Disclaimer: I do not own Inception.
My next try and I'm not as proud of it as the first one but I kinda like it. :] Thank you to carameltootsieroll for the beta. Other mistakes are mine. :] Cobb's line might not be accurate, sorry about that. Apologies, too, for the uninteresting chapter title.
Safe
Arthur
He wouldn't be this mad. Sure, Cobb yelled at him, didn't let him explain or even listen to his apology. He's used to it anyway. And with everyone so focused on Saito, they wouldn't notice that he's honestly more worried about Ariadne.
If it were up to him, she would've stayed in France and let this all be a part of her past. (But he knows that's not going to happen. She came back the next day, after all.)
So when Cobb mentions—no, guarantees—that "each and every one" of them will be killed if they continue to stay in the same level, he wants nothing more than to kill him for bringing her with them. (And maybe Yusuf, too.)
"Downwards is the only way forwards. Get ready. And you, c'mon, let's go shake him up."
He catches the ski mask that Cobb throws at him, and with another glance at the lady member, follows Cobb to the backroom.
In Room 491, as Arthur finishes preparing the charges, he murmurs, "I wouldn't be the dreamer of this level if I knew you were coming along."
Ariadne turns to him. "It was last minute. And besides, the plan says that we'll need Eames in the next level, and you're the only one who can handle this dream level in case we miss the first kick, Cobb said so. And now that I know why," she pauses, remembering his comment about free fall, "I have to agree with him."
He looks away. 'I don't even have a plan for that yet,' he thinks. "You shouldn't have gone under with us."
"I want to help," she retorts.
"How will I know you'll be okay in the next level?" he demands.
"I can take care of myself, Arthur. I built the place; I know where I have to go—"
He gives her a hard look. "That level has got to be the most dangerous! I need to see for myself that you're going to be okay. I want to make sure that we'll see each other in that van, whether it be under water or not. I want to make sure that you'll wake up on the plane!"
She opens her mouth to say something, but he continues.
"You were never supposed to be here, Ariadne. You were only supposed to help us with the designs of the dreams…" his face softens, "you're supposed to be safe."
Ariadne
It's been four days in the first level. The Point Man and Architect decided to stay together in a hotel while Eames stayed with Fischer and Yusuf hid in another hotel a few blocks away. They're not sure if Cobb and Saito are still under water.
"We can't be seen together in the airport," he suddenly says.
She looks up from the television to him. "I know."
They stare at each other for a little more before he clears his throat. "You'll be okay?"
She wants to nod her head and tell him 'yes'. "I don't know. I'm in this too deep." The dream world…and him.
She focuses on the baggage carousel, looking for her red bag. She was too busy looking at Cobb walking out and meeting Professor Miles to pay attention to her personal belongings.
"This must be yours," someone beside her says.
Ariadne lets her eyes fall on the man in the black three-piece suit holding up her red bag. There's a playful smile on his lips. "Yes," she finally says, a smile matching his, "thank you."
"Are you here on vacation, too?"
She nods. "I've always wanted to go to L.A." To others, talking to strangers and telling them that they're just on vacation is dangerous. And maybe the man in front of her is dangerous. But she trusts him with her life.
"I've been here quite a few times before," he says, "maybe I can show you around."
"I'd like that. I'm staying over at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, I can give you the details—and my number…." She thinks she's playing this well.
"What a coincidence, I'm staying over there as well."
She grins. "Really?"
"Mm-hm." He checks his watch and smiles. "Maybe after we check in, we could grab some dinner?"
"Well…I don't even know your name," she teases.
He chuckles and holds out his hand. "I'm Arthur."
She takes his hand and smiles. "Ariadne."
Thank you for reading and I hope you liked it!
