Arthur rescues Ariadne.

While writing the last few chapters of "Ariadne's True Love" I enjoyed Arthur being angry at her. Kinda sexy except he's never mad at Ariadne. So I wrote this.

White Horse

1.

~ Ariadne tried not to cry. She chanced another glance at Arthur. The Point Man kept his eyes focused on the road ahead. His knuckles tightly clenched on the steering wheel. The silence between them becoming uncomfortable.

She swallowed hard and looked down at her hands. Arthur was angry. She knew him well enough by now to know when he was angry. Right now, he was furious. Right now, he was furious at her.

"How did you find me?" She asked in a whisper once they had been on the road for an hour.
"I have connections." Arthur said coldly. He didn't even look at her.

'Arthur, please. Please look at me.' She thought over and over.

She bit her lip hard. A self punishment perhaps.

"Where are we going?" She asked nervously.
"To another contact. He can hid us until we can get out of the country." He told her. She nodded.

'Good. I never want to be in this horrible country again.' She thought.

"Then where?" She asked. "Back to Paris?"

"Not right away. We need to regroup. Find out how much this little adventure of yours has exposed all of us." Arthur said. His eyes still focused on the deserted road and not on her.

The air was thick with tension. With unspoken words. She was breathing hard and felt tears drop out of her eyes. She was ashamed of herself as she tried to wipe them away with her sleeve.

"I'm sorry Arthur." She said at last. "I had no idea... it would turn out like this."

He sat up a little straighter. Looking even angrier.
"I know your sorry." He said gravely.

~ When they finally reached civilization, the Point Man slowed and blended in with the traffic. He told her harshly to keep her door locked as the streets were crowded with people.

Finally, they drove to a nice section of the city and the Point Man quickly parked the car in a privet lot.

"Were here." He said to her opening the door. Unlike the city they had entered, the parking lot was in a gated facility. Complete with guards.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"A branch of the American Embassy." He told her curtly.

She allowed Arthur to open her door for her. Remembering the instructions he snapped at her when he first came to get her. Instructions to get in the car and stay there till he said otherwise. He had worn a deep scowl and his voice was harder then usual. She had been so happy and yet afraid to see him. The Point Man, her rescuer, a welcomed sight after all she had been through. But his expression was livid and she knew, that he knew, all she had done. She found herself trembling as they had driven off.

"Were going to stay here?" She asked hopefully as Arthur took her hand and pulled her inside the building. She felt slightly better at the contact of his hand.

'Maybe everything will be alright.' She thought. Too quickly, however, he dropped her hand when they were met in the empty lobby by a small little man.

"We already have a room for you, Mr. Lazlow." He said nodding to Arthur respectfully. "Mrs. Lazlow." He said nodding to the Architect.

"Thank you, Mr. Wells." Arthur said stiffly. "Can you send up a dinner for my... wife?" He asked glancing at Ariadne.

"Perhaps I can alert laundry as well?" Mr. Wells asked looking over Ariadne. Her dirty clothes and messed hair. She hid behind Arthur.

'He has me posing as his wife?' She thought. 'Using a fake name and everything.'

"That will be fine. Thank you." Arthur said nodding to Ariadne and pulling her to the stairs. She went with the Point Man up three flights of stairs and kept close to him. The past few days had made her very fearful of everything around her. The only thing she could find comfort in was Arthur.

He unlocked the room door and ushered her inside. Locking it behind them.

The room was clean and comfortable. A large bed and a privet bathroom.

"Are you hurt?" Arthur asked looking her over.

"I'm fine." She said flinching away from his touch.

"Your bleeding." He said looking as her abdomen.

"It's alright." She told him. She could feel her lower lip tremble as a wave of self pity washed over her.

"Let me see." He said. His tone commanding and harsh.

"It's okay, it doesn't even hurt anymore." She said putting her hands up to stop him from getting too close. It had all been too much. The past few days, Arthur rescuing her. It was all becoming too much.

"Ariadne." He said speaking to her like she was a frightened animal. "Let me see." His tone was controlled and even kind. But it still held that hint of steel to it. Still let her know he was angry.

She blinked out more tears and nodded. She shed her dirty jacket and slowly unbuttoned her top. She wore only a bra and Arthur kept his focus on the dirty bandage on her side.

"I need to clean this." He said.

She let out a sob. The blood had dried on her dirty bandage, sticking to her skin so he could not take it off. Arthur sighed.

"We need to get this off with some hot water." he said formally. "Get you in the shower." He told her.

She only nodded and cried softly.

"Are you hurt anywhere else?" He asked. His voice still sharp as glass but his eyes kind.

"I... I don't think so." She breathed trying to collect herself.

"How did this happen?" He asked.

She shook her head and steeled herself. She wouldn't tell him. She would never tell him.

"I'm calling Mr. Wells. Have him bring a first aide kit." He said looking carefully over her dirty body. He examined her back side and chest. Looking for other injuries. "Will you be alright to shower on your own?" Do you want to eat first?" He asked.

"No, I want to be clean first." She said not looking at Arthur. "I'll be fine." She said crossing her arms over her chest.

"Alright. Leave your clothes outside and I'll have them cleaned." Arthur told her standing a little straighter.

She nodded and retreated to the bathroom.

Once inside the safety of the white tiled little room, she locked the door and ran the shower. She burst into tears then. Grateful the noise of the shower disguised the sobs she was making.