* So sorry! But here it is. The LAST chapter of Paradox. I'd imagine you sensed the end coming, so here it is. A little short, I know, sorry about that but... as always... READ AND REVIEW!

Arthur was emerging from the dream, and returning slowly into reality. His eyes opened slowly and he groaned lightly, as the minor brightness from the ceiling light back in the warehouse hit his irritable and slightly feverish eyes. He looked around, his brow furrowed with pain and his spotted Eames.

He was about to greet him when he noticed Eames looked paler, and frankly more vulnerable than Arthur had ever seen him. He was shaking slightly and avoiding eye contact with Arthur, though he apparently had not yet noticed that he'd regained consciousness.

"Eames?" Arthur croaked weakly.

Eames gasped and looked as though he were about to faint, which by the looks of it, he probably had already that day.

"Oh! A-Arthur. How are you feeling?" Eames asked nervously.

"Like anyone else who's been shot I suppose. What's up with you?"

Eames swallowed and catching sight of the red blotch in the gauze on Arthur's arm, he turned if possible whiter and looked away. Just then Cobb walked in and smiling, clapped a hand on Eames' shoulder shaking it lightly he said smirking,

"Apparently, Eames here is afraid of-"

"Shut it! I'm not afraid of nothing I'm-I'm-"

Cobb pointed out the blood and Eames shuddered and turned away again.

"Yeah, he's afraid of blood. He held up pretty well until we were done patching you up when he-"

"Don't!"

"Passed out." Cobb finished, ignoring Eames protests.

Arthur laughed, his head hurt as did his arm and his side but he had to laugh. Eames afraid of anything? Funny.

"So, Arthur about your little problem with the staircases..."

Arthur smiled, sitting up, wincing, and leaning back slightly before saying, "Problem solved! I got my sense back!"

Cobb leaned back looking impressed and then said, "Oh, well good. I was gonna say maybe I should raise your pay and maybe your mind would be more willing to cooperate, but if you say it's already working..."

"No! Cobb...!"

"I'm joking, Arthur. I don't give pay raises."

Arthur glared and Eames laughed softly, some color returning to his paper white face.

Arthur then sat up suddenly and said in a level, but still alarmed voice,

"What about the Destrey operation?"

Cobb shrugged, "Eh, we gave up on that. We figured, what with our architect actually being a sadistic killer, and our Point Man bleeding out, it was a good time to quit."

Arthur smiled and laid back closing his eyes.

He sank quickly into a deep sleep, and was glad, that it was once more,

Dreamless.