Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

"So, why do you want my help again?"

"Because you're good at it."

"I am?"

"Yes, you are. You're always claming you're good at it, so-"

Eames lowered his mocha, and peered at Arthur. "If I'm as good as pulling women as you claim, Artie, why am I spending quite a few nights at home lately with a bottle of Soave, a packet of frozen lasagne, and whatever I can find on the telly?" He conveniently decided to omit mentioning the young woman he'd met a couple of nights previously. He smiled to himself, treasuring the memory. Real gentlemen, Eames was convinced, didn't brag.

He leaned back in his seat. Arthur had asked if he would grab a cup of coffee with him after work, and the older man had agreed. He'd noticed that Arthur had been walking around all day, looking as though he were trying to smile. Frankly, Eames thought he was grinning in a way a vampire would if it noticed lunch, but decided not to mention that. He stretched, facing the younger man, and waited.

"Maybe you've just exhausted the local women?" Arthur jibed. He stopped, slightly shocked at what he'd said. He began to flush as Eames started to grin.

"Won't stop me," the Drama specialist said, pulling a cigarette out of a packet. "For example..."

Arthur turned to where he was looking. A young woman was standing at the counter, handbag slung over her shoulder, and holding a paperback. She was dressed in a black business suit, and waiting for her coffee. Eames began to smile.

"I bet..." he mumbled, "that I can get her interested in three minutes. Five dollars?"

Arthur's jaw began to drop slightly. "Eames, thats-"

The older man was already turning away. "Excuse me!" his voice was bright, upbeat. She turned to look in his direction. "Yes?"

Eames began to smile, a flirtatious one. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I've got a bet with my friend-" he jerked his thumb in Arthur's direction.

"Oh yes?" She was beginning to grin. Her smile, Arthur noticed, was lighting up her face, transforming her from attractive to very.

"Oh yes," Eames said, breezily, "its five dollars that you'll go out on a date with me. Shall I pick you up at 8?"

Arthur's jaw nearly slammed onto the table top. He couldn't believe Eames' audacity. The young woman cocked an eyebrow.

"Five dollars? Is that all?" She winked. "You couldn't afford me!" Picking up her latte, she turned and walked to the other end of the coffee shop. Eames leaned back in his seat, grinning. "See you at 8!" he called after her.

Arthur shook his head. "I don't believe you!"

Eames shrugged. "It works, Artie. It does, trust me! A bit of cheek, and a bit of humour, and they lap it up!" He turned round again, smiling. She caught his eye, and looked up. She winked. Eames blew her a kiss, and Arthur watched open mouthed as she got up, and dropped a napkin on the table. Eames smiled, victoriously. She turned and gathered her things, and left. Eames held the napkin aloft, a trophy won.

"Her number?" Arthur asked, shell shocked.

"Yes," Eames said, grinning again. He looked at it. "I will give her a call. Very, very soon. But first-"

"First, how do I-"

"Convince Ariadne to go out with you?" Eames propped his chin in his hand. "Simple. You have to persuade her you're not this staid, humourless, stern, authoritarian misery guts that everyone thinks you are." He stopped and picked up his mocha, hiding his grin as Arthur went a dull shade of crimson.

"They don't all see me like that, do they?" he mumbled, feeling upset. "Its just my job-"

"I know it is, Artie," Eames said, soothingly. "But, you have to admit, you don't make the greatest impression-"

Arthur blinked. "What?"

"Well, the three piece suits, the hair gel - you should let go a little!" Eames took a sip of mocha. "Look at how Dom dresses!"

"Yes, and look at how you dress," Arthur snapped.

"Oh, temper, temper!" Eames' eyebrows shot up. "Come on, maybe be a little more...casual?"

Arthur stared into his cappuccino. "Maybe..."

"And stop looking for trouble round every corner?"

Arthur sighed, and licked his spoon. "Maybe."

"And perhaps lighten up in our dreadfully boring staff meetings - oh, I'm sorry, pet, I know you plan them - but maybe inject some humour now and again?"

Arthur sighed. "Maybe."

Eames began to grin. "Definitely, Arthur! Prove you're not the humourless tyrant we all fear! Now, another thing - can you arrange to cover me tomorrow?"

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