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

[chesstotem]

"That's not very professional of you," she said, feeling her face flush.

[isnt_the_same]

"It isn't?" He smirked.

[chesstotem]

"Not at all," she said firmly. "It's a good thing we're off the clock."

[isnt_the_same]

"Yes, it is," he said.

[chesstotem]

The waiter brought their wine and took their orders, and Ariadne waited until he was gone before speaking to Arthur again. "So... speaking of work... any jobs on the horizon?"

[isnt_the_same]

"None," he said before taking his wine.

[chesstotem]

"Didn't you have something possibly in Moscow?" she asked.

[isnt_the_same]

"Possibly, but it fell through," he explained.

[chesstotem]

"Damn, and here I thought we were going to be able to have a romantic evening in front of a roaring fire," she joked.

[isnt_the_same]

"Sex by the fire?"

[chesstotem]

"Can you blame me for fantasizing about it?"

[isnt_the_same]

"No, I guess not. I suppose I can just find a hotel that has suites with fireplaces," he suggested.

[chesstotem]

"But it would work so much better if we went somewhere that's actually cold," she pointed out.

[isnt_the_same]

"You wanna go on a vacation? Is it still snowing in Aspen?"

[chesstotem]

She looked a little sheepish. "You don't have to take me anywhere..."

[isnt_the_same]

"You want authenticity."

[chesstotem]

"And if you take me to Aspen or someplace, for a romantic weekend vacation, then everyone I know will consider you my boyfriend," she pointed out bluntly.

[isnt_the_same]

He raised a brow. "I see."

[chesstotem]

"Work is one thing, but vacations... Arthur, in my world, taking a vacation together is a little more serious than going out to lunch and sleeping together once in a while."

[isnt_the_same]

He held up his palms. "Alright."

[chesstotem]

She focused on her glass of wine for a few moments. "I know you're probably used to... all kinds of things."

[isnt_the_same]

"What are these things you speak of?"

[chesstotem]

She shrugged. "You know. Just... women you could sleep with and not have any strings attached..."

[isnt_the_same]

"I suppose," he said with a shrug.

[chesstotem]

"What, no girl in every city?"