Author's Note: I'm ashamed at how long it took me to finish this. I have no excuses, just that it took me forever to think of how to finish it. Note to self for next time, plan ahead! In rereading this story I wasn't too happy with Part 1 so I tweaked it a bit and added about 300 words (mainly to the start).

Reviews are more than welcome.

Reforging

As Eames walked into his new 'base of operations' he untucked his shirt. Then tucked it back in. If Eames had bought more than two shirts he's sure he would have spent all morning trying them on. As it was he spent ten minutes changing from one to the other. He hated how much of a school girl he had become.

He tried to concentrate on the building he was walking through. Looking at the layout, noting possible escape routes, areas be could get cornered in, but all he could think was 'I'm about to see him again.'

Despite the 'Truth or Dare' left in the folder Eames wasn't sure of his reception. For all he knew that note wasn't a peace offering but a threat. Although it was a pretty lame one if it was. Best case scenario Arthur falls all over you, he thinks, worst case scenario he punches you in the face. No. Worst case he pretends there was nothing between you. That would hurt more than any punch.

The guard escorting him to the 'strategy room' (got to love the CIA and their labels) points to a door to his right. Eames takes a deep breath. Behind that door was Arthur. He suddenly found it very hard to move.

Pull yourself together man, you're on a job act professional. You travelled all this way, committed yourself to months of government work just to see him again. So man up and open that door.

Straightening his shoulders he turned the handle and quickly untucked his shirt as he walks through the door.

Shaking his head Arthur tried once again to focus on what he was doing. Realising he had read the same sentence a dozen times he gave up. He couldn't concentrate. No knowing he would be here any minute.

He can't properly recall their last encounter, but he knows it hadn't gone well. He'd been in a bad place and he had taken it out on Eames. Losing Dom had shattered him to the core. Ever since he was 16 he had built his life around the Cobbs, without them Arthur hadn't had a purpose anymore. It had taken him six months to work his way up from the gutter. To be reminded that there were still two people that needed him, James and Phillipa, Mal and Dom's children. Their grandparents weren't going to be able to look after them forever and he was determined to be there for them whenever they needed it.

So he quit his illegal businesses and cut all ties to his former life. Ariadne got him a consulting position within the dream division of the CIA. He works steady hours from 8-4, and on Mondays and Wednesdays he visits the kids. Life had fallen into a routine. That's when Arthur saw what he'd thrown away.

Every night he went home to an empty apartment. His new role didn't give him nearly as much work and he never had any research to bury himself in. His nights got very lonely. Trying to go to bars or clubs felt shallow and cold. Lying in bed one night a memory resurfaced. It was Eames looking worried saying the word Arthur hadn't been ready to hear, 'love'. There was only one person Arthur had ever wanted to take home with him. Only one person he could consider sharing this new life with. He wanted to hear him say that word again, if he wasn't too late.

He'd kept tabs on Eames over the months, not even lying to himself about why. He'd thought about going to find him a few times but he wasn't prepared to leave the kids in case something happened. So instead of going to Eames, he had bought Eames to him.

"Sir," his assistant poked his head through the door, "You wanted me to tell you when Mr. Eames had arrived."

"Thank you."

Arthur stood up pulling on his jacket. It had been over a year, Eames has probably moved on, forgotten about what they had. But he had to try, otherwise he was going to regret it forever. Straightening his tie he made his way through the hall to where Eames was waiting.

Eames was beginning to think he'd been placed in an empty room as an experiment. See how long it took him to go crazy. After half an hour of waiting, chastising himself for ever thinking that Arthur would be waiting for him, he'd had enough. Crossing the room he pulls opens the door and his heart stops.

Standing on the other side is Arthur. Who looks good. Really good, in a beige suit and tie, hair cut short, smile lighting his face. A far cry from the man he'd left in the motel.

"Hi," says Arthur.

Hi?, that's all he's got to say, not I'm sorry or please forgive me, just hi. All his hopes of reconciliation fly out the window. Seeing him standing there smiling at him like they haven't spent the last year apart. Like Eames hasn't been waiting for the day when he hears that Arthur had died, or been captured or something other than living the good life that he was apparently now living. Without him. All the emotions he's been suppressing for the past twelve months comes to the surface, and he's mad.

"One phone call to tell me you were okay. You couldn't give me one phone call?"

The smile slips of Arthur's face, "Eames I'm... Let's sit down."

"Let's not," he says shoving his finger into Arthur's face, "When we first got involved I wanted to kept things simple. But then you went and made be bloody care about you. Made me l-," he took a breath, "then when you needed someone to care about you, you pushed me away. Ran away where I couldn't find you. I asked every contact I had if they'd seen you. I fucking checked morgues when people were brought in matching your description. Then I find out you've been living a healthy domestic life. You never thought that I might want to know that you were okay?"

Arthur simply stares at him, keeping quiet. He doesn't offer up an explanation, a reason why Eames had been living through hell. He just stands there.

"Clearly falling for you was a mistake," Eames says, "A mistakes I'm only just realising. I shouldn't have taken the job. You'll have to find someone else."

He pushes past Arthur, ignoring the heat he feels when their bodies touch.

"Wait," Arthur says grabbing his arm, the point of contact sends a buzz through him, "There's no job."

"What?"

"There's no job. Well there is, but not for another four months."

"Then what the hell am I doing here?"

Arthur opens his mouth, but no sound comes out. Eames rips his arm free and takes a step away.

"I needed to see you, " Arthur says, "I didn't think you'd come just for me?"

He wishes he could keep on walking. Wishes he could forget about him, but he knows he can't. Despite thirty years of careful planning this one stupid, stubborn man has managed to worm his way in and turn his life upside down three times over. He turns slowly back to face him. The look Arthur is giving him is one of a desperate man making a final plea. The hope he'd dashed away slowly starts to trickle back.

"I've been waiting for over a year for you to show up at my door," he says.

"I'm sorry," Arthur takes a step towards him, "I'm sorry I didn't let you help me. I'm sorry I didn't let you find me. It's taken me a long time to sort out my life. But I know what I want now. I want you. I... I love you."

Eames steps back, "You haven't so much as texted me in a year."

"I'm sorry."

"Really? Why?"

"Did you get my note?" Arthur asks softly.

"Arthur this isn't-"

"Did you get it?"

"Yes, I got it."

Arthur pauses a moment, "And? What's your answer?"

The last time they had played this it had changed his life. Set him on the path that led him to this. To a relationship that had fallen apart. If he takes the plunge again there's nothing saying that it couldn't happen a second time. So here's where he makes his choice. He either leaves now and never looks back. Or he forgives all and takes a chance.

"Dare," Eames replies. He's always been a gambling man anyway.

Releasing his breath Arthur moves forward and looks into his eyes. "Stay with me," he brings his arms up and wraps them around his waist.

"Love me," he whispers.

Raising his hand, Eames trails his thumb down Arthur's cheek, "Okay."

"Okay what?"

"Okay, I'll love you."

He pulls Eames back towards the door. Now that he was staying put for the moment Arthur wanted to move their reunion to a move private location. Once inside the conference room Eames pulls him into his arms and brings their lips together for the first time in over a year. Kissing him was like breathing again after being suffocated. Pure relief mingled with pain. How had he ever let this man go?

Breaking the kiss Eames says, "I'm not good at staying in the one place."

"I don't care. Just think of here as your home base. The place you come back to."

He smiles, "That I can do."

Capturing his lips again Eames pushes him backwards until he hits the table.

"So this job, if I take it we'll be working together?" Eames asks

"Just like old times."

"It's a long job. I don't think I could keep my hands off you that long. Does your 'no sex on a job' rule still apply?"

Arthur runs his hands through Eames' hair, "It's only government work. I can afford to be a little distracted."

"Only a little? So if I were to bend you over this table have my way with you? That wouldn't be too distracting?"

"It would definitely make future meetings in here interesting."

"Is that an objection?"

Grinning he slides onto the table and wraps his legs around Eames' and pulls him close.

"No," he says as he starts undoing the buttons on Eames shirt.

The End