for isnt_the_same

[chesstotem]

The night Ariadne met Aubrey, things didn't turn out as they were supposed to. It started out just fine - they met in the bar they'd agreed on, chatted inside for a while about nonsense like the weather, then stepped outside to talk business.

It was as though the dark figure had been waiting for them - Aubrey was right in the middle of a sentence when suddenly a tall figure swooped in out of nowhere and descended on her like a rabid dog. Ariadne screamed as the person - thing - whatever it was - ripped her throat out, and the next thing she knew she was running blindly back towards the street, something warm trickling down her temple. The time that followed was fuzzy - she knew she must've ran for a while, because she was out of breath, but then she was in a cab (the cabbie was giving her a funny look, maybe to do with that warm trickle), and then she was at a hotel, getting more funny looks as she stumbled into the elevator.

Then she was pounding on Arthur's door, praying to whatever gods might be listening that he was inside.

Comments

[chesstotem]

She carefully kissed the back of his hand, just needing some contact with someone she felt like she could trust. "I care about you," she admitted hesitantly. "I could never stop worrying, because I care about you."

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur looked away. "I care about you, too, that's why I want you to stop worrying and let me take care of this."

[chesstotem]

She nodded. "I'll always worry. I'm sorry. I'd try to do just about anything you asked of me, but I can't do that. So please... just be careful. Please don't assume if you have a gun you'll be safe. I know how good you are. I wouldn't be telling you this if I thought it was just some guy. I don't know who or what I saw, but it's more dangerous than you are."

[isnt_the_same]

"I can be just as dangerous," he said quietly, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "But you should sleep."

[chesstotem]

"Just please... Promise me. Promise me you'll treat it as though you believe me. Even if you don't really." She was exhausted, but she knew she wouldn't be able to get any rest until she knew Arthur would really take her story seriously.

[isnt_the_same]

He looked at her intently for a few seconds before nodding. "I promise."

[chesstotem]

"Thank you." She remained facing him, clutching his hand as she finally started to relax a little. If nothing else, her body wasn't capable of maintaining that level of tension for much longer. "Thank you."

[isnt_the_same]

"You're welcome," he replied quietly. Arthur kept his eyes on her, hearing her heart beat in his ears slow down.

[chesstotem]

Eventually, finally, she relaxed into sleep, though it was probably only a matter of time before another nightmare woke her.

[isnt_the_same]

Once Arthur was sure she had fallen asleep, he had let go of her hand and went to sit in the arm chair again with his book.

And when she woke up again, Arthur looked up at her.

[chesstotem]

Her eyes searched for him, and the panicked look left them as soon as she found him. Her breathing began to even out again, and she sat up. She was much calmer. "Have you learned anything about the attack?" she asked quietly.

[isnt_the_same]

"Not yet," he replied as he closed his book and set it down on the coffee table. "Are you hungry?"

[chesstotem]

"And here I thought you'd have all the answers by now," she said, a feeble attempt at a joke.

"Maybe some toast," she added, in response to his question about food.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur ignored her first statement and went into the bedroom to call in an order of toast as well as other breakfast foods.

[chesstotem]

Her eyes followed him as he moved about; more as reassurance for herself than anything.

[isnt_the_same]

When he walked back out to the living room, he had his laptop with him and sat down int he arm chair again.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne curled up again, still watching him. "You were going to leave Paris soon," she murmured apologetically.

[isnt_the_same]

He nodded. "I was." Arthur started typing something. "But it's alright."

[chesstotem]

"If you're sure. You don't need to miss an important meeting or anything for me..."

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur shook his head. "Ariadne. I'm not going to leave you when your safety is compromised."

[chesstotem]

She nodded. "Thank you. I mean, you wouldn't have to help me - you don't owe me anything. But I'm glad you're staying. I trust you, more than anyone."

[isnt_the_same]

He smiled a little and looked back at the screen.

[chesstotem]

There was a knock on the door soon after, which made Ariadne jump, then look rather ashamed of herself.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur set his laptop on the coffee table before getting up to answer the door. A few seconds later, he shut the door and wheeled in a cart laden with food. "I hope you're hungry," he said. "I ordered you more than just toast."

[chesstotem]

She stood, glancing at the food suspiciously. "I don't have much of an appetite, yet," she admitted. "You should eat something, too."