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]

"What, always? Even when we..."

[isnt_the_same]

"You're work oriented," he said with a shrug.

[chesstotem]

"Then I must be doing something seriously wrong, if all you can think about when we're together is work." She bit her lip, frowning. "Look, maybe we should go. Talk somewhere more private."

[isnt_the_same]

"Alright." Arthur didn't ask for the check, just set down enough money to take care of their food and tip before getting up.

[chesstotem]

She was quiet on the way back - she let Arthur direct the cab, not caring if they went back to his hotel or her apartment. Her hands were folded in her lap.

[isnt_the_same]

They went back to her apartment. He didn't feel as if it was the best idea to go to his hotel. When they got there, he helped her out of the car.

[chesstotem]

She let him help her out, then dug in her purse for her key. She led him up to her apartment in silence, not sure what to say.

[isnt_the_same]

After he shut the front door behind him, he said, "I'm sorry."

[chesstotem]

"No, don't be... I didn't realize. It's my fault."

[isnt_the_same]

He shrugged. "It's not all the time, you know. Just most."

[chesstotem]

"I guess I just... don't understand. You know, if there's something I can do better..."

[isnt_the_same]

"You don't have to change anything about you."

[chesstotem]

"But I'm not good enough," she blurted without thinking. "I mean... forget it. You don't, I mean, you can sleep with whoever you want."

[isnt_the_same]

He raised his brow. "Ariadne..."

[chesstotem]

She shook her head. "I'm sorry. It's none of my business. You don't owe me an explanation."

[isnt_the_same]

He blinked several times just looking at her.

[chesstotem]

She fidgeted with her skirt. "I'm sorry, I just missed you when you were away, and..."

[isnt_the_same]

"And what?"

[chesstotem]

"And I guess I'd assumed you did, too," she said.

[isnt_the_same]

"Of course I missed you."

[chesstotem]

"But you've been fucking someone else," she said, her brow furrowed in confusion.

[isnt_the_same]

"Does that matter? Can't I miss you?"

[chesstotem]

She perched on the edge of her sofa. "Did you miss me while you were fucking that other woman?"

[isnt_the_same]

Other women, but she didn't need to know that.

He sighed. "I missed you, Ariadne."

[chesstotem]

She stared down at her lap for a few moments, still trying to parse what he'd told her. "I'm sorry. I've... never been in this situation before."