Perception – Chapter 5

Disclaimer: All characters, settings and original plots are the property of Christopher Nolan. The author is in no way associated with this story. No copyright infringement in intended.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to review! You guys are amazing. This is the last chapter I'm going to post before I leave for my workshop tomorrow. I proofread this chapter rather quickly so I could get it posted tonight – please don't mind any errors you find.

I won't be back until late next Friday. Feel free to send me messages to bug me to write – I might need some motivation after being away from it for so long!

"So where exactly are you taking me?" Arthur's voice was full of skepticism. Being out of the loop made him uncomfortable. He was a point man, his job was the loop. He created it and filled everyone else in. Waiting to be filled in – this he didn't enjoy at all.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Ariadne chuckled as she winked at him. Somewhere between the hotel lobby and the front entrance she had discovered her inner flirt. Perhaps the fact that Arthur had actually shown up had given her the confidence she needed, or maybe it was the jeans. She fought the urge to sigh out loud as she stared at him yet again. He looked good. Not that he ever looked bad, quite the contrary really. Arthur always dressed impeccably, but to see him let down his guard, even if it was just a little, was thrilling.

Although she felt confident and exhilarated now, she had spent the few hours prior to their date pacing back and forth; like a caged cougar she had seen once in a zoo, long ago. She had come so very close to calling the whole thing off. All she could picture was Mal's fall into insanity, like a bad movie that wouldn't stop playing. She feared it could happen to her; that it could happen to them. In the end she decided that a few well placed ground rules may prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. Her heart told her this could work, but her mind was still undecided.

She turned her eyes to Arthur once again, letting his presence wash over her. His dress shirt was crispy pressed. He wore no tie, leaving a single button on his shirt undone. His dark perfectly fitted jeans were most certainly designer. His strong hands were bunched in the slightest of fists, telling her he was nervous, just like her. Her gaze found his eyes; striking eyes that spoke volumes, a fact that he was no doubt oblivious to. Ariadne smiled inwardly. He was most definitely worth it.

"You know I could find out if I wanted to," he smirked. "Finding out things is sort of my speciality."

"By all means Arthur," she chuckled, "head back to your room, do your little 'research' thing and come find me." Her laugh caused his heart to skip a beat. His pulse has been racing since he found her in the hotel lobby, waiting for him. The beaming smile that graced her face when he walked in, a smile that was only for him, had taken his breath away. He was still struggling to regain composure, even now. He had fought projections in zero-gravity environments, been shot at more times than he could count, but never had he been so nervous. He felt naked, like his heart was out in the open for all to see.

"Funny," he responded, impressed with her wit. Her dry sense of humour fuelled by her intelligence was one of the things he found most fascinating about her. She had him captivated.

"In all seriousness, where are you taking me?" Although he knew she wouldn't tell him, it gave him an excuse to gaze upon her again. Ariadne had a uniform of sorts – jeans, scarves and sweaters. She hid herself under mountains of clothing. He couldn't help but wonder what she was afraid to show the world. Tonight she had relinquished that uniform. Little did he know she had spent almost an hour debating over her wardrobe. She finally opted for a simple navy a-line skirt, a fitted blouse and a pair of patent leather slippers. She pulled out her favourite lavender coloured scarf with every intention of wearing it, but at the very last moment chose instead to toss it onto her bed.

"You aren't very good at surprises are you?" she asked, her face suddenly serious.

"No," he admitted, "I am definitely not good at surprises. It's my job to know every little detail of a situation. Going into something blind, without that knowledge, it makes me feel... edgy."

"Do you trust me?" She could have been joking, but she wasn't. Arthur knew immediately when he met her stare that she was serious. There were few people in this world that he trusted. Those who were in that very small group had earned it, in his mind.

Ariadne watched the expression on Arthur's face as he contemplated her question. Trust is not something that she easily gave and she imagined it was the same for him. After everything that had happened with Saito and the inception, she trusted Arthur with her life. She thought he had felt the same way, but the awkward pause made her question that fact.

"I do trust you," he admitted. "And that's a big deal because I don't trust a lot of people," he added with a chuckle.

She let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. "I'm flattered," she whispered, her emotions betrayed by a blush that crept up her face. "Since you trust me, I can then assume that you can wait until we arrive?"

"If I must," he grunted. He was unimpressed about remaining in the dark, but was willing to do it for her. "Can you at least give me a hint?"

"Let's just say it could be an evening of firsts," she smiled, "if I have you figured out at all."

"I'm extremely complex you know." Truthfully, Arthur felt that he was rather predictable and even somewhat dull. Not that he wanted her to know that.

"Of that, I have no doubt." He turned to her, his head tilted only slightly and gave her a smile. She felt her heart melt as his eyes delved into hers, into the very depths of her soul. She felt undone as he looked upon her, as if every secret she ever had was now his as well. If a single look could turn her into a pile of protoplasmic goo, what would she do if things were to progress further; to move beyond longing glances and shy smiles? No man had ever held this kind of sway with her. This notion both excited and frightened her.

Mal had asked if she knew what it was to be a lover. Ariadne was not innocent in that department. There were a few boyfriends in her past, but none had caused emotions even close to what she felt with Arthur. If being a lover was to be in love, then she had never been one. Part of her was embarrassed by this truth, but a tiny voice in her head told her to be proud instead. Love is not something you should give away so easily, it told her. It's precious and reserved for only the most special of people. She had only known him for a short time, but Ariadne could feel herself falling.

The pair settled into a comfortable silence, the kind of stillness that takes most people years to develop. She wished she could hear his mind. Did he have doubts just like her? Did he know what it was to be a lover?

His hand, warm and strong, slipped into her cool grasp. "What are you thinking about?" His voice was barely above a whisper. How easily he read her. Without a word he knew that something was troubling her.

"It's nothing really," she murmured in reply. "My mind just keeps going over what happened in there, between Mal and Cobb. There was so much love and hate, so much pity and remorse. It was overwhelming." Ariadne paused, pondering on the complexity of human emotions. "I wish I knew her."

"Mal?" His forehead wrinkled in confusion, like it did when he was uncertain of something or frustrated.

"Yeah. You said she was lovely. It would have been nice to know that side of her. The Mal I met wasn't so... pleasant. She was so bitter and full of hate."

"Did she say something to you? Is that what has you so engrossed?"

"She just..." Ariadne stuttered, "well... never mind. It's stupid really." She started to laugh at her own absurdity. "Why is it whenever I'm around you the truth just tumbles out of my mouth?"

"You'd rather lie to me?" he asked with a sly grin on his face. Flirting seemed to be contagious she thought as she felt her skin redden yet again.

"No of course not," she replied, squeezing his hand tightly hoping he felt reassured. "I just think... well I'm a little too honest. It's embarrassing. I feel like you can read me like a book."

"I was just thinking the same about you. I try so hard to be unreadable, but you..."

Ariadne stopped walking, pulling him close to her. She felt the heat from his body against her own as she reached for his other hand. "I what?" she whispered.

Arthur's hand moved from hers, cupping her face. Her heart was pounding so loud she felt certain he could feel it. His thumbs glided over her cheeks, a slow rhythm that had her hypnotized. Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly descended upon her. Their kiss was sweet and gentle, walking the finest of lines. Both holding back; both wanting nothing more than to give in. Her heart pounded in her ears, as his forehead came to rest upon hers.

"You break through my walls. I crumble," he whispered.

"What the hell are we going to do?" she chuckled, lightening the intensity that had grown between them. Arthur pulled her into a hug. He was not a large man, but he wrapped around her small frame like a blanket. She felt so safe with him. Her heart slowed and her breathing became regular.

"I know," he laughed quietly, "we're screwed." She knew he was joking, but the logical side of her worried that he was right. This was dangerous. She pulled out of his embrace just far enough to find his eyes.

"This could go badly you know. I paced around my room for hours worrying about it. I almost cancelled on you." She should have been shocked by her bluntly honest statement, but as she said, the truth just sort of comes out whenever he's around.

"I know," he sighed, breathing in deeply, taking in her scent. "I almost cancelled too."

"Really? What made you change your mind? I thought you were the logical one." Maybe he had come to the same conclusion that she did. All they needed were some boundaries and clear guidelines.

"Actually," he laughed, "it was Cobb of all people." She wasn't surprised that Dom had contacted him. Not wanting to interrupt his thoughts, she let him finish. "He's known from the beginning... how I felt. He said what happened between him and Mal could have been avoided – that he was the one that pushed too hard."

"That couldn't have been all he said," she replied sceptically. "You're much too cautious to let a few words change your mind."

"How well you know me." Arthur smiled as his hand found its way back to her face, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "In the end all it took was one question."

There was nothing else in the world, but the two of them. The sounds of the cars had disappeared. The people walking on the street were a distant memory. All that existed was this moment. She found her way to her pocket, clinging to her totem. This is real, she told herself, you're not dreaming. Gathering all her courage she asked him what the question was. What had led him here tonight? She felt one of his hands leave her face, leaving an echo of warmth on her skin. She saw him place it in his pocket. She knew he was reaching for his totem as well.

"He asked if I wanted it bad enough."

"And?" A lump formed in Ariadne's throat; a sum of all her fear and doubt. This was it. This is when her heart is smashed into a million tiny little pieces. She suddenly felt so foolish for succumbing to her emotions. She could have held this back; could have reined these feelings in before they got the best of her.

Just as she about to run away, she saw him beam and his eyes dance. He leaned forward and kissed her softly, laughing ever so slightly. "What do you think?"

She pulled back far, smacking him on the shoulder. "Don't ever do that to me again!" she bellowed. "I was this close to running away. I thought you were going to tell me... well, you know what I thought." Arthur's laughter at her expense caused her to huff and her lip to pull into a pout. She knew she had a good pout. She had used in the past, not often mind you, but just enough that she knew she could get her way when she needed to.

"Oh now Ariadne," he laughed, pulling her back into his embrace. "No sulking. We're supposed to be having fun. Speaking of that, when are we going to arrive at this mysterious location?" His head spun round, first looking left, then right, desperately trying to glean the destination from their surroundings.

"We're already here."

"What?" he said thoroughly confused. He continued to search the buildings until his eyes settled on the only possibility. He let a loud groan escape his lips as he turned his head back. Ariadne was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "You've got to be kidding me."