

"I won't." Cobb looked at her. "I think the damage was done when we first started. Trent, you make sure that he stays under. Ari-"

"I'm coming with you," she said, forcefully. "Don't argue."

Cobb blinked, and looked taken aback. "If you're sure, then-"

"Yes, I am." Her voice was charged. "Don't even think about making me sit on the sidelines!"

The Extractor looked at her, his voice tense. "Ariadne, don't-"

"Let her do it," Trent interrupted. "In fact, Ari, you and Eames go in."

"But-"

"Arthur trusts her." Trent's calm, mannered voice insisted. "He will listen to her. Not you."

Cobb bit back his anger. "Trent."

"Let her." The Point was stubbornly unyeilding.

Cobb shook his head, and sat down. "OK. But listen - you have half an hour in this time to do it."

"Which is the equivalent of six hours in the dream," Eames replied. "But-" he looked at Ariadne. "What will the world be?"

She looked at Cobb. "I'm sure I can create it as we go in. Remember, its going to be in my dream."

Eames nodded. "I see. Well, shall we?"

Nodding, Ariadne sat down. As the IVs were pulled out and plugged in, she swallowed. Lying down, she closed her eyes.

She blinked. "Well, where do we start?"

She turned to Eames, and smiled. "Its pretty busy," she agreed. Around them, shoppers and walkers mingled on the crowded walkways.

Suddenly, Eames nudged her. "There he is."

Ariadne turned, and looked. Arthur was heading into a coffee shop, and she noticed, heading for a table. Swallowing, she began to hurry after him.

"Excuse me," she gasped, gently pushing people out of the way. As she entered the crowded coffee shop, Arthur looked up.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked, flirtatiously. As he looked up, he smiled.

"Ariadne. I don't mind at all."

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