Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

"You're not serious?" Arthur stared at Blake in shock, his face whitening. "He's been released?"

"His godfather plea bargained." Blake shook his head. "I'm sorry Arthur. Tried to get it to stick, I thought we had all the evidence needed, but-" He looked slightly shaky.

"Have a seat," Arthur instructed, and immediately walked to the liquor cabinet. Blake had driven over as soon as he had finished speaking to Arthur on the phone, and the Vice Principal felt the other man was in medicinal need of a scotch. Blake accepted the glass gratefully and sank into a chair.

"So what's going to happen now?"

"Cobb can exercise his powers as Principal and dismiss him for conspiracy to criminal damage." Blake took a sip of the dark amber liquid. "But there's no guarantee he won't pop up in education again."

Arthur sank into the opposite seat. "I can only hope."

"Yes."

Arthur sighed, and closed his eyes. This nightmare would be over soon, he hoped. Cobb would dismiss Fischer, they could focus on building their brand new school -

"I should get going."

Arthur blinked. John was looking at him. "Its late."

Arthur checked his watch. It was after 11. "Oh, of course- although you can crash on the couch."

John shook his head. "Thanks, but I need to get home. I'm on duty at 6am tomorrow." He placed his glass on the coffee table, and stood up. "I'll keep you posted - off the record, Ok?"

Arthur shook hands with him, profoundly grateful for the young detective's willingness to stick with the case. "Thank you."

"No problem." John pulled on his jacket, and zipped it up. "Night!"

As John left, Arthur's mind floated to Ariadne. He bit his lip. He could call her, but she would most likely be in bed. He sighed, and headed to the main bedroom. All he wanted, right now, he decided, was a long hot shower. And the rest of the scotch.

Ariadne blinked. She was in a room - a room she did not recognise. It was a lounge.

Shuddering, she got up, and began to regret it immediately. Her head was starting to swim - a side effect of the drug that had been used to sedate her. Swallowing, she leaned against a wall, wondering where she was.

She shook her head. There were windows, and a door - presumably they meant to keep her here for a while, she surmised, so why give her means to escape? Hesitantly, she walked over to the door, and pushed down the handle.

Locked.

She shook her head. No surprise. Feeling slightly weak, she walked to the bed that was lying pushed against a wall, and climbed onto it. Sleep. Sleep was what she needed.

Arthur, freshly showered, wearing pyjamas, was on his way to bed. Going back into the lounge, he realised he'd left his cell phone in his suit pocket. Sighing, he pulled it out, and switched it off. Going into the bedroom, he closed the door firmly behind him.

"So, meeting this morning?" Mal asked, sleepily.

Cobb nodded, and squinted at the bedside digital clock - it was 7.30am. "Yes." He yawned, and stretched. "Try and get Arthur, Ariadne, Eames, Yusuf..."

Mal tickled him, playfully. "Up, Dominic!"

"Hey!" Smiling, he picked up the pillow and playfully slapped her with it. Laughing, the two collapsed back on to bed, Mal leaning over for a kiss. Suddenly, the phone rang.

Sighing, Cobb reached over and grabbed the receiver. "Hello?"

Arthur rolled over in bed, luxuriating. Not having to get up at 6am was something to be enjoyed, albeit guiltlily, at present.

Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door. Frowning, he turned his head to look at the clock. Twenty minutes to nine. He pushed the covers back, and began to walk to the door. Peering through the spyhole, he spotted Cobb, and began to unlock the door.

"Cobb, I-"

"Ariadne's been taken. Get dressed. Now!"

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