Beautiful Stranger

Part Seven

They were all proven right when Arthur turned out to be a natural at all of this. He had his own creative spin to things and a preference for paradoxes. Cobb built them a basic maze and then they dove into Mal's subconscious and Arthur did the work. Mal was smiling, the same sort of look Eames had seen on the faces of the people that took him under the first time. That mix of pride and fear of what they had just done, what doors they had opened and how it was like handing someone a needle of the most potent drug ever. Arthur seemed to understand projections and did nothing to intimidate Mal's which was a smart move on his part. Eames had seen the woman's mind at its worst in their practice runs and he did not think getting stabbed or torn apart was the best way to introduce someone to this world.

They woke up five minutes later and Arthur blinked back the haze. Cobb began to take care of the PASIV but the kid looked a little confused.

"I don't remember much," he said.

"That's common," Mal replied. "You need practice to remember all of the details. It takes time to become completely aware of the dreams."

"I hate to break this up but we should probably get moving. Arthur dear is very much a wanted man right now, probably even more so than myself and that's saying something, so sticking in one place is probably not the best idea," Eames said and he pointedly ignored the glare Arthur shot him.

"You're right," Cobb said but he tilted his head at the kid. "In this business there's a need for point men, the ones who do the research and find out everything they can about the mark, the job and the risks that go along with it. The first one in and the first one out."

"You're saying I would be perfect at that job," Arthur said and he studied the Cobbs for what felt like a long time. "You talked about militarizing my subconscious. How about I mull that over while you teach me how to do that? I would rather not be the mark of an extraction again."

"We have another job lined up," Cobb said trailing off and he exchanged a glance with his wife.

"I can do it," Eames said and he shrugged. They all looked at him with strange expressions. "What? I freelance and take the jobs I want when I want. I have time to kill anyway. If the kid trusts me with his noggin that is."

"Don't call me that," Arthur said without a hint of hesitation but he seemed to think on this for a moment before he shrugged. "I'm pretty sure I could take you if you decided to turn on me."

"That sounds like a challenge, darling." Eames grinned and there was a twitch at the corner of Arthur's mouth.

"Don't call me that either," he said and he turned to the Cobbs. "Is it all right if I let you know one way or another? If you want me as a point that is."

"Of course," Mal said with a smile and she placed a hand on his cheek. "Watch those stitches in your head and let me know if you need anything. We're the reason you're hurt so I want to make sure you're okay." Arthur nodded and they began to gather their things. Cobb managed to pull another PASIV out of nowhere and left it in the hotel room. "We can take a taxi to the airport so the rental is yours. It's under a fake name but you might want to turn it in anyway."

"Yes, ma'am," Eames replied and Cobb extended a hand.

"Excellent work, Eames, and it was nice to meet you. I think we could work together again." Eames took his hand and they shook firmly. It was odd that he trusted these people but for some reason the Cobbs seemed like stand up criminals in a world severely lacking those with a moral compass. Mal kissed him on the cheek and smiled. They both turned and left the room, the door closing behind them. For what felt like a long time he sat in silence with someone who could become his protégé

.

"I think it's time for us to get moving, Mr. Eames. Personally, I don't want to go to prison," Arthur said and Eames grinned at him.

"We're far too pretty for prison anyway," he said and the kid ignored him. They gathered their things. They drove the rental car to the next airport and dropped it off. Arthur bought a car with cash and they started driving across the country. Eames wanted to leave it entirely but decided it would be best to wait until the military was no longer looking for his present company. Instead they went from motel to motel and he worked at training Arthur to fight back. He was surprised to find that the learning curve Arthur spoke of was indeed as fast as he said. He guessed the kid probably pushed the border of genius but did an excellent job of not being too condescending. The more they worked together the more Eames saw the personality of this blank slate come out. Arthur had an excellent sense of humor and would retort his sarcasm with quick efficiency.

After traveling and working together for nearly a month the forger was surprised by how close he felt to this kid. The time they spent in the dreams made it seem like they had known each other for much longer than they really had and he was almost disappointed when he realized that Arthur was almost completely trained. That meant the kid was going to go off on his own and let Cobb and Mal know if he was going to join the business one way or another. Having someone to talk to and exchange clever banter with all the time was a nice change of pace considering he was usually one to leave his teams and not see anyone for weeks or months at a time. They were lying in another motel room with an empty twelve pack between them and passing a bottle of whiskey back and forth. Eames was not entirely surprised by how well Arthur could hold his liquor.

"Your brain is more or less a fortress," Eames said and he handed the bottle to Arthur.

"I suppose I should take that as a compliment," he replied and took another swig of the booze. "I guess that means I need to make up my mind."

"Oh, don't lie to me, darling, you made a decision weeks ago," the forger replied and he looked across the room at Arthur who was staring at him. "Reading people is one of my specialties, did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

"Don't call me that," Arthur retorted easily and tossed the bottle over to Eames. "But yes, you're right, I did make up my mind but I didn't want to go out into the business without a trained subconscious."

"Don't lie, love, just admit you enjoy my company," Eames said and he took another drink of the whiskey. He was not drunk, not really, and Arthur was not as well, but there was still that slight slur to his speech. He noticed it in himself and Arthur as well but the kid still caught the bottle and took another drink.

"Don't call me that," he said and he set the bottle aside. Arthur sat up and smoothed out his suit. One of the first things he had insisted that they stop for were 'some real clothes' and he had complained loudly when Eames refused to take his fashion sense to heart. It was in that moment that the forger realized that no one with that face and that fashion sense could possibly be straight. That was intriguing to him if nothing else but he had not pushed the matter, though now he considered it and would use the beer and whiskey as an excuse.

"You should be safe to leave the country now," Eames said instead and he sat up slowly. "You going to give Cobb a call?"

"Probably. Going off on my own with no reputation seems like a stupid idea. I had a hard enough time trying to convince clients to take me on as their information man. I imagine thieves are even harder to impress," Arthur replied and he creased his eyebrows. "I can understand the appeal of all of this though. I understand why anyone who goes in rarely comes out." The forger was about to make a joke but decided against it when he saw how serious Arthur was. "I'm not going to lie, Mr. Eames, I'm a little worried about the concept of losing myself."

"Mal has a theory about using something called a 'totem.' It's a small object you keep on your person at all times and you modify it so only you know something specific about it. Like the weight, small imperfections, the lot. I haven't made one myself but it sounds like something to consider." Eames tilted his head. "Do you have doubts?"

"Not at the moment though I don't think even I could come up with someone as obnoxious as you in a dream," Arthur replied and he smiled; it reached his eyes.

"I resemble that remark," Eames replied with mock hurt but he considered the kid in front of him a bit too long because, before he knew it, they were staring at each other in complete silence. Arthur had an impressive poker face for someone who did not gamble but the forger had confidence in his own as well. The kid blinked once and dug into his bag. He gathered his sleep clothes and went into the bathroom to change. Eames did the same and lay down on the uncomfortable bed.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Arthur said after he emerged. Eames looked over and watched the kid climb into bed in flannels and an undershirt. He admired Arthur's forearms as he lay down. "I'm going to track Cobb down and show up at their door. I figure that would be a good way to make an impression about my skills."

"Just make sure Mal doesn't shoot you," the forger replied and he closed his eyes as the room went dark. He figured it was time to head back to Mombasa and return to his life of blowing his money in casinos and relaxing until he decided to work again. Eames closed his eyes and let the alcohol take him into a deep sleep.

The sound of someone moving in the room woke Eames up early and he sat up to see Arthur fully dressed and packing his things. He looked prim and proper as always and glanced up when he felt Eames' eyes on him.

"Were you going to leave without saying goodbye? Oh love, that's just cold," the forger said and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Don't call me that," he said as he packed the rest of his things. "I do have manners, you know." Eames rolled out of bed and crossed his arms across his chest as he watched the kid carefully. It was odd knowing that, in reality, he has only known Arthur a little over a month but it felt like closer to a year. The dreams were not real but that did not distort one's perceptions of reality any less. The kid finished his packing and swung his bag over his shoulder, his computer bag in hand. "Should I bring the PASIV with me and return it to Cobb?"

"I guess. I don't use it outside of jobs; the addiction to the jobs is enough, I don't need to be shooting up in my off times too," Eames replied and he shrugged. "Any plans on how you're going to get from here to wherever you want to go?"

"I was going to take the car and let you steal one on your own," Arthur replied and he smirked; Eames was not sure if he should be flattered or insulted.

"Fair enough," the forger replied and he walked over so he stood in front of Arthur. He had abandoned staying out of the kid's personal space long ago and Arthur had stopped reacting to it after a while as well. Arthur put his bag on the ground and offered his hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Eames, for everything," he said and Eames could tell that he meant it. He took the kid's hand and clasped it tightly.

"We'll just say that you owe me one," Eames replied and that earned him a small smile.

"Do you keep a list?" Arthur asked.

"Only for you, love," he replied as Arthur released his hand. He stared for what felt like a long time and before Eames could react the kid shoved him against the wall and leaned in close. It took a great deal of self control to hide his surprise when Arthur kissed him, hard, hands clutching his upper arms tightly enough to leave bruises. Arthur pulled back only an inch or so but stayed close, his grip just as tight.

"Don't call me that," he said and he was out the door before Eames could get a word in. He stood dumbfounded for a moment before he smiled to himself. The forger knew it would be a lie if he said he was not looking forward to working with Arthur in the future. He walked over to the open door and watched the car pull away; he leaned against the frame and stood there just watching the car vanish into the distance.

"Until next time then, darling," Eames said to the empty room.