EM: So, Inception. Is anyone else like amazed at how amazing it actually was? I mean I was floored. Maybe it was because I went in thinking it was just gonna be good. But man was I impressed. Or maybe it was Arthur in three-piece suits looking deliciously gorgeous, with his quick little smiles and his guns. I don't really know for certain (who are we joking, of course it was Arthur!) but regardless I have had this little thing floating around in my brain ever since I watched it, and it had been further reinforced after my third time watching it. I just absolutely have to give Arthur and Ariadne a try.

For now it is a one-shot, depending on how I feel about the plot that is further thickening within my head. I have some stuff written down, but depending on how you all like what I've written (or maybe I just won't care what you all have to say and still start posting it) I may or may not continue on with my plot bunnies. Anyway, sorry for the really long A/N. Now go read!

Reviews would be heaven sent.

Disclaimer: Inception is completely owned by a brilliant little man named Christopher Nolan, who I do hope to one day thank most graciously for taking the time to develop such an amazing concept.

After It All

It had been hard leaving the airport, watching as each of them went their separate ways, trying not to look once more into each of their faces to commit them to memory. She had the sinking feeling that this would be their last time seeing each other. Ariadne was not familiar with Los Angeles and her already frayed nerves didn't help. Sure, she now had plenty of money to stay the night at any hotel and get back home to Paris. But getting on another plane for hours on end held no appeal to her, although she hadn't technically been awake during the plane ride here.

In all honestly she just wanted to sleep for a week. She was ready for a nice relaxing break; perhaps spend some of the money she had earned. She waited at the curb for a taxi to pull up because, of course, at that moment there were none available. She looked to the right and her eyes searched the other waiting people. She reached into her coat pocket and found her chess piece and the altered weight it had. She rubbed her finger over the bottom, feeling the change. She was anxious to tip it over and watch it fall.

She loosened the scarf around her neck that was now making her feel choked on top of the growing anxiety within her. When she turned to check her bag at her feet the scarf, unbelievably, flew off her neck with the wind and she reached out to catch it. It slipped through her fingers and she growled in impatience. She grabbed her bag to her left and quickly took off after the scarf not exactly looking where she was going and effectively ran into someone, dropping the bag in hand.

"God I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was-" She stopped when a hand gripped her forearm tight and looked up in sudden fear but sighed in relief at seeing Arthur's bourbon colored eyes staring back at her strangely.

"I believe this is yours miss." She looks down at her scarf in his hands and smiles broadly. She takes it gently, her fingers brushing against his and she feels a slight hint of heat hit her cheeks, the sudden memory of they're still looking at us and the smile that followed his completely-Eames-suggestion telling her that he knew it wouldn't work. He had just wanted a little incentive before he had to make his move against the projections.

She would admit she hadn't minded though.

"Thank you." She wrapped it around her neck once again and didn't feel that same suffocating feeling she had before, wondering if Arthur's presence had anything to do with her calming nerves.

"Here you are." She looked down and then he was handing her the bag she had dropped. She smiled again wondering if Arthur was showing her that chivalry wasn't dead or if he was just looking out for her, like the brilliant point man he was.

"Are you waiting for a taxi?" She looked around at the road, watching as people greeted each other, stepping into cars and out, couples racing to meet the other, children reaching for parents. Arthur had to know that she was and perhaps he was just checking up on her. But they were supposed to be strangers so she kept it natural.

"Yes. But naturally there aren't any when I need one." She watched as he scanned the empty airport road, his eyes, which surprisingly always seemed warm despite his calculating and poised manner, picking out things she would probably never notice. She looked sidelong at his three-piece suit, practically mooning over the way it fit snugly against his deliciously lean body.

"Is this your first time in LA?" She turned to him startled. She vaguely wondered if it was really safe for them to be speaking together, but she wouldn't deny this opportunity to do so.

"I'm afraid so. But that's why they call it 'gaining experience', right?" She smiled warmly at him, hoping that this simple conversation would not end. He smiles slightly in return. This does not deter her though, as she had learned early on that Arthur's smiles were slow to come, like honey. They always ended sweet when she had the patience to wait.

But her smile faded as Arthur's attention was pulled from her and he hailed down the first cab that came into view. It came right to them despite the few others that stood further ahead of Ariadne who were also looking for one (this did not surprise her though just as everything that came with Arthur was starting not to). It all happened so quickly that Ariadne was suddenly being ushered into the cab, her bag already deposited into the trunk and plenty of twenties folded neatly into the driver's hand with instructions to take her wherever she wished.

"Wait." Arthur paused outside the door, his lean fingers gripping the tarnished yellow edge softly. What could she say?

"Always the point man, huh" she whispered. It was just like him to find his way to her, the junior dream agent and to take care of the things that she needed. How did she thank someone who just took it as his job? So she opted for the quickest solution and one she was suddenly nervous to do.

She stuck out her hand. He looked down, eyebrows scrunched together. Her heart skipped a little. She would miss that beautiful wrinkle that fell so neatly between his brows. He stuck his hand into his pocket and then pulled it out again, sliding it gently into hers. She felt a piece of paper folded between their palms and she was once again floored by his constant ability to be prepared for anything. When she felt him begin to pull away, she gripped his hand tighter and stepped up to him, not ready to see him go just yet.

She placed a hand against his chest, the material of his suit smooth against her skin and reached up on her toes, her mouth moving towards his ear. He was still beneath her, his heart beating rhythmically beneath her palm and she inhaled the deep scent she had grown to love as Arthur; a mixture that consisted of gunmetal, a hint of cologne and Armani material.

"Thank you, for everything Arthur" she whispered and then kissed him on the cheek, feeling that faint, familiar muscle twitch beneath her lips. She smiled gently and then slipped her hand from his, clutching the little paper tightly and folding her legs neatly in the cab. The door closed after her and she bit her lip, keeping sudden tears at bay.

She couldn't remember the last time she had cried and she wasn't about to do it now. She turned to see Arthur still standing beside the cab, looking through the window as if…she couldn't really place where she had seen that look. But then his face fell back to that familiar composure he was known for and he picked up his own bag at his side and stepped away discreetly.

"Where to miss?" She watched Arthur disappear through the crowd and then unfolded the paper in her hand.

Chateau Marmont
Suite 5
Ms. Riverdale
ID in bag
Stay as long as you like.

-A

She smiled softly. Always my point man.

The cab driver waited patiently for her response, the stack of twenties feeling like gold in his hand. He watched her face light up.

"Chateau Marmont please."

EM: Again, reviews would be absolutely lovely. Hope you enjoyed!