Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

"Can I get you some tea? Peppermint, chamomile?"

Ariadne blinked, and nodded. "Tea would be good. Peppermint, please," she added. Arthur nodded and headed towards his kitchen.

Ariadne sank down onto the bed, taking in her surroundings. The apartment was expensive, and tastefully decorated - light hues of beige and cream decorating the walls. The bed was covered with sheets of cream and mocha. She leaned over, noting the expensive cologne on the

She sighed. Arthur was clearly a man of taste, not to mention wealth. What does he see in me?

Arthur boiled the water, and in the cups, dropped in two tea bags. Swallowing, he reached for a small box that he kept stashed in the cupboard. As he opened it, and dipped in a spoon, he felt his hand freeze.

You're betraying her trust. She deserves better.

He blinked, and kept the spoon in. Ariadne did deserve better - better than the low self esteem which clearly was set to plague her for the rest of her life. The Point Man straightened up, and began to pull out a spoonful of the mixture. As it dissolved in one of the cups, he blinked. He needed to find out, to help her forget this part of her past.

Picking a cup up in each hand, he walked into the bedroom. The Architect was lying stretched out on the bed. She smiled as he entered.

"Hey," he said, casually. She began to sit up, and took a cup. "Thank you."

He settled down next to her. He'd removed his jacket, was was beginning to loosen his tie. Ariadne's hand reached out, and started to tug on it. Reaching up, he pulled it off completely. She leaned up, and he kissed her.

"Oh, careful!" He said, warningly. She blinked, and looked down. Blushing, she took a sip. He nodded, and took a sip of his own.

"Oh," she said, blinking. Arthur looked at her. "You ok?"

"I just feel-" she blinked again, and Arthur noticed her face was beginning the contortions of a yawn. "I should, probably-"

Arthur moved swiftly. Reaching over, he plucked her cup from her hand, settling it carefully on the bedside bureau. She was yawning more fully now, her eyes widening.

"Arthur...did you...?" before she could complete her sentence, she'd begun to slump, falling onto the bed.

The Point Man watched her, as her breathing deepened. Swallowing, he began to carefully draw a cover over her, then pulled out the PASIV. Flipping up the lid, he pulled out two IVs, carefully attaching one to her arm, then his. He began to lie down next to her.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered, hitting the centre button.

"So how about it? Friday, 8pm?"

Arthur blinked. He was standing in a hallway, and suddenly realised he was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, watching as groups of adolescents walked past.

I'm in a school. A high school.

"Um, what?" he mumbled, trying to focus on the girl speaking to him. A blonde, wearing a short skirt and with her hair pulled up in a ponytail, was smiling at him.

"My place. 8pm. Party!"

"Oh," Arthur said, nodding. "Well, I-"

Suddenly, the piercing ring of the bell echoed through the air. "Come on," she said, jerking her head. "Chemistry class!"

Arthur, not quite beliving where Ariadne's sub conscious was taking him, followed the other girl. As he walked, he turned his head from side to side, hoping to catch sight of the Architect.

No sign. Biting his lip in chagrin, he entered the classroom. The teacher, a tall, bearded man, was frowning at the class.

"Well," he said, his voice strong. "Good to see those of you who turned up on time." He glared slightly at Arthur, and his companion. The Point Man felt himself redden.

"Now, today's class will be focusing on soluble liquids." The teacher gestured at the row of test tubes in front of him. "We will be looking at how quickly different substances dissolve." He pulled up a tray. "On here, I have sugar, some butter, and washing powder. Any questions?"

A hand went up. "Yes?" he barked, impatiently. The owner of the hand, a pale skinny boy with light red hair, smiled innocently.

"Mr Russo, does fat dissolve?"

Russo frowned slightly. "Yes, it does."

"Well, in that case, why don't we see if we can drop Ariadne in one of those tubes!"

Laughter broke out from pockets of the class. Arthur, shocked, turned in his seat. And saw her.

Ariadne - a somewhat younger Ariadne - was sitting towards the back of the class. She was crouching down, a scarf wrapped around her neck. Her face, he noticed, was rounder than it was in reality - but her clothes were layered.

"Leave her alone."

The words were out of his mouth before he realised. A couple of the other kids in the class shifted and looked at him.

"Oh, look, a guy who likes fat girls!" The red haired tormenter commented. "Ari, you're in luck!" He turned to her. "I suggest you get to know him - this might be the only time you ever get lucky!"

Arthur was shocked. Before anyone could stop him, he'd started to slide off his seat. But, before he could face the obnoxious teenager, Ariadne had got off her seat, and hurried out of the room.

Arthur looked at the other individual, furious. "You-"

"QUIET!" Russo roared. "You!" He pointed at Arthur. "Leave!"

Arthur blinked. "What? He-" he turned and glared at the red head - "he just upset someone, and you're-"

"Just go!" the teacher bellowed, almost incandescent with rage. Arthur swallowed. Before anyone could stop and challenge him, he headed for the door.

"Hey, watch it!" He heard another voice. Blinking, he turned, and spotted Ariadne hurrying down the corridor. A group of girls stood watching, sniggering.

"Soon they'll need to widen the corridor!" one sneered.

"You've got to feel sorry for her," another commented. "She has a really pretty face!"

"Yeah, underneath that blubber!"

Arthur had heard enough. Ignoring them, he began to chase Ariadne, noting she was heading for the girls' bathroom. As the door slammed shut behind her, he paused. Steeling his resolve, he decided to wait.

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