Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me. Nor does the movie I rip one of the lines in the chapter from.

"So how did it go?"

Arthur blinked as Eames materialised in his office. He groaned. He'd got back later than he intended after dinner with Ariadne, and the thought of how it had ended made him cringe.

He'd driven her back to her apartment, aware of the fact that he'd made a serious error in referring to her as a friend. Upon arriving, he'd unbuckled his seat belt, and turned to her.

"So..." he said, slowly.

"So," she mirrored, a note of formal politeness in her voice.

Arthur swallowed. "Ariadne, tonight was really lovely, and I enjoyed it, and thank you." As soon as the words were out of his mouth he crniged. They sounded ridiculous, like a child thanking a friend's parents for inviting him to a party.

She blinked. "Thank you? For what?"

"Well," he said, reflexively, "for...this..." he leaned forward. Startled, she drew back, and he ended up landing a kiss on her chin. As soon as he realised what had happened, he blushed scarlet.

"Oh," Ariadne said, awkwardly. "Thank you, too." She quickly leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. He felt slightly crushed, wishing he could turn back time and go to the beginning. He would have dressed more casually, had his own slice of cheesecake, and not called her a friend. He cursed his own stupidity.

"I'll...see you tomorrow," he said, desperately trying to break the now awkward silence.

She nodded. "Sure."

Arthur drove back to his own apartment block, wondering why dating for him seemed to be so much harder than for everyone else.

"So," Eames said. "Arthur, Arthur, Arhur..."

"What?"

"You really need to relax more." Eames grinned, and leaned back in the seat he'd plonked himself down in. "And maybe be a bit more...macho."

Arthur blinked. "Macho?" his voice was slightly scornful. "Eames, I really hope you're not suggesting I turn into one of these assholes who pick women up in bars, treat them like garbage, and-"

"No, no!" Eames leaned forward. "You misunderstand me, Artie! Be a bit more cocky, a bit more swaggering. I bet when you went out last night, you were like a blushing Victorian Virgin on a date with a nobleman!"

"Eames, I am not a v-"

"Glad to hear it," Eames said, grinning again. Arthur flushed as he realised he'd admitted perhaps more than he wanted to.

"So," Eames continued, "just be a little more sure of yourself. You're the Vice Principal! You have girls now wanting to switch to music because you teach it?"

"Really?" Arthur arched an eyebrow. "And out of what do they want to switch?"

"Drama," Eames admitted, sheepishly.

Arthur began to smile. "Really?"

"Yes," Eames said. "Let's say you and a guitair is fuelling quite a few adolescent fantasies."

Arthur blinked. "Oh joy."

"Yes," Eames said, bursting into laughter, "I reckon you're now the school equivalent of Justin Bieber!"

Arthur scowled. "Eames. Please."

Ariadne blinked. Arthur was entering the Staff Lounge, carrying a pile of papers. He sat down at one of the small tables, and pulling out a red pen, immediately began to read and grade them.

Mal, who was also marking, looked over. "How's it going, Arthur?"

"Its ok," he said, pleasantly. "I'm actually enjoying teaching again."

"You mean you don't like sitting in an office and telling us all what to do?" Eames, who was also in the lounge, couldn't resist that.

"No," Arthur mumbled, looking down at the papers. "I don't."

Ariadne got up. "I'm going to the coffee machine next door," she said, pleasantly. "Does anyone want anything?"

"Tea please, two sugars." Eames commented.

"Black coffee, thank you," Mal said.

She turned after Yusuf shook his head no. "Arthur?"

Arthur swallowed. "I think you know what I need," he said, trying to sound completely carefree, yet also deepening his voice slightly.

Ariadne looked completely taken aback. Eames started to laugh which he hurriedly turned into a very loud cough. Mal looked startled, Yusuf looked confused.

Arthur swallowed. "I mean, a white coffee. No sugar, please."

Ariadne nodded. "Of course, Arthur." Raising her eyebrows, and blinking slightly, she walked into the direction of the coffee machine. Eames looked at Arthur, and smiled. Arthur glowered and looked down at the papers he was grading.

After a few minutes, Ariadne returned, carrying a tray of plastic cups containing the hot drinks. She began to distribute them.

"You did say, no sugar, didn't you?" She asked Arthur, pleasantly.

"I did," Arthur mumbled. "Thank you."

Eames grinned. "He's sweet enough already!"

Ariadne began to laugh. Arthur shot Eames a look that translated as I will kill you very slowly. Suddenly, the bell rang. Arthur, relieved, picked up the coffee and his papers and began to leave the room.

"Hey, Art!" Eames called. "Where are you going?"

"To teach!" Arthur called back.

Ariadne looked over. "May I come and observe you?"

There was a sudden splattering sound as Arthur's cup of coffee hit the floor.

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