Quick note: Arthur, Cobb, and Ariadne have the largest roles in time, but everyone will get some screen time. Romance? Maybe.

Ariadne stood in long grass that swayed in the late afternoon light. It was the golden hour, the perfect time just before sunset. A warm sea breeze gently moved the humid air.

She walked forward until she left the grassy dunes and reached the wet sand of the beach. The powerful surf rolled in and out against the shore, ending in sudsy sea foam that was saffron-colored in the golden light. She curled her toes in the sand and thought about what spending eternity here would feel like.

The slanting sunlight cast long shadows from the individual grains of sand, a tiny study in chiaroscuro, and a little bird scurried across it, avoiding the sea foam.

The gun was still warm in her hand.

Everything was blurry at first, but slowly Yusuf's face came into focus. He was fiddling with something at her wrist, frowning and furrowing his brows.

"What are you doing?" said Ariadne.

He smiled quickly and awkwardly patted her hand. "Hey stranger. Nice of you to finally wake up."

"He's worried," she thought. "But he's trying to hide if for my sake." She felt groggy and out of sorts, but her heart beat wildly.

"Yusuf, did you drug me?"

"I had to... sorry. The timer ran out, the kick didn't work, and you were still asleep. Finally I resorted to amphetamines. It was my last choice."

Ariadne pulled the needle from her wrist and Yusuf handed her a glass of water. She rubbed her eyes and said, "Thanks, I guess. But what about them?" Across the room, Cobb and Saito slept fitfully.

"They won't wake," he said softly.

Ariadne felt dizzy and nauseous, and the room blurred. She gripped her totem and took deep slow breaths. She stood the bishop on the arm of the chair, and it fell the right way.

She took a closer look at the unfamiliar room. It was night; a wall of windows gave her a panoramic view of flickering city lights and the ocean far below. They were at the top of a large hill or a small mountain. The room had white walls and was lit by sconces that cast a warm, diffuse glow. The floor was tiled in black and white, and furnished with comfortable black leather couches.

"Where are we?" said Ariadne.

Yusuf frowned. "Memory loss. I had to use a new cocktail for this job, and I'm still learning about the aftereffects. Like them." He glanced nervously over his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, but a job-? What job?" she said, but he was already across the room, checking on another patient.

An unfamiliar man paced the floor in front of the window. He often glanced nervously at Saito as he slept, but never turned to face Ariadne.

Mal entered the room and went to Cobb's side. The warm light turned her skin the color of honey, and she wore a soft cream-colored dress. She caressed his face from

temple to jaw and took a shaky breath.

"I'm so sorry, Dom. We failed you," she whispered, her voice breaking. She bit her lip and tears welled up in her eyes.

Ariadne choked back a sob. She was overwhelmed all the sudden, but the emotions were all wrong. Maybe part of it was longing. Sometimes dreams are like that, she thought- irrational, but still powerful.

Mal slowly rose from Cobb's side and locked eyes with Ariadne. Her gaze was piercing.

Ariadne woke with a start.

Track list: Ariadne on the beach: She- Orbit