"See the chap with the litre of motor oil in his hair? That's Arthur."

Therese spotted the point man, then swatted Eames' shoulder. "His hair looks fine, Ian. If that's how you talk about such a good friend I'd hate to hear what you say about me."

"I said 'colleague', not friend." He didn't tell her that he'd never talked about to anyone; it was the only tried-and-true way to keep her safe. He also didn't need to tell her that Arthur was probably the closest thing to a friend he's ever had…aside from her, of course. "C'mon. Let's say hello and get this over with so we can get back to more important things."

A most becoming blush crept across her face at his tone. "Do me a favor and try not to embarrass me in front of your friend," she chided.

"But you're so lovely when you're embarrassed," he countered, lowering his voice as they approached the table where Arthur sat with a cup of coffee in his hands.

"Let me rephrase: if you embarrass me with talk of our private activities, I'll hurt you. How about that?"

"You're not very good at threatening people, darling." Therese shushed him when Arthur saw them coming, standing when they got within earshot. For good measure, she jabbed a nail into his side with a smile towards Arthur.

"See you're still a charmer, Eames," the slender man greeted, turning his focus entirely on Therese. "His left knee is his weak point. Hit him there if you gives any trouble."

"Hey!" Eames protested, ignored by both.

Therese simply laughed. "I don't even want to ask how you know that." She extended a hand and gripped Arthur's firmly. "I'm Therese Howard."

"Yes, I've heard of you. A mutual colleague of ours is a big fan of your work."

"Really? I'm flattered!"

"Well, you play beautifully, especially your original compositions. Although I'm partial to your Imperial March cover myself."

Eames looked between them as they spoke, mildly surprised that Arthur knew so much about her music and had never mentioned her name before. And what 'mutual colleague' was he talking about? Cobb? Ariadne? Yusuf? None of them seemed likely candidates to be fans of cello music. He knew the jealousy building inside him now wasn't because he thought Arthur might steal Therese away (well, not mostly at least), but because he didn't like sharing something that was his. He kept his face blank as they took their seats, Arthur pulling hers out for her before he could move. She wouldn't think too highly of his possessive thoughts and if she suspected anything she'd chew him out big time.

"Sooo, Arthur," he drawled lazily. "What was such a high-level secret that it couldn't have been handled over the phone?"

"Ian!"

"What?"

"Behave." Therese looked back to Arthur with an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I'm sure you've wanted to smack him a few times for that attitude of his."

Arthur simply smiled, his eyes filled with genuine humor; he knew every dirty little secret the forger tried to keep hidden and/or forget himself. "It's perfectly fine. I've dealt with him in worse situations…and gotten to hit him a few times for it."

"You just can't let anything go, can you?"

"I can let a lot of things go, Eames. I just never forget."

"And just what is so funny, darling?"

Therese was trying (and failing) to go unnoticed, but she couldn't hide her mirth any longer. "You two. You sound like an old married couple. It's actually really cute." The men looked at each in exaggerated disbelief; they knew perfectly well how their bickering would appear to a casual observer. Part serious, part mocking it was the only way they really knew how to communicate with each other. "Oh, don't give me that look. You guys know it's true. Now, go on and talk. Ignore me."

Eames took her hand in his and brought it to his lips for a gallant kiss. "Impossible, love."

Neither noticed Arthur's calculating gaze on them, storing the scene away in his mind for later. "Then I'll make it easy. You two talk, and I'll go make a phone call." Ever the gentlemen (though Eames would sooner have a root canal than admit it), they stood when Therese did, the instinctive gesture making her smile shyly. She reached up and kissed her lover's cheek, ignoring the scratch of his stubble against her lips. "Haven't talked to my mom in a while anyway."

Eames watched her walk down to the sidewalk as she put her cell phone to her ear; Arthur watched him. "She's lovely, Eames," the point man said softly, resuming his seat. "How you managed to win over someone like her baffles me."

"What do you want, Arthur?" Eames snapped. His paranoia was beginning to resurface, the probability that his former employers might be searching for him returning to the fore of his thoughts.

Arthur noted his colleague's impatience and immediately knew it was different than usual. There was genuine fear in his voice now. He let his sarcastic reply drop. "I've got an offer for you, if you want it."

Eames shot him a long-suffering look. "Well, get on with it."

"See, it's not technically a job, but I think you'll be hard pressed to pass it up."

"Arthur."

The point man gave him that annoying half-smirk that turned up one corner of his mouth. "It's more of a reunion, actually. Cobb's getting the old crew back together. No pressure, no going under, no kicks-" they both grinned at the memory of the forger taking far too much pleasure in Arthur being Yusuf's guinea pig "-just a day to see how everyone's been holding up since the Fischer Job." He pulled an envelope from his coat pocket and slid it across the table.

Eames wasn't so quick to take it. "What's the catch?"

"What makes you think there's a catch?"

"Seriously? You're really going to ask me that question?"

"Look, I understand why you might be uneasy about this, but if nothing else it'd be a good way to lose that tail you've had on you for the past few days."

Sorry it's so short and ends with such a cliffy (aren't I evil?), but I wanted to give you guys something and I'm not sure when the next update is coming. Internet provider issues. Blegh. Anyway, thank you so so much to everyone who's reviewed and continues to wait insanely long for updates! I love you all!

P.S. How did I do with Eames and Arthur's interaction so far? Banter isn't my strong suit, so feedback would be most appreciated :)