for isnt_the_same

[chesstotem]

Arthur had been in London for the past two weeks, and Ariadne had been hiding out in Paris, dodging her friends and her handler. But Miles was CIA, too, and he'd been at this a lot longer than she - she'd never be able to keep everything from him.

"That you're sleeping with him isn't what has me concerned," he said, his voice low and gruff-sounding over the phone. "If that's what you needed to do to gain his complete trust, then that's your job. But I know you. You have feelings for him."

"No, it's not like that," she said, frustrated. "He's not the big fish here, Miles. There's something else going on. I think we should extend him an offer of immunity - I think he'd be willing to help."

"There is no evidence of any grand dreamshare conspiracies, despite your unpleasant experience at the hands of this... Quentin's goons. He's probably just a rival. Keep your eye on Arthur, that's your job. And be careful. You're already in this up to your neck. Remember who you are and why you're there. You know how charming he can be."

Ariadne frowned. "I know. I'll be okay. Don't worry."

Comments

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur, having just come out of her bathroom after taking a shower, had caught the end of her conversation. He strode into her bedroom and over to his suitcase. Arthur had arrived just a couple hours ago.

[chesstotem]

She put her phone away, glancing at Arthur. Next time she talked to Miles, she would have to be more discreet about it. She'd been counting on a couple more minutes than what she'd had.

"Hey. So, how was your trip? Do I get to know anything about it at all?"

[isnt_the_same]

He watched her stash her phone away and wondered who she had been talking to. "The trip went find. It's classified unfortunately." Arthur pulled on his underwear. "Who was that on the phone?"

[chesstotem]

"Classified? You with interpol now or something?" she teased.

"It was just an old friend. We had lunch the other day and I was acting all jumpy. He's worried about me."

[isnt_the_same]

He grinned. "It's better if you don't know. Trust me."

Arthur pulled on his pants next before he turned to her after hearing what she said. "And you're truly okay?"

[chesstotem]

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I just... I really wish I knew who those guys were working for and what they wanted with me," she said.

[isnt_the_same]

"I've been calling around but so far no one knows, or at least no one wants to tell me," he said before buttoning his shirt and tucking it into his pants.

[chesstotem]

"Do you have any hunches?"

[isnt_the_same]

He shrugged. "Not really. It couldn't be anyone," he said. "Or corporation for that matter."

[chesstotem]

"That's... not reassuring at all, Arthur. You really have that many enemies?" She gave him a faint smile, perching on the edge of her bed.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur walked over and leaned down, his hand resting on the back of her neck. "I won't let anyone hurt you again. In a dream or not. Got it?"

[chesstotem]

She looked up at him for a moment, then nodded. "Got it. And really, don't worry about me. I'm okay, I promise."

[isnt_the_same]

"Good." He kissed her forehead quickly before letting go and walking over to pull on his jacket.

[chesstotem]

"What're you up to today?" she asked, her eyes following him as he moved about the room.

[isnt_the_same]

He raised his brow as he looked over at her. "I think we were getting lunch together."

[chesstotem]

"Oh! Well, then. Am I dressed appropriately?"

[isnt_the_same]

"It's a little more upscale," he replied, grinning.

[chesstotem]

"Oh." She frowned down at herself, then went to her closet. "Um..." She finally pulled out a sun dress, with red flowers printed on it. "Would something like this work?"

[isnt_the_same]

"That'll be fine," he said and then went to put on his shoes out in the living room.

[chesstotem]

She laughed. "You should give me better heads-up next time. Not very nice to spring that on me." She quickly slipped out of her jeans and blouse and into the dress.

[isnt_the_same]

"You could do with a little spontaneity," he told her as he leaned against the door frame, watching her change.

[chesstotem]

"You're telling me I need to be spontaneous?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

[isnt_the_same]

He huffed out a laugh but didn't answer her question.

[chesstotem]

She finished putting on the dress, then stood and twirled in front of him. "What do you think?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Gorgeous as always," he replied with a smile.