Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me. Apologies for the delay with this chapter, and the fact its a little short - I needed to write this one to move the story on.

Ariadne swallowed as she walked up the steps to J. E. Fox. She knew exactly what she had to do, and who she had to see, but nervousness was beginning to grip her in a paralysing vice.

Arthur had accepted she had to do this, she told herself firmly. She pushed open the main swing doors, and entered. Turning, she headed for the stairs that led to the Principal's office.

Arthur sighed, and turned over in bed. His eyes blinked open fully as he realised the other side was empty. Groggily, he rubbed his forehead, and began to smile.

The previous night had been wonderful. Dinner, wine, and then, hesitantly, he'd suggested she stay the night. She hadn't refused, and they'd quickly moved to the bedroom. Having stayed up for most of the night, talking, they'd both finally fallen asleep in the early hours. He frowned, looking at the clock - it was 7.30am.

She'd be at work.

Work. Sighing deeply, he cuddled back down into the bed, pulling the duvet up, hoping to block the outside world out.

Ariadne took a deep breath, and knocked on Cobb's door. She heard his voice. "Come in, please!"

As she opened the door, she saw, to her relief, that he was alone. The Principal was reading through some lists of data, and smiled as she approached.

"Ariadne!" He said, warmly. "Good to see you, take a seat." The petite woman sat down, and licked her top lip. Her mouth had suddenly gone dry, and the words she'd carefully rehearsed seemed to have left her mind. Cobb swivelled in his chair, and smiled at her. "What can I do for you?"

"I..." she felt herself pause. "I would like to talk to you. About Arthur."

Cobb's face fell. "Ariadne, I appreciate that this is an issue thats affecting you, but its not something I can discuss. It is confidential, and that stands."

"I don't want to know what you've said to Arthur," she said, surprised by her own boldness. "I want to talk to you about me making a complaint. Against Robert."

Cobb blinked. "Ari...Arthur's already suspended," he said, gently. "You do realise that what you say could be seen as trying to support him?"

She looked at him. "You mean they could think I'm making it up?"

Cobb nodded. "I'm afraid so." He sighed, and leaned back in his chair. "I'm going to speak to you now, off the record. Schools are a delicate organism. When personal feelings come into it, the results can be absolutely ruinous."

Ariadne bit her lip. "Is that what you think I've done?"

"No," Cobb said, looking at her directly. "But I think a certain male colleague has...and got this blown up and out of proportion. But thats what happens when you have an overwhelming sense of entitlement." He pulled open a desk drawer, and pulled out a small card. "Here's a number I think you should call. Oh, and Ari?"

She'd been getting up to leave. "Yes?"

"When you next speak to Arthur, tell him that he's missed by me. But, and I stress this, do tell him its in the capacity as a friend." Dom looked at her and grinned. "Understand?"

She nodded, feeling relief begin to course through her. "Yes. Yes, I do." She began to leave, her mind starting to focus on what it was she needed to do. Putting the card in her pocket, she opened the door.

As she left the office, she blinked in shock. Robert was standing directly outside. "Ariadne. Hello." His voice was calm, and manner pleasant. She swallowed, feeling uncomfortable, but still nodded. "Robert."

"Hope you had a nice meeting with Cobb," he said, smoothly. "You and I should be having more meetings in the future."

He knocked on the door of the Principal's office. Feeling confused, and a little worried, she hurried down the corridor.

Cobb looked at Fischer, who was smiling. An oily, unctuous smile.

"Robert," Cobb said guardedly, "what can I do for you?"

Fischer raised an eyebrow. "I have this for you." He produced a creamy white envelope. "This is from the Deputy Superintendent."

Cobb took it, and impatiently ripped it open. As he began to read the contents, his jaw dropped slightly. He looked at Robert.

"This is-" he struggled to find the words. "This is a complete over ruling of my authority-"

Robert smiled, smugly. "It is, isn't it?"

Arthur poured himself another cup of coffee, and sighed. Life seemed to be animated, with no indication of when it was going to start to move on.

He swallowed. Yesterday, he'd felt empowered, in control of his destiny. Now he felt small, and inconsequential. Picking up the cup, he took a sip, hoping to ward off his increasingly worried thoughts.

Ariadne looked up as a student entered the Art room. She was on a non-contact period. "Yes?"

"Sorry, Ms Henderson," the freckled eleventh grader said, "but Principal Cobb asked for me to being this round to all the staff." He smiled, apologetically, and she nodded.

"OK Joel. Thank you." Gathering up her keys, she locked the Art room door, and hurried upstairs. The rest of the Faculty were gathered in the main room. Eames nodded her over. "Hello there."

"Any idea what this is about?" she asked, curiously. The older man shrugged. "Haven't the foggiest." He nodded. "Oh, look, here's Dom."

Cobb strode into the room, his facial expression tense. As she looked at him, Ariadne felt a sinking feeling develop in the pit of her stomach. Cobb cleared his throat, the chatter in the room dying down as a result.

"Good afternoon," he said, his tone slightly graver than Ariadne was expecting. "As you're all aware, Arthur is currently away, so I have appointed a new Vice Principal."

Eames and Ariadne exchanged looks. "Mal," Eames whispered. She nodded.

"Robert Fischer."

A gasp went up around the room. Cobb noted it, his face paling. "As of today, Mr Fischer will be in five days a week, and will be responsible for Arthur's workload."

Robert stepped forward. "Thank you, Dom," he said, graciously. "My first duty will be lesson observations." He smiled. "And please let me stress, I expect the teaching to be outstanding. That is all."

He took a step back, and smiled again. Numb with shock, the Faculty did not return it.

"Come back Arthur," Eames muttered. "All is forgiven."

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