I've been kinda sick lately. Don't know if it's allergies or what. Can't sleep. So I write. I promised you some lovin' So here it is.

~~~~ LADIES AND GENTELMAN! ~~~~

~~~~PRESENTING FOR YOUR PLEASURE AND SUFFERING!~~~~

~~~~~ C&A, A&A, E&A all under one STORY! ~~~~~

Pls enjoy and review.

There will be a poll later to determine how this story will end.

Even I do not know how this will end!

And I know everything!

Get ready to vote!

The Rivals

They were all so wonderful. How could anyone choose?

* Cobb. Beautiful and steady. Kind and nurturing to his children, to her. He would never break her heart. He would keep her safely with him for the rest of their lives. He would love her. His children already loved her. She could slip into the role of wife and mother so easily. Dom wanted her to do so.

* Arthur. Bold and brooding. Sexy and smart. He was her teenage dream made into flesh. The type of man found a century ago. Who would take her dancing at night and make love until dawn. All the while impressing her with his encyclopedic like knowledge. Forever treating her like a lady.

* Eames. The dark horse. What to do with Eames? He made her laugh. He understood her. He was her best friend at times. Her worst enemy at others. She could turn to him and he was there for her. He could make any problem she was having feel like it would be alright. Then, there was that body of his, hidden under those clothes.

~Ariadne washed her face. The cold contact of the water on her burning hot cheeks felt good. How had she ended up in such a predicament?

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Ariadne?" Cobb called. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine!" She called out. "I'll be out in a second."

How could she have let this happen? She had been so careful and professional around Cobb. When he invited her out for dinner, she had assumed it was work related. All too soon, she realized that the handsome Extractor was hoping for something more.

~ She had been severely under-dressed. Cobb had asked her out to dinner the day before. Just a casual meal. He wanted to show her the good restaurants in L.A. Now that summer break had given the Architect more freedom.

Ariadne had decided to spend the summer in California. Where the Team was. She could work a few jobs with them and catch up. It had been so refreshing to see all of them again.

After the Fischer Inception, the Team scattered. Arthur called her about once a week. Ever the gentleman. Always making sure she was doing alright. Their conversations were always polite.

Not like Eames. The Forger would text humorous low brow jokes. Naughty emails that always made her laugh.

Now, Cobb was at her door. Dressed beautifully in a well tailored suit. A sharp blue tie that perfectly matched his eyes. He was holding half a dozen white roses in his hand.

"For you." He said with a shy smile as the Architect tried to remember to breath.

Why hadn't she ever noticed how handsome Cobb was before? She took the flowers and stammered a thanks. Invited him in.

She was under-dressed. The ever fashionable black woman's suit that would normally suit anything. Would not suit this situation.
"Um, should I go and change?" She asked "Or is this alright?"

"Well, the place I had in mind is a little fancy." Cobb admitted shyly. Not wanting to make her feel bad. "If you have anything more... racy." He finished.

'Racy?' Ariadne thought as she hurried back to her closet. She was not a clothes kind of girl. But she had something in mind. A simple black dress that would hug her body with in an inch of her life. It was the only evening dress she had. With it's lacy edges and sparkling sequins, it could be called racy.

She hurriedly slipped it on. Not bothering to fix her hair again or re-do her make up. It was only Cobb. She didn't even bother with stockings. It was to hot out for that.

"Very nice." The Extractor said as she came out of her room. She laughed and gave him a little twirl.

"So, will Arthur and Eames meet us there?" She asked. Once they had left her apartment. The Extractor guided her to the large black luxury sedan.

"No." Cobb laughed as he opened the passenger side door for her. "Just us tonight." He said. His eyes gazing over her.

She found herself blushing hard.

'What was going on here?' She thought.

If she didn't know any better, she would swear she was on a date.

A date with Cobb of all people. She shook her head. The whole idea was ridicules. He was too old for her. Too worldly. Too experienced. Plus, he had small children. She was practically a child herself.

Still, the Extractor asked what kind of music she liked as he searched the radio waves for her. He asked her how her classes were. Casting those lovely blue eyes her way. Interested in her answers.

He valet parked the car and guided her in the restaurant. He told the concierge his name and had them quickly seated.

Ariadne couldn't help but be impressed with the easy ways of the Extractor. The tip he subversively passed to their server when they were seated near a window. The choice he made in wine.

She couldn't help but notice how every woman in the restaurant couldn't take their eyes off him.

He looked so handsome. Like something from a romance movie, made in black and white. She half expected a fog to roll in, Cobb would tell her to get on that plane or she would regret it. And soon.

She had to laugh at herself.

"What's so funny?" Cobb asked with a smile. She flushed. Suddenly aware that her dress's neck line was plunging.

"Just, this is a side of you I'm not use to seeing." She told him truthfully. "It's nice."

He only shrugged.

"I've been feeling pretty good these past few months. Being back with the children... I feel so peaceful." He said putting his hand to his chest. A happy look on his face

Ariadne felt her heart beat faster. It was so sexy. A man being a good parent. Loving his kids so much.

"They must be so glad your back." She whispered. Felling herself breathing harder.

"Everyday, we've been going to the zoo, or museums." He laughed. I feel like a kid myself. I have to say, I've really been looking forward to our time out tonight. I've been wanting some adult conversation." he admitted.

The waiter came and took their order. When they were alone again, Cobb became more serious.

"Ariadne." he said softly.

She felt her legs separate slightly. Glad the table cloth hid it.

"Yes?" She asked. Felling her cheeks burn.

"I never got the chance to really thank you before. I left the airport so fast." he took a deep breath.

She waited.

"Out of all the Team members, you were the one who really helped me get home to my children. I never would have succeeded without you. I owe you more then I can ever tell you." He said huskily. His brow going into a deep scowl. Those pricing blue eyes, biting her.

"Oh, no." She stammered. "You had it in you." She finished lamely. Her heart banging in her chest. Ready to burst out.

"No, I didn't." He argued. "You helped me to find my way. Why I kept you so close to me during the mission. I needed you." He admitted.
"These past few months, back with my family have been a gift. A gift you gave me." He went on.

She felt her chest was about to break free from her body. The rush of blood making her head spin.

"Lately, I've been looking over my shoulder. I've been realizing a lot of things about myself. Mainly, that I still need you." He said. His handsome face looking at hers.

All she wanted to do was kiss him.